Alzheimer’s disease changes lives. In addition to the more than five million Americans who suffer from it, the disease also changes the lives of the family members who care for them. The family caregiver experiences considerable burden, stress and disruption to her own life. She is at risk for emotional and physical health problems, with [...]
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. While the date is a reminder, it’s important that you and your loved ones remain vigilant all year round in performing self-exams and undergoing regular testing. Early diagnosis and intervention save lives. And, while it appears that more and more women are aware of this, the news [...]
September is Healthy Aging Month, a time when older Americans should not only take a look at what aging has done to them, but what they can do to slow down the aging process. Let's face it, aging is not fun. It hits us where it hurts (both figuratively and literally). Our bones become thinner [...]
Due to the heat, July can be a particularly difficult time for the elderly, particularly those with chronic illnesses and/or those who take certain medications. The biggest dangers are heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Here are some things to consider: • Drinks lots of cool water even when you’re not thirsty. You can dilute water with [...]
June is Men's Health Awareness Month So, why should we celebrate Men’s Health Month in June? After all, what makes men any different than women when it comes to paying attention to their health? For starters, many men largely ignore their health – and those that see their physician are often pushed by a [...]
April is Alcohol Awareness Month, a time to increase awareness and understanding of alcoholism, its causes, effective treatment and recovery. How serious a problem is alcoholism in the U.S.? Consider the following: An estimated 6.8 percent of adults engaged in heavy drinking in the past month. About 16.6 million adults in the U.S. have [...]
How Is Your Sleep? Getting a good night’s sleep is important for your overall health and your mood at any age. However, it can be particularly important in older adults. With National Sleep Awareness Week this month, now is a particularly good time to discuss your sleep (or lack thereof). Sleep problems in older adults [...]
There is no better time to exercise than when you’re older. Although many older people know the importance of physical fitness, it is estimated that about 85 percent fail to exercise on a regular basis. They don’t do it for the same reason younger people don’t exercise – it’s too hard, it’s too boring, or [...]
Regardless of your age, January is a great time for New Year’s Resolutions. It’s a time to turn the page, to start over, to take a “mulligan” for all the things that weren’t done the right way in the past. The problem is that while resolutions are all well and good, the odds are overwhelming [...]
Not noticing a small patch of ice as he carried groceries on the way to his car, the 82-year-old man slipped and fell, shattering his pelvis. Forgetting that she had left her shoes in the darkened room, the 6-year-old woman tripped and fell over them, smashing her head on a table. According to the Centers [...]