Many of us are likely to visit with our aging parents and elderly relatives over the holidays. And in many cases, Mom or Dad is living alone, or beginning to have trouble living independently. Now is a good time...

What are warning signs of age related decline? Many times, elders will tell us one thing, and do something completely different. I find phone calls can be particularly deceptive, because what I hear can be a "memory response", but not...

It can be difficult to tell the difference between normal, age-related decline and something more serious. According to a recent article quoting a psychiatrist (and private practitioner in Massachusetts), there are several ways families can tell if an elderly...

Our third installment concerning "peripheral artery disease" covers invasive surgical procedures which may be employed to correct obstructions, strengthen arterial walls, and/or by-pass deteriorated arterial pathways altogether. In some cases, angioplasty or bypass or thrombolytic therapy surgery may be necessary...

Most people return from war, and with time and support from family and friends, readjust. But everyone is different. How do you know when things are going in the wrong direction, and when you or someone you care about...

What steps can be taken to prevent dehydration? Obviously, fluid intake is the key. Elders need visual and verbal reminders to drink fluids such as water, juice, or sodas. Families and caregivers need to be cognizant about risks...

My elderly mother seems to rarely consume water or liquids. She keeps her home at what I consider a very warm temperature. She constantly awakes in the morning with her bed clothing soaked in perspiration. Doesn't this...

Dehydration increases with age -- which is a simple way of noting that our elders are more prone to dehydration than other age groups. During the hot summer months, our community elders and family loved ones need a little extra...

Knowing the vital signs of a stroke could mean the difference between life and death... I just found out last week that a friend and colleague had recently suffered a stroke. I was stunned. But I shouldn't be....

Social Security offers a variety of benefits when you need them. Retirement—by far the most widely utilized benefit. Most people need about 10 years of work (40 credits) to qualify for retirement benefits. You can retire as early as...