Tips
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Acupuncture helped my mom feel a little bit better during her chemo treatments. She found it relaxing, and the outing was a nice change from going to the doctors' office.
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Even if your parents are already signed up for Medicare or receiving Social Security benefits, there are a host of less well known government and local programs that may help with medical and daily living expenses. One place to find out whether your parents are eligible for additional aid is the Nat...
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Ask your tax advisor whether you can claim your parent as a dependent on your taxes. There are some hurdles to qualify for this deduction -- you have to be able to show that you pay at least half of your parent's yearly expenses -- but if you and your parent do meet the requirements, you can reduce ...
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Offering a choice to someone with Alzheimer's boosts their sense of involvement and encourages cooperation because it's less like you're giving an order. To gently steer your parent toward the decision you'd prefer, try mentioning that choice last. For example, if you want to eat on the patio for a ...
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As your parent's Alzheimer's disease progresses, keep an eye on how she interacts with the mirrors around her living space. Some people enjoy seeing and even talking to their reflection as if it were another companion. But others find the moving reflections disorienting as they pass, making them anx...
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When your parent's hair is falling out as a result of chemotherapy or radiation, cut down on hair loss by using a baby brush, available at specialty baby shops and in baby departments. The soft bristles will reduce pulling and should feel pleasant on a sensitive or irritated scalp.
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My father had trouble with balance and it was difficult for him to get into and out of chairs. I found a spring-based gadget you could put in the seat of the chair that resisted his weight during the process of sitting into it. It also helped push him up as he tried to stand. It looks like a chair w...
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If your parent is undergoing chemotherapy and losing her hair, a cotton, linen, or cotton-blend pillowcase can pull against her scalp at night, causing hair to come out in clumps. This can be an upsetting -- and messy -- way to wake up. A slick satin pillowcase (available at most bedding stores) wil...
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If your parent's scalp is sensitive or itchy after chemotherapy or radiation, the roll-on adhesive or sticky double-sided tape and pads used to hold a wig in place may irritate her skin. Some wig shops and medical supply stores sell sticky tape and pads that are designed not to irritate the skin. Lo...
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If paramedics are called to your parent's house for a medical emergency, it's vital that her updated medical information be readily available -- especially if she lives alone. The nonprofit program Vial of Life helps your parent keep a copy of important medical information right on the front of her ...
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If your parent is at high risk for a heart attack, advance planning may give you both peace of mind. On an index card, list the signs and symptoms of a heart attack and instructions for using nitroglycerin or other medication, if appropriate. On the other side, jot down emergency phone numbers and t...
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If your parents have been putting off preparing a living will or an advance directive, Aging With Dignity can help. This nonprofit organization worked with the American Bar Association to prepare a document called "Five Wishes" that helps your parents describe exactly how they wish to be treated if ...
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Some old-fashioned folk remedies work, and quinine for leg cramps is one of them. Doctors don't like higher-dose quinine pills (and the FDA has banned them, with the exception of one expensive drug prescribed only for malaria) because of potential side effects. So instead, try drinking a glass of to...
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If your parent uses or plans to use a personal emergency response system (PERS), ask the service provider about a waterproof transmitter. These are often a standard feature, but it's a good idea to check. The transmitter is the portable battery-operated device -- usually available as a pendant, wris...
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Tax free gifts to children can help parents reduce their tax liability. Parents can give a maximum of $12,000 per year to each child without incurring a gift tax.
