The elderly spend much of their time indoors so the quality of the air inside the home becomes very important. Poor air quality affects older people more. As our bodies age, they don’t compensate as well for environmental issues. Those who suffer from lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, or asthma become… Continue reading Indoor Air Quality for the Elderly
Category: Health and Wellness
New Genes Linked to Alzheimer’s
An April 2022 international study has identified 75 genes associated with Alzheimer’s disease including 42 new genes that had not previously been linked to the disease. Findings of the study were published in the journal, Nature Genetics. What is Alzheimers? Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia and is often hereditary. This study more… Continue reading New Genes Linked to Alzheimer’s
Seasonal Allergies in the Elderly
Spring in Texas includes two things: wind and seasonal allergies. The typical hay fever symptoms in the spring are brought on by the hefty increase in pollens in the air, as well as more dust stirred up by our spring winds. In the elderly, allergies can certainly be present but sometimes may be tied to… Continue reading Seasonal Allergies in the Elderly
Managing Pain in the Elderly
As we all grow older, we find that our bodies just don’t work the same way they did when we were younger. Adults who are in poor health or those who are elderly may find that pain becomes more and more of an issue in their daily lives. Identifying pain is an important part of… Continue reading Managing Pain in the Elderly
Resolving Family Conflicts
It’s not an easy subject, but many families have some unresolved conflict that is a black cloud over everyone. As your aging parent or spouse grows older and becomes more frail, a likely a discussion that some in the family are having: “Is this going to be fixed before he or she passes away?” We… Continue reading Resolving Family Conflicts
Enter the Reality of Dementia
If your parent or spouse is showing signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, you’ll notice that their connection to what’s happening today is not as strong as to memories of past times. In the early stages of these diseases, memory loss and confusion may be mild. But as the damage to brain cells progress, some… Continue reading Enter the Reality of Dementia
UTIs in the Elderly
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can be painful. But why do they occur more often in the elderly and cause confusion in some seniors? Why Older Adults? Older adults can be more susceptible to UTIs. As we age, the muscles in the pelvic floor and bladder can weaken, leading to urinary incontinence or retention of urine.… Continue reading UTIs in the Elderly
Cause of Alzheimer’s
A significant finding published in late 2021 may offer the probable cause of Alzheimer’s disease. The study was conducted at Curtin University in Australia. And published in the PLOS Biology journal. It identified that a probable cause for the disease was the leakage of blood of fat-carrying particles transporting toxic proteins in the brain. Blood… Continue reading Cause of Alzheimer’s
Mindful Meditation for the Elderly
Mindful Meditation Mindful meditation may not be a common practice for many people but it’s one that can have positive benefits for people of all ages, especially the elderly. This mental practice can calm the mind and body, reduce depression and pain, and increase the sense of well-being. Mindful meditation describes a technique of relaxing… Continue reading Mindful Meditation for the Elderly
Impact of Untreated Vision Loss
Routine eye exams are an important part of health care. Especially for seniors. Research shows that untreated vision loss is associated with cognitive decline in older adults. Which can also be the case with untreated hearing loss. A 2021 article in JAMA, the Journal of the American Medical Association, reports a study of 1,202 participants… Continue reading Impact of Untreated Vision Loss