Author: optalishealdev

Healthy Weight Gain Tips for Seniors

senior eating a pastry
Have you or your loved one lost weight recently without trying? Here are some helpful tips for healthy senior weight gain, as well as a look at some of the underlying issues the sudden weight loss may indicate. How to Help Older Adults Gain Weight in a Healthy Way If you or your parent is... Read more »

Communicating When Your Loved One Has Dementia

daughter and senior mom looking at camera smiling

A person who has dementia may have difficulty finding the right words; they may repeat certain sounds, words, and phrases, seem confused, and be unable to adequately express themselves. This frustrating condition causes people to feel helpless, anxious, irritable, and depressed – a very difficult state to witness, especially when it attacks a person who… Read more »

Admission to a Senior Living Community

staff going over paperwork with a family member of a resident

Dear Averi: My aging father needs more help than I can provide for him. In my conversations with various continuing care retirement communities, I think that skilled nursing would probably be the best option. What do I need to do? Any advice would be helpful. Sincerely, Dora Dear Dora, You have provided a great service… Read more »

Post-Rehab Recipes You’ll Love

picture of meet and veggies

You’ve had surgery, you’ve successfully completed, and now you’re heading home. What are you planning on making for dinner? Returning home means returning to your normal routine. If you’ll be cooking for yourself, or if you have someone cooking for you after rehab, give these easy and healthy recipes a try. We’ve also thrown in some… Read more »

Medicare: Is 20 Days All I Get?

stethoscope

Dear Katie: My husband will be facing a fairly complex surgery later this month. His surgeon wants us to tour skilled nursing and rehab centers in central Ohio before the surgery. We are a bit confused about his Medicare benefit. A relative told us Medicare only pays for 20 days in a rehab center, but my husband’s… Read more »

Optalis COVID-19 Prevention

female getting a vaccine from doctor

During this unprecedented time, our commitment to families of patients and residents, as always, is to provide timely and accurate information. As it relates to COVID-19, effective communication is an important part of containing the virus. We continue to communicate the latest in preventative measures as well as actual cases in our center through phone… Read more »

Must-Haves When Downsizing to Assisted Living

senior woman holding a clipboard

When you’re preparing to make the move to an assisted living community, it can be a little intimidating to contemplate the downsizing process (also known as rightsizing). Many of us have lived in our homes for decades, which makes it difficult to imagine what our life will look like somewhere else. However, there are a… Read more »

Top 12 Tips for Beating the Blues this Winter

senior looking stressed

It’s that time of year again. The fun and festive holiday season is over. The grey days of winter have settled in. Snow and ice seem to be the primary topic of conversation among many central Ohio caregivers and seniors. If spring seems far off and you find yourself feeling a little blue, you aren’t… Read more »

Fall Prevention for Seniors This Winter

image of man falling on snow

Falls among seniors continues to be the leading cause of disability in older adults, and one of the top ten reasons seniors end up in the emergency department of a local hospital. Here are a few fall prevention tips to help prevent your senior loved ones from falling this winter. Preventing Falls for Seniors First… Read more »