IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF OSTEOPOROSIS

When you think about staying healthy, you probably think about making lifestyle changes to prevent cancer and heart disease. But, keeping your bones healthy is just as important. Here are some important facts.

We have 206 bones in our body. And it’s important to keep them strong by getting enough calcium, vitamin D and weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening activity. However, that might not be enough. Talk to your doctor about your risk factors and how you can prevent osteoporosis.

44 million Americans have low bone density or osteoporosis. In fact, about one in two women and up to one in four men over the age of 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis. By 2020, half of all Americans over age 50 are expected to have low bone density or osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is considered a pediatric disease with geriatric consequences. Up to 90 percent of peak bone mass is acquired by age 18 in girls and age 20 in boys, which makes youth the best time to build strong bones to last a lifetime.

There are many reasons people get osteoporosis. Some of these include having a family history of broken bones, smoking, not getting enough physical activity, unhealthy eating habits, drinking too much alcohol, taking certain medicines and having certain medical conditions.

Osteoporosis can sneak up on you. You can’t feel your bones becoming weaker. You could have osteoporosis now or be at risk without realizing it. A bone mineral density test can tell if you have osteoporosis before you experience symptoms, such as breaking a bone.

Osteoporosis isn’t just a problem for older Caucasian women. While osteoporosis is common among white women, men and women of all races and ethnicities can develop the disease. It can also strike at any age.

These are just a few facts about osteoporosis.

National Osteoporosis Foundation

1150 17th Street, NW Suite 850

Washington, DC 20036

800.231.4222 T | 202.223.2237 F

www.nof.org

Taking care of your feet is an important part of overall health for seniors. Healthy feet allow you to maintain balance, prevent falls and remain mobile. Feet can show early signs of health issues such as poor blood circulation, diabetes and some neurological conditions. Avoid foot problems by following some of these techniques:

• Do a daily check of your feet. Check for decreased sensation, redness, swelling, cuts, blisters, ulcers or toenail problems. If you cannot reach your feet, ask someone to help.
•  Keep your feet clean. Wash with soap and pat dry rather than rubbing, especially between toes which can harbor fungal infections.
• Trim your toenails straight across and never the corners or cuticles. If this is difficult to maintain, schedule a visit with a licensed podiatrist. Sanitize your clippers and do not share with other family members.
•  Use unscented, alcohol-free foot cream daily avoiding between the toes. You can use foot powder in the warmer months if sweat or odor is a problem.
•  Avoid tight-fitting socks and change them on a daily basis. Keep your feet elevated to keep swelling at bay and don’t cross your legs for an extended amount of time. If you are diabetic, buy specialized diabetic compression socks.
• Wear proper foot wear. Shop for shoes late in the day when feet are the largest. Wear closed toe shoes with a large box toe. Get properly fitted for insoles and rotate your shoes to prevent foot injury.

Consult your doctor immediately if you experience loss of sensation, open sores, wounds or change in color of your toes or nails. Home & Hearth Caregivers can assist in bathing and maintaining cleanliness of your feet and can transport you to your medical appointments. Give us a call today at 800-349-0663!

 by Gary Lewis

“Where am I going to live?” one elderly gentleman recently asked.  He said that he and his wife were getting older and that the stresses involved in maintaining their large home were starting to get to him.  “The children have told us we should sell the house and move into an assisted-living facility,” he added.  “But my wife won’t even consider this.” 

For the children, moving on is the obvious choice.  Assisted-living provides a maintainance-free setting with regular meals, round-the-clock nursing care and lots of friends and activities.  Maintaining a home requires lots of energy for cleaning and lots of extra money to pay ever-increasing property taxes and utility bills.  Houses often require unexpected major expenses, such as new plumbing, a new roof, a new furnace and the like.  To the children, the choice is a “no-brainer.”

But for the parents, the advantages of assisted living are greatly overshadowed by the significance that the home has in their lives.  The home may be the repository for many, if not all, of their happy moments.  To walk away from all of it would be simply impossible.

There can be a happy resolution but it takes some effort on your part (the children) to make it happen.  If you have raised the moving scenario to your parents and it has been rejected, remember that the most important thing that you can do is to allow your parents to maintain as much control over their own lives as possible.  You have planted the idea as a seed and that is the best that you can do for the moment.  Respond in such a way, “we know how important the home is to you, please take all of the time you need.  Let us know if you wish to talk about it later.”

Then, bring the house “to life!”  Ask your parents open-ended questions about the home, get them talking about it often.  Ask them what led them to purchase this home instead of others?  What are the important memories that happened in each of the different rooms.  What are the stories behind the artwork decorating the home? 

Bring up your memories of events at the home.  Tell them stories about what you were doing.  Did your parents know what you were up to?  Don’t feel afraid to talk to them about some of the mischief you might have gotten into.  Your relationship now is no longer that of a child-parent, at best, it is the relationship of a close friend, a confidant.

Listen carefully to their stories, even the ones you’ve heard twenty times already.  Be interested and ask leading questions.  As your parents have the opportunity to recall all of the memories associated with the house, their attachment will fade and they will be ready to move on. 

Don’t let this be the end of your memory-evoking conversations with them though.  One of the most important missions of seniors is to figure out ‘what it’s been all about.’  They can only do that by remembering back on all of the important events in their life.  They need your help and support.

Gary Lewis, CFP®, CASL®, has worked in various areas of

financial services since receiving his MBA from Northwestern University

in 1988.  He specializes in providing services to the mature market and helping seniors age-in-place.  He can be reached at gary@assetdesigncenter.com.

Bathing and personal hygiene of their loved one has long been a struggle for caregivers. If their loved one has dementia, this issue may further become one riddled with fear and trepidation. While bathing can be difficult for the elderly, it is necessary for skin cleansing and infection control as well as providing an opportunity for the caregiver to inspect the senior’s skin. Socially, a bath controls body odor, enhances social interactions and provides positive touch.  But the question remains, “How can we make shower time less of a strain on your personal relationship?”

§         Communicate Tell your loved what you are going to do before proceeding. “Mom, I am going to help you get undressed for the shower.” Approach from the front and maintain eye contact. If he/she becomes violent, back off and try another time.

§         Schedule Set up a bath schedule and use a calendar. Find a time of day where he/she is less likely to have outbursts. Use incentives to get him/her to bathe, such as telling your loved one that they must bathe before a favorite TV show or a favorite dessert. Once or twice a week is sufficient for seniors if they are not incontinent and keep the genital area clean.

§         Atmosphere Make it like a spa experience. Dim the lights and play relaxing, instrumental music. Use scented soaps/lotions, heated towels (use heated towel bars/containers or pluck them from the dryer) and a warm fuzzy bathrobe.

§         Temperature Turn up the heat one to two hours before the bath to keep the bathrooms warm. Seniors are often cold when we are wearing short sleeves. If there is tile in the bathroom, cover them with a plush bath rug or carpet (watch for falls). If you have an overhead heater, turn that on. Wear a t-shirt so you’re not overheated!

§         Safety Make sure the bathroom is safe - use bath chairs, non-slip mats/appliqués and grab bars. If the senior doesn’t feel safe, he or she will not agree to bathe.

§         Equipment Install a hand-held shower. The water spray in the face is distressing as often happens when sitting in a shower chair. The hand-held shower also allows the warm water to pour over them as they wash resulting in a greater sense of control.

§         Modesty Allow your loved one to do as much bathing independently as possible. Keep the doors closed and curtains drawn. Always cover the genitals with a washcloth or keep a light gown on the body that is not being bathed.

If your loved one still refuses to bathe, use alternative methods. Use no-rinse washcloths and dry shampoo. Try a “weekly bath” with everyday washing one part of her body using washcloths. For example, Monday wash her arms, armpits and back, Tuesday, feet and legs. Ask her to take that body part out of her clothes one at a time to wash, dry and then switch. It takes longer but your loved one may be more open to this. Sometimes you could time it during a trip to the washroom and use that as an excuse to clean the genitals. Use powders, body sprays, etc to help cover the body odor when you just can’t get them to bathe.

And lastly, many home care agencies offer a bathing service so that you don’t have to do the “dirty work”. Hire them and then go out for a cup of coffee to de-stress. Home & Hearth Caregivers offer a variety of packages that include bathing. Call us at 800-349-0663 for your complimentary, no obligation home assessment.

During this holiday season, we spend countless hours wrapping, addressing, baking, cleaning and spending time with our loved ones, many of them seniors.  As you visit with your loved ones, take a look around for signs that they may need help:

Inside the Home

1. The kitchen is filled with dirty dishes, burned pots, food and possible infestations. Mom has always been a great cook but occasionally forgets to turn off the stove or gets too tired to wash the dishes.
2. The refrigerator has expired or moldy food and possibly non-food items inside. Cleaning out the refrigerator is not a fun task, but Mom has found it overwhelming to throw away food and/or may not remember where to put items.
3. The clutter is piling up. Mom and Dad may not want to admit that maintaining their home is becoming an overwhelming task.
4. The mail is stuffed with bills and late notices. Dad used to pay the bills two weeks ahead of time but is now faced with possible shut-offs or late fees.

Personal Care

1. Your parents have body odor. Perhaps Dad is afraid to bathe because he has fallen in the bathtub. Mom may not remember when she last bathed but insists that she does not need an incontinence product.
2. They wear the same clothes or inappropriate seasonal attire. Mom is wearing the sweater with the large coffee stain on the front that she got during the last visit you had. Dad goes out to get the mail in December without a coat or shoes.
3. Mom’s clothes are baggy. She just doesn’t want to cook now that Dad has passed or the shopping can be too much trouble for one so she eats a bowl of soup and nibbles on crackers.

Health Care

1. They forget their medications and doctor’s appointments. Mom always reminded Dad to take his medications but the pill boxes are now unorganized or full when you visit.
2. Dad has unexplained bruises or skin tears. He has fallen but refuses a cane or walker and Mom thinks it’s a natural progression of skin as she ages.
3. Noticeable cognitive decline. Dad has forgotten his granddaughter’s name but still remembers his best friend from elementary school. Mom can’t remember how to work the microwave.
4. Increased hospitalizations. Mom can’t control her blood sugar levels and Dad has been dizzy since he started his new blood pressure medication.

If you do notice significant signs like these, sit down with your loved ones and have a conversation about their needs. Home care agencies like Home & Hearth Caregivers are able to relieve the burden of caregiving from adult children and allow the seniors to remain in their home. We accept private pay, veteran’s benefits and long-term care insurance. Please contact us at 800-349-0663 to schedule a complimentary, no-obligation assessment.

While we still have a couple of months away before the filing deadline, somehow it always seems to sneak upon us and before you know it April 15 is here. Here are some tips for seniors that will help filing taxes run easier.

• Collect all your records early. Start by gathering all your documents, records and receipts that you may have that will help with your return.   

• Contact your current/past company to make sure you are getting your W2s. Follow up with your statements from any investments that you may have i.e. Roth IRA’s, 401k etc. 

• Consider E-File. Filing electronically will lessen the math mistakes, the software will handle all your math calculations for you.  

• Get your refund quicker and hassle free by considering direct deposit.

• Educate yourself, know your tax credits. Be aware of all the tax code changes. Seniors may qualify for the credit for the elderly or disabled if you are 65yrs. old. There is a certain income requirement to be eligible and the long form 1040 or 1040A has to be completed.   

•  Don’t rush! Be thorough… One of the most common mistakes that seniors make is overlooking  something and they end up missing out on a credit that they were entitled to.  

• Make sure it’s legible, if you aren’t able to write because of a disability ask someone to help you. 

•  Double check everything.  A simple mistake on your social security number can slow the process of getting your refund quicker. 

•  Know that you have options. If you don’t feel comfortable filing your own taxes contact a professional. There are many different establishments that seniors can go to. H & R Block,  Jackson Hewitt to just name a few. If it’s a simple return you might be able to get a discount of the processing fee. Also consider TCE Tax Counseling for the Elderly. They provide free tax help to people over the age of 6o years old.   

• Visit IRS.gov for a FREE file. If your income is limited you may be eligible for free tax preparation software and free electronic filing.

Americans are often faced with having to make difficult decisions, therefore  we do our best to prepare for all the unexpected things. The decision to place a  loved one in someone else’s care or a long term facility is a struggle in every family. We strive to always be there for our loved ones and help them with whatever we can do. When it is out of our reach and when we no longer can help them, the decision to seek for help can be quite a struggle.  We want to make sure that they are ok and are getting the best care. So when we hear of new report done by USA today that 1 IN 5 NURSING HOMES GET LOW STARS,  it concerns a lot of family that are struggling to make an already tough decision.  

USA Today found  that nearly all of the nursing homes that were awarded one or two stars are owned by for-profit corporations.  This finding however was not well received with Medicare’s Thomas Hamilton, who spearheaded the rating system.  He would like to see more improvements. Thomas did say that one positive thing with the data finding is that there was a decrease in the number of one star nursing homes.   

When you are considering of placing your loved ones in a long term care facility, do your research.  Better yet,  choose an alternative option. 

 Choose for your loved ones to stay home surrounded by the people and memories they love. 

 Choose Home & Hearth Caregivers…….

For more on this article visit www.cbsnews.com

The holiday season has arrived and for most it is a time of joy, sharing and being with  the ones you love… It is a time for catching up with old friends, being with family and looking forward to what the New Year will bring. It is a great picture but for seniors it is hardly the reality. Feelings of sadness, loneliness are what most seniors feel this time of year.

There are many ways we can help to prevent or lessen those feelings of loneliness and help restore their joy this holiday season.

• Don’t let them be alone. Invite your loved one over, if they can’t be with family, encourage them to be with friends.  
• Volunteer at churches or nursing homes. You are not only helping them with their sadness but keeping you away from your own troubles. 
• Encourage communication with your loved one. If you see them sad, ask them about it, let them talk it out. Sometimes all they want is for someone to listen to them.  
• Relive some of the good times with your loved one. Look at old photos of past holiday gatherings.  
• Remind your loved ones that having them there is what’s most important, not the gifts. Seniors tend to worry about their finances and want to be able to share in the gifts of giving.  

Following some of these tips should help lessen the holiday blues, and remember that a simple gesture is all it takes so that they know someone cares.

Happy Holidays!!  

Medicine can be a safety hazard if not properly disposed.  Each year, thousands of tons of pharmaceuticals and personal care products enter the waste stream either through residential landfills or sanitary sewer systems.  Recent studies have shown that many of these substances are surviving water treatment facilities and making their way into drinking water.

The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency has recommended the use of pharmaceutical take-back programs to dispose of unwanted medications.  This new initiative is designed to give residents the chance to safely dispose of unwanted or expired medicines.

The Cook County Department of Environmental Control, the Cook County Bureau of Health Services and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency in partnership with the Village of La Grange are sponsoring a drop off program for the safe disposal of medications on:

Saturday, October 24, 2009 - 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Lyons

100 S. Brainard Avenue

North Campus Parking Lot west of the Vaughan Building

La Grange

DROP-OFF INSTRUCTIONS

• Bring only medication items from private households - NOT medications from businesses or doctors’ offices.
• Use a permanent marker to black out your name or personal information on the prescription label.
• Take medications to collection site ONLY during the drop-off site’s open hours of operation.
• Please follow directions at the drop-off site carefully.  Only give medications to personnel of the drop-off site.
• This is NOT a share or reuse opportunity.  All medications received will be destroyed in an environmentally responsible manner.

ACCEPTABLE ITEMS (Expired or unwanted medications)

• Prescription medications
• Over-the counter medications
• Medicated ointments
• Medicated shampoos
• Liquids containing medications
• Prescription inhalers
• Over-the counter inhalers
• Glass thermometers containing mercury
• Sharps/needles
• Medical devices containing mercury (blood pressure units, barometers, etc.)

UNACCEPTABLE ITEMS

• DEA-controlled substances, including narcotic medications and illegal drugs
• Biohazardous materials
• Radioactive materials
• Other household wastes

All medications received will be destroyed in an environmentally responsible manner by a certified IEPA hauler.  For more information please contact the Cook County Department of Environmental Control at (312) 603-8217 or rakers@cookcountygov.com.

Information provided by Village of LaGrange

Since 2006 Pillars Community Services has been known as the largest provider of comprehensive mental health and social services in the near western and southwestern suburbs.

To this day, Pillars has helped more than 10,000 individuals and families annually by providing mental health services for adults and children, addiction services, services addressing the needs of the older adult population, bereavement support, child and adolescent services, Head Start, and daycare programs, domestic violence and sexual assault services, crisis intervention, employment services, transitional housing and many others. 

The organization addressess the multiple needs of many individuals and families in the community by collaborating with various community resources to ensure that clients are supported.

The well-being of older adults in the community is a key focus at Pillars.  The Older Adult Wraparound program (Adult Wrap), provides intensive therapeutic case management services for older adults by tapping the resources of the community, the client’s natural supports and the aging provider network to address the multiple needs of clients.  The goal of Adult Wrap is to provide intensive mental health treatment and supportive services for at-risk older adults helping them to remain in their setting of choice (usually at home) for as long as possible.  

To contact Pillars call (708) PILLARS  or (708) 745-5277 through Project ACCESS.

Information provided by Aging Care Connections