TECHNOLOGY FOR SENIORS

I can’t bend over without pulling something, and this man is climbing a 7,300 ft mountain without the use of his legs. Paralympian Sam Tait has successfully become the first paraplegic to climb Mount Kosciuszko in the NSW Snowy Mountains, self-powered and without mechanical assistance. The 29-year-old conquered Australia’s highest mountain last month, accompanied by […]

Beautiful, but bittersweet. NYC Prima Ballerina with Alzheimer’s listens to Swan Lake and it all comes back ✨ The most beautiful video you’ll see today! 🎵❤️🩰⠀ ⠀ Spaniard ballerina Marta C. Gonzalez Valencia 2019 – Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky @nycballet⠀ ⠀#primaballerina #alzheimers #nycballet pic.twitter.com/Dl81WWfn2C — Felipe Tristan (@felipetristan) November 8, 2020 Alzheimer’s is a terrible […]

These are scary times, made scarier by the fact we generally can’t visit our senior loved ones. But there are some key – and not always obvious – questions you can ask to make sure they’re weathering the storm as best they can. “What’s in your fridge?” Proper nutrition is always important, but during these […]

Most of us may be staying at home for everyone’s safety, but that doesn’t mean criminals aren’t still operating in full force. Here are some tips to help keep you safe & secure during these trying times. Scammers are out in force trying to use Covid to get into people’s bank accounts. Be particularly wary […]

You love to see the younger generation helping out their elders. Due to COVID-19, more doctors have had to use telemedicine with their patients. Older and low-income patients may not have the tools or the knowledge to have those important appointments. A group of students is working to change that. For the past few months, […]

We are living through unprecedented times. And as with all unprecedented events, we must adapt. In these times that means living an increasingly home-bound life. What would have been a fun thing a year ago – staying home all day, every day – has turned into an incredibly stressful experience for much of us. That […]

Eventually, most of our elder loved ones will get to a point at which they can no longer live independently. In many cases, we caregivers will offer to take that loved one into our home. The transition can be difficult emotionally, even before you consider what it’s like to live with someone who is in […]

The leaves are turning, snow is on the ground in some places, and thoughts of Christmastime are beginning to percolate. This means it’s (another) perfect time to talk with your senior loved one about their financial health. ● Examine credit card & bank statements for recurring charges. Many seniors have services they signed up for […]

I try not to get too hyped up about studies until the treatment is on the market, but in this case I’ll make a small exception. “A large population-based cohort study, led by researchers from University College London, is suggesting some drugs used to treat diabetes may also prevent the onset of Parkinson’s disease. Along […]

A very, very interesting story about using AI to predict who will get Alzheimer’s. “An artificial intelligence (AI) model using a short language test was modestly accurate in spotting whether healthy people would have a future diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, researchers reported. The model predicted whether cognitively normal older adults would develop Alzheimer’s symptoms before […]

From the St Paul Pioneer Press, another great example of using non-traditional therapies to great effect. It’s Tuesday morning at the Element Gym in St. Paul’s Hamline-Midway neighborhood, regulars trickle in for the 10 a.m. boxing class. Men and women are ready to duke it out for an hour and get in their early-morning workout. […]

A new study finds a link between environmental air pollution and occurrences of both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Tiny air pollution particles make their way up to the brainstems of young people where they accumulate, new research published in the journal Environmental Research showed. These same nanoparticles have been “intimately associated” with the molecular damage […]

“NO!” It’s the favorite word of toddlers and the favorite word of most seniors who need regular care. And that – as much as anything – is one of the significant flashpoints between caregivers and care recipients. Too many people see superficial similarities between the behavior of a child and an older adult, and instinctively […]

From McKnight’s, a great example of the benefits of music therapy. Group music therapy in an eldercare setting reduces agitation and may be a useful tool in managing aggressive behavior, according to a new study. […] Compared with residents who did not receive music therapy, the 30 residents who participated in the study exhibited fewer […]

Even as parts of the US start to relax stay-at-home orders, our senior loved ones will still be under very restrictive rules for their own safety. We may not be able to visit with them right now, but that doesn’t mean we can’t send along some things to help keep their minds sharp during these […]

We’re well into October, and before you know it, Christmas will be here. Covid will be changing how many of us celebrate the holidays, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still get some presents for our loved ones. Here are some suggestions for your elder relatives. Digital Picture Frame. A great way to keep up […]