December has brought along a chill in the air, and it is likely that wintry precipitation will soon follow. Winter weather increases the chance of injury from a fall on the ice or snow. For a younger individual, a fall can be painful and inconvenient; for an aging person, it can be devastating and limit
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And a Happy New Year
In just a few short days, we will be ringing in the year 2018! It’s hard to believe how quickly time flies, especially as one gets a bit older. By the way, have you ever wondered why that is? Here are a few theories. It’s likely that the thought of New Year Resolutions has come to your mind
Read MoreStay Warm and Cozy
By now, you shouldn’t be surprised to hear us say that as you age, many things change. From loss of hearing ability to pain levels, from new illnesses to new dietary needs, the only constant seems to be change. Recent frigid temperatures are a stark reminder that individuals’ ability to regulate body temperature changes as
Read MoreSeven Signs That It’s Time to Get Help
There’s a conversation you’ve been dreading. It’s a moment you wished would never come, even though you knew it likely would. Your aging loved one has begun to need more care than you can give, and it is time to admit that you all need help. Ideally, there have been discussions along the way, in
Read MoreBeating the Flu
It has been a very difficult flu season across the nation. According to the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services, the 2017-18 influenza season has brought a total of 66,373 cases to the state of Missouri. Of these positive cases, 11,269 have been in individuals aged 65 and older. The aging population is also more
Read MoreLove Your Heart
Yes, Valentine’s Day has passed, but we’re still thinking about hearts. February is American Heart Month, sponsored by the American Heart Association. It is a time to raise awareness of the prevalence of Heart Disease, which is the leading cause of death for both men and women, causing one out of every four deaths. Take note caregivers, the
Read MoreCognitive Decline: What Is Normal? What Is a Warning Sign?
According to the CDC, around 16 million people in the United States are living with cognitive impairment. Individuals with cognitive impairment have trouble remembering, learning new things, concentrating, or making decisions that affect their everyday life. The severity varies widely, and can progress to the point where an aging person is unable to live independently. Understanding
Read MoreCognitive Decline: Reducing the Risk
In our last blog, we explored the characteristics of cognitive decline as part of the normal aging process. We also examined mild cognitive impairment and dementia, which are considered abnormal developments. Both require monitoring of a physician and have a better prognosis when detected early. As loved ones grow older, there are steps to take to
Read MoreCognitive Decline: Preparing for the Future
In recent blogs, we have been exploring the topic of cognitive decline. We explored the characteristics of normal cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment and dementia, as well as how to reduce the risk of abnormal cognitive decline. In this final blog, we will explore how to support an individual who is experiencing dementia. Support will vary from person to
Read MoreNational Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month
November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. In 1983, President Ronald Reagan declared this month for awareness at a time when fewer than 2 million Americans were affected by Alzheimer’s. Now the number of Americans with Alzheimer’s has soared to nearly 5.4 million and is projected to rise to 16 million by 2050, unless advances
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