My sisters, brother and I have been concerned for our mother for the past 5 years. We worried about her because she is advancing in age and still lives alone. We also have worried about her ability to drive as her hearing and vision are declining. Unfortunately, on July 19, 2017 my mother had a stroke. The effects of her stroke left her with a very slight weakness on her right side. She is fortunate. However she can no longer live alone or drive. So, straight from the hospital my mother moved in with my husband and me.

We had been planning for her to come live with us and were slowly turning our basement family room into a studio apartment for her. Needless to say we had to move up our timetable for completing the apartment to accommodate her needs. My husband spent the next few weekends finishing the trim, hanging shelves and...

For many of us, reaching the age of retirement is a major accomplishment in our lives. The expectation of working less, enjoying life more, while having the financial means to do so, is hitting the bullseye of senior living! But, hitting this mark is not easy. Changes in our health status, finances, family connections and community can tarnish our "golden years."

As we face the aging process and challenges to maintain a high quality of life, there is an agency that is in place to help us. It’s called the...

When we first acknowledged the symptoms, my grandmother Jessie, in her late eighties, had food burning on the stove. We all stood in awe realizing that it could have been much worse if the family had not shown up that day. My uncle asked her what was happening and had she realized that she had food burning on the stove.  That is when she said in an angry tone “your father should have been home at lunch.” My uncle’s father, also my grandfather was not coming home that day or any other as he passed away 20 years before. 

After...

Navigating the balance between caring for yourself and your parents can be more stressful than raising your own children. Our parents’ aging results in an increase and dependence on external supports and resources. This shift often occurs without warning. The increase in eldercare resources impacts us, the caregivers, both directly and indirectly.  Some of the signs and symptoms that you, or other family members, may be experiencing can be exhibited through both physical and emotional changes. The enclosed article addresses both symptoms and coping skills while navigating the caregiver balance. As the saying goes- one cannot take care of others if they cannot take care of themselves.

https://www.agingcare.com/Articles/signs-of-caregiver-stress-how-to-tell-if-you-are-too-stressed-135916.htm

According to estimates from a 2009 Study conducted by The National Alliance for Caregiving, 65.7 million Americans actually served as caregivers for an ill or disabled relative in the past year.  As an Account Manager, I’ve been sharing resources for Elder Care with my clients for the last two years when reviewing resources available through Anthem’s EAP. 

“Elder Care” is a broad and daunting term, and can mean a number of things depending on an individual’s circumstance.  In EAP orientations, I cover all of the...

More and more working adults have the added duty of caring for aging family members.  This article in U.S. News & World Report MONEY looks at how employers are changing to meet their employees’ needs. One way employers can help their employees with this work-life balance is to offer more flexibility in schedules and time off. Another way employers can help is to provide information and resources for elder care and respite care. Finally, employers showing understanding towards employees’ dual roles go a long way to help employees feel supported.

http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2014/12/10/how-companies-are-making-work-life-balance-better-for-caregivers?utm_campaign=Daily%20Social%20Media&utm_content=10544725&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin

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