Aging Parent Conversations

Senior Flu Prevention and Taking Care of the Elderly

2011-01-27T09:00:00.000-08:00

Note: The following article is courtesy of A Place for Mom.

Getting the flu can be a nasty experience, no matter what your age or general health, and each year flu shots are a major public health initiative. But, because of the risks to the elderly, senior flu prevention is especially important.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), each year more than 200,000 people will be hospitalized because of the flu, and 36,000 of them will die.

“Disproportionately it’s the elderly,” explains Debra Beauchaine, MN, ARNP, and geriatric services director at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle. Seniors in their seventies and eighties are at higher risk from the flu than seniors in their sixties, because of declining immunity to illnesses as they age.

Seasonal (or common) flu is one of the most highly contagious illnesses. It is spread by “respiratory drops”—coughing and sneezing. Someone may touch something with the flu virus on it—such as door knobs, telephones or shopping cart handles—then unwittingly touch their mouth or nose.

And it’s not enough to simply stay away from other people who feel sick. “People may be contagious one day before they develop any symptoms, and for up to five days after becoming sick,” Beauchaine says. “That’s part of the problem; people don’t realize they have the virus before they actually feel sick.”

Flu symptoms include fever, chills, runny or stuffy nose, headache, sore throat, cough, extreme fatigue, and muscle aches. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are sometimes present, but rarely prominent.

Flu season typically runs from October through the end of February, but some years it runs into March and April as well. It is estimated that 10 to 20 percent of the U.S. population contracts influenza each year. Once someone gets the flu, the only real “cure” is to rest and drink plenty of fluids, although a doctor may prescribe Tamiflu® or Relenza®, both anti-viral medications which can keep the influenza virus from spreading inside the body and shorten the duration of symptoms. Both must be taken within 48 hours of the onset of flu symptoms, and neither is a substitute for a flu vaccination.

While otherwise healthy adults can be laid low by the flu for a full week, senior citizens are at risk for becoming much sicker. “They are more vulnerable, once they get the flu, to develop complications,” Beauchaine says. “Because the flu is really a pretty severe illness, they may not have as much of what we call ‘physiological reserve’ as a younger adult. So, seniors will feel very sick from a case of the flu and that puts them at greater risk for complications.”

Dr. W. Paul McKinney, associate dean of the School of Public Health at the University of Louisville, explains that one of the more serious complications is primary viral pneumonia or a secondary bacterial pneumonia. Most hospitalizations and deaths from the flu are a consequence of pneumonia and other respiratory disorders. Also, if a senior has any chronic health conditions, such as congestive heart failure, chronic lung disease, even diabetes or renal failure, those could be exacerbated by the flu. And another common complication of the flu is dehydration, so drinking plenty of fluids is especially vital for the elderly.

Staying away from work or crowded places while sick is important to prevent spreading the flu to others. But that’s not an option for seniors living in nursing homes or assisted living facilities, making senior flu prevention that much harder at these communities. “When you congregate large numbers of people in close quarters, transmission is a lot easier,” McKinney says.

However, Beauchaine points out that nursing homes usually require all employees to be vaccinated, which is the single most effective way to guard against getting the flu. And, it’s important to get a flu shot every year, because the virus changes slightly from year to year. Getting a flu shot one year and not the next, will not protect someone from that year’s particular strain.

“They should make every reasonable effort to get vaccinated early in flu season,” McKinney says, but don’t do it too early in the season, because occasionally the immunity will wear off before flu season ends, especially if the season lasts into March or April.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, seniors covered by Medicare Part B pay no coinsurance or deductible for their flu shot, as long as they receive the shot from a Medicare provider.

What if a senior is otherwise healthy and doesn’t feel they are “at risk?”

“There is no reason a healthy senior should defer a vaccine,” McKinney says.

A University of Michigan study found that boosting elderly flu vaccinations could save as many as 6,500 lives over ten years. In fact, research from Johns Hopkins University shows that annual flu shots reduce the number of deaths among hospital patients by one half.

While vaccination is the most important senior flu prevention, it’s only 70 to 90 percent effective, so some people who receive the vaccination will still get the flu.

So, for at-risk populations, it’s especially important that everyone around them also gets vaccinated. That includes everyone involved in taking care of the elderly. And like nursing homes, some hospitals, such as Seattle’s Virginia Mason, require all employees to be vaccinated.

The CDC’s target groups for vaccination keep expanding, recently adding children aged 2–5, and lowering the seniors’ age range from age 65+ to 50+. The CDC estimates 218 million Americans fall into the at-risk groups that should be vaccinated. “That’s over two-thirds of this country,” McKinney says. “This year we’ll have 100 million doses of the vaccine, so we won’t even be able to vaccinate 50 percent.”

According to McKinney, the U.S. should not face a vaccine shortage this year. “Unless someone is in a very remote, isolated area, there shouldn’t be a problem getting the vaccine,” he says.

While it’s not possible to get the flu from the standard injectable flu vaccine, which is made from a killed virus, some people will experience a sore arm for one to two days, and possibly a fever. (The newer nasal spray vaccine is made from a live attenuated virus and recommended only for healthy, non-pregnant people between the ages of five to forty-nine.)

Although some people believe certain foods or vitamins can ward off illness, Beauchaine says that while they may make you healthier in general, they aren’t effective for senior flu prevention.

During flu season, practicing good hygiene can help people avoid catching or spreading the flu. Wash hands frequently, especially after touching door knobs and stair rails in public places. Always cover nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, and immediately wash hands afterward. And, of course, stay away from people who are sick. People taking care of the elderly especially need to follow this type of common sense senior flu prevention.

Finally, don’t confuse influenza with avian flu. While bird flu gets a lot of press these days, it is extremely rare, occurring when a human has direct contact with infected poultry or surfaces contaminated by secretions or excretions from infected birds. Vaccines to protect against bird flu are being developed, but are not yet available.

Senior Flu Prevention and Taking Care of the Elderly | A Place for Mom

What is the Best Medical Alert System for Mom or Dad?

2011-01-25T09:00:00.000-08:00

Researching the best medical alert systems for seniors can be overwhelming: there are so many choices, that it can be challenging to decide what the right system is for your needs. Because of this, understanding how home medical alert systems work is one of the first steps in choosing the best system for your aging family member.

Most home medical alert systems fall into two different categories: those that come with 24/7 monitoring services, and those that provide equipment only, but no service. Let’s take a brief look at the two options.

Medical alert systems with a monitoring service provide the first response if the senior’s alert device is activated. When the monitoring system is notified, they in turn contact the designated people and/or emergency personnel. Since there is a monthly fee charged for this service, this type of system is typically more expensive than one without a monitoring system.

The response centers of the best medical alert systems for seniors will offer a highly trained staff offering 24/7 support in order to be available at all times for any emergency that arises. In addition to initial training, there should be extensive follow-up training and performance reviews. Thorough training insures that the staff is highly skilled and able to handle each alert call rapidly and professionally. The monitoring center should also be UL listed, which means that their facility meets the high standards of Underwriter's Laboratory, the recognized standard for all monitoring centers.

LifeStation’s commitment to training and customer support makes them one of the best medical alert systems for seniors with a response center. So that each alert call received is given the utmost attention, every medical alert emergency call is handled by two specialists in the monitoring center: one stays on the line with the senior, and the other contacts emergency personnel and the senior's contact list. LifeStation's monitoring center also offers a 24/7 customer support line that is available in addition to the monitoring center, to assist with technical or equipment problems, support, or questions.

However, not all seniors require a monitoring service, and in this situation, a system with just an equipment purchase will be a more affordable option, since there is no monthly fee. In this type of system, when the device is activated, the emergency call goes directly to family, friends, or possibly emergency personnel.

The best medical alert systems for seniors that do not utilize a monitoring system will offer simple to use, affordable, and reliable equipment. In addition, it should be simple to set up the emergency contact phone numbers. Two popular systems like this, the Freedom Alert and its sister the Guardian Alert, provide for automatic dialing directly to pre-programmed numbers, and the senior and his/her family have complete control over the numbers that are selected. The main difference between the two is that the Guardian Alert will only contact 911 when activated, whereas the Freedom Alert provides up to 4 phone numbers to be programmed, which can include 911, but doesn’t have to. And in both cases, since there are no contracts, activation fees, or monthly fees, the initial purchase price is the only cost, making them affordable options.

While worrying about the safety and security of your aging parents may keep you up at night, a good emergency response system can provide you peace of mind, and help for your elderly loved one if needed. LifeStation, Guardian Alert, and Freedom Alert are among some of the best medical alert systems for seniors. Careful research of each type and understanding how they work, will help you to choose the best medical alert system for your senior's needs.

Work, Life and Caregiving - Four Strategies to Manage Fatigue

2011-01-20T09:00:00.000-08:00

If you are an employee and a caregiver, you are one of over 14 million people in the United States trying to stay afloat in a tumultuous sea of shifting personal and professional responsibilities. It is estimated that one in every seven employees is taking care of a chronically ill or elderly loved one. If you are a caregiver and employed, how do you make it work? How do you care for work, your loved one and yourself without strangling by the three-way life rope?

Regardless of whether you are providing hands-on care, paying for professional caregiver assistance or a combination of the two, managing a chronic illness of another individual takes its toll. There are many facets to consider - the disease itself, the prognosis, the changing care plan based on the prognosis, the personality type and communication styles of the loved one and yourself, grief and acceptance during the care experience, and role-reversal between the parent and child. In addition varying sibling support, financial management, sleep deprivation of the caregiver and/or the family, delivering the actual hands on care, medication management and care oversight of outsourced care assistance adds to the challenge. In some instances, extended family members and friends distance themselves creating additional emotional strain on the caregiver. Somewhere in the milieu is maintaining employment to support your own financial obligations and career. You still have to show up to work on time and perform to meet job expectations and many times go the extra mile in difficult economic times.

Individuals who volunteer or accept the life challenge as caregiver for a family member take on significant changes that affect work/life balance and family. Caregiver fatigue can easily ensue if precautions are not taken to care for the caregiver and the caregiver family. Work performance may insidiously decrease or the caregiver may struggle to maintain performance but burnout and potentially compassion fatigue may occur. Many times these changes may happen without the caregiver even realizing it.

What can you do?

Be aware of signs and symptoms of burnout and fatigue. Many caregivers begin the caregiving process enthusiastically and with great zeal. They believe in their herculean effort to care, problem solve and manage the discretionary effort it takes to care for others in extraordinary circumstances. Over time, as personal and professional demands outweigh the perceived resources, caregivers may begin to feel irritable, cut corners, avoid contact or become very distant with friends, family and colleagues.

Accept your humanity as a caregiver. Provide self-compassion for yourself. Give yourself that much needed mental break to empower yourself, fill your own cup back to at least half-full so you can continue to help others and complete your feedback loop. Think about it. We live in a world that requires us to meet specific expectations, quietly prefers we exceed expectations, values perfection and zero defects. Yet, we are imperfect humans. Think about being a fly on the wall of the universe and view how difficult it must be for imperfect humans to try to exist in a world that requires perfection.

Allow others to help. Ask. Delegate. Accept. Many times caregivers feel they can do it all themselves and consider using others assistance as a sign of weakness. In reality, we may actually be denying the spiritual opportunity for others to express their compassion by reaching out and giving.

Maintain open communication with your direct supervisor or manager. Many people fear sharing personal information at work in fear of discrimination, i.e. being looked over for promotional opportunities or stretch assignments for career growth. Yet, open communication is the path to obtaining flexible work schedules and other strategies to bring relief at home and restore productivity at work.

Lisa Boesen, MAOM, PHR, is the creator of Creating Compassionate Connections™. With over 30 years of clinical, management and human resources experience in the healthcare industry, Lisa brings these insights and experiences into her publications, engaging presentations and interactive workshops. She is passionate about working with visionary organizations and individuals who believe in the power of empathy and compassion in the organizational experience to create and sustain excellent internal customer service and patient-centered care.

Visit http://www.lisaboesen.com/products to download your F*R*E*E copy of Define Your Destiny - 70 Tips from a Collection of Experts.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_Boesen

Aging Parents and Their Self-Esteem: Why it Matters

2011-01-18T09:03:00.000-08:00

Most of us are familiar with the importance of self-esteem. We know how it matters to the healthy growth of young children, and we are aware of how it affects the lives of adults, both personally and professionally.

But have you ever thought about how important it is to the elderly? And why, if you are caring for an aging parent, you need to think about how to help Mom or Dad feel good about themselves?

Elder Care Cafe has some thoughts:

For most people, their sense of self-worth comes from their independence, their ability to take care of their family while feeling like they have a useful place in society.

In their senior years all of that disappears in what seems like an instant. In the eyes of the senior citizen, they go from being the hero to their kids to being a pitiful old man or woman being taken care of like they were a child. Their feeling of being useful vanishes and is replaced by a feeling of being unnecessary and a nuisance.

Everything they invested in themselves that are symbols of their success including their house and possessions, their ability to drive, and their work all go away in rapid succession one after the other. Small wonder senior citizens undergo a tremendous drop in self-confidence. When you go from thinking highly of yourself to not liking who you are at all, you stumble into a formula for depression and low self-worth.

You can read the entire article here.

Family Conflict and Helping Your Aging Parents

2011-01-13T09:00:00.000-08:00

One of the most challenging aspects of adult children caring for their aging parents, is when siblings don't agree. Often it is because one adult child has the primary responsibility, and the rest, due to distance, or other issues, simply don't know all the details of caring for Mom or Dad. But other times, the conflict arises from sibling issues that have existed since childhood.

Whatever the reason, family conflict is not uncommon when dealing with eldercare. AgingParents.com has some thoughts on how to deal with it:

Imagine this. Your aging parent took a fall. You get the long distance phone call. Mom is in the hospital. Suddenly, you and your siblings have to talk together, as Mom will need help when she returns home after rehabilitation. Who will watch over her care at home? Who will decide how to pay for her care? Who’s in charge, anyway?

These scenarios are all too common and growing more so. Whether our aging parent has planned ahead or not, the adult children have a new responsibility thrust on us. Sometimes, siblings are scattered across the country. Sometimes, even if they live in the same area, they don’t get along. It’s an uncomfortable feeling trying to make decisions with siblings we don’t trust, and maybe never did.

(I’ve certainly experienced this in my own family!)

Family fights can turn an already stressful situation into a nightmare. I’ve known this stress personally. But, there is something we can do about it. It’s called elder mediation.

The concept may sound odd to some. Many think of mediation as a thing to use for labor disputes or international peacemaking. But mediation can be used at home with families, too. Elder mediation is emerging as a way to address issues in families and with institutions about the care of elders and the conflicts among and with their caregivers. The issues are often about money, control, and the work of caring for aging loved ones.

You can read the rest of the article here.

Thinking Ahead About Caring for Elderly Parents

2010-12-22T09:00:00.000-08:00

For most adult children of the elderly, finding themselves in the position of caring for an aging parent happens abruptly, and often in a time of crisis no less. This is exactly what happened to me, and they were challenging circumstances to say the least.

Elder Care Cafe has an interesting discussion on how to ease into caring for aging parents:

What most adults do not usually think about as they go about their daily lives is that, unless their parents pass away when they are younger, the adult child will more than likely become involved in their care as they age. Caring for aging parents isn’t normally on anyone’s mind when they and their parents are enjoying their years as adults. It certainly wasn’t on ours.

Unfortunately, life passes much too swiftly and the day comes when the younger adult realizes their parents are no long as self-sufficient as they were at one time. Sooner or later, the adult children find themselves as a caregiver for their elderly parents. Where in the world did time go?

Suddenly single?

For many, the time when you suddenly become a caregiver is just that – sudden. It happens often after the death of a parent and the widowed parent suddenly needs your help.

It might be strange to look at it this way, but the more you can ease into care giving, the more time you and those around you have to get used to it. And if you can step in and make a few minor changes to the environment of your aging parent, you may be able to delay the time when they become totally dependent on you.

If your parent or parents are still living in their own home, here are a few steps you can take to make their living space more accessible and safe....

You can (and should) read the rest of the article at Elder Care Cafe here.

Are You in the Sandwich Generation?

2010-12-20T09:00:00.000-08:00

So many adults have found themselves in the difficult position of caring for their children and their aging parents at the same time that a label has been created to describe this group: the Sandwich Generation. And I think that anyone who is in this situation, understands completely how correct this description really is.

I read an interesting article from Elder Care this past week that describes some of the unique challenges of being in the Sandwich Generation:

Ever feel like a Dagwood sandwich?

In fact, some of us often feel more like a Dagwood sandwich, a huge sandwich piled high with many ingredients popularized by Dagwood Bumstead of the long running Blondie comic. We often feel like we have too much on our plate and are squeezed between the two generations. The result is a fair amount of stress on us as moms and dads with all the demands that rising children, teenagers, or maybe even the children of our children, can put on us adults.

At the same time, caring for aging parents can be even more stressful and difficult on the Sandwich Generation from an emotional stress point of view. The stress we realize when our parents begin to age is a new concept for us.
Plenty of support for raising new babies!

In addition to great support such as parent training classes and educational books, the arrival of a new baby in the house is a source of joy. There is great hope at the arrival of a new child and taking care of our children carries with it that creative element of doing something for the future. We see in our children our legacy so seeing them succeed and helping them overcome difficulty is exciting as we do all we can to “launch” the next generation of our family....

You can read the rest of this excellent article at the Elder Care blog.

25 Holiday Activities for Seniors With Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease

2010-12-17T09:00:00.001-08:00

The holidays can be a very stressful time for the typical family, but for a family caregiver who is managing the care of an aging loved one with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, the stress can be overwhelming. To help manage the holiday stress it is important to find holiday activities that are simple and easy to do. There are literally hundreds of ideas of things caregivers and families can do with a senior who has Alzheimer's disease.

However, there are a few tips that you should keep in mind:

Senior's Specific Activity Interests: It is always good to find things that have been interesting to your loved one in the past. Maybe it was music, art, crafts, reading or puzzles.

Repetition for Dementia: While you and I might easily get bored with repetitive activities, someone with dementia or Alzheimer's disease actually can find it comforting and re-assuring. So think of things that are repetitive like cutting coupons, or stringing beads.

Sense of Calm: For someone with cognitive impairments additional stimuli in their environment can be disturbing. Try to avoid chaos and disorganization in the home. Try to keep the environment peaceful and routine.

Meaningful: Provide choice to your aging loved one so they have a sense of value and purpose in the activities that they are doing.

Holiday activities for seniors with Dementia With these key factors in mind, here is a list of some wonderful activities families can do together with a senior who has dementia or Alzheimer's disease:

String popcorn
Make paper chain garland
Decorate apples or oranges with cloves and ribbon (pomander)
Make holiday cards
Stick stamps and return labels onto greeting cards
Go caroling together
Play old holiday music or try new holiday music
Read holiday books aloud
Make cookies
Rake fall leaves
Make paper snowflakes to decorate the house
Take a stroll down main street to see the store windows
Polish the silver for the arriving guests
Put out holiday candles throughout the house
Find holiday related crossword puzzles (kids books)
Place holiday ornaments into a decorative bowl
Make a simple holiday floral arrangement
Invite a few friend over to visit for holiday tea and cookies
Wrap gifts
Collect pine cones for a decorative basket
Rent a favorite holiday movie for the whole family
Do a jigsaw puzzle together
Take a nature walk together in the park
Hang the holiday cards that arrive on the mantel
Make a holiday card holder

When caring for an aging loved one, you may need to make adjustments to your typical family traditions, but this is an opportunity to create new family traditions. You might be surprised how enjoyable the season can be for the entire family when you create an atmosphere of peace and calm. For more information about activities for seniors with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, please visit Sarahcare adult day care.

Inger Rarick has over 20 years of experience working with older adults, seniors and the elderly in various settings including adult day care, assisted living facilities, and in-patient rehabilitation. She understands the needs of family caregivers and the stress associated with managing the care of an aging parent. In addition to her clinical work with families and seniors, Ms. Rarick is also passionate about technology and how technology can improve the lives of seniors both at home and in the healthcare setting. Aging in place and supporting older loved ones to remain in the home environment is essential to successful aging. She founded a company called FamiliLink, empowering families to provide care and support to aging loved ones by including them in the digital loop. She also works closely with Sarahcare (http://www.sarahcare.com/), a leading Adult Day Care Service company with more than 35 centers across the nation.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Inger_Rarick

Choosing Holiday Gifts for Your Aging Parents

2010-12-15T09:03:00.000-08:00

One of the challenges that I faced every Holiday Season with my elderly parents, especially with my mom when she was in assisted living, was what to get her for Christmas? What did she "need", what would she "like", and what would be helpful to her...and ultimately to her caregivers?

With that in mind, I found the following ideas, courtesy of Eldercare ABC Blog, to be especially helpful:

Several things should be considered when choosing gifts for nursing home residents. How much room does the resident have? Do they have room for the gift you have in mind? Are they physically able to use the gift? Will they need help to use the gift and, if so, is the help readily available?

Popular gifts that have stood the test of time for nursing home residents are books and magazines.. A new book by a favorite author is always welcome. A subscription to a favorite magazine is also a good idea.

A box of candy is another popular choice but before giving candy, check with the caregivers to see if this is something the resident can have or can be doled out occasionally.

If the resident enjoys writing letters and cards, a box of all-occasion cards or notepaper would be welcome. Add some postage stamps and pre-printed labels for the people they write to and they can write cards and letters whenever they want to.....

You can read the rest of the article at Eldercare ABC.

Christmas Activities for Seniors

2010-12-13T10:00:00.000-08:00

Do you have any Christmas activities for seniors in mind this holiday season? Are you all caught up in the sights and smells? When Christmas comes around what excites you? Is it the reuniting with friends and family? Or maybe its the ginger, mistletoe, cinnamon, and pine all rolled into one glorious scent that hits your nose like an amazingly warm hug. The epitome of hopefulness, cheer and the motivation you need to face the year ahead with gusto.

With the bustle of the holidays we can sometimes put aside the time we would like to spend with some of the other people in our lives, like seniors. Spending time with the elders in your life doesn't have to be an inconvenience. Often we put off visits with them because we are so busy and slowing down to the pace of a senior can sometimes leave us feeling like we're not accomplishing enough or getting things done.

But here are a few ideas on how to make your elderly loved ones happy over the holiday season, while taking the time to spend it with them.

With Christmas activities for seniors involving physical activity there is always some risk of injury, so you definitely need an understanding of their capabilities. Some are more agile than others. Whether they will be able to participate in musical chairs, for example, is something you should know before hand. A modified version of musical chairs is something to consider, having a hand clapping version instead of walking, or maybe touching your nose or even simply singing along if the other forms prove too difficult.

You may also consider a tamer game or Christmas activity such as baking, doing crafts, story telling, reading aloud (try the whole story of 'The Grinch Who Stole Christmas') or even simply enjoying nature's glorious winter magic with an outdoor stroll. This can often be a wonderful time of enjoyment to rejuvenate the beloved senior in your life.
My grandmother is a woman of eighty two, with Parkinson's disease, and a very strong emotional connection with the rest of our family. She used to be the one always getting out there and doing things, and now that she isn't able to as much as before she seems to be at the whim of our families placement for her. Not a very enjoyable position, especially around the holidays.

She says that she remembers a time when she never left her house around Christmas time and would spend it all with her family. When new years was spent with friends, and when no one thought it should be any other way. When popping over for tea around a cozy fire really was just popping over for tea, and carolers would come around and sing for a cookie or some other sweet little treat. The singing voices of those indoors would mix with those outside and bring around the wonderful feeling of togetherness.

We shouldn't let all of our busy activities take over the pure enjoyment Christmas activities for seniors and time spent with the elderly in our lives. They are not a burden, they are our heritage, our memories and a real representation of who we too might be one day. It isn't difficult to make them feel involved, needed, wanted and worth spending time with. And it isn't difficult to enjoy the time with them ourselves.

Susan L. White is a contributing writer to Nursing Home Activities Resource where you can find Christmas Activities to do with seniors as well as activities for every other season, including crafts, games, exercise and so much more. Visit our site to see some festive Christmas Activities for Seniors.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Christmas-Activities-for-Seniors&id=5458808] Christmas Activities for Seniors

What You Should Know About Your Aging Parents and Glaucoma

2010-12-10T09:38:00.000-08:00

It is worrisome to hear that your elderly parent may have glaucoma. Receiving this diagnosis is frightening to both the senior who may be concerned with vision loss and/or blindness, and to the family members who will worry about the safety of Mom if she suddenly has sight issues. It is important to know that there are a number of different treatments that can be chosen, including both medication and surgery, so if possible, talk to your aging parent’s physician in addition to researching the best options and procedures for your family member.

Even though there is no cure as yet for glaucoma, there are treatments available, including eyedrops and surgery. These treatments are designed to lower pressure in the eyes so that the optic nerve will receive less damage. Surgery for glaucoma can be in the form of laser treatment or cutting surgery, and they’re both very effective and safe.

If Mom or Dad seems to be developing signs of glaucoma such as headaches after reading or when entering dark areas – especially if there are “halos” or blurry vision – urge him/her to see a physician immediately for a check-up . Other signs of glaucoma include poor color awareness, poor night vision, and if sections of what is being observed don’t appear, such as an entire word when reading.

There is no one measure that lets a glaucoma specialist diagnose glaucoma. Instead, she will likely look at a number of things such as visual field, the condition of the optic nerve, symptoms that are being experienced, intraocular pressure and decreased vision to see on either side and inability to perceive motion.

Now there are some lifestyle changes that your elderly family member can make to reduce the risk of eye pressure. Regular exercise (about 3 days per week) has been shown to reduce pressure. Although diet plays a small part in controlling glaucoma, caffeine should be avoided which may elevate eye pressure. Drinking large amounts of any liquid within a short amount of time also increases pressure. Having the senior wear sunglasses with high UV filtering lenses can also help.

If Dad is diagnosed with glaucoma and is using eyedrops for lowering eye pressure, be sure that they are used as prescribed. Most serious problems that develop with glaucoma are because patients fail to use the medication properly. One reason for this may be that some elderly have trouble getting the drop in the eye because of shaking or stiffness in the joints caused by arthritis or other joint diseases.

It is also very possible that some senior citizens may have problems in paying for the glaucoma medication. If cost of medication is an issue, talk to Mom or Dad’s health care provider about lower cost medication. Beta blockers can be purchased for about $5.00 per month and can be effective in lowering eye pressure when diagnosed with glaucoma. Also, get in touch with the Glaucoma Research Foundation or the National Eye Institute. Both organizations can provide useful information about glaucoma.

Patients who have glaucoma and suffer from any of the problems that make it difficult to take medication should discuss these issues with their doctors. These obstacles can be overcome and the patient needs to understand how important treatment for glaucoma is and know the ramifications for lack of treatment.

Holidays and the Aging: Looking at All Those Pills That Mom is Taking

2010-12-08T09:10:00.000-08:00

The holiday season is upon us, and is the time of year when many families get a "good look" at aging family members for the first time in a while, and the changes that are noticed are often troubling. For those where distance is involved, adult children and grandchildren often don't really know if Mom or Dad have developed health issues, physical issues, or even memory problems that they may have been hiding. During this time of year, it is especially important, while sharing the holiday spirit with family, to also look carefully at elderly family members, to determine if there are issues that need to be addressed.

Elder Care Cafe discusses a very important issue: your aging parent's medications:

Have you ever heard kids make remarks about the amount of pills Grandpa or Grandma take? Children have a tendency to speak what they think whether we like it or not. However, the observation is often pretty accurate. The truth is that senior citizens sometimes find themselves taking a vast array of pills and medications. Finding a way to manage their medication may end up at the top of a caregiver’s to-do list.

The real concern with that much medication being used at the same time is medicine interaction. If your elderly mom or dad takes five, six, seven or more pills at a time, it’s easy to imagine that one of those medications might get into conflict with another. This is not an idle concern.

Many drug related overdoses or interaction problems happen to senior citizens every year because they combined their many prescription medications with over the country drugs or with alcohol, and the chemical reaction in their bodies became explosive. Depending on how many pills and how often they need to take each pill, having a pill dispenser to measure out the drugs for an entire week may help keep it all straight.

Because you are the caregiver to your aging mom or dad, it is up to you to come up with some strict rules that you have to insist become the law of the land for your mom or dad to assure that there is little or no possibility of a drug related reaction which could lead to hospitalization or death.

Here are the key players in keeping your aging parent’s medications under control:

Read the rest of the article at Elder Care Cafe...

Is Mom Safe in the Hospital? Tips to Help Make Her Stay Mistake Free

2010-12-06T08:57:00.000-08:00

By Kirk Harney

So your Mom has to have surgery. She will be admitted to the local hospital near her home. Her doctor tells her she will be in the hospital for two or three days. He says her surgery is routine and that there is nothing to worry about.

Hospitals are complicated places. Despite the best intentions, the finest equipment, and the most highly trained staff, mistakes happen. Sometimes they are insignificant - sometimes they have serious consequences.

Here are some ways you can help ensure your Mom is safe.

Make sure every piece of data the hospital has about your Mom is accurate and up-to-date. This is especially true for information about her medicines. Read the papers they ask her to sign. Know what's in them.
If she has an advance directive and a "Do not resuscitate" order from her physician, be sure they are available in her chart and posted prominently in her room.
Make sure the information on her armband is correct. Make sure there IS an armband.
Watch when people come to her room to do something, like draw blood. Do they wash their hands first? Do they identify themselves by name and what they do? Do they tell Mom that her doctor ordered whatever it is they are about to do? Do they positively identify her, by asking her name or birthday or something else unique? Do they check her armband? Do they explain what they are about to do? If they are bringing medicine, do they explain what it is and what it's for? If she's being taken to another place in the hospital, is there a formal handoff between the staff on her floor and the person transporting? Do they make sure Mom is the right person, and where she's going? These things should be done every time, regardless of how well people appear to know your mother.
Be there with your Mom as much as you can. Meet her caregivers and get to know them. Be involved in her care. Help when you can, like at mealtimes: her caregivers will appreciate it. Ask questions, both for yourself and for your Mom. People who work in hospitals are smart, caring, and well-intentioned: they want the best for their patients. But they are also human, and humans make mistakes. Be Mom's advocate. NEVER hesitate to question something.

Kirk Harney managed his parents' lives for almost four years as they passed away from cancer, stroke, pneumonia and Alzheimer's. He is passionate about helping other caregivers cope and maintain healthy family relationships. More information can be found at http://www.careforelderlyparents.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kirk_Harney

http://EzineArticles.com/?Is-Mom-Safe-in-the-Hospital?-Tips-to-Help-Make-Her-Stay-Mistake-Free&id=5355117

Accessible Design Home Modifications For Seniors and People With Disabilities

2010-12-03T09:00:00.000-08:00

By Jeff Weiss

One out of every two people in the United States has some type of disability that limits their daily living. The disability could be from a stroke, a fall, or another age-related difficulty. With approximately 70 million people in this age category, it presents a large segment of the population.

For most seniors, staying at home as they age (aging-in-place) is a big priority. More than 90 percent of persons surveyed age 65 and older would prefer to stay in their current residence as long as possible.
Accessible Home Modifications allow people to stay at home longer instead of moving to a care facility. People that stay in their own home have increased self-esteem, see friends and family members more often, and are generally happier. A caregiver may be needed but this is a thriving industry and help is just a phone call away.

What Can Be Done to Make a Home Accessible and Barrier-Free?

Make the Bathroom Safer
Most accidents in the home happen in the bathroom. Making sure the bathroom is safe and accessible is probably the first place to examine.

Grab Bars should be placed inside the shower and directly outside the shower entrance. They can also be placed next to the toilet.

Raise your toilet with a Toilevator toilet spacer. This device goes underneath the base of the toilet and raises it up 3.5 inches. This is safer and cleaner than using a toilet elevator on top of the seat.

Add Non-Slip Shower Strips to the floor of the shower or bathtub. These are inexpensive and easy to install and prevent slipping while standing in the shower.

Living Room and Bedroom
A lot of time is spent in the living room and bedroom standing and sitting. Make sure carpets and rugs are flat to avoid tripping over them.

Provide ample lighting, especially near stairways, to avoid tripping or walking into things.

Devices such as Couch Canes, Super Poles, and Bed Canes make it easier and more stable for standing and sitting. They also take the pressure off the knees.

Furniture Risers (sofa risers) can be placed under the legs of sofas, chairs, or beds to lift them up a few inches making it easier to stand or sit.

The Kitchen
Accidents in the kitchen many times stem from reaching up high in cabinets.

Use a Step Stool With a Handle for stability and to make it easier to reach items.

A Portable Reacher can grasp items high up in a cabinet.

Outside the Home
Make sure walkways are free of cracks and stairs are lighted for night. Mark them with colored tape or paint so it is easier to see the steps or changes in elevation.

Handrails along walkways or near steps and doorways give something to hold onto in problem areas.

There are numerous solutions for making a home safer and more accessible. Many of them can be done simply by looking around and making minor adjustments. Others are bigger jobs that require a contractor, such as adding a stairlift.

Check for contractors that are CAPS (Certified Aging in Place Specialists) certified to ensure they are qualified to do the work.

Accessible Design & Consulting in southern California has been modifying homes and providing barrier-free products for seniors and people with disabilities for more than a decade. The Accessible Design & Construction website is available at: http://www.accessibleconstruction.com/.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Weiss

http://EzineArticles.com/?Accessible-Design-Home-Modifications-For-Seniors-and-People-With-Disabilities&id=5408620

Burnout and Aging Parents

2010-12-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

Anyone who is the primary caregiver of an aging parent understands what an overwhelming responsibility it can be....and how exhausting it can be, both emotionally and physically. The following article, courtesy of Elder Care Cafe, discusses the idea of caregiver burnout, and offers some suggestions to help:

Sometimes when you have a consuming problem, it can so take over your life that you let go of the rest of life’s responsibilities and relationships. That is certainly a danger that caregivers face. It is easy to become so wrapped up in the demands of being a good caregiver for your aging parent or loved one that the rest of the world seems to disappear. That is also how many caregivers burnout before their task is complete.

Allowing your duties to take over your life is never a healthy way to take on the challenge of care giving. Not only is it terrible for your family, job and friends to see you vanish into the task of care giving at the cost of everything else, it is also a bad idea for both you and your elderly parent.

This is a formula for caregiver burnout which can lead to medical problems, loss of sleep, eating disorders and possibly a nervous breakdown. The healthy approach to being a caregiver is to keep the demands of that part of your life at arm’s length so you can establish a balance between your life with your aging parent, and your work and family life.

What you can do to help prevent caregiver burnout:

Talk to your elderly parent, if possible. One way to begin laying the groundwork to keep a balance in your life is to have an honest talk about the issue with the elderly parent you are caring for. Sometimes you get drawn into wanting to give all to the task of care giving. But if you talk about it in a rational way when both of you are rested and thinking calmly, your parent will see that he or she does not want you to give up your life to exclusively be their caregiver. They need to understand you need to take care of your job responsibilities and your spouse and children as well......

You can read the rest from Elder Care Cafe here: Burnout and Aging Parents

How You Can Help Your Aging Parent Cope With Gout

2010-11-29T09:00:00.000-08:00

While not often a health concern for younger people, gout is a condition that is not uncommon in older people, and while it can be very hard for the person to deal with, understanding what gout is, and what can be done to lessen the affects can help you to help an elderly family member who may be suffering from it.

As an extremely painful type of arthritis, gout can occur when a person’s joints have uric acid accumulate in them. Typically affecting the lower extremity joints such as ankles, knees, or big toes, when an attack of gout occurs, the pain is sudden and debilitating to the person, who may also suffer from a fever at the same time. In addition, the joint may turn red and feel hot.

The length of a gout attack may last a short amount of time (a day or two), but as time goes by and attacks are more frequent, they may last for longer periods of time. If a person has one gout attack, chances are good that others will follow – and eventually, may develop into chronic gouty arthritis, which means that the individual can lose some motion in the affected joint(s).

Being prepared for gout attacks before they happen is the best way to live with the attacks. After a health care provider diagnoses gout, he may prescribe non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs such as indomethacin, naproxen or ibuprofen. For pain relief during the attack, he may prescribe a powerful painkiller such as oxycodone or codeine. He may also choose to prescribe a medication to reduce swelling and inflammation. After your aging parent begins treatment, the symptoms should disappear within a few hours.

If and when gout attacks become more frequent, the doctor may want the person to take a daily dose of a medication that will lessen uric acid levels in your blood. These medications include probenecid and allopurinol. Too much uric acid can also cause the painful onset of kidney stones, so the symptoms of gout should be dealt with immediately.

Living with attacks of gout may also mean that the senior will need to change his/her eating habits. Simply eating healthy foods and avoiding those that are unhealthy is key to preventing more gout attacks. Definitely avoid alcohol and meats – especially organ meats such as liver and kidney. Some seafood should also be avoided, such as sardines and herring. Even some vegetables are on the “avoidance” list, like spinach, asparagus and cauliflower.

Although a high uric acid count in the blood can cause gout, the exact cause of the malady isn’t known. Members of the same family may have gout attacks, and even though it’s more prevalent in males than females, postmenopausal women, those who drink too much alcohol and those taking particular medications can also encounter gout attacks.

Those people who have diabetes, kidney disease, leukemia and other types of blood disorders are also susceptible to attacks of gout. Obesity is a common factor in those who are diagnosed with gout, but fast weight loss diets could be harmful, so if your elderly family member needs to lose weight – encourage them to lose it slowly and by following the proper diet plan.

Have mom or dad see the doctor immediately if you suspect that your aging parent may be having a gout attack and help him/her to begin an immediate plan to prevent further attacks.

Is Grandma on the Internet?

2010-11-24T09:00:00.000-08:00

"I'm too old to learn something new!"

Has your aging parent made that statement lately? It's a common response by the elderly when faced with something like the internet....that is a way of life for most people under 60....but may in fact be non-existent in the life of most seniors.

With that in mind, I found the following article to be helpful to anyone who thinks that their aging parents might benefit from learning about the internet:

"Learning to use the Internet can help seniors to stay more connected to their friends and loved ones. It can be a nice hobby for those with a lot of free time. And learning something new can give the senior a great sense of pride and accomplishment. However, many seniors do not see a reason why they should learn to use the Internet, and may need encouragement to do so.

There are various ways that seniors can learn how to use the Internet:

Classes- These may be found at community colleges or senior centers. There are often classes geared toward seniors and generally charge a very low fee.
Grandchildren- They often have the most knowledge about computers and can be surprisingly patient with their grandparents.
“Dummies” books about computers- Easy to read and understand.
Experimentation- Seniors will likely benefit from some simple instruction, and time to play around and explore the computer on their own.
Explanation of the basic parts: a) websites and servers; b) email: how to send, open, and use the address book and attachments; and c) web browser and getting from website to website
Allow time for questions from the senior, to ask about anything they don’t understand

You can read the rest of the article here: http://seniorhelpersdupage.blogspot.com/2010/11/seniors-and-internet.html

For more information on Senior Helpers and to find out more about local in-home care services, visit www.seniorhelpers.com/wheaton or www.SeniorCareDupage.com

Osteoporosis: How to Live With It

2010-11-22T11:35:00.000-08:00

When it comes to the health of an elderly person, fractures are one of the greatest concerns, due to increasingly brittle bones as a person ages. The culprit in many cases is osteoporosis, a condition that develops when calcium and phosphate leave the bones and are reabsorbed in the body, leaving the bones thinner and weaker. Often caused in menopausal women by an estrogen shortage, osteoporosis is very likely to affect women over age 50. It can also develop in men over age 70 due to a drop in testosterone.

If left untreated, the fragile bones that result from osteoporosis can result in serious and life changing fractures in the elderly person, and when the disease is in the later stages, those fractures can be very serious. Fractures in seniors can lead to extreme pain and loss of mobility as well as negative changes in lifestyle. Even after the fractures heal, pain may remain and the issue then is to try and cope with it as much as possible.

The chronic pain and problems of osteoporosis can occur in the form of stiffness and weakness, muscle tension and spasms. The senior’s doctor can order a bone density test to see if he/she has osteoporosis and determine how severe it is. Then, she can assist in managing the pain in a number of ways. Some ways to manage osteoporosis pain are:

Regular exercise – Exercise releases natural pain killers called endorphins from the brain. Engaging in a regular exercise program also helps the senior build strength and increases energy, makes him/her more flexible and builds muscles that protect the fragile bones – among many other benefits.
Massage – A therapeutic massage therapist can do wonders for the pain caused by osteoporosis. Other benefits include relaxation and increasing blood supply. If mom or dad decides to start massage therapy, make certain that the massage therapist knows that he/she has osteoporosis so that the pressure can be adjusted to make certain that the spine won’t be affected.
Hot and cold packs – Cold packs can relieve pain by anesthetizing nerves in the painful area(s). Taking a warm bath or shower or adding warmth to the pain area can loosen stiff muscles. Your elderly family member can try both of these methods to see which works best for the pain.
Acupuncture – An acupuncturist might be able to relieve pain associated with osteoporosis by inserting specially-developed needles at specific body areas. The needles cause the brain to release endorphins.
TENS – Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation are small mechanisms that are sometimes used to send electrical currents to the area where pain occurs, preventing pain transmissions to be sent to the brain. These devices are small and can be fastened to a belt for uninterrupted relief.

The chronic pain suffered with osteoporosis can affect victims emotionally as well as physically and could cause depression, isolation and hopelessness. Seniors suffering from osteoporosis may feel despondent and withdraw from life, so it’s very important to make sure that your aging parent is tested and treated for the chronic pain that may occur.

Protecting Elders From Fraud

2010-11-19T09:00:00.000-08:00

With all the advertisements that come through the mail, email, and telephone, it can be hard to tell opportunity from exploitation, especially for older adults. It's common for senior citizens to scrutinize every piece of mail trying to figure out if it's an important document, and it's often hard to tell the scams from valid correspondence.

Almost every day newspapers report scams that cost seniors their life savings. The National Consumers League's National Fraud Information Center estimates that nearly one-third of telemarketing fraud victims are 60 years old or older.

Old-fashioned scam artists and thieves victimize senior citizens in many different ways. Even family members can be the perpetrators. Keeping in close contact with older friends and family can help protect them from fraud, but ultimately they will have to protect themselves. Knowing what to be wary of can help:

• Like old-fashioned snake oil salesmen, modern health scammers promise unproven cures to vulnerable people eager for relief from their ailments. Remedies may be worthless or even harmful. Seniors should check with their health care providers before taking any new medications or treatments, including herbal supplements.

• Because they are sometimes lonely and welcome the opportunity to talk, seniors may be more hesitant than younger people to hang up on unsolicited phone calls. In addition to being annoying, telephone solicitors can be very persuasive. It's okay to hang up on someone you don't want to talk to, especially if they keep talking after you say you are not interested.

• No one should take money out of the bank at the request of a stranger, even if they promise you income or rewards for your "investment." If the deal seems too good to be true, it is.

• Never give credit card numbers or bank account information to people over the phone unless you are 100% sure you know them and their purposes. It's good practice to get a phone number and say you'll call back. That gives you time to call the bank or credit card company to check on the legitimacy of the call.

• Hiring people who come to your door offering to do repair work opens you up to problems They may not be qualified to do the work or may overcharge. Even worse, they may use the opportunity to gain entry to your home. If you need to hire someone for work in or on your home, get references and ask friends, family members and neighbors for referral of established and reputable contractors. Also, put in writing exactly what you want done and don't pay for the whole job in advance. Break it into several payments based on progress of the project.

• Be wary of telemarketers that: promise you can win, make, or borrow money easily; demand upfront payment to enter a contest; insist that money be sent by wire or courier; refuse to send information by mail; or demand that you act immediately. Sign up for the national Do-Not-Call list at http://www.donotcall.gov or call 1-888-382-1222.

• Avoid filling out contest forms and requests for information because they are common sources of leads for scammers.

Con artists are professional thieves. People of all ages fall victim to their tactics because they are very good at what they do, but seniors are especially vulnerable. Help them understand the problem and the steps they can take to protect themselves. Report suspected scams to the National Fraud Information Center (800-876-7060 or at http://www.fraud.org ) or your local police.

Claudette Paäge is a confidential financial and senior care consultant for busy professionals, individuals and families and retirees. She has made a career out of helping people wrest control over the challenges of everyday living. If you or a loved one need Elder Care in Westchester, NY, Claudette can help. She has a Care Manager on staff. Please call 914-725-0343 with senior care or home health care related questions, or if you need assistance for a loved one. Also, please visit her highly-informative website for more tips and articles... http://www.paageetcie.com/

Article Source: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Claudette_Paage

Helping Seniors Have a Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-17T09:00:00.000-08:00

With Thanksgiving around the corner, it is important to consider the seniors in your life as plans are being made for the holiday. For many elderly family members, Thanksgiving provides the opportunity to see family that may live far away, reminisce and share memories, and in many cases, to "feel needed" again by cooking.

However, it can be an exhausting holiday as well. Elder Care Cafe recently provided some excellent suggestions for helping your aging family member truly enjoy their Thanksgiving:

"For some seniors, a large part of Thanksgiving Day is spent in the kitchen. There are dishes to prepare, meat to cook, and desserts to make. When they finally sit down at the Thanksgiving table to join their family they are already feeling fatigued.

Here are some ideas for meal planning this Thanksgiving to help you spend less time in the kitchen and more time actually enjoying the holiday festivities.

Enlist help. Include the younger members of your family in the food preparation and in setting and clearing the table, not to mention the dishwashing after the meal. Not only should your adult children help, but allow your grandchildren in the kitchen as well. Then, you can slip away for a well-deserved break.

Begin early. No matter how old you are, you can start gathering everything you need for Thanksgiving Day ahead of time. This year create a list of the food items that will be on the Thanksgiving table. Because many seniors are on tight budgets, purchasing nonperishable items well ahead of time will help save money. You can watch for special sales on the items you know you are going to need.

Cook ahead and freeze. Casseroles, pies, and some side dishes are wonderful candidates for freezing. Be sure to let them completely cool before refrigerating them or it will cause condensation to form. Once the dish is evenly cooled, cover it with an airtight lid or in freezer bags and place in the freezer until Thanksgiving morning when you can pull it out and reheat."

You can read the rest of the article here.

What To Look For When Visiting Assisted Living Facilities

2010-11-15T09:00:00.000-08:00

Previewing assisted living facilities is easier done when the need is not imminent. Getting an early look at some communities may ease whatever stress may be involved in a move. A gradual transition from independent living to an assisted environment has many stages, and spacing them can have positive benefits.

Some states require care facilities to be licensed. If this is the case, ask to see the license when visiting. Read the license and make sure it is current and has the correct location listed.

Because each facility has different care options, knowing the requirements for admission is important. This will help you refine your search. Ask about the limits of care: do they cater to the more independent or do they provide care throughout the aging process? Inquire about the cost structure of increasing care. Find out if the living space is reserved if a person takes a long vacation or has a prolonged medical stay. Often personal services are offered on site. Request a cost breakdown for these services.

Some states regulate the ratio of staff to residents. If your state does, you should be able to get this information. Just look at the amount of people to staff and see if needs are being met within a reasonable amount of time. Spend some time observing how the staff relates to the people living in the community. Observe the interactions: are people called by their names and are the conversations caring and genuine?Knowing how the staff relates to the residents can give you a sense in how comfortable your parent will be in this environment.

Pay attention to incidental care issues like how well the community is maintained. When walking through the buildings pay attention to the overall maintenance. Does anything look like it has been broken or in need of repair for a long time? Stroll around the grounds, and note if the trees and shrubs groomed and the areas trash free. Observe the residents away from staff interaction. Note if residents are clothed properly for the current season, also look for person to person interactions, specifically, how alert and interactive are the residents.

Assisted living is about keeping the highest level of independence a person can manage. Often a facility will move a person to more care as needed. Regardless, knowing what independence means at each community is important. Inquire about the regulations for visitation and access outside of the living area. Make sure the rules match the independence level of your parent.

The ability to control time and space is a large part of independence. Find out if residents are able to wake up when they desire and go to sleep when they want. Inquire about personalizing the living quarters. Some communities allow people to decorate their living space while others have the areas furnished. If your parent has a pet, find out if they are allowed to bring them to the community.

Try to visit a community around meal time. This way you can see the types of food the facility provides and if everyone has to eat the same thing or if a variety of food is available. Notice if any meals are delivered to the living quarters. Sit down and taste the food to see if it is tasty and fresh. Ask to see a menu schedule if there is one and find out if there is any time limit for meals.

These suggestions are by no means a complete assessment tool. But regardless of if you are in Arizona or Vermont, these ideas should be of help. Begin an online search to start locating assisted living facilities in your area.

About the Author:

Happen to be looking for Assisted Living Florida or Assisted Living Ohio? Our directory provides up-to-date and comprehensive listings for seniors across North American.

2010-11-12T09:00:00.000-08:00

One of the most challenging illnesses for people over the age of 60 is shingles. With over a million cases diagnosed each year, it is important to know what causes shingles and more importantly, what to do if your aging parent gets it. Caused by the herpes virus Varicella zoster, shingles is a skin rash that is extremely painful. If this virus sounds familiar, that is because it is the same virus that causes chickenpox. Laying dormant for years in a person’s body, a deficiency can cause this virus to re-emerge later in life as shingles.

Shingles is contagious and can be passed to anyone who hasn’t contracted chickenpox, including children. But, the virus will appear in the form of chickenpox, and although they can no longer catch shingles from another person, there is a chance that anyone who has had chicken pox can develop shingles later on.

The first signs of shingles could be sensitive skin and burning pain. The rash may not appear for several days or weeks, so it’s difficult to diagnose at first. When shingles does appear, it’s in the form of small blisters on a reddish background. New blisters will continue to appear until treated.

When the symptoms of shingles appear, a senior should see his/her health care provider immediately. The doctor will likely prescribe a drug that attacks viruses such as Zovirax, Famvir or Valtrex. These drugs can diminish the harshness of the outbreak and also lessen the time period of the eruption. She may also prescribe a medication for pain and a non-steroidial anti-inflammatory drug.
If your aging parent has an outbreak of shingles, encourage him/her to keep the rash area clean with soap and water. You may also use cold packs and help them to seek relief from lotions such as calamine and an aluminum acetate solution available at most pharmacies to dry the blisters. After the blisters burst and crust over, shingles is no longer contagious.

The aftermath of shingles is usually non-existent, but if the blisters become infected, the skin will redden, feel warm to the touch and very sensitive. Streaks may feather out from the wound. These symptoms warrant an immediate visit to a health care provider who will probably prescribe an antibiotic. Another, uncommon, complication is when shingles affects the eyes and could lead to loss of vision.

The most common complication of shingles is postherpetic neuralgia and happens if nerve pain continues even after the disappearance of the rash. Although the pain may be excruciating for a time, postherpetic neuralgia can be treated with a variety of medications. Ramsay Hunt syndrome is another complication, but very rare. This syndrome occurs when the cranial nerves are involved in the outbreak of shingles and the person may experience weakness in the facial muscles and possible loss of hearing.

The VZV virus isn’t the same one found in genital herpes, a sexually transmitted disease or in mouth sores. There is a shingles vaccine that is recommended for adults 60 years and older, and while this vaccine can prevent shingles, it can’t treat active shingles or post-herpetic neuralgia.

Supplemental Medicare Plans: Helping Your Aging Parent Choose the Best One

2010-11-10T09:00:00.000-08:00

Has your aging parent considered getting a supplemental Medicare plan? If so, have you looked at the options to try to help them select one? It can be overwhelming and extremely confusing trying to navigate through the many choices and variations of plans: some have more benefits, others are less expensive. Which is best for mom or dad?

The best way to look for a plan is to go to www.medicare.gov, the official government website for Medicare and look over the wealth of information available to find out about eligibility, what you get with basic Medicare coverage and the types of plans that can be selected. The site also offers a telephone number if you want to talk to a representative about which plan is right for your senior family member.

Medicare supplement plans are only available for one person, not a family or husband and wife. If at all possible, try to find a plan during the first six months after mom or dad are enrolled in Medicare, Part B. Insurers have to accept a person into their plan during that time even though there may be preexisting conditions. After the six month time period, policies could cost more.

You should know that Medicare Supplemental plans which charge higher premiums don’t provide any more coverage than the same plan with a lower premium would provide– and, procedures for filing claims are exactly the same. Medicare’s Medigap plans increases the amount of health insurance if you’re eligible and have enrolled in Part A and B. Also, Medicare’s Medigap plans usually increase every year on January 1st, the same time that benefits are adjusted.

Along with the raises to Medicare plan premiums each year, know that Medicare also adjusts rates for “attained age.” So, between about 80 and 90 years old, the premiums are at their highest – just when they’re least affordable. Medigap policies are also adjusted according to others in the same geographic area, so that everyone is paying the same premium.

Your senior may wish to purchase an issue-age or community-rated Medigap policy that charges the lowest premium. It may be a bit more expensive at first, but the premiums aren’t raised every year as the person ages. Medigap policies are provided by companies like Blue Cross, Blue Shield and Humana and offer extra coverage that might help healthcare deficiencies offered under the Original Medicare, Part A and B.

Some questions you should encourage mom or dad to ask before they sign up for a Medicare Supplement plan are what the coverage is on the services you know will be needed, how does the supplement work with other health care coverage that might be in place – such as from an employer -- and how much your senior will pay out of pocket for hospital stays and doctors’ visits. Other questions might concern drugs and prescriptions he/she may need and whether or not there will be coverage elsewhere if mom or dad travels a great deal.

Medicare and Medigap sounds complicated and can be confusing, but one of the professional health insurance representatives at Medicare can work with you and your aging parent to help you find the best possible policy and premium.

The Importance of Being Prepared for Unexpected Caregiving Tasks

2010-11-08T09:00:00.000-08:00

Not long ago, I had the honor of being interviewed by Carol Marak of Carebuzz.com about what to do when faced with the unexpected responsibility of caring for an aging parent. Having faced this challenge with my own parents, I shared with Carol some of my thoughts about ways that adult children can prepare themselves for the very real probability that at some point, they will be providing for some aspect of their parents’ care.

A few of the things that I recommended adult children do:

Get a conversation going with mom or dad as early as possible in the process. Ask about what plans they have made (advanced directives, will, health care, living will etc.)
Make sure you…or someone you can talk to regularly (neighbor etc)… has regular, if possible daily contact with your parents.
Start reading and informing yourself of issues that affect the aging. Read about illnesses that affect your parent, especially things like dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease, and know what to expect
Know their financial situation
Know their doctor
Know their medication

You can listen to the interview here.

Keeping the Brain Healthy and Memory Sharp....

2010-11-04T09:00:00.000-07:00

As more research continues to be shared about Alzheimer's Disease and other forms of dementia, two things are becoming increasingly evident. First, the number of cases of Alzheimer's Disease will be dramatically increasing in the coming years. And related to this, is the fact that a significant number of adults are now concerned that they...or someone they love....will suffer from Alzheimer's Disease one day. It is no wonder then that interest in how to protect memory is also increasing, as we search for ways to avoid this disease.

The true effect that aging has on the brain and memory, in particular, is still not completely known, as we are still learning about how the brain stores information and processes it for recall. Scientists know that brain cells need some of the hormones and chemicals that begin to slow down or disappear as you age. But beyond that, what can a person can do to keep one's memory working at it's best, for as long as possible?

The brain stores information in different ways, depending on if it’s for short or long term memory. Short term memory might include someone’s name that you just met at a party and long term memory helps you recall childhood happenings. While short and long term memories aren’t usually affected by aging, recent situations such as where you parked your car in a big parking lot might be.

There are ways that an aging person can work to preserve his/her memory. For example, keeping lists of things need to be done and following a routine as closely as possible is a good way to safeguard memory. Calendars are a great way to keep track of appointments, bills that are due and places the person needs to be.

Learning something new...anything from a table game such as chess to Latin dance classes... is helpful. Dancing has an added benefit of keeping the body busy as well as stimulating the mind. Everyone forgets a word they want to use once in awhile, but if this is happening often, one can practice recalling names, do crossword puzzles and play scrabble to keep a plethora of words in the memory.

Including exercise in a daily health plan and sticking to a diet that’s good for mind and body is important as well. Aerobic exercising can help increase blood supply to the brain, encourage the development of neurons and help them all to connect properly. And a balanced diet can do wonders for the memory too.

Besides the side effects of aging, depression may cause memory loss as can dementia, medications, strokes, amount of alcohol consumed, as well as Alzheimer’s disease. If you suspect that any of these situations may be the problem causing a memory loss, a doctor should be seen. If you see this in an aging parent or family member, try to go with him/her and be sure to write down all the symptoms so that the doctor can better pinpoint the problem.

If it is suspected that not getting enough vitamins and nutrients is part of the problem, a supplement can be taken. Consider taking folic acid, Vitamins C and E and B6 and B12 for the greatest brain benefit.

Most importantly, remember that the majority of memory issues are not major, but simply a part of aging, and that lifestyle changes can benefit the brain and act as insurance against memory loss.