My dad died three years ago today and this anniversary has me re-thinking a lot about what he might have wanted me to embrace. His love of learning? His "never give up" attitude? His endless spirit for life?
Doctors are trained to help people extend life as long as possible, but the question some people are now raising is, “What kind of life are they prolonging?” More questions need to be asked about whether this is really what all people want. And we need a greater emphasis on palliative care to mitigate pain and other symptoms.
We’ve never been great about cleaning out the garage, but we were tackling it early last month when my wife, exasperated again, asked what I wanted to do with the scrappy black garbage bag filled with “my accident stuff.”
Giving thanks at Thanksgiving is a respected and time-honored tradition, but at LeanOnWe, we not only talk about thanks, we try to show our thanks year 'round with support, volunteering, and philanthropy.
Perhaps your mom is having surgery next week in New York, but you live in L.A. How will you make sure she’ll get the right home care upon discharge from the hospital? And what about the high cost of your dad’s caregiver from an agency? Every month there’s another bill, and his savings seem like they’re going right out the door. Should you find more affordable help?
Bone and joint health doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Musculoskeletal diseases like arthritis and osteoporosis affect nearly three out of four Americans over age 65. They’re the most common cause of long-term pain and physical disability worldwide, yet they receive fewer research dollars than many other health conditions, including some that are more easily treated.
September is Healthy Aging® Month, which means it’s time to focus on the positive aspects of growing older. Carolyn Worthington, editor-in-chief of Healthy Aging magazine, created Healthy Aging Month to inspire adults to improve their physical, mental, social, and financial well-being—ideally by trying something new. And Worthington says everyone 45-plus needs to start thinking this way.
I’ve always loved water sports -- swimming, kayaking, water skiing, scuba diving -- but the only water I’m sporting in these days is the shower.
Since a bicycling accident that left me a paraplegic almost five years ago, I’ve been under doctor’s orders to stay away from the pool, the ocean, and the lake. A sleepy driver slammed into me head on, and the force of the impact thrust me off my bicycle and thrust my femur through my thigh. Today, I still have an open thigh wound, so no water for me.
More and more seniors prefer to age in place, and flexible in-home care options are readily available. Yet some families may still find providing in-home care overwhelming, and many seniors enjoy living with their peers in an assisted living community. With so many factors to consider, how do you determine whether in-home care or assisted living is best for your parent? Ultimately, the choice is a personal one.