Halloween is meant to be a spooky season, but it can be downright terrifying to someone suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
“Halloween is full of scary sights and frightful sounds that create additional challenges for someone living with dementia,...
Millions of Americans are caring for veterans, putting their finances and their mental health on the line to help those who have served the country.
More than 14 million Americans now provide daily care to wounded, sick or injured military service members or veterans, a ...
More than 1 in 4 Americans 50 or older are now caregivers, looking after at least one family member or friend who has a health problem or disability, a new poll has found.
In all, 30% of all people in their 50s and early 60s provide care to at least one person, the Unive...
Big pops of noise and light are always a part of Independence Day celebrations.
But the "rocket's red glare" (and bang) can be disorienting and upsetting for people struggling with
Independent living is important for seniors, but a new study shows it might not be the best thing for their health.
Older adults living in senior housing tended to have better health than those who remain in their own homes, researchers found.
People in senior hous...
Everyday tasks like taking a shower or navigating stairs can be risky business for folks in the aftermath of a stroke.
But grab bars, shower seats, ramps and other safety interventions allow many to live independently and reduce the risk of premature death, new research ...
Bright lights, loud sounds and trip hazards can make a person with Alzheimer's uncomfortable in the home and even pose real dangers.
<...Nearly 7 million American seniors are living with Alzheimer's dementia, placing a huge strain on both personal caregivers and the U.S. health care system, according to a new Alzheimer's Association report.
The cost of caring for seniors with Alzheimer's is projected to r...
People with dementia -- and their caregivers -- need active social lives to stay healthy, a new study reports.
However, researchers found that both dementia patients and their
A bicycle built for two could be a positive prescription for Parkinson's patients and their caregivers, a small, preliminary study says.
Parkinson's patients had better overall quality of life, improved mobility, and faster walking speed after sharing regular rides on a ...
Folks with life-threatening chronic illnesses can receive effective support over the telephone as they manage their condition day by day, a new clinical trial finds.
Seriously ill veterans living with lung or heart disease experienced significant improvements in depressi...
Reduced income, unemployment and mental health issues are more common among people who live with a loved one diagnosed with depression, new research shows.
"These findings indicate that the impact of depressive symptoms may extend beyond the affected individuals, imposin...
Anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress are common among people caring for the victim of a recent stroke, a new study has found.
Nearly 30% of caregivers of severe stroke patients experience stress and emotional problems during the first year after the patient leav...
A growing number of people have become unpaid caregivers for loved ones, and a new report says many are overlooking the financial consequences of their selflessness.
One in five adults now provide uncompensated care to family and loved ones with health problems, accordin...
An estimated 26 million Americans 50 and older live alone, and researchers estimate that more than 4 million have dementia or cognitive impairment.
That means a large number of older Americans are at risk for medication mix-ups, unsafe driving, wandering and missing impo...
Over the last decade, an aging American population has increasingly turned away from nursing homes in favor of trained caregivers who can provide critical help in the home with basic daily tasks.
But a new investigation warns the need for at-home care has vastly outpaced...
About 1 in 6 preschoolers with autism get expelled from their day care program, new research finds.
On average, such kids are about 3 years old when they get kicked out.
While their parents may already harbor concerns, many of these kids "do not as yet have a diagn...
The stress of caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease can take a toll on loved ones.
It's important for caregivers' own health and well-being to reduce that stress, the Alzheimer's Foundation of America says.
"Finding ways to manage and reduce stress is of para...
A cancer diagnosis can be tough to take, and not just for the patient.
Caregivers are a vital part of a cancer patient's care team, but the role can be exhausting. Plenty of caregivers struggle with the challenges of helping their loved one navigate treatment and, hopefu...
There is little doubt that caregiving for someone with dementia can be demanding and challenging, and that knowing how best to care for both the patient and yourself can be hard to figure out.
Here are some tips to help you navigate this difficult time and be the best c...
Millions of Americans get around with the help of wheelchairs, from those born with disabilities to those who have been struck with disabilities later in life.
Home is a sanctuary for many -- a place where comfort, safety and ease are especially important -- so remodelin...
When a loved one suffers a stroke, it can be a relief that they survived and are getting good care.
But recovery can take time for the patient.
Making sure they get the care they need can be a challenge for the spouse, grown child or other loved one who is providi...
Choosing a caregiver for a loved one is a decision no one takes lightly.
Figuring out the level of care your loved one needs can help make the process go more smoothly. That's why it's a great place to start your journey.
"The goal is to pick up clues early, befor...
If you've been suffering from caregiver stress, you've got plenty of company.
It affects about 36% of the 53 million unpaid family caregivers in the United States, according to a recent report by the
America's aging population means that more families are soon going to be grappling with a heartbreaking issue -- a loved one living with dementia who then develops cancer.
These families will have to work their way through a series of tough decisions regarding screening,...
When former President Jimmy Carter recently entered home hospice care after many years of cancer treatment, it was an invitation for families across America to consider how they would like to spend their final days.
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to take its toll on older Americans.
A new study finds that many older adults declined medically necessary in-home care during the height of the pan...
Intravenous (IV) lines are generally associated with medical centers -- picture a patient in a hospital bed, an IV drip-dropping needed fluids, nutrients and medicines into their arm.
Those who have dementia can find the holiday season disorienting, but their loved ones can help.
"The holiday season can be both joyful and stressful for all of us, especially individuals living with a dementia-related illness," said
Nearly one-quarter of all American adults who care for an elderly parent also care for a child at the same time, a new study reveals.
And when compared with those who only have a parent under their watch, members of the so-called "sandwich generation"-- namely careg...
Taking care of a loved one can either be a break from loneliness or help to bring loneliness on, depending on your circumstances, new research shows.
Researchers broadly studied the issue, using data from 28 studies with more than 190,000 participants in 21 countries. Th...
Millions of parents drop their toddlers off at day care centers so they can go to work, but some are racked with guilt about it.
One of their main concerns? Time spent in group day care could encourage their toddler to start acting out.
Now, a large, new study...
More than half of Americans aged 50 and up are helping an older adult manage tasks ranging from household chores to care for medical conditions, a new national poll shows.
When the wildly popular TV show "This Is Us"wrapped up its final season this year, it did so with a storyline that showed one of the lead characters dealing with Alzheimer's disease as her...
Katherine Sanden drove over 1,400 miles, from California to Nebraska, to care for her beloved uncle after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in November 2020, but seeing him after years a...
Staffing shortages at nursing homes across the United States are severe in disadvantaged areas where needs may be greatest, researchers say.
Diane Kondyra knows a lot about the hidden dangers of diabetes.
Both she and her husband have been diagnosed with the blood sugar disease, and her husband suffered one of its devastating complications in 2018 when he developed a staph infection that cost him part of...
Minimum staffing levels will be a main feature of a major overhaul of U.S. nursing homes that President Joe Biden is expected to announce in his State of the Union speech Tuesday night.
Staffing levels are considered a critical marker for nursing home quality, but the pa...
When a sick child spends time in the intensive care unit, the impact lasts even after the hospital stay is over.
Added to it are days, weeks, sometimes months out of school for the young patient and extended work absences for their primary caregivers.
"Pediatric c...
When a child has severe health problems, the suffering often extends to the entire family, new research finds.
Using data from a single health insurance provider, the study authors assessed nearly 7,000 children with life-threatening conditions and their families, and co...
They take care of others, but many U.S. home health care workers say they're not in good shape themselves, a new study finds.
Researchers analyzed self-reported data collected from nearly 3,000 home health care workers in 38 states between 2014 and 2018 and found that mo...
When it comes to helping others and your health, it might be better to give than to receive, a new study suggests.
Researchers surveyed more than 1,000 Americans between 34 and 84 about their social involvement and how much they thought they could rely on their family, f...
Pop singer Britney Spears was at the height of her fame in 2008 when, through a series of arcane legal maneuverings, her father gained conservatorship over her and took control of her personal and financial affairs.
Spears' plight and the #FreeBritney movement has shone ...