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Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013

Should You be Using a Prescription Assistance Program?

By Medication

Prescription Assistance ProgramsIf you ever flip on the TV, you’ve probably seen commercials advertising free or low-cost prescription medicines. If you’re like most people, you might be a bit skeptical of these ads. After all, is there really anything that’s truly free?

The truth is that there are actually many good programs out there that can help you get your medications at a reduced rate, or even for free. These programs work by subsidizing the cost of your medications through government or non-profit organizations. Some other programs work as public relations for for-profit drug companies. Both can benefit certain people.

Programs run by government and non-profits

These programs can vary by state. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, currently 38 states have enacted laws to create some form of prescription assistance. These programs are mostly geared towards older adults, those who... Click to Read More

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Monday, May 20th, 2013

Eat Healthfully this Summer!

By Nutrition & Diet

woman-vegetablesSummer is fast approaching, and with it, a bounty of fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables. As they age, many adults begin to eat foods that are less healthy. Deteriorating taste buds and the loss of our sense of smell can make many older adults reach for processed foods high in fat, sugar and salt. Limited incomes can cause older adults to make judgements about whether to buy less expensive, high calorie foods or their medications.  Chronic health conditions may make shopping a hardship.  A poor diet can worsen an older adult’s existing health problems, or make them vulnerable to new ones, such as diabetes, and heart disease.

Make it your personal goal this summer to find affordable, convenient ways to get your diet back on track for the better. Summer is a great time to reintroduce yourself to the healthy and... Click to Read More

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Friday, May 17th, 2013

Helping Seniors Recover from Stroke (Stroke Awareness Month)

By Strokes, Brain and Head Injuries

stroke recoveryIt’s Stroke Awareness Month, and last time here on the Griswold blog, we talked about ways to lower the risk factors of stroke. But what if, despite your loved one’s best efforts, he or she suffers a stroke? They’re not alone: in the United States, more than 700,000 people have a stroke each year, according to the National Institute of Health. More than two-thirds of these people survive the stroke, and they require rehabilitation to get back to normal living.

Post-stroke rehabilitation helps stroke survivors relearn skills that were lost when the stroke damaged part of the brain. Rehabilitation may teach survivors how to coordinate leg movements to walk, or new ways of doing familiar tasks, such as bathing with one hand, or communicate effectively when their language skills have been... Click to Read More

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Monday, May 13th, 2013

[INFOGRAPHIC] Fighting ALS – From the Beginning

By Neuromuscular Diseases

Fighting ALS From the BeginningToday’s blog post features an infographic from Griswold Home Care’s Christopher G. Kelly, MEd about “Fighting ALS - From the Beginning”

The full infographic can be viewed by clicking the link below or the image to the right and below is his accompanying blog post.

VIEW THE FULL ALS INFOGRAPHIC

As we enter May — which is both National ALS Month and the beginning of baseball season — my mind goes immediately to the “Iron Horse,” Lou Gehrig. Mr. Gehrig is best known for his Hall of Fame baseball career and amazing consecutive game streak. Even though Mr. Gehrig’s battle with ALS occurred in the 1930s, we have an opportunity to learn from his personal testimonials. We also have an opportunity to leverage the important work that is being done today by researchers, people living... Click to Read More

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Friday, May 10th, 2013

Stroke: Risk Factors You Can Control

By Strokes, Brain and Head Injuries

senior woman eating appleStroke is one of the most dangerous killers in the United States, responsible for one out of every 18 deaths. Our risk of suffering a stroke increases as we age -- about 65 percent of people hospitalized for stroke are age 65 or over.

Some risk factors for stroke are hereditary and can’t be controlled. But many risk factors are due to lifestyle choices we make every day. Changes to your daily habits can drastically reduce your risk of of having a stroke.

As May is Stroke Awareness Month, it’s a great time to talk about lifestyle risk factors. Work to change these, and increase your odds of living longer!

  • High blood pressure: If your blood pressure is 140/90 or higher, you’re at risk of a stroke. Blood pressure is the most important controllable risk factor for stroke,... Click to Read More

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Monday, May 6th, 2013

Living with Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS)

By Neuromuscular Diseases

living with ALSLou Gehrig is known for two things: being one of the greatest first baseman the world has ever seen, and his tragic diagnosis at age 36 of the disease that now bears his name--Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease. A diagnosis of ALS can be devastating at any age, but older adults living with ALS face special challenges. And since May is National ALS month, it’s a great time to talk about ALS and for families impacted by the disease, how to best help a loved one manage the disease.

What is ALS?

ALS is a progressive degenerative disease that affects motor neurons, the nerve cells in the body that send signals to the muscles fibers that allow us to move. In the later stages, ALS often causes paralysis, and the disease is eventually fatal.... Click to Read More

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Friday, May 3rd, 2013

Do Brain Games Prevent Dementia?

By Alzheimer's & Dementia

dementia-graphicTo many people, one of the more frightening parts of growing older is the prospect of diminished mental capacity. The loss of brain function that enables us to easily remember names, dates, and events, quickly complete day to day tasks, and remain independent, whether it’s caused by Alzheimer’s or another condition, can be devastating for friends and family to deal with. We’d all like to avoid mental decline. But can we?

Train Your Brain

Can brain games like sudoku and crossword puzzles help slow the progression of certain symptoms of mental decline? In short, we need more studies to know for sure. But research so far indicates that in adults with normal brain function consistently engaging the brain may help keep thinking skills from declining as rapidly as they would without the activity.

One large study of cognitive... Click to Read More

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Wednesday, May 1st, 2013

Should Your Loved One Have an Occupational Therapist?

By Aging in Place as a Family, Arthritis & Pain Management

occupational therapist and man in wheelchair Your loved one wants to remain living at home for as long as she can. But lately, you’ve become worried about her ability to take care of day-to-day activities like cooking and grooming herself. Is it time to send her to an assisted care facility?

For some older adults, working with an occupational therapist can be the difference between living safely at home alone, and having to move to an assisted care facility. Four out of five Americans age 45 and older wish to live at home for as long as they can, according to the AARP. An occupational therapist can help them achieve this goal.

What is occupational therapy?

An occupational therapist is trained to help people accomplish the activities of daily living. Occupational therapists can work with your loved one to help her maintain independent... Click to Read More

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Tuesday, April 30th, 2013

Griswold Home Care Client Turns 110

By Aging in Place as a Family

100th birthday cakeOn Friday, April 26th, Griswold Home Care of Baltimore and Howard County client Goldie Miller celebrated a remarkable milestone — her 110th birthday. Surrounded by friends, family, and TV news crews from ABC and WBAL, Goldie ate birthday cake and was serenaded with “Happy Birthday” by Charm City Sound, a quartet from the Pride of Baltimore Chorus of the Sweet Adelines International Organization. “I feel good today!” Goldie said happily.

The Miller family says that Goldie could not have enjoyed the long, happy life she has so far without the help of Griswold Home Care. About six years ago, they decided it was time to bring in someone to help them with Goldie’s daily care. Of utmost importance to them was that she be able to continue living happily at home, where she has been with her... Click to Read More

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Monday, April 29th, 2013

4 Tips to Avoid Awkward Silences

By Senior Care Advice

father and daughter communicationEver feel like you've run out of things to talk about with your loved one?

Today's blog post comes to us from Paula Spencer Scott, senior editor at Caring.com with 4 conversation-starting tips to improve communication with older adults and engage your loved one today.

Talking to others is one of the simplest health-boosters for frail older adults. But many caregivers know the awkward feeling of being unsure what to talk about, or of running out of things to say. Once you've discussed health issues and the weather, and all the other old conversations you feel like you've had a million times before, then what?

Here are some conversation starters that can pass the time and provide important social stimulation in ways you both enjoy:

  1. Plan ahead together. Forward-looking conversations can be mood boosters. The future event can be as... Click to Read More
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