Nobody likes to make a decision about getting extra care for an aging parent, patient or client, but studies indicate that most older adults have at least one chronic condition, and some have multiple illnesses that require in-home assistance. While nursing home care is often an option for serious medical…
A recent LA Times story quoted data from a study conducted by Kaiser Health News found that nearly half of patients misunderstood what it or other common label instructions meant on medicine bottles. Consequently, they are advocating that the Food and Drug Administration should aim to simplify, clarify and standardize…
Summer temperatures can pose a danger to older adults. Working or playing in the sun, spending time in an unventilated home, or sitting in a closed vehicle can result in uncomfortable and even dangerous temperatures. As we grow older, our bodies are less efficient at regulating temperature. Especially at risk…
The worst fear for family members is the call from the hospital notifying them that their loved one has been admitted. In many cases, seniors are re-admitted repeatedly for various conditions, creating family stress and interfering with quality of life issues. In 2008 there were 14 million hospital stays for…
A USA Today story cited a survey from a senior network that found that most baby boomers are woefully unprepared to deal with their aging parents’ health and financial problems. Findings include the fact that: 31% don’t know how many medications their parents take; 34% don’t know whether their parents…
A UPI story reports that a new model of home-based care for older adults has been found effective, efficient and less expensive than traditional care. The findings are published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. According to UPI “The home-based care model, developed by the Indiana University School…
