Category Archives: Health

Keeping Older Adults Safe in the Heat

Photo by Sam Williams for Unsplash. Two older people walking together in short sleeves and shorts.

Summer is in full swing in the Northern Hemisphere. Weather extremes are increasing, with hotter temps a concern for large swathes of the U.S. At the same time, the U.S. population is older than ever before and there are safety measures to keep in mind when we venture outdoors. It’s important to take precautions when … Continue reading Keeping Older Adults Safe in the Heat

Caregivers Guide to Oral Care

Guide to Oral Care for Dentures

Dr. Alisa Kaufman, a dentist specializing in geriatric care, shares her expertise to help caregivers become more confident in providing daily oral care to seniors — whether by brushing, flossing and using picks, or removing and cleaning full or partial dentures. Below is first in a two-part series of a caregivers guide to oral care. … Continue reading Caregivers Guide to Oral Care

Beat the Heat: 7 Safety Tips for Aging Adults

beat the heat

It’s been a challenging year, with social isolation, a worldwide pandemic, and having to be confined indoors.  Now that it’s Summer, and most of the outdoor restrictions have been lifted, it is exciting to finally be able to venture outdoors and enjoy the beautiful weather, the blossoming flowers, and the abundant sunshine! However, there are … Continue reading Beat the Heat: 7 Safety Tips for Aging Adults

Is it time for the homecare industry to mandate vaccinations?

I recently had a simple request from an elderly patient’s wife after her husband had a short stay in a rehabilitation facility. “I want the home health aide that comes to my house to be vaccinated,” she requested. Prior to my patient’s discharge from the sub-acute facility, the social worker sending out the referrals to the … Continue reading Is it time for the homecare industry to mandate vaccinations?

Hydration: How Much Water Should You Drink Every Day?

Recent weather and above-average, record-breaking temperatures have me wondering if I drink enough liquid, especially water. The human adult body is approximately 55 to 60 percent water. Staying hydrated is essential to our health and helping our bodies function optimally.   How does water function in our bodies? Regulates body temperature Lubricates joints Flushes body … Continue reading Hydration: How Much Water Should You Drink Every Day?

Summer Safety for Seniors

With the pandemic now hopefully behind us, how can seniors most safely enjoy and celebrate this summer? There are two priorities to keep our community’s elders safe: avoiding the dangers of excessive summer heat and humidity, and preventing falls, a year-round need, but one where summer presents some special challenges. Keeping Cool During Our Hot … Continue reading Summer Safety for Seniors

How to choose a Skilled Nursing Facility

When families have exhausted other options sometimes the decision is made to move an older loved one in a skilled nursing facility. Usually, this decision is made under stress, without much time, and/or without a lot of information. You do not need to do this alone. Having a partner in this process, i.e. a professional … Continue reading How to choose a Skilled Nursing Facility

Six Steps to Better Brain Health

While the COVID-19 pandemic has presented us with challenges, it has also taught us lessons. Likely, you have tapped into your emotional reserves and discovered how resilient you are during this time. Brain health, of which mental health is an essential component, has been at the forefront of many conversations with family, friends, and colleagues … Continue reading Six Steps to Better Brain Health

Gray is a Color on the Rainbow

June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate and affirm the diverse mosaic of our humanity. Part of this rainbow coalition includes a growing number of LGBTQIA+ elders. Conservative estimates are that there are over 3 million LGBTQIA+ people over 50 living in the US today. According to SAGE, an advocacy organization for the older LGBTQIA+ … Continue reading Gray is a Color on the Rainbow