Who Moved My Dentures? Essential Information for Boomers on Healthcare, Aging and Caregiving

Nursing Home Patients Face Higher Surgical Risk

2012-01-27T09:00:00.023-05:00

Beware the surgical knife!
@TS Photography, Getty Images

Nursing home residents' frailty puts them at a higher risk for dying after surgery a new study reports. Well no kidding. did they need a study for that? About a year ago we were about to go through surgery - neurosurgery no less - for my 90-year-old mother. Essentially for two weeks they prepared us for her dying on the table. She didn't. Separate story but that says more about her attitude and desire to live plus some really great genes than anything else.

I digress.

Elderly nursing home residents experience more surgical complications than other elders their age. Residents typically have other advanced medical problems and may often be too frail for many ordered procedures, researchers said.

Physicians might be far too aggressive when ordering surgeries for nursing home residents, according to researchers from the University of California in San Francisco. They studied data from 70,000 nursing home residents and one million non-institutionalized Medicare beneficiaries over age 65.

They found that mortality rates after surgeries such as gall bladder, appendix or colon removals, as well as bleeding ulcers, were consistently higher in nursing home residents than other seniors.

Bottom line - be educated on the risk. Question your physician and the surgeons. Remember we are still under a reimbursement system that awards more procedures. And there are unscrupulous physicians who are simply out to make as much money as they possibly can. Not all. But some.

So be cynical and question everything.

Guides to Care Choices Available

2012-01-26T09:00:00.001-05:00

Guides to Care Choices

2012-01-25T09:00:00.002-05:00

Assisted Living Today, a Web publishing company that

specializes in information about senior living, has

published a series of guides about choosing the

best care setting for a loved one.

They are worth a look.

         
Assisted Living Care Guide

Memory Care Guide

Nursing Home Guide

Care Home Guide

Independent Living Guide

Sitting Causes Cancer!

2012-01-24T09:00:00.001-05:00

Long Term Care Costs Continue to Rise

2012-01-23T09:00:00.004-05:00

Sitting Causes Cancer!

2012-01-23T09:00:00.001-05:00

Get off your...
@Robert Daly, Getty Images

According to an article in USA Today, more than 90,000 new cancer cases a year in the United States could be due to physical inactivity and prolonged periods of sitting.

Research presented at the American Institute for Cancer Research cites about 49,000 cases of breast cancer and 43,000 of colon cancer.

The calculations were based on physical activity data and cancer incidence statistics.

Alpa Patel, an American Cancer Society epidemiologist who looked at the data, says the numbers “seem like very reasonable estimates.”

“A brisk daily walk of at least 30 minutes could lower a person’s risk over time for breast cancer and colon cancer,” says Alice Bender, a registered dietitian with the cancer research institute.

In post-menopausal women, physical activity appears to decrease the risk of cancer by increasing insulin sensitivity and reducing body fat, inflammation, metabolic hormones and sex steroids hormones researchers say.

In any case, get off your butt, talk to your doctor and start an exercise program.

2011 LTC Costs Met Life

2012-01-20T09:00:00.003-05:00

The Met Life Market Survey of Long-Term Care Costs published recently.

This survey, conducted in conjunction with LifePlans, Inc., contains daily private-pay rates for private and semi-private rooms in licensed nursing homes, monthly base rates for assisted living communities, hourly rates for home health aides from licensed agencies and agency- provided homemaker companion services, and daily rates for adult day services across the United States.

Nursing Homes

National average rates for a private room increased by 4.4%, from $229 daily or $83,585 annually in 2010, to $239 daily or $87,235 annually in 2011.

Assisted Living Communities

Monthly private-pay base rates, which are defined as room and board and typically include at least two meals per day, housekeeping, and some personal care assistance, were obtained for one-bedroom apartments or private rooms with private baths in assisted living communities.

National average assisted living base rates increased by 5.6%, from $3,293 monthly or $39,516 annually in 2010, to $3,477 monthly or $41,724 annually in 2011.

Home Care Services

Hourly private-pay rates were obtained for home health aides from licensed agencies and for agency-provided homemaker/ companion services.

The 2011 national average private-pay hourly rates for home health aides and homemaker/ companion services remain unchanged from 2010 at $21 and $19 respectively.

Adult Day Services

Adult day services national average daily rates increased by 4.5% from $67 in 2010 to $70 in 2011.

Be Happy Live Longer

2012-01-19T09:00:00.000-05:00

Behind the Old Face

2012-01-18T09:00:00.004-05:00

Behind the Old Face is a vision to change the perception of seniors, particularly in the medical community. Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN, GCN, Author, Speaker, Consultant and Senior Advocate hopes to change the thoughts, hearts, and minds of those working in healthcare, which will improve the dignity, respect and care of our society’s elders.

On her website she shares this: “My vision is the hope of every senior who has been unheard, neglected, abused, and tossed aside as something less than a person, like you or me, but with many more years of wisdom, struggles, accomplishments, achievements and service to you, and I, our generation, and those after us. One day, if we’re blessed enough to live to old age, we will be seniors, hoping we will be heard, validated, respected and cared for. We’ll hope we’ve made some kind of contribution while we were here, and those that look at us will see Behind the Old Face.”

Great work Angela.

Cataract Surgery Improves Mood, Cognition, Sleep in Alzheimer's Patients

2012-01-17T09:00:00.003-05:00

Be Happy Live Longer

2012-01-16T09:00:00.028-05:00

@Stockbyte, Getty Images

According to a recent article in USA Today, happy people have a 35% reduced risk of dying compared with those who reported feeling least happy.

A British study of 3,853 participants ages 52-79 had people rate their feelings at different times on one particular day. Five years later, researchers recorded the number who died and controlled for a variety of factors, including age, gender, health, wealth, education and marital status.

Andrew Steptoe, a psychology professor at University College in London, who co-authored the study said it is not just the fact that some people are just naturally happier than others. He told USA Today it is also "what they are doing, who they are with, and other features of that point in time. Both are important."

What is not clear is whether happy feelings are the key to longevity or if it's something else that causes extended life. Others who have done research in this area think this study is significant.

Could some people just have been having a bad day? Certainly. But researchers believe that the sample population was so large that having odd days didn't really matter very much.

Laura Kubzansky, an associate professor in the Department of Society, Human Development and Health, at Harvard's School of Public Health in Boston, says "I think people sort of undervalue emotional life anyway. This highlights the idea that if you are going through a period where you're consistently distressed, it's probably worth paying attention to how you feel — it matters for both psychological and physical health."

The area of happiness is an emerging trend. Heck even Zappos changed their vision to Creating Happiness. Certainly you cannot will someone to be happy but I believe that the positive affects of being happy show up in a healthier, less stressed body.

So...you know it's coming...don't worry.....

Cataract Surgery Improves Mood, Cognition, Sleep in Alzheimer's Patients

2012-01-13T09:00:00.016-05:00

@Michael Muller, Getty Images

People with mild forms of Alzheimer's disease experienced improvement in sleep patterns, cognitive functioning and mood after undergoing vision-correcting cataract surgery.

Researchers at Tenon Hospital in Paris studied 38 patients with mild Alzheimer's and debilitating cataract in at least one eye before and after participants underwent cataract surgery.

They found that 25% of these patients exhibited improvement in cognitive status, the ability to perceive, understand and respond appropriately to one's surroundings.
Several of the patients became less depressed.

The findings were presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology's Annual Meeting.

Chances are your ophthalmologist is unaware of this study. Ask him/her about it.

Who Gets Grandma? (Video Blog)

2012-01-12T09:00:00.003-05:00

Who Gets Custody of Grandma After the Divorce?

2012-01-11T09:00:00.028-05:00

Who from my family will step up and care for me as I grow older? That is a question a lot of baby boomers are asking themselves. Because the prospects are scary.

In a study reported in Long-Term Care Magazine, divorce and remarriage is changing the role of adult children in caring for aging parents and the quality of family relationships is often trumping genetic ties argues a researcher from the University of Missouri.

Lawrence Ganong, a professor and co-chair at the university’s Department of Human Development and Family Studies, found that relationship quality, a history of mutual help and resource availability influence decisions about who cares for parents and stepparents.

Ganong said: “How close family members are to each other, how much they have been helped by them in the past and what hardships caregiving might place on family members are important factors when people consider caring for older kin.”

Ganong and his research team presented study participants with hypothetical caregiving scenarios involving an aging parent or stepparent and a child or stepchild. Participants then responded to questions about their perceptions of who should provide care.

The majority of participants said biological factors are relevant in caregiving decisions, but they do not automatically require adult children to help older relatives.

“Based on what happens before, during and after marital transitions, family members may change what they think their responsibilities are regarding helping and providing care to kin,” Ganong said. “As a society that relies on families to provide much of the care for older adults, we need to better understand the effects of changes in families due to divorce and remarriage.”

Ganong recommended that middle-aged adults have honest conversations with parents and stepparents about expectations for caregiving and other types of assistance before needs arise.

Ganong's study, “Who Gets Custody of Grandma After the Divorce? How Marital Transitions Affect Family Caregiving Responsibilities,” was funded by the National Institute on Aging.

So now I am praying that my stepson, whose mom I am divorced from, will stay married to my lovely daughter-in-law!

Physical and Mental Benefits of Yoga

2012-01-09T09:00:00.006-05:00

The following is a guest post from Liz Davies.

Studies show that yoga can decrease symptoms associated with cancer and its sometimes harsh treatments such as chemotherapy and radiations. Studies have shown that nausea, headaches, and fatigue are greatly reduced by yoga. Yoga can also be helpful for mental or emotional issues such as anxiety and depression related to the stress of having to live with such a burden. A study published in 2009 showed that 100 cancer patients who practiced yoga before undergoing surgery were much more likely to tolerate side effects of the procedure such as pain and post-surgical nausea. Researchers have also found that the overall quality of life in cancer patients who do yoga is drastically higher than in those who do not.

@Zia Solei, Getty Images

There are a lot of types of yoga, with each branch of the practice differing widely as to what organ systems are helped. For instance, Hatha yoga is a wonderful way of reducing muscle pain and to relax, thus reducing stress. In comparison, Kundalini yoga may be better for the patient who is suffering from fatigues and wishes to increase energy levels.

Staying motivated to exercise while suffering from cancer can seem like a daunting task. Changing the types of yoga done can help add some variety and excitement, thus increasing the chances that the patient will keep yoga in his her life. Asking a friend of family member to do yoga can is helpful, and writing down what he or she wants to achieve while practicing it can also add incentive.

Because of the widely varying levels of yoga, there is almost certainly a type which is suitable for any level of activity. This makes the practice relatively safe for the cancer patient. This type of activity is good for any type of cancer patient including liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, and even rare forms like epithelial mesothelioma. It should not, however, be used as a primary treatment for cancer as it is not known to prevent or stop cancer growth. Any patient thinking of implementing yoga into their cancer management program should ask their oncologist whether or not it is a suitable option.

Editor's Note: Consult your physician for embarking on any program. Also note that while this post specifically has dealt with cancer patients, yoga has been shown to benefit people of all ages and health.

Liz Davies is a recent college graduate and aspiring writer especially interested in health and wellness. She wants to make a difference in people’s lives because she sees how cancer has devastated so many people in this world. Liz also likes running, playing lacrosse, reading and playing with her dog, April.

Helpful Links from Liz:
Hatha yoga
Kundalini yoga
Liver Cancer
Pancreatic Cancer
Epithelial Mesothelioma

Be Part of an Alzheimer's Study

2012-01-06T09:00:00.000-05:00

The number of people suffering from Alzheimer's disease (AD) is astounding-but even more so is the number of people caring for a loved one suffering from AD. According to the Alzheimer's Association, more than 5 million Americans have AD and almost 11 million people are serving as their unpaid caregivers.

America spends $172 billion caring for people with AD and other dementias and costs are expected to reach over $1 trillion by 2050.

Dr. Michael Weiner, M.D., principal investigator of one of the largest clinical trials on Alzheimer's disease (AD) in history, is working with his colleagues from around the country to find answers to who gets AD, how it progresses, and how best to stop it. Dr. Weiner is leading the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) - the largest and most comprehensive AD research study of its kind sponsored by the National Institute on Aging.

ADNI is looking for volunteers to participate in its critical research. Go here or call 1-800-432-4380 to be a part of the fight against AD and to support those providing care for the millions of men and women suffering with Alzheimer's.

Insurance Affects Health Care

2012-01-04T09:00:00.000-05:00

Heart failure patients who are Medicare or Medicaid beneficiaries — or who are uninsured — are less likely to receive essential treatments and tend to be hospitalized for longer periods of time according to investigators from the University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Medicine. Medicaid recipients with heart failure are 22% more likely to die in the hospital than patients with private insurance.

Data collected data from 99,508 heart failure patients found that individuals receiving Medicaid were less likely to receive drugs such as beta-blockers, enzyme inhibitors or receptor blockers. The study suggests that access to specialists and the patient's socioeconomic may be a factor in the care these individuals receive.

This is not necessarily new information. What will be interesting is what happens when everyone in theory is insured. Will providers still favor the most favorable payers? Stay tuned.

Supplements Now Not Good? (Video)

2011-12-22T09:00:00.003-05:00

Supplements Now Not Good??

2011-12-21T09:00:00.004-05:00

@Nicholas Eveleigh, Getty Images

A new study suggests that multivitamins and some other supplements actually increase the odds of mortality.

Lead author Jaakko Mursu, Ph.D., a nutritional epidemiologist at the University of Eastern Finland collected data on almost 39,000 women with an average age of 62 over 19 years. They found that women who took multivitamins, vitamin B6, folic acid, magnesium, zinc, copper and especially iron died at higher rates during the course of the study than those who did not take supplements.

Calcium was the only supplement shown to reduce the risk of death.

Duffy MacKay, vice president for scientific and regulatory affairs at the Council for Responsible Nutrition, countered by telling Health Day News the “researchers started out with the intention of identifying harm. I caution against making overstated assumptions and conclusions from this data.”

Check with your physician. A few years back we had our metabolism checked out and went on a heavy course of supplements. Lost a ton of weight and felt great. But I don't have any idea of the long-term effects. Main stream providers have not always been big fans of supplements so your doctor may already have a bias.

Seven Senior Health Tips For The Holidays

2011-12-20T09:00:00.002-05:00

The following is a guest post from Erin Palmer.

For seniors, the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, cooking, baking and get-togethers can be loads of fun and a nice break from the typical routine. Unfortunately, holiday activities can also cause an increase in stress levels – which can compromise the immune system and leave seniors more susceptible to illness.

If you’re a senior, you know that staying healthy during the holidays will make them much more joyful for you and your loved ones. Being healthy doesn’t have to be hit-or-miss: a little planning can go a long way to prevent the weight gain, colds, flu, and physical exhaustion that often take hold this time of year.

Here are seven tips to help you sail through the holiday season in good health and high spirits.

1. Organize Your Time

When planning family visits, parties, shopping, baking, decorating, travel and other holiday activities, be sure to organize your time around your needs. Don’t over-schedule yourself. It’s okay to say “no” to invitations that might add too much stress to the day.

If you are not able to tackle the mall for an extended day of shopping, try a few one hour shopping trips. Shopping online is another easy option. Buying gifts a little at a time will help keep you from getting overstressed.

Ask for help from friends and family when you need it. If you typically prepare the entire holiday meal, this year, ask guests to bring a dish. This will make it easier on your schedule. Plus, the less time you spend in the kitchen, the more time that you get with your loved ones.

2. Set A Holiday Budget

Worrying over finances can lead to a lot of stress. Before you start shopping, set a realistic budget and stick to it. Small, meaningful and handmade gifts are often the most valued. Always ask family members what they’d like, instead of guessing and overspending. Consider giving gift cards; they’re easy to buy and one size fits all. No matter what, do not let the holidays overwhelm your budget. Focus on the quality time with family instead of just material things.

3. Avoid Germs

Holiday get-togethers can bring much joy and happiness to life. They can also bring a slew of germs to your home. Kids, in particular, can be little germ factories, so it’s especially important that they – and you – wash hands frequently.

Keep your hands away from your mouth, nose and eyes. If possible, keep children’s hands away from your face. Keep hand sanitizer close by and use it often. Be particularly careful in the kitchen. Make sure to keep counters, utensils and other cooking spaces clean when making holiday meal preparations.

4. Eat Healthy Foods

At the holidays, it’s far too easy to overindulge on sweets and rich foods, but you’ll probably pay for it later! Feel your best by choosing healthy foods. Try to stick to your regular diet as much as possible. When you indulge, choose smaller portions to avoid a sugar rush or car overload.

Don’t skip meals before a holiday feast. Proper diet and nutrition can keep your energy level high and help you ward off illness. Before a party, eat a small meal or snack, to help you avoid eating too much of the wrong foods. Eat vegetables and salads first, then enjoy your holiday favorites in moderation.

5. Stay Hydrated

Eating rich or salty foods or drinking alcohol means your body will need extra fluids to avoid the dangers of dehydration. Try keeping a water bottle close by and sip frequently. Have a glass of water with every meal – not only will it help you stay hydrated, but it can also make you feel more full so you don’t overeat.

6. Exercise Every Day

Staying active can be the key to avoiding stress this holiday season. Taking a daily walk will quiet your mind and get your blood flowing. A family walk is a nice way to finish the evening after a big meal.

If you have errands nearby, try walking instead of driving when possible. If you’re out after dark, take a flashlight and be extra careful. Dress for the weather and wear proper shoes to prevent falls. If it is too cold to walk outside, head to a mall or other indoor space where you can safely walk around.

7. Get Proper Rest

For seniors, getting enough rest could be the most important component of a healthy holiday season. When you feel tired, listen to your body and take a nap. Plan to relax after a shopping trip or other hectic activity. . Don’t jump from one activity to another. Allow time to relax in between.

Try not to rush to “get it all done.” Take it easy. You don’t have to meet everyone’s expectations in order to have a lovely holiday. Remind yourself it will be okay if you scale back a bit, and only bake three types of cookies instead of five. Always aim to get a good night’s sleep, especially when you have a busy day ahead.

It is Possible for Seniors to Have a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season

The holiday season is all about seeing family and friends, eating good food and reminiscing about holidays past. Wouldn’t it be a shame to miss any of the fun because of illness? Take care of yourself by following these tips, and this year, you could have your healthiest and happiest holidays yet!

Erin Palmer is a contributor to U.S. News University Directory a leading resource for education information online. The directory includes top colleges and universities offering online nursing degree, business education programs, healthcare degrees and many other accredited continuing education programs. For more information please visit http://www.usnewsuniversitydirectory.com.

Be Your Own Patient Advocate (Video)

2011-12-20T09:00:00.000-05:00

Discharge From Hospital to Skilled Nursing Can Have Long-Term Consequences

2011-12-19T09:00:00.012-05:00

@Photodisc, Getty Images

A national study has shown that being hospitalized for a stroke or hip fracture can lead to long-term institutionalization in a nursing home. Direct discharge to a skilled nursing facility put patients at "extremely high risk" of needing long-term nursing home care.

Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston suggest that programs aimed at helping older patients recuperate successfully at home instead of in an institutional setting could greatly improve their health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.

Lead author James S. Goodwin, MD, Director, Sealy Center on Aging at UTMB noted that certain factors common among the elderly -- cognition problems, frailty, lack of social support -- increase the risk of nursing home institutionalization.

Goodwin and his colleagues measured a five percent sample of Medicare enrollees (approximately 762,000) aged 66 or older between 1996 and 2008 who were admitted to nursing homes. Of that population, 75 percent were admitted to a nursing home for long-term care within six months of a hospital stay.

This correlated to Medicare's adoption of a prospective payment system that encouraged hospitals to reduce the length of stays.

Researchers also found several factors that reduced the risk of long-term institutionalization. Patients cared for in larger hospitals and major teaching hospitals were less likely to be in a nursing home six months after discharge, as were patients treated by their primary care physicians.

Goodwin recommends that hospitals consider alternatives to skilled nursing facilities post-hospitalization, such as community-based facilities, assisted living facilities and at-home care.

And that is a lesson for us. Understand what the discharge options are for your hospital and consider a hospital that offers options for rehabilitating at home.

Being Your Own Patient Advocate

2011-12-16T09:00:00.001-05:00

@Comstoc, Getty Images

Joe and Teresa Graedon's book "Top Screwups Doctors Make and How to Avoid Them" is an acknowledgment that serious mistakes are made at every hospital in America on a daily basis. Its genesis started with their own nightmare involving Joe's mother's care in an NC hospital.

The Graedon's book contains more than a dozen lists to help patients and families get the best care. It includes:

Lists of common mistakes made in hospitals or by doctors and pharmacists.
Lists of tips to prevent medical errors, dangerous drug interactions and diagnostic disasters.
Suggestions to promote good communication and survive old age.

Here is some advice:

Expect mistakes and have an advocate.
Check every medicine. Make sure the dose is right.
Be assertive
Demand an explanation.
Be vigilant during transitions, from one floor to another, or when shifts change.
Alert the nurse or "rapid response team," if something seems wrong.
Obtain detailed discharge instructions and contact information. Know what symptoms might signal a worsening situation or infection.
Hospital doctors may never speak to your primary care physician. Take your records and don't assume doctors already know what's in them.
Double-check everything. Don't assume no news is good news or that test results are always correct.
Take a friend or family member to doctor's visits. Nearly every error made in the hospital can also be made in the outpatient setting.

NCOA Offers Money Tips to Seniors (Video)

2011-12-15T09:00:00.004-05:00

More Tips for Visiting Elderly Over Holidays

2011-12-15T09:00:00.003-05:00