Breathe deeply and slowly. Just walking in the door can cause an onset of anxiety: You know the telephone message light is on indicating needs and wants of others; clients are lined up back-to-back; there’s a webinar you really need to view and you forgot your lunch on the kitchen counter. Stop, take a moment to slow down with intention, take a deep breath: It all, always, get’s done, and anxiety only stands in the way of mental functioning and reason. It was a difficult year for many of us, that 2011. All that said, it is more important than ever to be mindful in our self-care so that we continue our mission from a healthy perspective and we can, well, continue our mission!

Caregivers have many names: sister, friend, husband, wife, daughter, son, neighbor, etc. November is National Caregiver Awareness Month, we should all find a way to consider the caregiver issues in our everyday work, and family. The Caregiver Transformation You are not born a caregiver, you become a caregiver. This transformation of becoming begins by first [...]

Careers in Aging Week is upon us (April 10-16)! That means we can toast with our colleagues our dedication to the field of aging. But as I wish you a happy Careers in Aging Week, I also wish I didn’t have to.

Let’s face it, Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia, are complicated to understand. In fact, we don’t even completely understand the various types of dementias — where it comes from, why it progresses, how it progresses or how to treat it or prevent it. But, there are things we do know about Alzheimer’s disease and other related disorders. It is important to clarify these points to help increase awareness and reduce stigma

Early detection. It is a phrase we hear a lot today in our health conscious world. Early detection of breast cancer, have a mammogram starting around age 35. Early detection of cervical cancer, stay on top of your scheduled Pap smear. After age 50 we should begin making plans for regular colonoscopies to detect colon irregularities. Many of these detection screenings are recommended after the age of 50. Will Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias become a part of this wave? Should you add the dementia screening to your annual plans after you turn 50, maybe even 40?

With Social Security suffering and most 401K’s and IRA’s down in value, Baby Boomers will need to find alternative ways to fund retirement if they are going to maintain their standard of living in their Golden Years. According to a recent study, 61% of households in the U.S. are “at risk” of not being able to maintain their standard of living in retirement. Fortunately, home equity is still a major asset that is available to seniors to fund their retirement.

Nursing home reform is finally a hot button issue and it doesn’t hurt to dream big about what nursing homes can look like in the future. More nursing homes are moving away from a model where residents’ schedules and care are dictated by the staff. They are also moving away from dark, loud, over stimulating environments. The transition to a nursing home can be difficult, but there is a movement in the United States that might make this transition a bit easier.

Older adults face unique challenges when moving across care settings. The increased prevalence of chronic conditions, functional and cognitive limitations, polypharmacy, social isolation, and other factors make older adults particularly vulnerable to poor transitions. The results can be which can be dangerous and costly for older adults, their families, and the national health care system as a whole as one in five Medicare beneficiaries return to the hospital within thirty days of discharge. This month’s Chicago Bridge event featured a panel of experts speaking about transitional care.

Integrating mature adults into the workplace has its benefits. Bringing mature and younger workers together not only enhances the output, it enhances quality of life. Taking advantage of the skills of mature workers will not only support economic productivity, it improves that worker’s well-being.

Read the first hand observations of two Geriatric Specialists from Rush University Senior Care who visited Haiti as part of HelpAge International’s disaster relief for older adults affected by the recent earthquake. It is a story of incredible devastation, red tape, resilience, and hope.