Older Patients, Wiser Care
Archive 2010
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11 Ways We All Can Counter the “Disadvantages of Old Age”
December 27, 2010
Find out eleven ways to counter the disadvantages of old age. Ways to help the elderly feel not so disadvantaged at Caring.com.... Read more
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Is a Bracelet to Restore Balance and Energy Too Good to Be True?
December 06, 2010
What are your thoughts on the new bracelet called I-Renew? Does it actually restore energy and balance, or is it a scam? iRenew bracelet info at Caring.com.... Read more
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When to Worry About Weight Loss and Poor Nutrition
November 22, 2010
Learn when to worry about senior weight loss and poor nutrition in the elderly. "I'm worried about nutrition for my 84-year-old aunt, who lives alone. What should I do?"... Read more
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Why the Doctor Sometimes Talks to the Caregiver Instead of the Patient
November 08, 2010
Get the facts about communication during doctor appointments and caregiving at Caring.com. Sometime doctors talk to the caregiver instead of the patient, learn why.... Read more
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What to Say When a Loved One Pooh-Poohs the Flu Shot
October 25, 2010
How Can I Convince My Mom to Get a Flu Shot? Get the facts about flu shots and flu season at Caring.com. Here are some of the common reasons I hear for resisting vaccination, along with my usual responses: You can get the flu from the flu shot.... Read more
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Why “High” Blood Pressure Is Sometimes Okay
October 11, 2010
Why is "high" blood pressure sometimes ok? Get the facts you need about high blood pressure.... Read more
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To Pull or Not to Pull? Deciding Whether to Get Late-Life Dentures
September 27, 2010
Your father’s situation is relatively common, and an important issue for caregivers to pay attention to. Being able to eat comfortably is a vital aspect of one’s quality of life... Read more
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Heart Attacks at 65 and Older: The Symptoms Aren’t Always What You’d Think
September 13, 2010
Over the past few decades, medical research has shown that women, as well as older people of either gender, often have heart attack symptoms that are very different from the so-called “classic” chest pain and/or pressure that middle-aged men tend... Read more
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Are Bed Rails Killers or Safety Nets?
August 16, 2010
Using bed rails isn't considered 100 percent safe- but then again, neither are the alternatives! Bed rails are now viewed with much more suspicion (and some facilities have even removed them), for these reasons. ... Read more
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Antihisthamines and Aricept Don’t Mix. But What if You Need Both?
August 03, 2010
Antihistamines and Aricept Don’t Mix. But What if You Need Both? Unfortunately, when it comes to medications in the elderly, it's often darned if you do, darned if you don't. Sometimes you have to tinker around and use trial and error to find the best combination of benefits and burdens. ... Read more
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Why We Can’t Predict the Final Stage of Heart Valve Problems
July 19, 2010
How long does it take for a valve to close and what will happen during this process? What will it be like for a person suffering from severe aortic stenosis? ... Read more
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He Was Terminally Ill -- but Not Yet Eligible for Hospice
July 05, 2010
When you don't qualify for hospice but are seriously ill, Advanced Illness Management (AIM) programs can help you get care in your home from trained professionals. ... Read more
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Should You Tell Someone He or She Has Alzheimer’s?
June 21, 2010
Should you tell someone he or she has Alzheimer's?.......Get the answer to this and other related alzheimer's questions at Caring.com... Read more
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A Way to Lower Drug Costs: Make Sure They’re All Still Necessary
June 14, 2010
Find out an innovative approach to lowering your prescription drug costs. Schedule a visit with her doctor. Ask for a medication review, and be sure to specify that you want to review the benefits of each... Read more
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Dementia and Driving
May 31, 2010
Find out why you can't leave it up to a loved one with dementia to make a decision about when to stop driving.... Read more
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Four Smart Responses to an Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
May 17, 2010
Here are four things in particular that I recommend to families of those newly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s: Consider signing up for a research study on dementia.... Read more
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Don’t Trust X-Rays More Than Your Own Eyes
May 03, 2010
Your eyes are one of the most important medical tools your loved one has. Many hip and pelvis fractures aren't picked up by X-rays. Some hip fractures won't show up on an X-ray, but will on an MRI. Find out how to determine if a loved one with dementia has a pelvic fracture.... Read more
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He had advanced cancer and was DNR. Why did I send him to the ICU?
April 26, 2010
A personal story about one elderly patient in ICU, and the challenges presented by an aging patient's DNR request. It's not always easy to turn goals and care plans into actions.... Read more
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5 Reasons a Very Common Hospital Problem Is Often Overlooked
April 20, 2010
Nearly a third of elderly people experience hospital delirium, a new or worsened mental confusion during a hospital stay. Find out what you can do to help your loved one.... Read more
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He said he felt fine, but he was talking nonsense
April 05, 2010
Find out which steps to take when you notice signs of delirium in an elderly person. Delirium is very common, and studies have shown the dangers of leaving delirium untreated.... Read more
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Five Things to Know About a Possible Option for Really Bad COPD
March 29, 2010
A helpful article on end stage COPD lists the five things about opiates every COPD caregiver should know. If standard treatments are insufficient, it might be time to try opiate drugs such as morphine and oxycodone.... Read more
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The woman had been taking Fosamax for osteoporosis for years. Was this right?
March 22, 2010
New studies have shown medications such as Fosamax may be unsafe if taken too long. Senior care specialists recommend reviewing drug prescriptions with doctors on a regular basis.... Read more
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He’d Been Hospitalized Six Times for Bad COPD -- But He Still Didn't Know What to Expect
March 11, 2010
Get the facts about COPD and what to expect. More than 12 million Americans suffer from COPD (sometimes called emphysema), a chronic condition in which the lungs slowly lose their ability to effectively move oxygen into the blood.... Read more
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The Diagnosis Was Mild Cognitive Impairment. Could “Brain Training” Help?
March 05, 2010
Learn about brain training and its effectiveness in helping older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Some people have memory or other problems, but overall are still able to manage the tasks of daily life. This is often called mild cognitive impairment, or MCI.... Read more
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He Chose "Do Not Resuscitate." So Why Did He Wind Up With Intubation, Something He Didn't Want?
February 26, 2010
Even though a patient may have specified "Do Not Resuscitate" or DNR requests, they may not apply to certain procedures such as intubation. Get the facts about DNR rules and how to work with doctors to carry out a patients' ultimate wishes.... Read more
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My Patient Feared Becoming Addicted to Strong Painkillers for His Arthritis. Why Were They Recommended?
February 19, 2010
Learn more about osteoarthritis pain relief, and why geriatricians sometimes end up using painkillers such as hydrocodone, morphine, or oxycodone and how to avoid addiction.... Read more
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She had anemia – and lingering worries about cancer.
February 11, 2010
With so many possible causes of anemia, and anemia being such a common abnormality in blood tests, how can an anemic patient or caregiver know when to worry about cancer?... Read more
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His blood sugar was above normal. Why did I advise against tighter glucose control?
February 05, 2010
A geriatrician's case study on how one elderly diabetes patient controls blood sugar levels through a combination of careful testing, medication, diet, and frequent consultations.... Read more
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The Mother Was In Pain. Why Were Pain Meds Withheld?
January 29, 2010
Find out why acetaminophen has long been the geriatrician’s first choice to treat aches and pains for older adults. At usual doses it’s much safer for daily use than other over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen and aspirin.... Read more
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Dizziness: 5 Things to Do If You’re Worried
January 22, 2010
Get the facts about what to do when you're dizzy. Caring.com offers 5 tips regarding causes and treatments of dizziness, including a review of medications with relevant side effects.... Read more
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The Patient's Heart Medications Were Inadvertently Stopped. How to Safely Restart Them?
January 15, 2010
Find out how to safely restart blood pressure medications after hospitalization or other transitions in care. It’s not uncommon to hold blood pressure medications when someone is sick enough to need the hospital.... Read more
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The Patient Claimed He Was Getting Worse In Rehab. Could He Be Right?
January 08, 2010
Learn why inpatient rehabilitation at a nursing home doesn't always work better than receiving in home rehab services. Find out how to choose the right one for you.... Read more
