Someone you love is getting older and beginning to show signs of needing help. Maybe you've noticed your Dad's mail is not being opened. Or your Mom, who usually always looks so together, is not taking care of herself like she used to by dressing up and doing her hair.

Older people don’t like to ask for extra help. People don’t want to lose their independence. Here are are some signs your aging loved one may need a helping hand at home:

• Food has gone bad, but doesn’t get thrown away;
• Missing appointments;
• Bruising with no explanations;
• Arising after being seated;
• Trouble balancing when walking;
• Tasks...

Taking care of someone with Alzheimer’s Disease can make you feel both good and overwhelmed at the same time. There are always new things that test you and push you to your limits. As time marches on and the person for whom you’re caring becomes more disoriented, that’s when you realize how much you’ve really taken on.

Learn the facts You may have some misconceptions about the disease, so learning the facts is important. Find out what to expect about its progression so you can make a game plan to best care for your loved one. Many places give free education...

A lot can change in a year, especially in your family’s life. If it’s been a year since you’ve hired your nanny, or another year has passed, it’s time to conduct a performance review. The needs of you and your family, as well as the needs of your nanny, need to be taken into account in order to have or maintain a successful dynamic. You should encourage open communication with your nanny throughout the year, but it’s important to have a one on one discussion about their compensation, performance and any changes to contract or responsibilities annually. Conducting a yearly...

When it comes to hiring a nanny, you can choose to use a traditional nanny agency or do-it-yourself. The DIY route often involves placing an advertisement, sifting through countless responses from prospective candidates, making unending phone calls, and interviewing a long list of candidates. Even if the strongest candidate you find has good referrals, the unfortunate reality is that some people falsify their resume and use phony referrals, so you need to do quite a bit of due diligence before deciding on a candidate.

Using a nanny service, on the other hand, ensures all candidates have been properly screened,...

Going to work and taking care of a cranky preschooler or two can be quite exhausting for many parents, causing them to consider hiring a nanny who can direct all their attention to taking care of the little ones. But there are many factors to consider when looking for a nanny, including getting an independent nanny, working with a nanny agency, or simply dropping off your child at daycare every morning as you drive to work.

Hiring a dedicated nanny through an agency is one of the most sought after options. Hiring an experienced person to deliver quality child...