Senior Health

Recently Answered
Q What should I look for during a nursing home facility tour?
2 Answers
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Anthony Cirillo, Gerontology
The following are suggestions for touring a nursing home: Visit a facility all hours of the day. Go at night and on weekends and see what is going on, what is being offered. Visit often. How diligent was security when you entered? Was their... Full Answer
Q What is an elder law attorney?
1 Answer
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An elder law attorney works primarily with seniors and use a variety of legal tools and techniques to meet the goals and objectives of their clients. Elder law attorneys typically work with other professionals in various fields )geriatric care... Full Answer
Q How do I find out what the rights are for residents in nursing homes?
1 Answer
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As a nursing home resident you have rights and protection under Federal and State law. The nursing home must tell you about your rights and explain them to you in terms you understand and post them in a place where people can view them. They must be... Full Answer
Q Why do elderly people go into nursing homes?
1 Answer
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Anthony Cirillo, Gerontology
Surprisingly, residents tend to be admitted more for the chronic diseases - like heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes - than for slips and falls and hip problems. There are an increasing number of patients being... Full Answer
Q What should I know about a facility's staff before choosing a nursing home?
1 Answer
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Anthony Cirillo, Gerontology
Before choosing a care facility find out about staffing: How many aides per patient are there? How many licensed practical nurses (LPN's) and registered nurses (RN's) per patient are there? How long has staff been on board? What is the turnover... Full Answer
Q What should I find out about the owners of a nursing home?
1 Answer
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Anthony Cirillo, Gerontology
Find out who the owners of nursing care facility are. Is this a for-profit or not for profit organization? Is it family owned or corporate run? Who are the investors? What are their motives? Dig a little and find out. Do these people /... Full Answer
Q What are sitter services for the elderly?
1 Answer
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Anthony Cirillo, Gerontology
Sitter services for elderly include aides, private duty nurses or therapists that can come into the home, hospital or residential facility on a private pay basis. Services may include personal care assistance, grooming, medication supervision,... Full Answer
Q How many adults care for aging parents?
1 Answer
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Anthony Cirillo, Gerontology
Thirty four million Americans are unpaid caregivers for other adults. Other estimates put it at 44.5 million. Thirty-seven percent of people polled by USA Today and ABC News expect to move into the role. Forty-one percent of those with a living... Full Answer
Q How can I make a house safe for a senior?
1 Answer
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Anthony Cirillo, Gerontology
You can help yourself by retrofitting your house for yourself or to accommodate an older loved one. Seventy five percent of remodelers have seen an increase in requests for aging in place work. The National Association of Home Builders and... Full Answer
Q What are the effects of triptans for seniors?
1 Answer
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Dr. Dawn Marcus, Neurology
The use of triptans is controversial in seniors because in rare cases these medications have been linked to ischemic heart disease and heart attacks. This concern is primarily limited to older adults and those with known heart artery blockages or... Full Answer