Senior Advocate

A: Decluttering is important to maintain a safe, clean and comfortable home. It also can help how we feel because with excess “stuff” we often feel the weight of the possessions on our mood. I recently did a lot of decluttering and while the process was tiring, the result made me feel lighter, freer and [...]

A:  The concept of core memories was brought to mainstream in the Pixar movie Inside Out. It shows the story of a pre-teen and how her emotions grow with her experiences. The movie highlights five “core memories,” which are memories from her life that have had the most affect on her as a person. [...]

A: I hope there is a change for the better in the way our society talks about aging. The truth is that more and more people are aging. And as my grandmother used to say, “its beats the alternative!” We should lean in and enjoy the benefits of aging and make the most of [...]

A: It is always important to do your due diligence and research to find the right in-home care agency for your needs. Home care agencies provide care wherever the person resides, usually in their home or in assisted living. The goal is to help the person remain safe and as independent as possible with care [...]

A: World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is recognized on June 15 every year. It is meant to bring awareness and understanding of elder abuse and neglect. This is so important because, sadly, elder abuse is in every community. Approximately one in every ten people over the age of 60 in the US has experienced [...]

A: I have often heard caregivers tell me that they will just “know” when it is time to place their loved one. Most of the time they tell me this because they are confident that it is not yet that time. The truth is that I am not sure anyone automatically knows when and if [...]

I have written many times about the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone and trying new things as we age. The benefits are not just enjoyable, but also good for your brain health. I was reminded of this recently when I met David De Vorre, who shared his experience learning square dancing in [...]

Q: Why should I prepare for my future needs now when I don’t know what my needs will be? A: Preparing for the future is always recommended, even though we often do not know what that will involve. It is like purchasing homeowner’s insurance. You do not know if and when you will need [...]

Q:  What is the theme of Older Americans Month this year? A:  Established in 1963, Older Americans Month (OAM) is celebrated every May. Led by a federal agency, the Administration for Community Living (ACL), OAM is a time to recognize older Americans' contributions, highlight aging trends, and reaffirm commitments to serving the older adults in [...]

Senior Concerns hosted our annual Caregiver Recognition Day event last week and the theme was “Building Your Care Team.” It got me thinking about how all of us, not just family caregivers, need to think about who is in our Care Team. A care team is the people and agencies that support you. They are [...]