Speech-Language Pathologists can work with individuals in the early stages of Alzheimer’s to train them on the use of short term memory compensatory strategies, allowing them to become more independent and to increase their participation in meaningful activities. Treatment is most effective when provided in the home environment and with the support of family members or close friends.

This past week, I had the pleasure of working with the volunteers who run and operate Highland Park Access Television. They had asked me to come to the station to speak about the benefits of Assisted Living. The experience brought my attention to the value that volunteering can bring to the lives of seniors. [...]

We may not always want to acknowledge it, but often we know a relative is dying. Improved technology is allowing doctors to better predict when the end is near. Many patients are opting for hospice and palliative care at the end of their lives. This time can be exceptionally difficult for families. In addition to the stress of loss and grieving, many find they must also handle the financial and business affairs of their relative. Unfortunately, there is not a guidebook for end of life legal issues. Here are a list of some common concerns and how you can address them. [...]

Aging does not diminish one’s desire for intimate and meaningful relationships. While relationships may change, the importance of companionship is highly important. The challenge is finding a companion who has similar interests.

Older Adults and Emergencies This past summer our temperatures soared high into the 90’s and 100’s and severe thunderstorms caused power outages for many people from Illinois to Washington, D.C. to Virginia and Ohio. During Hurricane Sandy, many older adults were challenged by the loss of power and heat, but an even bigger effect of [...]

Animal assisted activities provides opportunities for motivational, recreational, educational, and/or therapeutic benefits to enhance quality of life. It has been shown to significantly decrease passive behaviors and significantly improve mood.

I am writing a follow-up post to the blog Megan Golles authored concerning poverty in older adults. Currently, the presidential debates have focused on Medicare and Social Security as hot topics for boomers heading into retirement who want to make sure they settle down with enough. Likewise, my last post touched on healthcare savings for seniors under the Affordable Care Act. Today the [...]

Often families are confused when they decide to seek home care. The Chicago Bridge event “Home Care 101: Private, Public, and Family” asks industry professionals to explain the differences between placement agencies, non-medical home care agencies, home health services, and independent caregivers. Additionally, it covered essential questions for families to ask when they seek care for a loved one.

Meeting basic needs becomes increasingly harder as individuals drop below the poverty line. About 3.5 million Americans ages 65 and older lived in poverty in 2010. An additional 2.3 million older Americans were “near poor,” with incomes below 125 percent of the poverty line. However, these measurements may be dangerously misleading. How is Poverty Measured? [...]

Advocating for seniors isn’t just the job of lawyers. Social workers, care managers, nurses, ombudsmen and lobbyists all spend time advocating for the elderly. But the best advocacy can involve helping seniors to advocate for themselves. “Seven Tips for Presenting Elderly Witnesses” explores some of the ways that you can help your senior clients to become powerful witnesses.