Score High with a Better Living Situation

By Marie Bradby

Instead of aging in place, many Baby Boomers are ditching mowing the lawn, replacing the hot water heater, and dusting rooms they no longer use to move to smaller homes, often in senior communities.

Tips for Staying Safe at Home and on the Street - Part 1

By Carrie Vittitoe

Safety may become more of a concern as people age for a number of reasons. If you are an adult child, maybe you notice a loved one is having more frequent “senior moments.” If you are a senior, maybe you are now alone at home after the passing of a spouse. Maybe you have gotten a smartphone and are figuring out how to keep your online information as safe as possible. With the help of Paul Fowler, an LMPD detective with the Crimes Against Seniors Unit, this list will hopefully give you some new strategies and tools to consider to keep yourself as safe as possible.

Step Up Your Game by Widening Your Social Circle

By Marie Bradby

Are you retired and spending your days watching TV or surfing the internet? Studies show that isolation can lead to loneliness, depression, and physical health problems. One way to increase your social circle and stay active is to participate at one of Louisville’s senior community centers that offers social, nutritional, fitness, recreational, and educational activities for active older adults.

4 Tips for Making Your Parents’ Big Move Seamless

By Marie Bradby

While taking care of your parents might span years, there are people available to do the hard work of getting them moved out of their homes and into senior care. Barbara Morris, 70, is founder of Smooth Transitions, a senior move management company that helps prepare, sort, pack, and move your loved one’s belongings. Active adults also use her company to help them downsize and move. Barbara no longer does the hands-on work; she trains new licensees for her 24-year-old company, which now has licensees in 26 states. She’s a founding member of the National Association of Senior Move Managers. Barbara offers these tips on how clients can make moving into a new place easier on themselves and their families.

Is Your Loved One’s Care Headed in the Right Direction? Part 4

By Carrie Vittitoe
Illustration by Brittany Granville

The terminology surrounding senior care can be confusing. What’s the difference between assisted living and skilled nursing? What exactly is independent living? The industry happens to be in the midst of rebranding continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) as life plan communities, which may further contribute to the general public’s confusion.

Is Your Loved One’s Care Headed in the Right Direction? Part 3

By Carrie Vittitoe
Illustration by Brittany Granville

The terminology surrounding senior care can be confusing. What’s the difference between assisted living and skilled nursing? What exactly is independent living? The industry happens to be in the midst of rebranding continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) as life plan communities, which may further contribute to the general public’s confusion.

Taking the Edge Off of Paranoia

By Brittani Dick

Like any mental condition, paranoia is debilitating to both the person diagnosed, as well as their caregiver(s). If you suspect your loved one may be suffering from paranoia, there are several signs to look for, according to Dr. Laura Morton, director of the Division of Geriatric Medicine at UofL. “In a geriatric patient, the symptoms will be sudden and new,” she states. The patient may suddenly become suspicious of others. They might believe someone is stealing their money, hiding things from them, trying to hurt them, or trying to take advantage of them.

If your loved one is suffering from paranoia you might be wondering what caused this condition in the first place. Is this a condition that could have been avoided with a lifestyle change? Do genetics play a role?

According to Dr. Morton, mood disorders, cognitive impairment, and medication changes are a few potential causes of paranoia. She also mentions the importance of consulting the primary care physician (PCP) first to rule out any medical conditions, such as an infection, that could be contributing to paranoia. Major life stressors and changes can also cause a person to suffer from paranoia.

To get a patient’s paranoia under control, Dr. Morton stresses the importance of finding the cause and treating it first. Non-medicinal means of treatment are preferred, but pharmaceutical medications can be beneficial if the first route is not successful. If the patient is diagnosed with a mood disorder, such as depression, that is contributing to his/her paranoia, anti-depression medications can be prescribed. If the patient is diagnosed with schizophrenia, for example, antipsychotic medications can be prescribed.

 Dr. Morton offers a host of ideas outside of medication that may help the patient cope with paranoia. “Some patients enjoy stuffed animals and baby dolls,” she says. “Pictures of family members, schedules, and routines may also help.” Other ideas include: music, robotic pets, and limiting loud noises.

Is Your Loved One’s Care Headed in the Right Direction? Part 2

By Carrie Vittitoe
Illustration by Brittany Granville

The terminology surrounding senior care can be confusing. What’s the difference between assisted living and skilled nursing? What exactly is independent living? The industry happens to be in the midst of rebranding continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) as life plan communities, which may further contribute to the general public’s confusion.

Is Your Loved One’s Care Headed in the Right Direction? Part 1

By Carrie Vittitoe
Illustration by Brittany Granville

The terminology surrounding senior care can be confusing. What’s the difference between assisted living and skilled nursing? What exactly is independent living? The industry happens to be in the midst of rebranding continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) as life plan communities, which may further contribute to the general public’s confusion.

How to Change Your Living Situation to Suit Your New Life

By Carrie Vittitoe

As summer moves into fall, every gardener knows the time has come to plant mums, cut back fading summer blooms, and clean out the clay pots for storage in the garage. The seasons of gardening come with their differing beauties and responsibilities, and the seasons of life are the same. Eventually, we know we need to embrace the autumn and early winter of our lives.

7 Tips for Leaving a Meaningful Legacy

By Marie Bradby

A few years ago, when Sara Smith was helping serve supper to children at the Dare to Care Kids Café with other church volunteers, she met a teenage girl who relied on the evening meal program. Sara, a retired school teacher, also learned that the girl was behind in school.

Three Things Every Caregiver Should Know

By Yelena Sapin


Handling the responsibility of caring for a loved one can be overwhelming and stressful -- especially when it happens suddenly. These caregivers and experts share advice on how to stay positive through the tough times and prepare yourself for your role as a caregiver.

This Type of Surgery Could Help You Heal Faster

By Carrie Vittitoe

Illustration by Silvia Cabib 

If a disease has progressed too far or pain has become intolerable, surgery might become a necessity, but that then means dealing with recovery. Over the past decade, there has been an uptick in the use of minimally invasive surgery, which often allows patients to return to regular activities sooner than traditional surgery. But how do you know if minimally invasive surgery is right for you?

Relieve Your Joint Problems Without Surgery

By Carrie Vittitoe
Many patients with arthritis and tendonitis will try a variety of treatments in order to avoid surgery. Dr. Robin Curry, who specializes in sports medicine and non-operative orthopedics with Norton Orthopedic Specialists, says oral anti-inflammatories, physical therapy, and braces make up the first line of treatment. She says evidence also supports the use of corticosteroid injections. For some patients, however, these first line treatments don’t offer the pain relief they need. Researchers and physicians have had to find additional treatment options.

Five More Things to Mark Off of Your Rehab Checklist

By Mark Kaelin

1. What to bring. Remember you are packing for rehab, not a vacation. “I typically suggest a patient bring five days’ worth of clothes,” says Michelle Kelly, clinical liaison for Green Valley Care Center in New Albany, Indiana. Bring a swimsuit if the facility offers aquatic therapy.

2. What’s the facility’s transportation policy? After a procedure, you’ll have follow-up appointments with your surgeon. Ask the admission representative if the facility schedules these for you and if they arrange transportation as well.

3. Find out what a typical day is like. People are surprised at the amount of therapy they receive with inpatient rehabilitation. Review a typical patient schedule and observe a therapy session if you can so you know what your experience will be like.

4. Learn all you can about your procedure. Review the details of your procedure with your physician, take notes, and ask about the expected recovery time, but also ask about the best and worst case scenarios.

5. Find out if the facility you’re interested in offers prehabilitation. “A short course of physical therapy before your procedure to maximize your strength, range of motion, and endurance can have a huge impact on how long it takes you to recover,” says Shawn Williams, physical therapist and Orthopedic Program manager at Almost Family.

Read more tips about how to make your rehabilitation experience less stressful here.

Five Things to Mark Off of Your Rehab Checklist

By Mark Kaelin

1. Tour multiple facilities. “Depending on the timing of your procedure, there might not be a bed available at your first choice so it’s important to have one or even two alternatives,” says Michelle Kelly, clinical liaison for Green Valley Care Center in New Albany, Indiana.

2. Check a facility’s quality rating here. You can see how Medicare grades this facility on patient outcomes, staffing ratios, and health inspections. “The more information you have, the better you’ll feel about where you go,” Kelly says.

3. Learn all you can about billing and costs. “Medicare typically only covers 21 days of inpatient rehabilitation. After that, many patients have to pay out of pocket,” says Shawn Williams, physical therapist and Orthopedic Program manager at Almost Family. “Make sure all your financial questions are answered,” Kelly added. Rehab is hard enough without being concerned about your finances.

4. Be ready to work — hard. “The goal of rehab is to maximize your level of function after a procedure,” Williams says. While you’ll have ample time to recuperate, a rehab facility’s primary goal is to get you up and moving.

5. Find out about visitation times and if a family member can stay with you. “At Green Valley, all our rehab spots are in private suites so there’s ample room for a family member to stay,” Kelly says. “However, that’s not the case everywhere.”

A Party to Remember

By Victoria DeWilligen

Growing older comes with so many fun and exciting reasons to celebrate. When we’re younger we dream of throwing the perfect sweet 16 party, tossing our cap at graduation, and standing at the altar on our wedding day. Often we forget about the great milestones that come later in life. Wedding anniversaries, landmark birthdays, and the joy of retiring all come with the opportunity to have an amazing celebration. Whether it be an intimate event or a huge celebratory bash, there are many ways to celebrate these milestones, and planning the party can be almost as fun as the party itself.

Five Signs to Look for When Choosing a Care Community for Your Loved One

By Emily Gahafer

Illustration by Brittany Granville

Deciding on the perfect place to send a loved one is an almost impossible task. Today, there are few facilities that are both safe, affordable, and provide the best care for your family.

Luxuries You Can Justify: No Fuss Dining

By Ashli Findley

This small indulgence might seem like a frivolous expense, but the benefits you’ll receive from it can pay off in a big way. Here is a luxurious service that can improve your health and quality of life.

Luxuries You Can Justify: Sumptuous Facials

By Ashli Findley

This small indulgence might seem like a frivolous expense, but the benefits you’ll receive from it can pay off in a big way. Here is a luxurious service that can improve your health and quality of life.