Holidays are a time of togetherness and joy. However, for older adults, it can be stressful or depressing, especially if they live alone. It is important to pay attention to our aging parents, friends, and neighbors this time of year. Help them enjoy the holidays more by following these suggestions: Older adults will often choose […]
Each November the home care and hospice community honors the millions of nurses, home care aides, therapists, and social workers who make a remarkable difference for the patients and families they serve. These heroic caregivers play a central role in our healthcare system and in homes across the nation. To recognize their efforts, we call […]
Regular physical activity provides important health benefits for those with chronic health conditions or disabilities. Exercise in general helps build a stronger body and lower mortality risk. A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine suggests that weightlifting added to aerobic exercise further reduces the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. […]
The scariest room in horror movies is often the basement. There should be more fear of the bathroom. Although the smallest room in the house, a Centers for Disease Control (CDC) study found that nonfatal injuries among older adults were likely to occur in the bathroom. [1] The two most common spots for injuries were […]
Hand function is crucial for maintaining independence for daily life activities. Hands perform countless small and large tasks each day – such as brushing teeth, raking leaves, pouring coffee, sewing, or knitting. Hand stiffness can make simple tasks overwhelming. According to an article published in The Journals of Gerontology, hand function decreases with age in […]
Your mother probably told you it is not healthy to sit and watch TV so much, but you thought she was just making it up. Actually, over the past 40 years, a number of studies have shown negative health effects related to watching TV for hours each day. A recent addition to this collection of […]
By nature, human beings are social creatures. The connection to others enables us to survive and thrive. Yet, as we get older, many are alone more often, and this leaves them vulnerable to social isolation and loneliness. This isolation also leaves seniors more susceptible to health-related problems such as high blood pressure, obesity, a weakened […]
It is a popular belief that the wear and tear of running causes osteoarthritis of the knees and other joints. Doctors now know this is not true. According to exercise scientist Paul Williams, studies show quite the opposite. [1] Williams heads up the National Runner’s Health Study as well as the National Walkers’ Health Study. […]
Insufficient or low-quality sleep may be more than an annoyance. It can be a major health concern meriting a visit to your general practitioner or a sleep specialist. Difficulty sleeping that impairs activities of daily living and lasts greater than three months meets the clinical definition of insomnia. Insomnia can be a disorder or a […]
Anyone who has a dog or cat knows the benefits they offer. Besides the obvious joy and love they give so much; pets have been linked to a variety of health benefits.[1] Acknowledging this is important, but it also must be taken into consideration that pets can sometimes become a fall hazard for elderly people. […]
