Suicide in the Elderly
As we close September, which is recognized as suicide prevention awareness month, I want to highlight that suicide is a serious problem affecting our elderly loved ones who feel hopeless and helpless, with some ending their lives. For context, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported an increase in the age-adjusted suicide rate […]
The Assessments of Our Elderly Loved Ones
Where do we begin when assessing the needs of our loved ones? I pondered this question, thinking about myself as I age and what to express to my family while I still have my faculties. Most caregivers already understand the physical needs. As we age, care and vigilance grow, and we should know the psychological […]
Medication Maintenance Requires Practitioner Oversight
Imagine your loved one lives alone and is watching their favorite sports team. Now, imagine numerous calls to check on them, and you get no response. Since you had spoken to them earlier that day, you assumed they were well, and after the late-night football game, you assumed they had gone to bed. The next […]
Healthy Aging Requires Continuous Engagement
September is the month we consider Healthy Aging. It’s no secret that each morning and each night contribute to aging. Healthy aging takes work and continuous engagement. As we age, it often takes more diligence, so how should we work to age healthily? It begins with paying attention to physical and mental wellness. Over time, […]
Eldercare Violence: Causes and Solutions
Am I the only one who has noticed an uptick in adult children killing their elderly parents? Violence by caregiving children against parents has many layers. Nationwide, the statistics indicate that adult children caring for their loved ones are increasingly overwhelmed, a major reason. In the caregiving space, the term “overwhelmed” has many stages. It’s a feeling […]
If You Don’t Control Your Blood Pressure…It Will Control You!
A chronic health condition I want to talk about in this article is high blood pressure, also called hypertension. My nursing sorority, Chi Eta Phi, Houston Chapter, participated in a health fair this weekend. We taught participants about reading nutrition labels, choosing healthy foods, managing medications, and controlling blood pressure. What worried me most was […]
Constipation Can Kill: Pay Attention to Bowel Habits
A not-so-often topic is constipation. While it has been noted as an obvious occurrence in our elderly loved ones, it is dangerous and deadly. Many factors play into constipation. Chronic health conditions(stroke, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, dementia), medication, lack of dietary fiber, inadequate nutrition, physical inactivity, and poor hydration are all underlying reasons. The potential for […]
Dynamics of Informal Family Caregivers
Caregivers have gained national attention because family members have been and will continue to be the primary care providers. The urgency of caregiving is more pressing than ever. Even with the established National Family Caregiver Support Programs, qualifying for them can be challenging. Much research shows that providing care to a loved one harms one’s […]
Summer Heat: Lethal for the Elderly
Loving our elderly loved ones is the greatest gift on earth. Keeping them safe during summer heat is vital. While the news is filled with heartbreaking accounts of children left in cars, they’re not the only ones in danger. Your elderly loved one might say they are fine being left in the car, but it’s […]
Minority Mental Health: You Are Not Alone!
Minority Mental Health Awareness is observed every July. It is a national campaign that brings awareness to the struggles of mental health in communities of color. While mental health is a focus everywhere today, minority populations face unique challenges and stigma. African American communities are among the largest groups least likely to seek mental health […]