Diagnosing Alzheimer's disease is often the first step to getting the help and care a senior needs. However, since Alzheimer’s is primarily a cognitive illness, a diagnosis isn’t as simple as just identifying physical symptoms. Instead, a doctor will need to take plenty of time to assess the senior's condition to figure out whether he or she has Alzheimer's disease.…
Your aging loved one’s increased anger may have you feeling perplexed. At times, it may seem as though you can’t do anything to keep your loved one happy, and you may even feel like giving up. While other people will tell you this is just the dementia talking, it still doesn’t help you address the problem. The first thing you…
To many, the retirement years seem like a period of freedom. With kids raised, education completed, and work finished, it may seem as though the senior years are a carefree time. While many seniors do enjoy traveling and relaxing in their golden years, various psychosocial issues can impact their day-to-day lives. 1. Major Life Changes The older years of a…
When seniors with dementia take on more tasks, it can increase their confidence and make daily life less challenging for their caregivers. Regardless of your elderly parent’s limitations, there’s almost always a safe way to promote independence and keep him or her actively involved in everyday tasks. Continue reading to find techniques you can use to encourage your loved one…
The risk of developing chronic pain increases with age. Living with pain makes it harder for older adults to perform their normal daily activities, and you may even see your senior loved one’s personality change if he or she is always hurting. Keep reading to learn about five things that can lead to chronic pain along with a few suggestions…
Many factors affect cardiovascular health. Diet is an important consideration when trying to optimize health in the senior years. There are a variety of foods that can lead to poor cardiovascular health and may cause a stroke. Convenience Foods Canned soups, frozen dinners, and fast foods are typically high in salt. Canned soup, in particular, is especially dangerous, as varieties…
As people age, healthy lifestyle choices become more important. However, long-standing unhealthy habits can be difficult to break for many seniors. Here are some unhealthy habits older adults should avoid so they can look forward to their golden years with better health and more energy. 1. Leading a Sedentary Lifestyle A sedentary lifestyle can raise the risk of obesity, depression,…
Statistics obtained by the AARP and the National Alliance of Caregiving indicate that more than 39 million people in the United States provide care for a senior loved one. If you’re just beginning your role as a caregiver, there are a number of factors to consider. There’s an abundance of ways you can assist an elderly parent at home. 1.…
Women in their 70s can expect to continue to live well as long as they focus on a healthy lifestyle. Although your senior loved one’s exercise routine may change, she should still be incorporating regular periods of physical activity into her day. Women in this decade of life tend to need to be concerned about muscle and bone mass loss…
Caring for a loved one with dementia can be rewarding in many ways. It can also be stressful, challenging, and even overwhelming at times, especially as the condition progresses. According to the Pew Research Center, there are roughly 40 million unpaid caregivers in the United States alone. If you’re one of them and you’re caring for a senior loved one…