We all know that home is where the heart is, which is why the hearts of so many older adults are set on remaining at home throughout aging, rather than facing a move to a nursing home or assisted living facility – as many as 90% of them, in fact, according to research conducted by AARP. And it stands to reason: the familiarity of home’s surroundings, the freedom to go…
A Healthy Diet for COPD Patients Helps Decrease Symptom Severity
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute estimates that upwards of 12 million adults are now diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and still another 12 million could be living with the disease and not even realize it. COPD typically strikes in middle age, and smoking is the top risk factor. Ongoing exposure to chemicals and dust can also heighten risk.
Decrease COPD Symptoms by Cleaning the Air Inside Your Home
Family members providing COPD care for an older loved one know that outdoor air pollution can make symptoms worse. But, did you know that compromised air quality in the home can also aggravate COPD symptoms? Cleaning the air inside the home can help those with COPD – and everyone else in the home – breathe easier.
Medication Noncompliance: Know the Dangers, Reduce the Risks for Seniors
Try These Tips to Improve Medication Management for Seniors
With as many as 10,000 prescription drugs available in the United States, it’s no surprise that so many seniors – approximately one in three – are taking a minimum of five of them each and every day. And family caregivers recognize firsthand the struggles of medication management for seniors. In fact, studies show that as many as 55% of prescription drugs are being taken incorrectly for a variety of reasons,…
Simple Physiotherapy Exercises Improve Overall Health and Safety as We Age
Improving a senior’s balance is one of the best ways to improve overall health, especially when it comes to fall prevention. After an older adult has had a fall, the person’s instinctive reaction is often to decrease physical activity in an effort to reduce the risk of falling again; yet it’s essential for seniors to maximize their overall muscle strength and balance and remain as active as possible.
Learn About Risk Factors and Resources for Senior Fall Prevention Safety
Perhaps you’ve been beside a loved one at the hospital and noticed the nurse attaching a brightly colored “FALL RISK” band to his/her wrist, alerting the medical team to this increased risk. This allows extra safety measures to be taken to keep patients safe during medical procedures. However, many do not know that a fall risk exists even in routine, everyday life among individuals diagnosed with these conditions:
The Questions to Ask Before Taking Care of Elderly Parents in Your Own Home
One of the more honorable actions adult children can make is to start taking care of elderly parents in their own home. Our parents took care of us when we were little, so it seems fair to reciprocate when it becomes dangerous for Mom or Dad to live on their own. But there are a number of points to talk through with your sisters and brothers before making this step….
Best Ways for Dealing with Siblings and Elderly Parents with Care Needs at Home
When we were young, we figured out how to share toys and games as well as the attention of our parents. Those same feelings likely carry with us well into the adult years. As nice as it is to have brothers and sisters, there also are times it can bring about heightened stress levels, such as when meeting care needs at home for aging parents. While loving each other and…
Learn How to Recognize the Signs of Elder Care Abuse
While it goes without saying that abusing an older adult is something that would never even occur to most people, it’s a tragically typical occurrence in the U.S. Elder care abuse happens in many ways, from emotional to physical, and it affects the most frail and vulnerable among us. Considering that elder care abuse is typically a voiceless problem, it’s crucial for families and friends of older individuals to be…