Patricia Grace's feed

Asthma often mistaken for heart disease in the elderly

Patricia Grace, Senior Care Examiner — Wed, 23 May 2012 21:59:26 +0000

People over 65 also have asthma and often face an uphill health battle as a result, a new study suggests. Once hospitalized, these individuals are 14 times more likely to die from asthma than younger adults. What's more...

The revolving door of dementia care

Patricia Grace, Senior Care Examiner — Wed, 16 May 2012 03:36:41 +0000

Most elderly dementia patients are cared for and die in their homes and cared for by a family member, rather than in an institutional setting, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.&nbsp...

Social networking growing at a fast rate among seniors

Patricia Grace, Senior Care Examiner — Wed, 02 May 2012 16:21:57 +0000

The mHealth community, despite its obvious love of at-home monitoring for those with chronic conditions, is missing a major opportunity to create apps for seniors, according to Eric Dishman, who complained about the problem at length to Forbes...

Who pays what when you die?

Patricia Grace, Senior Care Examiner — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 22:39:03 +0000

In most cases when a person with debt dies, it's their estate, not their kids that's legally responsible.When you die, your estate -- which consists of the stuff you own while you're alive (home...

Don't worry, be happy

Patricia Grace, Senior Care Examiner — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 22:47:07 +0000

Scientists (and Bobby McFerrin singer/songwriter - Don't Worry Be Happy) have long known that Type A personalities and people who are chronically angry, anxious or depressed have a higher risk of heart attacks. Now a Harvard review...

National Garlic Day - April 19

Patricia Grace, Senior Care Examiner — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:00:10 +0000

Today is National Garlic Day and promotes the many uses of Garlic. You probably know it’s a herb but did you know it’s also a vegetable. Garlic has ben used medicinally for thousands of...

Vaccinations...not just for kids

Patricia Grace, Senior Care Examiner — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:40:56 +0000

Most people think that vaccinations are just for kids, but adults, especially seniors, need their shots too. Here's a breakdown of what vaccines the Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends for adults age 50 and older...

Many US Cities Not Prepared for Aging in Place

Patricia Grace, Senior Care Examiner — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 23:48:46 +0000

The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging conducted a survey six years ago that showed less than half of participating cities were prepared to deal with the needs of older folks, says the article, and said at the...

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Patricia Grace, Senior Care Examiner — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 19:11:23 +0000

Thanks to improvements in prevention, early detection and treatment, more than a million people in the U.S. count themselves as survivors of colorectal cancer.Most people with early colon or rectal cancer have no symptoms of the disease...

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Patricia Grace, Senior Care Examiner — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 19:04:27 +0000

Aggression and Alzheimer’s

Patricia Grace, Senior Care Examiner — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 16:01:33 +0000

One of the most difficult, distressing and frightening situations for home caregivers or staff in care facilities is aggressive or combative behavior from someone who has Alzheimer's disease. Aggression such as shouting, raising a...

Know the warning signs...

Patricia Grace, Senior Care Examiner — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:14:27 +0000

Malnutrition is a serious senior health issue. Know the warning signs and how to help an older loved one avoid poor nutrition.According to Mayo Clinic staff, nutrition is critical to senior health, especially for those seniors that are seriously...

How to help a loved one stop smoking? Don't nag!

Patricia Grace, Senior Care Examiner — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:12:36 +0000

Smoking continues to remain the leading cause of COPD. The more a person smokes, the more likely that person will develop COPD. There is no cure for COPD. However, there are many things you can do to relieve symptoms and...

Can you die from a broken heart?

Patricia Grace, Senior Care Examiner — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 01:00:15 +0000

There really is such a thing as heartbreaking grief, suggests new research that finds losing a loved one can increase the risk of heart attack.Within a day of a significant other's death, heart attack risk was...

Senior housing in 2012 and beyond

Patricia Grace, Senior Care Examiner — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:38:01 +0000

The economy is still the number one reason that many seniors have delayed moving into a senior housing community. Other reasons include: utilizing family, technology, medicine and community support to remain in their current environment. This...

How to help someone who is having a stroke

Patricia Grace, Senior Care Examiner — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:03:48 +0000

Nobody wants to see a loved one become a stroke victim. But if you need to offer stroke help, fast action is important.“After an acute stroke, time is of the essence,” says Matthew D. Vibbert, MD, assistant...

Older Driver Awareness Week

Patricia Grace, Senior Care Examiner — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 01:08:27 +0000

December 5 through 9 is Older Driver Safety Awareness Week.The first of the baby boomers turn 65 this year, so the population of seniors will be increasing (and driving) substantially over the next twenty years. According to the...

I am not just a Caregiver - I AM the Veteran

Patricia Grace, Senior Care Examiner — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 20:47:05 +0000

WANT TO HONOR VETERANS? HONOR THEIR CAREGIVERSIt’s no coincidence that November marks both Veterans Day and National Family Caregivers month. To truly honor veterans, we must also start honoring their caregivers.Caregivers of veterans remain...

Can happiness lead to living longer?

Patricia Grace, Senior Care Examiner — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 23:16:24 +0000

Being happy doesn't just improve the quality of your life. According to a new study, it may increase the quantity of your life as well.Older people were up to 35% less likely to die during the five...

Finally, a raise in social security

Patricia Grace, Senior Care Examiner — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 23:27:20 +0000

On October 19th the Social Security Administation announced that retirement benefits for nearly 55 million people will rise 3.6% in 2012, the first cost of living increase since 2009. Some other changes that take effect in January...