Family

There are many great genealogy resources available on the internet today. With the ability to scan and record literally millions of records into databases, genealogy has become something that anyone can enjoy. With a little luck and a little more…
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To determine when home health care is appropriate, an individual considering home health care or their loved ones must be aware of important information to make the best decisions. Sometimes a social service agency case manager, an adult protective services case manager, a hospital…
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For the genealogist or family historian, family photos are a treasure trove of clan lore. They must be preserved and protected! Over the ages, photographs do deteriorate. Mold and mildew, extreme temperature changes, dust and dirt, direct sunlight, and water…
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Last November, I discovered an application on Facebook for building a family tree. This piqued my interest, and I began filling in what I knew about my family. As it turned out, I didn’t really know all that much. Over…
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Most falls in the home happen in the bathroom because of wet, slippery surfaces. And the tight spaces make it hard to turn around without the use of walkers or crutches. Modifications to bathrooms help to keep balance and prevent…
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Being the historian in the family, I’ve spent the last three years researching my family tree. It is a daunting task to say the least. On one side of the family, I have Polish relatives who thanks to the communist regime…
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As our parents get older, we often begin to worry about how long, or even if they should now, live alone in their own homes.  It’s a hard call, but one service that has made that call a little easier…
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“The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have passed at home in the bosom of my family.” Our third president chose these words to describe his ideal in the way of family life. The idea of…
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If you’d ask them, the most favorable transportation option for older adults is the ability to still drive their own cars. However, as people age, the inevitable moment arrives when they should no longer drive. Family members should keep close…
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12 Things You Should Know About Adult Day Care There are a number of options to consider when selecting a long term care solution for your aging loved one.  Adult day care is one option which is often under-utilized.  In-home…
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I consider myself an average person with generally humble beginnings. However I’ve always had an abiding thirst to track down information on my ancestors. I was especially interested in my grandfathers life. He died in 1917 so I don’t actually…
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Technological advances have had a major impact on the longevity and the quality of life of seniors. Perhaps the most obvious advances have been in medical technology.  Slow but steady progress has been made in the fight against cancer, with…
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Remember the old TV commercial showing a distressed elderly woman on the floor? She’s crying: Help, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up! The ad was run so frequently, it became a running joke for comedians. Actually any real emergency…
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Would it amaze you to know that it took a million people, over hundreds of years, to make it possible for you to be here, alive, and reading this? Sounds impossible, I know, but if you do the math you’ll…
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Choosing a long-term care solution for an aging loved one is a challenging task, and a vital one.  Many factors must be balanced, including a budget, the loved one’s preferences and your abilities.  Consider the following tips for making this…
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The first and best people to ask about times past are almost certainly your parents and grandparents. The problem is though, in may cases they have had unpleasant experiences and are reluctant to talk about them. However to the keen…
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‘Honor your father and mother’ is a well known phrase. We hear it almost every day and in almost every aspect of our lives. Unfortunately, as the times change, this phrase is becoming just a lip token to most people. …
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Having readily accessible and safe transportation is essential for everyone, but especially for the elderly.  For many seniors, transportation is their link to the outside world, allowing them to continue to live independently, remain socially active, maintain quality of life,…
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My mother is a wonderful woman of 70 years old, a widow for 4 years. When my Dad passed away, she went into a depression. The emptiness and loneliness were taking control of her. My sisters and I convinced her…
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Most older Americans would prefer to stay in their own homes versus moving into an assisted living facility or nursing home. Who could blame them? You work your entire life looking forward to the day that you can retire and…
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The time has arrived when it is no longer safe for your loved one to live alone.  You have discussed all the options available and the decision is made to begin the search for a nursing home.  Choosing a nursing…
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Talking with Your Loved One About Entering a Nursing Home The Benefits of Professional Care You will note that I use the terms, “she, her, herself” to designate your choice of family member instead of words such as Dad, Mom,…
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As your parents age, there are times when you must have very difficult conversations, dealing with finances, health, driving or moving into some form of assisted living.  Discussing sensitive information and making decisions will take much patience and perseverance and…
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There are basically four types of options for elderly people who must consider assisted-living facilities among other residency options. First of all, the typical senior is one who sells the empty nest family home to find smaller, easier to care-for…
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A friend of mine is an only child with three teenage boys, a husband, a developing small business… and aging parents. One day her dad telephoned “Can you come do something with your mother?” My friend explained to her dad…
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We had two elderly relatives who were infirm, and in nursing homes. They didn’t understand why they were there and not in their own homes, and did get upset at times. They were unable or, maybe, unwilling to accept that…
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Our aging parents need to be treated with a large dose of sensitivity coupled with a larger dose of tender loving care. This lays strong emphasis on the concept of protecting our aging parent in a dignified manner- – -without…
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My father, a seemingly healthy man had approached his mid sixties quite gracefully. He was as healthy as a horse. He walked everywhere, sometimes as much as 8-10 miles in one day. He could engage in a deep meaningful conversation…
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There was a time in the history of the nuclear family when sending a parent or grandparent to an assisted living facility or a nursing home was out of the question. As our lives have become more busy and filled…
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In whatever living situation your aging parents are: living with you, on their own, assisted living, or in a care facility-maintaining their dignity is absolutely critical.  Treating them patronizingly, like they are incapable, frail, weak and infirm robs them of their dignity. …
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