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…
The number of geriatric medical health caregivers is not keeping pace with the increasing number of older Americans. In addition, there is a lack of adequate training in the field of geriatric medicine as well as an insufficient amount of hands-on clinical experience. While physicians may have experience dealing with senior patients in their practice,…
The American Psychological Association (APA) reports on an ageist trend in medicine today: A severe lack of geropsychologists to serve our rapidly aging society that requires specialized care and an ageist trend preventing elderly patients from using them. Mental health issues among older Americans take on many forms, from depression and anxiety to behavioral health problems and…
If you have Elderly Onset Lupus, you know the challenges of managing this disease and how important having a good support system is. Watching for triggers and symptoms gives patients and caregivers better control over the disease. Monitoring the disease with regular check-ups is important. Open and honest communication with family, caregivers, and home health…
We are often so consumed with the symptoms and treatments of the diseases endemic to the elderly that we fail to see how a simple fall can have catastrophic effects. These falls can lead to disabling conditions, extended hospital stays and even death. To the elderly, commonplace activities like walking, shopping and socializing become dreaded…
Our sight diminishes with age, which naturally has an impact on our quality of life and our ability to live independently. According to the CDC, 20.5 million Americans over the age of 40 suffer from cataracts. The good news is that cataracts disease is treatable with cataract surgery. With a little help, continuing to live…