Caring for the Caregivers

Roselle Kovitz — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 11:47:25 -0800

"One of the fastest-growing areas within the health care field — home care for the elderly — also is one of the lowest paid and most exploitable," says a New York Times editorial.

Cold Temperatures Pose Risks for Older Adults

Sallie Bodie — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 08:28:07 -0800

Hypothermia, frostbite, and falls are among the winter-related dangers faced by older adults.

Moderate Alcohol Consumption May Protect Against Disabilities

Sallie Bodie — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 22:02:16 -0800

Light Drinkers Fare Better As They Get Older

Partnerships in Aging and Family Caregiving

Sallie Bodie — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:33:13 -0800

Dr. Rhonda Montgomery addresses "What are the phases of applied research in the area of family caregiving? And how can we find and foster strong partnerships through those phases?" in her white paper delivered at the 2008 Think Tank sponsored by the Center on Age & Community.

FDA Approves Stem Cell Trial

Sallie Bodie — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:24:54 -0800

New research in the field of regenerative medicine has the potential to provide treatments for diabetes, heart disease and other diseases.

Learning to be Good Enough

Sallie Bodie — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:16:16 -0800

In her blog, “A Good Enough Daughter”, Sara Myers writes about her personal experience caring for her 90 year-old mother.

More Men Take the Lead Role in Caring for Elderly Parents

Sallie Bodie — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 22:12:39 -0800

Even as they make up nearly 40 percent of family care providers now, men are less likely to ask for help to cope.

When the Caregiver Becomes the Patient

Sallie Bodie — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:02:50 -0800

Study finds those tending Alzheimer's relatives at risk for hospital visits of their own.

Almost Home: We Can Do Aging Better Discussion Guide (PDF)

Roselle Kovitz — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:38:35 -0800

You Must Remember This: Forgetting Has Its Benefits, Wall Street Journal

Roselle Kovitz — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:32:31 -0800

Wall Street Journal reporter, Melinda Beck, reports that "neuroscientists say forgetting is crucial to the efficient functioning of the mind, to learning, adapting and recalling more significant things."

Missouri Voters Pass Proposition B to Ensure Choice to Live at Home for Seniors, Disabled

Roselle Kovitz — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:13:09 -0800

Proposition B, the Quality Home Care Act, designed to ensure quality home care services for Missouri’s growing senior population and those with disabilities, passed with 75 percent of the vote.

Wash. approves measure to boost caregiver training

Roselle Kovitz — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:02:06 -0800

Washington voters have approved a ballot measure that would require long-term care workers to complete more training, pass a certification exam and undergo background checks.

Resident Outcomes in Small-House Nursing Homes: A Longitudinal Evaluation of the Initial Green House Program

Roselle Kovitz — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:42:50 -0800

"Interviewers [for this study] gathered data on 11 aspects pertaining to quality of life: physical comfort, privacy, dignity, autonomy, ability to enjoy food, spiritual well-being, security, individuality, functional competence, relationships, and ability to engage in meaningful activities. The Green House residents reported better quality of life than Cedars residents on seven measures, and on four measures compared with Trinity residents. Green House residents did not report lower quality-of-life scores than either the Cedars or Trinity residents on any of the 11 measures."

Consequences of Empowered CNA Teams in Nursing Home Settings: A Longitudinal Assessment

Roselle Kovitz — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:36:19 -0800

"Nursing homes that empower their frontline workers to make decisions regarding patient care achieve better performance from certified nurse aides (CNAs), improved resident care, and other positive effects, say the authors of a Commonwealth Fund–supported study."

Where Should Momma Go? Current Nursing Home Performance Measurement Strategies

Roselle Kovitz — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:31:12 -0800

"To better inform consumers, the authors recommend an alternative approach to identifying the best and worst homes that relies on multiple dimensions of quality measured over time...The Quality Monitor examines three dimensions of quality: nurse staffing levels, deficiencies cited in the three most recent state inspection surveys, and quality indicators established by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services."

Role Reversal: Caring for Parents with Alzheimer's

Sallie Bodie — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 10:45:37 -0700

When Vietnamese-Americans care for family members with Alzheimer's, they face cultural challenges in addition to the other burdens of caregiving.

In 'Sweetie' and 'Dear,' a Hurt for the Elderly, New York Times

Roselle Kovitz — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:37:25 -0700

New York Times' reporter, John Leland, reports on studies that are finding insults, including "sweetly belittling forms of address," can have negative health consequences on elderly people.

Forget Memory: Imagining a better life for people with dementia

Roselle Kovitz — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:53:35 -0700

Anne Basting, director of the Center on Age & Community at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, started this blog to share her thoughts about our obsession with memory and its loss.

Al(t)zheimer's: Changing Our Approach to Alzheimer’s, Dementia and Other Cognitive Challenges

Roselle Kovitz — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:35:57 -0700

Historian Jesse Ballenger, from Penn State University, started this new blog, devoted to exploring different ways of thinking about dementia.

For Families of the Ailing, a Brief Chance to Relax

Roselle Kovitz — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 09:52:11 -0700

This August 2008 New York Times article focuses on respite care options, featuring Milwaukee's St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care.

Role Reversal: When Children Become Responsible for Parents

Gale Petersen — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:01:32 -0700

They fed and clothed you, helped you with your homework, tied your shoes and helped you get through college. Then — one day, and in my life it was literally one day — you switch roles.

Alliance for Aging Research

Sallie Bodie — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:39:12 -0700

A non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and accelerating the pace of medical discoveries to vastly improve the universal human experience of aging and health.

Helping Alzheimer’s Caregivers Take Care of Their Own Health

Sallie Bodie — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:30:20 -0700

Resources and advice that help with the stress and demands of the caregiving role.

Individualized Assessment with Behavior Symptoms, NCCNHR Consumer Fact Sheet

Roselle Kovitz — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:01:19 -0700

Read how an individualized assessment can help lead to a care plan that fits each resident's unique needs.

The Basics of Individualized Quality Care, NCCNHR Fact Sheet

Roselle Kovitz — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 08:55:50 -0700

Read a real resident’s experience in one nursing home and follow how an Individualized Plan of Care should be developed.

Transforming Nursing Homes--and the Careers of Caregivers Blog Entry

Roselle Kovitz — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:48:51 -0700

Jeremy Smerd's post on the Workforce Management blog discusses Beth Baker’s book Old Age in a New Age: The Promise of Transformative Nursing Homes, especially the impact on nursing home staff.

Grief

Jeremy — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:47:42 -0700

Nursing home director John George visits his nearly 100-year-old grandfather at his farm and his grandma's grave and tries to come to terms with death.

Need Help Now?

Sallie Bodie — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:43:16 -0700

Short cuts to help, planning and advocacy information

A Place to Call Home

Sallie Bodie — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:48:29 -0700

What the future of elder care should be. Videos feature the Green House, a radical departure from traditional nursing homes, where elders can receive assistance and support with daily living and clinical care.

Seniors Having More Sex

Sallie Bodie — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:08:54 -0700

Study finds big jump in number of those over 70 who are intimate and enjoying it.