While many people may think they are following the rules when it comes to their prescriptions, medication adherence mistakes happen frequently, and the effects can be disastrous – particularly for older adults, often leading to hospitalization. In other instances, seniors intentionally avoid following the prescribing doctor’s recommendations – such as by cutting prescriptions in half to save money and make…
Most of us recognize that medications can be life-saving, but many of us have heard alarming reports about patients who have received incorrect medication – either as a consequence of an issue with the doctor or pharmacy. What many people don’t think about is that there is a hidden risk even when we get the right medication — the hazard…
There are an astounding 10,000+ prescription medicines available in America, and as many as one-third of all adults take five or more of these medications each day. If you happen to be a caregiver for a senior friend or family member, the difficulty of managing the prescriptions, interactions and dosage amounts can be intimidating. As a matter of fact, studies…
Of all the various changes that we experience as we age, bruising easily is one that can be especially concerning for family members to observe in their senior loved ones. Although it’s best to check with the older person’s doctor whenever there is a health concern, it’s also beneficial to understand that bruising in older adults is quite common, and…
For diabetics, every day is jam-packed with a plethora of tasks to be taken care of to make sure the disease stays under control: Tracking blood sugar levels. Eating balanced meals. Managing medications. And it’s just as crucial for those with diabetes to protect themselves against skin-related problems that can happen, especially on the feet, which can be affected by:…
Impacting as many as one in every ten seniors, and even more prevalent in those who smoke, in those with chronic conditions such as diabetes, or whose skin is more delicate, pressure sores (also known as bed sores or pressure injuries) are not just incredibly painful – they can swiftly advance to infections that can spread to the blood stream…
As we grow older, our skin turns drier and more delicate. According to Medscape, as many as 75% of the elderly deal with dry, flaky skin, which is not only easily injured (cut, scratched, or bruised), but also commonly includes uncomfortable itchiness. The most common places for dry skin in older adults are the forearms, lower legs, and elbows. For…
Dementia confusion, a common occurrence in Alzheimer’s, can result in recent memories being forgotten or distorted, while those from the more remote past often stay intact. This may cause prior times to make more sense to an older adult with dementia than the present. A person’s alternate reality could be his or her way of making sense of the present…
For individuals providing care for a senior displaying dementia signs and symptoms, careful, compassionate management is a must; but potentially the most overwhelming behaviors include suspicions, hallucinations, and illusions that others are out to cause harm. Incorrect impressions such as these manifest typically in the more advanced stages of progressive dementia due to changes within the brain. It’s vital to…
Like they say, there’s no place like home; but what do you do when a senior with dementia insists on going home – when he/she currently IS home? Regrettably, when caring for an elderly person with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, this is an all too common dilemma. And the confusion and plaintive yearning being expressed are simply…
