Elderly Care

Methadone is a synthetic opioid used to treat addictions to opiates such as heroin and morphine. It works by occupying the opioid receptors in the brain instead of opiate narcotics. Methadone is...

Adult day-care centers follow very specific intake procedures as outlined by the state agency that licenses the center. The minimum requirements may be specified by the state health department,...

When you interview potential caregivers there are a lot of questions that need to be asked and a lot of information that must be gathered. These questions and information can be crucial to your...

Nursing homes still house a large number of older Americans. According to the U.S. Administration on Aging, "Although nursing homes are being increasingly used for short-stay post-acute care,...

Electric wheelchairs provide mobility for those who might otherwise be housebound, giving them freedom to live their lives as normally as possible. Electric wheelchairs come in a variety of...

Preparing a care plan for an elderly person should encompass all facets of life. In the past, care plans were written to address only the deficits. For better quality of life results, caregivers...

Wheelchair cushions are available by physician's order or over-the-counter and are made from different materials such as foam, gel, urethane honeycomb or air-filled chambers. Thickness, firmness...

If you are unable to care for yourself due to rehab or progressive debilitation, various people may visit your home to offer care and services. Two such people are caregivers and home health aides.

Quality of care is essential in all long-term-care facilities and environments, and most especially in the care of dementia patients. Nurse's assistants, often called nurse's aides, spend the most...

Dementia care for assisted living communities is becoming a popular alternative to nursing homes. A person diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's disease often has no physical disability until the...

I worked with Seniors and wish to share some safety tips that will prevent accidents at home. Sometimes the elderly are unaware of all the dangers at home that can cause them injury,...

As folks grow older, the need for care becomes important, and these days, more and more elderly individuals are choosing to stay at home rather than go into nursing homes. While it is necessary...

Elderly people in long-term care need something to keep them occupied, otherwise it can be long day. Just because these people are in a facility does not mean they are not capable of doing...

A Hoyer lift is a useful medical and home health device for lifting elderly and incapacitated patients who are too heavy to lift without mechanical help. Patients are easily and comfortably moved...

A wheeled walker, also called a rolling walker, is used by elderly or disabled people to provide support when walking. A wheeled walker is easier for some people to use as opposed to a traditional...

Since their introduction in the early 1990s, assisted living facilities have emerged as an increasingly popular alternative to traditional nursing homes. With a focus on dignity and privacy,...

Nursing homes, or skilled care/skilled nursing facilities, are for the elderly who can no longer live on their own. Several types of nursing homes exist, from those with private and semi-private...

Just as day care exists for children, it also exists for adults and elder patients. There are two types: medical day care and social day care. However, the process of finding a good facility can...

Being a caregiver for a person with cognitive problems can be very challenging and stressful. Having family members, friends or being a caregiver for someone with autism, down syndrome, dementia,...

Long-term care insurance should be an important part of one's planning. It's not always possible to be prepared for life's eventualities. If you face the prospect of placing a loved one with no...

Comparing Medicare Supplemental and Medicare Advantage plans can seem daunting. When on Medicare you want the most coverage and as little out of pocket expenses as possible. Everyone receiving...

Learn what to look for and what questions to ask after a loved one is placed in a nursing home. Learn how to question nurses and doctors and get honest answers. Learn to recognize signs and...

The duties of a live-in caregiver vary greatly depending on the setting and who needs care. It is important to determine exactly what will be required before you take a job so everyone's needs are...

The combination of an increased aging population, terminal illnesses such as cancer, and the capability of modern life-support technology to prolong living has resulted in a number of studies...

Working with the elderly can be a rewarding--but trying--experience that takes patience and a positive attitude. Each day is different, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. Caring...

Life Alert is a manufacturer of personal emergency alert devices, well known for the famous tag line "Help! I've fallen and I can't get up!" The device is available as a pendant or wristwatch with...

It is possible to get a rough idea of how long you can expect to live in about 10 minutes just by answering a series of pertinent questions about your lifestyle, nutrition, exercise, and family...

Providing in-home care for the elderly can be both challenging and rewarding. First, however, the elderly person should be evaluated by a professional, such as a medical social worker, to...

Prepare senior meals by first adhering to the food pyramid. Many seniors are placed on a special diet for their special needs and medical conditions, but the food pyramid can be a great example...

Finding the right retirement community is no easy task! You have to do a lot of research before you commit to changing your life and moving to a new community.

Seasonal flu is upon us again and it is recommended for the elderly, health professionals, and children to get a seasonal flu shot. A flu vaccination contains dead flu viruses. However, people...

The complexities of health care problems in the aging adult can complicate communications with health professionals, due to the multiple and detailed diagnoses, symtomology, medications and...

Every year there are countless deaths and hospitalizations resulting from the mismanagement of medication usage. These deaths occur from multiple factors including administration of the incorrect...

To ensure that the quality of care for an elderly person is sufficient, multiple areas must be addressed by the caregivers and the professionals involved in the person's life. Recognizing physical...

Elderly patients are prone to skin tears, irritation and infection, especially if they are diabetic. In these cases, lack of proper skin care can result in gangrene, a serious infection that, in...

Whether you are a caregiver in a long term care facility, or care for your elderly loved ones in their home, daily activities are a must. They not only help build and maintain physical strength,...

Most assisted living facilities across the nation need to be licensed by the state agencies that monitor them. To obtain and retain a license, a facility has to meet certain standards, most...

Emergency situations strike usually with little or no warning. Nursing home emergency procedures are important steps outlined to deal with any possible situation. Nursing homes have plans to ...

The state of New Jersey offers a wide array of health benefits to its senior citizens. Programs and services have been organized and operationalized by New Jersey's Department of Health and Senior...

Home health aides help patients in their own homes with the normal activities of daily living. In 1987, the state of Oregon began requiring that anyone working as a home health care aide should be...

Diabetic testing supplies can be costly if you don’t do research. There are plenty of places to purchase them online, but what makes one company better than the other? Taking a moment to...

Using a hydraulic Hoyer lift is a smart and safe way to transfer people that are often too heavy or awkward to lift manually. The use of manual lifts are proven to reduce the likely hood that an...

Taking care of an elderly family member can be a stressful, daunting challenge. Adults with full-time jobs, young children and other responsibilities are often overextended in trying to give the...

Have you been a victim to downsizing? Has your job packed up and moved out of state? Do you have the thought "what do I do now?" Boy I did. After 18 years working in a factory they moved...

Help I've fallen are words in the elder home care business you don't want to hear. I have gotten phone calls saying help my wife has fallen and it scared me. If your client does take a fall bad...

Help I've fallen are words in the elder home care business you don't want to hear. I have gotten phone calls saying help I have fallen and it can scare you really bad. Learn slip and fall...

Elder abuse is putting an older person at risk or harm through unwanted physical or sexual contact, neglecting him or misusing his funds or property. According to HealthInAging.org, 700,000 to 1.2...

Caring for an individual with dementia can present a number of challenges to the caregiver. Dementia may cause the individual to exhibit behaviors that seem strange and irrational. Dementia also...

An E. coli urinary tract infection is the most common type of urinary tract infection. Nearly all of the UTIs that occur are caused by E. coli (Escherichia coli), a common bacteria find in the...

Activities for elderly can be a great way to bring them out of a slump. As people age their physical and mental capabilities go down hill rapidly without stimulation. Many times depression sets in...