Dear Tasha: My Dad lives with a chronic illness that has caused his immune system to be weaker. As a result, he seems to catch every bug that makes the rounds. I’m trying to make a list of vaccines that might protect him so we can speak with his doctor about them later this month…. Read more »
Staying active and engaged with life as you grow older can help you stay both mentally and physically fit. People who stay connected are less likely to develop illnesses ranging from diabetes to hypertension. In fact, health experts have identified isolation as a health risk for seniors. If you are an adult child or caregiver for… Read more »
Keeping your joints healthy is an important part of successful aging. While most of us know there is no cure for arthritis, what most of us aren’t sure of is if there are proactive steps that will help keep joints in good condition. Here are few recommendations: Maintain a healthy weight. Every extra pound you carry… Read more »
There are many myths associated with aging. They range from the belief that seniors can’t use technology to the idea that growing older means your health will decline. We decided to help bust some of the more popular myths about aging. Aging Mythbusters Myth: Older people are crabby Fact: A study led by Arthur Stone, of the… Read more »
Mistakes with medications send an estimated 700,000 older adults to the emergency department of a hospital each year, according to the Institute of Medicine. It is easy to understand why. 30% of seniors take five or more prescription medicines each day. 90% of adults over the age of 60 take at least one. Staying on track while… Read more »
Dear Sarah, My mom and dad have been together for more than 40 years. Last year, Mom had a stroke, and now, she has difficulty walking, bathing, dressing and even eating. Dad’s done a terrific job of taking care of her, but we can tell it’s becoming more and more difficult for him. He’s already told… Read more »
Most seniors and their caregivers know that as we age the risk of a fall increases. It is due to a variety of reasons. These reasons often include poor nutrition, lack of muscle tone, and medications that cause dizziness and problems with balance. Strength training and exercises that work core muscles, such as yoga and… Read more »
Dear Amanda and Lisa: My mother lives on her own in an older home just outside Columbus. My brother and I both live a few hours away so we can’t be there as often as we would like. Since our father passed away a few months ago, our mom seems to be a constant target for… Read more »
Physical activity can also reduce your risk for developing chronic diseases that develop as people age. In some instances, exercise is also an effective treatment for conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease. Why Get Physical? Older adults sometimes think by reducing their activity level and “taking it easy,” they can decrease their risk… Read more »
