EPAGA University

When the time comes, downsizing for seniors can present a multitude of emotional and physical challenges. Sorting a household of possessions – and wading through a lifetime of memories – can be daunting for both seniors and their caregivers.

As overwhelming as it may seem, downsizing can help to create a simple, safe, and stress-free environment for your senior loved one. Join us this week as we dive head-first into dissecting tips for helping your senior downsize that will benefit everyone while minimizing stress and maximizing productivity!

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Not a day goes by when there isn’t news about social media. Whether it is a tweet from a politician, headlines about Facebook or viral videos from YouTube, social media has become a regular part of our lives. While it's commonly thought that social media is for the younger generations, older adults are actually using social media in growing numbers. However, this usage doesn't come without challenges and concerns. On the contrary, there are also huge benefits.

With help from this Senior Tech Club recipe, we invite you to join us this week as we provide an introduction to social media and top platforms, identify some of the benefits, and help you navigate some of the challenges!

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As the nation’s #1 cause of disability, arthritis affects nearly 60 million adults and 300,000 children. Over 100 types of arthritis and related conditions damage the joints and often other organs.

Join us this week as we discuss all things arthritis; diagnosing arthritis, what exactly it is, when it's time to see a doctor for your joint pain, recognizing the symptoms, and types of arthritis pain.

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Days are shorter.

With autumn’s arrival comes an opportunity for family and professional caregivers to enrich life for those they’re caring for. Join us this week as we discuss several wellness-focused fall activities for seniors!

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High blood pressure increases the risk for heart disease and stroke; two leading causes of death for Americans. Tens of millions of adults in the United States have high blood pressure, and many do not have it under control. The only way to know if you have high blood pressure (or hypertension) is to have your blood pressure tested. Understanding your results is key to controlling high blood pressure.

Join us this week as we talk about what’s considered a normal blood pressure reading (as recommended by the American Heart Association), as well as navigating a high blood pressure diagnosis.

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This incredibly touching story can only be summed up by Turner Pruitt's written first impression when he was introduced—through photos and stories—to the young man who gave him the gift of life through a heart donation:

"My donor is Joseph Daniel Galinat. He was a senior at a Milwaukee, Oregon high school in 2008. He was a quiet, creative, [and] humble young man. he would like to volunteer for jobs that others ignored. Joseph liked to be in the background.

He was in Montana for the month of August visiting his grandmother on her farms. Joseph was spending time that month bucking bales of hay, digging ditches, and enjoying the great outdoors. He was killed in a tragic single-vehicle accident while taking pictures from the bed of [his] truck.

Joseph saved or enhanced the lives of 30 people with organ, eye, and tissue donations. I have met his family several times and attended senior day at his high school, as well as visiting his gravesite with his parents. Joseph is a special person who, at the age of 16, decided to become an organ donor. I have met the recipient of his lungs and his liver. I am Joseph’s living legacy, and try to honor him every day."

Join us this week as we so proudly welcome Turner and Adriene (Joseph's mother) to the podcast to tell the story of their organ donation journey that began with heartbreaking loss and transformed only by the grace of God into incredible faith, healing, and friendship.

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Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder marked by abnormal reductions in breathing while a person is asleep. These disruptions reduce the quality of sleep and, if left untreated, can lead to potentially serious health consequences. Sleep apnea is a common disorder in the United States, but often goes undiagnosed because many sleepers are unaware of their nighttime symptoms.

Join us this week as we discuss the types of sleep apnea, as well as the symptoms, causes, and treatments! Understanding this condition can help you minimize its potential health effects.

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Breathing in oxygen is such a vital part of our lives, yet we do so without even realizing it. However, there are times when patients struggle to take in enough oxygen from the air. In these instances, they may be prescribed oxygen therapy, which has many benefits. Join us this week as we dive into types of oxygen therapy, how to identify the signs that might indicate that oxygen might need supplemented, what to expect when your loved one is prescribed oxygen, and more!

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Macular Degeneration is the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in adults over 60, affecting more than 10 million Americans. The risk of developing AMD increases with age. If you are 75 or older, your risk is 1 in 3 and at present, AMD is considered an incurable eye disease. While the origins of AMD are still unknown, science has uncovered many of the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to its development, along with the body’s malfunctioning mechanisms that cause the deterioration of macula — the central portion of the retina.

Join us this week as we dive into types, stages, and causes of AMD, as well as risk factors that predispose you to developing it and treatments currently available for those affected!

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Visitors play an important role in the recovery of hospitalized people. Each year, one out of every seven Americans needs hospital care. If one of your family members or friends is hospitalized, would you know how to be a good hospital visitor?

Visits to the hospital and even the nursing home your loved one resides in aren’t always easy, especially if you’re not sure what to do or say. Join us this week as we discuss what to expect of your visit, the do's and don'ts as you interact with those you come into contact with, and some tips to make your visits more intentional and meaningful.

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