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Monday, June 17th, 2013

Falls: Risk Factors to Watch Out For

By Injury Prevention & Home Safety

senior woman and caregiver walkingSince June is Home Safety Month, now is a great time to talk about falls. Did you know that one in three older adults falls every year? And that falls are the leading cause of injuries (including those that lead to death) for people age 65 and up? Falls are a big danger, but the good news is that you can take steps to prevent them.

Falls can happen to anyone. However, there are certain risk factors that make some people more likely to fall than others. Do you have a loved one who is age 65 or over? Do you worry that he or she may be at risk of falls?

Read these common risk factors to help you assess the danger:

Vision changes: As we age, our eyes change. One of the changes that commonly... Click to Read More

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Saturday, June 15th, 2013

[INFOGRAPHIC] Understanding Aphasia

By Infographic, Strokes, Brain and Head Injuries

Aphasia Awareness Month Infographic teaserTo honor National Aphasia Awareness month, we feel it is important to revisit the excerpt below from the original resolution that Senator Tim Johnson of South Dakota sponsored recognizing June as National Aphasia Awareness Month:

 “Whereas people with Aphasia and their caregivers envision a world that recognizes the ‘silent’ disability of Aphasia and provides opportunity and fulfillment for people affected by Aphasia. Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the Senate: 

• Supports efforts to increase awareness of aphasia 
• Acknowledges that aphasia deserves more attention and study to find new solutions
• Supports efforts to make the voices of people with aphasia heard
• Encourages all people in the United States to observe National Aphasia Awareness Month”

 We hope that this educational infographic captures the essence of this resolution and drives positive... Click to Read More

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Monday, June 10th, 2013

Aphasia Solutions: Making Their Voices Heard

By Senior Care Advice, Strokes, Brain and Head Injuries

aphasiaThis post was co-written by Ellayne S. Ganzfried, M.S., CCC-SLP, ASHA Fellow & Executive Director of the National Aphasia Association.                              

On June 25th, 2012 Senator Tim Johnson of South Dakota sponsored a resolution recognizing June as National Aphasia Awareness Month. Its very powerful and important initiatives included the following:

“Whereas the people of the United States should strive to learn more about aphasia and to promote research, rehabilitation, and support services for people with aphasia and aphasia caregivers throughout the United States.”

“Whereas people with aphasia and their caregivers envision a world that recognizes the ‘silent’ disability of aphasia and provides opportunity and fulfillment for people affected by aphasia: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, that the Senate…

  • Supports efforts to increase awareness of aphasia
  • Acknowledges that... Click to Read More
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Friday, June 7th, 2013

Cataracts: Signs to Watch For

By Senior Care Advice, Vision & Eye Health

cataracts checkupCataracts are a common part of aging. This cloudiness, caused by a thickening of the lens, happens so gradually that many people don’t even realize their vision is changing. June is National Cataract Month, making it a great time to learn about what cataracts are and their warning signs so you know what to watch for.

What are cataracts?

Cataracts look like a cloudy mass on the lens of the eye. As we age, some of the protein on the lenses of our eyes may clump together and obscure a small area of the lens. Over time, the cataract may grow large enough to obscure the vision.

There are several types of cataracts: secondary, traumatic, congenital, and those caused by radiation. Secondary cataracts form after surgery for other eye problems such as glaucoma, or appear in people that have other health problems,... Click to Read More

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Monday, June 3rd, 2013

Aphasia: What You Need to Know

By Strokes, Brain and Head Injuries

SeniorParkGroupJune is National Aphasia Awareness Month. Most people have never heard of aphasia until someone they love suffers a stroke, has a brain injury, or develops a progressive disease like dementia. If someone you love was recently diagnosed with aphasia, you probably have a lot of questions. Here’s are some of the things you need to know:

What is aphasia?

Aphasia is a disorder that impairs a person’s ability speak and understand language. Often, people with aphasia also have trouble reading and writing. In acute aphasia, between 25 and 40 percent of stroke victims suffer from aphasia, but it can also be caused by brain tumors or other kinds of brain injuries. Progressive aphasia may be caused by a brain tumor, infection or dementia. Aphasia affects about one in 250 people.

How is aphasia diagnosed?

Typically, aphasia is diagnosed by a... Click to Read More

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Friday, May 31st, 2013

Eight Tips for Managing Arthritis

By Arthritis & Pain Management

Older woman power walking.Did you know that May is Arthritis Awareness Month? Arthritis is a common part of growing older. 50 percent of adults age 65 and older reported that they had been diagnosed with arthritis in 2007 to 2009, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And by the year 2030, experts estimate that that number will expand to affect roughly one in four adults in the United States, according to the NYU Langone Medical Center. So if you or someone you care about is dealing with arthritis, you’re far from alone.

Modern anti-inflammatory drugs can help greatly with the stiff, swollen and painful joints associated with osteoarthritis (the type most often associated with older adults). But certain lifestyle changes can also help lessen the wear and tear on the cartilage between your bones and may lessen your... Click to Read More

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Monday, May 27th, 2013

Should You Be Taking Vitamin D and Calcium Supplements?

By Injury Prevention & Home Safety

older woman with vitaminsIn February, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) overturned decades of routine medical practice when it released a new recommendation that postmenopausal women do not take low daily doses of calcium to prevent bone fractures. This may come as a shock to many older adults: the USPSTF says that more than half of women over 60 in the U.S. take various doses of these supplements.

The USPSTF is an independent panel of medical experts that makes recommendations based on extensive reviews of more than 100 studies. The group concluded that there is not sufficient evidence to show that low doses, defined as 400 international units or less of vitamin D and 1,000 milligrams or less of calcium, work to prevent bone fractures. However, there is a good evidence that taking these doses could increase the risk... Click to Read More

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Friday, May 24th, 2013

Could Mirrors be Upsetting Someone You Love?

By Alzheimer's & Dementia

man looking in mirrorDad has dementia, so you’re used to episodes of confusion and irrational outbursts. But lately, he’s been exhibiting a particularly strange behavior: being in the bathroom seems to make him angry, and he’s refusing to take a shower. What’s going on?

Surprisingly, the bathroom mirrors might be the hidden culprit. Sometimes, people with dementia can think that their reflection in the mirror is someone else. Would you want to take your clothes off and bathe in front of a stranger? Neither does Dad.

Mirrors can cause a variety of problems to people with dementia. He may think a moving reflection glimpsed in the living room mirror is an intruder. He might be temporarily confused by his reflection in the hallway mirror, then be embarrassed and gruff about the incident later. He might even befriend his image in the mirror,... Click to Read More

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Thursday, May 23rd, 2013

FREE Webinar: Fighting ALS from the Beginning

By Neuromuscular Diseases, Webinar

Griswold Home Care hosted a free webinar for professional caregivers, healthcare providers, and families living with ALS.  

"Fighting ALS from the Beginning" Webinar:

Video Transcription

Derek:             Good afternoon everybody. Welcome to the Griswold Solution Series webinar

titled fighting "ALS From the Beginning". I'm really excited to have this webinar with you today. We have an absolutely fantastic agenda to share with you.

Just a few housekeeping items. All of your lines are muted. We will take Q&A at the end of the call and we're going to take about at least ten, maybe 15 minutes of Q&A at the end of the call.

However, during the webinar as these questions come up, feel free to type those in the question panel in the go to meeting channel. My name's Derek Jones. I'm the VP of marketing here with Griswold Home Care in Philadelphia and we're really excited... Click to Read More

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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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