Elderly Health and Wellness

When older people begin to lose their ability to speak, remember, reason, or judge, this impairment is known as dementia. Age-related cognitive decline was
once considered an inevitable part of aging, but now we know that there are several different manifestations of dementia. Though it's not always possible
to prevent dementia, it helps to understand the cause, because it may be possible to delay or diminish its effects.

On some level, we all recognize the effects of stress on our body. We talk about being wiped out after a stressful day or associate health issues like
headaches and stomach pains with being overwhelmed with anxiety. These physical effects of stress are real, but they’re not the worst effect stress can
have on the body. Excess tension and worry after a stroke, injury, or surgery can actually slow and derail the process of healing.

The “health data gap” refers to an increasing problem moving patient information among healthcare providers and facilities. There is often sufficient
patient data collected to allow continuous care between providers, but many physicians cannot access this information across different practices or
hospitals. Even as healthcare providers strive to “go paperless,” digital records are commonly not available beyond a particular network of providers or an
individual facility.

Senior citizens often resist the idea of moving into a skilled nursing facility, and it’s easy to understand why. Even as the aging process affects their
physical and mental capabilities over time, they may still be able to handle everyday tasks for years to come. However, seniors do face increased risks at
home. Fortunately, if your loved one wants to continue living alone or with you, there are extra steps you can take to maximize their household safety and
avoid preventable injuries or accidents.

When an older person can no longer live an independent life, their safest and most practical options include at-home care from skilled nurses or moving
into a skilled nursing facility. Unfortunately, the stress of this decision can
make it very difficult, especially on loved ones who are already overwhelmed and confused. If you're struggling with feelings of guilt, fear, or anxiety because your loved one depends on you, it's
important to separate the myths from the facts in order to make an informed decision about their future.

Music and other forms of art have always been an essential part of the human experience. Familiar melodies trigger specific moods and memories throughout
childhood and adulthood, and art in general offers a way for people to express themselves and appreciate the world around them. But what happens when
moods, memories, and communication skills begin to deteriorate? Fortunately, creativity is so powerful that even Alzheimer's disease and its symptoms cannot rob patients of all the benefits it
provides.

There’s no question that pets bring joy, love, and companionship to their owners every day. But did you know that pets provide special benefits
specifically to seniors? Seniors are vulnerable to feeling isolated and unneeded. Pets help seniors feel less lonely, more connected, and more needed.
Although careful consideration should be given before becoming a pet owner, a furry companion can bring a smile to a senior’s face every day and even
improve their health.

As we get older, our bodies change, and so do our nutritional needs. It's important for our health to focus on proper nutrition in order to prevent illness and age gracefully. In fact, as we get older and our bodily functions start to change, proper nutrition becomes even more important to maintaining health and wellness. Understanding the ways in which nutrition impacts health is one of the keys to health as an older adult.

As seniors age, their loved ones are faced with the challenge of providing necessary care while balancing their own wellbeing. This is a common challenge as nearly 90 percent of senior adults say that they want to stay in their own homes as they age. Unfortunately, not all seniors are able to properly care for themselves at home, which causes constant worry and stress for adult children about the safety of their loved ones. In fact, two-thirds of female baby boomers find themselves concerned about their parents' abilities to live independently.

Seniors today are living during an amazing time in history. There is so much information and knowledge available at just the click of a button. The internet and technology makes it possible to learn about senior health issues in order to make bodies stronger and lives better. However, sometimes the amount of information out there on a topic can be intimidating.

Skilled nursing facilities (SNF) make it possible for patients to receive around-the-clock care without staying in a hospital or hiring an in-home care provider. However, if you or a loved one will stay in a SNF in the near future, you should know that Medicare coverage isn't a guarantee. Your eligibility depends on the treatment you received before you were admitted, the type of treatment you'll need during your stay, and a variety of other factors that are unique to your specific case.

When your elderly parents need more help than you can give them, a skilled nursing facility may be the best option to keep them healthy while maintaining a good quality of life. These facilities provide many of the comforts of home alongside skilled nursing care, but sometimes it can be hard for parents to transition to this new living environment. To make the transition go more smoothly, consider using these top strategies to help the new place feel like home.

Being hospitalized can be an unpleasant and disruptive experience for many seniors. As family members and loved ones age, it's likely that they will have to be hospitalized at some point.

Alzheimer’s disease is becoming more and more common in California and nationwide as the population ages. In fact, about 12% of our population is now age 65 or above with about 5.5% age 75 or above. This is expected to grow to about 14.5% and 6% respectively as more baby boomers reach age 65 in 2015. As they move into their seventies and eighties, more than 20% of our citizenry will be age 65 or over, with 9% age 75 or over.