2019 will soon be upon us. For many of us, that means planning resolutions. They might include losing 10 pounds, finally changing jobs or saving for that family vacation. While all these resolutions are worthy, this is also a great time to reflect on the things that are most important. What does a person reflect Read More

A common fear when entering hospice is that taking advantage of this service will mean having to stop all medications. Patients and family members alike often express concern that their loved one will be forced to discontinue the use of even maintenance medications, which can bring harm and cause the patient to feel less comfortable. Read More

Palliative care is a relatively young field in medicine. While it is connected to hospice care, the two do have distinct differences. Hospice care is appropriate during the last six months of life, while palliative care is appropriate much sooner. With hospice care, curative approaches stop, and the focus shifts to pain management, comfort and Read More

A person with Alzheimer’s can easily lose hope. As the illness progresses, they lose their ability to make decisions for themselves. This opens up the need to both give up control and put a lot of trust in others. While there is no questioning the daunting nature of an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, there are steps that Read More

The spiritual support that hospice care provides reminds patients and family members of the importance of remaining mindful. Being mindful is about more than just having a general awareness of your current situation. It is about living in the present moment, purposefully paying attention and making a concerted effort to remain non-judgmental. While it often Read More

Hospice is comfort care provided to patients. It helps them better manage pain when a life-limiting illness has been diagnosed. It also provides emotional and spiritual support that helps patients and their families find acceptance, comfort and purpose and discover answers to oftentimes complicated and personal questions. In the realm of hospice care, the Centers Read More

Difficult conversations lie ahead when you or a loved one are faced with a terminal or life-threatening illness. Having conversations about your final wishes, how you want to manage any continued treatment and where you want to spend the time you have left can feel like “giving up”. However, sharing your thoughts and feelings with Read More

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder. It impacts a person’s movement, balance, flexibility and ability to live independently. The disease progresses over time. While in and of itself, experts do not consider the disease to be deadly, as people progress through it, their risk of experiencing symptoms including falls or aspiration increases. This often leads Read More

A recently published study in the medical journal Neurology suggests that the changes noted in the blood vessels in our eyes at age 60 are indicative of future memory loss. This study is important for a couple of reasons. It helps us to understand the importance of regular eye exams for senior citizens. It also Read More

Many people view the senior years of life as a time when it is too late to make improvements in physical or mental health. This is far from true. In fact, the brain retains a certain level of “plasticity” at every age. Cognitive growth and learning new skills are always possibilities. The way to accomplish Read More

According to the AARP, a study conducted by the National Institute on Aging indicated that an estimated 17-percent of adults over the age of 65 live alone. This means millions of people are at risk of social isolation. The statistic is especially true for males in larger cities like Los Angeles. In addition to the Read More

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a name that describes several different lung conditions. According to the CDC, it is estimated that more than 15-million people have reported a COPD diagnosis. That number is likely higher since many go undiagnosed. When a senior has this lung condition, it is often difficult to breathe. Even light Read More

There is no more noble decision that a person can make than to take care of an aging loved one. Taking on day-to-day care is hard, stressful and demanding. It also offers great rewards and an opportunity to bond with someone one you love in a very unique way. The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that nearly Read More