Geriatric hospital admissions continue to rise at an alarming rate. A new British study confirms that surgery patients are getting older every year. In fact, if things continue in this vein, more than 1.48 million people aged 75 years and older will have had a yearly surgical procedure by 2030. Senior adults are undeniably more…
In 2008, adults aged 65 and older made up just 12% of the population. By 2016, that number grew to 15%. This increase reflects projections that the senior population will grow to over 98 million by 2060. In all, adults 65 and older account for up to 20% of all emergency department visits and 36% of…
Today, more than 30 million caregivers provide unpaid care to an adult aged 50 and older. In itself, caregiving can be a rewarding challenge. Often, however, it exposes age-old rivalries that threaten sibling relationships and family cohesion. The majority of conflicts arise when one or two siblings shoulder most of the caregiving burden, while others…
Consider this: you live in New York City, while your elderly mother lives in Phoenix, Arizona. Each week, you call and coordinate care from more than two thousand miles away. Like many, you’re a long-distance caregiver. Currently, the United States has an estimated 5-7 million of them. But, what does it take to be a…
Seniors have certainly come into their own. Did you know that more than 900 million people over the age of 60 live across the globe today? That’s more than twice as many seniors as there were in 1980. By 2050, these seniors will account for nearly 2.1 billion of the world populace. Experts have christened…
According to the AARP, caregivers generally spend an average of 24.4 hours a week providing care for loved ones. Here’s a startling statistic: almost 25% of caregivers spend more than 40 hours a week helping with Activities of Daily Living (ADL). Not surprisingly, caregiver stress compounds when medical/nursing tasks, such as tube feedings and catheter…
It’s not easy being part of the Sandwich Generation. Let’s examine the typical profile of a Sandwich Generation adult. First, you’re likely between the ages of 35 to 60. You have children and also one or two elderly parents living with you. According to the Pew Research Center, you’re also providing financial support to a…
Caring for a loved one who requires ongoing medical attention can be stressful. After all, it’s impossible to remain in a state of persistent alertness. Additionally, any effort to do so may be counter-productive to your health. Fortunately, modern technology offers caregivers efficient and safe ways to care for loved ones. In this article, we…
Dementia: the diagnosis rings in your ears. The doctor emphasizes that all symptoms point to the disease. He’s surprisingly calm and explains that he’s ordering tests; he’s also sending your mother to a neurologist. However, he cautions you that anxiety may be premature at this point. After all, a cause for your mother’s condition has…
Healthcare is one of the biggest barriers preventing seniors from staying in their homes. Mobility issues, transportation challenges, and lack of a supportive network make treatment plans impossible to follow. In fact, 38 percent of Medicare recipients report difficulties meeting their healthcare needs. However, seniors still prefer to play an active role in the healthcare decision-making…