The first day of Fall -- Sept. 22, 2012 -- marks National Falls Prevention Awareness Day to increase public awareness about how to prevent and reduce falls among older adults. This year 46 states, including New York, are participating in Falls Prevention Awareness Day. ⁱ Seems like a good time...

In order to remain comfortably at home, more and more elderly and chronically ill people depend on a family caregiver's help with activities of daily living such as personal hygiene, cooking and transportation. While family caregivers are often glad that their family member can remain at home where they're comfortable,...

"Why can't you bring me NOW?" Sarah whines. "You said you would come to the concert," demands Sam. "Why do you never care about what I need?" If you are a family caregiver of an elderly parent and you still have teenagers at home, you may be accustomed to such...

You've heard it a thousand times -- exercise is good for you. And now that you are caring for a family member, perhaps someone who is elderly or chronically ill, you're being told that they should be exercising too. And you may be thinking: It's hard enough to make time...

How many times has someone offered you help with your caregiving responsibilities and you've answered, "No thanks, I'm fine." When we talk about the burden facing caregivers, most people agree that getting help is necessary for maintaining their health and their sanity. They know that regular breaks from caregiving are...

It's that time of year when those of us who care for elderly or chronically ill family members should take a moment to think about the special concerns that winter brings. We all know that cold weather brings with it risks of falls on snow and ice, health concerns such...

According to the National Family Caregiver Alliance, caregivers are twice as likely as the general population to suffer from depression; and studies reveal that some caregivers may continue to show signs of depression years after the death of a spouse. Too many of us assume that...

The day a family member enters the hospital is the day to start planning for the trip back home. Of course nobody wants to go to the hospital in the first place, but it's clear that as hospital stays get shorter and shorter, an increasing burden is falling on family...

It's August, and for many of us, that means vacation time. This is the perfect time for family caregivers to remember the importance of taking a break from their caregiving responsibilities. Many people who hold full-time jobs use the summer as the time to get away, to try something new,...

Depression affects more than 6.5 million (or 18 percent) of the 35 million Americans aged 65 years or older.¹ Most people in this age group who experience depression have battled the condition on and off throughout their lives, but for others, even those in their 80s and 90s, it may...

"Laughter gives us distance. It allows us to step back from an event, deal with it, and then move on."
--Bob Newhart

We always hear that laughter is the best medicine. For family caregivers, who struggle on a daily basis to care for loved ones who are sick, disabled...

We all hear stories of the difficulties people have when caring for their elderly family members. But once in a while I hear a story that I feel needs especially to be shared because even the most informed and well-intentioned caregivers may be unaware of the subtle signs that may...

When Representative Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona was shot in the head during a tragic mass shooting in Tucson, we all watched with deep sympathy as her husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, sat by her side, holding her hand while maintaining his own composure. What must it be like to witness your...

When I read in The New York Times recently about the latest work being done with Alzheimer's patients at Beatitudes nursing home in Phoenix, Ariz., I felt a spark of hope for the future of dementia care. In home care, we have always focused on a patient's individuality...

When we think of family caregiving, the burdens and potential burnout associated with caring for someone on an often daily basis come to mind. Caregivers do face many difficulties in their role: fatigue, isolation, depression and higher risk for many health conditions. Those of us who work closely with caregivers...

"I can barely hear, barely see and barely walk. Things could be worse, though. At least I can still drive." These words, spoken by a participant in one study on the safety of elderly drivers,¹ make many family caregivers cringe. We all know someone who struggles with whether or not...

"My daughter knows -- don't schedule any appointments for me on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays, because those are the days I come here every week. And I don't want to miss a day!" These are the words of Nora, a regular participant at the VNSNY CHOICE Adult Day Center in...

If you are caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia, you may find it to be one of the most challenging experiences of your life. Last month, we talked about the home adaptations that family caregivers can make when caring for any aging family...

This is the first of a two-part series exploring modifications and home adaptations designed to help aging family members live more safely and comfortably at home. Part two in the series will deal specifically with the special needs of families dealing with dementia.

As Dorothy says, "I'm no spring chicken...

Presenteeism -- When You're There, But Not Really ...

According to Wikipedia, presenteeism is the opposite of absenteeism. Presenteeism occurs when employees come to work but are unable to focus on their jobs. This distraction is often caused when a sick family member or loved one at home needs frequent...