Articles

Osteoporosis is a condition that can be brought on by the hormonal imbalances that the aging process brings. It weakens the skeletal system over time by thinning the body's bone density. Your loved one won't likely know that they have this condition (or realize its severity) until a bone density scan turns up issues -- and that's usually after a minor or major injury has already taken place. One of the most difficult issues with this disease is that there are really no symptoms -- until a bone breaks. It's a sneaky diagnosis that can silently steal your loved one's [...]

Being a primary family caregiver is rewarding, but it’s also incredibly challenging at times. It can be tricky to always be available when your senior loved one needs you, especially when you're trying to manage your own home, juggling your own medical appointments, trying to spend time with children, or if you haven't retired yet. You're starting to feel a bit resentful since you can't take breaks. Also, who could look in on your loved one if your own medical conditions or even a COVID-19 infection thwarted your efforts to help that loved one for several days -- or even [...]

This is an illustrative story about a fellow we’ll call Doug and how he came to realize how helpful an in-home caregiver is after surgery. A couple weeks ago Doug underwent spinal fusion surgery on discs 4, 5, and 6. The surgeon had warned him that the recovery would be painful. After being released from the hospital two days after the surgery, Doug was in excruciating pain for three days. He hadn’t realized how bad it would be. He had also not opted for in-home care since he had asked the doctor, “Since I live alone, will I be okay [...]

More than half of U.S. adults ages 50 and older have osteoporosis and low bone mass. You may have been asking yourself several questions: What should I do if I have osteoporosis? Can I still exercise? How can I reduce the risk of falls? Can I continue to live independently? That statistic concerned you, so you visited your medical professional's office. Sure enough, you were diagnosed with osteoporosis or osteopenia. What should you do now? Exercise Low impact exercises are great for your osteoporosis. For example, dancing, taking walks around the Palos Verdes Peninsula, or riding a stationary bicycle are [...]

When should I see a geriatric specialist? If you're at a certain age, it's important to prepare for your twilight years. Preparing for the challenges aging may bring doesn't need to be full of uncomfortable and sad conversations. When you prepare early, it's freeing to define your goals, and your family feels at ease knowing your own desires for the future. If you want to live your best life as you age, you may be asking yourself: do I need to see a geriatric specialist (aka geriatrician)? And, when exactly should I start visiting one? What is a geriatric specialist? [...]

Talking to your beloved parents about aging is just plain hard! These days, you're filling a leadership or guidance role in your aging parents' lives. This role reversal brings several challenges, including bringing up difficult aging issues. These serious conversations may also bring lots of mixed emotions with them -- for you and your aging parents. You aren't alone. These are just some of the most difficult aging topics family members may need to discuss with aging loved ones: Advance Health Care Directives Trusts and Wills Driving Finances Isolation Hiring Help So, how exactly do you talk to your aging [...]

Emergencies are difficult enough to prepare for, but what if you need to keep safety in mind for a beloved senior that's living independently? Your loved one should be an empowered senior prepared for emergency -- especially natural disasters like earthquakes or fires in the Palos Verdes Peninsula area. Get your senior prepared for emergency situations before the unthinkable happens. You can help them make plans for different emergency scenarios, build a kit, prepare financially, and stay well-informed during a crisis. Make a Plan Here are several ways to get your senior prepared for an emergency: Figure out [...]