'He's different now . . . but he's still the man I married'

To Ivonne Thompson, the best part about having a new house is she doesn't have to get dressed to go see her husband, Naval Petty Officer second class Anthony Thompson. "We're under the same roof all the time now," said Ivonne, 33. "I can go check on him in my pj's. I don't have to wake up A.J. to go to the hospital."

Anthony was stationed with a Marine unit near Fallujah, Iraq, when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive under an overpass. He suffered a traumatic brain injury, an incomplete spinal cord injury and a punctured right lung. He was awarded a Purple Heart for an injury sustained during battle. "He's different now, and he may have changed, but he's still the man I married," Ivonne said. "I love him." Houston Chronicle

Taking care of people, not problems

Thanks to a new study, we now know that our idea of what it means to be in a persistent vegetative state may be radically inaccurate. It’s entirely possible that the “professionals” that passed judgment upon Terri were wrong in their assessment of her level of awareness. But even if they weren't -- even if Terri lacked conscious awareness -- her handicap should not have resulted in the revocation of her membership in the human family.

As creatures created in God’s image our “humanity” is unalterable, even though we are subject to change. Our humanity is not contingent upon our mental or physical fitnes -- at least, it shouldn't be. We have worth, value and dignity -- not because of our capacities or achievements -- but because the Creator made us and gave Himself for us. LifeNews

An 86-Year-Old Woman Contemplates the End of Her Life

The patient described and interviewed here faces a crossroads in her medical care. Consider her medical history and perspective, expressed in her own words, and review the questions posed. How would you approach this crossroads? JAMA

Senior Home Care Blog

Visit the Senior Home Care Blog often to find the latest updates on family caregiving, home care, and tips on caring for the caregiver. Click 'Get the Feed' (top of the right-hand sidebar) and then 'Subscribe to this Feed' to be notified when updates are available.

Recognizing Depression in Older Adults

Once depression is distinguished from other diseases, like dementia, treatment can help restore quality of life for mature adults. Everyday Health

Helping Social Workers Focused on an Aging Population

Boston University’s Institute for Geriatric Social Work has received a five-year, $3.1 million grant to continue efforts to prepare the social services workforce for an aging society. Bureau of the Census population projections released in 1996 predict that from 2010 to 2030, the U.S. geriatric population will rise from 39 million to 69 million, a 75 percent increase. From 2030 to 2050, the growth rate is projected to increase another 14 percent, bringing the total of older Americans to 79 million. BU Today

25 Observations on Growing Old

Pastor Chris Humburg of Altoona Regular Baptist Church in Altoona, Iowa, recently compiled a list of 25 observations on what it's like to grow old in Christ -- with godly suggestions on how to respond to that fact of life. He generously allowed Baptists for Life to publish them.

Mayo Clinic Backs New Personal Health Record Site

The Mayo Clinic has combined its medical expertise with Microsoft Corp.'s technology in a free Web site launching Tuesday that will let people store personal health and medical information. The Mayo Clinic Health Manager, as the site is called, is one of many emerging services for so-called personal health records. The sites, from companies such as Microsoft and Google Inc. and major health insurers, are meant to give people an easy way to stash medical information and transfer it to a new clinic, hospital or specialist. But those providers aren't necessarily ready for such an electronic revolution, which for now means it takes some work on the patient's part to set up and maintain the records. The Associated Press

Seniors and Computers

The concept of lifelong learning took on full meaning for Esther McGowan when she registered for Intro to PCs for Seniors. “I have grandchildren who use computers, and I wanted to get a feel for them,” says McGowan. Delores McCarthy, another student of the class agrees. “I overheard my ten-year-old grandson discussing computers, and I thought, I’ve got to get on the ball.” Many seniors are signing up for computer classes through local schools, colleges, community centers, and online (Internet) resources. Today’s technology dictates the demand and need for computer knowledge from people of all ages, and senior citizens are determined not to get left behind. Seniors and Computers

Retirement Hobbies

A long list of ideas for the senior in your life! Retirement Hobby Ideas

Keeping Seniors Healthy: Do Seniors Get Bad Breath More Often?

Q: I was wondering if older people get bad breath more than younger folks. Sometimes the smell from Dad’s mouth when he talks is enough to make me ill. A: I could find no direct link between aging and halitosis, which is the fancy term for bad breath. However, I'm going to take a couple of educated stabs at the issue raised in this question. Seniors and Bad Breath?

Types of Grief and Loss

Take a quick look and three types of grief: anticipatory grief, sudden loss, and complicated grief. Source 1 and Source 2, and three additional types of grief: uncomplicated, dysfunctional, and disenfranchised. Pages 310-312

Challenges and Choices: Elderly Caregiving

Although a caregiver can be anyone -- a spouse, child, friend or neighbor, usually it is a woman. The typical caregiver is 57 years old, female, married and employed outside the home. She can expect to spend as many years caring for a parent as for her children. There is also a good chance that she will be a caregiver to more than one person during her lifetime. If you are not currently caring for an elder, chances are that you will at some time during your life. This guide provides information about our aging population, issues related to caregiving, ideas for taking care of yourself and resources that can help. Elderly Caregiving

Know the Many Possible Causes of Memory Loss

Loss Although many people believe that memory loss is an early sign of Alzheimer's disease, studies show that more than 90% of those who complain about poor memory do not have Alzheimer's. So, if it is not Alzheimer's, what is it? Possible Causes of Memory Loss