Reprinted with permission from Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources

By Cassie Greenfield, MSc

The keto diet is an interesting approach. It’s promoted as a healthy way to live, one that can help stabilize blood sugar levels and promote weight loss. Such features could make it powerful for obese seniors and perhaps also for those with diabetes. 

Yet, keto is also a highly controversial diet.

While it is often practiced and seems safe enough for many people, is it something that seniors should try? Today, we’re considering the pros and cons of the keto diet for seniors, along with things to consider when starting the approach.

Whatever you decide, it’s important to talk to the senior’s doctor before starting keto and keep an eye out for problems as you go. Doing so is crucial, as keto doesn’t work well for everyone.

Narration provided by Wondervox.

Reprinted with permission from Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources

By Angelica Herrera Venson, DrPH, MPH

Even with my decades of experience in elder care and gerontology, navigating dementia care for my father was nothing short of overwhelming for my family. Nevertheless, despite all the challenges, my dad spent all but one month of his 18 years with Alzheimer’s, cared for by my mother at home.

Sadly, his last month was spent in a memory care facility (and on hospice care) until he died in the hospital after a bad fall and severe head injury in the facility. He was on lorazepam (Ativan®), in the category of benzodiazepines, despite his risk of falling and a body of scientific evidence describing this medication to be contraindicated for individuals with dementia.

Like many of you caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia, we second-guessed our every move and trusted others.

Since his passing, our family has grappled with a lot of ‘should’ve,’ ‘would’ve’ moments and regrets as we look back and think about what we could’ve done to better advocate for his wellbeing.

Reprinted with permission from Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources

Editor’s note: I know that many LGBTQ+ seniors don’t have the option to live in a multi-generational home, but it remains a possibility as we, too, have families. We may also find alternatives that involve living with multi-generational housemates, as alternative forms and definitions of family continue to evolve. – Mark/Editor

By Danika Olsen

The concept of multigenerational living, where multiple generations of a family reside under one roof, is not a new one. It has been a common practice throughout history, fostering close-knit relationships and providing support for the elderly.

In recent years, multigenerational living has seen a resurgence, as families are rediscovering the numerous benefits it offers, especially for aging individuals. This article explores the advantages of aging in a multigenerational home and how doing so can lead to enhanced well-being and overall quality of life for seniors.

How Aging in a Multigenerational Home Can Support Seniors

Social Connection and Emotional Support

One of the most significant benefits of multigenerational living for seniors is the opportunity to maintain strong social connections within the family.

Aging can sometimes lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation, but living in a multigenerational home offers regular interaction with younger family members. This intergenerational interaction can help combat feelings of loneliness and foster a sense of belonging, purpose, and emotional support.

Reprinted with permission from Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources

By Donald Hollifield

Learning is all about keeping your brain active and engaged at every stage of life. It’s not just for kids or college students – it’s for seniors, too. In fact, continuous learning can have a big impact on senior health and well-being.

When seniors engage in lifelong learning, they’re doing more than just picking up new facts. They’re boosting their cognitive abilities, keeping their minds sharp, and even reducing the risk of dementia. They’re also expanding their social connections. Whether they’re taking a class, joining a book club, or volunteering, they’re interacting with others and strengthening their social network.

What’s more, lifelong learning can boost the overall quality of life for seniors. It gives them a sense of purpose, keeps them connected with the world, and helps them adapt to changes in society and technology. Simply put, it’s a fantastic way to stay active and engaged in later life.

The following is reprinted with permission from Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources.

By Cameron Fisher

As humans, we see our physical and mental capabilities change as we age, and these changes affect us socially. Extensive studies have been conducted to understand the behavior of children and adolescents, but studies focusing on adults and the changes they experience are less common. In this article, we will focus primarily on Gerontology, which studies older adults, and its importance in today’s world.

This is incredibly relevant to caregiving, as the more we understand about seniors and how they differ from other age groups, the better they can be supported.

What Is Gerontology? 

Gerontology is the study of aging processes and the problems associated with aging from a broad perspective. It focuses on humans’ physical, mental, and social changes as they age.

Gerontology also investigates societal changes resulting from an aging population and uses this information to create new policies and programs. Its primary focus is on ways to improve the quality of life of adults as they age, through extensive research, education, knowledge, and application of interdisciplinary knowledge to design policies and programs.

By Cassie Green, MS

The following excerpt is reprinted with permission from Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources. 

Caregiving is rarely distributed evenly. Sometimes everyone pitches in, but often one child does the lion’s share of the caregiving, while others do little or nothing at all.

It’s frustrating and overwhelming, especially if you’re burning out trying to support your parents.

So, how do you change the dynamic? How do you get your siblings to help with care?

While there isn’t a magic phrase that will make them get on board, there are some valuable things to think about and new approaches to take. Some may even get your sibling to help, while others may change the situation in other ways.