Today’s seniors have had a mixed history with cannabis. The herb enjoyed huge popularity in the 1960s as a staple of counter-culture both sides of the Atlantic, but in the decades that followed, attitudes toward the plant drifted dramatically in the other direction. The media churned out story after story about the mental health risks of marijuana consumption, and the “lazy stoner” stereotype seemed to fill the rest of the conversation about pot.

Research progressed for years at a snail’s pace, and it was only in the 1990s that cannabis started to garner mainstream legitimacy as a medicine with San Francisco’s Proposition P and later the Compassionate Use Act of 1996 which legalized medical cannabis throughout California. But fast-forward to 2018, and perceptions of the plant have changed further still. The therapeutic qualities of the key cannabinoids in cannabis are now known, and there is a swathe of interest surrounding cannabidiol (CBD) products. These are made using extracts from CBD-rich cannabis or hemp and are essentially non-psychoactive. This is a perfect middle-ground, where many cannabis benefits are on offer for the user, without them having to experience short-term euphoria and altered consciousness. In a nutshell, for the older generation, CBD is cannabis sans the stigma. [Read more…]

Small, lightweight portable oxygen concentrators the size of a hardcover novel are increasingly replacing large, bulky oxygen tanks

For those suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs, being tethered to a large, heavy oxygen tank for supplemental oxygen can be life altering.

According to The American Lung Association, more than 11 million people have been diagnosed with COPD, but millions more may have the disease without even knowing it.¹ COPD causes serious long-term disability and early death.  While there is no cure, much can be done to treat and manage the disease through medications, oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation, and social support.

Those on oxygen therapy require a reliable, supplemental supply of concentrated oxygen.  For decades, the standard has been to prescribe large, refillable compressed gas oxygen tanks.   However, these metal tanks can weigh up to 18 pounds.  They also require regular refilling so users must ensure they have enough tanks on hand, schedule pick-ups of replacements, and carefully plan how far they travel. [Read more…]

After considerable research, FDA market clears first-ever  and only low-level laser treatment for chronic low back pain

About 80 percent of us will experience low back pain at some point in our lives¹. In fact, it’s the number one reason why people miss work. Unfortunately, many of us will get little relief from physical therapy, exercise, acupuncture or massage. And opioid drugs are not just addicting; a major meta-analysis published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that they may make chronic pain worse over time²!

Now there’s another option you may want to try before resorting to painful, expensive back surgery. The Erchonia FX 635 low-level laser is the first and only laser to receive official FDA market clearance for relief of chronic, musculoskeletal low-back pain. Low-level laser treatments are pain-free and take only 20 minutes. With no down time or side effects, you can immediately resume normal activities after treatment. [Read more…]

After years of struggling with mobility, in 2009, Jan Mitchell (now 62) survived the removal of a large tumor from her heart. Unfortunately, this major surgery was just the start of her heart problems as she was soon diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (Afib), an irregular and often rapid heart rate that increases someone’s risk for having a stroke fivefold.

Five million Americans have Afib, and for them, living with the condition and the increased risk of stroke has both a physical and emotional impact.¹ Yet, oral anticoagulants (blood thinners) – the most commonly prescribed treatment to reduce the risk of having a stroke – can lead to serious complications, such as bleeding.¹ For Jan, complications from taking blood thinners impacted her ability to work and spend time with her family and friends. [Read more…]

Cue the trick-or-treaters, colorful fall foliage, cooler temperatures and shorter days . . . fall is here! If you are a senior or help care for one, don’t miss this quick health and safety checklist to prepare for the coldest seasons of the year:

Staying Warm

Don’t get caught off guard from a surprise cold-snap! Taking steps now to ensure your warmth when the temperature outside drops can help you both stay comfortable as well as ward off potential colds and infections.

• Get out your favorite throw blanket and drape it over a commonly used chair or couch so you have it handy

• Check your windows to make sure there aren’t any holes in the screens and that they are fully closing and locking tight to prevent air from getting in or out

• Make sure you have warm clothes out of storage for layering like lightweight long-sleeve shirts, flannels, sweatshirts, thick socks, etc.

• Rearrange furniture to fight drafts in the house, i.e. place the back of a couch against a drafty window

• If you struggle with paying your heating bills, contact your local Council on Aging to see if they know of any heating assistance resources that may be available to you

[Read more…]

As they age, many seniors begin to experience a decline in their coordination and balance.

There are a lot of reasons why seniors struggle with coordination and balance, including chronic illnesses like multiple sclerosis, acute events like strokes, spinal and/or head trauma, and neuropathy. Some seniors also experience poor coordination and balance as a side effect of certain medications.

Sometimes, coordination and balance issues are unavoidable. Luckily, though, there are many steps you can take to maintain and improve your strength and stability as you get older, including the six listed below.

1. Get Your Eyes Checked Regularly

When it comes to establishing balance and maintaining good coordination, your eyes play a key role. In fact, sight is the first sense you use when you’re trying to establish your balance. Think about it — have you ever tried to balance on one foot with your eyes closed?

Regular eye exams are essential for seniors who want to maintain good balance and coordination. Visit your doctor once a year to make sure your eyes are healthy and your vision remains clear. [Read more…]

By Bob Oley

Just when you thought that the colder fall weather would bring an end to the summer tick season, much as it does to mosquitoes and their bites at the first fall frost, think again.  Thanks to a protein in their bodies that works much like the antifreeze in your car, ticks survive cold temperatures remarkably well, even into the winter months.  They can be found ready to bite you whenever the temperature is above freezing and the ground is not frozen or covered with snow.

YEAR ROUND PROBLEM COAST TO COAST

Ticks have become a year-round problem affecting every family from the east coast to the west coast, from north to south, for a variety of reasons.  Quite simply, there just are so many more ticks in our surroundings than there were ever before. And though the biting ticks you find in the fall and winter months differ from the ones you find in spring and summer, they can make you just as sick with Lyme disease or any number of other tick-borne diseases if you are on the receiving end of their bite. [Read more…]