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Caring Currents Archive December 2008

A New Reason to Resolve to Exercise in the New Year January 02, 2009
New research finds that a lack of blood sugar in the brain may trigger Alzheimer's or certain forms of dementia. This means that improving blood flow to the brain may hold both the prevention and cure keys to some types of dementia.... Read more

Paula Spencer Scott, Caring.com senior editor
Helping Seniors With "A Soft Place to Land" January 01, 2009
Senior caregiving tips: Learn how to foster longevity through spirituality. Studies have shown a connection between religion and long life. Caregivers can cultivate health by enabling participation in spiritual activities for those in their care.... Read more

Kate Rauch, Caring.com senior editor
How to Celebrate the New Year -- with Cancer December 31, 2008
A helpful article addresses holiday related concerns about how much socializing is healthy and safe for cancer patients. Get answers to commonly asked questions.... Read more

Melanie Haiken, Caring.com senior editor

1 Comment
2009: The Year of the Hug? December 30, 2008
Hugging can be therapeutic to seniors, easing pain, boosting mood, and improving communication. Research on "therapeutic touch" is mixed. It probably can't actually heal illness.... Read more

Paula Spencer Scott, Caring.com senior editor

1 Comment
Middle-Age, um, Moment December 29, 2008
A helpful article explaining how changes in the middle aged brain complicate caregiving. Chances are you're not having a senior moment, you're having a middle age moment.... Read more

Connie Matthiessen, Caring.com senior editor

1 Comment
How Caregiving Can Help You Live Longer December 28, 2008
Learn more about a new study on caregiving and life expectancy. It finds that a person who cares for an aging loved one may be significantly extending his or her own life.... Read more

Paula Spencer Scott, Caring.com senior editor

3 Comments
Six New Year's Resolutions If Someone You Love Has Alzheimer's December 26, 2008
If there's someone with Alzheimer's disease or another dementia in your life, the last thing you need to ring in the new year is more nudges toward self improvement.... Read more

Paula Spencer Scott, Caring.com senior editor
How a Yoga Teacher and Caregiver Maintains Her Balance December 25, 2008
A helpful article on how yoga can help a caregiver balance the demands of caregiving. Learn how many of the core concepts central to a yoga practice are applicable to caregiving as well.... Read more

Sarah Henry, Caring.com senior editor

1 Comment
Discovered: A "Lint Brush" that Removes Cancer Cells from the Blood December 24, 2008
Researchers are developing a "lint brush" that can filter free floating cancer cells from the blood. Michael King and his work on catching and killing free floating cancer cells early, could essentially amount to a commuted death sentence.... Read more

Melanie Haiken, Caring.com senior editor
Last-minute Gifts to Keep Elders Safe at Home December 23, 2008
A helpful article with last-minute gift ideas that can help those aging in place hold on to their independence by keeping them safe. Home safety is high on the list of concerns for those with parents aging in place.... Read more

Nell Bernstein, Caring.com senior editor

1 Comment
A Flu Shot Mystery, or Family Lessons in Fuzzy Memories December 22, 2008
When caring for someone with dementia or memory loss, advanced planning to give yourself legal access to their medical records is essential.... Read more

Kate Rauch, Caring.com senior editor
What to Tip Aging Parents' Helpers at the Holidays December 19, 2008
Use this 4-step formula to holiday tipping and giving gifts to the home health aides and other service workers who help us help our aging parents.... Read more

Paula Spencer Scott, Caring.com senior editor

3 Comments
Enter the Caregiving Tough Love Zone December 18, 2008
When caring for seniors, sometimes "tough love" is the only way to help. I braced myself for what I knew lay ahead -- a tough love zone. Many of you probably know what I’m talking... Read more

Kate Rauch, Caring.com senior editor

1 Comment
Why Blogging May Be Good For an Elder's Health December 18, 2008
An interesting article describes why blogging may be good for the health of seniors and their caregivers. Get inspired by an often funny, frequently insightful blog by 84-year-old Claire Persily.... Read more

Sarah Henry, Caring.com senior editor

1 Comment
Know Your Breast Cancer ABCs: New Drugs Boost Treatment Success December 17, 2008
New breast cancer drugs boost chemo success and reduce breast cancer recurrence. If your mother or another family member or friend is fighting breast cancer, there was lots... Read more

Melanie Haiken, Caring.com senior editor
Federal Initiative Brings Nursing Home Patients Home December 16, 2008
Learn more about a report that elders fear nursing homes more than death, and a federal initiative to fund less-expensive home care as an alternative called MFP. ... Read more

Nell Bernstein, Caring.com senior editor

2 Comments
"One More Thing": Lessons in Planning Ahead From Actor Peter Falk December 16, 2008
Learn what actor Peter Falk's Alzheimer's disease can teach caregivers about planning ahead to avoid an expensive conservatorship appointment.... Read more

Paula Spencer Scott, Caring.com senior editor

1 Comment
Don't "Misunderestimate" People With Dementia December 15, 2008
Family and friends ofter underestimate people with Alzheimer's and dementia. In one case an Alzheimer's patient can still play ping pong with the best of them.... Read more

Paula Spencer Scott, Caring.com senior editor

11 Comments
The Secret Life of Parents December 12, 2008
A helpful article on parents keeping secrets from loved ones in order to keep them from worrying. Unfortunately, their attempts may backfire and prevent them from receiving the support and care they need.... Read more

Connie Matthiessen, Caring.com senior editor

2 Comments
Caregiving Advice From a Doctor Who's Been There December 11, 2008
In a recent chat, McCullough shared his personal caregiving advice, gleaned from being in the trenches, just like the rest of us, but in his case, mostly caregiving from afar. * Take the time to spend some time with the people who support your parent. ... Read more

Sarah Henry, Caring.com senior editor

1 Comment
8 Cancer Lessons: What We Wish We'd Known December 10, 2008
Lessons of caring for someone with cancer: 1. Doctors forget to share the gory details. The list of what we don't know when we walk out of medical appointments sometimes seems longer than the list of what we do know. ... Read more

Melanie Haiken, Caring.com senior editor
Sex Behind the Nursing Home Curtain December 09, 2008
An eye opening article on the sexuality of seniors and their nursing home sex lives. A new study finds that nursing home staff lack sensitivity towards the sexual needs of seniors. ... Read more

Nell Bernstein, Caring.com senior editor

9 Comments
Kicked Off Hospice for Not Dying Soon Enough December 08, 2008
Get the facts if the senior in your care is receiving Medicare hospice, and be aware that she can lose hospice services if she doesn't die within the six month time limit established for terminal illness.... Read more

Kate Rauch, Caring.com senior editor

2 Comments
Stepfamily Issues Make Caregiving Even More Complicated December 05, 2008
A helpful article discusses how unresolved stepfamily issues can make caregiving even more difficult. But they also present an opportunity for healing when handled correctly.... Read more

Connie Matthiessen, Caring.com senior editor
Now People With Dementia and Their Caregivers Can Both Breathe Easier December 05, 2008
Sleep apnea is one of those disorders that suddenly every other person I know seems to have. I learned recently how much it affects people with dementia -- and those who care for them.... Read more

Paula Spencer Scott, Caring.com senior editor
Could Online Insomnia Therapy Solve a Senior's Sleep Problem? December 04, 2008
Online insomnia therapy is a new approach to tackling a tired, old problem: difficulty sleeping. Chronic insomnia can also increase a person's risk for a variety of health ailments, including heart attack, stroke, and diabetes.... Read more

Sarah Henry, Caring.com senior editor
Breast Cancer Alert: Follow-Up Care Is a Life or Death Issue December 03, 2008
Breast Cancer Alert: Follow-Up Care Is a Life or Death Issue. Women with breast cancer need radiation therapy after surgery, or they increase their recurrence rate fourfold. ... Read more

Melanie Haiken, Caring.com senior editor

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