Last year the impact from flu-related illnesses reached epidemic proportions. Approximately 48 million people became sick with the flu. Over 900,000 were hospitalized and 80,000 Americans died from the illness during the 2017-2018 flu season, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Fortunately,...
The winter of 2019 brought subzero temperatures to the much of the country as a cold air mass, known as a polar vortex, swept the area in late January. Temperatures reached 43 degrees below zero and wind chills made the air feel like minus 50...
Recently widowed, Kate's daughter, son-in-law and grandchild moved in with her to her large suburban home. The young couple pays Kate a reduced rent which enables them to make their student loan payments. Additionally, they can save money to buy their own home in the...
A geriatric physician, also called a geriatrician, is a medical doctor who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease and disability in older adults. A geriatrician is well-trained in the specific diseases and conditions that affect people over 65. After completing medical school and a...
When President George H. W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law on July 26, 1990, the nation's 41st president was a healthy and able-bodied 66 years old. At that time, he didn't know he would personally benefit years later from this landmark...
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, actually covers a range of chronic lung diseases including emphysema, chronic bronchitis, non reversible asthma, and bronchiectasis (abnormal scarring of the lungs which can lead to airflow obstruction). COPD makes breathing very difficult for people who have the disease. According...
Being a caregiver already comes with a significant amount of stress on a daily basis. Add holidays to the mix and a caregiver's stress level can go through the roof. However, if you are a caregiver, there are some effective ways you can reduce tension during...
Instead of feeling joyful, the holidays can trigger bouts of sadness, loneliness, and depression in many adults-- especially in seniors. It is usually not the holiday itself that causes sadness for aging adults. Rather, it is often a range of factors surrounding the events between...
For most adults, prescription and non-prescription medications provide safe and effective treatment and relief for a variety of medical conditions. However, for people over 65 some medications can cause serious reactions. For example, your elderly dad pulls a muscle working in the garden and takes...
Last year the flu season was one of the deadliest in decades. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports influenza killed 80,000 people. Millions more became sick from the respiratory virus and almost one million people were hospitalized. It's a fact that older...