The Lifeline Blog

An estimated 50 percent of family caregivers for seniors work full-time, and another 11 percent are employed part-time, the AARP Public Policy Institute reports. At the same time, according to surveys published by the Family Caregiver Alliance, 76 percent of caregivers do not pay for outside help with their family caregiving duties. This means that a majority of Read more >>

Initiating the Uncomfortable: A Conversation about Aging, End-of-Life, and Future Planning I’m preparing to have a difficult conversation with my husband. We’ve had more than a few in our marriage, but this one has me a little on edge. I’m planning to ask him questions that will make us think of the worst-possible scenario. I’ll Read more >>

Moving your aging loved ones into your home can cost much more than you would expect. More than half of the 34 million Americans caring for aging parents must do without items or services they need in order to handle the financial responsibilities of that care, according to AgingCare.com. In some cases, even grandchildren must Read more >>

If you’re shopping for a medical alert system, you probably have questions like “How does this work?” and “Is it reliable?” If you’re shopping for medical alert bracelets for women, you may also be wondering, “Are they comfortable?” and “Are they stylish?” How Do Medical Alert Bracelets Work? According to the Centers for Disease Control Read more >>

There are several considerations you need to think about before taking on the responsibility of caring for an elderly parent, including both your own well-being and that of your mom or dad. Here are five things to be mindful of when committing to the care of your parent. 1. Your Current Work/Life Balance Level If Read more >>

If you know anything about blogs, or like to follow the online posts of your friends, children, or grandchildren, you might be interested in taking up blogging yourself. Blogging is one of many great activities for seniors. Not only does it allow you to share older memories with your loved ones, but it also lets Read more >>

Whatever happened to riveting conversation around the kitchen table? When the household includes a senior whose daily life may bear little resemblance to the lives of other family members, conversation doesn’t always flow naturally and may unintentionally end up excluding the senior. This is not only depressing for seniors, but it also may leave them Read more >>

Advertising is a powerful drug. “Ask your doctor if [fill in the blank] is right for you,” blares the television commercial while cutting to a beaming, healthy, and fit senior taking a turn on the dance floor. Her drop-dead gorgeous partner doubles as a graying Patrick Swayze look-alike, and you could swear the music sounds Read more >>

No one likes the idea of a loved one ending up in long-term care, but how do you keep Mom or Dad living at home safely? And how do you keep yourself from losing sleep worrying about them? Here are a few ways the elderly living alone can get some help, providing you some peace Read more >>

Lung disease can affect much more than just your breathing. In fact, COPD and other chronic respiratory issues can cause shortness of breath. Not being able to breathe well depletes the oxygen levels in your blood, affecting your body’s ability to function properly. What is COPD? COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a group Read more >>