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What immunizations do adults need? Immunizations help protect you from serious, preventable diseases. Keeping up to date with immunizations helps you stay healthy. As an adult, you need to be [...]

What shots do adults need? You need shots to protect you from tetanus and whooping cough (pertussis). You may need other vaccines as well, such as the flu vaccine each [...]

What is tube feeding? Tube feeding is a special liquid food mixture given through a tube in the stomach or small intestine. It provides nutrition when you are not able [...]

What is therapeutic recreation? Therapeutic recreation uses leisure activities like games and crafts to help people function better. People who may benefit include: * the physically disabled * the mentally [...]

What is the tetanus vaccine? The tetanus vaccine is a shot that protects you against the disease tetanus. This disease is rare but it can be fatal. It is an [...]

What are telephone assistive devices? Telephone assistive devices help you hear telephone conversations better. You may need a telephone assistive device if you find that it is hard to hear [...]

What is dementia? Dementia is a condition that makes it harder for you to think, remember, reason, and plan. Dementia can be caused by different diseases. All of these diseases [...]

What are restraints? A restraint is something that limits your ability to move around or reach a part of your body. Restraints can be physical devices or medicine. * Physical [...]

What is respite care? Respite care is a way for the main caregiver of someone with special needs to have some time off. A respite break can be as short [...]

What is physical therapy? Physical therapy (PT) is a treatment program that helps you: * build or regain strength * improve mobility if you have a chronic illness, injury, or [...]

What is the pneumococcal pneumonia shot? The pneumococcal pneumonia shot protects against a kind of bacteria that commonly causes pneumonia. Pneumonia is a term for several diseases that cause inflammation [...]

What is occupational therapy? Occupational therapy (OT) helps you relearn the skills of everyday life after you have been ill or injured. You may learn new ways to: * eat [...]

What is a continuing-care retirement community? A continuing-care retirement community (CCRC) is a place that offers care for the rest of your life. Usually you move first to an independent [...]

What are assistive devices? Assistive devices are tools that help you do everyday tasks and activities more easily. They are used for many types of activities of daily living (ADLs), [...]

What is assisted living? Assisted living offers private living units for older adults and help with daily activities such as: * bathing * grooming * dressing * eating. * housekeeping [...]

What difficult behaviors are commonly associated with Alzheimer's disease? Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an incurable brain disease. It can cause troublesome changes in behavior. Some of the most common difficult [...]

What is Alzheimer's disease (AD)? Alzheimer's disease (AD) affects brain cells. Slowly the brain cells in brain areas linked to thinking and intelligence stop working. This affects memory and thinking [...]

What are adult day care programs? Adult day care programs provide care and supervision outside the home for adults with special needs. They offer a safe, secure place for older [...]

What is dementia? Dementia is a gradual loss of mental functions such as the ability to think, remember, reason, and plan. Dementia is not a disease, but a group of [...]

What causes dry skin? Skin protects itself and stays moist with natural oils from oil glands in the skin. Soaps remove these oils and make the skin drier. Heat also [...]

What immunizations do adults need? Immunizations help protect you from serious, preventable diseases. Keeping up to date with immunizations helps you stay healthy. As an adult, you need to be [...]

What is tube feeding? Tube feeding is a special liquid food mixture given through a tube in the stomach or small intestine. It provides nutrition when you are not able [...]

What is dementia? Dementia is a condition that causes someone to become less and less able to think, remember, reason, and plan. It is not really a disease, but a [...]

What are restraints? A restraint is any device that limits a person's ability to move around or reach a part of his or her body. Restraints can be physical devices [...]

What is therapeutic recreation? Therapeutic recreation uses leisure activities like games and crafts to help people function better. Those who may benefit include: * the physically disabled * the mentally [...]

What are telephone assistive devices? Telephone assistive devices help you hear telephone conversations better. You may need a telephone assistive device if you find that it is hard to hear [...]

What shots do adults need? Older adults need shots to protect them from: * Tetanus and whooping cough (pertussis). * Influenza (flu). * Streptococcal (pneumococcal) pneumonia. * Shingles. It is [...]

What is respite care? Respite care is a way for the main caregiver of someone with special needs to have some time off. A respite break can be as short [...]

What is long-term care (LTC)? Long-term-care (LTC) usually means medical and physical care for people with a chronic illness or disability. For example, the care may include help with things [...]

What is physical therapy? Physical therapy (PT) is a form of healthcare that helps you: * build or regain strength * improve mobility if you have a chronic illness, disease, [...]

What is occupational therapy? Occupational therapy (OT) helps you relearn the skills of everyday life after you have been ill or injured. You may learn new ways to: * eat [...]

What is a nursing facility? A nursing facility is a long-term care facility. Nursing facilities provide care for people with illnesses and disabilities that make it impossible for them to [...]

What is Meals on Wheels? Meals on Wheels is a community program that delivers hot meals to people who cannot prepare their own meals or leave their homes to shop [...]

What is rehabilitation? Rehabilitation (also called rehab) is a treatment program for people who have been ill or injured. It helps you relearn the skills of everyday life. In rehab, [...]

What is outpatient surgery? Outpatient surgery is when you go to the hospital, have surgery, and go home the same day. You do not have to stay in the hospital [...]

What services do ambulances offer? Ambulance services provide emergency medical care when you are injured or seriously ill. Paramedics or emergency medical technicians take care of you on the way [...]

What is durable medical equipment (DME)? Durable medical equipment (DME) is medical equipment and supplies that are used in the home. Medicare specifies what equipment is covered and what is [...]

What is Medicaid? Medicaid is a program that helps pay for the cost of healthcare for people with low incomes and limited assets. It is paid by federal and state [...]

What is a geriatric assessment? A geriatric assessment (GA) evaluates all aspects of an older person's condition. It covers not only medical conditions but also the ability to live at [...]

What is home healthcare? Home healthcare is medical care provided in your home when you are confined there due to illness or injury and need 'skilled care,' such as dressing [...]

Why are fluids important for older adults? Not getting enough fluids to drink can be a serious problem for older adults. As you get older, your body's warning signals get [...]

What are congregate meals? Congregate meals are delicious, healthy meals served in welcoming group settings to people who are at least 60 years of age. Meals are served 5 to [...]

What causes dry skin? Nearly 85% of older people develop a condition known as winter itch, which is caused by overheated, dry indoor air. What are the symptoms? The symptoms [...]

What is discharge planning? Discharge planning is a process that helps prepare you to leave the hospital. It covers: * when you may be able to leave * what additional [...]

What is a continuing-care retirement community? A continuing-care retirement community (CCRC) is a place that offers care for the rest of an older person's life. A person usually begins living [...]

(Bathing, Dressing, Eating, Grooming, Toileting, Walking) What is an assistive device? An assistive device is a tool to help you do something more easily. Such tools are used to make [...]

What is assisted living? Assisted living is group housing for older adults who can no longer manage on their own but do not need 24-hour nursing care. They may need [...]

What are common difficult behaviors associated with AD? Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an incurable brain disease that can cause troublesome changes in behavior. Some of the most common difficult behaviors [...]

What are adult day care programs? Adult day care programs provide care and supervision outside the home for adults with special needs. They offer a safe, secure place for older [...]