When Freedom Sounds Different: a service member in camouflage holding his head near a lit sparkler, over an American flag

Supporting Veterans Through the Fourth of July For many Americans, the Fourth of July means backyard barbeques, parades, and fireworks lighting up the night sky. But for some Veterans, those same sights and sounds can bring back memories they never asked to revisit. The loud booms, flashes, smoke, and unpredictability of fireworks can serve as…

Read More
The Right to Choose: Veteran in a Vietnam Vet cap saluting, seen from behind, with the VCC logo

This Military Appreciation Month, the National Association for Veteran Rights (NAVR) launched its Right to Choose: Veterans Helping Veterans campaign—a documentary-style video series sharing the firsthand experiences of Veterans navigating the VA benefits system and the challenges they faced accessing the support they needed.   The campaign is an important reminder of something we see…

Read More
Veteran of the Month February 2026: James Bodenheimer as a young soldier standing in front of a tank, on an American flag background

  James Bodenheimer was born on September 8, 1950, in Jefferson City, Tennessee. When he was three years old, his family moved to Knoxville, where he grew up on the outskirts of the city with two older sisters, a younger sister, and a younger brother. He remarked that there was always something happening when he…

Read More
Senior man wincing and holding his shoulder while sitting on a sofa at home

  Chronic Pain in Older Adults: What It Is and How Home Care May Help Chronic pain is a common and complex issue among older adults, but it can often be managed effectively with consistent support at home. Nearly one in four adults in the U.S. experiences chronic pain, with rates even higher among those…

Read More
August National Wellness Month: seniors doing stretching exercises at home, with home care support

August is National Wellness Month, making it the perfect time to focus on self-care, healthy routines, and establishing lifelong wellness habits that support mind and body. If you haven’t started a wellness routine yet, no worries—it’s never too late to begin. In fact, a recent study published in Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy found that older…

Read More
Memories or Mess? A cluttered storage area full of old household items

  As our parents age, we may notice unexpected changes in their behavior or personality. These changes can occur gradually over time or suddenly and unexpectedly. One common change that surprises many people is when an elderly parent begins to accumulate belongings. I have witnessed this firsthand and heard countless stories from families sharing their…

Read More
Veteran of the Month November 2024: Salvatore Balletto, with the U.S. Army seal over an American flag

Born in 1942 as the son of an Italian immigrant, Balletto grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. His father was from Sicily, and his mother was from Ohio. After graduating from John Adams High School, he became interested in cars. He started building and racing cars on the track at Dragway 42 in Ohio. He described…

Read More
Adult daughter and her mother smiling as they embrace, in black and white

Honoring the Dedication of Family Caregivers This November Every year in November, we take the month to recognize and celebrate the dedication of caregivers. This year, with the integration of the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), National Care at Home Month has been…

Read More
Younger person's arms around an older adult's shoulders, hands clasped in comfort

  Watching your parents age and lose the ability to do things they once found easy is emotionally challenging. It forces you to confront the inevitability of change and decline in life. The people who once cared for and protected you now seem vulnerable, creating a role reversal that can be difficult to process. It’s…

Read More
Smiling multigenerational family with grandparents, parents and a baby, for National Grandparents Day 2024

National Grandparents Day is coming up next month on Sunday, September 8th, and this year’s theme is “Grand Minds: Learn, Love, Legacy.” It’s a day dedicated to celebrating and honoring the love given by grandparents. When my dad became a grandpa, he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and often quoted Bill Laurin, saying, “If I knew…

Read More