Sometimes, family caregivers will insist on the use of a restraint to avoid falls when concerned about the safety of their loved ones. However, there are negative consequences when utilizing restraints. Families and caregivers need to investigate alternatives. Family caregivers...

A restraint for an elder is anything (including devices, drugs or people) that gets in the way of an elder’s movement or restricts their freedom. Some common examples of "restraint practices" include: • Seat belts and lap cushions are used in...

When an elder falls, it can result in significant physical problems, including broken bones, and surgery. Rehabilitation and recovery can be lengthy and slow. Unfortunately, falls in hospitals and nursing homes are an everyday occurrence. In many instances, elders...

An urgent phone call comes in: "Your mother has had a stroke. She is being transported via ambulance to the hospital." You have not prepared for this situation. Realistically, no one can. You are caught totally off-guard. There is no...

Most new jobs aren't inherited! Usually, new employment is a process that involves research, phone calls, interviews, and a job offer. But when a family member has a stroke or heart attack, is diagnosed with dementia, cancer, or has...

I recently came across the following summary of "predicted medical innovations for 2015". An edited version follows... At the Cleveland Clinic’s annual Medical Innovation Summit, the top 10 list included a high-tech stroke ambulance, painless blood testing, new cancer therapies...

I came across this information recently. Something everyone should know -- there will be tax penalties assessed for those ignoring the health care mandate. Please read the summary below: Tax penalties for remaining uninsured have risen significantly. Every adult without...

Home Care services provide the infrastructure to enable patients to remain at home, with safety, security, and monitoring of their individual care plans, which avoids costly hospitalization and re-admittance. See evidence cited below to support such a "care collaboration"... Medicare is...

The federal government always advertises to our senior citizens that Medicare will cover their most of their health care needs as aging occurs. What they do not tell seniors is they (government) are working diligently to reduce access to...

In 2015, nearly 64 million Americans who receive Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will receive a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increase to their monthly benefit payments of 1.7 percent. The average monthly Social Security benefit for a retired worker...