June 20, 2017 —
People living with dementia often have trouble communicating and connecting with others in ways they used to. Many caregivers are turning to the arts to help loved ones communicate in new ways – through painting, music and dance. Because the ability to create art draws from different parts of the brain than language, the... Read More
June 5, 2017 —
Officially, summer is still a couple of weeks away, but as those of us who live in the tri-state area know, hot weather usually arrives early and rising temperatures can cause problems for many, especially older adults. According the National Weather Service, heat is one of the leading causes of weather-related death in the United... Read More
May 22, 2017 —
Ageism is the belief that older people are somehow inferior to those who are young. According the World Health Organization, ageism is most rampant in high-income countries, like the United States. Americans, as a whole, place great value on youth, beauty, vitality and the ability to earn a large income. Aging is often seen... Read More
May 5, 2017 —
During your last trip home to visit your parents, you may have noticed it – the accumulating clutter, the empty refrigerator or the scratches on the car door. All of this could signal that you may have a loved one who isn’t living as safely as they could be. As our parents age, it’s... Read More
April 20, 2017 —
Meditation is a practice that has been around for thousands of years. While its roots are in religious traditions, it has evolved to become a mainstream practice for anyone looking to reduce stress, improve their job or athletic performance, or simply improve their overall well-being. Many companies, including Aetna, Apple, Google and Nike, incorporate... Read More
April 5, 2017 —
We’ve all heard the old adage. But exactly how true is it? According to numerous studies, laughter does indeed have many health benefits. Norman Cousins, an American journalist, professor and world peace advocate, published about his ability to heal himself with laughter in the New England Journal of Medicine in the 1970s. Dr. Lee... Read More
March 20, 2017 —
Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia are receiving more and more attention as our population ages and begins contracting more age-related diseases. The single biggest risk factor for Alzheimer’s is growing older. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, after age 65, the risk of developing the disease doubles every five years. After age 85, the... Read More
March 6, 2017 —
March is National Nutrition Month, which helps focus attention on the need for nutrition in maintaining a healthy life. For those living with dementia, maintaining proper nutrition can be a challenge for a number of reasons. They may no longer recognize the food on their plate, they may have a decreased sense of taste... Read More
February 21, 2017 —
Justine had just reached work when she got the call – her mother’s next-door neighbor was on the line and frantic. After Justine calmed her down, she learned that her mother had just suffered a heart attack and been rushed to the hospital. Justine, who lived on the opposite coast from her mother, could... Read More
February 6, 2017 —
February is American Heart Month. Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death in the world. More than 600,000 Americans die of heart disease each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 200,000 of these deaths are preventable. Here are some tips to help you beat the odds.... Read More
"Pat and Laura helped with our mother's placement and her care for life, but they also were extraordinarily helpful answering all our questions and concerns, with meeting the medical staff about our mother's care and with keeping our sense of humor through it all."