Posts by Maureen

We Can’t Go On Like This: Making Smart Housing Transitions

Posted by on Nov 10, 2021 in Housing Options, Living Arrangements | 0 comments

As health, mobility or other circumstances change in your parents’ lives, it’s natural to start looking at how their living arrangements affect them as well as you and your family. Some of the following situations can cause concern and worry for those with aging parents, whether they live close by or far away. Your parent is recently widowed and you are discussing the idea of having them to move closer to you. They are resisting, in spite of your concern for their well-being. You think it might be time for your parents to down-size and consider a care home, but either this...

Read More

When Aging Parents are Unwell (3 of 3) Where to get help if your parent has a mental illness

Posted by on Sep 1, 2021 in Health Care Team and System | 0 comments

When Aging Parents Are Unwell: Part III Where to get help if your parent has a mental illness Mental health problems can occur at any age and any stage of life. Some individuals have chronic mental health problems that they must manage during their life time. Other people develop mental illness in later life.  The most common problems are depression and anxiety. Depression Depression is not an emotion!  It is a disorder with affective (mood), cognitive (mental), and physical symptoms. Depression is not feeling sad about a loss or disappointment. Surveys show that about 10-15% of otherwise...

Read More

When Aging Parents Are Unwell (2 of 3): You CAN Prepare for a Visit to the Emergency Department!

Posted by on Jul 30, 2021 in Health Care Team and System | 2 comments

When Aging Parents are Unwell You CAN Prepare for a Visit to the Emergency Department Frail seniors are likely to go to a hospital emergency department because of falls or serious acute health problems such as stroke. In most emergency departments, 50% of the patients will be over the age of 65. You may be the first family member called when a parent is taken to hospital.  There are some things that you and your parents can do to be prepared for the visit to the emergency department. Talk before the call comes! Talk to your parents about important documents. Have they assigned enduring power...

Read More

When Aging Parents Are Unwell (1 of 3): Who’s who on the healthcare team

Posted by on Jun 27, 2021 in Health Care Team and System | 0 comments

Originally published in the Lifespeak newsletter, January 2009. Compared to the younger population, seniors are more likely to use the health care system, including visits to the doctor’s office, medical clinics, the emergency room, and hospitals. Many older persons also require home care provided by the local public health services. During each encounter, senior sand family members will meet a variety of health care professionals. It can be confusing to figure out: Who is the best person to ask about problems or concerns? What role do these people play? Should we ask for professionals who...

Read More

Responding to the Crisis Call

Posted by on Sep 15, 2021 in Caregiving, Health Emergencies | 2 comments

What can you do when you get the call that your parent has a health or medical crisis? You are likely to feel the pull of trying to be in two places at the same time. Now is the time to recruit help, both personal and professional, to assist you.  What kind of help is available? Financial resources will influence some of these suggestions. Consider the following ideas: Inquire about public health care services such as home care, companion programs, and palliative care programs. Be sure that your parent is receiving the services that are available. In the hospital or long-term-care...

Read More