That familiar holiday tune expresses a simple wish of a child – not for the expected list of toys – but for front teeth to grow in quickly enough to properly say “Merry Christmas.” Some older adults might have just as much trouble saying “Seasons Greetings” or “Happy Hanukah” as that wistful child, if not for the benefits of dentures, bridges and dental implants. However, if you asked most seniors to sing their holiday wish list, it might sound something like this:

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Topics: Holidays, Activities and Lifestyle

You’ve heard about Santa’s list – the one with names of children, their behavior, where they live and what they want for Christmas. However, you might not be aware Santa has a list for himself of seven ways to age well and enjoy his best life possible. Here is a peek at his list:

 

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Topics: Aging, Fall Prevention, Holidays, Activities and Lifestyle

When someone mentions the word “hospice,” people often cringe or change the subject, fearing that hospice care somehow means giving up on life. Others view hospice with a lack of respect, as if it isn’t real medical care. I know this firsthand. I used to be employed in hospice as a volunteer coordinator. 

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Topics: Home Care Planning, Hospice and Palliative Care

Sometimes we avoid the most important conversations we should have with older adults. We think our deliberate silence may prevent hurt feelings, angry outbursts or uncomfortable, awkward moments. However, keeping quiet may pose serious risks to their health and safety.

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Topics: Aging, Healthy Living

Older adults are at increased risk for delirium, a serious medical condition with sudden onset that causes fluctuating changes in thinking and behavior. Infections, dehydration, medication effects, poor sleep, surgery and hospitalization are some factors that can lead to delirium. Delirium is a medical emergency.

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Topics: Aging, Healthy Living

Summer days bring out the child in each of us. Whether you are young or old, or somewhere in-between, the hot days of summer can be filled with laughter, play and happy times together.

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Topics: Activities and Lifestyle

You want to do some shopping – but you can’t seem to find your keys. After a few minutes of frantic searching, you spot them on the kitchen counter, next to a pile of junk mail. “Now I remember,” you say, “That’s right where I put them yesterday when I brought in the mail.”

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Topics: Aging, Alzheimer's and Dementia

I love to watch black and white movies from the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s. However, a darker side of those entertaining musicals, dramas and screwball comedies is the way smoking features in the storyline.

That depiction of smoking was accurate for the time. According to a Gallup poll, about 45 percent of U.S. adults smoked cigarettes, cigars or pipes in 1954. Nowadays, people are more aware of the health risks of smoking. Recent statistics from the CDC indicate about 15.5 percent of adults smoke cigarettes.

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Topics: Aging, Healthy Living

Caregiving for a family member is like taking steps into the ocean. At first, the water playfully splashes against your toes – it’s a quick errand or medical appointment with your loved one. Then the waves come with greater force and urgency – your loved one needs daily reminders for medications or has a fall and breaks a hip. Before you know it, the water is nearly up to your head – your loved one has advanced Alzheimer’s or another chronic health condition requiring around-the-clock care.

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Topics: Home Care Planning, Caregiving, Finances

My office has a sensor that turns the light off after a prolonged absence of movement. The light sometimes switches off while I am busily clicking my computer keyboard. Yes, I’m working but seemingly inert. My usual response to “lights out” is to wave my arms above my head. Sometimes I just keep working in the dark. What I really should do is get up and move.

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Topics: Aging, Healthy Living