Daily Health News Blog

According to the U.S. National Institute on Aging, seniors are at greater risk for heat stroke and heat exhaustion. As people age, they are less able to adapt to increasing temperatures. Heat can also exacerbate medical conditions that they may already have. If an older person has heart disease, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or dementia, they are at increased risk of body overheating, also called hyperthermia.  Trouble walking can also contribute. There is an increased risk due to dehydration, often caused by medications that older people take. In fact, in some older persons, the sweat glands may not work as effectively, leading to overheating. What should you look for to check for heat exhaustion or heat stroke? Symptoms can include a rapid pulse, lack of sweating, dry flushed skin, lightheadedness, confusion, or disorientation. If you find someone you believe is suffering from the effects of the heat, you should immediately move them to a cool place and call 911. U

Want to keep more of your hard earned money? Who doesn't? Sometimes people avoid some simple things because they can't see the benefit immediately. But you can save yourself some money in the long run. Begin today with these simple ideas to benefit your future. Buy insurance Car, renters, homeowners, and disability insurance generally don't pay off unless you really need them. However, in the case of an accident or catastrophe, these types of insurance policies become invaluable. Don't neglect to spend a little now to ensure that you are protected. Pay off your debt The benefits of debt-free living are clear to everyone. But that debt that you are carrying could be costing you more than you think. Say you have a balance of $5000 on a credit card at 18% interest. If you make the minimum payment only each month, it will take you almost four years to pay off this debt. You will also pay $1,983.61 in interest on top of the $5000 balance! Paying off balances on credit cards

Summer is a great time to travel. If you or a loved one is a senior, you should be aware of some extra precautions to take before hitting the road. Check with your doctor before you leave. Ask if you should take any special precautions while away. Your doctor may ask you to come in for a check-up and will be able to suggest any vaccinations you may need if you are leaving the country. On your trip, you should bring a list of your current medications, copies of your prescriptions, and details of any medical conditions you have. You should also pack a list of contact information for not only family, but also all of your physicians. All of your medications should be placed in your carry-on bag and should be kept in their original containers. This can help you get through customs more easily and is helpful in the event you need a refill while you are away. Finally, enjoy some of the perks of being a senior. Ask about special shuttle services, early boarding procedures, and discounts for se

Identity theft is becoming increasingly more common these days. One of the prime ways these criminals get your personal information is through mail theft. To protect yourself, keep these tips in mind. - Place outgoing mail in a secure box, like a USPS collection box. - Pick up your incoming mail as soon as possible. Do not leave mail in your mailbox overnight. - Carefully review all of your credit card statements each month to be sure not to miss any fraudulent activity. - Pick up new checks directly from your bank instead of having them mailed. - Never send cash through the mail. - Immediately report any vandalism or tampering with your mailbox to your local postmaster and the police.

Vacations can be expensive. And although everyone enjoys a long trip to a new place far away, our budgets usually cannot handle many vacations such as these. You don't have to travel far to have fun though. Often you can find creative and inexpensive ways to spend your vacation close to home. Try these close to home travel ideas and save some of your hard-earned money this year. Explore Your Neighborhood Use your time off from work to visit those places that you never seem to have enough time for at other times of the year. Take a trip to the library and talk to a librarian about programs they offer. These are usually completely free. You will find book clubs for adults, and children's programs that often include free activities like puppet shows, story times, summer book reading programs, and more. Check around for local pools, mini-golf courses, and playgrounds that you've never visited. Have picnics in the park, tour a fire station, or fly kites. Use this time to take th

If you haven't found time yet to take a break from work, August is a great time to vacation. It may seem like it is still peak travel season, but the further you get into August the better it can get. Not only can you find some last minute deals, but the crowds thin down, making for a more pleasant trip. One reason August is a great time to get vacation deals is that many airlines, resorts, and popular travel destinations are reassessing their earlier estimates of the number of customers they expected. You can take advantage of unsold airline seats, hotel rooms, and resort packages that these companies expected to sell but did not. There are also cancellations to pick up. With gas prices expected to stay high through the end of summer, many people are vacationing closer to home, so you can often pick up great unsold last minute deals. The key to getting great deals is flexibility. If you are able to travel on short notice and can choose from several dates you will have better luck