Articles

Getting the flu shot will help protect you from acquiring influenza. Influenza is an infection that affects the respiratory system. Flu symptoms include things such as high fevers, coughing, sore throat, chills, muscle aches, lethargy, or headaches. People who are at high risk for more severe complications include the elderly, as well as those with complex, chronic, medical conditions, pregnant women, infants, weakened immune systems, or those that have a high BMI. The influenza vaccine can be administered in a couple of different ways. It…

Planning ahead for medical expenses is smart, but you can’t always predict when a medical emergency will strike or when a serious medical condition will sideline you for a long period of time. Long-term care planning is crucial to stave off high costs and the potential burden long-term care needs might place on loved ones, but many seniors wonder whether having Medicare alone is enough. Does Medicare cover long-term care? If it does, what services does it cover? What does Medicare cover for long-term care?…

No one expects a medical emergency, but thankfully, ambulance services are available in the United States to respond to medical emergencies and transport sick or injured people to the appropriate medical facilities. While it’s nice to have this option available, ambulance rides aren’t cheap. In fact, the average cost of an ambulance is around $1,500, but prices can reach even higher. Part of the cost involved in ambulance services is the actual transportation itself, but you may also receive treatment while being transported. Additionally, an…

These days, MRIs or Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans, are commonly used to help physicians make more accurate diagnoses. Your doctor can use an MRI to “see” inside your body, to view your organs or skeletal system without making an incision.  An MRI scan gives medical professionals the ability to diagnose many diseases and conditions such as: Brain disease, tumors, injury, dementia, stroke Injuries from falls or playing sports Musculoskeletal problems Ear, nose, and throat problems Soft tissue conditions Vascular abnormalities like aneurysm, etc. Spinal conditions…

Medical ailments come in many forms and can affect the whole person in many different ways. While you may think of only the physical changes that take place in the body when dealing with diseases like cancer, the mental, emotional and spiritual health aspects of suffering from a complex disease can be difficult to face as well. Palliative care is designed to be a treatment option that combines physical, mental, emotional and spiritual support for people who are facing serious and complex disease. This type…

Everyone would agree that maintaining strong and healthy teeth is important, but without professional, routine dental care, that might be difficult. Proper dental care doesn’t only ensure a pretty smile and a mouth full of teeth to eat whatever you want, it’s also vital for your overall health.  A lack of routine dental care can lead to tooth decay, painful toothaches, gum disease, tooth loss, and even more serious health problems. As we age, these issues become even more important to address. Many seniors who…

Medical professionals and researchers say that staying active throughout life can help people prevent heart disease and diabetes, delay the onset of dementia, and provide many other benefits for health. Not only that, but seniors who get regular physical exercise also improve their strength and flexibility lowering their risk of falling; plus they maintain social engagement avoiding loneliness, depression, and isolation.  Getting enough quality physical activity after retirement isn’t easy for everyone but signing up for a gym membership can get you headed on the…

If conversations are sounding muffled and unclear to you lately, you aren’t alone. In the U.S., one out of every three people between 65 and 74 experience diminished hearing. Hearing loss at this age is typically due to aging, illness, or injury.  Your hearing loss might not be a direct threat to your physical health, but it can affect your mental health and quality of life. Many seniors say that they feel isolated, depressed, and have lower self-esteem due to hearing loss.  Although you can’t…

After retirement, millions of seniors plan to remain independent and live on their own for the rest of their lives. But because aging isn’t always a smooth process, it can bring changes like reduced vision and hearing, loss of muscle strength, decreased mobility, and an increased risk of falling for many of the elderly. You don’t have to give up your dream of living in your own home alone, even if you are experiencing some age-related changes. Today, you can have people come into your…

Foot care is often overlooked when it comes to overall health maintenance, but healthy feet can play a major role in your mobility. Injuries to your feet can leave you unable to walk, and conditions like diabetes may lead to foot pain and more serious health concerns.  Injuries, inflammation, or irritation on your feet can be uncomfortable, but without proper care, sores may lead to serious infections. While a primary care physician is usually your first point of contact regarding injuries to the feet or illnesses…