It’s a group none of us want to join, yet even so, as many as 10 million Americans are members: sharing a diagnosis of osteoarthritis. Resulting from the wearing away of cartilage over the years, osteoarthritis usually has an effect on bigger joints, like the knees, and may be debilitating to a senior’s quality of life. With three main recommended treatment plans – over-the-counter drugs to help reduce inflammation, such as ibuprofen, prescription painkillers such as tramadol, or physical therapy – a good number of people with osteoarthritis have reconciled themselves to a life of limping, discomfort, modified activity levels, and not surprisingly, chronic pain. [Read more…]
Chronic Osteoarthritis Pain? Never Fear, Help Is Here!
September 20, 2017 By
How to Approach Senior Healthcare Your Way
September 13, 2017 By
In an idealistic world, senior healthcare would focus on you and your personal preferences, following your specific needs and wishes – fitting within your schedule and routine, unhindered by problems like an unwavering medical professional who views healthcare options in black and white. Real life is far from perfect unfortunately, and quite a few of us have a tendency to submit to doctors’ orders with no reflection that there might be a better-suited choice. [Read more…]
Dealing with Dementia: When Dementia Leads to Crime
September 8, 2017 By
It’s almost inconceivable – a pleasant, elderly, at times confused grandmother with Alzheimer’s disease being handcuffed and put under arrest. And yet that very scene is playing out at an alarming rate among older persons, over 100,000 of them, according to the most recent statistics – an increase of just about 30% in the past decade. This significant increase in arrests among the elderly might be in part because of the growth in the population of older adults, as well as the rise in diagnoses of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. [Read more…]
Understanding the Impact of Family Conflict on Senior Care
August 21, 2017 By
Perhaps your family rivals those on Walton’s Mountain in its unconditional love, unwavering patience with one another, and determination to stick together through thick and thin. But if your family is similar to most, there’s undoubtedly some level of dysfunction, some lingering stubborn sibling rivalry, and even a little lingering competitiveness to be Mom’s and Dad’s favorite. These sorts of family conflicts can be aggravated as parents’ caregiving needs increase and family members are forced to work together, resurfacing old childhood issues. [Read more…]
Can Senior Sleep Disorders Be a Sign of Alzheimer’s?
August 14, 2017 By
It is a common problem for many older adults – falling and staying asleep for a full night’s rest. Apart from feeling a little foggy the next morning, however, as well as feeling the need for an afternoon snooze to catch up on lost sleep, the repercussions have felt marginal. That is, until research recently revealed a possible link between senior sleep disorders and Alzheimer’s disease. [Read more…]
Do You Display Controlling Behavior While Caring for Senior Loved Ones?
August 7, 2017 By
Feeling safe, protected and cared for is so wonderful. Dads and moms thrive on ensuring their young children are enveloped within the comfort of knowing their needs will be satisfied, providing the safety net that permits them the self-confidence to explore the world about them. Yet there comes a phase in all children’s lives when the craving for self-sufficiency outweighs the benefit of protection, and they have to discover firsthand what it means to stumble, fall and get back up again by themselves. [Read more…]
Hallucinations, Illusions, and Suspicions – How to Ease These Effects of Dementia
July 24, 2017 By
For those providing care for a senior struggling with the effects of dementia, a variety of complex behaviors must be very carefully managed, but perhaps the most challenging include hallucinations, illusions, and suspicions that other individuals are out to cause him problems or ill will. Mistaken impressions such as these take place most often in the late stages of progressive dementia as a result of changes within the brain. It’s essential to first understand the reason behind these emotions and actions, and to deal with the root cause. [Read more…]
Alzheimer’s Tip: When a Senior Insists, “I Want to Go Home!”
July 11, 2017 By
Like they say, there’s no place like home; but what do you do when a senior with dementia insists on going home – when he/she currently IS home? Regrettably, when caring for an elderly person with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, this is an all too common dilemma. And the confusion and plaintive yearning being expressed are simply heartbreaking – and, if we are truthful, aggravating. [Read more…]
Alzheimer’s Caregiver Tips: How to Help without Hindering Independence
June 20, 2017 By
The life of an Alzheimer’s caregiver is often complicated. In our previous blog, we discussed how to help determine when it’s time for a senior with Alzheimer’s to stop driving, and that is just one of the big decisions that Alzheimer’s caregivers have to make when it comes to making sure their loved ones are safe and healthy. As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, it’s common for family caregivers to want to take over and do everything for their senior loved one to ensure that he or she is as comfortable as possible. However, while this seems easier and more loving, it’s still very important to help the senior maintain his or her sense of dignity and independence. [Read more…]
Determining When Seniors with Alzheimer’s Should Stop Driving
June 8, 2017 By
The ability to leave the house and travel through Syracuse or wherever we want whenever we want is a freedom that we often take for granted. For older adults, driving is much more than just a mode of transportation; it symbolizes both competence and independence. And the thought of giving up that independence can be very difficult, particularly for seniors with Alzheimer’s.
The need for sustained concentration and quick reaction time tends to decline as we age, and for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease, this process accelerates dramatically, making it hard for family and friends to determine when it’s time for the senior to stop driving and find alternate transportation options. [Read more…]
