Blog Archive

The other day I was walking my dogs, Calvin and Clive, with my senior neighbor, Pam,* and her fluffy dog, Zoe. (You know, the one who loves to pole walk.) My dogs absolutely love Pam and Zoe, and as soon as I leave my house with them they drag me to Pam and Zoe’s house... Read more

Recently I evaluated an 81 year old client who had been hospitalized for exacerbation of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and had just returned home. She had been living alone in a single level apartment and her habit was to sit in the bottom of the tub for bathing. She rarely had caregiver assistance and no longer... Read more

A hospital stay is tough on anyone but especially on people who have Alzheimer’s, as the Associated Press points out in a recent article. It’s hard for them to be in an unfamiliar environment with strangers coming in all the time. Yet people with dementia are hospitalized more than other adults, “often for preventable reasons... Read more

As seniors age, isolation may become more common. However, seniors need relational connection and social interaction just as much as ever. Our stage of life does not eliminate our need or desire for connection. Aging may create barriers necessary for socializing, but it doesn’t have to be that way. With the appropriate planning and help,... Read more

It is no secret that physical activity is a key ingredient to your overall health and well-being. For the elderly, it becomes more difficult to remain active, but it is no less important. Your physical activity will change as you age, however, any type of physical activity can have huge health benefits. The Center for... Read more

What is elder abuse? An accepted academic definition of elder abuse is “any knowing, intentional, or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable adult.” This definition — from the Administration on Aging (AoA), a governmental agency — while a clear and... Read more

Traveling and experiencing new places is one of the joys of life. But, we all have fallen victim to trip hazards, poor planning, and the stress and anxiety that traveling can create. And as we age, traveling can start to seem too difficult and seniors may begin to limit their travel wish list or cease... Read more

Summertime is a fun and happy season full of cookouts, outdoor activities, and relaxation. What some people don’t realize, is that the summertime can be a very dangerous time for older adults. The sun and the heat may seem like welcomed changes from the snow and the cold from the winter months, but they can... Read more

Over 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. It’s the 5th leading cause of death in the United States. And one in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia (Statistics from the Alzheimer’s Association). These statistics are very high and chances are someone you love or know is a victim to... Read more

Well, it seems that if we live long enough, we develop some kind of back pain! Sciatica which is a common diagnosis causes at least 5% of back pain. This pain can be superficial or deep, constant or intermittent. There may be pain that is described as sharp and stabbing and may interfere with sleep.... Read more