Who Will Take Care of You?

By Carrie Vittitoe 


No one likes to think that one day he may need nursing home care or be unable to make his own financial or medical decisions. Thinking about these topics can be especially confusing if you don’t have children or nearby relatives. Whom do you trust to care for you as you become a much older adult? What choices would you make for your life, and how do you ensure that your wishes are followed?

How to Start the Conversation When Your Loved One Is No Longer Safe At Home

By Patti Naiser

Explaining to your loved one that they are no longer safe living alone could prove to be a difficult conversation to start. Remember the following tips to help ease the strain for you and your loved one.

Is Your Loved One Safe Living Alone? Take the Quiz to Find Out

Worried about how to approach the topic of assisted care with your loved one? Find out how to start the conversation here.

How a support group can help new caregivers

By Torie Temple

Evelyn Hunter, facilitator for the Floyd Memorial caregiver support group, and Terry Graham, registered nurse at Helping Hands Companion Services, give the top recommendations to consider when stepping into a caregiver role.

5 Warning Signs of Abuse

Have you chosen the best caregiver for your loved one? Evelyn Hunter, facilitator for the Floyd Memorial caregiver support group, and Terry Graham, registered nurse at Helping Hands Companion Services, give some tips on how to keep your loved one safe at all times.

New caregiver advice: Recognize your emotions

By Torie Temple

Evelyn Hunter, facilitator for the Floyd Memorial caregiver support group, and Terry Graham, registered nurse at Helping Hands Companion Services, give the top recommendations to consider when stepping into a caregiver role.

A top tip for new caregivers

By Torie Temple


Terry Graham, registered nurse at Helping Hands Companion Services, give the top recommendations to consider when stepping into a caregiver role.

Remember this when caring for a loved one

As a caregiver, making choices for your loved one could be a daily occurrence. But Janice Baldon-Gutter, instructor of higher education and caregiver, gives an important reminder to show...

Are you a new caregiver? Here’s the first thing you should do

Evelyn Hunter, facilitator for the Floyd Memorial caregiver support group, and Terry Graham, registered nurse at Helping Hands Companion Services, give the top recommendations to consider when stepping into a caregiver role.

Need help planning your health care for the future? Don’t miss this event!

If talking about living wills, health care surrogates and other planning documents leaves you overwhelmed, you can find help at this community event hosted by Hosparus.

Don’t fall into these 3 caregiving misconceptions

By Lisa M. Petsche

Caring for a chronically ill or frail senior relative can offer many rewards, but it also involves physical, psychological, and emotional demands. Stress can be further compounded by certain thoughts and belief systems. Read on for 3 common misconceptions and unhealthy behaviors among caregivers you should watch out for.

What to do to help an aging loved one with depression

Seniors who have a chronic illness are more likely to become depressed. Kayla Cook, owner/director of Caring Excellence Personalized Home Care Services, shares what you can do if you suspect your aging loved one is dealing with depression.

5 ideas to entertain your loved one today

When you’re caring for an aging loved one, it can be hard to come up with engaging activities that will both benefit your loved one and help pass the time. Our Caregiver Circle panel shares five easy ideas you can try at home today.

4 questions to ask your director of nursing

Choosing a nursing facility for your loved one can be stressful — especially when you don’t have much time to make a decision. Angela Allen, director of nursing with Christian Care Communities’ Christian Health Center Louisville, answers some common questions about nursing facilities.

3 questions to ask your aging parents

It’s hard to think about our parents aging, but being prepared can ease the stress and make difficult decisions go more smoothly. Being able to make choices about the continued care of your parents while they still have the cognitive abilities to express their wishes is the first step. Use these questions to start the discussion every adult child should have with his or her parents. They were compiled by expert advice from Corey Vallandingham, marketing director of Springhurst Pines, and Kelly Gannott, elder law attorney. You might want to think about these questions for yourself as well.

The winter issue is out!

The winter issue of Today’s Transitions has hit the stands! Here’s a sampling of what you’ll find in it:

• What you can do to avoid getting sick this season
• What to wear when traveling to a warm place
• Caregiving misconceptions you can avoid
• A new location chart you can use to identify which local care facilities are close to you

Happy holidays, and happy winter!

Caregivers: Remember to have fun with your loved one

“I remember that when I was helping care for my mom at home, it was easy to become focused on her health needs, nutrition, exercises, and doctor appointments but forget to have fun together,” says Kayla Cook, owner and director of Caring Excellence Personalized Home Care Services. “One day when she was not responsive to therapy and wouldn’t eat, we...

2 techniques for soothing your loved one’s emotions

If you’re a caregiver and the person you’re caring for gets upset, it can be tricky to know how to handle the situation. Becky Beanblossom, president of Home Instead Senior Care, offers two techniques for calming your loved one.

How she handled a situation where multiple loved ones needed care

Sheila Carter, founder and president of Heartsong Memory Care, gives her solution to a caregiving quandary:

Help your loved one get more out of mealtimes

If your aging loved one isn’t eating enough or if mealtimes are proving difficult, remember this advice: