Posts Tagged ‘Seniors’
New Study Identifies Important Dementia Genes
We’ve known for years that genetics play an important part in dementia. While age is still the number one risk factor for dementia, your genes also play a part in whether you will or won’t develop dementia later in life. Until now, researchers have identified genes associated with Alzheimer’s disease, but there was no clear…
Read MoreWhen Your Parent Can’t Live Alone
Needing assistance is an inevitable side effect of aging. Most people will eventually become dependent on others for help with basic tasks. In many cases, they become dependent on their own family—usually their children. If you are that child, you may be overwhelmed with the problems and questions surrounding your parent’s care. Can Mom continue…
Read MoreWhen It Comes to Antibiotics, Less is More
How can you feel better when you have a terrible cold? Your doctor might tell you to rest, drink lots of fluid, and do what you can to relieve your uncomfortable symptoms. You might be disappointed that you can’t just take a pill to make your cold disappear. You might even ask for an antibiotic…
Read MoreHow Are You Aging?
September is Healthy Aging month, when we should all be asking ourselves: How are we aging today? In the new millenium, Americans lifespans are longer than ever. Most of us will make it to our 70s or 80s, and many will reach 90 and beyond. It’s more important than ever to take care of our…
Read MoreSocial Security Administration: Beware Social Security and Medicare Fraud
The Social Security Administration (SSA) published a post on their blog last week warning seniors about Medicare and Social Security scams. Millions of Americans rely on these social programs, so scammers and con-men consider them easy game. It takes a special kind of low-life to prey on elderly, disabled, or otherwise disadvantaged individuals, but they…
Read MoreHearing Loss: How it Affects Seniors
One of the greatest—and most common—challenges seniors face is hearing loss. We don’t realize how important our hearing is until we lose it. Hearing has in impact on every aspect of life and quality of life. Here’s how hearing loos affects seniors: Social Isolation Seniors who can’t hear well tend to drop out of social…
Read MoreAugust: National Immunization Awareness Month
This August we’re observing National Immunization Awareness Month in conjunction with the CDC and the National Public Health Information Coalition. What are Immunizations? Also called vaccines or shots, immunizations keep us healthy by protecting us from serious diseases. This includes the flu, some kinds of pneumonia, meningitis, hepatitis, and many other illnesses. Vaccines are made…
Read MoreWhat Role Does Alternative Medicine Play in Health Care?
A fierce controversy rages over whether alternative therapies are legitimate or not. Advocates say alternative medicine is backed by science, has been practiced for thousands of years, and work as well as if not better than Western medicine. Opponents maintain the science is flawed, and when treatments work it’s because of the placebo effect. What’s…
Read MoreHow to Choose a Skilled Nursing Facility
Choosing a skilled nursing facility for yourself or your loved one is a scary prospect. How do you know which facility will best suit your needs? Start with asking family and friends who have dealt with this. You can also get recommendations from the hospital or senior care organizations in your area. Once you’ve narrowed…
Read MoreQuality of Life and Seniors: Here’s What You Can Do
“Quality of life” is one of those buzzwords we’ve seen thrown around a lot. Nowadays, we’re living longer and longer, and quality of life has become a huge concern for seniors. But what does it actually mean? It’s a subjective term that’s hard to pin down or even accurately measure. A good starting definition may be…
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