by Karen Kaslow, RN, BSN | Apr 11, 2016 | Health information, Sentinel Articles
Health literacy is the ability to obtain, interpret, and apply information to maximize personal wellness. Improvements in health literacy can lead to better health for any individual. The first step toward making these improvements is an understanding (by both...
by Karen Kaslow, RN, BSN | Apr 5, 2016 | Health information, Sentinel Articles
In 1992 and 2003, the U.S. Department of Education conducted a national assessment of adult literacy. The purpose of the assessment was to determine not only adults’ ability to read, but also how they apply printed and written information to daily life in home, work,...
by Karen Kaslow, RN, BSN | Mar 15, 2016 | Aging, Health information, Safety, Sentinel Articles
The ending to this classic line from a 1980’s television commercial is well known. While the commercial tried to depict the serious and frightening situation of an older person who is home alone after experiencing a fall and requiring assistance, its design and the...
by Karen Kaslow, RN, BSN | Mar 8, 2016 | Health information, Safety
Polypharmacy is a term that is used to describe a situation in which an individual is taking multiple medications. The specific number of medications which constitutes polypharmacy has not been established, with some health care professionals and researchers beginning...
by Karen Kaslow, RN, BSN | Jul 1, 2015 | Health information, Sentinel Articles
When the general population considers the concept of long-term care, I would venture to say that this concept is closely associated with medical care. This association can lead to misconceptions about where and how long-term care is provided, when it is needed, and...
by Karen Kaslow, RN, BSN | Jun 22, 2015 | Estate Planning, Finances, Health information, Insurance, Sentinel Articles
We often encourage folks to prepare for undesirable events such as medical emergencies or the development of dementia by choosing to be proactive and use tools such as powers of attorney, advance directives, trust planning, advanced funeral planning, etc. Recently,...
