April 11, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille
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…)
March 22, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille
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…)
March 14, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille
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…)
January 25, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille
There’s frequently nothing “routine” about a routine checkup. You may arrive to your appointment perfectly fine but leave with orders for blood work along with other medical tests the doctor recommends to keep you as healthy as possible. These tests might be nothing more than a minor inconvenience for most adults, however for older adults, they may be challenging, for several reasons: transportation problems, thinner skin, mobility issues, cognitive difficulties, fragile veins, health worries, and much more. (more…)
January 17, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille
Wandering. Pacing. Fidgeting. When you start to note these common issues in a loved in with dementia, it is time to take action before they intensify to agitation, aggression, or leaving the house. You may soon find that pinpointing the reason that the individual is feeling uneasy is sometimes half the battle in relieving restlessness in dementia. (more…)
January 4, 2023 by Dean Bellefeuille
Following the indulgence associated with the holiday season, many people choose to scale back on their calorie consumption. But when seniors refuse to eat altogether, or perhaps make unhealthy or unbalanced dietary choices, it is important to determine the cause associated with this behavior, and to recognize how to help them get on track with more nutritious eating. (more…)
December 19, 2022 by Dean Bellefeuille
Unless you have dysphagia, a swallowing disorder, it is likely you haven’t given much thought to the various textures and consistencies of the liquids in your diet. When you are thirsty, nothing hits the spot like an ice-cold glass of water. On a hot summer day, you may crave a refreshing smoothie. And when you’re recuperating from the flu, a nice bowl of soup really is just what the doctor ordered. (more…)
December 1, 2022 by Dean Bellefeuille
The world around you may be resolving to lose 10 pounds, eat healthier, and exercise more, but if you’re caring for someone with Alzheimer’s, perhaps just getting through the day is ambitious enough. The idea of aiming to improve upon any section of your life in this unsettling time may feel understandably overwhelming. (more…)
November 18, 2022 by Dean Bellefeuille
It’s been months since you’ve had the chance to enjoy a good, long visit with Mom. Now that the holiday season is here, you have the opportunity for some uninterrupted time to catch up. Of course, you’ll want to make the most of this quality time together, but visiting aging parents for the holidays is also the perfect time to assess how they are really doing, and if there are any changes in their health that may have gone undetected through phone calls and FaceTime. (more…)
June 10, 2022 by Dean Bellefeuille
There was one point where you’d hear, “take two aspirin and call me in the morning.” But now, it’s more like, “take two of these…and two of these…and maybe one of those, too!” Nearly 40% of seniors are taking at least five different prescription medications each day – not to mention OTC meds, vitamins, and supplements. It’s not difficult to see how seniors can become overmedicated and how adverse medication reactions have become such a common issue. (more…)