In the middle of the night, Stefania Silvestri lies in bed remembering her elderly patients’ cries. “Help me.” “Please don’t leave me.” “I need my family.” Months of caring for older adults in a Rhode Island nursing home ravaged by Covid-19 have taken a steep toll on Silvestri, 37, a registered nurse. She can’t sleep, […]
A tidal wave of grief and loss has rolled through long-term care facilities as the coronavirus pandemic has killed more than 91,000 residents and staffers in the U.S. — nearly 40% of recorded Covid-19 deaths in the U.S. And it’s not over: Facilities are bracing for further shocks as coronavirus cases rise across the country. […]Read More
In March, Sue Williams-Ward took a new job, with a $1-an-hour raise. The employer, a home healthcare agency called Together We Can, was paying a premium — $13 an hour — after it started losing aides when Covid-19 safety concerns mounted. Williams-Ward, a 68-year-old Indianapolis native, was a devoted caregiver who bathed, dressed, and fed […]Read More
Theater, music, sculpture — art is a means of expression. But whether you’re making art or experiencing it, art also serves as a means to improve your well-being, which can be especially helpful during these Covid-19 times. Art has a unique effect on older adults specifically — one that researchers are looking into. “There has […]Read More
While on a cruise with her husband in 2011, Andy Weitzberg suddenly felt compelled to photobomb a young couple getting their picture taken during dinner. “As a kid, I was always the class clown. I enjoy making people laugh and smile, and I thought that was the perfect opportunity for some fun,” says the 72-year-old […]Read More
Consider these factors when searching for senior living option Maybe the home that once housed a growing family is now empty and burdensome. Or living alone is getting too hard and isolating. Or perhaps the idea of having healthcare assistance nearby is appealing. Many adults make the move to senior living communities while they are […]Read More
Why end-of-life planning is essential for you and your loved ones Kim Placentino loved Luigi “Louie” Caringello like a father. Placentino’s father had died when she was 2 months old, so Caringello, a longtime family friend, took on that role in her life. When Caringello fell ill with congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary […]Read More
7 questions to ask when hiring a home care provider Living alone can be daunting if you struggle to do things like shower, dress yourself or cook a meal. Whether the cause of that loss is temporary or long term, home care providers offer assistance with daily living tasks during challenging times. Thanks to this […]Read More
These resources can help you find assistance When setting up aging services, you may have a cloud of questions and concerns. Fortunately, many Chicago-area organizations provide helpful resources for a range of situations. Start your search for assistance by reviewing these service categories to see what type of resources you might need to consider. Review […]Read More
A little more than six years ago, Sandy Downs sat down with her husband of 47 years, Perry, and gave it to him straight: She wanted him to be honest with her about her disease.Read More