Definition Polypharmacy is a term used for taking five or more drugs concurrently and this trend is on the rise. While this is a cause for alarm in the young, it is much more alarming in the elderly. They usually take a panoply of medications prescribed to them by their stable of specialists along with…
DetailsHigh Risk of Institutionalization About 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s Disease and 90% of those are abusive. This is important because this situation puts these patients at higher risk for institutionalization, greater functional decline, and domestic abuse. Up to this point, the preferred method for managing the Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) has…
DetailsIt used to not be this way. How many times have you heard someone say their father or mother was fine before he or she fell? For many older adults, an unexpected fall can touch off a series of events that end in serious or fatal complications. It can lead to extended hospital stays and disabling…
DetailsWe are happy to host this guest post from noted eldercare activist, caregiver consultant, and Senior Care Corner blogger Kathy Birkett. As more of our population ages, the need for caregiving continues to skyrocket. Family members have been called to take the lead in caring for family members across the country whether they live nearby or at…
DetailsMany might think that social media is the exclusive domain of the younger generation. However, many of our older adults have enthusiastically adopted it to keep up with the times as well as their old acquaintances and younger family members. Grandparents are becoming proficient in alien things like Skype and Facebook and liking it. It…
DetailsElderly Addiction It’s something that we never associate with the elderly, but it does exist: elderly substance abuse. According to the NYS Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS), this “hidden national epidemic is diagnosed in only 37% of those ages 60+ suffering from addiction. As a result, many organizations have new guidelines for…
DetailsFamily vacations can be a wonderful way to bring everyone together for some much needed rest and relaxation. But, when traveling with an elderly family member who has special needs due to debilitating disease or dementia, it’s important to plan ahead and take special care to ensure that everyone stays safe and happy during your…
DetailsCLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD OR PRINT THIS ARTICLE. Being a caregiver for an elderly adult can be fraught with unforeseen and challenging situations that many relatives are ill equipped to handle. Managing all the details and logistics required for situating an elderly parent either in their home after a hospital stay or in a facility…
DetailsGeriatrician — Another Specialist As specialists go, we have all heard of cardiologists, gastroenterologists, endocrinologists, but how many of us really consider or have even heard of geriatric specialists or geriatricians when we think about care for someone 60 and older? As we age, the health challenges we face become more complex and the list…
DetailsDischarge Planning Returning home from the hospital can be stressful for the older adult for many reasons. In most cases, the patient has been 100 percent dependent on hospital staff and the shift to life at home with less help can be cause for anxiety. While it is a relief to be going home, they…
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