“This year has been a challenge for everyone including my elderly mother, and now the holidays are happening at the same time the pandemic is surging. Can you recommend ways for celebrating holidays with seniors during Covid that keep her safe but still feel festive?” – Patti from Marietta

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My advice for this holiday season is not entirely different than it is for every holiday season: less is more. Every year, families go above and beyond to try to top the year before, with bigger gatherings, rich meals, lavish gifts, and over-the-top decorations. Underlying all this excess is a level of stress and high […]

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“My mother has never been the best sleeper, but lately, she is struggling more than usual. I hate to put her on another prescription. Do you have any suggestions to help get better sleep for seniors?” –Sandra from Vinings

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It is a myth that older people do not need much sleep; the fact is that people over 65 should get the same seven to eight hours a night as much younger adults. Unfortunately, anywhere from 40 to 70 percent of elderly people have regular struggles with sleep, according to the National Institutes of Health. […]

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“I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I don’t think I have seen my father’s feet in years! Lately, he has been complaining of foot pain. Do you have any tips for senior foot care that can help him?” – – Daniel from Alpharetta

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While feet may be a touchy subject for people of any age, we all should appreciate the miles our feet haven taken us over a lifetime. With daily weight bearing for decades (not to mention unsupportive footwear), feet can take a real beating, but how many of us show our feet the love they deserve? […]

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“My mother has been complaining about blurry vision, and I am concerned she might be developing cataracts. I don’t know how she is going to adjust if she loses her sight! Is there anything that we can do, or is it too late to save her vision?” – Sylvia from Woodstock

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If your loved one has cataracts, she is in good company, but it doesn’t mean her sight is gone forever. By the time people reach 80, at least half of the elderly population will either have cataracts or have had surgery to remove them. Usually, you can tell if your loved one has a cataract, […]

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“My sister and I both live in different cities far from our elderly father, and neither of us can visit as often as we like. We both worry we aren’t doing enough to help him. Should we try to move him to be near us, or can long-distance caregiving work for our family?” Stephen from Franklin, Tennessee

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When you live out of town, you may not be able to act as your senior’s primary caregiver. That does not mean you do not have a vital role in your loved one’s care. What you lack in physical proximity you can make up for in organization and coordination. The key to successful long-distance caregiving […]

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“My father has been limited to his room at the assisted living facility since the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders began, and I am worried about the toll this seclusion is taking on him. Is there anything I can do for him if I cannot visit? How are other families navigating social isolation and seniors?” – Jeff from Noonday

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As painful as it is to not be able to visit your loved one at a nursing home or assisted living facility, the situation on the inside may be even more troubling. While most of us are physically distancing from others, wearing masks in public, washing hands frequently, and relying on video chatting for work […]

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“My mother resides in an assisted living facility, and I am so anxious about her health. What should I know about caregivers and COVID-19? How do I know that my mom is getting the care she needs if I am not allowed to visit her? Do you have any advice for adult children like me who are worried about our loved ones?” –Andrea from Wickford

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These are strange days indeed, and the concern about containing the spread of this invisible enemy, COVID-19, is the most important thing we can do today and in the coming weeks to keep everyone, especially our beloved elderly population, safe. Because seniors are at the highest risk for complications, it’s imperative that we all follow […]

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“Am I right to assume you don’t hear much about seniors with high blood pressure? My father was just diagnosed, and I didn’t realize it was a big deal at his age. Why should we be concerned about hypertension in the elderly?”—Joseph in Dunwoody

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I understand your point; it does seem that people are usually younger when first diagnosed, but according to the American Heart Association, the risk for developing high blood pressure does increase with age. It’s also seen more often in men until women reach menopause; at around 55-64, men and women have the same risk of […]

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“Every year I want to make resolutions to improve myself, but being a caregiver always gets in the way. Is there any hope that I can make a change this time without feeling guilty?”—Wendy from Smyrna

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  I’m not a huge fan of resolutions because people tend to put too much pressure on themselves to set huge and often unattainable goals. Life as a caregiver is hard enough as it is without making yourself feel like you are not good enough or deserving of happiness. That being said, there are several […]

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“My mother has always had a sweet tooth, but lately, I can’t seem to get her to eat anything but sugary snacks. I am worried this sugar addiction could lead to diabetes. Can that happen, and if so, is there anything I can do to prevent it?” – Margaret from Suwanee

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You are right to be concerned about your mother’s sweet tooth; in fact, many seniors do tend to prefer sweets over more savory foods, thanks to a loss of sense of smell and taste as we age. The preference for sweets, if unchecked, could potentially lead to a prediabetic condition or type II diabetes. According […]

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