Isolation at any age can be detrimental to emotional health, but studies suggest that the effects of loneliness can be much more far-reaching. Dr. John Cacioppo of the University of Chicago Neurosciences program ran a 30-year study on the effects of isolation in seniors and his discoveries were startling. Loneliness affects mental health as well…
The number of geriatric medical health caregivers is not keeping pace with the increasing number of older Americans. In addition, there is a lack of adequate training in the field of geriatric medicine as well as an insufficient amount of hands-on clinical experience. While physicians may have experience dealing with senior patients in their practice,…
The American Psychological Association (APA) reports on an ageist trend in medicine today: A severe lack of geropsychologists to serve our rapidly aging society that requires specialized care and an ageist trend preventing elderly patients from using them. There is a trend of ageism in geropsychology. Mental health issues among older Americans take on many forms,…
According to the American Lung Association, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) – which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema – is a chronic lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. Furthermore, it is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Generally speaking, home health aides can help COPD patients in Berkeley Heights. Sufferers…
Even with recent medical advances, heart disease remains the number one killer around the world. However, many people mistakenly believe that heart disease means a quick death. Moreover, they think that most people suffer a major cardiac event precipitating a rapid death, usually with no preliminary symptoms. Honestly, in most situations, that is not the…
If you have Elderly Onset Lupus, you know the challenges of managing this disease and how important having a good support system is. Watching for triggers and symptoms gives patients and caregivers better control over the disease. Monitoring the disease with regular check-ups is important. Open and honest communication with family, caregivers, and home health…
Discharge Planning After a hospital stay, plans upon being discharged involve careful consideration of the patient’s medical issues and development of a plan of care for that patient’s return home. This critical area is part of discharge planning. It arranges the logistics so that the patient can recover safely in the comfort of their own…
Our sight diminishes with age, which naturally has an impact on our quality of life and our ability to live independently. According to the CDC, 20.5 million Americans over the age of 40 suffer from cataracts. The good news is that cataracts disease is treatable with cataract surgery. With a little help, continuing to live…
Caregiver Stress is Real Caregivers experience stress just as frequently as anyone else. Unfortunately, they are often dismiss it. It’s assumed that caregiver stress is an expectation that comes with the job. People feel that the stress should be tolerated, like learning to cope with long, boring commutes. Stress Has Medical Consequences In fact, caregiver stress can…
With all the free spirited Baby Boomers aging, it might be hard for them to think of giving up a big part of their vehicles of freedom – the car keys. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the past 10 years has seen about a 20% increase in licensed drivers over 65 years…