Do you know of, or care for, someone who has skin as thin as tissue paper? Even a slight pinch or an accidental bump can result in a skin tear that just bleeds and bleeds. Large brown spots called hemosiderin spots can form on the skin over time (1). That’s when blood gets into the skin but is not completely reabsorbed. Residual iron from the red blood cells results in the brown color. Damage to the skin can also result in irregular white scar tissue that is not elastic and pulls at the skin (2). […]
Category Archives: Active Aging
YOUR Path to Good Sleep
The last several posts have been about the importance of sleep and the barriers that older adults face. We’ve all seen ads for expensive beds that will miraculously improve sleep. But buying an expensive bed is not the right way to start. It’s also not the correct first step to ask a health care provider for a sleeping pill. A logical, calm, and customized approach is needed. This post is about finding YOUR path to the best sleep possible. Sleep clinics consistently start with a sleep journal Journals examine sleep patterns over a period of […]
Are medicines making it hard for me to sleep?
Are medicines making it hard for me to sleep? I was asked this question after my last post. Many people, including seniors, need more and better sleep to feel good and live well. National Sleep Week (March 12-18, 2023) highlighted that sleep is a health issue in a sleepless world. There were 3 points I emphasized in my post about the importance of sleep. Sleep is different from rest. The body and brain do important work that occurs only with sleep, not with rest. Good sleep means more than a recommended number of hours. Quality […]
How did you sleep, Honey?
I say this to my wife almost every morning. It’s my way of showing affection because sleep is very important. We are lucky in three ways: 1) Despite our many ups and downs, we have a good marriage, even better over the years. 2) Our sleep clocks are quite similar and 3) We are good sleepers …. most of the time. Every once in a while, because of life stresses, one of us doesn’t sleep well. The result? We’re tired and maybe a bit grumpy. Eating, sleeping, and bowel movements (E-S-BM) are essential. I call […]
Holidays: Gifting YOURSELF the Right Amount of Connection
Holidays are a time of gift giving. Remember to give yourself an especially important gift: the “just right” amount of connection with others. Caregiving is hard work. Take care of yourself. If you don’t treat yourself well during the Holidays, when will you? Give yourself the gift of connection. I believe that there are five keys to a happy life: 1) having a sense of purpose 2) feeling spirituality 3) doing things that you enjoy 4) taking care of your body AND 5) connecting with other people. Think of these as your daily emotional vitamins. […]
Solving the over medication dilemma
In previous posts, Dr. Green had discussed some of the hazards associated with medication use among older adults. She has also discussed classes of medications that are of concern. In this final post, Dr. Green discusses approaches she has used to deprescribing. Warmest Aloha, [email protected] PS: I say it over and over again: There’s no one more important than the caregiver in the daily life of a frail person.
Medicines that can cause problems in seniors
In our last post Dr. Ariel Green described a patient who improved dramatically when many of her medicines were stopped. In this video, Dr. Green describes the classes of medications that can cause problems in seniors. Dr. Green is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine. Warmest Aloha, [email protected] PS: I say it over and over again: There’s no one more important than the caregiver in the daily life of a frail person.
Medicines, Medicines, Medicines, an Epidemic Problem
Whether it’s hypertension, diabetes, arthritis there’s always a prescription. For every problem there’s one or more drugs. But is this always good? Dr. Ariel Green, Associate Professor of Medicine at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine points out that medicines are sometimes the problem. Geriatricians know. Every pill is a potential problem. Warmest Aloha, [email protected] PS: I say it over and over again: There’s no one more important than the caregiver in the daily life of a frail person.
“Wow! She really ate well!” 4 Things Caregivers Can Do to Improve an Older Person’s Appetite
I have a dear friend who is incredibly accomplished and independent. I’ve always loved visiting with and hearing about her adventures — including sailing around the world on a sailboat when she was well into her 70s! But on a recent visit, I became concerned. Now 93, my friend was sleeping much of the day. She’d had some falls and was unable to reach her walker on the other side of the room. Most concerning, she’d lost weight. When I checked her kitchen, she had very little food. The leftovers in her fridge were clearly […]
