Elderly Health Conditions

The stigma of Alzheimer's and dementia: How to cope
How to cope with dementia & Alzheimer's disease stigma. Coping with the stigma of Dementia & Alzheimer's Disease.

Questions To Ask the Doctor After a Cancer Diagnosis
Questions to ask the doctor about cancer, cancer treatments and cancer side effects. Questions that help you cope with a cancer diagnosis.

Caring for Cancer Side Effects at Home
How to care for a loved one or cancer patient at home who is experiencing side effects: hair loss, nausea, vomiting, hair loss, pain and increased risk of infection. These tips can help you provide care to someone with cancer at home.

How do I know if my parent has Alzheimer's disease?
When your elderly mother or father starts forgetting things, caregivers and family members ask the question: Does my parent have Alzheimer's?

How do I know if my parent has dementia?
When an elderly parent starts forgetting things or having other memory problems, one of the first things caregivers ask is, "does my parent have dementia?" Here are some signs and symtoms to look for.

Cancer patients: Going broke to stay alive
How will health care reform affect cancer patients? Because the costs of drugs and treatment can be so expensive, some cancer patients go without the care they need.

Should elderly cancer patients participate in clincial trials?
Cancer clincial trials help find treatments for all types of cancer, but should elders participate in these experimental treatments?

What are the side effects of chemotherapy?
Learn about chemotherapy, how it is used in cancer treatment and the common short & long-term side effects of having chemo.

iPod's can help Alzheimer's patients remember
The "Well-Tuned" iPod music therapy program might be the key to unlocking memories for Alz and dementia patients.

Radiation therapy for cancer treatment
Find out what radiation therapy is and how is it used in cancer treatment.

My mother with dementia is "my shadow." How do I get her to stop following me all day long?
Dr. Jamie Huysman, LCSW answered: If your parent is following you around the house all day, the dementia could be progressing, or they need more social interaction with other people.
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My mother who has dementia talks to relatives who have died. What should I do?
Dr. Jamie Huysman, LCSW answered: When a person with dementia or Alzheimer's talks to or dead family members or relatives, they are recalling happier times...but it might be time to bring in some expert help.
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What are the most common side affects of bladder-control medications?
Lynn Harrelson answered: Bladder control and incontinence medications have various side affects depending on the person taking them. Some side affects of Over-Active Bladder (OAB) and Incontinence medications are dry mouth, blurry vision, heartburn and constipation.
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My elderly mother is showing signs of dementia. She is often confused and forgetful, but she doesn't recognize it. Do I tell her?
Dr. Jamie Huysman, LCSW answered: If your elderly mother is showing signs of dementia, getting her doctor involved is the best way to tell an elderly parent they have dementia.
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My elderly father has Alzheimer’s and I am new to caregiving. Help! Where do I start?
Gail M. Samaha answered: New to caregiving? The first thing you should start by doing, is to keep your elderly father with Alzheimer's safe in his environment.
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My elderly mom has been very depressed, saying that she just wanted to die. I try to help her, but she lashes out and can be so mean. How do I handle this?
Dr. Mikol Davis answered: Elderly people who are depressed have lost purpose in their lives, become mean and often lash out at others. When anyone expresses their desire to die, it is important to not take this comment lightly.
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My 81-year-old father is in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s and needs to be moved to a nursing home. Will Medicaid pay?
K. Gabriel Heiser answered: Medicare will only pay for 100 days in a nursing home, even if the elder has Alzheimer's disease. Medicaid does not have a time limit.
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How long does Alzheimer's disease last on average?
Dr. Maurizio Grimaldi answered: The average, calculated by the Alzheimer' Association is around 8 to 12 years. Read Dr. Grimaldi's full answer.
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If Alzheimer’s is a disease of the memory, how do people die from it?
Dr. Maurizio Grimaldi answered: The disease is not only a memory disease. It initially manifests with a marked memory failure. However, learning and higher brain functions are also affected. Read Dr. Grimaldi's full answer.
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What are the diagnostic tests used for Alzheimer's disease?
Dr. Maurizio Grimaldi answered: There are no specific laboratory tests that can unequivocally tell that you have Alzheimer's disease. Read Dr. Grimaldi's full answer.
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