Seniors Archives – Caring Considerations

Resources to Learn More About Alzheimer’s/Dementia Research, Prevention, Treatment

Posted May 14, 2021May 16, 2021 Heidi GarvisPosted in Aging Life Care Planning, Articles, Caregiver Coaching, Dementia, Seniors

Alzheimer’s Association 800.272.3900 24/7 www.alz.org https://www.alz.org/media/Documents/alzheimers-facts-and-figures.pdf NIH Clinical Trials https://www.alzheimers.gov/clinical-trials Good overview videos What you can do to prevent Alzheimer’s | Lisa Genova https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twG4mr6Jov0 Gary Small MD/Successful Aging https://www.ted.com/talks/gary_small_the_formula_for_successful_aging?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare More in-depth clinical information Dale Bredesen, MD A Precision Approach to End ALZ https://www.ted.com/talks/dale_bredesen_a_precision_approach_to_end_alzheimer_s_disease Reversal of cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease – Aging (Albany NY). 2016 Jun […]

Living with Family – Expectations and Boundaries

Posted January 4, 2021May 14, 2021 Heidi GarvisPosted in Aging Life Care Planning, Caregiver Coaching, Dementia, Living and Care Options, Senior Housing, Seniors

If your family has decided that an older adult needs constant care and that living together is probably the best solution, then you may be wondering why any further discussion is necessary. Even if you think it isn’t, consider taking a few minutes to sit down with your loved-one to answer the following questions. Doing […]

Decisions: From Independent Households to Extended Family Households

Posted October 19, 2020January 4, 2021 Heidi GarvisPosted in Caregiver Coaching, Dementia, Senior Housing, Seniors

You may recall the days when parents lived with their grown children (think The Walton’s). Many cultures adopted this arrangement for financial or traditional reasons. Then an era of independence became more common. I recall my grandmother wanting her own household in the sixties. Over time, changes in society have caused us to re-examine independent […]

9 Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Home Care Company: Especially During COVID-19

Posted September 14, 2020September 15, 2020 Heidi GarvisPosted in Caregiver Coaching, Seniors

Selecting a home care company can be a little like a walk in the dark. There are thousands of across the country and probably hundreds to choose from where you live. How do you choose? Select a small or large company? Do they utilize company employees or a registry for aides? You will probably want […]

Dementia Communication: Our Four Best Tips

Posted August 5, 2020August 5, 2020 Heidi GarvisPosted in Caregiver Coaching, Dementia, Seniors

Many of us often make mistakes when communicating with people who are living with dementia. It’s a learning process, but here are a few key practices which may help you. Remember, those living with dementia have a disease and cannot control their behavior. Their reasoning and logic skills are impaired. Changing our approach can reassure […]

Eliminate the Confusion: Advance Directives vs. DNR

Posted July 8, 2020July 9, 2020 Heidi GarvisPosted in Aging Life Care Planning, Seniors

“Do you want to be resuscitated if your heart stops—meaning if it happened at this moment, would you?” Depending on the stage of a person’s life, many reply, “No, I don’t want to be resuscitated and those wishes are documented in my Living Will (aka Advance Directives).” The difference between a Living Will and a […]

Keeping up with Senior Living in the Face of a Pandemic: How are retirement communities coping?

Posted June 8, 2020June 8, 2020 Heidi GarvisPosted in Senior Housing, Seniors

For some of us, what we hear on the news about the pandemic occurring in nursing homes, and other congregate living communities can be frightening. Is now the best time to move? For independent living retirement communities (aka CCRC’s) much is the same. Here are two communities in Northern VA sharing what has changed, if […]

Local Mental Health Resources Are Available

Posted May 11, 2020June 9, 2020 Heidi GarvisPosted in Seniors

I often find our local, northern Virginia government confusing and overwhelming. We hope that if you need mental health resources that you will contact our Aging Life Care Professionals at 571-488-9396 or reach out to the entities below: Local Resources: Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board offers help for mental health, substance abuse, and developmental disabilities. Click here for […]