Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, physicians and researchers have been working to determine how the virus impacts cancer patients and their care. Moffitt Cancer Center has partnered with more than 120 other health care institutions across the U.S. to form the COVID-19 and Cancer Consortium. The group’s mission is to collect data about patients with cancer who have been diagnosed with COVID-19. The consortium has determined elderly patients have certain risk factors beyond...
COVID-19 has certainly exerted a huge toll on our country. Millions of people have become sick and many of these, disproportionately represented by the senior population, have succumbed to this infection. However, even those who have survived or have not contracted COVID-19 have experienced significant challenges. Seniors, like many others, have had to learn new ways to cope with isolation and mental health challenges during social distancing. And this isolation...
by Patricia Fuller, PhD Director, Wellness Engineering Bakdwin Krystyn Sherman Partners What were your favorite toys as a child? Who was your best friend in grade school? What clique did you belong to in high school? Where did you go to college? Where did you meet your future spouse? Talk about your work life – did you have a job? a career? a calling? What was the high point of...
St. Petersburg, Fla. – As Florida heads into the 2020 hurricane season June 1, Sunshine State residents face a new uncertainty: Planning for the disruption and danger of a hurricane while also juggling concerns about a pandemic. “We are in uncharted waters,” said Jeff Johnson, AARP’s Florida state director. “There are many elements of our usual hurricane-preparation routines that we’re going to have to consider changing.” “But one thing isn’t...
Learn to Act FAST. It may save a life. A stroke can happen suddenly and without warning. Because a stroke means that oxygen-rich blood is not reaching the brain due to a blockage or a bleed, every minute without treatment means a higher chance of death or disability. Unfortunately, strokes are becoming increasingly common. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, someone in the United States has a...
While dogs and cats seem to rule when it comes to pet ownership and interaction, they’re not the only animals that might appeal to an older adult. For instance, smaller or more independent pets could be a benefit for some. Learn more about these nontraditional pets that might be just the right fit for an older adult. Animals that live in aquariums, such as turtles, could be a good fit...
With the holidays just around the corner, the anxiety of this busy season might soon be taking a toll. After all, you are barely keeping up with a normal routine of work, friends and family caregiving, right? Throw in everything the holiday season entails, such as shopping, baking and parties, and you may already anticipate feeling overwhelmed. Check out these positive ways to keep holiday stress at bay, from professionals...
Anyone with an aging family member has the concern. Are they making payments on time, are they overpaying caretakers—or worse, are they being taken advantage of by someone in their care network? Unfortunately, this situation occurs, and when it does it can have a life altering impact on the victim. What’s even more unfortunate, is that these situations often go unreported. Here are five ways to ensure your family members...
If you are an older cancer patient, should you be worried about “chemobrain,” or that foggy feeling that can cloud your thinking? Normal aging can increase the risk for cognitive decline regardless of whether you have cancer. So it’s understandable that cancer patients would be concerned about chemobrain. A Moffitt Cancer Center study of breast cancer patients over age 60 shows that chemobrain may be more of a risk for those who...
Early last year, we unexpectedly lost the only “sitting” member of our wellness committee, Dutch Baldwin. Dutch was a 10-year- old English Cocker Spaniel who spent his entire life in the service of Sally and Walter Baldwin. Born on March 22, 2008, he was trained as a companion animal to Sally who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. He went on to serve as Walter’s trusted advisor and shadow. He came to...
