Starting in 2019, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) granted Medicare Advantage plans more flexibility to cover additional services that help seniors stay out of the hospital and safely age at home. The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 authorized several new changes and supplemental benefits for Medicare Advantage plans. 

As seniors age, natural changes in the body, heart, and blood vessels create an increased risk for cardiovascular problems such as heart attacks and strokes. In fact, out of the nearly 86 million Americans diagnosed with cardiovascular complications, an estimated 47 million of them are 60 years of age or older. But with proper care and preventative measures, seniors can help decrease the risk of experiencing a heart attack. Here are just a few ways seniors can take control of their health and prevent future heart attacks.

Planning a day trip for someone living with dementia may seem like a challenge, but is well worth it for the extensive benefits it can provide your loved one. With more museums, cafes, and parks becoming dementia friendly, you can have peace of mind that your day will run smoothly and be as safe and comfortable as possible for your loved one. Here we explore just some of the many benefits of venturing out with your loved one.   

Alzheimer's is a progressive brain disorder that causes problems with memory, thinking, and behavior. Recent data indicate that approximately 5.7 million people in the U.S. suffer from Alzheimer's. This includes an estimated 5.5 million people over the age of 65. For an individual with Alzheimer's, the language and memory centers are particularly damaged by the disease. However, the area of the brain which is responsible for attention stays relatively functional. This is the same part of the brain that registers music in a healthy person. Researchers and scientists are studying why music affects memory and how music can be used to help those with Alzheimer's.

The idea of living a very long and happy life is a goal that is universal. Every one of us would like to reach the 100-mark and beyond, but what does it take to get there? History has shown us a slew of amazing seniors that have lived to a ripe old age, and many of them have quite a few things in common. From your physical activity to your ego, it turns out that personality traits and habits can really affect your longevity. Here are 7 things that the oldest seniors throughout history all share.

Caregivers make a true difference in the lives of their patients and their families—but not everyone is cut out for the job. Caregivers must master a whole list of qualities and skills in order to be successful and provide the best client care possible. Discover 11 unique skills you need to become a caregiver below.

Dementia is one of the most common conditions that our senior population faces. It can have strong effects on almost every aspect in your senior loved one's life, but the world of dementia can be complex. Not every case of dementia is the same, which means caring for a senior with this condition requires specialized care. To help you provide your loved one with the best care possible, we're here to help you understand the subtle differences between the many types of dementia with an in-depth guide.

Whether you are managing your own absent-mindedness or taking care of a relative, medication reminders are one of the most useful aspects of daily medical care. From pill-minder trays to online calendars, a little help keeping track of multiple medications can go a long way. At best, it's a way to save a little brain power so you don't have to be super careful with your medication every time you take it. And in worst-case scenarios, effective medication reminders can be the difference between life and death. Here are some clever tactics to help manage medications more easily. 

If you have a loved one with Alzheimer's or some other form of dementia, then you are already dealing with many unique challenges. One of those challenges is the phenomenon of "sundowning." It sounds rather scary, but it is simply a symptom of dementia that many seniors experience, especially as their condition worsens. It affects both those who are institutionalized and those being cared for at home. In this post, we will review sundowning and provide some tips to helping your loved one. 

Believe it or not, bullying is a growing problem among seniors. As of November 2016, the U.S senior population was 50 million and still growing. It is projected that by 2030, seniors are projected to outnumber children for the first time in U.S. history.

As more and more seniors live in assisted-living facilities and nursing homes, there is a rising trend of peer-to-peer bullying, which is bullying by other residents or clients. According to social work professor Robin Bonifas, recent studies show that about 1 in 5 seniors are bullied. It is difficult to know how big a problem it is because many such acts go unreported. However, whether it is name calling or physical altercations, it is an aspect of senior living that should be taken seriously. Let's take a closer look at bullying in seniors.

Once upon a time, suffering from a stroke would feel like the beginning of the end. Changes to our physiological conditioning and our medical treatment standards, though, mean that today survival rates after a stroke are much higher. You will find that it’s much easier to come back from a stroke today, thanks to the advanced quality of care that you can receive. However, coming back from a stroke is by no means easy: it is going to take a huge amount of effort to get yourself to that point.

As seniors age, daily life can become more difficult. Whether it's harder to get around, their social life isn't as it once was, medical needs have become more detrimental, or something else, our senior loved ones may need more care with age. But receiving the extra care needed doesn't necessarily mean losing your independence with the availability of professional in-home caregivers. Caregivers can provide a wide array of services that benefit seniors and help them stay happy and independent in their homes for as long as possible. But is a caregiver the right option for your loved one? Read on to find out!

When a loved one has dementia, they may not act like themselves. The disease may cause strange behaviors that seem out of character. Here is a common list of dementia behaviors along with some caregiver tips to handle each new behavior. 

If you're one of over 16 million people in the United States caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's Disease or dementia, you're already familiar with the many challenges of caregiving. As the person you once knew begins to lose their memory and cognitive function, it can become difficult to retain your sense of humor and positive outlook.

Despite the challenges, both you and your loved one can benefit from the power of everyday human connection—including humor and laughter. If someone you care about is suffering from Alzheimer's or dementia, try to find the humor in your day to day life. And here's how!

"Caregiver" refers to anyone who provides care for another person. There are different types of caregivers that provide specific care, like family caregivers and respite caregivers. Caregivers can help relieve burdens and support individuals in need. They may help for a long time or just a short time, but their care is always important. Let's take a closer look at what a caregiver's role is. 

A growing number of seniors are exploring knee replacement surgery to address recurring knee pain, arthritis, and stiffness. Studies show that seniors who undergo joint replacement surgery experience reduced pain and disability when compared to seniors who choose not to have surgery. In most cases, seniors who have knee replacement surgery have exhausted less invasive treatments such as corticosteroid injections or medications, and are seeking improved mobility and quality of life. Below is a look at knee replacement surgery and the keys to a successful recovery from surgery.

As seniors age, they may require more care than ever before. Whether it is assistance with personal care or simple companionship, seniors may need extra help to stay healthy, happy, and strong. But for seniors with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, even the simplest things can become difficult or impossible. These unique conditions require unique and specialized care that allows the senior to remain safe and happy. But caring for a senior with dementia or Alzheimer's comes with its own unique challenges and requirements. 

The holiday season is a time of celebration and happiness. For many seniors, however, it can be difficult to stay positive and happy during this time. To help seniors combat the isolation, lack of activity, and depression that might occur during the holidays, it's important to stay educated and proactive. Below is a guide to what you need to know about seniors and the difficulties of the holiday season, as well as ways to stay upbeat and positive so the holidays can be a more happy, joyous time.

Seniors are at the greatest risk for falling and injuring themselves over any other age group. Between health concerns, physical limitations, and basic accidents, every 1 out of 3 seniors over 65 suffer from serious falls. Because falls are one of the leading causes of injuries and trauma in seniors, it is important to focus on the proper prevention and training when caring for a senior. Our GreatCare program helps provide this training along with specific care solutions in the most important areas of concern surrounding seniors, falls, risks, and fall prevention. Learn more about how GreatCare helps address fall risks in seniors. 

After a senior is discharged from the hospital, they may need additional care from a rehabilitation center or from home health care. Sometimes there are complications during this admission process that cause seniors to be readmitted into the hospital. However, here are some steps to help identify high-risk admissions to rehab or home health services and tips to ensure that these seniors have a safe transition. 

It can be frightening when a senior falls, and many people may not know what to do after the accident. A timely response is critical, and it could save a senior's life. It is important to know what to do when a senior falls and how to handle the situation. The following is a guide to help seniors and those around them understand what to do in this scary situation.

As our bodies age, our attention to such things as hydration and energy levels begin to diminish. The nutritional needs of seniors can easily be overlooked. Quality of life is often associated with the enjoyment of food; therefore, the benefits of any diet should be weighed against the quality of life of the person. Generally speaking, adults need fewer calories, unless they have an exercise regime that burns a lot of calories; a more sedentary life will not burn as many. Maintaining a healthy weight and staying energized also lowers the risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic health conditions. Here are some tips on senior nutrition! 

One of the many challenges seniors from around the world face is supporting themselves well enough to remain financially stable. Without a significant amount of help from social security, retirement funds, or assistance from loved ones, many seniors have a difficult time making ends meet. As a result, there has been a growing surge of initiative from businesses in recent years to provide suitable employment for seniors. For example, one Starbucks in Mexico City took a step up recently by offering employment exclusively to citizens age 55 and up. Learn more!

Seniors should never be left out of the equation, especially when it comes to the holidays. There are a few ways that they can help in the kitchen without getting in the way. They'll be thrilled to contribute, and you get some assistance at the same time. Here's how your aging loved ones can help this Thanksgiving. 

Seniors who wish to get back into an exercise program often want to start out at home, in the comfort of their own surroundings. This means finding the best exercises that they can do in their home, yet are still effective and helpful to their health. Seniors may also wish to utilize exercises that don't require extensive or expensive equipment. Let's look at 5 exercises that seniors can easily do at home, with little to no equipment required.

While there is no one age that fits every single person when it comes to the best time to buy long-term health insurance, the safest way to go is by living by the motto "sooner is better." Most experts will recommend that you get long-term health insurance coverage by the time you are in your early to mid 50s. While obtaining a long-term health insurance plan can be an expensive undertaking, you will be glad you made the investment when you need care. Let's dive deeper into why you should get long-term health insurance and when. 

There is nothing more rewarding in life than being blessed with grandchildren. However, for many grandparents, this doesn’t necessarily mean they get to live as close to their grandchildren as they would like. Long-distance grandchildren-grandparent relationships can be tough, especially for grandparents who feel like they are missing out on their grandchild’s life and fun milestones.

This is why it is so important to not only have long-distance phone and video chat dates, but to be able to play games long distance as well. Long distance games will help keep these phone calls more interactive and engaging. Here are a few suggestions for long-distance games any grandparent and grandchild can play together.

Exercise is a great way for seniors to stay healthy and maintain balance and coordination as they age. Discover different exercises designed to help seniors with balance in this infographic. Try implementing some of these balancing exercises in your daily routine!

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a colorful Mexican holiday honoring ancestry. The holiday isn't just one day, however. Day of the Dead is celebrated from October 31st to November 2nd. It's a time to honor those who have passed away. The holiday was even featured in the movie Coco. There isn't simply one way of observing Day of the Dead, but some symbols and traditions are prevalent. Celebrating the Day of the Dead is a fun opportunity to celebrate with seniors. The holiday has a deep meaning, but is also bright and lighthearted. Here are some ways you can celebrate together.

Whether a senior is being discharged from a hospital or a rehabilitation facility, it’s important to identify signs of a high-risk discharge. With about 20% of seniors readmitted to the hospital within 30-days of discharge, each senior’s health should be evaluated, and seniors whose health is most at risk after discharge should be given special consideration before release.  

Here are some best practices to identify high-risk discharges and to prepare seniors and their families for discharge.