Fear of falling is a common concern as we get older. And rightly so, as approximately one third of the elderly and over two thirds of nursing home residents fall each year. This statistic is due largely in part to the fact that as we age, our gait tends to change. Nearly 50% of people… Read more »
“You walk like an old man,” said my friend Gary. We had not seen each other for almost two years. I am not offended and listen to him, like it or not, because he cares for me. Gary is very independent, strong and invincible; or so he thought, until he suffered a heart attack caused… Read more »
As children, we learn very quickly how to avoid an embarrassing situation, such as incontinence, mostly to avoid public ridicule and or “bullying” from peers. Now, fast forward 50-60 years later to find yourself with the same problem and with the same fears. However, this time you know that the solution may not be as… Read more »
I recently adopted an adorable furry friend from the Palm Springs Animal Shelter. While there I discovered they now have several programs for seniors interested in fostering or adopting cats and dogs. Studies have shown that pets can be very therapeutic and the shelter’s philosophy is, “we want anyone who truly wants a pet to… Read more »
Growing older is difficult and can be especially challenging for adult children of aging parents. These are the people who cared for you your entire life, and now you are caring for them. It’s no easy task. People are living longer and the age to which people live has increased dramatically in the past 20… Read more »
We’ve all experienced it – heart racing, muscle tension, irritability. Perhaps stomach pain or clenched jaw. Anxiety can cause sleepless nights and feeling tired all the time. It can lead to forgetting things, and feeling as if life is spiraling out of your control. These are just a few of the things people experience when… Read more »
The holidays are over, and this time of year can be very difficult for those who are experiencing loss-the loss of friends, family members, pets and even physical health. They may be experiencing an emotional rollercoaster with feelings of sadness, loneliness, emptiness and anxiety. Grief is a normal, highly personal response to loss. Some may… Read more »
Today has been a tough one, emotionally, for Ann, age 83. The earlier downsizing decisions involving baskets and plates have given way to a far more intense one – what to do with her grandmother’s cedar chest. Ann’s 57 year-old daughter, Wendy, patiently helps her navigate these murky emotional waters with as much care as… Read more »
Knowing that you will be taken care of in the event that you aren’t able to make daily decisions for yourself can help bring peace of mind as you grow older. While it is difficult to imagine being in that position, it is important to prepare by having a “power of attorney” document in place… Read more »
Are you one of the 65 million family caregivers in the United States? A recent study released by Elissa S. Epel, Dept of Psychiatry at the University of California reports that this often stressful situation can take up to 10 years off a caretaker’s life. Let me tell you about Jack, age 72. Jack and… Read more »
How do you know when loved ones are ready for assisted living? Use these guidelines to help spot the telltale warning signs of aging and illness. Rosalyn Carter once said: “There are only four kinds of people in the world–those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and… Read more »
We know the value of common exercise like walking, running, swimming, tennis, golf, soccer, etc. But these simple activities are often out of reach for those living with Parkinson’s. However, there are other exercises, not as strenuous, which can be valuable tools to improve a Parkinson’s patient’s activities of daily living (or ADLs). With Parkinson’s,… Read more »
Our “Lessons in Longevity” column discovers and shares the secrets we seek from our elders on how to live a long and happy life. For this issue, I stopped by Palm Desert’s Joslyn Center. The Joslyn Center is always active and the energy positive and bright. There I met 91-year old Benedict who just finished… Read more »
Exercise is the single most important factor in maintaining healthy balance and preventing falls. In fact, exercise can also eliminate some types of chronic dizziness! The key is in knowing what kind of exercises to do. Not all exercises are equally beneficial. Many people mistakenly believe that walking is the best form of exercise. Not… Read more »
My mother recently passed away at the age of 87. She started putting her affairs in order when she was 63. She was a wonderful woman for many reasons, and since her passing I’ve become aware of how fortunate we were to be able to “be present with her” during the end of her life.… Read more »
Wayne Newton’s hit song Daddy Don’t You Walk So Fast was about a boy trying to keep up with a father too busy to pay attention to the young child scurrying to keep up with him. The other end of the spectrum is a caregiver walking ahead of their charge, be it a parent, spouse… Read more »
My grandfather, Sam Katz of Rancho Mirage, is 95 and lives a happy healthy life. He travels and maintains a busy, active lifestyle. He battled high cholesterol in the past, but learned that eating good fats could actually help his condition. Through re-creating his diet, he has managed to live long and strong. Grandfather learned… Read more »
As the years pass, some daily activities become a little more difficult. Perhaps we have an injury or the body can no longer do what the mind thinks it can. Take my mother for instance, at 92 years young, she decided to remove a vine from a tree. Needless to say, after a few yanks,… Read more »
Surveys by AARP state that 90% of Americans over 50 years of age want to remain in their homes as they age.[sup]1[/sup] “Aging in Place” is the new term coined to reference the ability to continue to live in one’s home safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level.[sup]2[/sup] It means living… Read more »
A wild card in any financial plan is the aging process. Longevity coupled with incapacity can decimate a family’s resources, forcing adult children to contribute to their parent’s support and jeopardize their own retirement. Long-term care insurance can mitigate the financial obligation, but only when the insured is unable to perform two of six specific… Read more »
