Atlantic Coast Health Tips!
It’s Not the Heat, It’s the Humidity, Especially for the Elderly
As they say, it’s not the heat, it’s the humidity. This is especially true for older people who have health conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease, and high blood pressure (hypertension). In general, seniors are greater risk for heat-related conditions, such as dehydration, heat stress, and sunstroke. Their bodies have a diminishing…
Read More4 Surprising Risk Factors for Heart Disease
Heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States, is implicated in one out of every four deaths. The risk factors for heart disease are well-known: smoking, high cholesterol, hypertension, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, diabetes, and stress. But research has uncovered a few risk factors that might come as more of a surprise.…
Read MoreHow to Recover from a Stroke
Every forty seconds, someone in the US has a stroke. Strokes are the number one cause of serious disability in the US, and the number three cause of death. Despite these grim facts, it is possible to recover from a stroke. To do so, follow these three rules: Get to the ER immediately. There is…
Read More10 Ways to Help People with Alzheimer’s Get the Nutrition They Need
A common but lesser-known aspect of Alzheimer’s and other dementias is loss of appetite. Add to this that as mental and 1physical function decline, skills such as using a fork or spoon, and drinking from a cup can also be lost. Ensuring that someone with a dementia gets proper nutrition requires planning. If nutrition is…
Read More4 Cool Tips for a Safe Summer
Hello, summer! As we enjoy the longer, sun-filled days, we need to be aware of the risks that hot weather brings to the older population. Seniors are more affected by the heat for three reasons: As we age, our bodies do not adapt as well to changes in temperature Seniors are more likely than the…
Read MoreHow to Miss a Diagnosis of Dementia: Go to the Doctor Alone
A Johns Hopkins study suggests that dementia is an even greater problem than we know. According to this research, a significant majority of seniors with dementia are undiagnosed — or are not aware that they have been diagnosed. The biggest risk factor for a senior being unaware of their diagnosis? Going to the doctor alone.…
Read MoreCreating a Joyful Home for Seniors
Depression affects nearly one out of every five American seniors, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. At greater risk are seniors with at least one chronic condition, those becoming increasingly dependent on others for their care, and people who are disabled. Because of this extra risk, we at Atlantic Coast Healthcare and Rehabilitation…
Read MoreWhy Your Hands Tremble
Many people who experience trembling, which is usually most obvious in the hands, immediately worry they have Parkinson’s, a disease characterized by tremors. The fact is that most older people have some degree of hand tremor, though it may not be so noticeable. Moreover, though tremors appear most commonly in the hands, they also can…
Read More5 Food-Medicine Interactions to Watch out for
We all know that some medications interact with others. But some medicines also interact with foods and drinks. The databases utilized by physicians and pharmacists will reveal drug interactions, but don’t always consider food interactions. The safest thing to do? Check with your doctor and pharmacist about potential interactions whenever you start a new medication.…
Read MoreTop 10 Chronic Medical Problems in Older People
As we age, it becomes more difficult to stay healthy. According to the National Committee on Aging, 80% of seniors have at least one chronic medical condition; 68% have more than one. What issues are seniors likely to have? Here are the top 10 chronic medical problems in seniors, as determined by Medicare records: 1.…
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