Author Archives: Janet Reed RN, MSN

About Janet Reed RN, MSN

Janet Reed is a registered Nurse and Nurse educator, with a Masters degree and over a decade of nursing experience, specializing in adult acute care and geriatric conditions.

8 Nursing Home Pitfalls to Avoid

8 Nursing Home Pitfalls to Avoid

With an increasing aging population, being able to evaluate nursing homes on important issues is an essential skill for caregivers and children with aging parents. When one considers that their loved one might need a nursing home for either a short-term rehabilitation or more long term caregiving needs, one must realize that not all nursing […]

Living with Type 2 Diabetes

Doctor testing glucose on a patient's finger

Diabetes is on the rise in our society, affecting over 9{d0e74b8a3596e4326b45924d39792f257a1f9983beed4201831d386befd3d18e} of the population, with type 2 diabetes accounting for 90-95{d0e74b8a3596e4326b45924d39792f257a1f9983beed4201831d386befd3d18e} of all new diagnoses of diabetes (CDC, 2014). Type 2 diabetes results from decreased insulin sensitivity in the liver, muscle, and adipose tissues; and reduced pancreatic function leading to impaired insulin secretion. Insulin is […]

Preventing and Treating Bed Sores

Updated August 2025 The number of people at risk from pressure ulcers is increasing due to an aging population and a growing prevalence of long-term chronic conditions. Older adults who have functional limitations and immobility issues are especially at risk for developing bed sores. Bed sores, also called pressure ulcers or decubitus ulcers, can result […]

Aid for Arthritis Aches

Do you suffer with stiff and painful joints? According to the Arthritis Foundation, joint inflammation is the number one cause of disability and pain in the US, affecting 1 in 5 of all adults (20{d0e74b8a3596e4326b45924d39792f257a1f9983beed4201831d386befd3d18e} of the population). Arthritis tends to be chronic (can’t be cured) but treatment can help. Although there are over 100 […]

Preventing a Break: Osteoporosis in Older Adults

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 48.3{d0e74b8a3596e4326b45924d39792f257a1f9983beed4201831d386befd3d18e} of adults aged 65 and over had low bone mass of the lumbar spine or femur (Looker & Frenk, 2015). Low bone mass is a precursor to osteoporosis, a disease which causes brittle, porous, weak bones in many older adults and can lead to fractures and […]

Preventing Caregiver Burnout

The impact of one individual’s health can have a ripple effect on an entire family. Family members are caring for their loved ones in the home more today and for longer periods of time than ever before. If you are the primary caregiver for a dependent loved one, you are at risk for developing caregiver […]

5 Myths and Truths About Aging and the Changes It Brings

Does getting older really mean getting sick, debilitated, and unhappy? In this article, we will explore common myths of aging which can result in ageism, as well as the truths about aging that have stood the test of time. We will also explore physiological changes in the body that occur with age. Myth #1 – […]