If you\u2019re a caregiver managing memory loss with a senior who is living either with you, or in their own home, our best guess is that you sometimes experience overwhelm.<\/p>\n
In fact, it\u2019s rare for us to talk to a caregiver of an elderly parent who isn\u2019t overwhelmed. There\u2019s a lot to juggle between keeping your loved one safe and healthy while attending to your personal needs (please do!).<\/p>\n
Take it from us, it\u2019s normal to feel swamped<\/a> when it comes to senior caretaking responsibilities.<\/p>\n And while we (unfortunately) can\u2019t take away the emotional weight of experiencing a loved one struggling in this way, we can offer the following bird\u2019s eye view of what it\u2019s important to pay attention to.<\/p>\n For each of the top four concerns we address, you\u2019ll also find actionable tips to help, plus an interactive quiz for you to get a clear picture of your unique situation.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s dive in.<\/p>\n Over half of seniors today in the US aren\u2019t taking their medications correctly. In fact, 15% of all senior hospitalizations are related to medication errors. Because seniors take a lot of medications, for a variety of ailments, in a variety of different ways, they\u2019re at special risk for mediation concerns. And when you’re managing memory loss specifically, helping your loved one take their medications correctly becomes even more challenging. There\u2019s good news though: a tailored medication system<\/a> can work wonders.<\/p>\n If you help take care of a senior who lives at home and needs memory care support, we recommend creating a comprehensive list that includes:<\/p>\n – Over the counter and prescribed medications<\/p>\n – Vitamins and supplements<\/p>\n – All doses and times<\/p>\n – And potential side-effects and emergency numbers<\/p>\n Most importantly, make sure you have a good way to ensure medications are being taken as prescribed. Of course, even with the best system, life happens. But paying close attention to just this one area can reduce the hospitalization risk in a huge way. Take this short quiz to help you get clear on your current medication needs, and whether there are ways you could use support.<\/p>\n Medication Needs Quiz<\/a><\/p>\n 75% of seniors don\u2019t get enough physical activity to maintain physical fitness levels, much less improve physical fitness. Many of us could use improvement in this area, but poor fitness creates special added risks in seniors. And beyond reducing risk, exercise carries countless benefits for seniors experiencing memory loss, like supporting heart health, reducing cancer risk, improving daily task abilities (like dressing and cooking), boosting mood, and even enhancing cognition. If you\u2019re a caregiver, it\u2019s important to be sensitive to the subtle changes that come with decreasing fitness. Beyond the more straightforward mobility and energy levels, keep an eye out for less obvious indicators of reduced fitness, too. For example, you might also notice changes in how they\u2019re keeping up their home and yard, reduced interest in personal hygiene, or even mood changes.<\/p>\n The bright spot is that even a little activity can majorly boost fitness for seniors. The CDC recommends seniors spend 150 minutes a week of light to moderate exercise, which translates into just over 20 minutes a day. If 20 minutes is too long for your loved one to sustain, try breaking it into smaller increments. Think short walks, short senior exercise programs on YouTube, or even tasks that require movement to complete. A little effort can bring big improvements. Take this short quiz to help you get clear on how well your loved one\u2019s current fitness plan is going, and whether there are ways you could use support.<\/p>\n Fitness Quiz<\/a><\/p>\n These numbers may surprise you:<\/p>\n Why is poor nutrition so common for seniors?<\/p>\n However, like encouraging fitness, you can have a tremendous impact on nutrition for your loved one. Particularly when you’re managing memory loss, a little creative planning can greatly improve nutrition.<\/p>\n Take this short quiz to help you get clear on how well your loved one\u2019s current nutrition plan is going, and whether there are ways you could use support.<\/p>\n Nutrition Needs Quiz<\/a><\/p>\n Last on our list, but perhaps most important: isolation, which is one of the saddest challenges seniors face is isolation. 10 million seniors live alone today. And far too many have lost all social connection or the opportunity to contribute and feel valued. Factors that contribute to isolation include:<\/p>\n And isolation impacts much more than just overall happiness: it\u2019s been found to cause or increase the severity of many diseases, including high blood pressure, chronic pain, and depression. But it isn\u2019t inevitable. Loneliness is NOT an automatic part of the aging process. If you\u2019re worried your loved one is spending too much time alone, there are a variety of resources.<\/p>\n Take this short quiz to help you get clear on how much your loved one may be experiencing social isolation plan, and whether there are ways you could use support.<\/p>\nTaking Medications Properly<\/h2>\n
The Challenge:<\/h3>\n
Try this:<\/h3>\n
Health and Fitness<\/h2>\n
The Reality:<\/h3>\n
Try this:<\/h3>\n
Nutrition<\/h2>\n
The Reality:<\/h3>\n
\n
\n
Try this:<\/h3>\n
\n
Loneliness<\/h2>\n
The Reality:<\/h3>\n
\n
\n
Try this:<\/h3>\n
\n