Sudden Short-Term Memory Loss & Confusion in the Elderly Sudden confusion in seniors, also known as delirium or encephalopathy is different than Alzheimer’s disease, or other forms of dementia, which cause cognitive changes over longer periods of time. If your older loved one is experiencing sudden, debilitating confusion or memory loss, it is critical to seek medical attention. In this blog, let’s look at sudden confusion in seniors, its causes, symptoms, and what can be done to treat it. What is Sudden Confusion or Encephalopathy Sudden confusion or encephalopathy is usually caused by ..read more

Fast Progressing Dementia For seniors, being diagnosed with Rapidly Progressive Dementia is extremely challenging for themselves and their loved ones. In this blog, we will delve into this condition, how it’s diagnosed, and what treatment options are available. What is Rapidly Progressive Dementia (RPD)? Rapidly Progressive Dementia, also known as rapid onset dementia, is a form of cognitive impairment that develops quickly as compared to other forms of dementia. Symptoms of RPD become apparent typically with weeks or months. The condition is rare, and often difficult to appropriately diagn ..read more

Compression Fractures in Seniors As some people age, their bones can weaken, and compression fractures of the vertebrae develop. Conditions like osteoporosis cause bones to be less dense, and thinner. While both men and women can experience compression fractures, the condition is more prevalent in older females. In this blog, we will look at compression fractures, including symptoms, causes, and what steps can be taken to prevent them by optimizing bone health. What is a Compression Fracture? A compression fracture is a hairline crack in the middle or lower part of the vertebrae, wh ..read more

Brain Fog & Seniors As seniors age, it is normal to experience some decrease in mental sharpness, memory loss, and the ability to concentrate. One explanation for these diminished skills could be brain fog. Brain fog is not an actual medical diagnosis, but usually a result of other underlying issues. In this blog, we will look at brain fog, what causes it, how its symptoms can be treated, as well as the critical distinction between this condition and Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. What is Brain Fog? Brain fog is a general feeling of mental cloudiness, wh ..read more

For seniors, maintaining dental health is critical to their overall well-being. In this blog, we will look at common dental problems your older loved one might be experiencing, and some ways you can help them keep their oral health as good as possible. How Dental Health Affects Overall Well Being in Seniors Practicing good oral health can play a key role in helping seniors to prevent, or lessen the effects of other serious health conditions. Research has shown that older people with gingivitis (gum inflammation) are at a greater risk of having a stroke, or developing heart disease, lun ..read more

The risk of developing colon cancer increases as people get older. The average age for seniors being diagnosed with the illness is 66 for men and 69 for women. In this blog, we will learn more about colon cancer in seniors, including symptoms, risk factors, screenings, and what lifestyle changes can be made to help prevent it. What is Colon Cancer? Colon cancer is a growth of malignant cells that form in a portion of the large intestine. It often starts as noncancerous polyps, but develops into cancer later. In many seniors, colon cancer grows slowly over a number of yea ..read more

RSV in the Elderly Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is an illness that can cause serious health problems for older adults. According to the Mayo Clinic, up to 10,000 older people die each year in the U.S. from RSV. The illness can lead to pneumonia and other life-threatening respiratory infections. Fortunately, a vaccine has been developed for RSV. In this blog, we will look at RSV, as well as some helpful information about the vaccine. What is RSV? RSV is a virus that causes infections either in the lungs, or the respiratory tract. The illness can be a very serious thre ..read more

Pneumonia & Seniors Pneumonia is a serious concern for seniors. Recent statistics indicate that nearly one million older people are hospitalized with the illness each year. We are fortunate that today a pneumonia vaccine exists that can reduce the chances of a person contracting the disease. In this blog, we will take a look at the pneumonia vaccine, how it works, and who needs it. What is Pneumonia? Pneumonia is a respiratory infection that can greatly affect the lungs. The infection can be caused by bacteria or a virus. The illness causes the air sacs in the lungs t ..read more

Shingles in the Elderly According to the CDC, 33% of people will develop shingles at some point in life. The risk of a shingles outbreak increases as people get older. Luckily today, there is a vaccine that greatly reduces a senior’s chances of a shingles infection. Let’s take a closer look at the shingles vaccine, which seniors should take it, how it works, and other helpful information about it. What is Shingles? Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a disease caused by the same virus as chickenpox. While most people experience chickenpox in childhood, the virus can ..read more

The IRS recognizes that paying for an Assisted Living or Memory Care community can be a financial strain for many families. To ease this difficulty, current tax law does allow certain individuals to deduct a portion of these expenses on their taxes. According to the Genworth Care Survey, the average annual cost of an Assisted Living community within the next 2 years is expected to be just over $5,200 per month, or $62,600 annually. Memory Care expenses can be even higher, depending on location and level of accommodations offered. What is an Assisted Living Community? An Assisted Living com ..read more