There's a whole-life approach to managing your health as you age. Rather than simply reacting to new symptoms and diagnoses with medicine and medical supplies, there are things you can do to proactively prepare for them, and sometimes prevent onset or at least slow the progression of a condition.
Take senior living as an example. There are medical supplies that are common to the aging population, such as glucose meters, blood pressure monitors, walkers, canes, and wheelchairs.
Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia also become more prevalent in the older age group. So what are some tips we can do to prepare? What should we look for when evaluating our choices? Here are some, from About.com's experts.
1. 9 Tips for Researching and Choosing a Nursing Home
Esther Heerema, MSW, About.com's Alzheimer's/Dementia Expert, has two decades of experience practicing medical social work in long-term care and acute-care hospitals. During this time, she has worked with hundreds of people with Alzheimer's and other dementias.
In her article, "9 Tips for Researching and Choosing a Nursing Home" you'll get expert insight into how to evaluate a care facility in your area.
My opinion of her most important advice: Do some research before you need this type of care. Sometimes, the need to leave one's home for more advanced care can arrive suddenly. If you've kept a list of area facilities that you've already looked into, you'll have done yourself a favor by taking some stress out of this situation.More »
2. How Late In Life Should You Plan To Live In Your Own Home?
This is a difficult and personal decision. But if you haven't at least read a little about what assisted living residences can offer by way of community, the arts, social activities, and safety, you owe it to yourself to see how much this form of senior living has evolved.
You'll be pleasantly surprised.More »
3. Protecting Your Home from the Costs of a Nursing Home
Anthony J. Enea, Esq. explains the disastrous consequences if you're not financially prepared. Specifically, he outlines strategies to consider in order to protect your home if you need to move into nursing home care.More »
4. Medical Supplies for the Long-Term Care Resident
People with Alzheimer's disease statistically have seven co-morbid conditions. That is, they commonly have diabetes, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and/or high cholesterol to name a few.
Use this handy checklist to raise your awareness of what could be needed at some point for an individual who moves into long-term care. More »
5. Frequently Asked Questions About Nursing Homes and Dementia Care
Esther Heerema answers some frequently asked questions about nursing homes and dementia care.
A few questions she addresses in her article:
- Our mother has Alzheimer’s disease, but we’ve committed to caring for her in our own home. Why should we take any time to look at the facilities in our community?
- I’m not familiar with any of the nursing homes in my community. How do I know which facilities are good?
- I’m worried about the care that my father will receive in a nursing home. If I move him to a facility and I have a concern about the way they provide care for him, what should I do?
6. Information for Consumers for Choosing and Evaluating Long Term Care Services
About.com's Assisted Living Expert, Anthony Cirillo, has created an organized resource to help steer you through the often confusing maze of long term care planning and services.
He provides resources that include:
- Third Party Reviews of Communities
- How to find homes and services
- How to choose and evaluate care
- Paying for services
- Resources for the caregiver