Historical Perspective Until recent years, we generally looked at “aging” as that period after 65 when one would retire and often adopt a leisurely lifestyle – travel, the golf course, perhaps a move to another climate. Annual program evaluations were generally limited to current activities without looking at emerging trends among those seeking our services. We may not [...]

As the United States nears the deadline of August 2nd, 2011, when the federal debt ceiling will be reached, Congress looks to cut back on federal spending. One place to look to cut spending is healthcare, as a large portion of the federal budget is devoted to programs like Medicare and Medicaid. However, Medicare and Medicaid are a safety-net to many Americans and many reforms propose to undermine these federally funded programs.

If you’ve ever read a will or trust agreement, you know that it’s a fairly cold, legal document. Yet, this document is the last bit of communication you will have with your family. And, it comes to your family at a highly charged emotional time in their lives. As a result, a slight or a [...]

What does memory loss mean? Does it always mean you have Alzheimer’s disease? Many people as they age notice a change in how they function in their everyday life. They may not be able to work as fast as they did 10, 15, or 20 years ago. They also may notice they have more short term memory lapses. But what does this mean? Read this article to find out more about what memory loss problems could mean for someone.

While aged individuals easily consume up to 12 types of drugs in a year on an average, these are often prescribed by different physicians. A network for these physicians would be beneficial to ensure best practices across the board. While malpractice insurance ensures that the individual is compensated for wrongful doing, no one is taking responsibility for the welfare of the individual. Someone needs to take responsibility.

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive, neurodegenerative movement disorder that is often accompanied by tremors, stiffness, slow motions, and difficulty with balance, as well as a decreased quality of life. Medical treatments for Parkinson’s disease often do not fully address gait and balance issues, while traditional exercise approaches lack key elements and motivation. Given these challenges, some individuals and professionals have taken to dance therapy.

Guardianship is an increasingly used tool as our population ages and people lose the capacity to make decisions for themselves. It is also relatively common to find parents aging and becoming too frail to care for their adult disabled children; these adults need an alternate decision maker when their parents can no longer act in this capacity. Following is a basic primer on guardianship and the role it plays in ensuring those who lack capacity are well cared for and safe.

Care transitions have become a focal point for improvement of the United States health care system. The transition from a hospital stay for Medicare beneficiaries is particularly relevant, as many people are readmitted within a month of discharge. Luckily, national health reform-the Affordable Care Act, addresses care transitions on several fronts.

What are you afraid of? Many Americans fear Alzheimer’s disease. It is clear that misunderstanding details of the disease and the lack of treatment or prevention will add more to the fear factor number. Fear can impede, fear can be perceptive, fear can motive and fear can advance research.

Dementia is not an on-off switch. It may progress quickly or it may progress slowly, but it is progressive. For most, family members see the changes and begin making appropriate plans. Advance directives and estate plans are put in place early. A move begins toward assisted living, with an eye toward nursing care.