Elder Care Cafe

In my early thirties I started having health problems when I was diagnosed with thyroid problems. Since then I’ve struggled with occasional bouts of depression, fatigue, and now growing signs of dementia now that I’ve reached my mid-sixties. It seems like each decade has brought its own health challenges, and along with that an increasing fatigue and mysterious aches and pains, including a constant pressure in my head, that cannot be explained.

After a number of years of feeling like I was going downhill health-wise, I had about given up. Several physicians couldn’t find the reason why I was tired all the time, had a serious lack of energy, and an increasing problem with my memory (in my latter 50′s and early 60′s). Also, I’m at high risk of diabetes on my Dad’s side as well as dementia from both parents. Finally, a physician who understood. [Read more →]

I often dream of staying young by exercising like crazy, eating healthily, driving fast cars, chasing after young women, and wearing the trendiest clothes and shoes.

In reality, most oldies like us can only reminisce over these happy and memorable events.

As we age our bones shrink, the muscles weaken and back pain becomes more frequent. Ageing sucks but the pain can be managed and prevented. The causes, evaluation and treatment of back pain in elderly people can be different from younger people. [Read more →]

The word cancer brings shivers to most people who know how insidious, dangerous, and lethal the disease can be. One of the most deadly forms is colorectal cancer if it is not diagnosed in time.

Years ago I worked in the Surgery Department of a large hospital. During that time a campaign was initiated throughout the hospital for all employees to have a colorectal exam. A suite was opened up in our department and across the street at the outpatient surgery center as well just for those procedures. [Read more →]

Many young people raise their eyebrows or make faces when they hear that their single or widowed parents or grandparents are dating. They can’t conceive of anyone over a certain age behaving in such a manner. But, older single and widowed men and women have the same social needs as those who are much younger. In fact, their needs may be much greater.

Seniors are people who enjoy and need companionship to keep them alert and active. No one wants to live alone in a world where everyone is busy with their own lives and no one has time for an older person. Stepping out into the dating scene to find not necessarily romance but good friendship, warmth and companionship is not a bad idea. [Read more →]

Some think that after people reach a certain age they are no longer interested in meeting someone of the opposite sex for friendship or even possible marriage. Or, even worse, they should not get romantically involved with someone because of their age. However, that is not the case. What family members and friends should be more concerned about for their senior is where to find a partner without putting themselves at risk.

There are a number of reasons why seniors have the right to date. They may want to meet others for companionship or to maybe to get remarried someday.  Unfortunately, they don’t always know how to get back into the dating game while keeping them safe. [Read more →]

No matter how old we are, most of us enjoy a nice hot bath or shower. Some people like to grab a quick shower first thing in the morning before they head to work or just to feel fresh as they get their day started. Others prefer to take a shower or bath after a hard day at work or in the evening prior to going to bed. After all, the warm water soothes away aches and pains and washes the stress right out of your system.

However, what you may not be aware of is the staggering number of people who drown each year in the bath or shower! Injuries do to slipping and falling in the tub or shower cause hundreds of deaths each year, not to mention the serious injuries that occur. [Read more →]

Occasionally I like to review movies that may be of interest to seniors. Some of the movies are recent releases, while others may be from decades past. Oh, God first hit theaters in 1977 and later landed on video and DVD. Recently I had the pleasure of watching it again after having seen the original movie many years ago.

Starring George Burns and John Denver, Oh, God is the story of a man who is a regular guy. In fact, Jerry Landers is an assistant supermarket manager, married, and the father of two children. [Read more →]

Did you know that you can get a sun burn during the winter months? People who spend time on ski slopes, at outdoor ice skating rinks, or sledding on their favorite hill can also develop sunburn if they are not careful.

The best barometer of whether or not you may be a candidate for skin cancer is your skin type. Those who have the lightest skin are more likely to get sunburned and run the risk of developing skin cancer, specifically melanoma. But, tanning also causes skin damage and can increase your risk of the disease. [Read more →]

As most of us are aware, as we age we experience numerous changes in our body. Quite often one of those changes is our sense of smell. Unfortunately, any change in our sense of smell can also affect our enjoyment of what we eat and drink, as well as how we eat and what nutrients we put in our bodies.

Depending on how severe the loss of smell is, it could actually be dangerous if it means we don’t smell hazardous chemicals, gas leaks and smoke, or spoiled food. [Read more →]

Every so often a new fitness craze spreads across the country, and sometimes the world. Zumba is one of those that has been drawing new fans for a number of years. If you are unfamiliar with Zumba, it is a Latin dance-inspired fitness program that began sometime in the 1990s.

A choreographer by the name of Alberto Perez was living in Colombia and created the workout when he was teaching aerobic classes and forgot to bring a tape for the class. He had a couple of tapes in his car and quickly put some music together for the class. It was so popular; he kept working on putting various types of dance and aerobic steps and music together until he was satisfied, then he went public. [Read more →]

Did you know that you can have high blood pressure for years without noticing any symptoms? I didn’t either. But, what I found out was that high blood pressure that is uncontrolled can increase your risk of a heart or stroke, or other serious health problems. It can occur when the force of the blood against your artery walls is strong enough that it may eventually cause health problems as mentioned above.

Blood pressure is determined by the amount of blood your heart pumps and the amount of resistance to the blood flow in your arteries. The more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your arteries, the higher your blood pressure. It typically takes many years for high blood pressure to develop, and eventually affects almost everyone. [Read more →]

As people age, it is more important than ever to add exercise to their daily regimen.  We have all heard how exercise and living a healthy lifestyle can add years to our lives. It can also help guarantee that the life we are living is enjoyable with a body that is flexible and moves freely. Rather than having joint aches and pains in your early senior years, with some effort you can have a flexible body that will cooperate with the life style you want to enjoy. [Read more →]

While feeding, bathing, and dressing your loved one may play an important role in performing care giving duties, there are other responsibilities that a caregiver may also need to include. Not only will you take care of their physical and emotional needs, but you may also become their primary caregiver and need to handle their legal needs as well.

When you begin caring for them, you will need to make sure you have all the correct documentation in order to speak on their behalf, including a Power of Attorney and Medical Power of Attorney. [Read more →]

Everyone needs an outlet. Caregivers are special people but they are still people who have feelings and needs of their own. Journaling is a form of therapy to help caregivers cope with their difficult and often lonely task.

Most humans are prone to keeping their feelings bottled up inside. Unfortunately doing so can lead to stress which leads to poor health. As a caregiver, you can’t afford to be in poor health, including poor mental health. A healthy, positive outlook and mindset is crucial when caring for another. In order for you to continue with the important service of caring for your family member you need tools to unlock and release those feelings. [Read more →]

In most cases, caregivers are usually family members who have a vested interest in caring for a loved one or are placed in a position where there is no one else to take care of the person. Also, most of the time they perform their care giving duties not for pay, but out of love, responsibility and respect for the person they are caring for. Knowing who are the caregivers in your family can help everyone be prepared when the need arises. [Read more →]