Maintaining social distance from elderly family members during the pandemic was challenging but necessary. Now, as more people are fully vaccinated, we’re reveling in those joyful reunions. For those whose parents or grandparents live independently, that first visit after months apart can offer valuable insight into a senior’s health and well-being. Typically, adult children notice…

The job of a social worker in a skilled nursing facility is challenging and complex. It generally involves overseeing the psycho-social well-being of hundreds of seniors, while also supporting family members before, during, and after the transition of a loved one to long-term care. During the last year, however, the pandemic brought new challenges: health…

In early January, the Nathaniel Witherell began vaccinating our residents and staff against COVID-19. As of today, many at our facility have been fully vaccinated and our clinics will continue providing vaccinations this month. In the words of our medical director, Dr. Frank Walsh, “It’s important for us all to do everything we can to…

When you have a parent who is an older adult, gatherings during the holidays present a great opportunity to get a sense of how they’re doing, both physically and emotionally. You might notice that things aren’t quite what they should be; there may be signs of decline. Questions come to mind, like: Has dad lost…

As we look ahead to Thanksgiving, and Christmas and Chanukah shortly thereafter, one thing is clear: 2020 is going to require some new holiday traditions. Although the classic Thanksgiving meal is something we all look forward to, we know the holidays are about more than food and gifts. They’re really about being with family and…

When patients are hospitalized after an illness or surgery, they’re often discharged to the Witherell for “step-down” care to continue their recovery. Once patients are well enough to return home, our team creates a discharge plan to ensure that they are well cared for after the Witherell. This may include a referral for home care,…

Caring for our families comes naturally. So, it’s no surprise to note that about 34.2 million Americans provided unpaid care to an adult age 50+ in the last year, according to the Family Caregiver Alliance. “It’s wonderful to care for someone who once cared for you. But, caregivers should also know the challenges of caregiving,…

Loss of appetite is a common complaint among the elderly. Often, a combination of medical and pharmacological issues causes seniors to lose interest in eating the foods they once loved, and that can lead to their skipping meals. Skipping meals can lead to unintentional weight loss, which increases risk for fractures, pressure wounds, infections, and…

Two workshops to be held at 6:30 pm on May 16 and June 20 The statistics are staggering—5.8 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s (the most common form of dementia) and by 2050, this number is projected to rise to nearly 14 million, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. And for those caring for loved…