As our loved ones age, admitting the need for help is difficult. So, how will you know when it is time to provide some assistance for your aging parent? One thing is for sure, Mom and Dad will not be the ones to tell you that it’s the time! We all have a strong desire to remain independent and control our lives. When daily living tasks become more challenging, we tend to downplay or hide any issues from those that...
The US Center for Disease Control estimates that every year around 300 people in the US die from heat-related ailments. In addition, thousands of American citizens suffer from dehydration, heat stroke, and heat exhaustion. Summer draws people, including seniors, outside to enjoy the sunshine and outdoor activities with family and friends. Senior citizens are more susceptible to the effects of heat as their bodies return to normal slowly, and their bodies' cooling mechanism is not as efficient as younger people....
June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, and once someone begins to show signs of memory loss, there are, unfortunately, no treatments to stop or reverse the progression of the disease. Certain medications can ease some of the symptoms in people, and there are actions you can take to help slow down Alzheimer’s. Like with many chronic diseases, diet and stress can play a critical role in the trajectory of Alzheimer’s. Suppose you have a...
Exactly How Full is Your Glass? Picture a giant glass goblet filled to the halfway mark with water. How do you see it – half-full or half-empty? Consistently finding the glass half-empty and the world as a difficult place is a hallmark of negativity. Research has found that a negative outlook can contribute to everything from depression to heart disease to lowered immune system function. It can affect sleep, weight maintenance, the quality of your relationships, your social life, and...
Summertime: The Best Time to Improve Our Health! With Summer approaching, the days will be longer, the weather will be warmer, and our options for better health will seem endless. Explore the following tips for summertime healthy living: Physically 1. Take your fitness routine outdoors. Summer is a great time to switch up your fitness practice. The warmer weather is the perfect time to head outside. Go for a run/walk in your neighborhood. Swim laps at your community pool. Enjoy...
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. While mental health concerns affect up to 1 in 5 Americans, it is often overlooked in our elderly population. It is estimated that 20% of people aged 55 years or older experience mental health concerns. The most common conditions include anxiety, severe cognitive impairment, and mood disorders such as depression. Often these concerns are disregarded as old age or frailty, however, this is not a normal part of aging and is a treatable medical condition. It's important...
I'm thrilled to introduce you to this week's guest columnist - Dr. Veena Panthangi, MD. Dr. Panthangi is a family medicine physician with Ascension Michigan in St. Clair Shores, where she provides comprehensive care for her patients and also provides a chronic pain clinic for elderly patients. This week, Dr. Panthangi shares insights into geriatric medicine - with a particular focus on caring for the entire person. We think you'll benefit from her perspective and experience. Enjoy! - Terri Geriatric Medicine: Giving...
Spring is in the air! Last week's warmer weather got me thinking about what a great time of year it is to take our clients out to enjoy the outdoors! In addition to the physical benefits of natural sunlight and fresh air, being outside provides mental and emotional benefits. Experiencing the outdoors increases socialization and provides opportunities for us to interact with children and animals. In this week's column, I'd like to share some of my favorite "senior-friendly" activities: Catch a...
It's not just tax season: April is National Stress Awareness Month! All kidding aside, stress can be good (a new job or house) or bad (financial strain, illness) but the key is to recognize how you are responding to your stressors and manage them. While that may seem simple enough, it's imperative to deal with your stress before it can negatively impact your health. As I've written before, it is well known that prolonged stress can contribute to heart disease, hypertension, a weakened immune system, and is...
Statistics show that 1 in 5 Americans over 65 are considered "elder orphans" - defined as those of us who are aging without family to provide care. This statistic does not consider the many seniors who have a family but do not live nearby. When I founded Hope Senior Home Care 18 years ago, my mission was to be an integral part of our client's care team, including their family, medical team, and my Hope team. Some of our clients do...
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