Our bodies are constantly changing as we get older, and one aspect of the aging process is how our scent changes. For instance, infants are often known for having a specific “newborn smell,” which is described as distinctly fresh. 

The “older person smell” is a particular scent, and as the aging process continues, it gets somewhat more difficult to avoid. In fact, the Japanese have their own word for this smell: “kareishu.” In Japan and other cultures, there are skincare lines dedicated to preventing or covering up this specific smell.

For many of us, our parents are the pinnacle of a healthy relationship. As children, they’re our first example of what it means to love and care for another person and provide a strong foundation for a family. But as our parents get older, there comes a time where you might have to face a challenging question: when Mom and Dad develop different care needs, what could this mean for their relationship?

When a parent or loved one is in the midst of making the move into an assisted senior living community, you are both likely to feel a wide spectrum of emotions. For example, you may feel relieved knowing that Mom or Dad will get the care and support they need to lead a safe, healthy lifestyle. Both of you may also feel excited about your parent’s opportunities to socialize and make new friends. However, your parent may also feel reluctant or fearful at the idea of making such a significant change.

Whether your favorite summer activity is tending to your garden, relaxing by the pool or on a beach, or having a picnic in the park or backyard with loved ones, it’s essential to always practice summer safety habits.

When it comes to music and dementia, there are many benefits to playing music within a memory care community. Not only can it help a person living with dementia improve their cognitive function, but it also has emotional benefits like reducing agitation and anxiety. These factors make music an essential part of any memory care plan.

For older adults, social engagement can become more challenging to achieve. However, that doesn’t diminish its impact on health and mental wellness.

Providing care for an older adult, especially if they are a parent or family member, can be a rewarding mission. However, it also requires a great deal of time and energy to ensure that the person you care for receives everything they need to thrive in life.

It can be easy to dismiss the early signs of memory impairment in an older family member as part of the natural aging process. While aging can affect memory, such as forgetfulness, Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia exhibit more distinguished signs. Essential to the health of your older family members is your ability to differentiate between forgetfulness and something more severe.

When a person is living with dementia, behaviors can change over time – or even from day to day. Whether you are providing care within your home or are looking to learn more about the signs to watch for, we have prepared this helpful list of behavior changes that could be due to dementia.

While some adults find themselves gradually moving into a caregiver role for their aging parents, for others, the shift to caregiver comes on much more suddenly. It can be difficult to know where to turn for answers when this happens.