Caregivers are the backbone of our society. Today, upwards of 30 million unpaid caregivers provide care to an adult 50 years or older in homes across America. According to AARP, the economic value of caregiving rivals that of Walmart, the world’s largest company. These statistics, however, hide an ugly truth: burnout among caregivers is high…
DetailsDementia is a cruel disease. The often slow descent into irreversible mental decline is horrific and traumatizing. Challenges abound at every stage, and not surprisingly, caregivers are at the forefront of the battle. To make matters worse, there’s no known cure for Alzheimer’s. For caregivers, hope often proves elusive. Fortunately, there are many books on…
DetailsAs we age, our risk for having a heart attack grows. We all should be acquainted with the signs of a heart attack. Chest pain or discomfort like pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. Upper body discomfort in one or both arms, the back, shoulders, neck, jaw or upper part of the stomach. Shortness of breath…
DetailsFor the elderly population, a hospital admission can be life-changing. It is more difficult for people to recover from traumatic events as they age, and a health crisis requiring hospital care often signals a change in the level of support a patient needs. Here is an overview of some of the most common reasons elderly people…
DetailsFood guru Michael Pollan’s memorable words make good health simple at any age: “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” There’s a great message packed into those short phrases. Essentially, what we eat makes a huge difference in our health. Pollan recommends the inclusion of unprocessed whole foods in our diet. So, healthy meals for…
DetailsAccording to the US Census Bureau, the aging population is set to double by 2050. Despite the challenges of aging, however, seniors remain a fiercely independent demographic. In fact, many are opting to age in place. Did you know that the fastest growing metro area in the United States is The Villages in Florida? The…
DetailsThe New York Times recently reported that even after 30 years of warnings regarding the dangers it poses to the elderly, use of benzodiazepine, sedative-hypnotic drugs like Valium, Xanax, Ativan and Klonopin, rises sharply with age. A study in the February 2015 edition of JAMA Psychiatry reports that 9% of those between 65 and 80…
DetailsSeniors are often more tech-savvy than they are given credit for. In fact, technology use among seniors has sky-rocketed. Today, seniors live more digitally-connected lives than ever. According to the Pew Research Center, 4 in 10 adults 65 years and older report owning smartphones. Additionally, almost 70% of seniors use the Internet today. That’s a…
DetailsWith all the focus on developing our own personal fitness plans for the New Year, we forget that our senior loved ones need fitness routines of their own which take into account their specialized needs and deficits. Let’s incorporate exercise into our senior’s routine! Face the following facts: As people age, there is a loss…
DetailsDid you know that elder financial exploitation was one of the top 10 consumer scams targeting seniors in 2017? In fact, the SEC reports that seniors who develop Alzheimer’s or other neurocognitive diseases are most vulnerable to financial exploitation. In this article, we explore 5 constructive ways to stop the financial exploitation of seniors in…
Details
