SCC Author 
Sundowning is a phenomenon that is faced by many caregivers of those with dementia. It’s yet another challenge faced by our senior loved ones and family caregivers. They may not realize there is a name for what happens in their home every afternoon and evening, but it causes them difficulty nonetheless. The symptoms of sundowning … Read more
February is Heart Month, when health experts want us all to remember to put our heart health on the front burner. Caregivers can help their senior loved ones remember they are never too old to adopt and maintain heart healthy habits. Heart disease is the number one killer in America. Heart attack, hypertension and stroke … Read more
As family caregivers we worry our senior loved ones are not safe at home when they’re living independently. Most caregivers are responsible (or at least feel that way) for their aging parents and their ability to safely age in place in the home of their choice. Unfortunately, caregivers may be unaware of the hazards lurking in their seniors’ … Read more
Heart disease is the #1 killer of women in the US and the leading cause of disability. Of the estimated 83.6 million people affected by heart disease, 42.2 million are over 60 years old. For the 60–79-year-old age group, 70.2% are men and 70.9% are women. For the 80+ year-old age group, 83.0% are men and 87.1% are women. The … Read more
As our world evolves and families live miles apart, it seems that young and old are not brought together as frequently as in prior generations. Today’s millennials are vastly different than their grandparents. They are largely removed from institutions, according to a recent Pew Research report, including families. In many cases, their parents both worked … Read more
Family caregivers, especially of seniors with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, worry that when they try to rest or complete a task their loved one will wander off. Senior loved ones who have dementia are likely to wander as the disease progresses. In fact, three out of five people with dementia will wander. That’s an estimated 3 … Read more
Many people made New Year’s resolutions in the hopes that some part of their life or health would be the focus of personal improvement. Family caregivers also make resolutions but those, like many aspects of our lives, may have a different focus. As caregivers of senior loved ones, often our resolutions incorporate in some way the needs of … Read more
As the winter months progress and the sun doesn’t shine as much, many seniors can fall victim to the winter blues. Yes, it can happen to family caregivers as well. It can be driven in part by a lack of sunlight and fueled by those times during the recently-ended holidays spent thinking of loved ones no longer here … Read more
We all wish we had more hours in the day to get everything accomplished that we have on our to-do lists. That’s especially true for family caregivers trying to balance caring for senior loved ones and their own families, many while employed full time! Finding shortcuts to doing everyday chores can help give caregivers back the gift … Read more
