Archive for February 2016
Aging and Financial Decision Making
Normal aging is known to affect financial decision making especially since there is a tendency for individuals to develop blind spots to their own cognitive decline. To help your parents stay financially solvent, help them avoid financial mishaps by watching out for early warning signs. Signs of financial decline to look for include: (1) Slowness…
Read MoreCaregiving Resources
For timely caregiving resources, consider these sites to connect to specific programs where you live: Across the country there are government-funded agencies to help in programs of respite care, support groups, education, training, and emergency assistance. Go to http://www.n4a.org Another site, run by the U.S. Administration on Aging, can help you find adult day programs, financial and…
Read MoreFamily Caregiver Platform
As the population ages, more Americans will become a caregiver for an elderly relative or friend. Today there are 40 million family caregivers in the U.S. caring for an older adult or person with disabilities. The economic value of their unpaid contribution total approximately $470 billion, yet family caregivers often face job losses, extreme stress,…
Read MoreStop Annoying Phone Calls
The National Do Not Call Registry gives you a choice about whether to receive telemarketing calls at home. Most telemarketers should not call your number once it has been on the registry for 31 days. If they do, you can file a complaint at the website https://www.donotcall.gov/ You can register your home or mobile phone…
Read MoreAntacids Associated with Dementia
JAMA, the medical journal, published a report yesterday associating antacids with dementia. Antacids, called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), are sold to 15 million Americans as prescriptions as well as over-the-counter medications to treat gastric acid conditions such as GERD, (gastroesophageal reflux disease), and others. The study was conducted in Germany and observed 73,000 people over…
Read MoreAmerican Heart Month
February has been dedicated American Heart Month to help raise awareness of heart disease and stroke and to provide tips to stay “heart healthy” for your loved ones. Heart disease is the number one killer; the best way to keep your heart healthy and help you avoid the number one killer for both men and…
Read MoreHow Much Physical Exercise?
For adults who are generally fit and are 65 years of age or older, at least 2 ½ hours of moderate-intensity aerobic activity is needed every week plus muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days a week that work all major muscle groups. On the bright side, you can spread your activity out during the…
Read MoreCaregiving Crisis Facing Women
Working daughters need flex time, mentoring, and reentry-assistance programs so they can care for their aging parents without their lives falling apart. What seems to be the problem? Just this…. Just when a working woman is perhaps at her peak of earning power or maybe on track for a lucrative career opportunity, caregiving becomes the…
Read MoreLack of Activity Produces Low Quality of Life
People with dementia often have a lack of activity and that in itself leads to a low quality of life, according to findings of a large-scale national study on the quality of life of people with dementia in residential aged care. The study was by the Dementia Collaborative Research Centre and Griffith University, released on…
Read MoreHospice – Yes or No?
To help determine if hospice is the right choice for a loved one, look at the following facts: Hospice is a philosophy of care. Don’t have to give up all medical care. Must qualify but can opt out. Might extend life. Continue seeing the doctor. Goal is to live well. Enriches the last stage of…
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