Seniors Health

Living wills, also known as "advance directives," allow family members to respect your wishes in the final steps of Life's journey. However, unlike wills to establish estates or bequeath an...

As the population of elderly adults grows, so does the need to have dependable, qualified staff to empower them to remain in their own homes. Elderly clients who need assistance with activities of...

In order to teach seniors about health issues, you must know things to consider when teaching senior patients. You also should teach them about things that are of interest and will improve their...

Activities for residents of assisted living centers and personal care facilities are usually planned by the center's activities director. Generally, activities will be planned to accommodate the...

All foods contain calories that provide the body with energy necessary for human function. Reading, sitting quietly, the pumping action of the heart and normal breathing all require calories....

According to a 2004 survey taken by the Family Caregiver Alliance, there were nearly 29 million family caregivers in the United States. Taking care of a mother with a memory problem presents...

Physically abusing an elderly person is against the law. Health and social services professionals are required by law to report anyone that they believe is physically abusing an elderly person.

More than one million older adults fall every year in California alone resulting in about 200,000 injuries. Throw rugs, also called area rugs, are reported to be a major cause of the tripping that...

There are hundreds of heat wave-related deaths every year, and most of the victims are over the age of 50. If you know the possible dangers, how to recognize their signs and symptoms, how to...

Occupational therapy (OT) is function-focused therapy design to improve a patient's quality of life. Among people who can benefit from OT are disabled children and senior citizens who have issues...

No one wants to get old. You move slower, your body aches, and you don't remember things as well as you used to. But if you learn the symptoms early on, you may be able to combat a few of them.

A geriatric care assessment consists of a thorough appraisal of a senior's ability to have good health, the likelihood of his avoiding hospitalization or long-term-care stays, and his potential to...

"If you don't use it, you'll lose it" may be a trite saying, but there is truth to it--especially as we age. If we stop exercising, especially when we pass the age of 50, our bodies will start to...

Caring for an elderly parent often becomes a financial burden upon the family. According to the MetLife Mature Market Institute, in 2008, the average cost of nursing home care was $69,715 per...

Wheelchair ramps allow people in wheelchairs and motorized scooters to access buildings and spaces more easily. They can, however, be expensive to purchase. Building your own wheelchair ramp may...

Assisted living facilities are essential for healthy senior citizens who wish to maintain their independence, with the added security of knowing that help is readily available, if needed. Medicaid...

Age alone does not necessarily impair the brain. A healthy older brain still has the capacity to learn and process information. Even older people can form new brain cells and form new connections...

Pain management can pose special challenges for the elderly, as many geriatric patients take other medications to alleviate high blood pressure, high cholesterol, to prevent blood clots or treat...

The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) issued a report in October 2006 revealing that 90 percent of seniors prefer to stay in their homes and communities as they age. However, families...

Building a waste basket is an easy project for even young children to complete. Your finished waste basket can be placed in a bathroom, bedroom, under a work desk, or, in a large version, even...

Life Alert is a medical emergency alarm service for seniors. With a subscription, a senior receives a pendant or bracelet which has a button on it. In case of an emergency, the button can be...

Designing a room for senior care presents challenges that a typical addition does not. In considering the requirements of the room, you must concern yourself with mobility issues, cleanliness,...

Helping seniors get out of bed is an important part of their daily routine but can be downright challenging for their caregivers. Senior citizens' daily health can fluctuate without warning in...

Promptly changing wet or soiled diapers decreases the chance of a person developing a skin rash or skin breakdown. A diaper change is also a chance for a caregiver to inspect the person's skin for...

Nasal hair is normal, and it helps you to stop allergens and particles in the air from being inhaled. Nose hair that is growing long enough to protrude out of your nose may not be attractive, but...

Individuals that require the use of a hearing aid, such as the elderly, may notice a whistling noise from their new hearing aids. The whistling noise is typically feedback which is when the...

With over 25 million Americans underinsured, there are many holes in health care coverage. Both managed care and Medicare will cover various expenses up to a certain point, and this is why it is...

If you are caring for a disabled person or an elderly person, then you are probably aware of the difficulties they may experience when trying to use the restroom on their own. It is often...

A rollator is used by people that need the support of an assistive device for balance. A rollator consists of a three-sided frame supported by four wheels. This device has a padded or hard plastic...

Watching your parents grow old can be an emotional time. The elderly are often described as "big children," and it's true that the older a person gets the more assistance they need in the...

People who want to work as elder care volunteers need training in a number of areas, and most of it will be hands-on. Before he is assigned to an individual or group, a volunteer should undergo a...

Licensed elderly care--ranging from in-home care to day programs to skilled nursing facilities--is easy to find. Consult government agencies, associations that represent agencies on aging and...

Advantages and disadvantages exist between progressive lenses and traditional bifocals. Progressive lenses are becoming more popular due to their versatility and fashionable appearance. However,...

If you're struggling with hair thinning or loss as you age, you might find some simple, home remedies helpful. Though hair loss could be genetic, it may also follow a stressful or painful life...

The use of holistic health exercises may lead to greater flexibility, ease of movement, pain reduction, and prolonged independence for seniors. According to Senior Journal.com's article on the...

Geriatric patients are often challenging to care for at home. Despite this fact, home care is often preferable to residence in a facility. The senior and his family must make the decision...

The rights of residents living in skilled nursing facilities can vary by state. They have all the same rights as any other citizen of the United States and should receive a copy of their...

Determining the care an elderly person needs can be complex. The family support system can be a pivotal factor in the availability of resources to the individual. If the family is supportive and...

Cataract surgery is usually performed to remove a cloudy, crystalline lens of the eye. During surgery, the crystalline lens is taken out and replaced with an artificial lens called an IOL. After...

Older adults may have more difficulty sleeping for a number of reasons including a sedentary lifestyle, lower melatonin levels, prescription drugs that make sleeping difficult, or physical...

Strategies for long-term care for the elderly have been steadily shifting away from nursing home care toward greater community and home care-based services. In the Feb. 1, 2008, edition of USA...

A walking cane provides extra support and balance assistance for people with gait problems or those recovering from surgery or an injury. Walking canes are available in different materials, such...

An elder-care advocate works with you and your doctor to help ensure you receive the care that best fits your needs. The advocate can help you prepare a long-term plan of care based on your own...

Improving the quality of care provided to the geriatric population may be a multiple-step process. There are a number of aspects to consider. In addition to evident physical issues and chronic...

Placing an elderly person in a nursing home is a tough decision. For many who are elderly, nursing home placement means an end of independence. Further, some nursing homes have poor reputations,...

Parkinson's disease is a progressive movement disorder that stems from central nervous system degeneration caused by the lack of dopamine. Connections with obesity have been examined, as...

Power of attorney (also known as POA) is a legal term for an agreement that gives one person authority to act on another's behalf. This authority usually is limited to financial and legal...