As our loved ones age, it can become necessary to find a caregiver to help them with daily tasks or medical needs. The process of choosing the right caregiver for an aging parent can be challenging, and it's important to carefully consider all the options before making a decision.

One option is to hire a professional caregiver or home health aide. These individuals are trained and experienced in providing care for seniors, and they can provide valuable assistance with tasks such as bathing, dressing, and medication management. Professional caregivers can work full-time or part-time, depending on your needs and budget.

Another option is to enlist the help of family members or friends. This can be a more cost-effective solution than hiring a professional caregiver, and it can provide your aging parent with the emotional support and companionship they need. However, it's important to ensure that family caregivers are compensated and have the necessary skills and abilities to provide safe and effective care.

You may also want to consider an adult daycare program. These programs provide a safe and social environment for seniors during the day, while allowing their family members to work or attend to other responsibilities. Adult daycare programs offer a range of activities and services, including meals, medication management, and counseling services.

Finally, you may want to consider assisted living facilities or nursing homes. These facilities provide 24-hour care and support for seniors who can no longer live independently. They offer a wide range of services and amenities, and can provide a safe and supportive environment for aging parents.

Choosing a caregiver for an aging parent can be a difficult decision, but there are many options to consider. These include hiring a professional caregiver, enlisting the help of family members or friends, considering an adult daycare program, or looking into assisted living facilities or nursing homes. It's important to carefully evaluate each option and choose the one that best meets the needs of your aging parent and your family.

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With summer here and temperatures rising, it is important to understand the health risks of excessive heat and recognize the signs of heat-related illness. Being hot for too long can be a problem. It can cause several illnesses, all grouped under the name hyperthermia.

These factors can increase your risk of hyperthermia:

• Not drinking enough fluids.
• Reduced sweating caused by medications such as diuretics, sedatives, tranquilizers, and certain heart and blood pressure drugs.
• High blood pressure or other health conditions that require changes in diet. People on salt-restricted diets may be at increased risk; however, salt pills should not be used without first consulting a doctor.
• Use of multiple medications. It is important, however, to continue to take prescribed medication and discuss possible problems with a physician.
• Age-related changes to the skin, such as poor blood circulation and inefficient sweat production.
• Heart, lung, and kidney diseases, as well as any illness that causes general weakness or fever.
• Being substantially overweight or underweight.
• Lack of mobility and access to transportation.
• Living in housing without air conditioning.
• Overdressing, especially in synthetic materials.

Understanding how to respond to hot weather conditions can help lower your risk of hyperthermia. Learn more about hot weather safety for older adults on NIA’s webpage and watch this video about exercising safely in hot weather.

Grief is bound to affect each one of us at some point in our live. It's normal.  It's ok.  Can be very different from person to person.  And is so complex, in fact, that Elizabeth Kübler-Ross' original five stages of grief has evolved into seven.

Check out this article, written by Kimberly Holland, that walks through the five and seven stages, with examples.