Blog
May
3
2013
Posted by: cburden in Care for Seniors, Published Newspaper Columns
Disaster planning is key for those of us with elderly parents or loved ones. Senior citizens, especially those with medical issues and limited mobility, can be vulnerable in the event of a disaster. But even if you have physical limitations, you can still protect yourself by having a personal disaster plan in place. Below, I’ve outlined some steps to creating a disaster plan, and some ideas for a disaster ‘Go-Bag’ for preparedness.
Local, state and federal officials are urging all Americans, especially senior citizens, to review, update and rehearse their disaster plans. By looking ahead, seniors can be prepared for any disaster, natural or man-made.
Senior citizens living in a group setting such as a nursing home or adult living facility should contact the administrator to learn about the specific disaster/evacuation plan for that facility. Continue reading “Seniors & Disaster Preparedness: Making an Emergency Kit and Disaster Plan”
Tagged: aarp, adult homes, alzheimers care, alzheimers diagnosis, armistead, assistance in home, cdphp, choice connections, disaster plan, disaster plan for seniors, emergency kit, healthcare for seniors, home helpers, home instead, in home care, interim, mvp, private home care, senior assistance, Senior Care, senior solutions |
Apr
23
2013
Posted by: cburden in Assisted Living, Care for Seniors, Estate Planning for seniors, Financial Planning for seniors
So, what exactly is the sandwich generation? It is the generation of people who are assisting their aging parents while still raising their own family. Caring for an adult family member and your own children simultaneously is a financial and emotional challenge. Only one-third of adult caregivers receive help from their siblings, according to a study from Clark University.
Unfortunately, not all family members work together in sharing the caregiving responsibilities. Whether it’s due to living in different states, or perhaps because one of them does not have the financial security to be available, or perhaps there are years of family tensions simmering. In other cases, sometimes it’s because one of the children does not have the best relationship with the parents. Continue reading “The Sandwich Generation: Is Everyone on Board?”
Tagged: The Sandwich Generation |
Apr
20
2013
Posted by: cburden in Care for Seniors, Elder Care, Facilities for Seniors, Financial Planning for seniors
5 Important questions families and those responsible for being elder caregivers need to ask themselves before a crisis happens with their aging loved one:
# 1. Are my loved ones safe in their present environment?
- Do they live alone? Is there a caregiver or spouse able to assist them? If so, is this the right person for the job?
- Does your loved one get confused?
- Are they eating right and staying hydrated? Who is monitoring their nutrition daily ?
Tagged: FAQs for senior care, Senior Care |
Apr
12
2013
Posted by: cburden in Alzheimer's Care, Assisted Living, Care for Seniors, Elder Care, Facilities for Seniors, Senior Living
In my first column, I spoke of the crisis my family was faced with several years ago that inspired me to create my business and passion. I told the story of how my father’s illness changed many aspects of my family’s life. If I knew then what I know today, I would have explored the many different options available. This would have made a world of difference for our entire family because our choices would have been very different. Continue reading “Safety First”
Tagged: elder safety, keeping elders safe, senior rehabilitation, senior safety |
Apr
3
2013
Posted by: cburden in Assisted Living, Care for Seniors, Published Newspaper Columns
Most of us don’t really think about or like to think about aging, deteriorating, or becoming dependent, so much so that we often forget to consider what happens if a family member becomes dependent on us. Am I right? Most of us are so busy trying to keep up with our hectic lives that we fail to plan for when our elderly loved ones start to decline or are no longer able to meet their own needs.
Unfortunately, I learned the hard way what happens when you wait until a crisis to take action; I learned firsthand how situations change quickly and dramatically, and not only for your loved one, but for your entire family. But you can plan ahead with aging parents resources. Continue reading “The Story of A Senior’s Choice: Don’t Wait for a Crisis to Happen”
Tagged: assisted living, caring for aging parents |
Feb
13
2013
Posted by: cburden in Care for Seniors, Elder Care, Published Newspaper Columns
Should you be the primary caregiver for your loved one with Alzheimer’s? Hopefully by now some of your tears have dried and you’ve done some research. You’ve read that AD is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder and there is no cure. It doesn’t help to hear that you will now be joining the ranks of the over 11 million dementia caregivers. Your life is now interrupted. Before you rally or jump right in and become a caregiver, there are things that you will need to know and should consider—and then reconsider. Know that your identity and routine will abruptly change.
It’s natural to have conflicted feelings about becoming a caregiver. You have read so many accounts from well-meaning caregivers and may have experienced caring for someone close to you in the past. Continue reading “When Someone You Love is Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s”
Tagged: caregivers, choosing to be an elder caregiver, should I care for my elder loved one? |
Jan
13
2013
Posted by: cburden in Care for Seniors, Facilities for Seniors, Published Newspaper Columns, Senior Living
So many times, my clients are faced with a very difficult decision: when is the right time to transition a loved one suffering from some form of dementia from their home into a care facility? Sometimes they are so overwhelmed, paralyzed in fear or guilt that they are unable to make the decision and end up waiting too long until they have no options left other than a nursing home. Don’t wait—there are numerous and wonderful options available for you and your loved one. There is a better way. Continue reading “Our Elders, Our Actions: Timing is Everything”
Nov
15
2012
Posted by: cburden in Dementia Care
Most families, when asked if their aging loved one has been diagnosed with a specific neurological disease, typically respond with, “Well… they have Dementia.”
Dementia is a term used much too loosely and with great uncertainty by the general public. However, they are not to blame. Those who have never been educated on Dementia or never known someone with a particular form of dementia are surprised to learn just how many types of Dementia exist. I cannot stress enough the importance of a proper diagnosis when it comes to Dementia. If you or someone you are close to is worried that there are serious concerns with a loved one and wish to have more in-depth testing done to determine a proper diagnosis, then please ask your GP (General Practitioner) the name of a reputable Neurologist. Continue reading “Under the Umbrella of Dementia: Where the Confusion Exists”
Tagged: dementia, dementia facts, dementia terms, help with dementia, neurology, senior care Saratoga Springs NY, senior citizens, types of dementia, understanding dementia, what is dementia? |
Sep
3
2012
Posted by: cburden in Assisted Living, Care for Seniors, Financial Planning for seniors, Published Newspaper Columns, Senior Living, Senior Services
Do you know someone or are you someone who is worried about your aging loved ones? Or is that aging
loved one you?
It is one thing to be thrown into crisis mode and forced to make quick decisions on unstudied facts because of sudden illness or tragic mishaps of a senior loved one, but it is a totally different situation and feeling to observe the changes of our loved ones over time. Some of our elders are well aware of their gradual decline and are faced with fears, worries and stresses. Continue reading “The Elder Care Conversation: What Part of the Equation Are You?”
Tagged: alzheimers association, atria senior livin, elder Care, eldercare network, eldercare.net, ne health, office of the aging, saratoga chamber of commerce, saratoga county, saratoga ny connects, southern chapter chamber of commerce, the eddy, Upstate New York assisted living, veterans association |
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