Elder Care Cafe

Attacks of gout occur when uric acid accumulates in the joints. Gout is a type of arthritis that is extremely painful and may affect one or more joints. Joints affected are usually in the lower extremities such as the big toes, ankles or knees and the onset of pain is sudden and excruciating. Some attacks [...]

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Although summer is winding down, there are still plenty of daylight hours left especially in the southern states. Many people, particularly aging seniors, are not aware how easy it is to get skin cancer. My mother spent a lot of time outdoors all her life, and in her later years developed skin cancer on her [...]

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A diagnosis of glaucoma can be devastating to hear. Glaucoma is the name of a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve. You can lose your vision when this nerve becomes damaged. People with the disease will first notice the loss of their peripheral or side vision. If left untreated the vision loss can [...]

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For the past two weeks we have been highlighting six ways to reduce the risk of having a heart attack. Statistics show that almost every minute of the day someone in the United States has a heart attack. That is pretty scary stuff, don’t you think? So far we looked at the risk factors of [...]

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For the past week we have been discussing how to reduce heart attack risk. Not only does smoking cause heart attacks, the unhealthy habit can also cause cancer, breathing problems and strokes. Even inhaling secondhand smoke can cause damage with asthma and breathing problems. The most important step a smoker can take is to get help [...]

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Every time a super-centenarian passes away, his or her story is highlighted in the daily news. Why is this news? Because super-centenarians are a unique group of people who have reached the age of 110-years-old.  According to those who are keeping track, there are approximately 300 to 450 super-centenarians currently living world-wide.

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As seniors age, they or their caregivers need to pay special attention to oral health to help avoid possible problems with their teeth. Many seniors struggle with arthritis and are unable to brush their own teeth let alone try to floss. Others struggle with loss of memory, and may not remember whether they brushed their [...]

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As we age, we start to experience body aches and pains that we did not experience when we were young. Unfortunately, most of us do not respond well to those aches, nor do we really know what to do about them. What we need to learn is that there is a difference between an ache [...]

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Over the years, I started to notice a chronic ache here, a slight painful few days there. Usually the ache or pain would go away after a while. I was quite athletic as a child until well into my thirties and forties. After a long run or a night of bowling three to six games, [...]

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No matter how active or inactive you have been over the years, it is never too late to begin an exercise program. Even seniors in their 70s, 80s, and beyond can benefit from a simple walking program. Whether you are overweight or still maintaining that slim figure you have carried throughout your life, you need [...]

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Did you know the type of shoe you wear has a bearing on the amount of pain you may experience in your knees due to arthritis? Recent research indicates the amount of weight or load on arthritic knees varies depending on what type of shoe a person wears.

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There are a number of ways to safely combat seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and relieve the symptoms of depression and darkness that descend every fall for many of you who live in the Northern Hemisphere. SAD symptoms include a sadness that rests upon someone during the months from November through February, irritability, cravings for carbohydrates, [...]

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This is the time of year that anyone who struggles with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) may start to see the light, so to speak. It’s March, and the winter blahs will soon pass away until the next round of darkness strikes. In the Northern climates, around November, SAD sufferers begin to feel a weight come [...]

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Because we are in the midst of flu and cold season, I thought I would provide a reminder of what to do in case you or a family member find yourself combating the influenza virus. Although most of the points are common sense, when we are feeling under the weather we don’t always remember what we [...]

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Many caregivers fall into their role when a family member or close friend becomes ill or too old to care for themselves. Most of the time no training in how to give care has been provided, and caregivers are learning on-the-job so to speak. One area that may not come to mind for new or untrained [...]

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