The impact of social isolation on older adults
Social isolation isn’t just a mental health issue for older adults; it’s deeply connected to physical health, even mortality. Unhappily, it’s also a growing trend. It was easy to love the Golden Girls. Snarky, sarcastic Dorothy, Blanche the Southern belle, oblivious Rose and the matriarch of the group, Sophia… But perhaps the most delightful part […]
Our aging parents: the staggering effect of long-term care on family caregivers
The impact of long-term care of loved ones on their family caregivers is immense. For the caregiver, there may be no days off, no vacations or sick days. Caregiving may become a full-time job. Physical, mental and emotional health concerns of the caregiver are often overlooked in the scramble to make sure the loved one […]
The Mental Age Test & Why It Matters
Taking a mental age test can be fun, but its true importance is cloaked behind the entertainment value: for anyone age fifty and above, a youthful mental age can signify an active adult who’s involved in life. This is a good thing, not only for bragging rights on Facebook. It can be a symbol you’re […]
What is the Difference Between Continuing Care, Continuum of Care and Continuity of Care?
Grammar, spelling, jargon, slang… communicating can be tricky. Especially when it comes to health care, terms that sound similar may have nothing in common. If you’re exploring retirement options or caregiving for a beloved family member, here’s one set of terms that shouldn’t be used interchangeably, however similar they might be. While understanding them might […]
How to Create a Safer Home for Seniors Aging in Place
Home safety requires proactive thinking I have a neighbor named Jack. His wife passed away in 1994 from breast cancer and his two daughters live far away, so I’m a caregiver of sorts, checking in on him daily just to be sure he’s okay. He’s 92 years old now, and becoming more frail and […]
6 Things Doctors Wish You Knew About Senior Health
Doctors are your ally when it comes to your health care. You see them at least once a year for a physical, so make sure you get the most out of your visit. Here are 6 things doctors wish you knew about senior health so you can be prepared at your next exam. Medication Specifics […]
Do Memory Games for Adults Work?
Forgotten where you’ve left your keys? Spent hours searching for the TV remote? Perhaps it’s time to invest in one of those memory games you see advertised on TV. … Or is it? While downloading or purchasing a program to enhance cognitive abilities and stave off dementia sounds like a great way to make your […]
Tips for Insomnia Relief
Everyone has an occasional restless night, but seniors whose nightly rituals consist of tossing and turning to no avail are at risk for other associated problems. The average person needs seven to nine hours of sleep each night, and trouble falling asleep could mean insomnia. Insomnia is a condition that makes falling asleep or staying […]
How Seniors Can Overcome 5 Dangerous Effects of Stress
Retirement is supposed to be the time to relax and enjoy life without the strain of raising a family, working and any of the other mid-life responsibilities. You can finally take that cruise you’ve always wanted to go on, or play with the grandchildren, or join the local golf club you didn’t have time for […]
10 Unexpected Factors that Affect Senior Brain Health
When people think of brain health and dementia, they often assume their fates are fixed. Genetics and age determine our cognitive decline and there’s little we can do about it — or is there? As it turns out, neuroscientists have found more than a few factors that affect senior brain health — and many of […]
