caring for parents

Put the Residents of Illinois Nursing Homes First

Posted on 03/7/2012 by | All the news that matters for Illinoisans over 50. | Comments

Your LifeHey everybody – Jenn here from the Communications team keeping you in the loop on what’s up in Springfield this week. Let’s talk nursing home reform… In 2010 the Illinois General Assembly passed landmark legislation to improve the quality of care in Illinois nursing homes. (WOOHOO!) Among other elements, the new law addressed staffing ratios in nursing homes. Studies have shown that staffing ratios play a vital role in the quality of care nursing home residents receive, particularly when it …

Taking a Closer Look at Nursing Homes

Posted on 02/27/2012 by | Home & Family blogger | Comments

Home & FamilyEditor’s note: This is eighth in a series of posts by guest blogger Michelle Seitzer.  For a series recap, please see links below. In the past, when all else failed (or when individuals outlived family and friends who could provide support), people turned to nursing homes. Not anymore, as this series has indicated. Thanks to assisted living, independent living, home care, urban villages, active adult communities and more, caregivers and seniors have an array of choices — and just in …

Starting the Search for Care: When and How

Posted on 01/18/2012 by | Home & Family blogger | Comments

Home & FamilyEditor’s note: This is second in a series of posts by guest blogger Michelle Seitzer. If you traveled home for the holidays, you might have left with extra baggage…mentally. Witnessing a parent’s decline is definitely upsetting, especially since much of it is beyond your control. Though the final decision about what’s next should rest solely with the person who would be moving or receiving care, it’s up to you to make peace with what you saw. I say:  Choose action.

Chat: How to Downsize Your Parents Who Might Be Hoarding

Posted on 10/10/2011 by | Home & Family blogger | Comments

Home & FamilySo we’re talking about stuff. That is, what to do withit when you or a loved one needs to move, downsize or clean up clutter. Every other Wednesday there is a Twitter chat around caregiving. Each time a different topic is discussed and those in the caregiving community — both family caregivers and caregiving professionals — weigh in. Here are highlights from the Oct. 5 that focused on downsizing, moving, decluttering a parent or loved one’s home:

How Elders Inspire, Teach & Enrich Our Lives

Posted on 08/10/2011 by | Home & Family blogger | Comments

Home & FamilyEvery other Wednesday there is a Twitter chat around caregiving. Each time a different topic is discussed and those in the caregiving community — both family caregivers and caregiving professionals — weigh in. Here are highlights from the Aug. 10 chat that focused on elders: Q1: We’re talking about elders we love today. Please tweet a few of your faves, be it family members, friends or famous ones.

Caregiver Meltdown

Posted on 07/20/2011 by | Aging, Home & Family Expert | Comments

Caregiving | RelationshipsThere I was in the middle of Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix, when I was told I was 8 minutes too late to check my bag for the flight. I was trying to get to Indianapolis for a memorial service for my uncle. Missing a flight would upset any traveler, but my reaction surprised even me.  Total and complete meltdown. You know the kind — sobbing uncontrollably to the point where the airline attendant had no idea what to do. …

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