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Elder Abuse (Part 3 of 3) – Reporting and Preventing

According to research done by Statistics Canada, elder abuse has risen by 14 precent since 2004. For every case that is reported, numerous other cases are not. Abuse and neglect can have lifelong consequences on the victim and often result in an early death. Since most elder abuse is perpetrated by family or friend caregivers, it is essential that it will be prevented before it begins and reporting it if it is happening. Three things you can do to help prevent elder abuse: You can listen to seniors and those...

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Elder Abuse (Part 2 of 3) – Signs, Risks and Consequences

Elder abuse is a serious subject that no one likes to talk about, but it happens every day.  Most of the time, the abuse is committed by a friend, acquaintance, or a family member.  It can happen as a result of frustration either at the senior or from something else going on in the abuser’s life.  It causes lasting effects for the victims that are difficult to recover from. Signs of abuse Three main signs of abuse include sudden changes in the senior’s appearance, sudden increase of physical injuries, or...

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Elder Abuse (Part 1 of 3) – What and Who

Elder abuse is one of those things we don’t like to think about happening to people we know.  However, it is a situation that occurs far more often than we would like to admit.  It’s important as a caregiver for your senior family member that you understand what it is and what happens as a result. Statistics Involving Elder Abuse According to information conducted by Statistics Canada, violence against seniors increased by 20 percent in between 1998 and 2005.  This is just the number of cases that were actually reported...

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Fun Activities to Do with Grandchildren

One of the highlights of many seniors’ day is when their grandchildren come to visit.  Whether you are physically active and get out or if you are physically limited and at home most of the time, you can still find ways to have fun with your grandkids.  Here are some ideas to get you started. For the Physically Active Enjoy sightseeing with your grandkids when they come to visit.  Take them to the zoo or the museum and see things through their enthusiastic eyes.  If money is a concern, you...

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Foot Care – Why it is Important to Care for Your Feet

One of the most neglected and most used parts of the body is the feet.  This area is also a strong indicator of the overall health of the person, which is why seniors need to pay more attention to their feet. What Your Feet Can Do For You Your feet are often the first indication of circulation problems or nerve disorders; they also may indicate arthritis or diabetes.  However, many seniors assume that when their feet cause problems it is just because they are getting older. Healthy feet can help...

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What You Should Know About Hip Fractures in Elderly

Chances are pretty good that you either know someone or have heard about someone who has had a hip fracture.  Nine out of ten hip fractures happen to someone over the age of 60 and it is a common occurrence for people as they get older.  More women than men end up with hip fractures, but it can occur in both genders. Risk Factors for Hip Fractures Due to increasing balance issues, seniors are more likely to fall.  This can result in different fractures, including one of the hips.  Eyesight...

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Laughter Therapy for Seniors

A laugh a day keeps the doctor away.  While this may not always be true, the positive effects of laughter are well known.  For seniors who often battle with depression, laughter can have a healing touch. Why Seniors Need Laughter Coupled with failing health, seniors often feel isolated from their family and friends.  Their children and grandchildren are busy with their own lives and may not visit or call as often as the senior would like.  Add to this the fact that many seniors cannot be as active as they...

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Cholesterol 101 for Seniors

In the past few decades, cholesterol has gained a lot of attention for the increased risk in heart attacks and other health issues that it can cause.  Cholesterol can be a real issue in seniors who are not as active as they once were; as many people are not aware of their cholesterol levels. Cholesterol Education When they were young, many seniors had never heard of cholesterol.  It didn’t begin getting the notoriety that it now has until the mid-1980.  Now it is recognized as a serious health problem. Cholesterol...

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Breast Cancer and Senior Women

Breast cancer is the second most prevalent cancer in Canadian senior women next to non-melanoma skin cancer.  Men rarely get the cancer, but it is a concern for aging women, especially those who have family members that have been diagnosed with it. What You Should Know About Breast Cancer If you have older family members, you need to be aware of the information regarding breast cancer.  Approximately 15% of the female population will die from the disease, and 1 in 9 will be diagnosed with it at some time in...

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Managing Eczema in the Elderly

As people age, their skin changes and they can develop issues and chronic problems with it.  One such problem that affects people of all ages, but especially the elderly is eczema.  Eczema is a condition of the skin that results in dry, scaly skin. What is Eczema? Technically, eczema is the loss of lipids on the skin, which causes dryness.  Lipids are insoluble fatty compounds that surround cells to retain water.  As the lipids are reduced, the skin develops patches and inflammation.  It is caused or made worse by several...

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