Absolutely. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms are known to worsen during times of stress, and we have more than anecdotal evidence to prove it. An analysis of 16 medical studies confirms that stress can exacerbate RA symptoms significantly. And that link is even more profound in individuals who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), like many of our…
There are interesting findings in the November 2020 Caregiving study sponsored by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC). Some new trends have emerged since the 2015 study. Overall, family caregivers are still viewed as the backbone of care for aged and disabled family members. In fact, they…
Of the awareness months, October’s Depression Education and Awareness initiative is among the most important. Furthermore, this is especially true given all the upheavals the globe has suffered over the last couple of years. The effects of the covid measures are yet to be quantified, but the lingering anxiety is palpable to all. Keeping abreast…
Alzheimer’s disease is a tragic diagnosis for both the patient and their loved ones. Knowing that you will be deteriorating from here on in is beyond scary. Knowing that you will be losing your loved one to the ravages of this disease inch by inch cognitively and physically is absolutely devastating. Aside from Alzheimer’s prevention…
You have either been a caregiver, you are a caregiver, you will be a caregiver, or someone will care for you.” – Rosalynn Carter The former First Lady, Rosalynn Carter, knew about serving and caregiving from personal as well as professional experience. She was first to hold a caregiver conference that identified issues such as burnout…
“I’m not old, I’m just well-seasoned.” – Unknown In order to promote healthier lifestyles and preventive healthcare, the federal government established Healthy Aging Month in September of 1992. As the Baby Boomers turned 50, there was a great push to adopt a healthy way of living. The goal was to have people to remain vibrant…
Now that the summer is behind us, many of us view September as an opportunity to start on a new foot. It’s a time to get organized and get stuff done; stuff that you pushed off during the lazy, hazy, great summer days. As the kids go back to school with their own checklists, it…
With both the length and quality of life being extended an interesting trend seems to be emerging. We have a cohort of senior Baby Boomers alive and well who are no longer able or interested in being part of the full-time workforce. However, they are still viable and fully capable of contributing significantly to society.…
As long as there have been hills, there has been aging. With that aging comes adjustments, some large some small. The ones most affected, of course, are the ones aging – our seniors. The elderly are expected to age gracefully as the sun sets on those same said hills. Elderly loss can be oh so…
Why do the elderly have the bad rap of being grumpy and complaining? Why are they characterized as complaining old people? I mean, we all need to be polite and civil. They must have been polite when they were younger or they never would have survived! What happened to make them so unpleasant to be…