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heidibrowngeriatriccm
Psychological first aid
Anxiety and stress commonly accompany family caregiving. The ongoing pandemic and its stream of variants are only adding to that. Perhaps...


heidibrowngeriatriccm
When your relative has money questions
Is Dad asking if he should sell the house now that Mom is gone? Or perhaps Aunt Mary is anxious about her stock investments. Even if you...


heidibrowngeriatriccm
Reducing the nausea of chemo
If a loved one in your life is undergoing chemotherapy for cancer, very likely they are dealing with the common side effects of nausea...


heidibrowngeriatriccm
Protecting the house from Medicaid
Care in a nursing home is expensive. For an extended stay, most people will need to pay quite a bit out of their own pocket. If there are...


heidibrowngeriatriccm
Signs of an online "sweetheart scam"
Romance crime is on the rise. Over 25,000 people reported a sweetheart scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 2019, a threefold...


heidibrowngeriatriccm
Subtle signs of a heart attack
It may surprise you to learn that the signs of a heart attack, especially in women, can be very different than those for men. Subtle...


heidibrowngeriatriccm
When your relative is actively dying
In the last two weeks, as a loved one is nearing death, it is natural to want to be at their side. But then, what? Especially if you have...


heidibrowngeriatriccm
Need a new doctor?
The pandemic has brought on a wave of physician retirements. Perhaps one of your relative's doctors has sent a letter announcing the...


heidibrowngeriatriccm
Friends? Who has time?
If you are like most family caregivers, your social life has dropped in priority as you juggle your loved one's needs. There just aren't...


heidibrowngeriatriccm
A spouse's grief in the face of dementia
Grief is the expected response to a loved one's death. We expect to mourn, and we receive comfort from others. But in the context of a...


heidibrowngeriatriccm
Making the best use of your time off
Time off from caregiving is precious. But after a break, many family caregivers find they don't feel as refreshed as they hoped they...


heidibrowngeriatriccm
Writing the last chapter
If your loved one has health challenges, they may be feeling a loss of control. Add to that a terminal diagnosis and a sense of doom may...


heidibrowngeriatriccm
Private pay services for care at home
Typically, it's family members who fill in to perform the necessary tasks. But for many, perhaps including you, there are obstacles to...


heidibrowngeriatriccm
Hearing the TV better
Is your loved one having trouble hearing the television? Closed captioning isn't helping enough? Check out these possible solutions....


heidibrowngeriatriccm
Engaging activities for persons with dementia
It is usually obvious what a person with dementia is no longer able to do. But finding things your loved one CAN do may feel like a...


heidibrowngeriatriccm
Help at home: Community programs
For nonmedical support, check out community programs. Many are provided by nonprofit organizations. Others by faith communities. And...


heidibrowngeriatriccm
Holidays without your loved one
The holiday season is a festive time of year, but it may not feel much like a celebration for people grieving the loss of a loved one....


heidibrowngeriatriccm
The special needs of Vietnam-era vets
Almost 3.5 million members of the military served in Vietnam between 1964 and 1975. Was your relative one of them? This group of veterans...


heidibrowngeriatriccm
Products for addressing incontinence
There are many undergarments designed to help with incontinence. They can't prevent it, but they can help your loved one feel more...


heidibrowngeriatriccm
Is Medicare Advantage the best choice?
Once a year, Medicare offers the option to change plans. In 2021, the Open Enrollment period is October 15–December 7. Your loved one may...
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