March 2016
Posted: 8/3/2018 7:48 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Proactive healthcare is all about making decisions, and taking steps that educate you about health, and allow you to make further changes and decisions to manage health issues, and cope with their effects. When considering the possibility of cancer, getting the tests and screenings recommended by a doctor is an important proactive step. These tests and screenings provide information that can al...
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: 7/26/2018 8:35 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Dear Savvy Senior,
I manage a large health clinic that treats thousands of seniors each year, and we’ve have found that patients that come prepared when they visit our doctors are much more satisfied with the care they receive. Can you write a column educating patients on how to prepare for doctor’s appointments?
Healthcare Helper
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: 7/19/2018 8:33 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Dear Savvy Senior,
Can my Social Security benefits be garnished if I have some outstanding debts? I just turned 62 and would like to start collecting my retirement benefits, but want to find this out before I apply.
Worried Retiree
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: 7/12/2018 8:29 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Dear Savvy Senior,
What’s the difference between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia? My aunt has dementia, but they don’t know if she has Alzheimer’s disease, which is very confusing to me.
Trying To Understand
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: 7/5/2018 8:27 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Dear Savvy Senior,
Are there any specific auto gadgets you can recommend that can help senior drivers? Both of my parents are in there eighties and still pretty good drivers, but due to arthritis and age they’re very stiff, which causes them some driving problems.
Researching Daughter
Posted: 7/5/2018 8:21 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Dear Savvy Senior,
Are there any specific auto gadgets you can recommend that can help senior drivers? Both of my parents are in there eighties and still pretty good drivers, but due to arthritis and age they’re very stiff, which causes them some driving problems.
Researching Daughter
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...