independent living
File of Life Program from TRIAD
Do you know where your elderly loved one’s medical information is, or how accessible it would be to an EMT or other personnel during a medical emergency? More and more long distance care givers have this dilema. The File of Life is a program developed to remove this concern. It was developed by TRIAD as [...]
Stuarts Draft Retirement Community – Independent and Assisted Living
I recently visited a hidden gem – Stuart’s Draft Retirement Community and Christian Homes — and wanted to share it with you. David Brenneman, Director of Marketing, gave me a great tour and will do the same for you! This is a lovely community, run for 17 years by two local families committed to providing [...]
What can a Geriatric Care Manager do for You?
A geriatric care manager can bring your loved one the support they need without putting stress on your life!
Be a Caregiving Genius! Ten Easy Tips
Want to be a caregiving genius? Try these ten easy tips! How do I know so much, besides the fact that I’m a geriatric care manager? I like to listen to my clients, and yesterday one of them said to me (and I quote) “You are a genius!” Hey, cut my pay in half and sign me [...]
The Intimacy of Caregiving
I knocked on the door – no answer. I called – no answer. His newspaper was still by the door. I asked if the neighbors had seen him. No. I was checking in on a new 90-year-old client while his family was away for the weekend. On Saturday everything went as planned – he greeted me [...]
Joy with Our Mothers Now
I spoke on Jennifer Till’s radio show about how we can miss the joy of “now” with our mothers by relating to them based on past experiences. (Click here to listen to a recording of that episode of “Real Life with Jennfer Till.”) Perhaps we had difficult childhood experiences with our mothers that we haven’t fully [...]
A Miracle Can Look Like A Bagel
This week I attended Charlottesville’s Senior Networking Group – one of several such groups I participate in to keep informed about services available here. After the meeting there were bagels left over. Margaret Fitch – Program Coordinator for our local Senior Center – knew I was going to see on of our geriatric care management [...]
How a Trip to the Hairdresser Can Change Everything
Today I took a client to the hairdresser. That was a giant victory because this very frail and very proud lady rarely lets anyone do anything for her. Then we had lunch (something she rarely does anymore) and picked up light bulbs for her nightlights and a battery for the radio beside her bed. So [...]
Cell Phone Designed for Senior Citizens Includes an Emergency Response System!
“Just Five” is the next generation in cell phones for seniors. See the Independent Lifestyles Newsletter for a description and how to learn more. In order to age in place with excellence and maintain our independent living as long as possible, it make sense to leverage technology in addition to all the love and care [...]
Senior Citizens and Driving: Dementia – What if My Parent Forgets They Can’t Drive?
Dementia and driving are a dangerous mix, and it becomes even more complicated if your elderly parent forgets they can’t drive.
Senior Citizens and Driving: Life After Driving
Losing the ability to drive can be a major turning point in a person’s life and can threaten their independent living and plans for aging in place. It means he must depend on other people or professional services for transportation, and he is subject to their schedules, routes, and destinations. There is the risk that after an older person loses the ability to drive, they will stop doing the things that keep them healthy and engaged.
Senior Citizens and Driving: The Process of Reporting an Unsafe Elderly Driver
The DMV has a process for evaluating the skills of elderly drivers that have been reported to them for review. This article describes the procedures and possible outcomes.
Senior Citizens and Driving: How to Talk to Your Elderly Parents About Driving
When speaking to your loved one, remember that driving is a powerful symbol of and facilitator of freedom and independence. It also forces older people to consider that they may no longer be capable of performing a task that they’ve been doing since they were a teenager! So it is important to discuss the subject with respect and consideration.
Senior Citizens and Driving: Can My Loved One Improve Their Driving Skills and-or Regain their Driver’s License?
Sometimes driving skills are impaired by reversible changes in health. In those cases, driving assessment centers can help your loved ones regain lost skills that will allow them to drive safely and legally.
Senior Citizens and Driving: How Driving Skills are are Assessed for the Elderly
How Driving Skills are are Assessed for the Elderly Are you worried that your elderly parent can no longer drive safely? This series of articles tells you what you can do, including: What the law says about elderly drivers. The process and implications of reporting an unsafe elderly driver. How driving skills are assessed for [...]
Senior Citizens and Driving: What To Do When Your Elderly Parent Needs to Stop Driving
For your elderly parent, losing the ability to drive can seem like the first sign that they are losing their freedom and independence and they may feel it will threaten their ability to age in place. But if your loved one has become unsafe behind the wheel they are a risk not only to themselves but to other people’s loved ones that are sharing the road with them.
Senior Citizens and Technology: Eldercare Locator Publishes “Staying Connected: Technology Options for Older Adults”
Eldercare Locator’s “Staying Connected: Technology Options for Older Adults” guide takes users through the basic facts about how to use tools like Facebook, email and texting, including privacy and safety information. The guide also introduces YouTube, Twitter, Skype, Instant Messaging and blogging – all tools that older adults can use to stay connected. You can [...]
