Elder Care Cafe

Oh, God Movie Review

Edie — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:08:10 +0000

Occasionally I like to review movies that may be of interest to seniors. Some of the movies are recent releases, while others may be from decades past. Oh, God first hit theaters in 1977 and later landed on video and DVD. Recently I had the pleasure of watching it again after having seen the original [...]

Skin Signs and Symptoms You Need to Know

Edie — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:02:04 +0000

Did you know that you can get a sun burn during the winter months? People who spend time on ski slopes, at outdoor ice skating rinks, or sledding on their favorite hill can also develop sunburn if they are not careful. The best barometer of whether or not you may be a candidate for skin [...]

How Sense of Smell Changes Affect Aging Seniors

Edie — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:07:10 +0000

As most of us are aware, as we age we experience numerous changes in our body. Quite often one of those changes is our sense of smell. Unfortunately, any change in our sense of smell can also affect our enjoyment of what we eat and drink, as well as how we eat and what nutrients [...]

Zumba for Seniors – Is it Safe?

Edie — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:52:25 +0000

Every so often a new fitness craze spreads across the country, and sometimes the world. Zumba is one of those that has been drawing new fans for a number of years. If you are unfamiliar with Zumba, it is a Latin dance-inspired fitness program that began sometime in the 1990s. A choreographer by the name [...]

Risk Factors for High Blood Pressure

Edie — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:07:38 +0000

Did you know that you can have high blood pressure for years without noticing any symptoms? I didn’t either. But, what I found out was that high blood pressure that is uncontrolled can increase your risk of a heart or stroke, or other serious health problems. It can occur when the force of the blood [...]

The Importance of Exercise for Seniors

Edie — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 12:19:52 +0000

As people age, it is more important than ever to add exercise to their daily regimen. We have all heard how exercise and living a healthy lifestyle can add years to our lives. It can also help guarantee that the life we are living is enjoyable with a body that is flexible and moves freely. [...]

Finding Documents You Need For Your Loved One

Edie — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:32:51 +0000

While feeding, bathing, and dressing your loved one may play an important role in performing care giving duties, there are other responsibilities that a caregiver may also need to include. Not only will you take care of their physical and emotional needs, but you may also become their primary caregiver and need to handle their [...]

Journal Writing and the Caregiver

Edie — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:15:11 +0000

Everyone needs an outlet. Caregivers are special people but they are still people who have feelings and needs of their own. Journaling is a form of therapy to help caregivers cope with their difficult and often lonely task. Most humans are prone to keeping their feelings bottled up inside. Unfortunately doing so can lead to [...]

Who are Caregivers in Your Family?

Edie — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:08:00 +0000

In most cases, caregivers are usually family members who have a vested interest in caring for a loved one or are placed in a position where there is no one else to take care of the person. Also, most of the time they perform their care giving duties not for pay, but out of love, [...]

Alzheimer’s Disease – The Diagnosis You Do Not Want to Hear

Edie — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 11:52:15 +0000

Although we knew Dad was having problems with his memory, some of us actually thought he was experiencing a series of mini strokes much as my mother had prior to her death. She was diagnosed with TIA dementia, and Dad’s symptoms somewhat mirrored hers. However, yesterday we got the dreaded news that rather rocked our world. Those [...]

Your Diet Can Help Prevent Osteoporosis

Edie — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 12:39:50 +0000

Osteoporosis is a condition some people call “brittle bones.” As we age, our body loses calcium and this affects our bones. Women are particularly susceptible to osteoporosis. Fortunately, there is something you can do about it. Changing your diet can help you preserve your current level of bone mass. For many years I worked in [...]

Safety Tips For Seniors Who Travel

Edie — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:35:49 +0000

Many seniors who live in the northern climates like to head south for the winter, while others prefer to stay where they are. After the bleakness and gloom of winter the glorious days of summer are very much longed for by most people. It is a time for holiday trips, cook-outs and a whole lot [...]

What Are Your Post Retirement Plans

Edie — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 12:32:38 +0000

Retirement is a word that can instill a variety of feelings in a person ranging from fear to pleasurable expectations among others. I know I was more than ready to quit the nine to five regimens. In my case it happened to be 7 to 3:30, but it still made for a long day at [...]

How Do You Define Old

Edie — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 12:31:37 +0000

Recently there has been some discussion regarding how old is old. The answer seems to depend on the age of the person who was asked that question. Now that Baby Boomers are moving into their mid-sixties, the definition of old has dramatically changed. While many think that 40 is the new 30, they also believe [...]

Happy New Year – 2012

Edie — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 12:25:38 +0000

Because this is the end of the year and the beginning of our next yearly adventure, I wanted to take the opportunity to thank all of you who have visited this site, participated in any way, and passed on the link to others. You are very much appreciated. We have not been without struggles this [...]

Drugs for Memory Loss – Alzheimer’s Treatment Options

Edie — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 11:54:26 +0000

Alzheimer’s disease occurs when the brain cells of a person begin to die causing connections among cells to get lost. This disconnect causes cognitive symptoms to worsen. Cognitive involves conscious intellectual activity such as thinking, reasoning, and remembering according to Webster’s Dictionary. The sad news is that there is no drug on the market that [...]

Recognizing Alzheimer’s Disease: 3 Types of Warning Signs

Guest — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 23:12:44 +0000

Any discussion of the warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease must include a caveat. Many misconceptions or simply fears of Alzheimer’s and lists of so-called early symptoms result in the danger of overreaction by individuals evaluating themselves, their partner’s, relatives, or others. Three types of Alzheimer’s disease are defined medically as early on-set Alzheimer’s, Familial Alzheimer’s [...]

The Importance of Stress Management for Seniors

Edie — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:41:06 +0000

Years ago we envisioned our golden years to be full of relaxation and stress free living; at least most of us did. Who in the world would want financial woes, family problems, or emotional upheavals to plague them as they entered their senior years? Most seniors look forward to living a life that allows them [...]

Seniors Can Stay Fit by Eating Right – Here’s how

Edie — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 14:39:03 +0000

As we all know aging is a process that occurs over time. We are young, active, and enjoying life. Then one day the realization sets in that we are feeling and looking older; we either do not or cannot exercise or participate in sports the way we used to; and we are beginning to tire [...]

7 Early Warning Signs You May Have Alzheimer’s

Edie — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:26:53 +0000

A working definition of dementia is that it is a medical condition in which the brain loses its ability to function. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and the terms are often used interchangeably. It is often difficult to tell whether someone has Alzheimer’s or any of the other many forms of [...]

Learn to Eat Healthy with These Ten Tips

Guest — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 10:58:55 +0000

Healthy eating does not mean that you have to deprive yourself of your favorite foods. It is more about smart eating. It does not matter about what you eat. You need to be more focused on how you eat your foods. By choosing the foods carefully you can reduce the risk of different diseases. Healthy [...]

Skin Tips for Aging Seniors

Edie — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 14:42:35 +0000

Recently I noticed how thin my father’s skin has become. In fact, it is so thin that just touching it can cause it to tear apart. As careful as we are when we apply the lotion the doctor gave him, we still have a problems. That got me thinking about finding skin tips that tell [...]

Awareness Ribbons List Added to Elder Care Cafe

Edie — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 11:08:42 +0000

In the last twenty years or so, a plethora of awareness ribbons have arrived on the scene. Wearing a ribbon is a way for the public to show their support for a favorite cause. Over the years a variety of colors have made their way into the national and international fabric of life. There is [...]

Diabetes Foot Care a Must for all Diabetics

Edie — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 11:35:08 +0000

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that affects the lives of about 16 million people in the United States. Many of those afflicted with the disease are not aware that they have it. Further statistics are just as alarming – 2,200 new cases of diabetes are diagnosed every day and 780,00 new cases every year. [...]

Exercise Safety Tips for Seniors

Edie — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 15:48:20 +0000

This article covers a range of issues relating to the health and safety of seniors. Some of these factors are extremely basic but seldom considered whenever senior health is in the spotlight. While you have probably heard all of this before, we hope that by bringing these issues to the forefront once again we will [...]