As we enter another month of dealing with the ever-changing pandemic, new challenges continue to present themselves. One of the more frustrating aspects as a healthcare professional is keeping up with minute-by-minute changes in information.
Vaccines play a key role in preventing serious illness over the course of our lives. This remains true in our senior years – including when facing a chronic or terminal illness. Most people began receiving vaccinations as children to prevent illnesses including diphtheria, measles, mumps, polio, smallpox, tetanus, and whooping cough. Over the years, others were developed including vaccines to prevent hepatitis A and B, influenza, and chicken pox. Thanks to these vaccines, smallpox has been eradicated and polio is no longer in transmission in the United States.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) involves an immune-mediated process where the body’s immune system attacks the central nervous system. The damaged areas develop multiple areas of scar tissue which gives the disease its name multiple sclerosis.
Most people have heard about Multiple Sclerosis (MS), but unless you are affected by the condition, you may not know much about the diagnosis, symptoms, and potential treatments. As of March of last year, researchers estimated the number of Americans diagnosed with MS to be 1 million. Not only that, but women are three times more likely to be diagnosed than men.
Many people wish they could write a memoir or record a loved one’s stories, but getting started can be intimidating. Writer Jessica Burch demystifies the experience, helping families using a process she calls “life writing.”
During a time in which social distancing is the norm, it’s more important than ever to find alternative ways to stay in touch with loved ones. Isolation can often lead to feelings of loneliness and even depression — especially for seniors who live alone. Thankfully, social media can be a great tool to counteract some of these feelings, as it enables communication and updates between friends and family, all while keeping a safe distance.
