Brickmont Assisted Living Blog

It can be challenging to find the perfect gift for someone you love. What do you get for someone who has everything, or for someone who wants nothing? Or, in the case of your older parents, what do you get for someone who has received a lifetime of gifts, or may have a different idea of what a “good” gift is?

When you think of chronic conditions, you may think of diabetes or high blood pressure and cholesterol. Others you may not think about as much, like lupus, muscular dystrophy, or osteoporosis. However, with over 54 million Americans living with low bone mass, osteoporosis is more common than you may realize.  

Several stereotypes have come to be associated with memory loss: the image of a person who is always confused, wanders alone, gets angry easily, or doesn’t even remember their name. Not only can these stereotypes be untrue, but they can also be hurtful to those living with memory loss and their families.

As adults, the consensus is that we should see our primary care physician once a year for a physical exam. As we get older, however, medical needs change and require more attention, and this annual exam may not be enough to stay proactively healthy. After all, “the goal for medicine should be prevention and wellness [instead of] chasing medical problems after they come up,” says Amber Tully, M.D., a family medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic. 

Respite care, or short-term care, is becoming a valued option in modern caregiving. In today’s world, more family members are becoming informal caregivers and are balancing a lot on their plates. Respite care provides a temporary solution for those caregivers who need to focus on personal commitments, emergencies, or simply take a well-deserved break.

At a certain point, you may start to consider transitioning to an assisted living community. Whether you recognize that you need an extra level of care and support or are simply looking for a maintenance-free lifestyle, making the decision to move to a senior living community can provide you with the solutions that you need.

Did you know that six in ten Americans live with at least one chronic disease? For older adults, this number increases to 85%. Chronic conditions include diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, COPD, Alzheimer’s, and more.

When it comes to providing the right care for a parent or family member, it’s important to know that cognitive changes in your parents require the same amount of care and attention as physical conditions and illnesses.

Dementia and delirium are both mental states that can severely affect a person’s ability to reason, communicate, or perform basic tasks. Because of the similarities of the two states, delirium can often go undiagnosed and untreated.

With summer in full swing, it’s more important than ever for people of all ages to stay hydrated. Between increased temperatures and more outdoor activities, summer can cause dehydration in anyone. Seniors, however, are at particularly high risk.

When it comes to our health, we tend to be hypersensitive in noticing fluctuations in how we feel or changes in our body. We will typically notice a new mole or spot on our arm, or recognize the tickle of a sore throat in its earliest stages.

When something unusual happens, we’re even more likely to notice it and wonder what it means. Most of the time, these odd symptoms are harmless, but sometimes, they could be an indication of an underlying issue.