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Is your neck stiffness keeping you from turning your head to drive or sleeping through the night?
Your older adult family member living “independently” at home could benefit from some assistance such as companionship, housekeeping services,…
Have you ever been confused by an Explanation of Benefits statement from your health insurance company? Between premiums, deductibles, coinsur…
We walk from here to there and everywhere we need, we walk for exercise, walk the golf course or just walk in our yard without giving it a sec…
Every 65 seconds, someone in the United States develops Alzheimer ’s disease. One in three older adults will die with Alzheimer’s disease, acc…
Natural changes in an individual’s physical and cognitive state occur as a result of aging.
If you’re looking at getting a knee brace to keep you from having a knee replacement, it is possible it could help, if it is a specific type o…
Medical Assistance (MA) services that are provided in Pennsylvania will be undergoing a change beginning in January of 2020.
It is important for aging persons to understand annuities.
If you are about 60 years old or older, it’s likely that you have noticed that your balance and coordination while you are walking or doing ev…
Many times when the Keystone Elder Law phone rings off the hook with unusual calls, the question is asked. “Is it a full moon?”
The role of nutrition and hydration at the end of life can be a controversial issue for many people.
Have you ever had pain in your back, knee or some other muscle or joint in your body? Like most folks, you probably thought to yourself “I’ll …
This column examines two additional areas of need identified by the National Institute on Aging; practical tasks and physical condition.
Fear, anger and inadequacy are some common feelings we experience when we must deal with our own or a family member’s mortality.
When it comes to hip pain that keeps someone from walking without a limp or walking up or down the stairs, it is unfortunately a common occurrence.
Death and dying are not common topics of family conversation in American culture. Even when a loved one is critically ill, many families strug…
*Editor’s Note: This column originally ran in February 2016.
When it comes to getting rid of back pain, you can absolutely do it without shots, pills or surgery. In fact, the majority of people can get r…
Last week’s column introduced the concept of frailty and its relationship to aging in place. While frailty can be present at any age, it is mo…
Aging in place, or an individual’s desire to live in a location of choice for as long as possible, is currently a popular concept among older …
Isn’t it interesting that we don’t realize how much we need our arm and shoulder until we can’t lift a coffee cup from the cupboard, put on a …
Does where you live affect your health? Environmental factors such as water and air quality may immediately come to mind, but additional commu…
Last week’s column discussed Advance Care Directives for end stage medical treatment. The directive prepares for the possibility that a person…
If you’ve noticed your balance is not so good and you’re afraid you’re going to fall, you are certainly not alone—and most people notice a dec…
This is the second of a series of articles on end-of-life care, and a revision of an article that was first published almost exactly six years ago.
This article is the first of a series that will discuss the status of physician-assisted death legislation, the importance of legal documents …
Most people would agree that planning ahead for a significant life event makes sense. Preparation increases the likelihood that we will obtain…
In recent years, the mistreatment of older adults has received increased attention from the government, professionals who work with this popul…
If you’re asking yourself, what options do I have besides surgery, pills or shots for my knee pain that makes me limp and makes stairs difficu…
Older adults are prime targets for scammers for a variety of reasons. For example, they may be lonely and more willing to speak with strangers…
Does the thought of aging create a feeling of uncertainty with regard to “What’s next?”
If you’re wondering why your heel/arch hurts after rest but gets better with walking, that’s a good question. You would think it would be the …
When a friend of mine reached age 60, he began to fill notebooks with questions and ideas about his retirement.
An Irrevocable Funeral Trust (IFT) is a useful tool for people who are facing the high cost of skilled nursing care.
There are several reasons why you may feel low back pain when standing and walking, which may cause you to limp, keep you from performing stai…
As we observe Elder Law Month in May, it seems appropriate to share some common misunderstandings or myths about long-term care.
May is Elder Law Month, according to the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA).
There are a number of factors that contribute to jaw pain while eating, yawning or simply opening your mouth.
Note: Medicaid regulations vary from state to state. This information is based on regulations in Pennsylvania.
Planning for post-acute care following the hospitalization of an older adult can be confusing. Some of the challenges that families experience…
While there are multiple causes for dizziness, such as medications, heart problems, fatigue, migraines or dehydration, one of the most common …
When an older adult has been hospitalized and follow-up care is needed after discharge, families are often bewildered by how to locate, access…
Spring is a season of renewal for most of us. But for some whose time and attention is focused on the needs of an increasingly frail older per…
Are my flat feet causing my foot pain?
A conversation about falls would not be complete without mentioning the condition of dizziness.
If last week’s column about falls has you concerned about your own or a loved one’s risk of falling, there are a number of assessment tools th…
How do you fix a shoulder that’s keeping you awake at night and making you unable to reach over your head during the day.
Can you guess what will happen to one out of every four Americans age 65 and older this year? Every 11 seconds, this same situation will cause…
As the average lifespan increases and medical advances allow people with chronic health conditions to live longer, the potential of requiring …
My heel pain is causing me to limp and preventing me from walking for exercise. How do I fix it?
If you are one of the 55.15 percent of Cumberland County residents who are a designated organ donor on your driver’s license or state identifi…
Change. Do you welcome it, generally resist it or accept that it will happen and “go with the flow?”
If low back pain for two weeks transitions to pain while coughing and sneezing, weakness in a leg and difficulty sitting for more than five mi…
*Note: This column previously ran in August 2016.
*Note: This column previously ran in August 2013.
If you’re looking to get rid of knee pain and get back to walking and exercising without the need for surgery and medications, you’re not alone.
When illness, disability or the frailties of aging strike, even the most independent individuals may feel vulnerable when faced with navigatin…
Have you ever caught yourself humming a familiar tune without consciously thinking about it?
Pennsylvania’s average cost of nursing home care is now $10,420 per month, according to information provided recently by the Department of Hum…
I confess that I have not yet preplanned my funeral. Eventually, I will stop procrastinating and get around to it.
If your big toe is becoming painful on the inside of the joint as it begins to drift inward and the second toe is drawing back, affecting walk…
Often the only stories that are broadcast by the media about long-term care facilities highlight extreme events and inadequate care.
Surprisingly it is very common to have low back and leg pain without being able to identify a specific injury or incident that caused it.
When one considers the characteristics of America’s Santa Claus, which qualities attract the most attention?
Underlying all of the material trappings of the holiday season is a focus on hope, peace and family/loved ones.
Do holidays bring to mind special memories of past family celebrations and anticipation of upcoming events, or a dread of the same old rituals?
If you become dizzy or nauseous or the room feels like its spinning when you turn in bed or turn your head quickly to one side, the symptoms c…
November is National Family Caregivers Month. Columns this month will feature updated versions of some of Keystone Elder Law’s previous articl…
November is National Family Caregivers Month. Columns this month will feature updated versions of some of Keystone Elder Law’s previous articl…
November is National Family Caregivers Month. Columns this month will feature updated versions of some of Keystone Elder Law’s previous articl…
If you have a stiff or painful lower bank when getting out of bed that can prevent you from standing up straight at first, then you’re certain…
November is National Family Caregivers Month. Columns this month will feature updated versions of some of Keystone Elder Law’s previous articl…
November is National Family Caregivers Month. Columns this month will feature updated versions of some of Keystone Elder Law’s previous articl…
One question patients ask me every day relates to their heel hurting when they get out of bed in the morning. Sometimes the pain is so bad, th…
Various theories and approaches exist for working with individuals who are experiencing symptoms of dementia. Previous articles have discussed…
Everyone experiences pain. Whether it’s a headache, a torn ligament, a sprained ankle or sore muscles, pain is just a fact of life for many pe…
Sitting causes me to have constant pain and burning between my shoulder blades and headaches in the back of my head. I have to sit for my job …
An older loved one is having difficulty managing in the family home. Decisions about finding support for your loved one, either through servic…
Caring for an individual who is experiencing symptoms of dementia requires patience and ingenuity.
If you’re wondering how you can get your life back when your knee is getting so stiff and painful that you can’t walk without a limp, walk up …
Addicts who overdose from injecting opioids such as heroin and fentanyl are not usually older persons. But Medicare-age persons are part of “D…
Why do I feel dizzy, lightheaded and sick to my stomach when I turn my head suddenly, or get up from sitting or lying down?
It comes as a shock to many people when they learn that in Pennsylvania and most other states, prenuptial agreements are disregarded if one of…
The health care needs of retired Americans have led to growing costs of staggering proportions that are already too big to manage with an outc…
Here’s a look at why physical therapy is better than medication, shots, braces and surgery.
Symptoms of dementia are often subtle during the early stages of a disease process and progress gradually. Surprisingly, people who are experi…
The combination of a growing aging population with increasing care needs, and not enough family members and paid caregivers to meet current de…
There are many reasons why people get headaches, but I will focus on a very common reason why some people get headaches on a frequent basis.
CBS News cited Census data to list Pennsylvania as the 11th most heavily-armed state, with 88,732 registered firearms among 5,928,814 people.
Health care coverage has been a hot topic in politics for a number of years now. Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, some confusion …
My hip is painful and causes me to limp. Do I need a hip replacement?
I often receive telephone calls from individuals who are seeking information regarding care for a spouse or aging parents. The demographics of…
Independence is one of the fundamental principles upon which our nation was founded. Independence continues to be a core value in American cul…
For someone with constant hip pain, “do I need a hip replacement” is a great question. The answer is sometimes yes and sometimes no.
Disputes between a nursing home operator and its resident can escalate to litigation. While the nursing home can sue the resident and some rel…
Mom and Dad are generally slowing down. Perhaps the changes associated with aging are magnified by the presence of one or more chronic health …
Many parents dream of the day they will become grandparents and can dote on their grandchildren. Many of us have fond memories of time spent w…
When it comes to foot, arch or heel pain, custom foot orthotics can help with that.
When an individual suffers an event which requires hospitalization, a spouse is usually overwhelmed. Rehabilitation in a facility is often rec…
Here are the top 10 reasons to see an elder law attorney:
Long-term care insurance is optional insurance you can buy to pay for care that is not reimbursed by health insurance or Medicare. When a pers…
Over the years, we are increasingly seeing a problem involving the parents of children with special needs who was cared for and lived with the…
Let’s talk about the process of dying, and especially your wishes for end-of-life care.
Last week, Karen Kaslow shared some excellent suggestions from local home care agencies about how to have a positive home care experience. Thi…
When older adults begin to need some assistance, we often encourage them to obtain help sooner rather later.
The 2018 Winter Olympics ended recently, and every athlete who participated is to be commended for the years of effort that preceded their par…
Recently, while perusing birthday greeting cards, I came across a number of cards that poked fun at growing older.
Whether you are bemoaning another six weeks of winter as predicted last Friday by Pennsylvania’s Punxsatawney Phil and Canada’s albino groundh…
Have you noticed that a loved one seems to be behaving strangely? Have others suggested that you don’t seem to be in a pleasant mood?
As we entered the new year earlier this month, I remarked to a friend that the years seem to be passing by more quickly as I get older.
As an aging adult, are you excited or apprehensive about another new year?
During the extended sub-freezing temperatures, I heard from “Sam,” a faith-based volunteer who serves Meals on Wheels.
Serving as a guide to help our clients make wise decisions as they face long-term care issues is challenging. No two fact patterns are exactly alike.
