Educated Choices for Elder Care Why do some families and elderly parents choose to hire caregivers directly rather than through an agency? Sometimes, this decision is driven by economics and family assets. People look to do anything to save money -...

Common Sense Steps Can Help   It seems like everywhere I turn, I hear about someone who is sick with the flu. The city of Boston last week declared a "health emergency" due to the number of cases being reported. Emergency...

Support Elderly Needs Estimates are that as many as 50% of those over 85 suffer from some form of dementia. These individuals are often affected in terms of judgment (forgetting, for example, how to use certain household appliances); sense of...

It is safe to say that our present day lives differ greatly from our ancestors. Think about the lifestyle differences between our elderly parents and our children. My grandfather was born in the late 1890's. My children were born...

Mistake to Dismiss Mental Illness Contrary to popular belief, mental disorders like anxiety, depression, cognitive impairment, mood disorders and behavioral problems, are not a normal part of aging. Yet, psychiatric illnesses in older adults have long tended to be neglected, sometimes...

Aging Necessitates Changing Diet The energy stored in food is measured in terms of "calories", which is a measurement tool for food just as inches or yards are a measurement for a specific distance. Calories measure the amount of energy...

Balanced Intake for Seniors Dealing with aging parents can be difficult and time-consuming for those of us in the "sandwich generation".  But some details of daily life for seniors, such as balanced intake of proper nutrients and vitamins, should be...

Stop Adding Salt to Meals and Food Preparation Sodium is an essential nutrient that regulates blood volume, blood pressure, and pH levels. Our body uses the sodium to help control blood pressure and blood volume. Sodium is also needed for...

Metabolism Changes in Elderly Iron : Recommended Intake: Men and Women: 8 milligrams a day Iron is best known for its role in the formation of healthy red blood cells, which are responsible for carrying oxygen through the blood. It is...

Incidence Increases with Age People with Type 2 diabetes produce insulin; however, either their pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body cannot use the insulin adequately.  Glucose comes from carboydrate foods, and is the main source of the...