Over 1.5 million Americans to date have been affected by SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the coronavirus disease. Health officials have ramped up protocols designed to limit the spread of this infectious disease. Social distancing and social isolation are two proven tactics to curtail infections. Covid-19 is transmitted through respiratory droplets, such as those emitted from coughing, sneezing and talking….
One of the best defenses against illnesses and infections is having a strong and healthy immune system. Your immune system is the first line of defense whenever you are fighting off sickness. However, as people get older and enter their golden years, their immune system weakens. This can make it tougher to fight off and recover from illnesses. Because of…
Growing older comes with its unique set of challenges. Changes to cognitive and physical capabilities as well as social opportunities lead some seniors down a dark path of isolation, impairment and depression. Despite the issues elderly face, caregivers can create an environment that helps seniors surmount everyday obstacles. 1. Dementia Cognitive decline occurs as people age. Dementia is a common…
Alzheimer’s takes a disproportionate toll on women, according to a report released from the Alzheimer’s Association. The report, as noted in USA Today, found that women are far more likely to develop the fatal disease than men: one in six women over 65 will get it during their lifetime, compared with one in 11 men. And, not surprisingly, women are…
A Senior Journal story related the fact that more than half of older Americans – those age 45 through 75 – take an aspirin every day, even though this use is not recommended by the Food and Drug Administration for most people who have not yet had a heart attack or stroke. The American Journal of Preventive Medicine quotes a…
By Richard Ueberfluss Clinical depression in the elderly is common. That doesn’t mean it’s normal. Late-life depression affects about 6 million Americans age 65 and older. But only 10% receive treatment for depression. The likely reason is that the elderly often display symptoms of depression differently. Depression in the elderly is also frequently confused with the effects of multiple illnesses…
Staying physically active is critical to a senior’s physical health and emotional well-being. Simply sitting for long durations throughout each day does incredible harm to the human physique—which is designed to benefit from a hefty dose of physical activity daily. In fact, the US Department of Health and Human Services presents specific recommendations, known as the Physical Activity Guidelines, that…
Consumer Affairs reports that up to 80 percent of falls in the home occur inside a bathroom. Even more startling is that one in three people over age 65 fall every year. Hospital emergency rooms are inundated annually with 200,000 Americans who are injured at home due to bathroom-related mishaps. The bathroom can be a slippery, steamy and outright dangerous…
