Last week, I was asked to interview an older gentleman who I didn’t know for a story I was writing. I called the gentleman and we had a pleasant but brief introductory conversation. We agreed that I would do the interview the following afternoon in person. At the end of the call, I could hear the gentleman talking to a woman who he identified as his daughter who had entered the house.
ElderCarelink Blog
Diagnosing depression in elders is difficult
by Dorian MartinJanuary 31st, 2012 at 10:14 am
Mom’s placement in a nursing home due to her chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and Alzheimer’s disease had ripple effects throughout our family. One of the most difficult was Dad’s diagnosis with depression. It turns out he’s not alone getting this diagnosis. A new study out of Rutgers University found that 6.2 percent of whites, 4.2 percent of African Americans and 7.2 percent of Hispanics were diagnosed with depression.
However, treatment varied among groups. Of those who were diagnosed with depression, 73 percent of whites were treated with antidepressants, psychotherapy or both, while 60 percent of African Americans and 63.4 percent of Hispanics were treated.
AARP study reveals rising medication costs for seniors
by Dorian MartinJanuary 27th, 2012 at 10:49 am
One of my regular duties is picking up my dad’s prescriptions at the pharmacy. He’s on five different medications for issues ranging from high blood pressure to an enlarged prostate. Fortunately, his Medicare Part D insurance lowers the cost until the end of the year when the donut hole kicks in. That’s when my mouth drops at the price for his prescriptions.
Improving elder health care transitions
by Carol Bradley Bursack, Editor-in-ChiefJanuary 11th, 2012 at 10:13 am
Fortunately for me and my family, I was able to make myself available to help each of my elders after their many hospitalizations. Typically, however, many families simply don’t have anyone in a position to help, and elders go home only to return quickly to the hospital setting because they didn’t have the community support needed for recovering.
Billions of dollars are spent annually by elders returning home from hospital stays. According to the US Administration on Aging, almost one out of every five Medicare patients ends up back in the hospital within 30 days. Most of these readmissions are due to poor transitions due to poor communication and medical mismanagement.
Caregivers: gain focus in 2012
by Dorian MartinJanuary 5th, 2012 at 11:12 am
I’m already rethinking my New Year’s resolutions. I selected several this year, including eating a healthier diet and finishing my dissertation. But today I realized that I’ve neglected one of the most important lessons that I learned when caregivng for Mom–setting an annual intention.
