By Angelica Herrera Venson, DrPH, MPH

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

It’s surprisingly easy to push caregiver holiday stress aside. Some of us have the idea that the holidays are stressful for everyone, so we have no right to complain.

But, that’s simply not true.

The holidays are harder for caregivers than for many other people, as you have so much on your shoulders. Some caregivers even forgo family holiday activities entirely, as the person they’re supporting can’t participate.

Despite this, humans are resilient. Caregivers even more so. We know how to find out feet again, to get back up and keep going. We’ve learned, too, how to celebrate the good things. How to look for the bright small moments that make all the hard work easier.

By Angelica Herrera Venson, DrPH, MPH

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

The term role reversal often comes up when talking about caregiving. It’s a logical idea, right? Suddenly you’re the one telling your parents what they need to do, trying to cajole them into a doctor’s visit, or even helping them out in the bathroom.

How do you cope with this role reversal when caring for aging parents?

There are plenty of approaches that you can take to support yourself as a caregiver, including self-compassion techniques and learning to set boundaries.

But, there’s something even more critical to talk about.

To put it simply – caregiving isn’t a role reversal.

Sure, the situation can feel like a role reversal at times, like when you’re trying to prevent yet another incontinence accident. Yet, there are also some clear differences, ones that need to considered.

By Angelica Herrera Venson, DrPH, MPH

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

Many people struggle with sleeping, for a wide range of different reasons. These issues often get worse with age and with any chronic health problems.

In some cases, the solution may be as simple, such as following healthy sleep practices, ensuring that bedtime is roughly the same each night and avoiding bright light in the evening.

However, many seniors find that sleeping problems persist, even if they had no such issues in their younger years. This pattern often leads to sleeping medication. Such medication can be effective in the short-term. But, only be considered when no other options are available, as there are multiple risks and side effects.

By Angelica Herrera Venson, DrPH, MPH

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

Many seniors live alone without any problems. However, this isn’t always the case. Aging brings with it many challenges and a person’s ability to care for themselves may decrease over time, to the point that living alone becomes dangerous.

This is why it’s so important for you to have a checklist for elderly living alone. Adult children can use such a checklist to make sure their aging parents are still doing well and taking care of themselves.

A good checklist will highlight critical areas for you to keep an eye on, ones that you can look at discreetly. For example, a fridge full of out-of-date food may suggest memory issues. If the senior appears to be eating some of this out-of-date food, their health may be even more at risk.

By Angelica Herrera Venson, DrPH, MPH

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

Aging comes with a wide range of stereotypes and assumptions. The link between age and cognitive decline is one of the most common examples. It’s easy to assume that people become less capable as they age, that their ability to understand and reason naturally decreases.

We can even find ‘evidence’ if we look hard enough, like the way that short-term memory often decreases with age or how seniors sometimes struggle to pick up new concepts.

Despite these patterns, aging and cognitive decline aren’t as well linked as you might expect.

Instead, older adults learn and adapt in many different ways. They often remain fully competent throughout their lives. Many even embrace new concepts and technologies, becoming as engaged as individuals from younger generations.

This article is excerpted with permission from Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources. You can listen to my conversation with Angelica here. – Mark/Editor

By Angelica Herrera Venson,DrPH, MPH

There are currently more than 9 million people in the United States that place themselves in the category of LGTBQ. That’s no small number.

Of these, 2.7 million are around the age of 50, and another 1.1 million are 65 years of age or older. It is expected that this number will double over the next three decades.

Many LGTBQ individuals have faced discrimination, in one form or another, throughout their lives. Older LGTBQ seniors come from a generation that isn’t known for inclusivity. Some may have hidden parts of their identity or preferences in an attempt to fit in with the world around them.

Older LGTBQ individuals continue to be underrepresented in the media and even Pride parades. They’ve faced many challenges throughout their lives, some of which may influence their physical and mental health.