The Eldercare Consultant: Your Guide to Making the Best Choices Possible Author: Becky Feola Reviewed for the NABBW by: Anne Holmes This book is primarily for you if you are or are about to become a caregiver, and you are looking for advice and help in what to do with ageing parents, siblings, or partners. But it is also a great guidebook for those who come in contact with caregivers. That includes everyone from medical personnel, case managers, social workers, financial planners, spiritual leaders, eldercare attorneys – and even your children, family members – and friends and neighbors. A... Read More

By Becky Feola NABBW’s Associate for Assisted Living and Caregiving The program Medicare is easily one of the most recognized senior benefits in our nation. However, it can be confusing and many people don’t understand the basics of how the program works. Below is an overview that should give some clarity and guidance if your loved one ever needs care. Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older or those who may be younger but have certain disabilities, and people suffering from End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure that requires dialysis or a... Read More

By Becky Feola NABBW’s Associate for Assisted Living and Caregiving The first week in January is always full of surprises. More often than usual, my office phone rings with calls from family members who spent time visiting with their aging loved one and now are feeling remorse about not living closer or being able to devote more time to their senior. Sometimes, a great deal of guilt has been placed on their shoulders and they need help understanding what more they can do. Many of these situations are warranted, but other times, I see caregivers who are close to driving themselves crazy with... Read More

\’Truth or Consequences\’ Mindset Crucial When Making Caregiving Decisions, Especially When Dementia is Involved  By Becky Feola NABBW’s Associate for Assisted Living and Caregiving I received the phone call late Friday night.  It was from a local resource center for caregivers and the elderly.  They had a family in crisis with a loved one who has dementia and the wife was asking for help – now! I called the number given to me, but there was no answer, so all I could do was leave a message.  This went on for several days until I finally reached the wife. Immediately, I... Read More

Never Underestimate The Power of a Hug By Becky Feola NABBW\’s Associate for Assisted Living and Caregiving January 21st is National Hug Day, an unofficial event created by Rev. Kevin Zaborney in 1986.  Although it is not a public holiday, it is worthy of celebration.  The idea behind National Hug Day is to encourage people to reach out and hug a family member, friend, or maybe even a stranger more often.  No matter whom you decide to hug, the mental and physical health benefits are the same to all involved. Rev. Zaborney realized that after the holidays, many people suffered from low... Read More

Caregiving Begins With Self Care  By Becky Feola NABBW’s Associate for Assisted Living and Caregiving About 10 million seniors currently rely on others for daily care, such as help getting dressed, preparing meals or taking medication.  That number will only increase as more of the nation’s 78 million baby boomers enter old age themselves over the next 15 years. According to a 2008 USA Today Gallup poll, 41% of all baby boomers are providing care for a living parent and 37% expect to do so in the future. Taking on the role of caregiver can be demanding; especially when you are juggling... Read More

The Need For Control and Letting Go By Becky Feola NABBW’s Associate for Assisted Living and Caregiving  You know those tests they give to college students or potential employees that help identify their skills and the careers/positions they would be best suited for?  Over the years, I have taken four or five of them and every time the answer was the same. The number one career choice for me was the military or more specifically, a drill sergeant.  Although I never entered the military, these skills would come in handy for a large part of my life.  You see, I was my husband’s caregiver... Read More