Senior News

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

April 29, 2010 – 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
(March 9, 2010) – 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!

NIH Launches Unique Effort to Advance Study of Urologic Chronic Pelvic Pain Disorders The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), announces awards to eight academic research centers to conduct collaborative studies of urologic chronic pelvic pain disorders by looking for clues outside the bladder and prostate. The total research investment for the five-year project is estimated to be up to $37.5 million. "The launch of this novel research effort is an excellent example of NIH’s commitment to encouraging translational research," said NIH Director Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D. "It also illustrates NIH’s leadership in furthering innovative approaches to discovering effective new therapies to help our patients." The Multidisciplinary Approach to the Study of Chronic Pelvic Pain (MAPP) Research Network includes six Discovery Sites that will conduct the studies and two Core Sites that will coordinate data collection, analyze tissue samples, and provide technical support. The Discovery Sites are at: Northwestern University, Chicago; the University of California, Los Angeles; the University of Iowa, Iowa City; the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; the University of Washington, Seattle; and Washington University, St. Louis. Core Sites are at the University of Colorado, Denver and the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. The MAPP initiative is unusual in requiring investigators to conduct highly collaborative research of the most common urologic chronic pelvic pain syndromes from a broadened systemic perspective. This is a major shift from earlier organ-specific research on the two most prominent urologic chronic pelvic pain disorders, interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome, and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. "The MAPP Network’s expanded scientific approach will address many persistent questions about urologic chronic pelvic pain," said NIDDK Director Griffin P. Rodgers, M.D. "Knowing whether there are risk factors common to all the disorders and whether clinical profiles can be identified for each will provide invaluable, fundamental information for developing treatment strategies." The innovative shift in research focus represented by the MAPP initiative is supported by recent epidemiological studies showing that interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome are frequently associated with other chronic pain disorders such as fibromyalgia (chronic pain of unknown origin), chronic fatigue syndrome, and irritable bowel syndrome. These latest findings suggest the possibility of common underlying disease processes in these chronic disorders. "The bladder was assumed to be the origin of the interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome symptoms and the prostate was assumed to be the source of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome symptoms," explained Leroy M. Nyberg Jr., M.D., Ph.D., the NIDDK urologist heading the program. "However, in spite of intense study funded by NIDDK, no organ-specific cause has been identified for either disorder." The MAPP research effort is expected to lead to critical new insights into the underlying causes of urologic chronic pelvic pain. Widening the scope of research will be bolstered by the perspectives of project leaders not normally involved in urologic pelvic pain studies, but who have expertise in relevant scientific disciplines. This will expand the context in which research into interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome and chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome occurs and will encourage a more comprehensive approach to understanding chronic pelvic pain. Scientists at Discovery Sites will conduct individual and collaborative multi-site research projects, supported by each Core Site. An important first step in these studies will be the careful and extensive phenotyping (clinical characterization) of the men and women participating in the studies. The Data Coordination Core (University of Pennsylvania) will provide overall administration and coordination of multi-site research studies and perform data analyses. The Tissue Analysis and Technology Core (University of Colorado) will bank, analyze, and distribute biopsy, serum and urine samples. Tissue analyses will help in the search for biomarkers, important in screening for diseases and for monitoring treatment outcomes. The Colorado Core Site also will perform genomic and proteomic tissue expression analyses which may lead to new treatment approaches and help predict which patients may respond to these treatments. In addition to initial collaborative projects by the Network, MAPP investigators will be invited to propose ancillary research projects to further the goals of the collaborative study group. Proposals will be reviewed for scientific merit and feasibility by an external Scientific Advisory Committee. For more information on the MAPP Research Network, visit http://www2.niddk.nih.gov/Research/ScientificAreas/Urology/MAPP. NIDDK conducts and supports research in diabetes and other endocrine and metabolic diseases; digestive diseases, nutrition, and obesity; and kidney, urologic, and hematologic diseases. Spanning the full spectrum of medicine and afflicting people of all ages and ethnic groups, these diseases encompass some of the most common, severe, and disabling conditions affecting Americans. For more information about NIDDK and its programs, see www.niddk.nih.gov. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) — The Nation's Medical Research Agency — includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is the primary federal agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical and translational medical research, and it investigates the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.

 

 

Any time there is a heat advisory or the heat index reaches above 100 degrees, seek shade and avoid dehydration. Drink plenty of fluids and stay indoors during the middle of the day. Be particularly wary if you are taking blood pressure medications. Watch out for heat exhaustion during physical activity, and during a heat advisory  check on your older family members or friends. Make sure they consume plenty of fluids. If they do not have air conditioning, move them to a cool environment. Being cautious and careful can prevent serious complications Heat can be deadly!

 

Jean McCurdy Ms New York 1999 and  Diane Shapiro MS Arizona 2001 run the booth for Alzheimer's Association & Ms. Senior AZ Pageant 2008 at the Women's Expo 2007 April 14, 2007

 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

• •nyone 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.

Caring For Caregivers

First Annual Caregiver Awards, honoring caregivers valley wide   Click here to nominate a caregiver NOW! ( Please be ready to cut and paste your essay) November is National Family Caregiving Month. It’s a special time to thank and support caregivers and those who support them.  The Caregiver Resource Institute will be recognizing four outstanding caregivers in the community and one caregiver of the year honoree.  The selections will be led by the board of directors and the gala committee of the Caregiver Resource Institute from nominations received by the public. The 2007 caregiver award recipients will be announced at the annual Caregiver Gala on Saturday, November 17, 2007.    Click here to nominate a caregiver and for more details  Caregiver  Gala: In the Mood  Saturday, November 17, 2007 Sun City Grand Sonora Plaza - Grand Ballroom Surprise, AZ  Attire: Evening Wear .Swing was in and the "cool cat" sounds of Benny Goodman, Bing Crosby and the Andrew Sisters were being heard in ballrooms and nightclubs everywhere. Click here for more info