As you begin searching for assisted living communities for a senior family member, one question that often arises is whether you should bring them with you when you tour a community for the first time. If your loved one is excited to make this move, they might enjoy looking at every community with you.

Today’s older adults are fortunate to have a wide variety of options when it comes to senior housing. But the sheer number of choices can be overwhelming, especially for families who haven’t been through this process before.

When a family caregiver lives an hour or more away from the senior they are caring for, they are considered a long-distance caregiver. While caregiving can be a demanding role no matter where you live, long-distance caregivers face unique challenges.

If you are a new family caregiver providing support for a senior loved one, you probably have a multitude of questions. It’s a big responsibility that often leaves family members feeling doubtful, anxious, and even guilty that they aren’t doing a very good job.

Kitchens are often the heart of our homes. We gather there to prepare meals, sort mail, and enjoy a cup of morning coffee while reading the newspaper. The average family spends over 175 hours each month in the kitchen. Older adults are no exception, especially once they are retired and have more leisure time.

Anyone who has been a family caregiver knows that it can be a very stressful role. While the rewards of caring for a loved one can be great, living with chronic stress often takes a serious toll on the caregiver’s personal health. Because the symptoms develop slowly over time, however, a caregiver might not recognize how stressed they really are.

Journaling has become a popular pastime in recent years. From art journals to bullet journals, people are recognizing the health benefits of self-expression. Caregivers who make time to journal find it has the power to boost mood, improve problem-solving skills, reduce stress, and more.