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Featured Articles
You'll always find all our featured articles here. We generally post new articles several times each week. We feature them here so you can find all the new articles in one place. Click on any headline below to find the full article. And be sure to click the 'view more articles' link at the bottom of the page to read other articles you may have missed.
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Where to Scatter the Ashes
My father wanted to be cremated, and we have followed his wishes. He never did say what he wanted us to do with his ashes, but we know he always wanted to go back home to the small town where he grew up. He was very claustrophobic, and we don't believe he would want to be buried or sealed up. We are thinking about scattering his ashes along the riverbank there . . . keep reading
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The TV Remote: A Senior's Most Important Piece of Equipment
Don Whitten, who serves as maintenance manager for a large assisted living residence, says that his true title should be "television remote programmer." Every day, according to Don, he re-sets no less than 3 TVs for residents who manage to mess up the teeny, tiny buttons on their remote control units. "It's a true emergency around here," he laughs, "when Wheel of Fortune goes black." . . . keep reading
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When Seniors Combine Drugs and Alcohol
Because the elderly in general use more medications than younger people, they are significantly more apt to experience drug side effects. When alcohol is added into the mix, the potential for adverse reactions can increase geometrically. Whether someone enjoys an occasional cocktail or drinks alcohol frequently, it's important to know how alcohol will affect both over the counter and prescription medications . . . keep reading
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Risks When Assisted Living Residences Take Medicaid
With the help of Medicaid Ginny lived happily at her assisted living residence for 18 months. Then one day she received an official notice that her facility was withdrawing from the Medicaid program in favor of private-pay only. Ginny had 30 days to find another assisted living facility that would accept her Medicaid. Unfortunately, there were more people in her situation than there were other local subsidized openings. Ginny and many of the other Medicaid residents from her assisted living ended up with no option but to move into a nursing home . . . keep reading
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Osteopenia: An Early Osteoporosis Warning For You and Your Elders
Osteopenia refers to a condition where the density and strength of our bones (the bone mineral density, or BMD) is lower than normal, but not low enough to be classified as full blown osteoporosis. Having osteopenia means there is a greater risk that, as time passes, someone may develop osteoporosis, which is a very low bone mineral density . . . keep reading
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Help Getting a Wheelchair Ramp and Safety Equipment
My mother with MS came to live with me recently. She uses a wheelchair, and can still take care of herself. With our combined income we are paying our bills (barely), but we can't afford to buy a wheelchair ramp or any safety bars for the bathroom. Do you know of any programs that help pay for handicapped equipment or ramps? . . . keep reading
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FDA Slaps Aricept Ads
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently chastized two television commercials for Aricept, the most popular medication for Alzheimer's Disease, as "misleading," "deceptive," and "not supported by the available research data." . . . keep reading
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Does Everyone Over 65 Need an Elder Law Attorney?
We've noticed that it's becoming increasingly popular to advise everyone older than 65 to consult with an elder law attorney whenever a legal question crops up. This, like all cookie cutter recipes, is sometimes right, and sometimes not. When should you make it a point to look for an elder law attorney, and when would another legal specialty be just as good, or better, for someone over the age of 65? . . . keep reading
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MRI and Pacemaker: A Possibly Dangerous Combo
It's something else for seniors and caregivers to remember: If someone has a pacemaker, newly released research indicates that an MRI might not be a safe procedure. With potentially one of every four people receiving an MRI also having an implanted pacemaker, this raises some serious concerns . . . keep reading
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Living With Arthritis: Easy Door and Cabinet Fixes
More than heart disease, cancer or diabetes, arthritis limits our activities at home. More than 50 percent of all adults have some form of arthritis, which can make even the most common daily activities frustrating and painful. Many of the small things around the house that are hard to use can be easily modified or replaced, increasing the independence and quality of life for the person with arthritis and reducing the amount of help caregivers have to provide . . . keep reading
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The Census is Coming: Keeping Our Seniors Safe From Scammers
Beginning in March, 2010 the Census Bureau will mail a 10-question form to every household in the United States. Because all residents in the country are required to answer these questions, and the public is being reminded over and over that they should participate, scammers see this as a great opportunity to collect personal information. Our seniors tend to be trusting, and they will be targets . . . keep reading
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Feeding Tubes For End Stage Dementia
Patients with Alzheimer's Disease who live to the end stages will almost certainly lose the ability to eat normally. They may become unable to mentally process the mechanics of what to do with food. The reflexes that enable them to swallow safely may be lost. In these cases, many have their lives extended with feeding tubes, whether or not that may have been what they wished . . . keep reading
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VA Benefits After 50 Years
Would my mother be eligible for any type of benefits from my father's military service even after this length of time has passed (50 years)? If she indeed is eligible for benefits, would the only surviving child then receive those benefits or are those strictly for the surviving spouse? . . . keep reading
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Chandeliers Don't Care
One of our favorite sayings is, "Chandeliers don't care." Chandeliers may add beauty to your loved one's environment, but it's the people in the trenches who make life worth living in an assisted living residence or nursing facility. All the chandeliers in the world won't bring a smile to your loved one's face, or change soiled clothing with grace and humor . . . keep reading
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Alzheimers Disease
