With Thanksgiving upon us in less than three weeks, it’s time for this perennial post from Dr. El at mybetternursinghome.com: ‘Twas the Week Before Christmas… And 83-year old Albertha assured me her family was planning to take her home for the holidays. “Have you talked to them about it? Have they called the social worker … Read more
I recently read an article about how the aging of baby boomers is causing some technology companies to focus on products geared toward older adults, often with the goal of helping them remain independent and at home for longer periods of time. But what about those older adults already living in nursing homes? What would help them be more … Read more
To add to last year’s post on Holiday Gifts for Nursing Home Residents, here are more gift ideas to brighten the lives of loves ones in long-term care: Magazine or Newspaper Subscriptions Kindle or other reader that allows for enlarging print Cozy slippers or socks Radio or portable audio player Telephone and monthly service (if … Read more
I posted this before the holidays in 2008, but it’s worth repeating: ‘Twas the week before Christmas… And 83-year old Albertha assured me her family was planning to take her home for the holidays. “Have you talked to them about it? Have they called the social worker to arrange a pass, and meds, and transportation?” … Read more
Dale Carter, founder of TransitionAgingParents and author of “Transitioning Your Aging Parent: A 5 Step Guide Through Crisis & Change,” contributed today’s post. With many families scattered around the country, it is a challenge to visit our aging parents as often as we would like. And, once our parents need nursing home care and move … Read more
The phone rang mid-session with Velma. Knowing the frail 87-year old was fiercely independent, I refrained from handing her the telephone, and watched as she slowly wheeled herself toward her side table. Ring… She was halfway there. Ring… She reached out with an unsteady arm. The phone wobbled in her grasp as she held it … Read more
I recently saw a video showing a 99-year old woman reading and composing poetry on her new iPad, which brightened and enlarged the typeface enough that she could read again despite limited vision due to glaucoma. It got me thinking about apps our elders could use in the nursing home and upon discharge. Please add … Read more
In Finding Activities for Parents with Memory Loss, Dr. Cynthia Green (a psychologist!) and her readers provide excellent ideas to improve the quality of visits to nursing home residents with dementia. It’s worthwhile to read the post and comments on the New York Times’ New Old Age blog, but here’s a summary that’s a welcome … Read more
Now that I know I’m not going against State regulations (see Dr. El Goes Undercover with the NYS Department of Health), I’ll confess I love to use my iPhone with the residents. In nursing homes that don’t yet have computer access, the iPhone and other web-enabled mobile devices bring the world right to the residents. … Read more
Most of the excellent nursing home volunteers I’ve encountered over the years have been involved with the recreation department, hosting or bringing residents to activities. Here are some other positions of great value to the residents, some of which I’ve witnessed and others I’d like to see. Please add your additions to the Comments section. … Read more