Uncategorized Archives - Page 11 of 17

Oral Health and Aging

As we age, it often gets more difficult to maintain optimal oral health. Brushing and flossing become more challenging with arthritic or weakened hands, or due to tremors. Many of us with declining cognition just cannot remember to do these daily tasks. It is critical, though, to keep our mouths clean and visit a dentist […]

Alcohol and Older Adults

Anyone at any age can have a drinking problem. Families, friends and healthcare workers sometimes overlook their concerns about older people drinking, or mistake it for other conditions related to aging, such as a problem with balance. How the body handles alcohol can change as you age. Some older people can feel “high” without increasing […]

Seniors and Mental Health

As parents and grandparents age, many adult children (and seniors themselves) fear that their loved one will be diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. However, there is another disease that poses the biggest threat to senior mental health: depression. In fact, depressive disorders are the top mental health issue faced by seniors today, as […]

COVID-19: Coping and Support

There are so many sources of stress during the COVID-19 pandemic , it’s normal to feel some anxiety. Everyone reacts differently to stressful situations. How you respond to the outbreak can depend on your background, the things that make you different from other people, and the community you live in. The most important thing to […]

Home Modifications

Home improvements, modifications and repairs can help older adults maintain their independence and prevent accidents. A home modification adapts a living space so that occupants can live safely, perform tasks better and live independently, despite their physical limitations. It is important to consider areas of the home that present the most trouble or concern. If […]

Preventing and Treating Constipation

Many older adults deal with constipation on a regular basis. It is uncomfortable and can be frustrating. What, exactly, is constipation? It happens when a person goes 3 days or more without a bowel movement. Symptoms include few bowel movements, straining when trying to pass a bowel movement, small or hard stools, feeling like everything […]

Preventing Dehydration

Drinking plenty of water is critical to wellness because dehydration is a common cause of hospitalization among older people. Many of the earliest signs, like dry mouth, fatigue, dizziness and muscle cramps, are nonspecific and could be easily attributed to other medical conditions, medications or natural effects of aging. Water is good for both elimination […]

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Seniors and Sleep

Restful sleep is one of the building blocks to good health. Many mistakenly believe that seniors don’t need as much sleep as younger adults, but that’s not the case. Seven to eight hours per night is a good range for most adults, though elders often don’t get enough, or don’t get all of their sleep […]

Managing Pain for Seniors

As we age, we’re more likely to have pain-related ailments, but that doesn’t mean we should accept pain as a fact of life. There are many effective pain management strategies, even though challenges exist as well. Sometimes doctors underestimate the actual amount of pain their geriatric patients are experiencing. Seniors themselves may assume that getting […]