As we age, the health challenges we face become more complex. Chronic conditions, as well as the list of medications can quickly pile on. As such, a more holistic view of the geriatric patient may become essential. If you or an aging loved one is beginning to become overwhelmed, it may be time to consider…
A recent article in the Deseret News, recounted the writer’s final months with her father, noting how the roles had suddenly reversed as she found herself taking care of an aging parent. Through it all, it’s important to remember that we are still dealing with the person who raised us and took care of us…
How many times have you heard someone say their father or mother was fine before he or she fell? For many, an unexpected elderly fall can touch off a series of events that end in serious or fatal complications. Significantly, it can lead to extended hospital stays and disabling conditions that make living independently more…
Aging and losing the ability to perform the day-to-day tasks that once defined us can be a tough pill to swallow. However, relinquishing those responsibilities to someone else can be even harder. At David York Agency, we understand how important it is to find quality care when a loved one has reached a point in…
In a prior column, I wrote about the advantages of aging in place and how that sometimes requires the help of a home health aide to care for the elderly loved one. So how do you hire one? The first question is whether to use an agency or find an aide on your own? While…
Have you taken the time to build a care plan for your elderly loved one? A recent AgingCare.com post suggests creating a personal health action plan as soon as possible is the single best step you can take. If you’ve already built one, updating it at least once a year is equally a must. Not…
Memory slips – they seem like a common part of aging, but they can also be a sign of something fairly serious, including Alzheimer’s or even dementia. How can you tell the difference? What’s normal and when should you be concerned? Those smaller slips are often called Mild Cognitive Impairment, or MCI. AgingCare.com recently posted…
What Is Aging-In-Place? Aging-in-place is defined by the Centers for Disease Control as “the ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level.” The value of aging in place is recognized more now than ever before. There are psycho/social benefits of the elderly remaining…
Caring for aging loved ones was never an easy prospect. However, up until now, caregiver stress was not such an issue. Families lived in multi-generational households and together they shared the burden of a sick or elderly loved one. Today, families are scattered and the responsibility for care falls on the spouse or child to…
Social Media for the Elderly A new study out of England and Italy finds that when the elderly are trained in the use of social media as well as Skype and email, they perform better cognitively and experience improved health. Ironically, social media for the elderly is a very good thing. During a two year period,…