by Jen Hill It is getting to be that time of year when the sun is out a little bit longer and the temperatures start to creep a little higher….Spring is in the air. It never fails, as soon as this time of year comes around I kick into spring cleaning mode. While...
Driving a car may feel like second nature today, but as we grow older our reflexes, eyesight, and cognition become more of a challenge. Circumstances that can affect a person’s ability include normal aging, medications, and medical conditions. Senior drivers are among...
If you have a parent, grandparent, or other relatives with Alzheimer’s or dementia, you probably are always looking for engaging activities the in Toledo area, and fresh ways to strengthen your relationship. No worries—Arista’s got you covered: we’ve brainstormed the...
Our eyesight gets worse, reflexes get slower, and cognition can decline due to factors like Alzheimer's disease or dementia. Most of us don’t want to admit we are getting older and aren’t able to do things we once loved. It can be especially challenging for children...
The aging process impacts seniors’ physiological processes. For this reason, it’s essential to understand communication styles that work for them. Sometimes, techniques that work for younger people won’t work for older individuals. With a bit of effort, you can...
Paula Birney, CMA, CDP Paula grew up in a close-knit Italian family in New Jersey, just outside NYC, surrounded by extended family. She graduated with a BA from Drew University, Madison, N.J. After moving to Toledo in 1987 with her former husband, Paula graduated from...
Medications play a crucial part in helping people, particularly the elderly, maintain their health. However, managing multiple medications can be challenging for some. Compliance with medication ensures the drug’s effectiveness and reduces the risk of adverse events....
Jennifer Bierhup RN, WCC, CCM, DAPWCA, FACCWS For nearly 20 years Jennifer Bierhup RN, WCC, CCM, DAPWCA, FACCWS, has made healing wounds her life’s primary mission. Beginning in 2007, she started on the path by developing the...
It is important for your loved one with dementia to engage in activities that provide both mental and social stimulation, and you want to do everything you can for them. Providing structure and routine through activities will keep their mind active and healthy....
More often than not, seniors deal with a lot of health and medical conditions, making proper nutrition essential in keeping their strength up. However, there are days when they don’t seem to have a healthy appetite. This can be especially worrying when this behavior...
After surviving the Covid 19 pandemic for over a year, life is improving for seniors this summer. Beginning with the first shutdowns in spring, 2020 and through the winter of 2021, it was a different story, with lockdowns and restrictions imposed on nursing homes and...
Every year in the U.S., more than 7,000 seniors die at home due to easily preventable accidents including fires, poisoning, and slip-and-fall accidents. Since prevention is the best medicine, caregivers need to take the necessary safety precautions and measures,...
However, you might realize that the longer you try to do your best to care for them, the more demanding and stressful everything becomes. Soon, you start to forget about your needs, and all of a sudden, it’s taking a toll on your health. While you’re giving everything...
Guest Blogger: Deitra Hickey, PhD Dr. Deitra Hickey PhD., was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio. She has utilized her life experiences to develop a passion to help others find their balance and honor themselves through physical, mental, and emotional wellness....
Taking care of a loved one with Alzheimer’s is a journey requiring a great deal of patience and understanding. The progressive nature of this disease means you will need to be aware of and adapt to changes in the behavior of your loved one as the disease progresses....
If you have a senior family member who lives alone, you may be concerned about whether they are maintaining a healthy lifestyle and getting adequate nutrition. If you are unable to visit often due to long distances, it may be even more worrisome. There are several...
The current COVID-19 pandemic threatens not only our physical health, but it also has an impact on our emotional and social well-being. This is especially true of the senior members of our families. In an effort to keep older vulnerable members of the family safe,...
This month we want to highlight two special days. The first is The Longest Day. The Longest Day is the day with the most light – the summer solstice. On June 20, people across the world will fight the darkness of Alzheimer’s through a fundraising activity of their...
Guest Blogger: Melissa Hallenbeck Melissa Hallenbeck works as a Health Educator for the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department (TLCHD). She has worked in the field of Social Service and Public Health for the last 16 years with a focus on women, families, and children....
Originally published in Dan Buettner’s bookThrive. If you live the average American lifestyle, you may never reach your potential maximum lifespan. You may even fall short by as much as a decade. But what if you could follow a simple program that could help you feel...
Guest Blogger: Jarin Jaffee Jarin Jaffee is the owner of Profile by Sanford, a nutrition and weight loss coaching program recently opened on Secor Road. For Jarin, Profile is personal. He lost 32 pounds through Profile while living in southern Indiana. When his family...
Seniors often require help with transportation to their doctor’s visits or other appointments. However, they may not have a vehicle equipped for their medical needs. Hiring a non-emergency transportation service, such as Orange Transport, can help seniors safely reach...
Every year nearly 5 million people are treated for skin cancer; it is the most common form of cancer diagnosed in the United States and most skin cancers occur in the elderly population. While we are all at risk, older adults are some of the most vulnerable to acute...
It can be heartbreaking as an adult child to see your parents become elderly and slowly start to lose their cognitive and self-care abilities. The situation becomes even more stressful when your parents don’t recognize these changes in themselves and insist that they...
Senior citizens with special medical needs and people with disabilities may be unable to drive themselves to appointments or run errands. There are specific transportation services that allow these patients to attend to their medical necessities. Two of these options...
According to the National Council on Aging, one in four Americans aged 65 and older will suffer a fall this year. Injuries from these falls range from minor scrapes and bruises to more serious strains and fractures. Other falls can lead to more serious injuries, and...
The constant advancements in technology today are radically changing our way of life in seemingly endless ways. One specific area where technology has been slow to impact is senior care. However, the development of new senior care technology, as well as the...
Guest Bloggers: Cindy Roshon & Sue Rindskopf Cindy Roshon and Sue Rindskopf started the Stroke Life Center to help stroke survivors continue their journey in healing. Both Cindy and Sue are stroke survivors themselves. They know from their own experience...
Bathrooms are generally not safe places and often present a danger to senior citizens. The combination of water and tile or linoleum flooring can leave seniors vulnerable to injuries at home. However, by making some inexpensive additions and modifications to your...
Taking care of an older relative can be difficult. Nobody wants to give up their independence, but there are real safety risks that come with age. Cooking, for example, is already the leading cause of house fires, and the elderly are two and a half times more likely...
Guest Blogger: Chiropractor Taylor Mainous, D.C. is an Ohio native, growing up just outside Columbus, in Dublin, OH. He received his undergraduate degree in Pre-Physical Therapy, at Pensacola Christian College in Pensacola, Florida. Post undergraduate, he continued...
The sedentary life of an Ohio winter and early spring can induce a hibernation-like state for even the most active of people. It’s common to avoid the cold temperatures by staying home more, moving less, and spending more time on the couch. These lackadaisical winter...
Don’t wait to get help if you experience any of these heart attack warning signs. Some heart attacks are sudden and intense. But most start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Pay attention to your body and call 911 if you experience: Chest discomfort. Most heart...
Today’s senior population is composed of men and women who grew up during the 1930s, 40s, and 50s, typically have adult children as well as grandchildren, and have at least a minimal amount saved for retirement. Scam artists are well-aware of the influence of dementia...
Guest Blogger: Michelle Sandwisch, APRN, FNP-C Michelle is an Advanced Practice Certified Nurse Practitioner licensed in Ohio. She earned a Master of Science, Family Nurse Practitioner, from Georgetown University and Bachelor of Science, Nursing, from Lourdes...
How Vulnerable Are Your Elderly Parents to Fires? Winter is here, but the cold weather does not always signal holiday cheer and the end of the year. The winter months have the highest number of house fires due to increased electrical strain, holiday decorations, open...
In the early weeks of the holiday season you picture your days like a scene from “White Christmas” but soon remember that it’s more like the chaos of “Home Alone”. Every year you promise yourself that you are going to simplify and slow down and enjoy the reason for...
One of the best ways to protect yourself this winter season is to make sure your vaccines are up-to-date. The CDC recommends you follow a vaccine calendar. Immunity can wear off over time, making you vulnerable. Here is an overview of the top three vaccines the CDC...
Maintaining as much independence as possible for seniors helps them feel self-worth, confidence and purposeful throughout their day. From preparing their own meals to maintaining their finances, taking care of their pets to keeping their home orderly. But some tasks,...
Guest Blogger: Daniel Hunt, Mobility Manager - TARTA Daniel Hunt has over 30 years of business experience, with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Associate degrees in Health Facility Administration and Marketing. Currently Daniel is the...
Ronald Reagan formally declared August 21st National Senior Citizens Day, to honor how seniors positively contribute to society. For all they have achieved throughout life and for all they continue to accomplish, we owe older citizens our thanks and a heartfelt...
Guest Blogger: Daniel Hunt, Mobility Manager - TARTA Daniel Hunt has over 30 years of business experience, with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Associate degrees in Health Facility Administration and Marketing. Currently Daniel is the...
With a health care background of 15 years, working in senior care environments including long-term care, private homes and agencies, Kathy is currently a member of Arista’s staff preparing healthy meals to serve to clients. Her experience includes 2 years in the...
For seniors 65 and older, falling is one of the most common sources of injuries around the home. In fact, one out of every three seniors fall every year. The potential consequences of this problem lie within the fact that seniors are especially prone to injury from...
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States and the second leading cause of death from cancer. Colorectal cancer affects people in all racial and ethnic groups and is most often found in people age 50 and older. It was early 1999 when colon...
Cold weather can make people want to hibernate, but it’s important as a caregiver to keep loved ones active and in shape. Regular activity can prevent serious health problems and do a lot for mental health as well. Movement improves circulation, helps ward off chronic...
When the season starts to turn in Ohio and Michigan, outdoor activities become limited. This is especially true for the elderly, who cannot easily navigate snow and ice. Luckily, there are plenty of fun and rewarding activities caregivers can do with loved ones...
Caregiving can impose physical and emotional stresses on the provider. With the holidays on the horizon, caregivers may find it difficult to maintain a busy schedule while providing care. This can lead to burnout, feelings of depression, or grief. Fortunately, there...
Your elderly parents have enough health risks without worrying about harmful germs cultivating right inside the home. As a caregiver, a top priority is the cleanliness of the house. A germ-free home protects elderly loved ones from illnesses and diseases that could be...
Summer is here and it's time to get back outside! However, full scale gardening is typically not an activity that caregivers have time or energy to pull off. That's why small space, or container gardening is the way to go. On a porch, in a window sill or in a sunny...
Cleaning the Kitchen: The most germ-contaminated room in your house! Everyone knows it’s the cutting board, right? Or perhaps a knife set or cooking utensils? Nope, the most contaminated item in most kitchens is hands. And since you’re taking the time to read...
Falls lead the way when it comes to injuries, both fatal and non-fatal, among adults 65 and older. What can be done around their home to minimize the risk? Everyone knows about the obvious things: eliminate clutter, manage electrical cords, ensure adequate lighting...
Questions to ask your home care provider Remember the popular phrase you taught your kids -- Stranger danger, stranger danger? Now you’re taking care of your parents, but stop and think about it, isn’t this phrase just as applicable? The same parents who you...
Aging Veterans Can Get Assistance in Their Homes Many people, including veterans and family members caring for veterans, are unaware that the VA (Department of Veteran Affairs) offers a special benefit to qualified war era veterans called Aid and Attendance - the...
There can be a lot of contributors to joint pain, and if you experience chronic or reoccurring episodes you should consult with your doctor. Your primary care physician may refer you to a joint pain specialist, typically a rheumatologist or an orthopedist. There are...
Do older adults (55 years +) or younger adults (18-34) have worse memories? If you thought older...guess again! In fact, research reveals younger adults are 3 times more likely to forget to take a shower! A little fact from Brain Games, Brain Training & Brain...
People with Alzheimer's and other dementias find communication difficult; both in their effort to express thoughts and in their ability to understand others. Go into a conversation with a better understanding of how to make it more comfortable for them as well as...
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