Today, there is a marked increase in emphasis on reducing prejudice in society and examining our own biases based around human traits like race, religion, gender, sexual orientation and identity, and other characteristics. Ironically, though, in discussions of bigotry, many young people and even some seniors themselves, will often make snide remarks about “old people” who do not share their attitudes or vote in the same way as them. Remarks like this lump all seniors into one bucket.
Retirement and assisted living facilities can be great options for seniors who need assistance with daily activities. Learn how it can benefit your senior loved one and find out the hidden costs so you can make an informed decision.
The airport experience can sometimes be a bit overwhelming when traveling with a senior loved one. Here are tips on how to make your journey more stress-free and enjoyable.
Elderly independent living abuse is a legal term that refers to the illegal or unauthorized use of a senior citizen’s assets, property, or money. When someone exploits the elderly to use their wealth without the permission or knowledge of their caretakers or the full understanding of the elderly person, it is a crime of a type of fraud.
Americans are living much longer than ever now, and the truth is that bad health is not an unavoidable or natural part of the aging process. There are many myths and misconceptions surrounding getting older, but with moderate research findings and practical experience they can be disproven, altering the way we think about aging into and through the twilight years.
After the age of 40, muscle mass and strength in people will begin to deteriorate. As a consequence, the capability to engage in physical exercise becomes less and less. After the age of 50, the decline in strength and muscle mass rises to 15% per decade. Muscles will atrophy and grow weaker and smaller when not used, which creates a vicious cycle of age reducing muscles which then causes the person to do less activity, which reduces them further. In the elderly, the leading cause of this problem is sarcopenia, which is the involuntary loss of muscle mass and bone density due to age.
Palliative medicine is an important form of care that can improve the quality of life for elderly patients. Learn more about palliative medicine and how it works.
People tend to sleep more lightly as they get older. Midnight awakenings due to aches or bathroom needs are common occurrences for the elderly, as well as taking a nap during the day to make up for lost sleep at night.
Meal plans that are low in sodium, fat, and carbohydrates can have tremendous benefits for diabetics. Here is our guide on how to prepare nutritious meals if you are taking care of a diabetic relative.
Sepsis is a serious and life-threatening health condition that can and does affect all age groups. Infants, people with chronic health conditions, and those who have damaged immune systems are all more likely than those without to acquire sepsis. However, adults over the age of 65, particularly those who have health problems, are more prone to sepsis than all other groups and demographics. Adults 65 years of age and older are 13 times more likely than adults younger than 65 to be hospitalized with sepsis, and 63% of older adults admitted to the ICU present with sepsis upon entry. Just as with strokes and heart attacks, sepsis is a critical medical emergency that requires swift diagnosis and treatment to save the health and life of the patient.
Chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and others can significantly affect the quality of life of the person suffering from them. Even though many chronic disorders do not have a cure, there are usually several treatments or strategies that are available to help manage and alleviate symptoms. Home care is a type of health care that offers assistance and support to people while they are at ease in their own home.
One thing you may notice if you should look at the fossils of early man is that their skeletons were comprised of thick, heavy and powerful looking bones. While you may attribute this to their existing in a state closer to nature and being closer to our wild, unevolved state, the surprising truth is that our own bones today have the potential to be just as strong.
Growing older brings with it a more common occurrence of tooth and gum problems. While some seniors think losing some or all of their teeth is inevitable, the truth is that good oral hygiene and care lowers the risk of dental problems. This is even more important than ever, as poor oral health is linked with malnutrition, and a whole host of other issues like heart disease and even dementia.
Being mentally healthy means being in a state of emotional, psychological, and physical health. All three areas have an impact on our capacity for rational thought, positive mood, and effective behaviors. Several widespread risk factors affect mental health, and they can appear at any age or any moment. The majority of older persons have good mental health, but many are at risk of developing illnesses because of physical, social, neurological, or other environmental variables that are harmful to good mental health.
Older adults may have a long-term primary care provider with whom they have developed a trusting relationship over the years they’ve been seeing them. But as we age, we may find ourselves needing a new doctor. They may have retired from practice, your needs as a patient may have changed, you may have different insurance that no longer covers their practice, or your conditions may require the care of a specialist. No matter the reason, odds are good that at some point in your life you will find yourself shopping for a new healthcare provider for yourself or a loved one.
Memory issues are one of the earliest signs of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. People who have Alzheimer’s can gradually lose their capacity to have a conversation and react to their surroundings.
As we age, we tend to find our memories become less reliable. We may forget important details, or trivial details like where we placed something. This is a normal part of aging, but there are still ways to help prevent memory loss.
Lecanemab, which is marketed under the brand name Leqembi, is a recently approved anti-amyloid monoclonal antibody intended for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. This class of medication works by clearing amyloid deposits from the brain. Amyloid is a protein that accumulates in the brains of those suffering from Alzheimer’s, and is the critical component in the resulting dysfunction and damage to the brain.
When you think of people who may not like Valentine’s Day, you might guess that it would be people who may have recently had a bad relationship or rough breakup. But there’s another group to consider, and it may surprise you to hear it’s older adults.
Stay up to date when preparing to file your taxes. Learn more about how to take advantage of all the tax deductions and credits available to seniors.
Heart attacks occur when there isn’t enough blood flow getting to the heart, preventing it from getting the oxygen it needs to function. This naturally is a dangerous condition, one that can result in lasting tissue damage, and in severe cases, even can cause death in the individual suffering one.
For many people, the pandemic has been a time where much time has been spent quarantined in one’s home, and didn’t spend as much time going out or seeing others. On the other hand, public health experts came to tell us that socializing outdoors was a far safer option than staying indoors and doing it. Events of all kinds, from weddings, to family visits, to church services all picked up stakes and moved to the great outdoors as weather permitted.
While we may be in the middle of winter, you can always find seasonal produce from nearby farms at your local farmers’ market. Eating locally has become a trend in recent years for health and environmental reasons, and for supporting local small businesses and farmers. Local food travels a much shorter distance to get to you and that means it’s fresher, higher in nutrients, and reduces carbon footprint.
Finding a caregiver for a loved one can be a daunting task. They’ll need to be reliable, trustworthy, competent, and compassionate. But how do you know what to look for? There are some key qualities that go towards making someone into an excellent caregiver.
With the world heading into the fourth year of dealing with the pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus, it can sometimes seem like the virus is old hat, something we’re merely living with now, and an unfortunate fact of life. But the fact is the virus remains as potent and debilitating as ever, and older people are known to be more at risk of serious illnesses due to coronavirus. Those with pre-existing medical conditions and those who are immune system compromised are at a particular risk. The vast majority of older adults do not live in residential facilities, despite popular perception, and are instead cared for by their family members. Therefore, the coronavirus is especially worrisome for those who are living with their elderly loved ones in a multigenerational home.