Senior News

"The best doctor gives the least medicines."

— Benjamin Franklin: was a Founding Father of the United States

Giraffe Raiser Extension Handle

Bridging The Gap From Dependency To Self-Sufficiency

In the evolution of the raiser with all of its technological advances on getting a close shave; it has yet to evolve in the design of the razor handle to include people limited in flexibility and mobility. How can you get a close shave if you cannot get close enough to shave?

There are millions of women each year who are unable to shave their legs due to the discomfort of symptoms associated with chronic medical condition or the post operative phase of hip and knee replacement surgery and the third trimester of pregnancy. All of these conditions decrease in flexibility and mobility and therefore, make shaving it difficult if not impossible with a short handled razor. As a consequence, some women just “give up” on shaving their legs entirely or resort to a caregiver or love one to carry out this personal-care routine.

There is now an option for these women to shave their legs independently with comfort and safety. Introducing the Giraffe Raiser Extension Handle, a shaving accessory designed to customize the length and angle of your premium disposable or reusable razor.

The Giraffes Features:

·         No Slip Grip With Rubberized Finish – Perfect For Anyone Who Has Arthritis

·         Adds 15 To 20 Inches In Length To A Razor Handle – Eliminates Bending At The Waist

·         Quick Connect And Release Buttons – Ease Of Use

·         Pivoting Head Rotates To A 30°, 45° Or The 90° Angle – Maximizes Flexibility

·         Two Universal Razor Attachments, Small, And Large – Accommodates The Most Popular Men’s and Women’s Premium Disposable And Reusable Razors On The Market Today

·         Wrist Lanyard – Conveniently Wear Around Your Wrist For Easy Retrieval

The Giraffe’s Benefits Include:

·         Safety – Decreases The Risk Of Falling

·         Comfort – Maximizes Lower Back Strain

·         Privacy, Independence And Time Management

·         Broadens Options For Wearing Comfortable Clothing

·         Positive Self- Image

·         Improve Quality Of Life

 

The Giraffe is easy to use: just lock in the raiser, adjust the length, choose the desired angle, and you are ready to shave!

The giraffe is also the ideal travel companion for shaving your legs in small showers even for the most agile woman. Cruise ships, RVs, college dormitories, fitness locker rooms and European hotels are a few examples of where shaving with the Giraffe is beneficial.

The Giraffe Raiser Extension Handle is available for $29.99 on Amazon.com and giraffe bath and body.com

 

Senior Discounts Can Add Up $$$

Hmmmm, Dunkin Donuts gives free coffee to people over 55. If you're
paying for a cup every day, you might want to start getting it for free.

Restaurants:
Applebee’s: 15% off with Golden Apple Card (60+)
Arby’s: 10% off (55+)
Ben & Jerry’s: 10% off (60+)
Bennigan’s: discount varies by location
Bob’s Big Boy: discount varies by location (60+)
Boston Market: 10% off (65+)
Burger King: 10% off (60+)
Captain D’s Seafood: discount varies on location (62+)
Chick-Fil-A: 10% off or free small drink or coffee (55+)
Chili’s: 10% off (55+)
CiCi’s Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Culver’s: 10% off (60+)
Denny’s: 10% off, 20% off for AARP members (55+)
Dunkin’ Donuts: 10% off or free coffee (55+)
Einstein’s Bagels: 10% off baker’s dozen of bagels (60+)
Fuddrucker’s: 10% off any senior platter (55+)
Gatti’s Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Golden Corral: 10% off (60+)
Hardee’s: $0.33 beverages everyday (65+)
IHOP: 10% off (55+)
Jack in the Box: up to 20% off (55+)
KFC: free small drink with any meal (55+)
Krispy Kreme: 10% off (50+)
Long John Silver’s: various discounts at participating locations (55+)
McDonald’s: discounts on coffee everyday (55+)
Mrs. Fields: 10% off at participating locations (60+)
Shoney’s: 10% off
Sonic: 10% off or free beverage (60+)
Steak ‘n Shake: 10% off every Monday & Tuesday (50+)
Subway: 10% off (60+)
Sweet Tomatoes: 10% off (62+)
Taco Bell : 5% off; free beverages for seniors (65+)
TCBY: 10% off (55+)
Tea Room Cafe: 10% off (50+)
Village Inn: 10% off (60+)
Waffle House: 10% off every Monday (60+)
Wendy’s: 10% off (55+)
White Castle : 10% off (62+)


Retail And Apparel:
Banana Republic: 10% off (50+)
Bealls: 20% off first Tuesday of each month (50+)
Belk’s: 15% off first Tuesday of every month (55+)
Big Lots: 10% off
Bon-Ton Department Stores: 15% off on senior discount days (55+)
C.J. Banks: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
Clarks : 10% off (62+)
Dress Barn: 10% off (55+)
Goodwill: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Hallmark: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Kmart: 20% off (50+)
Kohl’s: 15% off (60+)
Modell’s Sporting Goods: 10% off
Rite Aid: 10% off on Tuesdays & 10% off prescriptions
Ross Stores: 10% off every Tuesday (55+)
The Salvation Army Thrift Stores: up to 50% off (55+)
Stein Mart: 20% off red dot/clearance items first Monday of every month
(55+)


Grocery:
Albertson’s: 10% off first Wednesday of each month (55+)
American Discount Stores: 10% off every Monday (50+)
Compare Foods Supermarket: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
De Cicco Family Markets: 5% off every Wednesday (60+)
Food Lion: 6% off every Monday (60+)
Fry’s Supermarket: free Fry’s VIP Club Membership & 10% off every
Monday (55+)
Great Value Food Store: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
Gristedes Supermarket: 10% off every Tuesday (60+)
Harris Teeter: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
Hy-Vee: 5% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Kroger: 10% off (date varies by location)
Morton Williams Supermarket: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
The Plant Shed: 10% off every Tuesday (50+)
Publix: 5% off every Wednesday (55+)
Rogers Marketplace: 5% off every Thursday (60+)
Uncle Guiseppe’s Marketplace: 5% off (62+)


Travel:
Alaska Airlines: 10% off (65+)
Alamo : up to 25% off for AARP members
American Airlines: various discounts for 65 and up (call before booking
for discount)
Amtrak: 15% off (62+)
Avis: up to 25% off for AARP members
Best Western: 10% off (55+)
Budget Rental Cars: 10% off; up to 20% off for AARP members (50+)
Cambria Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
Clarion: 20%-30% off (60+)
Comfort Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Comfort Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
Continental Airlines: no initiation fee for Continental Presidents Club
& special fares for select destinations
Dollar Rent-A-Car: 10% off (50+)
Econo Lodge: 20%-30% off (60+)
Enterprise Rent-A-Car: 5% off for AARP members
Greyhound: 5% off (62+)
Hampton Inns & Suites: 10% off when booked 72 hours in advance
Hertz: up to 25% off for AARP members
Holiday Inn: 10%-30% off depending on location (62+)
Hyatt Hotels: 25%-50% off (62+)
InterContinental Hotels Group: various discounts at all hotels (65+)
Mainstay Suites: 10% off with Mature Traveler’s Discount (50+); 20%-30%
off (60+)
Marriott Hotels: 15% off (62+)
Motel 6: 10% off (60+)
Myrtle Beach Resort: 10% off (55+)
National Rent-A-Car: up to 30% off for AARP members
Quality Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Rodeway Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Sleep Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Southwest Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before
booking for discount)
Trailways Transportation System: various discounts for ages 50 and up
United Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before
booking for discount)
U.S. Airways: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking
for discount)


Activities And Entertainment:
AMC Theaters: up to 30% off (55+)
Bally Total Fitness: up to $100 off memberships (62+)
Busch Gardens Tampa : $3 off one-day tickets (50+)
Carmike Cinemas: 35% off (65+)
Cinemark/Century Theaters: up to 35% off
U.S. National Parks: $10 lifetime pass; 50% off additional services
including camping (62+)
Regal Cinemas: 30% off
Ripley’s Believe it or Not: @ off one-day ticket (55+)
SeaWorld Orlando: $3 off one-day tickets (50+)


Cell Phone Discounts:
AT&T: Special Senior Nation 200 Plan $29.99/month (65+)
Jitterbug: $10/month cell phone service (50+)
Verizon Wireless: Verizon Nationwide 65 Plus Plan $29.99/month (65+).


Miscellaneous:
Great Clips: $3 off hair cuts (60+)
Super Cuts: $2 off haircuts (60+)

Local Families Advised to Monitor Seniors’ Health during American Stroke Month
Leading senior care provider urges loved ones to consider elevated risk of stroke for older Americans

 For families with aging loved ones, very few serious health risks present the same level of concern as an unexpected stroke. In the U.S., someone suffers a stroke every 40 seconds and more than 75 percent of these incidents occur in people over the age of 65. Fortunately, fewer than 20 percent of all strokes are fatal – but unfortunately, most stroke survivors suffer some lingering health effects that affect long-term quality of life.

May is American Stroke Month and across the area, Senior Helpers, a leading national and local in-home care provider that cares for stroke survivors every day, is spreading awareness about the prevalence of stroke among aging Americans. Although strokes can seemingly strike without warning, Senior Helpers is encouraging families to talk to their aging parents and grandparents about some simple lifestyle changes that can help reduce the risk.

“Stroke can sometimes be a scary topic that aging seniors don’t want to talk or even think about, but it’s important for concerned family members to realize that stroke is the leading cause of long-term disability in the United States, and the risks go up drastically with age,” said Peter Ross, CEO of Senior Helpers. “After a close family member suffers a stroke, there is a high likelihood that they will require a little bit more help and a little bit more attention to live their daily life.”

“Most stroke survivors still enjoy a very high quality of life, but most also require an extra pair of hands around the house to help out,” Ross added. “In situations where friends and family may not always be available, professional caregivers who are highly trained and know what warning signs to look out for can be there to help.”

Quick Facts about Stroke and Seniors:

• Strokes are the sudden damage or loss of a section of brain cells caused by restricted flow of oxygen to the brain, usually due to hardened arteries or blood clots.

• Stroke is the leading cause of disability and third leading cause of death across the country (Alliance for Aging Research)

• Almost 800,000 Americans suffer a stroke every year, and more than 185,000 of these are recurrent attacks (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

• Chances of having a stroke doubles each decade after turning 55 (Alliance for Aging Research).

• 75% of all strokes occur in seniors over the age of 65 (American Stroke Association).

• 90% of all stroke victims suffer lingering, long-term effects (University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey)

The latest research from the American Stroke Association shows that women tend to be at slightly greater risk of suffering a fatal stroke than men. Also, seniors living in the Southeast are more at-risk than individuals in most other geographic regions. There are a number of factors that increase the risk of stroke, including age, family history, high blood pressure, smoking, alcohol and drug abuse, and any medical history involving previous episodes or symptoms of stroke. However, some basic and simple lifestyle changes can reduce the overall risk for millions of aging Americans.

Stroke Prevention Tips for Seniors:

• Exercise regularly to reduce high blood pressure

• Avoid high fat and cholesterol foods on a regular basis

• For seniors with or at risk of diabetes, keep blood sugar levels under control

• Reduce sodium in daily diet

• Quit smoking immediately

Warning Signs of Stroke for Seniors:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arms or legs, especially on one side of the body

• Sudden confusion or trouble speaking and understanding

• Sudden trouble seeing out of one eye

• Sudden trouble walking or loss of balance

• Sudden, severe headaches without cause

Always seek immediate medical attention, call 911 if you exhibit any signs of stroke. Recovery is greatly improved with treatment administered in the first 60 minutes after an incident.

About Senior Helpers: Senior Helpers connects professional caregivers with seniors who wish to live at home as opposed to a nursing or assisted living facility. The company has 300 franchises in 42 states and one in Canada offering a wide range of personal and companion care services to assist seniors living independently with a strong focus on quality of life for the client and peace of mind for their families. Senior Helpers strives to be the leading companion and personal care provider that offers dependable, consistent and affordable home care.

 For more information, please visit www.seniorhelpers.com .

Local Job Growth in Booming In-Home Senior Care Industry
 With the national unemployment rate remaining stubbornly high at 9.7 percent and more and more news of companies going under, where on earth can you find a job in this town? Look no farther than your aging parents and relatives, who are creating one of the biggest economic booms this country has ever seen. In the coming years, two out of ten people in the U.S. will be age 65 or older and there just aren’t enough people to take care of them. That’s why care giving for the elderly is an exploding sector of the growing local and national senior care industry. This year alone, the in-home care industry is expected to grow by 12.5 percent, adding more than 100,000 new jobs, many of them right in our area.

“Senior care is a thriving industry with no sign of a slow down in sight,” says Peter Ross, CEO of Senior Helpers, the nation’s fastest growing provider of in-home senior care with offices locally and nationally. “We employ more than 6,000 caregivers nationally and we are hiring at most of our 283 locations.  In-home care is recession-resistant, rewarding work that provides peace of mind for families who just can’t be with their senior loved ones all of the time.”

WHY LOCAL JOB GROWTH IN SENIOR CARE?

• A recent study by the National Caregivers Association (NCA) shows that over the next 25 years as the Baby Boomers continue to age, the proportion of people needing care will increase while the number of adult children able to take care of them will decrease. Bottom line: There will be fewer American adults able to take care of aging parents! 

• More than 43 million people in the U.S. – 19 percent of adults – provide care for an elderly family member or friend.

• The NCA reports the typical caregiver is a middle-aged daughter caring for an elderly parent or grandparent while juggling a family and a job simultaneously. Nearly 100 percent report emotional strain, most report financial strain and 68 percent miss work because of care giving responsibilities.

 “The burden usually falls on one of the adult children who already juggles a family, a job and all the responsibilities that go with their own life,” says Ross. “More and more seniors want to stay in their own homes and professional caregivers can make this possible by taking the burden off of adult children.” 

REWARDING WORK FOR AMERICANS – AN ECONOMIC BRIGHT SPOT   Nichole  Henry was out of work when she got the job as a Senior Helpers’ caregiver. She is studying to become a registered nurse (RN) and works helping elderly clients prepare meals, take their medication on time and simply listen when they want to talk. “I wanted a rewarding job and I’ve found my calling,” says Henry. “There is no job greater than helping others who can’t do for themselves. I listen to their concerns with an open heart and it makes all the difference in the world!”

About Senior Helpers:   Senior Helpers connects professional caregivers with seniors who wish to live at home as opposed to a nursing or assisted living facility. The company has 283 franchises in 39 states and one in Canada offering a wide range of personal and companion care services to assist seniors living independently with a strong focus on quality of life for the client and peace of mind for their families. Senior Helpers strives to be the leading companion and personal care provider that offers dependable, consistent and affordable home care. For more information, please visit: http://www.seniorhelpers.com/

 

Quick Lesson in Meditation
Meditation is said to be a great stress reducer.

The first significant studies, in the '60s and '70s, proved that meditators could get themselves so deep into trances that they wouldn't react when they were prodded and burned. Another study showed that meditators, unlike marksmen, didn't flinch at the sound of a gunshot. And a Harvard Medical School professor studied 36 meditators and found that they used 17% less oxygen, lowered their heart rates by three beats a minute, and increased their theta brain waves -- the ones that appear right before sleep -- without slipping into actual sleep. A later Harvard test showed that the EEGs of meditators were significantly different than those of a control group.

Later studies became more sophisticated with brain imaging. One study showed that the brain doesn't shut off when it meditates but rather blocks information from coming into a certain portion of it -- the parietal lobe. Another study showed that meditation slows blood flow to all portions of the brain but the limbic system, which generates emotions and memories and regulates heart rate, respiratory rate, and metabolism.

For 30 years, meditation research has told us that it works beautifully as an antidote to stress," says Daniel Goleman, author of "Destructive Emotions." "But what's exciting about the new research is how meditation can train the mind and reshape the brain." Tests using imaging techniques suggest that it can actually reset the brain, changing the point at which a traffic jam, for instance, sets the blood boiling.

Good news: You don't need a guru, weird clothes, or a monastery to meditate. It's pretty simple:

1. Find a quiet place and turn out the lights.
2. Close your eyes.
3. Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose.
4. As you exhale (slowly), say a word or phrase that has a soothing sound.
5. Repeat.
Start with 10-minute sessions. If desired, increase gradually. 
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REDUCE YOUR CHOLESTEROL
Foods with soluble fiber are the best foods for reducing your cholesterol because the fiber dissolves in the blood stream and carries cholesterol out of the blood. Foods with soluble fiber include vegetables such as carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, onions. Just about every fruit and vegetable is good a good source of cholesterol.

Be sure to eat the skins of both vegetables and fruits because they contain the most fiber. Recommended daily dietary fiber is 25 grams. Legumes, whole grains and nuts all supply soluble fiber. Barley has the greatest impact on cholesterol. And almonds are probably the most important nut. Unsalted and not roasted, almonds are high in monounsaturated fats such as those found in olive oil. Soy proteins are also great. You can use tofu in burgers, shakes or sauces. Ground cinnamon, too, is a powerful spice that can lower cholesterol. And flaxseed meal, also potent, can be added to a wide variety of foods.

Basically 50 percent of your cholesterol is determined by diet. Small changes in eating habits can make a big difference. Take little steps toward better heath and it will pay off in miles!

 10 warning signs of Alzheimer's disease

 Memory loss that disrupts everyday life is not a normal part of aging. It may be a symptom of dementia (dih-MEN-shuh), a gradual and progressive decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer's (AHLZ-high-merz) disease, a disorder that results in the loss of brain cells. 

This checklist of common symptoms can help you recognize signs of Alzheimer's disease.

 1 Memory loss

2 Difficulty performing familiar tasks

3 Problems with language

4 Disorientation to time and place

5 Poor or decreased judgment

6 Problems with abstract thinking

7 Misplacing things

8 Changes in mood or behavior

9 Changes in personality

10 Loss of initiative

 

How do you know it's a stroke?

by Sharon Siewert, RN, BS, CCRN, Director of Neurosciences John C. Lincoln Hospitals

 With all the recent attention on strokes in wake of the health of U.S. Senator Tim Johnson from South Dakota, we thought it would be useful to let people know how to recognize a stroke.  Rapid medical care can make the difference between a lifetime of disability and a good recovery.

 A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted.  This can be caused by a blood clot or by a burst blood vessel, either of which impairs the brain’s ability to function. Think of a stroke as a “brain attack.”

 We all know how important it is to get immediate treatment for a heart attack. We need to understand it’s equally important to get immediate treatment for a brain attack.

 Strokes are the third most prevalent cause of death, the leading cause of adult disability and affect 700,000 Americans every year. Rapid medical treatment — started less than 3 hours after onset of symptoms — can save many stroke patients from a lifetime of disability.

 That makes knowing a stroke’s signs and symptoms critically important.

 Think “FAST.”  

(F) Face: Does it droop on one side? Can the patient smile and show all teeth?

(A) Arms: Are they equally strong? Can the patient raise both arms and hold them up?

(S) Speech: Is it slurred or garbled? Can the patient speak normal sentences?

(T) Time: Don't waste it!  If the patient has any symptoms of stroke, call 9-1-1 immediately!

 Who is at risk for a stroke?  

• Anyone who has had a “mini-stroke,” the temporary loss of ability to speak or paralysis on one side of the body.

• Those who've had mini-strokes are at high risk for a major brain attack.

• Anyone who has high blood pressure

• Anyone who is diabetic

• •Anyone who smokes  

Remember: If medical treatment can be started in time, within three hours of the onset of symptoms, a “brain attack” patient has a much better chance of a good outcome. Do not hesitate to call 9-1-1.