Age Navigation

As you see your parents or other older adults during this Thanksgiving holiday, remember that this is the perfect time to gauge how well they’re doing and see if they might need some help.  They might not want to  “bother” you.  They may avoid seeking medical help for physical symptoms they think are part of “normal” aging.  This is the tricky part, knowing what is normal aging and what could be a sign of depression, chronic pain, trouble sleeping, complications with medication, dementia, etc. etc.

Today is Veterans Day and I wanted to say thank you to all those who have served in the armed forces, or have a family member who is currently serving.

For those of us who have not served we will never fully appreciate the sacrifices made by these men and women who love this country. If you know someone who has or currently serves in the military, I encourage you to thank them.

If you’ve noticed a change in cleanliness, it could be that the chores of general housekeeping are getting to be overwhelming – especially if your loved one has a physical condition, such as arthritis or some other condition that makes vacuuming, reaching or bending, difficult. It might be time to talk to them about getting [...]

Since February is national Heart Month, I wanted to share this quick tip fromConsumer Reports – On Health - Pretty catchy, isn’t it? “Bad” carbs are generally white in color.  Think:  Sugar, white floor, white bread, etc.  If you avoid “bad” carbs you may reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and weight gain. [...]

The St. Vincent Center for Healthy Aging is hosting its 22nd annual conference on aging - Managing Life’s Transitions - on Friday, March 4th at the Ritz Charles in Carmel, IN. This conference is meant to enhance the knowledge base and skills of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, psychologists, dietitians, allied health and rehabilitation therapists, social workers, health facility administrators, and other [...]

This Valentine’s Day, remember to Be good to those you love By being good to your heart Daily Heart Healthy Tips Laugh - Laughter, along with an active sense of humor, may help protect you against a heart attack, according to a recent study (http://www.umm.edu/news/releases/laughter.htm ) by cardiologists at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. The [...]

It could a lot of different things! Doctors often start by looking for conditions that could be causing memory problems and can be treated, to rule those out first. Here’s a few common causes of symptoms affecting memory: Medication and drug interactions – if an older adult is on multiple medications and is experiencing memory [...]

Occasional memory lapses, such as forgetting why you walked into a room or trouble remembering someone’s name, become more common as we age.  But rest assured it’s a normal sign of aging, not a sign of dementia.   However, if you notice more serious signs of memory loss in yourself or a loved one, you should [...]

The NIH – National Institute on Aging recently published advice to help older adults stay safe. Hypothermia occurs when a person’s body temperature drops below normal and stays low for a prolonged period of time. With advancing age, the body’s ability to endure long periods of exposure to cold is reduced. Older people also are [...]

Do you ever get frustrated calling doctor’s offices, insurance companies, government agencies? Here are some tips and techniques to help you save time and frustration: Before you dial the number: Think about what you want – and how to say it as clearly as possible. Practice it in your head. Be as concise and to [...]