Watching a parent grow older can be difficult. One of the most trying things about it is figuring out what are the “normal” signs of aging and what are more serious issues. For example, no matter what age, we all experience moments when our memory fails us, such as misplacing our keys. Read more to know how to determine if your elderly loved one has dementia.

As a caregiver, caring for an elderly parent can take a toll on an adult child. No matter how much you love your parent, the fact is, everyone needs a break now and then. Unfortunately, many adult children taking care of an aging parent feel guilty taking any time for themselves. Read more to know how respite care combats caregiver burnout.

There are several reasons individuals caring for an elderly loved one opt not to use respite care. Some people believe that respite care is a luxury that they cannot afford. Others feel guilty about leaving their parent in the hands of someone else. The fact is, caring for an aging parent can take a toll on an adult child. No matter how much you love your parent, the fact is, everyone needs a break now and then. Read more to know why more caregivers don''t take advantage of respite care.

Caring for an elderly parent can take a toll on an adult child. No matter how much you love your parent, the fact is, everyone needs a break now and then.

Seniors, more than any other age group, are more likely to contract pneumonia. They also are more likely to die from it. And since pneumonia often occurs as a secondary infection while recovering from a cold or flu, keeping the elderly from getting sick in the first place can go a long way toward protecting them. Read more to know about preventing pneumonia in the elderly.

When an elderly parent is discharged from the hospital after a bout of pneumonia, it can be scary for both the patient and their family. If a senior has existing health conditions, recovery can take weeks. The fact that seniors are not only more prone to come down with pneumonia, but also are at a greater risk of dying from it only adds to the stress. Click here to read more details on this topic.

Pneumonia is a dangerous illness that can have serious health consequences. This is especially true in the elderly. In fact, seniors are not only more prone to come down with pneumonia, they also are at a greater risk of dying from it. Click here to read more details on this topic.

Living wills and advance directives are legal instructions that allow an aging loved one to make decisions for themselves, even when they are unable to voice those decisions. They also can prevent unnecessary suffering and relieve caregivers of decision-making burdens during moments of crisis or grief. Click here to read more details on this topic.

Let’s face it, death isn’t something anyone wants to think about, let alone talk about. However, if you have an aging parent, it must be addressed. This is especially true if you want to make sure that you honor your parent’s final wishes. While this can be an awkward topic, it also can be a great opportunity to let your parent know how much you care. Read more to know why an advanced directive is so important for aging parents.

No one wants to think about a parent dying. Unfortunately, it is not something we can avoid forever. We also must face the possibility that at some point, an elderly loved one may no longer be able to make decisions for themselves. This is why an advance directive is so important. Click here to read more on talking to a parent about an advance directive.

Most of us are getting back to our regular routines after a busy holiday season. Thankfully, children, careers and hobbies ensure that the transition from holidays to post-holiday living is an easy one. Read more to know depression in elderly often difficult to recognize.

Seniors are not immune to the holiday blues. Even more troubling is the fact that many times the elderly refuse to talk about their feelings.They also may attribute their feelings of sadness to a side effect of aging. This is concerning since depression is a major predictor of suicide in seniors and seniors comprise about 20 percent of the nation’s total number of deaths by suicide. Read more to know how to spot the holiday (and post-holiday) blues in an elderly parent.

Most of us have heard of the holiday blues. The feeling of depression, loneliness and sadness around the holidays is a very real thing and is often a reaction to the demands and stress of the season. Read more to know about helping seniors avoid the post-holiday blues.

When a parent is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, many adult children assume that their loved one cannot remain at home. The truth is, depending on how far the disease has progressed, many Alzheimer’s patients can remain at home for years. Click here to read more details on this topic.

If your parent is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, you are likely to believe he or she can no longer live at home. The truth is, people with Alzheimer’s can, and do, live at home. Early stage Alzheimer’s is often mild and can last for years so it’s important not to make any hasty decisions and remember that every individual and situation is unique. Click here to read more details on this topic.