Among the older adult population, there is a complex landscape of high-risk factors that can contribute to hospital readmissions. Listen to this podcast to explore strategies for securing support systems, particularly for individuals navigating five types of risk factors: memory issues, frequent falls, living alone, managing multiple chronic conditions, and multiple medications. Learn how to identify, address, and mitigate these high-risk factors to foster an environment that reduces the likelihood of hospital readmissions.

Recognizing the early signs of Alzheimer's disease is vital, especially for early detection and diagnosis. Frequently, family members are the first to notice these signs, but initiating a conversation about scheduling a doctor's appointment can be daunting. Overcoming resistance or denial can further complicate the situation post-diagnosis, leaving both the individual and their family uncertain about the next steps. This podcast episode addresses the challenges surrounding Alzheimer's diagnoses and explores effective strategies to navigate this journey. As professionals, arming ourselves with the knowledge to help older adults and their families is key. Listen to gain insights into overcoming obstacles, providing valuable support, and accessing helpful resources for those you serve.

Access to proper nutrition can be a challenge for older adults due to a variety of factors. Compounding this issue is the fact that older adults are also at risk for isolation and loneliness. In this podcast episode, we tackle the pressing issues of loneliness and food insecurity in the older adult population. Learn how reaching out and fostering connections can have a significant impact on elders’ well-being. Discover actionable strategies to address these challenges, promote a sense of community, and ensure that no one faces isolation or hunger alone.

As dedicated professionals in the field working with older adults, it's crucial to discern and address ethical challenges as they surface, which can prove challenging. Various factors can make older adults vulnerable to abuse, neglect and ill intent, and ethical issues emerge in several areas: complex family dynamics, end-of-life wishes, preserving dignity and respect, promoting independence, and keeping the individual safe. This podcast episode will delve into these issues, and listeners will gain insights into ethical decision-making models that empower you to reduce risks, advocate for older adults, and report any concerns to the relevant authorities. Uncover a wealth of knowledge encompassing the preservation of dignity, the promotion of independence, and ensuring the safety of each older adult.

Home is where many older adults wish to age. However, many homes are not set up as age-friendly environments. Aging in place at home can result in accidents and falls—more than one in four older adults falls each year. Listen to this podcast to learn more about key aspects of aging in place, emphasizing the significance of home safety and fall-prevention measures. Learn more about empowering older adults to maintain their independence safely and confidently within the comfort of their homes.

While our brain plays a crucial role as the command center of our body, it often doesn't receive the attention it deserves. As we age, the risk of cognitive impairment increases, but here's the good news—research indicates there is plenty we can do proactively to keep our brains sharp and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Listen to this episode to learn more about proactive strategies for maintaining optimal brain health.

As we age, there are important legal documents we should all have in place. This is particularly true for older adults. However, people often wait until a crisis to make legal decisions, which for some may be too late. While planning ahead for a person’s legal needs is ideal, it can be challenging to understand which legal documents are needed and where to begin. Listen to this podcast to learn more about the legal needs of aging and the importance of proactive planning.

Anyone working in healthcare today knows the importance of reducing hospital or rehabilitation facility readmissions. Older adults are at risk for readmissions if they lack proper support at home. The days following the transition back to the home can be crucial to keeping the older adult safe. However, older adults and their families may not be prepared for all that is involved in the person’s care as they adjust to their old environment. Listen to this episode to learn how support and help at home can be crucial to a successful transition and reduce the risk of readmission.