Medications save lives and can improve the quality of life for countless people. However, what's known as polypharmacy can be an issue for older adults, and the responsibility to have the patient's need for certain medication adjustments... Read more →

Furthermore, drowsiness generally corresponds to brain function slowing down, and that can persist into the next day, even when an older person is no longer feeling drowsy. Read more →

"Even though the drowsiness may actually feel desirable to an older person who may be hoping to get help with sleep problems, nobody takes a drug hoping that their balance will be impaired..." Read more →

As people age, they are likely to find that balance issues, arthritis, neurological diseases, and other health problems become a threat to their quality of life. People facing these problems Read more →

Dear Carol: My dad has been Mom’s caregiver since her stroke ten years ago. Dad’s 79 and healthy except for Type 2 diabetes. Read more →

Dear Carol: My mother, 93, is mentally sharp and lives in her own retirement apartment. As would be expected, she has some physical problems including arthritis severe enough that she needed a hip replacement in her 70s. She uses a walker but her balance is iffy even with that. Read more →

Life changing, yes! And perhaps a moment of divine intervention. An elderly man with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) was rushed to the cardiac cath lab after being diagnosed with Read more →

ear Carol: I read your column about older people and medicines so I wanted to write. My husband has had multiple health problems during his life so he's been on a lot of medicine. Six years ago, he developed symptoms from Alzheimer’s and has also been on drugs that were supposed to help Read more →

Dear Carol: I recently had an experience that I'd like to share with your readers. My dad has several serious physical and mental conditions so his medical file is complicated. Recently, a new drug to help with breathing problems was released and his doctor, who is outstanding in all ways, saw no reason for Dad not to try it. We left the clinic in good spirits but had barely gotten Dad home when my phone rang. It was the pharmacy telling me that an information update had alerted them that dad’s newly prescribed drug could seriously interact with one of his other prescriptions. I asked the pharmacist to follow through with Read more →

Home care can be helpful in supporting individuals of all ages to safely live at home for as long as possible and/or to recover from an unexpected health crisis. Additionally, home care can be a welcome source of support when family members can no longer provide care alone. These care providers are available for anything from simple household chores and companionship to complex care. But what exactly is meant by the terms “home care” and “in-home care," and what will your insurance cover? Read more →