Patricia began her career as an adoption social worker before making the change to geriatrics.
Once she transitioned to senior care, she worked as a Licensed Social Worker in skilled nursing facilities and created a dementia-specific program for an assisted living organization. She also worked as the Director of Operations for a home care agency.
Patricia enjoys raising her young children and being outside in her free time.
A recent study from AARP found that 77% of adults 50-years old and older prefer to age in place. Multiple studies advertise the benefits of aging in place, such as the comfort of home, family, pets, social engagement in the community, cost-effectiveness, and the ability to maintain dignity and independence.
Read MoreAuthor: Patricia LaCroix Nihill | Posted in: Aging Care
Long before social distancing entered the public domain, health care agencies championed the importance of social engagement in the senior population. Decades of studies have correlated the multiple ways senior social isolation and loneliness affect physical and emotional well-being.
This is why we’ve continued to post articles supporting the many ways you can socialize for your good health and the wellbeing of those around you.
Read MoreAuthor: Patricia LaCroix Nihill | Posted in: Aging Care Issues
With more than 325 million people residing in the U.S. alone, it is not easy to think that loneliness would be so common. However, more than 50% of older adults live alone, and more than a million of them are estimated to be chronically lonely. In fact, nearly half of older adults researched stated that their most common source of companionship is the television.
Read MoreAuthor: Patricia LaCroix Nihill | Posted in: Aging Care | Tags: Caregiver Tips, socialization
As the saying goes, there’s no place like home; but what do you do when someone you love and care for insists on going home – when that person already IS home? When you are providing care for a loved one with dementia, unfortunately this discussion can be a common occurrence.
Read MoreAuthor: Patricia LaCroix Nihill | Posted in: Dementia Care | Tags: Caregiver Tips, dementia treatment, senior independence
