Photo by graur codrin

I recently visited a patient who had undergone cataract surgery on her eyes.  She had told me that as she got older and started to have vision changes, she just thought that was a natural part of aging, the way people eventually use reading glasses or bifocals. It wasn’t until a “cloud” started forming on her eye that a friend told her to get an eye exam and have it professionally looked at. According to the MayoClinic, the symptoms of cataracts include:

• clouded, blurred or dim vision
• increasing difficulty with…

Graeme Weatherston / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Many people are able to stay active outdoors with the assistance of canes, walkers, rollators and wheelchairs. However these devices are a safety hazard when certain parts start wearing out. Please take a moment to check the condition of your assistive device before going outdoors.

Brakes

Wheelchairs and rollators with worn brakes are a safety hazard. Your local surgical supply store or medical supply vendor can assist with repairing or replacing worn brakes.

Rollator Brake

Rubber Tips

Walkers and canes have rubber tips that provides traction and absorbs impact. Over time these…

A few weeks ago, I wrote about a friend’s dad who had both of his hips replaced. Since then, I’ve spoken to family and friends with hip issues of their own. One family member dislocated her hip last week after using it to move furniture. She said, “I always used my hip to bump furniture back in place, but I guess I forgot I’m 75 years old now, and probably shouldn’t do that!”  I thought, “That would be something to keep in mind.” Another friend has had serious hip pain…

Today much research is being done on infant development and sleep positions. Why? Because it is very important for infant safety that the “Back to Sleep” position be utilized as it has proven to decrease the number of deaths from Sudden Infant Deaths (SIDS). In terms of “tummy time” and infant development, much has been determined since the Back to Sleep Campaign started in 1994. First, the number of head deformities are on the rise. Our infants need tummy time to develop muscle control in their head and neck as…

As the heat of summer continues many children and adults take to our many beaches, pools and rivers to swim. There is nothing more refreshing than a dip in calm water to cool off. But the waters surrounding NYC are not calm. Drowning has been the second highest cause of death in children from the year 2000 to 2006. Many of these deaths are in children who can swim. Nothing is more frightening than to be caught in a riptide on one of our beaches or a current in a…

Photo by healingdream at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

We can all agree that routine walking is a great form of exercise especially for the elderly. However improper fitting or uncomfortable shoes can not only lead to foot problems but can cause pain or injury to the knee and the back.

Before you head to your local shoe store take a look at some of the helpful guidelines I found from the online AARP article “When Comfort Counts: Choosing a Walking Shoe”.

• Buy the right size. Don’t choose shoes by the size marked inside. Go by how they…

Grab bars are valuable in helping the elderly prevent falls in the bathroom. A few questions I normally ask before I recommend the installation of a set of grab bars are:

1. Do you have difficulty getting in and out of the tub or shower?
2. Do you use the towel rack or sink for support?
3. If you use a shower seat, do you have trouble getting on and off it?
4. Have you recently fallen while taking a shower?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, installing grab bars may be a good idea.

Grab Bar…

When a patient is discharged from the hospital, rehab center or nursing and he or she returns home, it can be a stressful time for any caregiver. Take a look at this Center for Medicare and Medicaid Service video which provides valuable tips to assist both the patient and caregiver during this time of transition.

Afterwards, download and print out their helpful discharge checklist.

Based on my experience as a therapist in the hospital and home care setting, I have found these questions helpful to ask prior to your loved one’s discharge.

1) Do…

Occasionally  people say that: “the cure is worse than the illness.” While that is not always true, it is important to be aware of  the side effects of treatments and have an open discussion with your doctor to adjust treatment plans as needed. However, some side effects of a treatment may not have any symptoms, so awareness is important. One such side effect is iron overload, which can occur in patients who undergo frequent blood transfusions, like those with sickle cell disease.

Sickle cell disease, also known as sickle cell anemia,…

We had a wellness fair at my office today. Folks sat at small tables in a classroom eager to tell us about the wonders of podiatry, the joy of chiropractic care, the importance of good dental hygiene, and the significance of good nutrition. I appreciate tips on good nutrition and can always use suggestions for how to incorporate more greens and more protein into my meals, especially if these are meals I am intending to cook after getting home from the office at 8 p.m.

I was particularly impressed by the…