As a nurse practitioner, I believe in arming our clients with knowledge so they can make informed choices and optimize their health—especially during cold and flu season. Respiratory viruses like flu, COVID-19, and RSV are all circulating, and while symptoms can overlap, there are clues to help you tell them apart—and simple steps to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Finding the perfect gift for an older loved one can feel tricky—but it doesn’t have to be. The best gifts are thoughtful, practical, and bring comfort, joy, or connection. Here are our top 10 picks for Christmas gifts this season:
Your loved one is finally coming home from the hospital — a huge relief after days or weeks of worry. But then the nurse mentions that they’ll be discharged with a urinary catheter, and suddenly, the excitement of coming home turns into anxiety.
It was 2 a.m. when Margaret woke to the sound of the front door creaking open. Her husband John, who lives with Alzheimer’s, was quietly putting on his shoes. “I have to get to work,” he said, though he retired years ago.
It starts with small things — A pot left on the stove. A missed medication. A fall that “wasn’t a big deal.”
You tell yourself it’s nothing, but deep down, you know something’s changing. Your once-independent parent is starting to struggle, and you’re the one quietly picking up the pieces — shopping, checking in, worrying late into the night.
Maria’s mornings start before dawn. She helps her mother out of bed and into the shower and sets her up for breakfast. Then, it’s a race across town for school drop off only to realize she forgot her daughter’s field trip form!
In the ever-evolving landscape of aging and caregiving, robots and smart technology are making their way into our living rooms, bedrooms, and even bathrooms. From voice assistants that remind seniors to take their medications to AI-powered robots that can offer companionship or detect falls, we’re entering a new era of tech-enabled home care.
Claire had always been fiercely independent. Living alone in her Manhattan walk-up apartment, she thrived on feeling self-sufficient—until a slip on the stairs left her with a fractured hip and a frightening question: Who will help me when I go home?
It starts innocently enough. A caregiver you trust asks for a small loan—just until Friday. You want to help, but something doesn’t feel right.
If you’ve hired a caregiver privately, you’re not just managing care—you’re managing boundaries. And when it comes to lending money, our advice is simple:
Mary sat in the exam room, white paper crinkling beneath her. The doctor was halfway out the door when she hesitated. Should I mention the dizziness? Or just wait till next time?
This moment happens every day to thousands of older adults.
