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Breast cancer is, unfortunately, so common. For women, it's second only to skin cancer. 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Because it is so common, it's been heavily researched, and we know a lot about it. Even still, there are so many widely held beliefs about breast cancer and older women and, unfortunately, many of them are incorrect. Let's bust some breast cancer myths. Myth: Women past a certain age don't need mammograms anymore. Fact: Breast canc

Hearing loss doesn't happen overnight. It's a gradual decline, subtle at first, until it becomes impossible to ignore. A certain degree of hearing loss is common in old age. According to John Hopkins Medicine, 1 in 3 adults between ages 65 and 74 experience hearing loss. Age-related hearing loss, called presbycusis, often starts as early as our 40s! It escapes our notice until it progresses. If your aging loved one is having trouble hearing, they may not be aware, or they may

Autumn just started a few days ago. While hardly a single leaf has changed color, there's still a charged feeling in the air. Often, fall feels like our last chance to enjoy the outdoors before the bitter cold of winter descends. Your aging loved one may feel the same way! Age is no reason to miss out on the fun, so here are some ideas to include Mom or Dad in the festivities. Nature Walks It's hard to beat a nature walk. It's free. There's fresh air. It's exercise. Everyone

If you are a caregiver for an aging parent, you'll likely experience a short-term or long-term hospital stay with them. Hospital stays for older adults are the result of serious illnesses, accidents, or surgeries. Whether the stay is short or long, preparation can make the transition from hospital to home easier. What To Do Before Discharge, At The Home If your parent is stable enough, leave the hospital for a short time to prepare for their homecoming. Once away from the hos

Swallowing is one of those bodily functions we take for granted until it goes wrong. As we age, physical changes and chronic conditions can make swallowing difficult. When this happens, diets can start to look very different from what we're used to. What Causes Trouble Swallowing? To a degree, trouble swallowing is a normal part of aging. According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology, it's estimated that 20% of adults over age 50 experience dysphagia, the medical term f

1 in 2 older adults are at risk for malnutrition. Does that fact surprise you? Malnutrition is a serious problem for older adults, but it often goes unnoticed. Whether we notice or not, it's deadly. In fact, recorded deaths from malnutrition have increased sixfold in the past decade. While it occurs in all age ranges, those over 85 are 60 times more likely to die from malnutrition. Could your loved one be malnourished? What is Malnutrition? Malnutrition, according to the Worl

If you find yourself on this blog, there's a high likelihood that your mom or dad suffers from a memory-related condition such as Alzheimer's. Dementia affects 7 million people in the United States - and a whopping 57 million worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. Your parent's diagnosis undoubtedly brought up a lot of emotions, including fear for yourself. You've probably asked yourself a hundred times, "Is dementia coming for me too?" No foolproof plan can s

It's no secret that older adults are prone to falls. Aging, unfortunately, has a way of stealing our coordination, leading to more tumbles. Falls aren't a minor matter, though. Older adults are the age group most at risk for traumatic brain injuries - and they're the group most likely to die from them. What is a Traumatic Brain Injury? The CDC defines a traumatic brain injury as an injury that affects how the brain functions. It's usually caused by a blow or a bump to the hea

We all have our assumptions about what increases as we age. More aches and pains? Sure. Higher eyeglasses prescriptions? Undoubtedly. Statistically, you're more likely to go under the knife too. Adults 65 years and older receive the most non-elective (emergency/acute) surgeries. With increasing surgical rates, there are also increased risks. In our last post, we dived into the costs and benefits of anesthesia for seniors. Briefly, we touched on something called postoperative

Surgery is a common life event. In fact, 60 to 70 percent of people will have at least one surgical procedure in their lifetime. The demographic most likely to go under the knife is older adults, who are also at the highest risk of anesthesia complications. Does this mean surgery is a bad idea? Anesthesia Explained When discussing medical topics, we often toss around the term "anesthesia" without really considering what it entails. Anesthesia is more of an umbrella term than

If you're trying to feed your aging parent, you might find yourself hitting some obstacles. Decreased appetite, loss of taste buds, and health conditions all affect how much food your Mom or Dad wants and needs. How Eating Changes As We Age You've probably realized Mom or Dad eats much less than they used to. Older bodies are less active and, consequently, have lower muscle mass. Muscle mass declines rapidly in our 60s, according to heart.org. When energy needs are low, calor

As we age, our sleep needs change. Older adults need far less sleep than children, for instance. Sleep issues also increase with age. Conditions like sleep apnea or restless leg syndrome occur more often with age. Other diseases and even prescription drugs can affect sleep. These common problems, though, paired with dementia, make sleep even more difficult. Some things can help those with dementia get a better night's sleep. Dementia and Sleep While sleep problems are common

Nobody wants to talk to their parents about writing a last will and testament. Death is a touchy subject, if not the touchiest. As humans, we spend most of our lives anxious about preventing death. The irony, of course, is that death is the only certainty in life. With this in mind, every adult should have a will. What Does a Will Include? Executor Choice: A will must designate an executor. This is the person who will carry out the requests of the will. This would include fil

August is National Immunization Awareness Month! August is the perfect time for vaccine awareness. Kids need their back-to-school immunizations, and everyone needs their annual flu shots. Vaccinations don't end with influenza, though. As we get older, we become susceptible to more illnesses that we can immunize against. Consult with your doctor to see if these vaccines are right for you. Annual Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccinations Unfortunately, humanity hasn't eradicated infl

For older adults, mobility aids are must-haves. Mobility aids, like canes and walkers, help: preserve independence - empower users to perform daily tasks without asking for help prevent falls and accidents - provide stability and balance to reduce the risk of falls ease joint pains - take physical weight off of aching legs, knees, and joints There are different mobility aids for different tasks. Read on below to see which is best suited for your loved one. Canes - A cane is a

If your loved one has been diagnosed with dementia, you're now facing some big decisions. The biggest decision is where the patient should live. There are full-time memory care facilities, and many families choose that route. A facility isn't the only choice, though. More and more, families are finding aging in place to be the better option for those with dementia. Familiarity, personalized care, and family involvement are just a few reasons aging in place is best for people

Picture this: after a long evening of soccer practice, math homework, and a rushed dinner, your children are finally in bed. You slowly slump down onto the couch and have grand plans to find something interesting on Netflix - then your phone rings. Your dad has slipped and fallen in the bathroom. It's the same bathroom you have been meaning to install grab bars in for the past month - but who has the time? Dad is okay, but could use an ER trip to check his head. Goodbye Netfl

Seniors Fix has introduced a maintenance-and-repair subscription to its portfolio of services! We aim to be a one-stop shop for all aging-in-place services in Frostburg and the surrounding areas. Our business already offered caregiving services and home accessibility modifications. The new maintenance subscription seemed like a logical next step! What is a Maintenance Subscription? The maintenance subscription would cover repairs and maintenance around the home. The plan can

If your loved one is starting to experience significant cognitive and medical issues as they age, you’re going to have to look into options for their care. Typically, the two main options are home healthcare and long-term care facilities. There is no “right” choice; it depends entirely on your family’s particular needs. There is one huge deciding factor for this decision, and it’s, of course, the cost. So, what will in-home care cost? Truthfully, there is no single answer. Th

Lately, you have been thinking something has been off with Mom. It's not just one thing you can point to. It's more a few different things that, when put together, are starting to worry you. You're starting to wonder: could Mom have dementia? There are some surprising early signs of dementia. Of course, memory loss is the hallmark of the dementia, but issues can pop up before that you may not associate with a neurodegenerative disorder. Below are 5 sides you may not recognize