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The Senior Community Lifestyle
What Kinds of Senior Care Will the Veterans Benefit Pay For?
Dear Donna: My 84-year-old father is a veteran. His health has been slowly declining over the last few years. I don’t live close enough to him to provide the amount of care I think he needs. Dad’s neighbor, who is also a veteran, told me there are benefits available...
5 Ways to Beat the Caregiver Blues This Winter
Winter can be a challenging season for caregivers, especially those who live in northern states like Michigan and Indiana. Shorter daylight hours, colder weather, and the post-holiday slump can intensify feelings of exhaustion, isolation, or emotional strain. When...
How Can I Make the Spring Time Change Easier on a Loved One with Alzheimer’s?
Dear Donna: My mom has Alzheimer’s and has been living with my family for the past few years. While her disease is still considered to be mid-stage, one concern we have trouble managing is when the time changes here in Michigan. It seems to really disrupt her sense of...
How to Include Protein in Your Breakfast Menus
Breakfast is one of the most enjoyable and important meals of the day. Nutritionists say it provides the fuel your body needs after a night’s rest and sets the tone for steady energy and clear thinking for the day ahead. But one thing many older adults don’t get...
How to Beat the Winter Blues: Mental Health Strategies for Older Adults
As the days grow shorter and temperatures drop, it’s not uncommon to feel a little dip in mood and motivation. For many older adults, the winter months can bring a sense of isolation, fatigue, or sadness. It’s often referred to as the winter blues. In some cases,...
Setting New Year’s Intentions Instead of Resolutions: A More Mindful Approach to Growth
As a new year begins, many of us feel that familiar tug to make a fresh start. We reflect on what went wrong over the last year, what could be better, and what goals we’ll set for the year ahead. Traditionally, this has meant creating New Year’s resolutions: clear-cut...
Winter Safety Checklist When a Loved One Has Dementia
Winter can be a challenging season for people living with dementia and their family caregivers. Cold weather, shorter days, and holiday disruptions can create confusion, agitation, and increased risk of accidents. Whether you’re a caregiver, family member, or friend,...
New Year’s Self-Care Resolutions Caregivers Should Make
As a caregiver, you spend countless hours ensuring the comfort, safety, and well-being of someone else. That often comes at the expense of your own needs. While caregiving is an act of love and dedication, it can also be physically exhausting, emotionally draining,...
Tips for Visiting a Senior in Assisted Living During the Holiday Season
Dear Donna: For the holidays, my family and I will be heading back to my hometown. I would like to visit an aunt I was always close to who resides in an assisted living community. She never had any children of her own, so my siblings and I make a point of staying in...
How to Improve Sleep Quality as You Age
Getting a good night’s sleep is essential at any age. However, getting a full night of deep, restorative rest often becomes more challenging as we grow older. Many older adults report difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early. According to the...
Ways to Enjoy a Virtual Holiday Visit with a Faraway Loved One
Dear Donna: My dad came to stay with my husband and our family this spring. He had been living alone since my mom passed away two years ago. We felt like he was spending too much time alone and not socializing much. It was negatively impacting his mental and physical...
How Assisted Living Communities Benefit Seniors
Dear Donna: My dad has been on his own since my mom passed away two years ago. She was sick for a long time and my dad was her primary caregiver. I am increasingly concerned about how lonely and isolated he has become. I live just over two hours away, so I can’t be...