Elderly Daily Care

Tips for Preventing Falls and Broken Hips in Elderly Parents
What can be done at home to prevent falls, broken hips and mobility problems in the elderly, which become more common as parents age?

How to balance an elder's sense of purpose and dignity with their safety
Seniors need to feel useful, by doing activities and hobbies they enjoy. When should caregivers interfere if they see danger in elders' activities?

Preventing Falls, Fractures and Broken Bones in Elders
When an elderly person falls, they are more likely to break or fracture a bone, such as hip, due to bones becoming more fragile as we age.

Questions and Answers about Hip Replacement, Hip Fracture and Broken Hip
What to do if an elderly parent has a hip fracture or broken hip and need hip replacement.

Eye, Ear, Teeth Check-ups Are Difficult When Elders Have Dementia
When it comes to health check-ups elders with dementia or Alzheimer's often become confused and afraid.

Should Your Elderly Parent Risk an Anesthesia Disaster or Forego Surgery?
Sometimes caregivers must make the decision about whether or not an elderly parent should risk surgery.

My Elderly Parent Has Dementia: What Activities Can We Do Together?
When caring for seniors with dementia, activities can help them maintain a fulfilling life. Make sure to create activities that are interesting and meaningful.

Vital Nutritional Tips for Your Elderly Parents and How You Can Help Them Adjust Their Diets
Omega 3 fatty acids and calcium are vital to boosting and maintaining your aging parent's health.

Caregivers can refill VA-issued prescriptions online
My Health Vet is an online web-based service for personal health records and prescriptions refills – some great vet assistance tools for veterans and their caregivers.

"Do My Elderly Parents Need a Geriatrician?"
Geriatric care focuses specifically on the needs of elders, so depending on the seniors health condition, caregivers may want to consider geriatric care.

I suspect the nursing home is overmedicating my elderly mother. She is lethargic and practically comatose when I visit. How can I find out what's going on?
Lynn Harrelson answered: If you think the nursing home is over-medicating your elderly mother, there are numerous options available to you.
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What questions should I ask the pharmacist when I refill my elderly mother's prescriptions?
Lynn Harrelson answered: When having your elderly parent's prescription refilled, there are many questions you can ask your pharmacist to ensure they are taking their medication properly and avoid dangerous drug interactions.
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What should I do if I suspect my elderly father is addicted to prescription pain medication?
Lynn Harrelson answered: Addiction to prescription pain medication is common among the elderly, so it is crucial to evaluate your elderly father's use.
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My mom doesn’t take her medication as prescribed. She saves old meds and continues to take them. I think she is taking 3 blood pressure meds. She lives with me, but does not want to give me power of attorney. What can I do?
Lynn Harrelson answered: If your elderly mother isn't taking her medications correctly, make an appointment with her doctor to discuss your concerns.
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I’ve been going with my elderly mother to her doctor’s appointments. What questions should I be asking her doctor?
Gail M. Samaha answered: When taking your elderly mother to the doctor, make a list of questions to ask the physician.
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What should I do when my elderly mom refuses to go to the doctor?
Carol Bradley Bursack answered: When your elderly parent refuses and doesn't want to go to the doctor, a caregiver can't physically get them in the car. But there are other tricks.
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Mom gets confused as to what day it is and which pills she should take. It’s leading to many disagreements between us. How can I make sure mom takes her medication as prescribed, and also ease the tension between us?
Lynn Harrelson answered: Try a medication planner or organizer to help make sure your aging parent remembers to take their medication.
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How do I know if the nursing home where my mother lives is giving her the proper doses of her medication?
Lynn Harrelson answered: One of the easier ways to check use of medication is to check how frequently medications are refilled.
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I go to several different pharmacies depending on which one has the best price on the medication I need. Is that OK?
Lynn Harrelson answered: When a patient goes to more than one pharmacy, it increases the potential that possible significant interactions may be overlooked and the patient can experience a serious medication related problem.
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My still independent mother is being treated with Aricept for early Alzheimer’s and Paxil for mild depression. I thought I heard somewhere that those two drugs shouldn’t be combined, but I forget why.
Jacqueline Marcell answered: Since there are so many anti-depressants available, why gamble with one that might reduce the effectiveness of the dementia medication?
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