Right at Home Georgian Triangle Blogs

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.

Improving Communication with Your Caregiver

Tracing the Family History

Do you remember the story of when your grandparents first met? What it was like for them to serve in the war? What about their favorite memories from childhood? What was life like before television or the computer?

What You Need to Know Before Hiring an In-home Caregiver for Aging Parents and Loved Ones

People feel unprecedented pressure to find immediate assistance as they try to balance their own career and family with the care needs of their loved one. In the process, many unknowingly create a risky situation for everyone involved.

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.

Smile! It Improves Your Health!

As humans, we first begin smiling in the womb. As children, we smile more than 400 times a day. Yet as we age, our faces begin to show more blank expressions and even frowns. The happiest of adults smile an average of 40–50 times a day, while the average adult only smiles 20 times a day. Fortunately, there is good news about smiling that may inspire us to change our ways. Besides others viewing us as more attractive, confident and relaxed when we smile, growing research finds that smiling elicits a plethora of health benefits, including less stress and a happier, longer life.

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.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast cancer tops all cancers for women across the globe with more than 1.7 million new breast cancer cases detected worldwide in 2012 alone. Women who live in developed countries such as the United States, England and Australia experience a higher rate of breast cancer incidences. In October 1985, National Breast Cancer Awareness Month initiated its inaugural health campaign to support research, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and a cure for the disease. Today, widespread international communities join in setting aside every October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

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