Archive for January 2016
Myths of Falling
Falls are not a normal part of aging. You can protect yourself by exercising, managing your medications, having vision checked, and making your living environment safer. Below are the 10 myths of older adults and falls. Falling happens to other people, not to me. Reality: 1 in 3 older adults fall every year in the…
Read MorePositives of Aging
We want to protect our elderly loved ones from harm, but it’s equally important to remember that with age comes a wealth of wisdom and knowledge that should be rewarded with dignity and respect. While it’s true that certain conditions—such as dementia or depression—require intervention, aging does not. What are the first words that come…
Read MoreArtful Aging
When do people hit their stride professionally? A historical look at the arts reveals that many artists have been highly productive and turned out some of their best work late into old age, including artists Michelangelo, Titian, Monet, Matisse, Picasso, O’Keefe, and Bellini. Author Thomas Dormandy wrote in his book, Old Masters: Great Artists in…
Read MoreNursing Home/Preschool Combination
A fine example of an excellent relationship is occurring at “the Mount,” a living-care community for older adults in Seattle known as Providence Mount St. Vincent. There are 125 preschool children who share this facility with the residents in a program designed to counterbalance the loneliness and boredom that is often characteristic of this nursing…
Read MoreA Valentine’s Treat
The National Aging in Place Council, Atlanta Chapter, is offering screenings at senior centers throughout town. These are special Valentine’s screenings with the title of “The Age of Love.” Katherine Brooks of The Huffington Post claims they are “A touching and funny look into the lives of seniors who just want to find love.” Brenda…
Read MoreGet Smart About Antibiotics
There was a recent proclamation by the White House as a federal effort to address the issue of antibiotics use. There is a misconception about antibiotic resistance that presents an obstacle in battling the problem. A World Health Organization survey was just released to help raise awareness about the threat. Margaret Chan, MD, MPH, the…
Read MoreRomance Scams
For recently widowed or divorced people, scams abound for those looking for love. It is a way to lose a home or savings when all the person wanted was a little companionship. Posing as a person interested in meeting and having a relationship and perhaps even getting married, it can be easy to fall prey…
Read MoreForgetfulness as a Warning Sign
“If you are aware of your memory problems, you are unlikely to have dementia,” says Dr. Oliver Cockerell, a consultant neurologist at The London Clinic. You might forget where your car is parked or forget the name of a friend; that is due to memory being “easily distractible.” Perhaps it is due to stress, grief,…
Read MoreBest Sleep Position
The position that is best for your brain health, according to researchers who were published in the Journal of Neuroscience, is sleeping on your side. Nearly two in three Americans sleep on their side. This is considered the best when it comes to your brain’s nighttime processes for clearing out waste and harmful chemicals. University…
Read MoreObservation Status
The rate of heart-failure patients who wind up admitted to the hospital again soon after leaving has dropped significantly, as well as the readmission rate for patients treated for pneumonia and other serious conditions. This is a triumph of the Affordable Care Act according to the Obama administration, because hospitals with too many readmissions within…
Read More
