In addition to trying to raise me to be a good person, my parents gave me an example by how they lived their lives. They also shared these guidelines they wanted me to follow in life. From Mom: Always send thank you notes. Red and purple do not go together. It is important to read to your children. Use Sir …
In my 19 years in the healthcare industry I have talked with hundreds of residents and family members and it helped me have a greater appreciation for what families go through when making the big, life-changing decisions for their older family members. But nothing could prepare me for what it was like – up close and personal. I did not …
In the spectrum of senior care, assisted living is an option that falls between independent living and skilled nursing or long-term care. Assisted living facilities (ALFs) offer a viable solution for seniors who can live on their own but may also need some assistance. A new concept just three decades ago, assisted living is the fastest-growing housing option for seniors …
Consider the statistics. Every 65 seconds, someone develops Alzheimer’s disease, an irreversible, progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills. Today, 5.7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s. By 2050, this number is projected to more than double, rising to nearly 14 million. Much of the responsibility of caring for people with Alzheimer’s falls on the shoulders of …
Each year, more than 700,000 people in the U.S. suffer a stroke, and about one-third of that number lose their lives. Strokes are the fifth-leading cause of death in the nation and the third-leading cause of disability. Also known as “brain attacks,” strokes occur when the blood to the brain becomes blocked. Brain cells begin to die, and abilities controlled …
Infectious disease can be deadly, especially for seniors. From the flu to bacterial pneumonia, these diseases account for 40 percent of deaths in older adults. They are caused by microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, or parasites, and can rapidly spread from person to person. Some infections, such as MRSA – the so-called “superbug” – are resistant to many antibiotics, …
Historically, meal service in the senior living industry has fallen short. Fresh, great-tasting, made-from-scratch cuisine – coupled with a five-star resident dining experience – has been the exception, not the rule. But today paints a different picture. An industry transformation is in the works, with a focus on offering maximum nutrition, mealtime flexibility, and a memorable social experience. Changing the …
“Use it or lose it,” the saying goes. These words of wisdom are true in many areas of life, but particularly for our bodies as we age. Staying fit helps to lower blood pressure, decrease the risk of falls and injuries, and slow the body’s loss of muscle tone and bone mass. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends …
For today’s seniors, diabetes has rapidly become an epidemic. About one in four people over 60 in the U.S. has diabetes, a condition in which the body does not properly process food for use as energy. If diabetes is not adequately managed, it can lead to serious health problems, from stroke and heart disease to kidney failure, hearing loss, blindness, …
If you or your loved one has been discharged from the hospital, ensuring a continued high level of care is key to regaining health, strength, and mobility. Short-stay transitional care facilities provide medical follow-up for patients in their first days after a hospital stay – and can make all the difference between a successful return to home or a rebound …
