Every year, about two million seniors go to a skilled nursing facility following a hospitalization. But deciding which one to go to can be a daunting task. At the most, a few days are given to decide on a rehab facility or nursing home. Furthermore, the lists that patients are given usually lack critical details. Between the stress and confusion hospital stays place on families, patients often end up choosing [...]
As we age, we need more health care. Of course, this leads to the medical bills piling up. Surprisingly, experts say that up to 80 percent of medical bills contain errors of some kind. Therefore, it is crucial to make sure you are aware of what you are paying for. This can be difficult, especially for seniors who receive what seems to be never ending bills. But by following a [...]
Most of us know the basics of maintaining physical health. Keeping your weight, cholesterol, and BMI in check are just a few things that most can agree will improve your health. It's been drilled into our brains through advertising, self-help websites and books, and our healthcare providers. However, what about the brain itself? It is important to remember this vital organ is responsible for the majority of our functioning. Lifestyle [...]
It's overwhelming to prioritize what is important in today's chaotic world. Between managing a career, home, and even a Facebook feed, knowing what to prioritize in life can be confusing. However, a 75 year long Harvard study found the one "secret" to living a fulfilling and happy life. Connection and love. It is as simple as that. You can have all the money in the world. Maybe you're the CEO of [...]
Most can agree that a healthy diet and a regular exercise routine both have a positive impact as we age. However, research has shown that something as simple as your attitudes and beliefs about aging play a role as well. Exposure to aging stereotypes have a correlation to the development cognitive decline and other health issues. Therefore, the beliefs you internalize matter. Because how you think about your aging process [...]
Internet use among seniors is continually on the rise. Nearly 70 percent of seniors now regularly browse the internet. Whether you use it for social media, online banking, or emailing, seniors can unfortunately be easier targets for internet scams. Scammers perceive seniors as more vulnerable. Therefore, they usually target them first. Everyone should prioritize internet safety these days. But for seniors, this is especially vital. It could mean the difference [...]
When Lynette Whiteman's daughter went to college, she decided to get a dog. She called this pet her empty nest dog. Besides having someone else to care for, she stated that her new friend loved her non-judgmentally and didn't care if she gained weight or got gray hair. This is just one reason people adore their pets. Yet the benefits of seniors having a furry friend can be life changing. [...]
According to a 2017 Kaiser Foundation study, 7 in 10 Americans wish to die at home. Contrary to this desire, half die in nursing homes and hospitals. Pain is a major barrier to a peaceful death, with half of Americans dying with uncontrolled pain. All this can lead to fear and a denial of death. But the good news is that there are ways to go about preparing for a [...]
There are currently around 70 million baby boomers. Some are hyper-focused on maintaining youthfulness. Or at the least, delaying what they consider to be old. There are countless self-help books and articles based off this topic. However, what is "old" anyway? Defining "old" is vastly different to almost every person you ask. Factors such as health, cognitive function, and disability will play a role. But in reality, the definition of [...]
At times, nursing homes can be sad, isolating, and lonely for seniors. Between the loss of independence and loss of capacity to care for yourself, depression can set in. Luckily, in northwest Arkansas there is a gem of a child named Ruby Chitsey. Ruby enjoys going to work with her mom at a local nursing home. This may not seem like anything special. But what she does is nothing short [...]
