Senior Living Blog

Strong bodies are healthy bodies. Unfortunately, many older adults experience a decline in strength, flexibility and overall physical ability due to the aging process.

We can all remember the “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!” commercial from the 1980s. While the phrase may have since become a humorous pop culture reference, the fact remains that this is a very real problem for many older adults.

Approximately 87 percent of older adults have at least one foot problem, according to data from the Institute for Preventive Foot Health (IPFH). “Wiggle Your Toes Day” -- celebrated on August 6th -- offers an important reminder to check in with aging loved ones about their foot health.

Depression is common among the elderly. However, it’s not a normal part of healthy aging. A major problem that stands in the way of treatment for seniors is that families often confuse the disease with signs of grief, which is natural in the face of major life changes. For this reason, it is not uncommon for seniors to struggle with depression and receive no medical attention. Or if they are seen by a physician, depression can often be misdiagnosed for a similar reason altogether and no treatment is administered.

Every year in the United States more than 20 million units of red blood cells, platelets and plasma are transfused to treat conditions primarily in the area of: anemia, leukemia and sickle cell disease. Blood saves lives; it cannot be manufactured in a lab that’s why blood donors all over the world are given honorable mention.