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Seniors and Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is often part of the aging process and can develop into a different extent in each person.  However, you should never assume that there is nothing you can do about it.  Instead, see your health care provider and let them know about any hearing issues.  Treatments and devices can improve hearing. The Importance of Diagnosing a Hearing Problem It can become difficult for a senior to hear conversations on the phone or even in person, especially in a noisy environment.  This can lead them to withdraw from social...

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Tips for Dealing with Incontinence in Seniors

Incontinence can be a delicate subject when dealing with seniors.  It is one of the most embarrassing issues with getting older.  Since incontinence mainly affects people over the age of sixty, it is often seen as a senior health problem. What Causes Incontinence? While certain medications or medical problems can cause a person to have an incontinence problem, the main cause is from weakened pelvic muscles that normally prevent unplanned urination and defecation. Some people have stress incontinence that results from forceful actions such as coughing or sneezing.  Others may...

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The Benefits of Gardening for Seniors

Gardening is a favorite activity of many seniors during the spring and summer time.  Besides being enjoyable, it provides numerous health benefits.  If you have an older parent, you should encourage them to remain active in a hobby like gardening. How Gardening Can Keep You Healthy Gardening has many benefits for overall physical and mental health.  Here is a list of reasons to continue in this activity if it is a favorite. It provides exercise and improves mobility and flexibility.  For seniors who don’t have appointments or schedules to keep,...

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Alzheimer’s disease – Understanding and Dealing with Personal Hygiene Issues

Alzheimer’s is a disease that affects more of a person’s life as it progresses.  It does more than just make them forgetful of events and names; it affects their ability to remember how to do their daily tasks, such as eating and getting dressed.  It can become difficult for the person with Alzheimer’s to handle their own basic personal care. Depression is a behavior condition associated with Alzheimer’s and can cause the person to lose interest in their appearance.  This may be helped with medication so it is best to...

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How to Recognize the Signs and Risk Factors of a Stroke

Stroke is one of the most well-known health issues of seniors.  Early intervention with a stroke victim can lessen the long-term effects and it may allow them to fully recover.  However, it can be difficult to recognize when a loved one is having a stroke if you do not know what to look for. A stroke happens when the blood flow to your brain is interrupted.  There are several reasons that this can happen but it is most often due to a blockage or clot in the artery.  The blood...

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Alzheimer’s disease – Understanding and Dealing with Difficult Behaviors

Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia. It can be difficult to diagnose the disease in its early stages, since its initial symptoms may seem as “just a sign of getting older.” However, as the disease progresses, it leads to behavior changes and the loss of the ability to think and do daily tasks. Behaviors to Be Expected People with Alzheimer’s often experience drastic changes in their moods from how they would behave normally.  You may see your parent or family member become withdrawn and distant.  They will often...

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Arthritis and seniors: The Basics

Arthritis is a condition that can affect anyone, but is almost commonplace in those over 65.  As the body ages, bones and joints start to deteriorate leading to pain, swelling, stiffness and discomfort. Women are more apt to have osteoporosis, or a softening of the bones caused by a lack of calcium, which makes them even more susceptible to arthritis. Although there are more than 100 different types of arthritis, the most common among seniors is osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout. If you become familiar with these different types and...

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Strategies and Ways to Help a Parent that Refuses Homecare

The process of aging is hard to deal with – whether you are a family member or a friend of the person aging. It is especially hard for children to watch their parents age. These are the people who raised them, taught them everything they know and were their role models when starting their own families. It is hard to see your parent in need after being independent for so long. What makes it even harder is when one's parent refuses help that they so desperately need. This puts one...

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The Difference Between Medical and Non-Medical Homecare

When the seniors in your life begin to show signs that they need a bit of extra assistance, as they can no longer handle some of the functions of daily life, many are at a loss as to where to turn. Depending on the needs of the senior in your life, a variety of in-home services could be right for you. There are two main categories of homecare service providers: medical and non-medical. As the name implies, medical homecare service providers can provide more technical, but a less broad range...

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Who is Caring for the Caregiver? Healthy Habits for Family Caregivers

As our parents age, it is hard to watch the decline of our vibrant family members. However, aging in place is incredibly important to mental health, as well as one's sense of freedom and independence. Making the choice to become a caregiver for your parent, or the senior in your life, is a big decision, as it is going to result in some semblance of a loss of freedom on your part, as the senior is going to become dependent on the care you provide. It is also easy to...

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