To Walk or Not to Walk?

I often have families of patients express concern about how much mobility a person with dementia should be allowed. Elders with dementia often want to move in ways that seem excessive to the rest of us: They may wave their arms all the time. Or they may pound their...
Behavior Challenges

Behavior Challenges

I am the owner of a non medical in-home caregiver agency.  One of our clients is providing quite a challenge due to his anger, agitation, racial slurs towards caregivers, as well as inappropriate sexual comments and gestures.  He is 83 years old and does not have...
Is Hospice a Drain?

Is Hospice a Drain?

Recently, The Washington Post ran a story investigating the increased use of hospice care. Its investigation found that the number of “hospice survivors” has increased greatly in the last few years. That is, people are put on hospice. Then they get better, and come...
Don’t Discount the Value of Exercise!

Don’t Discount the Value of Exercise!

Earlier this month, a large study cast doubt on whether exercise can help nursing home residents with depression. The study, published in BMC Medicine, followed more than 1,000 residents in 78 “care homes” in the United Kingdom. It found that the number of elders who...