Rheumatism (ROO-mah-tism) and arthritis are terms often used interchangeably. Arthritis is a general term used to describe joints affected by inflammation or degenerative changes and is only one of the many conditions catergorized as rheumatic (roo-MAH-tik) disease.

Arthritis (ar-THRIE-tis) is a rhuematic (ROO-mat-ik) disease in which joints are affected by inflammatory or degenerative changes, causing pain and stiffness.

Dementia (deh-MEN-chia) is defined by deterioration in mental abilities such as memory, problem solving skills, and abstract thinking, such that it interferes with social or occupational functioning.

Cholesterol (kuh-LES-tuh-rawl) is a fatty, wax-like substance that circulates through the bloodstream. Although an adequate level is essential to the proper functioning of the body, excessive amounts can clog arteries and increase the risk of cardiovascular (kard-ee-oh-VAS-kyew-ler) disease.

Obtaining help to care for a sick or disabled person at home can keep him or her comfortable while easing the work load for the primary caregiver. Home health care can include medical services provided by trained professionals such as nurses or physical therapists, or it can include personal and household services such as grooming, dressing, cleaning, and cooking.

Although Alzheimer's (ALTS-hy-merz) disease accounts for most cases of dementia (di-MEN-chia), there are at least 50 known disorders that can cause this condition.

Dry skin affects some people much more than it does others. While much of the difference can be attributed to environment and work conditions, it's also true that some people's skin is just naturally dryer.

Gout affects more than one million Americans of all ages, but particularly men between 40 and 50 years old. Almost all people with gout have too much uric acid, a waste product in their bodies, and the kidneys can't process it fast enough.

If you're caring for a sick, disabled, or aging person in your home, you may be required to learn some basic medical procedures. For example, it may be necessary to administer medications, check blood pressure, monitor catheters, or change bandages and dressings.

To help a patient regain muscle strength or flexibility after a long convalescence (con-va-LESS-sense) or injury, physical therapy may be prescribed by a doctor and carried out by a physical therapist.

Caring for someone with Alzheimer's (ALTS-hy-merz) disease or a related disorder is never easy. It's important to remember that you're not alone. There are specialized programs and services that can make life easier and more manageable for you and the person with Alzheimer's disease.

As people age, injury or disease may disrupt the function of a joint so that it begins to wear and show damage. For some people, a controlled exercise program, medication, and activity modification can help correct or alleviate the problem.

As we age many people develop various skin blemishes and conditions. One of the most common of these are liver spots. Liver spots are usually small brown or red blemishes that appear gradually over time.

There are two forms of lupus (LOO-pis): discoid (DIS-koyd) lupus and systemic (sis-TEM-ick) lupus. Discoid lupus is a condition that affects the skin and mucous membranes and is characterized by red patches on the face or other sun-exposed areas.

You can prevent, delay, lessen, or even reverse some of the changes commonly associated with aging by taking advantage of information made available by the medical community.

The Alzheimer's Association Safe Return program was created to enable police, community agencies, and private citizens to identify people with Alzheimer's (ALTS-hy-merz) and related disorders and help return them home.

The most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis (oss-tee-oh-arth-RITE-is), is closely associated with the aging process. It's a degenerative disease of the joints, most commonly affecting the hands, spine, hips, knees, and ankles.

Osteoporosis (OSS-tee-o-pore-O-sis) is a disease in which the bones become soft and weak. According to the American Medical Association, post-menopausal women may be affected by osteoporosis, although the disease may also strike men.

Parkinson's Disease, sometimes called shaking palsy, is caused by deterioration of the nerve centers in the brain that control movement. It usually affects adults over the age of 40, and most commonly those in their 50's and 60's.

Age causes changes in our bodies, including a change in the way we respond to prescription drugs. Drugs work by causing subtle changes in body chemistry.

Throughout life, your body goes through a number of changes that can affect you both physically and mentally. Some of these changes are natural and irreversible, but being aware of them can enable you to make adjustments to promote a more satisfying lifestyle.

Rheumatoid (room-ah-toyd) arthritis is a chronic disease of the joints which is characterized by recurring periods of active inflammation. Women are affected more often than men, and it usually strikes between the ages of 25 and 55.

Caregivers provide home care services, companionship, personal care, and often financial and administrative assistance as well. Serving as a caregiver to an ill or disabled senior can be a very demanding and fatiguing responsibility.

There are many forms of home health care available to senior citizens. These range from custodial care, to help with meals and household activities, to more advanced medical care.

Shingles, or herpes zoster as it's also known, is a skin condition that derives from the same virus that causes chicken pox. For this reason anyone who has ever had chicken pox might develop shingles at any point during his or her life.

Treatment for the two most common forms of arthritis, osteoarthritis (ost-tee-oh-ar-threye-tiss) and rheumatoid (room-ah-toyd) arthritis, is basically the same.

Senility (seh-NIL-ih-tee), or senile (SEE-nile) dementia (deh-MEN-chia), is a condition characterized by the deterioration of mental abilities, such as memory, problem-solving skills, and abstract thinking.

Osteoporosis (oss-tee-oh-poh-ROE-sis), or 'brittle bone disease,' is a condition in which the bones become dangerously thin and fragile over time. As the disease progresses, a loss in bone density increases the likelihood of fractures, back pain, height loss, and curving of the spine.

Over 50 percent of all people age 65 and older have some form of arthritis. However, the disease tends to affect women more often than men. There are over 100 different types of arthritis, the three most common being osteoarthritis (OSS-tee-oh-arth-rite-is), rheumatoid (ROOM-ah-toid) arthritis, and gout.