ElderStore - Aging with Grace and Dignity

Reduce the Risk of Alzheimer's

noreply@blogger.com (ElderStore Editor) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:56:00 +0000

Report published in the Archives of Neurology suggests that staying cognitively active over a lifetime may reduce your risk of Alzheimer's Disease.

According to study author Susan Landau, a research scientist at the Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute at UC Berkeley, "we think that cognitive activity is probably one of a variety of lifestyle practices -- occupational, recreational and social activities -- that may be important."

In the United States, more than 5 million people have Alzheimer's disease, and it is now the sixth-leading killer in the country, according to the researchers. No cure exists for the neurodegenerative condition, but a draft of the first-ever National Alzheimer's Plan released last week laid out plans by the federal government to have effective treatment by 2025.
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International Essential Tremor Foundation

noreply@blogger.com (ElderStore Editor) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:36:00 +0000

ElderStore recently became a member of the International Essential Tremor Foundation. If you or a loved one have tremors, check out their website, it is full of helpful information. Membership provides newsletters, reports and brochures with up to date information on Essential Tremors.

Panache Laundry Cart

noreply@blogger.com (ElderStore Editor) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 18:54:00 +0000

NEW at ElderStore - Lightweight, folding, rolling laundry cart!

ElderStore has been searching for a folding laundry cart for quite some time. And now we finally have the Panache Laundry Trolley.

Easy as One, Two Three - unfold your laundry cart, set your laundry basket inside and roll to the laundry room - no more carrying laundry baskets!

Easy rolling laundry cart holds the basket at just the right height. The high quality, lightweight, laundry cart is designed to hold most square, oval and round laundry baskets.

The cart weighs just a bit over 8 pounds. The laundry cart folds flat (except for the wheels) for easy storage when not in use.

Why Some People Live to 110 or Longer

noreply@blogger.com (ElderStore Editor) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:34:00 +0000

HealthDay News reported on a new study by a team of U.S. researchers who found that people who live to 110 or loonger have as many disease related genes as everyone, but they may also have genetically inherited protective genes as well that help them live long lives.

The team of U.S. scientists noted that supercentenarians, as they are called, are extremely rare, with only one per 5 million people in developed nations. There is growing evidence that genetics play a major role in living to such an old age.
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Lower Your Risk of Alzheimer’s

noreply@blogger.com (ElderStore Editor) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 12:39:00 +0000

Manny Alverez, MD - Body & Mind - HEALTH
Published December 11, 2011

Alzheimer's Disease is the most common forms of dementia. Between 50 - 80 percent of people with dementia have Alzheimer's. Dr. Manny Alvarez, senior managing health editor of FoxNews.com, said there are some easy things you can do to prevent developing Alzheimer’s:

Seven Easy Ways to Help Prevent Alzheimer's:

• Add cinnamon to your diet – consuming a teaspoon of this spice has been shown to block the production of proteins in the brain that contribute to the onset of Alzheimer’s.
• Drink apple juice – it boosts the production of a chemical compound in the brain associated with learning, memory, mood and muscle movement.
• Drink coffee – it acts as an anti-inflammatory that can block cholesterol buildup in the brain. One large study showed that men and women who drank three to five cups of coffee a day reduced their chances of dementia by 65 percent.
• Socialize more – studies show that a busy social life can improve your cognitive abilities.
• Protect your vision – your eyes are a good indicator of how your brain is functioning. Preserving your vision can actually cut your dementia risk by 63 percent.
• Meditate – this will lower your blood pressure and reduce stress, and it increases blood flow to the brain, which is why researchers believe it helps us retain mental acuity as we age.
• Eat a Mediterranean diet – a diet rich in leafy greens, fish, fruit, nuts and a little red wine can cut your dementia risk in half because it’s chock full of brain-protecting antioxidants.
“Taking steps to prevent dementia now will help cut your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease as you age,” Alvarez said.

Walk In Bathtubs for Seniors

noreply@blogger.com (Yvonnder) — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 12:37:00 +0000

Have you ever wondered how the elderly are doing with their walk in bathtubs? I have. Everytime I see one of those commercials on tv I think about the time it takes to fill the tub and the time it takes to drain the tub. They aren't like regular bathtubs where you can get in after it has already been filled and step out before it empties.

So, you either have to wear a robe or towel and slowly pull up or down with the change in water level. Having to deal with a totally soaked towel or bathrobe wouldn't be easy. I just keep envisioning a lot of cold elderly people. Getting out of the bathtub wet can often be a chilling experience, but to have to sit there until it is emptied? Sounds cold to me. It is a pity because it is such a great idea for safety sake.

So what is the solution? A fan/heater blowing warm air until it fills or empties? Some sort of garment that you could wear that would keep you warm but doesn't absorb the water? Any ideas out there? Sounds like an opportunity to fill a need.

December 4-10 is National Influenza Vaccination Week!

noreply@blogger.com (ElderStore Editor) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:30:00 +0000

An annual flu vaccine is the single best way to prevent this serious illness. CDC wants you to know it's not too late to vaccinate!

It's Not Too Late to Vaccinate!

Don't fall for the myth that it's too late to vaccinate against the flu once the Thanksgiving holidays are over. As long as flu viruses are spreading and causing illness, vaccination can provide protection against the flu. According to the latest CDC Flu activity report, influenza levels are currently low across the country. However, flu activity doesn't usually peak until January or February in the United States and can last as late as May, so it's important to vaccinate now if you haven't already.

How to Mug a Snowman

noreply@blogger.com (ElderStore Editor) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:25:00 +0000

National GERD Awareness Week

noreply@blogger.com (Yvonnder) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 17:13:00 +0000

The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy warns that your Thanksgiving Dinner may cause trouble for the estimated 30 million Americans with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), but there are things they can do to be comfortable and symptom-free, experts advise.

GERD occurs when a faulty valve between the stomach and esophagus allows stomach contents to flow back into the esophagus. Symptoms of GERD include heartburn, acid regurgitation, wheezing, sore throat and cough, according to the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE).
Things that may trigger GERD symptoms include obesity, pregnancy, smoking, excess alcohol use and consumption of fatty foods, tomato-based products, chocolate, peppermint, citrus drinks and coffee.
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Stroke Awareness Materials available for download

noreply@blogger.com (ElderStore Editor) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 19:29:00 +0000

StrokeAwareness.com has downloadable posters, multi-lingual bookmarks, wallet cards and a "Stroke 101 Fact Sheet" containing stroke awareness facts and tips. You can also order printed copies of their FAST materials.
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Medication Therapy Management

noreply@blogger.com (ElderStore Editor) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 18:21:00 +0000

Improper drug use is the 5th leading cause of death
in the United States

ElderStore received a visit from Lynda Chapman, R.Ph.,J.D who is the founder and CEO of Rx Confirm, located in Atlanta. Lynda explained what Medication Therapy Management is and how the services of her company are potentially life saving.

Rx Confirm provides Personal Pharmacist Consulting that comes to you! They will review all of your medications from all sources.

Medication Therapy Management helps you understand what medications you have and assist with communication with your physician(s.)
The Consultant will also identify contra-indicative drug interactions and duplicattion of therapy.

I have asked Lynda is she would be willing to be an ElderStore Blog contributor to share her knowledge with our readers.

If you are interested in speaking with Lynda, she can be reached at: 404-840-6993.

Advances in Breast Cancer Care May Not Be Reaching Older Women

noreply@blogger.com (ElderStore Editor) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 13:25:00 +0000

TUESDAY, Nov. 8 (HealthDay News) -- New research finds older U.S. women have higher odds of dying from breast cancer than younger women, suggesting that older patients may not be benefiting as much from advances in breast cancer care made over the past three decades.

Researchers analyzed U.S. government data from 1980 to 2007. They found that breast cancer death rates were stable throughout the 1980s for women aged 20-64 but rose for women 65 and older.

Between 1990 and 2007, the largest decrease in breast cancer death rates occurred in women aged 20-49 (2.4 percent per year), helped by widespread availability of mammography and the use of hormonal therapy and adjuvant chemotherapy, according to the researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

At the same time, the smallest decrease in breast cancer deaths was seen among women aged 75 and older (1.1 percent per year).
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Remember!

noreply@blogger.com (ElderStore Editor) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 13:16:00 +0000

Couple in their nineties are both having problems remembering things. During a checkup, the doctor tells them that they're physically okay, but they might want to start writing things down to help them remember ..

Later that night, while watching TV, the old man gets up from his chair. 'Want anything while I'm in the kitchen?' he asks.

'Will you get me a bowl of ice cream?'

'Sure..'

'Don't you think you should write it down so you can remember it?' she asks.
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Words of Wisdom to Think About

noreply@blogger.com (ElderStore Editor) — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 16:39:00 +0000

submitted by Susan C. Thanks Susan!

Depression and Stroke

noreply@blogger.com (ElderStore Editor) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 13:57:00 +0000

The National Insitute of Mental Health has published a brochure describing the signs and symptoms of depression and how it is linked to other illnesses, including stroke.

The brochure is available to download, order a hard copy or you can just read it online.

Click here to view Depression and Stroke

Note: If someone you know has had a stroke, this brochure is worth reading!

noreply@blogger.com (ElderStore Editor) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:54:00 +0000

"Age is something that doesn't matter, unless you are a cheese. "

Billie Burke

An apple (or pear) a day may keep strokes away

noreply@blogger.com (ElderStore Editor) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:34:00 +0000

A new study, published in Stroke: Journal of the American Hearth Association, Dutch researchers found that eating lots of white fleshed fruits and vegetables may protect against stroke, translating into a 52% lower risk of having a stroke.

Previous studies have linked high consumption of fruits and vegetables with lower stroke risk, this is the first study to examine the associations of fruits and vegetables color groups and stroke.

The color of the edible portion of fruits and vegetables reflects the presence of beneficial phytochemicals such as carotenoids and flavonoids.
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Dang Fool Seniors

noreply@blogger.com (ElderStore Editor) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 16:00:00 +0000

Laughter Might Be Good Medicine for Alzheimer's Patients

noreply@blogger.com (ElderStore Editor) — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 15:10:00 +0000

A new study performed in Australia recently presented their findings at the National Dementia Research Forum in Sydney, Australia. The study was conducted to explore whether and how much, humor might be as effective as psychiatric drugs in reducing the agitation that is so common in people with dementia.

The study was performed on nursing home residents with dementia who participated in a weekly two-hour clowning session involving music, mime and humorous props and showed a significant reduction in both physically and verbally aggressive behavior.
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Webinar: Best Practices: Incontinence Care

noreply@blogger.com (ElderStore Editor) — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 13:21:00 +0000

Today's Caregiver is sponsoring a Webinar about managing incontinence from the Caregiver's perspective.

The FREE Webinar will be on Wednesday October 5th, 2011 at 2:30 pm EST

Using easy access from your computer this seminar (Webinar) will focus on the following:

Techniques for managing incontinence at home
Navigating the options to find what works for your family
How to reduce the frequency of incontinence episodes
How you can get a better nights sleep
Tips for dealing with incontinence and dementia
How to choose incontinence products
Recognizing the signs that your loved one is hiding incontinence

To register, click on the Register link below. Instructions on how to view the Webinar will be given when you register.

Register

NEW! Isotoner Therapeutic Compression Gloves

noreply@blogger.com (ElderStore Editor) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 12:43:00 +0000

Isotoner Therapeutic Gloves control hand pain and swelling by providing gentle, even compression. Their unique design provides natural pain therapy and comfortable hand support for sore hands, sore fingers and sore arthritic joints, repetitive motion.

NEW! All In One Folding Cart

noreply@blogger.com (ElderStore Editor) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 12:27:00 +0000

Multipurpose, two wheeled, folding, lightweight cart can be used as a dolly for your picnic cooler, carry your aluminum lawn chairs. The cart flips over to become a table with cup holders.
Click here to view all of ElderStore's Folding Carts

Early Identification of Alzheimer's Disease

noreply@blogger.com (ElderStore Editor) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 13:50:00 +0000

The results of two new studies have been published showing early redictors of Alzheimer's Disease. Early diagnosis of Alzheimer's may help prevent damage to the brain and aiding retention of one's memtal abilities and memories.

Short-Term Memory Loss May Be Best Predictor of Alzheimer's

noreply@blogger.com (ElderStore Editor) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 13:43:00 +0000

Symptoms of 'mild cognitive impairment' outperformed other screening tests,

This study reported by HealthDay News on September 5 -- Mild cognitive impairment -- marked by a loss in short-term memory in particular -- may be a stronger predictor of Alzheimer's disease than other screening tests commonly used to diagnose Alzheimer's.
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Inherited Alzheimer's Detectable 20 Years Before Symptom Onset

noreply@blogger.com (ElderStore Editor) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 13:11:00 +0000

HealthDay News on July 20 -- Inherited forms of Alzheimer's disease may be detectable up to two decades before problems with memory and thinking develop, according to new research.

"We want to prevent damage and loss of brain cells by intervening early in the disease process -- even before outward symptoms are evident, because by then it may be too late," Dr. Randall Bateman, Alzheimer's researcher and physician at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and an associate director of the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer's Network (DIAN), an international study of inherited forms of Alzheimer's, said in a university news release.

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