Elder Care Cafe

Whenever I am prescribed a drug for the first time, I always review the information that is enclosed. Then I promptly forget what I read. After all, the prescribing doctor gave the medication to me for a reason, and I know I need to follow the dosage for as long as the medication is needed. [...]

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As we age, we are placed at greater risk for a number of oral health problems. The causes can very, but the result tends to be the same such as loss of teeth, poor looking teeth, systemic health problems, and other health complications.

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Dentists know a lot more about your health than you realize. They can look into your mouth and predict whether you will someday have heart disease or diabetes. They can also determine whether you have a vitamin deficiency or eating disorder. Just looking at your gums and teeth tells observant dentists more about you than [...]

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As the world continues to become more mobile, there are many reasons why people find the need to change doctors. Some people move out of the area and need to find a doctor at their new location. Others may not like the way they are treated, have issues with the office staff, or disagree with [...]

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Under ideal conditions, families should choose nursing homes with deliberation and care. Pertinent families members such as the patient and those closest who are familiar with the patients wishes should be involved in the discussion and decision.

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Through an unknown number of SNAFUs, I spent the last ten days struggling with the lack of a must have medication I have taken since the beginning of 1983. Between my doctors office, the pharmacy, and my own attempts at trying to get a much needed refill prior to my doctor’s appointment, my health was placed at risk. [...]

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Our recent emergency reminded me how important medication safety is to a person’s health and well being. When Dad fell down a stairwell several months ago, he was out of town at the time. EMTs took him to their local hospital, and over his three-day stay in ICU his usual medications were changed. Then he [...]

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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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Many people don’t yet realize what having an advance directive means to them or why it is important to make sure one is in place prior to giving consent for medical treatment. Patients have the right to make decisions about the medical care they are about to receive. They also have the right to be [...]

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Dementia patients often suffer unnecessary medical interventions because health care workers and family members do not realize they are close to the end of their life. What most people do not understand is that dementia is fatal.

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The last three years as caregiver to my now 87-year-old father has been quite a learning experience. After he landed in the intensive care unit (ICU) of an out-of-town hospital last August due to a fall down a flight of stairs, he was sent to a rehab center to continue his treatment. He spent three [...]

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With the numerous studies currently going on regarding diabetes prevention, it’s no wonder information regarding how to prevent diabetes appears on the landscape as often as it does. A 10-year study followed 3,000 high-risk patients with the aim to prevent rather than control diabetes has just released their findings. This study is one of the longest [...]

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A recent study found that people taking cholesterol-lowering statin drugs such as Lipitor and Zocor may have unexpected protection from the flu. People who were already taking statins when they caught the flu and had to be hospitalized had a much higher survival rate than those who were not taking statins.
Those involved in the study were [...]

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Recently we were reminded of a syringe recall notice sent out regarding the Accusure insulin syringes. Apparently, an Alabama company recalled millions of insulin syringes it had distributed around the country since early 2002 because of the complaints they were receiving.
Four complaints were received related to how the needle was detaching from the syringe. Thankfully, no [...]

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The older we get, the greater importance we must place on wearing the right shoes to help prevent falls. Increasing problems maintaining balance, and health issues such as diabetes, dictate we wear the right shoes to help keep our feet healthy and our walk steady. Shoes make a difference in whether we stay safe and [...]

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