What If I Can't Handle Caring for Someone With Incontinence?

To decide whether you can handle incontinence, it's a good idea to explore the options:

1. Talk to a doctor to be sure you're pursuing all the treatment options.
2. Speak the language of incontinence frankly.
3. Go easy on yourself, and give it time.
4. Get help if you need it.
5. Realize that sometimes it's not possible for an incontinent person to remain at home, and that's OK.

Click here to read more.

Tauna Longest is Dancing with the ARK's Stars

Please join us and/or help support this fun event.  Dancing with the ARK's Stars March 8, 2014, doors open at 7:00 pm.

The ARK provides your family with hope and relief when someone you love is living with Alzheimer’s disease and other memory disorders. Their goal is to preserve dignity, respect individual self worth, and help people with memory problems continue to be a part of their community.

Click here to support Tauna and this worthy event.

8 Causes of Memory Loss that AREN'T Alzheimer's

1. Chronic Stress
2. Depression
3. Medications
4. Malfunctioning Thyroid
5. Pregnancy or Menopause
6. Excessive Drinking
7. Concussion/Head Injury
8. Normal Aging

http://www.caring.com/articles/8-causes-memory-loss-not-alzheimers

7 Design Secrets for a House You Can Live in Forever

1. Design that's equally appealing to all users
2. Flexible Use
3. Simple and intuitive use
4. Presents essential information clearly
5. Allows for user errors
6. Requires low physical effort
7. Appropriate size and space for use, regardless of body size and mobility

Palmetto Senior Show

Come visit us at the Palmetto Senior Show, Thursday, January 16th.

How to Ask for Caregiving Help

People love to help. Caregivers need help. It's an ideal peanut-butter-and-jelly (or, as I prefer to think of it, peanut-butter-and-chocolate) symbiosis of two human impulses. So what's the stumbling block? The short answer: The person who needs the help usually has to ask for it -- and in a way that may feel uncomfortable.

Asking for help is hard.
I'm not saying that every caregiver has an army of helpers standing by awaiting a nod. I know full well that families are scattered, or feuding, or oblivious. But willing and able assistance is out there, whether family or friends, neighbors, community members, local resources, and services for hire. Don't be your own worst enemy in blocking yourself from accessing it.

Unfortunately, asking for help can make us feel incompetent, needy, or uncomfortably indebted. Givers, especially (caregivers, women), seem to hate to be cast as "takers."

To read more about asking for help, please click here.