Elder care planning involves a plan of action that not only involves communicating an older loved one’s choices in their personal, physical and financial matters, but also aids family members, caregivers and advocates in helping them plan the final years of life. Although it may be a difficult conversation to have, the long-term care and comfort of your loved one is something that should be discussed and planned out by everyone involved out well in advance. Because there are so many important topics to cover – from money management, home care agencies and senior assisted living, to retirement income, savings and
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5 Unknown Facts About Strawberries
No fruit screams “summer” as much as the strawberry. Many have fond memories of picking strawberries from their mother’s garden, or perhaps biting into a perfectly ripe, juicy strawberry topped with sweetened cream in their youth. Often this berry pairs its delicious flavor with a heavy dose of nostalgia of summers past. But, whether you’re eating them for taste or out of nostalgia, there’s no doubt that they have much to offer. Freedom Home Care has discovered a few facts about strawberries that you probably didn’t know. 1. The strawberry isn’t a fruit or berry. We’ve all been mislabeling
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Why Seniors Want Home Care
According to a recent study, 87% of seniors would prefer to age in place by remaining at home. But, why are the number of seniors in nursing homes and hospitals on the rise? Here are three reasons why seniors today aren’t getting what they want, and what to do about it. 1. Seniors aren’t planning in advance. An active, healthy man in his 60’s might not think that he needs to worry about the future. But what he isn’t considering is that it only takes one bad fall to require help for daily activities. If he begins to think about
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4 Common Alzheimer’s Myths Debunked
Alzheimer’s is one of the most misunderstood diseases out there, and yet it is also one of the most deadly. Affecting nearly one in eight senior Americans, Alzheimer’s can’t be ignored or dismissed. There is a ton of information circulating about this disease and it becomes difficult to know what to believe and what to ignore. Get yourself up to speed by learning the truth behind these four Alzheimer’s myths. Myth 1. “If I’m under 65, I don’t need to worry.” While it’s true that Alzheimer’s mainly affects those over 65, it doesn’t mean that you are totally immune when
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Dr. Stuart P. Richer, OD, PhD, Gives Advice on Maintaining Adult Eye Health
Glaucoma is a disease that can affect people of all ages, but one that seniors are at a particularly higher risk for. It is considered the most preventable cause of vision loss, but if left untreated, can cause damage to the eye’s optic nerve and result in irreversible vision loss, and even total blindness. The disease tends to run in families and most often occurs in people over the age of 60. January is Glaucoma Awareness Month, and to help spread the word, we had the wonderful opportunity to sit down with Dr. Stuart P. Richer, OD, PhD, Director, Ocular Preventive Medicine,
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Hormone Therapy Can Prevent Disease for the Elderly: Interview with Dr. Cheryl Perlis, M.D.
In a recent interview with Dr. Cheryl Perlis, M.D., we learned a lot about the benefits of hormone therapy and supplements in preventing everything from serious diseases like dementia and heart disease, as well as preventing more common every day symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, sleeping difficulties, and thinning hair. How did you get into the field of hormone therapy, and what are the basics that we should know about how it works? I founded Perlis Wellness Center in 2004, after practicing conventional obstetrics and gynecology for 15 years. I became interested in cosmetic medicine and trained with the elite physicians in using Botox and dermal
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Start Planning Now To Avoid the Worst
No one likes planning for the future. It’s tedious, frustrating, and forces us to think about things that we perhaps would rather not. However, when you plan long-term care for seniors early, you will be less likely to have to make snap decisions or miss something later on. When you begin to plan for the senior’s future, keep these key items in mind: Paperwork: Even though organizing paperwork doesn’t sound like fun, it can avoid headaches in the future. Make sure that family members not only know where wills are located, but also know about bank accounts, insurance information, doctor
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Does Beauty Sleep Really Work?
We’ve all heard the old wives’ tales. Get a decent amount of “beauty sleep” and you will resist aging for longer. But are the stories true? According to new research, it appears so. While you’re off in dreamland, your skin, brain, and other organs are in fix-it mode. The cells get repaired so that they can function optimally for longer. This means fewer wrinkles, a stronger memory, and a healthier body. Knowing the importance of beauty sleep does not help you get it though. Next is the challenge to fall asleep and stay that way. Here are some tips to
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Researchers Study How Music Affects Senior Health
Can seniors sing their way to good health? The University of California San Francisco has decided to find out. UCSF is conducting a study to see if singing in a community choir will improve the health outcomes of seniors. They are forming several choirs around the city and will throughout the study monitor senior health, memory and mood. To join these choirs is simple: one must be over 60 and willing to meet for 90-minutes every week. No previous singing experience required! Just a willingness to be a part of something fun. This project is going to span over four
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Fight Inflammation with Fish Oil
These days, everyone seems to be taking fish oil for something. Doctors, chiropractors, and naturopaths are suggesting it for everything from diabetes to knee pain. But is it science or is it quackery? The latest studies point to science. Research examined exactly what happens when DHA from fish oil enters the body. The DHA was taken in by large white blood cells called macrophages. These macrophages go to the site of infection or injury and “eat” whatever bacteria, virus, or dead cells they find to neutralize the situation. When DHA entered macrophages, they changed from macrophages that create inflammation to
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