EPAGA University

When the person in your care has a medical issue, you want a first-rate specialist with experience and a great track record. But everyone looks professional in a lab coat. How can you tell a top doctor from one the state medical board has put on probation?

Without research, you can’t.

Join us this week as we uncover the best methods for finding healthcare, doctors, and other services in your community such as gyms and mechanics. Word of mouth only goes so far, and in general, everyone SWEARS by the people behind the services they use. This makes sorting down lists of options difficult. Follow along as we help you learn how to sort through recommendations and navigate through pages of internet research.

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Like other areas of the body, your mouth teems with bacteria — mostly harmless. But your mouth is the entry point to your digestive and respiratory tracts, and some of these bacteria can cause disease. Did you know that your oral health offers clues about your overall health — or that problems in your mouth can affect the rest of your body? Protect yourself by learning more about the connection between your oral health and overall health in this week's podcast!

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A stroke is serious, just like a heart attack, so it's important to know the signs of stroke and act quickly if you suspect someone is having one. Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, and causes more serious long-term disabilities than any other disease. Older people are at higher risk, but did you know that you can take steps to lower your chance of having a stroke?

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Read the Full Article: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/stroke

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"Sally looked forward to Thanksgiving dinner at her daughter’s house every year. She loved the smell of the turkey and all the fixings. She couldn’t wait to dig in. But, this year it didn’t smell like Thanksgiving and, when Sally ate the holiday food, she felt let down. It wasn’t as tasty as she remembered. No one else seemed to notice. Sally wondered what might be wrong: Could her senses be the problem?"

Did you know that your sense of smell and taste are connected? As you get older, these senses can change, and, like Sally, you may find that certain foods aren’t as flavorful as they used to be. Changes in smell or taste can also be a sign of a larger problem. Join us this week as we discuss what causes the diminishing of smell and taste, how to help combat it, and when it might be serious enough to seek your doctor for help.

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For many seniors, low self-esteem and aging go hand-in-hand. Some older adults experience a decline in confidence because of changes in their physical appearance, and others struggle with self-esteem due to health problems, limited mobility, or loss of independence. Sometimes, seniors have low self-esteem as a result of feeling disconnected from the rest of the world.

Although certain people may be prone to low self-esteem, anyone can boost their self-esteem by making some small but impactful lifestyle changes. Join us this week as we discuss several accessible, manageable ideas to gradually improve you or your aging loved one's self-image!

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We've all heard the phrase "it's better to give than to receive." But when your aging loved one's birthday and other holidays roll around, it can sometimes be hard to know exactly what to get them.

If you’re looking for a wonderful gift that your older adult will use and enjoy, we’ve got you covered! Join us this week as we discuss thoughtful, helpful, entertaining, and comforting gift ideas, ranging from products for independent older adults to gifts for seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia or greater care needs.

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"Urinary incontinence means a person leaks urine by accident. While it can happen to anyone, urinary incontinence, also known as overactive bladder, is more common in older people, especially women. Bladder control issues can be embarrassing and cause people to avoid their normal activities."

But there is hope! Incontinence can often be stopped or controlled. Join us this week as we discuss incontinence causes, types, and treatments.

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This week, we're talking about hyperthermia and heat stroke!

As the summer temperatures rise, it's important to stay informed on the implications of heat overexposure including heat syncope, heat cramps, heat edema, heat exhaustion, and in the most severe cases, heat stroke. Our elderly population is most at risk, as the majority of people who die from hyperthermia each year are over 50 years old.

Listen to this week's episode for information on ways to prevent overheating, how to identify early signs of hyperthermia, and how to lower you our your aging loved one's susceptibility to heat-associated illnesses.

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Visit EPAGA’s Website for more articles about home care: https://www.epagahomecare.com/articles

Fun Fact: In developed countries, the prevalence of centenarians is about 1-in-6,000. Supercentenarians, those who reach 110 years or more, are much rarer, only about 1-in-7 million people around the world live this long (Live Science Staff).

This week, we dive into everything you never knew you needed to know about 100-year-olds!

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These days, it can be hard to relate to those from generations much older and younger than your own. This week, we are excited to bring you some sure-to-please conversation starters and topics that will help you find common ground with your Great Uncle Ron, Grandma Betty, or the aging senior you're caregiving for that you just met.

To celebrate our 50th Episode, we invite you to stay tuned for some knee-slapping stories of tried and true (and 100% uncut) grandma and grandpa sayings directly from the mouths of those nearest and dearest to us! We've been waiting for an episode like this to really "pop off" as the youngins say. So strap in; it's going to be a wild ride!

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