By Nicole Lipinski, RN, MS, ADC-MC, CDP Medicaid, Medicare – they sound alike? But they are different! What is the difference? Or are they the same? Let’s explore and see if we can figure this out! Medicaid is both state and federally funded. The program provides benefits based on financial need. Health insurance is provided to low-income Americans of all…
By Nicole Lipinski, RN, MS, ADC- MC, CDP You may notice pain and swelling in your joints as you age. What is that? The general term for this is arthritis. There are many different types of arthritis —however, if you have an overall swelling and tenderness of one or more of your joints you may be experiencing the “pains of…
By Nicole Lipinski, RN, MS, ADC-MC, CDP November is National Family Caregiver Month. This month we celebrate all those who take care of others. National caregiver week began in the mid-1990. However, the importance of caregivers was truly recognized with President Barack Obama’s recognition in 2012. “Across America, daughters and sons balance the work of caring for aging parents with the demands…
By Nicole Lipinski, RN, MS, ADC-MC, CDP You may think dehydration is only something you need to think about in the good ole summer. However, it is very possible to suffer from dehydration in the winter. The body’s sweat mechanism is not activated as much in the winter as it is on a hot summer day. Therefore, we are not…
By Nicole Lipinski, RN, MS, ADC-MC, CDP The concept of telehealth is not really a new concept. This concept in its earliest form dates back to the early 1900s. Pennsylvania was sending radiology images 24 miles via phone lines in the 1940s. The University of Nebraska was the first to use video communication for hospital consultations in 1959. These early…
By Nicole Lipinski, RN, MS, ADC-MC, CDP We have probably all stumbled upon the list of 101 things to do with someone who has dementia. However, do those things really enhance the quality of life of a person with dementia or are they just things to keep them busy? I would guess keeping someone distracted and busy is OK—but let’s…
By Nicole Lipinski, RN, MS-ADC-MC, CDP We all know diet is important for many reasons—keeping our cholesterol down, our heart healthy and overall making us feel better. Well, what effects does it have on our brain? In particular—how can diet help with our cognition? We must turn to research for some answers! There are all kinds of diets out there—so…
Do you have a dog, cat, bird, or another animal? Most likely, these animals are a huge part of your life. They are your family. Many people consider their pets their best friends. As we age – this usually does not change. We continue to seek the affection of our pets. Many seniors fight depression. They feel…
Maria Montessori was a physician and educator in Rome who developed the Montessori theory. Maria was a pioneer for her time. She was challenged with hard assignments because she was a woman. Other professionals in her field felt she should be tested to prove herself because it was not likely a woman be educated as a medical professional at this time.…
Health care screenings are medical tests to check for diseases or health conditions before a patient might notice signs or symptoms. These can also be done if there is an indication of a problem, and your doctor is considering treatment. These are called preventative health services. The tests can consist of blood work, paper-pencil type tests, scans or other tests as…
