Approximately 23 people die every day in the US waiting for an organ transplant that never comes. The general public seem to think transplant happens all the time. The reality is only 1-2% of all deaths, all kinds and all ages can be an organ donor. Each referral is evaluated on a case by case […]
According to The Council on Homeless there are currently 6360 families homeless in Brevard County in 2022. This is an increase from 5322 in 2021. One of the largest groups of people being impacted is one I never imagined, senior citizens. Unlike younger people they lack the ability to work one or even 2 jobs […]
I know I’m dating myself by naming this article after a cute little song from my childhood but let’s face it, pets are amazing! Anyone who has owned a pet has experienced the unconditional love and companionship they provide but there are many scientific reasons that pet owners tend to be happier and healthier and […]
Cataracts develop when the natural lens within the eye becomes thickened, hard, and cloudy and are the leading cause of blindness worldwide. They may begin to develop as early as age 40 and by age 80 over half of all Americans will have developed them or had surgery. Women are slightly more likely to develop […]
Dementia is a general term for loss of memory, thinking, and reasoning skills that are severe enough to interfere with the activities of daily living. In addition to memory, dementia causes problems with language, behavior and emotions. There are many different types of dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia or Lewy Body dementia. Caring […]
The National Center on Elder Abuse differentiates 7 kinds of elder abuse; physical, sexual, emotional, financial/material exploitation, neglect, abandonment, and self neglect. The most common type is neglect. Abuse can occur in the home or long term care setting like assisted living. While the effects of physical abuse can be obviously seen, many other kinds […]
I struggled with what subject to write about this month. With everything going on around us it seems so strange to write about anything else but the COVID19 virus. Everyone has been overwhelmed with information on this virus. So many articles, news stories, fake and real, scams, people who mean well but spread panic and […]
The very first corneal transplant was performed back in 1905, it was a success but it took 40 more years for the first eye bank to open. The development of an eye bank allowed the donor corneas to be recovered after death and preserved to maintain tissue quality. If you experience the death of a […]
It is estimated that more than 300,000 people over the age of 65 experience a hip fracture. Over 95% of those are caused by a fall. Hip fractures are much more dangerous in the elderly population and surgery to repair it causes a significant decline in independence for many people. In one study just 41% […]
As a seasoned home care nurse I have been asked this question many times. Over the years I have compiled a small list of the most important things to do or own in order to stay safely in your home as you age. There are many things a person can do to decrease their risk […]
