Each year, the Consumer Voice develops a packet to help plan Residents’ Rights events during October. This year’s packet’s include tips on building community involvement in long-term care facilities, tips for visiting residents and information about residents’ rights to visitation and access. Get the packet!
Archives: June 2011
1/3 Women Living with Chronic Health Conditions
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, more than one-third of women report that they live with a chronic health condition that requires ongoing medical attention. One fourth (29 percent) of women ages 50 to 64 report fair or poor health. What is scary is that even among younger women, chronic...
Having Purpose Adds Years to Your Life
Rush University studied 950 people with a mean age of 80 and found that people with a sense of purpose in life are 57% less likely to die over a five-year period than those who lack it. They also have a better chance of being mobile and able to accomplish...
Extra Pounds at Midlife May Boost Dementia Risk Later
According to Health Day News, being overweight during middle age may increase your risk of developing dementia. Swedish researchers suggest that being overweight at midlife increases the risk of dementia in late life by more than 70 percent. Why the link? A higher BMI is linked with diabetes and vascular...
Decreased Ability to Anticipate Distances Increases Fall Risk Among Elderly
Texas A&M Research reveals that injuries from falls and other accidents among the aging can often be attributed to a decline in ability to mentally estimate and anticipate stepping and reaching distances. Professor Carl Gabbard, director of the Texas A&M Motor Development Laboratory, focused on äóìestimation of reachabilityäó äóî whether...
Depression and Diabetes Linked
Depressed diabetics are more likely to see improvement in their physical symptoms if they pursue treatment for their depression, that according to researchers at the University of Michigan. Depression causes those with diabetes to be less compliant monitoring their blood sugar levels or following a diabetic diet. They are also...
Cognitive Risk Declines with Activity
According to research conducted at Rush University Medical Center, frequent social activity may help to prevent or delay cognitive decline in old age. In a continuing study, 1,138 older adults with a mean age of 80 underwent yearly evaluations that included a medical history and neuropsychological tests. Social activity was...
Homebound Seniors More Likely To Get Alzheimer’s
@Joanne Green, Getty Images Housebound seniors are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease as more active individuals. Investigators at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago followed 1,294 seniors from two separate studies. None of the study subjects exhibited dementia symptoms at the beginning of either study.æ During an average...
2011 Cost of Long-Term Care Study Releases Findings
John Hancock Financial (John Hancock) recently announced the results of its 2011 cost of care study, which found that long-term care (LTC) costs have continued to increase, but not as much as other goods and services. @Paul Burns, Getty Images The study surveyed more than 11,000 providers, including nursing homes,...
7 Fold > in 100+ Projected
Turning 100 isn’t such a big deal anymore. That according to a recent Associated Press article. America’s population of centenarians has roughly doubled in the past 20 years to around 72,000 and is projected to at least double again by 2020, perhaps even increase seven-fold, according to the Census Bureau....