Much as in the general population, senior mental health is of equal importance to physical health. In fact, the two play off each other. In 1999, the U.S. surgeon general defined mental health as “the successful performance of mental function, resulting in productive activities, fulfilling relationships with other people, and providing the ability to adapt to change and…
Wouldn’t you be confused if a near-stranger patted your head and called you “sweetie”, or if a nurse shouted instructions despite your excellent hearing? These behaviors are confusing and elicit irritation, but, for seniors, they are becoming more and more common. Ageism, elderspeak, and bias are an unfortunate reality for many seniors in long-term care.…
“There are only four kinds of people in the world. ~ Those who have been caregivers. ~ Those who are currently caregivers. Those who will be caregivers, and those who will need a caregiver.” ― Rosalyn Carter Statistics on Caregiving According to the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) and the AARP Public Policy Institute, an…
Imagine if studies on the effects of eating dog food looked only at its effects on cats. While it sounds outrageous, that is the logic currently employed by many medical researchers studying treatments for a vast array of chronic illnesses. Chronic illnesses affect older people at a higher rate than younger people. At the same time,…
Taking care of ill or elderly relatives is a complicated and stressful situation. That stress is compounded in the case of long-distance caregiving. As more and more adult children care for their elderly parents, this issue is becoming more common. According to a survey conducted by the MetLife Mature Market Institute and the National Alliance…
Yoga is the preferred form of movement for many people. Meditation might be a luxury for others. However, for the aging community, the regular practice of yoga and these meditative activities should be taken more seriously. Interestingly, the benefits can be dramatic as they assist in physical and mental health and even help in coping…
What is Dementia? Dementia is a type of cognitive decline characterized by memory loss, communication difficulties, and impaired thinking. Dementia is a growing concern for aging populations. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 47 million people have dementia worldwide. WHO also estimates 75 million people will be affected by dementia by 2030. According to the Alzheimer’s Association,…
If you are responsible for caring for an elderly loved one, you probably could use some help to lighten the load. But without experience in the medical industry, it’s hard to know what level of caregiver you need. In-home healthcare needs can be easily met with a little bit of research and the help of…
As your loved ones age, their changing physical needs also require a change in their physical environment – their home. Elderproofing a home is a way to make sure a senior’s home is safe and in many cases it requires only slight accommodations and a small investment. A simple, yet effective method is incorporating color…
Today, there is an unfortunate epidemic that is affecting the elderly. This problem is the result of biases, misconceptions, and assumptions. We refer to it as “ageism in medicine.” Consider this: a doctor tells a 75-year-old woman to ignore her back pain because aches and pains is a “normal” part of aging. Miles away, a…