Blog

overview of fried food like fries, burgers and shakes

Is it Okay to Cheat on a Cardiac Diet

Dear Jane: My father is on a very restrictive cardiac diet. His doctor wants him to follow it to help better manage his coronary artery disease. After a lifetime of eating a very unhealthy diet, this abrupt change in lifestyle is very difficult for him to follow. I understand the diet is to be his… Read more »

hands on a walker

Post Rehab Tips for Your Parent

You’ve been through the hospitalization process and the transition to rehab with your loved one. You’ve helped your parent navigate their recovery journey, and now they’re back on their feet and ready to return home. So now what? What Comes After Senior Living Rehab? If you’re wondering what comes after your parent is discharged from… Read more »

daughter giving coffee to mom who is on the couch

Hospital to Home: Prevent Rehospitalization

Dear Jane: My uncle, who I am a guardian for, is in the hospital. In addition to having surgery to repair his broken leg, he has Alzheimer’s disease. He has been living with my wife and me for about a year now. We were having a tough time managing his care before the fall that… Read more »

older lady using machinery for rehab with nurse guidance

Inpatient vs. Outpatient Rehab

Dear Jeremy: I have a question about inpatient rehab versus outpatient rehab. My husband recently came down with a bad case of pneumonia. He had to be hospitalized and while he’s making progress, he’s not yet back to his old strength. When he stands, I’m worried he’ll fall because he’s still a little shaky. His… Read more »

piggy bank and a stethoscope

Managing Costs of Skilled Nursing

Your patient requires skilled nursing care, but the family has no resources and is unsure how to cover the costs for it. What can you tell them? Medicare Coverage of Skilled Nursing Care Your patient must meet the following criteria before Medicare will cover their care in a skilled nursing facility: They have Part A Medicare with… Read more »

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Is it Time to Give Up Driving?

Dear Janet: My father suffered a stroke three months ago. While he is doing remarkably well, I’m not sure how safe he is driving. My mom won’t really talk about it, but I sense she is afraid of his driving since the stroke. I took a look at their car when I visited their Columbus… Read more »

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Home Safety Checklist for Central Ohio Seniors

If you chose to spend time visiting a senior loved one at their home over the holidays, you may find yourself wondering how safe they are living alone. Adult children often find themselves in the position of trying to evaluate an older family member’s home environment for safety. Do the stairs have strong handrails? Is… Read more »

senior and nurse leaning on each other

Dealing with Emotional Loss

Dear Kara, I am the primary caregiver for my aunt. She is my late-mother’s sister, and we have always been close to her. A few months ago, her husband of almost 50 years passed away unexpectedly, leaving her on her own for the first time. Within a few weeks of his funeral, we realized she… Read more »

nurse and patient looking at each other

A Day in the Life at an Optalis Community

Long-term care is becoming an increasingly common need for older adults. In fact, it’s estimated that about half (52%) of Americans 65 or above will need some type of long-term care service in the future. However, those are just numbers. Your parent isn’t a number. Your loved one isn’t a statistic. If they end up in the… Read more »