You may have heard the heartbreaking news – actor Bruce Willis has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

“FTD is a cruel disease that many of us have never heard of and can strike anyone,” his family said in a statement sharing the diagnosis. “For people under 60, FTD is the most common form of dementia, and because getting the diagnosis can take years, FTD is likely much more prevalent than we know.”

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, FTD is caused by a group of disorders that gradually damage the brain’s frontal lobes (the areas behind your forehead) and/or its temporal lobes (the regions behind your ears). There are three types of FTD: Continue reading What is Frontotemporal Dementia?

The volume on your dad’s television is blaring.

When talking to your mom, she’s constantly asking you to repeat what you said.

In group settings, your parents never join the conversation.

Hearing loss is a common problem that comes with aging. According to the National Institute on Aging, nearly 25 percent of those aged 65 – 74 and 50 percent of those who are 75 and older have disabling hearing loss.

The good news – hearing aids can help most older adults hear sounds they’ve not previously heard, hear speech over the telephone more clearly, make communication with family and friends easier and improve communication in noisy listening situations, like a restaurant.

And now a new study shows hearing aids might also be an important tool in the effort to prevent cognitive decline and dementia. Continue reading Hearing Aids Can Lessen Cognitive Decline

Have you ever considered a career in professional caregiving? “More than 10,000 people turn 65 every day – and an overwhelming majority of them want to remain in their homes as they age. That’s why home care is now one of the country’s fastest growing industries – with no end in sight,” said Teresa Steinfatt, Vice President of Business Performance at Tudor Oaks Home Care’s partner, the HomeCare Advocacy Network (HCAN).

According to Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, older adults should engage in 150 – 300 minutes a week of moderate-intensity exercise (walking, weight-lifting and other low-intensity activities) or 75-150 minutes a week of vigorous physical activity (jogging, running, swimming, biking and other high-intensity activities).

Researchers analyzed data from nearly 936,000 patients age 65 and older who received a flu vaccine and an equal number of individuals who did not. They found that, over a four-year period, those who had at least one flu shot were 40 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than those who were unvaccinated.

How many prescriptions drugs/meds do you take?

If you’re over 65-years-old, you probably take at least one – maybe more.

Studies show that more than 85 percent of those age 65 and older take at least one prescription drug or meds – with more than 35 percent regularly taking five or more prescription and over-the-counter medications.

Continue reading Ten Tips to Help Manage Medications