IRC Blog
Posted: Wednesday, March 25, 2020
5 tips for long-distance caregiving for a memory care resident
Helping parents as they grow older was easier when families remained in the same geographic location. And if there’s been an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, the challenge increases. Today, it’s much more common to find siblings spread across the country. Some families may help their parents move closer but it’s always hard if the caregiving and decisions fall to one sibling.
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IRC Blog
Posted: Friday, March 20, 2020
How older adults can navigate Coronavirus
As COVID-19 (the Coronavirus) continues to expand its reach, it’s important we become knowledgeable about what we can do as individuals– both to limit its spread and to take care of ourselves and loved ones.
As public areas close to minimize the impact, staying at home is not always easy. But as much as possible, we should try to live as normal of a life as we can.
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IRC Blog
Posted: Thursday, March 12, 2020
Is Independent Living right for me?
Whether you’re retired or it’s now closing in on the horizon, the life you’ve dreamed of is finally within reach. You’ve worked hard and enjoyed a successful career. You may have raised children. And you gladly took on the responsibility for your family and your home. But retirement is time for you. And you’ve made plans to enjoy every minute.
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IRC Blog
Posted: Wednesday, March 4, 2020
5 ways to downsize your space and upsize to Independent Living
There’s no shortage of books and on-line articles about downsizing at any age. But retirees moving to an Independent Living community will be sifting through a lifetime of memories and accumulations. This alone can cause two of the most common obstacles – getting started and getting stuck.
The idea of downsizing a lifetime can be overwhelming. As such, it is easy to put off or not know where to start. But the good news is that if you have a plan and stick to a schedule, it’s very doable.
The second challenge is getting stuck. You may find yourself lost looking through the old photos. Not to mention the boxes of baby clothes and your children’s school projects. But there’s a solution for that too.
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IRC Blog
Posted: Wednesday, February 26, 2020
10 ways to help someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia remember
Memory loss is one of the primary characteristics - and challenges - for those living with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Caused by the progressive damage to brain cells, as yet there is no cure and the memory loss cannot be stopped. But families can find ways to support the memories their loved one does have or help minimize the negative consequences affecting their quality of life.
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IRC Blog
Posted: Tuesday, February 18, 2020
What is independent living?
Are you beginning to explore all the different senior living options there may be? If so, you might not realize how many possibilities there are to choose from. Each type is based on the needs and services required. But if you’re looking for a place to live that supports your independent lifestyle, while having the convenience of everything you want right outside your door, Independent Living may be a perfect fit.
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IRC Blog
Posted: Wednesday, February 12, 2020
Activities to share when visiting someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia
People often hesitate to visit someone with a cognitive illness. They can be unsure of what to expect, how to respond or whether they might unintentionally make the person feel bad. Unfortunately, those feelings can lead to avoidance or fewer visits. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
The key is to be prepared so you can approach the visit with confidence. If you don’t know much about Alzheimer’s or dementia, start by learning the basics. Think through how the visit may go and plan ahead for any activities that might be shared.
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IRC Blog
Posted: Wednesday, January 29, 2020
Helping children understand dementia
If someone in your family is living with Alzheimer’s or dementia, you know it can affect everyone differently. But when children are involved, it’s important to tailor your expectations and support to be age appropriate. You may wonder how to explain the diagnosis or help children visiting a grandparent with dementia. You’ll need to navigate these challenges so that both sides can benefit and the relationship remains.
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IRC Blog
Posted: Wednesday, January 29, 2020
Reducing your own risk of cognitive decline
As we grow older, not only do our priorities change but so do our thoughts and worries. Each forgotten name or mid-sentence pause can cause many to question what may be happening. Many studies have shown that fear of receiving a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or dementia ranks second, only behind hearing the news that you have cancer.
But if someone in your family or a close friend is living with a cognitive disease, it’s no doubt that this concern has likely been in the forefront of your mind. Could this happen to you?
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IRC Blog
Posted: Thursday, January 23, 2020
Conversing with a loved one living with dementia
Conversations can be a struggle when you’re not sure what to say or how to engage someone living with a cognitive illness. People can become so worried about making the individual feel bad or themselves uncomfortable that they often tend to avoid visiting the person altogether. But there is good news. By remembering that the most important action is not to isolate someone with cognitive disease, your determination to make this experience a positive one can make all the difference.
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