Browse Questions About Senior Care Information - Page 1

Are there any specific exercises out there that are geared towards seniors that will help them to gain better balance?

Question - You ask a good question, and one that comes up fairly often as seniors, and their caregivers, are eager to reduce the risk of falling. The answer is a resounding "yes," there are many exercises that improve balance. There are also exercise classes and programs designed just for this, from tai chi to aqua aerobics...

1 Expert Answer

Is home health care part of the Medicaid waiver program SOURCE?

Question - Yes, home health care is a fundamental part of the SOURCE (Service Options Using Resources in a Community Environment) program. The specific rules of the SOURCE program are slightly different in each state that has it. But the main purpose of SOURCE is to help frail seniors live at home or in a personal...

1 Expert Answer

How can we find low-income housing for my father so he does not have to live with a family member?

Question - My Dad is in a subsidized facility and hates it. He has fronto-temporal dementia. He has always been a difficult person to deal with. He complained to my son several times and my son offerred to take him in. I can't have him because we don't get along and only have 1 bathroom and he has bladder issues (catheter, etc)...

Where should I draw the line with my mother in law's nutrition?

Question - I can hear your frustration and your concern. What you don’t want to happen is a battle of wills. It is important that your mother not sacrifice the nutritional benefits of the soup and fill up on empty calories, however if her overall health is good and she has a healthy appetite the crackers mayay be harmless (though not my favorite...

1 Expert Answer

Is there any way to prevent inner ear inflammation?

Question - When you get a cold, virus, or sinus infection, bacteria from the nose gets into the eustachian tube, which is the tube that connects the nose to the ear. The inner ear contains fluid, which can easily get infected or inflammed, which will result in an ear infection.

1 Expert Answer

Can a family pet become a form of service dog for "emotional support"?

Question - My dad has a small dog...looks like a small poodle, but not a poodle. He loves this dog and gets so much relief in almost all areas of living. When he goes to visit my step-mother at the nursing home, Puffy is excellent within that community, stopping to visit other residents, bringing smiles to everyone...

Should I be concerned about my mother talking in the third person?

Question - Alzheimer's patients usually can't remember things well, so the fact that she remembers that someone told her these things would indicate that she doesn't have signs of that disease.

1 Expert Answer

What is causing my mom to talk nonstop?

Question - There were several thoughts that ran through my head as I read your question. First, I am wondering if this continued talking is a change in her previous behavior. If the answer is yes, than this can be a sign of anxiety, stroke, or frontal temporal dementia...

1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

How can I help my mother be more social and accept help from others?

Question - You ask about helping mom be more social when she rejects the offers of help you have made or tried to set up. It's important to find out more about what's going on with mom's mental health. Social isolation can be risky for elders. Sometimes it's related to depression, to dementia or to other issues...

1 Expert Answer, 3 Community Answers

Are broken bones always compound fractures?

Question - To answer your question, no, all broken bones are not compound fractures. There are actually many types of bone fractures. I have listed some below:

1 Expert Answer

My father died recently. Should we try to settle his credit card debt for a lower amount prior to selling his house?

Question - You are correct that Texas is a community property state. This means, basically, that property acquired during the course of a marriage is owned equally by both spouses. Assuming the house was community property, half the house was owned by your father.

1 Expert Answer

How do I get my grandmother to stop denying her incontinence?

Question - Reading your question, I know this is a tough problem, as I have dealt with many older ladies who are incontinent and do not realize it is a problem. I know that you have probably talked to her until you are blue in the face, but she just doesn't get it...

1 Expert Answer

How do we convice my fiercely independent parents that they need help?

Question - You describe your independent parents and getting help as a worrisome problem. You are not alone. So many people, like you, are trying to prevent disaster by getting their parents to accept help.

1 Expert Answer

What does hypoxia mean?

Question - Hypoxia is a medical term which means there is an inadequate supply of oxygen in the blood to supply the body functions. In other words, he blood fails to deliver oxygen to target tissues due to some kind of medical problem.

1 Expert Answer

What is an easy to use music player that my mom can use in her assisted living facility?

Question - My mother just moved to an assisted living facility and she can no longer get a classical music station in her apartment. That was her lifeline in her old place. She does have wifi and I'd like to figure out a simple way to hook her up with classical music but she has trouble learning to use technology...

Why does my blood sugar go up after one hour of walking?

Question - When you are diabetic, your blood sugar will often vary depending on your activity level and how you are eating. With exercise, your blood sugar will normally decrease. However, higher intensity exercise, which can include walking for some individuals who are out of shape, can sometimes increase blood sugar due to stress hormones being released...

1 Expert Answer, 2 Community Answers

Why are copper colored streaks appearing in my father's grey hair?

Question - Changes in hair color typically occur naturally as people age. Most of us will eventually develop gray hair as we get older, but this will eventually turn white (called achromotrichia) when we get old enough.

1 Expert Answer, 4 Community Answers

Am I still getting the vitamin D I need by sitting outside?

Question - You pose a very good question about gaining vitamin D by sunlight exposure vs. the risk of skin cancer. Sitting outside in sunlight will boost vitamin D levels but your skin must be exposed and free of sunscreen. Reducing the risk of skin cancer, especially in light of your family history, should take...

1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

Can a shingles appear be on the opposite side of the body from the first outbreak?

Question - Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox. After you've had chicken pox initially, the virus will lie dormant in the nerves in spinal cord and brain. At any time, the virus can be reactivated, causing a painful rash (shingles) on one side of the body...

1 Expert Answer

How can I stop the skin around my fingernails from peeling off?

Question - Peeling skin around the fingernails can mean a range of possible causes, from excessive hand washing without good moisturizing, to infection, to a more complex internal disease situation. Without knowing your medical history or more about the exact description of what is happening (and without seeing it) it is hard to be precisely sure what is wrong...

1 Expert Answer

Will my air bags to more harm than good to my 92 year-old dad with osteoporosis?

Question - Thanks for your question about osteoporosis and airbags.

1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

What can I do about mom's tooth loss?

Question - Mom keeps losing her teeth. This time for good. I need to bring her to the dentist, what solution is there. The same solution will have the same result. help

What causes ulcers?

Question - This is a difficult question, because I am not sure if you are referring to a bedsore (decubitis ulcer) or a stomach ulcer. So, I will give you the basic causes of each problem.

1 Expert Answer

What could be causing my mother to talk out loud to herself?

Question - Many people, young and old, talk to themselves when they going through their day. Perhaps she has talked to herself her whole life, so this may not be a new habit for her. You may have never noticed this about her, as she may have mumbled to herself when she was younger, and this is not as noticeable...

1 Expert Answer, 8 Community Answers

What kind of therapy can I do at home for my wife with a broken hip?

Question - Physical therapy for a broken hip is very effective. But the plan must be laid out by a physcial therapist depending on the type of break and the kindof treatment. I would advise you to go to the hospital or rehab center as soon as possible to get the recommendations for your wife's ongoing therapy...

1 Expert Answer, 2 Community Answers

Is there a urine bag to use at night without having to use a catheter?

Question - Catheters are plastic tubes that are inserted into the bladder. They are used in people who cannot empty their bladders from some kind of medical problem. Sometimes they are used for incontinence management, but this is not a good idea, as catheters have many problems associated with them. First, they have to be cleaned and cared for...

1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

What could be causing fat to develop dear my father's kidney?

Question - In the human body, the kidneys are naturally surrounded by fat, as it helps to protect and cushion them. Some people will develop more abdominal fat due to a poor diet that is high in fat or lack of exercise.

1 Expert Answer

What causes dark circles under the eyes?

Question - The reason for dark circles under the eyes is more complex than it seems on the surface. There can also be more than one cause, and it can differ between people. The tissue of the lower eyelid is complex: it contains skin (including dermis beneath the surface), fat, many blood vessels, tissue fluid, and nerves...

1 Expert Answer, 4 Community Answers

Why does my left leg cramp up at night?

Question - I am 62, female. Can count on 1 hand number of times I have slept all night in last 25 years. Not since last child was born. Stopped menstruating about 10 yrs ago. I do not remember having a fireworks type climax with sex. My primary question is that I have leg cramps primarily in the (L) leg at night...

How can I best care for my mom's hair and skin?

Question - Linda, I can hear the distress in your words. Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's is heartbreaking enough, but when you know your mom was always so attentive to her appearance, it can be a struggle to try to help her keep it up. Caring for elderly hair and skin can be very tricky. You are right. Skin does thin and get drier with age, as does hair...

1 Expert Answer, 3 Community Answers

Could my family member have a urinary tract infection?

Question - My family member has multiple health problems and is not active. He's complaining of more gas pains when he eats. Could he have a urinary tract infection?

How can I take blood tests and work around my phobia of needles?

Question - I want you to know I feel for you, as having a fear of needles is a tough problem!

1 Expert Answer, 4 Community Answers

What is considered a high level of cobalt in the body?

Question - Cobalt and chromium release in patients who have had a metal-on-metal total hip replacement. The metal on metal design of DePuy's hip replacement system can cause metal toxicity due to chromium and cobalt ions that get released.

1 Expert Answer

What is a good medication for that pins and needles feeling?

Question - Many people with Peripheral Neuropathy (PN) have had relief with the following medications:

1 Expert Answer, 4 Community Answers

If someone can't do vigorous exercise, is gentle exercise still beneficial?

Question - The answer to question 1 is “Yes, definitely!” The benefits of exercise and its direct relationship to well-being and overall health are well documented and include:

2 Expert Answers, 1 Community Answer

Can auto-immune disorders have an affect on a person's mind or brain?

Question - Your letter contains many questions, so I am going to answer them in order.

1 Expert Answer, 2 Community Answers

Could an infection cause lymph nodes to swell?

Question - I had upper gi, discovered I have 10 swollen lymth nodes on stomach. Am taking prevpac cause I have an infection called hyplori? I have no pain or anything. Could the infection cause my lymph nodes to swell? They said no sign of cancer in stomach or esopohogas/

Can the esophagus heal on it's own?

Question - I am sorry that your father is having so much difficulty, as he is still so young. My first thought when reading your questions was that the doctors working on your father should have talked to you about what to expect now, especially since he survived the sepsis...

1 Expert Answer

What is intravascular ultrasound?

Question - Intravascular ultrasound is an imaging test that uses catheters with a tiny ultrasound probe attached at the end of them to take pictures of the inner walls blood vessels. This test is used most frequently used to show the amount of plaque built up inside the coronary (heart) arteries, to determine if heart surgery is needed...

1 Expert Answer

Is fibromyalgia genetic?

Question - There is some evidence that genetics does play a role in fibromyalgia. It can run in families, but we are not sure why. More research is being done in this area as we speak, so we may find out the answer within the next few years.

1 Expert Answer

How can I make it easier to my husband to take pills that cannot be crushed?

Question - Klor-Clon is a long acting potassium pill. By crushing it, the potassium gets quickly absorbed into the body, which can increase the potassium level in the bloodstream too much. Crushing the pill can also increase the risk of side effects from the medication, especially stomach upset.

1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

What's the best way to transfer someone from a wheelchair to a vehicle?

Question - Transferring from a wheelchair to a car seat is difficult, as it involves multiple steps. Many car seats are low to the ground, so that can pose a challenge as well, especially if someone is unsteady or has painful knees. If your mother is uncooperative, it may be because she is afraid of falling during...

1 Expert Answer

Is it normal to still have pain three years after I broke my hip?

Question - Reading your question, I agree that you should not have this much pain if your hip is fixed, especially at your young age. My first thought is that there is something else causing your pain, such as sciatica, which is a painful nerve condition of the hip/buttocks on one side of the body...

1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

How serious is a broken rib for a diabetic?

Question - Broken ribs can occur during an injury, such as a fall, car accident or a sports injury. Ribs that have really broken in two can cause initial damage to a blood vessel or lung, which would cause emergent shortness of breath. However, most broken ribs are just cracked, not really separated in two...

1 Expert Answer

What kind of doctor should I take my husband to for the edema in his knee?

Question - Reading your letter, I must tell you that I do not like the sound of this. I think he might have a blood clot in the leg, also known as a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). He needs to be seen by either his doctor today, or he should go to the Emergency Room, as this can be dangerous!

1 Expert Answer

Besides medication, what are some ways to treat depression?

Question - There are many ways to help treat mild depression besides prescription medications. These include:

1 Expert Answer

What can I do to motivate my mother to get up and exercise?

Question - Oh, I am so sorry. This sounds like a difficult situation and is understandably discouraging and frustrating for you. Since your mom was in the NH for 3 months, it would be interesting to talk with the rehab team there to get some insight into how they were able to motivate your mom...

1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

If my father in law cannot navigate the stairs alone, what is the best location for us to set up his room?

Question - My father in law has to come stay with us for 2 weeks but he cannot navigate the stairs alone & we only have 1 bathroom on the 2nd floor. All bedrooms are upstairs. If we set up a makeshift bedroom in the living room (I guess), then he will have problems each time he needs the bathroom to relieve himself or shower...

What remedies are available for chronic UTI sufferers?

Question - Chronic urinary tract infections (UTIs) are often difficult to deal with, as it is such a complicated problem. First, the patient should be worked up to discover why they are getting frequent infections. If the cause can be helped, many times the number of infections will decrease...

1 Expert Answer

How can I help my client understand her heart monitor?

Question - I believe the device you are talking about is an Event Monitor, which is worn by someone who may have some type of heart beat abnormality. The device has a button that you are supposed to push when you feel palpitations, dizziness, faint, or chest pain, and it will record the EKG of the heart...

1 Expert Answer

What causes carpal tunnel syndrome?

Question - Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by compression of a nerve in your wrist. This nerve runs from your forearm through a "tunnel" in the wrist (called the carpal tunnel) out to the hand. If something presses on the nerve or irritates it, this can lead to the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.

1 Expert Answer

Why is a fall so dangerous and what can be done to prevent falls?

Question - Falls represent a hidden public health crisis. According to the CDC, falls are the leading cause of injury death among older adults. One third of adults over the age of 65 fall each year, and one third of those have injuries that reduce independence...

1 Expert Answer

Can a 65 old women (never worked) and suffer stroke get some benefits?

Question - This is a senior I know. She never worked before, and now she is 65 years old and suffered a stroke. Will she be able to get some benefits because of her disable problems? Her husband is 69. She is retired from a foreing country and receives some $$...

Is there another way to find out if someone has a UTI if they can't get a urine sample?

Question - I would also like to know the answer to this question. Thank you!

1 Community Answer

Is it good or bad for senior citizen to rent or own a home paid in cash?

Question - is it a good idea for a senior citizen who is medical-government program beneficiary to buy a home fully paid off? Would buy a house affect his government assisted program now or in the future-should he died? what is your opinion, buying or renting?

How do I determine when not to leave my AD wife alone for even a couple of hours?

Question - At this point she knows not to mess with the stove. (can I trust her??) I question how she would react in an emergency. Example: I asked her to dial 911 (without lifting the receiver), with no stress it took longer than I had hoped. We live in "senior" housing with buddy alarms" in place...

Can an optometrist take a seniors license away?

Question - A senior is going to the optometrist and has macular. He is wondering if he can take away his license.

Need a low cost legitimate dental plan for seniors. Where to look?

Question - I checked some of them out and there is SMALL print with exclusions. I cannot sit here long and been searching and taking weeks and still don't feel confident about any of them. Seniors keep getting ripped off. Are there any dentists that really care & will help and work with you if you don't have dental insurance...

Does anyone have a list of specific foods that fight inflammation?

Question - Hi, Thanks for your question!

1 Community Answer

I have the flu. Can I stop carb/levo until better?

Question - i can't hold anything down

How can exercise help my parents to prevent falls?

Question - How can exercise help my parents to prevent falls, and how can I get them to do these exercises?

What are your top five tips for preventing falls in the home?

Question - Here are our top 5 tips for preventing falls in the home:

1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

What exercise moves should every senior do each day without fail?

Question - There are many exercises that will help keep people “on their feet”. We like these five for every day; they are easy to do and easy to remember.

1 Expert Answer

Is it possible to get monthly shipments of incontinence products?

Question - If you want larger supplies of incontinence products, you should check out the internet. There are many companies out there that offer larger supplies and will ship them directly to your home. Good luck!

1 Expert Answer

Are there homes and apartments specially designed with the needs of the elderly in mind?

Question - Standard countertops and cubboards are constructed too high to be comfortable for me, because of shoulder and arm problems. Are any apts. or homes available with lower counters to assist the elderly?? Most older folks are short.

What do you do when your parent refuses to do the test the doctor has ordered?

Question - If my parent refused to do a test that the doctor had ordered, I would sit down with them and talk with them about it. Perhaps your loved one has a good reason for not doing it, and you just need to hear the reason why.

1 Expert Answer

What is the best thing for me to do to help my mom, now that she's declining?

Question - My mom will be 85 next week and is good health with the exception of her memory and being very confused. Lately she does not make the best choices..for example standing in the pouring rain waiting for me to pick her up ( there is a covered porch)... She lives in a senior housing Complex....she does not interact with others there...

What are the symptoms of herpes?

Question - There are three types of herpes, which are herpes simplex, genital herpes, or herpes zoster, so I will go over the symptoms of each.

1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

Should I help my dad reinstate his driving privileges?

Question - It sounds like your dad is grieving about his inability to drive. He probably feels a loss of his independence but on the other hand, down deep, he may acknowledge that he has some issues that may preclude him from safely driving. I would let your dad take the lead if he wants to reinstate his driving privileges...

1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

What is causing my calf pain and the tingling in my toes?

Question - I suffer calves pain & a bit of toes tingling for more than a month, it feels better when i massage the affected areas, but it comes back after a few hours. I am taking Glucobetic & cholesterol pills now. your professional advices are highly appreciated...

Does the height of a bed affect swelling in the elderly?

Question - Bilateral ankle swelling, also known as pedal edema, is a common problem in elders. The most common cause of edema is venous insufficiency, followed by heart failure, kidney problems, sleep apnea, and liver disease. Venous insufficiency is a chronic problem where the leg veins become weak over time, causing blood to pool in the legs...

1 Expert Answer

Should I be concerned about the medical tests I've been getting for my thyroid?

Question - The ultrasound of your thyroid showed some nodules; the first one is really tiny (2 millimeters is really small), and the second one was roughly 1cm around. This bigger one had some microcalcifications, so the doctors biopsied it to see what it was...

1 Expert Answer

What is the best way to treat bed sores?

Question - Mom is 90 and on hospice. There are differing opinions as to if she should be on yet but that is not the question. She developed a bedsore in spite of a lot of turning and other precautions. There seems to be a competition between the nurses about exactly how to care for it. Have you any recommendations...

How effective or important are supplements for ALS patients?

Question - Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a rare genetic neurologic disease. ALS affects the voluntary and skeletal muscles of the body, causing gradual loss of function. Current science tells us that the major cause of ALS is nerve damage caused by free radicals, which...

1 Expert Answer

Should my 96 year old mother get the pneumonia vaccine?

Question - Officially, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that pneumonia vaccine be made available to protect against pneumonia in all people over 65 years old, even if they suffer from diseases that weaken the immune system.

1 Expert Answer, 3 Community Answers

Is there someone who will come to my parents home and assess their care needs?

Question - Coming to an older person's home and doing an assessment of potential problems there makes the most sense - and the likelihood of having such an in-home assessment funded by the state varies across the nation. You might try contacting their primary care physician, and asking if he will write an order...

1 Expert Answer

Is it normal for the elderly to withdraw if they were once very social?

Question - Reading through your question, I know that there are many reasons older people can socially withdrawal, and I will list them all in the end of this response.

1 Expert Answer

Why are urinary tract infections so common in Alzheimer's patients?

Question - This is a great question. First, the symptoms of urinary tract infections (UTI) include urgency and frequency of urination, painful urination, fever, and cloudy urine. In frail and demented elders, the symptoms of UTI can be much more subtle. They may have increased incontinence, foul smelling urine, increased confusion, abdominal pain or even boody urine...

1 Expert Answer

Can metal debris from hip implants cause cataracts to form?

Question - Cataracts develop for a number of reasons, including life long exposure to UV light from the sun, radiation exposure, chronic diseases (like high blood pressure), old age, eye trauma, or medications (like steroids). Atropy of the optic nerve is generally caused by trauma, infection, tumors, or blood flow problems to the nerve...

1 Expert Answer

How can I get financial help for things like a ramp and hand rails to accomodate my disabled mother who now lives with me?

Question - If your mother has low income (only Social Security benefits, for example) and very low assets, she might be able to qualify for your state's Medicaid program. In addition to providing some regular home care for her, it may have a program that can help pay for safety or comfort improvements to her (in this case, also your) home...

1 Expert Answer, 10 Community Answers

Will there be any difficulty withdrawing funds from joint accounts that my mother and I share?

Question - Assets that are held in joint names generally pass to the surviving joint owner upon the death of the other joint owner. This means that when your mother passes away, whatever assets remain in the various joint accounts would become payable to you alone -- you would have no difficulty getting access to the funds...

1 Expert Answer, 3 Community Answers

Is there a program in Iowa that will pay you for taking care of a family member?

Question - Many states have programs that can pay a family member to take care of a frail senior at home. These family caregiver payment programs -- often called Cash and Counseling but sometimes another name -- directly pay low-income seniors who would otherwise qualify for Medicaid coverage from a home care agency...

1 Expert Answer

How does asthma and emphysema develop?

Question - Unfortunately, you have found out that just because you are a non-smoker doesn't mean you will not get lung disease. Asthma is one of the major causes of obstructive lung disease, also known as emphysema. The course of asthma often starts in childhood and/ or young adulthood, when it will cause trouble...

1 Expert Answer

Is failing to bathe unhealthy?

Question - I have recently discovered that my 93 year old mother in law has not bathed in over 7-8 months. During this time she lived at home with aides coming in every week, but when she became ill she had to move to a nursing home for 4 months until a recent move to an assisted living facility...

Are hallucinations after surgery normal?

Question - It sounds like your husband had some delirium from the anesthesia. When people undergo a complicated surgery, sometimes they get confused, agitated, or delirious afterwards. While, it is interesting that he thinks he went to Russia, it seems like he absolutely believes that this really happened. This is a delusional thought...

1 Expert Answer, 4 Community Answers

How can I get help with housing?

Question - Hi This funny internet world is a strange beast. I found your post a year after it posted and am sitting here in the hospital with my mother-in-law, wondering how you are doing now. She is entering a new world of chronic care and I find myself fighting the entire medical world and family perceptions that, 'Doctors know everything...

2 Community Answers

I am a 43 yoa woman that found out a year ago that I had a...

Question - Regarding mitral valve surgery, this is only an option if it is what is causing your fatigue and symptoms. Perhaps the doctors are wondering if something else is making you feel fatigued, such as lack of exercise. Severe heart valve problems usually cause heart failure symptoms- which is a buildup of fluid in your lungs and legs...

1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

What is Lyme disease?

Question - Lyme disease is actually a bacterial disease that is caused by a tick bite. The bacteria live inside the tick, and when they bite you, you become infected too. Symptoms of lyme disease initially include a circular rash around the tick bite. This is a strange rash- it will look like a "bulls-eye", and disappear in a couple of days...

1 Expert Answer

Is there a senior financial caregiving service?

1 Expert Answer, 2 Community Answers

Should I be worried about lung nodules?

Question - I know that moving is stressful, but you really need to get established with a new doctor. The new doctor will probably want to look through your old health records when they meet you, so anything (old tests, notes, medication lists) that you can bring to your appointment would be helpful...

1 Expert Answer

I need financial help with plumbing bills; is there anyway to get help?

Question - I am sorry that you are having this trouble. There may not be any government program to assist you, but you can go to www.benefitscheckup.org and check on their comprehensive data base to see if there is any thing for you. It will take you 20 or 30 minutes to go through this site, but you have to do it because you are the one with the information...

1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

Can Someone Transfer Property Prior to Entering Nursing Home and Still Get Full Medicaid Coverage?

Question - There are three circumstances in which persons who qualify for Medicaid coverage for nursing home care can transfer their own house to a family member without incurring any penalty from Medicaid, and without giving Medicaid any right to reimbursement from the house.

FAQ

1 Expert Answer, 6 Community Answers

Is constant throat clearing a symptom of something more serious?

Question - Constant clearing of the throat is usually a sign of post-nasal drip from allergies. What happens is that your sinuses get clogged, then the drainage drips down the back of your throat, causing you to feel like you have to constantly clear your throat...

1 Expert Answer, 2 Community Answers

What are the best soaps for skin when bathing a senior citizen?

Question - Skin on older people is very dry and can be easily irritated. Dial is very strong and perfumed, so it is very drying and can be very irritating to the skin. Also, I know that Ivory is supposed to be "pure" and not perfumed, but it is a very harsh soap. It will also really dry out the skin.

1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

Why does my father get charley horses?

Question - Yes, it could be a sign of a circulation problem in his legs if it occurs when he is active/walking. For example, he will start walking and then develop cramps, that could show his arterial circulation is a problem. If this is the case, I would let his health care provider know.

1 Expert Answer

What are ocular migraines?

Question - Ocular migraines share their last name with migraine headache's first name because both are the result of vessel spasms. In the case of ocular migraine there is only visual phenomena, with no headache, most commonly a lightning or flashing jagged light pattern at the edges of vision which occurs suddenly and stops just as suddenly...

1 Expert Answer

Can physical activity help depression?

Question - I agree with Missy that you should take your father-in-law in for a physical exam as soon as possible. As she pointed out, he may be suffering from other, undiagnosed health problems. At the least, the physician should be able to offer suggestions for more effective treatment of his depression.

1 Expert Answer, 8 Community Answers

Where can I find resources for transportation services in the Bay Area?

Question - I'm going to assume you're looking for senior transportation services or paratransit. You can contact your local public transportation company or senior center and ask for referrals. But there are two handy on-line tools that may help you, as well...

1 Expert Answer

I am looking for an assisted living home for my mother in...

Question - You can begin with a call or a visit to your mother’s local Chamber of Commerce or Area Agency on Aging, or you call your local Long Term Care Ombudsman, whom you can find via the locator on the National Long Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center website. They Ombudsman should have a list of all the l local communities...

1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

What are annuities and do they make sense for someone over 80?

Question - Annuities are complicated financial products. No one, young or old, should purchase them without a thorough understanding of all of the fine print.

1 Expert Answer

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