Elder Love USA

10/27/2026

A recent report by financial services firm Edward Jones highlights an important issue, the financial challenges of caring for a loved one.

Financial caregiving happens when you help a family member manage their money, pay their bills, or cover the cost of their care. Sometimes, this means using your own savings or making financial sacrifices to help them.

The report discusses the concept of the Generosity Paradox.

Caregivers may put their own financial future at risk while helping their loved ones today. Over time, this could leave them needing financial support from their own families, which is exactly what they hope to avoid.

The findings reveal a striking contradiction.

87% of caregivers say they don't want to become a caregiving burden on their own families.

Yet 81% are willing to sacrifice their own financial security to support the people they care for.

This is why supporting caregivers matters by providing them various resources. We also need to encourage people to plan ahead for the possibility of becoming one, so they can care for their loved ones without neglecting their own financial well-being.

10/16/2026

Betty was living alone and needed a little help at home. She wasn't looking for round-the-clock care, just someone to check in on her, lend a helping hand, and offer a little companionship.

But finding that help wasn't easy.

Private home care agencies back then often required upfront payments, minimum hours, and long-term contracts that Betty couldn't afford.

At the same time, she didn't qualify for the assistance she needed because she was just $55 over the Medi-Cal income limit.

She was caught between eligibility and affordability, with nowhere to turn.

Betty's story inspired Shannon Shea to found Elder Love USA in 2016, with a mission to help older adults who fall through the cracks of existing care systems.

Ten years later, ELU continues to make care more accessible and affordable through grants, donations, fundraising, and flexible services tailored to older adults' needs.

What began with one woman's struggle has grown into a mission to help older adults age with dignity, independence, and the support they deserve.

This is an excerpt from the podcast interview "Navigating Funding Challenges" with Nancy Worley Host of GZZ Intelli Business Solutions.

10/10/2026

Aging does not follow a single path. No single stereotype can capture the diversity of later life.

One of American Society on Aging's resources on ageism highlights four common stereotypes about aging. In recognition of Ageism Awareness Day, let's explore these assumptions alongside research and findings that offer a broader perspective on later life.

🤨 Stereotype: Aging inevitably means losing abilities, and older adults can no longer grow or improve.

🤩 Reality: A 2026 study by researchers at Yale University, reported by AARP, followed more than 11,000 adults aged 65 and older for up to 12 years. Researchers found that 45% improved in cognitive function, physical function, or both during the study period.

🤨 Stereotype: Older adults are naturally lonely, socially isolated, and unhappy.

🤩 Reality: Loneliness among older adults is a genuine public health concern that deserves attention. But it doesn't mean that loneliness is a natural consequence of growing older.

Assuming that older adults are naturally lonely risks overlooking their existing friendships, relationships, and support networks, while treating their isolation as an unavoidable part of life rather than something that deserves attention and support.

🤨 Stereotype: Older adults lose interest in activities and become disengaged from life.

🤩 Reality: A 2025 Pew Research Center report found that 48% of Americans aged 65 and older spend time on hobbies and other interests extremely or very often.

Adults aged 50 and older account for 44% of volunteers in the United States, despite representing 36% of the population.

🤨 Stereotype: Older adults cannot use technology or learn how to use it.

🤩 Reality: According to AARP Research’s 2026 Tech Trends report, Americans aged 50 and older own modern technology devices at broadly similar rates to adults aged 18 to 49.

The report also found that generative AI use among adults aged 50 and older nearly doubled, increasing from 18% in 2024 to 30% in 2025.

This Ageism Awareness Day, let’s move beyond assumptions and make an effort to see older adults for who they are and not simply how old they are.

10/08/2026

Caregiving is emotionally demanding.

Between the stress, worry, and daily responsibilities, caregivers may experience a wide range of emotions, from frustration and anxiety to guilt and resentment.

Sometimes, these emotions can even feed into one another. You might feel frustrated when your loved one refuses help, only to feel guilty for being frustrated.

One way to better manage these difficult moments is through emotional labeling or the practice of identifying and putting a name to what you're feeling.

Once you name an emotion, it can become easier to understand and regulate. Instead of a vague feeling, you have something specific to work with.

For example, if your loved one refuses to take their medication, you might feel frustrated and react by arguing or raising your voice.

But pausing to identify the emotions underneath your frustration, such as fear for their safety or anxiety about your caregiving responsibilities, can help you respond more calmly.

You might ask, “I'm worried because I want to make sure you're safe. Can you tell me what's making you hesitant to take it?”

Understanding your emotions can help you approach the situation with greater patience and curiosity, making space to discover whether your loved one is experiencing side effects, confusion, fear, or a desire for more independence.

Emotional identification is a skill you can strengthen with practice!

From emotion wheels and feelings lists to mood meters and journaling, there are tools that can help you better understand your emotions.

Read our latest blog to explore these tools and discover how emotional labeling can help you navigate the challenges of caregiving.

Caregiving can be tiring, stressful, and overwhelming. The physical and mental demands often stir up a wide range of emotions, and those emotions can lead to even more difficult ones, such as guilt, frustration, and resentment.For example, you might become frustrated when your loved one refuses your...

10/07/2026

Age-friendly healthcare is about looking beyond a diagnosis and considering the person as a whole, because an older adult's healthcare needs can be complex.

Managing multiple medications, chronic conditions, different doctors, changes in mobility, and changes in memory or thinking can all affect their health and everyday life.

The 4Ms of age-friendly care offer a simple framework to help doctors, older adults, and caregivers make care more personalized and responsive to what an older adult needs.

🔹 What Matters — What are your goals, priorities, and concerns? For example, if gardening is important to you but knee pain is making it difficult, telling your doctor can help guide treatment options that may help you get back to doing what you enjoy.

🔹 Medication — Are your medications still necessary, safe, and working well together? For example, if you are taking several medications and have recently started experiencing dizziness, tell your doctor. A medication review may help identify whether a medication or combination of medications could be contributing.

🔹 Mentation — Have there been changes in memory, thinking, mood, or behavior? For example, if someone who normally manages their bills or medications independently suddenly has difficulty doing so, a caregiver should let their healthcare provider know.

🔹 Mobility — Are you moving safely and maintaining your independence? For example, if you have started feeling unsteady when walking or are having difficulty getting out of a chair, tell your doctor. These changes may be addressed through physical therapy, exercises, medication review, or other support.

The 4Ms can help doctors, older adults, and caregivers have more meaningful conversations about care and create a plan that considers the person, not just the condition.

10/01/2026

NOW HIRING! 🎉

Elder Love USA is looking for Community Health Workers (CHWs)!

Are you passionate about helping people and making a meaningful difference in your community? This could be a great opportunity for you!

💙 What You'll Do

As a Community Health Worker, you’ll help individuals and families:

• Learn about services and resources available in their area

• Connect with community programs and support services

• Navigate available resources

• Receive encouragement and support to improve their daily lives

📍 Flexible Work

This is a 100% independent contractor opportunity, offering flexibility and the potential to earn based on your level of involvement.

Some of our CHWs are currently earning approximately $800–$2,000 per week, depending on their workload and activity.

✅ Requirements

• CHW certification is preferred/required, OR at least 2,000 hours of relevant or similar work experience

• Certification will be required within 18 months for those qualifying through work experience

📩 Interested?

If you’d like to learn more, or you know someone who may be a great fit, please reach out!

Please send a brief introduction along with your CV/resume to [email protected].

Subject Line: CHW | Your Name

We look forward to hearing from you and learning more about your experience! 💙

09/28/2026

September is National Senior Center Month! 💙

Senior centers play an important role in helping older adults stay connected, active, engaged, and involved in their communities. They offer opportunities to socialize, learn, access resources, and build meaningful connections at every stage of aging.

To make it easier to find a senior center, CalMatters, a nonprofit newsroom, has created a map featuring senior centers and other community centers across California.

You can use the map to explore what is available in different communities and identify centers that may offer programs or services you’re looking for.

You can check the map here: https://calmatters.org/health/mental-health/2026/03/senior-centers-map/

09/21/2026

Alzheimer's affects families, caregivers, communities, and healthcare systems across every corner of the world.

Awareness is the first step toward better support, earlier diagnosis, and one day, a cure.

Here's some facts about ALZ:

🧠 Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. It accounts for about 60% to 80% of all dementia cases.

🎗️ Alzheimer’s is most common in people aged 65 and older. When Alzheimer’s develops at this age, it is called late-onset Alzheimer’s. When it develops before age 65, it is called younger-onset Alzheimer’s.

💊 There is currently no proven cure for Alzheimer’s disease. However, some treatments can help manage the symptoms and slow the disease’s progression. Researchers are working hard to find better treatments and, one day, a cure.

🛡️ Alzheimer’s disease is ultimately fatal. However, many people with Alzheimer’s die from other health conditions that are common in older adults.

Raise awareness. Support a loved one. Tag someone who needs to see this, and help keep the conversation going.

09/17/2026

Amazon is the second most impersonated brand by scammers and older adults are paying the price disproportionately.

In 2020, people ages 60+ were over 4x more likely than younger people to report losing money to an Amazon impersonator.

And the losses were bigger too.

Older adults typically lost $1,500, versus $814 for younger people.

Now, verifying a suspicious message is a lot easier. With Alexa for Shopping, you can just ask "Is this text about my Prime membership real?" and get an answer in seconds.

If you're a caregiver, take a few minutes to walk your loved one through the feature and test it together.

Sit down with them, pick a recent message they've received (real or suspicious), and practice asking Alexa about it so they can see exactly how it responds.

That way, the next time a suspicious message shows up, they'll already know how to use the tool on their own rather than feeling unsure or hesitating to ask for help.

A little bit of proactive practice now can prevent a costly, stressful situation later.

09/16/2026

As dementia progresses, communicating through words can become more difficult.

A person may struggle to name what they need, explain how they feel, or hold onto a thought long enough to say it out loud.

But communication doesn't stop. It just changes form.

The way someone looks at you. How they move their hands. How they hold their body. How they respond when you walk into the room.

These are all messages.

And it works both ways.

Imagine approaching someone while looking stressed, moving quickly, speaking loudly. Even if your words are reassuring, your body is saying something else entirely.

Now imagine approaching slowly. Facing them. Relaxed posture. Gentle voice.

Same words. Completely different interaction.

In dementia care, how we show up can matter more than what we say.

What non-verbal cues have you learned to notice?