What to Do After the Death of a Loved One

 May 29, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille

Senior woman hugging a picture of a loved one

Losing a loved one is heart wrenching, and the last thing you want to do is complete a list of to-dos. The pain and loss alone are overwhelming enough. Taking the time to work through your grief is extremely important. Yet there are, unfortunately, a number of tasks that have to be taken care of at different intervals following the person’s passing. 

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How to Cope When a Senior With Dementia No Longer Recognizes You

 May 15, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille

Family caregiver helping senior with dementia

You’ve been helping Mom since she was diagnosed with dementia. You have been working through a number of the challenging symptoms. Yet one day, she looks at you and calls you by a different name – that of her friend or cousin or younger brother. Do you correct her, reminding her that you are her son? Should you let it slide, pretending you didn’t notice the mistake? Or, should you just roll with it, accepting the new identity she has given you? 

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Supporting a Senior During a Short-Term Stay in an Assisted Living Facility

 May 3, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille

Caregiver giving flowers to senior woman

If a senior you love undergoes a surgical procedure or hospitalization, their doctor may suggest that the senior stay in an assisted living facility before going back home. This is usually a short period of time of intensive therapy to promote recovery and healing. However, the notion of moving into an assisted living facility or nursing home even for a matter of weeks or months can be extremely difficult to accept.  

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How Improv Can Be a Surprisingly Effective Approach to Dementia Care

 April 19, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille

caregiver talking with senior man with dementia

It takes creative thinking, a knack for rolling with the punches, and a generous amount of lighthearted fun to offer healthy and effective dementia care. It stands to reason then that a spontaneous activity like improvisation is a great way to connect and engage with someone struggling with cognitive challenges. Not only does it allow you to pivot and embrace unexpected plot twists, but it helps you to learn more about the person in your care. (more…)


Do You Know How Often a Senior Should Bathe?

 April 11, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille

happy senior lady ready for bath

Starting the day with a rejuvenating shower and ending it with a warm bubble bath are daily pleasures for many of us. But it really is possible to have too much of a good thing when it comes to bathing habits for older adults. You might want to rethink that daily bath or shower for seniors, for several reasons: (more…)


Over-Caring for a Loved One? Your Mental Health May be at Risk

 April 3, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille

daughter hugging and caring for senior mother

A vital characteristic in any effective caregiver is being empathetic. The ability to put yourself in another person’s shoes allows you to better meet their needs. But there is one particular type of empathy that you need to understand as a caregiver in order to protect your own health and wellbeing: emotional empathy. (more…)


What to Avoid During Chemo Treatment

 March 22, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille

beautiful-lady-with-cancer

The benefits of chemotherapy are without question and can save someone’s life. Yet, during the process of destroying harmful cancer cells, noncancerous cells can also be in the crossfire, creating challenging side effects. The physician will provide recommendations on what cancer patients should do to reduce these effects, and an empowered patient can help support the goal by knowing what to avoid during chemo treatment. (more…)


How to Preserve Independence and Purpose for Seniors

 March 14, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille

An elderly woman enjoys time with her grandchildren

What exactly is it that gets you up out of bed each and every morning? If you are a member of the sandwich generation, caring for both older and younger loved ones, your list is likely quite extensive! As the nest empties, however, it becomes important to redefine our identity and discover new ways to bring meaning to each and every day. In fact, the benefits of purpose for seniors are even more far-reaching than we once believed. (more…)


What to Do When a Sibling Won’t Accept Senior Care Help for Parents

 March 7, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille

caregiver talking with senior

When you start to detect the warning signs that senior care help for parents is needed, very often, an elderly parent won’t accept help. After all, acknowledging the need for help isn’t easy, especially for somebody who appreciates their independence and privacy. Yet, what do you do when another member of the family is the one pushing back? If you’ve come to an impasse within your family about the need for senior care, there is one very likely culprit that may be in play: denial. (more…)