Interim HealthCare Blog
Posted: 10/8/2017 11:34 AM by
Interim HealthCare
When you made the decision to be a family caregiver for your aging parent it is likely that you knew that you were facing increased risk for stress. While you may have thought that you were preparing yourself properly for this stress and even taking steps to deal with it, you might have found yourself dealing with high levels of this serious health issue and could face caregiver burnout.
Posted: 10/6/2017 7:54 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Diabetic neuropathy is damage to the nerves that is a result of diabetes. Approximately 50 percent of people with diabetes have nerve damage. Diabetic neuropathy is more likely to occur in people who have had diabetes for many years. If your parent has diabetes, keeping their blood sugar levels under control can help prevent neuropathy from occurring or keep existing neuropathy from getting worse.
Posted: 10/4/2017 11:42 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Bringing your elderly parent on a trip can be one of the most fun things that you do as a family caregiver. This is a great way to spend quality time with them and to make memories that you cherish well into the future. Whether you are going away for an extended vacation or just a quick getaway it is extremely important that you keep your parent’s safety in mind. Being out of the house can make...
Posted: 10/1/2017 7:25 AM by
Interim HealthCare
TBI, or traumatic brain injury, is a pressing risk for elderly adults. Most frequently caused by falls, but also potentially caused by motor vehicle crashes and other accidents, TBI results when the brain is jostled or bumped, resulting in a change of function that can be either mild or severe. This type of injury results in nearly 3 million visits to the emergency room and 5 thousand deaths th...
Posted: 9/29/2017 9:14 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Worrying is a natural part of your caregiving journey. But when it gets out of hand, you'll find that all you're accomplishing as a family caregiver is becoming an expert in worrying. It's time to break the loop.
Posted: 9/28/2017 8:17 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Dear Savvy Senior,
What exercises are best suited for seniors with arthritis? I have osteoarthritis in my neck, back, hip and knee and have read that exercises can help ease the pain and stiffness, but I don’t know where to start, and I certainly don’t want to aggravate it.
Stiff and Achy
Posted: 9/26/2017 12:04 PM by
Interim HealthCare
According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 56,870 people in the United States will be diagnosed with thyroid cancer this year. And, 2,010 people will die as a result of thyroid cancer this year. The good news is that today’s technology allows doctors to find thyroid cancer sooner, making treatments even more effective. In fact, experts at the Mayo Clinic say that the majority of ca...
Posted: 9/21/2017 8:12 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Dear Savvy Senior,
I think I’m paying too much for the medications I take. I have a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan and my out-of-pocket spending is over $4,000 thus far in 2017. When and how can I change my Medicare drug plan?
Inquiring Carol
Posted: 9/14/2017 8:03 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Dear Savvy Senior,
My wife and I are both in our late sixties and are looking to buy a new car. Can you recommend some good resources that can help us evaluate and choose a good car for older drivers?
Car Shoppers
Posted: 9/7/2017 7:53 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Dear Savvy Senior,
Are there any services you know of that check in on elderly seniors who live alone. I worry about my 84-year-old father falling or having a medical emergency, and not being able to get to the phone to call for help. And he won’t wear a lifeline help-button.
Desperate Daughter
Posted: 8/31/2017 12:43 PM by
Interim HealthCare
A healthy living plan sounds extremely formal, but it's really just a framework for how you and your loved one are going to manage her overall health on her caregiving journey. It's an important conversation to have with your loved one and her medical team.
Posted: 8/29/2017 9:43 AM by
Interim HealthCare
As people age, they naturally experience sarcopenia – a fancy word for muscle loss. On average, people lose between 8 and 50 percent of their muscle mass as they age. Men tend to lose muscle faster. The problem with muscle loss is that it can lead to mobility problems, which can sometimes lead to older adults losing their independence. However, research shows that eating more protein may help r...
Posted: 8/24/2017 12:03 PM by
Interim HealthCare
Dear Savvy Senior,
My elderly father gets over 100 pieces of junk mail every week, and I just discovered that he’s given away nearly $5,000 over the past few months to many of the solicitors that mail him this junk. Can you offer any tips on how can I stop this?
Irritated Son
Posted: 8/18/2017 12:36 PM by
Interim HealthCare
With the many changes taking place in your parent’s life, it is just one more difficult phase of the disease when it comes time for them to give up their driver’s license. But the time will come. The good news is that there are often a myriad of other transportation options and, in many cases, your parent will have been feeling uncomfortable behind the wheel and hesitated letting you know so as...
Posted: 8/17/2017 11:44 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Dear Savvy Senior,
What resources can you refer me to for long-term care financial help? My 84-year-old mother needs assisted living or nursing home care, but we don’t have a lot of money and she doesn’t have long-term care insurance.
Searching Daughter
Posted: 8/14/2017 8:25 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Having had one heart attack is a scary proposition and it can make your loved one worry about the possibility of having a second one. Following some of these tips can help your loved one to reduce the risk that she might have a second heart attack.
Posted: 8/10/2017 11:34 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Dear Savvy Senior,
I’m interested in downsizing my smartphone wireless plan, and am looking for the best low cost options. I use my phone primarily for talking and texting, but also need some cellular data for checking my email and other functions when I’m away from WiFi. What can you tell me?
Senior Saver
Posted: 8/3/2017 11:24 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Dear Savvy Senior,
I’m worried about my 72-year-old mother who has been taking the opioid medication Vicodin for her hip and back pain for more than a year. I fear she’s becoming addicted to the drug but I don’t know what to do.
Concerned Daughter
Posted: 7/27/2017 1:59 PM by
Interim HealthCare
In your role as a family caregiver, your parent’s safety, health, comfort, and happiness are your highest priorities. You want to know that they are getting everything that they need to keep them this way as they age in place, and to help them to live the highest quality of life possible throughout their later years. In trying to make sure that you can achieve this for your parent, you might ha...
Posted: 7/27/2017 10:43 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Dear Savvy Senior,
I’ve heard that there are free online search tools that can help people look for lost or forgotten money left behind by deceased relatives. Can you refer me? When my father passed away his financial affairs were in such a mess, I’m wondering if there was anything he left behind.
Wondering Daughter