Living Well Blog » Caregiver and family support

Secrets our Loved Ones hide and How Gero-Technology can help….

Doris Bersing — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 00:41:46 +0000

When it comes to care for our loved ones, we worry about falls, their being alone and injured, time response to a crisis and most of the times, our alternative is moving them to an institution. Living Well Assisted Living at Home believes that there are options to give choices to the elders and peace of mind to the family members. Aging.com reported on 10 secrets that our aging parents keeps from us and some ways to deal with and approach them. I couldn’t help but think of all sorts of technology solutions (remote monitoring like GrandCare, Internet technology, etc.) that could assist in dealing with these 10 “secrets” shared in the story. Of course, technology is only one piece to the puzzle. Read More

Eldercare Robots Ready to Help Tend to Needs of Aging Population

Doris Bersing — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 23:26:24 +0000

James Vlahos/The Daily

In an article in The Daily by James Vlahos, we learn that the elder-friendly robots are here to engage and to help burnout caregivers. Vlahos says: “…Robots may be our best option to pick up the slack — or so say the pioneers of eldercare robotics, which is being pursued by corporations from Toyota to NEC as well as university robotic labs worldwide…”

Read Part 1

Read Part 2

Elder Care: Navigating the Maze

Doris Bersing — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 17:18:35 +0000

Liivng Well

New York Times Knowledge Network – This course will simplify the maze of procedures and paperwork confronting children and friends who care for aging loved ones. Taught by a journalist who is a leading expert in this field, and who created the popular blog “The New Old Age” on nytimes.com, this course compresses vital information into two weeks, because time constraints are urgent for most people in this situation.

March 30 – April 13, 2011 Instructor: Jane Gross

Learn more and register.

Activity key to a Dementia sufferer’s well-being

Doris Bersing — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 04:00:15 +0000

MINNEAPOLIS, MN, January 10, 2011/ Troy Media/ –

Studies have shown nursing home residents with dementia spend 70 to 80 per cent of their time with nothing to do. “I’m dying of boredom” was the statement made by a gentleman living in an Alzheimer’s care unit to Wendy Wood of Colorado State University Head of Department of Occupational Therapy.

According to research conducted by Wood and published in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy in May 2009, the remaining cognitive, social, and emotional capabilities of persons with dementia living in Alzheimer’s units were rarely tapped into, promoting “excess disability” or disability beyond what is directly attributable to the disease itself. This could lead to a more rapid decline.

Because concerns about the use of certain medications to manage behaviours in persons with dementia are being raised, new approaches – such as music, dancing, art, and storytelling – are being tested and have been found to be effective in the care for persons with dementia.

The common element in all of them is engagement – or doing. Even routine tasks are beneficial for persons with dementia. Having the person help with dressing, setting the table, getting the mail, or answering the door are all tasks that can be assigned, as long as directions are also given. Targeted care incorporating daily engagement is key and has many benefits.

How to Keep Your Sanity if Caregiving for Somebody with Parkinson’s Disease?

Doris Bersing — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 17:39:39 +0000

Caregivers and Parkinson's

On the National Parkinson Foundation resources Library, I found a nice posting by Cathy Whitlock, who advices how to stay “sane” when caring for people with Parkinson’s Disease, which could apply to caring for senor or adult with a brain disorder, Dementia – including Alzheimer’s, or mental illness.

She says: “…When it comes to tips for staying sane under insane circumstances, I find that simplest is best: notice your breathing, cultivate Gratitude, and let go of something that won’t matter in the long run, where too much energy is being expended…” Ms. Whitlock says “…These three guidelines for sanity may seem obvious and simple, but when I can stay conscious enough to heed them on a weekly, if not daily basis, they make a gigantic difference in how my week goes…”

Nana-Technology

Doris Bersing — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 20:28:37 +0000

Read the related article.

Aging in Place with Technology

Doris Bersing — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 20:10:09 +0000

The Aging Brain

Doris Bersing — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:41:02 +0000

Living Well with memory loss and Alzheimer's

On Episode Six of the Charlie Rose Brain Series, a discussion of the Aging Brain with Brenda Milner of McGill University, Larry Squire of the University of California San Diego, John Hardy of University College London, and Scott Small of Columbia University. Co-hosted by Eric Kandel of Columbia University and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, we find easy information for the laymen about what occurs in the aging memory related to memory loss and the developing of Alzheimer’s

See the program

‘Villages’ Help Neighbors Age At Home

Doris Bersing — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 23:49:01 +0000

In Chevy Chase, Md., Betty and Jack O’Connor are part of a growing number of people banding together to help each other grow old at home. Betty is 80, Jack, 85, and it’s something of a triumph that they’re still living independently in their suburban house, with its backyard garden and pool. Jack suffered a brain injury in a fall five years ago. Since then, a hip replacement has left him frail, and an allergic reaction to the anesthesia in that operation stole even more of his memory. NPR Radio emission by Jennifer Ludden.

How To Videos: Videos to care for your elder loved one

Doris Bersing — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 21:51:16 +0000

Watch these videos to get step-by-step instruction on caring for your elderly loved one. Learn about topics including, how to make your bathroom safer, moving your parents into your home and ensuring your parent’s end-of-life wishes.

Watch the videos