Today’s Boomers

Main Line Elder Care Associates is encouraged by a study from the Harvard School of Public Health that concludes that healthy behavior can make a very real difference in many of our lives.

The research is from the journal Circulation 

100,000 men and women [middle-aged] practiced 5 healthy behaviors and managed to lower their stroke risk by about 80 percent. 

What are the five healthy behaviors….

First is not to smoke, second step: maintaining a healthy weight.

The study authors say you should exercise 30 minutes per day or more.

Of course, diet is in there;  eat a healthy diet with an emphasis on 4 fruits and 5 vegetables a day.

Finally, alcohol in moderation. 
 

Main Line Elder Care Associates in Wayne, Pennsylvania considers a study performed by the Harvard School of Public Health to be important and significant to make a very real difference in the lives of our clients..

The research is from the journal Circulation 

The findings in this study concluded that middle-aged people who practice five healthy behaviors lower their stroke risk by about 80 percent. The study involved over 100,000 men and women.

5 Healthy Behaviors that may lower your risk for a stroke are as followed:

First is not to smoke.
Second is maintain a healthy weight.
Third is to exercise 30 minutes per day or more.
Fourth is to eat a healthy diet with an emphasis on 4 fruits and 5 vegetables per day.
Fifth is alcohol in moderation. 

This study is important because of the size of the study and for the first time each item was listed which shows that healthy behavior is an important essential to living longer, as well as reducing the risk of stroke.

Helen C. Hopkinson, J.D., President & CEO, Main Line Elder Care Associates, Inc., Wayne, Pennsylvania, www.mainlineeldercare.com, www.mainlineeldercare.blog.com 
 

The risk for Shingles increases as you get older. Shingles can affect any one who has had chickenpox at any time, without warning. There is no way to tell who will get Shingles or when it may occur.

The first signs of Shingles are often felt and may not be seen.

These can include 

 itching - tingling - burning

A few days later a rash may appear, or fluid filled blisters (usually on one side of the body or face) and they may take 4 weeks to heal.

Caregivers are encouraged to provide activities that are fun and engaging. Games should not be childish but a good source for stimulation. Reminiscing board games are available at seniorstore.com.    

Main Line Elder Care Associates promotes physical activity to our clients because it is good for people at any age.

Seniors do fall and  that’s the most common cause for injury and disability.

However, studies now show that physical activity does make your bones and muscles stronger.

Therefore, when your muscles are strong, you’re more less likely to fall.  And, if you do fall, your bones will be stronger and less likely to break.

Walk Walk Walk….Be Active - Take a Dance Class - Enjoy Life.

Statistics indicate that while today’s boomers are now deciding to live together  instead of marrying and have no plans for future marriage, could find themselves at ”splitsville” much sooner than their committed friends.  

Sweden takes this commitment very seriously and have a much higher percentage of success.

This morning, I read an article in the WALL STREET JOURNAL stating that more than 40 billions miles of driving were reduced on our highways over the last 7 months. This information comes from a recent Transportation Department report.

Americans slashed their driving by more than billions of miles because of the high cost for gasoline  and the report also indicated that Americans drove 3.7% fewer miles in the month of May than they did a year early.

That also means the reduction on our highways has now doubled since the 1.8% estimate that was reported in April.

Besides the reduction of gasoline at the pumps,  this also now indicates that Americans are paying less federal fuel taxes.

Here’s the real problem, the federal fuel tax money helps our States to finance highways and mass transit systems. Also, the price today for construction of these highways is increasing and the fuel needed to run transit systems could now make public transportation very expensive for today’s boomers.

Realistically, without Federal funding, many projects will soon start to be pared down or eliminated.

Is there a fix in the future:

Yesterday, I heard on CNN that we could possibly see $3.00 a gallon for gasoline by September, and I would like to know how this has impacted you personally and what solutions you see for the future. 

How is this impacting our seniors and emergency transport companies?

Do you think that your aging parent should be having sex while residing at an assisted living facility?

Of course, many adult children are horrified learning their father or mother are being actively sexual.

Many never thought their parents were even capable of  being naughty. Some will take drastic steps to stop or even limit this type of  involvement.
 
They contribute this activity to a mental decline or dementia. They void themselves of any thoughts of the elder being lonely and needing this type of connection.

Instead, adult children decide to blame the caregivers and want to keep the lovers apart. 

They get caught up on their own feelings of panic but forget about how this will impact the needs of the seniors. 

Sometimes, the separated couple will loss weight, become depressed and become hospitalized over the sudden isolation or rejection.

Sometimes the progression of Alzheimer’s may protect the hurt  but aren’t we are inviting an overly powerful restriction on our parents and could we be violating their right to privacy- and maybe even a  right to have a sex life?

Realistically, today’s boomers are going to do everything in their power to protect their rights and they will not tolerate any restrictions that limit their pursuit of happinss just because they are getting older. This is a very serious issue that needs our consdidraion because Gerontologists have highly recommended sex for the elderly because it improves mood and even overall physical function. However. legal issues are enormously complicated, as Daniel Engber explored in his 2007 article “Naughty Nursing Homes”:

Can someone with dementia give informed consent?

How do caregivers balance safety and privacy concerns?

When families object to a demented person being sexually active, are nursing homes responsible for chaperoning? 

Unfortunately, any botched love affair does show the incredible intensity and human cost of an issue that just can’t afford to go on being ignored any longer. Therfore, Today’s Boomers is addressing this issue because we need to have this issue decided, so that if an elder wants to be naughty at a nursing home - they don’t need their children’s approval.

PRIMARY SYMPTOMS Bradykinesia – slowness in voluntary movement such as standing up, walking, and sitting down. This happens because of delayed transmission signals from the brain to the muscles. Tremors – often occur in the hands, fingers, forearms, foot, mouth, or chin. Typically, tremors take place when the limbs are at rest as opposed to when there is movement. Rigidity – otherwise known as stiff muscles, often produce muscle pain that is increased during movement. Poor Balance – happens because of the loss of reflexes that help posture. This causes unsteady balance which oftentimes leads to a fall. Parkinson’s Gait – a common walk of somebody with Parkinson’s disease. It includes shuffling, head down, shoulders drooped, lack of arm swing, and leaning backwards or forwards unnaturally. Initiating walking is difficult and freezing mid-stride is common.

SECONDARY SYMPTOMS Constipation Difficulty swallowing; saliva and food that get caught in the mouth or in the back of the throat may cause choking, coughing, or drooling Excessive salivation Excessive sweating Loss of bowel and/or bladder control Loss of intellectual capacity Psychosocial: anxiety, depression, isolation Scaling, dry skin on the face or scalp Slow response to questions Small cramped handwriting Soft, whispery voice

There are many secondary symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease. Patients do not typically experience all the symptoms, and the intensity of each symptom varies from person to person

Diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson’s disease

How is Parkinson’s disease diagnosed?

There are not lab tests to definitively diagnose Parkinson’s disease. A systematic neurological exam will include testing your reflexes and observing things like muscle strength throughout your body, coordination, balance, and other details of movement. You may be given tests to exclude the possibility of other disorders. These tests include blood tests, urine tests, CT scans, or MRI scans. Although none of these tests actually diagnose Parkinson’s disease, they may reveal the presence of some other conditions that could be responsible for the symptoms.

Treatment of Parkinson’s disease

There is no cure for Parkinson’s disease; however, there are certain medications available to treat the symptoms of the disease. A surgical treatment, known as Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is sometimes used to help reduce the severity of muscle rigidity and bradykinesia, and physical therapy is often recommended.

However, if you have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s, you can help keep yourself as healthy and safe as possible by taking certain precautions.

Alleviating Parkinson’s-related problems and symptoms

General tips for mobility and comfort

• Before starting an exercise regime, you should always check with your doctor.
• Cut foods into smaller portions to avoid choking and to encourage digestion.
• For upset stomachs linked to medication, try eating an oatmeal cookie when taking it.
• Exercise your face and jaw whenever possible.
• Practice bending, stretching, and breathing exercises.
• Try exercising in bed; it may be easier than on the floor.
• Build your walking skills, even if that means having to hold onto something.
• Try exercising in the water; it is easier on the joints.

Ways to improve your safety when living with Parkinson’s

• Use grab bars in the tub and shower.
• Use a bath chair or stool in the shower.
• Keep your floors smooth but not slippery.
• Store supplies in easy to reach cabinets.
• Make sure stairwells are lit.
• Get nightlights for bathrooms and hallways.
• Keep walking areas free of clutter.
• Wear low heeled, comfortable shoes when walking around. Avoid walking in slippery socks and slippers.
• Make sure carpets are fully tacked to the ground.

The relationship between Parkinson’s disease and dementia

Parkinson’s patients who experience hallucinations and more severe motor control problems are at risk for dementia. According to Dr. Jean Hubble of Ohio State University, dementia is a “cognitive impairment of sufficient magnitude to hinder daily activities or diminish the quality of the patient’s life.” Approximately 20% of people with Parkinson’s disease will develop dementia, usually after the age of 70. In general, there is a 10 to 15 year lag time between a Parkinson’s diagnosis and the onset of dementia, which typically occurs years after the motor skills begin to be affected.

Signs of dementia in Parkinson’s patients include:

There are two types of dementia found in Parkinson’s patients, both involving Lewy bodies, or protein deposits in the nerve cells. The first one develops when Lewy bodies occupy the brain and the brain stem, which occurs in about 25% of the cases. The more common type of dementia, accounting for the remaining 75%, is caused by Lewy bodies in the brainstem and Alzheimer’s-type changes in the brain. For both types of dementia, medications may help improve early symptoms.

Indications that the dementia may be caused by something other than Parkinson’s include agitation, delusions, language difficulties, and early onset of symptoms. If these factors are present, your physician can test for other possible causes, such as a Vitamin B-12 deficiency or an underactive thyroid gland. Depression is also common in Parkinson’s patients and can mimic dementia by causing similar symptoms. For this reason, anti-depressant drugs often help.

References and resources about Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s Disease Foundation – Includes several interesting features, including ‘Ask the Expert’ for specific questions and answers about the disease; and ‘Parkinson’s Community’ to help you find regional, national and internet groups and support organizations. (Parkinson’s Disease Foundation)

Parkinson’s Disease Patient Information – Provides information about Parkinson’s disease, current events, publication and video, fellowships and grants. (American Parkinson’s Disease Association)

Medline Plus: Parkinson’s Disease – A resource list of online articles and publications about Parkinson’s including links to information about current research, specific medication and treatment regimens, support organizations and general information. (National Library of Medicine / National Institutes of Health)

Tracking Dementia in Parkinson’s Disease – Outlines a study that found Parkinson’s disease patients with dementia can lose their mental abilities at almost the same rate as people with Alzheimer’s disease. (Web MD)

Dr. James Parkinson discovered a disease he identified as “shaky palsy” in 1817. Oddly, it wasn’t until 1960 that changes in the brains of Parkinson’s patients were discovered, making it possible to develop medication for the condition.

There are primary levels of Parkinson’s disease and secondary levels.  Also, not everyone with the disease experiences all of the symptoms and the progression of the disease is different from person to person.
 
Most people diagnosed with Parkinson’s are over 60. However, there have been more cases found today in younger men and women. Most of the symptoms of the disease have to do with motor skills, but pain and lack of energy are also symptoms of the disease.

Main Line Elder Care Associates www.mainlineeldercare.com 610-688-2667 for more information regarding this disease and to arrangement for a free consultation.