May 2014
Posted: 11/10/2017 8:53 AM by
Interim HealthCare
If you’ve become a family caregiver to someone with diabetes, you’re probably hearing a lot about insulin. You know it plays an important role in the health of a diabetic, but what it is and what it does is a bit of a mystery. Learning everything you can about diabetes, and how insulin affects the body, is an important part of your new role as a caregiver.
Posted: 11/9/2017 9:22 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Dear Savvy Senior
What can you tell me about assistance dogs for people with disabilities? My sister, who’s 58, has multiple sclerosis and I’m wondering if an assistance dog could help make her life a little easier.
Inquiring Sister
Posted: 11/3/2017 1:57 PM by
Interim HealthCare
One of the most challenging aspects of caring for an older adult with Alzheimer’s or dementia are the behavioral changes they may experience. It’s hard to know what to expect because not every person with dementia has the same symptoms. In fact, people sometimes say the experience of being a caregiver to someone with dementia is different for everyone. One of the best ways to be prepared for di...
Posted: 11/2/2017 9:15 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Dear Savvy Senior,
What are the eligibility requirements to get Medicaid coverage for nursing home care?
Caregiving Daughter
Posted: 10/27/2017 4:17 PM by
Interim HealthCare
Handwashing is one of the most important things that your aging parent, and you, can do to protect them from potentially serious health complications and challenges throughout their later years. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that simply washing the hands with soap and water can prevent one out of ten episodes of diarrheal diseases, and one out of six episodes of respiratory illnesse...
Posted: 10/27/2017 9:13 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Dear Savvy Senior,
What can you tell me about the flu shots made for seniors? I got sick last winter after getting a standard flu shot, and am wandering if the flu vaccine for older adults would provide me better protection this year.
Almost 70
Posted: 10/27/2017 8:59 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Dear Savvy Senior,
How do I find an old 401(k) that I think I contributed money to at a former employer?
Approaching Retirement
Posted: 10/20/2017 8:08 AM by
Interim HealthCare
Even small problems can cause big trouble for your aging adult when she gets behind the wheel. If you're not sure what her driving ability is actually like at this point, you may need to take a closer look.
Posted: 10/13/2017 5:29 PM by
Interim HealthCare
In a normal day, people aren’t likely to think much about their liver, if they think about it at all. That may be unfortunate since the liver is extremely important to good health. The liver is important to metabolic functions because it transforms the nutrients in the foods we eat into substances the body can use, storing them until they are needed. The liver is also responsible for removing t...
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.