Avoiding Hospital Readmissions

Shingles is a very common skin disease especially for adults over the age of 50. It impacts both men and women and is caused by the varicella zoster virus. The varicella virus remains dormant in the body of anyone who has had chickenpox and many people who have had the chickenpox vaccination. When it becomes Read More

When a parent or aging loved one’s needs increase, taking on the task of caring for them on your own is often difficult. Well-meaning family members often step in and try to assist. However, they have to balance their own needs and lives with those of their loved ones. Some also face physical limitations that make Read More

Hot weather opens up opportunities for plenty of activities including swimming, cookouts, visits to the beach and walks in the park. There is no doubting the months of summer are fun. However, they are also sometimes dangerous. Rising temperatures pose risks including dehydration, heat stroke and an increase in side effects associated with various health Read More

We all experience some memory slips from time to time. Forgetting a name, address or friend’s favorite dish is normal, but when these memory slips impact day-to-day life, they pose a concern. Forgetfulness that is increasingly common or comes on quickly is a reason to see a doctor. The cause might be some form of Read More

Remaining physically active is important at every stage in life. Long term benefits of engaging in some form of exercise at least thirty minutes each day are extensive. They include maintaining a healthier weight, improved mood, better sleep patterns and avoiding or better controlling many health diagnoses. For seniors, an activity also helps improve balance, Read More

Fueling the body at least every four to five hours is a great way to regulate blood sugar, keep energy levels up and better manage diabetes. Doing this relying on only three meals a day simply is not possible. That is where snacking comes in. Healthy snacking means making wise choices. Examples include minimizing sugary Read More

As parents age, sometimes they need extra help. Adult children are often the first to take on this responsibility. This might mean providing assistance with activities of daily living. It could also involve coordinating care providers and making healthcare and financial decisions on a loved one’s behalf. The choice to act as your parents’ primary Read More

Everyone values privacy. When we age, the desire to remain independent and autonomous does not typically change. While remaining independent is empowering, sometimes needs change, and it is important to learn to depend on others. This involves more than making the decision to hire a professional caregiver or asking family to assist with activities of Read More

Alzheimer’s disease impacted nearly 5.4 million seniors in 2016. This disease not only takes a toll on their mental and physical health, but it is often responsible for lost independence. Families are also impacted when a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Many family caregivers are forced to leave their jobs, reduce their income or Read More

The holidays are a time for families to come together. Sometimes, they are eye opening for adult children. Parents may have aged more than expected. Cognitive decline might be evident. The struggle to remain independent might appear very real. While all of these life events typically happen over time, each seems sudden to a child Read More

Do you have a loved one who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease? Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia. The symptoms of Alzheimer’s generally relate to memory decline and other problems within the intellectual functioning spectrum. Day to day activities are affected by the progression of the invasive disease. To keep Alzheimer’s sufferers Read More

The National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine recently published a report on families in America caring for aging loved ones. The evidence-based findings brought to light some somber realities that family caregivers are facing every day. The Commitment Family Caregivers Make Family caregivers commit a lot of time to meeting the needs of aging Read More