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This blog contributed by a variety of rehabilitation therapists to guide you on your journey through remediation, recovery and adaptation. Our goal is to break down the complicated world of healthcare into the simplest of terms. Our focus is to provide patient and caregiver tips aimed to help the physically and cognitively impaired by providing resources on how to obtain the best outcomes. Welcome to Healthcare Straight Up.
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How to Deal with Aggressive Dementia Behaviors
hcstraightup
April 25, 2023
The job of a caregiver can sometimes feel like a thankless one, but when a person with dementia develops aggressive,...
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The Importance of Nonverbal Communication: Your Look Affects Your Message
hcstraightup
May 12, 2021
Many people have heard of the famous study that communication is 7% verbal and 93% non-verbal. Non-verbal communication include things like tone...
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Pros and Cons of Teletherapy
hcstraightup
September 3, 2020
You've heard of teletherapy and you know the basics. If you're still not sure exactly what teletherapy is, you can find more information here...
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To Orient or Not to Orient?
hcstraightup
July 21, 2020
Reality orientation has experienced a decline in more recent years when compared to validation therapy. This is primarily due to caregivers
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Best Dog Breeds for Seniors
hcstraightup
May 26, 2020
Research studies shows that pet ownership has significant benefits for senior's mental, physical and emotional health...
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Speech Therapy Telepractice
hcstraightup
May 14, 2020
Traditional speech therapy services consist of face-to-face treatments between the therapist and client typically across a table within 3 feet of each other...
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Early Signs of Dementia
hcstraightup
April 22, 2020
Starting at age 65, the risk of developing dementia doubles every 5 years. So if you’ve started asking yourself, “Have they lost their mind!?” Here are a few signs that indicate they...
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Brush Your Teeth – Yes, You Have To
hcstraightup
April 15, 2020
You've heard it all your life. Brush your teeth at least twice per day and don't forget to floss. The same is true even if we lose all our teeth and wear dentures...
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The 5 W’s of Online Therapy (Teletherapy)
hcstraightup
March 25, 2020
Many medical professionals are using telepractice and online therapy sessions to help manage their patients and provide them with the best care, at the lowest cost and with the greatest efficiency. As a result, teletherapy use is growing at a rapid pace for doctors, nurses, psychologists, therapists and the like.
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How Therapy Helps Parkinson’s Patients
hcstraightup
October 30, 2019
Parkinson's disease (or PD) is a chronic neurological condition which causes a small area of nerve cells to die off affecting a person's ability to make smooth,...
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Tips for Visual Neglect After a Stroke
hcstraightup
October 30, 2019
What is visual neglect? Neglect is inattention of either the right or left visual field. Although it is possible to have right visual neglect, it is far more...
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Signs and Symptoms of a Stroke
hcstraightup
October 30, 2019
With the risk for stroke increasing as we age, and the prevalence of stroke being the 5th leading cause of death in the US, knowing the signs of a stroke is as...
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Speech Therapy Exercises for Adults After a Stroke
hcstraightup
October 30, 2019
The Role of a Speech-Language Pathologist Speech-language pathologists (SLP’s), also known as speech therapists, are a very important piece of a stroke...
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Behavior Changes Post Stroke
hcstraightup
October 30, 2019
People who experience even a mild stroke can have behavioral changes. Though this doesn’t mean that everyone who has a stroke has behavior changes...
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Therapy After a Stroke
hcstraightup
October 30, 2019
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted, resulting in oxygen starvation, brain...
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Activities to Regain Hand Coordination Post Stroke
hcstraightup
October 30, 2019
If your loved one has even a small amount of movement in their hand that was a affected by their stroke it is important to constantly encourage that...
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The Many Benefits of Exercise
hcstraightup
October 30, 2019
The new year brings new goals of working out and exercising, but it can also bring on new anxieties for the same reason. For most people exercising is a...
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Managing Parkinson’s Symptoms
hcstraightup
October 30, 2019
Parkinson’s affects approximately 10 million people worldwide, including one million Americans. It is the second most common neurological disorder...
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Arthritis Pain Relief
hcstraightup
October 30, 2019
If you or your loved ones are living with arthritis then you are not alone! There are more than 40 million Americans suffering from arthritis right now...
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The Diabetic Diet – Down and Dirty
hcstraightup
October 30, 2019
Does having diabetes mean you can never have dessert again?! I don't know about you, but when I was child there were always a separate belly for...
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Benefits of Yoga For Seniors
hcstraightup
October 30, 2019
For most people the thought of yoga brings headstands and backbends, but yoga comes in many different positions and levels. Yoga is much...
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What is Occupational Therapy for Telehealth?
hcstraightup
October 30, 2019
Whether you know what an occupational therapist is and just have never heard of telehealth or you need a crash course in both Occupational Therapy...
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8 Yoga Poses For Back Pain 55+ Edition
hcstraightup
October 29, 2019
Yoga for low back pain has begun to take off as an alternative method to dealing with the issue that many of us deal with. Yoga offers many positions...
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Breathing in the Spring Air
hcstraightup
October 29, 2019
We wait all year for the time when we can spend our days outdoors and enjoy the weather and the beautiful flowers, but for some, the great outdoors...
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Work Smarter, Not Harder!
hcstraightup
October 29, 2019
We've all heard this phrase, "Work smarter, not harder!" But what does that mean exactly, and can you apply it to anything? Can you apply it to your...
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7 Questions to Ask When Starting A New Medication
hcstraightup
October 29, 2019
Many seniors take multiple medications, so adding any new medicine can be potentially harmful and cause serious health problems. There are certain
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What is an Occupational Therapist?
hcstraightup
October 29, 2019
April is Occupational Therapy Month! But what exactly is occupational therapy? You may have heard or even had an occupational therapist before but...
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The Best Health Tips for Seniors
hcstraightup
October 29, 2019
There are many health tips out there but we've compiled a list of our top 5 to keep you feeling your best! Drink More Water If any health tip needs to...
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The Basics of ALS
hcstraightup
October 29, 2019
Every 90 minutes someone new is diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). You've heard these letters before. You may even know a famous..
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5 Reasons Why You Need to Kick the Soda Pop Habit
hcstraightup
October 29, 2019
The soda industry is huge in the US and so is the amount of sugar that is going into those beverages. With the average 12 ounce can of soda containing...
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Treatments for ALS
hcstraightup
October 29, 2019
ALS, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, typically affects people aged 40 to 70, with an estimated population of approximately 20,000 Americans with..
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How to Lower Your Blood Pressure
hcstraightup
October 29, 2019
1 in every 3 American adults suffer from high blood pressure (or HBP). High blood pressure increases your risk for stroke and heart disease which...
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Stop Telling Me to Calm Down
hcstraightup
October 29, 2019
Have you ever heard words that make you feel like you want to do the exact opposite of what they are telling you? Since we were kids we've heard, "don't jump on the bed", "don't...
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How To Stay Hydrated
hcstraightup
October 29, 2019
We all know we need to drink more water, but the question isn't really how much water. (If that's the question you are asking then go here first.) It's how..
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10 Activities That Are Surprisingly Good For You
hcstraightup
October 29, 2019
Do This. Don't Do That. Here are a few everyday things that may improve your health. Discover bad habits you should actually keep...
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Finding the Right Home Care Company
hcstraightup
October 29, 2019
To help you choose the best home care agency, ask questions, be specific (it's even OK to be nosy in this case) and don't settle.
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Good For You Foods with a Bad Reputation
hcstraightup
October 29, 2019
Ever say these things to yourself? "I shouldn't be eating this." "It's so good, it can't possibly be good for you." Well I have good news!...
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8 Essential Items for a Therapist – Under $30
hcstraightup
October 24, 2019
Therapists are always on the go, and moving from place to place seeing patients. Their days are hectic and they are always giving much of themselves to...
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Top 5 Home Modifications to Reduce Falls
hcstraightup
October 24, 2019
When it comes to your loved ones, you might not always know where to start. Here are a few simple changes you can make to your home or to that of a loved ones home to help reduce falls...
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At Home Dementia Tests
hcstraightup
October 23, 2019
If your loved one is hard-headed and doesn't think there is anything wrong with them, then these tests can help them to understand that they may need to talk with their doctor to determine..
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Nursing Home Myths
hcstraightup
October 23, 2019
If you are at a time where you are considering a nursing home for your loved one then you are in a difficult mindset. Most stigmas on nursing homes are those of when caregiver can no longer...
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Benefits of Early Dementia Diagnosis
hcstraightup
October 23, 2019
You may ask yourself, "If there is no cure for dementia, then why is early identification useful?" According to a study by the Alzheimer's Society...
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Dementia Distractions
hcstraightup
October 23, 2019
Individuals with dementia are known for saying or doing the same things over and over, break up the same old routine with cheap and entertaining activities! BONUS: Most of these ideas are FREE...
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Questions to Ask your MD after a Dementia Diagnosis
hcstraightup
October 23, 2019
So you’ve heard the dreaded diagnosis. It’s Dementia. Now what? Here are a few questions to ask the MD to help you get a better understanding...
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Top 5 Dementia Resources
hcstraightup
October 23, 2019
Looking for places to learn more about dementia and what you can expect? There are numerous resources available (including this amazing site😊) to guide you in your dementia journey. Here...
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Speech Exercises for Aphasia
hcstraightup
October 23, 2019
Aphasia (the loss of ability to understand or express speech) from a stroke results from brain damage in the language center and can often...
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How To Deal With Anxiety
hcstraightup
October 23, 2019
Are you a worry wart? Do you make yourself sick thinking about things that you fear may happen? Anxiety may affect you in ways that affect your ability to live your daily life and may persist...
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How to Get Dementia Patient to Take Their Medications
hcstraightup
October 23, 2019
At your wits end trying to convince your dementia loved one to take their medications? You are not alone!...
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Functional Gifts for Seniors
hcstraightup
October 23, 2019
It's less than a week away from Christmas. You still haven't bought your aging parent a gift and you have absolutely no idea what to get them...
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Alternative Ways to Address Pain
hcstraightup
October 23, 2019
Whenever someone says that they’re in pain or that they have a headache, our typical response is to take a pain reliever or some sort of medicine...
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When should I consult Hospice?
hcstraightup
October 22, 2019
Typically when someone hears the term hospice they immediately have a negative, maybe even sad connection with the word. I can see why, the...
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Reduce the Caregiver Burden
hcstraightup
October 22, 2019
The everyday struggles of taking care of others can create enormous amounts of stress that can lead to physical, emotional and financial issues.
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Stuck in the Middle: Coping for the Sandwich Generation
hcstraightup
October 22, 2019
We have the Silent Generation, the Baby Boomers, Generation X and the Millennials all active in the process of making decisions for today's healthcare needs and coverage.
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Occupational Therapy for Dementia
hcstraightup
October 22, 2019
Dementia is an overall term for memory loss and decline in cognition. Specifically characterized by the decline in mental ability which affects daily...
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How to Talk With Your Dementia Loved One
hcstraightup
October 22, 2019
As a caregiver, It is essential to change your communication style to meet the needs of your loved one as they advance through the stages.
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Sundowning and How to Handle It
hcstraightup
October 22, 2019
What is sundowning? Sundowning is a condition characterized by cycles of increased confusion, disorientation and agitation in the late afternoon...
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Alzheimer’s Straight Up
hcstraightup
October 22, 2019
We know you've heard of Alzheimer's, as it is the most common form of dementia and affects nearly 6 million Americans. You may even know it affects your memory, but what else do you know about Alzheimer's? This disease can be tricky to...
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Is There a “Right” Time For a Facility?
hcstraightup
October 22, 2019
We all want to keep our loved ones at home for as long as possible. We don't dream of one day having to place them into a facility. But are there...
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Why Your Parents Aren’t Eating
hcstraightup
October 22, 2019
A change in appetite is a normal part of the aging process, but it is essential that you monitor mom and dad to ensure they maintain proper nutrition.
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How Do I Get My Loved One To A Facility?
hcstraightup
October 22, 2019
Making the decision that your loved one needs to go to a facility is not easy and may not be for everyone. But if you've been considering a facility...
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Is Memory Loss Normal As We Age?
hcstraightup
October 21, 2019
We have all had those moments when we can't remember what we were going to say, or we run into someone we used to work with and can't...
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6 Tips For Improved Sleep
hcstraightup
October 21, 2019
Although the average American sleeps for 7-9 hours a night, nearly 40% of Americans report sleeping poorly. Poor sleep can affect your memory and mood as well as your overall health. According to Johns Hopkins individuals who are
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How to Find the Right Speech or Occupational Therapist
hcstraightup
October 21, 2019
It's hard enough to deal with the idea that you are having increased difficulty communicating, but now you have the added...
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Diabetic Foot Care
hcstraightup
September 23, 2019
The scary truth of the need for proper foot care when diabetic is that it isn’t talked about enough. Although not every foot wound or opening will lead...
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