Prescribing long-term oxygen therapy in patients with chronic lung disease, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a shared decision-making process between the clinician and patient. This process can encourage patients to accept the American Thoracic Society (ATS) clinical practice guideline recommendation on home oxygen therapy as published by… Read more »
Memories are who we are. Photos from our life are treasures that allow us to journey through our own mental time machine. For me, the importance of curating these images became a personal, precious activity inviting significant contemplation during the holidays. I committed to scanning and digitizing the slides from my parent’s travels in the… Read more »
This summer held a special place in my heart. It was a time of many memorable experiences and, notably trips with family, including my 87-year-old mom. I share my home with my mother; therefore, I see her regularly. I realized from recent summer trips, that even though I see her frequently, the current experience of… Read more »
Most of us wish to spend our latter years at home, but when that is no longer an option, where will you go and what is the right choice for you? Senior living options include independent and assisted living facilities and resident/board and care facilities (B&C), but how are they similar, and how do they… Read more »
What is a patient care manager or advocate? Webster’s Dictionary defines advocate as “one who pleads for another’s cause,” and a manager is defined as “to direct or carry on business.” Using these definitions, it is easy to see how a patient advocate/manager would be a great help to individuals needing to navigate our medical… Read more »
The importance of fitness training has become wildly accepted in the modern-day sport of golf. In past generations, there was a bit of stigma in the game with lighthearted teasing for “spending too much time in the gym and not enough time playing golf.” All golfers benefit from cross-training, especially seniors who need to maintain… Read more »
Is weight lifting only for the young? Not at all! Even those 50 and older can enjoy weightlifting, especially lifting weights in slow-motion. Slow-motion strength training involves 10 seconds of lifting and a 10-second lowering phase. The exercise’s ultimate goal is to gain momentary muscle failure. Slow-motion strength training is an example of a brief… Read more »
In current culture, vitality is frequently associated only with youthful enthusiasm. In the field of naturopathic medicine, vitalism is the lifeforce, the spark within each of us. It was taught and passed down by our founders and is woven throughout our medical education. Unfortunately, the constraints of testing and diagnosing do not elaborate much on… Read more »
One thing experts do agree on is that technology is changing the way we’re interacting socially. Technology can be a very effective tool in reducing social isolation, especially among senior citizens, by enhancing communication and connectivity between friends, family and caregivers. Research shows belonging to social groups and networks is just as important a predictor… Read more »
The coronavirus emergency has made life more dangerous and difficult for people worldwide. However, the extraordinary challenges experienced by the hearing impaired and deaf populations have not been addressed adequately to date by the media. Listening is defined as an “active or intentional behavior involving the brain’s ability to decode and process communication.”1 Affecting approximately… Read more »
You may have heard of birth doulas who work with pregnant mothers and have been in our health care system a very long time. Recently, we have begun to look at the other end of the life cycle, one that is hard to think about and even harder to talk about: death. End of life… Read more »
Family caregivers who need in-home care may not know the various types of care nor what levels of support to expect. Cost, frequency and level of skilled providers are among determining factors when choosing in-home help for a loved one. What are the differences between types of in-home care workers? Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) and… Read more »
Respite care is a service that supports family caregivers by providing temporary care for a loved one who requires assistance – such as someone with dementia, special needs or disabilities. Respite care should not be considered a luxury, but instead should be an important component of a caregiving program. It can be provided for a… Read more »
Support comes in many forms, especially when someone is going through cancer. We think about how awful everything that they must endure is – treatments, doctor appointments, fatigue, stress and so much more. Hopefully, the person going through cancer has a good support system and a caregiver that will be by their side through thick… Read more »
Whether we want to admit it or not, with age comes declining function of every major bodily system we have. The World Health Organization defines the aging population as 60 and older, but symptoms may start to show decades earlier. Common aging concerns should be addressed early when they are typically more manageable – or… Read more »
Recently, I was at a social gathering with two other women. They were busy talking about their academic achievements, employment specialties, and other professional areas of interest. I noticed that both women seemed to exclude me from the conversation. There was no eye contact, no questions, nada, zip. I asked myself whether I was being… Read more »
Frank Lloyd Wright once said, “The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes.” While the renowned architect’s statement is one many seniors may agree with, and younger generations may find encouraging, few would deny that the golden years are also challenging. In recognition of National Healthy Aging Month (September), we asked a few of… Read more »
Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, also known as Open Enrollment, is a time for Medicare enrollees to review their current insurance and change to a better Medicare plan. With a multitude of Medicare plans available, Annual Enrollment Period may seem more confusing and overwhelming than liberating. Here are my top five tips for selecting the best… Read more »
All of us will eventually have to face the end of life, but some of us will find ourselves confronted with that prospect more quickly and unexpectedly than anticipated—after suffering an accident, for example, or when diagnosed with a terminal illness. Or it may be that a loved one must suddenly prepare emotionally and in… Read more »
In the March/April 2017 issue of Desert Health®, Dr. Lu introduced a pilot program being conducted by a team of doctors at Eisenhower Medical Center. The results of that intervention program follow. It is estimated that 5.5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s dementia in 2017. Most people with Alzheimer’s dementia have a long duration… Read more »
