Tis’ the season to be merry…right? According to media advertising, everyone is happy, excited and shopping nonstop. Traditionally we think of the holidays as a time of love, happiness, and gatherings with friends and families, but for some this is simply not true. Holiday depression is a real phenomenon and…
I recently attended my 50th class reunion from high school. What a homecoming! Everyone else seemed to get old, but the more time spent, it all began to feel very familiar. The hair color had changed, but the personalities came right back to the present. It all began to feel…
Thanksgiving Day is an excellent reminder that we have so many blessings in our lives. But the truth is that we ought to be practicing thankfulness every day of the year! Gratefulness is a cure for many things, including depression, neurosis, anger, irritation, etc. The world would be a different…
The headline reads, Loneliness is a Killer! The Kansas City Star ran a story that says exactly that. Do you think that’s an exaggeration? Here is what the latest research is telling us; social isolation is more lethal than obesity or smoking 15 cigarettes day. Brigham Young University researcher Julianne…
Adult children are often involved in helping their parents make decisions about care needs. We are often asked the question, “How can I talk to Mom about moving to an assisted living?” Starting the conversation early is so important. Many are fearful that these conversations will be uncomfortable even hostile.…
There are a variety of Assisted Living and Memory Care housing options available to Seniors in the Kansas City area. There are differences in the monthly charges and how additional fees are managed. Two of these stand out as the most common types. The first is a community where residents…
Different needs may require different physical layouts in community living. I recently had a conversation with an 87-year-old gentleman, we’ll call Joe, who needs to move out of his life long home. This fellow described himself as single, very active and generally in good health. He takes care of himself,…
When the adult children of Seniors begin to worry about their parents living at home, it is time to do some investigation. It may be possible that there is really nothing to be concerned about but on the other hand there are some tell-tale signs that it’s time to think…
The following list of questions can be used when touring Assisted Living or Memory Care facilities. Notes should be taken to eliminate confusion after visiting more than one community. Your own observations Listen to your own intuition. Not only may you see or hear things that are obvious, but you…
What will you do if the hospital physician says your loved one can’t return home alone? Oftentimes a Senior may be doing well at home taking care of their own needs. Then suddenly there is a fall that results in a broken bone or an illness that takes them to…