Can I Afford to Age in Place at Home? By Nancy Webre, BS, MS It is commonly accepted that most people want to stay in their home as they age. While lifestyle choices, available health services and desirable amenities are important considerations, costs can ultimately determine whether or not one can realistically remain in their home as they age. According to a recent study conducted by the American Association of [ READ MORE ... ]
Caring for the Caregiver: Taking Care of You By Nancy Webre, BS, MS Caregiving for a loved one can be a very rewarding personal experience, but it can also be enormously stressful. The physical and emotional demands involved with caregiving can strain even the most resilient person. If the stress of caregiving is left unchecked, it can take a toll on one's health, relationships and state of mind. Often caregivers [ READ MORE ... ]
By Nancy Webre, BS, MS The shortage of caregivers (home care aides, nursing assistants and paraprofessional workers) is a trend that is influencing a huge concern about our long-term care workforce. These workers/caregivers are the core of our long-term system, as they provide the hands-on care, supervision and emotional support to millions of people in a variety of settings, such as private homes, assisted living and residential care, nursing homes [ READ MORE ... ]
Honoring Our Parents: Decision Making for Aging Parents By Nancy Webre, BS, MS At some point in our adult life, our roles may shift as our parents age and are less capable of caring for themselves. The challenge, even as adults is that we are faced with parenting our parents. How do we get our parents to let us make decisions for them? As an eldercare professional who is also [ READ MORE ... ]
By Nancy Webre, BS, MS The best is yet to be? Does life get better with age? Growing older is not a choice that we have in life, but growing old is. Everyone has different thoughts on growing older. Some people are afraid to get older because of the many disadvantages while others anticipate it because of the many advantages. Those benefits may include: Greater wisdom and experience Greater awareness [ READ MORE ... ]
There are many concerns families face when it comes to elder care planning. Making decisions about the health and welfare of aging parents is difficult. And, getting family members to agree on aging parents and eldercare is one of the biggest challenges facing families trying to decide what is best for their parents. Having an eldercare meeting is a way for family members to support one another and discuss options [ READ MORE ... ]
By Nancy Webre, BS, MS Every time an incident occurs on the roads that involves a senior, the question arises as to whether or not people of a certain age should have to pass their driving test again or have special restrictions for operating a vehicle. The financial liability and safety of older drivers can be a serious concern. As we age, it is normal for our driving abilities to [ READ MORE ... ]
By Nancy Webre, BS, MS In Western cultures, dog is known as man’s best friend. And, research supports that taking your dog for a walk is not only good for your dog but good for human health as well. Having a dog around improves people’s physical, emotional, cognitive and social wellness. The benefits of pet therapy for seniors has been documented for decades. According to WebMD.com, it takes just 15 [ READ MORE ... ]
By Nancy Webre, BS, MS The holiday season is upon us. For most of us, the holiday season is a time of celebration and making memories with family and friends. However, for some, particularly seniors, the holidays can be a difficult time due to loss of health or independence. For many elderly, holidays are not a time of celebration and joy but may serve as a reminder of how lonely [ READ MORE ... ]
By Nancy Webre, BS, MS Navigating the sea of eldercare can be very overwhelming and difficult to understand. Being equipped with the right tools, including a support network and accurate information can help to steer through the ebb and flow of the complicated eldercare system. Families are often bewildered when they are faced finding resources for a loved one. Concerns can include: Where do I begin to find resources for [ READ MORE ... ]