Senior citizens are rapidly becoming the predominant age group around the globe so it is any surprise that elder care providers are also older than ever before? As the US population of baby boomers continues to approach retirement age and the average overall life span increases, the demand for elder care services, such as nurses’ aides, home health aides and companions, has created new employment opportunities. For senior citizens who may have already retired but are still active adults or are in the later stage of their professional medical careers, a career in elder care may be a great option.

“Among the overall population of direct-care workers, 29 percent are projected to be 55 or older by 2018, up from 22 percent a decade earlier, according to an analysis by the Paraprofessional Healthcare Institute, or PHI, a New York-based nonprofit advocating for workers caring for the country’s elderly and disabled. In some segments of the workforce, including personal and home care aides, those 55 and older are the largest single age demographic,” Fox News Latino reported in January 2014.
Continue reading SENIOR CITIZENS CARING FOR SENIOR CITIZENS →

Living with Alzheimer’s disease can be frustrating and scary for everyone, including the youngest members of the family. Learning how to explain the complicated and various stages of the disease at an age appropriate level can help ease the confusion and fears of children who are not sure why grandma and grandpa are acting differently.

Fortunately, there are several great website full of expert advice and useful resources to help you explain Alzheimer’s disease to children including:
Alz.org (The Alzheimer’s Association)
KidsHealth.org
Nia.nih.gov (Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center)

Of course, it is important to reassure children that Alzheimer’s disease is something that affects older people, not children. For example, just because a child forgot about a homework assignment or can’t remember where he put his sneakers doesn’t mean they have the disease too. And, even if mommy or daddy frequently forgets where the cars keys are or to pick up an extra carton of milk at the store, it doesn’t mean they have the disease either. Everyone forgets things once in a while and it happens to everyone.
Continue reading TALKING TO KIDS ABOUT ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE →