Palliative Care Vs. Hospice Care: Key Differences Explained
Your elderly parent’s health has changed, and you worry about their comfort at home. Maybe they’re facing pain or stress from a serious illness, but you’re unsure about the right support to choose—palliative care vs. hospice: what’s the difference? Hospice care is for people whose doctors predict they have six months or less to live, providing…
What Is Hospice Care? A Comprehensive Guide To End-of-Life Support
You’re looking for help. Your elderly parent needs care that you can’t give alone. This is hard for any family to face. What is Hospice care may be what you’re thinking about now. Hospice care gives comfort when a cure isn’t possible anymore. It helps with things like pain relief and makes sure the patient’s…
What Are The 7 Stages Of Dementia?
Seeing a loved one grapple with memory issues or unusual behavior can stir deep emotions. Many families experience this journey, confronting Alzheimer’s or dementia and observing the changes in those they hold dear. On our journey to learn more, we extensively researched this challenge. This study enabled us to grasp the stages of dementia —…
Recognizing Stroke Symptoms: A Comprehensive Guide
You might worry about your elderly parents living at home. Stroke symptoms can scare anyone. Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. has a stroke. This means blood flow to their brain drops fast. Our guide will help you spot signs of stroke, such as sudden numbness, trouble speaking, or severe headaches. We’ll also show you how…
Hearing Loss Increases the Risk of Dementia
Watching your parents age can be challenging. You might notice they don’t hear as well as they used to. Maybe they ask you to repeat yourself more often, especially in loud places. This change is not just about hearing loss; it could lead to more significant issues. Recent studies show that hearing loss increases the…
Medications Affect The Body’s Ability To Regulate Body Temperature
Medications to treat various chronic diseases may hinder the body’s ability to lose heat and regulate its core temperature to optimal levels. The loss of effective thermoregulation has implications for elderly people receiving treatment for illnesses like cancer, cardiovascular, Parkinson’s disease/dementia and diabetes, particularly during hot weather, according to a review by a team of…
10 Ways To Control High Blood Pressure Without Medication
Many people have high blood pressure. It can lead to heart problems and other health issues. Lowering your blood pressure without medication is possible with the right steps. One important fact is that losing just a little weight can make a big difference in your blood pressure. Each kilogram you lose can drop your blood…
‘We Thought Within a Year, She Would Be Gone.’ When Mom’s Care Costs Over $1 Million.
Caregiving costs rising as people live longer and their needs increase Violet Carson married her high-school sweetheart in a small North Carolina town and raised two children in a three-bedroom ranch. When her husband died a decade ago, her children expected their mom, then 78, to follow soon after. She had Parkinson’s disease, Lewy body…
Stroke Recovery: Increasing Physical Activity Key To Improved Outcome
If your elderly parent had a stroke, you know it’s tough for them. They might struggle to move or speak like before. Strokes hit many families hard. They are the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S. One big fact: moving more can really help after a stroke. A study shows people who up…
Arthritis Awareness Month in May aims to increase awareness of all types of arthritis, including RA.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease affecting more than 1.3 million people in the United States. RA occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells. This causes pain and swelling in the joints. It can also affect organs such as the lungs, heart, and eyes. May is Arthritis Awareness Month, and the goal is to increase awareness of…
An action plan to prevent Alzheimer’s disease
Memory loss, behavioural changes, cognitive deficits: Alzheimer’s disease leads to a dramatic loss of autonomy for those affected and has a heavy impact on health costs. Its prevention has become a real social challenge. An international task force, led by the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and the Geneva University Hospitals (HUG), is setting out guidelines…
How to Make a Caregiving Plan (So It’s Ready When You Need It)
Talking about aging and illness can be difficult, but experts have tips for getting started. Credit…Amélie Fontaine By Lynya Floyd Iris Waichler sat at the kitchen table with her husband, Steven, and seven friends. They were gathered to discuss their single, childless friend Paul Mungrides. But this wasn’t a lighthearted chat about finding the 56-year-old a…
Initial Symptoms Could Predict How Fast Alzheimer’s Progresses
Memory loss is the most common symptom associated with Alzheimer’s disease — the terrifying prospect of slowly forgetting yourself and everything around you. But people who exhibit memory loss early on in their dementia actually have a slower rate of decline than those who develop other symptoms earlier, a new study reports. Difficulty forming sentences, making plans,…
FDA approves Alzheimer’s drug that modestly slows the disease
U.S. health officials on Friday approved a closely watched Alzheimer’s drug that modestly slows the brain-robbing disease, albeit with potential safety risks that patients and their doctors will have to carefully weigh. The drug, Leqembi, is the first that’s been convincingly shown to slow the decline in memory and thinking that defines Alzheimer’s by targeting the disease’s…
Staffing Shortages Have U.S. Nursing Homes in Crisis
There’s a shortage of nursing home beds for the elderly in America due to a severe staffing crisis that has caused long-term care facilities to cut back on new admissions, new research shows. Three out of five nursing homes (61%) have limited new admissions due to staffing shortages, according to a survey conducted by the American Health…
Reasons Why People Choose Home Care
When you have a senior adult in your home with physical and mental conditions you will be in a dilemma whether to give them home care medical treatment or take them to a nursing home. There are many types of senior caregiver services available in your local area. By searching for home health care near…
Study shows that a new blood test can detect ‘toxic’ protein years before Alzheimer’s symptoms emerge.
Today, by and large, patients receive a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s only after they exhibit well-known signs of the disease, such as memory loss. By that point, the best treatment options simply slow further progression of symptoms. But research has shown that the seeds of Alzheimer’s are planted years — even decades — earlier, long before…
Many nursing homes are poorly staffed. How do they get away with it?
Regulators have allowed thousands of nursing homes across America to flout federal staffing rules by going an entire day and night without a registered nurse on duty, a USA TODAY investigation has found. Nearly all of them got away with it: Only 4% were cited by government inspectors. Even fewer were fined. When other nursing home caregivers…
Holiday Gift Ideas for Seniors to Buy
Medical Alert Systems Medical alert systems can help people in the event of an emergency and even save a life. They help connect people with an emergency contact or an ambulance. This can be particularly important for seniors in the event of a fall or even with the onset of confusion that can come with dementia. There are…
6 Foods That Boost Brain Health
While most of us know that what we eat affects our bodies, a healthy diet also affects our brains. Regular foods can help keep your brain healthy and improve memory and concentration. While no magic pill – or food – prevents cognitive decline, a healthy dietary pattern that includes many plant-based foods, such as fruits,…
Scientists develop new mathematical model of Alzheimer’s disease
Scientists have used a mathematical model to reveal how toxic proteins cluster together inside the brain during the early stages of Alzheimer’s. The researchers, from the University of York’s School of Physics, Engineering and Technology, say the discovery could have important implications for future treatments. The study revealed that a major class of proteins implicated…
Risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease increases by 50-80% in older adults who caught COVID-19
In a study published today in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, researchers report that people 65 and older who contracted COVID-19 were more prone to developing Alzheimer’s disease in the year following their COVID diagnosis. And the highest risk was observed in women at least 85 years old. The findings showed that the risk for developing…
The #1 Sign Your Dementia Risk is “Way Too High”
Dementia is a disorder that causes a decline in cognitive abilities so severely in many cases that it can impact daily life. The condition affects over 55 million people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization and while there’s no surefire way to prevent dementia, there are lifestyle choices that greatly decrease the risk and Eat This, Not…
Protein discovered in Parkinson’s disease could lead to new treatments
Currently, there are no disease modifying therapies for Parkinson’s disease that can change the progression of the disease. An international team of scientists led by faculty at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is hoping to change that. Today, they published new research in the journal Brain that takes scientists one step closer to understanding a key protein…
If You Have This in Your Mouth, You May Have Alzheimer’s
Is there a connection between poor oral health and dementia? A new study from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine shows specific mouth bacteria can lead to Alzheimer’s disease and neurodegeneration. Here’s what researchers discovered. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID. 1. Gum Disease and…
Get the Facts on Senior Centers
Key Takeaways Recognized by the Older Americans Act (OAA) as a community focal point, senior centers have become one of the most widely used services among America’s older adults. Senior centers serve as a gateway to the nation’s aging network—connecting 1 million older adults to vital community services. Senior centers work in partnership with other community agencies and…
Think You’re at High Risk of Prostate Cancer? Healthy Living Can Slash Odds for Lethal Disease
Genes can put some men at heightened risk of prostate cancer, but a new study suggests they can undo much of that potential harm with a healthy lifestyle. Researchers found that among men at increased genetic risk of prostate cancer, those who maintained a healthy lifestyle were much less likely to die of the disease over…
4 Best Fruits To Eat After 50, Says Dietitian
Don’t fear fruit in your later years, it can actually help you age gracefully. Fruit has gotten a bad reputation for being high in sugar, but there are many benefits of fruit that impact our health in the second half of life! Aging has unique considerations from a nutrition perspective. We want to preserve muscle mass, keep metabolism high,…
If This Sounds Like You, You May Develop Early Dementia
A Yale Medicine neurologist discusses this early stage of memory loss. We’ve all walked into a room, only to have forgotten exactly why we are there. Or maybe our ability to recall names of long-lost friends or classmates isn’t quite what it used to be. These are normal signs of aging. But, if such events…
There’s Always Someone to Turn to: How the 988 Suicide Prevention Hotline Can Help
Key Takeaways If you’re feeling sad, lonely, and hopeless—and have had thoughts of harming yourself—know that you are not alone. Many people, even those who seem to have everything going for them, have had feelings similar to what you’re experiencing right now. Thinking about suicide does not make you a failure or a weak person….
Astrocytic Urea Cycle in the Brain Controls Memory Impairment in Alzheimer’s Disease
The number of elderly suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease has been rapidly rising over the past decades. For a long time, scientists believed that misfolded aggregates of amyloid-beta protein accumulate and form plaques in the brain, leading to memory loss and neuronal death. However, the recent failures of the clinical trials indicate the pressing need to…
Mental Sharpness in Older Adults: Check on Your Mood Before Blaming Your Mind
Key Takeaways Your mood may affect your mind’s ability to think and function as it should. To get help for mood changes, talking to your primary care physician can be a good starting point as they can refer you to a specialized health care professional if necessary. Having a conversation about your mood or mind…
Single Brain Scan Can Diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease
A single MRI scan of the brain could be enough to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease, according to new research by Imperial College London. The research uses machine learning technology to look at structural features within the brain, including in regions not previously associated with Alzheimer’s. The advantage of the technique is its simplicity and the fact…
Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Increase Dementia Risk
People with at least two of the diseases type 2 diabetes, heart disease or stroke have double the risk of developing dementia. Prevention of diabetes and cardiovascular disease could therefore be a strategy for reducing dementia risk, a study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia suggests. Type 2 diabetes, heart diseases…
Study Finds That Stress Accelerates Immune Aging
Stress — in the form of traumatic events, job strain, everyday stressors and discrimination — accelerates aging of the immune system, potentially increasing a person’s risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease and illness from infections such as COVID-19, according to a new USC study. The research, published June 13 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of…
The Mental Health Aspects of Parkinson’s: How It’s More Than a Movement Disease
Many people think that Parkinson’s disease (PD) only affects movement, even some physicians hold this misconception. While movement-related (motor) symptoms of Parkinson’s—like tremor, slowness, and stiffness—are the most visible, there are many Parkinson’s symptoms that are unrelated to movement. Some non-movement symptoms of Parkinson’s include: Anxiety Depression Sleep disorders Cognitive symptoms Fatigue These non-movement symptoms are common and have a great…
Research Finds That Social Isolation is Directly Associated with Later Dementia
Social isolation is directly linked with changes in the brain structures associated with memory, making it a clear risk factor for dementia, scientists have found. Social isolation is an independent risk factor for dementia Interdisciplinary study shows changes to brain structures associated with memory and cognitive function are directly linked to social isolation Data shows…
5 Best Drinks That Can Help Prevent Dementia
Watching someone dear suffer from memory loss can be challenging. You might speculate if there’s a method to prevent dementia or Alzheimer’s in your elderly parents. Cheer up: some types of food and beverages can help maintain their brain health. One crucial aspect to remember is hydration – it is vital for the brain’s health….
Seven Healthy Habits Linked To Lower Risk of Dementia in those with Genetic Risk
Seven healthy habits and lifestyle factors may play a role in lowering the risk of dementia in people with the highest genetic risk, according to research published in the May 25, 2022, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The seven cardiovascular and brain health factors, known as the American Heart…
How Cranberries Could Improve Memory and Ward Off Dementia
Researchers have found that eating cranberries could improve memory, ward off dementia, and reduce ‘bad’ cholesterol. The research team studied the benefits of consuming the equivalent of a cup of cranberries a day among 50 to 80-year-olds. They hope that their findings could have implications for the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia. Adding…
Promising Study for Treatment of Dementia
A Monash University led study has found a promising new treatment for patients with behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia, the second most common form of dementia in the under 60s — resulting in a stabilising of what would normally be escalating behavioural issues, and a slowing of brain shrinkage due to the disease. It is the…
Calming Overexcited Neurons May Protect Brain After Stroke
New data prompts reconsideration of decades-old theory about brain injury due to stroke A new study has prompted scientists to reconsider a once-popular yet controversial idea in stroke research. Neuroscientists believed that, in the aftermath of a stroke, calming overexcited neurons might prevent them from releasing a toxic molecule that can kill neurons already damaged…
Live Healthy, Live Longer Without Dementia
By Steven Reinberg, HealthDay Reporter Staving off Alzheimer’s disease might just take a healthy diet, exercise and an active mind, a new study suggests. Women and men who follow a healthy lifestyle live longer — and longer without Alzheimer’s or other dementias, researchers say. “Eating a healthy diet rich in vegetables, berries, whole grains, and low in fried or…
Sonoma County Health Officer Reveals COVID-19 Outbreaks at Senior Living Sites
“The elderly man who died Sunday after contracting the new coronavirus was a resident at a Sonoma skilled nursing facility, one of the senior living sites where 40 infections have emerged since June 1, according to county health officials and state health department data. On Wednesday, county health officials disclosed the most detailed data yet…
COVID-19 Swab Test Offers Peace of Mind to Home Care Workers
NOVATO, Calif. – The COVID-19 test, swirling a swab high in the nostril, is not a pleasant sensation, but worth it, said dozens of caregivers who streamed in for testing Friday in Novato. “Oh my God,” gasped Molly Bray, as a public health nurse finished probing her nose. “I would do it no matter how…
Families With Loved Ones Inside Nursing Homes During Pandemic Cope With Anxiety
NOVATO, Calif. – Nursing homes- with their vulnerable residents- might seem ideal for COVID-19 testing. But critics say testing is spotty at best, and often launched only after people are sick and dying. “We have seen flare-ups in the total number of positives, not just patients, but also staff members,” said Governor Gavin Newsom, devoting much of his…
A Message to Our Clients Regarding COVID-19
While there is a dizzying array of information resources and reports about COVID-19, we wanted to let our Clients and families know what At Home Caregivers is doing to ensure that we continue to provide “Legendary Caregiving Services“. The health and safety of our Clients has always been our first priority. As such, we utilize…
We’re Getting Old, but We’re Not Doing Anything About It
Great perspective on aging in America. For the Clients I serve, their families know all too well the challenges of aging. What the author didn’t say is simply this: even if you’re family provides some care at home for their aging parents, getting old is enormously expensive. Following either path of assistance; placement in a…
Would You Let a Robot Take Care of Your Mother?
Robotic companions are being promoted as an antidote to the burden of longer, lonelier human lives. At stake is the future of what it means to be human. “An aging population is fueling the rise of the robot caregiver, as the devices moving into the homes and hearts of the aging and sick offer new…
Owning a Dog Tied to Lowering Your Risk of Dying Early by 24%, Says Science
“Our analysis found having a dog is actually protective against dying of any cause,” said Mount Sinai endocrinologist Dr. Caroline Kramer, lead author of a new systematic review of nearly 70 years of global research published Tuesday in “Circulation,” a journal of the American Heart Association. https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/08/health/dogs-help-us-live-longer-wellness/index.html
