The Golden Globe Awards was recently held and as is tradition, the young and the beautiful were in rare form. But what seems to stand out about this year’s winners is the number of actors and actresses who took home hardware that buck the decidedly youth-oriented trend that has been pronounced in award ceremonies of years past.

If the year’s first major award ceremony is any indication, the silver screen will begin to describe the performers in upcoming films every bit as it does the films themselves.

Falls are the most common cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries among older adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Thousands of American seniors perish as a result of fall-related injuries every year. Even when slips and falls are non-fatal, injuries such as hip fractures that impair mobility and create costly medical bills may result. It is important to take steps to prevent seniors from sustaining slip and fall injuries, especially during the winter.

Managing medications is important for anyone who relies on medication to control physical or mental conditions. Medication errors such as improper dosage and missed doses can cause side effects that can sometimes lead to chronic conditions. Not receiving the proper dosage can also reduce the effectiveness of the control that the medication has over the condition. These errors can lead to unnecessary hospitalizations and costs, and may cause health to decline. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, approximately 200,000 elderly adults are hospitalized every year in the United States due to medication errors.

Dementia causes challenges and changes for the whole family of the individual that receives the diagnosis.

Kristie Iavisile, ComForcare Franchise Development Manager

Ricki Wilkins, ComForcare Franchise Development Manager

(originally posted here)

How has the industry changed from your perspective in the last few years?

The home health industry has grown larger than ever with the expanded needs of the aging baby boomer population.  It has also gotten more sophisticated, requiring owners to have depth in management and marketing skills. Compliance and professional standards are becoming the norm in many states.  For example, twenty nine states now have licensing requirements.  More will come.

Originally posted on the ComForcare Franchise blog

When a loved one needs assistance with senior care, everyone wants to make sure that the senior care provider that is chosen is going to provide the best service available. To achieve the highest level of care, the specific needs of the loved one should be taken into consideration. The family should discuss what type of care would best meet the needs of the family member. If the family member is capable, they should be included in the discussion. Several different senior care providers should then be interviewed to determine the best fit.

When symptoms of dementia begin to manifest and a dementia diagnosis is made, it can be daunting for an individual. Feelings of vulnerability and inadequacy often accompany a dementia diagnosis. Treating a person that has received a dementia diagnosis with respect and compassion may help to assuage these feelings.

If you are someone who makes New Year's resolutions (or even if you aren't), below are five that every family caregiver should make - and keep - in 2015. 

A study done by the Boston University of Medicine indicates that there is a link between the nutrient choline and improved memory function. Choline has been found to increase communication between brain cells. This reaction has resulted in the use of choline in many dementia medications. Certain commonly used medications have been found to decrease levels of choline, however. The study showed that loss of choline is associated with impaired cognitive function, which may worsen dementia symptoms.