Elder Care Cafe

No one wants to give up their independence and growing older should not be a reason for doing so. Eventually we all grow old; it is part of the cycle of birth, life and death. So long as you feel healthy and can move around under your own steam, there’s nothing wrong with staying on [...]

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In 2009, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released its annual report on the leading causes of death in the United States.  As it is every year, “unintentional injuries,” i.e. accidents, was in the top 5 leading causes of death that year.  And as you can see in the chart below (data courtesy of the [...]

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There are people who love to invent new gadgets to spring upon the world, and there are those who keep an eye out for the latest to appear on the market. With all of the technological advancement man has made over the years, there is a very wide range of products available, all of which [...]

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Can it really be possible that the newest gadget or doodad or thingamajig that we see advertised on television or in print ads can help keep our seniors safe in their own home? While that does seem unbelievable, there is a possibility that these gadgets can play a positive role in their life. Here’s why. [...]

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Carol Bradley Bursack has written one of the most eye-opening articles I’ve read in a long time. The title is Who Is Worse Off: People with Alzheimer’s or Their Caregivers? There is a link to the article below. I just wanted to make people aware of the article in case they didn’t see it and [...]

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Now that we baby boomers are in our mid-sixties, we are speaking out about issues that have plagued the elderly for many years. One of the issues that I can certainly relate to is the fear of losing my independence. As I watched my grandparents become more dependent on mom and dad, and now seeing [...]

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Last Friday I got up close to my usual early morning time. Love working online early in the a.m. I was going great guns and getting a lot accomplished with my online work when I went into the kitchen for my third cup of coffee around 8:30 a.m.   I glanced into Dad’s bedroom to [...]

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In my early thirties I started having health problems when I was diagnosed with thyroid problems. Since then I’ve struggled with occasional bouts of depression, fatigue, and now growing signs of dementia now that I’ve reached my mid-sixties. It seems like each decade has brought its own health challenges, and along with that an increasing [...]

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As most of us are aware, as we age we experience numerous changes in our body. Quite often one of those changes is our sense of smell. Unfortunately, any change in our sense of smell can also affect our enjoyment of what we eat and drink, as well as how we eat and what nutrients [...]

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In most cases, caregivers are usually family members who have a vested interest in caring for a loved one or are placed in a position where there is no one else to take care of the person. Also, most of the time they perform their care giving duties not for pay, but out of love, [...]

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Because this is the end of the year and the beginning of our next yearly adventure, I wanted to take the opportunity to thank all of you who have visited this site, participated in any way, and passed on the link to others. You are very much appreciated. We have not been without struggles this [...]

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What are assistive devices and how important are they for seniors? Assistive devices help the elderly to remain active yet safe. They include but are not limited to canes, bath safety devices like grab bars and even hip protectors. You would be amazed at the number of assistive devices available on the market that can [...]

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Every once in a while a book comes across my virtual desk that just rocks my emotional world. As a long time caregiver for my elderly father, I know the stress and strain on our daily lives that care giving can exact. When I started reading this book, I knew the author was on my [...]

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Ginger curry, cigarettes and a happy marriage, are just some of the things people say have helped them live longer than others. However, incorporating exercise into your lifestyle is very beneficial and you are never too old to exercise.  Some say it is the key to staying vibrant, healthy and fit, which could help longevity. [...]

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Today we are celebrating my father’s 89th birthday. My brother and sister came into town from southern Illinois and Utah for the occasion, as did other family members from around Michigan. It was great to see everyone together. We spent quite a bit of time swapping stories, then went out to a late lunch at [...]

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