Advance directives—clearly defined decisions and preferences for a multitude of end-of-life scenarios—are a tough topic of discussion. Who wants to think about one’s self or loved one approaching the end of their life, let alone talk about it? But here’s why it matters: dying is a chapter of our lives as important as, if not […]
READ MOREThe benefits of a balanced, nutritious diet are well documented and these apply throughout all stages of our lives. Good hydration and nutrition is an important part of staying healthy as we get older, but research suggests that 1 in 4 older Americans have poor nutrition. Not only does this make them more susceptible to disease but it can […]
READ MORELoneliness and isolation are troubling concerns for the elderly population, often leading to more serious problems such as depression, anxiety, and the risks associated with falls, injury, or acute health concerns (such as heart attack or stroke). In 2012, more than 41 million people in the U.S. were age 65 and older, or one in every eight […]
READ MOREEvery patient has their own unique needs, and those needs can change dramatically over the course of care. A patient receiving home care, for example, might find themselves in home health after a slip and fall. Vice-versa, a home health patient who is healing after a slip and fall may become more for fit for […]
READ MORERehospitalization, often synonymized with readmission, has a significant impact not only on your practice, but also on your patients and the entire U.S. health care system. The average cost of a hospital readmission is $11,200. The New England Journal of Medicine’s 2009 study on rehospitalization, an industry-changing report, found that of the 11,855,702 Medicare beneficiaries who had […]
READ MORERead our latest feature in the U-T San Diego, “Tips for the Elderly on Shopping and Eating Healthy.“
READ MOREWhen the time comes to choose a caregiver for your aging loved one, the process can seem daunting. For some, the thought of finding the perfect stranger to provide care is uncomfortable, while for others, they see it as the best option. In many cases here and around the globe, families are choosing to lean […]
READ MOREThis week, The New York Times Health and Science section ran an article by Roni Caryn Rabin titled, “A Glut of Antidepressants,” in which she explored the skyrocketing use of antidepressant medications in the United States. In the article, a study from the April issue of the Journal of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics was cited showing that, “nearly […]
READ MOREIt’s the situation we never want to find ourselves in—a loved one unexpectedly suffers a medical emergency and does not have any legal documents indicating how their medical care should be handled, what should become of their estate, or even where their important documents are located. It’s a situation we all would love to avoid […]
READ MORESummer time is here, and with that, vacation season is in full swing. Families across the country are embarking on some of the most important bonding excursions they’ll experience together. But with an aging loved one, getting away even for a weekend can be a stressful experience. Whether or not your loved one is joining […]
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