Tips
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If your parent's Alzheimer's makes it hard for her to remember where the bathroom is in the middle of the night, put down reflective tape along the floor and install motion-activated nightlights that plug into a hall socket and light up only as you walk past (about $15 at hardware stores). This crea...
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Coloring is a relaxing activity for a parent with early-stage Alzheimer's, and one that you can make more appealing by calling it "drawing" or "making art." Find a coloring book geared toward adults (in art-supply shops and some bookstores) and tear out one page at a time. Provide colored pencils, c...
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Many private reverse mortgages aren't insured. With these loans, the payout is backed only by the strength and reputation of the lender.
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A little-known veterans benefit covers nursing home care and other medical expenses. Learn what veterans benefit covers nursing home care, how to qualify and apply.
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People with congestive heart failure (CHF) often take many different medications and may have several different doctors. To make sure your parent's medications are being taken properly, briefly check in with his doctor about each medication -- even those from a different physician -- at every appoin...
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Careful, accurate records are vital when your parent is dealing with heart failure. Daily weigh-ins, symptom status, medications, side effects -- trying to keep track of everything can cause even the most organized person's head to spin. Make sure everything's in one place by maintaining a dedicated...
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One of the more painful complications of stroke is a condition known as "claw toe." After a brain injury, your parent's muscles may overcontract. This causes the toes to curl under, making walking excruciatingly painful. Depending on the severity of your parent's claw toe, he may get some relief by ...
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If your parent lives alone, an emergency alert system -- often in the form of a pendant or bracelet -- will give everyone peace of mind. Available from many different service providers, an emergency alert system enables your parent to immediately contact a monitoring service in an emergency. Some sy...
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If your parent has had a stroke, it might be difficult for her to trim her own toenails. You might want to consider treating her to a professional pedicure. Make sure you choose a reputable nail salon (check with the Better Business Bureau to find out whether the facility has a history of violating ...
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If your parent has had a stroke, tying her own shoes may be too much to ask. Unless she's willing to live with Velcro fasteners on all her shoes, springy elastic shoelaces might be just what she needs. These laces end in a tight spring that holds shoes and laces snug -- without a single knot. Spring...
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Mealtimes can be frustrating for both stroke survivors and their caregivers. If your parent's hand or arm is numb or paralyzed, it may be very difficult for him to feed himself. Add difficulty swallowing, and you have the potential for a lot of mealtime mess. Make cleanup easier by investing in a la...
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If someone you're caring for has heart problems and is living on his own, it may be difficult for him to get meals on the table, let alone prepare food that's low in sodium and saturated fats. To make it easier to eat healthfully, help him create and freeze enough heart-healthy meals to last a week ...
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Simple daily tasks like zipping and unzipping your purse or jacket are second nature for you, but for your stroke-affected parent, they're practically impossible. To make it easier to handle zippers, loop a string through the hole in the end. Instead of fumbling for the tab, he'll be able to easily ...
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Just as parents in babysitting co-ops trade childcare hours, eldercare providers can do the same, following a model created at the Asian Community Center of Sacramento Valley (ACC) in Sacramento, California.
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If your parent tends to need your help in the middle of the night, try using a baby monitor to keep tabs.
