An advance healthcare directive refers to a legal document that states our medical decisions if we cannot make the decisions in the future due to illness or incapacity. It defines our healthcare desires and values related to end-of-life decisions, including artificial nutrition, dialysis, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), etc. Let’s briefly discuss the types of advance directive, [...]
Geriatric depression, also known as late-age depression, is not a normal aging phenomenon but a mental health disease that needs to be managed just like other illnesses. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 7 million US elders are affected by depression. Here, we'll discuss the symptoms of geriatric depression and [...]
Presbycusis refers to the age-related gradual impairment of hearing from both ears. It is the leading cause of hearing loss worldwide, and about one-third of the US population aged 70 or more is affected by presbycusis. Commonly, it occurs due to age-related changes in the auditory nerve and inner ear. However, the risk factors may [...]
1. Seniorliving.org Seniorliving.org has helpful information for every aspect of senior life, from health to money management. Their team of industry professionals includes a Ph.D. level gerontology expert, financial law advisor, audiologist, and more. 2. American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) AARP is one of the most well-known organizations for older people, and for good [...]
Our society tends to devalue older adults, which can make the process of aging feel scary. According to the CDC, 60% of people surveyed about aging related fears were afraid of memory loss. Additionally, people were twice as afraid of cognitive decline as they were of physical limitations. It’s understandable. We want to stay sharp, [...]
Dementia refers to the decline in cognitive function of the brain, affecting memory, learning, judgment, and language abilities. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia among the elderly. About 6.2 million elder Americans are affected by this disease, characterized by progressive memory loss, disorientation, and negative changes in mood and personality. Here we’ll [...]
As we approach an older age, we may start to question our place in the world. As our lives shift, so do our roles and relationships. We may go from employee to retiree, full-time parent to empty nester, or married to widowed. These changes can leave us feeling aimless and alone. Who are we, and [...]
Half a decade ago, computers were a novelty and mobile phones were rare. It wasn’t until the mid-2000s that the digital revolution changed our lives, starting with the gradual adoption of the internet to the development of handheld smartphones. A mobile computer? Nothing could be more amazing than that during those days! But the reality [...]
What is Elder Abuse? Elder abuse is the physical, emotional and financial mistreatment of older adults. It’s estimated that up to 5 million people in the United States aged 60+ experience elder abuse annually. Commonly, abusers are family members, namely older children and spouses. But older adults can also face abuse from other caregivers, friends [...]
As we become older, we need some important changes in our daily eating habits to meet the unique nutrition needs of old age. Here's the basic framework we can follow while deciding what to eat and what to avoid in the elderly. 1. Eat a balanced diet using five food groups. The five food groups [...]