The problem once known as manic depression and now referred to as Bi-Polar disorder has no real different treatment recommended in the medical research literature. There have only been a handful of reports out in the past year or so that address this problem and as with most studies the need for additional research studies has been noted.

The most common treatment for this disorder is a prescription of lithium or valporate, both mood stabilizers. This was noted in a presentation last year by Dr. Martha Sajatovic at a meeting of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry. She also noted that the treatment of the disorder for seniors mirrors that of the general population.

Senior citizens are very proud of their homes and taking care of their homestead may be an important part of their daily lives. The chance at making some leisurely home improvements is just one of the things a senior may have been looking forward to when thinking of retirement. Spending more time in the garden and performing lawn care is nowhere near the headache it may have been when they were working for 40 or more hours.

Any time away from home due to an injury or recovery from a surgery may cause frustration and irritation that can make for a difficult recovery. There are ways to help the senior that has been going through this though. Enlisting the help of an in home health aide can relieve a great deal of stress and make for a much faster and easier recovery.

When a person ages there will be painful days that are unavoidable. The development of arthritis, osteoporosis and gastrointestinal problems are experienced by many seniors. There have been studies that do recommend some over the medications above others due to side effects.

The average arthritis sufferer may take acetaminophen (Tylenol or Excedrin) for pain relief without experiencing too many negative side effects.  There are other over the counter anti inflammatory products containing ibuprofen have been shown to have many side effects that can make their use more damaging than helpful though. These NSAIDSs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) have been shown to cause gastrointestinal problems such as bleeding ulcers. Combining these pain management medications with other medications, like blood thinners, could cause serious health issues.

Acetaminophen may not be the best possible choice for every senior suffering from pain either. Any senior should speak with their doctor about their current medications and how they might interact with over the counter products chosen for pain management.

It isn’t easy for relatives offering in home assistance to the senior that is on a medication regimen. The senior care experts at Specialty Care Services can provide some much needed professional assistance in this area of in home health care.

Our visiting RNs can review all the medications being taken and our home health aides can accompany your loved one to the physician’s office to review all the medications. A thorough review of a medication regimen can prevent potential problems and help to ensure the best quality of life for the senior loved one in your care.

The effects of age are felt by all of us. Aches and pains become more frequent and many adults come to think of them as a fact of life. Occasional mental lapses like misplacing your keys or not remembering someone’s name may also become more frequent which can be a source of frustration.

Younger people in America for years have been looking at diet and exercise as a way to stave off the effects of old age. It should be remembered that if you are caring for your parent or parents, improving diet and increasing exercise has been shown to help people as they age as well.

Check with your loved one’s doctor prior to making any adjustments to your older parents’ activity levels or diet. There are many studies that show the elevation of one’s heart rate even for as little as a 10 minute period each day can do wonders for the heart and cognitive awareness.

Statistics prove that more and more people are giving in home assistance to their parents and other family members. Some of this help will include the investigating of optional Medicare supplemental plans and other health insurances for the person or persons they are helping. The caregiver has also statistically been known to ignore their own needs while caring for others due to a lack of time.

Another issue a caregiver may be ignoring is their own plans for their future at a time when they may need some specialty care at home.  It would be very wise for these individuals to consider this point and do their research now. Medicare supplements are helpful but they do not pay for a visit from a nurse or home health aide.

A report in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention’s October issue predicts that the number of cancer survivors over the age of 65 may be close to doubling in the next ten years. Predictions can be affected by a number of unseen future factors but the evidence from past years seems to support their idea.

The report goes on to say however that the number of caregivers for these survivors is on the decline. The number of oncologists and geriatric specialists has been falling and there is a warning that there will be fewer experts available to a much larger population. It is another case of the aging of the baby boomer generation putting pressure on available care for these individuals.

Statistics have revealed in the past that due to a larger population of older people, more and more family members are coming in to offer assistance to their loved ones. The future may look brighter as we have more cancer survivors, but professional care will still be needed.

High blood pressure is a condition that has many negative effects on the human body. Most of us associate it with heart conditions and that certainly is one of them. The effects it has on the heart, however is similar to its effects on other organs. The most critical side effect of high blood pressure is the damage it causes to our blood vessels.

High blood pressure has been shown to increase the chance of arterial blockage by weakening the blood vessel walls.  This makes it easier for fats and other impurities to gather in those areas. The resulting blockage can lead to a variety of problems; the most common example of this would be in the coronary arteries.

A blockage in the coronary arteries can cause angina and heart attacks. It can also create this problem in other places like around the optic nerve which can lead to poor vision. Blocked arteries can also create a lack of oxygen which can have a negative effect on memory and cognition.

Parkinson’s disease is a disorder that mostly affects older senior Americans. The case of Michael J. Fox has brought it into the public view but there still isn’t much known about how it develops.

There have been some risk factors that have been defined. Men have more of a tendency to develop it than women. Exposure to some toxins in pesticides and herbicides can be a factor, as can heredity. If you have a family member who has the disease, you have about a 4% chance to develop it yourself.

The symptoms can be somewhat mysterious and hard to notice first as well. The major symptom would be tremors in your hand which can go unnoticed for some time. You may not notice that your motion is slowing down and eventually you may get muscle rigidity and have problems with posture and balance.

Involuntary motions may be impaired too – blinking your eyes or even smiling may stop due to the disease. A lack of dopamine in the brain has been found in Parkinson’s sufferers and damage to nerve endings that prevents the manufacture of nor epinephrine. Why this damage occurs is unclear.

What is known is that seniors with this problem can use the help of a home health aide. Professional in home care providers are familiar with this disease and can help a family member with their activities of daily living. Specialty Care Services can provide the help you need to provide adequate care for loved ones with this mysterious condition.

There have been many warnings about the dangers of smoking and the lives of many Americans have been improved by saying no to cigarettes and other tobacco products. This particular bad habit can be very hard on your lungs and your coronary arteries. The damage to your blood vessels does not stay limited to those that feed your heart muscle, however. Smoking affects all blood vessels, even those that are in your brain.

Last year a study by Kaiser Permanente that reviewed electronic records of 21,000 men and women was released. Researchers found that smokers of two packs a day have a 172% chance of developing vascular dementia. This dementia is caused by clogging of the capillaries and arteries that help keep the brain functioning.

It has been recognized for some time that music therapy can be a useful intervention for those with Alzheimer’s disease. Music can alter the sensory, cognitive, social and emotional impacts of the disease. It has even been shown to decrease the need for medication in many patients.

Alzheimer’s disease is an ever increasing problem in America due to the fact we live longer lives. The effects of the disease can be difficult, not only for the sufferer but also the person offering in home assistance. Music therapy can reduce anxiety and agitation.