Interim HealthCare Blog
Posted: 10/29/2018 2:13 PM by
Interim HealthCare
Hospice can make the end-of-life journey a better one for everyone involved, but many people enter hospice at the last minute, when it's too late the reap all the benefits.
Posted: 10/9/2018 5:08 PM by
Interim HealthCare
The process of subtracting medications or lowering the dosage is called “deprescribing,” and it’s an important but often overlooked part of senior healthcare.
Posted: 9/12/2018 10:37 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Planning in advance offers peace of mind and pays off when a storm hits.
An impending hurricane is worrisome enough for most people. But if you having an aging parent you help care for, you need to worry about their preparedness as much as your own. And advance preparation is indeed the name of the game.
Experts recommend these steps.
Posted: 8/31/2018 10:28 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) are tasks a senior should be able to do on their own. These activities are not primary activities like being able to eat or drink, but they're important for a senior who wants to age at home independently.
As your mom or dad age, it's important to monitor their ability to perform IADLs. If they struggle with them, you should start helping out ...
Posted: 8/31/2018 8:00 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Exercise is good for everyone, including seniors. In fact, research shows it can help stave off the mobility problems that can interfere with independence, not to mention, benefit a person’s heart, bones and even mood.
Posted: 8/8/2018 8:00 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Although you may feel helpless when Mom or Dad undergoes testing for cancer, you can help your parent feel less stressed, more supported, and can help Mom or Dad get through this stressful time. Here's how.
Posted: 7/26/2018 8:40 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Family caregivers do a lot for their elderly relatives, making sure they are clean, fed and comfortable. However, many family caregivers are so focused on their loved one’s needs that they neglect themselves. The area where many family caregivers truly suffer is exercising.
Posted: 7/23/2018 11:19 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Every year, about one in 100 people age 60 or older develops shingles, the dreaded skin condition notorious for causing pain that can be agonizing. Recognizing the rash is important, since early treatment can help shorten an outbreak and prevent complications.
Posted: 7/19/2018 1:46 PM by
Interim HealthCare
Anyone who likes animals knows how calming and comforting it can be to stroke and cuddle a friendly dog or cat. It’s little wonder that therapy pets are often brought into nursing homes and hospice facilities. But did you know that you can arrange — often at no cost — to have a therapy pet visit a sick or aging relative in their home?
Posted: 7/19/2018 1:28 PM by
Interim HealthCare
As much as you would like to spend your caregiver experience close to your aging parent so you can be with them on a regular basis, this isn't always possible. You may already live far away from your parents when they need you to start being their family caregiver, or life circumstances can arise requiring you to move away from your parent. Whatever the reason is, if you are caring for your par...
Posted: 7/18/2018 11:04 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Learning that a loved one has been diagnosed with dementia can be devastating. But understanding what’s ahead can help you plan for the care your family member will need. Maura Rhodes, an experienced health journalist, elaborates on the symptoms of each dementia stage.
Posted: 7/17/2018 9:01 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Realizing that your parent or another loved one in your care has reached the point of needing hospice is painful. It means the time has come to make the person comfortable instead of trying to make them better. Broaching the subject of hospice can also be painful, and it can be hard to figure out how to do it. But the conversation itself doesn’t have to be as difficult as you might think.
Posted: 7/16/2018 2:23 PM by
Interim HealthCare
Most of the simple things we do each day — getting out of bed, getting into the shower, lining up the buttons of a shirt, scooping a spoonful of cereal and delivering it to the mouth — we never think twice about. For some older adults, however, they become a real challenge. Maura Rhodes provides insight on how to tell if your aging loved one needs a little extra help at home.
Posted: 7/11/2018 2:01 PM by
Interim HealthCare
Taking trips and enjoying new experiences are essential parts of the summertime months for many families. Many people love taking the opportunities presented by warmer, longer days, breaks from school, and an overall more leisurely pace of life during the summer season to enjoy quality time as a family, and go on trips to take a break from daily life. If your senior loved one is adventurous, th...
Posted: 7/6/2018 2:51 PM by
Interim HealthCare
Falls are some of the most serious risks elderly adults face. Each year throughout the United States millions of seniors experience falls, and a large percentage of these will suffer injuries serious enough to end up in the hospital. These injuries can lead to serious consequences, including greatly diminished mobility, health, and quality of life. While there are some fall risks your parent is...
Posted: 7/5/2018 1:12 PM by
Interim HealthCare
Ice cream for breakfast, cookies with lunch, heaps of sugar in coffee or tea...It’s not unusual for older people to suddenly have insatiable cravings for sweet foods. And if a parent or other aging senior you’re caring for seems to be channeling their inner toddler at the table, you’re probably wondering why they’re insisting on dessert with every meal — or dessert for every meal — and how you ...
Posted: 6/22/2018 1:04 PM by
Interim HealthCare
When a loved one is diagnosed with dementia, getting good care for them is your first concern. But at some point down the line, it’s only natural to wonder: Does this mean I’ll get it, too?
Posted: 6/19/2018 12:51 PM by
Interim HealthCare
Young and middle-aged people aren’t the only ones taking their lives. In fact, the highest rates of suicide in men, by far, are among those age 75 and older. In this article, Allison Ashton outlines why older adults are at risk for suicide and what to do when your loved one shows warning signs.
Posted: 6/19/2018 12:11 PM by
Interim HealthCare
Getting a better understanding of what causes Alzheimer's and Dementia helps us create the right treatment plan for our patients. In this article, Kathleen Doheny breaks down the difference between the two conditions.
Posted: 6/13/2018 9:13 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Hip surgery is one of the most common forms of surgery performed on older adults. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 300,000 of these surgeries are performed on people over the age of 45 in the United States each year, with the majority occurring among elderly adults. This type of surgery can make a tremendous difference for a senior who has suff...