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How to Stay Healthy this Winter |
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As fall turns to winter, cold and flu season moves into full swing. Last year was a record year for colds and flu and this year health officials predict it will be even worse. We must take precautions so the cold and flu season doesn't catch us off guard.
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Read more... [How to Stay Healthy this Winter]
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A Safety Net That Might Not Hold -Long-term-care insurance doesn't have many fans, but that may change |
By Michelle Andrews
When Betty Hoff moved into an assisted-living facility in Fowler, Calif., two years ago, the 86-year-old thought she didn't have anything to worry about financially. She had a long-term-care insurance policy that would pay up to $3,000 a month for three years of nursing home, assisted living, or home care. Hoff has severe arthritis and can get around only with a walker or cane, which means she could no longer cook, clean, or do the laundry. But her insurer denied the claim. Hoff wasn't cognitively impaired, and the company said she didn't need help with enough "activities of daily living," or ADLs, to qualify for benefits.
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Read more... [A Safety Net That Might Not Hold -Long-term-care insurance doesn't have many fans, but that may change]
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Taking Care of Your Teeth and Mouth |
No matter how old you are, you need to take care of your teeth and mouth. When your mouth is healthy, you can eat the foods you need for good nutrition. You will also feel better about smiling, talking, and laughing. Teeth are meant to last a lifetime. By taking good care of your teeth and gums, you can protect them for many years.
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Read more... [Taking Care of Your Teeth and Mouth]
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John and Edith were playing cards one night when John asked Edith a question. She tried to answer but couldn't speak. John knew something was very wrong. Could it be a stroke? Without waiting, he called 911. The ambulance took Edith to the hospital. Emergency doctors said it was a stroke - John was right. Because John called for help quickly, Edith got the medical care she needed without delay. She started getting well, her speech came back, and once again she's having long talks with John.
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Read more... [Stroke]
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Smoking: It’s Never Too Late to Stop |
"I've smoked two packs of cigarettes a day for 40 years-what's the use of quitting now?"
If you quit smoking, you are likely to add years to your life, breathe more easily, and have more energy. You will have extra money for spending or saving, and food will taste better. When you quit smoking, you join over a million people who stop smoking each year. Whether you are young or old, you will also:
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Read more... [Smoking: It’s Never Too Late to Stop]
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Amy had always been proud of her skin, especially her summer tan. But as she grew older, she saw she was getting more fine lines and wrinkles. She began to worry about what other skin problems she may have. What were those brown spots on her hands and arms?
Your skin changes with age. It becomes thinner, loses fat, and no longer looks as plump and smooth as it once did. Your veins and bones can be seen more easily. Scratches, cuts, or bumps can take longer to heal. Years of sun tanning or being out in the sunlight for a long time can lead to wrinkles, dryness, age spots, and even cancer. But there are things you can do to help your skin.
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Read more... [Skin Care and Aging]
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There are many shots, or vaccinations, that may keep you from getting sick. Some of these shots may also protect you from getting a serious form of the illness. Here is a list of shots that may keep you healthy. Talk to your doctor about which ones you need.
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Read more... [Shots for Safety]
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Ruth, a 79-year-old woman, said her case of shingles was causing her so much pain she couldn't bear to put on her clothes or have sheets touch her skin. Ruth was sick for several months. Her friend, Sarah, had it easier. Shingles made Sarah feel sick for a few days, and she had some discomfort. But she was back to her old self in a few weeks. Sarah noted, "Having shingles wasn't so bad."
What is Shingles?
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Read more... [Shingles]
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People seem to want and need to be close to others. As we grow older, many of us also want to continue an active, satisfying sex life. But the aging process may cause some changes.
What Are Normal Changes?
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Read more... [Sexuality in Later Life]
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John just found out that his friend Stan has prostate cancer. A lot of men he knows have some kind of problem with their prostate. John is worried about what might happen to him. It's true that prostate problems are very common after age 50. The good news is there are things you can do.
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Read more... [Prostate Problems]
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Osteoporosis: The Bone Thief |
Helen grew up on a farm in the Midwest. She drank lots of milk as a child. She also walked a lot. After graduating from high school, she got married and found a job. Family and work kept her too busy to exercise. Helen went through menopause at age 47. At age 76, she was enjoying retirement - traveling and working in her garden. But then she slipped on a small rug in her kitchen and broke her hip. After Helen recovered, she needed a cane to walk, and gardening was a lot harder to enjoy.
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Read more... [Osteoporosis: The Bone Thief]
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Online Health Information: Can You Trust It? |
A group of older adults are gathered for their weekly computer class. They are learning to use the Internet to find health information. Maria's husband, who is 75, had a stroke the month before so she's searching the web for some basic facts about stroke rehabilitation. Walter, who is 68, has questions about what causes Alzheimer's disease because he thinks that's what his mother had. Shirley and Howard, married for 48 years, are trying to find out if the cataract surgery their eye doctor suggests really is as safe as he says. The whole group has one big worry-"How can we trust the health information we get on the Internet?"
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Read more... [Online Health Information: Can You Trust It?]
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At age 75, Sheila thinks she's a very good driver. And she wanted to stay that way. So she got her eyes and hearing checked to make sure she can see and hear well enough to drive safely. Then she signed up to take a driving course for older drivers at her local automobile club. Will all this effort guarantee Sheila's road safety?
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Read more... [Older Drivers]
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Here are some helpful Federal and non-Federal resources |
AARP
601 E Street, NW
Washington, DC 20049
American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging
2519 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008
American Health Care Association
1201 L Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
7500 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21244-1850
Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20420
National Citizens' Coalition for Nursing Home Reform
1828 L Street, NW, Suite 801
Washington, DC 20036
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Nursing Homes: Making the Right Choice |
Emma's family didn't know what to do. Her son put grab bars in the shower. Her daughter brought lunch over every day. The neighbors checked in often. But at 82 Emma needed more help. She wasn't able to manage her medicines, and she was having a regular problem with incontinence. Then she forgot to take her key out of the front door, and she left the water running in the kitchen sink all night. Staying home alone just wasn't working for Emma.
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Read more... [Nursing Homes: Making the Right Choice]
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Mourning the Death of a Spouse |
When your spouse dies, your world changes. You are in mourning-feeling grief and sorrow at the loss. You may feel numb, shocked, and fearful. You may feel guilty for being the one who is still alive. If your spouse died in a nursing home, you may wish that you had been able to care for him or her at home. At some point, you may even feel angry at your spouse for leaving you. All these feelings are normal. There are no rules about how you should feel. There is no right or wrong way to mourn.
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Read more... [Mourning the Death of a Spouse]
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One cool fall day, Ellen and Sue were watching their teenagers play soccer when all of a sudden Ellen flushed and seemed to be sweating. Sue asked if Ellen was okay. "Oh, it's a hot flash," Ellen said. "This is happening to me several times a week now-even at night. At first, I didn't know what was going on, but my doctor told me these are symptoms of menopause." Sue laughed and said, "Yes, I remember hot flashes, but they're over now."
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Read more... [Menopause]
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Medicines: Use Them Safely |
When Jerry, age 71, came home from the drug store with his latest medication, he placed all his pill bottles on the kitchen counter and counted them. "I take seven different medications," he said to his wife. "We need a system. We need to know what medicines we have, what they're for, and when we should take them."
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Read more... [Medicines: Use Them Safely]
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Hypothermia: A Cold Weather Hazard |
Tony is a retired mailman. He has lived in New England his whole life and has seen some harsh winters. None, however, was as cold or snowy as one winter a few years ago. First, the temperature dipped to below zero and a snowstorm left 2 feet of snow. Then an ice storm caused lots of broken power lines. That meant Tony had no heat in his house, but he also couldn't leave. The temperature inside dropped to 60° F quite quickly. When his neighbor rang the doorbell to check on him the next day, Tony was confused, and his speech was slurred. He was taken to the emergency room. A doctor examined Tony and warmed him up. When he left the hospital, Tony went to his brother's house until the heat came back on. Turns out he'd had accidental hypothermia.
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Read more... [Hypothermia: A Cold Weather Hazard]
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Hyperthermia: Too Hot for Your Health |
Irene is retired, she loves to work in her garden. Because she has always spent hours outside, she thinks the heat and humidity of Midwestern summers don't bother her. Then last year an unusual heat wave hit her area. Every day the temperature was over 100° F, and the humidity was at least 90%. Five days into the heat wave, her daughter Kim came over because Irene sounded confused on the phone. Kim found her mom passed out on the kitchen floor. The ambulance came quickly when called, but Irene almost died. She had heat stroke, the most serious form of hyperthermia.
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Read more... [Hyperthermia: Too Hot for Your Health]
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Going to the hospital is somewhat like traveling to another country - the sights are unfamiliar and the people you meet there often speak a foreign language. No matter what the reason for the trip - whether it's an overnight visit for a few tests or a longer stay for medical treatment or major surgery - nearly everyone worries about entering the hospital. Learning more about hospitals and the people who work there may help make your hospital stay less stressful.
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Read more... [Hospital Hints]
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HIV, AIDS, and Older People |
Grace was dating again. George, a close family friend she had known for a long time, was starting to stay overnight more and more often. Because she was past childbearing age, Grace didn't think about using condoms. And because she had known George for so long, she didn't think to ask him about his sexual history. So, Grace was shocked when she tested positive for HIV.
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Read more... [HIV, AIDS, and Older People]
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You can have high blood pressure, or hypertension, and still feel just fine. That's because high blood pressure does not cause signs of illness that you can see or feel. But, high blood pressure, sometimes called "the silent killer," is a major health problem. If high blood pressure isn't controlled with lifestyle changes and medicine, it can lead to stroke, heart disease, eye problems, or kidney failure.
What Is Blood Pressure?
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Read more... [High Blood Pressure]
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About one-third of Americans between the ages of 65 and 74 have hearing problems. About half the people who are 85 and older have hearing loss. Whether a hearing loss is small (missing certain sounds) or large (being profoundly deaf), it is a serious concern. If left untreated, problems can get worse.
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Read more... [Hearing Loss]
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Health Quackery: Spotting Health Scams |
You see the ads everywhere these days - "Smart Drugs for Long Life" or "Arthritis Aches and Pains Disappear Like Magic!" or even testimonials claiming, "This treatment cured my cancer in one week." It's easy to understand the appeal of these promises. But there is still plenty of truth to the old saying, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!"
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Read more... [Health Quackery: Spotting Health Scams]
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Good Nutrition: It’s a Way of Life |
"I have trouble chewing."
"Food just doesn't taste the same anymore."
"I don't have a car to go shopping."
"It's hard to cook for one person."
"I'm just not that hungry anymore."
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Read more... [Good Nutrition: It’s a Way of Life]
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Are you reluctant to talk to your doctor about your bladder control problem? Don't be. There is help.
Loss of bladder control is called urinary incontinence. It can happen to anyone, but is very common in older people. At least 1 in 10 people age 65 or older has this problem. Symptoms can range from mild leaking to uncontrollable wetting. Women are more likely than men to have incontinence.
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Read more... [Urinary Incontinence]
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Senior Fitness and Sports |
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Are you one of the many seniors out there who knows you should be exercising, but you aren’t sure where to begin? Do the tools of fitness -- exercise bikes, nautilus machines, treadmills, exercise balls and free weights -- intimidate you? Or maybe you find exercise boring? If any of the above apply to you, you are not alone. Although many older people are well aware of the importance of physical fitness, 85% of seniors do not exercise on a regular basis. Many older people don't exercise for the same reason that people of all ages resist physical activity – they think of it as too hard, too boring or they are disappointed by the lack of immediate results.
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Read more... [Senior Fitness and Sports]
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Tips for hiring agencies and independent home care providers |
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Agencies will typically be the most expensive; independent providers will be the least expensive. However, home care agencies are also easier to use, since the agency finds and places the provider, handles payroll and any problems that may arise, and usually provides coverage for sick or absent providers. Agencies that are licensed and bonded are generally a good choice, although there are always exceptions. You have avenues of recourse (complaints, legal action) when dealing with agencies that are liable for problems. There is no real recourse (except firing) when dealing with independent providers or ones found through registries.
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Read more... [Tips for hiring agencies and independent home care providers]
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Why is the topic of senior housing sometimes hard to understand? |
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It used to be pretty simple. So long as you were independent, you lived in your own home, or moved to a retirement community. If you needed a little help with personal care, and your meals provided, you went into board and care. If you needed quite a bit of help with personal care, or skilled nursing care, you went into a nursing home.
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Read more... [Why is the topic of senior housing sometimes hard to understand?]
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Getting Your Affairs in Order |
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Ben has been married for 47 years. He always managed the family's money. But since his stroke, Ben can't walk or talk. His wife, Shirley, feels overwhelmed. Of course, she's worried about Ben's health. But on top of that, she has no idea what bills should be paid or when they are due.
Eighty-year-old Louise lives alone. One night, she fell in the kitchen and broke her hip. She spent a week in the hospital and 2 months in a rehabilitation nursing home. Even though her son lives across the country, he was able to pay her bills and handle her Medicare questions right away. That's because several years ago, Louise and her son talked about what to do in case of a medical emergency.
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Read more... [Getting Your Affairs in Order]
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Many older people worry about becoming more forgetful. They think forgetfulness is the first sign of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the past, memory loss and confusion were considered a normal part of aging. However, scientists now know that most people remain both alert and able as they age, although it may take them longer to remember things.
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Read more... [Forgetfulness]
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When we are in love, we may be "swept off our feet." When we don't want to do something, we are said to have "cold feet." A sensible person "has both feet on the ground." Sometimes we even "vote with our feet."
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Read more... [Foot Care]
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Each winter, millions of people suffer from the flu. Flu-the short name for influenza-is caused by viruses. Viruses are very small germs. Some viruses can spread easily from one person to another. They cause illnesses or infections like the flu.
For some people, flu is a mild illness. For older people, especially those who have health problems like diabetes or heart disease, the flu can be very serious.
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Read more... [Flu -- Get the Shot]
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A simple fall can change your life. Just ask any of the thousands of older men and women who fall each year and break (sometimes called fracture) a bone.
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Read more... [Falls and Fractures]
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Exercise and Physical Activity |
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"After walking on a treadmill at the local community center, I knew I'd be happier outside. So, I got a step counter and started walking in my neighborhood. Since then, I've seen yellow tulips bloom in spring and red dogwood leaves drop in fall. I always come home with more energy and happy to go on with the rest of the day." Marian (age 77)
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Read more... [Exercise and Physical Activity]
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Everyone feels blue now and then. It's part of life. But, if you no longer enjoy activities that you usually like, you may have a more serious problem. Being depressed, without letup, can change the way you think and feel. Doctors call this "clinical depression."
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Read more... [Diabetes in Older People]
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Everyone feels blue now and then. It's part of life. But, if you no longer enjoy activities that you usually like, you may have a more serious problem. Being depressed, without letup, can change the way you think and feel. Doctors call this "clinical depression."
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Read more... [Depression]
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Lucy is worried. She's lived in the same neighborhood for 50 years, but things seem to be changing. Last week, her friend Rose was walking to the store when a young man ran by and pulled her purse right off her shoulder. Two weeks ago, Joe, the man upstairs, put his grocery bags on the curb while waiting for the bus, and before he knew it, someone had picked up his bags and run off. Lucy feels sad to think she might have to move. She wonders, is anywhere safe for older people anymore?
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Read more... [Crime and Older People]
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Have you been told by your doctor that you need surgery? If so, you're not alone. Millions of older Americans have surgery each year.
For most surgeries, you will have time to find out about the operation, talk about other treatments with your surgeon (medical doctor who does the operation), and decide what to do. You also have time to get a second opinion.
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Read more... [Considering Surgery?]
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