Bone Health Alert: Are You At Risk?

March 10, 2017 by admin Leave a Comment

Osteoporosis is a bone disease characterized by a decrease in bone mass, with a decrease in bone density and an increase of bone spaces. It is associated with porosity and fragility in the bone, which makes bones especially susceptible to fractures.

Every person has an individual peak bone mass that is dependent on your lifestyle and genetic factors. People reach their peak bone mass sometime in their early thirties and from that time forward, a loss of bone mass can occur. The more rapidly you lose bone mass, the higher your risk of fracture, with hips, wrists and the spine being at greatest risk.

There are many factors associated with being at a higher risk for developing osteoporosis, with the most common being:

Women over the age of 50
Early onset of menopause
Family history
Thin and small body frame
Prior bone loss related fractures
Smoking
Insufficient physical activity
Vitamin C and D deficiencies
Certain anti-cancer treatments
Thyroid and arthritis conditions
Use of blood-thinning agents

Bone loss associated with osteoporosis is a preventable condition. While it’s never too late to alter the course of the disease, the sooner you start, the better.

Exercise every day, with the focus on weight-bearing activities such as walking, hiking, dancing and strength training.
Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol intake.
Increase your intake of plant-based foods, including cruciferous vegetables, nuts, and soy products.
Make sure you get an adequate level of vitamin D. In a sunny climate, 30 minutes of sunshine 3 times per week without sunscreen will be adequate. The current recommendation is 1000-2000 IU per day of an active vitamin D supplement.
Make sure you get an adequate level of calcium, with is currently advised at 1000 mg per day.
Prevent falls by using handrails and walking aids if necessary.

Caring For Women With Heart Disease Is Different Than Men

February 2, 2017 by admin Leave a Comment

Men and women; yes, we’re alike in many ways. But sometimes it is the differences that matter most.

When it comes to heart disease, the differences can be staggering.

Women age 45 and younger are more likely than men to die within a year of their first heart attack

Men are 2 to 3 times more likely than women to receive an implantable defibrillator for the prevention of sudden cardiac death

Only 65 percent of women surveyed said they would think of calling 911 if they thought they were experiencing a heart attack – substantially lower than men. [Read more…]

Is Your Mobility In Question?

December 1, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment

What’s the key to good health? The answer may lie in mobility.

Being able to walk and move allows us to keep our independence. Mobility is essential for getting through the day. Whether you need to get out of bed and walk across the room to the bathroom, walk to the kitchen and stand to make yourself something to eat, or walk through a grocery store picking up supplies, you can’t do that if you have mobility issues.

Loss of mobility is common the older we get. The more we lose our mobility, the greater the psychological and physical consequences. Gradual decline takes its toll rapidly. If you have trouble walking and moving, you say no to more things. That means you stop going to the grocery store and instead rely on others. You turn down requests from friends to go to lunch or the movies. You become a recluse, you stay home, and you get depressed.

With immobilization comes incontinence. If you can’t make it to the bathroom, you begin developing things like urinary infections. You become self-conscious, and you further turn people away. [Read more…]

Facing The Holidays As A Caregiver

November 17, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment

And the countdown begins as we make our way to the last day of the year.

For many, the last two months signal a time to slow down at work and let the festivities begin. It’s a time for cooking and baking. It’s a time for decorating and enjoying time together.

It’s also a time of stress.

If you’re a caregiver, you may already be cringing at the thought of holiday parties and well-meaning guests. Disruptions in lifestyle aren’t just something you have to deal with; they can be downright disastrous to your health and the health of your loved one.

Have concerns for this year’s festivities? Make sure you keep these tips in mind.

Communicate

In many cases, loved ones come from afar to spend time with family. This may be the only time of the year they spend with family, and may not fully understand the changes that have taken place. In advance, be candid about your loved one’s condition and your concerns for the time together. If there is animosity over caregiving duties, try to discuss this before the holiday season to avoid uncomfortable situations when everyone is around. Use this time to reconnect and discuss family responsibilities and how you can strive to work together in the future. [Read more…]

Living With Behavioral Issues After A Brain Injury

November 10, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment

Living with a brain injury can be life changing in more than one way. Caring for that person can be equally challenging, especially when they deviate from their norm in the way they express their feelings and show compassion.

Yet it’s important to remember that the changes are most likely beyond their control. If a person acts out after a brain injury, it isn’t because they’ve had a change of heart; it’s because they simply can’t stop.

The first step is recognizing that their changes are not directed at you. It’s a part of the process. Head injury survivors can experience a range of problems depending on the part of the brain affected and the severity of the injury: personality changes, memory shortfalls, judgment problems, lack of compassion, poor concentration and lack of impulse control are all possibilities.

In some cases, extended residential or outpatient services may be needed to regain certain skills. However, for long term care for both the survivor and family caregivers, a combination of strategies will be needed to move through the days and weeks ahead. [Read more…]

Oral Health And Dental Hygiene Is A Lifelong Practice

October 11, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment

Remember teaching your children at an early age how important daily brushing is? We know good dental hygiene starts even before a child gets their first tooth. But what we often forget is that it’s a lifelong practice.

Good oral care helps you keep your teeth for as long as possible. Good oral health is also a sign of overall health. If you take good care of your teeth, chances are you’re probably taking good care of other areas in your life too.

Problems with your mouth can be a symptom of other, more serious issues that need to be addressed. Have you noticed:

Bad breath
Swollen, painful or bleeding gums
Dry mouth
Mouth ulcers
Gum recession

Although they may not be serious, any of these problems can impact your daily routine and be signaling additional problems. For instance, persistent oral problems may signal periodontal disease, oral cancer, or diabetes, to name a few. [Read more…]

How To Plan An Aging In Place Retirement

July 5, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment

What does retirement mean in today’s world?

It can mean many things to different people. Traveling. Having time for hobbies. Being financially set.

It also means having a certain level of peace of mind for the things that will happen in the future.

Aging in place has become a reality for many empty nesters as they head into their retirement years. And for good reason. Nothing gives you peace of mind more than knowing your home is well suited for whatever comes your way as you age.

There are a few important items to address and be aware of as you make your retirement plans. Start with these questions to help guide you along the way.

Is my home’s floorplan well suited for aging in place?

To be considered a place where it’s easy to move through the next phases of your life, it’s necessary for basic necessities to be in close proximity to one another. That means a bedroom, bathroom and kitchen should all be highly accessible without stairs or a lot of steps. Would it be easy to move between the rooms with a walker or a wheelchair? The easier it is, the better prepared you’ll be. [Read more…]

Facing The Most Dangerous Time For Your Elderly Parent … Hospital Discharge

June 28, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment

Hospital Discharg

Entering the hospital is often a chaotic time for families. Their loved one goes in for surgery or possibly an emergency, and they are thrown into a whirlwind of changes in the coming hours and days. Family caregivers can see dozens of doctors, nurses, and specialists. They can be told everything from their loved one is never leaving the hospital, to they will be released in a matter of hours.

All of that can cause stress and overwhelm in those trying to make sense of it all.

But being in the hospital isn’t the most dangerous time; that comes later, when their loved one leaves the hospital. They face an overabundance of conditions that can impact their health for the rest of their lives.

Coordination

Seniors often enter the hospital already taking a certain amount of medication. While in the hospital, additional medication will be administered. Some will be one time dosage, while others will be prescribed for taking when transitioning back home. How does this new medication affect any prescriptions already taken? Are the right prescriptions prescribed? [Read more…]

How To Make Funds For Seniors Last Long

April 12, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment

How are you going to fund your twilight years? Most Americans underestimate their needs by as much as three times.

Surveys show that people are now outliving their resources in record numbers as they aren’t realistically thinking about what their needs truly entail.

According to the American Society of Actuaries:

A 65-year-old man in average health has a 40 percent chance of living to 85
A 65-year-old woman in average health has a 53 percent chance of living to 85

But here’s the thing; if these same people have taken care of themselves and are in better than average health at 65, their chance of making it to 85 increases to 50 percent for men and 62 percent for women.

In other words, there’s a good chance of living many, many years after retirement, and you’d better be prepared for it.

People begin retirement savings early on, anticipating their needs as they age. But what most people don’t count on is the added expense of moving into a caregiving atmosphere, where they need daily help for tasks they once could perform on their own. Funds for both independent and assisted living increase dramatically in old age; preparing for it early ensures you have the best resources at hand.

1. Look At Real Estate

For many seniors, their home is their largest asset. It’s the one thing they have to fund any long term care needs.

For some, that means selling it and using the proceeds. For others, reverse mortgages might be the answer. With both, your asset dries up in the end. There may be a better way.

Consider renting your home. You retain the asset and a healthy monthly income for as long as you own the home. That can sustain you years longer than you anticipate, and possibly provide for growth in the investment at the same time. [Read more…]

What Customized Care Really Means For Your Aging Loved One

February 2, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment

Realizing your loved one needs more care then they are receiving on their own, more care then you can provide, is only the first step of the process. From there, it’s a long road determining the right kind of care that will work for your situation.

For some, they change their lifestyles drastically, falling into the family caregiving role. While one person may take on the bulk of the responsibilities, other family members and close friends pick up the slack and provide whatever care is needed at the time.

For others, they choose in home care, bringing in a provider that gives help with daily activities, and offers your loved one the opportunity to remain comfortable, at home.

Still others choose assisted care, placing their loved one in a full time care facility and relying on the daily services provided.

While there is no right or wrong answer, care is dependent on the needs of your loved one and your family, understanding your options can allow you to make the right decision for you. [Read more…]