Learn the Signs of Heat-Related Illness in Older Adults
Each winter, we all look forward to the return of the warmth of summer. What a relief to finally throw open the windows and allow the warm breezes to blow through the house! However, now that we are into the dog days of summer, it’s necessary to take precautions and familiarize ourselves with the signs […]
Joint Pain and Stiffness Can Lead to an Increased Risk of Falls for Seniors
The data related to senior falls is shocking. Falls are classified as the leading cause of injury in older adults and end in hundreds of thousands of hip fractures every year, along with countless other injuries sustained. As prevalent as falls in seniors are, the risk is more than doubled for people with joint pain […]
What Is Happening with My Elderly Loved One? Delirium in the Hospital
A hospital stay is not something a senior looks forward to, but at least there’s the reassuring fact that the required care and treatment will be delivered to provide healing. But what happens when the outcome isn’t as expected, and the older adult winds up with a new health concern? More and more often, a […]
Eating Healthy During the Holidays Keeps Cholesterol in Check
From November to January, healthy eating options often fall by the wayside with family and holiday get-togethers. For anyone with high cholesterol, however, eating healthy during the holidays is very important. Yazid Fadl, MD, MPH, Indiana University Health cardiologist, says, “Around the holidays, we tend to let ourselves go, and that’s the absolute worst thing […]
Transitional Home Care Assistance: Help After a Hospital Stay
After a medical procedure or hospitalization, the words we look forward to hearing most are, “Here are your discharge papers – you are able to head home now!” What a feeling of relief there is in coming through the front door, sinking into a favorite chair, and unwinding. Yet there are often a variety of […]
Aging in Place Home Modifications for a Dementia-Friendly Space
The day-to-day challenges of providing care for a family member with Alzheimer’s are continually evolving. Today, the challenge could be frustration with the lack of ability to communicate effectively. Next week, it may be wandering and seeking to go “home.” There may be sleepless nights if sundowning is an issue, or aggressive actions and words […]
Seniors and Dehydration: Don’t Overlook This Health Risk
During the hottest time of year, keeping up with proper hydration is critical, especially for older adults. As a matter of fact, close to 50% of all seniors are chronically under-hydrated, as reported by a recent UCLA study, which may result in a variety of health problems, including kidney stones, urinary tract infection, and also […]
Summer Season Safety Tips for Seniors
The longer days of summer mean extra time for swimming, family cookouts, gardening, and all of those other delightful seasonal pursuits. However, it also means an elevated risk for a number of health concerns for seniors, who are more susceptible to heat-related issues such as: Heat syncope (faintness/dizziness) Heat cramps Heat edema (swelling) Heat exhaustion […]
Senior Drivers: Tips for Safety
Remember that feeling as a teenager the first time you climbed behind the steering wheel, experiencing the exhilaration of the opportunity to go anywhere you wanted? The freedom that the ability to drive grants us is beyond compare! Nonetheless, as we grow older, a number of factors will come into play that impact the safety […]
Staying Safe at Home: Modification Tips to Help Seniors Age in Place
With the great majority of older adults choosing to continue to live at home throughout aging, it’s important to carry out a thorough home assessment to search for and fix any dangers and ensure the older adults you love are staying safe at home. The most effective way to accomplish this is to begin outside […]