Posts tagged: type 3 diabetes

Tucked away in the highlands of central Mexico, San Miguel de Allende has become a favorite retreat for senior Americans, particularly retirees, who are looking to savor the richness of their golden years. This trend isn’t a fleeting fascination but a multi decade-long love affair, as proven by San Miguel’s consistent ranking as the number one travel destination in the world by Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards. But what makes this city the Eldorado for seniors? Let’s embark on a journey to discover why San Miguel de Allende has become synonymous with fulfillment, joy, and timeless charm for the older generation.

The allure of moving abroad in retirement to enjoy the beauty and culture of another country, like Mexico, is appealing to many. But what about the tax implications? If you are a retired U.S. ex-pat receiving social security while living in Mexico, the question arises: what are your tax obligations? This guide endeavors to clarify the U.S. and Mexican tax obligations you need to be aware of as you make your plans.

The world is witnessing a growing crisis related to dementia. According to the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study in 2019, an estimated 57.4 million people worldwide had dementia. By 2050, this number is expected to escalate to over 150 million, most of whom will have Alzheimer’s disease. With annual costs estimated at $1.3 trillion, the strain on care systems and families is significant.

Until recently, available treatments could only alleviate symptoms of dementia without halting the disease’s progress. This is now changing with new monoclonal antibody treatments such as Lecanemab, Aducanumab, and Donanemab. Experts have hailed these as the first disease-modifying treatments capable of clearing the amyloid plaques in the brain, which are responsible for most Alzheimer’s symptoms.

Exploring the transition to assisted living is a significant challenge, especially when considering the option of relocating abroad. The choice of assisted living in Mexico is attracting more retirees due to its combination of cultural richness, favorable climate, and cost-effective lifestyle. This guide offers a detailed checklist designed to navigate the complexities of choosing assisted living in Mexico. It covers crucial factors from initial observations and staff qualifications to specific contractual details, ensuring the facility aligns with the unique needs of you or your loved one.

Caring for a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia is a journey of courage, resilience, and patience. Often, family members or friends assume the role of unpaid caregivers, shouldering responsibilities that extend beyond their typical understanding and experiences. This vital yet challenging role can pose numerous health, safety, legal, and financial risks to the caregiver, which are frequently unknown, not understood or overlooked. 

With empathy, compassion, and a sense of urgency, we must delicately navigate the complex question of whether individuals aged 65 and above might experience a gradual decline in their ability to drive safely. Aging can subtly usher in challenges like deteriorated night vision, slower reaction times, and potential cognitive impairments. As their years advance, is there a risk that they could unwittingly represent a danger to their own well-being, as well as that of others?

The rapid progress of science and technology in the 21st century has catalyzed significant changes across all sectors, including healthcare. From gene editing to AI-powered diagnostics, medical science is on the brink of a revolution. However, these promising advances sometimes face unexpected resistance, not from regulatory barriers or technological limitations but from entrenched perspectives within the medical profession itself. This article concludes with an illustration by discussing the Amyloid Hypothesis and how advances in Alzheimer’s research were stymied for decades as a result of a widespread and staunch parochial perspective in the field of medical research.

Humans have evolved over hundreds of thousands of years with a deeply ingrained survival instinct. This primal drive is evident in our everyday lives and becomes particularly pronounced when we are faced with life-threatening situations. My experiences in hospitals and hospice facilities have often left me with mixed feelings. I have witnessed individuals clinging to life with a tenacity stemming from sheer will and stubbornness. It raises the question: to what extent do we project our innate, unwavering drive to stay alive onto others? This leads me to the concept of Death with Dignity, as a choice, but only for some individuals and in some states.

Death with Dignity, also known as Physician Assisted Suicide (PAS), is a topic that has sparked intense debate in the United States. It refers to the practice of allowing terminally ill patients to voluntarily end their lives through the use of lethal medications prescribed by a physician. Several states have enacted laws to permit this practice under specific circumstances. In this article, we will explore the states that support Death with Dignity and delve into the compelling arguments for and against this controversial issue.

Dementia eventually erodes one’s concept of time. Linear time is neither perceived nor understood, and the individual can’t imagine the future as memory deteriorates; only the present moment becomes relevant. The passing of a minute is no different from an hour, the rest of today or tomorrow. Most cognitive tests include drawing the face of a clock. When dementia is present, the numbers get placed in the wrong order. Showing the person the time on a numbered clock might work initially but not during later progression.

When an individual or their family has concerns about diminished memory and cognitive function that may indicate the beginnings of some sort of dementia, doctors typically begin with a clinical and possibly neurological examination followed by an array of cognitive tests. The current methods are as unsatisfactory in terms of accuracy as how and when they are employed. Most commonly, it takes a long time to get a diagnosis, and it only comes after the patient’s symptoms are pronounced, which is way too late.

This article lays out a comprehensive collection of progressive tests that are performed and concludes with some of the technological advancements that can provide earlier detection using non-invasive and low-cost methods.