SeniorTruth

Over the years I have received many questions about caregiving which resonate in the broadest sense.
Former first lady Rosalynn Carter reminds us why.  She said, “There are four kinds of people in this world:  Those who have been caregivers, those who currently are caregivers, those who will be caregivers and those who will need caregivers.” [...]

Question: I have a friend who is talking about her bucket list.  Exactly what is it and how do you create it?   I am 80 and expect to be around for a while. 

Question: A friend and I, both in our late 70s, were discussing what to do if we found our spouse died unexpectedly at home during the night.  It is our understanding that  paramedics will not respond if the person is deceased. Who should we call?  Neither of us could come up with the answer.  [...]

Question: My brother-in-law is a retired physician.  The family is convinced he has some form of dementia, yet he refuses to see a doctor. He repeats himself, is forgetful, exercises poor judgment and frequently gets lost.   The problem is driving.  His family wants him to stop, but he refuses. They have turned to me for [...]

Question: I’ve had a successful 25-year career as a nurse and thought I wanted to become a psychotherapist. At 54 and a perfectionist, I’ve taken several of the graduate courses and am concerned about the length of the program and the internship. I’m having second thoughts about spending four years in the program, yet I [...]

Work experiences can serve as a starting point in creating that next chapter of life.  James Birren, the founder and former dean and executive director of USC’s Ethel Percy Andrus Gerontology Center said it well, “You don’t know where you are going if you don’t know where you have been.”

Question: As a successful engineer, program manager and expert witness, I have always experienced excitement and pleasure from work throughout my life.  This past January, as a 70-year old woman, I decided to take a sabbatical (also known as retirement) from my consulting practice.  It has taken me eight months to clear my desk.  [...]

Question: I am a 63 year-old woman and a successful business owner.  As an only child without family, I am concerned about who will be there for me in my old age?   I already have a durable power of attorney for health care but feel that is not sufficient.  I’ve been reluctant to address [...]

Here’s the story on assisted living.  Such facilities generally serve people 60 and older by providing room, board, housekeeping, supervision and assistance with personal hygiene.  They are designed for those who can no longer living independently, but do not require around-the-clock nursing care.

The task of preparing the home environment when an older loved one with multiple chronic conditions is being discharged from a rehabilitation center or nursing home may seem overwhelming.  Yet there are some steps to take that can bring order and grounding to a complex and emotional situation.