Archives: August 2010

Smoking Cessation Programs Covered by Medicare

People with Medicare who are diagnosed with a smoking-related disease, including heart disease, cerebrovascular disease (stroke), multiple cancers, lung disease, weak bones, blood clots, and cataracts can get coverage for smoking and tobacco use cessation counseling. These diseases account for the bulk of Medicare spending today. People with Medicare who...

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Hospital Delirium – Protecting Your Elders

About a third of patients over age 70 experience hospital delirium, and the consequences can be serious, delaying a patientäó»s recovery and even leading to placement in a nursing home. Elderly patients who experience delirium are also more likely to develop dementia later on, and more likely to die sooner...

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Video Blogs on ICYOU Health

I started taking the written contents of my blog and crafting videos around them for icyou Health. They asked me to write a blog about why I do what I do with the elderly. I think it might be worth a read. Thanks.

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Fit Brains Aims at Improving Resident Brain Health

Emeritus Senior Living has partnered with Fit Brains, an online brain game site, to improve resident brain health at the companyäó»s communities. The Fit Brains games, which are offered on the Emeritus Web site, were developed by brain health experts and target five major cognitive brain functions: memory, concentration, language,...

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More Older People Abusing Drugs

Drug abuse treatment programs across the country are seeing more older users of illegal narcotics than ever before. According to a report from a division of the Department of Health and Human Services, admissions of adults aged 50 and older in drug treatment programs has nearly doubled over the last...

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The Power of Intergenerational Programs

Editoräó»s Note äóñ This is a guest blog by a young writer Alexis Bonari. We are happy to have her contribute. Enjoy! As a recent college graduate whose experience with grandparents has been limited by distance, I can say that volunteering at nursing and retirement homes has been enriching. But...

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Videoconferencing Enriches Nursing Home Residents’ Lives

Using Internet-based communication tools from SKYPE or MSN, researchers in Taiwan helped 34 residents at 10 nursing homes communicate with family members via videoconferencing. All 18 women and 16 men reported that the experience enriched their lives. Each resident used the videoconferencing differently, with 12% of family äóìvisitsäó taking place...

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Technology Allows Disabled to Use Nose to Communicate and Maneuver

A technological breakthrough could allow the severely disabled to use their noses to communicate and even maneuver wheelchairs. According to the Weizmann Institute research team, cranial nerves in quadriplegic and other severely disabled individuals are seldom damaged so the brain is still able to send signals to the soft palate...

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