Elder Care Cafe

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 [...]

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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, [...]

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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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Because of the myriad health issues the elderly face, they often struggle with isolation and depression, no longer able to live the life they have grown accustomed to over the years. Sometimes the depression comes upon them due to their circumstances while other times long-term prescription drug use can trigger the disease.

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Recently, an article regarding how to understand the symptoms of dementia led me to think about my mother and all she went through as she gradually lost her memory. As difficult as that loss was, there was also the difficulty of watching someone we loved change before our eyes.

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Whether you are a caregiver to a loved one in your home twenty-four hours a day or you take care of someone daily or nightly in his or her home, at some point in time you will need to address the stress that comes along with being a caregiver.

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Nursing homes are facing a double-edged sword. Just when the baby boomer swell is rolling in, economic woes, increased costs, and decreased funding are causing nursing homes to decrease staff and services. Some are even needing to shut down.

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Knee pain has taken on a completely new importance in my life as I have aged. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize how important it was to take care of my body when I was younger and much more athletic. For many years I was active in sports such as softball and tennis, I jogged, bowled, and [...]

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Not only does the baby boomer tsunami already threaten the Social Security (SSI) system, the growing number of workers laid off or offered early retirement packages places a further strain on the already overburdened system. For the next several years, the SSI will pay out more than it gains.

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The bad news for obese seniors continues to roll in with the announcement that they face an increased risk of Alzheimer’s due to loss of brain tissue. A recent study found senior citizens age 70 and over who were obese had less brain tissue than normal weight seniors, thereby placing them at a greater risk [...]

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The World Health Organization is being urged to declare the more than 35 million people around the world who are living with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia a health priority.

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There are any number of reasons why someone needs to find a new doctor. When an aging senior must move in with a family member, he or she may need to leave their community and their local resources. Other times, a doctor may retire or move to another location, which has happened to my dad more than once.  The [...]

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