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~ Arthritis Month
~ Nat'l High Blood Pressure Month
~ Older Americans’ Month
~ ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) Awareness Month
~ Stroke Awareness Month

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    • Older Americans Month 2013

    By Amber | Published: May 6, 2013

    Unleash the Power of Age!

    Every year since 1963, May has been the month to appreciate and celebrate the vitality and
    aspirations of older adults and their contributions and achievements. It is a proud tradition that
    shows our nation’s commitment to honor the value that elders continue to contribute to our
    communities.

    This year’s Older Americans Month theme—“Unleash the Power of Age!”—emphasizes the
    important role of older adults. This May, communities across the nation will recognize older
    Americans as productive, active, and influential members of society.

    Older Americans Month celebrations will acknowledge the value that older adults continue to
    bring to our communities by making an effort to applaud recent achievements of local elders and
    inviting them to share the activities they do to unleash the power of age.

    ParentYourParents.com encourages you to take part in the celebrations by sharing your
    Older Americans Month resolutions with the U.S. Administration on Aging. Post what you will
    do this May to unleash the power of age on the AoA Facebook page, and follow up by sharing a
    picture or story about the experience later in the year.

    While ParentYourParents.com provides access to services, support, and resources for older adults year round, Older Americans Month is a great opportunity to show special appreciation! We encourage older adults to come together and share their experiences with one another, as well as with individuals of other generations.

    To learn more about activities and events planned for Older Americans Month, or to find ideas
    about what you can do to unleash the power of age, contact your local Area Agency on Aging office, visit www.eldercare.gov or call 1 (800) 677-1116 to find ongoing opportunities to celebrate and support older Americans.

     

    ParentYourParents.com – Helping You Help Your Aging Parents

     

    Posted in Events, Healthy Aging, Helpful links | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

    Helping Boomers Prevent and Manage Arthritis

    By Amber | Published: May 2, 2013

    It’s time to admit it, we boomers are aging.  And, with a lot of other things, comes sore and stiff joints. It could be a knee, elbow, neck or back reminding us we aren’t getting younger. 

    Baby boomers are not only aging, but living longer and, the growing trend of arthritis sufferers is linked directly to that fact.  Because we are living longer it is imperative we take care of ourselves if we want to maintain quality of life living with diseases such as arthritis.

    What is arthritis really?  It is a very broad term for more than 100 diseases, conditions and disorders.  Additionally, arthritis is a disease of inflammation.  And, unfortunately, there isn’t a single, correct answer, or “magic pill” for preventing and/or managing arthritis as we age.  However, below are some tips from the experts that can help us live with arthritis:

    Knowledge is power !!!
    ~ Educate yourself about the form of arthritis you have.
    ~ Understand the causes your arthritis pain and the best ways to manage it.
    ~ Get the facts about arthritis medications, surgery, supplements or natural therapies.  Discuss them with your doctor to determine the remedies that will work best for you. 
    ~ Find doable solutions that work for you to make your daily life and activities easier. 
    ~ Stay informed about health research and initiatives being developed to help prevent and manage arthritis.
    ~ Physical activity and weight management are key to helping manage the pain and stiffness from many forms of arthritis. 
    ~ Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet and add anti-inflammatory foods to your daily diet.
    ~ Seek out low-impact exercises to help keep your joints flexible in between your workout days.
    ~ Discover what keeps you motivated.
    ~ Learn how to protect your joints when doing daily tasks around the house.

    As mentioned above, arthritis is a disease of inflammation, so the best and most obvious treatment is anything that fights inflammation. Managing arthritis with medication usually begins with ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatory medications.  Nutritionally, care usually begins with adding anti-inflammatory foods to your daily diet. The importance of a healthy diet and exercise routine cannot be overemphasized when living with and managing arthritis.

    Some great resources: Arthritis Foundation, The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disease, WebMD, and The Mayo Clinic websites provide lots of additional information.  

    ParentYourParents.com ~ Helping you Help your Aging Parents

    Posted in Arthritis, Health/Nutrition/Fitness | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

    Dementia Related to Parkinson’s Disease

    By Amber | Published: April 17, 2013

    The following post was graciously provided by Gary Joseph LeBlanc

    For the most part, when the general public hears the medical term “Parkinson’s Disease,” also known as “PD,” they think of it as simply being a degenerative mobility disorder, which has affected a well-known Hollywood Personality, Michael J. Fox. While this calculation is accurate, it is also estimated that 30 percent of Parkinson’s patients develop some form of dementia. This symptom does not usually come to mind since dementia most often does not begin to raise its ugly head until about 10 years after the motor difficulties appear. This is known as “Parkinson’s Disease Dementia,” or “PDD.”

    It is estimated that in the United States alone, more than one million people have Parkinson’s disease. There are approximately 50,000 new cases being diagnosed every year. It mostly attacks people over the age of 50; however, there is also what is called “Juvenile Parkinson’s Disease.” These cases are showing up in people as young as 30.

    Most patients with “PD” lose an assortment of mental abilities over the years, but those who have dementia as well, seem to have a decline of more intensity.

    It is important to note that the 10 year span which I mentioned above is the norm. It concerns the time between the onset of the loss of motor skills and when signs of dementia begin to appear. If symptoms of dementia start showing up earlier than that, something else is most likely the cause.

    Many patients are diagnosed with Parkinson’s along with Lewy Body Dementia. Just as with any other type of dementia, it is extremely important to be correctly diagnosed as early as possible.

    If you’re noticing signs of restlessness, anxiety, delusions or language difficulties, these are not normal symptoms that PDD may cause.

    Always remember that depression itself can cause symptoms of dementia. It is essential that these and all other characteristics be discussed with the attending physician.

    Those who are diagnosed with PDD usually have “Lewy Bodies” present. “Lewy Bodies” are protein deposits attached to nerve cells which eventually end up destroying these same cells. Dopamine is the neurotransmitter involved in regulating movement. What happens is that “Lewy Bodies” damage not only the dopamine, but other neurotransmitters as well.

    For those of you that have loved ones that develop PPD, make sure to provide a solid routine existence for them to follow. A predictable, run of the mill lifestyle will help immensely in their care. By doing this, you will also see a marked improvement in their levels of anxiety.

    The next act of great consequence and kindness you can do for them is to continually reassure them that you will always be there for them. Always!

    Gary LeBlanc’s “Common Sense Caregiving” columns are published in the Tampa Bay Tribune.  He is the author of “Staying Afloat in a Sea of Forgetfulness” and “Managing Alzheimer’s and Dementia Behaviors” as well as co-author of “While I Still Can”, a compelling and very personal look at the progression of Alzheimer’s disease from the inside out ~ a patients perspective.  Click here to purchase any of Gary’s books.

    ParentYourParents.com ~ Helping you Help your Aging Parents

    Posted in Alzheimer's and Dementia, Parkinson's Disease | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

    Seniors Helping Seniors® In-Home Care Services Names Caregiver of the Year

    By Tami | Published: April 17, 2013

    Seniors Helping Seniors® In-Home Services has named Cindy Donahue of Huron ‘Caregiver of the Year for 2012′ for her exceptional dedication and outstanding service to others. The Seniors Helping Seniors organization provides in-home and personal assistance throughout Erie, Huron, Lorain and the surrounding counties.

    “Cindy has earned her award due to her high energy and the personal attention she gives when shopping, cooking and caring for her clients,” explains Patty Snow, Marketing Manager with the local Seniors Helping Seniors organization. “She has proven herself over and over again as a responsible caregiver, and is very willing to assist those elders who are need of help in the middle of the night. You can always count on Cindy.” Caregivers like Cindy have the heart and spirit of a volunteer, who see their work as more than job.

    “I like helping and I like people,” explains Cindy. “It’s a win-win situation to know you are making a difference in someone’s life. This is very rewarding,” she adds.

    Cindy’s client Tom Radican of Huron is very pleased with Cindy. “She does what I asked her to do and she’s never been late. I feel real comfortable with Cindy and very happy with Seniors Helping Seniors. I trust them.”

    And according to Ron Schnurr of Sandusky he has been very pleased with the help Cindy gives to his wife, Connie. “Cindy has an outstanding personality–very friendly. She anticipates any problems.”

    The Seniors Helping Seniors organization prides itself on contracting care givers to make it possible for the elder to live at home as long as possible. All caregivers have successfully completed a yearly, nationwide background check, are bonded and insured.

    “Seniors Helping Seniors in-home services provides a two-fold opportunity: to reach out to active and less-active seniors, and to help them both simultaneously,” explains Janet McGarvey who, along with her friend Alice Iseminger, opened their Seniors Helping Seniors organization in 2009 to provide assistance to seniors and their families in their community.

    “We both share a passion to help people and to provide opportunities for others,” states Iseminger. “And we are so blessed to have caregivers like Cindy, who generously shares her smile and joyful spirit with so many of our seniors”.

    Our services range from Alzheimer’s and dementia care, companionship, household assistance (such as cooking, light housecleaning, laundry, personal grooming) and transportation (medical appointments, social activities, or shopping) to handyman services, minor home maintenance and small repairs. Other services can include 24-hour care (overnight stays) and live in assistance. We tailor the services to best meet the needs of each individual.

    “Our caregivers have a warmth and understanding that comes from experience and wisdom gained over the years. They are all loving, caring compassionate people who bring joy and compassion to everyone with whom they work. That’s why our caregivers often become life-long friends with those who receive our services,” adds McGarvey.

    For a free consultation or for information about a caregiver opportunities contact
    Seniors Helping Seniors in-home services at 440-935-3848, 419-366-4915, 330-388-0166 or visit at ohioinhomecare.com.

    Posted in Caregiver Support, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

    Older Drinkers More Impaired by Moderate Alcohol Consumption

    By Amber | Published: April 2, 2013

    This article was written by Buddy T, About.com Guide. About.com Health’s Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

    But Most Think They Are OK….
    If you are older than 50 and you have a couple of drinks when you go out to eat, you may want to take some extra time before getting into the car and driving home.

    No one knows exactly why, but moderate amounts of alcohol impair older adults more than younger drinkers. It may be because alcohol is metabolized and removed from the body differently once you are older, but even moderate amounts of alcohol can cause measurable impairment for those over age 50.

    Older Adults More Impaired
    Although older adults become more impaired after drinking the same amount as younger drinkers, they do not perceive themselves to be impaired. Therefore, if you go to a social gathering and have a couple of drinks, you may think that you are OK to drive home, but you may be more impaired than you realize.

    According to government studies, more than half of adults older than 55 drink socially. If those social drinkers are more impaired than they think they are, it can cause a significant threat to their health.

    An Accident Can Change Your Life
    People who are killed in alcohol-related accidents make headlines, but we seldom hear about the traffic crashes and accidents that merely injure or maim older adults, changing their quality of life for the rest of their years.

    One study based at the University of Florida, showed that adults aged 50 to 74 who drank the equivalent of two drinks took five seconds longer to complete a task than adults 25 to 35 who had the same amount to drink. Meanwhile, adults in the same age groups who had no alcohol to drink completed the task in about the same time.

    But the other important finding of the study was that the drinkers in both groups self-reported their estimated level of impairment about the same on a scale from 1 to 10, but the tests revealed that the older drinkers were significantly more impaired.

    If You Drink, Take Your Time
    Consequently, if you are over age 50 and have had a couple of drinks, you may be impaired to the point that it is unsafe for you to drive, even though you feel perfectly fine.

    The authors of the Florida study suggest that you take a little extra time before getting in the car and driving home. “If you have a couple of drinks at dinner, sit around, have dessert — don’t drive for a while,” they suggested.

    Source:
    Gilbertson, R., et al. “Effects of Acute Alcohol Consumption in Older and Younger Adults: Perceived Impairment Versus Psychomotor Performance.” Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. March 2009

    ParentYourParents.com ~ Helping You Help Your Aging Parents.

    Posted in Addictions, Alcoholism, Safety | Tagged | Leave a comment

    The National Parkinson Foundation Launches the Whatever It Takes to Beat Parkinson’s Campaign

    By Amber | Published: April 2, 2013

    Release date: 4/1/2013

    — Campaign Begins During Parkinson’s Awareness Month —

    MIAMI, April 1, 2013 — Today the National Parkinson Foundation (NPF) announced the launch of the Whatever It Takes to Beat Parkinson ‘s campaign, a national movement to raise awareness and empower people affected by Parkinson’s to make positive choices for their health and wellbeing. The campaign launch coincides with Parkinson’s Awareness Month, during April.

    Parkinson’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that affects one million Americans and four to six million people worldwide. As there is no cure, lack of information about the disease regarding best treatment and care can drastically impact quality of life.

    “Every person with Parkinson’s should know that they can help fight the impact of the disease,” stated Joyce Oberdorf , NPF’s President and CEO. “It is never too late to see improvements in one’s daily life. This campaign brings to light the many ways that anyone can take action, and arms them with the resources they need to live their best life with Parkinson’s. It speaks to the core of our mission to improve care, and improve lives.”

    The centerpiece of the Whatever It Takes to Beat Parkinson’s campaign is a graphic mosaic of NPF’s blue “P” ribbon for Parkinson’s, made up of more than 100 unique icons. Each icon represents a means to beat Parkinson’s— from yoga, to keeping a balanced diet, to staying positive and seeking out the right treatments. The graphic is being introduced as the national symbol for living well with Parkinson’s disease.

    An interactive webpage profiling this symbol and the goals of the campaign empowers users to learn more and share their experiences with Parkinson’s. Several everyday champions from within the Parkinson’s community are also featured on the page and in Whatever It Takes to Beat Parkinson ‘s posters, flyers, and web banners. Other awareness-raising activities are being rolled out on social media, including contests supporting the campaign throughout the month of April.

    The campaign also marks the opening of a refreshed design for NPF’s online store — which in addition to free publications and resources, will now include apparel and merchandise available for purchase, featuring the Whatever It Takes to Beat Parkinson ‘s national symbol.

    At the local level, NPF will be partnering with its Chapters to hold events and other initiatives surrounding the campaign across the country.

    In launching Whatever It Takes to Beat Parkinson ‘s, NPF has strengthened its commitment to changing lives for people with Parkinson’s. By focusing on empowerment activities, NPF hopes to provide everyone with Parkinson’s the tools they need for a full, productive life.

    Learn more about the Whatever It Takes to Beat Parkinson’s campaign.

    About Parkinson’s Disease
    Affecting an estimated one million Americans and four to six million worldwide, Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s and is the 14th leading cause of death in the United States. It is associated with a progressive loss of motor control (e.g., shaking or tremor at rest and lack of facial expression) as well as non-motor symptoms (e.g., depression and anxiety). There is no cure for PD, and 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the United States alone.

    About the National Parkinson Foundation (NPF)
    Founded in 1957, the National Parkinson Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of care for people with Parkinson’s disease through research, education and outreach. NPF has funded more than $172 million in care, research and support services.

    For more information about NPF, visit www.parkinson.org, or call the NPF Helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO (473-4636).

    ParentYourParents.com ~ Helping you Help your Aging Parents

    Posted in Parkinson's Disease | Leave a comment

    Discussing and Dealing with Pain Management

    By BrightStar Care of Portland North/East | Published: February 25, 2013

    If you or someone you know is consistently in pain there are a few things you should know. Pain is not something that stays the same it changes over time, it can worsen or lessen, your medication may be too strong, or may not be strong enough and it is important to discuss it with your doctor or caregiver! Read More »

    Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

    Save a life, know how to use an AED Heart Defibrillator

    By BrightStar Care of Portland North/East | Published: February 19, 2013

    What do you do if you see someone suddenly collapse? If you remember these three initial steps you could help to save that persons life. According to EMS Safety Services Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA) occurs over 200,000 times in America every year, approximately 23 times every hour. The Heart Rescue Project has put together a great simulator to prepare the general public in what to do if this occurs. Please watch the video below, and you may just save a life someday!

    Gym Simulator by Heart Rescue Now

    Try the Gym Simulator by Heart Rescue Now

    To summarize-

        Once the person collapses check to see if the victim is responsive and if he/she is not it is time to act.

    1. Call 911
    -Have them send help. Stay on the line and listen for further
    instructions.

    2. Start chest Compressions
    -With one hand on top of the other, fingers laced together, push
    down hard and fast in the center of the chest with your arms
    straight. In the meantime, send someone to search for an AED

    3.Use an AED
    -The AED (automated external defibrillator) is a portable medical
    device that delivers an electrical shock to restart a person’s heart.
    It provides voice prompts that tell you exactly what do to and will
    only administer a shock if needed, so there’s no reason to hesitate.

    What is an AED doing?
    The AED is an automated device that provides a lifesaving shock to correct Ventricular Fibrillation and restore the heart to a normal rhythm. Voice and text prompts guide the rescuer on how to place the pads and when to shock. AEDs often provide CPR instructions and compression timing prompts.

    CPR is performed between each shock to provide oxygen to the brain to keep it alive, and to the heart to make it more responsive to the next shock.

    The good news is that many businesses now have an onsite AED, and there are extensive training classes available to those that want to know more about them, and that want to be ready to help in an emergency. A few local resources for CPR and AED training include.
    1. American Red Cross- www.redcross.org
    2. Fitness and Function- www.fitnessandfunction.com
    3. Community Health and Safety training- www.cprportlandoregon.com

    EMS safety services also reports that Studies have shown that immediate use of an AED can increase a victim’s chance of survival from about 5% to between 50 and 74%. You could be the link that could increase these statistics by saving an individuals life!

    Posted in Cardiac Arrest, Caregiver Information, Caregiver Support, Health/Nutrition/Fitness, Heart Attack, Helpful links | Leave a comment

    February is National Senior Independence Month

    By Amber | Published: February 9, 2013

    Here are some tips from Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield on how to celebrate
    National Senior Independence Month!

    Celebrate your independence!
    As you get older, living on your own and taking care of yourself can get  harder. Twenty years from now, one in every five persons in the U.S. will be an older adult, and 85% of adults over the age of 45 say they’d rather stay in their own homes. Keeping active, eating a balanced diet, and seeing a doctor regularly can help you stay healthy. What else can you do to live fully well past retirement?
    Gain new skills
    Learning a new skill – or even challenging yourself to do something in a different way – can trigger your brain to make the nutrients that strengthen, protect and grow brain cells. Learning how to use new technology can keep you in touch with family and friends. If you have a smart phone or computer, stay close to loved ones through email, text, websites like Facebook, and instant message.
    Get involved
    Your skills and knowledge can be useful to your community. What’s more, older people who stay involved in local groups say they’re more satisfied with retirement than people who aren’t as involved. Not sure where to jump in? School programs that pair older people with students seem to benefit everyone. Students’ grades and attitudes get better, and older volunteers are more active, more fit, and have bigger support networks.
    Get artsy
    If you’ve never had time to enjoy art before, now is the time to start. Research suggests that a stimulating setting protects against some kinds of brain damage.  Plus, older adults who take part in weekly arts programs say they’re healthier, go to the doctor less, and don’t take as many medicines.
    Get connected
    These are just a few ideas on how to celebrate National Senior Independence Month this year.  Check out these websites to find out about programs for older adults:
    } Administration on Aging: aoa.gov – Offers services to help you stay healthy and independent.
    } Healthfinder.gov – Includes information and tools on health-related topics.
    } Senior Corps: seniorcorps.org – Tells you about volunteer programs to help others in your community.

    Certain factual or statistical information was pulled from the following sources:
    1 Aging in Place Initiative, Facts (accessed October 12, 2011): aginginplaceinitiative.org
    2 AARP, Home and Community Preferences of the 45+ Population (November 2010): assets.aarp.org
    3 The Franklin Institute Online, The Human Brain: Renew – Exercise (accessed October 12, 2011): fi.edu

    Click here for more information about National Senior Independence Month.

    ParentYourParents.com – Helping You Help Your Aging Parents

    Posted in Health/Nutrition/Fitness, Healthy Aging, Independent Living | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

    Stroke: Warning Signs and Symptoms

    By Amber | Published: February 9, 2013

    The following is important, life saving information on signs and symptoms of a person having a stroke.  This information is provided by the American Stroke Association.

    F.A.S.T. is:
    Face Drooping:  Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile.
    Arm Weakness:  Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
    Speech Difficulty:  Is speech slurred, are they unable to speak, or are they hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “the sky is blue.” Is the sentence repeated correctly?
    Time to call 911:  If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get them to the hospital immediately.

    What to do if you think someone is having a stroke:
    Immediately call 9-1-1 or the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) number so an ambulance can be sent. Also, check the time so you’ll know when the first stroke symptoms appeared. A clot-busting drug called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) may improve the chances of getting better but only if you get them help right away.

    A TIA or transient ischemic attack is a “warning stroke” or “mini-stroke” that produces stroke-like symptoms. TIA symptoms usually only last a few minutes but, if left untreated, people who have TIAs have a high risk of stroke. Recognizing and treating TIAs can reduce the risk of a major stroke.

    Beyond F.A.S.T. — Other Symptoms you should know:
    ~ Sudden numbness or weakness of the leg
    ~ Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
    ~ Sudden severe headache with no known cause
    ~ Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
    ~ Sudden confusion or trouble understanding

    60 second F.A.S.T. Body Language PSA

    Stroke Warning Signs - Fist Bump

    Visit the American Stroke Association for more information.

    ParentYourParents.com – Helping You Help Your Aging Parents

    Posted in Heart Disease, Stroke | Leave a comment