When you begin to dig into the origins of cannabis in the United States, you don’t expect to so quickly run afield of “the known.” And yet, for a drug so storied and culturally significant, its emergence into our public consciousness is perplexingly murky—like the wisps of smoke its name brings to mind, impossible to […]
Within the next nine minutes, someone will receive a new diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. In the time it takes you to finish this article, one more life will have forever been changed. It could be that this life belongs to someone already in your care, or to an individual you’re soon to meet. But more […]
It’s a given that seniors are more susceptible to injuries from falls than younger individuals. Many believe the most pressing concern is the damage caused by a broken hip or another bone injury. However, both men and women over the age of 70 are three times as likely to suffer a potential brain injury than […]
Arthritis is one of the most common diseases associated with aging. Nearly half of Americans over the age of 65 have been diagnosed with arthritis by their healthcare provider. Many believe they are fully educated about the signs and symptoms of arthritis, but what you might not realize is that there are more than 100 […]
In the 1980s and ‘90s, Michael J. Fox became a household name in the U.S. His success in the TV series “Family Ties,” and cult classics including the Back to the Future series, Teen Wolf, Doc Hollywood and others made him a popular actor; a young guy full of energy and a lifetime of roles […]
In the general population, about 9.4% of people have a diabetes diagnosis. Among seniors, that percentage jumps to 25%. Along with the concerns for diabetes itself, a closely related issue is diabetic eye disease. There are four conditions that fall under this category, which may be seen in elderly residents. Assisted Living Education discusses […]
For elderly residents, falls are a major concern. Not only are individuals more fragile in general, with reduced bone density and other compromised body defenses, but recovery periods are often longer, more grueling, and a more delicate process in general. A reported one third of the population 65+ will fall each year, and those 80+ […]
For many, the holidays are the time of year for family get-togethers, traditions, friends and fun. However, for others, the holidays can be an upsetting or difficult time of year, with feelings of sadness, resentment, and can even initiate a depressive episode. For elderly residents in facilities with little or no family who visit, this […]
Seasonal Affective Disorder is a form of depression prompted by the time of year and relative to the amount of light present due to the change in seasons. Many of us may have heard of SAD, but may not fully understand its condition, or its counterpart, Reverse SAD. ALE discusses both kinds of SAD and […]
Hoarding has long been documented, but has only been systematically studied just within the last decade. Hoarding Disorder was only added to the most recent DSM update in 2013, when the DSM-V was released. This is the extreme side of hoarding where it interferes with normal daily activities such as cooking, sleeping, moving through spaces, […]