Survivor Day

In 1999, Senator Harry Reid, who lost his father to suicide, introduced a resolution to the United States Senate which led to the forming of the International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day.  Also known as Survivor Day, the day was designated by the United States Congress as a day on which those affected by suicide […]

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November:  National Family Caregivers Month

During National Family Caregivers Month, recognition is given to family caregivers who face many challenges when a family member needs full time care. “Caregiving can be a 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week job,” states the Caregiver Action Network, which spearheads National Family Caregivers Month. “Providing care around the clock can crowd out other important areas of life.” Challenges […]

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Heat-related illnesses

Did you know that summer heart attacks are often due to hot temperatures? Heat-related illnesses, like heat exhaustion or heat stroke, happen when a body is not able to properly cool itself. While the body normally cools itself by sweating, during extreme heat, this might not be enough. Should this happen, our body temperature rises […]

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Continue living!

Continue living – Dr. Suzanne Lesage emphasizes that an Alzheimer’s diagnosis doesn’t mean the person’s life is over. She stresses that there can be significant quality of life, even later in the disease’s progression. She notes that she has helped devise travel plans for families where a loved one has advanced Alzheimer’s. “Even if they […]

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More Independence

Independence Day is being celebrated soon and the older our country is getting, so too is its generation of baby boomers.  Do you know any?  Maybe you are one, or maybe you are a younger adult who, like an older adult, highly values your independence! No matter what age, there are four things we can […]

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Elder Abuse

Did you know, in the U.S. alone, it is estimated more than half a million reports of abuse against elderly Americans reach authorities every year, and millions more cases go unreported?  The National Council on Aging reports approximately 1 in 10 Americans aged 60+ have experienced some form of elder abuse. One study estimated that […]

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Stroke Prevention

Another wonderful person just became a stroke victim.  It always takes me by surprise when this happens.  Did you know that up to 80% of strokes can be prevented? Strokes can happen to anyone regardless of age, and it can happen at any time.  A stroke is a brain attack.  What happens is that an […]

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Sun safety

Summer is in full force which means warm weather and sunshine is the norm for most of us living in America.  For those of us caring for older adults or people with medical conditions or disabilities, it’s important to consider protection from harmful UV rays for those we care for, as well as ourselves. The […]

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Heat Stress

Alicia Keys is not singing about Heat Stress when she breaks into “This Girl is on Fire”…but we are! High temperature and humidity Direct sun or heat Limited air movement Physical exertion Poor physical condition Some medications A lack of tolerance for hot workplace or areas All the above are common factors that can contribute […]

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Quality of Life

Analysis of the meaning of quality of life encompasses a multitude of considerations that attempt to measure life satisfaction, which is difficult because it’s subjective and often fluctuates.  So instead of being philosophical and analytical, for this blog, let’s stay practical.  This is one of those function over form moments when tools rule. There are […]

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