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...
top of page
My Blog
Search
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...
heidibrowngeriatriccm
Seeds of family resilience: Focus on rewards
Research on stress often involves family caregivers. No matter how much you love the person you care for, taking care of an ailing...
heidibrowngeriatriccm
How to get durable power of attorney
There may come a time when your loved one will need help handling financial matters. Maybe filing taxes. Or interacting with Social...
heidibrowngeriatriccm
Transitioning from curative care
At some point, the burdens of treatment may just become too much for your loved one: The nausea of chemo. The rigors of dialysis....
heidibrowngeriatriccm
Managing arthritis pain
The most common arthritis is osteoarthritis, which occurs most often in the hands, knees, hips, lower back, neck, and feet. It affects...
heidibrowngeriatriccm
Should you take over Mom's checkbook?
Money matters are often intensely private. And no one wants to infringe on a family member's independence. Yet it is through (sometimes...
heidibrowngeriatriccm
Dementia dogs
Dog training organizations are looking toward a new challenge: Training highly skilled "dementia dogs." These dogs are individually...
bottom of page