Health Information Center

Medical studies in the area of alcoholism have found alcoholism among the elderly to be a bigger problem than you might think. What’s really surprising about this trend is that in retrospect, medical investigation suggests that this phenomenon is nothing new. In fact, alcoholism among maturing baby boomers has been a silent threat to the health of these individuals for quite some time now.

Since awareness of this problem was first announced, action to solve the problem has been slow moving. It is estimated that today almost half the elderly individuals suffering from alcoholism remain undetected. When these individuals use their health insurance for check ups and treatment, health care professionals sometimes misdiagnose these patients by focusing on secondary ailments such as dementia, depression, insomnia or gastrointestinal problems. What these physicians fail to realize is that some of these ailments might be attributed to alcoholism.

The type of alcoholism that assails the elderly is called “late onset alcoholism”. This is a distinction from early onset alcoholism that usually begins earlier in life for most individuals. Late onset alcoholism, on the other hand, is developed by the elderly usually in response to situations unique to this age bracket.

Continue reading ‘Alcoholism Among the Elderly – Anonymous Alcoholics’ »

Finding the right affordable health insurance can seem like a daunting task. There are a lot of choices out there, and you probably wonder which one is right for you and your family. Learning about some different ways to get affordable health insurance can make you feel a lot better about the whole idea.

Many people have insurance through their employers. Most large employers have some sort of “group health insurance plan” which just means that the same plan covers a large group of people. Having lots of people on the same plan allows lower-cost insurance premiums. Many times, your employer’s insurance will also cover your spouse, children, and other family members of your household, although this may cost you a bit extra. It’s worth it, though, as it’s a lot cheaper than signing up for an individual insurance policy for each person. If you’re not sure if you’re covered under a insurance plan, or if you need to add a family member to the plan, get in touch with your human resources manager who will be able to point you in the right direction.

Continue reading ‘Group Health Insurance — What is it?’ »

Elected “Better Sleep Month” by the Better Sleep Council, this May is the official month to improve all areas of our sleeping lives. Though many don’t realize it, getting a good night’s sleep is vital to our ability to function properly throughout the day. Lack of sleep or interrupted sleep can eventually lead to deterioration of the body and mind. Children, teenagers, adults, and seniors can all suffer the consequences of a poor sleeping pattern. Therefore, it’s important to assess your sleep on a regular basis, and take the right steps toward consistently obtaining better rest.

As we grow older our schedules change and our sleep patterns modify along with them. Because of this reason, seniors are very susceptible to sleep disorders. Since May is “Better Sleep Month”, many senior service groups are promoting senior health care and better sleep by doing their part to inform seniors about the intrinsic risks of deprived sleep, and how to develop an effective sleep plan. Continue reading ‘Better Sleep in May: Improving Senior Health Care’ »

“Old age is like a second childhood,” I remember my mom saying, as we found my granny becoming more stubborn and sensitive with age. It rings true for us all. With age, we all become mature and wiser and then again are seen possessing the irrational traits of childhood in us.

With age, the habits and quirks we develop over time become more pronounced. What was overlooked before can often later become overbearing. The nagging, the inflexible attitude, heath issues all make it difficult to care for old parents. Before you lose your temper, remember how much they put up with you during those teenage years or how they did not lose patience when you really crossed the limits. So take a deep breath and deal with them patiently and with love.

Here are some of the common behavioral traits that elderly possess and ways to manage them: Continue reading ‘Dealing with the Annoying Habits of Old age’ »