Companionship - Interim Health Care Senior Care News

Study suggests many aren't saving inheritance

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 16:26:01 GMT

A recent study published in the Journal of Family and Economic Issues found that those inheriting money were saving about half the amount and spending the rest.

Baby boomers and divorce - what are the consequences?

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 17:37:40 GMT

Over the past two decades more people in the baby boomer generation have been getting divorced at a higher rates than in previous years, according to analysis by researchers at Bowling Green State University.

Elderly working later in life than ever

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 18:13:17 GMT

With the significant downturn in the economy, many people in the Baby Boomer generation have been forced to work at an age when previous generations chose to retire.

Finding love again, later in life

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 18:09:44 GMT

As people grow older, many are face with the prospect of losing their significant other and spending the remaining years of their lives without the person with whom they've fallen in love.

Online dating is popular, beneficial, among seniors

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:54:29 GMT

Thanks to the internet, it seems as though fewer seniors than ever are going to give up on love.

Communicating with seniors who have dementia

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:11:36 GMT

Caring for someone who has Alzheimer's disease or dementia is one of the most difficult caregiving tasks, mainly because of the unique nature of the disease.

New evidence that pets improve seniors' lives

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 17:26:46 GMT

Pets make us laugh, keep us company and encourage us to exercise, but new studies are showing the actual health results animals have on humans are measurable, Florida's Local10 News reports.

Roommates of all ages offer seniors companionship

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 17:00:56 GMT

Seniors who live at home with a spouse or adult child do not often have to worry about seeking out sources of companionship, but for those who live alone, the lack of social interaction can be upsetting.

Tips for managing extended families over the holidays

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 18:49:32 GMT

Family traditions can get muddled as the children marry off, especially when it comes to the holidays.

Social media keeps retirees engaged

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 18:41:39 GMT

While retirement often brings a welcome respite from the stress of work, it can deprive some people of a reliable social network - the office.

Divorce rates rise in seniors

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:43:11 GMT

The rate of divorce is rising across all age groups in America, but one that was not anticipated was the over-50 crowd, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

Spending more time and money on the patient pays off

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 16:52:36 GMT

There are a number of reports about how many national healthcare dollars are spent on patients who end up dying, but Dr. Peter B. Bach writes for The New York Times that this cost may be worth it.

Study suggests that love heals for widowers

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 16:46:28 GMT

Men who have lost their partner and stay single have a greater risk of developing a mental illness in the four to five years after the death than those who start a new relationship, a recent study found.

Becoming an Alzheimer's caregiver

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 16:44:15 GMT

A caregiver's job to look after a person with Alzheimer's disease or dementia is as unique as the person with the disease, and it can be draining.

More retirees join gyms for companionship

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:12:56 GMT

While many young people flock to the gym for a headphone-clad hour of toning their bodies and staying fit, older adults are coming for a different reason - camaraderie.

More seniors stay in the workforce because they want to

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:25:12 GMT

The number of seniors who are choosing to stay in the workforce after the traditional retirement age of 65 has been growing for several years, and many are attributing it to a poor economy and the financial need to keep working.

Best gifts for senior loved ones

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 15:43:48 GMT

Many older adults find it difficult to ask for something they truly want or need for Christmas.

Foster grandparents get involved to help kids

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:23:12 GMT

Maxine Sims worked with children for 14 years when she was the art director for the Boys & Girls Club of Tampa Bay, and she is continuing this service to the next generation now that she is retired, The Tampa Tribune reports.

Seniors may enjoy having a routine

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:20:34 GMT

Although many people picture retirement as a type of endless vacation, social worker Jennifer FitzPatrick reports that having some semblance of structure to a senior's life may help them feel more satisfied and happy.

Emotions give seniors a cognitive boost

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 16:17:10 GMT

Poor memory, slowed decision-making and other negative cognitive changes are often associated with aging, but Joseph A. Mikels points out that while many seniors will experience some type of memory loss or cognitive decline, their emotional intelligence seems to improve.

When an elderly parent moves in

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:01:36 GMT

Whether due to the poor economy, longer life spans or a number of other reasons, more elderly parents are moving in with their adult children and their families.

Study: Caregivers are "second order patients"

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:53:03 GMT

A recent study found that people who provide hospice care for family members are "second order patients" who require care, too.

Canine scouts help pets of seniors over holidays

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:39:14 GMT

Like all other scouts in the U.S., Dogscouts of America Troop 208 is working to earn patches for their sashes.

MCI caregivers at risk for future health issues

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:36:57 GMT

The patients that are diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are not the only ones who suffer from problems caused by their memory loss.

Caregivers get help discussing illness

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 14:42:12 GMT

Talking about terminal illnesses can be one of the most difficult things for caregivers to do with their loved ones, but it may be easier with a decision aid, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Aging in place is easy with support

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 10:27:55 GMT

Many seniors would prefer to live at home rather than move to an assisted living facility, and with the right support, it is a healthy, safe and viable option for most people, according to The Associated Press.

Looking for signs of need in seniors over the holidays

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:33:38 GMT

The holidays are a lovely time for families to catch up with elderly loved ones and share their experiences, but it is also an important time to investigate their living situations to ensure that they are still as safe, healthy and happy as they say they are.

Holiday planning for diabetics

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 17:15:11 GMT

Many traditions around the holidays center on food - families gather to enjoy a Thanksgiving turkey, decorate sugar cookies at Christmas or feast on rich potato latkes for Hanukkah.

Survey: Family caregivers concerned about respite care

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:52:16 GMT

Lack of respite care, personal health and finances were the top three concerns of family caregivers polled in a recent survey conducted by The National Family Caregivers Association and Allsup, a nationwide provider of Social Security Disability Insurance.

Women may be more mentally prepared for retirement than men

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 16:04:16 GMT

Many women of the baby boomer generation are already psychologically preparing themselves for retirement - a time when they may be more isolated and less likely to participate in activities that will offer mental stimulation and friendships, AlterNet reports.

Can parents be undeserving of elder care?

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:07:10 GMT

In many societies, familial obligations seem to be set in stone - parents take care of young children, and adult children then have the responsibility to care for their aging parents.

How families can make time for seniors

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:05:58 GMT

Many grandparents want to play an active role in the lives of their children and grandchildren, but the hustle and bustle of family life can make it difficult to find quality time to spend with Grandma or Grandpa.

Pets calm seniors and caregivers

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 15:04:02 GMT

Animals have been proven to have health benefits to humans, including lowering stress levels, blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

Caring during breast cancer

Thu, 20 Oct 2011 15:10:16 GMT

Breast cancer is a unique illness in the way it progresses and how it affects mainly women. This means that caregivers for this disease must adapt in a unique way.

Women are filling caregiving gap

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:01:17 GMT

The number of people requiring care is rising as the baby boomer generation ages. Meanwhile, more people are choosing home care over assisted living facilities or hospitalization and the number of caregivers is shrinking.

Study: Relationship more important than genetic ties in caregiving

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 15:59:43 GMT

Older adults will choose their caregivers based more on how they feel about them rather than whether they are directly related to them, according to recent research by a team at the University of Missouri.

Male caregivers learning to cook

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:47:03 GMT

Illness or injury can befall anyone, but many men who are thrust into a caregiving position find themselves more lost then women because they are not familiar with typical homemaking and caregiving activities.

Health benefits for caregivers

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 14:33:29 GMT

While caregivers spend most of their time helping those who are physically or cognitively disadvantaged, it appears that their efforts are beneficial to themselves as well, The New York Times reports.

What caregivers would prefer to keep secret

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:03:07 GMT

Secrets can eat away at caregivers by inducing guilt and other negative feelings.

Caregivers of veterans struggle to find person they loved

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 17:20:58 GMT

Caring for a senior with Alzheimer's disease or dementia is difficult, but caregivers of veterans who suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from a deployment to a war zone often deal with the same challenges, according to The New York Times.

Sandwich generation must resist boomerang children

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 16:24:14 GMT

The members of the sandwich generation are growing as people live longer.

Florida pushes sex ed for seniors

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 16:21:40 GMT

Thanks to drugs like Viagra for men and hormone treatments for women, Americans are staying sexually active well into their 60s, 70s and often time 80s, ABC News reports.

Reverend says divorce is OK in Alzheimer's

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 15:34:40 GMT

Evangelist television broadcaster Pat Robertson recently made headlines when he said that a man whose wife was deep into dementia could divorce her and start over, ABC News reports.

Humor therapy is effective in treating dementia agitation

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 15:31:07 GMT

Humor therapy is just as effective as antipsychotic drugs in treating agitation in patients with dementia, according to a new study by researchers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Australia.

Spouses, children have to watch for loss of independence

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 16:40:56 GMT

When a married couple ages together, it may be hard to notice subtle changes in mobility, strength, coherence weight loss or gain, or memory loss, the Maple Ridge News reports.

Grandparents take a more active role in grandchildren's lives

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 16:00:04 GMT

Across the country, grandparents are stepping up to a larger role in rearing children - their children's children, that is.

Study: Older women don't know enough about safe sex

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:03:19 GMT

There is a critical need for improving the communication about sexual health between older women and their doctors, a recent study found.

Plan out a caregiving agreement for success

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 16:12:12 GMT

New surveys have shown that more than 65 million Americans provide uncompensated care to loved ones, saving the government more than $375 billion per year, according to U.S. News and World Report.

Protect a pet financially

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 16:09:13 GMT

Many older adults carefully note in their wills which loved ones will receive how much of their estate.

Protect your parents from financial abuse

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 15:59:06 GMT

People often think of elder abuse as physical, but even seniors who live independently and healthfully can be victims of it in the financial form.

More baby boomers age in place, stay active

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 15:50:44 GMT

Instead of moving to assisted living facilities or warm-weather destinations as in previous generations, baby boomers - the generation that this year is beginning to turn 65 - are choosing to age in place and take advantage of fitness programs at community senior centers, the Baltimore Sun reports.

More elderly parents moving in with adult children

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 15:54:08 GMT

The number of middle-aged adults who are choosing to allow their elderly parents to move in with them and their families is increasing rapidly, according to USA Today.

Marriage is good for men's health

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 15:56:16 GMT

Married men arrive at the hospital sooner when they experience heart attack symptoms than their single counterparts, a new study found.

Cats, dogs provide multitude of benefits to elderly

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 16:17:31 GMT

Home caregivers may worry about whether an ailing senior can still take care of a beloved pet, but before making a decision on what to do with the animal, they should consider the many ways in which pets can improve the health of the elderly.

Alzheimer's cafes offer a place for patients and caregivers alike

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 16:28:46 GMT

Alzheimer's disease can cause isolation among patients and their caregivers, caused by a feeling that there is nowhere that people with dementia are welcome or safe other than their home.

Families keep positive relationships with elderly caregivers

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:58:43 GMT

Sometimes, hiring a home caregiver or home health agency is the best way to offer a loved one quality healthcare, allowing family members respite from the stressful responsibility of maintaining the person's health.

Marriages are working across distances for older adults

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 14:52:33 GMT

An increasing number of older married couples are living in separate houses, states or even countries, ABC News reports.

Dog therapy can be best for dementia patients

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 11:59:20 GMT

Home caregivers of dementia patients aim to ease any of the patient's confusion or frustration that is caused by the disease.

Staying involved may slow cognitive decline

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 13:32:33 GMT

While scientific studies have not been conclusive on the ways in which intellectual stimulation can cure degenerative brain diseases like Alzheimer's and dementia, many people have found that mental and physical activity keep them feeling healthy well into old age.

Learn to cope with roller-coaster caregiving

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 16:40:33 GMT

The needs of dementia patients are constantly changing, which may mean that those who provide their home healthcare often need to rapidly adjust their methods.

Pets can be the best senior companions

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 12:33:25 GMT

While home health care services are important for many seniors, sometimes the best elder companion is a pet.