Senior Advocate

I recently attended a seminar held at Senior Concerns that posed an important question: Is it aging, or is it the medication? Andrea Simon, a hospital pharmacist, presented and  shared some of the medication-related issues she has encountered in her work over the years. Older adults visit the emergency [...]

For my birthday last year, I was gifted a rechargeable battery-backup light bulb. This seemed like an unusual gift, but it is a lifesaver in a power outage. My friend who gave it to me shared that she has started giving gifts of useful and practical items she has [...]

Q: I turn 90 this year, and I am not sure how to approach my future anymore. I feel lost at sea. I am happy with everything I have done, and now I do not know what I should be doing with the time I have left. A: Celebrating [...]

Recently, I was reminded of the power of art and creativity for our mental health. In the Senior Concerns Adult Day Program, we had an art therapist come to provide an activity. This activity found a way to connect our feelings with colors and shapes. It was such a [...]

My friend recently shared a frightening experience of something that happened while she was out for dinner. It served as an important reminder that while medical emergencies can happen to anyone, when you are caring for a loved one with chronic conditions, they are almost inevitable. Taking time to [...]

Q: I have become overwhelmed by managing all the household expenses. How can I make this easier? A: I can remember my parents sitting at the kitchen table with a pile of receipts and arguing over money. It was a ritual they did every month. They would save every [...]

Q: My mother recently fainted, and we learned it was due to dehydration. How can we encourage her to drink more water? A: Older adults are at higher risk for dehydration because of several reasons. Yet with the summer heat, it is more important than ever to ensure we [...]

I often find inspirational messages in unexpected places. If you are willing to pay attention, moments of wisdom have a way of finding us when we least expect them. Recently, I was watching a show called How I Met Your Mother when one of these messages jumped out at [...]

Q:  My wife has dementia, and people keep telling me I should lie to her. That doesn't feel right. We've always been honest with each other, and I don't want to betray that now. Is it ever okay to tell a "little lie" to someone with dementia? A:  Many [...]

Q:  What is the Older Americans Act? A:  The Older Americans Act (OAA) is celebrating its 61st anniversary this month. It was signed into law in July of 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson, thus becoming the first system in the United States to provide home and community-based services [...]

Q: I recently heard about Spoon Theory. How does it apply to older adults and family caregivers? A: Spoon theory was developed by a woman named Christine Miserandino as a way to explain to her friend what it was like for her to have Lupus. I only recently learned [...]

Q: I hired a caregiver to help with my husband who has dementia, but all they do is sit and watch TV with him. How can I get them to do more? A: When hiring in-home care, it is helpful to clearly communicate your expectations and provide a list [...]

I was recently attending a community event when I struck up a conversation with an older woman. We talked about the beautiful weather and all the wonderful things we were experiencing at the event. As our conversation came to an end, she said, “Thank you for this. I don’t [...]

Q: My husband just transferred from the hospital to a rehab facility following a fall. What do I need to know about how to manage his care while in the facility? A: When your loved one is in a skilled nursing facility for rehabilitation, it is important to be [...]

Q: Can I use Paid Family Leave to take care of my mother? A: In California, Paid Family Leave (PFL) can be used to care for a seriously ill family member, including your mother, if you qualify. PFL provides short-term wage replacement benefits to eligible California workers for up [...]

A poem was recently shared with me called “If I Get Dementia.” It was written by Rachael Wonderlin. The poem is a collection of requests for loved ones to remember if the writer were ever to develop dementia. Through simple but deeply meaningful statements, it offers guidance on how [...]

I recently learned that my mother was still paying the monthly bill for my father’s cell phone, two years after he passed away. For someone who is careful about money, this was very surprising. It was not about the money or the hassle of canceling the plan, it was [...]

Q:  I am having trouble affording the rising cost of food these days. What resources are there to help? A:  You are definitely not alone in this. Food costs have been rising, as have many of our other expenses. Thankfully, there are several resources available that may be able [...]

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

Q:  My mom asked me to be her agent on her Advance Healthcare Directive, and I am anxious about this responsibility. What do I need to know? A:  As a healthcare agent, you generally step in when the person is no longer able to make or communicate their own [...]