It can be very nerve-wracking when an older adult is admitted to a hospital or healthcare facility. And likely, family caregivers aren’t thinking about what will happen when their loved one is discharged. However, thinking about the returning home process, right from the start, is one of the best things families can do to help set their loved one up for success. Many issues factor into why older adults may be vulnerable to problems at…

The opioid epidemic is an issue of growing concern in the United States. Its impact can be felt by all age groups, including older adults.  According to the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, over the past twenty years, the hospitalization rate for geriatric misuse of opioids has quintupled. While it is common for older adults to experience chronic pain, special consideration should be given when prescribing opioids to elderly patients. Pharmacist Kyle Decker of Simple…

Contrary to popular belief, arthritis is not experienced by everyone as they age. However, it is a common chronic condition among older adults. According to the Arthritis Foundation, this disease impacts roughly 54 million adults in the United States. The various types of arthritis can present challenges that often impact daily life. This month’s webinar will focus on ways family caregivers of older adults with arthritis can better help manage those challenges. Nik Turkas from…

Research shows that loneliness can have significant health implications, worse than that of obesity, alcoholism and even smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Older adults are at a higher risk for isolation and loneliness. There are a number of factors that can contribute to isolation and loneliness, including a shrinking number of family members available for support. There are however, common warning signs to help identify when an older adult may be feeling lonely or isolated.…

The brain is a complex organ and just like the rest of our bodily organs, it ages over time. To understand how aging impacts the brain, it is important to look at brain aging in three categories: physiological impacts, changes in cognition, and changes in social psychology. When working with aging adults and their families, it is important to understand the basics of brain aging. This can be especially helpful in distinguishing normal brain aging…

Many people experience normal changes as they age. However, there are a significant number of aging adults that start to experience changes in their cognition that start to impact their daily life. This is a sign that they may be developing a brain aging disease. This disease can abnormally affect memory, cognition, and functioning. People affected by brain aging diseases may start to exhibit symptoms that interfere with daily life. These symptoms can be scary…

A new dementia diagnosis can bring with it a whirlwind of stress, confusion and anxiety about what to expect as the disease progresses. Nearly 60% of caregivers who care for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia rate the emotional stress of caregiving as high or very high (Dementia Caregiving in the US 2017 Study). This month’s webinar will offer a how-to look at caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. The emphasis will…

If you’re worried about the safety of older adults who are living at home, it could be for a good reason. Falls are among the leading causes of injury and death at home. There are many factors that can increase the risk of accidents at home such as excess clutter and poor lighting. However, simple home modifications can reduce accidents for older adults living at home. This webinar will outline the many ways professionals can…

Today, there are more options than ever before for aging adults who need help living in their homes or for those who can no longer live alone safely. Gone are the days when an institutional-like nursing home was the only alternative. Family structures have also changed with a smaller pool of family caregivers living in proximity to help their aging loved ones. The options for care can be overwhelming and confusing but with a little…