The Chartered Care Collection (11/02/2021) provides a review of the latest, pertinent publications from the medical literature on aging. In this month's collection: exercise after hospitalization for heart failure, recovery after stroke, level of activity after hip replacement and impact of coffee consumption on cardiac arrythmias.

Yes, it can feel morbid. There are not very many people who want to talk about their mortality. Sometimes, however, uncomfortable conversations need to happen. Making these end-of-life decisions is never an easy process, but making the decision you know your loved one wants because you and that person already had discussed it is so much easier. 

UTIs (urinary tract infections) seem to come with the territory in the aging population. The hope is to identify the infection early so that treatment can get started right away. Hopefully, knowing what signs to watch for will catch some of these infections early on in order to avoid a prolonged infection or hospitalization. 

What is the fitting process of a lower limb prosthetic? It starts with the right prosthetist and, after 6-12 months, culminates is learning how to walk with the new lower limb prosthetic.

The Chartered Care Collection (10/05/2021) provides a review of the latest, pertinent publications from the medical literature on aging. In this month's collection: non-invasive treatment of plantar fasciitis, intracranial stenosis and cognitive decline, lumbar stenosis association with disability and physical therapy utilization.

What is phantom limb pain? Simply stated, it is pain that feels like it is coming from a body part that is no longer there.

Amputation of a lower extremity is a life changing event. Find out what to expect in the initial weeks after a lower extremity amputation.

What do you do when you live far away from your aging parent and he or she is in the hospital or has a sudden change in functional status, requiring more support? These are the situations that are very difficult--not just for the patient but for the patient’s family members who just cannot be present during this big, often life-changing, time. If you happen to be in that situation, how can you be there for your loved one without actually being physically present? 

The Chartered Care Collection (09/07/2021) provides a review of the latest, pertinent publications from the medical literature on aging. In this month's collection: apathy after stroke, post-stroke depression, best blood thinner after heart attack and motor skill training for low back pain.

In regards to keeping connected with your aging loved one, nothing can beat face to face visits, however, photos of you and your family with your loved ones are certainly helpful in boosting your loved one’s mood, especially if they are living alone. So go ahead and take that picture. It is something your loved one will cherish while he or she is here and one you will undoubtedly be thankful for once your loved one has passed away. 

The Paralympic Games are the ultimate example of one excelling in their new way of life. Each athlete in the paralympics has a story. Some of the athletes were born with their specific disabilities, and some acquired these disabilities at some point in their lives.

So how can you as a family member be a part of the rehabilitation team for your loved one? The main way to be a part of the team is to be present.

“How can I best advocate for my family member that is in the hospital?” That is a pretty broad question, as oftentimes, the family member is very happy with the care their family member is receiving. However, there are also many cases in which the family member is concerned their loved one is not receiving the care he or she needs. In either situation, I think it is good to advise how to best approach being an advocate for your loved one. 

The Chartered Care Collection (08/03/2021) provides a review of the latest, pertinent publications from the medical literature on aging. In this month's collection: topical amitriptyline for nerve pain, link between diabetes and dementia, long-term consequences of COVID-19, non-drug treatments for depression in those with dementia.

Apple Watch Series 6 is amazing option to serve as medical alert for you or your aging parent.

Often, in the last week of a rehab stay, decisions are made as to what would be the best living situation for the patient. A patient’s children may push for mom to move into either assisted living or a senior adult complex, at a minimum. The patient, however, may want something else.

Listen to the emotional recordings of a granddaughter interviewing her grandmother with dementia.

The Chartered Care Collection (07/06/2021) provides a review of the latest, pertinent publications from the medical literature on aging. In this month's collection: activities for knee osteoarthritis, revision surgery after hip replacement, weight gain during COVID lockdown, and use of saffron for anxiety and depression.

How to decide which mobility assistive equipment is best for your situation. I review the different types of mobility assistive equipment and their subgroups. Then I walk you through the decision making process for determining which assist device would be best for you or your loved one.

There are many of you who are the only caregiver available to help your loved one. It can feel overwhelming. It can be exhausting. No matter how much you love and care about someone, providing near-constant support/supervision can take everything out of a caregiver, both physically and mentally. Respite care services can give you the rest you so desperately need.