Rehab Select Blog

The kidneys are located on either side of the spine, just above the waist. Their most famous role is as a blood cleanser, whereby they remove waste and toxins so that those toxins can then be excreted from the body. They also help regulate blood pressure, maintain the proper balance of minerals and salts in the blood, and assist in red blood cell production. The kidneys also produce a form of vitamin D, necessary for healthy bones.

Think exercise is just for the "younger set"? Think again. Exercise is important for seniors, as well -- even if someone has never exercised before. 

Before starting an exercise program

Anyone thinking about beginning an exercise program should visit his or her doctor to make sure physical activity is okay, and what if any restrictions need to be in place.

Have you just been diagnosed with diabetes? Or, have you had diabetes for a while now–either diagnosed or undiagnosed–so that now it must be managed?

Diabetes management doesn't have to be hard – but it does have to be done

If you have ended up in the hospital as a result of diabetic complications and need to go to a skilled nursing facility once you are stable enough for discharge but not well enough to go home, don't be discouraged. This is called "post-acute" care, and your doctor may decide that it is necessary. It is also an opportunity for you to learn how to manage your disease well, with your family's help.

Every year, over two million people in the United States have some kind of serious cardiac event that requires extensive medical attention. Myocardial infarction, heart failure, and cardiac surgeries such as coronary artery bypass or valve replacement are some examples. Many of these patients are over the age of 65, and with the aged population growing, the number of elderly patients in need of cardiac rehabilitation will also increase.

For these patients, recovery is often long and difficult, because of comorbidities, general age-related frailty, and their need to restrict physical activity during acute recovery. Skilled nursing facilities are an often overlooked resource for patients who need postacute care and cardiac rehabilitation. 

Having surgery? Not sure where you should go for your post surgical rehabilitation? Fortunately, you have a choice. Skilled nursing facilities are a valid option for inpatient rehabilitation after your surgery. Why?

They have the resources you need

Today's skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) are dynamic community-based institutions that provide facilities for recovery, rehabilitation, and long-term care as needed to the residents of the area. Top-notch medical staff and professionals serve patients in the community as they recover from surgery or other medical situations.

Scams against seniors have been called the "crime of the 21st century". Seniors are often targeted for fraud because they're thought to have a lot of money. In addition, seniors with cognitive difficulties can be easy targets.

Is it safe for older people to exercise? For most people, the answer is a resounding "yes."

Understanding health benefits of exercise for seniors is relatively straightforward: The American Academy of Family Physicians states that almost all older people can benefit from at least some activity. Regular, sensible physical activity helps protect seniors from chronic diseases, improves mood, lessens the chance of injury, and helps prevent situations that can lead to rapid decline, like falls.

Perhaps the most common definition of elder abuse is physical abuse. However, scams against seniors also qualify as elder abuse, and to that end are covered by elder abuse protection laws. If you have an elderly friend or family member, it's important that you educate them about this fraud -- or to take note of it yourself if you could be a potential victim.

It is important to eat well at any age, but it's especially important to make nutrition a top priority for older Americans. Some 15 to 50% of older Americans struggle with malnutrition. Symptoms can include loss of appetite, lethargy, disorientation and weight loss. Fortunately, it's a relatively easy problem to fix for most people; understanding health benefits of a proper diet for the elderly is the first step in doing so.

Approximately 20 million Americans today suffer from some kind of kidney insufficiency that requires kidney disease care. Kidney diseases that can become chronic include kidney stones, urinary tract infections, or even chronic renal failure that could result in death.

Patients who need extended care and rehabilitation after an acute renal episode requiring hospitalization can receive excellent, cost-effective care in community based nursing facilities – including dialysis if necessary.