Real Ghost Stories | Haunted Nursing Home

October wouldn't be the fun without some creepy tales  or ghostly deeds. And what could be creepier than a haunted nursing home? Whether you believe or not, you just might enjoy this paranormal experience.

Elderly Safety Risks | Removing Hidden Dangers For Seniors

One of the many issues facing new caregivers is the task of safety-proofing their home for the elderly. The average home is full of safety hazards that have to be addressed when a senior citizen moves in. How much or how little depends on the physical and cognitive limitations of the elder in question.

Most caregivers expect to install safety rails, door alarms, and non-skid rugs. These are some of the most obvious safety precautions to implement for the well-being of the elderly.

 However, here are a few lesser known safety risks that can put your loved one in danger too. Here a few risks you should consider:

Fight Alzheimer's and Dementia | Raise Dementia Awareness

Kick Alzheimer's and Dementia to the Curb!

We already know that Alzheimer's disease and dementia are low down, no-good horrible illnesses. Anyone who has been affected by the devastation of memory loss know would LOVE to knock these diseases out for good.

In my spare time, I write here and there for Bubblews. Today I decided to try a call to action post. Bubblews is a great community, they support each other, they love challenges. Why not call them to arms in the fight against Alzheimer's and dementia, and help raise awareness?

Support Dementia Sufferers and Their Caregivers

The point of the challenge is to gather those touched in some way by either of these conditions, and have them share at least one post about how Alzheimer's or dementia has affected them. Even if it is just a friend's friend.

Then, set aside one payment in October or November and donate it in some way to relieve Alzheimer's or dementia. Some of the ways this can be done:

Pet Therapy for the Elderly | 3 Great Lapdog Breeds for Senior Citizens

Whether the elderly live alone or with family caregivers, they can often feel lonely. Pets provide many benefits for the elderly, but lapdogs can provide the most comfort.

Not only are small dogs cuddly and affectionate, but they offer a much needed sense of responsibility. Many people care for an elderly person...but they may miss having something that they can nurture, too.

A canine companion for an elder should be mature, well-behaved and low maintenance if the owner will not be able to perform complex care regimens. That is why these three breeds can be ideal for even seniors with disabilities:

Caregiving Humor | Caregiver Moment #18

As a caregiver to an elderly loved one, you may have to spend time in ER. If not, you are sure to be at the hospital occasionally for tests or physical therapy sessions. You will also spend a lot of time in doctor's offices--some of which are located in hospitals too.

If you are a frequent visitor to medical facilities, then you can probably relate to this bit of caregiving humor. After all, waiting is thirsty business.

Come to think of it, you can probably rate these hospitals, clinics and private practice offices based on a number of features. Your friends may be know which Mexican restaurant has the best salsa verde recipe--but you can tell them which hospital has the best coffee, the comfiest seats, the cleanest bathrooms, the best smelling hand soap, and the friendliest staff!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Graphic by me. Feel free to share!

Elder Caregivers | Are You Smarter Than an Octogenarian?

Elder Care Issues

Strange Questions Your Elderly Loved One May Ask

Are you prepared for some difficult questions from your loved one? As a caregiver, you can't be too prepared. Take Frank, for example.

Frank is an educated man. He holds several degrees. He's traveled the world, and can speak three languages fluently.

He was sure he could tackle any question. Until his aging mother, struggling to recover from pneumonia took his hand and rasped:

"Frank, son...listen to me. I need to ask you an important question. Something that has been bothering me for a long time."

"Sure Mom, what do you want to know?" he asked, soothingly.

"What do you think really happens...if we...or when we..."


"Sshhh...Mom, it is going to be okay. You don't need to ask this right now."

"No. I have to know. What really happens if we cook microwave popcorn with the wrong side of the bag facing up?"

Questions The Elderly May Ask

Frank was not prepared for a question like this. He couldn't recall, in all his many years of academia, the physics of popcorn other than how the actual kernel pops.


Like Frank, you may find yourself doing hasty research in order to answer some way-out questions while you are a caregiver. Why does this take you off-guard?


When you became a caregiver to a parent you probably expected to be that pillar of support that guides them through the last years, with all of the frightening questions about life and death. Maybe you are more ready for an open-ended discussion on DNR orders and burial arrangements than the mysterious instructions on a popcorn bag.


If you have children of your own, think back to that time when they never uttered a sentence that didn't start with "Why, when, how, what, or who". Because you may experience similar moments of frustration as a caregiver.


Here are some tough questions that caregivers have shared:

• What  will happen to my bones if I am excavated  200 years in the future so that they can build a mall where the cemetery once sat?

• If I donate my body to science, will they put me in a museum, naked? 

• What happens if you leave specific orders not to be either buried OR cremated?

• Why do cars still say "Door ajar"? Why not "Door open"?

• What would happen if I did unplug my computer when it was performing updates?

• Well, if chemicals absorb through the skin, why can't they make a flu patch instead of the flu shot?

• Why don't they use big print on my eye vitamin bottle?

So, are you smarter than an octogenarian? Do you have all the answers? Do you know what would happen if the popcorn is popped upside down? 

Caregivers, Is Your Loved One Endangering You?

Is your elderly loved one dangerous?

 Can caregiving be dangerous?

Last month, an online acquaintance, "Lisa",  made a hard decision. She moved her father into a skilled nursing facility after he attempted to strangle her in the night.


As a member of an online caregiving community, Lisa thought she had tons of support. She frequently posted about her experiences and difficulties in caring for her father for over ten years. But when she admitted defeat, she wasn't met with sympathy. Nor with justification for her choice. She was met with criticism.


Even caregiving has its snobbish cliques, it seems. Instead of a hug and a "You did all you could do", she was told that she had failed, given up, let her father down. No one cared that Lisa's life was actually in danger...

Senior Citizens On Motorcycles | Aging Is About Attitude

Do you think aging is all about giving up on the things you like the most? It may seem that way, but really, the media just focuses too much on the negative side. Growing older doesn't have to mean you can't have fun, as is proven by Leroy and his blue motorcycle:

Pets For the Elderly | Why Cat Color is Important

Thinking about hooking your elderly loved one up with a new pet? That is a great idea! Having a pet can be very beneficial.

Cats are often a first choice for seniors, because, unlike dogs, they don't have to be walked outside. If your loved one is at risk for falling, walking a dog could be dangerous. Cats are not without dangers too, though. Before you adopt a cat, make sure:

• Your loved one actually wants a cat
• Your loved one and anyone else who will visit often is not allergic to cats
• Someone will be able to feed and care for the cat's hygiene needs
• Someone will be able to make vet trips
• Your loved one will be able to afford necessary care items for a cat. 
• That you choose the right color of cat

Wait! Now, why is color that important? A cat is a cat, right? Well, no...

46 Reasons To Be Happy Today | Happy Thoughts for Caregivers

Swimming a sea of depression? Fighting a losing battle with Lady Luck? Sometimes life just sucks. For caregivers, facing yet another day of duties, messes, problems, illnesses, symptoms, etc. on top of everything else can just be TOO MUCH.

Maybe you want to throw in the towel, change your name and run away.

No one can make your day easier, but maybe I can make it a bit brighter. Here are 46 great things  that make life smile-worthy:

1. Sunshine
2. Little furry things
3. Ice cream
4. Hugs
5. Internet
6. Water
7. Baby feet
8. Sitcoms
9. Rainbows
10. Rubber ducks
11. Really bad poetry
12. Great ink pens
13. Balloons
14. Pennies
15. Trees
16. Butterflies
17. Books
18. Candy
19. Your favorite song
20. Funny YouTube videos
21. Thank Yous
22. Bargains
23. Eyeliner
24. People who know you by name
25. Thunderstorms
26. New cars
27. Old friends
28. Photographs
29. Candles
30. Surprises
31. Autumn leaves
32. Spring flowers
33. Hilarious tee-shirts
34. Facebook likes
35. Phone calls
36. Zoos
37. Colors
38. Fire
39. Ice cubes
40. Discounts
41. Jokes
42. New toothbrushes
43. Bumper stickers
44. Soft towels
45. Love
46. Being alive

As if you love just one thing on this list, then everything is okay. Enjoy the simple things, take a break whenever you can, and find a reason to laugh everyday. Even if you have to cry at the same time.