Medical Topics
6 Ways to Prevent Heat Stroke in Seniors
Summertime can be a fun and wonderful season to enjoy the outdoors – but it can also present dangers in the form of heat injuries such as heat stroke. Heat stroke is a condition caused by your body overheating, usually due to prolonged exposure to the sun or physical exertion in high temperatures. Because untreated…
Read MoreLiving Will vs. Health Care Proxy
Although most people realize they should have some advanced healthcare directive in place, there is often a lot of confusion about what type they need and why. First, it’s important to understand why advanced healthcare directives emerged. They were created in response to increasingly sophisticated medical technology. A century ago, before recent technological breakthroughs and…
Read MoreThe Latest News on COVID-19 Vaccines, Including Boosters and the Delta Variant
As the contagious and rapidly-spreading delta variant of COVID-19 continues to increase case numbers in the United States and across the world, the FDA is urging Americans to get vaccinated if they haven’t already. Currently, three vaccines are authorized and recommended in the United States to prevent COVID-19. While the CDC does not recommend one…
Read MoreBody Heat Regulation in the Elderly
July and August bring on what is known as the “dog days of summer” – body heat, hot, muggy, sunny days that can cause lethargy and exhaustion. However, extreme temperatures that make the rest of us seek out the nearest beach or pool can have much more dire consequences for older people due to their…
Read MoreMay is ALS Awareness Month
Besides being the month we set aside to honor mothers, May is also ALS Awareness Month. Also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease (named after the high-profile baseball player who was diagnosed with the disease), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The…
Read MoreTips for Caring for Someone with Parkinson’s Disease
April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month. While most people have a general idea about the physical symptoms of Parkinson’s, not as many understand what the day-to-day challenges of those who suffer from it can look like. It’s very helpful for those who have a loved one or are caring for someone with Parkinson’s to become knowledgeable…
Read MoreCOVID-19 Vaccines: Where, When, How & Why to Get It
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently authorized the emergency use of two vaccines to prevent COVID-19: one for people 16 years of age and older, and another for people ages 18 and older. (There is no vaccine approved yet for children under age 16.) Both vaccines require two doses per person, roughly three to…
Read MoreWays to Engage Seniors During the Winter
‘Tis the season to stay warm, safe, and healthy – especially for our older population. The combination of navigating the cold winter months with an ongoing pandemic requiring social distancing can create extra challenges for those looking to engage the elderly. Here are some ideas for stimulating indoor activities for seniors that can be safely…
Read MoreSigns That Your Loved Ones May Need More Help
No one knows your parents or loved ones like you do – so you will likely be one of the first to notice any decline in them that may warrant bringing in a caregiver. This last year of COVID-19 has been especially challenging in that many of us have been more isolated from our elderly…
Read MoreOutdoor Activities for the Elderly Community That Fit Within COVID-19 Guidelines
While COVID-19 has dramatically altered life for everyone, it has particularly affected the senior demographic. Since the elderly are at a higher risk of complications from the coronavirus, many of them have significantly restricted their usual activities to lower their chances of catching it. Older adults must do everything they can to protect their health…
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