From bouts of the zoomies to strategically slapping things off the counter to get your attention, cats have habits that are down right hilarious. (Which is why we love them!) One habit that is not so funny, however? When your cat misses the litter box — or, worse, ignores it all together. “Cat pee is no joke,” says Ryan Knoll, owner of Tidy Casa, a home cleaning and maid service in Arizona. “We clean about 600 homes a month and see ‘cat-cidents’ on the regular. The most important thing is to...

Hiring a caregiver is a process that requires time, energy and thoughtful preparation — but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. There are simple steps you can take to secure the best support possible, starting with prioritizing the senior who will be receiving care. “Families should approach this journey with compassion and a deep understanding of their loved one’s unique needs, preferences and daily routines,” explains Jessica Corona-Irwin, a registered nurse and certified dementia...

Adult day services, or day programs, provide health-related services and social activities for adults with a wide variety of care needs in a community-based group setting. Today, these programs are serving more younger adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) than ever before, as well as a growing number of veterans with traumatic brain injuries, according to the National Adult Day Services Association (NADSA). With this shift has come not only a new emphasis on day...

From regular exercise to feeding schedules, dogs thrive on healthy routines and repetition. And lucky for us, so do humans. Even the smallest habits, whether it’s getting in our daily steps or spending time with loved ones, can have a huge impact on our physical and mental health. So it makes sense why owning a dog can greatly impact your life in countless wonderful ways. “A dog’s routine isn’t just essential for their well-being; it brings structure, health benefits and emotional balance to...

As they reach adulthood, young people with disabilities reach a crossroads in care. As children, they may have relied on their parents for support. Should that continue now they’re adults? If not, how can adults with special needs access caregiving resources? “This is one of the hardest transitions because all the childhood support goes away, and it falls to the family,” says private patient advocate Gerda Maissel, a board-certified physician and former healthcare executive who founded My MD...