Keystone Blog
Pennsylvania’s Clean and Green Program – Keystone Elder Law – Mechanicsburg PA
Many older individuals face the challenge of living on a fixed income despite a rise in expenses, especially real estate taxes. This is especially true for those individuals who own or operate farmland. There are, however, programs available to help ease the burden...
A Remarkable End-of-Life Story – Keystone Elder Law – Mechanicsburg, PA
Have you heard of Norma Jean Bauerschmidt? Norma became an internet sensation last year when she and her family made an unconventional decision about how to face the end of her life. In this column we share information and suggestions about managing life as an older...
Brain Power and Aging – Keystone Elder Law – Mechanicsburg, PA
Is the loss of mental capacity one of your fears about aging? Similarly to physical muscle mass and strength, brain power can suffer from lack of use. Our brains have something called cognitive reserve, which is the networks of connections that exist among brain...
Professional Care For Older Adults – Keystone Elder Law – Mechanicsburg, PA
In our local area, the number of physicians who belong to the American Geriatrics Society and are board certified in Geriatric Medicine include one in Camp Hill, two in Harrisburg/Hershey, one in York, and one in Lancaster. If last week’s article about the shortage of...
Care Crisis for Older Adults? – Keystone Elder Law – Mechanicsburg, PA
By now we are all aware of the tremendous increase in the older adult population in the United States. This increase is due to population demographics as well as the fact that advances in medical knowledge and technology are allowing older adults to live longer. For...
Grandparents as Parents – Keystone Elder Law – Mechanicsburg, PA
Sunday, September 4th was officially Grandparents Day, a tribute to all older adults who share their lives with younger generations. Grandparenting involves many different roles including that of friend, mentor, disciplinarian, banker, babysitter, mediator, teacher,...
Alzheimer’s: Hope and Walk For A Cure – Keystone Elder Law – Mechanicsburg, PA
Scientific journals reported in August that a preliminary study has found that the drug aducanumab not only decreased the plaques which have been thought to cause Alzheimer's disease in a majority of patients, but may also contribute to mental recovery. Only 165...
Hospitalization Affects Independence – Keystone Elder Law – Mechanicsburg, PA
Last week’s article discussed the role of diet and activity in helping older adults maintain their independence. An event in which activity levels have an extensive influence on the outcome of an older adult’s future is hospitalization. Illness is commonly equated...
Threats to Independence – Keystone Elder Law – Mechanicsburg, PA
A naturally occurring physical change which occurs with aging is the deterioration of muscle mass and strength. The medical term for this condition is sarcopenia, from the Greek words “sarcos” (flesh) and “penia” (lack of). This decline begins when individuals are in...
Self-Neglect and Societal Intervention – Keystone Elder Law – Mechanicsburg, PA
During the fiscal year 2012-2013, Adult Protective Services (APS) across Pennsylvania received a total of 18,542 reports of potential elder abuse. The term elder abuse includes actions of financial exploitation, neglect (both self-neglect and caregiver neglect),...
