Trusted Resources for Seniors and Family Caregivers
Helping families make informed decisions with educational resources focused on safety, wellness, independence, and aging in place.
Knowledge You Can Trust
Supporting Better Care Decisions Every Day
Finding accurate information about senior care can be difficult, especially during stressful situations involving health changes, hospital discharges, or increasing support needs at home. Lighthouse Home Care created this resource center to provide families with reliable information that supports informed decision-making. Our educational materials cover topics including fall prevention, nutrition, medication routines, caregiver wellness, home safety, mobility support, companionship, and long-term planning. These resources are designed to complement conversations with healthcare providers while helping families better understand the challenges and opportunities associated with aging at home.
Guidance Rooted in Experience
Practical Information for Every Stage of Aging
For more than 30 years, our family has worked alongside seniors and their loved ones through many different stages of aging. This experience has shown us that education often provides the confidence families need when facing important care decisions. Our resource center offers practical guidance that can help reduce uncertainty and encourage proactive planning. Whether you are researching options after a hospitalization, learning how to reduce fall risks, exploring nutrition support, or seeking ways to improve social engagement, our goal is to provide information that helps seniors remain safe, comfortable, and independent in the place they call home.
Recommended Resource Categories
Fall Prevention
Strategies for reducing fall risks and maintaining mobility at home.
Nutrition & Healthy Aging
Guidance on meal planning, hydration, and special dietary needs.
Medication Management
Educational resources supporting safer medication routines.
Family Caregiver Support
Tools and information for caregivers balancing care responsibilities.
Hospital-to-Home Recovery
Resources that help families support successful recovery after hospitalization.
Senior Wellness & Independence
Articles and guidance focused on maintaining quality of life while aging in place.
Evaluating Health Information
Evaluating Health Information
Patient Rights
What are patient rights?
As a patient, you have certain rights. Some are guaranteed by federal law, such as the right to get a copy of your medical records and the right to keep them private and secure. Many states have additional laws protecting patients. And some states, insurance plans, medical organizations, and health care facilities have their own patient bill of rights.
Some other examples of patient rights include:
- Being treated with respect
- Not being discriminated against in your medical care
- The right to refuse treatment
- The right of informed consent
What is informed consent?
Informed consent is an important patient right. It is a process in which your health care provider gives you the information you need to make decisions about your care. The types of care could be treatments, procedures, genetic testing, or clinical trials. The information should include the risks and benefits of the care, as well as details about your medical condition.
It's important that you understand everything before you give consent. Sometimes your provider will ask you to sign a form to give your consent. This is called written consent.
You have the right to change your mind about consent at any time.
Where can I get help with patient rights?
There are different resources that can help you if you have a problem with your patient rights:
- Many hospitals have patient advocates. These are people who can help guide you through the health care system and make sure that your rights are protected.
- Your state may have resources to help you, such as:
- Your state may have an office (called an ombudsmen office) for problems with long term care.
- Your state's department of health may be able to help.
- States also have oversight agencies for insurance companies and various types of health care facilities and providers. These agencies make sure that these organizations and providers follow the rules so you can get quality care.
- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has an Office for Civil Rights (OCR). You can file a complaint with them if you feel you have been discriminated against in your medical care or if you think your health information privacy rights have been violated.
Health Disparities
Health disparities are health differences between different groups of people. These health differences may include:
- How many people get certain diseases
- How severe the diseases are
- How many people have complications because of the diseases
- How many people die from a disease
- Whether people can get health care
- How many people get screened for a disease
These groups of people may be based on:
- Race
- Ethnicity
- Immigrant status
- Disability
- Sex or gender
- Sexual orientation
- Geography
- Income
- Level of education
NIH: National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities
Prenatal Testing
What is prenatal testing?
Prenatal testing provides information about the health of your fetus before the baby is born. Some routine tests during pregnancy also check your health. The prenatal test may use a sample of your blood, urine or fluid from your vagina, cervix, or rectum.
Since some health conditions can be treated before your baby is born, it's important to find them early. But even if they cannot be treated, it can still be helpful to know about the problem early on. This gives you time to learn about the condition and prepare for any challenges you may face after the baby is born.
What is prenatal testing used to diagnose?
At your first prenatal visit, your health care provider will test for various conditions, including problems with your blood, signs of infections, and whether you are immune to rubella (German measles) and chickenpox.
Throughout your pregnancy, your provider may recommend additional tests as well. Some tests are suggested for all women, such as screenings for gestational diabetes, Down syndrome, and HIV.
Your provider might offer other tests based on your:
- Age
- Personal or family medical history
- Ethnic background
- Results of routine tests
What are the two types of prenatal tests?
There are two types of tests:
- Screening tests check if you or your fetus may have certain health issues. They look at risk but do not diagnose problems. If your screening test result is abnormal, it does not mean that there is a problem. It means that more information is needed. Your provider can explain what the test results mean and possible next steps. You may need diagnostic testing.
- Diagnostic tests help determine whether you or your fetus have a certain health problem.
It is your choice whether to get prenatal tests. You and your provider can talk about the risks and benefits of the tests, as well as the type of information they can give you. Then you can decide which ones are right for you.
National Women's Health Information Center
Drug Use and Addiction
What are drugs?
Drugs are chemical substances that can change how your body and mind work. They include prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs.
What is drug use?
Drug use, or misuse, includes:
- Using illegal substances, such as:
- Anabolic steroids
- Club drugs
- Cocaine
- Heroin
- Inhalants
- Marijuana
- Methamphetamines
- Misusing prescription medicines, including opioids. This means taking the medicines in a different way than your health care provider prescribed. This includes
- Taking a medicine that was prescribed for someone else.
- Taking a larger dose than you are supposed to.
- Using the medicine in a different way than you are supposed to. For example, instead of swallowing your tablets, you might crush and then snort or inject them.
- Using the medicine for another purpose, such as getting high.
- Misusing over-the-counter medicines, including using them for another purpose or in a different way than you are supposed to.
Drug use is dangerous. It can harm your brain and body, sometimes permanently. It can hurt the people around you, including friends, families, and kids. If you are pregnant, it can harm your fetus. Drug use can also lead to mild, moderate, or severe substance use disorders. Substance use disorders are sometimes called addiction.
What is drug addiction?
Drug addiction is a chronic brain disease. It causes a person to take drugs repeatedly, despite the harm they cause. Repeated drug use can change the brain and lead to addiction.
The brain changes from addiction can be lasting, so drug addiction is considered a "relapsing" disease. This means that people in recovery are at risk for taking drugs again, even after years of not taking them.
Does everyone who takes drugs become addicted?
Not everyone who uses drugs becomes addicted. Everyone's bodies and brains are different, so their reactions to drugs can also be different. Some people may become addicted quickly, or it may happen over time. Other people never become addicted. Whether or not someone becomes addicted depends on many factors. They include genetic, environmental, and developmental factors.
Who is at risk for drug addiction?
Various risk factors can make you more likely to become addicted to drugs, including:
- Your biology. People can react to drugs differently. Some people like the feeling the first time they try a drug and want more. Others hate how it feels and never try it again.
- Mental health problems. People who have untreated mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to become addicted. This can happen because drug use and mental health problems affect the same parts of the brain. Also, people with these problems may use drugs to try to feel better.
- Trouble at home. If your home is an unhappy place or was when you were growing up, you might be more likely to have a drug problem.
- Trouble in school, at work, or with making friends. You might use drugs to get your mind off these problems.
- Hanging around other people who use drugs. They might encourage you to try drugs.
- Starting drug use when you're young. When kids use drugs, it affects how their bodies and brains finish growing. This increases your chances of becoming addicted when you're an adult.
What are the signs that someone has a drug problem?
Signs that someone has a drug problem include:
- Changing friends a lot
- Spending a lot of time alone
- Losing interest in favorite things
- Not taking care of themselves - for example, not taking showers, changing clothes, or brushing their teeth
- Being very energetic, talking fast, or saying things that don't make sense
- Quickly changing between feeling bad and feeling good
- Having different eating or sleeping habits
- Missing important appointments
- Having problems at work or at school
- Having problems in personal or family relationships
What are the treatments for drug addiction?
Treatments for drug addiction include counseling, medicines, or both. Research shows that combining medicines with counseling gives most people the best chance of success.
The counseling may be individual, family, and/or group therapy. It can help you:
- Understand why the drug addiction began
- See how drugs changed your behavior
- Learn how to manage personal problems
- Learn to avoid places, people, and situations where drugs are accessible
If you stop or cut back on drugs you've used for a while, you may display different symptoms for different drugs. This is called withdrawal. Medicines can help with the symptoms of withdrawal. For addiction to certain drugs, there are also medicines that can help you re-establish normal brain function and decrease your cravings.
If you have a mental disorder along with an addiction, it is known as a dual diagnosis. It is important to treat both problems. This will increase your chance of success.
If you have a severe addiction, you may need hospital-based or residential treatment. Residential treatment programs combine housing and treatment services.
Can drug use and addiction be prevented?
Drug use and addiction are preventable. Prevention programs involving families, schools, communities, and the media may prevent or reduce drug use and addiction. These programs include education and outreach to help people understand the risks of drug use.
NIH: National Institute on Drug Abuse
Intimate Partner Violence
What is intimate partner violence (IPV)?
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is abuse that happens in a romantic relationship. The intimate partner could be a current or former spouse or dating partner. IPV is also known as domestic violence.
IPV can happen one time, or it may be ongoing. It may include different types of abuse, such as:
- Physical violence, which is when a person hurts or tries to hurt a partner by hitting, kicking, or using another type of physical force.
- Sexual violence which involves forcing or attempting to force a partner to take part in sexual activity when the partner does not or cannot consent. The sexual activity could include things like sex acts, sexual touching, or non-physical sexual events (e.g., sexting).
- Emotional abuse, which includes threats, name-calling, put-downs, and humiliation. It can also involve controlling behavior, such as telling a partner how to act or dress and not letting them see family or friends.
- Economic abuse, also called financial abuse, involves controlling access to money.
- Stalking, which is repeated, unwanted contact that causes fear or concern for the safety of the partner. This can include watching or following the partner. The stalker may send repeated, unwanted phone calls or texts.
Who is affected by intimate partner violence (IPV)?
It is hard to know exactly how common IPV is because it is often not reported.
But we do know that IPV can happen to anyone. It affects people with all levels of income and education.
What are the signs that someone is experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV)?
If you think that a loved one might be experiencing IPV, watch for these signs:
Does your friend or loved one:
- Have unexplained cuts or bruises?
- Avoid friends, family, and favorite activities?
- Make excuses for their partner's behavior?
- Look uncomfortable or fearful around their partner?
Does your friend or loved one's partner:
- Yell at or make fun of them?
- Try to control them by making all the decisions?
- Check up on them at work or school?
- Force them to do sexual things they don't want to do?
- Threaten to hurt themself if the partner wants to break up?
What can I do if I am experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV)?
Your safety is the most important concern. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
If you are not in immediate danger, you can:
- Get medical care if you have been injured or sexually assaulted.
- Call a helpline for free, anonymous help. You can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233) or 800-787-3224 (TTY). You can also chat with them through their website or through text by texting START to 88788.
- Find out where to get help in your community. Contact local organizations that can help you.
- Make a safety plan to leave. Intimate partner violence usually does not get better. Think about a safe place for you to go and all the things you will need when you leave.
- Save the evidence. Keep evidence of abuse, such as pictures of your injuries or threatening emails or texts. Make sure that it is in a safe place the abuser cannot access.
- Talk to someone you trust, such as a family member, a friend, a co-worker, or a spiritual leader.
- Consider getting a restraining order to protect yourself.
How can I help someone who is experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV)?
Let your loved one know that being treated this way isn't healthy and that they are not to blame. You should:
- Call 911 if there is immediate danger.
- Watch for the signs of abuse. Learn about the signs and keep track of the ones that you see.
- Find out about local resources. Get the addresses and phone numbers of some local resources in your community. Then, you'll be able to share the information if the person is ready for it.
- Set up a time to talk. Make sure you can have your conversation in a safe, private place. Your loved one's partner may have access to their cell phone or computer, so be careful about sharing information over text or email.
- Be specific about why you are worried. Describe the behaviors that concern you. Be as specific as possible when explaining why you are worried.
- Plan for safety. If your loved one is ready to leave an abusive partner, help them make a plan for getting out of the relationship as safely as possible. An intimate partner violence counselor can help with making a safety plan.
- Be patient and do not judge. You should talk about your concerns with your loved one, but you need to understand that they may not be ready to talk about it. Let them know that you're available to talk at any time, and that you will listen without judging them.
Dementia
Diabetes
Falls
Flu
Heart Disease Prevention
Seniors
Knowledge Center
Page 1
Evaluating Health Information
Why do I need to evaluate health information?
Health information is easy to find. But finding reliable health information takes a little effort. Some of the health information you get from newspapers, magazines, books, TV, the Internet, and social media is up to date and trustworthy. But some is not. That's why it's important to evaluate health information for yourself.
But how can you tell the good from the bad? There are two key steps:
- Ask questions before you trust what you read or hear.
- Discuss the information you find with your health care provider before you rely on it. You may have found good information, but your provider can tell you whether it's good for you.
How can I evaluate health information on the Internet?
Asking a few questions will help you decide if you can trust a website. You can usually find most of the answers on the site's "About Us" page. If you can't find information about who runs the website, the site may not be trustworthy, and their health information may be unreliable. Some questions to ask are:
- Who runs the site? Can you trust them to provide balanced, accurate information? Trustworthy sites provide a way to contact the owners with questions or feedback. In general, you'll find good health information on websites run by:
- Federal government agencies.
- Medical schools.
- Large professional or nonprofit organizations. For example, the American College of Cardiology (a professional organization) and the American Heart Association (a nonprofit) and are both reliable sources of information on heart health.
- What's the purpose of the site? Is it to:
- Inform the public?
- Sell products or services?
- Promote the opinions of a person or group?
- A trustworthy website has one goal: To give you good information.
- Who pays for the site?
- If the site is funded by ads, they should be clearly marked as advertisements. Watch out for ads designed to look like neutral health information.
- If a business pays for the site, the health information may favor that business and its products.
- Is the health information high quality? Good health information doesn't promote one treatment over another. It gives you balanced facts based on research. So, beware of dramatic writing, promises of cures, and claims that sound too good to be true. Those could be signs of a health fraud scam. To evaluate the quality of a website's information, ask:
- How is the information selected and reviewed to make sure it's accurate? Check the "About Us" page to see if the site has:
- An editorial board of health experts
- A content review process
- A selection policy for content
- Information about their writers' qualifications, which may be listed at the bottom of the articles
- Where does the information come from? The content pages should have links or references to the sources of the information.
- Is the information up to date? Content pages should include dates when the information was written, reviewed, or updated.
- How does the website use your personal information? Look for a privacy policy section to see how your personal information will be used. Don't share information about yourself unless you're comfortable with any risks involved.
When you find a website that seems to be trustworthy, don't stop there. Look to see if other reliable sites have similar health information.
How can I evaluate health information on social media?
A social media post may come from someone you know, but that doesn't guarantee it's good information. Many of the questions you use to evaluate a website also work for social media too. Ask where the information comes from, why it exists, and if anyone is funding it.
If you're not sure whether the information you see on social media is trustworthy, don"t share it with others.
How can I evaluate health stories in the news?
Some news stories about medical research may not include all the facts you need to know. Ask these questions:
- Does the story say whether the research involved people or animals?
- If it was people, how many people were in the study and who were they?
- How long was the study?
- What type of study was it?
- Who paid for the research?
If you learn a few tips for understanding medical research, you'll be able to decide if a news story may apply to your health. Then you can discuss the information with your provider.
How can I evaluate health information in books?
To evaluate health information in books, ask:
- How old is the book?
- Is the author an expert on the subject?
- Does the book offer different points of view or just those of the author?
- Has the book been reviewed by other experts?
- Does the book list the sources of the content?
After you evaluate health information, talk with your provider before using it to make decisions that may affect your health.
NIH: National Library of Medicine
Personal Health Records
You've probably seen your chart at your doctor's office. In fact, you may have charts at several doctors' offices. If you've been in the hospital, you have a chart there, too. These charts are your medical records. They may be on paper or electronic. To keep track of all this information, it's a good idea to keep your own personal health record.
What kind of information would you put in a personal health record? You could start with:
- Your name, birth date, blood type, and emergency contact information
- Date of last physical
- Dates and results of tests and screenings
- Major illnesses and surgeries, with dates
- A list of your medicines and supplements, the dosages, and how long you've taken them
- Any allergies
- Any chronic diseases
- Any history of illnesses in your family
Health Literacy
What is health literacy?
Health literacy involves the information that people need to be able to make good decisions about health. There are two parts:
- Personal health literacy is about how well a person can find and understand the health information and services that they need. It is also about using the information and services to make good health decisions.
- Organizational health literacy is about how well organizations help people find the health information and services that they need. It also includes helping them use that information to make good health decisions.
Which factors can affect health literacy?
Many different factors can affect a person's health literacy, including their:
- Knowledge of medical words
- Understanding of how the health care system works
- Ability to communicate with health care providers
- Ability to find health information, which may require computer skills
- Reading, writing, and number skills
- Personal factors, such as age, income, education, language abilities, and culture
- Physical or mental limitations
Many of the same people who are at risk for limited health literacy also have health disparities. Health disparities are health differences between different groups of people. These groups may be based on age, race, sex, or other factors.
Why is health literacy important?
Health literacy is important because it can affect your ability to:
- Make good decisions about your health.
- Get the medical care you need. This includes preventative care, which is care that focuses on preventing disease and keeping you healthy.
- Take your medicines correctly.
- Manage a disease, especially a chronic (long-term) disease.
- Lead a healthy lifestyle.
One thing that you can do is to make sure that you communicate well with your health care providers. If you don't understand something a provider tells you, ask them to explain it to you so that you understand. You can also ask the provider to write down their instructions.
Family History
Your family history includes health information about you and your close relatives. Families have many factors in common, including their genes, environment, and lifestyle. Looking at these factors can help you figure out whether you have a higher risk for certain health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
Having a family member with a disease raises your risk, but it does not mean that you will definitely get it. Knowing that you are at risk gives you a chance to reduce that risk by following a healthier lifestyle and getting tested as needed.
You can get started by talking to your relatives about their health. Draw a family tree and add the health information. Having copies of medical records and death certificates is also helpful.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Medical Ethics
The field of ethics studies principles of right and wrong. There is hardly an area in medicine that doesn't have an ethical aspect. For example, there are ethical issues relating to :
- End of life care: Should a patient receive nutrition? What about advance directives and resuscitation orders?
- Abortion: When does life begin? Is it ethical to terminate a pregnancy with a birth defect?
- Genetic and prenatal testing: What happens if you are a carrier of a defect? What if testing shows that your unborn baby has a defect?
- Birth control: Should it be available to minors?
- Is it ethical to harvest embryonic stem cells to treat diseases?
- Organ donation: Must a relative donate an organ to a sick relative?
- Your personal health information: who has access to your records?
- Patient rights: Do you have the right to refuse treatment?
- When you talk with your doctor, is it ethical for her to withhold information from you or your family?
Page 2
Patient Rights
What are patient rights?
As a patient, you have certain rights. Some are guaranteed by federal law, such as the right to get a copy of your medical records and the right to keep them private and secure. Many states have additional laws protecting patients. And some states, insurance plans, medical organizations, and health care facilities have their own patient bill of rights.
Some other examples of patient rights include:
- Being treated with respect
- Not being discriminated against in your medical care
- The right to refuse treatment
- The right of informed consent
What is informed consent?
Informed consent is an important patient right. It is a process in which your health care provider gives you the information you need to make decisions about your care. The types of care could be treatments, procedures, genetic testing, or clinical trials. The information should include the risks and benefits of the care, as well as details about your medical condition.
It's important that you understand everything before you give consent. Sometimes your provider will ask you to sign a form to give your consent. This is called written consent.
You have the right to change your mind about consent at any time.
Where can I get help with patient rights?
There are different resources that can help you if you have a problem with your patient rights:
- Many hospitals have patient advocates. These are people who can help guide you through the health care system and make sure that your rights are protected.
- Your state may have resources to help you, such as:
- Your state may have an office (called an ombudsmen office) for problems with long term care.
- Your state's department of health may be able to help.
- States also have oversight agencies for insurance companies and various types of health care facilities and providers. These agencies make sure that these organizations and providers follow the rules so you can get quality care.
- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has an Office for Civil Rights (OCR). You can file a complaint with them if you feel you have been discriminated against in your medical care or if you think your health information privacy rights have been violated.
Prenatal Testing
What is prenatal testing?
Prenatal testing provides information about the health of your fetus before the baby is born. Some routine tests during pregnancy also check your health. The prenatal test may use a sample of your blood, urine or fluid from your vagina, cervix, or rectum.
Since some health conditions can be treated before your baby is born, it's important to find them early. But even if they cannot be treated, it can still be helpful to know about the problem early on. This gives you time to learn about the condition and prepare for any challenges you may face after the baby is born.
What is prenatal testing used to diagnose?
At your first prenatal visit, your health care provider will test for various conditions, including problems with your blood, signs of infections, and whether you are immune to rubella (German measles) and chickenpox.
Throughout your pregnancy, your provider may recommend additional tests as well. Some tests are suggested for all women, such as screenings for gestational diabetes, Down syndrome, and HIV.
Your provider might offer other tests based on your:
- Age
- Personal or family medical history
- Ethnic background
- Results of routine tests
What are the two types of prenatal tests?
There are two types of tests:
- Screening tests check if you or your fetus may have certain health issues. They look at risk but do not diagnose problems. If your screening test result is abnormal, it does not mean that there is a problem. It means that more information is needed. Your provider can explain what the test results mean and possible next steps. You may need diagnostic testing.
- Diagnostic tests help determine whether you or your fetus have a certain health problem.
It is your choice whether to get prenatal tests. You and your provider can talk about the risks and benefits of the tests, as well as the type of information they can give you. Then you can decide which ones are right for you.
National Women's Health Information Center
Drug Use and Addiction
What are drugs?
Drugs are chemical substances that can change how your body and mind work. They include prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines, alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs.
What is drug use?
Drug use, or misuse, includes:
- Using illegal substances, such as:
- Anabolic steroids
- Club drugs
- Cocaine
- Heroin
- Inhalants
- Marijuana
- Methamphetamines
- Misusing prescription medicines, including opioids. This means taking the medicines in a different way than your health care provider prescribed. This includes
- Taking a medicine that was prescribed for someone else.
- Taking a larger dose than you are supposed to.
- Using the medicine in a different way than you are supposed to. For example, instead of swallowing your tablets, you might crush and then snort or inject them.
- Using the medicine for another purpose, such as getting high.
- Misusing over-the-counter medicines, including using them for another purpose or in a different way than you are supposed to.
Drug use is dangerous. It can harm your brain and body, sometimes permanently. It can hurt the people around you, including friends, families, and kids. If you are pregnant, it can harm your fetus. Drug use can also lead to mild, moderate, or severe substance use disorders. Substance use disorders are sometimes called addiction.
What is drug addiction?
Drug addiction is a chronic brain disease. It causes a person to take drugs repeatedly, despite the harm they cause. Repeated drug use can change the brain and lead to addiction.
The brain changes from addiction can be lasting, so drug addiction is considered a "relapsing" disease. This means that people in recovery are at risk for taking drugs again, even after years of not taking them.
Does everyone who takes drugs become addicted?
Not everyone who uses drugs becomes addicted. Everyone's bodies and brains are different, so their reactions to drugs can also be different. Some people may become addicted quickly, or it may happen over time. Other people never become addicted. Whether or not someone becomes addicted depends on many factors. They include genetic, environmental, and developmental factors.
Who is at risk for drug addiction?
Various risk factors can make you more likely to become addicted to drugs, including:
- Your biology. People can react to drugs differently. Some people like the feeling the first time they try a drug and want more. Others hate how it feels and never try it again.
- Mental health problems. People who have untreated mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to become addicted. This can happen because drug use and mental health problems affect the same parts of the brain. Also, people with these problems may use drugs to try to feel better.
- Trouble at home. If your home is an unhappy place or was when you were growing up, you might be more likely to have a drug problem.
- Trouble in school, at work, or with making friends. You might use drugs to get your mind off these problems.
- Hanging around other people who use drugs. They might encourage you to try drugs.
- Starting drug use when you're young. When kids use drugs, it affects how their bodies and brains finish growing. This increases your chances of becoming addicted when you're an adult.
What are the signs that someone has a drug problem?
Signs that someone has a drug problem include:
- Changing friends a lot
- Spending a lot of time alone
- Losing interest in favorite things
- Not taking care of themselves - for example, not taking showers, changing clothes, or brushing their teeth
- Being very energetic, talking fast, or saying things that don't make sense
- Quickly changing between feeling bad and feeling good
- Having different eating or sleeping habits
- Missing important appointments
- Having problems at work or at school
- Having problems in personal or family relationships
What are the treatments for drug addiction?
Treatments for drug addiction include counseling, medicines, or both. Research shows that combining medicines with counseling gives most people the best chance of success.
The counseling may be individual, family, and/or group therapy. It can help you:
- Understand why the drug addiction began
- See how drugs changed your behavior
- Learn how to manage personal problems
- Learn to avoid places, people, and situations where drugs are accessible
If you stop or cut back on drugs you've used for a while, you may display different symptoms for different drugs. This is called withdrawal. Medicines can help with the symptoms of withdrawal. For addiction to certain drugs, there are also medicines that can help you re-establish normal brain function and decrease your cravings.
If you have a mental disorder along with an addiction, it is known as a dual diagnosis. It is important to treat both problems. This will increase your chance of success.
If you have a severe addiction, you may need hospital-based or residential treatment. Residential treatment programs combine housing and treatment services.
Can drug use and addiction be prevented?
Drug use and addiction are preventable. Prevention programs involving families, schools, communities, and the media may prevent or reduce drug use and addiction. These programs include education and outreach to help people understand the risks of drug use.
NIH: National Institute on Drug Abuse
Health Disparities
Health disparities are health differences between different groups of people. These health differences may include:
- How many people get certain diseases
- How severe the diseases are
- How many people have complications because of the diseases
- How many people die from a disease
- Whether people can get health care
- How many people get screened for a disease
These groups of people may be based on:
- Race
- Ethnicity
- Immigrant status
- Disability
- Sex or gender
- Sexual orientation
- Geography
- Income
- Level of education
NIH: National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities
Intimate Partner Violence
What is intimate partner violence (IPV)?
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is abuse that happens in a romantic relationship. The intimate partner could be a current or former spouse or dating partner. IPV is also known as domestic violence.
IPV can happen one time, or it may be ongoing. It may include different types of abuse, such as:
- Physical violence, which is when a person hurts or tries to hurt a partner by hitting, kicking, or using another type of physical force.
- Sexual violence which involves forcing or attempting to force a partner to take part in sexual activity when the partner does not or cannot consent. The sexual activity could include things like sex acts, sexual touching, or non-physical sexual events (e.g., sexting).
- Emotional abuse, which includes threats, name-calling, put-downs, and humiliation. It can also involve controlling behavior, such as telling a partner how to act or dress and not letting them see family or friends.
- Economic abuse, also called financial abuse, involves controlling access to money.
- Stalking, which is repeated, unwanted contact that causes fear or concern for the safety of the partner. This can include watching or following the partner. The stalker may send repeated, unwanted phone calls or texts.
Who is affected by intimate partner violence (IPV)?
It is hard to know exactly how common IPV is because it is often not reported.
But we do know that IPV can happen to anyone. It affects people with all levels of income and education.
What are the signs that someone is experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV)?
If you think that a loved one might be experiencing IPV, watch for these signs:
Does your friend or loved one:
- Have unexplained cuts or bruises?
- Avoid friends, family, and favorite activities?
- Make excuses for their partner's behavior?
- Look uncomfortable or fearful around their partner?
Does your friend or loved one's partner:
- Yell at or make fun of them?
- Try to control them by making all the decisions?
- Check up on them at work or school?
- Force them to do sexual things they don't want to do?
- Threaten to hurt themself if the partner wants to break up?
What can I do if I am experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV)?
Your safety is the most important concern. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
If you are not in immediate danger, you can:
- Get medical care if you have been injured or sexually assaulted.
- Call a helpline for free, anonymous help. You can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233) or 800-787-3224 (TTY). You can also chat with them through their website or through text by texting START to 88788.
- Find out where to get help in your community. Contact local organizations that can help you.
- Make a safety plan to leave. Intimate partner violence usually does not get better. Think about a safe place for you to go and all the things you will need when you leave.
- Save the evidence. Keep evidence of abuse, such as pictures of your injuries or threatening emails or texts. Make sure that it is in a safe place the abuser cannot access.
- Talk to someone you trust, such as a family member, a friend, a co-worker, or a spiritual leader.
- Consider getting a restraining order to protect yourself.
How can I help someone who is experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV)?
Let your loved one know that being treated this way isn't healthy and that they are not to blame. You should:
- Call 911 if there is immediate danger.
- Watch for the signs of abuse. Learn about the signs and keep track of the ones that you see.
- Find out about local resources. Get the addresses and phone numbers of some local resources in your community. Then, you'll be able to share the information if the person is ready for it.
- Set up a time to talk. Make sure you can have your conversation in a safe, private place. Your loved one's partner may have access to their cell phone or computer, so be careful about sharing information over text or email.
- Be specific about why you are worried. Describe the behaviors that concern you. Be as specific as possible when explaining why you are worried.
- Plan for safety. If your loved one is ready to leave an abusive partner, help them make a plan for getting out of the relationship as safely as possible. An intimate partner violence counselor can help with making a safety plan.
- Be patient and do not judge. You should talk about your concerns with your loved one, but you need to understand that they may not be ready to talk about it. Let them know that you're available to talk at any time, and that you will listen without judging them.
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Mental Disorders
What are mental disorders?
Mental disorders (or mental illnesses) are conditions that affect your thinking, feeling, mood, and behavior. They may happen over a short period of time or come and go. Some can be chronic (long-lasting). They can affect your ability to relate to others and function each day..
What are some types of mental disorders?
There are many different types of mental disorders. Some common ones include:
- Anxiety disorders, including panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and phobias
- Depression, bipolar disorder, and other mood disorders
- Eating disorders
- Personality disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia
What causes mental disorders?
There is no single cause for mental illness. A number of factors can contribute to risk for mental illness, such as:
- Your genes and family history
- Your life experiences, such as stress or a history of abuse, especially if they happen in childhood
- Biological factors such as chemical imbalances in the brain
- A traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Prenatal (before birth) exposure to viruses, toxic chemicals, or other substances such as alcohol and drugs.
- Use of alcohol or recreational drugs
- Having a serious medical condition like cancer
- Having few friends, and feeling lonely or isolated
Mental disorders are not caused by character flaws. They have nothing to do with being lazy or weak.
Who is at risk for mental disorders?
Mental disorders are common. Many Americans will be diagnosed with a mental disorder at some time in their life.
How are mental disorders diagnosed?
The steps to getting a diagnosis include:
- A medical history
- A physical exam and possibly lab tests, if your provider thinks that other medical conditions could be causing your symptoms
- A psychological evaluation. You will answer questions about your thinking, feelings, and behaviors.
What are the treatments for mental disorders?
Treatment depends on which mental disorder you have and how serious it is. You and your provider will work on a treatment plan just for you. It usually involves some type of therapy. You may also take medicines. Some people also need social support and education on managing their condition.
In some cases, you may need more intensive treatment. You may need to go to a psychiatric hospital. This could be because your mental illness is severe. Or it could be because you are at risk of hurting yourself or someone else. In the hospital, you will get counseling, group discussions, and activities with mental health professionals and other patients.
Occupational Health
Occupational health problems occur at work or because of the kind of work you do. These problems can include:
- Cuts, fractures (broken bones), and sprains and strains
- Loss of limbs
- Repetitive motion disorders
- Hearing problems caused by exposure to noise
- Vision problems
- Illness caused by breathing, touching, or swallowing unsafe substances
- Illness caused by exposure to radiation
- Exposure to germs in health care settings
Good job safety and prevention practices can reduce your risk of these problems. Try to stay fit, reduce stress, set up your work area properly, and use the right equipment and gear.
Rural Health Concerns
Around 15% of people in the United States live in rural areas. There are many different reasons why you might choose to live in a rural community. You may want a lower cost of living and a slower pace of life. You may enjoy having access to big, open spaces for recreation. Rural areas are less crowded and can offer more privacy. You may choose a rural area so that you can live near your family and friends.
But there are also challenges to living in a rural area, including when it comes to taking care of your health. Compared to urban areas, rural communities tend to have:
- Higher poverty rates.
- A higher percentage of older adults, who are more likely to have chronic health problems.
- More residents without health insurance.
- Less access to health care. For example, clinics and hospitals may be far away.
- Higher rates of certain substance use, such as cigarette smoking and opioid and methamphetamine misuse.
- Higher rates of chronic health problems such as high blood pressure and obesity.
- More exposure to environmental hazards, such as chemicals used for farming.
There are solutions to deal with these problems. A few examples include:
- Clinics offering telehealth to provide care for people who live far away from specialists or can't easily get to their providers' offices.
- Local public health agencies working with their communities to promote healthy living. They can provide wellness and exercise classes and start a farmer's market.
- Local governments adding bike lanes and trails to encourage people to bike and walk.
- Rural schools can offer counseling and mental health services for their students.
Understanding Medical Research
Almost every day, new findings from medical research are published in scientific journals. These journal articles often become sources for news stories. They can be important tools in helping you manage your health. But it's not always easy to understand them and know what they mean for your life. For example:
- What you hear about a study may not explain how it fits into the bigger picture.
- Sometimes the results of one study seem to disagree with the results of another study. That could be because the studies could have different designs and asked different questions. The news stories don't always explain this.
- Sometimes the studies are very small, and researchers need to do more studies to confirm the results. But the news stories about these small studies may not highlight this.
So it's important to think carefully when reading or listening to reports of new medical findings. Here are some questions that can help you evaluate that information:
- Was the study in animals or humans? Getting certain results in animals may not mean that you get those same results in humans.
- Were the people in the study similar to you in ways that may matter, such as age, race, or sex?
- How big was the study? Larger studies may get more reliable results than smaller studies.
- How long did the study last? For example, studies testing medicines need to be long enough to show long-term benefits or risks.
- What kind of study was it? Clinical trials, especially randomized controlled trials, give the clearest information about whether a treatment is effective and safe in humans. In randomized controlled trials, the people in the study are randomly divided into separate groups that get different treatments. This helps prevent bias in the results.
- Where was the research done?
- If a new treatment was being tested, what were the side effects? How common were they?
- How do the results from the study compare with previous studies? If the new study had different results, then more studies would be needed to confirm these results.
- Who paid for the research? Sometimes the people paying for the research could profit financially if the study gets certain results.
- Who is reporting the results? Do they have a certain bias?
It can be helpful to stay informed about new medical findings. But it's good to have some skepticism. Keep these questions in mind the next time you hear about a big new medical breakthrough.
Alzheimer's Caregivers
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Alzheimer's Caregivers
A caregiver gives care to someone who needs help taking care of themselves. It can be rewarding. It may help to strengthen connections to a loved one. You may feel fulfillment from helping someone else. But sometimes caregiving can be stressful and even overwhelming. This can be especially true when caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease (AD).
AD is an illness that changes the brain. It causes people to lose the ability to remember, think, and use good judgment. They also have trouble taking care of themselves. Over time, as the disease gets worse, they will need more and more help. As a caregiver, it is important for you to learn about AD. You will want to know what happens to the person during the different stages of the disease. This can help you plan for the future, so that you will have all of the resources you will need to be able to take care of your loved one.
As a caregiver for someone with AD, your responsibilities can include:
- Getting your loved one's health, legal, and financial affairs in order. If possible, include them in the planning while they can still make decisions. Later you will need to take over managing their finances and paying their bills.
- Evaluating their house and making sure it's safe for their needs
- Monitoring their ability to drive. You may want to hire a driving specialist who can test their driving skills. When it is no longer safe for your loved one to drive, you need to make sure that they stop.
- Encouraging your loved one to get some physical activity. Exercising together may make it more fun for them.
- Making sure that your loved one has a healthy diet
- Helping with daily tasks like bathing, eating, or taking medicine
- Doing housework and cooking
- Running errands such as shopping for food and clothes
- Driving them to appointments
- Providing company and emotional support
- Arranging medical care and making health decisions
As you care for your loved one with AD, don't ignore your own needs. Caregiving can be stressful, and you need to take care of your own physical and mental health.
At some point, you will not be able to do everything on your own. Make sure that you get help when you need it. There are many different services available, including:
- Home care services
- Adult day care services
- Respite services, which provide short-term care for the person with AD
- Federal and state government programs that can provide financial support and services
- Assisted living facilities
- Nursing homes, some of which have special memory care units for people with AD
- Palliative and hospice care
You might consider hiring a geriatric care manager. They are specially trained professionals who can help you to find the right services for your needs.
NIH: National Institute on Aging
Alzheimer's Disease
What is Alzheimer's disease?
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia among older people. Dementia is a brain disorder that seriously affects thinking and memory skills. If you have AD, it can impair your ability to reason or learn new skills until it becomes difficult to complete daily activities.
AD begins slowly over many years. It first involves the parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language. It may be mistaken for normal memory changes with aging. However, AD is not a normal part of aging. The brain changes from the disease lead to symptoms that get worse over time.
What are the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease?
People with AD may have trouble remembering recent events or the names of people they know. Behavior may vary from person to person and day to day. AD progresses in stages. Late-onset AD occurs in adults aged 65 and older, which is when most people develop the disease. Early-onset AD happens before age 65, which is not common.
Some symptoms of AD can include:
- Getting lost in familiar places
- Repeating the same question
- Not recognizing family members
- Having trouble speaking, reading, or writing
- Not taking care of yourself, such as not bathing or eating poorly
In AD, over time, symptoms get worse. Later on, people with AD may become anxious or aggressive or wander away from home. Eventually, they need total care. This can cause great stress for family members who must care for them.
Who is more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease?
Researchers don't fully understand what causes AD. Age is the biggest risk factor. Your risk is also higher if a family member has had the disease. Although people who develop Alzheimer's don't always have a history of the disease in their families.
Researchers believe the causes of AD may be a combination of age-related changes in the brain, along with genetic, health, and lifestyle factors. Some medical conditions that are associated with a higher risk of AD include:
- Hearing loss
- Depression
- Mild cognitive impairment
- Concussion or other traumatic brain injury (TBI)
A related problem, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), causes more memory problems than normal for people of the same age. Many, but not all, people with MCI will develop AD.
How is Alzheimer's disease diagnosed?
Some health conditions can cause memory loss or symptoms like AD. Talk with your health care provider if you're having noticeable changes in your memory. To determine if your symptoms are related to AD and not normal aging or another health condition, your provider may:
- Review your medical history and any medicines you're taking
- Conduct tests to check your memory, thinking, and problem-solving skills
- Ask about changes in behavior or personality
- Do tests to rule out any medical or mental health conditions
- Refer you to a provider that specializes in caring for older adults
- Recommend a neurologist, a doctor who specializes in treating diseases of the brain and nervous system
What are the treatments for Alzheimer's disease?
No treatment can stop the disease. However, some medicines may help keep symptoms from getting worse for a limited time.
Can Alzheimer's disease be prevented?
You can't change some risk factors, like your age. But changing certain lifestyle factors may promote your brain health and help you live a healthier lifestyle overall. This can include to:
- Manage chronic health issues such as high blood pressure or hearing loss
- Get regular physical activity
- Eat a healthy diet
- Quit smoking (or don't start)
- Get enough sleep
- Develop strong social connections
NIH: National Institute on Aging
Caregiver Health
What is a caregiver?
A caregiver gives care to someone who needs help taking care of themselves. The person who needs help may be a child, an adult, or an older adult. They may need help because of an injury, chronic illness, or disability.
Some caregivers are informal caregivers. They are usually family members or friends. Other caregivers are paid professionals. Caregivers may give care at home or in a hospital or other health care setting. Sometimes they are caregiving from a distance. The types of tasks that caregivers do may include:
- Helping with daily tasks like bathing, eating, or taking medicine
- Arranging activities and medical care
- Making health and financial decisions
How does caregiving affect the caregiver?
Caregiving can be rewarding. It may help to strengthen connections to a loved one. You may feel fulfillment from helping someone else. But caregiving may also be stressful and sometimes even overwhelming. Caregiving may involve meeting complex demands without any training or help. You may also be working and have children or others to care for. To meet all of the demands, you might be putting your own needs and feelings aside. But that's not good for your long-term health. But you need to make sure that you are also taking care of yourself.
What is caregiver stress?
Many caregivers are affected by caregiver stress. This is the stress that comes from the emotional and physical strain of caregiving. The signs include:
- Feeling overwhelmed
- Feeling alone, isolated, or deserted by others
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Gaining or losing a lot of weight
- Feeling tired most of the time
- Losing interest in activities you used to enjoy
- Becoming easily irritated or angered
- Feeling worried or sad often
- Having headaches or body aches often
- Turning to unhealthy behaviors like smoking or drinking too much alcohol
How can caregiver stress affect my health?
Long-term caregiver stress may put you at risk for many different health problems. Some of these problems can be serious. They include:
- Depression and anxiety
- A weak immune system
- Excess weight and obesity
- Chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, or arthritis. Depression and obesity can raise the risk of these diseases even more.
- Problems with short-term memory or paying attention
What can I do to prevent or relieve caregiver stress?
Taking steps to prevent or relieve caregiver stress may help prevent health problems. Remember that if you feel better, you can take better care of your loved one. It will also be easier to focus on the rewards of caregiving. Some ways to help yourself include:
- Learning better ways to help your loved one. For examples, hospitals offer classes that can teach you how to care for someone with an injury or illness.
- Finding caregiving resources in your community to help you. Many communities have adult daycare services or respite services. Using one of these can give you a break from your caregiving duties.
- Asking for and accepting help. Make a list of ways others can help you. Let helpers choose what they would like to do. For instance, someone might sit with the person you care for while you do an errand. Someone else might pick up groceries for you.
- Joining a support group for caregivers. A support group can allow you to share stories, pick up caregiving tips, and get support from others who face the same challenges as you do.
- Being organized to make caregiving more manageable. Make to-do lists and set a daily routine.
- Staying in touch with family and friends. It's important for you to have emotional support.
- Taking care of your own health. Try to find time to be physically active on most days of the week, choose healthy foods, and get enough sleep. Make sure that you keep up with your medical care such as regular checkups and screenings.
- Considering taking a break from your job, if you also work and are feeling overwhelmed. Under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, eligible employees can take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave per year to care for relatives. Check with your human resources office about your options.
Dept. of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health
Caregivers
A caregiver gives care to someone who needs help taking care of themselves. The person who needs help may be a child, an adult, or an older adult. They may need help because of an injury or disability. Or they may have a chronic illness such as Alzheimer's disease or cancer.
Some caregivers are informal caregivers. They are usually family members or friends. Other caregivers are paid professionals. Caregivers may give care at home or in a hospital or other health care setting. Sometimes they are caregiving from a distance. The types of tasks that caregivers do may include:
- Helping with daily tasks like bathing, eating, or taking medicine
- Doing housework and cooking
- Running errands such as shopping for food and clothes
- Driving the person to appointments
- Providing company and emotional support
- Arranging activities and medical care
- Making health and financial decisions
Caregiving can be rewarding. It may help to strengthen connections to a loved one. You may feel fulfillment from helping someone else. But caregiving may also be stressful and sometimes even overwhelming. You may be "on call" for 24 hours a day. You may also be working outside the home and taking care of children. So you need to make sure that you are not ignoring your own needs. You have to take care of your own physical and mental health as well. Because when you feel better, you can take better care of your loved one. It will also be easier to focus on the rewards of caregiving.
Dept. of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health
Medical Ethics
The field of ethics studies principles of right and wrong. There is hardly an area in medicine that doesn't have an ethical aspect. For example, there are ethical issues relating to :
- End of life care: Should a patient receive nutrition? What about advance directives and resuscitation orders?
- Abortion: When does life begin? Is it ethical to terminate a pregnancy with a birth defect?
- Genetic and prenatal testing: What happens if you are a carrier of a defect? What if testing shows that your unborn baby has a defect?
- Birth control: Should it be available to minors?
- Is it ethical to harvest embryonic stem cells to treat diseases?
- Organ donation: Must a relative donate an organ to a sick relative?
- Your personal health information: who has access to your records?
- Patient rights: Do you have the right to refuse treatment?
- When you talk with your doctor, is it ethical for her to withhold information from you or your family?
