Senior
Health & Wellness

Oral health care for the elderly

From our Care Blog

A recent visit to the dentist left me thinking about the issue of oral health care for the elderly. A report on the oral health of older Americans noted that dental care is a luxury many of the seniors in our society can’t afford; a whopping 20 percent of Americans age 75 and older lack any form of dental insurance. Additionally, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, about 23 percent of people between the ages of 65 and 74 have severe periodontal disease. Poor oral health in the elderly can lead to inadequate diet, malnutrition, inadequate oral...

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Another End of the Spectrum

From our Care Blog

My mother in law, Martha, who has Alzheimer’s disease, has been my main focus here; however, today I would like to talk about my foster mother who is 88 years old.  Her name is Jule, short for Julia, and I can still hear my foster dad say, “Now Jule” when they would disagree about something and he felt she had crossed the line.  I guess because this was such a rare event it made an impression on me.  It just occurred to me you might be wondering how I ended up with foster parents.  Well, first let me say these...

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Cruisin' in the fast lane

From our Care Blog

A recent video news clip from Philadelphia’s NBC affiliate shows a 68-year old woman driving the wrong way down a major express way—putting her life as well as many others on the road at stake. Unfortunately, this scenario and other related accidents occur daily as many seniors encounter driving difficulties as they age. According to AAA, 86 percent of respondents to a recent survey said they were “concerned” about their elderly parent’s ability to drive. Assessing an older adult’s driving skills and deciding whether or not to take the keys away is a very hard decision. There are many factors...

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Emergency Preparedness For Seniors

From our Care Blog

Thursday’s string of natural disasters, which caused destruction and tragedy in Japan, Hawaii and on the Western coast of the U.S., have raised prominent questions and concerns for friends, family members and caregivers of the elderly.  How can we keep our elderly loved ones safe when natural disasters occur? Here are some tips on preparing the elderly for emergencies: Natural disasters Although some disasters can be difficult to prepare for, it’s important to have a plan in place to escape to safety where your senior can notify you of what is happening. Knowing the steps to take in the event...

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In the news: FirstLight’s director of client services Gina Kaurich discusses seniors who bully

From our Care Blog

Msnbc.com published an article this week that brought much needed attention to the issue of senior bullying. FirstLight’s director of client services, Gina Kaurich, lent her expertise on the matter. As a previous director of nursing at an assisted living facility she has seen how far senior bullying can go. According to Kaurich, there is a type of caste system among residents in many nursing home facilities that can exacerbate the mistreatment of seniors in the home. There is little research on elderly bullying but senior care experts estimate about 10-20 percent of seniors have experienced some type of aggression...

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Are You Physically Able To Be Your Parents' Caregiver?

From our Care Blog

I stumbled upon an article today on the Maturity Matters blog that raised a very poignant question: Are you physically able to be your parents’ caregiver? With the boomer population rapidly increasing and the desire to age in place greater than ever, it’s no surprise many of us will inevitably start taking care of our parents. As anyone in the home care industry can attest, the job of caregiver is -- albeit filled with love -- also a frustrating, exhausting, emotional, sometimes boring and often lonely experience. What can caregivers do to keep themselves in shape for this kind of...

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Safety First Preventing Slips and Falls in Winter

From our Care Blog

From adding lights to salting sidewalks and choosing proper footwear, these easy steps put safety first preventing slips and falls in winter.

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Making A List—And Checking It Twice

From our Care Blog

Now is a good time to sit down with your elder and figure out his or her priorities for the holiday season. Spend some time together making a list and setting dates to get it all done. From parties to presents, the holidays can be stressful—but with the right planning and preparation, it can also be a pleasant time filled with family bonding and fun. 1. Décor Galore. Putting up a tree and sprinkling holiday decorations around the house can create a cheerful environment filled with past holiday memories. This is also a great bonding experience for you and your...

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Gaming for health and happiness

From our Care Blog

Last weekend, it was announced—again—that a senior citizen bowled a perfect score on Nintendo’s Wii Bowling. But if you’ve been following your video gaming news, you know that Rhea Freeman, 85, of Houma, La. isn’t the first senior to perfect the game! Earlier this year, Dayton, Ohio resident Jack Davis, 86, announced that he had rolled 40 perfect games out of the 4,300 games attempted. "I bowled when I was younger, but not like this," Davis told his local paper. "If I bowled like this when I was league bowling in 1963, then I'd be a millionaire." Well, he's not...

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Fighting off the flu

From our Care Blog

With flu season starting this weekend, doctors and health officials are reminding everyone to get the flu shot—especially seniors. Some organizations are even offering free flu shots today. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, for example, will offer free flu shots for senior citizens on Medicare or enrolled in Medicare Advantage programs through Nov. 20. The shots will only cost $15 for others. Luckily this season, a new high-dose flu shot is available for senior citizens. The vaccine contains Antigen, which produces a stronger immune response than the standard flu shot. Seniors should also beware of H1N1. After last year's...

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