Senior Health

Medication Management in Overland Park, KS

Medication Management in Overland Park, KS Looming large among issues facing seniors with memory loss is medication management. The opioid epidemic has affected the elderly community in a serious way. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has reported that between 2010 and 2015, elderly emergency room visits relating to opioid over-use have jumped 74%. Kansas City Home Care has solutions for families in Overland Park, Johnson County and Kansas City whose loved ones are struggling to take the right amount of medications at the right time. Care When You Need It Edward (whose name has been changed) is an example of an active 78-year-old diagnosed with memory loss related to Parkinson’s Disease. Edward enjoys playing golf with his wife, eating fine food, swimming with […]

Living with Dementia and Preparing for the Future

Family members and loved ones who care for a person who has dementia can feel overwhelmed by the changes that are associated with dementia’s progression. That’s why Tim Tholen, Founder and CEO of Kansas City’s Thoughtful Healthcare and its affiliates, brings his expertise to a video about preparing for the progression of dementia. In this video, we outline steps to take to help manage the moving parts: from creating a routine for your loved one with dementia, to getting the family communicating about the future. Watch the “Anticipating the Progression of Dementia” video below. Once the diagnosis of dementia has been given and the family begins to learn about the disease, it’s important to understand that dementia progresses at varying– and sometimes unpredictable– rates. Making […]

Holiday Travel Safety for Seniors

Older people often hesitate to travel during the holidays, especially if travelling alone. But if children and grandchildren have made new homes outside of Kansas City, the idea of not seeing them at Christmas can sometimes lead to holiday depression. If you’re nervous about holiday travel, taking measures to ensure your safety may alleviate your anxiety. Here are some suggestions: Get your meds in order. Before you travel, update your medication list. You’ll want to take it with you in case of emergency. It’s also a good idea to take the list to your pharmacy, and ask if there are any potential medication or food interactions. Keep your medications in their original bottles, and make sure you have enough of each to last two or […]

Lose weight before the holidays: 7 Tips for older adults

You may have noticed the holiday decorations are already on display in many Kansas City stores. Although it seems a bit early yet, in all reality, the holidays really aren’t that far away. And I don’t know about you, but that’s the time of year I usually start to pack on the pounds. So every year, I try to lose a little weight before the holidays so I can enjoy a few holiday treats without worrying so much about calories. But the older I get, the harder it is to take off that pre-holiday weight. That’s because when we age, our metabolism slows, and we just don’t burn as many calories. Which doesn’t make weight loss impossible. We just need to work a little harder. […]

Cancer Screening for Seniors: What Tests to Get and When

Over the years, the rules for cancer screening tests in people who are over the age of 60 have changed as new studies have weighed early detection against screening risks. So every now and then, it’s a good idea to brush up on new updates. Here are the latest cancer screening recommendations for seniors*: Breast cancer screening. There’s a bit of a dispute among experts about whether people ages 55+ should get mammograms every year or every two years. Talk to your Kansas City doctor about any potential breast cancer risk factors you may have; then together, you can determine how often you should get a mammogram. Monthly self breast exams are also a good way to detect breast cancer in its early stages. Make […]

7 Secrets to Aging Well

It’s no secret that some people age better than others. They have fewer wrinkles, more muscle tone, flatter stomachs, and fewer chronic illnesses. Scientists have conducted multiple studies to discover the keys to aging well. Here are some tips based on their findings: Don’t smoke. Nicotine can lead to a whole host of chronic illnesses, including COPD, lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke. It also damages your skin, causing premature wrinkles. Be social. An active social life will help ward off depression and also reduce your risk for Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. If you’re having a tough time meeting new people, try joining a club (e.g., book club, gardening club), doing volunteer work, joining a church group, and/or meeting people who have similar […]

7 Health Benefits of Pumpkin

It’s pumpkin season in Kansas City! We’re caught up in a sea of wonderful pumpkin pancakes, donuts, bagels, muffins, beer, lattes, and (of course) pie. Do you love the flavor of pumpkin in the fall, but are hesitant to enjoy all those wonderful pumpkin treats? Then you’ll be happy to know there are a lot of health benefits to eating pumpkin. Here are some examples: Weight loss. Pumpkin has a lot of fiber, which tends to make you eat less and stay full longer. Without all the added sugar of some of the sweeter pumpkin treats, it’s also low in calories (less than 50 per serving). Improved eyesight. There’s a lot of Vitamin A in pumpkin, which is really good for your eyesight. It can […]

6 Benefits of Walking for Seniors

To some seniors, the idea of walking as exercise seems much too simple. But believe it or not, exercising can really be that easy! It turns out there are quite a few benefits to taking a brisk walk around your Kansas City neighborhood each day. Here are some examples: Improved balance. Walking strengthens the muscles in your lower body, which can help improve your balance and prevent falls. Weight loss. A brisk daily walk will burn calories and improve your metabolism, both of which can aid in weight loss. It can also help curb sugar cravings. A healthier heart. Walking boosts your heart rate, which is good for cardiovascular health. It can lower your blood pressure and your cholesterol, which will decrease your risk for […]

The Warning Signs of Stroke

The faster you’re treated after a stroke, the more likely you are to survive. Early detection and treatment can also minimize brain damage and lower your risk of long-term disability. So it’s important to recognize stroke symptoms when you see them. Here are the common symptoms of stroke. Since you need to act quickly in the event of a stroke, the acronym FAST can help you remember them: FACE. When smiling, does one side of the face droop? ARMS. After lifting both hands, does one drop back down? SPEECH. Is speech slurred or otherwise odd? TIME. If the answer to any of the above questions is yes, it’s TIME to call for help. Remember, every minute counts. So you’ll want to dial 911 instead of taking […]

8 ways to relieve pain from osteoarthritis

Around 27 million Americans are suffering from osteoarthrosis, a chronic condition that causes joint pain. If you’re one of them, you know just how painful osteoarthritis can be. Your Kansas City rheumatologist or primary care physician can prescribe medications to help with the pain, but there also lifestyle changes you can make to ease your discomfort. Here are some suggestions: Exercise. Exercising while you’re in pain may seem counterproductive at first, but it will definitely pay off in the long run. Exercise will strengthen your bones and your muscles, which will relieves stress on your joints and improve your flexibility. Eat healthy foods. A balanced diet can help reduce osteoarthritis pain. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Lean meats (e.g., chicken, turkey), fish that’s […]

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