We’ve all heard a lot of news stories lately related to the various generations of Americans — the Baby Boomers, the Millennials, the latest Alpha Generation, and so forth. However, many members of Gen X — those Americans born between 1965 and 1980 — have been dubbed with a second moniker — the “Sandwich Generation” [...]
We have often written about the mixed bag that is family caregiving. Some people find it rewarding, while others find it mentally, physically, and emotionally draining — or some combination of all of these feelings. Though sometimes logistically challenging, it’s important for family caregivers to take care of themselves too, which may involve finding ways [...]
We often write about the staggering cost of long-term care. However, there is a subcategory of this type of care that can be particularly expensive for families: dementia care. A recent study examined this important topic and found that the cost of dementia care often eats up much of a person’s monthly income and quickly [...]
In last week’s blog post, we shared how a home care provider’s assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) can help older people remain in their home and independent for as long as possible. But we also shared that the cost of an in-home care provider is not typically covered by Medicare; it must be [...]
There was a great interview-article in Forbes last year entitled “Dilemma: Senior Living Facility or Kids’ Inheritance?” In it, financial expert Larry Light interviewed Certified Financial Planner Rick Kahler about many seniors’ desire to leave their adult children an inheritance. The interview explored the common concern that opting to move to a senior living community [...]
In today’s made-to-order world, you can customize just about anything. Want your hamburger cooked medium with no ketchup and extra pickles? You got it. Want your new car to have a gray exterior, tan leather, a sunroof, and navigation system? No problem. Hey, we want things the way we want them! And that goes for [...]
With COVID-19 numbers down in many areas of the country, school breaks, and this month's various religious holidays, a lot of people may be visiting older family members for the first time in quite a while. It is a wonderful chance to spend time together, and it also presents an opportunity to assess how older [...]
According to data from the Alzheimer’s Association, there are approximately 6.2 million Americans age 65 and older who currently are living with Alzheimer's disease, which is the most common type of dementia. A large majority of Alzheimer's patients are 75 years old or older (72 percent), and almost two out of three Alzheimer’s patients are [...]
Family caregiving is often referred to as a labor of love. It can be fulfilling to care for someone who has perhaps cared for you, and it is a responsibility some people feel duty-bound to perform. But even for those who recognize the sense of purpose that comes with the role, family caregiving can still [...]
Taking on the role of unpaid family caregiver can be difficult even under the best of circumstances. But caring for a loved one who suffers from dementia can present a unique set of challenges. In addition to the burnout and stress faced by many caregivers, dementia caregiving is rife with unpredictability, safety concerns, behavior issues, [...]
