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Nearly one million Americans are living with Parkinson’s Disease and around 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive nervous disorder that destroys the dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. With PD, a large part of the brain’s substantia nigra, largely responsible for producing dopamine, begins to lose function. Dopamine is a critical neurotransmitter responsible for regulating and controlling the movement of smooth muscle in the body. The lack of dopamine slows down the message transmission responsible for movement thus causing involuntary and erratic motions. [...]

According to the CDC, about 96% of people with kidney disease are not aware of their condition. This is because many people don’t know the symptoms and mild kidney damage does not halt kidney functions so it can go unidentified. Kidneys, however, play an essential role in the body and their failure or breakdown can lead to severe consequences which may be fatal if not properly managed. Kidney disease is one of the health challenges seniors face as the likelihood of the disease increases with age. Fortunately, there are identifiable signs [...]

Periodically, AmeriCare will feature guest authors from our franchise family. Throughout these posts, we hope to offer a peak behind the scenes to show the tremendous amount of compassion and expertise of our wonderful team members. Our owners and their teams truly are the heart and soul of AmeriCare’s culture and what creates the AmeriCare Difference when it comes to serving clients. Do You Remember When…? By: David Kafora, AmeriCare Arizona Area Developer Do you remember the time before Google Maps, GPS, and smartphones? How many occasions did you [...]

Heart disease affects one in four Americans. When the heart is not working properly, it affects other parts of the body and could have serious consequences if not treated promptly and properly. Fortunately, there are some warning signs of heart disease that you can monitor and notify your healthcare provider if they appear. Once notified, your physician can intervene and prevent further complications. Below we highlight a few ways heart disease may manifest at the earlier stages. Angina Angina is a classic symptom of heart disease. It primarily [...]

According to the American Heart Association, heart disease or cardiovascular diseases account for 1 in 3 deaths in the United States every year. Even though the risk of heart disease increases with age, there are a lot of things seniors can do decrease their chances of experiencing heart or cardiovascular complications. February is American Heart Month and medical and professional organizations across the country are working to educate people about the importance of maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle. While helping guide people to better choices, American Heart Month is also dedicated to [...]

Parents often need extra help as they age but they may resist the extra attention to their personal matters. Having tough conversations with your parents about their future health and well-being can be difficult for you and frustrating for them. Conversations about caregiving or financial management are difficult for your parent because, to them, it may signify a loss of autonomy or independence.  They may rebuff your suggestions for a myriad of reasons – not wanting to give up important decision-making opportunities or allowing others to help in their day-to-day life. [...]

As is tradition, 2019 is officially here and it is time to set some new goals to start off fresh to boost your overall health for the new year. New Year’s resolutions can be difficult to follow, but we are here to help set you and your loved ones up for success! It is important to set resolutions by creating day-to-day plans that help accomplish your goals. Choosing resolutions than are achievable by small tasks is an easy way to build momentum and help create a positive trend in behavior that [...]

Seniors have a lifetime of experience and knowledge to share. However, due to generational gaps in outlook and expectation, elderly people tend not to connect regularly with younger generations. Ideological differences due to technological advancements and reliance along with differing cultural attitudes create barriers between generations but bridging this gap can create cross-generational collaboration which is beneficial to both the young and young-at-heart. Moreover, sharing with others help seniors avoid isolation and loneliness that so often comes with aging. Our industry partners at ClearCare have highlighted a few unique things that [...]

The holidays are here and it’s a special time to find that perfect gift for loved ones! Let’s face it, the seniors in our lives have had the opportunity to use hundreds of products throughout their lifetime which can make it challenging to find that special something that is both exciting and useful to them. There are many products on the market designed to make life easier for seniors. We have compiled a list of gift ideas to help you get the smile you’re looking for as the senior in your [...]

Aging can come with some debilitating health conditions such as dementia and arthritis. These diseases make it difficult for seniors to carry out their daily activities as before and may require the assistance of caregivers. Many times, family members become caregivers despite their own obligations to their career or personal life. While caregiving can be personally rewarding, continuous work without a break can have a negative impact on a caregiver’s health. From stress to depression and lack of personal time, caregiving may take a physical, mental, and emotional toll. Some caregivers [...]