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How to manage Pain Naturally in Older Adults

Many seniors experience terrible pain due to a vast variety of health problems; like shingles arthritis, fractures, and poor circulation. Many of those who suffer do not want to take their medication, do not have adequate insurance or money for the medication, or do not want to voice their “problems” to their care professionals. Why do seniors have such awful pain control? There are a few answers to this question.  Seniors may be hesitant when it comes to taking their pain medication. Their doctor may have increased their dosage or...

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Treating Hypoglycemia in Seniors

Hypoglycemia means a low blood glucose level of 70 mg or lower. It can produce a vast variety of symptoms and problems, but the main complications come from an insufficient supply of glucose to the brain, causing an impairment of body function. Each person that has hypoglycemia or diabetes may have different symptoms, but common symptoms can range from mild dysphoria, which is an emotional state characterized by anxiety, depression, or unease; to hunger, weakness, and more serious issues such as seizures, heart palpitations, and, rarely, permanent brain damage or...

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Tips to Treat the Cold and Flu the Natural Way

Winter is the time of colds and flu and seniors are particularly susceptible with a reduced immune system and other health issues that can complicate matters.  It is important that they do everything possible to prevent the cold or flu and treat it right away if they do get sick.  If you have a senior parent or other senior family member, you should make sure they are aware of these tips to get through a cold or flu with less misery and shorten the duration. Get Plenty of Rest Rest...

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The Benefits of Massage Therapy for Seniors

Several researches has been done on the benefits of massage therapy for seniors and it has been determined that this type of therapy can help with numerous issues either by providing temporary relief or by allowing the body to heal itself.  Here are some ways that massage therapy can help ailing seniors. Osteoarthritis Massage therapy is often used in the treatment of older adults who have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis.   Different research studies show that it is possible that regular massage may decrease pain, lessen stiffness, and improve functional capabilities. ...

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How Seniors and Caregivers Can Prepare for Surgery

Surgery is a serious medical event at any age, and it becomes even more so for people as they age.  Unfortunately, it also seems like people are more likely to require surgery as they get older.  You can make this time go by easier for both yourself and your senior loved one if you prepare ahead of time. Know What to Expect Get the facts from your doctor.  Once you have been told about a surgical procedure you will need to go through, you should create a list of questions...

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Caregiving and Sibling Relationships (part 3 of 3) – Multiple Decision Makers

Caring for an aging parent can put stress on sibling relationships even if they have been close in the past.  The first of this series discussed the situation where one sibling was handling the majority of the decisions and care, but what happens when everyone wants to be involved?  How do you decide who is in charge or how decisions are made? The Issues with Multiple Decision makers The main problem with having several people involved in decisions is that it can take longer to get the actual decision made. ...

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Caregiving and Sibling Relationships (part 2 of 3) – Siblings With Separate Responsibilities

Caregiving for an elderly parent can be trying on the closest sibling relationship; if the relationship is strained or non-existent, it can add to the challenge.  One way that parents choose to assign responsibility is by dividing up caregiving tasks between the children.  A child that lives nearby may end up handling most of their daily care while another child may deal with the finances.  This division sounds fair and should make things easier, but it doesn’t always work that way. Challenges of Separate Responsibilities Giving each child their own...

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Caregiving and Sibling Relationships (part 1 of 3) – Single Caregiver

As seniors get older, they often have to rely on their children more for things they used to do on their own. It may even come to the point where they live with one of their children. This situation can put a strain on many relationships, including siblings. Caregiving is a challenge no matter how much you love your parents. When there are multiple siblings, that increases the challenges and many issues arise during this time. It will test the strength of these relationships, but it will also help them...

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Coping with Loneliness: Tips for Seniors

Loneliness is a big issue for many seniors. People who used to be active and busy with work and raising a family now look for things to keep them occupied. In addition, if they have issues with mobility, they may be partially housebound and this can cause the loneliness feelings to increase. Everyone experiences the feeling of loneliness at some point in their lives. However, for seniors this can cause a serious health concern. When they lose friends and even a spouse, they may feel they have no one to...

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Most Common Causes for Hospitalization among Seniors

Most seniors are healthier than they were just a few decades ago. They are more active and take better care of themselves than previous generations. With improved finances, they eat healthier foods and get care quicker when it is needed to maintain their health. However, seniors still represent a large number of admissions into hospitals and this number increases with age. The Statistics In some areas of Canada, as many as one in three seniors are hospitalized in a single year. With the current average life expectancy at 80.8 years...

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