Practically everyone has had the heart-pounding experience of running out of medicine by accident. You go to take your daily dose of a prescription and upon opening the bottle discover it to be empty.

Thinking you can get a quick refill, you call the pharmacy but alas, there are no refills left on the prescription. They offer to fax a refill request to your doctor but hours later, you call and find out the doctor hasn’t responded yet. You scramble to call the doctor’s office but the nurse who handles refills isn’t available so you have to leave a message and keep your fingers crossed.

Ultimately, running out of medication you are taking for an ongoing condition, like diabetes, or for an acute injury, like a herniated disc (see: https://www.vivehealth.com/pages/back-injury-pain) can negatively impact your health. In addition to simply forgetting to refill your prescription, you may find yourself short on medicine because:

• You or your caregiver are sick and unable to get to the pharmacy

• Insurance mishaps result in delayed or unfilled prescriptions

• The pharmacy is out of your prescription and has to order it

• An inclement weather event prevents you from getting to the pharmacy

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Are you a caregiver who helps take a family member to their doctor’s appointments? While seeing a medical professional is essential to getting formal diagnoses, prescription refills, and treatment plans, it’s not always the most pleasant experience. Poor bedside manner, bad communication, and rushed appointments can leave anyone, much less overloaded caregivers and their loved ones, feeling frustrated, confused, and helpless.

The truth is that numerous problems can arise from the disconnect between caregivers, patients, and healthcare providers. For example, a medication side effect you didn’t know about may lead to a life-threatening fall or lack of communication after a hospital discharge can lead to a quick rehospitalization.

If you find yourself struggling to advocate on behalf of your loved one with their doctor, try these 5 tips for the next doctor’s appointment: [Read more…]

There is a common saying that what people do now in their youth will determine how they will live in their older years. Youths who engage in sports, gym exercise and other physical activities with the aim of losing weight will have better health in old age than those who try to lose weight at the age of 60.

Studies have backed this information by showing how important it is to lose weight at a younger age. Some studies also reveal that weight loss at the age of 80 years and above can accelerate old age illnesses like osteoporosis.

Reasons Why Older People Want to Lose Weight

Those who live an inactive life in middle age rush to lose weight in their later years because of many reasons. The main one is that they are already obese, and they cannot cope. We all know that obesity has adverse effects on the body including heart problems, respiratory issues and high blood pressure.

Health experts may recommend some weight loss although this is not the ideal time to do this. The weight should have been lost before old age. There are more health risks associated with being overweight in old age. Engaging in activities that will facilitate weight loss may be a difficult task for an older person because of weak bones and joints. [Read more…]

So, you just retired into bed after a long day’s work. In the wee hours of the night when enjoying your sleep, you are interrupted by a talking sound. You turn on the side to listen only to find out it’s your spouse or significant other talking.

This may baffle you if you never, in the past, come across someone speaking in their sleep. You have no reason to worry as it is a sleep disorder that involves the victim talking in their sleep without being aware. Commonly referred to as sleep talking, it is a condition that occurs in both sexes and cuts across all ages. It is said to be more common in children. However, an estimated 5% of adults talk in their sleep too. Sleep talkers could talk in loud sounds or whispers. They appear to be talking to themselves most of the time. [Read more…]

When I was in college, one of the things I struggled with most was sleeping properly. With all the projects and deadlines coming up for all my classes, I was putting up more all-nighters than getting the quality sleep I needed to concentrate throughout the day. The small dorm room and hard beds didn’t do well for me either, which made me sleep less and feel tired throughout the day.

That’s why I can feel a college student (or teen)’s struggle when it comes to sleep. Because of that, I decided to do my research and show you the expert sleep advice for college students and teens!

Whether you’re a teen struggling in high school or a young adult in college, these five expert tips can help you get enough quality sleep for your schoolwork:

Read related: 5 Ways to High-Quality Sleep for Elders – Senior Outlook Today [Read more…]

There are certain aspects to cold weather months that actually increase your need for attentive foot care. More boots and fewer sandals mean you are going to be seeing your feet a lot less than normal and routine nail-trimming may fall to the wayside. Cold, wet weather like snow and ice can also leave your feet wet, freezing, and more susceptible to injury. Don’t miss this quick cold weather foot care guide for seniors:

Update Your Footwear

It’s no surprise that you should be thoughtful about the footwear you use when trekking out in inclement conditions like snow, ice, or freezing rain. In addition to keeping your feet comfortable and dry, well-fitting, waterproof shoes should also support your foot and ankle and provide some traction to help prevent you from slipping.

Be mindful of the types of socks you are wearing with your closed-toe shoes too. If you are trying to jam your foot into your everyday sneaker while wearing a thick, wool sock, you might be doing more harm than good. Not only will your shoe feel exceptionally tight, but your toes might be squished and walking may become uncomfortable. Make sure that you have a good pair of winter shoes or boots with adequate room for thick socks that provide comfort and support in addition to warmth. [Read more…]

Rates of social isolation among seniors are high, especially seniors who experience mobility problems, hearing loss, and depression. The fact is, however, that getting outside of the house, and especially into nature, can do wonders for improving health outcomes and enhancing overall well-being.

Benefits of Getting Outside

New scientific research has found specifically that exposure to green space reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stress, and premature death. “Green space” includes everything from undeveloped land with natural vegetation, like a farm or hiking trail, to urban green spaces, like parks and roof gardens. Contact with the bacteria and other pathogens found in nature can also play a role in strengthening your immune system and reducing systemic inflammation in your body.

If you’re looking for fun outings to do this fall that will get you out of the house and into nature, don’t miss this quick list:

Go “Leafing”

Many in the U.S. are asking when exactly their local foliage is going to change color as high temperatures and extra moisture this year have delayed many landscapes from taking on their normal autumn hues of orange, red, purple, and gold. That means, however, that folks on the east and northwest coasts still have an opportunity to view Mother Nature at her peak fall foliage in November. [Read more…]