Mediators help families settle care disputes
In 2007, John and Ginger Price knew that it was time to move John’s mother, Mayna, from an assisted-living facility in South Carolina to a nursing home near their home in Seven Hills, Ohio. John’s sister, who lived in South Carolina, could no longer shoulder the increasing caregiving responsibilities.But Mayna was having none of it.“She didn’t want to move,”... READ MORE
Remodel or renovate to stay in your home
This spring, when Travis Slocum and his partner contemplated selling their home in Washington, D.C., they had high hopes of upgrading to a larger place. After all, in recent months, nationwide news has underscored falling home prices and historically low mortgage rates, both boons for would-be home buyers.But Slocum found the selection disappointing. “We really didn’t find... READ MORE
What do people think of assisted living?
For the past nine years, a team of researchers from the Center for Aging Studies at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) has been studying assisted living settings in Maryland from urban, rural and suburban locales. With funding from the National Institute on Aging, we have interviewed more than 500 residents, family members and staff members in 17 different assisted... READ MORE
Eat well with grocery and meal delivery
If you’ve just had surgery or have chronic health problems like arthritis, walking up and down the supermarket aisles can feel like running a marathon. Even with a motorized cart, lifting and toting the bags of groceries can be overwhelming, not to mention cooking the food once you have it home.Luckily, a variety of resources are available, from grocery delivery services, to meal... READ MORE
When cluttered living turns into hoarding
There are probably many of us who have homes or offices that are less neat than we’d like them to be. Maybe there are piles of papers, files or books that we put off sorting because we’ve grown accustomed to them, and they don’t interfere with our daily routines.This tendency is common and rarely cause for concern. Unfortunately, for some people the accumulation of stuff... READ MORE
Don’t let your clutter boss you around
Clutter has many faces. It’s not always something obvious like a box of antique bank statements, a pile of yellowing newspapers or a bucket with holes. It can be a warm winter coat, a great book or a crystal vase. Each may seem harmless in itself, but if your house is crammed with excess clothing, reading matter and bric-a-brac, then it’s clutter and you need to take action. As a... READ MORE
How to find and hire a home health aide
When Richard Foye was looking for a home health aide to live with his 97-year-old mother, he found the search daunting. One applicant was bipolar and admitted that she didn’t always take her medication. Another was afraid to stay overnight alone with his mom. Finally, Foye found a caring and capable aide. But “it was a struggle,” he said. Care at home can be a lot less expensive ... READ MORE
Ways to recycle practically anything at all
You’re inspired to clean out your cluttered garage, basement and closets. But what should you do with your out-of-date clothes, ancient tube TVs and old mattresses?Long gone are the days of dumping everything into the trash and out on the curb. Here’s a rundown from Consumer Reports magazine of some of the most creative ways to get rid of unwanted... READ MORE
Is it time to move? Things to think about
As people age, and especially if they have chronic health conditions, at some point they’re likely to find that their current home no longer suits their lifestyle or their needs.This article summarizes many of the reasons people have for moving, mentions some of the most common options, and offers tips for planning ahead.Reasons to consider movingFreedom — To reduce... READ MORE
Going to live with your kids? Be flexible
When Mike Repak’s father passed away, he and his wife considered moving his mother, Maria — then 88 and suffering from mild dementia — into an assisted-living facility near them.But instead, the couple decided they wanted Maria to live with them and their two teenagers. “It was going to be a big adjustment for her without Dad around,” said Repak, now 53.... READ MORE
