• Wellness

    How to Prevent Falls

    By JANE E. BRODY JAN. 8, 2018 It’s that time of year again when safety-conscious organizations issue cautionary tales about preventing falls and, failing that, protecting against serious injury when suddenly descending unintentionally from the vertical. Even if you think you already know everything you need to know about falling, you’d be wise to read on. Many of us can use a periodic kick in the pants to help keep us safe. I know, because I’m one of those prone to doing something foolhardy even while thinking how dumb it is. Case in point: Having just read a ream of background information about the risks of falling and its exorbitant…

  • Wellness

    Why Americans Are Living Longer and Better

      Older Americans not just are living longer today—they’re enjoying extended life spans with fewer of the physical ailments that typically accompany aging. Health still does decline with age, but increasingly seniors are living free of disabilities for the majority of their years in retirement.This finding, contained in a recent Harvard study, comes amidst other recent research about troubling reversals in life expectancy that have primarily affected younger and poorer white Americans. For older Americans, especially those with relatively easy access to Medicare health insurance, the longevity trends show promising gains.What’s driving the shift toward healthy aging? One of the most powerful contributors is improved medical treatment, especially better cardiovascular…

  • Wellness

    Holiday Blues and Elders

    While this article was printed on November 11, 2013 by the NCPC we find it just as relevent today as it was then.  Please read and share this important information with older family and friends who can use some holiday cheer. Authors: Valerie Michel Buck & Jed Winegar The holiday season offers many opportunities to spend quality time with family and friends. If you are a caregiver or family member of an aging loved one, you may observe a change in their mood or behavior during the holidays. You may notice unusual signs of fatigue or sadness or perhaps limited interest in the holiday season. The winter holiday season (and the…

  • Wellness

    Important Facts about Falls

    Recommend on FacebookTweet  (Article written by CDC) Each year, millions of older people—those 65 and older—fall. In fact, one out of three older people falls each year, but less than half tell their doctor. Falling once doubles your chances of falling again.   Falls Are Serious and Costly One out of five falls causes a serious injury such as broken bones or a head injury.1,2 Each year, 2.5 million older people are treated in emergency departments for fall injuries.3 Over 700,000 patients a year are hospitalized because of a fall injury, most often because of a head injury or hip fracture.3 Each year at least 250,000 older people are hospitalized…

  • Wellness

    California Disasters Leave Disabled Elders in Peril

    Marian Bunting, 72, has Parkinson’s disease and a caretaker. She had not smelled smoke, nor had she received official warning about the Valley fire, when a neighbor came pounding on the door of her Lake County home and told her she needed to leave. Though she moves slowly with a walker, Bunting managed to load her cat into the pickup she rarely drives, and wound up living in the parking lot of a Red Cross shelter. “I have a person who takes care of me,” she said. “But he wasn’t around when it was time to go.” Others had no way out. As the fire progressed, loved ones deluged the…