EPAGA University

When you're trying to navigate aging in place or managing an illness or disability, it can be hard to keep up with all of the lingo. To help, we're going to explore a popular term that you're likely to encounter as you age: durable medical equipment (DME). DME might sound straightforward since you already know what each word means, but it's actually a specific term used by Medicare, Medicaid, and...

Vertigo is a sensation that the environment around you is spinning in circles. Your senses tell your brain that your body is off balance, making you feel dizzy and causing you to incorrectly perceive your surroundings. Vertigo isn’t a disease, rather, a symptom of varying conditions. This week, we dive into the underlying causes and conditions that result in vertigo, various symptoms that may indi...

Winter weather brings many hazards for those individuals who have to experience it where they live and work. Whether it is driving in poor conditions or having to clear snow, any task done in winter weather conditions often results in a higher chance of injury. One winter weather work task that can easily result in injury is shoveling snow. The good news is that 15 minutes of snow shoveling counts...

Why doesn’t Grandpa play ball with me anymore? Why doesn’t Grandma take me for walks like she used to? Why can’t I go spend the week at Grandma and Grandpa’s house this summer? As parents, these are difficult questions to hear from our children as our own parents age. But for children, the answers we provide and how we discuss them can allow our kids to continue to enjoy a healthy relationship wit...

Exercise and physical activity are good for just about everyone, including older adults. No matter your health and physical abilities, you can gain a lot by staying active. In fact, studies show that “taking it easy” is risky. Often, inactivity is more to blame than age when older people lose the ability to do things on their own. Lack of physical activity also can lead to more visits to the docto...

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 d...

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 challen...

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....

Days are shorter. Nights are chillier. Fall is in full swing! 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! Show Notes: Inga's Uplifting Story: Daily Prayer Watch the Video: https://youtu.be/1sAqc7sXoSc Read the Article: 14 Fall Acti...

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 press...

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 job...

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...

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 supple...

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 c...

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 thi...

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 commu...

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 be...

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?...

"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 p...

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 b...

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, rang...

"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 incont...

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....

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! Show Notes Julie's Uplifting Story of the Week: http://www.michae...

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 som...