Caregivers of Older Adults Blog | Senior Health (7)

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects movement. There is currently no cure for PD, though research is ongoing.

A Disease with Many Faces

Patients with PD and their caregivers face special challenges due to the variable nature of the disease. According to the National Parkinson Foundation, the incidence and severity of the disease can vary from day to day, and even from one time of day to another.

Joints connect bones, provide support, and help us move. Unfortunately, injury and disease can damage joints, leading to impeded movement and debilitating pain. As we age, these issues become increasingly common -- particularly during the winter months when cold exacerbates the issue. But while joint pain is a fact of life for many seniors, caregivers can help them manage their discomfort and improve their quality of life. Let's take a closer look at the issue of joint pain, along with several effective pain management techniques.

A doctor can shed light on what's causing senior joint pain.

The liver is by no means the most glamorous organ. The heart gets the glory of pumping blood throughout the body. The brain controls function and thought. The lungs provide oxygen that allows the body to run smoothly. The liver is the waste treatment plant of the body. It removes toxins, it breaks down fats, and it manufactures bile. Its functions help to store nutrients and improve the immune system. While its work is not pretty, the liver keeps our bodies' systems clean and pure. Without it, none of the other organs would be able to perform their jobs.

A Hepatitis C screening helps protect and promote liver health.

From cute and cuddly to friendly and faithful, pets come in all shapes, sizes and personality types. But did you know that pets also offer numerous health and wellness benefits to their owners - particularly in the case of seniors? As it turns out, pet ownership isn't merely good for older people. It can actually be life-changing and, in some cases, life-saving.

A senior's best friend?

It has been recently suggested, by JAMA Oncology, that seniors may be getting too many health screenings. As a caregiver of a senior, it might be assumed that any health screening is in the best interest of the individual. However, there may be some screenings that are unnecessary.

In the age of the Internet, scams abound. These scams can be sent disguised as a plea from a family member, a friend asking for financial assistance, or even as a contest that needs a "tax fee" to receive winnings. According to a MetLife study of elder financial abuse, elderly victims of financial scams lost at least $2.9 billion in 2010. Some of these scams lead to identity theft, which comes with an added series of problems. mmLearn.org offers videos for family members and caregivers to help identify financial abuse of the elderly.

As the digital age evolves, scammers have developed new ways to mask their scams. Health scams have become increasingly difficult to identify. These scams can target anyone, but often seniors are the victims.
Fraud committed against senior citizens is so prevalent that the FBI has done research identifying why senior citizens have become targets. Seniors' health concerns and savings make them a health scammer's ideal target.

Aging adults are at high risk for injuries related to fire and burns. The first week in February is National Burn Awareness Week, and most people are unaware of the fact that seniors are at such a high risk. It is suggested that people 85 and over are four times as likely to die in a fire than other age groups.

More than half of seniors suffer from urinary incontinence, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While many people accept incontinence as part of the "normal" aging process, the truth is that there are many ways to treat and even cure the problem. Let's take a closer look at this common issue, along with ways elder caregivers can help their loved ones manage and even overcome urinary incontinence.

The body is a machine full of parts, each with a purpose and each with its own form of maintenance that needs to be done. The heart pumps the blood and carries oxygen. The kidney removes toxins to keep every other organ safe and clean. The stomach breaks down food into energy, but the brain is what makes a person truly unique. The brain makes a person who they are. Keeping each piece of the machine functioning is what keeps a person alive. Keeping the brain functioning is what keeps the soul alive. 

Decreased neuroplasticity can be difficult, but by working together,
caregivers and patients can help improve memory and brain function

In an mmLearn.org video, Jerald Winakur, M.D. talks about his experiences as a doctor and a family member relating to memory care. His experiences emphasize the importance of improving neuroplasticity, particularly in a person's older years. For the elderly, this is not easy. It is a frustrating experience to feel that memory and function are not as strong as they once were.

Scientists continue to learn about the brain's extraordinary capacity, including its ability to learn and regenerate from the cradle to the grave. Also known as neuroplasticity, increased understanding of this phenomenon offers new hope for the reversal of age-related declines in brain function. Let's take a closer look at the topic of neuroplasticity, along with how you can help your aging loved one enjoy enhanced brain health.