Archive for January 2013
How To Stay Young At Heart
January 29, 2013
1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Instead, let the doctor worry about these things since that is what you pay for!
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.
3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, or whatever else makes you happy. Never let the brain idle. When you keep your mind active, you help keep it healthy.
4. Eat what you want, even if you’re the only one eating! Never be afraid to be the first in line.
5. Laugh often, long and loud.
6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.
7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it’s family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.
8. Don’t take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, around the block, to another city or around the world, but NOT to where the guilt is.
9. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that takes our breath away.
For more information, please visit: http://modernsenior.net/
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Top Five Myths about Alzheimer’s
January 28, 2013
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the top ten myths about Alzheimer’s:
Myth 1: Memory Loss is a natural part of aging.
Truth: Alzheimer’s is more than occasional memory loss.
Myth 2: Alzheimer’s disease is not fatal.
Truth: Alzheimer’s disease has no survivors because it destroy brain cells and slowly, but surely, takes a way person’s identity and their ability to connect to others, think, eat, drink, or live.
Myth 3: Only older people can get Alzheimer’s.
Truth: Alzheimer’s does not discriminate to those only with old age. It can hit in your 30’s, 40’s, or 50’s.
Myth 4: Drinking out a aluminum cans or cooking in aluminum pots and pans can lead to Alzheimer’s disease.
Truth: Studies have shown no such correlations, and experts today focus on other areas of research.
Myth 5: Aspartame causes memory loss.
Truth: As of 2006, with over 100 laboratory and clinical tests being performed, there has not been any scientific evidence that connects Aspartame to memory loss.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: Alzheimer, Alzheimer's Care, Coventry Assisted Living and Memory Care, Dementia, health, older adult health, older adults | No Comments »
Living with Early-Onset Alzheimer’s
January 25, 2013
When living with early–onset Alzheimer’s’, people face unique challenges, from job decisions, to financial issues, and future care. However, if you can talk openly about these issues, you and your family can prepare for the future in the best way possible. It is important to remember that you are not alone, and just because you have early-onset Alzheimer’s doesn’t mean you can’t stay active and involved. The disease will affect many different people in many different ways, so remember your symptoms will vary and the Alzheimer’s Association can help you and your family should you want support.
Here are a few tips on living with early-onset Alzheimer’s, from www.alz.org
1) Expect to have good days and bad days
2) Share your story – educate others and express yourself
3) Discuss changes in relationships with a counselor
4) Talk openly about the changes the disease is causing
5) Get involved. Volunteer in your community. Become an advocate.
6) Talk to your employer about adapting your job hour or duties
7) Get professional legal and financial help
8) Maintain your health and reduce stress
9) Take steps to make your home a safer place
10) Stay active. Keep making memories with your loved ones. Use your experience to enlighten.
Alzheimer’s Facts and Figures from 2012
January 23, 2013
Some astounding figures by www.alz.org
-Today an estimated 5.4 Million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s Disease
-Someone develops Alzheimer’s ever 68 seconds
-Alzheimer’s Disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States
-An estimated 1 in 7 people with Alzheimer’s live alone
-The US has more than 15,000,000 Care Givers
-In 2011 these Care Givers provided over 17 Billion hours of care, valued at 210 billion
-If Alzheimer and Dementia Care Givers were the only residents of a single state, it would be the 5th largest state in the country
-Since 2000, deaths from Alzheimer’s have risen over 66%, while other major diseases have gone down
-Alzheimer’s costs the nation 200 billion annual
“Join the cause – As Alzheimer’s disease threatens to bankrupt families, businesses and our healthcare system, scientists are coming closer to finding better treatments that could drastically alter the course of the disease. Now is the time to join us and speak up for the needs and rights of people with Alzheimer’s and their families, and help persuade Congress to address those needs through legislative action.”
Visit www.alz.org for more information.
Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: Alzheimer, Coventry Assisted Living and Memory Care, Dementia, memory care, older adult health, older adults | No Comments »
Transportation for Seniors – Is it time to hide the keys?
January 21, 2013
Losing your ability to drive is one of the scariest parts about aging for many seniors. Elderly parents who are often cooperative can be very resistant to loosing this type of independence, as it creates strong feelings of isolation.
Before you take the keys away, your parent must understand why they need to stop driving and whether or not they have any other options. Start by explaining how reflexes become slower for everyone as they age, and driving then becomes a threat to both themselves and others on the road. Move then towards describing what other options they have for transportation so they can maintain their independence. There are the obvious forms of public transportation, such as buses, subways, and even taxis. However, another option in many communities is a dial-a-ride program, where a senior calls to schedule an appointment for transportation to and from a specific location and at a specific time.
To find other local resources, search the online Eldercare Locator maintained by the federal Department of Health and Human Services.
Please visit http://www.eldercare.gov/eldercare.net/public/resources/topic/Transportation.aspx for more information
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How to communicate with seniors who cannot speak
January 17, 2013
Just because your loved one has suffered a stroke, has dementia, or is not capable of verbal communication, does not mean you are unable to communicate with them.
Start with asking a few good questions to those who care for your loved one. Be sure to watch body language for clues as to enjoyment or distress when participating with them in any way.
- Do they like to be touched? (remember: touch is not always appropriate for every person)
- Do they like music?
- Do they like being read to?
Touch – If the your loved one likes to be touched, one way to communicate is to hold their hand. People respond to touch, and even though they may not be able to squeeze your hand back, that does not mean they don’t know you are there. Many seniors also can benefit from light massage. Remember though touch is not appropriate for everyone, and be sure to know if it something they would be comfortable with.
Music – Music can be soothing and even healing, and rarely offends. Often times hymns seniors grew up with are favorites. Especially for the very religious, music can even have a healing effect. Be careful however to only play songs of hope and spirit, as opposed to songs played in funeral homes. Again, watch body language to see how the person responds to the music you choose.
Reading – Reading to someone who can’t speak is another way to “be there” with them. What did they like to read in the past? Sit comfortably, read aloud at a soothing rate, and as always, watch the body language. Though there may not be a physical reaction, the person is likely to know you are there with them because they know your voice.
For more information, please visit: http://www.eldercarelink.com/Other-Resources/Communicating-With-Elders-Who-Cant-Speak.htm
Posted in Uncategorized | Tags: cannot speak, Coventry Assisted Living and Memory Care, Dementia, health, hearing, memory care, older adult health, touch | No Comments »
Why you need a Health Care Directive
January 16, 2013
Facing the thought of a loved one dying can be very difficult, however the reality is that to protect your family during a terrible time, a Health Care Directive can offer piece of mind.
What is a Advance Health Care Directive?
An Advance Health Care Directive is a document that ensures your wishes at end of life are carried out how you want them to be. It makes clear your feelings on medical treatments and appoints who will make decisions for you if you are unable to make them yourselves. It explains concisely what you want to happen in the event of a life threatening situation or an emergency.
It is also something you should discuss in detail with your family, friends, doctors, and whomever you choose to be your health care agent. The more they know, the better.
Four things to consider when writing yours
- Do you want to receive artificial care, such as respirators, feeding tubes, and the like?
- Do you prefer to receive pain relief, even if doing so may hasten your death?
- Should you include a DNR, or Do Not Resuscitate Order?
- Do you have specific wishes regarding organ donation?
For more information, please visit http://www.eldercarelink.com/Legal-and-Financial/Why-You-Need-a-Health-Care-Directive.htm
Creating a Memory Fitness Plan
January 14, 2013
Kathryn Kilpatrick, Speech and Language Pathologist, specializing in Geriatric Communication and Memory Fitness, understands the benefit in creating a memory fitness plan to promote successful aging, especially in the early stages of memory loss. Her goal is “to help families and caregivers create and support activities at the appropriate level for the person who no longer does the things that were once part of leisure time interests. Whether it was reading, doing puzzles or word games, talking on the phone or participating in conversations, sometimes modifications can be made to facilitate some level of participation.”
A memory fitness plan for successful aging includes maintaining a positive attitude, paying attention, healthier lifestyle choices, effective memory props, upgrading brain games and creating balance in daily routines.
A few modification ideas:
- For those having trouble reading books -Large print books, for those with visual difficulty -Books with shorter stories that are inspirational and humors
- For those having trouble with puzzles and words games Puzzles – Make a copy, enlarging the print Word Search – Help your loved one, either by letting them give you the answer or just sitting with them and helping figuring it out together Scrabble – Create a cheat sheet of uncommon but acceptable two and three letter words
- For those having trouble with Television and Movie Plots -Rent familiar or favorite movies and watch them twice -Used close captioning -Call your loved one to let them know when and what channel their favorite show is on – and have it recorded for them
For additional information refer to the www.eldercarelink.com: Enhancing Your Visits with an Older Adult
Prayer and Meditation Impact Aging
January 7, 2013
Inside Elder Care author Ryan Malone brings to light how prayer and meditation impact aging. Research on the subject has found that religion has a positive effect on the life of older adults. Researchers believe this positive effect is based on a theory called Selective Optimization with Compensation. Selective Optimization promotes that a personal relationship with a higher being, through prayer or meditation, leads to successful aging.
The Theory: When a senior selects a specific task which is important to them, and then completes the task by optimizing the skills they have, they are compensating for the skills they no longer hold.
An Example: When your dad, who still holds his driver’s license but knows he cannot see at night, decides to keep his license but will ONLY drive during the day.
So how does this relate to prayer and meditation? By selecting prayer or meditation as a way to hold identity, older adults optimize their current abilities while compensating that they can no longer be as physically involved in the church/temple/mosque/etc. as they would like. People who pray are often physically healthier than those that do not, which is most likely because prayer and meditation allow people to deal with stress and anxiety in a healthier manner. Prayer and meditation also teach people to give their worries to a higher being or to let go of their stressors. And reducing your stress promotes inner satisfaction and healthier aging.
This does not include however those that seek out religion at end of life. It instead only impacts people who have been receiving emotional support from prayer and meditation prior to their end of life.
For more information, please visit www.insideeldercare.com