By Cara Simaga

Drug diversion, a term that is used to describe when prescription drugs are taken by an individual who they are not specifically prescribed for, has become a significant problem in America. Particularly with the rise of the opioid epidemic, we’re seeing drug diversion continue to be problematic both in the home and in healthcare facilities. In 2017, $301 million worth of drugs were lost.

Unfortunately, the problem has only increased in the past few years. In 2018, $454 million worth of drugs were lost to drug diversion, and 94% of those incidents involved opioids. While that’s still a large number, the increase from year-to-year is even more alarming. Drug diversion also does not appear to be slowing, and it’s impacting some of our more vulnerable communities. 

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Who says elderly folks needing assisted care can’t have fun? One of the benefits of assisted living are the nursing home activities which folks love.

Keeping active as a senior is an important way to ensure a high quality of life as people age. This is especially true for seniors living in assisted living facilities.

Here are the top 5 nursing home activities to keep seniors healthy and active.

1. Playing Multiplayer Games

While games like chess and cribbage are good for keeping the mind sharp, games like Monopoly, Uno, and bridge help seniors feel connected to other people. This can be important as seniors are far more likely to report feeling lonely than any other age group.

Plus, playing games like Scrabble and Pictionary can do double duty. These two games can act as brain teasers, requiring players to think and solve problems. This can help keep elderly minds active while encouraging them to socialize and, at least in Pictionary’s case help them socialize and work as a team.

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Explore cremation vs burial with our guide so that you can make an informed decision and find out which option is right for you.

Are you unsure if burial or cremation is right for you or a loved one? Do you need to know which option is more feasible for your situation? 

The rites and traditions for death vary from culture to culture. In the U.S. there is a split between cremation vs burial. 

If you don’t know which to choose, keep reading for the facts you need to know. 

Cremation vs Burial 

Both cremation and burial have different costs, legalities, and traditions. It’s important that you weigh every option before making a choice. Here are the main cremation vs burial pros and cons. 

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Embracing new technology can be an intimidating prospect for people of any age, but often it is the senior generations who are faced with the greatest learning curve. However, studies have shown that older people who learn to use technology are less likely to experience loneliness and can slow the decline of cognitive processing. This doesn’t take away from the fact that it takes time to get comfortable with new devices and technology, but doing so bring several benefits to your life. Here are some examples of technology and modern devices which you may consider using to improve your quality of life in a range of ways. 

Access Entertainment & Learning on a Smart Device

A tablet or smartphone is operated by touching the screen. Some people can find using one for the first time an odd experience, but it doesn’t take long to get the hang of it as they’re designed to be as easy as possible to use. The most recent models such as iPads and Amazon Kindle Fire can also be operated by simply speaking to them. You can use the tablets to search the internet (when connected to Wi-Fi), communicate with friends and family, play games, watch TV and films and take photos. Doro smartphones are designed for senior uses with a user-friendly interface with independent, secure living in mind.

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The use of vaporizers has skyrocketed since when they were first released. Many people can be found downing a vape. If you are a new vaper, then, there are some apps which you should know about. Technology has changed the way that we behave and it has certainly made things much easier. Knowing about these vape apps could provide you the insights that you need to learn more about vaping. 

Vaffle

The first app which you should know about if you have just recently started vaping is Vaffle. It is relatively a new app which had only been released in 2018 and is available on both App Store and Google Play. Social media might seem intimidating for vapers which is why Vaffle is the place to go to as a vaper. It is quite similar to Instagram and Facebook in many ways. It is dedicated to vapers.  The app is easy to use and has a clean interface. You have your personal feed and even a tab for reviews of vapes. One can also post about the favorite vape juices you use like propaganda e juice and review them. If you are looking for a vaping community to connect with, then Vaffle is the app that you need on your phone. The app is free.

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Everyone needs to have hobbies to fill their free time and to enjoy themselves, but this becomes particularly important as a senior. When you no longer have to worry about work, it opens up an enormous amount of time, and it is important that this is filled with activities that you enjoy and encourage you to get out the house, be active and socialize with others. There are many great hobbies for seniors to consider so if you or a loved one is seeking a new activity to try then read on for a few hobbies which are well-suited to seniors.

• Diving

If you have an interest in nature and the ocean, then diving could be a terrific hobby as it can show you the great beauty of the world beneath the surface. It is also an activity that can take out of your comfort zone and take a while to master. The PADI advanced open water course is perfect for developing your skills after an open water course and will allow you to try out a few different types of dive.

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By Christopher Dietz, DO, Area Medical Director, MedExpress Urgent Care

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of stepping outside into the sun on a warm, bright summer day to soak up some much-needed Vitamin D. For seniors, though, it’s important to take extra care and precaution during the summer months to avoid hidden health hazards that come with the heat of season. Why? Certain medications, underlying health conditions and other concerns that come with age, like poor circulation, can all play a role in how seniors respond to high temperatures. Stay safe in the summer sun with these 5 safety tips for seniors.

1.       Wear protective gear

From sunscreen to sunhats, make sure you’re equipped with the right gear before you venture out into the heat and sunshine this summer, especially if you’re taking certain medications. Often, medications for diabetes, depression and pain can cause photosensitivity, or sensitivity to ultraviolet rays from sunlight. People with photosensitivity may experience rashes, fever and severe sunburn when they’re outside even for short periods of time.

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