Dear Kimberly: My mother has always been so kind and considerate of everyone’s feelings. She was someone that everyone loved being around until the past year or so. She’s become very difficult and, as much as I hate to admit it, sometimes, she is downright mean. There is just no reasoning with her when she… Read more »
Dear Sarah, Our entire family knows my mother needs to move to assisted living. She forgets to take her medications, and she gets vertigo very easily. When I’ve asked her about bruises, she has no idea where she gets them. And even though she gets Meals on Wheels, I don’t think she’s eating right. _______________________________________________________ Does your parent… Read more »
Dear Jane, Since my father’s recent passing, my mother is no longer able to live alone. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease about a year ago. Although she takes medication for high blood pressure and cholesterol, she’s otherwise in good health. This winter, she did catch the flu that was going around Central Ohio and had to be admitted… Read more »
Dear John: My parents have both had fairly serious health problems the last few months. Until then both of them were active and independent. To be honest, we never really discussed how we would handle legal decisions and what their wishes for the future might be. My brother and I thought, since our parents were… Read more »
Last week on this blog our Director of Housekeeping, Joe Warner shared tips to help a Columbus area family who is helping a senior loved one de-clutter her home. We focused on how to get started and shared tips for making the process go more smoothly. This week we tackle the emotional side of downsizing. Listening and… Read more »
If a central Ohio senior you love has Alzheimer’s disease, helping to provide care and support for them can present more than a few unique challenges. Because of the physical damage the disease causes to the brain, everything from judgment to speech can be impacted. For adult children and caregivers, figuring out how to manage… Read more »
Dear Stefanie: We are beginning to downsize my mother’s home for a fall move to a Columbus assisted living community. She has lived in her home for over 30 years and has accumulated a lot of “treasures” during that time. My sister and I are a bit overwhelmed trying to figure out where to start. My mom… Read more »
Summer in Central Ohio is a great time to visit local festivals. However, a festival that requires a lot of walking or doesn’t offer shade may make it difficult for your senior parents to enjoy themselves. But everyone is different. Your parents may be able to walk for hours but can’t stay in the sun… Read more »
Dear Jeremy: My husband had a heart attack a few weeks ago and will soon be discharged from the hospital. The cardiologist told us that it would be best for him to go to a skilled nursing and rehab center somewhere in the Columbus area for a month or so of physical therapy. The doctor was very… Read more »
Dear Joe: I will be visiting my mom who lives in Columbus later this month. One of my goals for the trip is to help her with spring cleaning and de-cluttering. Since my father passed away a few years ago, Mom has become something of a hoarder. She just won’t get rid of anything! My… Read more »