Senior Health

How to Help a Loved One During a Short-Term Stay in Assisted Living

How to Help a Loved One During a Short-Term Stay in Assisted Living After a hospitalization or surgical procedure, the doctor may recommend a short-term stay in assisted living for rehab purposes before returning home. This is typically a temporary period of intensive therapy to promote healing and recovery. However, the thought of moving into an assisted living facility or nursing home even for a matter of weeks or months can be exceedingly tough to accept. How can you help a family member through this challenging life event? There are several actions you can take to help overcome feelings of fear, anxiety, and homesickness during a short-term facility stay. Personalize the room. The facility will provide the bare necessities: a bed, dresser, and chair. Make the space feel more like home by bringing in belongings such as a favorite quilt and pillows, family photos, and other small memorabilia. Pack their favorite shampoo, lotion, and other personal care items, along with comfortable clothes. Use caution, however, about bringing any items of value or special…

Improve Communication in Parkinson’s With These Strategies

Improve Communication in Parkinson’s With These Strategies Imagine how isolating it would feel if you tried to speak to someone you love, but they were unable to understand you. Sadly, this can be a daily occurrence for someone with Parkinson’s disease. Understanding how to improve communication in Parkinson’s disease can become extremely challenging as the disease progresses, for a number of reasons: A quieter or monotone way of speaking Mumbling and stumbling over words Declining body language and movement A hunched posture Cognitive and memory problems  An impaired ability to express emotions And more When communicating with someone with Parkinson’s disease becomes difficult, it may be your first instinct to shy away to avoid making yourself or the other person feel uncomfortable. However, it’s important for both of you to find ways to continue to effectively communicate. What Are Some Tips for Communicating With Someone With Parkinson’s? Try these tips to overcome some of the communication challenges in Parkinson’s disease. Speak…

What Is Ableism, and How Can We Prevent It?

What Is Ableism, and How Can We Prevent It? What’s your first thought when you see an older person in a wheelchair? Do you see that person as less-than, someone in need of being fixed? Do you assume they require special treatment, as though a physical disability impacts intellect as well? How does your thinking shift to see someone standing upright, without the need for a wheelchair; would you think they were better-abled than the wheelchair-bound older adult? These are challenging questions that require honest answers if we are to understand and respond accordingly to hidden disabilities and ableism.  What Is Ableism? Ableism is described as “the discrimination of and social prejudice against people with disabilities based on the belief that typical abilities are superior.” It leads to harmful misconceptions and stereotypes. The Two Sides to the Disability Coin Individuals with visible disabilities encounter ableism in many ways: exclusion from venues that are inaccessible, being spoken down to or asked intrusive questions,…

Why Won’t My Aging Parent Eat?

Why Won’t My Aging Parent Eat? Following the indulgence associated with the holiday season, many people elect to scale back on calorie consumption. But when an older adult does not want to eat altogether, or is making unbalanced or unhealthy dietary choices, it is important to determine the cause associated with this behavior, and to discover how to encourage them to get on track with healthier eating. If you’re wondering, “Why won’t my aging parent eat?” we’ve got some suggestions for you to investigate. Changes in an Older Adult's Eating Routines There are many key reasons an older adult may stop eating or start making unhealthy dietary choices – and strategies you can employ to help overcome them: Side effects from medications. Schedule an appointment with the physician for a full examination of all meds being taken, and find out if one or more may be contributing to a loss of appetite or troubling gastrointestinal side effects. See if the medication could be changed to a more tolerable alternative…

The Red Flags of Diabetes in Older Adults

The Red Flags of Diabetes in Older Adults It can sneak up silently and unexpectedly, bringing with it dire consequences and a lifetime of care needs. Diabetes is a very real concern for as many as one in three older adults, and early detection is key to implementing lifestyle changes and a treatment plan to keep it under control. It starts with understanding the red flags of diabetes. If you notice any of the following in a senior you love, be sure to contact the doctor for evaluation.  What Does Diabetes Look Like? Oral health problems. Red, painful, swollen gums, loose teeth, dry mouth, cracked lips, and sores are some of the signs of a compromised immune system and increased infections as well as fluctuations in blood sugar. Headaches. The spikes and dips in glucose levels are in contrast to the consistent delivery of blood sugar the brain needs, which can cause headaches. Peripheral neuropathy. This condition refers to the nerve damage in the hands and feet that is common in diabetes and causes tingling, weakness, numbness,…

Treating Cancer Like a Virus: The Stunning Outcome

Treating Cancer Like a Virus: The Stunning Outcome Fall is the kickoff to cold and flu season, which is also the time our immune systems get a workout. Thankfully, our natural immunity is amazing in its ability to detect and eradicate invading infections. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if treating cancer worked this way too? Actually, the https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2022/cancer-immunotherapy-cmv-peptideshttps://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2022/cancer-immunotherapy-cmv-peptideshad the same thought. Researchers decided to test whether disguising cancer as a viral infection would prompt the immune system to kick into gear, and the results were spectacular. By injecting small bits of peptides (viral proteins) into tumors in mice, the immune cells were activated, shrank the tumors, and even prevented them from growing back. The viral peptides used were from CMV (cytomegalovirus), a common virus that is recognized by most people’s immune systems and typically doesn’t cause any symptoms. Once someone…

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