How informed are you about informed consent? It’s important for all of us to know the criteria used to determine a person’s ability to make important health care choices, and how that ability can impact their quality of life. This is especially true for individuals receiving hospice care. Learn more here from THE MEDICAL TEAM. Having the freedom to make our own choices is a vital component of our overall wellbeing. We may take for granted smaller decisions, such as when and what we want to eat, how we want to spend our time, what time to fall asleep and when to wake up; yet they become significant expressions of independence as we grow older. One decision that impacts us throughout our lifetime is the ability to rationally choose and make known our healthcare preferences. Known … [Read more...] about Better Hospice Care: Understanding Informed Consent
Adapting to Life with Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration can come on all of a sudden, with little warning signs or symptoms noted until the disease has progressed. While there is not yet a cure for the nearly 11 million people it impacts in the U.S., it’s encouraging to know there are steps that can be taken to slow the progression of the disease. For instance, the home care professionals at THE MEDICAL TEAM suggest the following: Know the signs. Understanding the most common and often innocuous symptoms of age-related macular degeneration can allow you to seek treatment sooner. Be on the lookout for: Blurring of words when reading printed material Vision problems when driving Requiring brighter light when reading or performing activities such as puzzles or knitting Distortions in vision such as … [Read more...] about Adapting to Life with Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Managing the Top 5 Chronic Diseases that Affect Seniors
Once 80% of seniors age 65 and older are diagnosed with at least one chronic condition, and nearly 70% living with two or more, it’s important to learn the best ways to manage the chronic diseases that are impacting the older adults in your life. THE MEDICAL TEAM’s in-home care experts are skilled and experienced in helping seniors live life to the fullest, even when chronic conditions are a factor, and offer the following helpful information for the most common ailments. Hypertension: Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is prevalent among seniors. Hypertension can lead to a heart attack or stroke, so it’s important to closely follow doctors’ orders to stabilize blood pressure levels, including taking medications exactly as prescribed, reducing intake of salt and alcohol, maintaining … [Read more...] about Managing the Top 5 Chronic Diseases that Affect Seniors
Advice for Avoiding Overmedication in Older Adults
With the majority of older adults taking multiple prescriptions – on average, as many as 14 different medications – it’s important to understand the potential side effects and interactions, and to reduce the risk of overmedication in seniors. While prescriptions are meant to improve health, without close monitoring, they can have the opposite effect. According to the CDC, older adults (65 years or older) are twice as likely as others to visit emergency rooms because of a drug related complication or overmedication and nearly seven times more likely to be hospitalized after an emergency visit. To help keep seniors safe, these tips from the American Geriatrics Society’s Health in Aging Foundation can help: Make (and regularly update) a list of all medications. Keep a current list … [Read more...] about Advice for Avoiding Overmedication in Older Adults
Losing Weight & Feeling Great After 70
Anything worthwhile takes time and effort, and that’s certainly true for maintaining a healthy weight. It may seem even more difficult for older adults to lose the extra pounds that can lead to serious health concerns. Research shows that as many as 25% of seniors in America over age 65 are obese, placing them at a greater risk for diabetes, heart attack or stroke, reduced mobility, depression, and more. So how should older adults who want (and need) to lose weight begin? THE MEDICAL TEAM has put together a simple step-by-step process to help. First and foremost, schedule an appointment with the doctor. The senior’s doctor should perform a full physical and provide guidance on whether obesity is a concern and how to address it. Review the senior’s current dietary plan. Evaluate … [Read more...] about Losing Weight & Feeling Great After 70
Conquer Winter Blues with Companion Care
Many of us feel a bit more sluggish during the shorter days of winter, and older adults are no exception. One possible cause is seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which can mimic depression and other mental health conditions, but can also be effectively treated once accurately diagnosed. Symptoms of SAD can vary widely, and may include low energy, loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities, feelings of hopelessness, sleeping problems, weight gain, and difficulty concentrating. If you notice these or other concerning signs in an older adult, the first step is to schedule an appointment with the physician, who can diagnose or rule out seasonal affective disorder. If SAD is indeed affecting the senior, treatment options can include light therapy, psychotherapy/counseling, … [Read more...] about Conquer Winter Blues with Companion Care