Growing Older and Long Distance Caregiving

I read several interesting articles recently about family caregiving and changing roles between children and their parents. Transitions are difficult, as individuals get older and are not able to do everything they previously enjoyed. Families need to spend time together and talk about their care plans, how they can help each other and not be a burden.

Here is a wonderful article by Caitlin Gibson in the Washington Post about a couple who celebrated their 80th Valentine's Day this year. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/13/AR2011021303355.html?sid=ST2011021301591

Long distance caregiving is a growing challenge for many adults. Liza Berger writes in Today's Caregiver (Feb. 25, 2011) that more than three million Baby Boomers help to coordinate care for a family member or friend who lives at least an hour away. Among several good suggestions in getting organized, she suggests that people build a team of family, friends and care professionals that you can turn to for help in caring for your loved ones. http://www.caregiver.com/channels/long_distance/articles/long_distance_care_phenomenon.htm

Sharing and Remembering

Susan Reimer wrote an interesting column yesterday http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2011-01-24/news/bs-ed-reimer-20110124_1_forgettings-memories-perfect-pitch about Nora Ephron's new book, "I Remember Nothing."

Many people struggle with failing memories. It is a common challenge of aging.

I find that I don't remember much about my childhood. However, my father has a great memory. He just wrote a 30 page "memoir" about his life for my children. We learned about many stories that we had never known before.

Do you share stories of your youth with your children and grandchildren? How many of you have written down these stories for future generations?

Falls Prevention Fair Today at Stadium Place

Today is National Fall Prevention Awareness Day!

Come celebrate at the Safe Steps to Fall Prevention - A Resource Fair for Seniors and Caregivers at the Stadium Place Y today from 11am - 3pm.

We invite you to join us at an informational fair about fall prevention, home safety, and other important resources for seniors and caregivers.


Falls are the leading cause of nursing home admissions in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than $19.2 billion is spent treating the adverse effects of falls among the elderly.


Safe Steps to Fall Prevention - A Resource Fair for Seniors and Caregivers

Enjoying the Show

We're all feeling tired and our muscles are aching from shoveling the snow.

Let's why the #1 rated Super Bowl commercial, with Betty White and Abe Vigoda playing football, made us all smile. We can feel young again, even as we get older. It's all in our attitude.

With another storm bearing down on us, please remember to call your friends and neighbors to see if they need any assistance. Please help to clear paths around the neighborhood for the older residents and their pets.

Enjoy the pretty scenery.

This blog from Dr. Bill Thomas hits home, since I'm turning 45 next month!

Ageing alert! (from ChangingAging.Org by Dr. Bill Thomas)

Overhearing conversations on trains and busses I get the impression that many
people are very surprised that suddenly, one day, they are“old”. I have seen
this as early as 45 years in some friends also. Maybe we should have somebody
produce (witty) TV-spots to remind us not to panic when we realise that we are
“old”. It is just a reminder to think how to react, or better pro-act in order to
grow within this mature phase of our lives and how to mentor the younger
generations.

Loneliness during the holidays

Many people, including older adults, suffer from depression and loneliness during the holidays. Widows and those living along are more likely to suffer from loneliness. Feelings of stress and depression can worsen other physical and mental health issues. At Stadium Place, participants in the Neighbor Helping Neighbor program are working together to ward off loneliness. They make daily calls to each other and provide assistance with meals and transportation.

A Science Daily article reported on the health risks of loneliness. “Although not having many close friends contributes to poorer health for many older adults, those who also feel lonely face even greater health risks, research at the University of Chicago suggests. Older people who are able to adjust to being alone don't have the same health problems.”

A recent blog by Melanie Haiken at Caring.Com noted research of how loneliness could be contagious.

A few other interesting observations: • Women are more likely than men to report
a greater degree of loneliness. And women’s loneliness is more likely to spread
through their social networks.• Peoples’ chances of becoming lonely were more
likely to be influenced by what happened among friendships than among family
relationships.• Loneliness feeds on itself; people tend to push lonely people
away, probably out of discomfort and fear.

Helping lonely people recognize that that's what they're feeling is an important first step; naming the feeling as loneliness keeps us from behaving like grumps and driving others away.

Please remember to call or visit your friends and neighbors during the next few weeks, especially older adults who may live alone.

Magically Lessen the Ouch in your Pain

Who would ever think that a combination of deep breathing, changing one’s diet, good old fashioned circulation, stretching & exercise and guided imagery can magically lessen the ouch in your pain.

All of us experience pain from time to time. Pain is the #1 reason people schedule doctor’s appointments. However, some of us suffer daily and constant pain. Whether you have muscular, nerve or joint pain—certain self-help activities can bring relief and comfort while it alleviates some of the painful moments.

How do you do this? First identify your pain: Is it muscular, nerve, joint, or bone? Internal or external? Does your pain occur after you eat certain foods, walk, exercise, bend down, talk with a certain person, or become fearful?

Is your pain burning, stabbing, constant, or episodic? The first action to take towards self-help with pain management is to identify where your pain occurs, when does it occurs, how long does the pain last, is there a predisposing factor that contributes to your pain? These are just a few questions to ask yourself about pain. Learn about your pain---know when it starts and when it ends.

Pain can result from various issues with the body, including physical and mental fatigue and exhaustion, and when there is a lack of balance in the body. A new integrative approach to pain management encourages patients to understand their pain. Integrative means to think of your body in the traditional medical sense—as a biophysical machine, but to also include the dimensions of pain management that includes a holistic or integrative approach.

For more information about integrative medicine, please contact Jacqueline Kreinik, our guest blogger, at jkreinik007@gmail.com.

Medicare covers flu shots and health screenings

Prevention is the key to long-term health. Doctors and public health professionals are encouraging everyone, especially people with Medicare, to get their seasonal flu shots. Flu shots are your best defense against combating flu this season.

Medicare provides coverage of the flu vaccine without any out-of-pocket costs to the Medicare patient as a part B benefit. No deductible or copayment/coinsurance applies. Note that influenza vaccine is NOT a Part D covered Drug.

Medicare also provides coverage for a one-time physical exam and various cancer screenings. Eligible individuals only have a 20% co-pay for these services.

Medicare covers a one-time preventive physical exam within the first 12
months that you have Part B. The exam will include a thorough review of your
health, education and counseling about the preventive services you need,
like certain screenings and shots, and referrals for other care. The
Welcome to Medicare" physical exam is a great way to get up-to-date on
important screenings and shots and to talk with your doctor about your
family history and how to stay healthy.