From Guilt to Grace on the Long-Term Care Journey
Learn how to move from guilt to grace as you navigate long-term care decisions for a loved one with dementia.
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Caregiver Frustration: How to Manage It with Grace
Practical strategies to manage dementia caregiver frustration with calm, clarity, and connection - grounded in expert guidance and real-life scenarios.
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The Gift of Routine: How Structure Supports People Living with Dementia
A daily routine can offer stability, comfort, and confidence for people living with dementia. Learn how to build a supportive structure that reduces anxiety and enhances quality of life - for both your loved one and yourself.
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Understanding and Easing Sundowning in Dementia Care
Learn what sundowning is, why it happens, and how caregivers can respond with empathy and structure. Explore practical strategies and discover how Aegis Living supports residents through thoughtful approaches like light therapy.
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Understanding and Managing Repetitive Behaviors in Dementia
Explore compassionate strategies to manage repetitive behaviors in loved ones with dementia. Learn how understanding and empathy can transform caregiving experiences.
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How to Talk to Someone With Dementia: A Caregiver's Guide
Expert-backed ways to talk with a loved one who has dementia, including Teepa Snow's VVT method, validation, and calm redirection.
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Beyond the Diagnosis: How Medications Can Help with Dementia Care
Learn how medications can support dementia care when non-drug therapies aren’t enough. Explore options, benefits, risks, and coordinated care approaches.
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The 7 Stages of Dementia: What to Expect at Each Step
A clear, stage-by-stage guide to how dementia progresses and how families can plan compassionate care at every step.
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Meaningful Care Without Medication: Holistic Approaches to Dementia
Learn how therapies like music, movement, reminiscence, and cognitive stimulation can help manage dementia symptoms and improve daily life - no prescription required.
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Understanding Dementia: A Family Guide to Types & Care
A clear, compassionate guide to what dementia is, how it's diagnosed, and the most common types families encounter.
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How does springtime affect Alzheimer’s?
Seniors with Alzheimer’s disease are heavily affected by fluctuations in their regular routines, and they can experience issues when seasons change. This is a common concern during the onset of winter, which can greatly exacerbate sundowning, an increase in restlessness and…
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Sundowning in Dementia: 4 Ways to Calm Evening Agitation
Sundowning triggers late-day confusion in people with dementia. Use these 4 caregiver strategies to ease evening agitation and restore calm.
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Caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s related behavioral changes
As a caregiver trying to take care of a parent suffering from Alzheimer’s, some of the most frustrating things you might run into are behavioral changes. Although many people know that this illness can affect memory and cognitive health, Alzheimer’s can also have a major impact…
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5 ways for caregivers to stay healthy
You work hard as a caregiver, but let’s face it; we all need a break from time to time.
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Hydration for a Healthy Brain
You learn from a young age the importance of drinking enough water every day. Staying hydrated is essential for balancing bodily fluids, cleansing the body of toxins and maintaining bowel function, but for people with Alzheimer’s, water’s effects on the brain may be the most…
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Respite Care to Support the Caregiver
At one time or another, you may feel like you are about to hit a wall.
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New Year’s resolutions of a caregiver
As we sing “Auld Lang Syne” at midnight on New Year’s Eve, many caregivers for their aging parent or elderly loved ones will make their resolutions for the upcoming year. At Aegis Living, our wish is these dedicated caregivers are happy and healthy in 2021. We hope that you…
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Five Fall Crafts for Senior Adults
As the leaves begin to change color and the chill of fall is in the air, we are spending more of our days indoors where it’s warm and toasty. If you are a caregiver caring for an elderly parent, you may want a few suggestions on how to spend your time inside with craft projects…
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Six Holiday Planning Tips for Caregivers
During the best of times, the holidays can be overwhelming.
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A Conversation With Your Parent That Can’t Wait
By Judy Meleliat, President Emeritus of Aegis Living As my mom blew out the candles on her 90thbirthday cake at Aegis Living, she looked up at me and smiled. It was the moment where I finally let my breath out too. We had made it. We had weathered the storm of doubt, guilt, and…
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Senior Loneliness Epidemic
Senior isolation is one of the biggest health threats to elderly Americans that is often overlooked. It can have devastating effects physically, emotionally, and mentally. The British have recognized a loneliness epidemic among their elderly population for years - coined the…
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Signs of Depression in Your Parent
Do they mope around all day?
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What is Sundowning? And why does it occur?
Do you notice a significant change in your dad’s behavior close to dinnertime?
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What Family Caregivers Need
Our lives are busy. Most Americans seem to be juggling a family, household chores, working out, eating healthy, full-time employment, and maybe, squeezing in some personal time. Our delicate spinning-plates act can come crashing down when mom suffers a stroke or dad has a bad…
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Dementia Denial From the Experts
Caring for a family member with dementia is difficult. Not only do you grapple with the added responsibilities of monitoring another person’s life, but you also must come to terms with the idea that someone you love is going through a difficult change. It’s not uncommon for…
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Caregivers: Put Yourself First!
Caregivers. First thing’s first. Take a moment to be proud. You’ve taken on the most difficult job you’ve likely ever had, and you deserve recognition. Second, it’s time to talk about self-care. What are you doing for yourself? Are you taking time for self-care? According to a…
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Eat Smart for Your Head and Your Heart
In February, we celebrate those we love on Valentine’s Day with flowers and chocolate heart boxes.
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The Rise of the Millennial Caregiver
The impending silver tsunami raises many questions about who will take over the caregiver role the boomer generation has assumed. Though most headlines put baby boomers at war with millennials - criticizing work ethic, food trends, and residential choices - millennial children are…
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Managing the Frustration of Dementia Caregiving
Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia can be challenging and overwhelming on the best of days.
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Healthy Benefits of Gratitude for Caregivers
Gratitude lowers caregiver stress and improves sleep, mood, and heart health. Here's how to build a daily practice that actually sticks.
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Nutritional Needs of Seniors
As the temperatures change we find ourselves craving warm comfort foods - calorie-laden coffee drinks, pumpkin spice sweet treats, and cheesy casseroles.
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Meaningful Family Visits in Assisted Living
You have worked very hard as the primary caregiver for your parent or spouse.
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Why Your Parent Needs a Power of Attorney Now
A power of attorney protects your parent's finances and healthcare choices if they can't decide for themselves. Here's why it matters and how to set one up.
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Managing Medication for your Parents
As your parent gets older, their medication list can get longer and more complicated.
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Smoky Air Quality and Seniors
As another day of eerie smoke from wild fires covers much of the West Coast, we are closing our windows, staying inside, not running the vacuum, blowing our noses, and adding drops to our burning eyes.
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How to Set Caregiver Boundaries Without Guilt
Practical scripts, a boundary-type table, and expert guidance to help family caregivers set limits without guilt or burnout.
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How Can You Help a Dementia Caregiver?
If you have a friend or a sibling caring for a parent or loved one with dementia, there are many ways that you can love and support them. A caregiver to someone living with dementia or Alzheimer’s is experiencing not only the daily demand of their care but also the personal…
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Caregivers: Are you taking care of yourself?
A common piece of advice for caregivers is, to effectively take care of others you must first take care of yourself.
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Nursing Care in Assisted Living Communities
When your parent moves to an assisted living community, it is typically because you are concerned that they cannot live on their own due to illness […]
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Compare the Costs of In-Home Care with Assisted Living
As you research care options for a parent who can no longer live on their own, there are many factors to evaluate to make the best decision for your family.
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Dementia Whisperer: Denial, A Survival Mechanism
In denial, we find our comfortable place - where nothing is changing, and the alarm bells are silent.
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4 Basic Health Tips for Caregivers and Seniors
With our busy lives and packed schedules, we often forget the basics of good health.
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What is Assisted Living?
Are you worried that mom might take another bad fall?
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The Importance of Healthy Senior Nutrition
Who doesn’t turn into a kid again around Halloween?
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Supporting Your Family Caregiver
Even in a large family, the role of caregiver often falls to one sibling.
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Follow Your Nose to a Comforting Scent
Out of the blue, it can hit you - a scent that jumps out of your surroundings and instantaneously evokes a memory or feeling.
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Managing Repetitious Behaviors in a Parent with Dementia
Are you caring for your mom with Alzheimer’s and you’re exasperated by the repetitive questions that she asks over and over?
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Aegis Living Brain Health Minute: Teepa Snow #1 of 3
Do you have a loved one showing signs of Dementia?
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Sundowning: Tips for Managing Difficult Behavior in the Evening
You may be wondering, What is Sundowning?
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Burning the Candle at Both Ends: The Working Caregiver
Juggling the demands of work, spouse, children, pets, and leisure time for yourself can be difficult enough to manage, but add the responsibility of caring for a senior parent […]
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Springtime Activities for Seniors
As our neighborhoods erupt in shades of pink from cherry blossoms, we can shake off those winter blues with the guarantee that spring is on its way.
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Top Tips for Seniors During Allergy Season
The sun is shining, flowers are in bloom, trees are leafing out, and the bees are buzzing.
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How to Help Your Elderly Parent Quit Smoking
Is your elderly parent finally committed to kicking their smoking habit?
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The Nutritional Value of Nuts
As a caregiver, you may find yourself in a rut when it comes to your senior loved one’s diet.
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Love Just Gets Better with Age!
Marketers target their Valentine’s Day message to a younger audience of romantic new loves, first dates, and newlyweds.
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Wear Red for Heart Health Awareness
Lay out your red dress, dust off your red heels, or press your red blouse, in February we recognize National Wear Red Day for heart health.
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A Holistic Approach for Dealing With Holiday Stress
No sooner have we placed the leftover turkey and stuffing in the refrigerator, then we are off searching for the perfect holiday presents, wrapping gifts, and baking treats.
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Loneliness Around the Holidays
‘Tis the season for families to gather around the dining room table in celebration, friends to meet to finish last-minute shopping, and parties to be thrown to usher in the new year.
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How to Encourage Healthy Eating in Dementia: 10 Tips
Ten practical ways to help a loved one with dementia eat better, stay hydrated, and enjoy mealtimes, from caregivers who do it every day.
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Who is Susceptible to Shingles?
If you are the caregiver for your aging parent, it is important to know who is susceptible to shingles.
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The Benefits of a Daily Routine for People with Dementia
If you are a caregiver of someone with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, now may be a good time to create a daily routine for both you and your loved one. There are many benefits to creating a daily routine for both the caregiver and person with Alzheimer’s or…
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Caregiving: The Detrimental Health Effects of Chronic Stress
As a caregiver, do you take proper care of yourself? The chronic stress attributed to the caregiver of an elderly spouse or family member can have significant negative effects on your health and longevity. Your health and stress level should not be ignored. Striking a balance…
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Ideas For Father’s Day When Your Father Has Dementia
Help your father celebrate and remember his years as a young parent this Father’s Day. Having a father who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia can be challenging for a family. It can be especially difficult this time of year with the upcoming…
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Four Common Myths About Pain and the Elderly
Many of our elderly quietly endure pain on a daily basis. They make excuses from their pain or deny they are in pain to their family members or caregivers. Pain should not disrupt your daily activities or diminish your quality of life. And caregivers need to be vigilant and…
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Meditation to Improve Brain Health
The main tenets of living a healthy lifestyle are repeated by physicians, in magazine articles, on television shows, and even by your mother: eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep. But there is an additional tool to use in your quest for good health…
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Celebrating Mother’s Day When Mom has Dementia
Do you remember the construction paper cards you made for Mother’s Day as a child? Those days were simple. Today, life is more complicated because you are caring for an aging parent with dementia. This Mother’s Day, you may feel a range of emotions if your mother has been…
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Stop the family feud: Tips to better communicate
It’s a sad truth, but many families find themselves arguing about their aging parent and their care needs. It can be a complicated, stressful, and confusing time for many families. Growing concerns and questions can cause conflict if everyone is not on the same page. Should…
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Four Tips To Transition Into A Caregiver
You hang up the phone and you think that mom seems fine. On your next cross country visit, you realize she isn’t fine. The house is not fine. Her health is not fine, but she has been hiding it on the phone all these months. Now what? If your parent is physically or cognitively…
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Love and Longevity
This Valentine’s Day, celebrate with your whole heart because it could mean that you might live longer. Studies show there is a link between love and longevity, so break out the heart-shaped chocolate boxes and plan a romantic evening with your sweetie! As you move into your…
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New Year, New Home: Time to Declutter!
If your parent is downsizing to a smaller home, moving in with a family member or transitioning to an assisted living community, it’s time to start to declutter their home. Here are some helpful tips to get you started: Get assistance. If your parent still lives in your…
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Are You Concerned About Elderly Pneumonia?
During the winter months, the elderly population is more vulnerable to developing pneumonia from respiratory viruses, related to colds or influenza. Pneumonia is a common and potentially deadly illness, especially for this population. It is currently the eighth leading cause of…
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How to be a medical advocate for your aging parent
As your parent ages, they may begin to slow down not only physically, but also cognitively. They may process things much slower and their comprehension can diminish. Tasks that may have been easy are now a source of frustration and can be confusing to them. This can be…
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Finding the best caregivers for your loved one
Who is really caring for your mom or dad on a daily basis? We know that moving your parent into an assisting living community can be a difficult decision. It can be stressful for not only your parent moving into a new situation, but for you as the adult child. You want to make…
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Flu Season is Around the Corner
It has long been recognized by the medical community that seniors are at a higher risk of serious complications and hospitalization from the flu. Because immune defenses become weaker with age, this elderly age group contains the majority of deaths attributed to influenza. As…
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Caregiver’s guide to dementia communication
If you are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, it is important to take the time to learn how to communicate effectively with them. Improving your communication skills can decrease the stress of caregiving. It can improve your relationship with your…
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Dementia Wandering: How to Prevent It and Keep Your Loved One Safe
Why people with dementia wander, how to secure your home, and the exact steps to take if your loved one goes missing.
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5 Helpful Tips to Downsize for Assisted Living
Do your parents still live in the home where you grew up? Are there notches on the door frame that mark your growth as a child? Is there a spot in the backyard where you buried your first goldfish? Do you know where everyone sits at a holiday dinner? Does the kitchen smell of…
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People to know at an assisted living community
As you help your parents transition to living in a senior community, knowing the right people will pave the way for all of you. Your loved ones will be well taken care of no matter who you know, but having the right people to go to in case of any questions or concerns can make…
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Caregiver relief: A short-term assisted living stay
If your mom has health issues that get to the stage where she can no longer live alone or conduct the everyday functions of life, a caregiver may need to step in. It can be an overwhelming task. Some even quit their jobs and neglect social life in order to dedicate their time…
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Infographic: Is Alzheimer’s Disease More Common in Males or Females?
Is Alzheimer’s disease more common in males or females?
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Aegis testimonial interview with Susan Williams
The progression of issues such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease or arthritis may limit a person’s ability to live independently, requiring the need for assistance with daily living responsibilities. In some cases, an adult child may choose to care for their parent, but at some…
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When Is the Best Time of Day to Take Medications?
When your parent takes a pill matters as much as which pill they take. Here's how timing affects blood pressure, cholesterol, and bone medications.
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Common Medicare mistakes to avoid
Once you turn 65, having quality health insurance and treatment is a must for your well-being, and Medicare, more than likely, will be part of your health plan. Medicare is a popular government program among seniors, and has been helpful for baby boomers as they reach…
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Alzheimer's Tests: How Doctors Diagnose It in 2024
From cognitive screens to PET scans and new blood biomarkers, here's how doctors test for Alzheimer's and what families should expect.
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Providing compassionate care to your parent with dementia
When a family is faced with a dementia or Alzheimer’s diagnosis, the news can become overwhelming and cause frustration
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The 7 Stages of Dementia: Symptoms & Timeline
A plain-English guide to the 7 stages of dementia - symptoms, duration, and what caregivers should plan for at each stage.
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Talking to your children about dementia
Dementia is a mental disease that is far-reaching and can affect the entire family, including children and grandchildren. For kids and teens, seeing their grandparents suffer from cognitive decline can be a confusing and upsetting experience. Although the senior affected by…
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Power of Attorney for Seniors: A Complete Guide
A plain-English guide to power of attorney for seniors - types, timing, costs, and how to choose the right agent before a crisis hits.
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Where to get dementia caregiver training and resources
Learning to take care of a parent experiencing dementia can be challenging, but there are several training programs and great resources
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Making new friends in senior living: The basics
Getting older can be tough, so it’s important for new assisted living residents to have good friends who can help them along the way. As you know, friendship is one of the most wonderful parts of life, but it can be hard to make new friends when you are in your 70s and 80s. If…
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What do I do when a parent is experiencing dementia?
It can be difficult to change your role from child to caregiver. For many individuals, living with a parent with dementia can be overwhelming and isolating at first; however, there are several tools available to support you along the way. If you work or have kids of your own…
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What Are the Benefits of Assisted Living? A 2024 Guide
Assisted living offers personalized care, 24/7 safety, socialization, and better health outcomes - here's what families gain when they make the move.
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