Supporting a loved one with cancer through the holidays Everything that makes the holidays so special — family time, parties, gifts — can also make this time of year extra taxing for people with cancer. The diagnosis itself, in addition to treatment, can change how the person responds to and thinks about the world around […]
Many veterans’ caregivers qualify for compensation with a little-known Veterans Affairs program. When Kathy Parker became the primary caregiver for her husband, an Army veteran with stage-four kidney failure, she felt confused, scared, and alone. She didn’t know exactly how to take care of him and felt she wasn’t getting the help they needed from […]Read More
When staffing shortages impact patient care, advocates look out for patients’ best interests, says former nurse and current patient advocate Teri Dreher. Caregiving Magazine is committed to publishing a diversity of opinions. The opinions expressed in this guest essay are the author’s own. A son in California called me last month to help his Chicago-area parents. […]Read More
Caregiver travel grants offer respite and adventure to those caring for others. At 61 years old, Yolanda Sampan accomplished something that her mother had always dreamed of for her daughter: She earned her U.S. citizenship. Sampan knew in that moment last August that she wanted to return to Washington, D.C., to see the cherry blossoms […]Read More
Make a plan to ease the organization process when a parent passes away Grief has no timeline. Everyone grieves in their own way and at their own pace. Yet, shortly after a parent dies, adult children often face a daunting task: preparing the house for sale while the surviving parent still lives there. If you […]Read More
Older adults prioritize healthy eating on a budget, as they adjust to inflation reality Inflation has soared in recent months, hovering around 9.1%. And grocery prices specifically have gone even higher, especially for staples such as dairy, meat, and fresh fruits and vegetables. While the government reports that inflation for groceries is about 12% — […]Read More
Genealogy has immense value for older adults, offering connections to the past, present, and future. As a lawyer, Leonard Kofkin, 89, was no stranger to yellow legal pads. And that’s what he turned to 53 years ago when his aunt brought him an overlooked shoebox of family photos and documents. Kofkin grew up in Chicago, […]Read More
The Value of Video Gaming for Older Adults I always thought the life cycle of a video gamer mirrored that of a Dark Age denizen: You’re done at 25. I’m 42, which makes me Egyptian pharaoh ancient. But when my 10-year-old stepson, who loves baseball and video games, agreed to play the latest Major League […]Read More
Collect and store this emergency information before you need it. As we age, it becomes increasingly important to have medical, financial, and end-of-life information immediately available in case of an emergency. Be prepared for an emergency by compiling these key documents in a safe, easily accessible location. This will ensure the person you choose has […]Read More
8 great Chicago area walking paths for older adults Exercise contributes to healthy aging — that much everyone can agree on. But you don’t need a gym membership or fancy equipment to boost your physical activity. All you need is a path and a good pair of sneakers, because walking is one of the best […]Read More