Making your own healthcare decisions can be tough. Making healthcare decisions for someone you care about — especially at the end of life — can be overwhelming. Even if an advance directive, such as a living will, explains your loved one’s wishes, it probably won’t cover all possible medical treatments. So, how can you advocate ... Read More
If you could choose where you wanted to spend your final days, where would that be? Whatever the preference or circumstances of someone who is nearing the end of their life, understanding the care setting options is key to creating a plan that helps ensure the greatest comfort for the individual and their family. At ... Read More
The American Academy of Family Physicians recently reported that during the past two years, many patients have put off their medical care—a “side effect of the pandemic,” they call this delay. Hospitals were often overwhelmed, as well, creating another reason some care was postponed. But now, patients are once again urged to schedule elective surgeries, ... Read More
Why do older adults experience memory and thinking problems? For years, the assumption was that most dementia was caused by Alzheimer’s disease. But more recent research using advanced brain imaging and large collections of data has shown that it’s not that simple. A study of 1,100 older adults released by the U.S. Department of Veterans ... Read More
April showers bring May flowers…and according to an old belief, they also bring a worsening of arthritis. Some people even claim they can predict rain when their joints ache. But is that true, or a myth? May is National Arthritis Awareness Month, so let’s take a look at some recent research on that topic. “The ... Read More
The old cliché is that older adults should take it easy—maybe even take to their rocking chairs. Today, we know how wrong that is! “It’s a widespread idea in Western societies that as we get older, it’s normal to slow down, do less, and retire,” said Harvard evolutionary biologist Daniel E. Lieberman. In fact, he said, ... Read More
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, only following heart disease. Each year, almost 1,800,000 people will be diagnosed with cancer, and close to 600,000 people will die of the disease. Just as the CDC’s name implies, “control and prevention” ... Read More
During a visit to their hometown, Dan and Amy visited their great-aunt. Aunt Becky was glad to see them, but they were worried at what they saw in her home. Her usually spotless house was dirty and unkempt. Though she’d always taken pride in her wardrobe, her dress was dirty and torn. She seemed painfully ... Read More
From the beginning of the pandemic, much attention has been paid to older adults, who are at highest risk of serious illness from COVID-19, and who have faced isolation and an interruption to their regular activities as they practiced social distancing. Recent figures show that 75% of people who died from the virus are age ... Read More
Everyone in the family is worried about Mom’s memory problems—but she insists nothing is wrong. She had a doctor appointment yesterday. Can family find out what the health care professional thinks? This is a complicated issue with lots of gray areas! In the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s disease, a senior and their family may be ... Read More
Ms. Cusumano,
Thank you for taking time from your schedule to speak with us. Your wealth of information regarding end-of-life care and the decisions associated with it are truly remarkable. Your encouragement to “break the ice and start talking about death” was a profound take away message. You helped us reimagine our approach with those who are chronically ill, realizing dying a good death doesn’t mean we are giving up on them. No one wants to suffer as their life comes to an end, which is why you teaching us about the importance of having an end-of-life plan is so critical. Thank you for helping to open our minds and our hearts.