The In-home Caregiver Sorts Through Some Dementia Theories What’s the “million-dollar question” in medicine today? One of the top few—actually worth far, far more than a million dollars—is what causes dementia. As scientists continue to work night and day to find a cause and a cure for this common disease of the elderly, the best we can…

Atherosclerosis Can Cause Decreased Brain Function Atherosclerosis, described as a hardening and narrowing of the arteries, has long been associated with heart disease and heart attacks. As plaque builds up on the walls of the arteries, it creates a narrowing of the passageway, restricting blood flow to essential organs like the brain and heart. As…

Seniors Over the Age of 55 Face Greater Risk of Cataracts If you or someone you love is experiencing vision problems and is over the age of 55, cataracts may be the culprit. Although cataracts can occur in younger patients due to a genetic problem or infection, they are far more common in seniors age…

There’s less than a week to go to Thanksgiving. Travel plans are all in order. Menus are set. We’re all set to smile tolerantly in the face of whatever familial tortures are headed our way. It’s a holiday. It’s a time for family to get together. It’ll be over soon. We can get through it. Sadly,…

How Can You Tell Whether Your Elderly Parent Should Stop Driving? The danger of putting off the dreaded “car keys” conversation with an elderly parent is clear. However, it is also harmful to deprive a senior of a big part of his freedom before it is necessary. Just because a senior has reached a certain…

The University of Chicago Medical Center recently published news about a study conducted there which indicates that in some cases, social intervention may be as effective as medications for combating loneliness and depression in the elderly.  According to the press release announcing the results of the study: Changing how a person perceives and thinks about others was…

What Seniors Need to Know About Hypothyroidism Many seniors associate feelings of fatigue, depression, and weakness with the normal aging process. Apart from a medical condition, however, such symptoms don’t have to be associated with growing older. In fact, they may be pointing to a common, but often undiagnosed condition known as hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism occurs…

New Study Offers Different Perspective on Blood Pressure for Older Adults Prevailing medical thought has generally agreed that systolic blood pressure–usually the first number in a blood pressure reading, and the higher of the two–should be kept under 140. High blood pressure raises significant concern as blood vessels weaken, and it is often a precursor…

Living a Full Life With Diabetes Diabetes affects millions of Americans, causing frightening symptoms and costing billions of dollars annually in health care services. But despite the reputation diabetes has as a life-altering disease, seniors can effectively manage the condition in order to live a full, active life. With a combination of the right medication…

Should Your Elderly Loved One Be in the Hospital? Hospitals provide wonderful care for acute medical problems such as a heart attack, stroke, or necessary surgery. But for the chronic issues faced by many elderly people, the hospital may not be the best care option. As people age, they often develop multiple chronic issues such…