Seniors Texting and Tweeting Code Explained

ATD: At The Doctor's

BFF: Best Friend Farted

BTW: Bring The Wheelchair

BYOT: Bring Your Own Teeth

CBM: Covered By Medicare

CUATSC: See You At The Senior Center

DWI: Driving While Incontinent

FWB: Friend With Beta Blockers

FWIW: Forgot Where I Was

FYI: Found Your Insulin

GGPBL: Got to Go, Pacemaker Battery Low!

GHA: Got Heartburn Again

HGBM: Had Good Bowel Movement

IMHO: Is My Hearing-Aid On?

LMDO: Laughing My Dentures Out

LOL: Living On Lipitor

LWO: Lawrence Welk's On

OMMR: On My Massage Recliner

OMSG: Oh My! Sorry, Gas.

ROFL... CGU: Rolling On The Floor Laughing... And Can't Get Up

SGGP: Sorry, Got to Go Poop

TTYL: Talk To You Louder

WAITT: Who Am I Talking To?

WTFA: Wet The Furniture Again

WTP: Where's The Prunes?

WWNO: Walker Wheels Need Oil

GGLKI (Got to Go, Laxative Kicking In)

Handling Sibling & Family Criticism During the Holidays | Caregiving & Holidays

You’ve put your life on hold. You’ve given until it hurts. You’re doing everything you can to help your aging parents live a quality life. And, for the most part, you are succeeding.

Until the holidays, that is. That’s when your siblings will come to see the parents they haven’t seen all year. They’ll come with their advice about how you could better manage your time and do more for Mom. They’ll come with their advice on how you could better control Dad's medications. They’ll come with their veiled (or not so veiled) criticism about how you are managing your elder's assets, even though your parents are still calling the shots on most financial issues.

It’s enough to make a saint swear. Where were they when you had to figure out someone to stay with your sick child so you could take Dad to the emergency room? Where were they when Mom blithely signed up and paid a full year in advance (because it was cheaper than monthly) for a gym/spa combination that neither she nor Dad could possibly use? Where were they when your husband needed surgery and help recovering, but Dad still needed weekly trips to the clinic to have his blood tested because of his medications?

It seems they were really busy with work. They have so many responsibilities, you know. And Junior is playing varsity football and they really need to be there to root him on. Oh, your Jane is first chair clarinet in band? How nice. Well, missing a band concert now and then isn’t so bad. It’s not like you cheer or anything.

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The Perfect Holiday Caregiver: It’s all a state of mind

The holidays are always a wonderful time of year for family gatherings, reflection on what we have and the spirit of giving. The television is packed with specials showing relationships and families coming together for the holidays.

But the holidays can also be a time of stress and sadness for those who are caring for family members that are struggling with health problems, frailty, dementia and loss. Those who care for these individuals may feel overwhelmed, frustrated, depressed or resentful as they watch “perfect” families enjoying the holidays. There are many surveys and documents that show that caregivers are highly susceptible to these feelings. If you are a caregiver, there are measures you can take to avoid this.

First; Remember, that you are not alone.

If you are new to caregiving or have been caring for someone for a very long time, remember that the perfect family on television is not reality for many Americans. You are not the only one with these challenges. A recent study by the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP found that 44.4 million Americans age 18 or older are providing unpaid care to an adult.   In fact according to the survey provided by the National Family Caregivers Association:

• The typical caregiver is a 46-year-old Baby Boomer woman with some college education who works and spends more than 20 hours per week caring for her mother who lives nearby.
• Female caregivers provide more hours of care and provide a higher level of care than male caregivers.
• Almost seven in ten 69%) caregivers say they help one person.
• The average length of caregiving is 4.3 years.
• Many caregivers fulfill multiple roles. Most caregivers are married or living with a partner (62%), and most have worked and managed caregiving responsibilities at the same time (74%).

Second; Find help.
There are many resources available to a caregiver. Some of these include family members, friends, a local religious group, elder care agencies and homecare providers. The internet provides many great resources and help. The National Care Planning Council offers many articles, brochures and local referrals to help caregivers find the help that they need.

“When my husband’s stepfather was released from the hospital in December of 2009, he called us to give him a ride home. Once he was home, we quickly realized that he was not able to care for himself at all. He lived alone and we found ourselves driving back and forth three or four times a day to assist all of his needs. It was overwhelming and frightening to suddenly become a caregiver to a man we weren’t even that close to. With my husband working full time days, I became his primary caregiver. I would pack up my two little girls every day to come with me to take him to the doctor, do his laundry and feed him his meals, do his grocery shopping and help him with his bills. I had no idea what his finances were like or how to pay his medical bills. He was too sick to care or even understand what I was saying to him.  I quickly realized I was going to have to find help. First I called his children. They were sympathetic, but gave all kinds of excuses as to why they could not help.   Next, I went to the internet. I went to the website for National Care Planning Council www.longtermcarelink.net and found and contacted a Care planner in my area. The Care Planner came to my stepfather’s house and met with the two of us. They helped me get organized and set up time to meet with someone to explain his Medicare services and what my next steps would be. It was such a relief to have a plan and to know what to do.” MH- Salt Lake City, Utah

Most family members are willing to help, but just don’t know what to do. Many caregivers feel that they are the only one who can give the best care. It is important to communicate with other family members about what kind of help you need and let them know specifically what they can do.

A number of organizations and private companies will give you advice and guidance -- many for free. If your care recipient has a very low income, you might get free help from your local Area Agency on Aging. A lot depends on available funds. Click here for a nationwide list of agencies.

A good source for professional advice is the rapidly growing business of non-medical home care companies. Most will offer free consultations and will provide paid aides to help you with your loved-one with such things as bathing, dressing, shopping, household chores, transportation, companionship and much more. These people may also help you coordinate adult daycare or other community services.

You may wish to pay for a formal assessment and care plan from a professional geriatric care manager. Even though it may cost you a little money to hire a care manager, this could be the best money you will ever spend. Care managers are valuable in helping find supporting resources, providing respite, saving money from care providers, finding money to pay for care, making arrangements with family or government providers and providing advice on issues that you may be struggling with.

Lastly; it is important to take care of yourself first in order to give effective and loving care.

Stephen Covey tells a story in his book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People about a man who is sawing a tree. A woman approaches and asks the obviously exhausted man how long he has been sawing the tree. He tells her that he has been there for hours.

She says “Well, I see that your saw is dull, if you would just sharpen your saw you would be able to saw it much faster and with less effort.”

He replies, “I don’t have time to stop and sharpen my saw, I need to chop this tree down now!”

It seems pretty silly that the man just doesn’t stop for a few minutes to make the work easier. It is common for caregivers to do the same thing. They focus on caring for their loved one and run themselves down instead of stopping to “sharpen their saw”.

Covey states that “sharpening the saw” is to take care of yourself by keeping your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual self balanced. There is joy and respite in balancing all of these areas in our life. This is what makes us efficient and happy. Here are some ways for you as a caregiver to sharpen your own saw:

• Maintain a positive attitude. Take time to be grateful for everything that is good in your life. There is always something. Adjust your expectations for the holiday season. If you aren’t expecting that perfect holiday family picture, then you won’t be angry and frustrated that it isn’t something you have right now. It is always possible to change your attitude and perceptions, but it is not always possible to change your circumstances.
• Eat healthy food and be sure to get some exercise. Do this in small increments if it is too overwhelming to plan menus. Drink more water, cut down on sugary snacks, pick up some vegetables and fruit to grab.  Walk or do marching in place. Run or walk up and down stairs if that is all the time you have right now.
• Forgive and let go of frustrations, anger, resentment and guilt. These are common feelings for caregivers. The best thing a caregiver can do for their own emotional health is to clear out these negative thoughts and feelings. Get counseling, talk to a friend or family member or simply write down the negative feelings to get them out of your system. Never take your anger and frustrations out on those you care for.
• Take time to do something you enjoy and give yourself a little bit of rejuvenation everyday. Laughter is a great stress reliever. Find something funny to read or get on the internet and find a funny video to watch.

During the holidays, be easy on yourself. If you enjoy holiday activities, then get out there and do them. Ask someone to help with your caregiving duties even if it is just for an hour or two to shop or to see a concert or movie. There are day care facilities or home care services available for short term care. See www.longtermcarelink.net for a service in your area.
Being a “perfect” caregiver during the holidays does not have to look like the perfect on-screen holiday family. How you handle your circumstance will be the key to creating your own peace, happiness and cheer during the holiday season. The holidays can be a time of reflection on good things. Your attitude and a little care for yourself can make a big difference in the care that you give in the coming year.

Source: National Care Planning Council
http://www.longtermcarelink.net/article-2010-12-8.htm

December Care Connection

The December Care Connection Now Online!

Resources for Healthy Living

Today, I led a "Telephone Topic" for Mather Lifeways entitled "Healthy Eating After 50".   I was thrilled with the listener participation and I walked away learning quite a few new things.

Whenever I speak to seniors,  I try to stress the importance of a how a healthy lifestyle leads to successful aging.  Studies show that three simple behaviors can help you to prevent or manage the diseases associated with aging:

1. Cessasion of smoking
2. Good nutrition
3. Regular exercise

As we discussed the benefits of healthy eating, I stressed the benefits of also making exercise a regular part of life.  This led to many participants providing their tips and resources for seniors.  I have listed some below.


Arthritis Foundation Walk with Ease Program
Arthritis Foundation Water Exercise Information
Sit and Be Fit

October Care Connection Now Online

October Care Connection features a Fire Safety for Older Adults Checklist.

October Events

Check out our calendar for some exciting events you don't want to miss!

Evaluating Employee Turnover in Home and Hospice Care

Evaluating Employee Turnover in Home and Hospice Care

Wow! According to this article above, the average turnover rate at home care agencies is 60%.

Partners in Senior Care has a turnover rate of 27%!

What do we attribute our 73% retention rate to?

1. We hire less than 20% of those who apply for employment with us.
2. Our screening, orienting and training process exceeds the standards set forth by IDPH
3. We believe there is a direct correlation between the “care of the caregiver” and the care of the client. For this reason:
• We hold annual employee recognition events in October. 
• We recognize and reward superior care.  
• We provide Health Insurance and Vacation Benefits. 

We think our caregivers are pretty terrific, but don't take our word for it, here is what one client's daughter said, "Joyce has been a life saver for my mother and her quality of life.  She is exceptional, caring and competent.  We are very fortunate to have her as a 'family member' and care giver."

September is National Preparedness Month

Partners in Senior Care has some online resources to help you prepare in case of emergency.

• Basic Emergency Supply Kit 
• Checklist of Important Documents 
• Emergency Preparedness
• Getting Your Affairs in Order

You can also visit http://www.ready.gov/ for more useful information.

The Care Connection - September

The Alphabet Soup of Senior Living

10 Ways to Improve Brain Health

1. Do “neurobic” exercises to strengthen neural pathways. Certain cognitive exercises and brain games can create new associations between different brain parts, says neurobiologist Lawrence Katz of Duke University. Neurobics include getting dressed or showering in the dark, switching what you normally wear on one side to the other (e.g., put your watch or bracelet on your opposite wrist), using your opposite hand to brush your teeth, and cooking ethnic foods that you’ve never prepared before.

2. Limit your alcohol intake to keep your brain "big." The more alcohol you consume, the lower your brain volume becomes. Scientists at Wellesley College in Massachusetts found that low to moderate levels of alcohol helps protect your health from cardiovascular disease, but heavy drinking shrinks brains. These researchers define heavy drinking as more than 14 drinks per week, moderate drinking as 8 to 14 drinks per week, and low as less than 7 drinks per week. To improve your brain health, keep the alcohol consumption to a minimum.

3. Try something new to sharpen concentration. An active brain can slow the mental decline that comes with age. “A lifetime of good mental habits pays off,” says University of Alberta researcher Dr. Dennis Foth. “People who are curious at a young age are more likely to be mentally active and stay active as they age. And we found it's never too late to start. With a little effort, even people in their 70s and 80s can see dramatic improvements.” Memorizing poetry, learning a new musical instrument, or taking Spanish or French lessons are great ways to increase memory and sharpen concentration.

4. Smell the sandalwood to increase your memory. “Natural scents have a direct pathway to the brain and research shows that some chemical constituents of aromatherapy oils, particularly…sesquiterpenes can cross the blood-brain barrier and increase oxygen flow to the brain,” says Michelle Schoffro Cook, doctor of natural medicine and author of “The Brain Wash”. Extra oxygen increases energy, immune function, positive moods, and learning. Frankincense and sandalwood are particularly effective at increasing oxygen levels in the brain. Aromatherapy also decreases stress (and stress decreases brain health).

5. Do the tango to strengthen cognitive abilities. Dance requires twists and turns that strengthens brain connections. Learning the cha-cha-cha can nourish brain cells, which translates to cognitive skills in the real world. “Exercise can protect the brain against environmental toxins by counteracting free radicals and reducing inflammation,” says Schoffro Cook, author of The Brain Wash. Physical activity is one of the best ways to promote the growth of new brain cells and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's.

6. Sleep to boost memory. Your brain requires huge amounts of energy to function properly; sleep boost memory and allows your brain to process information. “Though it's not sexy, the traditional sleep advice is still effective,” says Dr Rachel Morehouse of the Atlantic Sleep Centre. Sleep little – if at all – during the day because naps rob you of sleep at night. To improve your overall brain health, get up and go to bed at set times. Stay active but avoid exercising in the evening because it keeps you awake. Wind down before you go to bed with music or a book. To improve your memory, enjoy healthy food, eat light meals at night, and avoid caffeine.

7. Volunteer to lower your stress and increase mental functioning. “Good Samaritans have been found to have lower stress levels and a sense of well-being, factors that add up to better overall health, including brain health,” says Schoffro Cook, author of The Brain Wash. The brain benefits of volunteering include increased mental functioning and better communication skills. The key may be in the “helper’s high” – the sense of calmness and well-being that comes from helping others. Volunteering can also improve your brainy health by raising your self-esteem and feelings of self-efficacy.


8. Socialize with people to improve your memory. Talking can increase memory and cognitive skills, says Oscar Ybarra, a psychologist at the University of Michigan. Further, he believes that visiting with a friend or neighbor may be as helpful as doing a crossword puzzle. About his study, he said, “Short-term social interaction lasting for just 10 minutes boosted participants’ intellectual performance as much as engaging in so-called ‘intellectual’ activities for the same amount of time.”

9. Strive for variety. Don’t rely on a particular practice, supplement, or food to improve your brain health. Instead, incorporate different activities into your life. For instance, take a child hiking if you normally spend time with adults; go for a run instead of the usual yoga class. The more you challenge your brain and body, the healthier and stronger they become.

10. Reduce your exposure to neurotoxins. Harmful chemicals, food additives, and chemically altered ingredients can harm your brain and body health. While it’s not possible to completely eliminate pollution from your environment, you can limit it. Pure products, organic produce, natural fragrances, whole foods, and fresh air will improve your brain health and sharpen concentration.
Read more at Suite101: How to Improve Your Brain Health: 10 Ways to Increase Memory, Concentration, and Cognitive Abilities
http://cognitive-psychology.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_improve_your_brain_health#ixzz0wi5pMupf


Telephone Topics with Mather Lifeway

 

Click Here for More Information

Strength Training — Enhancing Elder Fitness

By NovaLeigh Dodge-Krupa, PT, and Aimee E. Perron, PT, DPT, NCS

Enhancing older adults’ physical strength and endurance increases the potential for individuals to retain physical function and live independently.

Physical therapists can influence elders’ overall health and wellness by providing services that positively impact physical fitness. Such services include interventions that affect cardiovascular/pulmonary endurance; muscle strength, power, endurance, and flexibility; relaxation; and body composition. Older adults’ tendency to become more sedentary creates a challenge; it increases the risk of their losing functional ability, as well as their functional independence.

Read More

Free Online Resource from the Alzheimer’s Association-Greater Illinois Chapter

The Alzheimer’s Association-Greater Illinois Chapter is pleased to offer a free online resource, Encouraging Comfort Care: A Guide for Families of People with Dementia Living in Care Facilities. This 21-page booklet provides useful information to families and staff of long-term care facilities about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, particularly care issues related to the late and final stages.

For families, this guide will enable them to make informed choices about a variety of medical decisions they may face on behalf of loved ones with dementia living in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other types of care facilities. It will also equip families to ask good questions aimed at obtaining the best care for their loved ones, including a handy checklist of comfort care measures to be discussed with staff members of care facilities.

For staff members of long-term care facilities, the guide will serve as an important tool for those who wish to educate families and assist them in care planning. Individuals and organizations are encouraged to disseminate this booklet in electronic and print formats.

To view and download the free guide, click here: http://www.alzheimers-illinois.org/pti/comfort_care_guide.asp

Encouraging Comfort Care was made possible through a generous grant from the Retirement Research Foundation.

Keep Your Cool In the Heat

Keeping Cool Tips Everyone

• Stay in air-conditioned space at home, the library, the mall, movie theater or at a cooling center.
• Drink lots of water and natural juices. Avoid alcoholic beverages, coffee and colas. 
• Keep shades drawn and blinds closed, but keep windows slightly open. 
• Stay out of the sun and avoid going out in the heat.
• Keep electric lights off or turned down. 
• Take cool baths or showers. 
• Wear loose, light cotton clothing. 
• Do not eat heavy meals. Avoid cooking with your oven. 
• Avoid or minimize physical exertion.
• Do not sit in a hot car, even for a short time. Never leave a child in a hot car.
• Check on family members, friends and neighbors to make sure they stay cool and safe.
• If you or anyone you know needs emergency medical attention, call 911.
• It is against the law to open a fire hydrant. An open hydrant hinders the fire department's ability to fight fires, reduces water pressure in your home and may cause basement flooding.

Special Keeping Cool Tips for Seniors

• During heat emergencies, seniors are urged to contact their local area agencies on Aging or the Senior HelpLine at (800) 252-8966 for assistance with locating senior centers, adult day service sites and other buildings that serve as cooling centers.
• Humidity combined with temperature make up the heat index, which is similar to the wind chill factor in winter. If the temperature is in the 90s with high humidity, it can feel like it is well over 100 degrees.

Keeping Cool Tips for Your Pets

• Provide water and shelter from the sun at all times. 
• Restrict activity during extreme heat. 
• Never leave pets in parked vehicles. Even moderate heat rapidly increases and can kill the pet quickly.

Source: Keep Cool Illinois

Study Gauges Seniors' Calorie Burn Playing Active Video Games

According to a study presented at the American College of Sports Medicine's 57th Annual Meeting in Baltimore some types of video games may help older adults become more physically active.

Researchers found that playing Nintendo's Wii can help healthy, overweight seniors burn calories. A study team led by Elizabeth Orsega-Smith, Ph.D., placed ACTICAL accelerometers on the wrists of 24 participants with a body mass index of 26 to 39 (a BMI of 25-29.9 marks overweight; 30+ indicates obesity). The accelerometers measured caloric expenditure during 30-minute bouts of Wii baseball, tennis and team and individual bowling. The gamers, who ranged in age from 66 to 78, burned significantly more calories (20-176 calories) playing individual bowling compared with team bowling (18-89 calories). Those playing baseball burned from 22 to 144 calories, while tennis resulted in 17-72 calories expended.

"Few studies have investigated the use of active video games in aging populations or individuals with disabilities," Orsega-Smith said. "Given that 40 percent of older-adult females and 30 of males ages 70 and above do not participate in any significant physical activity, this population faces growing health challenges. For otherwise sedentary people, games like the Wii offer an enjoyable way to become more active and more healthy."

Orsega-Smith noted that playing games such as Wii generally burns fewer calories than playing the real-life game or sport. However, they offer an option for those who face challenges to becoming physically active. In addition, the social atmosphere and enjoyment may contribute to adherence to this type of activity.

"Wii playing may be a vehicle for physical activity participation, especially for those older adults who do not have access to a fitness facility or who may have physical limitations to their mobility," She said. Participants in this study were independent, lived in communities and visited senior centers.

Source: American College of Sports Medicine

Medicare Rebate Checks

Medicare Rebate Checks Closing Prescription Drug Doughnut Hole Mailed Early - AARP Bulletin

Press Release from AAHSA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lauren Shaham, (202) 508-1219, lshaham@aahsa.org

AAHSA To Co-Sponsor Presidential Tele-Town Hall Meeting on Health Reform
Residents to Attend in Person While Numerous Members Hold “Watch Parties”

Washington - On Tuesday, June, 8, the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) will co-sponsor a national tele-town hall meeting with President Barack Obama discussing with senior citizens to discuss the Affordable Care Act. The conversation will focus on efforts to combat senior scams and fraud in advance of the first mailing of the $250 “donut hole” rebate checks.

President Barack Obama will join HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius at 11:25 a.m. Eastern time at the Holiday Park Multipurpose Senior Center in Wheaton, Md., to take questions on health reform. Two residents of AAHSA member facilities will attend in person. About 10 AAHSA members will hold “watch parties” to watch the town hall online and call in with questions. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services representatives will attend AAHSA member events in Denver, Cleveland and Philadelphia.

“AAHSA members serve more than two million elders and family members every day and we are proud to help bring information and explanations to these elders,” said Larry Minnix, AAHSA’s president and CEO. “There is much in health reform that can help seniors with transitions, technology, quality and long-term care. It is important for all seniors and their caregivers to understand health reform, and this tele-town hall meeting is part of our effort to help educate people.”

The tele-town hall will be streamed online through both www.whitehouse.gov/live and www.healthreform.gov. Viewers can call (800) 837-1935 and use pass code: 80272058 to ask questions of President Obama and Secretary Sebelius. Interested parties are encouraged to dial in at 11:15 a.m, Eastern time to secure a line. The town hall meeting is expected to last about an hour.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                ###                                                                                                                                                                                      
About AAHSA

The American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (www.aahsa.org) is a national network of community-based nonprofit organizations that provide services and supports to people as they age.  These 5,400 organizations connect with millions of older persons and their families every day. They provide home health care, adult day services, hospice, senior housing, nursing care, assisted living, continuing care and a broad range of related services. AAHSA is the most trusted advocate for aging whose spirit of transformational stewardship and close collaboration with its members consistently improves lives.

'The Care Connection - June'

'The Care Connection - June'

National Safety Month

Older Adults and Medication

A new study by the University of Michigan reports that it is common for patients 65 and older to receive potentially inappropriate medications during an emergency department visit. An estimated 19.5 million patients 65 and older received one or more potentially inappropriate medications from 2000 to 2006, according to the study, published in Academic Emergency Medicine (Vol. 17, No. 3).

The study showed medical residents and interns, who were newer to the medical field, were less likely to order inappropriate medications, most likely due to their recent training. Dr. William J. Meurer, lead author of the study, believes further efforts are needed to educate doctors about how different medications can affect older adults.

To help ensure your safety:

Always carry a list of the medications and dosages you take.
Upon admission to the emergency department, confirm your primary care physician has been notified.
Ask your emergency department doctor how long the medications you are treated with will affect you.
Upon discharge, request a list of medications and dosages you received while in the emergency department and details about any potential side effects.
Learn more about your medications from your pharmacist.

Source: National Safety Council

Summer Vacations Are a 'Must' for Caregiver Well-Being

With the traditional summer vacation season soon upon us, caregivers -- much in need of time away and relaxation -- should count themselves "in" on planning for and genuinely enjoying a family vacation.

Despite (or perhaps in light of) life's great challenge of caring for a chronically ill loved one, caregivers need and deserve a break with the rest of their family. This often occurs in the shadow of guilty feelings about trying to carry on and have a normal life. But without exception, medical and mental health professionals agree that caregivers need this break to stay healthy in every respect.

read more

Employer Support for Care Giving Employees

“There are only four kinds of people in this world. Those who have been caregivers, those who are caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.” Rosalynn Carter, Former First Lady

The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that in the year 2010, 54% of workforce employees will provide eldercare for a parent or parents and that nearly two-thirds of caregivers will experience conflict between demands at home and demands from employers.

Today’s employed Baby Boomers are the caregiver generation for their parents. They are finding themselves juggling care responsibilities around their employment obligations. Sometimes employees find they have no option but to take leave from work or use sick time to meet their caregiving demands.

Employers also feel the toll it is taking on their employees. A report by the AARP describes the cost to employers:

“Companies are also seeing the emotional and physical toll that caregiving takes on their workers. In one study, 75% of employees caring for adults reported negative health consequences, including depression, stress, panic attacks, headaches, loss of energy and sleep, weight loss, and physical pain. Businesses suffer, too, by having to pay high health insurance costs and in lost productivity. That doesn’t count the promotions or assignments workers turn down that require travel or relocation away from aging relatives."

Businesses that don’t offer benefits or address eldercare wind up paying for them. A recent study by the MetLife Market Mature Institute and the National Alliance for Caregiving states that U.S. companies pay between $17.1 billion and $33.6 billion annually, depending on the level of caregiving involved, on lost productivity. That equals $2,110 for every full-time worker who cares for an adult.

Eldercare cost businesses:

$6.6 billion to replace employees (9% left work either to take early retirement or quit)
Nearly $7 billion in workday interruptions (coming in late, leaving early, taking time off during the day, or spending work time on eldercare matters)
$4.3 billion in absenteeism" AARP
Typically, human resource departments work with employees on many issues that may affect their work productivity.  There are programs for drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, illness, absenteeism and child care; but, help with eldercare issues is not normally provided.

The AARP report follows several companies who are providing help with eldercare issues and what they are doing for their employees.

“Freddie Mac has a free eldercare consultant and access to subsidized aides for a relative up to 20 days.
Verizon Wireless offers seminars on eldercare issues and allows full-time workers 80 hours a year in back-up care, 40 hours for part-time, and $4/hour for in-home help.
At the Atlanta law firm Alston & Bird LLP, workers can donate vacation time to colleagues who have used up theirs to care for family members. “ AARP
A growing number of companies nationwide are directing their HR departments to provide resources, education and group help for caregiving issues by:

Providing materials from community resources such as phone numbers to their local Senior Centers or Area Agencies on Aging.
Making available brochures and booklets on specific programs and services by eldercare experts
Providing speakers to educate employees on caregiving options
Allowing options to use paid sick leave, employee job sharingand flexible hours
Allowing employee caregivers to use business computers for caregiving research
Contracting with companies who provide eldercare services to help employees
Eldercare service providers are also reaching out to help employee caregivers by providing informational presentations at the work place during lunch time or other times set up by employers. One such presentation provided information on reverse mortgages. Jason, who had been trying to help his parents pay for home care, learned at a work site presentation that a reverse mortgage was one way to cover caregiver expenses.

The HR Department of a local business in Utah, invited the Salt Lake Eldercare Planning Council to present a “Brown bag, Lunch and Learn” during their employees' lunch hour. In 30 minutes time, those who attended learned how the services of a Care Manger, Home Care Provider, Elder Attorney, Medicaid Planner and Financial Consultant can help with caregiving decisions. Problems were discussed, questions answered and employees left armed with information and the names of professional people they knew could help them.

“This was the most productive lunch I have ever attended”, related Mary, one of the attendees.

“I had been very hesitant to contact an attorney to discuss my parents' estate, because of the cost involved.  The attorney at our 'lunch and learn' answered my few basic questions which will allow me to prepare what I need before I meet with him to finalize my parents' estate planning.”

Besides workplace help for employers and employees dealing with caregiving, the internet is also a great research tool.  The National Care Planning Council website at www.longtermcarelink.net is a comprehensive resource for eldercare, senior care and long term care planning.  It contains hundreds of articles on all aspects of eldercare.  Professional providers list their services on the NCPC website.  Each of their listings provides unique information on specific eldercare services and how to obtain help.

Employers, employees and eldercare service providers working together can make parent or senior caregiving a workable solution for all.

From National Care Planning Council

Senior Celebration Day

Arlington Park is proud to host the 22nd Annual Senor Celebration Day on Thursday, May 13! This event is completely free, with tickets required, and incliudes:

Free Health Screenings and Testing
Senior Services Information
"Ask the Doctors" Panel
Live Entertainment from: Bopology, The Ragtops, and The Tenors 3
Illinois Photo IDs/ Drivers Licencse Renewal
The Northwest Suburban Bar Association
Raffle Prizes to be given away!

Read More

Getting Your Affairs in Order

May Care Connection Now Online!

Physical Therapy After a Stroke

After a stroke, muscles may not remember how to perform actions that were once simple, like sitting and walking. A stroke patient will need to relearn these skills with the help of physical therapy. Physical therapy retrains muscles and reminds them how to work together again.  Read More

Buffalo Grove Senior Citizens Expo

April 27, 2010 See us in Buffalo Grove!!
Free to seniors and their families. Mark your calendar for the 9th Annual Senior Citizen Expo. This event coordinated by the Buffalo Grove Park District and the Village of Buffalo Grove provides a dynamic one-stop shop for seniors to interact with vendors and service providers, enabling them to become familiar with the wide range of services available to them. The expo will be held at The Arboretum Club, 401 Half Day Road in Buffalo Grove from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Maine Township Swing Into Spring Senior Expo

Join Partners in Senior Care and other health care providers as we celebrate Spring at Golf Mill Shopping Center with Maine Township's Swing Into Spring Senior Expo.  Click here for more details.

10 Ways to Improve Your Brain Health

1. Do “neurobic” exercises to strengthen neural pathways. Certain cognitive exercises and brain games can create new associations between different brain parts, says neurobiologist Lawrence Katz of Duke University. Neurobics include getting dressed or showering in the dark, switching what you normally wear on one side to the other (e.g., put your watch or bracelet on your opposite wrist), using your opposite hand to brush your teeth, and cooking ethnic foods that you’ve never prepared before.
2. Limit your alcohol intake to keep your brain "big." The more alcohol you consume, the lower your brain volume becomes. Scientists at Wellesley College in Massachusetts found that low to moderate levels of alcohol helps protect your health from cardiovascular disease, but heavy drinking shrinks brains. These researchers define heavy drinking as more than 14 drinks per week, moderate drinking as 8 to 14 drinks per week, and low as less than 7 drinks per week. To improve your brain health, keep the alcohol consumption to a minimum.

read more

'The Care Connection - April'

'The Care Connection - April'

Home Improvements to Prevent Falls

Many State and local governments have education and/or home modification programs to help older people prevent falls. Check with your local health department, division of elder affairs, or area agency on aging to see if there is a program near you.

Here are some helpful resources:

Eldercare Locator
1-800-677-1116 (toll-free)
www.eldercare.gov

National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
4770 Buford Highway, NE
MS F-63
Atlanta, GA 30341-3717
1-800-232-4636 (toll-free)
1-888-232-6348 (TTY/toll-free)
www.cdc.gov/ncipc

National Resource Center on Supportive Housing and Home Modification
3715 McClintock Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0191
1-213-740-1364
www.homemods.org

Rebuilding Together
1899 L Street, NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20036
1-800-473-4229 (toll-free)
www.rebuildingtogether.org

For more information on osteoporosis, home safety for people with Alzheimer’s disease, or other resources on health and aging, including Exercise & Physical Activity: Your Everyday Guide from the National Institute on Aging, contact:

National Institute on Aging Information Center
P.O. Box 8057
Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8057
1-800-222-2225 (toll-free)
1-800-222-4225 (TTY/toll-free)
www.nia.nih.gov
www.nia.nih.gov/Espanol

Wearing the Right Shoes Can Help Prevent Falls

The older we get, the greater importance we must place on wearing the right shoes to help prevent falls. Increasing problems maintaining balance, and health issues such as diabetes, dictate we wear the right shoes to help keep our feet healthy and our walk steady. Shoes make a difference in whether we stay safe and upright or accidentally injure ourselves in a fall.

In order to prevent wear and tear on the feet and to help maintain proper balance, consider these suggestions.

• Buy shoes at stores that have professional fitters. Make sure your feet are measured so that your shoes fit properly. If you haven’t purchased shoes recently, your size may have changed.
• Try on both shoes as one foot may be a different size than the other. Make sure there is at least half-inch between the longest toe and the end of your shoe.
• Try on shoes in the later part of the day when feet are most likely to be swollen.
• Check the lining to make sure nothing will rub on your foot causing blisters, calluses, and pain.
• Choose non-skid soles to prevent falling on slippery surfaces. Beware of crepe soles that may stick to carpet, thus possibly causing a fall.
• Choose flat or low heels. Flat heals are better for walkers, although you may prefer low heels for special occasions.
• Break in shoes over time. Do not try to wear new shoes all day or if you are going to an event where you will stand for any length of time. Try buying shoes well enough ahead of time to wear a couple of  hours each day until they are comfortable to wear for longer periods.

Diabetics must be especially careful to protect their feet, therefore, they should wear shoes at all times when outdoors. Indoors they can change to slippers with a nonskid sole. They should never go barefoot for any length of time. Diabetics should also avoid open-toed shoes, sandals, or flip-flops.

Take care of your feet and they will take care of you by providing the support you  need to stand and to walk. Choose your shoes carefully, not only for comfort, but to help prevent injuries or falls.

Source: http://www.eldercarecafe.net/wearing-the-right-shoes-can-help-prevent-falls.html

March Care Connection

Now Online!

Women Miss Heart Attack Signs

Source: Boston Globe | February 15, 2010
Only about half of women would call 911 if they thought they were having a heart attack, according to a new survey commissioned by the American Heart Association. The poll found that more women than in 1997 correctly identified heart disease as the leading killer of women, but that awareness varies among ethnic and racial groups.
Read Full Article

Like Aerobics, Strength Training Benefits Cognitive Function

Previous research has shown that aerobic exercise, such as walking or swimming, enhances cognitive function. Since people with mobility limitations may be unable to pursue aerobic exercise, a team of researchers in Canada decided to see if resistance training had a similar effect.

For a controlled trial, 155 women 65-75 years old were randomly assigned to participate in resistance training once (54 women) or twice (52 women) a week, or join a control group engaging in flexibility and relaxation exercises (49 women).

After one year, women in both resistance training groups significantly improved their scores on tests of selective attention (maintaining mental focus) and conflict resolution. The program improved muscular function in the women.

“We were able to demonstrate that simple training with weights that seniors can easily handle improved ability to make accurate decisions quickly,” said lead author Teresa Liu-Ambrose, PhD. “Additionally, we found that the exercises led to increased walking speed, a predictor of considerable reduction in mortality.” (Archives of Internal Medicine, 170[2]:170-178, January 25, 2010)
Source: ICAA Research Review, February 2010

Heart Health Month

It's never too late to make lifestyle changes toward healthier cardiovascular health.  Controlling blood pressure is just one of them.
You can have high blood pressure, or hypertension, and still feel just fine. That is because high blood pressure does not cause signs of illness that you can see or feel. But, high blood pressure, sometimes called "the silent killer," is a major health problem. If high blood pressure isn't controlled with lifestyle changes and medicine, it can lead to stroke, heart disease, eye problems, or kidney failure.


For more information on Blood Pressure, check out this month's Care Connection or visit:

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Health Information Center
P.O. Box 30105
Bethesda, MD 20824-0105
301-592-8573
240-629-3255 (TTY)
www.nhlbi.nih.gov

National Library of Medicine
MedlinePlus
Search for: “High Blood Pressure”
www.medlineplus.gov

American Heart Association
7272 Greenville Avenue
Dallas, TX 75231
800-242-8721 (toll-free)
www.americanheart.org

For more information on health and aging, contact:

National Institute on Aging Information Center
P.O. Box 8057
Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8057
800-222-2225 (toll-free)
800-222-4225 (TTY/toll-free)
www.nia.nih.gov
www.nia.nih.gov/Espanol

Thoughts and Prayers Go Out to Haiti

We have a wonderful caregiver who is from Haiti.  She is one of many who are awaiting news of their loved ones.   Our prayers go out to her.  http://bit.ly/51oMrw

Consumer Protection: Fraudulent H1N1 Claims and Bogus H1N1 Products

FDA tracks and prosecutes advertisers who make fraudulent claims in ads about preventing or treating the H1N1 virus.

H1N1 Fraudulent Products

January Care Connection Now Online

Latest Care Connection now Online! http://bit.ly/5AIKCn