A group of researchers from Lancaster University has made a groundbreaking discovery. A drug used in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes could likewise reverse memory loss in Alzheimer’s patients. Accordingly, the scientists treated transgenic mice with liraglutide. This injectable drug, also known as Victoza, can control glucose levels in Type 2 diabetic patients. However,…
Seniors are living longer than ever before, and fewer are dying from major diseases. That’s undoubtedly good news. However, it’s important that caregivers keep up with new research on senior health concerns. Doing so will help them make more informed decisions about their loved ones’ care. Below, we discuss the latest information on geriatric health…
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…
Improved healthcare resources and healthier diets have contributed to longer life spans. However, emergency room visits among seniors remain high. In fact, people over 65 account for 20 million trips to the ER annually, and almost 15% of these patients will develop a lasting disability within six months of their visit. In this article, we examine…
Gerda Saunders served as the University of Utah’s associate director of Gender Studies until she retired in 2011. That year, her colleagues gave her a leather-bound notebook as a farewell gift. Nine months prior to leaving her job, Sanders was diagnosed with cerebral microvascular disease, a precursor of dementia. She was only sixty-one. In her…
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…
Dementia 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…
Simple falls can have catastrophic effects on the elderly leading to disabling conditions, extended hospital stays and even death. These falls can be prevented and a good caregiver can minimize any negative long term effects if one does occur. With most falls occurring at home while doing mundane tasks, “elder proofing” homes becomes critical to those…
Ah.. to this there are no easy answers. There are situations where the need to move seniors from their comfortable home is not altogether apparent, nor is its benefits. There is a pervasive attitude that moving a senior brings on Relocation Stress Syndrome and Transfer Trauma. These describe the ill effects of moving on the…
Seniors 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…