Nicole Hernandez, PT, DPT

NCOA Adviser

Bed Rails for Seniors in 2024: Alternatives to Consider

While bed rails seem like a safe mobility solution for older adults, recent product recalls and federal standards suggest otherwise. The Federal Register reported portable bed rails
A nonpermanent bed rail secured to the side of the bed frame to serve as a mobility aid or to prevent falls from the bed. Also known as side rails, safety rails, and grab bars.

were deemed generally unsafe by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) due to more than 79,000 reports of in...

HelpGuide Handbook

Best Workout Apps in 2024, Expert Tested

Exercise is a powerful tool to enhance your physical fitness, improve your mental health, and support overall well-being. But getting started or staying consistent can feel challenging. If you can relate, this review is written for you.


Our Handbook Team created a list of the best workout apps by researching multiple platforms, consulting with medical and fitness experts, and testing features ourselves. The ones that made the cut offer a great user experience. But most importantly, they provi...

NCOA Adviser

Hearing Loss Statistics 2024: More Common Than You Might Think

Our hearing ability can greatly impact our health. And hearing loss is a common and widespread issue worldwide.


Did you know 1.5 billion people—20% of the world’s population—have some degree of hearing loss? [6]World Report on Hearing. World Health Organization. 2021. Found on the internet at https://apps.who.int/iris/rest/bitstreams/1334317/retrieve It’s currently the third-leading chronic health condition in the United States and cases are rapidly increasing. [7]Centers for Disease Control...

NCOA Adviser

5 Best Adjustable Beds of 2024: Expert Tested

According to our 2023 survey of 1,000 adjustable bed users, 85–90% told us that their adjustable bed helped them sleep better. The same people had self-reported symptoms of insomnia, chronic pain, snoring, and acid reflux. Adjustable beds may improve symptoms of conditions like sleep apnea and snoring by elevating the head and feet to open airwa...

Jaco Rehab

DeQuervain’s Synovitis: Exercises, Injections, or Surgery?

Developing a sharp pain on the back of your thumb or wrist? Is it limiting your ability to type, lift and hold items, and do your everyday activities?You might have developed an injury called DeQuervain’s Syndrome. It can also be called a synovitis or tenosynovitis depending on which specific structure is inflamed.If you need help managing your symptoms, JACO Rehab has your back! We can help you understand and treat your condition. If you’re on Oahu, book an appointment with us today.Your finger...

EverydayHealth.com

Are Hearing Aids Covered by Insurance in 2024?

Each private insurance program defines its hearing care coverage differently. You’ll find several examples of common, nationwide insurance providers below, with details on how you can check for coverage. Tricare is a government-sponsored healthcare program designed to cover active duty or retired military members and their families for an annual enrollment fee. Refer to the Tricare 2023 cost sheet for details.Tricare benefits cover hearing aids for active duty members and their families under spe...

Jaco Rehab

5 Exercise Tips for Osteoporosis, According to Physical Therapists

Thinning bones aren’t normal with age, although it’s very common and affects more than 40% of adults aged 50 or older. (1)Those beginning to lose bone density have a condition called osteopenia, which means that bones are weaker, but not brittle. If left untreated, it can progress to osteoporosis, a condition characterized by thin and weak bones vulnerable to fractures.While both conditions require medical attention, they’re not a reason to avoid activity. In fact, avoiding regular movement and...

HelpGuide Handbook

Joggo Review: Is the App Right For Me?

We know that sustained weight loss may feel difficult to accomplish, but the best weight loss programs provide a more structured approach to success. Joggo, a run-tracking app, combines a weight loss program with tailored exercise regimens and weekly meal plans, making it ideal for aspiring joggers and runners. If running a 5k has been an elusive goal, this running app could help you get there. The Handbook Team also likes how it offers education and guidance to people of all fitness levels, hel...

NCOA Adviser

Staying Active in Cold Weather: A Safety Guide for Older Adults

Exercise doesn’t have to feel like a chore. It can be fun, safe, and empowering with the right guidance. Our Reviews Team consulted the following professionals to develop the most comprehensive guide for physical activity in cold weather:


Age should never be a reason to stop challenging your mind and body. Exercise promotes physical, cognitive, emotional, and social benefits. [1]Benefits of Physical Activity. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. June 28, 2023. Found on the internet at...

NCOA Adviser

Best Hoyer Lifts and Patient Lifts: A Complete Guide in 2024

Home is often where we feel the most comfortable and like ourselves. So it’s no surprise that in a Reviews Team survey of 600 people who use products to help with mobility, 71.5% said they prefer to age in their home. But some health conditions that cause mobility issues like chronic pain or neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease can make it harder to move around the home safely. Fortunately, adults (and caregivers) can use mobility tools at home to help them move around easier.


Some...

NCOA Adviser

Best Mattress for Spinal Stenosis in 2024

Age-related changes, like arthritis, are common among older adults and can often lead to chronic pain or weakness. One of the most common is low back pain, often attributed to age-related changes in the spine, like lumbar spinal stenosis. This condition affects up to 38% of Americans, and its symptoms can feel limiting but can be treatable with conservative care

[1]
Katz J, et al. Diagnosis and Management of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis. JAMA Network. May 3, 2022. Foun...

NCOA Adviser

Aging and Sleep

As we age, our sleep patterns change, but our ability to sleep shouldn’t. Your brain needs sleep to regulate your body, restore energy, and repair damage. Without a healthy amount of sleep, you’re left vulnerable to health conditions that accelerate aging and make it difficult to safely age in place.


Our sleep cycles and circadian rhythms are expected to change as we age. It’s normal for older adults to experience less total sleep time, sometimes caused by more disruptions during sleep.


Y...

NCOA Adviser

Best Mattress for Back Pain in 2024: Doctor Reviewed

Back pain can range from annoying aches to debilitating pain. Research shows that up to 84% of the U.S. population experiences back pain at some point in their lives, with roughly 23% experiencing chronic lower back pain. 


Pain throughout your back can significantly affect daily life and sleep quality, so it’s crucial to talk to a health care professional to develop a treatment plan. Everyone’s symptoms are different and require a tailored approach, but addressing sleep quality is one of the...

Jaco Rehab

Types of Meniscus Tears and How to Treat Them

A meniscus tear can sound like a major issue. If your doctor suspects a tear, or if the tear has been confirmed by an MRI, you’re probably wondering what’s next.Good news! Not all meniscus injuries require surgery. It’s possible to avoid surgery with conservative care, like physical therapy.Unless surgery is strongly advised by your doctor, you should seek conservative treatment. Reach out to JACO Rehab and book an appointment. We can help!You have two menisci in your knee: the medial and latera...

NCOA Adviser

Sleep and Weight: Is There a Connection?

Are you getting seven to nine hours of sleep every night? If not, you may be limiting your health potential, especially if you’re watching your weight. Sleep and circadian rhythmsⓘ Circadian rhythms are 24-hour cycles running the body’s internal clock allowing you to carry out important functions. The most well-known circadian rhythm is the sleep-wake cycle. play key roles in regulating energy, hunger, and mood. Inadequate sleep has short and long-term consequences on physical and ment...

NCOA Adviser

Best 20 Gifts for Grandmothers in 2024

Whether you’re preparing for a holiday or birthday (or no occasion at all), you want to choose a gift for your grandma that she will cherish. The best gift for your grandmother are items or activities that fit her personality and spark joy every time she uses them. 


Our team carefully selected a list of gifts designed to teach something new, be fun, serve a daily purpose, and remind her how much she’s appreciated.


We love Aura Digital Picture Frames because they’re an easy way to display m...

NCOA Adviser

Best Mattress for Sciatica of 2024 | Expert Reviewed

Anyone with nerve pain knows it can significantly impact their day-to-day lives, including sleep quality. Sciatica, or irritation of the sciatic nerve, is no different. 


Sciatica is a prevalent health issue, with research estimating that five in 1,000 people in Western countries, like the United States experience sciatica. When someone has symptoms of sciatica, they may experience pain, burning, numbness, or weakness along the lower back, hip, leg, or foot. Sometimes sciatic pain is aggravate...

NCOA Adviser

The Best Mattresses of 2024 Expert Reviewed and Approved

We know searching for the best mattress for your unique needs can be daunting. When our Reviews Team asked a focus group of older adults about their recent mattress shopping experiences, participants said they waited a few months to a couple of years to make a decision. In the meantime, they slept poorly every night on their old mattresses while looking for the best mattress.


If finding a mattress that’s right for you is all that’s standing between you and a good night’s slee...

NCOA Adviser

7 Best Mattresses for Fibromyalgia of 2024, Tested by Experts

Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain condition affecting between 5 million and 8 million people in the United States, according to the National Fibromyalgia Association (NFA). “There are often other accompanying symptoms including sleep disruption, daytime fatigue, anxiety or depression, and jaw pain,” said Catherine Darley, ND, a licensed naturopathic doctor and founder of The Institute of Naturopathic Sleep Medicine in Seattle. 


Poor sleep quality is common in those with fibromyalgia, yet sleep i...

Jaco Rehab

Physical Therapy for Herniated Discs

Back pain is an very common condition. Almost 80% of people experience back pain at some point in their lifetime. (2) It can be scary, especially when you’re in a great deal of pain.One of the most commonly diagnosed reasons for back pain is the discovery of a herniated disc. If this is you, don’t worry. There’s a lot of evidence out there that points to positive outcomes with conservative care.Physical therapy for herniated discs is one of the front-line approaches to symptom management. Reach...

NCOA Adviser

Jabra Enhance Hearing Aids Review 2024: Expert Analysis

With the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) 2022 ruling on over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, there are more options than ever for purchasing hearing aids—at in-person hearing clinics, online, or from big-box retailers.


Jabra Enhance is an OTC hearing aid brand available online and from big-box retailers (Best Buy and Costco). All of its hearing aid support is available online and through mobile technology. If you’re experiencing mild to moderate hearing loss and feel you’re a good c...

NCOA Adviser

Best Mattresses for Seniors in 2024: Our Top Picks

As we age, it’s important to maintain healthy sleep patterns to support our physical and mental function. Yet only about half of older adults get enough sleep throughout the night.

[1]
Miner B and Kryger MH. Sleep in the Aging Population. Sleep Medicine Clinics. March 2017. Found on the internet at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5300306

While multiple factors can contribute to a poor night’s sleep, many are within our control, includin...

NCOA Adviser

4 Best Pillows for Neck Pain 2024: Expert Reviewed

If you’re having trouble sleeping at night, you’re not alone. Between 40%–70% of older adults report sleep problems, according to research. Pain is a common culprit for poor sleep, which in turn can prolong and worsen your condition...

NCOA Adviser

How Much Do Walk-In Tubs Cost in 2024?

As you age, losing the mobility to climb stairs or keep your balance can impact your independence—and increase your fall risk. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 28% of older adults fall each year, with the highest risk of falls historically happening in the home.1


Bathrooms especially can be risky rooms to navigate because they have hard, slippery surfaces, and if you need to get into the bathtub, you need to step over a ledge. Even people age 41–60 can benefi...