Caregiving + Original Articles

Being a caregiver for a loved one is a demanding role, and you may find you can't do it all on your own. If you're thinking of hiring live-in help, here are some things to keep in mind. Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease is a difficult, energy-sapping job that can trigger a lot of stress and anxiety. It's such a demanding role, in fact, that eventually, you'll need outside help. If you're thinking of hiring a live-in caregiver, here are some factors to consider.

If someone you care about is plagued by chronic pain, consider sharing these thoughtful gifts. For someone who lives with chronic pain, simple tools and treatments can provide the ultimate gifts—less pain, reduced stress, and more comfort. Check out these five pain relief gift ideas and tools for tight muscles: Gift certificates for massages are always the right size for every body.

If you have parents or other older relatives living on their own, it may be time to assess the safety of their home. Conditions that may have been sufficient 10 years ago can be downright hazardous to aging people whose vision, hearing, strength, and reflexes are not what they used to be. Here's a checklist of some of the most important steps you can take to keep a home environment safe for seniors: Elder-Proof the Kitchen Heavy countertop appliances: These can fall and cause injuries.

Despite widespread use for cancer treatment, chemotherapy (or chemo) does have its downsides. Some patients simply do not respond to chemotherapy. Others suffer a recurrence despite treatment, or later develop a second cancer, which might be related to previous chemotherapy treatment. Chemotherapy also harms healthy cells, often producing significant side effects.

Put these important protections in place to help ensure the safety of your aging loved ones. Most people don't like to think about their parents becoming more fragile and being unable to fend for themselves. But as they age, the reality is that they could need your assistance with a variety of health issues. This can quickly become overwhelming, especially if you're also struggling to keep up with your own responsibilities.

Electronic communication is changing the way doctors exchange information with their patients and with each other. What does this mean for you? Telemedicine—the exchange of medical information using the internet or other information technology—allows physicians to quickly and directly transfer medical records, x-rays, and lab results from one site to another, consult with specialists...

Here are 10 simple steps to dramatically reduce the risk of traumatic brain injury for you or someone you love. Head injuries due to falls, car accidents, bicycle accidents, and athletic mishaps can result in irreparable brain damage. That's why prevention is always the best medicine. When the brain is injured, there is always some damage that cannot be treated or repaired.

You hear something's good for you, and tomorrow you hear it's bad. Here's how to solve the puzzle when it comes to health claims. One day aspirin is good for you; the next day's report says it's linked to some sort of rare disease. If you follow medical news closely, it's not that surprising to find contradictory or conflicting information during the same week's news. Trying to stay on top of medical information—and use it to improve your health—can be quite challenging.

It's not really a knife, but this treatment tool is showing great promise with the most difficult-to-reach cancers. Some cancers are especially difficult to treat because of their proximity to critical body parts. Surgery and radiation, in particular, may damage healthy tissue close to the tumor. A few oncologists are treating these types of cancer with the NanoKnife, a new technology, which is not really a knife at all.

Statistics paint a worrisome picture when it comes to aging Americans and mental illnesses like depression. According to an Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, roughly 5.6 to 8 million (1 in 5) older Americans have at least one mental health and substance abuse condition. Depressive disorder and dementia-related behavioral and psychiatric symptoms are the most common.

The support you need can be just a click away, but first it's essential to find trustworthy advice. If you've ever googled diabetes in search of useful information on the right diet, drugs, and exercise to help manage your diabetes, you know how overwhelming it can be to plow through scores of websites. After spending hours online, you may come away wondering if what you've read actually is beneficial to your health.

It can result from a car accident or even a bad fall. Here's what you should know. Every year, approximately 1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most of these cases are concussions or other mild forms of TBI in babies, preschool-aged children, older teenagers, and elderly adults.

Arm yourself with information about this neurodegenerative condition. Approximately 5,600 adults are diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) each year and about 30,000 Americans are living with the disease at any given time. ALS is more commonly known Lou Gehrig's Disease, named in 1939 after famed baseball player Lou Gehrig, whose diagnosis of ALS was confirmed on his 36th birthday.

Here's how to find helpful resources and know the right questions to ask. If you have a child with disabilities who is nearing adulthood, you have a lot of plans to make. Not only do you need help right now to ensure your child's adulthood is as fulfilling and independent as possible, but you also need to plan for your child's future, and one that might not include you.

A growing number of aging patients are staying out of the hospital by adding a visiting nurse to their home health care team. Visiting nurses are becoming increasingly important in the care of the growing elderly population. Older patients who need ongoing medical care used to be cared for in hospitals and residential facilities, but a newer model of health care is keeping elderly patients who are capable of living at home, healthy, functional, and as active as possible.

Here are 12 tips to take care of your nutritional needs, so your body has the strength it requires to fight your cancer and handle the rigors of treatment. Weight loss is common in people who have cancer. In fact, according to cancernet.org, up to 40 percent of cancer patients report unexplained weight loss when diagnosed, and up to 80 percent of those with advanced cancer have both weight loss and cachexia (loss of weight and muscle mass and generalized weakness).

It's a real and hidden danger among the older generation. Here are ways to combat isolation. Can loneliness be deadly for the elderly? Apparently it's as dangerous as obesity, smoking, and alcohol, according to a recent British summit on loneliness that was reported in The Independent. "Loneliness is the great unspoken public health issue," British Care Services minister Paul Burstow said, according to The Independent.

When the downturn boosts death rates, it's time to identify the issues and make changes where you can. There's no doubt, America is suffering from the economic downturn. Stress levels are through the roof. Kitchen tables are groaning under the weight of too many bills. One of the worst side effects of the economy is what it's doing to our health. Here are six common reasons why health is placed on the backburner during difficult financial times: The Stress Factor When times get tough, our body does its best to hold up under stress.

As the average life span continues to increase, more people are requiring caregivers in their later years. Here's a look at the trend by the numbers. The golden years aren't always as shiny and gilded as they're meant to be. And as Americans live longer, the sobering truth is that many will need long-term care at some point. Unfortunately, such care is very expensive, and it's usually not covered by public programs—at least until one's savings are basically exhausted.

Planning for your retirement is exciting—and perhaps a bit intimidating. Here's what to consider. Here's what to consider as you think about your retirement:  Retirement At what age do you want to retire? Delaying retirement-even just a few years-provides an opportunity for your nest egg to grow and can make a significant financial difference.

Growing older is no longer the inevitable decline that yesterday’s seniors accepted, often with resignation. Today’s boomers have rewritten the book on healthy living. As of January 2011, 10,000 baby boomers will turn 65 every day. That's one every eight seconds. By 2030, boomers will be 78 million strong. It's not surprising a cohort this large is redefining what healthy aging means. While there are many variations on the theme, boomers' vision of healthy living has several common elements.

This drug seems to offer relief from pain, nausea and vomiting, anxiety, and loss of appetite, which are common side effects of cancer and cancer treatments. And there are other possible benefits as well. Because cannabis is illegal, scientific research on the medical benefits for cancer and other serious illnesses is limited, and much of the evidence is anecdotal. However, there seems to be a growing body of data (and citizen demand) to support legalizing marijuana for medical purposes.

Mornings are hectic. This checklist has quick and easy ideas you can start incorporating into your routine to day. Feeling rushed and crazy is not a good way to start the day. Mornings are the family's launching pad. It's important to send kids to school feeling calm and ready. They'll perform better, feel happier, and have more confidence to face the day's challenges.

Are you concerned that a loved one may be suffering from Alzheimer's disease? Read on to learn about the most common early symptoms. For millions of Americans, it's an all-too-familiar scenario: Suddenly, a loved one will start asking the same question repeatedly, telling the same story continuously, or behaving inappropriately. His or her close friends, spouses, or children notice it but dismiss it simply as "getting old.

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease can be a challenge. Follow these tips to make it easier. According to the National Alzheimer's Association, more than 10 million Americans are currently caring for a relative with Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia. Although the task can be challenging and even overwhelming at times, there are things you can do to ease the process.

Diabetes is a lifelong disease, but these tips can make it easier to manage the condition. According to the American Diabetes Association, more the 25 million Americans are living with diabetes. Try these tips to help manage the condition and prevent the serious complications associated with the disease. 1. Follow a balanced diet. A low-fat eating plan with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein can help keep blood sugar at healthy levels.

A growing body of research suggests that antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids may help prevent the onset of the disease. There are still many questions surrounding Alzheimer's disease—a degenerative brain disorder and form of dementia that currently has no cure. Although the evidence is not conclusive, several studies, including one conducted by the Alzheimer's Association, suggest that foods rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids may help prevent the onset of the disease.

It's common for seniors to experience sadness and grief, but when these feelings are persistent, they may be a sign of depression. Although depression is common among older Americans, experts say it's not just a normal part of the aging process. Whenever feelings of sadness and grief are persistent and interfere with daily activities, they may be signs of major depression--a disease that affects 1 to 5 percent of senior citizens in the mainstream community, the National Institute of Mental Health reports.

There are several steps you can take to reduce your risk of infection. For healthy individuals, influenza, commonly known as flu, lasts only seven to 10 days. But its symptoms can be severe from extreme fatigue and fever to body aches, chills, and more. Fortunately, the virus can be prevented and its symptoms suppressed.

Caregiving expert Jackie Pinkowitz discusses the difference between age-related memory problems and Alzheimer's disease. If you talked to as many caregivers as I have over the years, you'd know that it's not the least bit unusual for them to wonder, "Is it Alzheimer's or just aging?" This heart-wrenching question hangs over the heads of many, many families for many, many months without ever once being spoken out loud.

Elderly patients often get confused or agitated toward the end of the day. Learn about the symptoms known as sundowning. When the sun goes down, elderly patients can become irritated, irrational, even violent. The phenomenon, known as sundowning or sundowner's syndrome, refers to the extreme agitation and confusion elderly people may suddenly experience during the late afternoons or early evenings.

These strategies can help you cope with the most common caregiver emotions. When you're caring for an elderly loved one, it's normal to feel sad or discouraged from time to time. Ignoring your feelings won't make them go away; in fact, it may even make them grow stronger. Instead, try these six suggestions from the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease can be overwhelming. Follow these tips to help deal with the diagnosis and cope with the holidays and every day. Caring for a loved one who has Alzheimer's disease (AD) means that each new day brings a unique set of challenges. Coping with changing levels of ability and new patterns of behavior can become overwhelming at times. Not surprisingly, research has shown that caregivers often are at increased risk for depression and illness, especially if they do not receive adequate support from family, friends, and the community.

When it comes to assisted living, understanding all of the options available can be a challenge. Here, the most frequently asked questions and answers. It's never easy when an aging loved one needs to move to a residential facility. But understanding the basics in advance can help ease the transition when the time comes. As you and your loved one prepare for the future, refer to this Frequently Asked Questions guide provided by the national nonprofit Consumer Consortium on Assisted Living (CCAL).

Understand your choices for better decision-making. It goes without saying that those of us who see our aging parents' needs change want for them exactly what we would want for ourselves. Quite simply, we want them to have the right care at the right time in the right place. But wanting it and knowing what it means specifically for our moms or dads, understanding what our options are, and knowing where to find reliable information on each option isn't at all simple.

Study shows that preparedness makes all the difference when it comes to caregiving. Findings from the CVS/pharmacy and Caring Today 2007 "Caregiver Insights Study: Well-Being and Care Management" indicate that family caregivers find the caregiving experience more enjoyable than expected. Findings further revealed that those caregivers who were better prepared to fill the caregiver role and responsibilities had more positive experiences than those who were unprepared.

12 Ways to Beat Exhaustion and Burnout For caregivers, juggling the demands of work and family with parenting our own parents can be a struggle. Just listen to the emotional turmoil expressed by fellow caregivers attempting to manage a turbulent, uncharted course and fill a role they most definitely never wished for.

Are you thinking about getting a flu vaccination this year? Learn about the risks and rewards. Each fall, medical professionals encourage us to get flu shots in order to lessen our chances of coming down with influenza. For some of us, the flu vaccine can provide protection, or decrease the severity of the illness if we do get sick. But the flu shot isn't necessarily the right choice for everyone.

Follow these tips to minimize your chances of catching the flu this year. For some of us, getting the flu each year seems almost inevitable. Even if we get a vaccination, it isn't a guarantee that we won't get sick. We may feel run down due to our busy schedules, and that's when the flu swoops in, preying on our weakened state.

Keeping cool on hot summer days isn't only a matter a comfort—it's vital for good health and even survival. A little fun in the sun is one thing, but when it could put you at risk for heat stroke, it's time to take some precautions. That's the message from the Pennsylvania Medical Society and experts all across the country, who warn both adults and children alike that heat stroke is a potentially deadly illness to be avoided—even if it means sacrificing a day at the beach.

Sugar, butter, and cream may be one celebrity chef's go-to ingredients, but that doesn't mean you should follow in her footsteps. You can still recreate the cuisine of the Queen of Southern Cooking without doing damage to your health. Let a team of experts show you how. Now that Paula Deen's been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, it's time for her followers to rethink adding all that butter, cream, and sugar to food to make it taste good. It's certainly possible to switch out high-fat, high-cholesterol ingredients for more healthful ones, nutrition experts say.

When a cancer patient develops an infection, it's a serious health problem. Understand how infections usually start and how to recognize or prevent them. When a cancer patient develops an infection, it's a serious health problem. About 1 in 10 patients requires a hospital visit because of an infection. Cancer-related infections often arise from a condition called neutropenia, which occurs when a patient's white blood cell count declines.

An alarming number of older patients fail to continue taking their regular medications after they return home, particularly if they spent time in intensive care. While hospitals can be lifesavers, especially for the elderly, an alarming number of older patients fail to continue taking their regular medications after they return home—particularly if they spent time in intensive care. Why? Mainly because they neglect to renew their prescriptions.

Chronic disease changes lives and not just for the patient. Sometimes, caregivers of patients with physically debilitating diseases like multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, and arthritis let their dedication stand in the way of taking care of themselves. Chronic disease changes lives and not just for the patient. Sometimes, caregivers of patients with physically debilitating diseases like multiple sclerosis (MS), fibromyalgia, and arthritis let their dedication stand in the way of taking care of themselves.

With one in seven adults reportedly experiencing occupational asthma, chances are high that work could actually make you sick. Does the thought of going to work make you sick? If you have asthma and you work around chemicals, fumes, or scented products, your job could be triggering your symptoms and causing you to feel pretty miserable. Even people who've never had asthma before may find that their workplace environment causes them to develop this condition.

Too little iron in the body can affect many body functions, but most physical signs and symptoms don't show up until iron deficiency anemia occurs. Iron deficiency anemia is a condition that results from too little iron in the body. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency and the leading cause of anemia in the U.S. The condition is usually caused by blood loss, diet, or an inability of your body to absorb enough iron from food.

Strong parenting and emotional well-being are closely connected. Dr. Gerald Newmark, author of the book "How to Raise Emotionally Healthy Children," offers his top child-rearing strategies. "For reasons having to do with the peculiarities of our civilization, we pay a great deal of attention to our scholastic educations, which are formal and supervised, and we devote much less public thought to our emotional educations, which are unsupervised and haphazard.

One study found that support groups improved cancer survivors' mood, pain, symptom control, and social functioning. Here's what to consider in order to find a support group that works for you. Having cancer is scary, overwhelming, and can leave you feeling isolated, despite the dedicated attention of your cancer care team and the love of your family and friends. That's why many patients turn to support groups. In a support group, patients can share their cancer experiences and frustrations.

Why should you make your own baby food? Let's see, it's generally more nutritious, less costly, and it takes hardly any effort to get started. Food, glorious food! If your baby is sitting up on her own—and grabbing for your snacks—it may be time to introduce solids. Between the ages of 4 to 6 months, most babies are developmentally ready to get their first taste of big kid food! ...

Giving a little bit of your self can make an enormous difference in the life of a sick child. Here are some ideas to get you started. Volunteering can be powerful. If you're open to it, you'll wind up learning new skills, making new friends, and even changing lives—yours as well as someone else's.  Here are some ideas to get you started. Volunteer Your Time If you love babies and have time to give, hospitals with neonatal intensive care units (NICU) are often in need of "cuddlers.

This once-a-day single pill combines aspirin, blood pressure, and cholesterol drugs to reduce heart disease risk and treat the problem once it develops. If you haven't heard about the polypill yet, chances are you will soon. Research is showing that a once-a-day single pill that combines aspirin, blood pressure, and cholesterol drugs to reduce heart disease risk and treat the problem once it develops may be safe and effective.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S. So, when fresh air and sunshine beckons your family outside to play, be sure to pack sunscreen along with your diapers, snacks, and other essentials. Here's all you need to know. Sunshine warms our bodies, improves our mood and even gives us vitamin D—especially beneficial for strong bones and a healthy immune system. But the bright light has a dark side, too. Too much sun damages our skin and causes premature wrinkling, spotting, and can cause skin cancer, the most serious of which is melanoma.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has unveiled a new icon that it hopes will make choosing nutritious foods easier for Americans. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has unveiled a new icon that it hopes will make choosing healthful foods easier for all Americans. The icon, which replaces the old food pyramid, is a colorful graphic image of a plate divided into separate sections and is intended to provide a visual reminder of the appropriate balance between the different food groups.

Here's how to prepare delicious food that works for the diabetic in your life and doesn't leave anyone feeling deprived. As the family chef, you get to choose the menu and exercise a certain amount of control over what everyone else eats. But if your spouse or significant other gets diagnosed with diabetes, you may suddenly need to modify your menus and shopping choices.

By taking an integrated approach to disease management with a team of medical professionals, patients put themselves in the best position for long term health. Or, possibly they just wind up spending more time and money. On the con side, expensive, time consuming disease management programs (DMPs) don't necessarily benefit patients in the long term, according to a German study. Roland Linder, a professor at Deutsches Aerzteblatt International, and his group set out to determine if diabetes-related conditions and emergency inpatient hospital admissions occurred less frequently in patients in a DMP.

What kind of help is needed, and who is the best caregiver for a particular situation? Do you need a nurse or can you get by with someone with less formal training? Here's a rundown of different types of healthcare providers you may encounter so you can make an informed choice. For many people with health problems, a hospital is not the ideal setting. Perhaps the patient did spend time in a hospital but has recovered sufficiently to be discharged. Or maybe an elderly person has developed various medical needs that can be met in his or her home.

Whether your loved one was hospitalized for a few days or a few months, there are a variety of questions you need to ask and situations for which to prepare yourself to ensure the smoothest possible transition. When a loved one is released from the hospital, you may feel great relief at finally having him back home. No more long days sitting in uncomfortable chairs by his bedside or listening to complaints about food or roommates. But while there's no place like home, the transition from the hospital environment to the home environment can be tricky.

What precautions should you consider when it comes to these radiation risks? Last month's report published in the British Medical Journal may be giving x-ray technicians and doctors reason to hesitate before ordering diagnostic radiation. The recent study of children in The United Kingdom (England and Wales) examined childhood cancer risks associated with exposure to x-rays and ultrasound scans both in utero and early infancy (age zero to 100 days) In the study, Preetha Rajaraman, PhD, of the U.

Could it be the smell of relief? Here's how to use essential oils to address pain and anxiety associated with cancer treatment and recovery. Aromatherapy is a type of complementary therapy and one that many cancer patients use in conjunction with traditional medical treatment. Aromatherapy 101 For centuries, humans have used essential oil for healing. Many essential oils, which are derived from the stems, leaves, flowers, and roots of plants, have pharmacologic actions, which is why they are used in aromatherapy.

Twenty-five percent of people with diabetes don't even know they have it and that means they're not getting the treatment they need or taking the important steps necessary to keep the disease in check. Considering that there are 7 million undiagnosed diabetics in the United States and about 1.9 million new cases of diabetes diagnosed each year, it's likely that someone you know has the disease. In fact, you or a family member could be at risk for developing diabetes.

It's a great cause. If you'd like to get involved in finding a cure, raising awareness about the disease, or simply learning more about diabetes, here are some ways you can help out. Chances are that even if you're not diabetic, you have a friend or relative who is. Some 285 million people worldwide have the disease, and that figure is expected to jump to 438 million by 2030, according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), as reported on MedicalNewsToday.

The Web offers many options for staying connected and keeping loved ones updated on your or your family member's health issues. These methods are fast, easy, and efficient, and you'll know your support network is right there with you as a part of your journey. When Jennifer Wilson Cooper learned she had ovarian cancer, she launched a blog as a way to share her story with others and to make it easy for friends and family to keep up with her progress. Little did she know she'd quickly-and dramatically-expand her circle of friends (you can follow Cooper's journey on her blog, Four Seeds, which is featured in Quality Health's free cancer newsletter and on the QualityHealth.

All eyes have been on Japan as residents struggle to recover from the earthquake and tsunami. Fears of nuclear radiation leaks persist, raising questions and concerns whether radiation will reach the U.S. and how much of a potential danger it would pose. See what people are saying about this article on our Facebook page! All eyes have been on Japan as residents struggle to recover from the earthquake and tsunami. Fears of nuclear radiation leaks persist, raising questions and concerns whether radiation will reach the U.

What to expect when you're expecting your little one to get out of diapers and onto the potty. See what people are saying about this article on our Facebook page! The memorable first word. The adorable first step. The gleaming first tooth. Unlike other firsts in your precious little one's life, the first time he uses the toilet isn't really a milestone at all.

What exactly is hospice care and how does it differ from hospital care? And how do you make the decision to place your loved one into hospice? Despite all the medical advances of the last century, there comes a time when even the most cutting-edge care may not be enough to prolong a life. At this time, hospice care should be considered. But what exactly is hospice care and how does it differ from hospital care? And how do you make the decision to place your loved one into hospice? Broadly speaking, hospice care refers to specialized care for terminally ill patients.

It's never fun when your child has to stay home sick, but here are some interesting findings about when it might be better to build up immunity. And a cheat sheet for when they need to be home. See what people are saying about this article on our Facebook page! "Mommy, I don't feel good." No parent wants to hear these words, especially first thing in the morning. If you're not sure if your child is sick enough to warrant staying home from school or daycare, you're not alone.

Are your daily doses making you dizzy? Handy help is here. Gone are the days when the only pill you popped was a multivitamin. Now, it seems your medicine cabinet is bursting with remedies for a variety of ailments, each with its own directions for use. But how do you keep track of different medications when...

It's the third leading cause of death in the U.S. Learn the warning signs and symptoms for you and for those you love. It doesn't seem to be as greatly feared by many of us as cancer and heart attacks. Yet stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States, and the largest cause of disability in adults, according to the American Stroke Association. When a blood vessel ferrying oxygen or nutrients to the brain either bursts or is blocked, a stroke results--and the brain tissue in that area, since it's not getting nourishment, starts to die.

Germs thrive in saliva, mucous, stomach acids, and other body fluids. Regardless of how good you are about personal hygiene when you're sick, chances are you're going to spew a few germs. See what people are saying about this article on our Facebook page! You're finally feeling better after that nasty flu or cold, and the last thing you want is to get sick again or infect someone else. Therefore, it's time to do a serious assessment of the five main areas where you and your "bug" hung out together.

The numbers and letters that describe cancer can sound mysterious and scary. Understanding how they are determined can help. When your physician diagnoses you with cancer, she then needs to determine the stage of your cancer. For patients, the numbers and letters that describe cancer can sound mysterious and scary. Here is a brief overview of cancer staging. What is Cancer Staging? Staging describes how advanced your disease is and whether it has spread beyond the initial tumor site.

It's important to take control and define the type of medical care we want, or don't want, at the end of our life. Most people are not comfortable discussing their deaths. However, we all want to die with dignity and to have others respect our final wishes. It's important, then, to take control and define the type of medical care we want-or don't want-at the end of our life.

Does a typical day for you include work, shepherding children to activities, overseeing homework, and taking your parents to the doctor? You're part of the so-called sandwich generation, "sandwiched" as you are between the responsibilities of kids and elderly relatives. See what people are saying about this article on our Facebook page! Does a typical day for you include work, shepherding children to activities, overseeing homework, and taking your parents to the doctor? You're part of the so-called sandwich generation, "sandwiched" as you are between the responsibilities of kids and elderly relatives.

Cancer treatment side effects can make it difficult for cancer patients to consume sufficient calories and adequate nutrition, but there are ways to make it easier to get the nutrition you need. Chemotherapy alters the smell and taste of some foods, making the idea of eating very unappealing. You may have trouble swallowing, especially if you have cancers of the head and neck. Chemotherapy side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation also make it tough to eat.

A program of "eurhythmics" shows results in promoting physical coordination and mental acuity in older adults. Elderly people are often unsteady on their feet and prone to falls, which can lead to serious complications. But a practice called eurhythmics, originally designed for students by the noted Swiss composer Emile Jaques-Dalcroze, may give them better balance and help them maintain their health.

There's no question that antidepressants can be a tremendous help to depressed seniors. However, antidepressants, in combination with other medications, can cause adverse reactions, or drug-drug interactions. The older we get, the more likely we are to develop serious health conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease. About 25 percent of older adults with such chronic illnesses also suffer from depression. As a result, adults 65 and older may take five or more medications at any time.

Educate yourself on what can happen so you can take the steps now to change your outcome for the better. Having diabetes over the long-term comes with consequences in the form of complications that no one likes to think about. But by familiarizing yourself now with possible complications, and resolving to do everything in your power to prevent them, you'll be looking at a healthier and happier future.

From the moment you are diagnosed with cancer, you become a survivor. And you are in good company. In 2010, the number of people in the U.S. living with cancer exceeded 11 million. From the moment you are diagnosed with cancer, you become a survivor. Here are a few ways to celebrate. Take care of your health and reduce your risk of recurrence. Cancer survivors are more at risk for a recurrence due to the effects of treatment, genetics, and other risk factors.

Have you noticed changes in your aging parent or another elderly adult you care for? It may be depression. Depression in seniors is prevalent—and often overlooked. Have you noticed changes in your aging parent or another elderly adult you care for? It may be depression. Depression in seniors is prevalent-and often overlooked. Contrary to common misconceptions, depression is not a normal part of aging. As a caregiver, you are in an ideal position to make a difference to a senior who may be suffering from depression.

If you've lost access to insurance, you may be wondering how you'll survive. Is there a way to get good health care even if your finances are unstable? The cost of health insurance is scary, but having no health insurance can be downright terrifying. If you've lost access to insurance, you may be wondering how you'll survive. If you or a family member has a pre-existing condition, covering the costs of all of the prescription drugs and doctor's visits you need may seem impossible.

As difficult as a cancer diagnosis is, you can cope with it. Here are a few of the things you should do first after learning you have cancer. "You have cancer." These three words can make you feel as though you've been hit by a fast-moving train and then strapped into an out-of-control roller coaster. You probably wonder how you're going to cope with the stress, your fears, treatment side effects, and managing work, family, and other responsibilities while ill.

The Internet has made it possible for us to weigh in and share our opinions on just about everything. It makes sense then that we'd expect to also rate our healthcare providers. The Internet has made it possible for us to weigh in and share our opinions on just about everything we purchase or experience. Others' ratings of quality, service delivery, price, and value help us evaluate our options when we make purchasing decisions.

While each doctor and facility keeps its own records about you and your treatment, it's important to keep your own Personal Health Record. Here's how to do it. Whoever said we'd eventually become a paperless society never navigated the sea of paperwork you generate during treatment for a serious illness. Cancer patients are deluged with medical reports, insurance forms, legal papers, and other important documents.

While a high percentage of U.S. parents admit to regularly spanking their children, this practice is actually illegal in 24 countries. What's in the best interest of kids? To spank or not to spank... that is the question. The answer, it turns out, can be as complex as the reasons for doing it. For several generations spanking has been a topic of controversy in this country but studies show more than half of all U.S. parents condone spanking as a regular form of punishment.

As a friend, you want to help, but some of us are not sure how best to navigate the emotional situation of supporting a friend who has cancer. With the incidence of cancer on the rise, it's quite likely you know someone who has some form of this disease. As a friend, you want to help, but some of us are not sure how best to navigate this emotional situation. If you fear doing or saying the wrong thing, you're not alone.

Here is choking first aid that everyone should know. No one thinks it will happen to them, but choking is a concern for everyone. Babies and young children are especially susceptible to the danger, since they have smaller teeth and narrower airways than adults, as well as a tendency to put objects in their mouth.

The news that your child has cancer can be overwhelming. Here's where to start. Perhaps the only thing more devastating and frightening than discovering you have cancer is learning that your child has cancer. The news can be overwhelming. Here's where to start. It may help to know that more children than ever are surviving childhood cancers.

When one of your children is critically ill, his sibling may need some extra love and attention, too. When a Child is Critically Ill It can be scary and overwhelming to cope with the uncertainty of a very sick child, both for you as the parents and also for your healthy child. However, there are things you can do to help yourself and your healthy child make it through this difficult time.

You may be familiar with hospice, which supports people with life-limiting illnesses. However, you may not be as familiar with palliative care, a related concept that is invaluable to people with cancer or other serious illnesses. You may be familiar with hospice, which supports people with life-limiting illnesses. However, you may not be as familiar with palliative care, a related concept that is invaluable to people with cancer or other serious illnesses. What is Palliative Care? The goal of palliative care, sometimes called comfort care, is to make patients comfortable by treating the symptoms, side effects, and psychosocial aspects of dealing with serious illnesses, such as cancer.

There is considerable anecdotal support of the value of Reiki for cancer patients. Scientific support for Reiki as an adjunct therapy for cancer and other serious diseases is also accumulating. Reiki is an ancient Japanese practice that promotes relaxation, reduces stress, and enhances the body's own healing powers. It's based on the idea that we all have a life force energy that flows through us and we can tap into that energy to stay healthy or help us heal when we're ill.

Have diabetes? Simple measures can keep your skin fresh and beautiful. A simple wound can get infected when you are diabetic, so it makes sense to pay close attention to cuts and bruises-even if they don't look all that bad. "The longer you have diabetes, the more you should be watchful," says Amy Hess Fischl, MS, RD, LDN, BC-AD , CDE, of the University of Chicago's Kovler Diabetes Center.

When the downturn boosts death rates, it’s time to identify the issues and make changes where you can. There's no doubt, America is suffering due to the economic downturn. Stress levels are through the roof. Kitchen tables are groaning under the weight of too many bills. Millions of homeowners are facing foreclosure and there's no end in sight to record unemployment statistics.

Make the most of your meds with these top 10 tips from the experts. Dealing with the daily regimen of a whole array of pills can be time consuming, confusing, and annoying. On the plus side, being on multiple meds can give you better blood sugar control, which makes you healthier in the long run. To get the most from your meds, keep these 10 tips from the experts in mind: 1.

A cancer diagnosis is not just a life-changing event for the patient; it can also change a family. Changing Roles Chances are cancer has caused you (or someone in the family) to suddenly become a caretaker. You may providing emotional and spiritual support, daily care, or both. Caregiving is difficult emotionally and physically and can take a toll on your own health and quality of life.

Simple adjustments can increase bathroom safety when you have arthritis and reduce your risk of falls and injury. Every year thousands of falls and accidents occur in bathrooms. Having arthritis, fatigue, stiff joints or weak muscles makes your risk even higher. Exercises can improve your strength, flexibility and range of motion, but there are also easy fixes you can make to improve bathroom safety when you're living with arthritis.

How to give better care to your loved one living with arthritis — and make caregiving easier on yourself. When you’re caring for a relative or friend with arthritis it can be stressful, exhausting and expensive. But you’re not alone. According to the 2003 National Alliance for Caregiving/AARP National Caregiver survey, over 44 million Americans are caring for someone with a chronic illness in their home or other setting.

From causes to treatments, learn more about this common problem. If you've got a "grumpy old man or lady" in your life, he or she may be depressed. According to the Geriatric Mental Health Foundation (GMHF), depression affects 15 percent of Americans seniors. Depression is a serious illness characterized by a combination of symptoms that disrupt normal living.

The National Alliance for Caregiving and MetLife Foundation honored innovative programs for caregivers. Caregivers are most often family members of the person for whom they are caring. Currently there are 44.4 million family caregivers in the United States, and experts anticipate that family caregiving will continue to grow in the years ahead. Because nearly 60 percent of caregivers work and 40 percent have children under the age of 18, it can often result in caregiver stress, burnout, and other health problems.

It's important to begin capturing memories to pass along to the next generations of your family. The holidays are the perfect time to get started. Many of us congregate around the dining room table during the holidays, whether it's Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or New Years. These are the times when families come together in the spirit of reunion and caring. We listen to Grandpa's stories about the good old days, and we watch Grandma put together that memorable recipe as no one else can.

As life expectancy increases, so, too, does the prevalence of dementia. Here, a look at the disorder, from symptoms to treatment. For many patientsand the families who love thema diagnosis of dementia can be devastating. A degenerative disease, the condition causes a progressive decline in cognitive function, including memory, attention span, and problem-solving skills. In some cases, dementia patients may suffer from hallucinations or severe disorientation, failing to remember what decade it is, where they are, or even their own names.

Follow these tips to enhance your recall and make your mind more nimble. Have you ever lost your reading glasses and then found them on top of your head? Have you ever gotten your kids off to school, only to find their lunches still in the refrigerator? If so, you're not alone. According to experts, many of us have minor problems with recall as we age.

Everyone worries from time to time, but too much worrying can affect your health. Here, 10 ways to stop stressing. Did you forget to turn off the lights? Weren't you supposed to call your friend? What ever happened to your high-school yearbook? For many of us, worrying just seems like a natural part of our daily lives. But experts warn that too much worrying can affect your emotional and physical health.

Mike Johnston, 49, an electrical contractor in Bristol, Tennessee, had his life turned upside down by Parkinson's disease. Learn about his courageous journey. Shortly after Mike Johnston learned he had Parkinson's disease, he felt as if his world were crashing down around him. But gradually--with faith, love, and the right treatment--he has learned not only to live with the disease, but also to flourish. I was on top of the world: I had a super daughter, a new house, and pets.

Follow these steps to make the holiday season easier for you and a loved one who lives far away. If you're caring for an elderly parent or loved one who lives far away, you're not alone. According to the National Institute on Aging, approximately 7 million adults are long-distance caregivers. And perhaps at no time is the challenge of long-distance caregiving greater than when you can't be there for the holidays.

Caregiving expert Jackie Pinkowitz explains what families need to know when a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. For many families, determining whether their loved on has age-related memory problems or Alzheimer's disease (AD) can be a challenge. And if their family member is diagnosed with AD, they then face a daunting, open-ended question: "Now what?" Most Alzheimer's caregivers wish that they had known early on what to expect in terms of the disease's progression and their loved one's behaviors.