hospice stokes

Many families choose to have a family member care for an aging parent. It seems like the "natural" thing to do. But all too often, unspoken assumptions lead to family conflict. For instance, when is caring done "for love"? At what point should a family member get paid for their time? What if they have to cut back on income-earning activities in order to help? A good solution is to prepare a written "caregiver agreement" before the first dollar is paid.

We all get the blues now and then. But depression is different. It is more than a passing mood. Depression is actually a biochemical imbalance in the brain. It's not something you can just "snap out of." It requires treatment. In general, there are nine symptoms of depression. If a person experiences four or more of these symptoms every day, for most of the day, over a two-week period, medical professionals would call it "major depression":

For most family caregivers, frustration and guilt are common, as is anxiety. These feelings are normal and reasonable under the circumstances. And it’s not realistic to eliminate negative emotions. Caring for an ailing family member IS emotionally taxing, especially in the case of memory loss.

The need to protect your partner is a key reason to get your financial papers in order. You will want to be sure that he or she is not left high and dry, especially if you are living with someone without being married. Inheritance laws do not acknowledge unmarried couples; thus, you must specifically stipulate your wishes regarding your house or other assets. This is particularly true for same-sex partners because surviving family members may not be aware of the partnership or may be unwilling to respect the union.

October 15 through December 7 is the Medicare open enrollment period. This is the time of year when seniors can change their coverage for Medicare Parts C and D. Part D is prescription insurance. Part C involves Medicare "Advantage" plans. These plans provide coverage through special provider networks, for example, an HMO. You'll find a quick description of Medicare Plans in our November 2011 newsletter.

Many of us regard the Thanksgiving holiday as an annual opportunity for counting our blessings. There's a good reason for practicing the giving of thanks throughout the year: Research suggests that cultivating an "attitude of gratitude" is associated with greater

It's easy to know what to do when a parent has a medical crisis: Go to the ER. But without the red flags of an emergency, it can be hard to know if there's a health problem that needs attention. Often, there are subtle signs of trouble brewing.

Many older adults affected by incontinence must wear special undergarments. And some require assistance with that most intimate of personal tasks. There are three basic types of products created to absorb accidents.

This year many popular brand-name drugs will become available in generic form. Are they as good? The Food and Drug Administration approves both brand-name and generic drugs. The two medicines are identical in active ingredient(s), strength, quality, safety, and how they work; required lab testing to prove they are absorbed 80% - 125% as well as the original (the average tends to be 96% - 104%); manufacturing standards that ensure consistency and purity. Brand-name and generic drugs are different in