Elder Care Decisions

What does it mean to “trust your instincts?” When is it appropriate to rely on intuition, and when is it not? Discover the benefits (and drawbacks) of going with your gut.

Hospitalist is the term used to describe a physician who focuses on treating and coordinating care for people who have been hospitalized. These doctors are generally board-certified internists who are trained to be intimately familiar with the ins and outs of hospital care.

An elder may have many reasons for not wanting to take the medicines their doctor has prescribed. Here are three common complaints that seniors have about taking their meds and how to handle them.

Many people aren’t comfortable pursuing honest conversations with physicians, but a lack of communication between caregivers and doctors can be detrimental to seniors’ health outcomes.

When your elderly loved one is having a medical problem, you want to get them a doctor's appointment as soon as possible. Here are 5 ways you can get a doctor's appointment sooner for your elderly loved one.

Seniors facing a hospital stay may be risking losing their memory unnecessarily. Hospitalization may cause a senior's cognitive ability to deteriorate faster than normal. Elderly people may have increased risk of memory loss after being in a hospital.

Being a family caregiver often involves helping a senior navigate tough care decisions or handling these decisions on their behalf. An approach called shared decision making can help make this responsibility less burdensome.

Coupon websites like Groupon and LivingSocial are starting to offer discounts on certain types of medical procedures, including dental care, flu shots, and eye exams. But, is it really safe to seek discounted care from an unknown doctor?

A confrontational nurse or an overbearing doctor can make appointments unpleasant, scary and even dangerous for a senior and their caregiver. Research indicates that overbearing doctors whose demeanor discourages communication has a negative effect on the quality of care a person receives.

The relationship between an elderly patient and doctor shifts when a caregiver is in the exam room. Caregivers often wonder whether they should go to doctor's visits with their elderly loved one- research says they should stay.

Caregivers are often responsible for tracking down medical history and health records from multiple doctors because health-care providers don’t have electronic access to patients' health records and medical information.

Geriatric care managers specialize in elder care management. These professionals are uniquely qualified to help family caregivers assess their loved ones’ needs, coordinate their health care, oversee finances, navigate senior housing choices and more.

When choosing senior housing and elder care, there are many options. These tips will help you decide which options are best suited to meet the care needs of your aging parent.

Dementia caregivers face many obstacles to ensuring their loved ones receive proper eye, hearing and dental care. In the later stages of dementia, it may not be sensible to subject seniors to these routine check-ups unless there is an urgent medical need.

Much has been debated regarding seniors and anesthesia. Here is how you can decide if your elderly parent should risk taking anesthesia for surgery.

Whether your loved one goes into an assisted living facility willingly or needs some encouragement, adjusting can be a challenge. Work as a team with your family and the staff to promote a smooth and comfortable move.

Make an elderly loved one's planned hospital stay less stressful by preparing for assessment, admission, treatment and discharge. Knowledge of the process and the role of everyone on the care team will lead to better health outcomes.

Aging is scary for a multitude of reasons and that fear often manifests as a refusal to participate in doctor’s appointments and medical treatments. What can a caregiver do if an aging parent refuses to go to the doctor?

Caregivers: Get information on Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) and how to use it as part of your elderly loved one's treatment.

The premise behind homeopathy is that it can stimulate the body's own self-healing responses. Thousands of people swear by it, but there are some things you should consider before opting for these treatments. Use this guide to decide if homeopathic medicine is right for you or your loved one.