MorningStar

  Experts suggest that a good way to reduce medical errors regarding your care or that of a loved one is to be an active partner in the process whether in a hospital setting, doctors’ office or the pharmacy. The World Health Organization reports “an estimated 10% of patients in high-income countries are harmed while receiving hospital care.” Also according to a 2021 report in StatPearls, “medical errors result in about 100,000 deaths in hospitals and clinics annually.” Furthermore, studies show the most harmful errors in primary and outpatient health care settings are related to diagnoses, prescriptions and use of medicines. Mistakes associated with misdiagnoses resulted in delayed treatment for the real problem and having the wrong drugs prescribed. However, it is important to keep in mind that some medical errors are a result of patients failing to disclose all of the medications they take including prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Another problem is the fai...

    According to the U.S. Census Bureau, almost one-third of all seniors live by themselves. In terms of numbers, that’s an estimated 13.8 million seniors. Experts say living alone doesn’t necessarily mean an individual is lonely but it often is the case. Not to mention, the pandemic certainly made matters worse as many seniors self-isolated from family and friends. Whatever the cause of loneliness, research shows it takes a toll on people. In fact, a study from Brigham Young University reports loneliness can be as deadly as smoking or obesity. Study authors explain senior isolation “may complicate existing conditions, encourage an unhealthy lifestyle, and affect cognition.” The American Psychiatric Association says seniors who report feelings of loneliness are more susceptible to depression and poor health habits including excessive drinking, smoking and lack of exercise. Research from the Rush Institute for Healthy Aging found the “risk of Alzheimer’s nearly doubled in lone...

  If your mom or dad is having serious memory problems, we have some suggestions to help you navigate through this trying time.  Medical experts recommend to do some research on Alzheimer’s , the most common form of dementia, in order to educate yourself on how the disease is diagnosed, stages of the disease, and some of what your family can expect if it is.  You may want to visit websites such as the Alzheimer’s Association as well as online support groups for family members dealing with the disease for suggestions on how to best prepare and support your parent.   Also, remember it may not be dementia as there are medical conditions, reactions to medications, and nutritional and hormonal issues that can cause dementia-like symptoms.  This is why you need to sit down and have a talk with you parent about the problems they are having and the need to make an appointment with their healthcare provider for a full medical exam.    Experts say whe...

  Sometimes a senior has a fall or another medical emergency that precipitates the need for a change in their living circumstances such as a move into an assisted living community. Other times, the situation is not so clear-cut and is more a case of a senior slowly losing the ability to attend to their daily care needs. We know it is upsetting for families to see their loved one decline, which is why experts offer advice to help determine if an assisted living setting would be an improvement in their lifestyle. One way to decide if assisted living is right for your parent or another loved one is to take an inventory of what they are having trouble doing for themselves and if assistance would improve their quality of life. For instance, are they having a hard time preparing and cooking meals or need help bathing, toileting, and dressing? Have they stopped driving and spend a lot of time alone? Is your normally tidy parent now letting the household tasks go and/or mail is stack...

  Many families mistakenly think senior living and particularly assisted living is just a more luxurious nursing home.  The fact is nursing homes are intended for people who are unable to care for themselves due to physical or mental conditions and require around-the-clock skilled nursing care.  Residents may be bedridden or in wheelchairs and receive ongoing palliative and preventative long-term care.     Assisted living is for seniors who are mostly independent but require help with what is known as Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and include things like dressing, bathing and other personal care activities.  In some cases, people move into an assisted living community knowing that while they do not now need assistance with such tasks, they may need help in the near future.   Assisted living also makes sense for seniors who are looking for more companionship and love the security of knowing they are not alone.  As many assisted...

  If you are a senior who wants to start exercising again, you may not know how to begin. For one thing, you probably realize you are not as fit as you used to be, and are not up to the same degree of physical activity that you once did. And of course, before you begin any new form of exercise, you will need to check with your doctor to make sure you are fit enough, especially if you have osteoporosis, an injury, or balance issues. Once you get the go ahead from your healthcare provider, stretching is a good place to begin. In fact, studies show that as we grow older our flexibility decreases by up to 50 percent in some joints. Another good thing about stretching is many exercises are appropriate for any level of fitness including ones that can be done sitting in a chair. Stretching can help you maintain your flexibility and mobility as well as loosen up some of your stiffness in your back, neck and shoulder muscles. Another plus about stretching exercises is that most of them...