Archives for signs of aging

For chronic back pain, maybe it’s time to turn up the heat

For chronic back pain, maybe it’s time to turn up the heat

March 10, 2013 | Comments Off on For chronic back pain, maybe it’s time to turn up the heat

Chronic back pain is a common complaint for so many people – and it’s anything but rare for older individuals. Decades of long days and hard work can take their toll. In addition to talking to a physician, there thankfully are plenty of methods to alleviate the pain involved. One of the easiest and most affordable is heat therapy. Something like a heating pad can go a long way when it comes to providing relief. how to learn french online There are lots of different ways of applying heat to the lower back. According to the back experts at Spine-Health.com,
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Understanding age-related vision decline

Understanding age-related vision decline

February 15, 2013 | Comments Off on Understanding age-related vision decline

The signs of aging – if only they didn’t exist. Unfortunately, however, there are many ways in which the body will change as the years progress. Failing vision is just one of many areas where older individuals will experience the signs of aging, and therefore, it is by no means rare. In fact, it’s one of the most common aspects to growing old. Macular degeneration, a progressive eye condition, affects nearly 15 million Americans, and its numbers are growing as Baby Boomers reach their 60s and 70s. According to AMD.org, the website for the Macular Degeneration Partnership, “the disease attacks the
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Chicago’s MOPD asks, “Can you hear us now?”

Chicago’s MOPD asks, “Can you hear us now?”

January 9, 2013 | No Comments

With the goal of keeping Illinois residents connected, the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities has made free amplified phone, teletypewriters (TTYs) and CapTel devices available to qualified individuals through the Illinois Telecommunications Access Corporation. With no age or income restrictions, we here at Freedom Home Care believe that it is a service that many of our clients could benefit from. The only criteria required to qualify for the program are as follows: Being a legal resident of Illinois Filling out the program application (available at MOPD’s two locations) Having standard phone service in residence (land-line) Having a difficult time
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Understanding the role of elder mediators

Understanding the role of elder mediators

December 31, 2012 | No Comments

“As society ages, it’s become more common for adult children to provide assistance to their elderly parents,” explained the editor of a Chicago Tribune article. “But making sure that everyone, including the parent, agrees on a care plan can often be a challenge. A new type of go-between, known as an elder mediator, can guide squabbling siblings and elderly parents to solutions before conflicts tear a family apart.” It’s not uncommon for tension to rise as parents or other aging loved ones show signs of needing help. It’s also not rare for family members to be at odds for how
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Early warning signs that your aging loved one needs help at home

Early warning signs that your aging loved one needs help at home

October 31, 2012 | No Comments

As the people important to us most begin to grow older, we witness many changes in their appearance, behavior and health. Some of these changes are the natural signs of aging while others should be considered signals that help might be needed in the home. But if our loved ones don’t ask for help directly, how will we know if living alone is no longer an option for them? Encouraging open conversations should always be the first step. Talking with family members, friends and doctors will begin to open doors of understanding for all involved. However, to ensure the safety
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Knowing when it’s time to take the keys away from aging parents

Knowing when it’s time to take the keys away from aging parents

October 30, 2012 | No Comments

As the elderly loved ones in our lives get older, it pains us nearly as much as it pains them to watch as they slowly lose their independence. And losing the privilege to drive is one of the most prominent and difficult-to-accept signs of aging. Although seniors may put up a fight when the time comes to take away the keys, their safety and the safety of others is at risk. Talking to an elderly individual about why they can no longer operate a vehicle won’t be easy. But if empathy and sensitivity are employed, it can be possible. Broaching
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Understanding weight loss in older individuals

Understanding weight loss in older individuals

October 22, 2012 | Comments Off on Understanding weight loss in older individuals

Weight loss in the older population is a common issue. As functions in the body begin to slow down – alongside activity levels – appetite also decreases. This, of course, is a simplistic explanation of why some of the aging individuals in our lives may look skinnier and skinnier as years pass. To truly understand weight loss later in life, however Livestrong.com, a website dedicated to healthy living, laid out the changes that take place in the body from a medical standpoint. As most know, the human body is composed primarily of bone tissue, lean muscle and organ tissue, fat tissue,
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Spotlight on conditions similar to rheumatoid arthritis

Spotlight on conditions similar to rheumatoid arthritis

October 8, 2012 | Comments Off on Spotlight on conditions similar to rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis, the inflammation of joints and surrounding tissues, is a common condition that many elderly suffer from. Unfortunately, there are many conditions that exhibit similar symptoms to RA, which makes it difficult to diagnose. Therefore, it’s important to seek a doctor’s advice before making assumptions. According to HealthCentral.com, knowing the similarities and differences of these conditions can be beneficial in ensuring that the proper treatment is delivered. The website, which aims to empower millions of people to improve and take control of their health and well-being, pinpointed seven conditions that are sometimes mistaken for RA. The editors there went
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Four potential home modifications for getting around in a wheelchair

Four potential home modifications for getting around in a wheelchair

October 3, 2012 | Comments Off on Four potential home modifications for getting around in a wheelchair

For many aging individuals living alone, a wheelchair can serve as a safe way to get around the house. Loss of balance and strength are common signs of aging, and therefore, a wheelchair will often become a necessary purchase at some point in time. Unfortunately, bathroom doors are rarely wide enough for a wheelchair or even a walker to pass through. To accommodate the aging loved one’s in our lives, CaregiversHome.com made a few suggestions as to how to offer increased access into narrow passages, specifically for those to the bathroom or bedroom. Here are the four tips from CaregiversHome.com
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Combating old age from the inside out

Combating old age from the inside out

August 30, 2012 | Comments Off on Combating old age from the inside out

As individuals get older, retire and settle into their later years, there are a lot of positive changes to embrace. Free time is opened up to spend with loved ones and to devote to hobbies that were always put on the backburner. In that same breath, however, there are also changes that happen in old age that might not be as welcomed. The aging process can bring about wrinkles and gray hair, and although these changes are expected, old age can also usher in other harder-to-spot changes. Just as wrinkle cream and hair dye can improve what happens to the
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