We seem to be waging war on many fronts: drugs, crime, illegal immigration, drunk driving, Afghanistan, Iraq, terrorists in general, terrorism on airplanes in particular. But our most serious war -- the one most likely to affect all of us -- is one we are still losing: The War on Cancer.
Stroke ranks higher than heart attack in scaryness, say surveys. So stroke prevention is something we all care about.
Of the two main stroke-prevention procedures, new research points to which is the better choice.
Elderly and seriously ill patients frequently rely on private long-term care or disability insurance to pay for their home care. More and more, however, these patients are being denied benefits as insurers rigorously scrutinize claims to determine the extent of coverage. Many patients turn to their caregivers to help deal with insurers or handle the paperwork, which is usually confusing and so filled with "legalese" it requires a lawyer to comprehend it.
An estimated 5 million people in the United States have Alzheimer's disease; this number is expected to double by the year 2050 as the elderly segment of our population grows. Not only does the disease have a significant emotional impact on individuals and their families, it also causes severe family financial burden and places considerable demands on the greater public health system.
Q: My dad has been in a nursing home for about 8 months and, in that time, he has lost about 15 pounds -- weight he could hardly afford to lose. I suspect his nutritional needs aren't being met, but I'm not sure what to do. He's picky, and it takes a lot of patience to get him to eat. I've spoken to the staff, and they insist he's eating. Do you think I should file a complaint?
Managing multiple medicines can be a daunting task. But, by knowing a few key things about each individual medicine your parent is taking, you can help eliminate the guesswork involved in managing many different medications and making sure these medicines work their best.
Q: There's a lot of talk of prostate cancer and how it can sneak up on you. Are there any ways a man can protect himself?
Caregivers need to pay attention to their own health and needs, so that they have the strength, stamina, and patience to care for their loved ones.
By now, Americans are familiar with the stories of Canadians who would have died because of their government's health care rationing had they not been able to get care in the United States. Perhaps just as troubling, however, are the less dramatic but much more common instances of minor indignities, inequities and inconveniences imposed by the Canadian health care system.
You might assume your loved one will receive high-quality care in a nursing home; however, that can be a dangerous assumption and your parent may instead be at risk of harm.
Q: A few months ago, my aunt was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. She doesn't have any kids and she's like a second mom to my brothers and me, so we're very involved with her care. Although it's likely she'll be with us for quite a while, we've begun to realize that we might not have very long to find out what her wishes are for her care and funeral.
Long-term care insurance -- whether you have it, how much it covers, and for how long -- determines how well you'll be taken care of when you can't take care of yourself.
Holidays can be difficult for anyone dealing with the changes of Alzheimer's, or any ailment, really. They are also stressful times for caregivers trying to maintain traditions.
Q: My mom recently took a nasty spill in the nursing home where she's living. A friend of mine, who is a nurse, told me that this is fairly common in nursing homes. I thought my mom would be fairly safe there, so why do falls occur more often in nursing homes?
Q: Will beneficiaries be able to obtain early refills on their Part D medications that were lost or misplaced during a declared emergency?
A flashlight is a case for holding dead batteries.


What's YOUR Boomer Story?