Resource Center
Care Options
When looking through the variety of different care alternatives for a loved one, the options can seem both complex and confusing. We understand that, and for that reason, we have included a diverse set of materials to help you make the best decision that suits yours and your family’s needs. Throughout this section of the resource center, we will review the available routes an individual can take between assisted living, memory care facilities, home care services, and all other options that pertain to senior living.
Assisted Living
Being independent reminds each of us that we are self sufficient. Throughout our lives we do things out of habit and necessity, often overlooking why or how we do them...
Memory Care
Alzheimer’s disease typically starts out with mild memory loss which increases over time. While there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, there are things that you can do to help...
Home Care
Do you have a loved one who needs services in order to continue living independently at home? If so, you may wonder if you should consider home care vs home...
There comes a time in life when individuals either desire socialization or simply aren’t safe living at home independently any longer. Seniors often find themselves lonely at home with no...
Other Care
Palliative care is dedicated to keeping a patient comfortable during the diagnosis and treatment of a disease or other health condition. Traditional medical care focuses on treating the disease. Palliative...
Does your parent or other loved one need more help at home than you can give? Do you need to take a lot of time off work to drive Mom to appointments or just look in on her? Do you worry that Dad...
Aging & Health Info
As your family members begin to age, it becomes more and more important for you to understand the differences in their day to day behavior and how that can affect their optimal living conditions. By understanding a variety of information related to cognitive impairments (which include topics like Dementia, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, etc), physical conditions, and other general information about senior living topics you too can become an expert about the variety of situations that help easily transition an elder into the proper living environment.
Cognitive Impairments
Dementia is a progressive illness, meaning symptoms of the disorder become more severe over time. These changes may come relatively quickly or set in more gradually. Either way, supporting your...
The Alzheimer’s Association defines dementia as a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. This loss of mental ability may present as memory loss, confusion, inability...
If your loved one has been diagnosed with dementia, you may experience information overload trying to understand all the treatment options. While there is currently no cure for dementia, therer...
One of the best ways to help a loved one deal with dementia is to help them retain their dignity. Dementia can be a scary and confusing illness to live...
Sundowning is a phenomenon sometimes seen in patients with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. It can cause an exacerbation of symptoms, sometimes to such an extent that the...
Parkinson’s disease is a disorder of the brain that progresses gradually and affects motor function. It occurs most often in those aged 60 or older, and more often in men...
Some memory loss is as a normal part of the aging process, but there are steps you can take at any age to keep your mind sharp. Exercise daily. If daily exercise is too much, aim for three days per week...
One of the most difficult aspects of having a loved one with dementia is not being able to communicate with them like you used to. You may find Mom is...
Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by memory loss that affect daily life and normal functioning. But how do you know if a loved one has Alzheimer’s or is just showing normal...
According to the CDC, Alzheimer’s disease is currently the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, and the most common cause of dementia in seniors. Alzheimer’s is an...
Physical Conditions
Osteoporosis is a condition that occurs when bone mass deteriorates to the point that our bones become weaker and more brittle. These more fragile bones have a higher likelihood of...
Hip fractures are far more common in the elderly than in any other age group. Older people are more likely to fall, and more likely to break a hip when..
The heart is the most important muscle in our body. It is responsible for pumping nutrient and oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body and carrying away waste products...
If your loved one has been diagnosed with diabetes, you probably have tons of questions. This article will address some common questions about diabetes in seniors and some of the...
We walk on them, run on them, dance on them, and put them up at night. But how much thought do we ever really give to the health of our...
It’s one of your worst nightmares: Mom or Dad has had a stroke. What will this mean for them? What happens next? The aftereffects of a stroke vary widely and...
Along with the cooler weather and more time spent indoors comes a greater chance of contracting illnesses such as pneumonia. Pneumonia occurs when an infection, caused by bacteria or a...
Hip fractures are far more common in the elderly than in any other age group. Older people are more likely to fall, and more likely to break a hip when...
High blood pressure is quite common among seniors, but that doesn’t mean it should be ignored or accepted as a natural part of aging. No matter what the age of...
It’s summer! That means fun, sun, and possibly…heat stroke. For the elderly, especially those with underlying health issues, intense heat and humidity can be a dangerous situation. As we age...
By the time we reach our golden years our teeth have had a lifetime of use, so it is only natural for them to show a bit of age. But many seniors experience dental issues...
Bruises, especially large ones, can look a bit alarming. They occur when tiny blood vessels under the surface of our skin break and leak small amounts of blood. Bruises usually...
Bedsores, or pressure ulcers, are caused by pressure created from being in the same position for extended periods of time. They are therefore most common in people who are confined...
General Info
Guest Author: Emma is part of the community team at Greenwood Homecare who provide a range of high quality care services. Emma is passionate about improving the quality of care...
We all want to leave something of us behind when our time comes. Leaving a legacy can make our older years more satisfying and assure us that we will not...
Pets in Assisted Living Pets in assisted living environments can play a central role in our lives at any age. For many older people, especially those living alone, pets are...
As Mom or Dad gets older, you may begin to worry about their driving skills. Is it still safe for them to drive? How will you know when the time...
As we get older, we often become mostly, or even entirely, dependent on others for our daily care. If we are surrounded by loving caregivers, this can go just fine...
If your loved one has decided to move to an assisted living community, they may feel overwhelmed with the decision-making process. There is a lot to consider, so expect the...
There are many myths about senior assisted living. Like all myths, they are often pervasive and difficult to discredit. Unfortunately, these myths may cause people to avoid assisted living communities...
If your loved one has been diagnosed with dementia, you are probably worried about their ability to live independently at home. Perhaps Mom forgets to take her medications, or has...
Is your parent or loved one ready for assisted living or home care services? If so, you’re probably wondering if one option is more cost effective than the other. To...
As your loved one ages, you may notice that their personality changes. Some seniors, especially those with some form of dementia, even exhibit aggressive behaviors. You may find that your...
Many people are eventually faced with the difficult task of obtaining either hospice or palliative care for their loved one. How do you know which is the right one to...
Does your mind start spinning with everything you need to do the moment you lie down to rest? If you are trying to balance work, family, and caregiving, your life...
Many seniors enjoy the company of a cat, dog, or other pet in their golden years. Having a pet to take care of can ease loneliness, lower the risk of...
One of the most difficult things you may ever have to do is moving parents to assisted living homes when they may not be ready. Maybe Mom is having trouble navigating...
Managing medication properly is extremely important, whether you are taking one prescription or several. But keeping track of refills, dosage schedules, side effects, and more is enough to make anyone’s...
It is one of the most frustrating ways to end a day – lying awake while the rest of the household sleeps blissfully. No matter what you do you can’t...
If your parent or other loved one recently lost their spouse, you are probably wondering what you can do to help them deal with the situation. Especially if you are...
If you or a loved one takes medication on a regular basis, it is extremely important to be aware of the risk of food and drug interactions. Certain types of...
Snacking between meals is a good way to keep your energy and blood sugar on an even keel throughout the day. Our appetite tends to decrease as we age, and...
Injuries sustained in falls send many senior citizens to the emergency department each year. According to the CDC, one out of three adults aged 65 and older falls each year...
If you have a parent living alone, you may worry about their eating habits. You might wonder if Mom is looking thin, or if Dad’s habit of eating cold cereal...
Does Mom not quite brighten up like she used to when you stop by? Has Dad started making excuses to skip his bowling league each week? Maybe your aunt takes...
Dehydration is a common condition among senior citizens, especially those living in nursing homes or assisted living situations. As we age, our body’s ability to regulate fluids decreases, and we...
Taking good care of our parents as they age can be both a rewarding and overwhelming frustrating experience. Dealing with your loved one’s health issues, medications, financial matters, bills, housework...
As you begin your search for the right senior care community for your elderly loved one, you may encounter various terms, expressions, acronyms, or abbreviations that you may not be...
As men and women age, bones become more brittle and prone to breakage. Hip fractures rank among the most common injuries among elderly Americans—and one of the most dangerous About...
For millions of Americans, the lingering question of just when to approach an elderly loved one about entering an assisted living facility sparks immediate anxiety. At what point should a...
While abuse of children has become one of the most discussed issues facing America today—and justly so—another kind of abuse happens just as often, and receives much less attention. About...
For so many concerned adults, deciding when an elderly family member should move to assisted living only comprises half the struggle. So many older adults, regardless of their declining health...
Legal & Professional Services
Transitioning to senior living care can have a lot of moving parts. One of those parts requires understanding the legal and professional services available to you throughout the process. This involves items like elder law, veteran benefits and insurance opportunities which can help mitigate the financial burden often required to provide the opportunity for better care and living conditions for your loved ones.
Elder Law & Veterans Benefits
Veteran’s Aid and Attendance Benefits Do you have a veteran in your life who is already receiving a VA pension? You should be aware of two extra benefits that may...
Insurance
Medicare Versus Medicaid Both Medicare and Medicaid help patients cover the cost of healthcare through government aid. With the rising costs of healthcare, it is crucial to understand your loved...
Medicare Medicare is a health insurance program funded by the federal government. It is available to all U.S. citizens aged 65 and older. Medicare is even available to persons younger...
Long Term Care Insurance: Costs and Benefits When an elderly parent needs long-term care, one of the primary considerations is how much it will all cost. The price tag on...
Care Options
When looking through the variety of different care alternatives for a loved one, the options can seem both complex and confusing. We understand that, and for that reason, we have included a diverse set of materials to help you make the best decision that suits yours and your family’s needs. Throughout this section of the resource center, we will review the available routes an individual can take between assisted living, memory care facilities, home care services, and all other options that pertain to senior living.
Assisted Living
Being independent reminds each of us that we are self sufficient. Throughout our lives we do things out of habit and necessity, often overlooking why or how we do them...
Memory Care
Alzheimer’s disease typically starts out with mild memory loss which increases over time. While there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, there are things that you can do to help...
Home Care
Do you have a loved one who needs services in order to continue living independently at home? If so, you may wonder if you should consider home care vs home...
There comes a time in life when individuals either desire socialization or simply aren’t safe living at home independently any longer. Seniors often find themselves lonely at home with no...
Other Care
Palliative care is dedicated to keeping a patient comfortable during the diagnosis and treatment of a disease or other health condition. Traditional medical care focuses on treating the disease. Palliative...
Does your parent or other loved one need more help at home than you can give? Do you need to take a lot of time off work to drive Mom to appointments or just look in on her? Do you worry that Dad...
Aging & Health Info
As your family members begin to age, it becomes more and more important for you to understand the differences in their day to day behavior and how that can affect their optimal living conditions. By understanding a variety of information related to cognitive impairments (which include topics like Dementia, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, etc), physical conditions, and other general information about senior living topics you too can become an expert about the variety of situations that help easily transition an elder into the proper living environment.
Cognitive Impairments
Dementia is a progressive illness, meaning symptoms of the disorder become more severe over time. These changes may come relatively quickly or set in more gradually. Either way, supporting your...
The Alzheimer’s Association defines dementia as a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. This loss of mental ability may present as memory loss, confusion, inability...
If your loved one has been diagnosed with dementia, you may experience information overload trying to understand all the treatment options. While there is currently no cure for dementia, therer...
One of the best ways to help a loved one deal with dementia is to help them retain their dignity. Dementia can be a scary and confusing illness to live...
Sundowning is a phenomenon sometimes seen in patients with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. It can cause an exacerbation of symptoms, sometimes to such an extent that the...
Parkinson’s disease is a disorder of the brain that progresses gradually and affects motor function. It occurs most often in those aged 60 or older, and more often in men...
Some memory loss is as a normal part of the aging process, but there are steps you can take at any age to keep your mind sharp. Exercise daily. If daily exercise is too much, aim for three days per week...
One of the most difficult aspects of having a loved one with dementia is not being able to communicate with them like you used to. You may find Mom is...
Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by memory loss that affect daily life and normal functioning. But how do you know if a loved one has Alzheimer’s or is just showing normal...
According to the CDC, Alzheimer’s disease is currently the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, and the most common cause of dementia in seniors. Alzheimer’s is an...
Physical Conditions
Osteoporosis is a condition that occurs when bone mass deteriorates to the point that our bones become weaker and more brittle. These more fragile bones have a higher likelihood of...
Hip fractures are far more common in the elderly than in any other age group. Older people are more likely to fall, and more likely to break a hip when..
The heart is the most important muscle in our body. It is responsible for pumping nutrient and oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body and carrying away waste products...
If your loved one has been diagnosed with diabetes, you probably have tons of questions. This article will address some common questions about diabetes in seniors and some of the...
We walk on them, run on them, dance on them, and put them up at night. But how much thought do we ever really give to the health of our...
It’s one of your worst nightmares: Mom or Dad has had a stroke. What will this mean for them? What happens next? The aftereffects of a stroke vary widely and...
Along with the cooler weather and more time spent indoors comes a greater chance of contracting illnesses such as pneumonia. Pneumonia occurs when an infection, caused by bacteria or a...
Hip fractures are far more common in the elderly than in any other age group. Older people are more likely to fall, and more likely to break a hip when...
High blood pressure is quite common among seniors, but that doesn’t mean it should be ignored or accepted as a natural part of aging. No matter what the age of...
It’s summer! That means fun, sun, and possibly…heat stroke. For the elderly, especially those with underlying health issues, intense heat and humidity can be a dangerous situation. As we age...
By the time we reach our golden years our teeth have had a lifetime of use, so it is only natural for them to show a bit of age. But many seniors experience dental issues...
Bruises, especially large ones, can look a bit alarming. They occur when tiny blood vessels under the surface of our skin break and leak small amounts of blood. Bruises usually...
Bedsores, or pressure ulcers, are caused by pressure created from being in the same position for extended periods of time. They are therefore most common in people who are confined...
General Info
Guest Author: Emma is part of the community team at Greenwood Homecare who provide a range of high quality care services. Emma is passionate about improving the quality of care...
We all want to leave something of us behind when our time comes. Leaving a legacy can make our older years more satisfying and assure us that we will not...
Pets in Assisted Living Pets in assisted living environments can play a central role in our lives at any age. For many older people, especially those living alone, pets are...
As Mom or Dad gets older, you may begin to worry about their driving skills. Is it still safe for them to drive? How will you know when the time...
As we get older, we often become mostly, or even entirely, dependent on others for our daily care. If we are surrounded by loving caregivers, this can go just fine...
If your loved one has decided to move to an assisted living community, they may feel overwhelmed with the decision-making process. There is a lot to consider, so expect the...
There are many myths about senior assisted living. Like all myths, they are often pervasive and difficult to discredit. Unfortunately, these myths may cause people to avoid assisted living communities...
If your loved one has been diagnosed with dementia, you are probably worried about their ability to live independently at home. Perhaps Mom forgets to take her medications, or has...
Is your parent or loved one ready for assisted living or home care services? If so, you’re probably wondering if one option is more cost effective than the other. To...
As your loved one ages, you may notice that their personality changes. Some seniors, especially those with some form of dementia, even exhibit aggressive behaviors. You may find that your...
Many people are eventually faced with the difficult task of obtaining either hospice or palliative care for their loved one. How do you know which is the right one to...
Does your mind start spinning with everything you need to do the moment you lie down to rest? If you are trying to balance work, family, and caregiving, your life...
Many seniors enjoy the company of a cat, dog, or other pet in their golden years. Having a pet to take care of can ease loneliness, lower the risk of...
One of the most difficult things you may ever have to do is moving parents to assisted living homes when they may not be ready. Maybe Mom is having trouble navigating...
Managing medication properly is extremely important, whether you are taking one prescription or several. But keeping track of refills, dosage schedules, side effects, and more is enough to make anyone’s...
It is one of the most frustrating ways to end a day – lying awake while the rest of the household sleeps blissfully. No matter what you do you can’t...
If your parent or other loved one recently lost their spouse, you are probably wondering what you can do to help them deal with the situation. Especially if you are...
If you or a loved one takes medication on a regular basis, it is extremely important to be aware of the risk of food and drug interactions. Certain types of...
Snacking between meals is a good way to keep your energy and blood sugar on an even keel throughout the day. Our appetite tends to decrease as we age, and...
Injuries sustained in falls send many senior citizens to the emergency department each year. According to the CDC, one out of three adults aged 65 and older falls each year...
If you have a parent living alone, you may worry about their eating habits. You might wonder if Mom is looking thin, or if Dad’s habit of eating cold cereal...
Does Mom not quite brighten up like she used to when you stop by? Has Dad started making excuses to skip his bowling league each week? Maybe your aunt takes...
Dehydration is a common condition among senior citizens, especially those living in nursing homes or assisted living situations. As we age, our body’s ability to regulate fluids decreases, and we...
Taking good care of our parents as they age can be both a rewarding and overwhelming frustrating experience. Dealing with your loved one’s health issues, medications, financial matters, bills, housework...
As you begin your search for the right senior care community for your elderly loved one, you may encounter various terms, expressions, acronyms, or abbreviations that you may not be...
As men and women age, bones become more brittle and prone to breakage. Hip fractures rank among the most common injuries among elderly Americans—and one of the most dangerous About...
For millions of Americans, the lingering question of just when to approach an elderly loved one about entering an assisted living facility sparks immediate anxiety. At what point should a...
While abuse of children has become one of the most discussed issues facing America today—and justly so—another kind of abuse happens just as often, and receives much less attention. About...
For so many concerned adults, deciding when an elderly family member should move to assisted living only comprises half the struggle. So many older adults, regardless of their declining health...
Legal & Professional Services
Transitioning to senior living care can have a lot of moving parts. One of those parts requires understanding the legal and professional services available to you throughout the process. This involves items like elder law, veteran benefits and insurance opportunities which can help mitigate the financial burden often required to provide the opportunity for better care and living conditions for your loved ones.
Elder Law & Veterans Benefits
Veteran’s Aid and Attendance Benefits Do you have a veteran in your life who is already receiving a VA pension? You should be aware of two extra benefits that may...
Insurance
Medicare Versus Medicaid Both Medicare and Medicaid help patients cover the cost of healthcare through government aid. With the rising costs of healthcare, it is crucial to understand your loved...
Medicare Medicare is a health insurance program funded by the federal government. It is available to all U.S. citizens aged 65 and older. Medicare is even available to persons younger...
Long Term Care Insurance: Costs and Benefits When an elderly parent needs long-term care, one of the primary considerations is how much it will all cost. The price tag on...