One often overlooked issue affecting seniors is alcohol and medication abuse, which can lead to serious health complications, accidents, and a decline in quality of life. Unfortunately, the signs of misuse are frequently mistaken for normal aging, leaving many cases undetected until a crisis occurs.

At Grand Oaks Senior Living, we believe that healthy aging involves not only physical care but also emotional and mental well-being. By raising awareness and providing actionable guidance, we aim to empower families to intervene early and seek support.

Why Seniors Face Increased Risk of Alcohol and Medication Abuse

1. Physiological Changes

As we age, our bodies metabolize alcohol and medications differently. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA):

• Alcohol stays in the system longer, increasing intoxication and impairment even with small amounts.
• Liver and kidney function decline, making it harder to process medications safely.
• Brain sensitivity increases, raising the risk of confusion, falls, and memory problems.

2. Polypharmacy or Multiple Medications

It’s normal for seniors to take multiple prescriptions to manage their health conditions. However, families should be aware of the increased risks associated with polypharmacy (the regular use of five or more medications at the same time):

• Dangerous drug interactions (for example, mixing painkillers with alcohol).
• Accidental overdose due to confusion over dosages.
• Dependence on sedatives, opioids, or sleep aids.

3. Social and Emotional Factors

Life changes such as retirement, loss of loved ones, or chronic pain can lead to self-medication with alcohol or misuse of prescription drugs. Isolation and depression further compound the risk. Be proactive about managing stress as you or your loved one ages and develop healthy coping skills.

Signs of Medication Misuse in Older Adults

Many seniors rely on medications for pain, anxiety, or sleep — but misuse can happen accidentally or intentionally. As caregivers, be aware of both behavioral indicators and physical and cognitive symptoms.

• Behavioral indicators include using medication to cope with stress or loneliness, seeking prescriptions from multiple providers, regularly requesting early refills, and appearing overly sedated or unusually energetic.
• Physical and cognitive symptoms can manifest as excessive drowsiness or slurred speech, digestive issues, memory problems or confusion, and dizziness.

Opioid, Benzodiazepine, and Sleep Aid Abuse

According to the American Addiction Centers, opioids, benzodiazepines, and sleep aids are among the most misused medications in older adults, often due to a lack of awareness of dependency risks, poor communication between doctors, and self-medication. Take care and caution if prescribed these medications.

How Families Can Help: 5 Steps to Take if You Suspect Misuse

1. Observe and document changes. Keep notes on drinking patterns, medication use, and behavioral shifts. Look for physical signs such as slurred speech, unsteady walking, and weight loss.
2. Start a supportive conversation. Avoid accusations. Instead, use “I” statements (“I’ve noticed you’ve been tired lately – are you feeling okay?”). Express concern for their health rather than point blame.
3. Consult a healthcare provider. A doctor can review medications for potential interactions or overprescription, screen for alcohol use disorder, and recommend safer alternatives for pain or sleep. Grand Oaks offers consultative services affiliated with Johns Hopkins, ensuring our residents have access to high-quality medical care.
4. Explore treatment and support options. Therapy or counseling can address underlying depression or anxiety. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid or alcohol dependence and support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), or Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) can support recovery.
5. Secure medications and limit alcohol access. Use pill organizers to prevent accidental misuse. Lock up medications if there’s a risk of intentional overdose. Remove alcohol from the home if moderation is a challenge.

Grand Oaks Helps You Age Well

At Grand Oaks, we prioritize holistic care that addresses both physical and emotional needs. If you’re worried about a loved one’s alcohol or medication use, early action can prevent a crisis.

Our exceptional care team is trained to recognize the signs of substance misuse and provide discreet, compassionate support to residents and families. Remember, recovery from substance abuse is possible! Through awareness and action, together, we can end alcohol and medication abuse.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States, and studies show seniors account for more than half of all new diagnoses. Unfortunately, there are many myths surrounding this disease that can cause confusion or delays in seeking care.

At Grand Oak’s Senior Living, we believe there’s power in knowledge. That’s why we’re debunking six common colorectal cancer myths so you and your loved ones can make informed healthcare decisions.

Myth 1: Colorectal Cancer Only Affects Men 

Fact: Perhaps the most common of all colorectal cancer myths is the false claim that the disease only affects men.

While it’s true that men have a slightly higher risk of developing colorectal cancer, women are also at risk. Everyone, regardless of sex, should be proactive about screenings and aware of the symptoms.

Myth 2: Colorectal Cancer Is Always Fatal

Fact: Colorectal cancer is treatable, especially when caught early. According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate for localized colorectal cancer is about 80%. Regular screenings, such as colonoscopies, can detect precancerous polyps before they turn into cancer, making prevention possible.

Myth 3: If I Don’t Have Symptoms, Screening Isn’t Necessary

Fact: In its early stages, colorectal cancer often develops without noticeable symptoms. That’s why regular screenings are so important, particularly for seniors.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends regular screenings for adults aged 50 to 75. Those over 75 should consult their doctor about whether to continue screenings. Don’t wait for symptoms to appear; early detection saves lives.

Myth 4: Colonoscopies Are Painful and Inconvenient

Fact: While a colonoscopy might seem intimidating, the procedure is typically painless.

The preparation process, which involves clearing the colon, has improved with technological advancements, making it more manageable than many expect. Remember, a few hours of preparation can lead to years of peace of mind.

Myth 5: Only People with a Family History of Colorectal Cancer Are at Risk

Fact: While having a family history does increase your risk, other influential factors should be considered when assessing your risk.

Some risk factors you can’t control include age and certain medical conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Others, like lifestyle habits, you can manage. These include:

• Smoking and use of other tobacco products
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Poor diet, especially those high in red meat
• Lack of proper exercise

Regardless of your family history, staying informed and getting screened is essential.

Myth 6: There’s Nothing I Can Do to Reduce My Risk

Fact: There are several steps you can take to lower your risk of colorectal cancer. Maintaining a healthy and balanced diet, staying physically active, avoiding tobacco, and limiting alcohol consumption can all make a difference.

Additionally, regular screenings are one of the most effective ways to prevent colorectal cancer or catch it early.

Act Today

Don’t let colorectal cancer myths stop you from doing what’s best for your health. If you’re due for a screening or have questions about colorectal cancer, reach out to your doctor. Early detection and prevention are key to staying healthy and enjoying your golden years.

At Grand Oaks, we believe in evidence-based practices to provide you and your loved ones with the highest quality of care. From colonoscopy education to convenient access to on-site medical treatment and advice, our award-winning staff prioritizes residents’ needs. Learn how our team helps you age well!

Approximately 16.5 million seniors have diabetes, which is nearly 1 in 3. Managing diabetes requires careful attention to many aspects of health, and feet are no exception. Diabetes can lead to complications that affect the feet, making proper care a critical part of your daily routine.

Let’s explore the importance of diabetic foot care, the potential complications of neglecting foot health, and practical tips for keeping feet healthy.

Diabetes & Feet Connection

High blood sugar is both a primary symptom and a cause of diabetes. Prolonged elevated blood sugar levels damage, harden, and narrow blood vessels and white blood cells. This means that diabetes significantly impacts your nerves, circulation, and immune system, increasing the risk of foot problems for those living with the condition.

Risks of Neglecting Proper Foot Care

It’s essential to take diabetic foot care seriously. If not managed properly, diabetes can result in serious complications such as:

• Nerve Damage. About half of all people with diabetes have some form of nerve damage as an effect of high blood sugar over time. This can lead to dulled senses, causing injuries to go unnoticed.
• Poor Circulation. Diabetes can also reduce blood flow to the feet, making it harder for wounds to heal and increasing the likelihood of infection.
• Calluses. Foot calluses build up faster and more often for people with diabetes. If not properly maintained, calluses can break down and turn into ulcers.
• Foot Ulcers. These open wounds are commonly located on the bottom of the foot. Foot ulcers increase the risk of hospitalization due to infection.
• Amputation. Diabetes is the number one cause of nontraumatic lower extremity amputations in the U.S. Around 14-24% of people with diabetic foot ulcers will have an amputation.

Foot Care Tips for People with Diabetes

With proper diabetic foot care, the associated risks can be significantly minimized.

Check Feet Daily

Inspect your feet for cuts, swelling, skin changes, corns/calluses, redness, blisters, and nail problems. If you notice any changes, contact your doctor.

Wash Your Feet

Bathe your feet daily in warm, soapy water. Never use hot water, as nerve damage in your feet can reduce sensation and increase your risk for burns.

Moisturize

After each wash, dry your feet thoroughly and apply a layer of lotion or petroleum jelly to prevent dry, cracked skin. Avoid applying moisturizer between your toes, as this increases the risk of a fungal infection.

Cut Your Toenails Carefully

Trim nails straight across and carefully file any sharp edges. Avoid cutting your nails too short, as this can lead to ingrown toenails. Don’t let your toenails get too long, either. You risk injuries, pressure points, infections, and more. If you have low vision, mobility issues, or very thick nails, have a podiatrist trim your nails.

Wear Proper Footwear

Wearing the right shoes prevents injuries, ulcers, and complications. Ensure shoes are comfortable, well-fitted, wide-toed, and cushioned with a soft interior, supportive sole, and breathable material. Avoid open-toed shoes, high heels, and stiff materials.

Manage Your Blood Sugar

Keeping blood sugar levels in a healthy range is one of the most important ways to manage your diabetes. As previously mentioned, high blood sugar can severely damage your nerves, blood vessels, and immune system, leading to serious foot complications.

Stay Active

While staying active is essential for all seniors, it’s especially important for those living with diabetes. Regular physical activity helps boost circulation, reduce nerve damage, and lower the risk of foot ulcers and infections.  

Schedule Regular Checkups

Seeing your doctor regularly helps detect and prevent foot complications before they become serious. Get your feet checked at every primary care visit, and schedule regular appointments with a podiatrist.

World-Class Care

Grand Oaks Senior Living is located on the campus of Sibley Memorial Hospital, part of Johns Hopkins Medicine. In addition to Grand Oaks’ 24/7 nursing support, Sibley offers a full team of foot specialists who can help with shoe wear modifications and orthotics, medication, physical therapy, and more. 

If you’re one of the approximately 18 million people worldwide who live with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you know how debilitating it can be. Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling can make everyday tasks difficult. To help make life easier, let’s explore tips for seniors managing RA symptoms.

RA Facts

Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the tissue lining the joints. RA differs from other types of arthritis because it affects the same joints on both sides of the body. The most commonly affected areas are the toes, fingers, wrists, ankles, hands, feet, and knees, but RA can also cause fatigue, eye conditions, dry mouth, digestive problems, skin conditions, and lung scarring.

RA can develop at any age, but most people develop the disease between 30 and 60. Seven out of 10 people with RA are women. When seniors develop RA after age 60, the disease is called late-onset or elderly-onset RA. People with elderly-onset RA make up about one-third of the RA population.

Tips for Managing RA Symptoms

Because RA attacks the joints, it can make tasks like showering and dressing difficult. Severe symptoms can also increase the risk of falling. However, having RA doesn’t mean you need to skip out on hobbies or stay sedentary. These tips can help you manage your symptoms.

Stay Active

Many people with RA avoid exercise because of existing joint pain or fear that it will cause additional joint pain. However, the opposite is true! Incorporating flexibility, range of motion, aerobic, and strengthening exercises into your routine can help reduce pain, joint stiffness, and fatigue. Low-impact activities like walking, swimming, or yoga are great for seniors.

Safeguard Your Joints

Because RA attacks joints, you should try your best to protect them from additional stress or trauma. Using assistive devices (such as jar openers, ergonomic utensils, and shoehorns) helps reduce strain. Wearing knee and elbow pads when exercising also helps reduce the likelihood of injury. When RA symptoms act up, avoid repetitive movements that overwork painful joints.

Reduce Inflammation

Most of RA pain results from inflamed tissue between the joints. Heat, such as a warm shower or bath or a heating pad, can reduce inflammation. On the other hand, ice packs can help reduce joint swelling and pain. Over-the-counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen can also help. And, of course, take prescribed medications as directed and follow your doctor’s instructions carefully.

Eat Well

Believe it or not, your diet can affect your RA symptoms. Certain foods are considered inflammatory – meaning they can trigger or worsen inflammation in the body. These foods include processed meats (i.e., bacon, hot dogs, lunch meat), fried foods, refined grains (i.e., white bread, pasta), sugary drinks, alcohol, commercial baked goods, and trans fats. Avoid these! Instead, follow an arthritis-healthy diet filled with fish, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Quit Smoking

If you’re a smoker, there are a thousand reasons why you should quit – and your RA is one of them. Smoking causes whole-body inflammation, the main trigger of RA. Smoking can impact RA treatment by reducing the effectiveness of certain medications, such as methotrexate, which is one of the primary treatments for RA. Quitting smoking as a senior – especially if you’ve smoked your whole life – can feel extremely difficult and daunting. There are many resources available!

Manage Stress

Did you know stress can worsen RA symptoms? When you’re stressed, your muscles naturally tense. The added strain in your muscles can heighten your arthritis pain. Stress also sets off your immune system’s inflammatory response, which, as we’ve learned, triggers RA symptoms. Stress-relief tactics like practicing mindfulness and listening to music can help.