For more information on the author ,Heart Body & Mind Home Care, CLICK HERE!Now that your family member or friend has received a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease its important to learn as much as you can about the disease and how to care for someone who has it. At Heart, Body & Mind Home Care, we feel that it is important for family members to know the right way to share the news with other family and friends.Sometimes, you may feel that you don't know how to care for the person with Alzheimer's. This is a common feeling among caregivers of people with Alzheimer's because each day may bring different challenges. Learning about the disease can help you understand and cope with these challenges .Heart, Body & Mind Home Care offers free information about Alzheimer's disease for families and caregivers.Learning About Alzheimer'sAlzheimer's disease is an illness of the brain. It causes large numbers of nerve cells in the brain to die. This affects a persons ability to remember things and think clearly. People with Alzheimer's become forgetful and easily confused and may have a hard time concentrating. They may have trouble taking care of themselves and doing basic things like making meals, bathing, and getting dressed.Alzheimer's varies from person to person .It can progress faster in some people than in others ,and not everyone will have the same symptoms. In general, though, Alzheimer's takes many years to develop, becoming increasingly severe overtime. As the disease gets worse, people need more help. Eventually, they require total care.Alzheimer's disease consists of three main stages: mild (sometimes called early-stage), moderate, and severe (some time called late stage). Understanding these stages can help you care for your loved one and plan ahead.Mild Alzheimer's DiseaseIn the mild stage of Alzheimer's ,people often have some memory loss and small changes in personality. They may have trouble remembering recent events or the names off similiar people or things. They may no longer be able to solve simple math problems or balance a check book. People with mild Alzheimer's also slowly lose the ability to plan and organize. For example, they may have trouble making a grocery list and finding it  in the store.Moderate Alzheimer's DiseaseIn the moderate stage of Alzheimer's, memory loss and confusion become more obvious. People have more trouble organizing, planning and following instructions. They may need help getting dressed and may start having problems with bladder or bowel control. People with moderate Alzheimer's may have trouble recognizing family members and friends. They may not know where they are or what day or year it is. People with moderate stage Alzheimer's may also begin to wander, so they should not be left alone. Personality changes can become more serious. For example, people may make threats or accuse others of stealing.Severe Alzheimer's DiseaseIntheseverestageofAlzheimers,peopleusuallyneedhelpwithalloftheirdailyneeds. They may not be able to walk or sit up without help .They may not be able to talk and often cannot recognize family members. They may also have trouble swallowing and therefore refuse to eat.Tips from Heart, Body & Mind Home CareSofar,thereisnocureforAlzheimers,buttherearetreatmentsthatcanpreventsome symptoms from getting worse for a limited time. Below are some ways that you can learn more about Alzheimer's disease.If you have a family member who is a client of Heart, Body & Mind Home Care you have access to our FREE online Family Learning Center that contains more than 50 family caregiver training videos and resources.Talk with a doctor or other healthcare provider who specializes in Alzheimer's disease.Checkout books or videos about Alzheimer's from the library.Got o educational programs about the disease.Findasupportgroupforcaregivers,ideallyoneinwhichmembersaretaking care of someone who is in the same stage of Alzheimer's as the person for whom you are caring.You may also contact Heart, Body & Mind Home Care for additional free information regarding Alzheimer's or request a FREE in-home consultation.Talking with Family and FriendsWhen you learn that someone has Alzheimer's disease, you may wonder when and how to tell your family and friends. You may also be worried about how others may react to or treat the person. Others often sense that something is wrong before they are told. Alzheimer's disease is hard to keep secret. When the time seems right, be honest with family, friends, and others. Use this as a chance to educate them about Alzheimer's disease. You can share information to help them understand what you and the person with Alzheimer's are going through. You can also tell them what you can do to help.Listed below are suggestions of how you can help family and friends understand how to interact with the person who has Alzheimer's.Help them realize what the person can still do and how much he or she can still understand.Givethemsuggestionsabouthowtostarttalkingwiththeperson.Forexample, Hello George, Im John .We used to work together.Help them avoid correcting the person with Alzheimer's if  he or she makes a mistake or for gets something.Helpthemplanfunactivitieswiththeperson,suchasgoingtofamilyreunionsor visiting old friends.Helping Children Understand Alzheimer'sIf the person with Alzheimer's has young children or grandchildren, you can help them understand what is happening. Answer their questions simply and honestly. For example, you might tell a young child Grandma has an illness that makes it hard for her to remember things. Know that their feelings of sadness and anger are normal. Comfort them. Tell them they did'nt cause the disease.If the child lives with someone who has Alzheimer's, don't expect him or her to babysit the person. Make sure the child has time for his or her own interests and needs, such as playing with friends and going to school activities. Spend time with the child, so that he or she does'nt feel that all your attention is on the person with Alzheimer's. Many younger children will look to you to see how to act around the person with Alzheimer's disease. Show children that they can still talk with the person and help them enjoy things. Doing fun things together, like arts and crafts or looking through photo albums, can help both the child and the person with Alzheimer's.Challenges for TeensA teenager might  find it  hard to accept how the person with Alzheimer's has changed. He or she may find the changes upsetting or embarrassing or not want to be around the person. Talk with teenagers about their concerns and feelings. Dont force them to spend time with the person who has Alzheimer's.

For information on the author, Hearing Clinic of Venice, CLICK HERE!According to the National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, an estimated 28-million Americans could greatly gain from putting on hearing aids. Unluckily, the recent hearing aids statistics show that only three million hearing devices are used in the United States.That said, it leaves many people with hearing loss devoid of any help. And unfortunately, a lot of people who experience hearing loss wait for at least 15 years until they buy their initial hearing aids.What To Know Before Buying Hearing AidsNow that you have decided to improve your life and hearing quality, what next? As an intelligent buyer, there are some things you must consider before you make a purchase. It is important to note that hearing aids come indifferent brands, sizes, shapes, stylesand numerous features that might seem very puzzling if it is your first time. It is also vital to note that every variation alters the final costs of the hearing aid. So, even before buying one, it is essential to think of the following.A Hearing Aid Wont Bring Back Your Normal HearingWhen it comes to how you used to hear things, wearing a hearing aid will be different. You will notice a significant difference between the ways you used to hear things. Therefore, ensure that you have reasonable and practical expectations. Besides, even a good hearing aid will not restore normal hearing.Size Doesn't MatterSize is the last thing that should concern you when choosing a hearing aid for your needs. Never let the small size puzzle you. In most cases, bigger doesn't mean better, and in fact, some hearing aids might be small and stealthy and be very good when it comes to functionality. You might think that the small device wont be as effective as the big ones; however, the mechanism in the small hearing aid is just as effective as the latter.You Must Have A Hearing Test DoneThe initial step of your curative journey is admitting that you need hearing aids. On the other hand, you will need first to consult your audiologist to make a hearing test. There are various stages of a hearing test that check your hearing capability. A pure-tone audiometry assessment is used to help identify the quickest frequencies you can or cannot perceive.In contrast, people with regular hearing can perceive up to less than 25 decibels, technically the sound of a murmur. On the other hand, simple hearing loss means that you can hardly perceive the sound of a lawnmower, which is almost four times the sound of a whisper, 90 decibels.In addition, pure-tone audiometry will help define the frequencies you can perceive well. For instance, some people cannot hear high-pitched or bass sounds. Also, other tests can be done to help determine word identification in a large crowd; all these results will help the audiologist create the perfect hearing aid that suits your needs.Hearing Aids Must Suit Your Needs And LifestyleEveryone is different, and there is never a thing like one size fits everything. Hearing devices have various topographies that can aid enhance your experience only if they are tailored to suit your requirements. For example, some wearers might prefer a hearing aid with a wireless Bluetooth streaming feature that can unswervingly stream auditory files from their phones or TV to the device.On the other hand, noise cancellation can be another preference for some people, especially those who labor in noisy environments. This function stops background sounds from disturbing your hearing. Some hearing aids have a noise cancellation feature that is expected to catch wind noises, for instance, in-the-ear and behind-the-ear hearing aids.The Best Hearing Aids Will Offer More Than AmplificationMake sure that you look for a style that will offer more than just a speaker. Try checking various available features, so you will know you are getting one that suits your needs. What do you want to achieve with the device? Begin by making a priority list and bring the list with you when shopping.Know The Battery Life SpanA large unit hearing aid can be less stealthy but will likely cost you more. On the other hand, a small hearing aid will need small batteries that might need to be replaced often. So, when shopping, make sure that you take your time. This will help you choose the right hearing aid for your budget.There Are Various Types Of Hearing DevicesThe main types of hearing aids are:In the earBehind the earIn the canalReceiver in canal

When seniors or their families start looking at assisted living communities there are several important questions everyone should ask. Most of these are pretty obvious size, cost, location, etc. But then there are the less obvious things that may not pop into your mind right away, but may actually turn out to be a deal breaker.Here are some questions gathered from the experiences of other seniors. Take a look, mull them over, add your own and then ask the ones that you think will make a difference in whether your senior living experience is terrible or terrific.Keep in mind that not all of these things will be important to you. And just because one of them is an issue for someone else, it might not matter to you at all. Also, there is no right and wrong answer. For instance, some seniors might prefer to bring their own furniture to make a place feel like home, while others might not want the hassle or expense of buying new or moving it.So if something really important doesn't meet your expectations, consider it a possible deal breaker. Or if several of the lessor issues all come up on the wrong side of your list, you need to give that assisted living community a little more thought before packing your bags and moving in. Take a look.For anyone:How many residents live there?What is the ratio of staff to residents?What are the living accommodations like an apartment, single room with private bath, single room with a shared bath or double room?Is furniture provided or do you need to bring your own? What will fit?Can residents put things on the walls? Do you do it yourself or does maintenance do it for you?Is there a nurse on staff?What types of activities do they do with residents?Do they expect everyone to take part in activities?Do they remind or invite residents to join in or do you need to remember and come down on your own?Are the activities appropriate for the residents age, memory, interests and ability?Can you have a pet? Are there restrictions? Who is responsible for the pet?Do they offer transportation? As a group or individual rides? What is the cost per one-way trip?Are there rehab or physical therapy services on site?Can you choose where and with whom you want to eat or are you assigned?What is the food like? What's a typical, breakfast, lunch and dinner? Is there ever a choice or does everyone get the same thing (unless they have special needs).How do they accommodate special food needs? (Gluten free, diabetic, etc.)Are there visiting hours? Can visitors dine with the resident? Is there a charge? Are reservations needed?How does the waiting list work? Is there a deposit required to be on the list? How much? Does that amount go toward the monthly fee or to the company? Is it refundable if you change your mind?What happens if you aren't ready when they call with an opening? Do you drop to the bottom of the list?For those who need very little assistance:Can the residents suggest or organize activities?Is there parking available? Inside or outside? Is there an extra charge for parking?Are there laundry facilities or is laundry provided? Is there an extra fee?Is housekeeping included?Can you cook in your apartment?Can you choose to only eat part of your meals with the group? Do you only pay for meals you eat?How active/social are most of the residents?Do they offer any outings? Where? How often?For those with mild dementia or physical limitations requiring more assistance:Does anyone assist residents with activities?How is medicine handled? Is enough water provided to swallow a pill? How do they prepare pills if they're large and difficult to swallow?Is there a bedtime or curfew? What time do they help residents get ready for bed? What time is lights out? What if you're a night owl? Can you stay up longer? What time do they start getting people up in the morning? Is it done room by room or do they take into consideration that some people just wake up earlier or prefer to sleep later?How often do residents get baths or showers?Can they accommodate two-person transfers?What type of clothes do they suggest for residents? (e.g. whatever you choose or easy to pull on outfits?)How is laundry done? How often? Is it done individually or more than one persons clothing at a time? How do they make sure clothes are returned to the correct room?What do they do if clothes or personal items go missing? How do they find it?If snacks are included, are they given to everyone or just people who ask or just if those at an activity?Can you have their own food in your room?What supplies are provided? (e.g. shampoo, body wash, toothpaste, Depends, etc.). What happens when the resident runs out of something? Do they have extra in stock or do they send someone for it? If so, how are you charged for that? Do they expect a family member to go get it?Now that you've reached the bottom of the list, don't let these questions overwhelm you! And don't worry. Quality senior living communities, are here to help.Aston Gardens At Pelican Pointe is a premier senior living community in Venice, Florida. Our state-of-the-art community offers multiple levels of care for aging adults, including independent senior living, assisted living, and memory care. Learn more about our senior living programs by CLICKING HERE!

For more information on the author, Edward Jones, CLICK HERE!Life doesn't happen in neat little boxes. Everything overlaps. While you're dealing with multiple priorities, we have multiple ways to support you.That's why your Edward Jones financial advisor asks questions to understand what's important to you. Once we understand your priorities, we can help you document specific goals. Then, together, we can develop personalized financial strategies based on your risk tolerance and current financial picture to help you achieve them.Below are some things to consider if you are caring for a child or helping an aging parent.Child to support?Supporting a child doesn't have to mean placing your retirement and other goals on hold .There are loans for college but not for retirement. So you may decide to focus on contributing to your 401(k) and/or Roth vs traditional IRA. However, if you feel strongly about helping your kids go through college relatively debt-free, you may want to focus more on your college savings options.We don't believe you have to pick one goal over the other. Remember, there are ways to balance the goals of saving for education and retirement.Caring for an aging parent?You may need to juggle your financial goals with the needs of your aging parents. Even if you don't have to contribute financially, you may need to spend time and energy making sure your parents situation remains positive.Use our financial checklist to help you navigate caring for an aging parent