Kevin Knapp's Elder Care Blog

Avoid the ‘Senior Sickness Snowball Effect’ with a strong immune system

(ARA) – An emerging health trend where a relatively simple illness leads to a number of physical and lifestyle changes is impacting seniors around the country, say immune system researchers from Embria Health Sciences, co-founders of the Nourish America Senior Health Project. They’ve dubbed this trend the Senior Sickness Snowball Effect, which impacts the overall quality of a person’s daily life and follows this recurring cycle:

* Loss of appetite

* Inadequate nutrition

* Decreased energy

* Reduction in social activities

* Decreased independence

* Limited social interaction

* Increased potential for depression, stress

* Weakened immune system

* Continued illness

* Loss of appetite

“Today’s older Americans are active and often have major responsibilities that require them to be in good health,” explains Stuart Reeves, Ph.D., director of research and development for Embria Health Sciences. “Unfortunately, as a person ages, their immune system becomes weaker and there is greater need for support, not just during cold weather seasons, but also throughout the year.”

Embria Health Sciences established this Senior Health Project, alongside non-profit organizations Nourish America and the National Foundation of Women Legislators, to address the increased need for senior health support. This series of free community education events provides seniors with the knowledge and tools they need to maintain and manage their own health through a combination of non-profit health organization outreach activities and no-cost distribution of EpiCor, an all-natural immune health supplement, clinically shown to reduce cold and flu symptom incidence and duration.

In addition to his participation in the Nourish America Senior Health Project, Dr. Reeves offers these easy lifestyle tips that will keep seniors’ immune systems going strong:

Get your grain: According to a 2008 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is estimated that a mere 18 percent of Americans 60 and older meet the dietary recommendations for daily grain intake. “Well-nourished people have fewer illnesses,” says Dr. Reeves. Seniors can easily add more whole grains into their diets through a wide variety of easy-to-prepare everyday foods, including brown rice, oatmeal and popcorn.

Adopt a pet: “Seniors living alone sometimes experience a sense of isolation, which is one of the main components of the Senior Sickness Snowball Effect,” explains Dr. Reeves. Studies show that when seniors establish an owner-pet relationship, their feelings of loneliness dissolve and the pet-related activities such as walking, feeding, grooming and playing improve their overall well-being.

Fill in the gaps: “Since seniors are at a higher risk of falling ill, getting the right amount of daily vitamins and nutrients is essential to their well-being, which is why taking a multi-vitamin supplement is often recommended,” Dr. Reeves explains. “Some seniors would also benefit from taking a supplement specifically designed for their immune system.” Dr. Reeves points out that, “EpiCor, an all-natural immune health ingredient found in a wide variety of dietary supplement products, works year-round to balance the body’s immune system for optimal health.” Visit www.EpicorImmune.com for more information.

Hit the mall: The mall is great place to kill three birds with one stone. You can run a shopping errand, participate in social dialogue, and get some exercise by walking a couple of laps around the perimeter. “Staying active, both physically and socially, is a key element to a healthy lifestyle,” says Dr. Reeves.

“By maintaining good immune health now, seniors may avoid experiencing the Senior Sickness Snowball Effect firsthand,” says Dr. Reeves. “The immune system is an important part of the body’s immune defense against germs and pathogens – keep it in check and the rest will follow.”

To learn more about immune health, visit www.BalancedImmuneHealth.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

For more great information and assistance with an aging loved one visit our website at www.cherryhill.rightathome.net.

Here is a great article that I found and wanted to pass on to you.  For more information and assistance with an aging loved one in your life visit us at www.cherryhill.rightathome.net. 

COPD patients: It’s important to stay active

(ARA) – A diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) often results in a patient feeling helpless and depressed about not being able to maintain a normal, active lifestyle. However, with a chronic lung disease like COPD, it’s particularly important, and tremendously beneficial, for patients to exercise and stay active.

It is a misconception that people with COPD are unable to stay active post diagnosis. On the contrary, exercise can help patients feel less short of breath, strengthen muscles (including the heart) and can improve a patient’s mood, according to the National Jewish Medical and Research Center.

COPD patients should always consult with their doctor to collaborate on developing an appropriate exercise program prior to beginning one. Done properly under a doctor’s supervision, exercise can increase energy levels, muscle strength, cardiopulmonary endurance and help with shortness of breath. Not to mention the additional benefits of losing weight and lowering blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

If you have COPD and are overweight, the extra weight can make it even more difficult for you to breathe. Losing the weight by participating in a doctor-supervised exercise program will help to reduce the strain on your heart and lungs. Common activities include stretching, strength exercises such as leg lifts and arm extensions and endurance activities like cycling, swimming and water aerobics.

Patients and their caregivers may be concerned about blood oxygen saturation (measured by oximetry) levels during periods of activity. In the past, patients would be required to visit a clinic to have their blood oxygen saturation levels monitored. Today, however, doctors often prescribe a fingertip pulse oximeter for patients with COPD.

By self-monitoring with a personal fingertip pulse oximeter such as Nonin Medical’s GO2, blood oxygen saturation can be measured safely and independently – anytime, anywhere. A doctor can prescribe the GO2 during a patient visit.

Managing a condition like COPD is a lifelong commitment. It is important to stay active, keep healthy and monitor your oxygen during exercise. Work with your doctor to create a program that best suits your needs and take back control of your life.

For more information on the GO2 fingertip pulse oximeter, as well as helpful patient education resources, visit www.Nonin.com/go2.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Here is a great article that I found and wanted to pass on to you.  For more great information and assistance with an aging loved one in your life visit us at www.cherryhill.rightathome.net.

Elders Abusing Their Adult Children Who Are Taking Care of Them

Carol Bradley Bursack

Why do elderly parents turn on the child that is trying so hard to take care of them?

It’s not really news that people tend to be their worst with the people they love. Generally, this is thought to be the case because people feel safe enough with family to just “let it all hang out.”  Their anger at their circumstances, which may or may not have to do with these family members, is the real cause.

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How to Have the Good Life in the Senior Years

By Saima Sultana

Most often when an individual is growing older reference is made to them going into the golden years. Unfortunately that may have been true years ago but in most cases it is no longer so. With the high cost of living and the modern day technology the golden years are no more.

It may seem strange to blame modern technology on the demise of the senior years. It is only mentioned in the sense that in some ways the technology has robbed the seniors of their independence. In years past senior’s were used to much more labor and as a result their bodies were in much better shape and they seemed to manage on their own for a much longer period of time.

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Smart Tips for Baby Boomer Retirement Planning

(ARA) – If you are one of America’s 78.2 million baby boomers, you are likely considering what ideal retirement will look like, and the steps required achieving it. With the current economic downturn, many boomers are finding it necessary to revisit their initial retirement goals.

According to the Social Security Administration, today’s retirees count on corporate pensions and Social Security for 56 percent of their retirement income. With a few minor adjustments, some careful planning and a positive attitude, the other 44 percent is attainable.

“It’s never too late to start planning for retirement and it’s crucial that life insurance is considered as the foundation of your plan.” says Vikki Pryor, president and CEO at SBLI USA Mutual Life Insurance Company, Inc. “Determine your needs by deciding how much money surviving family or loved ones will need to maintain their standard of living if you are no longer around to protect them. Women need to pay particular attention to their retirement planning options.” To learn more about the educational tools and insurance products designed with baby boomers in mind visit www.sbliusa.com.

Consider the following tips for smart retirement planning:

1. Assess your financial plan and budget.

* Begin to assess your basic retirement income sources such as a 401(k) plan, IRA, and life insurance plans.

* How much will you need to retire? Determine this by creating a budget that will enable you to pay your monthly expenses such as food, heat, rent and transportation. Consider expenses that may increase such as health insurance and prescription medicines. At the same time, consider those that may decrease, such as work-related and educational spending.

* Health care coverage is necessary in supplementing your financial foundation and these costs can add up fast. It’s important to have an adequate plan both before and after retirement. After age 65 you are eligible for Medicare coverage. But what if you want to retire before then? Your employer may offer a plan for retiring employees, or you may have to look into private coverage, so be sure to consider this.

* Take into account variable expenses such as tax liabilities on your home, illness or the care of elderly parents. Other, often underestimated, variables include gifts, clothing, recreational expenses, and increases in costs of living. For valuable retirement planning resources and projected trends in costs of living visit www.usa.gov.

2. Begin to explore other retirement income options.

* Determine the amount of guaranteed retirement income you already have. Examples of these are cash savings, corporate pension plans, home equity, or annuity-type investments.

* Are you married? If so, how will that affect your retirement budget?

* Pay attention to how your retirement funds are earning money. Are they structured for maximum returns? It’s crucial that you continually assess these funds.

* Decide when to begin Social Security benefits. According to AARP, for each year you put off collecting your benefits between ages 62 and 70, you increase your payments by 8 percent.

* Calculate your potential monthly retirement budget based on your estimated income weighed against your expenses. At minimum, you need enough retirement income to cover basic living expenses for your lifetime.

* If your initial assessment requires additional income, consider part-time work during retirement, or perhaps selling your larger home for a more comfortable, carefree condo.

2. Consider life insurance – the foundation of a solid retirement plan.

* If you don’t have a life insurance policy, get one. Life insurance not only helps to leave a legacy for generations to come, it will protect your loved ones and help provide them with financial security once you’re gone.

* Consult an expert in order to find the right life insurance for you. For example, BoomerLife by SBLI USA lets you apply for up to $25,000 of whole life insurance with no hassle. Acceptance is guaranteed for anyone ages 50 to 75. Selected benefits remain fixed for life and the premium you pay will not go up. Additionally, the policy builds cash value that grows each year tax-deferred. Call (866) 331-3078 to speak with an SBLI USA representative. Or go to our Web site at www.sbliusa.com and complete the entire application process – from quoting, to paying – online today!

Start planning your retirement today. With a little strategy and the right attitude, you can build the financial security you need to live a successful, happy retirement. Visit www.sbliusa.com today – completing your application is just clicks away!

Courtesy of ARAcontent

For more great information and assistance with an aging loved one in your life visit us at www.cherryhill.rightathome.net.

Elderly Home Care Service Can Help Your Loved One Maintain Independence

By Thao Nguyen

Elderly home care services are growing at an accelerated rate, and this particular industry is only poised to continue to grow as the population of the United States ages. The number of people of retirement age and older is expected to double by the year 2030, and by the middle of this century, there will be more elderly people in this country than any other age group.

While a few people are lucky and stay healthy enough to be able to take care of themselves without help for their entire lives, others are not so fortunate. With advances in preventive medicine and anti-aging technologies, the number of elderly who live alone will rise, but there will always be a need for help for those who have difficulties maintaining their independence. Family members are not always able to attend to every need of the aging parent or grandparent, especially if that person needs frequent assistance. No one wants to go the nursing home route if other alternatives are available, and that is the reason why elderly home care companies provide such an essential service.

The elderly home care agency you choose can usually help with a variety of personal care services and chores around the house. Depending on the needs and wants of your elderly relative, you can find elderly home care services that can send people out to check on him or her once a day, once a week, round the clock or however often is required. These elderly care assistants can do minor household chores, help with bathing and dressing, and administer medications. Having such a service available and on call can make the difference between your relative remaining in his or her own home and having to go into an assisted living or nursing facility.

If you decide to use elderly home care services, help your loved one interview and select the paid caregiver. Have the agency send someone over to spend some time with your relative, so they can see if the match is a good one. Not every match is right and you might have to through many different elderly care assistants before finding the right person. The whole experience of using an elderly home care service will be much more successful for everyone if you determine the needs and wants of your loved one and involve him or her in the process of finding the most suitable elderly care assistant.

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Visit us at www.cherryhill.rightathome.net for more information and assistance with your aging loved one.

12 Tips For Your Home Alone Parents

By Rakesh Kharwar

Scenario1: Sharmin, 30, working in a well reputed MNC, had to attend an important conference for three days in another city. However, although she wanted to make the best of the opportunity, she could not attend the conference as her parents were alone at home and she found it difficult to leave them and go.

Scenario 2: Rahul, 32, lives with his parents, both of who are retired from work, and remain at home for most of the time. He is working for an export-import firm, and travels most of the time. But he manages to attend his tours and business trips smoothly and his parents too, are confident of staying alone back home for the time he is not there with them.

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Please use this address moving forward. Our phone number has remained the same (856-795-9707).

Our new office will help us to improve our service and continue to provide our clients with the highest quality care.We appreciated your patience during this transition period and we look forward to accommodating your home healthcare needs.  

How to Talk to the Elderly

By Connie Matthiessen

Adult children and their parents often have trouble talking effectively. Small disagreements can be irksome and frustrating; if they simmer and grow, they can poison your last precious months and years together. What causes these misunderstandings? According to David Solie, author of How to Say It to Seniors, they occur in part because the needs and developmental tasks older parents face are starkly different from — and at times even conflict with — those of their middle-aged children.

As a culture, we tend to view our elderly parents as essentially obsolete — like old cars destined for the scrap heap. But Solie and other geriatric experts believe that aging can actually be a period of growth and personal development. Understanding and facilitating the developmental needs of your parents can make this stage of life a deeply rewarding one — for you and for them. But it can be difficult for middle-aged adults to support their elderly parents in this process — in part because they’re focused on their own developmental issues. For most people, midlife is a time of independence and mastery. You’ve gained confidence and a clear sense of what your values are, so this stage of life is focused on consolidating your gains and taking on new responsibilities. At the same time, midlife is a time to nurture and give back, whether by having children or engaging in mentoring or social activism. As an adult in middle age, you move quickly and efficiently through the world, completing tasks and taking care of your many responsibilities, looking ahead to the next mountain to climb. Your elderly parents, in contrast, are letting go of duties and responsibilities as they settle into retirement. As their physical health and independence fail, they try to hold fast to the areas of life they still control. At the same time, they’re looking back and trying to understand the significance of their experience and what they’ll leave behind. It’s these different perspectives that can lead to breakdowns in communication between you and your parents. By understanding the pitfalls, however, you can learn to talk to your elderly parents in a way that helps to close the communication gap.

An examination of a typical interaction between you and your elderly parents illustrates how much can get lost in translation:

Your father has fallen twice over the last few months, but every time you suggest a move from the family home, he changes the subject.

Your experience:

Ever since your mother died last year, “what to do about Dad” has become one of the primary items on your mental To Do list. When you drop in for a visit after a long day at work, your father is unsteady as he makes you a cup of tea and knocks the cup to the floor. As you gather up the broken china, your teenage son calls to remind you he needs a ride to the math tutor’s house in less than an hour. On the way to pick him up, you need to get something for dinner, which gives you about ten minutes with your father for tea and a visit. You’re feeling rushed as you raise the issue, again, of the assisted living facility nearby. Instead of responding, your father wanders off on a well-worn memory about the house, and how he and your mother purchased it just three months after your brother was born. Depleted from your day at work and pressed for time, the last thing you want to do is listen to a story you’ve heard countless times before. You want the matter resolved, so you can cross it off your list and move on. There’s your son’s college applications to think about, after all, and you’re facing several important deadlines at work. You’d love to be able to take a trip this autumn with your husband without worrying about Dad while you’re gone. From your perspective, your father is being stubborn and obtuse. Why can’t he just deal with the issue? Could he be failing mentally, as well as physically? You react by snapping at him, reminding him that you’ve heard the story before. Now it’s time to leave, and you drive away full of remorse as you recall the hurt look on your father’s face. Your father’s experience: For your father, several things are going on at the same time. There are control issues: He has recently lost your mother, and after such a major loss, the thought of giving up his lifelong home is too much to contemplate. At the same time, he dreads the thought of going to a place where he knows no one and will have to follow institutional rules and schedules. If he sells the family home, what will happen to his garden and the trees he and your mother planted to celebrate each of the children’s births? Given all his doubts and fears, your father chooses to avoid the matter altogether by simply changing the subject. Your father is also engaged in building his legacy, whether he’s conscious of it or not. The memory he relates is not a random one; it’s a narrative that expresses the values and accomplishments of a lifetime. It’s the story of his long and happy marriage, his pride at being able to buy a house, and his delight at becoming a father. To help improve communication between you, consider:

• Time and timing: One of the greatest challenges people in midlife face in their dealings with the elderly is to slow down and find the time to be fully present. It’s a mistake to discuss important issues on the fly, when you’re rushed and preoccupied. If you need to talk about something crucial with your parents, make a conscious effort to put your personal agenda aside — along with your cell phone. And remember, such issues will take time to resolve — and probably require more than one discussion.
• Listening: Be sure to pay attention to your father’s ideas and to fears he may be expressing indirectly. Even if you’ve already made up your mind that your father should go into an assisted living facility, you should really listen to what he’s saying and be open to other options. If it’s too soon after your mother’s death, could the move be put off for a few months? Could you hire someone to come in and help him for a few hours each day, or could adjustments in the house help prevent another fall?
• Being respectful: When you tell your father what you think he should do, do so respectfully. Try to avoid a bossy or dismissive tone. If your father becomes angry, drop the subject and return to it another day. If he continues to disagree with you, don’t force the issue. As long as your father is a fully functioning adult, you can’t force him to follow your advice — no matter how “right” you think it is.
• Participating in your father’s legacy project: You can help your father create his legacy by asking questions and affirming the values he expresses. You can help him record his memories by creating a photo album or by interviewing him for an oral history. Your interest and involvement will not only make the process more meaningful, it will make this life transition less lonely and frightening.

Both your parents are increasingly frail and forgetful, but they refuse to let you help with bills and other practical matters.

Your experience:

You and your older sister, who lives across the country, agree that your parents need more help. You volunteer to take over their finances, since you live closer. But your father insists that he can handle the bills himself. Your mother doesn’t like the housecleaner your sister hired and told her not to come back. Their house is messy and cluttered, and you couldn’t help noticing that your father’s desk, where he pays the bills, is buried in papers and books. Now your sister calls you at work to fret over what should be done. When you visit your parents, which you can only do on the weekends, you miss your routines with your own family and the chance to catch up on your sleep. Your parents seem oblivious to the fact that their disorder is gradually taking over your life, too. During your last visit to your parents’ house, you wanted to leave as soon as you arrived. When you asked about the bills, again, your mother said sweetly, “We’re fine, dear. We really don’t want to be a burden,” and you felt like shouting, “But you are a burden! And you’re ruining my life!” Your parents’ experience: It’s important to see your frustrations in the context of your parents’ broader situation. They’re well aware that their years of independence are numbered: your father is showing signs of early dementia, and your mother is growing weaker by the day. Meanwhile, your father had to give up driving last year because of his cataracts. For your parents, life as they’ve always known it seems to be retreating into memory. Given all the changes they face, your parents are trying to cling to the areas of life they can still manage. They appreciate your concern but also find it a little insulting. Your father likes to take care of the family finances: He’s proud of his capability, punctuality, and ability to pay. Your mother prefers to do her own housekeeping — even if it is a little slapdash. Your parents are also focusing, consciously or unconsciously, on their legacy. They’ve always prided themselves on their hard work and independence. The idea of being a burden to you and your sister is mortifying. They know the day will likely come, but they’re anxious to put it off as long as possible.

Some tips for breaking through this communication impasse:

Be direct:
If you find that interactions with your parents have become a dialogue of the deaf, tell them that you’re frustrated; chances are they feel the same way. Clearing the air may help you find some common ground.

Listen:
Be receptive to what your parents have to say. If they’re intent on managing on their own, don’t argue. Listen to the messages that may be concealed in the remarks they make, and try to find solutions that work for all of you. If your father has too much pride to turn the bills over to you, for example, or is reluctant to share his financial information, he may agree to see an accountant instead.

Back off:
When talking to your parents is consistently difficult, sometimes the best solution is to back off. If you continue to badger your parents, you’ll only alienate them and frustrate yourself. If the worst that can happen is that checks could bounce or late fees accrue, let the matter rest for a while. Keep in touch with your father about how he’s managing, and offer to help again if and when he seems more receptive.

Take care of yourself:
If you find that you’re frequently stressed out and angry, make sure that you’re not neglecting your own needs. Try to make time for yourself and for your other relationships. Take regular breaks and vacations, even if it means hiring someone to stay with your parents. If you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be there for your parents and your family.

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On average, the cost of elderly health care is $5,531 annually. Family members not only provide hands-on care but often dig into their own pockets to pay other expenses which include groceries, drugs and medicines, medical equipments such as wheelchairs, toilet seat risers and transportation. Many times family members have to miss work and lose out on their income to take care of elderly family members.

Many family members take loans, skip vacations and often ignore their own health. Government must start providing tax deductions and tax credits to family caregivers.

The expenditures incurred for elderly health care is increasing rapidly and reaching astronomical heights. Elders have many special needs when it comes to health care. One is often left frustrated when there are gaps in insurance coverage. Medicare programs offer only minimal assistance for serious health disorders.

There are some programs that cover senior citizens. It covers hospital expenses and doctor visits, even if you continue to work. All one needs to do is pay a premium every month. These programs are popular among a vast number of senior citizens.

One needs to apply for these programs before one reaches the age of 65. In case you don’t then one has to pay a high premium. One also has the option of enrolling for these programs after retirement.

The premium that one pays depends on your income and which company you will be purchasing coverage from. Senior citizens with low income are also eligible for the entire coverage under Medicare.

Prescription drugs which are used to treat a wide variety of diseases and illness are fully covered if one has a private insurance coverage. If you do not have private insurance, this could be matter of serious concern. Sometimes drug prices are simply not affordable, forcing the senior citizens to forgo other needs to pay for drugs.

Recent Medicare legislation has been a big disappointment for senior citizens, as drug coverage continues to be limited and fails to reduce the rising cost of drugs. Many seniors are forced to manage their medical plan on their own.

At times, the drug industry provides free drugs to the needy who are not covered under private insurance or any government program. Retail stores in the vicinity provide drugs at discounted rates. There are various medicine manufacturing companies that offer assistance to lower income senior citizens. One can seek out these discount programs if they have a financial need.

Katie Appleby is an accomplished niche website developer and author.

To learn more about the cost of elderly health care, please visit Senior Health Today for current articles and discussions.

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