Seniors

• Article - Assisted Living: A Beginner's Guide

  Assisted Living: A Beginner's Guide. How to choose the right assisted living facility for your parent.

Blog Posts

• Blog Post - Quick Quiz: Should Your Parents Stay at Home or Move?

  Quiz to help adult children figure out whether aging parents can stay at home or should move to retirement communities.

• Blog Post - Tough Times Can Turn Seniors into Bargain Hunters

  The tough economy is forcing more seniors than ever into bankruptcy, and leading many older people to find bargains available only to them.

• Blog Post - Parents' Driving Worries Baby Boomers, But No One Wants to Talk About It

  Survey finds widespread concern among Baby Boomers about their parents' driving -- and reluctance to talk about it

• Blog Post - With Alzheimer's, Wandering Is a Merry Name for a Scary Problem

  Innovations in dealing with wandering, which affects 6 in 10 people with Alzheimer's.

• Blog Post - Tax Rebate Update

  If your parents tax rebate hasn't arrived yet, they aren't alone. If their tax rebate is missing, check the IRS Web site for help.

• Blog Post - Universal Design Part 2 -- Breaking the Ice

  Universal design can make seniors' homes safer, but many older people resist changes. Advice for getting seniors to agree to home renovations.

• Blog Post - Playgrounds for Seniors

  They're marvelously designed for safe, healthy geriatric activity. And they're fun!

• Blog Post - Parents Are From Venus, We're From Mars

  A simple online test promises to assess your "conversational relationship" with your parents. The bottom line: If you're not talking about the big stuff now, you'd better start.

• Blog Post - Cupboards Bare? Rising Food Prices Affect Seniors

  The rising cost of food is tough for many seniors, but here are some ways you can help.

• Blog Post - Over-The-Counter Driving Hazards

  Even simple cold medications can undermine the driving abilities of elderly people.

• Blog Post - Aggression, Fighting Common Among Nursing Home Residents

  High levels of aggression and fighting are common among nursing home residents. Experts offer advice for helping aging parents manage aggression from fellow nursing home residents.

• Blog Post - Diabetes Doughnut Hole Dilemma

  The so-called doughnut hole in prescription drug coverage hits seniors with diabetes -- and what to do to help a loved one keep paying for diabetes drugs.

• Blog Post - Are You Worried Sick About Your Parent's Heart Disease?

  Caring for someone with heart disease may increase your risk of heart disease and depression. Consider these tips for better heart health.

• Blog Post - Going For Broke? Seniors Turn to Newer Loans To Avoid Cash Crunch

  Seniors hurt by the tough economy are raising money using reverse mortgages, life insurance settlements and 401k loans. In exchange for up-front cash, your parent may lose future equity or investment gains, so help them make smart money choices.

• Blog Post - Vision Problems: New Ways to "Read" When Older Eyes Fail

  For seniors losing their eyesight, there's a world of services to help them read. Here are some big ones.

• Blog Post - Cell Phones That Won't Scare Mom

  Check out Jitterbug: a simplified cell phone with features designed just for seniors.

• Blog Post - A Stay-at-Home "Nursing Home"

  The I-House, a stay-at-home nursing home, is a "smart house" for seniors, the latest entry in a trend toward high-tech aging in place.

• Blog Post - Falling Down and Feeling Down: What's the Connection?

  Falling down and feeling down linked in elderly, say researchers from Down Under.

• Blog Post - "Universal Design" Helps Seniors Age In Place With Grace

  Universal design principals are making the home accessible to everyone, regardless of age or ability -- are a useful option for seniors aging in place.

• Blog Post - Wii Senior Sports Craze May Get Your Parents Moving

  The Wii video game is a hit among seniors; a fun and gentle way to get them moving.

• Blog Post - Millions Falling Into the Doughnut Hole

  Medicare Part D has a coverage gap, the doughnut hole, that forces millions of people to give up taking needed medications, according to a new Kaiser Family Foundation study.

• Blog Post - "Leisureville" Paints Retirement Community Seniors as 24-Hour Party People

  Leisureville, a new book on a massive child-free retirement community, portrays seniors as 24-hour party people.

• Blog Post - My mother is gambling away every last penny -- and her financial independence. What should I do?

  Since my father's death two years ago, my 75-year-old...

• Blog Post - When You Can't Check in With Your Parents, Cops (Often) Can

  Numerous services will check in on your parent when you can't. Find them by searching "senior check-in" and your parents' town.

• Blog Post - Reverse Mortgages: Looking for Trouble?

  Reverse mortgages--a loan for people ages 62 and older...

• Blog Post - Big Brother is Watching....Mom and Dad

  A new breed of high-tech retirement community is using technology to monitor seniors with dementia and other conditions, offering new freedoms while raising privacy concerns.

• Blog Post - Desperately Seeking Senior Care Specialists

  A shortage of senior care doctors concerns baby boomers and their aging parents; find tips on how to locate a geriatric specialist.

• Blog Post - Too Much and Too Little Shut-Eye May Be Bad for Health

  Too little and too much sleep can be a health hazard. Find tips on helping your parents get just the right amount of rest.

• Blog Post - Farewell to Falls

  Seniors can prevent life-altering falls by doing balance training exercises.

• Blog Post - New Legislation (and You) Can Help Prevent Seniors From Falling

  The Safety of Seniors Act aims to help prevent falls among the elderly. Here are ways to help reduce the fall risk for your parents.

• Blog Post - Solutions for Seniors Who Struggle to Get Enough Zzzs

  Sleep problems are common among the elderly; find ways to help your parents get a good night's rest.

• Blog Post - Wanted: Companionship for a Dad with Diabetes

  How to find senior companionship for your aging and ailing parent.

• Blog Post - Behind-the-Wheel Safety for Older Drivers

  Car makers and others are gearing up for an increase in the number of older drivers over the next decade.

• Blog Post - To Protect Seniors in Natural Disasters, Talk About It Beforehand

  Communication is key in protecting seniors in natural disasters.

• Blog Post - My dad wants to double-date with me!

  What to do when your elderly dad starts dating -- and he wants to double-date with you and your spouse.

• Blog Post - Fire! A Teaching Tool

  A tragic death in Texas serves as a reminder of how vulnerable seniors are in fires and how prevention can really help.

• Blog Post - Robots and Other High-Tech Solutions Help Seniors Stay at Home

  New high-tech monitoring systems allow seniors to age in place with greater safety and freedom, but also raise privacy concerns.

• Blog Post - Aging Artfully - Part II

  Research shows a powerful link between creativity and healthier, happier aging.

• Blog Post - Falling: A Deadly Problem Helped by Prevention

  Falls are a deadly problem that can be helped through prevention.

• Blog Post - Downward Dog May Keep Elderly Upright

  Recent research reveals Iyengar yoga improves stability and balance in older women, which could lower their risk of falling.

• Blog Post - New Vocabulary Words for Caregivers

  Thoughts on the power of language to influence our perspective on care-giving for the better.

• Blog Post - For Older Gals: Bring on the Meat. And the Fish, Tofu, and Eggs.

  Older women need to end plenty of protein to maintain muscle, which helps prevent falls.

• Blog Post - Making Homes Safer for Seniors: Talking Points

  Universal design principles can help seniors age in place safely. Here's how to communicate with elders about making home modifications based on universal design.

• Blog Post - Shingles Vaccine Strongly Recommended for Seniors

  A shingles vaccine is recommended for all seniors by the Centers For Disease Control, along with other adult vaccinations.

• Blog Post - Old Meets New: High-Tech Toys Help Seniors Deal With Diabetes

  A handy list of high-tech gadgets that can help take the hassle out of dealing with diabetes for seniors and their caregivers.

• Blog Post - A Brave New World for the Old

  Find out how new gadgets and technologies, like housecleaning robots and Personal Emergency Response Systems, can make living safer and more comfortable for seniors.

• Blog Post - Elder Co-Housing Offers the Best of Both Worlds

  Elder co-housing is an innovative retirement housing option for seniors who want both a sense of community and a feeling of control.

• Blog Post - How much say do I have in determining who is guardian over me and my affairs?

  Do I have any rights in determining my care and who...

Questions & Answers

• Question - Are there any specific exercises out there that are geared towards seniors that will help them to gain better balance?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - What are annuities and do they make sense for someone over 80?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Where can I find resources for transportation services in the Bay Area?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - How much income is too much for a senior to receive in...

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - I am looking for an assisted living home for my mother in...

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert and a Community Member

• Question - How do I make sure my mother's personal information travels with her?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Is there a resource to find a nurse who will travel to rural areas?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - How can I help my 82-year-old mother overcome her fear of falling?

  If a parent has a fear of falling, it can actually make things more dangerous. Here's expert advice on how to help a parent overcome fear of falling.

• Question - Is there a program that will pay me to care for my dad if I quit my job?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - I would like to have someone visit my mom twice a week while I am gone for two months in January and February. Who do I talk to about it?

  This question has been answered by two Community Members

• Question - What are restrictions on bringing parents to the US for long term care?

  Advice on moving aging relatives to America. Finding culturally specific senior housing.

• Question - Is it bad for my 92 year old father to eat McDonald's every morning?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - What is the difference between assisted living and nursing home?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How do I pick an attorney and what should I expect to pay?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How can we protect our elderly mother from being taken advantage of?

  If you're sure that it's money and not love that is prompting an alleged suitor to call on your mother, act quickly to avoid financial scamming.

• Question - What short-term in-house care options when caregivers need to go out of town?

  Some guidance for those seeking temporary in-house care for their aging parent.

• Question - My father-in-law is depressed and has no daily activities to occupy him.

  This question has been answered by three Community Members

• Question - What could be wrong with my mother-in-law who makes irrational decisions and wets herself, yet the hospital says she's competent?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What's the difference between a senior real estate specialist and a garden-variety real estate agent?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Where can I get financial assistance for monthly expenses we...

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - What kind of living arrangements are available for those under 65, but disabled, without a lot of money?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Are there programs in Texas to help the elderly with the electric bills?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Could herbal supplements affect my mother's ability to drive?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Why does my mother talk about health issues -- in excruciating detail?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How can I get my brother to help out more in caring for our mother?

  Ideas for how to handle sibling rivalries and misunderstandings between sibling caregivers.

• Question - What help is available to pay for prescription drugs?

  Can your parent get financial help to pay for prescription drugs? Does Medicare cover drugs, or are there other ways to get help paying for prescriptions?

• Question - How do I encourage my mom to continue to want to live?

  When giving up is “all in the mind,” there may be clinical help, but you may also simply have to accept the process.

• Question - Does any government program pay for assisted living?

  Does Medicaid pay for assisted living? Medicaid pays for assisted living instead of a nursing home if you're lucky enough to live in the right state.

• Question - Is home healthcare part of the Medicaid waiver program SOURCE?

  The SOURCE program includes home health care as part of an overall care plan to keep frail seniors out of nursing homes.

• Question - How can I find someone to come and regularly assess my dad to determine if he needs additional care?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Is a Medicaid annuity a scam?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - How can I help my parent figure out when her blood sugar is too high?

  Blood sugar needs to be monitored often when someone has type 2 diabetes. How do you help a person with diabetes keep track of glucose levels?

Tips & Reflections

• Tip - Consider Separate Living Quarters in a Retirement Community

  If your parents are planning a move to an assisted...

• Tip - Downsizing Tips

  Don't try and do it all in one day or even one weekend...

News

• News - Medicare Spending Caps Cause Seniors to Stop Meds

  TUESDAY, Sept. 11 (HealthDay News) -- Some American...

• News - Medicare Offers Smallest Rise in Premiums in 6 Years

  MONDAY, Oct. 1 (HealthDay News) -- Medicare's standard...

• News - Seniors Avoid ER at Start of Month

  FRIDAY, April 4 (HealthDay News) -- A new study finds...

• News - Travel Tips for Seniors

  SUNDAY, April 6 (HealthDay News) -- During spring and...

• News - Electronic Pillbox Helps Seniors Stick to Drug Regimens

  WEDNESDAY, May 7 (HealthDay News) -- Older adults following...

• News - Quarter of Disabled Seniors Use Risky Medications

  WEDNESDAY, May 7 (HealthDay News) -- Senior citizens...

• News - Seniors Having More Sex Than Ever

  WEDNESDAY, July 9 (HealthDay News) -- When it comes...

• News - Pet Doors Opening at Assisted Living Centers

  THURSDAY, July 24 (HealthDay News) -- When the elderly...

• News - Flu Vaccine Doesn't Protect Seniors From Pneumonia

  THURSDAY, July 31 (HealthDay News) -- Flu vaccine may...

• News - Medicare Web Site Confounds Many Seniors

  TUESDAY, Aug. 19 (HealthDay News) -- A majority of...