Atlantic Coast Health Tips!
Post-Stroke Recovery
Stroke is the leading cause of serious long-term disability. While stroke occurs more frequently in older adults over age 65, it can strike and immobilize an individual at any age. In fact, data from 2009, reveals that 34% of the people hospitalized for a stroke were less than 65 years old. Those that make…
Read MoreRecreational Therapy Month
Recreational Therapy Month raises awareness about the positive and pivotal impact of therapeutic recreation programs and services in improving health and well-being. Over the years, recreational therapy has become an important component of quality patient care.
Read More5 Tips for Older Adults to Relieve Knee Pain
Morning routine may slow down as you grow older. Getting out of bed may require you to stretch the left leg first followed by the right one. Going down the stairs may cause you to grimace with pain, and it may take a few minutes to straighten your legs as you head to the kitchen…
Read MoreA Person-Centered Dining Experience in Long-Term Care
If you lived independently since the beginning of adulthood, it means you’re used to preparing your own food and dining as you please. In some cases, the kitchen was the center of your household. As a result. making the transition to a residential facility with communal meals can be difficult and stressful. However, a…
Read MoreIdentifying Thyroid Disease in Older Adults
It may not be obvious. You might think it’s heart disease. Or a disorder of the nervous system. Maybe it’s a bowel disease. The symptoms may be subtle at first, but with careful examination, your physician may conclude that it’s thyroid disease. According to the American Thyroid Association, identifying thyroid disease in older adults can…
Read MoreIs Dad Depressed?
You’ve seen Dad shuffling around his apartment irritable and snappy. When he’s not complaining about his persistent aches and pains, he’s sleeping or eating excessive amounts of food. He has little interest in his old woodworking hobby and no longer plays racketball with the guys. You wonder — Is Dad depressed? While depression…
Read MoreIt’s Thyroid Awareness Month!
The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck. Although relatively small, the thyroid plays a huge role in the body, influencing the function of many important organs, including the heart, brain, liver, kidneys, and skin. Talk with your healthcare provider about whether your thyroid is healthy and functioning properly.
Read MoreMalnutrition in Older Adults
Malnutrition and unintentional weight loss are commonly associated with older adults age 65 years and older. While the risks for malnutrition increase as we get older, caregivers can take steps to address these risks. According to the Mayo Clinic, malnutrition can lead to serious health issues including: Muscle weakness and decreased bone mass Poor…
Read MoreOver 65 and Taking Prescription Medications? These 6 Tips will Protect You from Serious Complications
A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), shows that older adults use more prescription medications than their younger counterparts— and are therefore at high risk for complications from those medications. The study found that 81% of the people it surveyed who were between the ages of 57 and 85 take at…
Read MoreThis Year’s Flu is Especially Strong, but so is the Flu Vaccine
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the 2019-2020 flu season has not only begun, but is at elevated levels throughout the country. The CDC estimates that 2.6 million People have already contracted the flu in the US, with 23,000 of them requiring hospitalization, and 1,300 dying from the flu. Typically, over…
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