Six Reasons to Tell the Doctor About Memory Problems
Memory problems are usually seen as a common condition when it comes to aging, but these are reasons to tell your doctor about the problems.
Five Things We Think Are "Just a Part of Growing Older"—But May Not Be
Some aches, pains and "senior moments" actually stem from treatable conditions.
Things You Can Do During the Holidays to Help Relieve Loneliness in the Older Community
The holiday season can be a lonely time, especially for seniors. Find out how you can help relieve loneliness in the older community this December.
What is Occupational Therapy and How Can it Help My Aging Loved One?
Occupational therapy can help minimize and prevent issues with a person’s ability to do everyday tasks.
6 Steps Men Should Take For Their Health at Any Age
Up to 70% of men’s health problems are preventable through lifestyle changes. These are steps men of all ages can take today to take charge of their health and live longer, healthier lives.
Is Your Loved One Still Capable of Driving Safely?
Some people can maintain a driver’s license into their 90s. For most of us, though, we will reach a point in our twilight years when driving is no longer safe.
Aging-in-Place Guide: How to Stay in Your Home in Later Life
The number of Canadians who first grew up with rock ‘n’ roll, astronauts and McDonald’s is off the charts. The late 1940s through early 1960s were marked by a boom in the Canadian economy, suburban living and, especially, babies. Lots of babies were born during this time period. These boys and girls who lived through the Cold War and cold cuts on Wonder Bread® are now aging individuals who almost all agree on one thing: living in their own home later in life. But how will these aging seniors remain comfortable and safe at home? What proactive steps can help safeguard everyday activities for older adults inside and outside the home?
Cold Weather Safety for Seniors
When winter’s beauty turns more beast with arctic winds, mounds of snow and bone-chilling temperatures, the season’s harsh side can prove especially dangerous for senior adults. Even older snowbirds escaping to warmer climates still can encounter dips in the thermometer, dampening rains and icy navigation.
Anti-Ageing Exercises for the Brain
In addition to proactively engaging the mind, Esson recommends a holistic approach to better brain health by lowering stress, eating nutritiously, maintaining regular physical exercise, getting adequate sleep and staying socially engaged.
Staying Active with Age
Most people can exercise throughout their lives, even with conditions like arthritis, heart disease and diabetes. In many cases, physical activity may improve these health conditions. For each decade past age 30, inactive people can lose an average of 3 to 5 percent of their muscle mass, translating to loss of strength and mobility.
Fall Prevention for Seniors
Every year, one in three Canadian seniors will fall at least once. Hip fractures are the most common type of fall injury among seniors, and about 20 percent of injury-related deaths among seniors can be traced back to a fall. Weakened balance, vision and physical strength affect an elderly person’s ability to stay on his/her feet, so regular medication reviews, and eyesight and overall health exams are essential.
Paul is 92 years old and slowed significantly by his Alzheimer’s, but when his 74 year old home caregiver arrives to get Paul out of bed, bathed and groomed, the day takes a turn for the better. As the demand for elder care services increases, more and more families are finding a supportive lifeline in elderly caregivers—who are sometimes nearly the same age as their clients.
Risk Assessments for Older Adults
The European Commission reports that by 2025, more than 20 percent of Europeans will be aged 65 or older with a rapid increase of those over the age of 80. In Japan, the 65 and over population is expected to escalate to 40 percent by 2050. The Ministry of Health in Brazil projects 32 million people over the age of 60 in the country by 2020—a 500 percent increase in 40 years.
Identity Theft and Your Older Loved One
The film Catch Me if You Can chronicles the crime exploits of world-traveling conman Frank Abagnale, who posed as an airline pilot and doctor among other false identities. For the past 40 years, Abagnale has worked with America’s Federal Bureau of Investigation as an advisor for fraud detection and prevention. Abagnale warns, “You should know, whether you live in the U.S. or in the U.K., that your identity has already been stolen.” That is sobering news no matter where you live.
Brittle Bones and Broken Hips
Falling and fracturing a hip is one of the greatest fears many elders have, and for good reason. Hip fractures are associated with disability, nursing home placement and early death. Osteoporosis, a disease that makes bones weak and fragile, is thought to be a major contributor to hip fractures. Loss of bone strength is most common among older women, particularly whites and Asians.
Signs an Elder’s Needs Are Changing
Father sometimes leaves the garage door up all night with his keys in the car. Mother stays in the same outfit for days and limits her bathing. Uncle Henry has a desk stacked with piles of bills, health insurance letters and bank statements—all unopened. At first, these behaviors seem a bit out of the ordinary, but now you are beginning to wonder if something is shifting in your elder loved ones’ health and daily care needs.
Travelling in Seasonal Weather
Torrential rains are expected later today, making travel across the region treacherous. Gale-force winds are grounding flights. Going on a trip any time of year takes some attentive planning to work around both travel and destination weather, particularly if you are an older adult or are accompanying an elder loved one. Increasingly popular senior travel includes grandparents treating grandkids to celebration trips and adult children vacationing with parents or in-laws. But how does seasonal weather affect older adults who travel
Experts Predict a Growing Population of "Elder Orphans"
While many of our readers are serving as family caregivers or have done so in the past, a Caring Right at Home poll showed that only 25 percent are confident they would have an adequate family support system if they were to need care in the future.