Elder Care Cafe

Wednesday, May 26 was the 17th Annual National Senior Health & Fitness Day, a day that is dedicated to the health and fitness of America’s seniors. The day is part of the Older Americans Month celebrated every May. As we honor our seniors and celebrate those who are healthy and fit, it reminds us that [...]

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According to a new study, eating up to three ounces of nuts on a daily basis can lower your blood cholesterol level and reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.  However, the findings showed that, because of the high calorie content of nuts, eating more than three ounces per day could cause weight gain.

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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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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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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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