Tomorrow's hospital will use the new technology to drive seven health care trends -- and enable real-time collaboration between clinicians and patients to improve outcomes while lowering costs.

Physical therapist Joe Gallagher's patient, a former New York Giants football player now in his 80s, was lying on the floor, stretching to regain flexibility after two total knee replacements. Progress was slow and painful, so Joe went to a reliable resource in his PT toolbox: humor.

Remaining physically active is essential, but it is only one part of a larger fall-prevention picture, which also includes medication management, vision upkeep, proper footwear and a safe home environment.

For an aging nation -- and a home health aide industry expecting stratospheric growth over the next decade -- we must ensure that people like Angela and the care she delivers are not so rare.

At the center of Mrs. Barrow's team is Felicia herself; her needs, her feedback, and her participation are essential. Then, working collaboratively and across all facets of her daily life, she is supported by a nurse-led team of health professionals.

This is where home- and community-based health care play a vital role, bringing comprehensive care to people where and when they need it, keeping costs down by emphasizing wellness, self-management and continuity of care.

While this survey uncovered far too many "bad apples," home health aides like Zena give us a benchmark to strive for as we seek to fill a ballooning and all-important need: caring for our loved ones as they age.

One of the few constants with dementia is change. Levels of memory loss and general awareness can fluctuate greatly.

When a client or a loved one has dementia, all activities of daily living (ADL) -- such as bathing, dressing, eating and sleeping -- need to be understood through the lens of the progressive brain disorder.

"Health coaching" is a shift in approach from more prescriptive nursing and towards supporting patients in identifying and achieving their own goals.

What can make the difference, as well as lower hospital readmission rates and costs, is to have adequate home care lined up before leaving the hospital in the first place.

With homebound elders in fragile health and often with a litany of limitations, transcending racial, ethnic and cultural differences does not come easy.

Living with diabetes -- or caring for someone who is -- is an increasingly common story.