Picture this: You’re out on the road, driving in mixed traffic with your choice of drivers to follow. One is a gray-haired senior puttering along in the right lane and the other is a fresh-faced teenager moving briskly in the left lane.

Statistically speaking, which driver is safer to follow? Kirk Seaman of AOL Autos’ blog asks whether it’s older driver with the slower reflexes, poorer vision and cautious driving style, or the younger driver with faster reactions, better eyesight and driving with the flow of traffic?

Seaman’s answer: Stay in the right lane, behind the oldster, and let the teenager go on his way. According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the safest drivers are in the age group between 64 and 69 years old. And studies of the data reveal that teenage drivers — especially male teenage drivers — are the most dangerous drivers on the road.

Read more from usatoday.com or by Clicking Here.

Not long ago, a doctor friend recounted the story of a patient who had recently died from complications stemming from the treatment of a chronic bleeding problem. “I felt terrible about it,” said my friend, who had cared for the patient for several years. “Something didn’t add up in this case, and I had to wonder if it was my fault, if I had done something wrong.”

Spurred on by these recurrent self-doubts, my friend went back to review the records. Nothing at first glance seemed amiss; all the recommendations, visits and discussions were consistent with what both of us knew was good, evidence-based clinical care.

But then, while reading through the pharmacy records, my friend discovered something unexpected. The patient, it turned out, hadn’t been taking all of the medications my friend had prescribed. In fact, several of the prescriptions had never even been filled.

Read more from the New York Times by Clicking Here.

(ARA) – Who says you can’t teach a mind new tricks at any age? Recent research shows that Americans have the power to positively influence their brain function throughout life – an important realization that is especially relevant for the more than 78 million baby boomers in the United States. Brain health is one of the top health-related concerns of aging populations and has been identified by the Centers for Disease Control as a public health priority.

“The fear of memory loss and losing brain capacity looms large among the minds of boomers,” says Dr. Majid Fotuhi, a leading neurologist and author of “The Memory Cure.” “But we can maintain and even improve our brain health as we age. In fact, our brains have the ability to grow and change throughout life.”

Dr. Fotuhi debunks four common myths surrounding the brain and aging.

1. The brain stops growing after childhood.

A decade ago, many experts would have scoffed at the idea that the brains of adults, particularly older adults, could grow or develop in any significant way. But that has changed. Research increasingly suggests that each time a new skill is learned, such as playing an instrument, speaking a foreign language or even dancing, new pathways are formed and areas of the brain may grow, even well into the later years. Physical and mental exercise can alter specific brain regions, improving in cognitive function. Brain growth isn’t just for kids.

2. Once I start experiencing memory loss, it’s all downhill and there’s not much I can do.

Actually, there are a number of things you can do to improve your memory throughout life, even if you are already noticing changes. Exercise, challenging mental activities, social engagement and diet adjustments have all been shown to have positive effects on cognition and memory. In fact, a new study published online in May in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, showed that healthy people with memory complaints who took algal DHA capsules for six months had almost double the reduction in errors on a test that measures learning and memory performance versus those who took a placebo, a benefit roughly equivalent to having the learning and memory skills of someone three years younger. DHA (or docosahexaenoic acid) is an omega-3 fatty acid and a building block for the brain. Algal DHA products comparable to those used in this study can be found at major retailers like Walmart, CVS and Walgreens under the Algal-900 product name – look for the life’sDHA seal on these supplements to ensure you are getting an algal DHA source. For more information on foods, beverages and supplements that contain algal DHA, visit www.lifesdha.com.

3. Memory problems must mean Alzheimer’s disease.

Many people, young or old, worry that mild forgetfulness must be a sign of Alzheimer’s disease. But most people are worrying needlessly – research shows that more than 80 percent of people will never get Alzheimer’s disease. Some experts now believe that it is time to redefine everyone’s understanding of age-related memory loss and dementia. Emerging research indicates that many people experiencing memory loss and dementia actually have mixed pathologies in their brains. In fact, very few senior citizens have “pure Alzheimer’s disease.” Instead, late-life cognitive impairment may in fact be a result of multiple “hits” to the brain, from a variety of risk factors such as hypertension, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, chronic stress, head trauma and poor diet. The good news? There is the opportunity to influence brain health and function by incorporating lifestyle factors like exercise, a healthy diet, stress reduction and intellectual and social engagement. Regardless of family history, the choices a person makes in life may be able to slow the progression of age-related cognitive decline or help prevent it altogether.

4. Brightest equals youngest.

Today’s society does place an emphasis on age but, keep in mind, people over 65 rule the country. The majority of legislators, CEOs, doctors, lawyers, judges, economists and CEOs are not in their 30s or 40s, but seasoned veterans who bestow several decades of experience and expertise. Along with gray hairs come both knowledge and wisdom and you do not have to look far to find inspiring stories of accomplishment, creativity and reinvention in the second half of life. To see some inspiring profiles of aging and learn more about the actions you can take to ensure that you build and maintain a mind that is healthy and beautiful for an entire lifetime, go to beautiful-minds.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Not your father’s hearing aid: the new generation is small, sleek and super high-tech

(ARA) – “If you think hearing aids are synonymous with getting old or becoming less capable, think again,” says Dr. Kathy Landau Goodman, chairperson of the Audiology Awareness Campaign. Most individuals experiencing hearing loss are younger than 65, and hearing loss is significantly affecting their lives at work and home. Fortunately, with today’s wealth of discreet and stylish hearing aid options it has become easier than ever to address a hearing loss.

Today’s advanced technology digital hearing aids offer features and sound processing systems that offer wearers major advantages over older analog instruments. These features include superior sound quality, improved clarity of speech in noisy conditions, and reduction in hearing aid feedback or whistle. Some hearing aids now connect wirelessly and seamlessly to cell phones, TVs, computers, mp3 players, radios, landline phones and other electronic devices. Audio sounds are streamed directly into the hearing device using bluetooth technology.

“The first step is to have your hearing evaluated by an audiologist to determine the type and degree of your hearing loss and its impact on your ability to communicate,” says Dr. Landau Goodman. If you are able to benefit from hearing aids, the audiologist will then discuss the various types of hearing aid styles, latest technologies, and what to expect from wearing hearing instruments.

Together, you and the audiologist will select the most appropriate hearing aids to improve communication with others and to fit your lifestyle needs. To receive maximum benefit from your hearing aids, the audiologist will adjust the aids to maximize sound quality, comfort and clarity. Follow-up evaluations are necessary to get the maximum benefit from hearing instruments.

“A hearing loss does not need to restrict recreational, family or work related activities,” says Dr. Landau Goodman. Properly fitted and programmed hearing aids, as well as instruction on effective communication strategies by an audiologist, can help improve communication in most listening situations and help you stay connected to friends and family.

To coincide with Better Hearing Month in May, the AAC has partnered with GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare to bring free hearing screenings to communities around the country so that people can have their hearing checked by audiologists who specialize in evaluating and treating hearing loss. National hearing screening week, called “Listen Up America Week,” is sponsored by AAC and runs May 10 to 14.

“By offering free hearing screenings throughout the United States, we have the ability to reach many Americans who might otherwise not have access to licensed audiologists. Now these individuals will have access to audiologists who can evaluate their hearing, determine whether they have hearing loss, and then make appropriate recommendations for treating their hearing problems,” says Dr. Landau Goodman.

To find an audiologist in your area conducting free hearing screenings May 10-14, as part of “Listen Up America Week,” visit the AAC website, www.audiologyawareness.com or call the AAC hotline at (888) 833-EARS. All family members, regardless of age, are encouraged to have a free hearing screening.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Carol Bradley Bursack

Most of us want to take care of our own families, so arriving at a decision to hire a stranger to come into the home to help with the care of a loved one can be difficult. Still, once people find a good home care agency and regular caregivers to help care for a loved one, they often wish they’d taken action earlier.

To continue reading Click Here.

For more assistance with an aging loved one in your life visit our website at www.rightathomemd.net.

Parsing the New Law on Long-Term Care

Call it Senator Edward M. Kennedy’s final bequest.

A new blog about what changes in the health care system might mean for

The Community Living Assistance Services and Supports Act, or Class Act, the first national plan to help the great majority of Americans who have no insurance for long-term care, became law in March. Even though there was little fanfare — the measure was just one piece of the broader health care overhaul — the idea had been hugely important to Mr. Kennedy and his staff, who had been working on the current version of the plan since 2003.

Read more by Clicking Here.

Care for the elderly in home can be overwhelming. To avoid elder care stress it is important for the caregiver, or potential caregiver, to help the aging adult organize and plan for the unplanned events in life. Taking a proactive approach with the aging adults in your life will save you time, energy, money and undue stress.

To continue reading Click Here.

For more assistance with an aging loved one in your life visit our website at www.rightathomemd.net.

Moving is the Best Medicine is the message for the 2010 Arthritis Awareness Month.

Original content HERE.  

Please visit http://www.arthritis.org/ to learn more about this debilitating disease.  For information and assistance with elder care for an aging loved one in the Rockville, Maryland area, visit us at www.rightathomemd.net.

1 in 4 elderly need care decisions made for them

By STEPHANIE NANO

NEW YORK — A significant number of the elderly — more than one in four — will eventually need someone to make end-of-life decisions about their medical care, a new study suggests.

The results illustrate the value of people making their wishes known in a living will and designating someone to make treatment decisions for them, the researchers said.

In the study, those who spelled out their preferences in living wills usually got the treatment they wanted. Only a few wanted heroic measures to prolong their lives.

Read more by Clicking Here.

How you can take action against heart failure

(ARA) – It’s a syndrome that affects more than 5 million Americans – and probably more: heart failure. Heart failure is a serious illness that can affect your quality of life and how long you live. With proper medications in the right doses and careful management, you can live longer and feel better.

What’s important to know is that heart failure doesn’t develop overnight. It’s a progressive condition – it starts when the heart muscle is weakened after being injured.

The Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA) offers these tips to patients, their families and individuals at risk.

1. Talk to your doctor. One of the keys to making heart disease a diagnosis you can live with is to get diagnosed as early as possible. Simply getting checked by your doctor for heart disease is one of the most powerful steps you can take to maintain your health. Heart failure is diagnosed through a number of tests ordered by your doctor, the most important of which is an echocardiogram or “echo.”

2. Know your risk factors. A number of factors can lead to or indicate an increased risk of heart failure. While the disease can strike people of all ages, it is more common in those aged 65 and older. For people in that age group, it’s particularly important to get checked, because some of the symptoms of the disease can be mistakenly attributed to simple aging. Heart failure risks include: high blood pressure, prior heart attack, a history of heart murmurs, an enlarged heart, diabetes and a family history of enlarged heart.

3. Know the symptoms. Ideally, your doctor can diagnose heart failure before it has major consequences, but it’s important to know the symptoms. Heart failure symptoms include: shortness of breath, even in mild activity; difficulty breathing when lying down; weight gain with swelling in the legs and ankles from fluid retention; and general fatigue and weakness. If you notice these, don’t just assume that they’re part of the aging process – be proactive and check with your doctor.

4. Adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle. Changing your lifestyle to be more heart-healthy doesn’t mean giving up on a way of life you enjoy. In fact, it can add to your enjoyment of life and have the double benefit of being good for your health. Start by giving up any tobacco use and focusing on a healthy diet. Center your meals on whole grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes – consult cookbooks or cooking magazines for delicious, low-sodium recipes. Other great ingredients are lean meats, poultry, fish and low-fat dairy. Keep trans-fats, saturated fats and cholesterol intake low.

The other enjoyable element of a healthy lifestyle is exercise. Talk to your doctor about what’s right for you, but he will inevitably tell you that it’s a great idea to get your body moving. It can be as simple as going for daily walks that let you take in the beauty of nature or, if you’re able to take on a more strenuous regimen, you could think about trying a sport like tennis, taking yoga classes or going swimming. If you can find an exercise companion, so much the better – you’ll both be getting the benefit of exercise and have a motivating partner.

The Heart Failure Society of America offers a number of tips covering a variety of topics including low-salt diet, medications, self-care, heart rhythm problems and lifestyle changes. To learn more, visit abouthf.org. When you take an active role in your health, it’s possible to live a full, enjoyable life, even after a heart failure diagnosis.

Courtesy of ARAcontent