Below are five essential safety tips to consider when taking anticoagulants or blood thinners. By understanding the role of blood thinners and the adverse effects, it alerts individuals to adverse reactions requiring medical attention. Commonly prescribed blood thinners include Coumadin, Heparin, Lovenox (Low-molecular weight heparin), Aggrenox, Xarelto, and others. Physicians may prescribe blood thinners as a preventative measure, or as part of a treatment plan for individuals prone to clot formation. With this understanding, let's review some safety tips to keep mind when taking blood thinners!

Hyperlipidemia is a fancy word for high levels of lipids or "fats" in the blood. It is the medical term used for patients with elevated cholesterol levels. Ideally, blood cholesterol should be below 200 mg/dl. As noted in The Mayo Clinic, serum cholesterol levels above 240 mg/dl are considered high. With these facts in mind, let's explore ways to prevent high cholesterol levels, and lower cholesterol in individuals diagnosed with hyperlipidemia.

With a shortage in social security pensions and weak 401(K)’s, many seniors are compelled back into the job-market. Fortunately, there are vast resources available for retiree’s seeking a suitable occupation. Organizations such as Senior Job Bank, American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), and Retiree Workforce, provide job-listings and other valuable tools for pursuing employment.

The cost of living is skyrocketing every passing minute.  Countless seniors are faced with low-funded retirement pensions. Stressors are compelling many to retire later in life, and to seek-out employment opportunities. Edward Ted Siedle writer for Forbes.com, The Greatest Retirement Crisis In American History, shares the following; “We are on the precipice of the greatest retirement crisis in the history of the world. In the decades to come, we will witness millions of elderly Americans, the Baby Boomers and others, slipping into poverty.” Siedle also noted that 401(K) retirement plans average at $25,000- an exceedingly low income for anyone striving to making a livelihood in todays’ society.

David considered himself to be a “healthy” sixty-five year-old man.  He was not fond of doctor visits, and insurance premiums were too costly for his family of eight. While interviewing David, he responded, “I’m sixty-five in age, but feel like twenty at heart!” David hasn’t seen a physician for over 30 years, and although he felt “healthy” further testing would be needed to rule-out any underlying heath concerns. This was a great opportunity to share with David, tests and procedures recommended for seniors within his age group.