Eldercare

Take Time To Care For Caregiver

ruzik_tuzik — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 22:56:14 -0600

Prior generations often shared wonderful memories of active and healthy grandparents -- typically because seniors didn't live far past their prime years. In the last century, with life expectancy having increased by an average of 30 years, the "golden ages" are much more encumbered by health care concerns, which may make older loved ones unable to live alone or care for themselves.

Ten Myths about Hospice and Palliative Care

hareyan — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 09:02:33 -0600

Hospice isn't a place. And hospice care is not just about those who are dying. Hospice is a comprehensive kind of care that focuses on living - it’s about living as fully as possible, surrounded by family and friends, up until the end of life. Palliative care brings this special philosophy of care to people earlier in the course of a serious illness.

How To Tell If Mom, Dad Are OK

ruzik_tuzik — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 22:41:28 -0600

Mom insists she and dad are fine when you're on the phone, but your brother's not so sure after stopping by. Whether it's a weekend visit with your aging parents or an extended trip with elderly relatives, keep an eye out for warning signs they need help.

* Food in the refrigerator is uneaten or outdated. A quick glance in the fridge can tell you a lot: Is there sufficient food in there? Is the food past its prime? Is there a lot of uneaten food because your parents don't have much of an appetite anymore?

Hospice Provides Many Health Care Services

Kathleen Blanchard RN — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 20:49:13 -0600

November is National Hospice month. This month, hospice is raising awareness about their services. Hospice care in the home can bring hope and comfort to families in turmoil. This year's theme is Hope, Dignity, Love… It must be hospice. Hospice providers team up this month to bring awareness about home care services for critically ill patients.

Response / Solution To Better Care For Elderly

ruzik_tuzik — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 23:22:57 -0600

Nearly a dozen state-wide and local organizations have joined the Pennsylvania Assisted Living Consumer Alliance (PALCA) since the July announcement of the Alliance's formation. Dozens of individuals have likewise joined the Alliance's efforts to ensure that proposed licensing rules safeguard the care of elderly and disabled residents.

Elderly California Residents Have Chronic Health Conditions

ruzik_tuzik — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:25:49 -0600

A growing number of elderly California residents are in poor health, suffering from chronic health conditions, and minorities are some of the most affected, according to a University of California-Los Angeles study released on Thursday, the Los Angeles Times reports. The study is based on the California Health Interview Survey, which polls about 50,000 households statewide every two years.

Gardening Reduces Stress For Alzheimer's Caregivers

hareyan — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 09:49:45 -0600

According to the Alzheimer’s Association 2008 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, more than 40 percent of the 10 million American unpaid caregivers rate the emotional stress of caregiving as high or very high. However, according to a BHG.com online survey of 1,340 respondents, nearly 60 percent of respondents say gardening relaxes them.

Free Caregiver Toolkit For Families

ruzik_tuzik — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:09:20 -0600

Sunrise Senior Living (NYSE: SRZ) communities offer a variety of resources and services to adult children needing information about caring for an aging loved one. For a limited time, many Sunrise communities are offering a special Caregiver Toolkit to visitors inquiring about Sunrise services, and a web page has been set-up at sunriseseniorliving.com enabling viewers to download it.

GEM Study Fails To Show Benefit In Preventing Dementia In Elderly

ruzik_tuzik — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:35:45 -0600

The dietary supplement Ginkgo biloba was found to be ineffective in reducing the development of dementia and Alzheimer's disease in older people, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Researchers led by Steven T. DeKosky, M.D., formerly of the University of Pittsburgh, vice president and dean of the School of Medicine at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, conducted the trial known as the Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory (GEM) study at four clinical sites over the course of 8 years.

Extendicare Class Action Lawsuit Filed over Nursing Home Neglect in Wisconsin

hareyan — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:09:55 -0600

Nursing home operator Extendicare faces a third class action suit, this time filed on behalf of all residents of their nursing homes in Wisconsin. Similar Extendicare class action lawsuits have been filed in Washington and Minnesota, with all of the cases alleging that the company places profits over patient care by admitting residents that they are not properly equipped to handle.