MY SUN DAY NEWS
February 26, 2015
Q. I like to go for walks, but this season has been a challenge for me. I don’t feel motivated to exercise in my home. How can I stay active without going stir crazy?
Q. My wife recently passed away. As my health began to decline, she became my caregiver and she helped me tremendously. I want to retain my independence, and I am skeptical about asking for outside help. What can I do to help myself?
Q. What can I do to keep from getting the flu? I did get my flu shot, but a few of my friends have gotten it, even though they were immunized.
Q. The holidays came and went and I loved having my family visit me. Now that the holidays are over, I feel alone and miss the company. I can’t get motivated to enjoy life. How can I fight the blues?
With the holidays here, I am feeling burned out. I care for my parents and I have my own health issues to worry about. How do I find relief?
Can dementia be prevented? Have there been any new developments?
Q: The news about frightening diseases scares me. Catching a simple cold can stop me in my tracks. There’s a lot of talk about Ebola, but I’ve not heard about precautions to take.
Q. How can I make sure I’m not lured into a Medicare scam? I get all kinds of calls about it all the time.
Lately, I’ve been forgetting so many little details. Should I be concerned?
Q. I was in the hospital recently, and I just received a bill for my stay. I learned I wasn’t considered a patient, but rather I was there under “observation.” What happened? I am stuck with a pretty hefty bill now.
Q. Can you give a few tips on preparing for an emergency?
Q. Every time I go to the doctor, I feel rushed and it seems like I don’t have his full attention. Is it just me?
Q. I am noticing that my wife’s memory is declining. What can I do to help her? There are times she is fully engaged and other times when she is “not here.” I am getting discouraged.
Q. My friend had a stroke and her communication is affected. I can tell she knows what she wants to say, but she speaks very slowly or at times is unable to get the words out. The communication challenges are frustrating for both of us. I feel bad for her. Is there something I can do to help her along in this journey?
Q. I just moved to Illinois and am not used to the weather changes. How can I prepare for an emergency situation?
Q. I have noticed that my father’s house really needs attention. I know he isn’t cleaning even though he says he is. I want to hire a cleaning service, but he won’t agree. He has mild dementia and lives alone.
Q: My father refuses to turn his air conditioning on during the hot weather. I truly worry about him. Can you offer any suggestions on how to approach this?
My mom has been living a very healthy life until recently. She now suffers from panic attacks and can’t leave the house. I’m constantly checking on her and making sure she is okay. I don’t have much patience some days. Help!
Q. This winter has been very hard on me, keeping me indoors. I am more than ready to get out and garden now. I’m a little concerned on how to tackle this after being so sedentary all winter.
Q. I had to move my mother to a memory care community in the area. Since she moved there, I have visited her every day. Now that she is settled, she expects me to continue to visit every day, and I just can’t do it anymore. I work full time and find little time for myself and my spouse. I don’t mind visiting, but I am drained.
The idea of using a walker can be quite frightening. Yes, it’s a tool designed to make ambulation safe, but it can create a feeling of dependence. For some, it may bring about of how fragile we can become as we age.
Question: My children are recommending a companion to stop by my home twice a week. I don’t see the need or really know why they insist. I can do just about everything by myself, it’s just that I live alone and sometimes wish I had a little company. My children all work and live far away.
Q. I am so happy the weather is changing, and I want to start exercising. I am a little afraid to start. I don’t exercise, and I don’t want to hurt myself after a long winter of sitting around.
Q. My mom lives alone, and last month, she fell in her home. Luckily, she didn’t break anything, but we whisked her to the ER to make sure she was O.K. She hasn’t fallen again but that is my biggest fear now (and hers as well). I am constantly worried, and she refuses help when I offer suggestions to make a few changes in her home.
Q. This new year has brought some challenges my way, mostly with my time. It seems like there is always something to do, a call to make, or rushing here and there for some reason or another. I like to be active and busy, but things are out of hand, and I don’t know how to slow down.
Another other area of concern you should think about is verification of references and background checks. When I hire a caregiver, I not only conduct state required verifications, but I conduct national background checks, drug testing at the time of interview and ongoing, a DMV check, sex offender checks, and I require three verifiable work references.
Q. I am going to hire a caregiver and a neighbor suggested someone to use. My neighbor told me that this will be cheaper than hiring someone from an agency. I have a few concerns and want to do the right thing. What do you recommend?
My wife suffered a stroke, and I am her caregiver. I hate to admit that I am emotionally spent, and I don’t have any relief in sight. What is available in my community for help?
I am sorry to admit I don’t have a will or trust and was told this is very important. I spoke to a friend who seems to have it all “together,” and I feel so behind in this area. Where do I begin? I am 75 years old.
Question: I will be visiting a friend who I have not seen in quite a while. I know he has had health issues and is very sick. How can I have a meaningful visit with him?
