HealthyLife Articles

Tag: Healthy Aging

Hospice Care

Mature Health: Over Age 50

Hospice care is for people with a terminal illness. To enter a hospice program (and to receive Medicare benefits), a doctor’s diagnosis is required stating that life expectancy is no more than about 6 months. No efforts are made to prolong life or to hasten death. The patient is kept comfortable and pain free. Hospice eases the process of dying. Most referrals for hospice come from doctors. Hospice care may be provided in:

* The home. Eighty percent of persons enrolled in hospice are cared for at home.

* A hospital

* A nursing home

* A hospice facility

The bulk of care, especially with home hospice, is usually given by family members and friends. It is supported by a hospice care team which includes doctors, social workers, therapists, volunteers, clergy, nurses, and family members. The team plans care that ensures quality of life. {Note: VA offers Hospice & Palliative Care.}

Most health insurance plans include the option of hospice care. Medicare and Medicaid cover the costs if the facility or hospice organization is certified by them. Under Medicare, the length of stay is two 90 day benefit periods. This may be followed by a 30 day period. Extensions are available. Persons must be certified to be terminally ill at the start of each period.

Sometimes patients are charged if they do not qualify for reimbursement. Hospice care is based on need. No one is rejected for lack of finances.

Some advantages to hospice care include:

* Availability of 24 hour a day, 7 day a week assistance. This is true for hospice care in hospitals, nursing homes, and hospice facilities. Find out if the home hospice program offers this service.

* Respite for family caretakers when care is given in the home

* Emotional comfort and support by trained hospice staff and volunteers

* Bereavement counseling

Resources

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization

1-703-837-1500

www.nhpco.org

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Housing Options

Mature Health: Over Age 50

Some people find the upkeep for a house too demanding. Health concerns may not allow some people to meet these demands. Consider other housing options:

* Condominium. This is a townhouse or apartment that is privately owned. A fee is charged to cover maintenance of items like the lawn, swimming pool, etc.

* Co-Operative. This is a housing facility where everyone owns a share. People live in unit apartments and vote on key issues.

* Rental. A landlord takes care of maintenance. Residents pay a monthly rental fee plus a security deposit.

* Retirement Community/Assisted Living Facility. Residents live independently, but have services available to them. These include recreation activities, meals served in a common area, transportation. Often a social worker or counselor is on site. There may be age restrictions.

* Federal Housing. This is independent living for those over 62 years old with low to moderate incomes.

* Group Housing/Adult Custodial Care Homes. These provide room and board for those in need of nonmedical care. Help with daily living makes this option well suited for Alzheimer’s patients.

* Life Care at Home (LCAH). Services are given in one’s own home. Start up and monthly fees apply. A manager personalizes a program of care to meet the client’s needs.

* Intermediate Care. This is a residence for those who should not live alone, but can manage simple personal care, like dressing. Meals are provided. Cleaning services and nursing care are offered on site.

* Nursing Homes. These are designed for people who require care 24 hours a day. These are medically supervised. Find and compare nursing homes in your area atwww.medicare.gov/NHCompare/home.asp.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
What To Do About Liver Spots

Mature Health: Over Age 50

Years spent soaking up the sun can result in circular patches of light brown pigmentation, called liver spots or age spots, on your face, arms, neck, and the back of your hands. Liver spots have nothing to do with the liver, though; they’re “superfreckles”-areas of dark pigment triggered by overexposure to the sun. Here’s what you can do to minimize liver spots.

* Apply a concealer (cover-up cream) that matches your skin tone.

* Always apply a sunscreen lotion with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher 30 to 45 minutes before you go outdoors.

* Apply an over-the-counter bleaching cream to the discolored areas. (These products can take months to work and lighten spots only slightly.)

If these tactics don’t help, consult a dermatologist. He or she may recommend one of the following medical treatments for liver spots.

* A prescription bleaching cream.

* A prescription peeling cream, like Retin-A.

* Chemical peels (a mild acid is applied with a cotton swab to each patch of pigment).

* Dermabrasion (the skin is numbed, then rubbed with a high-speed electrical device).

These treatments all produce some discomfort and sometimes leave a permanent white spot where the skin has been treated, however.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Make The Most Of Mealtime

Mature Health: Over Age 50

Mealtime is something to look forward to. But for some older adults, especially men living alone, preparing meals can be both awkward and troublesome. This can lead to the “tea and toast” syndrome of skipped or unbalanced meals. Hit-or-miss eating habits can, in turn, lead to loss of energy and malnutrition. Coupled with the fact that older adults often need more calcium than other folks (for strong bones), more fiber (to prevent constipation), and adequate supplies of other important dietary components, poor meal habits can directly affect your health.

Here are a few hints to make preparing meals and eating meals more pleasant and convenient.

* Make a list before you shop for food. Include fish, poultry, lean meats, nonfat dairy products, whole-grain breads and cereals, fresh fruits and vegetables.

* When you shop for meat or produce, ask a store clerk to cut or repackage large quantities into smaller single- or double-serving portions.

* Take advantage of salad bars in supermarkets. They’re a convenient way to incorporate fresh vegetables into your diet.

* Buy some back-up supplies of nutritious foods-like tuna canned in water or low-salt soups-for days when you don’t have the time or inclination to cook a full meal from scratch.

* Read labels. Avoid foods high in fat, salt, and sugar. These ingredients contribute to many of the chronic health problems that affect people after age 40.

* Prepare double portions of main dishes, so you can reheat leftovers a day or two later.

* Share shopping, meal preparation, and meals with a friend or neighbor.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Debunking The Myth Of Senility

Mature Health: Over Age 50

Don’t think that you’re getting senile just because you forget someone’s name or can’t remember where you parked your car. Everyone forgets occasionally. The truth is, most people do not become senile. Senility (or senile dementia) is a state of confusion and forgetfulness triggered by mental decline. Almost 100 different conditions mimic the symptoms of senility. (Alzheimer’s disease is the most common. Poor nutrition, hormone disorders, and use of certain medications can also cause confusion and forgetfulness. Even then, senility is misdiagnosed up to 20 percent of the time. So don’t assume that you or anyone else is senile without a thorough medical exam.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
How To Prevent Bowel Problems

Mature Health: Over Age 50

By the time people reach their forties, fifties, or sixties, they will usually experience some form of bowel trouble such as diverticulosis, irritable bowel, and constipation.

To prevent various kinds of bowel trouble, practice these healthful habits.

* Eat a diet high in fiber. (Oat bran, wheat bran, beans, fruit, and vegetables are good sources of fiber.)

* Avoid routine use of laxatives, since they disrupt the normal rhythm of the bowel. To ease elimination, take a high-fiber preparation like Metamucil instead.

* Drink at least six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day.

* Avoid straining when passing stool.

You should see your doctor if you notice blood in the stool, experience severe abdominal pain, pass pencil-thin stools, or note a significant change in your bowel habits.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026