Sally Abrahms

Biography: I’m a long-time contributor to AARP with both a personal and professional interest in caregiving. Last year, I was caring for three 91-year-olds: my mother; my mother-in-law; and my dog. Sadly, now it is just my 92-year-old mother-in-law. I cover aging and boomers and have written for TIME, Newsweek, The New York Times, and the Huffington Post, among others.

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Sally Abrahms 'sPosts

National Alzheimer’s Plan Unveiled

Posted on 05/15/2012 by Sally Abrahms | Caregiving | Comments

Home & Family | Personal Health | TechnologyAs part of the government’s national plan, unrolled today, to fight Alzheimer’s, is a new Department of Health and Human Services caregiver website, www.alzheimers.gov. Along with information (legal, financial, medical), resources, strategies for dealing with daily challenges, and tools and links, the government website has a caregiver section with tips for caring for yourself as well as video conversations with caregivers. This site stems from the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA), which President Obama signed in January 2011. Many specifics of …

Hurricane Katrina, courtesy of NASA via Creative Commons

A Caregiver’s Hurricane Prep List

Posted on 05/10/2012 by Sally Abrahms | Caregiving | Comments

Home & FamilyLive in a hurricane area with an older relative? Does your parent or someone else you’re responsible for? The hurricane season is six months long (June 1 to Nov. 30); and you as a caregiver needs a substantive plan. You know how mothers-to-be have their bags packed and their route to the hospital mapped out? If an older adult lives with you, nearby, or at a distance, having the same mindset makes sense. Creating contingency plans—where your family member or …

No Kids, Who Cares?

Posted on 05/3/2012 by Sally Abrahms | Caregiving | Comments

Home & Family | Your LifeAs boomers care for their parents, or at least watch their friends in the throes, those with no children often wonder, “who will be there for me when I need help?” With one in three boomers never married and some wed without kids, that’s a big question. Typically, it’s the spouse who does much of the caregiving, but with the growing rate of late-life divorce–saying “see ya, partner” after 20+ years of marriage—and women outliving men, that source of support …

9 Need-to-Know Technologies for Caregivers

Posted on 04/26/2012 by Sally Abrahms | Caregiving | Comments

Home & Family | TechnologyCan you say the Jetsons? Increasingly, family caregivers are getting a helping hand through high-tech products and services. Bone up on these trends: GPS safety technology provides the location of the wearer: devices can be used on the wrist, as a clip-on, or on a pendant. Some cars and smart phones have them – enabling you to speak or touch your desired destination – and see or hear turn-by-turn instructions. Promoted: Join AARP Live’s “Town Hall” on May 17th to …

Robot Caregivers?

Posted on 04/19/2012 by Sally Abrahms | Caregiving | Comments

Home & Family | TechnologyWith a shortage of caregivers, some researchers and healthcare professionals are turning in a new direction: Robots. A recent Wall Street Journal article discusses the value of Paro, a robot that looks like a baby seal. It’s being tested on dementia and autism patients in long-term facilities, but could also be used at home. That is, if you have $6,000.

The Power of Song for Those With Alzheimer’s & Their Caregivers

Posted on 04/12/2012 by Sally Abrahms | Caregiving | Comments

Home & Family | Personal HealthTired of feeling like the caregiver and wish you and your ailing spouse, parent, or relative could do something fun together outside your “roles”? Twenty-two people, half with early- to middle-stage dementia, the others their family caregivers, feel the same way. So, they are belting out tunes side by side as part of a New York City first-ever chorus known as The Unforgettables. The chorale conductor is a music therapist and musician.