Archives by: Jennifer Beach
About the author
Jennifer Beach, LSW, MA, C-SWCM writes the Thrive blog, Caregiver Corner. She established Advocate for Elders in Rocky River in 2010. Jennifer has 25 years of experience in working with and advocating for older adults and their families. Jennifer is a licensed, insured Social Worker and an Advanced Aging Life Care® Professional. She has served as the Midwest Chapter President of the Aging Life Care Association and additionally served 7 years on the Board of Directors. In 2018, Jennifer was honored as the recipient of the ALCA Midwest Chapter Outstanding Member of the Year Award. Learn more at advocate4elders.com.
Jennifer Beach Posts
This holiday season, as we spend time with our family and friends, it may be the perfect opportunity to observe changes in your aging loved one. Changes may vary widely—from outwardly visible to subtle shifts in habits. There are four main areas to observe and monitor if you are starting to be concerned about an aging loved one. ...
Read more
Hand sanitizers are good in a pinch but soap and water make more than just suds. Together, they work wonders to remove all types of germs from our hands. As it turns out, the 20-second time investment is worth it, since handwashing can remove not just all germs, but also other harmful agents, like heavy metals and pesticides. ...
Read more
Researchers have found that people who volunteer and socialize lead longer, healthier, happier lives. Connect with an older adult in your life who may be alone this season. If you’re alone, reach out to someone. You can enrich your holiday and help others in simple ways, often from the comfort of your own home. ...
Read more
Changes in sleeping patterns are not uncommon as we age, complicated by diseases and conditions such as dementia. Children and adolescents need more sleep than adults; older adults need about the same amount of sleep as younger adults, seven or more hours a night. ...
Read more
Some people with dementia have difficulties controlling their emotions, and their personalities may change. As dementias progress, individuals are often challenged with communication skills and can have difficulty or lose the ability to express themselves. Too often, pain and discomfort are overlooked and quickly labeled as “behaviors” due to dementia. Take time to decode these behaviors to understand and resolve unmet needs. ...
Read more
A sense of humor and laughter are vital as we age. They can boost our mental and physical health, reducing stress, anxiety and depression while helping us heal faster and respond more positively to medical treatments. ...
Read more
Just because they're comfy and convenient, lots of footwear is bad for our feet and can even cause us injury. We're talking slide slippers, slip-on shoes with no backs, flip flops, smooth leather bottoms, high heels and wedges, to name a few. Fashion aside, these shoes aren't the best choice for aging feet. ...
Read more
Caring for a loved one is an emotionally and physically taxing responsibility that inevitably wears us down and exposes our limitations. We’re only human, and the demands of caregiving set us up to feel inadequate on many levels. When we feel inadequate, guilt nearly always follows. ...
Read more
