Archive for May, 2010

Planning for healthy aging

(ARA) – In just two short years, the first wave of baby boomers will turn 65. For some, this milestone birthday may signal retirement; for others it may not. For all boomers, it should mean an increased focus on health care. Baby boomers can take steps now to help ensure many more healthy years.

A focus on early prevention – including regular tests for certain cancers and heart disease, a healthy diet and exercise – is an important start to staying healthy well into the golden years.

Most baby boomers will count on Medicare to support them in their efforts to stay healthy. In fact, Medicare has long been a source of comfort for those 65 and older who otherwise wouldn’t have health coverage. But as more people older than 65 seek care, they may find it increasingly difficult to get in to see a doctor, or they may find that their choice of doctors is limited because of planned Medicare payment cuts to physicians.

Prevention
“As we age, we have an increasing role to play in our health care to ensure our golden years are healthy ones,” says Dr. J. James Rohack, president of the American Medical Association. “Have regular discussions with your physician about any health problems or concerns you may have and make sure you are up-to-date on preventive exams.”

At age 50, it’s important to start annual exams for colorectal cancer, and men should have a prostate exam. For those boomers who weigh less than 154 pounds, screenings for osteoporosis should start at age 60. It’s also important to start annual exams with a physician before you reach age 65 to:

* Monitor and discuss blood pressure, cholesterol, needed vaccines and tests to monitor or prevent disease.
* Identify activities and goals to address healthy eating, physical activity, tobacco use cessation, moderating alcohol use and attention to stress and mood.
* Discuss screenings needed to prevent and/or monitor degenerative or chronic disorders in vision, hearing, bone density, cancer and obesity.

Access to care, choice of physician
Weighing in with legislators is another way boomers can take charge of their health care, because what happens in Washington in the next couple months, with regards to the health-reform debate, could have a significant impact on their ability to see their doctor of choice.

A recent AMA/AARP poll shows that nearly 90 percent of people 50 and older are concerned that the current Medicare physician payment formula threatens their access to care. Without permanent repeal of the broken Medicare payment system as part of health reform, physicians face steep payment cuts which might force them to limit the number of new Medicare patients they can treat.

“Without health-reform action by Congress, the 21 percent payment cut planned for this January puts many physicians in the difficult position of not being able to treat new Medicare patients and still keep their practice doors open,” says Rohack. “For years, Congress has taken short-term action to stop the cuts and preserve seniors’ access to care, but they can no longer put a Band-Aid on the problem. It’s time for permanent action to preserve the stability and security of Medicare and ensure seniors can keep their choice of physician.”

As the health system reform debate continues, and final legislation approaches, a permanent fix for the broken Medicare physician payment formula must be included to preserve access to care for the millions of baby boomers headed toward Medicare enrollment age. Replacing the physician payment formula with a system that better reflects the costs and practice of 21st century medical care will help improve quality and reduce costs by allowing physicians to increase care coordination, reduce costly hospital admissions and adopt health information technology.

“I encourage all baby boomers to take preventive action now to prepare for a long, healthy life, and to ensure that their physician will still be there for them when they begin relying on Medicare,” says Rohack.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Visit www.ageadvantageriverside.com for information and assistance with home care for an aging loved one in the Riverside CA area.

Here is an excellent article that addresses caregiver stress.  For caregiving help for an aging loved one, visit us at www.ageadvantageriverside.com.

Caregiver Burnout – How to Deal With it & Avoid It

By Allen Jesson

From an evolutionary standpoint, our bodies are made for short bursts of stress like running away from dangerous situations, such as a forest fire. But today’s world is one of constant low-level stress. For caregivers, high stress levels are continual. And frankly, the human body isn’t made to withstand such constant wear and tear. As a whole, many family caregivers cannot put aside strong feelings associated with care giving, which can run the gamut from devotion to guilt, to see the importance of avoiding the problem of caregiver burnout.

I cannot stress this enough: as a caregiver, you are only as good as the care you can provide. Oftentimes this is based on factors outside your control. You will get tired. You will get frustrated. You will need help. You’re allowed to have these thoughts and feelings. So how do you know when passing frustration has fizzled into a burnout situation? Well, early signs are similar to depression in that caregivers can vacillate between anger, anxiety, sadness and irritability. Feelings of exhaustion, both physically and emotionally, along with changes in weight are also hallmarks. Keep in mind that a depressed mind can make for a depressed immune system; getting sick often could be another warning sign. (Additionally, perhaps the greatest irony of care giving is that the care giver’s health concerns are often not looked into, because the caregiver isn’t the one who is sick or needs help. Many family caregivers are reluctant to ;take up time; for their own doctor visits.) If any of these symptoms grow in frequency or intensity, then it is time to seek help.

Again and again I urge caregivers to make certain they are taking care of themselves, because although it is noble to place someone else’s needs above yours, it is not always feasible or right. In parent-child relationships, the adult children will often feel that they must look after the parent to return the favor of having been raised by them; even they are unqualified or ill-equipped to do so. These are all honorable ideas, but the reality is that care giving situations; just like raising a child; requires a village. If you want to provide good long-term care then you need to get hooked in with family, friends and outside resources. You can be the primary caregiver and still not be there every minute of the day. Spread out responsibilities.

On the Gilbert Guide web site alone, we offer dozens of solutions and ideas to help family caregivers, including online resources, coping strategies and information on topics such as Alzheimer’s and dementia care, and how to effectively advocate as a caregiver. Support groups provide family caregivers with a place to discuss their feelings openly, can help monitor the effectiveness of coping strategies, and let caregivers know they are not alone. But one of the simplest solutions to avoiding caregiver burnout is this, keep your sense of humor and look for the small joys that can come your way throughout the day.

For the very best in Assisted Living Care, please visit the Gilbert Guide for more information about Assisted Care.

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

Learn how to prevent a stroke during Stroke Awareness Month.  Visit us at www.ageadvantageriverside.com for help with an aging loved one in the Riverside CA area.

Your Health: Strokes can be prevented

Don’t have a stroke.

It’s excellent advice, given that stroke is the nation’s third-leading killer and a major cause of serious, long-term disability in adults. And it’s advice you can act on today, even as scientists continue to study the reasons why nearly 800,000 in the USA have “brain attacks” each year.

Read more from www.usatoday.com….

May is Stroke Awareness Month, a good time to take stock of your risk factors and overall cardiovascular health. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of adult disability. Arm yourself with knowledge this May by talking to your doctor, considering a preventive stroke screening, and learning how to recognize the warning signs of a stroke so you can react FAST if you think someone is having a stroke.

F.A.S.T.

FACE – Ask the person to smile? Does one side of the face droop?

ARMS – Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one side drift downward?

SPEECH – Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Are the words slurred?

TIME – Call 911 or to get to a hospital fast. Brain cells are dying.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

If you are in need of caregiving assistance for an aging loved one in the Riverside CA area, visit us at www.ageadvantageriverside.com.

This article provides extremely helpful information that may help you with your decision to choose home care for an aging loved one in your family.  If you have questions or need help, please visit our website www.ageadvantageriverside.com.

30 Reasons Your Loved One May Need a Caregiver

By Rebecca Colmer

There are approximately 37 million people over the age of 65 and 5.3 million people over the age of 85. Each year millions of older people start requiring some sort of assistance to carry out their routine daily activities. Family members (family caregivers) provide most of the help.

It is not always easy to know when to intervene. It may seem like your loved one is in a gray area somewhere between competency and incompetence.

Your loved one can have a behavior that is not life threatening but still very serious. Making an assessment is the very step.

Here are some clues that your loved one may need some extra help:

1. Disheveled clothes

2. Stained or dirty clothes The same outfit worn everyday

3. Unkempt hair

4. Poor hygiene

5. Bad breath

6. Body odor

7. Having trouble walking

8. Having trouble sleeping

9. Dangerous driving

10. Extreme clutter in the home

11. Can’t do light housekeeping

12. Items not returned to drawers or cupboards

13. Clothes strewn about or left on floor

14. Medication bottles left open

15. Medications taken out of original containers and mixed up

16. Not much food in house

17. Spoiled or rotten food

18. Unpaid bills

19. Penalties for overdue bills

20. Unopened mail

21. Put on or lost a lot of weight that is unexplained

22. Signs of confusion

23. Signs of forgetfulness

24. Signs of isolation

25. Signs of depression

26. Drastic mood swings

27. Extreme sadness or loneliness

28. Loss of interest in favorite hobby

29. Stopped doing things they used to enjoy like gardening, reading, going to church, seeing friends

30. Can’t cope with everyday stress

If you do not live near your aging parents, ask a neighbor or friend to keep an eye on your parents and notify you if they notice any changes in their behavior.

Even if you determine that your loved one needs some assistance, keep in mind that they may be resistant to your help. Be gentle and compassionate when asking them to accept help.

It may take several tries before they start to accept your help. There is a big difference in offering help and completely taking away all of their independence.

However, if your parent’s life is in danger and you can’t find a way to intervene, call Adult Protective Services, which is a part of the Department of Social Services. They will send a nurse or social worker to your parent’s home to determine the risks and find ways to protect your parent.

The caregiver role is complex and differs for everyone depending on the needs of the care-receiver. Many times, in the beginning, there may only be a few needs, such as providing transportation or helping with shopping or cooking. Over time, needs increase, requiring additional services, until the care-receiver is fully dependent on the caregiver.

Rebecca Colmer is an Eldercare Advocate, Author, Speaker, Publisher, and Caregiver Expert. You can find more caregiving tools and resources at her website:

Caregiving Tools

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