Caring Currents Archive September 2008

1. Second Opinions: 6 Tips to Seeking Alternative Advice October 08, 2008

   Follow your intuition and ask for another doctor's advice. How to go about the business of seeking a second opinion? I've pulled together six simple strategies to get you going:...  Read more

   Sarah Henry, Caring.com senior editor
   
   
2. Second Opinions: If in Doubt, Seek One Out October 02, 2008

   Learn how second opinions can provide a fresh perspective, new information, and draw on different clinical experiences so that a diagnosis may result and better medical decisions may ensue, especially in complicated or baffling cases...  Read more

   Sarah Henry, Caring.com senior editor
   1 Comment
   
   
3. Cancer Claims Paul Newman but His Legacy Lives On October 01, 2008

   When Paul Newman died on Friday, we lost yet another truly great man to cancer. Newman, age 83, died Friday at home in Westport, Connecticut with his wife of 50 years, actress Joanne Woodward, and his five daughters by his side....  Read more

   Melanie Haiken, Caring.com senior editor
   
   
4. Home Monitors Watch Over Seniors Aging in Place September 30, 2008

   Learn about electronic home monitors for seniors, which attach to the walls in seniors' homes and trigger a call for help. Home monitoring systems are an important option for aging-in-place safety....  Read more

   Nell Bernstein, Caring.com senior editor
   2 Comments
   
   
5. Diaper Humor is Best Left to Those Who Know What They're Talking About September 29, 2008

   An interesting article about humor and adult diapers points out the very thin line between offensive and funny. For many seniors and caregivers diapers are simply a necessary part of daily life....  Read more

   Kate Rauch, Caring.com senior editor
   2 Comments
   
   
6. Euthanasia for End-Stage Alzheimer's? How About Humanity Instead September 26, 2008

   Should people with end-stage Alzheimer's disease have access to euthanasia? Get the facts about Euthinasia and Alzheimer's disease at Caring.com. Alzheimer's disease...  Read more

   Paula Spencer Scott, Caring.com senior editor
   7 Comments
   
   
7. What the Financial Meltdown Means for You and Your Family September 26, 2008

   In light of the market meltdown of the past few weeks, it does make sense to reevaluate your financial situation and investment strategies....  Read more

   Stephanie Miles, Caring.com senior editor
   1 Comment
   
   
8. Lack of Energy: Not a Normal Sign of Aging September 25, 2008

   Find out why a lack of energy, or elderly fatigue is not normal of aging and may signal an underlying health concern that warrants medical attention. A lack of energy is the universal language by which the elderly talk about their health problems....  Read more

   Sarah Henry, Caring.com senior editor
   5 Comments
   
   
9. A Grandchild Steps in to Help Her Family: The Sequel September 25, 2008

   Caregiving by a twenty-something grandchild does wonders for her elderly grandparents. Caregiving stories don't always have happy endings, of course, and things might have ...  Read more

   Connie Matthiessen, Caring.com senior editor
   
   
10. New Scoring System Simplifies Breast Cancer Treatment Decisions September 24, 2008

    Breast cancer patients and caregivers have to make tough decisions in deciding on a treatment plan, but a new breast cancer test takes the guesswork out of deciding who needs chemotherapy and who doesn't....  Read more

    Melanie Haiken, Caring.com senior editor
    
    
11. Technological Advances Keep Seniors Safe on the Road September 23, 2008

    New technologies in the works will help keep seniors safe on the road -- and help them live independently in their own homes longer. As anyone who's ever had to ask their parents to turn over their car keys knows, losing the ability to drive can be traumatic for elders, and can even precipitate an unwanted move to a retirement home....  Read more

    Nell Bernstein, Caring.com senior editor
    
    
12. Personal To-Do Lists That Help You With Caregiving Challenges September 22, 2008

    This same week Caring.com launched a new feature: “To-Do” lists. These online checklists guide you through a variety of challenging caregiving situations including What to Do When a Loved One is First Diagnosed With Cancer, and What To Do When Someone Dies. A complete list is below....  Read more

    Kate Rauch, Caring.com senior editor
    
    
13. When Dementia Is "Pleasant" September 19, 2008

    Although pleasant dementia isn't an official medical term, it is a widely recognized phenomenon. Pleasant dementia is when a person's personality changes to being happy and in-the-moment....  Read more

    Paula Spencer Scott, Caring.com senior editor
    5 Comments
    
    
14. Medicare Hotline Leaves Callers Cold September 19, 2008

    Medicare patients looking for help with the complex and confusing government health insurance program are often told to first call the Medicare hotline for help....  Read more

    Stephanie Miles, Caring.com senior editor
    1 Comment
    
    
15. Doctors' Visits: Getting the Most Out of Appointments September 18, 2008

    A helpful article with advice on how to get the most out of a doctor's office visit when you're the caregiver for a loved one. Advance planning can make a big difference...  Read more

    Sarah Henry, Caring.com senior editor
    1 Comment
    
    
16. Hospice: Comfort for Patient and Caregivers Alike September 18, 2008

    A helpful article explains why hospice care can provide comfort for patients and caregivers alike. Calling hospice doesn't mean giving up, but accepting that someone is dying and making their final days as peaceful and comfortable as possible....  Read more

    Connie Matthiessen, Caring.com senior editor
    1 Comment
    
    
17. Cancer Patients and Caregivers Hail New Anti-Nausea Patch September 17, 2008

    The FDA's approval of Sancuso, an anti-nausea medication patch, excites cancer patients and caregivers because nausea can sideline those undergoing chemotherapy....  Read more

    Melanie Haiken, Caring.com senior editor
    
    
18. New Gadgets to Help the Old September 16, 2008

    Find out how hew innovations help address the challenges of aging. Here's an update on the latest gadgets, like the iShoe for fall prevention and video phones in nursing homes....  Read more

    Nell Bernstein, Caring.com senior editor
    1 Comment
    
    
19. Memory Classes: They Only Work if You Really Want to Be There September 15, 2008

    A helpful article on why classes to enhance memory are only beneficial if the student really wants to be there. Also, get tips on what to ask before the memory classes to see if its the right fit. ...  Read more

    Kate Rauch, Caring.com senior editor
    
    
20. Is Age Too Great an Alzheimer's Risk for the Presidency? September 12, 2008

    Get the real facts about who's at risk for Alzheimer's. Some charge that John McCain is at risk for Alzheimer's, and that he's too old, at age 72, to become president. ...  Read more

    Paula Spencer Scott, Caring.com senior editor
    1 Comment
    
    
21. Keeping Your Parents Safe From Scammers September 12, 2008

    Senior citizens are attractive targets for scammers but there are some simple and easy things you can do to protect them from fraud. Con artists go after older people for a few reasons...  Read more

    Stephanie Miles, Caring.com senior editor
    1 Comment
    
    
22. The Case For Geriatric Care September 11, 2008

    How and why to choose a geriatrician for your aging parents' care. Senior care specialists aim to protect the frail elderly as much as possible from the ravages of disease and preserve function, but, just as importantly, they seek to support quality of life....  Read more

    Sarah Henry, Caring.com senior editor
    1 Comment
    
    
23. New Screening Technology Catches Cancer Better Than Mammograms September 10, 2008

    Learn how a new breast cancer screening technology, molecular breast imaging or MBI, caught three times the number of cancers in women with dense breast tissue as mammography....  Read more

    Melanie Haiken, Caring.com senior editor
    
    
24. Fighting for Breath: A Mother's Last Weeks of Life September 10, 2008

    Find out how Laura Juel had to advocate for her mother during her final days to help her get pain relief. It underscores the importance of being an advocate for elderly relatives even if this means challenging their health care providers....  Read more

    Connie Matthiessen, Caring.com senior editor
    9 Comments
    
    
25. Adaptive Senior Clothing: A Welcome Solution to Dressing Challenges September 08, 2008

    Adaptive clothing makes dressing much easier for older people with arthritis, Alzheimer's, dementia, and other debilitating conditions. Learn how to choose the best adaptive clothing for your loved ones....  Read more

    Kate Rauch, Caring.com senior editor
    5 Comments
    
    
26. Tough Times Can Turn Seniors into Bargain Hunters September 05, 2008

    The tough economy is forcing more seniors than ever into bankruptcy, and leading many older people to find bargains available only to them....  Read more

    Stephanie Miles, Caring.com senior editor
    2 Comments
    
    
27. People With Dementia Need...People September 05, 2008

    Dementia often causes a person to retreat socially, whether out of embarrassment, depression, or an inability to keep up. Yet a growing body of evidence says that social connectedness can slow mental decline....  Read more

    Paula Spencer Scott, Caring.com senior editor
    
    
28. A Grandchild Steps In to Help Her Family September 04, 2008

    A young woman with both a big heart and streak of cynicism steps in to help her aging grandparents. As my family's situation demonstrates, caregiving presents challenges, but it offers opportunities as well. ...  Read more

    Connie Matthiessen, Caring.com senior editor
    2 Comments
    
    
29. Diabetes Doughnut Hole Dilemma September 04, 2008

    Get tips on how to deal with the so-called doughnut hole in prescription drug coverage for seniors with diabetes. Find out if and when the doughnut hole eats into your family member's finances so you can plan ahead....  Read more

    Sarah Henry, Caring.com senior editor
    1 Comment
    
    
30. An Unpopular Idea: Worried About Cancer? Cut Back on Drinking September 03, 2008

    I don't know why we're not talking more about the alcohol-cancer connection. When my father was dying of esophageal cancer--a type of cancer closely linked to alcohol consumption--I don't remember the doctor asking my dad about drinking....  Read more

    Melanie Haiken, Caring.com senior editor