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Month: August 2023

Talking to a Loved One About Memory Decline

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By Ashley Barnes, M.S. Memory Decline If you’re reading this blog post, you’ve likely noticed a loved one’s memory declining and may wonder if this is an indication of a developing neurocognitive disorder like dementia. Maybe you’ve noticed cognitive changes in a grandparent or great-grandparent, a parent, a sibling, or a friend. Early signs of a neurocognitive disorder are personality changes, trouble with memory, reduced gaze, trouble managing money, engaging in repetitive behaviors, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, poor decision making, and trouble with finding the right words; perhaps some of these symptoms are jumping out at you. You may want to address your concerns or your loved one’s concerns about their memory so that they feel less alone. Here are some tips on how to navigate the conversation and connect your loved one with good care: Preparation Before having the conversation, you may want to consider whether they have already inquired about …

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How to Talk to Aging Parents About Memory Loss

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Medically reviewed by Dr. Mark Hrymoc, M.D.
how to talk to aging parents about memory loss

Talking to aging parents about memory loss requires empathy and sensitivity. Choose a comfortable setting, use clear and gentle language, and express concern without alarm. Offering support, discussing professional evaluation, and emphasizing that memory issues might be treatable can make the conversation more constructive and less intimidating. Cognitive decline, including memory loss, affects many older adults. Some symptoms are a natural part of aging, while others signal a more serious condition. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 11.1% of adults over 65 self-report that they have been experiencing a worsening of confusion and memory problems within the last twelve months.  If you are a child of an aging parent with cognitive decline, you have likely noticed that their memory is not what it once was. You may need to talk to them about their memory loss but aren’t sure what to say or how to say it. …

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5 Tips on Navigating Caregiving

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By Ashley Barnes, M.S. Caregivers Rosalind Carter, former First Lady of the United States once said that “there are only four kinds of people in this world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers and those who will need caregivers. Caregiving is universal.” A caregiver is a paid or unpaid member of a person’s social network who looks after a sick, elderly, or disabled person. Oftentimes, caregivers are family members. Caregivers assist a person with tasks of daily living such as grocery shopping and cooking, housework, transportation, medical care, bathing, managing personal services (like talking to doctors or paying bills), and much more. Caregiving can be mentally, emotionally, and physically taking for caregivers which can then impact the quality of caregiving. The following are tips on how to better navigate caregiving in a way that is beneficial to both the caregiver and …

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Does Anxiety Get Worse with Age?

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Medically reviewed by Dr. Mark Hrymoc, M.D.
Does Anxiety Get Worse with Age

Does anxiety get worse with age? Anxiety doesn’t necessarily worsen with age, but older adults may experience increased anxiety due to factors like health issues, loss of loved ones, or changes in living situations. Treatment and coping strategies can help manage anxiety, but it’s essential to consider individual circumstances to understand how age may affect it. Anxiety is normal and can sometimes be a good thing. Anxiety can motivate you to seek safety in a dangerous situation. For some, anxiety occurs for no apparent reason. Or something that may cause others to feel only slightly anxious causes you to feel an overwhelming sense of dread and fear. You may start sweating, feel your muscles tense, and notice your heart racing. You may even begin to panic. Symptoms like these can happen at any age. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America reports that nearly 32% of adolescents between 13 and …

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5 Benefits of Geriatric Home Visits

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By Ashley Barnes, M.S. Geriatric Healthcare Geriatric healthcare is the attentive medical care given to those over the age of 65 who are also referred to as seniors. Many individuals don’t seek geriatric healthcare until well into their 70s, 80s, or even 90s. A subspecialty in geriatric healthcare is geriatric psychiatry, as geriatric mental healthcare is a crucial aspect of geriatric healthcare in general. The American Psychiatric Association (APA) describes geriatric psychiatry as addressing the “biological and psychological aspects of normal aging, the psychiatric effect of acute and chronic physical illness, and the biological and psychosocial aspects of the pathology of primary psychiatric disturbances of older age” (APA, 2021).  Main focal points in geriatric psychiatry pertain to the “prevention, evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders in the elderly and improvement of psychiatric care for healthy and ill elderly patients” (APA, 2021). Some of the most common psychiatric …

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