For years seniors have been known to be the first to have their flu vaccines once flu season starts. With the pandemic of H1N1 it would seem typical for seniors to be one of the first group of people that would more likely be of high risk, however that is not the case.  It seems that for seniors they seem to have a bit of immunity and have been largely spared. Researchers believe that the main reason this is the case is that for years seniors have already been exposed to similar viruses in their lifetimes. It is a rare bit of good news that seniors are embracing.

Communities across Florida that have a large senior community have been happy that this pandemic hasn’t spread in their community.  Over 80 percent of the senior populations have said that they will not seek the H1N1 shot and understand the government’s order for putting other people more of a priority.  Doctors across country are also noticing that seniors aren’t as concerned with the H1N1 virus and are happy that they aren’t that concerned because in actuality they don’t need it. 

Federal guidelines call for pregnant women to be given the shot first, those who live with or care for children younger than 6 months, health care workers, those 6 months up to 24 years old and people with chronic health problems.  Only after those shots are distributed will they become available to seniors under 64 years of age and younger.

What is a Bedsore?

Bedsores or pressure ulcers are areas of damaged skin and tissue that develop when sustained pressure cuts off circulation to vulnerable parts of your body, especially the skin on your buttocks, hips and heels.

Bedsores are most common with seniors for those who are bedridden, uses a wheelchair or is unable to change positions without help can develop bedsores.  Bedsores can develop quickly, rapidly and often difficult to heal.

Four Stages of Bedsores 

Stage I:  A pressure sore begins as a persistent area of red skin that may itch or hurt and feel warm and spongy or firm to the touch.

Stage II: Skin loss has occured, either in the outermost layer of skinor in the skin’s deeper layer.  The wound is now an open sore that looks like a blister or an abrasion.

Stage III: By the time a pressure ulcer reaches this stage, the damage has now spread to the tissue below the skin, creating a deep, crater like wound.

Stage IV: This is the most serious and advance stage. A large amount of skin loss occurs, along with damage to underlying muscle, bone and even joints.

How to treat Bedsores

Treating bedsores can be a bit challenging. Below are a couple of steps to prevent bedsores from getting worse. It may take some time to heal but with most Stage I and Stage II sores should heal within weeks.  Stage III and Stage IV more likely will need surgery.

Change positions often. Carefully follow your schedule for turning and repositioning aprpoximately every 15 minutes if you’re in a wheelchair and at least once every two hours when you’re in bed.

Use support surfaces. Use special cushions, pads, mattresses and beds that relieve pressure on an existing sore to protect vulnerable areas.  

Cleaning.  It’s essential to keep wounds clean to prevent infection.  

Removal of damaged tissue. To heal properly, wounds need to be free or damaged, dead or infected tissue.  

Dressings. A variety of dressings are used to help protect wounds and speed healing the type usually depends on the stage and severity of the wound.  

Hydrotherapy. Whirlpool baths can aid healing by keeping skin clean and naturally removing dead or contaminated tissue.

Oral antibiotics. If pressure sores appear infected, your doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics.  

Healthy diet. Eating a nutritionally rich diet with adequate calories and protein and a full range of vitamins and minerals especially vitamin C and zinc may improve wound healing.

Muscle spasm relief. This is essential for both preventing and treating pressure sores. Your doctor may recommend skeletal muscle relaxants that block nerve reflexes in your spine or in the muscle cells themselves.   

Information provided by Mayo Clinic.

A new study shows that aspirin can help fight Colon Cancer by over 30%. 

Andrew Chan co-author of The Journal of the American Medical Association said that the studies revealed that patients who took aspirin after diagnosis were 38% less likely to die from any cause during a 12 year trial.  

How it works?

According to Andrew Chan, the type of tumor overproduces a protein called COX-2. When inflammation is involved that is what feeds tumor growth. This new study however, doesn’t benefit patients who didn’t overproduce the protein as well as people who took aspirin before diagnosis. It does benefits patients whose tumors overproduced COX-2 that took aspirin after diagnosis were alive 10 years later as compared to 67% of those patients who didn’t take them. As exciting as this new finding is, always consult with your doctor for advice.

Information provided by USA Today

Commandment I: Take The Oxygen First

Caregiving is an experience of confusion, challenge and mixed emotions. Love for your family member and the satisfaction you derive from helping may create a situation where one sacrifices their lives at the “alter of caregiving”.  That sacrifice gives rise to conflicting emotions such as guilt, stress, anxiety and a host of other mental health challenges. It is imperative as a caregiver to take care of one’s own mind, body and soul by taking the oxygen first.

Commandment II: Never Assume

Caregivers are no different than others in that we tend to make assumptions about other people and situations before actually having gathered all of the needed information.  Let’s make a sincere effort to garner all the details before we make assumptions.

Commandment III: Have Ongoing Family Conferences

Roles and responsibilities are extremely important to explain to all involved. Ongoing family conferences maintain the boundaries necessary to the caregiving process so that no one feels out of control or inadequate.  This is vital and should be done in person and as frequently as needed.

Commandment IV: Do Not Isolate

Social isolation can detach and separate a caregiver and give rise to a wide variety of stresses for those taking care of loved one. Participating in a support group helps caregivers manage stress by sharing their experiences and helping to improve caregiver skills.

Commandment V: Do Not Take Anything Personally

Taking things personally is about self-importance, “the maximum expression of  selfishness” where we assume everything is about “me”.  The actual words said by your loved one are not what is hurting you; it is that you have wounds that are touched by what was said.

Commandment VI: Plan Ahead/Have Contigency Plans

No doubt if you are a caregiver Plan A needs to be made out but has to be followed by Plan B, a contingency plan.  Turn to other people for help- your family,friends and neighbors.  Planning ahead is vital as it gets all on the same page, allows your loved one to feel safe and to have continuity, lessening their anxiety.

Commandment VII: Do Not Fall Prey To Shame & Stigma

Shame and stigma have tragic consequences. Caregivers with mental health challenges fail to seek help for themselves because of the shame associated with their condition.  As a result of this feeling many think they will experience some form of discrimination, whether in the workplace, from health insurance plans or in social settings. They must get help for their behavioral issues in the same manner they would get help for any other medical condition.  Matters get worse if the caregiver represses their own mental health issues and keeps it hidden.

Commandment VIII: Use Community Resources

A full complement of support services that address the caregiver and the recently diagnosed exists in every community.  The quality and the extent of such a continuum of resources may vary but just know that neither a caregiver nor their loved one has to be alone.

Commandment IX: Honor Sacred Memories

Empower yourself and your family using experiential approaches to memories.  Take time to “remember”. Get away from it all while relaxing with yourself and your loved ones.

Commandment X: Find Humor In Many Places

“Laughter is the Best Medicine”  Try to see the humor in being a caregiver. There are positive effects to be gained from laughter as a great tension-releaser, pain reducer, breathing improver and general elevator of moods. In short, humor therapy is valuable and it helps us through difficult or stressful times.

For more information on this article go to www.leezasplace.org

The easiest way germs are transferred is by coughing or sneezing into your hands and rubbing your eyes, nose or mouth. Many times, people don’t realize they are at risk. Another way germs are transferred is through food. It is extremely important to wash your hands before and while you are cooking for a client. Bacteria also thrives on toilets, doorknobs, railings, sinks and other commonly used objects so think about all of the objects you touch before visiting a client. 

Caregivers deal with many different clients everyday therefore it is extremely important to keep hands clean. 

When should you wash your hands?

• After lengthy contact with any client.
• Before & after situations in which your hands are likely to be contaminated, including bathroom breaks, your lunch break and before and after your workday.
• After gloves are removed (since the gloves may have a hole).
• If a client asks you to wash your hands, do so, don’t be offended.
• Whenever you are preparing food for a client.
• If a client has pets, wash your hands frequently while visiting.
• If someone in your family is sick, keep your hands as clean as possible all day long, so you don’t pass on germs to your clients.
• After sneezing or coughing.
• When you arrive to see a client and once again when you leave.
• Before and after you put on gloves.
• Anytime you think it might be a good idea.  

Article provided by In the Know Inc.

Cooking for Seniors is something that we don’t give much thought to. But everyday we age. Another thing about aging is that you may have noticed that what you didn’t like when you were younger you now find delicious. As we age, our sense of taste and smell diminishes. Seniors may not be eating as much as they should because of this. There are many things to consider in preparing food for seniors, whether it is cooked by themselves or by a caregiver.

First you have to follow the guidelines and calorie intake specified by their family physician because the wrong foods and preparation can cause a risk of obesity or malnourishment, changes in their physical health such as, blood pressure, diabetes, digestion problems, and certain medications need to be taken before eating, with food, or after eating.

There are several ways to give more flavor to foods and adds nourishment. Seniors, or the caregiver, should consider cooking fresh vegetables instead of buying processed, frozen dinner trays. Try cooking vegetables, potatoes or rice in chicken broth that is low-sodium or using broth in mashed potatoes instead of milk or cream. Use meat that is more tender, lean cuts. This will lessen the fat and the more tender cuts have more flavor. Cook skinless chicken breasts or thighs, these can be baked, broiled or grilled. Fresh herbs can be added to salads, sauces, meats and vegetables for added flavor. When buying ground beef, use ground sirloin for less fat content and more flavor.

Breakfast cereal is more tasteful and nutritious if cooked cereal is used. Fruit can be added for more taste, and healthier eating. If sugar can be added, try mixing sugar with cinnamon and adding to oatmeal or serve yogurt with granola and fruit. If seniors can prepare or help prepare the food for their meal, they feel more useful or if they can just sit in the kitchen and handling the vegetables and fruits, it can help patients with the loss of memory by familiarizing them with things they used to do in the past for their family.

It doesn’t matter what a person’s age is, you never outgrow the need for family unity at mealtime. If you have a member of the family that is a senior, or are a caregiver of a senior, consider shopping for food that they are accustomed to eating and let them share in shopping with you. When preparing the food consider how much more enjoyable it is to prepare it with someone while sharing moments together. Food tastes better to all of us at any age, if it is shared with someone. They will enjoy their food more and look forward to mealtime if they have companionship and someone to share a conversation.

Article provided by Senior Daily Living. http://seniordailyliving.com

Diabetes impairs the health and well-being of 16 million people in the United States, and senior citizens run a particular risk. Due to already existent challenges to their health and lifestyle, it is more difficult to diagnose seniors with diabetes. Often other illnesses can mask diabetic symptoms.

Seniors with diabetes run a greater risk of complications like heart disease, stroke, loss of limbs from poor circulation, kidney disease and even blindness.

Common symptoms and warning signs include:

• Frequent urination

• Extreme thirst

• Extreme hunger

• Excessive Weight Loss

• Exhaustion

• Irritability

• Blurred Vision

• Difficulty seeing

• Frequent infections

• Cuts or Bruises that will not heal or heal slowly

• Tingling or Numbness in the hands or feet

• Recurring skin, gum, or bladder infections

So what are your options if you’re diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes? For the most part, it’s a self-managed disease. The most important way to regulate your own diabetes is through diet and exercise.

For more on this article go to www.seniordailyliving.com

THURSDAY, May 7 (HealthDay News) — Healthy older adults cope better with sleep deprivation than younger adults, and daytime sleepiness among older adults isn’t a normal part of aging, U.S. researchers say.

Their study included 11 older adults (aged 65 to 76) and 26 young adults (aged 18 to 29) who had three nights of eight hours of sleep followed by a 26-hour period of staying awake. During that period of wakefulness, the study participants remained sitting in bed and had someone in the room to help keep them awake. They weren’t allowed to exercise or to drink caffeinated beverages.

After the period of wakefulness, the older adults were less impaired by sleep deprivation, showed faster reaction times and fewer performance lapses, paid better attention, and had fewer unintentional sleep episodes than the younger adults, the study authors found.

The study was published in the May 3 online issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

“Even very healthy adults like those in our study see a decline in sleep quality and duration as they age. And it is often assumed that daytime sleepiness in older adults is the result of the typical changes in nighttime sleep that come with age,” Jeanne Duffy, of the sleep medicine division at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, said in a hospital news release.

But these findings show “that daytime sleepiness in older adults should not be attributed to a normal consequence of the aging process. Rather, daytime sleepiness may instead be a result of a number of other potential factors, such as chronic medical conditions, undiagnosed sleep disorders, or side effects of medications older people may be taking,” Duffy explained.

Duffy said older adults who fall asleep unintentionally during the daytime or early evening should be checked by a doctor for the underlying cause of their sleepiness.

For more information on this article click on this link below: http://www.keepingyouwell.com/News/HealthNewsArticle/tabid/3612/ArticleID/626790/Default.aspx

Hand Hygiene is the #1 way to prevent the spread of infections.

Why? You can take action by practicing hand hygiene regularly and by asking those around you to practice as well.

When? You and your loved ones should clean your hands very often,  touching objects or surfaces in the hospital room, before eating and after using the restroom. Your healthcare provider should practice hand hygiene every time they enter your room.

How? It only takes 15 seconds of using either soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub to kill the germs that cause infections.

Which? Use soap and water when your hands look dirty; otherwise, you can use an alcohol-based hand rub.

Who? You, your loved ones and your healthcare providers should practice hand hygiene.

For more information, please call 1-800-CDC-INFO