It is so easy for us to get lost in the activities, and festivities, of the Holidays and lose sight of what they mean, why we set them aside as "National Holidays". For me,Thanksgiving is a very special Holiday in that its very name describes what it is suppose to represent....a day to spend time recognizing and giving thanks. Speaking for myself, I know I simply do not always take the time to recognize those things, people, or events in my life for which I should give thanks. The irony is that it is not all that hard to stop for a few seconds and appreciate and be thankful, but we do tend to make it hard for ourselves. We wait for an entire year, Thanksgiving to Thanksgiving, to stop and reflect and be thankful....and then we have difficulty remembering all of what we have in our lives for which to be thankful.
I so appreciate that as we age that it is often difficult to feel joyful about our current situation....all the aches and pains, the deteriorating eyesight, the chronic illnesses, the rising cost of living on a fixed income, the loss of friends and family....but we can, and should be thankful for life. Be thankful for what we do have in our lives...the fact we live in the United States as a free, democratic society, the joy of a bright sunny day, the sound of laughter, the moments that are pain free. Often times we can be so focused on the negative aspects we can't see, can't hear, the joyful and beautiful aspects.
I believe we have this choice. We can choose to be joyful, positive and thankful. It isn't always easy....in fact, it can be very hard sometimes to make this choice. However, it has been my experience in this business, that those who do choose to be joyful, positive and thankful lead longer more fulfilling lives, right up to the very end. I am thankful for this lesson in my life, and I choose to be thankful and happy.
Happy Thanksgiving to all.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Monday, October 31, 2011
Holiday Blahs.....
Every year around this time I can not help but reflect on my father and his bouts of seasonal depression. As he aged into his seventies it seemed to get progressively worse. Along about Halloween, usually well before Thanksgiving, he would start becoming more and more isolated. More withdrawn. More "down in the dumps" and, just generally, increasingly sad. Often his primary care physician described it as Seasonal Affective Disorder (S.A.D.) which was a big, catchall bucket that I am not convinced actually did much for my father. The general diagnosis did not make my father feel better, nor did he actually receive any kind of therapy to treat it.
Every year, it would begin in early fall and seem to peak around Thanksgiving but then linger around until Christmas. There were times when Dad was so severely depressed that all he could do was cry. He missed his mother and father, his siblings whom had passed away, and other relatives and friends that had long since departed. Perhaps it was his way of internalizing his own mortality during the metaphorical "autumn" of his own life. Whatever the case, I felt helpless to help him. Think about it, a young man helping his elder father (another male)deal with emotions. We weren't genetically wired as men, or smart enough as individuals, to deal with his situation in a healthy beneficial way.
Now, years later, after Dad has passed away, I reflect on him and his srtuggles. Now, I am smarter having dealt with this issue of depression in older people, seasonal or otherwise. There is help to be found, all kinds of help available these days - whether it is social support groups, pet therapy, medical therapy, or therapy through the use of other technologies. Whatever the mechanism, there is help if you look for it.
Help is there for the family, and family care givers as well. Yes, the person dealing with the depression needs help but so do the family members trying to care for them. Don't overlook this aspect of your own health. If you are going to be there, there to help your loved one, you have to be physically, mentally, and emotionally strong yourself. Agencies like Home Instead are there to help both the senior, and the family through issues such as seasonal depression. Please, for everybody's benefit, reach out and understand your options.
Having dealt with this for over five years with my Dad, I know what it means to need help and relief. There is help. There is help, there is Home Instead.
Every year, it would begin in early fall and seem to peak around Thanksgiving but then linger around until Christmas. There were times when Dad was so severely depressed that all he could do was cry. He missed his mother and father, his siblings whom had passed away, and other relatives and friends that had long since departed. Perhaps it was his way of internalizing his own mortality during the metaphorical "autumn" of his own life. Whatever the case, I felt helpless to help him. Think about it, a young man helping his elder father (another male)deal with emotions. We weren't genetically wired as men, or smart enough as individuals, to deal with his situation in a healthy beneficial way.
Now, years later, after Dad has passed away, I reflect on him and his srtuggles. Now, I am smarter having dealt with this issue of depression in older people, seasonal or otherwise. There is help to be found, all kinds of help available these days - whether it is social support groups, pet therapy, medical therapy, or therapy through the use of other technologies. Whatever the mechanism, there is help if you look for it.
Help is there for the family, and family care givers as well. Yes, the person dealing with the depression needs help but so do the family members trying to care for them. Don't overlook this aspect of your own health. If you are going to be there, there to help your loved one, you have to be physically, mentally, and emotionally strong yourself. Agencies like Home Instead are there to help both the senior, and the family through issues such as seasonal depression. Please, for everybody's benefit, reach out and understand your options.
Having dealt with this for over five years with my Dad, I know what it means to need help and relief. There is help. There is help, there is Home Instead.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Vitamins, are they really bad for us?
Recently there has been a spate of articles in the press stating that the very vitamins we have been encouraged for years to take as daily nutritional supplements may in fact significantly decrease our lifespan. Just today I read an article that said Vitamin E, which has been recommended for years as the best way for men to reduce the risk of cancer, may be responsible for an increase in prostate cancer. Does this sound vaguely familiar to the cycle of "eat eggs they are good food....don't eat eggs because they are bad for cholesterol.....to once again, eat eggs cause they're good for you"?? There are studies that show virtually anything you want them to, so what are we to believe? Are there studies available through the AMA which has conclusive data and results? Should we all immediately stop taking our 1-a-days?
Vitamins are drugs. Drugs are chemicals. Food at its essence is chemicals as well. But, no one is recommending we stop eating, are they? We will always be reminded, and rightfully so, to eat responsibly. Eat healthy foods. Eat balanced diets. Eat smaller, more appropriate, portions (not "super-sizing" everything). Often we find this sage wisdom easier said than done for any number of legitimate reasons. Vitamins taken in the appropriate and recommended daily dosages, are meant to help us with healthy balances when our food intake and diet do not.
I am not a doctor. I am not a research scientist. I do; however, consider myself to be educated and in good health. My good health I attribute to eating "pretty" healthy most of the time and I take daily vitamin supplements to help me with balancing my nutrition. I also exercise regularly, drink lots of water, and get an annual check up with my doctor during which I always get my blood tested.
I for one am not going to give up my vitamins since I believe they do help me stay healthier than I might be otherwise. I hope I am right about this. I will continue to watch the media for any further information that gets conveyed and should it begin to show conclusive data that vitamins are indeed bad for us, then I will change my diet by eating my words.
Vitamins are drugs. Drugs are chemicals. Food at its essence is chemicals as well. But, no one is recommending we stop eating, are they? We will always be reminded, and rightfully so, to eat responsibly. Eat healthy foods. Eat balanced diets. Eat smaller, more appropriate, portions (not "super-sizing" everything). Often we find this sage wisdom easier said than done for any number of legitimate reasons. Vitamins taken in the appropriate and recommended daily dosages, are meant to help us with healthy balances when our food intake and diet do not.
I am not a doctor. I am not a research scientist. I do; however, consider myself to be educated and in good health. My good health I attribute to eating "pretty" healthy most of the time and I take daily vitamin supplements to help me with balancing my nutrition. I also exercise regularly, drink lots of water, and get an annual check up with my doctor during which I always get my blood tested.
I for one am not going to give up my vitamins since I believe they do help me stay healthier than I might be otherwise. I hope I am right about this. I will continue to watch the media for any further information that gets conveyed and should it begin to show conclusive data that vitamins are indeed bad for us, then I will change my diet by eating my words.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Thought for the day....are you accepting??
I recently read a post on the FB page of Oriah Mountain Dreamer which I felt was worthy of re-posting.
"And that’s the biggest difference between acceptance and resignation: resignation feels like defeat and breeds hopelessness and helplessness; acceptance of what is, even when conditions pose real difficulties, helps us focus on what remains and can be cultivated without denying real loss. It encourages us to see and allows gratitude to arise for what can be enjoyed even in the face of difficulties beyond our control. And acceptance opens the door to spontaneous compassion for those who are facing similar or more serious limitations.
Resignation is a shrinking, a turning away from life. Acceptance is an expansion, an opening that helps us find the courage to be who we are and do what we can. I’m not saying it’s always easy, but I am deeply grateful to have had the time and a place close to the earth where I could see through some of my denial, wrestle with and step away from resignation, and find renewed awareness and acceptance. . . . again!"
As we all age and face dealing with chronic ailments and changing life conditions....many are harder to deal with than others...and our ability to accept them vs. resign ourselves to them I believe is critical to our ability to live a healthy life as we age. Comments??
"And that’s the biggest difference between acceptance and resignation: resignation feels like defeat and breeds hopelessness and helplessness; acceptance of what is, even when conditions pose real difficulties, helps us focus on what remains and can be cultivated without denying real loss. It encourages us to see and allows gratitude to arise for what can be enjoyed even in the face of difficulties beyond our control. And acceptance opens the door to spontaneous compassion for those who are facing similar or more serious limitations.
Resignation is a shrinking, a turning away from life. Acceptance is an expansion, an opening that helps us find the courage to be who we are and do what we can. I’m not saying it’s always easy, but I am deeply grateful to have had the time and a place close to the earth where I could see through some of my denial, wrestle with and step away from resignation, and find renewed awareness and acceptance. . . . again!"
As we all age and face dealing with chronic ailments and changing life conditions....many are harder to deal with than others...and our ability to accept them vs. resign ourselves to them I believe is critical to our ability to live a healthy life as we age. Comments??
Monday, August 22, 2011
Volunteerism
The need for volunteers to provide community service is ever present. Why volunteer? Why be bothered?
I often hear seniors complain about being alone, being isolated. In fact,survey after survey shows that isolationism is the number one issue for our seniors population. I don't get it. There are so many things that need to be done, so many opportunities to get engaged in the community, it is hard for me to really understand how people can not find something worthwhile to engage in for themselves. Yes, I appreciate that often there are numerous obstacles to overcome, such as transportation, but all too often these are excuses not reality.
Years ago when my children were much younger they were "made" to do community service. We volunteered through our church to serve Holiday dinners at the local food pantry for homeless families, we volunteered to clean the parks through the boyscouts, we collected food for the local food pantry, and we donated money annually to a charity of my kids choosing. Why did we do this? Because, I felt it was important that my children develop an appreciation for something larger than themselves. They needed to understand the sense of community and their place in it. They also needed to appreciate how fortunate they were compared to some, and not only to remain humble but to give back to the community as much as possible to help those less fortunate.
Did these lessons always work? Did they ultimately learn this appreciation? Yes; but I confess, I had help. In 2007, while living in San Diego area, we lost our home and all our belongings in one of the area's wild fires fueled by the Santa Ana winds. It was terribly traumatic for the family; but, especially the kids. However, they lived through it and are better for it. They experienced first hand the value of community service and volunteerism as a recipient. All of a sudden they were truly homeless, without personal possessions. They had no home, with a warm bed, in which to sleep. All the clothes they had were the ones they were wearing. All of a sudden, when someone they didn't know held out a helping hand, they understood the value.
My daughter, who at the time was entering her senior year of highschool, used this experience as the basis of her college admissions essay. This was her very big and personal "AHA" moment. Now all those years of "forced" volunteer work she was made to do made sense to her. She had now benefitted and was able to internalize the value to herself, and in turn others. She was overwhelmed with the graciousness and unselfish giving from the community - churches, schools, other organizations - but more specifically from her friend, peers, and other warm hearted individuals. It was personal, it was a person- to- person caring that she felt. It was what let her move forward and recover from the fire's trauma on her life. She continues to reach out to others through her volunteer work and I believe she always will.
This was true for my other children as well.
Should this type of personal trauma be necessary for someone to learn the value of community service and the value of being a volunteer? NO. But, it does serve the purpose to illustrate how it does occasionally come full circle. Seniors who can volunteer, should. it solves the problem of being isolated from the community, it establishes tremendous personal esteem, and it absolutely benefits others who need it the most! Comments?
I often hear seniors complain about being alone, being isolated. In fact,survey after survey shows that isolationism is the number one issue for our seniors population. I don't get it. There are so many things that need to be done, so many opportunities to get engaged in the community, it is hard for me to really understand how people can not find something worthwhile to engage in for themselves. Yes, I appreciate that often there are numerous obstacles to overcome, such as transportation, but all too often these are excuses not reality.
Years ago when my children were much younger they were "made" to do community service. We volunteered through our church to serve Holiday dinners at the local food pantry for homeless families, we volunteered to clean the parks through the boyscouts, we collected food for the local food pantry, and we donated money annually to a charity of my kids choosing. Why did we do this? Because, I felt it was important that my children develop an appreciation for something larger than themselves. They needed to understand the sense of community and their place in it. They also needed to appreciate how fortunate they were compared to some, and not only to remain humble but to give back to the community as much as possible to help those less fortunate.
Did these lessons always work? Did they ultimately learn this appreciation? Yes; but I confess, I had help. In 2007, while living in San Diego area, we lost our home and all our belongings in one of the area's wild fires fueled by the Santa Ana winds. It was terribly traumatic for the family; but, especially the kids. However, they lived through it and are better for it. They experienced first hand the value of community service and volunteerism as a recipient. All of a sudden they were truly homeless, without personal possessions. They had no home, with a warm bed, in which to sleep. All the clothes they had were the ones they were wearing. All of a sudden, when someone they didn't know held out a helping hand, they understood the value.
My daughter, who at the time was entering her senior year of highschool, used this experience as the basis of her college admissions essay. This was her very big and personal "AHA" moment. Now all those years of "forced" volunteer work she was made to do made sense to her. She had now benefitted and was able to internalize the value to herself, and in turn others. She was overwhelmed with the graciousness and unselfish giving from the community - churches, schools, other organizations - but more specifically from her friend, peers, and other warm hearted individuals. It was personal, it was a person- to- person caring that she felt. It was what let her move forward and recover from the fire's trauma on her life. She continues to reach out to others through her volunteer work and I believe she always will.
This was true for my other children as well.
Should this type of personal trauma be necessary for someone to learn the value of community service and the value of being a volunteer? NO. But, it does serve the purpose to illustrate how it does occasionally come full circle. Seniors who can volunteer, should. it solves the problem of being isolated from the community, it establishes tremendous personal esteem, and it absolutely benefits others who need it the most! Comments?
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Seniors and their pets....
Last week my mother's dog died.
My Mom is 87 years old, and for the past 14+ years has lived alone with her dog, Blackie. Blackie was a mixture of shepherd, collie, and who know what else but to my mom he was pure gold. He was her sole, and soul, companion for most days. They had a very special relationship to say the least. Seven years ago my Mom was diagnosed with stomach cancer and had to have her stomach removed as part of the prescribed therapy. She lives today, healthier than before her diagnosis, thanks to her dog, Blackie. On those days, in the weeks and months immediately following her surgery, when she felt like she couldn't, or didn't want to go on, she did so simply to take care of her dog. She made herself not only get out of bed, during her surgery recovery, but she made herself go out and walk her dog. Not only did this help, if not accelerate, her physical recovery but it also gave her the mental and spiritual activity she needed to stay engaged in her own well being, for the well being of her pet. My family owes a great deal to this animal!
He served not only as her constant companion, but also as her protector. The neighborhood we were raised in, like many in urban areas, has significantly changed over the past 40+ years. The demographics changed along with an absence of pride in home ownership. The collegial family atmosphere of our childhood neighborhood simply disappeared to be replaced with an atmosphere of drugs, hoodlums, violence, and fear. Still, my Mom would walk her dog twice a day without fear. Once, out on one of their early morning excursions, they were attacked by a neighbor's untethered pitbull terrier. Mom ended up with multiple wounds on her forearms but Blackie prevailed until help arrived in the form of a friendly motorist who noticed their dilemma and stopped to help them. Blackie was known and respected throughout her neighborhood. Candidly, this protected Mom...kept her safe in her home as most knew to keep their distance from her protector, Blackie.
Now Blackie is gone and I find myself worrying much more about my Mom. I worry about her safety and her overall sense of well being. I have tried to convince her to move from her home (and neighborhood) or to get another pet, another "Blackie"; but her response, "I am likely not to be here long enough to raise another dog, and I am not moving from my home!". Many of us tend to take pets for granted, or even find them a nuisance with which we a forced to tolerate. In his death, I have gained new appreciation, not just for Blackie; but, for every pet that provides irreplaceable companionship for our seniors. Anyone, disagree??
My Mom is 87 years old, and for the past 14+ years has lived alone with her dog, Blackie. Blackie was a mixture of shepherd, collie, and who know what else but to my mom he was pure gold. He was her sole, and soul, companion for most days. They had a very special relationship to say the least. Seven years ago my Mom was diagnosed with stomach cancer and had to have her stomach removed as part of the prescribed therapy. She lives today, healthier than before her diagnosis, thanks to her dog, Blackie. On those days, in the weeks and months immediately following her surgery, when she felt like she couldn't, or didn't want to go on, she did so simply to take care of her dog. She made herself not only get out of bed, during her surgery recovery, but she made herself go out and walk her dog. Not only did this help, if not accelerate, her physical recovery but it also gave her the mental and spiritual activity she needed to stay engaged in her own well being, for the well being of her pet. My family owes a great deal to this animal!
He served not only as her constant companion, but also as her protector. The neighborhood we were raised in, like many in urban areas, has significantly changed over the past 40+ years. The demographics changed along with an absence of pride in home ownership. The collegial family atmosphere of our childhood neighborhood simply disappeared to be replaced with an atmosphere of drugs, hoodlums, violence, and fear. Still, my Mom would walk her dog twice a day without fear. Once, out on one of their early morning excursions, they were attacked by a neighbor's untethered pitbull terrier. Mom ended up with multiple wounds on her forearms but Blackie prevailed until help arrived in the form of a friendly motorist who noticed their dilemma and stopped to help them. Blackie was known and respected throughout her neighborhood. Candidly, this protected Mom...kept her safe in her home as most knew to keep their distance from her protector, Blackie.
Now Blackie is gone and I find myself worrying much more about my Mom. I worry about her safety and her overall sense of well being. I have tried to convince her to move from her home (and neighborhood) or to get another pet, another "Blackie"; but her response, "I am likely not to be here long enough to raise another dog, and I am not moving from my home!". Many of us tend to take pets for granted, or even find them a nuisance with which we a forced to tolerate. In his death, I have gained new appreciation, not just for Blackie; but, for every pet that provides irreplaceable companionship for our seniors. Anyone, disagree??
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Birthdays....Bah, Humbug!!
Just yesterday I had the otherwise joyous occasion of another birthday; but, several years ago I decided to no longer celebrate them. I made this decision out of fear. Fear of aging! Who wants to get old?? Older??
Well, I suspect in reality we all do. If for no other reason than it does beat the alternative which is not being alive any longer to celebrate the occasion. I have long heard the adage "Everyday I wake up on this side of the grass, it is a great day"! In spite of all our aches, pains, and complaints, I hope we would all feel this way down deep. So, I decided to quit celebrating getting older; but, to start celebrating being alive. Celebrating life!
While on any given day I may not feel like aging any more, I will always feel great about being around to recognize another year of life.
Life is a journey filled with all manner of bumps, twists, turns, surprises - and, yes, aches and pains. Sorrows and grief. Happiness and joy. It is important we respect the sorrows and grief life deals to us; but, more important we focus on the joys and happiness. Life is meant to be lived. Meant to be celebrated. Meant to be wonderous, and joyous.
A client of mine once expressed it his way, "you know, everyone dies but not everyone lives". Please, do yourself a favor, be kind to yourself and live life to its fullest!
Well, I suspect in reality we all do. If for no other reason than it does beat the alternative which is not being alive any longer to celebrate the occasion. I have long heard the adage "Everyday I wake up on this side of the grass, it is a great day"! In spite of all our aches, pains, and complaints, I hope we would all feel this way down deep. So, I decided to quit celebrating getting older; but, to start celebrating being alive. Celebrating life!
While on any given day I may not feel like aging any more, I will always feel great about being around to recognize another year of life.
Life is a journey filled with all manner of bumps, twists, turns, surprises - and, yes, aches and pains. Sorrows and grief. Happiness and joy. It is important we respect the sorrows and grief life deals to us; but, more important we focus on the joys and happiness. Life is meant to be lived. Meant to be celebrated. Meant to be wonderous, and joyous.
A client of mine once expressed it his way, "you know, everyone dies but not everyone lives". Please, do yourself a favor, be kind to yourself and live life to its fullest!
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Dementia
Games To Help With Dementia
Any activity you try with alzheimer’s and demented patients works only if you utilize the skills they have (nothing too difficult, it will frustrate them) and builds upon skills they used to have. this helps their memory to become stronger by doing things that remind them of being young. i was an activities director at a nursing home for two years on the unit specifically set aside for demented patients and am getting my masters in gerontology. these suggestions are all things i have done that have worked.
try the following:
Bingo (helps use hand eye skills, auditory skills, and its fun for them)
Scrabble (even if they can’t spell, adding up the points and winning gives great joy and comfort)
Guess the Song (or Sing the end of the song) make sure its songs that she would know (usually stuff from the 30s and 40s (you can download this stuff). music brings demented patients back and jogs memory.
Hair and Nail Salon: Fingernails can get really gross when you’re not paying attention to your hygeine, and demented patients can scratch themselves or others if they’re not kept neat. Try a full manicure (with lotion, hand massage, cleaning under the nails, let her choose the color) This promotes her self esteem, reminds her of being young and beautiful, physical stimulation (touching) helps the brain work better. same with the hair, by rolling curlers and set her hair once in awhile. this works for the same reasons as above.
Easy Cooking: this helps them to use their skills they have forgotten and brings them a feeling of being needed.
you can buy a bread machine for pretty cheap. make different kinds of bread (let her suggest what kind of bread) just have her add the ingredients to the machine and turn it on.
Wrapping Presents: sounds weird, but we had a little "Baby Shower" once with food, presents, decorations, etc. they absolutely loved wrapping the presents. we helped with tape and scissors of course.
Coloring: this seems a bit juvenile, but the ladies who were higher functioning than the rest (they could still pay attention to an individual task if nobody was telling them what to do) absolutely loved coloring. its soothing, and they really get into it.
Tea Time: if she doenst like tea, use something else. dress her up for it. make it seem like a formal, fun event.
Find some old tv shows on DVD ( I love Lucy comes to mind, the Three Stooges, anything you know she liked when she was little. A lot of them like that old TV show Lawrence Welk. Its on PBS on saturdays i think. just tape a couple episodes.
try the following:
Bingo (helps use hand eye skills, auditory skills, and its fun for them)
Scrabble (even if they can’t spell, adding up the points and winning gives great joy and comfort)
Guess the Song (or Sing the end of the song) make sure its songs that she would know (usually stuff from the 30s and 40s (you can download this stuff). music brings demented patients back and jogs memory.
Hair and Nail Salon: Fingernails can get really gross when you’re not paying attention to your hygeine, and demented patients can scratch themselves or others if they’re not kept neat. Try a full manicure (with lotion, hand massage, cleaning under the nails, let her choose the color) This promotes her self esteem, reminds her of being young and beautiful, physical stimulation (touching) helps the brain work better. same with the hair, by rolling curlers and set her hair once in awhile. this works for the same reasons as above.
Easy Cooking: this helps them to use their skills they have forgotten and brings them a feeling of being needed.
you can buy a bread machine for pretty cheap. make different kinds of bread (let her suggest what kind of bread) just have her add the ingredients to the machine and turn it on.
Wrapping Presents: sounds weird, but we had a little "Baby Shower" once with food, presents, decorations, etc. they absolutely loved wrapping the presents. we helped with tape and scissors of course.
Coloring: this seems a bit juvenile, but the ladies who were higher functioning than the rest (they could still pay attention to an individual task if nobody was telling them what to do) absolutely loved coloring. its soothing, and they really get into it.
Tea Time: if she doenst like tea, use something else. dress her up for it. make it seem like a formal, fun event.
Find some old tv shows on DVD ( I love Lucy comes to mind, the Three Stooges, anything you know she liked when she was little. A lot of them like that old TV show Lawrence Welk. Its on PBS on saturdays i think. just tape a couple episodes.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Fall Risks Amoung Older Adults
Consider the following statistics:
*Every 18 seconds an older adult is treated in an emergency room for a fall, and every 35 minutes a senior dies following a fall,
*Falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths amoung people age 65 and older, accounting for almost 16,000 deaths in 2005,
*One out of every three people aged 65 and older falls each year despite the fact that research shows most falls are preventable,
*It cost more than $19Billion each year to treat injuries from falls, with the average hospitalization from a fall costing ~$17,500,
*By 2020, the annual costs for fall-related injuries are expected to reach $54.9Billion (in 2007 dollars)
For those of us nearing this age group called "seniors", and for those of us that have parents well into, and beyond, this age group this is a set of scary, and very concerning, statistics!
Falls happen for any number of reasons; some related to accidents, some to chronic illnesses, and some due to an acute illness (say, a stroke); but, as suggested many are preventable. I will use my own mother, who is 85 years old and still lives alone in her home of 50 years, as my example. Several years ago she developed macular degeneration in one eye which severely limited her vision. She then developed cataracts which have been subsequently removed; but, further limits her vision. While she is generally pretty darn healthy, she occassionally suffers dizzy spells - probably from not drinking enough water and dehydrating, especially during the summer months. She is gradually; but, surely becoming increasingly frail. However, she is fiercely independent and quite stubborn (ringing any bells?). Even though I have continuously advised against it, she will still go outside on a 90+ degree day, and using an old-fashioned push mower, mow her lawn.
Her house is two-story, and her bathroom and bedroom are both upstairs. She must make two dozen trips a day up and down those stairs. While she takes her time doing so, each trip is a chance for her to have that "accident" that will cause her physical harm. To help with preventing this, I have installed numerous safety features and caution her on at least a weekly basis about her safety. I am very fortunate that my mother does not suffer from dementia and is very capable of listening to, and following safety precautions. I still worry that each trip she makes increases her odds of a fall, and I anticipate that call informing me she has trip and fallen and is in route to an emergency room.
I will continue to encourage her to consider moving into a newer, single level living space; but, to date she has steadfastly refused to move from her home. I do everything I can to aid her in her safety; but, realize that her risks remain.
Do others of you encounter similar issues with your parents?
*Every 18 seconds an older adult is treated in an emergency room for a fall, and every 35 minutes a senior dies following a fall,
*Falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths amoung people age 65 and older, accounting for almost 16,000 deaths in 2005,
*One out of every three people aged 65 and older falls each year despite the fact that research shows most falls are preventable,
*It cost more than $19Billion each year to treat injuries from falls, with the average hospitalization from a fall costing ~$17,500,
*By 2020, the annual costs for fall-related injuries are expected to reach $54.9Billion (in 2007 dollars)
For those of us nearing this age group called "seniors", and for those of us that have parents well into, and beyond, this age group this is a set of scary, and very concerning, statistics!
Falls happen for any number of reasons; some related to accidents, some to chronic illnesses, and some due to an acute illness (say, a stroke); but, as suggested many are preventable. I will use my own mother, who is 85 years old and still lives alone in her home of 50 years, as my example. Several years ago she developed macular degeneration in one eye which severely limited her vision. She then developed cataracts which have been subsequently removed; but, further limits her vision. While she is generally pretty darn healthy, she occassionally suffers dizzy spells - probably from not drinking enough water and dehydrating, especially during the summer months. She is gradually; but, surely becoming increasingly frail. However, she is fiercely independent and quite stubborn (ringing any bells?). Even though I have continuously advised against it, she will still go outside on a 90+ degree day, and using an old-fashioned push mower, mow her lawn.
Her house is two-story, and her bathroom and bedroom are both upstairs. She must make two dozen trips a day up and down those stairs. While she takes her time doing so, each trip is a chance for her to have that "accident" that will cause her physical harm. To help with preventing this, I have installed numerous safety features and caution her on at least a weekly basis about her safety. I am very fortunate that my mother does not suffer from dementia and is very capable of listening to, and following safety precautions. I still worry that each trip she makes increases her odds of a fall, and I anticipate that call informing me she has trip and fallen and is in route to an emergency room.
I will continue to encourage her to consider moving into a newer, single level living space; but, to date she has steadfastly refused to move from her home. I do everything I can to aid her in her safety; but, realize that her risks remain.
Do others of you encounter similar issues with your parents?
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Caregiving Tips for the Family CAREGiver
The ABCs of Family Caregiving
Shared Wisdom
At Home Instead Senior Care, we know that caring for a senior isn’t always easy.
Every day, all across the country, people juggle the demands of their busy lives. Jobs, children, and dozens of other activities all compete for time. And then mom or dad gets sick or otherwise needs in-home help.
These seniors’ adult children – the ones who often end up as their caregivers – are referred to as the “sandwich generation,” caught between providing for their own young families and assisting their aging parents. They’re already stretched to the limit, with one quarter of all U.S. adults currently caring for an aging parent, relative or spouse. What’s more, a recent national survey done by Home Instead Senior Care indicated that 72 percent of these family caregivers have no help.
And this strain shows no sign of easing. That’s largely because of numbers; by the year 2030, 70 million Americans – 20 percent of the population – will be over the age of 65.
The person responsible for providing informal care for family members is called – logically enough – the “family caregiver.” In the majority of cases, this person is either the family’s eldest daughter, or the grown child who lives the closest to the parent or relative needing care. Spouses also play an important role here; in fact, they comprise almost half of all family caregivers in the U.S.
Today, I’d like to talk with you about some of the issues involved in family caregiving and share some related wisdom from Home Instead Senior Care – all of which can help make the job of serving as a family caregiver a bit easier and less stressful.
First, here are some practical suggestions for helping a senior remain safe at home:
- Keep the environment simple and uncluttered.
- Look for – and eliminate – dangerous objects and situations (burning matches, cigarettes, or candles; tripping hazards such as electrical cords and throw rugs; and sharp or breakable objects).
- Keep these and other similar substances out of reach or locked up: cleaning or art supplies; medications; poisonous houseplants; or anything else that may be harmful if swallowed.
- Use nightlights in halls, bedrooms and bathrooms, and use guardrails on beds.
- Install grab bars and non-skid tape in bathroom tubs and showers.
And, on a related subject, those serving as family caregivers often find that the issue of communicating with an elderly loved one poses a challenge – one that requires patience and understanding. In many cases, they’ll even find that prior adult-child roles are reversed, with the younger family member assuming more “parental” roles – a circumstance that can create problems. And, of course, working with a senior who has Alzheimer’s disease or dementia can further complicate the situation.
A family caregiver for an older parent or relative should always remember one simple rule when communicating with seniors: speak respectfully. This is because while seniors may not understand exactly what is being said to them, they will recognize if a person is speaking in a condescending or disparaging tone.
And when communicating with a senior having Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias – which can be a challenging prospect – a caregiver should use familiar terms and concrete words. Declarative sentences should be short and simple, while questions should require the senior to give a “yes-no” response or choose from a selection of simple answers.
But what’s to be done when verbal communication with a senior produces no response, or an unwelcome one? Well, it’s a good practice for the caregiver to redirect the senior or the situation; this can be done by taking a walk or offering a snack, or by using an alternative means of “communication” such as listening to favorite music or watching a familiar TV program. And if a senior has a verbal outburst of any type, this is best ignored, since it will help keep the caregiver from becoming angry unnecessarily.
And with that, let’s give some much-deserved consideration to the needs of those individuals providing care to seniors. Full-time caregivers, or those who are heavily involved in the caregiving process, must guard against the effects of burn-out and stress. In fact, according to a recent Home Instead Senior Care survey, 31% of family caregivers would like more help and 25% resent other family members who don't help out more.
In addition, the basic stresses of family caregiving can be exacerbated when a caregiver has other responsibilities such as a job; children; a busy social life; some distance to travel to provide care for an aging parent or relative; and so on. Moreover, caregiving can be particularly hard for a spouse, especially when the care recipient requires around-the-clock assistance.
So, it’s not surprising to find that most family caregivers struggle to balance the task of caring for an aging parent or relative with other major life responsibilities. This often means that these caregivers have little time left to care for themselves – which can result in their experiencing high stress levels and resultant health problems. In fact, according to this same survey, 55 percent of family caregivers appear to have average or significant levels of stress.
The problem, of course, is that when caregivers neglect self care, they end up incapable of taking care of the senior loved ones who need their help in the first place. Recently, Home Instead Senior Care and Caring Today Magazine held an essay contest – one that, not surprisingly, had the theme of caregiving. One prize-winning entry put it very succinctly: “A worn-out caregiver is good to no one.”
So here are some excellent tips for caregivers to avoid or manage stress. These were compiled by Home Instead Senior Care’s Advisory Board of senior care experts, which includes company CEO and Co-Founder Paul Hogan:
- Work out for 20 minutes at least three times per week, and consider learning a stress-management exercise such as yoga or tai-chi.
- Eat well – plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, proteins, including nuts and beans, and whole grains.
- Meditate. Sit still and breathe deeply with the mind as "quiet" as possible.
- Attend to personal medical needs. Get annual check-ups and other treatment as necessary. Being a caregiver provides numerous excuses for skipping doctor’s visits, but this absolutely should not happen.
- Get help from family members, friends, volunteers, or professional non-medical caregivers.
- Find a local caregiver support group to help understand the experiences and feelings associated with family caregiving.
To learn more even about caregiver stress – including signs and symptoms, and other ways of dealing with this problem – just log on to our www.caregiverstress.com Web site. Visitors to this site can even take a very enlightening 20-question online test to determine their personal levels of caregiving-related stress.
In conclusion, I can tell you we at Home Instead Senior Care know what a challenge family caregiving can be. I also can tell you that it’s one of the most rewarding tasks a person can ever perform in life.
I hope you’ve found my presentation today to be useful and informative, and please remember that I’m happy to serve at any time as a resource for you on caregiving or senior- or aging-related issues.
So if you ever want to know more about caregiving; if you’d like to learn more about our services; or if you’re interested in employment as a Home Instead CAREGiver, please contact me at my office – a local, independently owned and operated Home Instead Senior Care franchise.
In-home care can be more cost effective than the alternatives!
- We’re looking for an affordable care option for my senior parents. What is the best deal out there? Where do most seniors want to live?
As it turns out, keeping your parents in their own home could be the best deal, according to a recent Genworth study. The cost of a private room in a nursing home jumped 3.4 percent in the last year to a staggering $77,745 a year, according to Genworth’s 2011 Cost of Care Survey. Not far behind is a 2.4 percent jump in the cost of assisted living facilities, which is $39,135 a year. The bright light was on home health care, which held steady cost-wise.
At $18 per hour for homemaker services and $19 an hour for home health aide services, the national median hourly cost to receive care in the home remained flat over the past 12 months. “Understanding local caregiving expenses is an essential first step for families faced with rising care costs,” said Buck Stinson, president, U.S. Life Insurance Products at Genworth.
For consumers interested in learning more about the cost of care in their local market, Genworth offers an interactive map of long term care costs in 437 regions across all 50 states at www.Genworth.com/CostofCare. The site offers a range of resources:
· Find specific cost information that matters to your family – by state and type of care setting for 437 cities and regions across the country
· Compare costs across up to three locations including where your senior lives currently
· Calculate the cost of care 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years out so you can plan well for your own future
· Download the full survey report, complete with executive summary, and overviews of long term care services and financing options, or just download a specific state’s data
Industry surveys typically reveal that most seniors prefer to age in the comfort of their own homes. Surveys conducted for the Home Instead Senior Care® network show the preference at nearly 90 percent.
And with home care costs so affordable, families can now consider that option to be one of the best.
Please share what your experiences have been evaluating these alternative.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Heat Stress
With summer comes the increased risk of heat stress in seniors. The CDC provides excellent information for avoiding and recognizing heat stress in the elderly. The article also provides information on what to do when you recognize the symptoms. Share this important knowledge with your readers as well as ways to “beat the heat”. Ask readers to give their best ways to stay cool on hot days.
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