Everyone knows that eating better, exercising and regular physical exams can lead to a longer and healthier life. Yet, so many of us choose to ignore the warnings that most health care professionals have been issuing for years (certainly, since 1963 when Congress required the President of the USA to proclaim February as American Heart Month). Listed below are several ways in which you can help, not only yourself, but your care recipients (of course, with complete medical approval), in making their hearts healthier:

1. Understand your personal risk factors, i.e., total cholesterol,
LDL, HDL, and triglyceride levels.
2. Regularly monitor your blood pressure levels.
3. Monitor your sugar levels.
4. Understand the warning signs of heart problems (attacks),
i.e., chest pain, left arm pain, dizziness, extreme fatigue,
unusual anxiety, etc.
5. Exercise regularly, especially with your doctor’s knowledge
and permission.
6. Eat properly. This means less fat, i.e., reduced or no foods
with trans-fats or hydrogenated fats. Increase your intake of
fiber, i.e., grains, seeds, herbs, legumes, and fruits and
vegetables.
7. Have regular doctor visits.
8. Reduce stress in your life.
9. Simplify your life.

As some of you may know, I have heart disease. It includes high blood pressure, arterial fibrillation and an irregular heart beat. Most of this seems to be genetic in nature; yet, I am certain that not paying attention to my diet and exercise has contributed to my condition.

Fortunately for me, I do believe in seeing doctors regularly, and discovered these deficits in my health early on in life. And, although medications are part of the treatment, eating better and regular exercise seem to work the best at keeping the symptoms away. The above suggestions do work.

As we age, most of what we took for granted in our life, changes especially our health. It simply requires more attention and more work. However, that effort is well rewarded with better health; and longer life being the main goal.

I plan on being around for quite some time into the future; but I know that will take a concerted effort on my part, as well as, regular monitoring by my doctors. Those close to me rely on me being here, as do those close to you. Don’t let them down, get healthy!!!!
. . . . . . Jeffrey Johnson

t is not unusual for those in the medical profession to come face-to-face with a patient who refuses treatment. At that point, most medical professionals (especially the nursing staff) work to obtain “informed consent” prior to any medical procedures being preformed. Many nurses, who are in charge of obtaining this informed consent, use a combination of methods to reach their goal – being legally allowed to perform necessary medical treatments. Some of these methods are: the use of persuasion; information sharing; and avoidance (performing the procedure without the consent of the patient). However, in homecare, the life of the care recipient (patient) is not hanging in the balance, at least, not immediately. Yet, care givers must be able to perform their duties, to not only meet their job obligations, but to also protect and care for their charges in the proper manner. Below are several tips on how b! est to persuade a reluctant care recipient to accept the necessary care offered by the care giver and the agency:

1. Involve the person in the decisions. Approach the person with respect. If at all possible, the person should still be in charge of his or her care. Your role may be to facilitate decisions rather than to make them. Watch for openings in the conversation. For example, “You mentioned feeling tired. Are you having trouble keeping up with your chores?” If the person doesn’t think he or she needs help, give examples of instances that have caused your concern.
2. Evaluate specific care needs. Ask, “What kind of help do you need or want?” Say what you think. Consider very specific needs, such as help with meals, household chores or personal care. Ask about needs for social support, transportation or medical care.
3. Ask the person about concerns over accepting care. It may be easier to find solutions if you know the reasons for the person’s resistance. Acknowledge all concerns – they are very real for that person. Some of the common reasons people resist care include: not wanting to give up independence; being afraid of strangers coming into their home; feeling that the care would be too expensive; and not wanting to burden others.
4. Present options. A person may feel more empowered – more likely to accept help – if he or she has options. For instance, a person who can no longer keep up a big house might choose to hire someone to help with the chores, only use a portion of the home (for example, just living downstairs), or move to a smaller space. A person who needs daily care might choose to have a caregiver come into the home, move in with the relative, or go to an assisted living home.
5. Talk about their needs too. Sometimes people will not accept care on their behalf but will accept if they believe it will lessen their family’s burden. Say, “If I know you are cared for, it will ease my worry” or “I’m sure you could do it yourself, but it would make me feel good to do it for you.”
6. Some of the signs that indicate a person is no longer able to make decisions include: not eating, bathing, or providing basic self-care; not paying bills or answering mail; doing dangerous things like leaving stove burners on; and showing symptoms of memory loss or confusion.
7. All of these signs are subjective. Ask the person’s doctor to help you evaluate his or her ability to make decisions.
8. If the person still refuses care . . . If the person’s health or safety is at risk, say gently but firmly, “We have to address this. We can’t put it off any longer.” Bring in other people. Call a family meeting to strategize how to help the person accept care. Ask the person’s doctor, clergy or another outside person to step in. Sometimes, an outside person will have more influence.

Don’t give up. Sometimes, a person will refuse at first but over time may accept care. Keep offering and providing what care the person will accept. Take advantage of windows of opportunity.” For example, you may be able to start providing help during an illness or following a hospitalization.

. . . . . . Jeffrey Johnson

(Numbers 1 through 8 were taken directly from a paper, Taking Care of the Caregiver, A Survival Kit for the Caregiver, Green County Department for the Aging, Catskill, NY).

For those of us who have played some form of sport(s) during their lifetime, joint pain is a way of life. For many others, the pain that they may be feeling in their joints may not be from arthritis, but is nonetheless a way of life.

The point is that regardless of the cause, arthritis is most frequently manifested as some form of joint pain, often in the shoulders, knees, or hands (though certainly evidenced in other areas of the body such as the toes, ankles, and elbows). As with many such illnesses, the degree of the inflammation, and thus pain/discomfort, varies from person to person. However, the common denominator is that arthritis spells “pain.”

Although there are many ways to help reduce the discomfort of arthritis or even stave off major bouts of arthritis (which will be listed below), the primary treatment is that which comes from within – psychological. The way in which an arthritis sufferer handles the daily pain and the constant interference of regular life responsibilities is essential to the psychological health of the individual sufferer.

Thus, those inflicted with arthritis are also dealt the additional task of learning to handle the idea that the plans for your life can, from time-to-time, not work out as planned due in large part to the pain of arthritis.

As mentioned above, there are numerous activities that may help in reducing the discomfort/disability of arthritis.
Listed below are several such ideas:

1. Acknowledge that you need help. See your doctor as soon as you even consider the possibility that you’re sore, aching joints may be due to arthritis.

2. Keep your weight down, as excess poundage will only serve to place unwanted stress on those already sore joints.

3. Do regular stretching exercises.

4. If you are taking any medications for the arthritis, remember to take them regularly, as that is the only way in which the medications will be fully therapeutic.

5. Take either warm showers or baths regularly.

6. Make sure to move your body regularly. Walking is especially simple, socially acceptable, compatible with all ages, and effective.

7. Understand your limitations. Don’t take on chores that will clearly aggravate any joint issues you may have.

8. Silly as it may sound, laughing is very therapeutic, as it reduces stress, relaxes your muscles, and even make you forget your pain for periods of time.

9. Along the lines of number 8, listening to music is also a good form of cleverly introducing an activity that will help to reduce stress.

10. Begin, or continue, to pursue a hobby that truly makes you happy. Along with the increase in happiness factor, again you will see a reduction in your stress level.

Arthritis can be a serious and debilitating illness, yet with some forethought and some effort, the negative and often painful affects of the disease can be reduced.

For more information on this issue and for useful suggestions in helping your care recipient, contact:

Arthritis Foundation
P.O. Box 7669
Atlanta, GA 30357-0669
800-283-7800

If there is an opportunity to scam someone, it most likely is happening. Yet, why does it seem the elderly in our country bear the brunt of such frauds against humanity?

Well, if you were to spend just a few moments to consider the plight of our elderly population, the “why” becomes easily understood . . . the solutions – more difficult to integrate.

Our elderly live in a different world than most of the rest of the population: most have fixed incomes resulting in the ever present need to increase this income in the face of annual inflation/price increases. They also have accumulated major assets to protect their futures, i.e., homes free and clear of mortgage debt, retirement assets, and personal assets. These monies offer those committing fraud easy targets to focus on.

There are many, many people who know how best to take advantage of this population and who often present themselves as trusting of anyone who can speak their “language.”

For example, telemarketers know how to make an offer seem as if it is the only opportunity that the elderly home owner may get to refurbish their home by replacing every window in this once in a life-time “deal.” Telemarketers know the elderly are home more frequently than those younger Americans. So, calls to that population are easier to find during the day.

And, the telephone is clearly not the only method that can be used by those committing fraud against the elderly. Door-to-door sales is not dead . . . it is just focused more specifically on our elderly.

How do we help keep our loved ones and our care recipients from succumbing to fraud? Below are some ideas that seem to be universal in their approach:

1. Don’t give out personal information to anyone unless the elderly person has initiated the contact.

2. Shred mail and other documents before placing in the trash.

3. Keep important and confidential documents in safe places (i.e., safe-deposit boxes, safes, etc).

4. Just say “no” to telemarketers.

5. Use friends and neighbors as faux financial advisors – direct all calls to them (most telemarketers will not even attempt to make that type of second call).

6. Keep doors locked at all times.

7. Install alarm systems, with intercoms connected to the front door, etc. This should prevent the door-to-door sales people at bay.

8. Always ask for any offer in some type of written form.

9. Attempt to not use the Internet to purchase anything.

10. Be aware of your “do-not-call” rights. Call either 1-888-382-1222 or go to http://ping.fm/KRSl9 to report violators.

Staying on top of thieves is an endless and very difficult task, even for law enforcement authorities. However, by embracing the simple techniques listed above (and others too numerous to mention in this piece), non-law enforcement members of our society can (and do regularly) effectively fight back against crime against the elderly.

We recommend that all agencies and clients visit their local police departments, get to know them, and gather the valuable information they have amassed on fighting fraud. Every little bit helps.

1. Physical activity. Healthy body, healthy mind. Exercise can help stimulate the formation of new brain cells.
2. Lifelong learning. There is clear evidence that education and learning are positive for the brain. In other words, “if you continue to challenge yourself, your brain will continue to grow.” Examples of activities that an elder person might be interested in are: playing a musical instrument, starting a new career, starting a new hobby, learning a foreign language, learning to cook better, or becoming more informed about the world.
3. Mental stimulation. “The more we think, the better our brains function.” Some stimulating activities might include: travel, visiting museums, reading more, playing thinking games, playing a musical instrument, developing a craft skill, or volunteering.
4. Social interaction. Having friends, neighbors, and family that are part of your social circle can be stimulating and challenging, thus keeping the brain sharp.
5. Sleep and nap. During our sleep time, “the hippocampus becomes highly active and moves knowledge from short-term memory to long-term memory.” Thus, the activity during sleep helps to process the information we have taken in during the day, and without the proper amount and nature of sleep, we may not develop a strong memory.
6. Stress management. “Severe stress lasting weeks or months can impair cell communication in the brain’s learning and memory region.” Ways to reduce/manage stress are: see problems as opportunities, exercise, learn relaxation techniques, cut down on unnecessary responsibilities, make time for leisure, or get a massage.
7. Laugh and humor. We all know that laughing can reduce stress, and as mentioned above, reducing or managing stress is important in boosting brain power.
8. Healthy breakfast. Having a solid, healthy morning meal allows our bodies to function at their peak, for example: learning ability improves, concentration improves, and mood and memory are better.
9. Omega-3 fatty acids. These fatty acids are instrumental in the development and maintenance of a healthy brain. “Coldwater fish, such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, and herring are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids (just be careful to eat this in moderation due to potential contamination with mercury).”
10. Blueberries. Eating this tasty and low-glycemic fruit has been shown to slow brain degeneration.
11. Vegetables. Such vegetables as cauliflower, spinach, kale, broccoli, cabbage, and brussel sprouts contain high levels of vitamin E, and antioxidant that helps prevent cell damage.
12. Red wine. Ok, I realize we should not be advocating the consumption of alcohol, yet if you were to have a drink, red wine would be a good choice. The moderate consumption of red wine daily has been shown to lower the risk of dementia.
13. Keep health under control. Monitoring blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, and homocysteine (an amino acid) can control the decline of cognitive functioning.
14. Neurobics. Changing your daily habits can exercise the brain in a different and very unique manner. For example: drive to work using a different route, get dressed with one eye closed, brush your teeth with the other hand, unlock your door with your eyes closed, use the opposite hand to dial your phone, listen to music and smell flowers at the same time, or shop at a new grocery store.

Clear thinking is a major concern of our seniors. Many people are bombarded with news reports of people with dementia and Alzheimer’s that can be very disturbing and unsettling. Becoming active in preventative activities that might reduce the risk of brain function should be a high priority for us all. So, practice some or all of the suggestions listed above and we might all have higher and longer lasting brain functions and stave off the affects of dementia and related illnesses.

For more information about senior care and senior health issues, visit http://www.visitingangels.com