Each November the home care and hospice community honors the millions of nurses, home care aides, therapists, and social workers who make a remarkable difference for the patients and families they serve. These heroic caregivers play a central role in our healthcare system and in homes across the nation. To recognize their efforts, we call […]
The scariest room in horror movies is often the basement. There should be more fear of the bathroom. Although the smallest room in the house, a Centers for Disease Control (CDC) study found that nonfatal injuries among older adults were likely to occur in the bathroom. [1] The two most common spots for injuries were […]
Your mother probably told you it is not healthy to sit and watch TV so much, but you thought she was just making it up. Actually, over the past 40 years, a number of studies have shown negative health effects related to watching TV for hours each day. A recent addition to this collection of […]
A study published recently in the New England Journal of Medicine shows that higher blood glucose levels may increase the likelihood of dementia. [1] This statement holds true even for those who do not have diabetes but consistently exhibit higher than average blood sugar tests. The ability to stay physically active is an important component […]
Insufficient or low-quality sleep may be more than an annoyance. It can be a major health concern meriting a visit to your general practitioner or a sleep specialist. Difficulty sleeping that impairs activities of daily living and lasts greater than three months meets the clinical definition of insomnia. Insomnia can be a disorder or a […]
We might find it interesting to know that adopting a pet comes with some surprising health benefits for the new owner. For those who truly consider a dog to be man’s best friend, it helps to know the health benefits dogs can bestow on a human being. In fact, some studies show that dog ownership […]
Various studies suggest a large portion of seniors with dementia have unrecognized, severe pain. A recent study out of the University of Rochester suggests that nearly a third of severe pain cases go unrecognized when seniors have dementia.1-3 Pain in dementia can lead to other problems such as agitation, aggression, hallucinations, delusions, depression, impaired physical […]
As people get older, it is possible to notice more pain or stiffness in the hands and wrist. This does not necessarily mean to stop doing things needing or enjoyable to do. Now, there are more options available to help ease joint pain, strengthen hands, and continue doing things that before were taken for granted. […]
Laughter has physiological effects on the body; it changes brain function and body chemistry.[1] Some examples of the changes are: Increases heart and respiratory rates as well as oxygen consumption. Increases stroke volume of the heart and dilates blood vessels. Lowers levels of the stress hormone, cortisol. Laughter also has the following effects on specific […]
How can physical activity help joints that are already sore from arthritis? Chronic pain caused by arthritis affects millions of people in the United States every year. About one in four adults with arthritis—15 million people—report experiencing severe joint pain related to arthritis.[1] Exercise is important to help improve mood, strengthen muscles, give more energy, enhance quality […]
