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Notes for looking aftera parent's health

In most families one person keeps the medicine list and remembers what the cardiologist said. We write for that person, and for the relatives who want to share the job. Medical questions are left to doctors, and to the sources every note links to

Latest notes

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How was Amma today?Cheerful. She took both tablets and went to the templeAnd the knee?Still sore on the stairs. I’ve added it for FridayReport sent to the family
Start hereCaring from afar · 6 min read

Looking after a parent in India from another country

1 in 5
older Indians has high BP nobody has found
Everyday health · 5 min read

Checking blood pressure at home, the right way

Pushpa
Home safety walk
Four fixes · three done
Night light by the bed
Grab bar in the bathroom
Rug taped down
Bed at knee height
Safety at home · 5 min read

Falls are the quiet emergency. Here's what prevents them

Five tablets, one list
Medicines · 5 min read

Too many tablets? How to make the medicine list that matters

For Dr. Mehta, Friday
  1. 1. The knee, three weeks now
  2. 2. BP tablet at night?
  3. 3. Next HbA1c date
Doctor visits · 4 min read

Before the doctor's visit: what to bring and what to ask

1 in 7
older Indians often feels lonely
Wellbeing · 4 min read

Loneliness is a health problem, not just a sad one

HbA1c6.9%three months in one number
Everyday health · 5 min read

Blood sugar and HbA1c, in plain words

44°
Pune, 3 pm
a hard afternoon for older bodies
Safety at home · 5 min read

Summer heat is harder on older bodies. Here's how to help from afar

8.8M
Indians over 60 live with dementia
Wellbeing · 5 min read

Forgetting, or something more? Memory changes worth noticing

Ma, sab theek?She says she’s fine. She also mentioned her knee on three calls this weekAdded to Friday’s questions
Caring from afar · 4 min read

When your parent always says “I'm fine”

Pushpa
Her lab report
The common tests, in plain words
HbA1c6.9%
LDL cholesterol96
Creatinine0.9
Haemoglobin11.8
Doctor visits · 6 min read

Reading her lab report without panicking

Her file, shared with the family
Safety at home · 4 min read

The emergency file: what to keep ready before you need it

2:10
Ma is awake againThird night this week. The knee aches
Added for Dr. MehtaSleep and the knee, on Friday
Wellbeing · 5 min read

She sleeps less, and lighter. When is it more than age?

66%
of blindness in older Indians is from cataract, and it can be fixed
Everyday health · 5 min read

Cataract and glaucoma: the eye checks that matter after 60

1 in 4people over 60 has disabling hearing loss
Wellbeing · 4 min read

“Kya? Phir se bolo”: noticing hearing loss early

Pushpa
Before you leave
The discharge checklist
Discharge summary
What changed in her medicines
Follow-up booked
Who to call, and when
Doctor visits · 4 min read

Coming home from hospital: what to get before you leave

1930
India’s cyber fraud helpline
123456789
Safety at home · 5 min read

The KYC call, the “digital arrest”: keeping parents safe from scams

₹5 lakh
of hospital cover a year, for every Indian over 70
Costs and schemes · 4 min read

Every Indian over 70 now gets ₹5 lakh of hospital cover. Here's how to claim it

150 minutes of walking a week
Wellbeing · 4 min read

Staying active after 60: walking, strength and balance

Pushpa
Her vaccines
The four to ask her doctor about
Flu, every year
Pneumococcal
Shingles, 2 doses
Tetanus booster
Everyday health · 4 min read

Vaccines after 60: four to ask her doctor about

5 g
of salt a day, just under a teaspoon
Everyday health · 5 min read

Salt, sugar and her plate: small changes that help her BP and sugar

8.3%
of older Indians have depression. Few are ever diagnosed
Wellbeing · 5 min read

When a parent goes quiet: noticing low mood and depression

Missed Ma’s call again. I feel terribleShe’s fine, and asked about your exam. Rohan can take SundaySunday shared with Rohan
Caring from afar · 4 min read

Looking after a parent, and yourself: the signs of carer burnout

Telmisartan 40 mg · 30 tablets
Branded₹210
Jan Aushadhi₹45
Same medicine, about 80% less
Costs and schemes · 4 min read

The same medicines for less: a guide to Jan Aushadhi generics

13%
of Indian adults have chronic kidney disease
Everyday health · 5 min read

Kidney disease is silent. Two simple tests catch it early

1 in 5older Indians has a bone or joint disease
Everyday health · 4 min read

Knee pain and arthritis: what actually helps

BBalance lost
EEyes, sight blurred
FFace drooping
AArm weak
SSpeech slurred
TTime to call 112
Safety at home · 4 min read

Stroke: the six signs to know, and why minutes matter

Ma says she’s just tired, and a bit breathlessIn older women that can be a heart sign. If it’s sudden or won’t settle, call 112Rohan is on his way
Safety at home · 4 min read

A heart attack doesn't always feel like chest pain, especially in older women

72%
of older Indians have lost some teeth
Everyday health · 4 min read

Teeth, gums and dentures: the part of health everyone forgets

14567
Elderline, free for senior citizens
123456789
Costs and schemes · 5 min read

Elderline 14567, and the law that protects older parents

Ma has stopped going to satsangShe’s worried about leaking. It’s common, and it can be treatedAdded for Dr. Mehta
Everyday health · 4 min read

Bladder leaks are common, not inevitable. Here's what helps

1 in 4
older hospital patients develop delirium
Safety at home · 4 min read

Suddenly confused? Delirium is an emergency, not old age

1 in 10
people over 75 have low B12 or folate anaemia
Everyday health · 4 min read

Always tired? Anaemia and low B12 are easy to miss in older parents

1 in 3women over 50 will break a bone from osteoporosis
Safety at home · 4 min read

Osteoporosis is silent until a bone breaks. How to protect hers

Boarding pass
DEL
New Delhi
EWR
New Jersey
Wheelchair help, 48 hrs ahead
Caring from afar · 4 min read

Flying with an older parent in India: the help airlines must give

October
1
Life certificates open for 80+
Reminder set for Papa
Costs and schemes · 4 min read

The yearly life certificate: keeping a parent's pension flowing

Pushpa
Her daily foot check
Two minutes, every evening
Cuts, blisters or sores
Redness or swelling
Between the toes
Slippers on, even indoors
Everyday health · 4 min read

Diabetes and feet: the two-minute check that prevents the worst

Papa’s hand shakes when he’s restingWorth a doctor’s look, with the slowness he mentioned last weekAdded for Dr. Mehta
Wellbeing · 4 min read

Parkinson's: the early signs families notice first

Breathetesta breathing test, spirometry, confirms COPD
Everyday health · 4 min read

Breathless and coughing for months? Ask about COPD

Quitany ageFree quitline: 1800 11 2356
Everyday health · 4 min read

It's never too late to quit tobacco, even at 70

Ma, what matters most to you?She said: to be at home, and not in painHer wishes, shared with the family
Doctor visits · 5 min read

Palliative care isn't giving up: it's comfort, from the start

Pushpa
The same day
A routine that helps
Tea on the balcony8:00
A short walk11:00
Lunch, same place1:00
Bhajans on the radio5:00
Wellbeing · 5 min read

Caring for a parent with dementia at home: routine, kindness, safety

Fibre+ waterand a daily walk, for easier mornings
Everyday health · 4 min read

Constipation after 60: common, often missed, usually fixable

Ma felt dizzy getting out of bedTwice this week, both right after waking. Worth a look at her BP tabletsAdded for Dr. Mehta
Safety at home · 4 min read

Dizzy when she stands up? It's common, and it causes falls

Pushpa
Thyroid, or age?
Signs worth a TSH test
Tired all the time
Feeling cold
Putting on weight
TSH blood test
Everyday health · 4 min read

Tired, cold, gaining weight? Check her thyroid

Ghar bahut khaali lagta hai ab, she said tonightCome for Sunday lunch, Ma? Rohan will pick you upShe said yes
Wellbeing · 5 min read

When a parent loses their partner: grief, and how to stay close

Pushpa
Tax after 60
Old regime, AY 2026–27
Interest, 80TTB₹50,000
Health cover, 80D₹50,000
Advance taxNone
Return at 75+Often none
Costs and schemes · 5 min read

Income tax for parents over 60: the benefits many miss

45%
of dementia risk is linked to things we can change
Wellbeing · 5 min read

Keeping the mind sharp: what actually lowers dementia risk

5×stroke riskwith an irregular heartbeat, often silent
Everyday health · 4 min read

An irregular heartbeat (AFib) raises stroke risk. It's often silent

Ma’s just a bit confused today. No feverIn older people that can be pneumonia. Please get her seen todayRohan is taking her in
Safety at home · 4 min read

Pneumonia in older people may not look like pneumonia

1 in 6
older people faced abuse in the past year
Safety at home · 4 min read

Elder abuse is more common than families think, and often quiet

Pushpa
The long flight
Over 4 hours, after 60
Up and moving every hour
Ankle flexes in the seat
Water, not alcohol
Medicines in hand luggage
Caring from afar · 4 min read

Flying to visit you abroad: blood clots, medicines and insurance

Protein+ strengthto slow the muscle loss that comes with age
Wellbeing · 4 min read

Losing muscle with age: why protein and strength work matter

Pushpa
SCSS
Senior Citizens Savings Scheme
Interest, Jul–Sep 20268.2%
PaidQuarterly
Maximum deposit₹30 lakh
Term5 years
Costs and schemes · 4 min read

The Senior Citizens Savings Scheme: a steady income every quarter

Every note

Every figure links to its source at the end of the note. Something out of date? Tell us