Aphasia is a communication disorder that occurs when the language centers of the brain sustain damage from illness, dementia, or injury. In seniors, the most common cause of aphasia is stroke. Victims of aphasia have difficulty communicating with others and may also have difficulty comprehending what others are saying, and this difficulty can be quite severe or very mild, almost unnoticeable.
Physical Aspects of Senior Safety
There are many preventable actions that seniors and their families can take to ensure their safety and the safety of their loved ones. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that injuries, many of which are preventable, are the leading cause of disability and death for people of all ages.
Wellness through Creative Expression
Art therapy has been shown to have a direct impact on individuals’ wellness and can help the elderly adapt to changes and loss brought on by age and/or illness. By engaging in creative activities such as painting, drawing, clay work and sculpting, jewelry making, scrap booking, and so forth, seniors have a channel for expression.
Uncovering Pain in Seniors with Dementia
Many studies indicate that although dementia patients experience severe or chronic pain, they regularly receive fewer analgesics than healthy senior adults. This can primarily be attributed to the fact that while a healthy senior can verbalize pain and discomfort, dementia patients, especially those in the late stages, cannot.
Living with Arthritis
With more than 100 forms of arthritis and other rheumatic diseases, approximately one in three (33.8%) senior males and one in two (50.6%) senior females reported suffering from arthritis. Arthritis can prevent seniors from accomplishing the simplest tasks such a walking, preparing meals, picking up objects or even sitting for prolonged periods of time.
Pneumonia: Making the Most of At-Home Recovery
You have a senior with pneumonia who is about to be sent home to recover, and you are worried and because this person is over 65, her risk of readmission is greatly increased. A greater concern for you, though, is that the mortality rate for seniors with pneumonia is significantly greater than that in the younger population.
Alcohol Consumption in Seniors: A Delicate Balance
Numerous studies on the effects of alcohol consumption in seniors indicate that moderate drinking by seniors can have a positive impact on general health. However, there is also a concern that heavy drinking can have adverse effects, and that alcohol abuse is often missed in the senior population.
In-Home Care for Successful Recovery at Home
Changes in healthcare and advances in medicine have created a situation where patients are discharged from the hospital much sooner than previously. While the patients may be medically fit to return home, they are often not mentally and emotionally prepared for the in-home recovery process. Offering the appropriate support at home, however, can give patients a feeling of security and increase their chances of a successful recovery.
Good Nutrition and Its Impact on Alzheimer’s Disease
Senior nutrition and nutrient intake has a huge impact on the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease, making a brain-health diet extremely important for Canada’s seniors and elder care providers.