Your parent prizes his or her independence and insists on living at home, alone. However, you see signs of vulnerability and a precarious situation with the potential for falls and injury , poor nutrition and your parent becoming neglected or housebound . You want to help, but you live at a distance and don't know [...]
In working with seniors, one common error is the rush to assume that because someone has reached a certain age, any negative changes in thinking or behavior must be due to the onset of dementia. Promoted by age related stereotypes, many suspect dementia as the probable cause of symptoms that for non-seniors would be quickly [...]
Caregivers are often the first line of defense in protecting the elderly and infirm – especially when it comes to making sure medications are obtained and taken properly. Senior citizens are the fast-growing sector of the population, and age often leads to the need for many medications to treat many conditions and chronic diseases. Each [...]
Like the haves and the have nots, when it comes to post 50s, it’s those who are aging and those who are aging gracefully. You know, the lucky ones who seem to be getting better and better with each passing year like a fine wine while some are just learning by trial and error. Well, [...]
Are you wondering how you are going to care for your pet as you age in place? Are you wondering if you should adopt a pet as you age in place? This guide will help you decide on the best choice for you. Studies have shown that owning a pet can be physically and mentally [...]
While exercise is often touted as a fountain of youth, it often gets harder to do as you get older. Physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) physicians, also called physiatrists, are doctors who restore and maintain function lost due to injury, illness and age-related conditions such as osteoporosis, arthritis, joint replacements or stroke. They often prescribe [...]
When caring for people who have the flu: Avoid being face to face with the sick person. If possible, it is best to spend the least amount of time in close contact with a sick person. When holding sick children, place their chin on your shoulder so they will not cough in your face. Wash [...]
Winter is a special time for celebration. It should also be a time for added caution if you or someone in your family is an older adult. It is the season for falls, slips on icy streets and other dangers that can be especially harmful for older adults. "Something as simple as a fall can [...]
Frigid weather can pose special risks to older adults. The National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health, has some advice for helping older people avoid hypothermia — when the body gets too cold — during cold weather. Hypothermia is generally defined as having a core body temperature of 95 degrees [...]
Before the ball drops in Times Square, promise yourself this year will be the year you become your own best caregiver. Resolve to do what thousands of others need to do – make time for yourself, because in so doing, you make your time with others better and more valuable. Here are some ideas to [...]
