Photo by Danilo Rizzuti

In 2009, 2.2 million non-fatal fall injuries among older adults were treated in emergency departments and more than 581,000 of these patients were hospitalized. (Source: Centers for Disease Control)

Tripping hazards are one of the most common causes of falls in the home among older adults. I want you to know many of these hazards can be eliminated.

I understand, as a caregiver, there are times when your responsibilities may seem so overwhelming that home safety ends up being overlooked. However, take the time to follow these simple steps…

Photo by Simon Howden

One of the best ways to enjoy spring is to make walking outdoors a part of your routine. Often I advise my seniors to take regular walks, since it works out all the major muscles groups, can help prevent physical decline and does not require any expensive equipment.

After enduring a very harsh winter, warmer weather has finally arrived, so follow these easy steps before you head outdoors for some fresh air and exercise.

1) Dress your feet properly

Wearing comfortable sneakers or shoes that fit well and provide good traction will help reduce…

I blogged about the Joan and Melissa Rivers Campaign on Aging last December. It got me thinking about how I could initiate the discussion with my own mother about aging and advanced directives for health care. She becomes Medicare-eligible this month. My fellow nurse colleague, Paula Wilson, explains advanced directives in her blog.

I feel it’s crucial to have advanced directives, including a living will and a durable power of attorney or health care proxy in place, should my mother require hospitalization. It will take me some time to travel to her in such…

Some years ago, through the public relations conduits of VNSNY, I was a guest consultant on MSNBC. The topic was the worldwide reaction to the death of Pope John Paul II. As a bereavement professional and member of the clergy, I was asked why there was such a strong public outpouring of grief over the death of one man. While I don’t recall my exact comments from that day, I’m sure my response focused on both his larger-than-life persona as a Pope, as well as the person himself. He had struggled…

Photo by TCJ2020

According to the Nielsen Media Group, 98% of American households owned a television in 2009. Until a few months ago, I was actually part of the minority without a set. However, you may be even more surprised to learn that some of my seniors use the televisions in their bedrooms — as a source of lighting at night.

This practice is a safety hazard because the bedroom is a common place for the elderly to fall. A fall in the bedroom often occurs in the middle of the night…

Health-care technology is beneficial! It allows doctors to visualize the workings of the heart and lungs, colon, bladder, bones and more. Nursing care is enhanced by infusion pumps which can support the immune system with antibiotics or provide fluid replacement when dehydrated. Sometimes you or a loved one may need to go to the hospital for expert monitoring by nurses and doctors who are trained in using the above technologies; however, in order to return home, a doctor may order ongoing use of an IV pump or a wound vac…

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…

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…

For many of our elderly patients, their grown children often become the primary caretaker.  But what happens if you live far from your parents, or competing demands in your own life make it difficult for you to help as much as you would like?

I recently encountered a patient and her son that had to navigate through such issues.  Although it is becoming a common situation that many face, we are still not always sure of what the best course of action should be.  What I found with my patient and…

It was reported this week that the Oscar-winner actor, Louis Gossett Jr., aged 74, was diagnosed with prostate cancer.  It is in an early stage and he has begun intensive treatment. He said in a statement that he wants to “set an example for the large number of African-American men who are victims of this disease because of the comparatively low emphasis in our community on preventive examinations and early treatment.”

Prostate cancer is the single most diagnosed non-skin cancer among African-American men. The chances of getting it are 1 in…