The Four Levels of Hospice Care

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

The truth about hospital readmissions is staggering. While seniors, family members and medical professionals work tirelessly to help aging individuals heal and return home quickly, one out of five patients experiences another hospitalization within 30-days of discharge. These readmissions cause many families to lose hope. Seniors also incur additional costs and mental and physical health Read More

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