The Flu Vaccine for Seniors

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Flu Vaccine

The Flu Vaccine for Seniors It is not unusual to see a commercial or advertisement encouraging people of all ages to get the flu vaccine. They are readily available in doctor’s offices, assisted living facilities, urgent care offices and even local pharmacies. While we may think we know about the flu vaccine, there may be a couple facts that surprise you. In addition, do you know the implications geriatric patients? What should you be asking your geriatric care physician or nurse when flu season comes around? First, I will touch […] Read Full Article »

Geriatric Hearing Loss

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Hearing loss

Face it, we often joke about someone getting older and not being able to hear. While it may be funny to give a friend or loved one a hard time about not being able to hear you or being ‘over the hill’ – when it comes to geriatrics, there are serious statistics regarding hearing loss and the care required for those who suffer with the condition. According to MedicineNet, 33% of Americans from age 65 to 74 have some degree of hearing problems. The number jumps to 50% when you […] Read Full Article »

Geriatric Study Finds Interesting Connection

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Nurses Guild ensuring our patients are well cared for

While doing research this week I was struck by a headline “A compound that occurs naturally in food, and is increased by cooking, may contribute to chronic diseases like diabetes and dementia. 1” Wow – doesn’t that sound as scary? I won’t leave you on a cliffhanger; lets explore what this article had to say and what it means for geriatric care. The article, “New Study Strengthens Connection Between Diet, Diabetes, and Dementia,” published by Healthline News, relates to research published in the journal PNAS, which “followed over 90 older […] Read Full Article »

Alzheimer’s Impact on Men Versus Women

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Happy elderly couple

Without knowing it, we label certain diseases as “male” or “female,” typically based on what organ or body part they affect. When it comes to conditions that fall under the dementia umbrella, such as Alzheimer’s Disease, we usually don’t perceive them as preferential to a specific gender. Recent research regarding Alzheimer’s Disease’s impact on men versus women may suggest otherwise. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, “a woman’s estimated lifetime risk of developing Alzheimer’s at age 65 is 1 in 6, compared with nearly 1 in 11 for a man. 1” […] Read Full Article »

Senior Care and Weight Management

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Senior Exercise Assisted Living

For many reasons, some over the age of 65 struggle with gaining and maintaining a healthy body weight, similar to the challenge of losing weight for others. While it may seem like a good problem to have, it is actually extremely unhealthy and can be life threatening in some situations1. Let’s hit on some important questions you might have about geriatrics and senior weight gain and, most importantly, how you can help if you care for a senior friend or family member. Why do seniors have trouble gaining weight or […] Read Full Article »

Tips for Alzheimer’s Disease Caregivers

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Senior meeting with doctor

Tips for Alzheimer’s Disease Caregivers When someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, many times a friend or family member will step up to serve as the caregiver for that individual if a full-time nurse or home health professional is not a available. This often means that the primary caregiver does not have any experience with geriatrics or nursing, they are not home health or assisted living professionals. With that said, I think it may be helpful if we devote a post to some tips for caregivers. The first aspect of […] Read Full Article »