Aging with Grace CareConnection

The devil is in the details...

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia Grace) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 13:23:00 +0000

On Wednesday, Feb. 22, the Department of Health and Human Services unveiled the first draft of a national action plan to combat Alzheimer’s disease, but the Wall Street Journal wonders if obstacles such as funding and lack of coordination might become a roadblock to the plan’s success.

The Draft National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease includes goals of improving care, expanding support for caregivers, and heightening public awareness, along with strategies to discover better methods of researching the disease, training healthcare professionals, and coordinating collaboration between private and public stakeholders, says WSJ.

However the devil is in the details—and how they play out, some experts say.

“For me, it’s about implementation,” Eric Hall, a plan advisory council member and chief executive of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, an advocacy group, tells the Health Blog.

One major obstacle is funding. Earlier this month, the administration announced $80 million in new funding for Alzheimer’s research in fiscal year 2013, but how much additional money is needed to carry out the plan remains to be seen.
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It could also be tough to minimize redundancy among other health agencies working toward the same goals, the article says.

The National Institute on Aging, a division of the National Institutes of Health at the Department of Health and Human Services, released its 2010 Progress Report on Alzheimer’s Disease, which summarizes recent Alzheimer’s research, on the heels of the first draft’s unveiling.

Read WSJ article...

Swimming found to lower blood pressure in older adults

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia Grace) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:07:00 +0000

In the first study of its kind, researchers found that 12 weeks of swimming significantly lowered the blood pressure and improved the artery health of sedentary older adults.

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin studied older adults with prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension who were not on any medication. Half of the participants took part in 12 weeks of swimming exercises and the other half performed gentle relaxation exercises during this time. Each group participated in its assigned activity three to four days a week for 15 to 45 minutes a day.

At the end of the study, the swimming group’s systolic blood pressure fell 7 percent and their arteries became more elastic and responsive to changes in blood pressure. The group that performed relaxation exercises showed no statistically significant improvements. Researchers noted that this study indicates one more benefit of swimming for older adults. Since swimming minimizes weight-bearing stress and is unlikely to lead to overheating, swimming is an ideal exercise for older adults whether or not they have high blood pressure, said researchers.

Full study...

Family history is key factor in fighting heart disease

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia Grace) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 15:49:00 +0000

Doctors often gloss over a key question for assessing a person's risk for coronary heart disease, according to a new study: What is the patient's family history of cardiovascular illness?

Detailed family information could help doctors better predict who is at risk and more accurately target patients for preventive care that may help avert the disease altogether, according to a recent study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Routinely tracking family history sharply boosted the number of people in the study considered at high risk for heart disease.
A widely used scorecard for measuring heart risk, the Framingham Risk Score, fails to take family history directly into account. And while many doctors currently collect some information about the health of their patients' families, the data often lack the detail to be clinically useful for assessing risk and prescribing care.

"Family history remains one of the most important predictors of an event for an individual," says Donna Arnett, a genetic epidemiologist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and president-elect of the American Heart Association. Still, "most of the family history that we're collecting is just the presence or the absence of heart disease, not the age of onset or the type of disease," says Dr. Arnett, who wasn't involved in the latest research.

Guidelines for heart-risk screening, issued by the heart association in late 2010, encouraged doctors to take family histories into account. Doctors sometimes make judgment calls to treat people as high risk because of family history, even if it isn't part of the patient's risk score.

Family history has been linked to higher risk for a number of illnesses, including cancer and diabetes. Unlike some other diseases, however, clear genetic markers for coronary heart disease, which accounts for 1 in 6 U.S. deaths, remain elusive. Family histories can be used as a proxy for detailed genetic work that may someday be used to help predict heart-disease risk, researchers say.
Another risk-measurement tool, known as the Reynolds Risk Score, developed by Harvard University researchers in the 1990s, does consider if a patient's parent had a heart attack and at what age. However, many medical practices don't yet use the tool, which became available in 2007.
Using the Reynolds system, the researchers tracked 25,000 initially healthy patients over a decade. They found that a 50-year-old male patient who, among other things, smoked, and had high blood pressure and cholesterol, but no family history of heart disease, had a 12%, or moderate, chance of having a heart attack in the 10-year period. But a similar patient with a parent who had a heart attack before age 60 had a 20% risk, putting that patient at high risk for heart disease. Heart risk wasn't significantly affected in patients with a parent who had a heart attack at the age of 60 or older.

Still, many medical practices continue to rely on the older Framingham Risk Score, which became available in the 1990s. Researchers believed that other factors, including blood pressure and cholesterol levels, provided all the information needed to determine a patient's risk for heart disease.

Primary-care doctors say there are obstacles to gathering family histories from patients, including competing priorities for time in the examination room. And patients often don't know many details about their family members. In the Annals of Internal Medicine study, patients were mailed questionnaires and instructed to gather the material before seeing their doctor.
"It's a little bit of detective work," says Charles Cutler, a primary-care doctor in Norristown, Pa. Patients should make a point of knowing the health histories of their parents, siblings and grandparents, he says. To identify clues about specific diseases, however, Dr. Cutler says he sometimes asks patients questions like: "What do you remember about Grandpop's hospitalization? Were his legs swollen?"

Dominic Francis, a 37-year-old high school teacher and wrestling coach in Delaware, says his family history has forced him to be an advocate for his own health. Mr. Francis says he watches his diet and exercises regularly. Although he currently does not suffer with heart disease or heart related problems, he has discussed his paternal family history of heart disease with his doctor.

"I went to the cardiologist and said, 'I may look healthy and my numbers are all good. But my dad and his brother both had a heart attack when they were 40. For my uncle it was a fatal attack. I need to know whether I have any other risk factors that I should be aware of,' Francis says.

Is it more than heartburn?

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia Grace) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 13:42:00 +0000

If you're plagued by heartburn two or more times a week, and it's not responding well to over-the-counter antacids, you need to see your doctor. Frequent bouts may mean you have gastroesophageal reflux disease which can severely irritate and damage the lining of the esophagus, putting you at risk of Barrett's esophagus and esophageal cancer, if it's not treated.

Lifestyle adjustments

Depending on the frequency and severity of your heartburn, there are a number of lifestyle adjustments you can make that can help you get relief and avoid a more serious problem down the road.

Consider these tips:

Adjust your diet: Certain foods can trigger heartburn like citrus fruits, tomatoes, fatty foods, chocolate, garlic, onions, spicy foods, mints, alcohol, coffee and sodas. Keep a food diary to track which foods cause the most problems.
Eat less: Take smaller portions and eat slower. Having a full stomach can cause acid reflux.

Lifestyle adjustments, treatments can help those suffering from heartburn.

Avoid exercising, bending or lying down for two hours after eating. Don't eat 2 to 3 hours before bedtime.

Monitor your meds: Drugs used to treat arthritis pain, asthma, osteoporosis, depression, insomnia, high blood pressure and more can cause heartburn.

Tax Tips for Elder Caregivers

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia Grace) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:56:00 +0000

A special thank you to Minda Cutcher,MBA,Financial Advocate for Seniors, for allowing us to share her expert information with all of our readers.

If you are caring for an aging relative who qualifies as your dependent, you may be able to claim medical expenses you incurred as a result of that care on your income tax.
•Medical insurance premiums (unless pre-tax)
•Prescription medicines
•Doctor bills
•Hospital fees
•Travel to and from medical appointments

Only those expenses paid during the tax year are deductible for that year. Also, expenses are limited based on your adjusted gross income (AGI). For 2011, medical expenses must be in excess of 7.5% of AGI. You can only claim those amounts for which you have not been reimbursed by private insurance or Medicare. Additional special expenses, such as wheelchairs and repairs, ambulance services and oxygen may also be claimed. Check with your tax advisor for the current list of items that fall into this category. Improvements to your home made for medical reasons may also be deductible, but may be limited based on whether they increase the value of the home. Certain structural improvements to accommodate disability, such as the following, are fully deductible regardless of home value impact:

•Ramps
•Widened doorways and hallways
•Railings and grab bars
•Lifts (but not elevators) and
•Warning systems

Other items that may be deductible:

•Special equipment or hand controls in a car
•Medical expenses incurred in a nursing home
•Medically related nursing, therapeutic and or/aide services

Here are a few publications offered by the Internal Revenue Service that may help you understand the deductions available to you. These can be ordered by phone 800-TAXFORM, or online at www.irs.gov.

•Publication 502 – Medical and Dental Expenses
•Publication 554 – Tax Guide for Seniors
•Publication 907 – Tax Highlights for Persons with Disabilities
•Publication 929 – Tax Rules for Children and Dependents

Every situation is unique, so be sure to check with your tax advisor. To learn more...

The 2012 best and the not so best nursing homes

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia Grace) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:14:00 +0000

A recent USA Today report reveals that 560 of the nation’s nursing homes have not budged for the past three years from a one-star federal government rating — the lowest on a five-star scale.

The star ratings are part of a broader federal effort to increase transparency for consumers of health care. When introduced in late 2008, nursing home industry groups called them simplistic and unfair. Some consumer advocates say nursing home quality can change quickly, and no ratings system is perfect.

The share of nursing homes receiving one or two stars overall fell to 35% in 2011 from 40% in 2009. At the same time, four- and five-star homes increased to 43% from 38% of nursing homes. The share of three-star homes remained steady.

Click to access the ratings of over 15,000 nursing homes

Read full article...

The History of Valentine’s Day

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia Grace) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:14:00 +0000

Valentine's Day started in the time of the Roman Empire. In ancient Rome, February 14th was a holiday to honor Juno the Queen of the Roman Gods and Goddesses. The Romans also knew her as the Goddess of women and marriage. The following day, February 15th, began the Feast of Lupercalia.

The lives of young boys and girls were strictly separate. However, one of the customs of the young people was name drawing. On the eve of the festival of Lupercalia the names of Roman girls were written on slips of paper and placed into jars. Each young man would draw a girl's name from the jar and would then be partners for the duration of the festival with the girl whom he chose. Sometimes the pairing of the children lasted an entire year, and often, they would fall in love and would later marry.

Emperor Claudius II (known as Claudius the Cruel), was having a difficult time getting soldiers to join his military. He believed a major reason was that Roman men did not want to leave their loves or families. As a result, Claudius cancelled all marriages and engagements in Rome.
The good Saint Valentine was a priest at Rome in the days of Claudius II. He and Saint Marius aided the Christian martyrs and secretly married couples, and for this kind deed Saint Valentine was apprehended and dragged before the Prefect of Rome, who condemned him to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his head cut off. He suffered martyrdom on the 14th day of February, about the year 270.

Do you know what Medicare covers?

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia Grace) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:27:00 +0000

A significant number of retirees on Medicare lack a solid understanding of the health insurance program’s coverage and costs. Two out of three, for example, did not know if Medicare covers long-term care. This lack of knowledge results in unexpected financial surprises, according to research by the Bankers Life and Casualty Company Center for a Secure Retirement.

The study, Retirement Healthcare for Middle-Income Americans, focused on 400 pre-Medicare Baby Boomers (age 47 to 64) and 400 senior citizens (age 65 to 75) with an annual household income of between $25,000 and $75,000.

It found that one in three Medicare enrollees still did not know how much the program covers for doctor's visits (33 percent) or hospitalization (31 percent), which are the basic components of the program's health benefits.
The CSR study also found nearly half (49 percent) do not understand their benefits for vision care and hearing care, both which are services typically not covered by Medicare.
Long-term care was found to be the least understood and the greatest perceived threat to financial security for middle-income Americans. Two out of three (66 percent) Medicare recipients did not know if the program covers long-term care or overestimate its long-term care coverage.

Medicare has long been labeled as an entitlement program but middle-income Americans say it is not the free ride many assume it is. Two-thirds (65 percent) of those on Medicare report paying the same or more for healthcare now that they are on Medicare, resulting in unexpected financial surprises.
The most common financial surprises for Medicare enrollees is the cost of monthly Part B premiums with nearly half (44 percent) who report paying more than they had expected.
The unexpected financial surprises coupled with the uneasy economy have forced 78 percent of middle-income Americans on Medicare to take at least one action to reduce their healthcare expenses, including -
● switching to generic prescriptions (69 percent),
● holding off going to the doctor (22 percent),
● changing to a less expensive health plan (15 percent) or
● splitting pills to make their prescriptions last longer (12 percent).

"Financial fallout from healthcare related expenses can devastate savings and strip away the enjoyment of one's retirement years," said Chris Campbell, vice president of strategic marketing and business development for Bankers Life and Casualty Company, a national life and health insurer.

"Review your Medicare plan options annually and look into new health and prescription drug plans that better meet your needs. Also, consider purchasing additional healthcare insurance to address services not covered by Medicare and

Know the warning signs...

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia Grace) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:59:00 +0000

Malnutrition is a serious senior health issue. Know the warning signs and how to help an older loved one avoid poor nutrition.

According to Mayo Clinic staff, nutrition is critical to senior health, especially for those seniors that are seriously ill or suffering from dementia.

Unfortunately, spotting malnutrition in adults can be tricky. The Mayo Clinic recommends the following steps to catch improper nutrition:

Observe your loved one’s eating habits - spend time with an older loved one during meals at home, not just on special occasions. If your loved one lives alone, find out who buys his or her food. If your loved one is in a hospital or long term care facility, visit during mealtimes.

Look for physical problems - red flags for malnutrition might include poor wound healing, easy bruising, dental difficulties and weight loss. Watch for signs of weight loss, such as changes in how clothing fits.

Know your loved one’s medications - many drugs affect appetite, digestion and nutrient absorption.

You can also try to prevent the causes of inadequate nutrition in your seniors life. The Mayo Clinic suggests the following could be triggers of malnutrition:

Health problems - older adults often have health problems that can lead to decreased appetite or trouble eating, such as chronic illness, use of certain medications, trouble chewing due to dental issues, problems swallowing or difficulty absorbing nutrients. A recent hospitalization may be accompanied by loss of appetite or other nutrition problems. In other cases, a diminished sense of taste and smell decreases appetite.

Limited income and reduced social contact - some older adults may have trouble affording groceries, especially if they’re taking expensive medications. Those who eat alone may not enjoy meals, causing them to lose interest in cooking and eating.

Depression - grief, loneliness, failing health, lack of mobility and other factors may contribute to depression — causing loss of appetite among older adults.

Alcoholism - alcoholism is a leading contributor to malnutrition — decreasing appetite and vital nutrients and frequently serving as a substitute for meals.

Restricted diets - older adults often have dietary restrictions, including limits on salt, fat, protein and sugar. Although such diets can help manage many medical conditions, they can also be bland and unappealing.”

For more information about recognizing and dealing with senior malnutrition...Senior Malnutrition

2012 Best US Nursing Homes

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia Grace) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:41:00 +0000

Each year, U.S. News and World Report releases its list of “Best Nursing Homes,” determined by quarterly ratings from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and it also issues an Honor Roll which consists this year of 39 nursing homes that earned the highest possible ratings in all four quarters of 2011.

The 39 nursing homes on the Honor Roll are the only ones out of more than 15,500 that U.S. News reviewed to receive the four straight quarters of perfect five-star ratings from CMS in all three areas of consideration: health inspections, nurse staffing, and quality of care.

View the list...

Want to help someone quit smoking? Don't nag...

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia Grace) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:25:00 +0000

Consider the five “R's" — talking points and advice for encouragement and motivation:

Relevance - talk about how important it is to quit, relating information to your loved one’s life.
Risks -talk about the risks of smoking with COPD.
Rewards - talk about the benefits of quitting.
Roadblocks - identify things that can get in the way of quitting.
Repetition - deciding to quit is a process and can require repeated attempts, so be patient.

Repeat your motivation each time your loved one tries to quit.

Help them identify smoking triggers and encourage your loved to plan for them to help avoid a smoking relapse. The following are a few ideas to help your "special person" to quit smoking:

Tips to keep your loved one's mind of of smoking:

Keep your home smoke-free and remove lighters and ashtrays that may serve as triggers.
Celebrate success, recognizing that every day without smoking is a victory.
Expect and accept some grumpiness during the nicotine withdrawal phase.
Recognize that an occasional slip is common and doesn't mean failure.

Smoking continues to remain the leading cause of COPD. The more a person smokes, the more likely that person will develop COPD. There is no cure for COPD. However, there are many things you can do to relieve symptoms and keep the disease from getting worse such as to stop smoking.

Having a loved one with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) who can't or won't quit smoking can be very frustrating and frightening. Smoking is not only the main cause of COPD — quitting smoking is the most important part of treatment. COPD symptoms will continue to get worse and COPD exacerbations are unavoidable unless your loved one can quit smoking. What can you do to help?

Nagging, scolding, and preaching are the worst approaches. Start by recognizing how difficult and frustrating it is to quit smoking. Accept that the decision to quit smoking has to be their decision, not yours. The best way to help is to let your loved one know that you are there for support no matter what.

Part of a smoking treatment plan is behavior modification. That means avoiding situations that lead to smoking and learning other behaviors to deal with stress or boredom. If you go out together to a place where people are smoking, plan ahead and have a signal for when the temptation is getting too high.

Smoking treatment may also include medications and support groups. Encourage your loved one to ask for help and to take advantage of employee wellness benefits that often include smoking cessation prorams.

Buyer Beware - when it comes to care!

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia Grace) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:02:00 +0000

When you live in a major metropolitan area like Philadelphia, you find yourself confronted with a number of stories on the local news that give you pause and sometimes make you a little ill. Last night’s broadcasts were no exception. Featured last night as well as this morning, was a most disturbing report. A 56 year old man that was utilizing internet caregiving sites to advertise his babysitting services was arrested for molesting a 2 year old girl that was in his care. Even more disturbing is that fact that this particularly repulsive individual was arrested last year for possession of child pornography. Apparently feeling unencumbered by his arrest record, he posted his listing as a babysitter on numerous sites, some of which tout their ability to provide “background checks” of individuals.

A quick search online will yield quite a few sites that are in the business of matching families in need of care with caregivers that are in need of employment. These sites are not only for the care of the young – they carry profiles of individuals looking to care for seniors as well. In these difficult economic times one of the main “benefits” that these sites highlight is a lower cost of care – you are not paying a home care company’s overhead for the services you need. The theory is that the family will have a more hands-on experience deciding on care as they are handpicking the caregiver from a posting that includes the photo and background information of individuals looking for this type of work.

Several questions immediately come to mind. First - How do you know that the information posted is accurate and that the potential caregiver has had proper training? Secondly - Is the care of your loved one, be it a parent, grandparent or a child something you want to get a “cheap deal” on? Third – finding care for an elderly relative can prove to be a very stressful situation as today’s families are extremely busy and often scattered across the county, making the process even more difficult. Do families really want to handle every aspect of finding and managing a caregiver on their own? Who handles the billing if you need to utilize Medicare or long term care insurance benefits? What happens if the caregiver you find on one of these sites is ill and can’t make it to work? Who will take care of mom if she lives 100 miles away? Many more questions arise but my point is that care for an elderly family member is not a task most people research 5 years in advance. Finding home care is a task undertaken when the need arises – trust in the decision and the individual providing the care is of paramount importance and something that cannot and should not be found as easily as my high school senior finds a potential college roommate on Facebook.

This is one of the many reasons that our company, Aging with Grace, is entrenched within this industry, working only with providers that have proven track records of quality care and service, and giving our members the assurance that their needs will be met. Our mission, for every family, is to guide them toward the best caregiving options to meet their individual needs. Reputable home care companies are in the business to answer my aforementioned questions and to provide and manage quality caregivers so that a family has peace of mind that the needs of their loved will be met. And consider this, the home care company actually meets and interviews the prospective employee.

Howie Kaminsky, Vice President of Home Care Options in Huntingdon Valley, PA, and an Aging with Grace Preferred Provider, shared his hiring process with me. Howie stated that his company “never places advertisements for caregivers; they only hire caregivers from direct referrals from their own dedicated team of employees”. His company also does thorough background checks through state police and FBI records, verification of training and certifications, and complete follow-through on reference checks. Their employees are also bonded and insured, receive on-the-job training and his company promptly reassigns a replacement caregiver in the case of illness or emergency. This well-rounded hiring and management approach is the rule and not the exception found in a top-notch home care agency. These companies also handle every aspect of billing alleviating the additional burden of navigating Medicare or other insurance reimbursement.

Is use of a home care agency more expensive than using the caregiver whose photo you find on one of these “do-it-yourself” websites? Well, certainly, and with good reason. But I find one common thread as I peruse the pages of the satisfaction surveys that Aging with Grace has collected over the past six years from the families that have utilized our Preferred Providers in finding home care. Not one person we surveyed stated that the cost of the care was more important than the quality of care; which is something for families to think about before clicking their mouse on a photograph.

Linda Pancio
Vice President Operations
Aging with Grace

February is National Heart Health Month

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia Grace) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 20:52:00 +0000

While much early research on heart disease was done on men, more recent data is revealing just how differently heart problems affect women. Here's what you need to know.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. And while nearly the same number of women die from heart disease every year as men, many Americans still mistakenly perceive heart problems as a “man’s disease.” In fact, only half of women surveyed by the American Heart Association (AHA) correctly identified heart disease and heart attacks as the leading cause of death among women, according to a report released in 2010.

An earlier AHA survey revealed that a third of women remain unaware of symptoms, treatment, and risk for heart disease. So continues a negative cycle: If women don’t consider themselves at risk, they may ignore early warning signs and end up at even greater risk for developing serious heart disease. Making matters worse, heart disease tends to hit women later in life than it does men, so women’s bodies may be less physically able to recover

Signs of a heart attack for a woman:

While pressure, tightness, and squeezing in the chest are all telltale signs of heart attack in men, many women don’t know they could have a heart attack without having any of those classic symptoms. According to the AHA, a woman having a heart attack is more likely to feel symptoms like shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting, and back or jaw pain.

Women often don’t think they’re having a heart attack and waste time before calling an ambulance, or worse, don’t seek medical treatment at all. It’s important to know the symptoms and get to the hospital fast.

Emotions play a big part:

A recent study published in the Archives of General Psychiatry found a link between depression and heart problems and death. In women with a history of depression, they found that the risk for cardiovascular disease, an overarching term used interchangeably with heart disease, was three times higher than in men.

When you think about it, this makes sense. Depressed women may be more likely to pick up unhealthy habits (like skipping the gym, eating poorly and smoking) to deal with their emotions. Additionally, the AHA recommends depression screening as part of risk evaluation for preventing heart disease in women because depression may affect whether women follow their doctor’s advice, according to an AHA media release about the guideline changes.

Smoking Effects

Cigarette smoking is 25 percent more likely to lead to heart disease in women than in men, according to a recent study published in The Lancet. CDC statistics from 2008 counted 21.1 million female smokers.

While the study authors couldn’t determine whether the gender difference in smoking rates and heart disease risk was biological or behavior-related, they speculated that women’s bodies may absorb more carcinogens from smoking the same number of cigarettes as men. A physiological answer would make sense, given the regular yearly increase in risk they found for women compared with men

Dementia and professional sports...a growing problem.

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia Grace) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:35:00 +0000

The following is an excellent article written by Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press.

At 83, Mr. Hockey is still in demand and on the move. Gordie Howe is about to embark on another series of fundraisers to support dementia research.

It's a personal cause. The disease killed his wife, Colleen, in 2009 and is beginning to affect him.

"He's a little bit worse than last year, but pretty close to about the same," son Marty said. He just loses a little bit more, grasping for words. The worst part of this disease is there's nothing you can do about it."

While the long-term effects of concussions have been very much in the news lately, the family is hesitant to link the Hall of Famer's condition to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), the degenerative brain disease typically found in autopsies of people who have had multiple head injuries, including more than a dozen former NFL and NHL players.

Concussions weren't tracked when Howe played, so it is impossible to know how many he sustained. And he didn't start showing signs of dementia until his late 70s.

Read full article...

Dementia linked to preventable hospitalizations among the elderly

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia Grace) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:45:00 +0000

A large number of hospitalizations of people with dementia may be preventable, according to a just released study from the University of Washington.

Researchers found that elderly people with dementia had a 78% higher risk of being needlessly hospitalized due to avoidable illness than seniors not suffering from dementia.

Additionally, 86% of those stricken with dementia were admitted to the hospital at least once over the course of the study. A full two-thirds of these hospitalizations were for mostly preventable ailments such as dehydration, congestive heart failure, bacterial pneumonia, and urinary tract infections (UTI).

Hospitalization can be traumatic for any senior, regardless of whether they have dementia or not. But, research has shown that cognitive impairment can make the ordeal infinitely worse for an older person.

Avoiding unnecessary stays in the hospital has the potential to significantly enhance the quality and even the duration of life for an elder with dementia.

The following is a list of what a caregiver can do:

While not all trips to the doctor can be averted, there are a few things a caregiver can do to help prevent some of the causes of hospitalization mentioned in this research:

1.Medication: A senior with dementia can easily forget to take their medication, leading to a variety of health complications including infection, and congestive heart failure. Preventing medication non-adherence can be as simple as leaving a note on the fridge for an elderly person who lives by themselves, or setting up a pill box with an automatic dispenser or alarm reminding them to take their prescription.

2.Hydration: Older people are more prone to becoming dehydrated than younger people and their thirst impulse becomes deadened, so it's important for a caregiver to monitor their elderly loved one in order to ensure that they are getting enough fluid. An elder who doesn't drink enough is at an increased risk for things like urinary tract infections.

3.Vaccination: Keeping an elder up-to-date on their shots for pneumonia and the flu is an easy way to reduce the risk that a senior will be hospitalized for one of these common diseases.

4.Observation: Most health problems don't occur out of the blue. A caregiver should keep their eyes open for changes in an elderly person's behavior as these changes might be an indication of impending health problems.

Millions of Americans struggle to provide care from a distance.

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia Grace) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 01:24:00 +0000

As lifespans lengthen and the number of seniors rapidly grows, more Americans find themselves struggling to care for an ailing loved one from hundreds or thousands of miles away.

The following is an excellent article that appeared in The Washington Post. If you have aging parents it is a must read...

Stop the re-hospitalization revolving door

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia Grace) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:38:00 +0000

People are hospitalized with acute heart failure when congestion, or fluid build up worsens to the point that it causes severe leg or abdominal swelling and makes it difficult for them to breathe. Treatment is mostly focused to relieve symptons.

Because of inconsistent follow-up care and difficulty getting patients to take prescribed medication properly and to follow a good diet and exercise regimen, many of them relapse and wind up back in the hospital or in some cases die.

The following tips can reduce that risk:

Review medication upon discharge -medical errors often occur during the transition from the hospital to home. Make sure that you review your medications with a health care professional before leaving the hospital. If you are unsure about any aspects of the instructions ASK FOR CLARIFICATION...don not assume anything. If possible try and fill the prescriptions before you return home or within 24 hours.

Schedule a follow-up visit - schedule an appointment with your physician within a week or tow of discharge. Do not be surprised if your primary care doctor does not have all of the facts at your follow up appointment. Make sure to bring all of hospital discharge instructions with you!

Continue to treat symptons - even if your symptons improve enough for your to go home, you still need ongoing care monitoring and medication.

Treat other medical conditions - failure to control contributing conditions such as high blood pressure and kidney disease are just a few reasons why re-admissions are high.

Walk your way to good health

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia Grace) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:23:00 +0000

Regular walking, a favorite exercise for senior citizens, is one of the most effective forms of physical activity that delivers substantial health benefits and improves heart health, says the American Heart Association. The latest addition to their tools for persuading people to exercise or Walking Clubs, which are quickly being formed in communities across the U.S.

Walking is also easy to start and continue and it has the lowest dropout rate of any physical activity. By joining or forming an American Heart Association Walking Club you can connect with others who share your goals, lifestyles, schedules and hobbies – and do it all free. Walgreens is the national sponsor.

An American Heart Association study revealed that American adults are 76 percent more likely to take a walk if another person is counting on them.

In contrast, research shows 45 percent of gym members will quit going to the gym in a given year and 30 percent will cancel their membership. Gym fees per member average about $765.40 a year.

“I encourage our patients to engage in regular exercise, including moderate-to-vigorous intensity walking programs, and the American Heart Association’s new Walking Clubs are a great resource,” said Barry A. Franklin, Ph.D., Director of Cardiac Rehabilitation and Exercise Laboratories at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Mich.

“The accountability and camaraderie Walking Clubs provide will help those that struggle with a regular exercise commitment. Numerous studies have now identified a sedentary lifestyle and/or a low level of fitness as independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Accordingly, for many people, Walking Clubs may provide a safe and effective lifestyle intervention to prevent heart disease and stroke.”

Hospital chaplains - a patients greatest advocate

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia Grace) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:38:00 +0000

Hospital chaplains have long been a source of comfort and solace for patients facing daunting illness. Patients who had a spiritual discussion while hospitalized reported being more satisfied with their overall care.

Studies indicate as many as 40% of patients with serious illnesses like cancer struggle with spiritual concerns, which can harm emotional and physical well-being, says George Fitchett, research director in the Department of Religion, Health and Human Values at Rush University Medical Center Chicago.

Patients who have negative thoughts—say, questioning God's care for them—are more likely to develop worse health outcomes than patients who show positive spiritual coping, such as turning to religion for solace.

Chaplains "are patients' greatest advocates," says Harold Koenig, director of Duke University's Center for Spirituality, Theology and Health. They should work closely with other medical professionals, he says, and help them understand how spiritual beliefs influence patients' treatment decisions and response.

Studies indicate that chaplain visits can result in less patient anxiety, shorter hospital stays and higher satisfaction. Still, a review in the Journal of Health Care Chaplaincy concludes that many studies haven't been rigorous enough to test effectiveness and define the best practices of chaplains' care.

A study published online in July in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that among 3,000 patients hospitalized over a three-year period at the University of Chicago Medical Center, 41% wanted a discussion of religious and spiritual concerns, yet only half of that group reported having one.

Patients may hesitate to ask for a chaplain's services out of concern that chaplains will proselytize—even though in many cases they don't use explicit theological language and "are there to be companionable and offer support," says Wendy Cadge, associate professor at Brandeis University.

How Often Do Women Really Need Bone Density Tests?

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia Grace) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:54:00 +0000

Screening for osteoporosis can protect against fractures, but many women may be getting tested too often.

Older women are at higher risk of developing osteoporosis and bone loss, which can lead to potentially debilitating bone fractures. To gauge bone strength in these patients, many doctors order bone mineral density tests every two years — which is how often Medicare reimburses the test — but a new study finds that such screenings can be delayed much longer.

The latest research, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, suggests that most women with normal or near-normal scores of bone density on an initial test may not need another one for up to 15 years.

The study addresses a difficult question that many doctors caring for older patients face. Bone mineral density readings, or T scores, which measure bone thickness at certain spots, usually the hip and spine, compare patients’ bone density to that of a healthy young adult. So, a T score of -2.5 or lower qualifies as osteoporosis, and women at these levels are recommended to continue testing regularly and begin drug treatments to strengthen their bones. But what about women with slightly higher readings? Do they need to be monitored as often?

Read full Time Magazine article:

85 and older outpacing all other age groups in America

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia Grace) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:17:00 +0000

The 65+ senior population in the United States has outpaced the growth of all other age groups over the course of the last decade, and Census data released Wednesday indicates that the trend toward an aging America—including for the country’s “oldest old” population—is continuing.
The most recent Census data finds that there were 40.3 million people who were 65 years or older as of April 2010, up 15% from 35 million a decade earlier. As of April 2010, that population represented 13% of the overall population in the United States.

The aging of the baby boom bulge is “unprecedented,” said Carrie Werner, statistician, Age and Special Populations Branch, Population Division at the U.S. Census Bureau, in a call with members of the press Wednesday.
Of older Americans, the 85- to 94-year-old age group showed the greatest increase at near 30%.

Regionally, the Census shows that the South contains the greatest number of people 65 and older, but the percentage of those who are 65+ in the Northeast is greater than in any other region. Of 21 counties that saw their 65+ populations double over the past decade, five were located in Colorado, five in Georgia and five were in Texas. Additionally, the older population is more likely to live inside a metropolitan or micropolitan statistical area.

Can you die from a broken heart?

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia Grace) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:11:00 +0000

There really is such a thing as heartbreaking grief, suggests new research that finds losing a loved one can increase the risk of heart attack.
Within a day of a significant other's death, heart attack risk was 21 times higher than normal, said researchers who looked at data on nearly 2,000 heart attack patients. And within the first week after death, the heart attack risk for the bereaved was still six times greater than usual.

"Extreme grief can trigger heart attacks," said lead researcher Dr. Murray Mittleman, director of the Cardiovascular Epidemiology Research Unit at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School in Boston.
"For at least a month the risk remains elevated and likely stays up even longer," he added.

The stress and anxiety of losing someone close can trigger heart-damaging biological processes, Mittleman explained.
"All of this can cause a physiologic response with an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, and also can cause changes that makes blood a little bit more sticky," he said. "This can increase the risk of having a heart attack."
After a death, it is important for immediate family members and friends to be aware of this connection and watch for signs of distress, Mittleman suggested.

"When an individual is grief-stricken, they often ignore their own needs and may not be as compliant with medication, may not take care of themselves as well," he said.

If the bereaved individual develops unusual physical symptoms, "don't assume it's just stress and anxiety; it may be a heart attack and should be taken very seriously," Mittleman warned. These symptoms include chest or stomach pain, shortness of breath, nausea, lightheadedness or a sudden, cold sweat.

Senior housing - 2012 and beyond

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia Grace) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:07:00 +0000

The economy is still the number one reason that many seniors have delayed moving into a senior housing community. Other reasons include: utilizing family, technology, medicine and community support to remain in their current environment.

This trend is forcing senior housing communities to accept residents with higher levels of acuity. This is turn can lead to a higher cost of care, and providers may need to raise their costs as a result of increased risk, or change their policies all together to avoid the consequences of higher acuity.

As the profile of senior housing residents change, so will the definition of types of senior care communities. The shift in resident profiles are giving way to a migration in communities:

• Independent Living Becomes More Like Assisted Living. As more home and community based services initiatives are implemented, seniors living in apartment complexes or 55+ communities will see a greater level of a la carte services offered that will resemble more of an assisted living “feel” at a lower cost delivery as services will be unbundled.

• Current Assisted Living Facilities will function more like Skilled Nursing. Current nursing homes will be handling the “sickest” seniors in the coming years as an alternative to hospital stays. The traditional model of nursing care will migrate to assisted living communities that can have differing levels of care within those communities. As part of this trend, many assisted living communities are finding that the average age of entry for its communities is increasing as people are living with less care longer.

• Dedicated Alzheimer’s care facilities will begin to re-appear in earnest in the next 12-24 months. This trend is similar to a period in the early 2000s when many dedicated memory care communities were established. At the time, there were funding problems and the trend was somewhat ahead of its time given the number of memory care patients. However, a decade later, the supply of ALZ/dementia care communities is low while the demand is steady and increasing, regardless of the funding issues.

Concepts such as multigenerational housing,senior villages, NORC's (naturally occurring retirement communities) co-housing, homes built with in-law apartments and other communal living solutions will continue to gain appeal as individuals and families learn about the costs of senior housing.

Older Americans will increasingly move in with their families—or each other— as the economics of co-housing/co-habitation make a compelling case for multigenerational housing. Each of these solutions provides maximum flexibility but as these models become more popular, regulation and funding to further develop these alternatives may stall future growth.

Those living in single-family homes will invest capital in their homes as more parents move in with their adult children. Using home office spaces, basements, attics and other existing solutions will make way for more formal renovations including the "granny flat" as either an add-on or standalone. Others may opt for prefab cottages or PODS as solutions that can be moved, stored or re-sold when a senior needs to move to a more comprehensive care community.

Renovation will be a key driver in adaptation for senior housing in both single family homes. The key will be the return on the investment (ROI) but given the uncertainty of the amount of time that an elder may live with their children, it is difficult if not impossible to have a sense of certainty with respect to time. And interesting fact that is emerging, is that the resale value of these modifications will have minimal effect on the value of the home unlike more popular renovations such as kitchens and baths.

As elder abuse grows, so does the need for shelters

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia Grace) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:05:00 +0000

The following USA Today article sheds light on the growing issue of elder abuse.

They're weak, physically or mentally disabled or both, and often at the mercy of people they depend on the most: relatives and caretakers.

They're the nation's fast-growing elderly population, and many are prime targets for abuse — physical, financial, sexual or emotional.

Concern among the elderly and their advocates is mounting as the number of seniors soars and more of them live longer.

The Cedar Village Retirement Community in the Cincinnati suburb of Mason this month opened a long-term care facility to victims of abuse. It is the first elder abuse shelter in Ohio and one of only a half-dozen in the country, all of them funded by non-profit groups.

"There is a genuine recognition by those who are concerned by the abuse of elders that there need to be appropriate safe houses for them to get them out of immediate harm's way," says Sally Hurme, AARP's senior project manager in education and outreach. "Nationally, we've been aware of the need for elder abuse shelters, but they've been slow in coming into fruition."

The first in the nation, the Weinberg Center for Elder Abuse Prevention at the Hebrew Home at Riverdale in the Bronx in New York City opened just seven years ago and serves as a model for the few others.

Read full article at USA Today...

Is there a connection between aspirin and macular degeneration?

noreply@blogger.com (Patricia Grace) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 23:30:00 +0000

A new study suggests that daily aspirin use among seniors may double their risk of developing a particularly advanced form of age-related macular degeneration, a debilitating eye disease.

The possible link involves the so-called "wet" type of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a significant cause of blindness in seniors.

Aspirin use was not, however, found to be associated with an increased risk for developing the more common, and usually less advanced, "dry" form of AMD, according to the report published in the January issue of Ophthalmology.

Age-related macular degeneration affects the critical central vision required for reading, driving and general mobility. The damage occurs when the retinal core of the eye (the macula) becomes exposed to leaking or bleeding due to abnormal growth of blood vessels.

While the study uncovered an association between aspirin use and AMD, it did not prove a cause-and-effect relationship.

This point was also made by Dr. Alfred Sommer, a professor of ophthalmology and dean emeritus at the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. He noted that while the study was "well executed," it should not be seen as definitive proof that aspirin use and AMD are linked.

"It is well known that aspirin [and other NSAIDs] can increase the risk of gastric distress and gastric ulcers," Sommer said. "Like any medicine, it should only be taken if needed. But those taking aspirin to prevent heart disease, particularly those at increased risk of heart disease, definitely do benefit and should not change what they do."

For more on age-related macular degeneration, visit the U.S. National Eye Institute