Family Health Blog

Most people prefer to live as independently as possible for as long as they can. If you’re taking care of an older relative, you’d like to help them achieve that goal, too. However, certain health issues can become obstacles to independent living, and sometimes your only option is to help your relative move somewhere else,... Read More

If you have older relatives, you want to make sure that they can live as independently as possible. This can mean helping them keep track of their medications, staying on top of household chores and shopping for groceries or home supplies. However, one thing that may be easily overlooked is encouraging them to stay physically active... Read More

If you know someone who’s living with cognitive impairment, you’re aware that the condition can pose new challenges in everyday life. However, recent research suggests that people with cognitive impairment may also have a risk of stroke 39 percent higher than that of people who have normal cognitive function. Ultimately, this study reminds us that, while it’s important... Read More

Every year in the U.S., between 300,000 and 600,000 people are diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or blood clots in their legs, which can be fatal. Although there are several treatments available, you may be unclear as to which one is best suited for you. Currently, doctors usually treat blood clots with one of... Read More

Health care providers estimate that between 2.4 million and 5.5 million individuals in the U.S. are living with dementia. As you or your parents get older, you may be worried about the risk of dementia and wonder if you or they need to be screened for cognitive impairment, a risk factor for dementia that affects... Read More

As adults age, it can become more common to forget simple things. When the memory loss is severe enough to interfere with daily living, however, this can be a sign of more progressive forms of dementia. To ensure that your parents get the care they need, it is important to have them see a physician... Read More

Conventional wisdom has lulled us into thinking that some parts of the aging process are inevitable, such as declining mental sharpness and fading memory. However, the truth is that modern medicine can treat – if not cure – age-related cognitive decline. In recent years, this has been an active area of research – including a... Read More

When people in your family age, they may become more forgetful, misplacing car keys or missing scheduled appointments. However, at some point, you and your loved ones may start to wonder: Are these “senior moments” a natural part of aging or a sign of something more serious? Read More

As the average lifespan increases, so does the risk of chronic illnesses. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that 80 percent of adults ages 65 and older live with at least one of these chronic conditions. For 50 percent of these people, it is at least two. More complex health conditions... Read More

As your parents or relatives get older, it can be difficult to determine the best course of care. One key to developing a plan of action is to include your parents or relatives in the discussion about what type of support they need. Though many are open to this discussion, it’s not uncommon to face... Read More