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heidibrowngeriatriccm
Depression after a scary diagnosis
If the person you care for has a life-threatening illness, you might think it's only natural for them to feel down. Even hopeless from...


heidibrowngeriatriccm
Too many pills: When less is more
More than half of older adults take five or more medications per day. That's "polypharmacy," and can be dangerous. Taking too many...


heidibrowngeriatriccm
Managing emotional outbursts
If the person you care for has Alzheimer's disease or another type of dementia, you may find their sudden emotional swings more difficult...


heidibrowngeriatriccm
The "dignity of risk"
One of the most challenging dilemmas when caring for an aging parent is balancing their preference for independence with your concern for...


heidibrowngeriatriccm
Not all socks are created equal
What do a marathon runner and your aging parent have in common? Both could benefit from compression socks! By applying pressure to the...


heidibrowngeriatriccm
Dealing with anxiety
It's only natural for family caregivers to worry. Understandably, we spend a lot of time thinking about "what's next." But if you are in...


heidibrowngeriatriccm
Services at home: Medicare
Medicare is health insurance provided by the federal government. It covers adults 65 and older, as well as persons with disabilities. In...


heidibrowngeriatriccm
Coping with another person's pain
When your family member is in pain, you are suffering, too. The "mirror neurons" in our brains are programmed to recognize pain in...


heidibrowngeriatriccm
What is a daily money manager?
A financial advisor manages investments. A daily money manager (DMM) is someone who comes to the home once or twice a month to handle the...


heidibrowngeriatriccm
The decision to stop dialysis
Dialysis is life sustaining yet also quite taxing for the patient. About 25% of people who choose dialysis later decide to stop....


heidibrowngeriatriccm
Learning to forgive yourself
According to psychologist Rick Hanson, PhD, we all have an inner critic and an inner protector. Together they help us maintain a balanced...


heidibrowngeriatriccm
The healing power of music
Can listening to calming music actually ease pain? Can singing silly songs make you happier? Researchers say this isn't just a...


heidibrowngeriatriccm
Dealing with criticism
Receiving criticism is never a pleasant experience, especially from family members. Whether it is a sibling griping about how you care...


heidibrowngeriatriccm
What is a Medicaid spend down?
There are two forms of government health insurance: Medicare. Basically, age-based insurance for older adults (age 65+), regardless of...


heidibrowngeriatriccm
Bladder issues
If making it to the bathroom in time is a frequent concern for your relative, they may have an overactive bladder. More than 33 million...


heidibrowngeriatriccm
What’s involved in giving care?
Perhaps you call regularly to offer emotional support. Maybe you handle finances. Perhaps you visit weekly. Or you may live with your...


heidibrowngeriatriccm
Explaining your needs to others
Are you worried that asking for help sounds like whining? You may believe you "should" be able to do it all without assistance. Or think...


heidibrowngeriatriccm
Medical management without dialysis
Dialysis typically buys a person some time. But it rules their life—and possibly yours. It requires strict adherence to the schedule....


heidibrowngeriatriccm
Giving "awesome" new meaning
Can you recall taking in a majestic view or the miracle of dewdrops on a spiderweb? That sense of awe—the magnificence of it all. In the...


heidibrowngeriatriccm
Signs of financial abuse
Older adults are frequently targeted for financial abuse. They typically have more funds than their younger counterparts do. They tend to...
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