Community Health
4 essentials to know about healthcare in senior living communities When people consider a move into a senior living community, their health needs often rank as their biggest concern. Nadia Geigler, chief executive officer at The Admiral on the Lake — a nonprofit, life plan community in Chicago — compares the process of navigating the overall […]
Food Insecurity
When chronic health issues and lack of resources combine, older adults face mounting food challenges Nora Spencer, of Lisle, Illinois, had found herself in a difficult food situation. Faced with the constraints of a low fixed income, a lack of transportation, and multiple chronic health conditions, she rarely leaves her house. “My kids live in […]
Final Talks
Facilitators ease conversations with loved ones about end-of-life decisions Judy Grussing, of Rantoul, wishes her husband had been more willing to talk about his end-of-life choices. Delmar, her husband of 52 years, was diagnosed in 2018 with amyloidosis, a rare disease that causes excessive protein to accumulate in the blood, wreaking havoc on the body’s […]
Arranging an Honor Guard Detail
When a loved one passes away, recognizing their passions offers one way to honor their memory. For those who served in the military, arranging for an honor guard detail at their wake or funeral can do just that. An honor guard is a member of the military who attends a veteran’s funeral or wake services. […]
Deceased and in Debt
How to handle the debts of a loved one who dies When a loved one dies, settling their estate involves more than distributing assets. In many cases, it also means taking care of the person’s debts. Decades ago, older adults rarely had a mortgage, car loan, student loans, or credit card debt. But in recent […]
Scams Targeting Seniors
Older adults are often prime targets for financial scams, typically because fraudsters believe they have more money in the bank — no mortgage, no student loans, a lifetime of working and saving. If you or a family member is being victimized, don’t hesitate to call the police, says Deputy Chief of Police Bruce Mason of […]
Violence in Caregiving
What do you do when your loved one turns violent or aggressive? The mother with memory loss who once loved casinos but grew so agitated during a visit that casino security intervened. The veteran whose post-traumatic stress disorder activated as he watched the war movies he once enjoyed. The wife with dementia who battered her […]
Understanding Mild Cognitive Impairment
Many people confuse mild cognitive impairment (MCI) — memory loss that doesn’t impact daily functioning — with normal aging. Yet, MCI isn’t part of the typical aging process. This forgetful, confused thinking affects 12% to 18% of people ages 60 and older and can be a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease. Symptoms include forgetting important information […]
TikTok Tips for Dementia Care
Teepa Snow thought TikTok was just for singing, dancing, and funny videos. At her team’s urging, Snow, founder of the dementia education company Positive Approach to Care, gave #caregivertiktok a try. Her videos offer dementia care tips in an engaging and digestible format. In total, they’ve racked up more than 25 million views since she […]
Songs for the Ages
Sandy and Jon Miller of Downers Grove are passionate about music and its power to bring people together. While running seven choirs for older adults in Chicagoland, they heard about a Twin Cities-based choir for people with dementia. After visiting the choir, the couple returned home determined to bring the same joy to Chicago. Two […]