Studies report that roughly 29% of people in the workplace are involved in the care of an ill, disabled or aging family member or friend, with the need for family caregivers increasing each year. Individuals who take on the care of a family member essentially have the stress of two full time jobs on their shoulders – their career and … Read More
Give a Little, Get A Lot: Celebrate National Volunteer Week!
Did you know that April is the perfect time to help others? National Volunteer Week is April 15th – 21st and if you’ve been thinking about donating some of your time to a cause or organization that is close to your heart, now is the time to get involved. The Alzheimer’s Association, for example, employs hundreds of volunteers at local … Read More
Set the Stage for a Good Night’s Sleep
If you or a loved one are having difficulty getting a full night of sleep, it may have something to do with your habits or environment. Try setting the stage for sleep with these tips: Keep to a schedule: Your brain’s “circadian clock” is what helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle, and it can easily be thrown off when you either … Read More
Sundown Syndrome: How to Cope
Sundown syndrome is a behavior common in people with Alzheimer’s disease. It describes the episodes of confusion, anxiety, agitation, or disorientation that often occur at dusk and into the evening hours. The episodes may last a few hours or throughout the night, which is very draining not only on the caregiver, but on the person with Alzheimer’s disease as well. … Read More
Sleep Because You Care
Numerous studies have demonstrated that the mental impairment of someone with extreme sleep deprivation is equal to the mental impairment of someone who is legally drunk. Without sleep, a person’s body doesn’t have a way to recharge and revitalize. Organs and systems are forced to work when they should be resting. This gives the body no time to heal itself … Read More
When You Can’t Just Sleep It Off: Recognizing Common Sleep Disorders
Sleep is an essential part of health, and lack of sleep can have dramatic effects on the mind and body. Lack of sleep can cause problems with concentration and memory, extreme fatigue, and other problems. Family caregivers may experience lack of sleep because the senior they are caring for is suffering from a sleep disorder. Understanding when to bring up … Read More
Want to be Alzheimer’s Free? A Healthy Heart May Help
Studies show that people with a higher HDL, or good cholesterol level, may be at a lower risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease. While doctors don’t agree on just how much a healthy heart can protect against Alzheimer’s disease, most do believe there is a connection between the two. With a staggering one out of every five Americans reporting high bad … Read More
Staying Stress-Free & Dealing with Emotions After Heart Surgery
Heart surgery is complicated and so is the recovery period. When a loved one is recovering from heart surgery, there are some emotional aftereffects due to the frustrating lifestyle changes that he or she is suddenly forced to make. These changes are not only difficult for the heart surgery patient, but can be hard on the caregiver as well. Additionally, … Read More
The A, B, Cs of Protecting Your Heart
Certain people face risk factors for heart conditions, such as aging, gender (typically male) and heredity that cannot be avoided or changed. However, there are some major risk factors that can be easily treated or controlled with these ABCs. Avoid tobacco: If you smoke; quit. If someone in the household smokes, he or she should be encouraged to quit. It’s … Read More
Warning for Women: Heart Attack Symptoms
While some heart attacks are sudden and intense, most of them start slowly with mild pain or discomfort, and there are some particular warning signs to watch out for such as discomfort in the chest or other areas of the upper body and shortness of breath. However, many people don’t know that there can be different signs of a heart … Read More