Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

Estimates indicate that approximately one third of people with dementia and 1 in 7 of those with Alzheimer’s disease lives alone. A diagnosis of dementia does not automatically mean a person cannot safely live independently. Some people may be...

Traveling when you’re caring for someone in a wheelchair requires a more planning ahead. Hotel Tips When booking a hotel, ask if they have accessible rooms available. This may require booking over the phone because sometimes you can’t select for...

In “Why We Sleep,” Dr. Matt Walker explains how sleep can make us healthier, safer, smarter, and more productive. He provides knowledge and strategies to overcome the life-threatening risks associated with our sleep-deprived society. Walker is o...

The bladder can change with age. Follow these 13 tips to keep your bladder healthy. Drink enough fluids, especially water. Most healthy people should try to drink six to eight, 8-ounce glasses of fluid each day. Water is the best fluid for bladder...

Caregiver burn out is real and can be very harmful. How can you take care of a loved one if you are exhausted or not feeling well. Consider options such as support groups, adult day care and hiring a part-time companion. There are many free...

Most seniors take multiple medications prescribed by many doctors. This is one reason why caregivers need to be aware of the potential for drug interactions. Interactions occur when medications don’t work in tandem with one another. The drugs meant...

Most people think they know what Hospice is, but they have many misconceptions. The foremost is that a person on Hospice care is about to die. When my mother received a terminal diagnosis, she went on Hospice care the next day. She lived for more...

Getting extra support at home can be a terrific source of relief. Agencies offer companion care such as CNA’s (certified nurse’s assistants or HHA’s Home health aides.) Normally, these individuals take a brief course on how to care for...

People over the age of 65 represent 14 percent of the U.S. population but consume more than one-third of prescription medications. The average senior citizen uses more than five different medications each day. This does not count nonprescription,...

When visiting a doctor or hospital bring along a notebook or tablet and take notes. It is important to ask question of your health care provider about the benefits and side effects of medications or procedures. I suggest that you, or a loved one, res...

Aging is a process that brings many changes. There are several simple steps you can take to keep your eyes healthy during your lifetime. Visiting an eye care professional regularly for a comprehensive dilated eye exam is the most important thing you...

A Lady Bird deed in Florida is a legal form that transfers property upon death inexpensively and without probate. A Lady Bird deed allows the current property owner to use and control the property during the owner’s lifetime, while the property...

If you’re a caregiver, knowing how to evacuate a loved one or how a loved one can take shelter during an emergency may not be as easy as just stepping out a door, or crawling out a window, especially if your loved one has mobility challenges and...

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you should be concerned about your loved one’s driving skills. It might be time to ask whether it’s time they retire the keys. 1. Has a friend or family member expressed concern about your...

Skilled nursing is a high level of care requiring advanced training and certifications. Skilled nursing care must be provided under the direct supervision of licensed health professionals, such as nurses speech pathologists, and physical or...

Assuming that you have hired an aide from a home health care agency, you can expect a lot of support in easing your anxieties. It is the agency’s job to answer your questions in advance and resolve any issues that arise. The key to facilitating...

A Continuous Care Retirement Community is the same as a Life Plan Community. In both cases a continuum of care is provided — independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing and rehabilitation. Some CCRC’s offer memory care, and some do not....

Color therapy can be beneficial for those with memory loss. Dementia specialists recommend using different colors to provide contrast in spaces and to help distinguish different objects. For example, painting a door a color that contrasts with the...

Medical Alert systems should provide reliable, 24/7 monitoring by trained monitoring agents, allowing seniors and their caregivers to live with less worry, at home or on the go. An Alert system should provide the following: If there is an emergency,...

Adult Day Care is a community-based program. There are more than 4,000 centers across the country with more than 78 percent operating on a nonprofit basis. All medical model adult day health care programs are affiliated and licensed under nursing hom...

Sometimes, your loved one is going to be discharged from the hospital, and you feel that person is not ready to come home. You can refuse discharge. Every state has a quality innovation network quality Improvement Organization. These government...

Cognitive performance is not fixed. There are small changes people can make in their daily lives that should sustain higher cognitive functioning in old age. Keep the mind active through work, volunteering, hobbies or playing games. Learning new...

According to the American Geriatrics Society, more than 80 percent of older adults are living with multiple health conditions. With each new health problem, things may become exponentially more complicated! A senior may see multiple doctors. There...

There are certain signals that might mean it is time to give up the car keys. Unfortunately, very few seniors pay attention to these signs: • Nervous behind the wheel. • Reactions are too slow due to your vision. • trouble reading street...

As we age, the amount of fluid in our bodies begins to decrease. This means there are fewer water reserves available for your body to use as you get older. There is a lowered thirst response. The natural aging process weakens the body’s ability...