Monthly Archives September 2012

Superagers – defying age in a single bound

Superagers – defying age in a single bound

September 13, 2012 | No Comments

Last night, if you were watching the 9 o’clock nightly news, you might have noticed a spry, good-looking older gal cruising the shops of downtown Chicago. And then, if you continued watching, you would have learned that that older woman was, in fact, 85 years old. According to a study taking place at Northwestern University, 85-year-old Barb Shaeffer falls under the category of superager – men and women in their 80s or older who exhibit remarkable memory and energy for their age. Since discovering this category of age-defiance, Northwestern researchers examined 12 individuals from the Chicago area who fit the
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What is a geriatrician and how do I know if one is needed?

What is a geriatrician and how do I know if one is needed?

September 12, 2012 | No Comments

For senior citizens or anyone caring for an older individual, many of the signs of aging can be quite obvious. The ways to deal with those signs, however, might not be as clear. Whether it be depression, incontinence, arthritis or an increase in falls, a common question is whether the long-time family doctor has the necessary experience to provide proper care and advice. At some point in time, a visit to a geriatrician may be a good idea. But what is a geriatrician and how do I know if it’s worth it to add another doctor to the mix? According
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Alzheimer’s – 10 ways to detect it on its onset

Alzheimer’s – 10 ways to detect it on its onset

September 11, 2012 | Comments Off on Alzheimer’s – 10 ways to detect it on its onset

In a recent blog post here at Freedom Home Care we reported that more than 5 million Americans age 65 and older are thought to have Alzheimer’s disease and that one person in the United States is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease approximately every 69 seconds. The numbers are staggering, but the forms of treatment are growing and improving every day. An early diagnosis will allow patients to have a say when it comes to decisions about care, transportation, living options, and financial and legal matters. Therefore, it’s important to look for early warning signs. Although Alzheimer’s usually begins after the age
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Flexing the mental muscles to maintain a healthy brain

Flexing the mental muscles to maintain a healthy brain

September 10, 2012 | Comments Off on Flexing the mental muscles to maintain a healthy brain

As most of us know, the brain is like a muscle, and if you don’t flex it from time to time, valuable functions like memory can be weakened. And just as exercise stimulates the body, exercising the brain will help to keep it healthy and strong. grow grape vines Our brains are constantly hungry for new information and so is definitely true later in life. One way to feed the brain, so to speak, is to learn a new language. Taking on tasks like learning simple French of Spanish can give the brain the workout that it needs and can
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Celebrate National Grandparents Day this Sunday with someone special

Celebrate National Grandparents Day this Sunday with someone special

September 7, 2012 | Comments Off on Celebrate National Grandparents Day this Sunday with someone special

These days, there are a lot of far-fetched holidays, fabricated by the likes of Hallmark and 1800Flowers.com. Take some of the silly holidays in September alone, for example. There was Newspaper Carrier Day on the 4th and Dogs in Politics Day on the 23rd. And although Fido and the kid that flies by on his bike every morning might like a little something special, we should all truly turn our attention to the people who make Sept. 9th special – and every other day during the year, for that matter – because this Sunday is National Grandparents Day. “The impetus
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Preventing the unforeseeable through the Affordable Care Act

Preventing the unforeseeable through the Affordable Care Act

September 6, 2012 | Comments Off on Preventing the unforeseeable through the Affordable Care Act

Before the weather turns cool and the fall season makes its official appearance, people are already talking about flu vaccinations. And it's no surprise, considering that changing temperatures can serve as breeding grounds for a whole host of illnesses. But thanks to the Affordable Care Act, seniors with Medicare are able to receive preventive services such as flu vaccinations, screenings, immunizations and advice to help them stay healthy. order generic viagra During the first six months of 2012, 16 million people have already taken advantage of these now free preventative services. And of those 16 million, more than 1 million
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How technology is shaping the field of health care

How technology is shaping the field of health care

September 5, 2012 | Comments Off on How technology is shaping the field of health care

In today’s technology age, there are so many new advancements and services to tune into. Driving a car is made easier with the help of navigation systems and voice-activated controls. Getting in touch with loved ones who live out of state is made all the more personal through video chatting with programs like Skype. And as it turns out, the health care industry is benefiting, as well. credit card debt relief Telehealth, which is defined as the delivery of health-related services and information with the help of telecommunication technologies, is paving the way for the future of health care. According
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Making the transition from hospital to home a pill that's easy to swallow

Making the transition from hospital to home a pill that's easy to swallow

September 4, 2012 | Comments Off on Making the transition from hospital to home a pill that's easy to swallow

Bringing a caregiver into the home can be a necessity at various times in one’s life. And a typical time of need is the period following a hospital stay. So to make the transition from hospital to home a smooth one, Medicare can be a great resource. Medicare understands that a lot of instruction is relayed in the discharge process, and often times, it can literally be too many pills for one person to swallow. The explanations surrounding new medications or treatments can be lost in translation, leaving an individual confused and scared. Therefore, the tips and links provided below
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