Popular Topics Questions

1. Is there a clock that indicates AM and PM for my father-in-law with Alzheimer's?

   Gosh. This is a good question. Most of them have the very small light on the left indicating the am or pm, not very friendly. I did a quick search of this and found this one. It's pricey, but may be worth it. The pm is on the left hand side, not the obvious choice on the right...
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2. How can I manage the stress of caregiving for someone with sundown syndrome?

   Cathy, all of your feelings are completely valid and normal. I'm so happy to hear you are seeking professional health. Talking to someone is very important, be it a friend or a professional.
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3. Is there such thing as Sun Up Syndrome ?

   When you say that your mother is experiencing Sundown Syndrome in the morning, I assume you mean that your mother is agitated and confused. "Sun-up syndrome" is a first for me, in terms of Alzheimer’s.
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4. What type of food can I use to build up a low blood count?

   A low white blood cell count can indicate a variety of conditions, some of them serious. Before you start a program to try to up these numbers, consult with your doctor to rule out viral infections, cancer and autoimmune disorders. Once you've established that no serious problems are present, you can start making changes on your own to improve things...
   1 Expert Answer, 3 Community Answers

5. Should I be concerned that I sometimes have trouble walking after waking up?

   Being 36 years old myself, I would be concerned if this was happening to me too! Several things to think about: Are you dizzy when this happens? Does this go away after you have been up for a few minutes? Do you always have problems with the same side...
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6. How can I convince my spouse to see a doctor?

   This is a tough problem! Some men just do not want to see a doctor, and there are numerous reasons why this could be happening with your husband. Maybe he is afraid to hear that something is wrong. Maybe he doesn't want to be told he will have to use a cane or walker. Or, he may be distrustful of the health care system itself...
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7. What would cause sudden falling?

   You are right to be concerned. Falls are not a normal consequence of aging and the research evidence tells us a history of falling is a good indication of a heightened risk for additional falls. We also know sooner or later repeated falls will result in an injury.
   1 Expert Answer, 2 Community Answers

8. Can low estrogen levels cause a low white blood count?

   First of all, I am happy to hear your wife has survived ovarian cancer since 1993. I am not aware of a correlation between low estrogen levels and a low white blood count. However, given her history of ovarian cancer, I am assuming she underwent some sort of treatment for the ovarian cancer, such as...
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9. Can Warfarin cause low blood platelets?

   It sounds like you are really concerned about your mother's health. Regarding her warfarin (coumadin) use, this drug does not cause a low platelet count. It can cause bleeding if the drug level gets too high, so with her low platelet count (which can also lead to bleeding), she should be monitored for this...
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10. Can you have too much blood in your body?

    Reading through your letter, it sounds like there are two issues going on here. First is the blood counts problems: the low white count, and the high red count. Low white blood cells are usually caused by cancers, severe bacterial or viral infections, or immune disorders (like HIV/AIDS or lupus)...
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11. How can you raise low blood counts due to liver disease?

    In your letter, you do not say what kind of liver disease your mother has, so I will try to answer your questions the best that I can. That being said, the liver has many functions in the human body, including making cholesterol and bile, storing glucose, and metabolizing medications and alcohol...
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12. Am I liable if my parent causes a car accident?

    As an older adult's driving capabilities diminish, many adult children worry not only about the parent's safety but also about their own liability for damages from an accident the parent causes. In general, adult children are not legally responsible for damages resulting from an accident caused by a parent...
    FAQ 1 Expert Answer, 2 Community Answers

13. What's the best way to bring up the topic of unsafe driving to someone with Alzheimer's?

    For starters, do everything you can to avoid a power struggle. Respect that as long as the driver is mentally competent and not a clear danger on the road, it's his or her decision whether to stay behind the wheel. Include the person in discussions of specifics and safety concerns so that, ideally, he...
    FAQ 1 Expert Answer, 6 Community Answers

14. FAQ: How Is Heart Failure Different From COPD?

    Both heart failure (formerly known as congestive heart failure) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) can cause shortness of breath and chronic cough, so it can be hard to tell the difference based only on those symptoms. However, the fluid retention associated with heart failure causes additional...
    FAQ 1 Expert Answer

15. FAQ: What's the Difference Between Systolic and Preserved Systolic Heart Failure, and Why Is It Important?

    Heart failure (formerly called congestive heart failure) can be classified in a number of ways, but one important distinction -- having to do with the difference between systolic and preserved systolic function -- refers to how the structure of the heart has been affected.
    FAQ 1 Expert Answer

16. Why does my father refuse to sell his car after having his license pulled by the DMV?

    People face an unimaginable number of losses as they age -- including the loss of their closest friends and relatives, their physical vitality, and their independence. It's understandable that, confronted with so much loss, elderly people often try to hold tight to the areas of life where they still maintain some control...
    1 Expert Answer, 2 Community Answers

17. How can I be sure my mother, who lives on the other side of the country, is driving safely?

    I know how stressful it can be to worry about a loved one who doesn't live close enough to visit as often as you'd like. Hopefully you have a family tradition of open, honest, and frequent communication. I'd recommend asking your mom how her driving is going. Has she encountered any recent problems...
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18. What are causes of low blood count, red and white?

    Signs of both a low white and red blood cell count include cancers (like leukemia), hyperthyroidism, bone marrow disorders, aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, severe infections, or medication side effects. If both counts are low, you should be seen by a hematologist to find out what is going on to make your numbers low...
    1 Expert Answer, 2 Community Answers

19. Which bed alarms are the best?

    The bed alarm that is available through Simply-Home has the capability to not only alert your sister that your mother has gotten out of bed during the night but keeps a record of how often and for how long she has gotten out of bed. In addition, you can install a whole range of other sensors that can...
    2 Expert Answers, 1 Community Answer

20. Can someone with Alzheimer's or dementia still drive?

    As we age, we may experience occasional memory loss, known as “senior moments.” However, by the time we reach our mid-eighties, almost half of us will have more serious dementia. Similar to how we use “Cancer” to describe many different diseases, “Dementia” is an umbrella term used for numerous disoumerous...
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