TECHNOLOGY FOR SENIORS

Sometimes the greatest hurdles when growing old are technological. Seniors often lack the muscle memory or ingrained experiences to properly use modern conveniences. But that doesn’t mean those experiences cannot be made more accessible with some basic tools and aids. Bluetooth hearing aids – An old medical device, with a modern twist. These hearing aids […]

From Duke University, a story on the difficulties of caring for an elder loved one during the Covid-19 outbreak.  “Since stay-at-home orders from COVID-19 went into effect, Walls has worked from her Alamance County home and visits with her mother are less frequent. She checks in using video calls, but the new arrangement has cranked […]

Father’s Day is just around the corner, and I’m sure most of us have an elderly loved one who needs a gift. So I’m here to help you out with some great suggestions. The Gift of Music – The SiMPL Radio & Music Player. A simple device that lets your loved one control their music […]

From WFMY in North Carolina, an uplifting story of caregivers getting creative to help those they care for. “This is where the Creative Aging Network-NC is stepping in and helping seniors like Sara, through art. Lia Miller is the co-founder and executive director of the network. She said they’re sending creative kits over to senior […]

As more and more places around the world begin to slowly loosen some restrictions put in place to help suppress the Covid-19 outbreak, some of us now have the opportunity to visit with senior loved ones we haven’t seen in months. Look for outdoor activities whenever possible. Most indoor public gathering places are still shut […]

A bad situation can get worse. “SARS-CoV-2, the strain of coronavirus responsible for COVID-19 disease, may worsen Parkinson’s disease through several different mechanisms, such as interactions with the dopaminergic system in the brain or through systemic inflammatory responses.” When we first began hearing of Covid-19, it was characterized mostly as a respiratory disease, but in […]

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 […]

When caring for an elder loved one, some conversations are unpleasant but necessary. One of those conversations is often about alcohol consumption.  To be clear right off the bat: this isn’t about alcoholism or addiction. Those are distinct conditions, which have to be addressed on their own.  What we’re talking about here is ‘casual’ or […]

From The Scientist, a worrying report on a link between Alzheimer’s and a more severe form of COVID-19. “David Melzer of Exeter University and colleagues used genetic and health data on volunteers in the UK Biobank to look at the role of the APOE4 variant, which affects cholesterol transport and inflammation. Of some 383,000 people […]

Alzheimer’s patients who are exposed to pets such as dogs display more positive behavior, according to a study carried out on an Alzheimer’s special care unit. Additional studies show that pets can provide companionship, reduce isolation, and ease anxiety. Modern technology has now embraced the benefits that pets offer Alzheimer’s patients. These studies have resulted […]

From Consumer Reports, a study showing that a little gaming time can be beneficial for seniors.  According to researchers from the University of California at Irvine, seniors who play online brain games can boost their cognitive skills to be just as sharp as those decades younger than them.  “The brain is not a muscle, but […]

Most of us think of UV light as something to avoid. But a team of scientists at the UK’s University of Southampton are using UV light instead to create images of neurons without the need for huge, high-energy emitters.  “Dr. Bill Brocklesby, of the Zepler Institute for Photonics and Nanoelectronics, says: “The ability to take […]

While we can’t enjoy it to its fullest, spring has sprung. These long days inside are the perfect time to help your senior loved one take a look at their financial health.  Examine credit card & bank statements for recurring charges. Many seniors have services they signed up for ages ago, which they no longer […]

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 […]

We all have a picture of Mother’s Day in our minds. Flowers, brunch, candy & grandkids milling about. But in a world under threat of a dangerous pandemic, these sorts of in-person celebrations just aren’t feasible. We all want to do something nice for our mothers, but something other than the usual – and terribly […]

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 […]