Caring for a loved one, be it a senior family member or a person with a mental disorder, is a noble undertaking. It is quite common for close family members to assume the position of a caregiver when a parent or sibling is in need. However, as much as it is fulfilling to be there for your loved one, as a caregiver, there are many problems you could face on a personal level. For instance, you may be inexperienced, and the sudden transition can put immense pressure on you. As such, the line between your personal life and your responsibilities can get blurry to the point that you can’t tell the t...

Senior citizens or elders who suffer from dementia have a neurodegenerative disease. Among the most common is Alzheimer’s disease and this is a brain disorder that hampers several key areas of everyday living. Patients mainly have memory problems which then steadily trickle down to issues with communication and general self-care. As such, your responsibilities as a caretaker progressively increase too, as the elder or senior citizen you care for will start to become more dependent on you. For many, such a transition can be quite challenging. You may struggle to distinguish between forgetfulne...

Physical and mental activity is an important part of at-home health care for senior citizens. However, with age, the body gets weaker and is more susceptible to falls, injuries and aches. As such, many elders find it easier to live a less active, sedentary lifestyle, as it is assumed to be safer. However, being inactive can cause problems and increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other complications. Moreover, without proper stimulation, the mind may also lose its edge and succumb to memory loss. In fact, research suggests that the brain is like a muscle and with enough exercise, el...

Living with a degenerative mental disease is quite a challenge for the afflicted, but its effects are also felt by those around them. This is especially the case for close family or a spouse who transitions into being the primary caretaker for a senior with dementia. Alzheimer’s disease, and many other forms of dementia, change more than just the emotional dynamic, leaving many overwhelmed. In many cases, the problem arises due to the added responsibility that comes with dementia care. For a spouse, the shift in intimacy alone can pose problems, especially when it comes to communication. Howe...

When living with and caring for elderly family members, your priority should be to maximise safety. While you can read about the ways to help seniors prevent falls, an effective way to put safety first is to introduce the element of predictability into everyday living. Here, routine plays a key role. The logic is that if you can predict an elder’s movements throughout the day, you can avoid potential accidents or mishaps. In addition to that, daily routines also work beneficially for senior citizens with dementia. Those with a progressive, degenerative dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease ben...