September 7, 2010

National Cholesterol Health Month

September marks National Cholesterol Health Month and so we’re going to get right down to business here at the Wright@Home blog and talk about all-things cholesterol – the good, the bad and the ugly.

Most of us are living with unhealthy levels of cholesterol. We eat what we want. We exercise if we feel like it but all in all, having high cholesterol levels has been something a lot of us have just lived with. That’s not the good news. That’s the bad news because having high cholesterol can lead to many terrible health problems including heart attack and stroke, and that with a little bit of work, we can help avoid all together.

Having high cholesterol doesn’t mean you are stuck here for life. And yes, a portion of high cholesterol is determined by way of genetics, but there is also a part that can be controlled and helped by our diet and our lifestyle.

So let’s get down to the facts. It is said that approximately 66% or 2/3rds of a person’s cholesterol is predetermined because of genetics. That’s a lot. 65 million Americans are affected by high cholesterol. That’s a lot as well. But the good news is we can affect the other 33% by paying attention to what we eat and adding in a good exercise regime. By paying attention to the 33% we can affect, we truly can make a difference in lowering our cholesterol to a much healthier level.

First things first – how many of you have ever had your blood cholesterol checked before? I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of you haven’t. It’s a simple test and it’s an important one so I’d encourage you to do it as soon as possible. If you have a simple lipid profile done and you discover that you too have high cholesterol, here’s what you need to do change it:

Start by changing your diet to lower cholesterol foods. You may love eggs. You may love fast food or quick meals from the freezer section but these are items that are often very high in cholesterol. One quick fix is to avoid them all together or at the very least, begin cutting down the amount you eat. Eggs aren’t bad for us. But choosing to eat 3 a day, every day is. Also note, the key words to avoid when food shopping are “Saturated Fats.” These are the bad ones but can be easily substituted like using olive oil vs. vegetable oil.
Eat more fiber. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are a good source of fiber, and cholesterol-lowering fiber at that. These are considered soluble fibers and act like a sponge to absorb bad cholesterol in your body.
Eat more fish. Along with adding fiber to your diet, it’s a good idea to add more fish as well. Fish and fish oils are loaded with cholesterol-lowering omega-3 fatty acids. It’s a good idea to consider adding fish to your diet 2-3 times per week. Also, there are quite a few supplements out there that include fish oil and omega-3 fatty acids. Be sure to talk to your doctor first before taking any supplements.
Cheers! Doctors say moderate consumption of alcohol can raise levels of HDL “good” cholesterol. That said, the American Heart Association cautions against increasing your alcohol intake or starting to drink if you don’t already. Beyond alcohol, studies also say that drinking green tea is a healthy alternative to sodas and sugary beverages and it helps lower LDL (bad) cholesterols.
Change your snacks. It’s time to change from eating potato chips to nuts. And in particular – almonds and walnuts both can help contribute to lowering a person’s cholesterol. Keep in mind though, nuts are high in calories so don’t eat more than a handful or two a day.
It’s time to get moving! In addition to making changes to your diet, regular physical activity can raise your “good” cholesterol (HDL) by up to 10%. And these benefits can come even from a brisk walk 3-4 times per week. Be sure to talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program to ensure you set up a program that will work best for you.
Quit smoking. You know how we feel here. We say it time and time again. Well, we’re saying it again – quit smoking! Smoking does exactly what you don’t want it to do….it lowers the good cholesterol (HDL) and is a major risk factor for heart disease.
Consider medication. This is obviously a conversation that needs to happen between you and your doctor but just know that many have successfully lowered their cholesterol levels by coupling medication with a changed diet and lifestyle. If you decide to go this route, be sure to tell your doctor if you are on any other medications.

High cholesterol is so common these days that I worry it’s becoming something people just live with. Pay attention to your diet. Get off the sofa and start moving and overall, you’ll be surprised that over a very short period of time, you too can truly make a difference to lowering your cholesterol and becoming a healthier person.

Until next time,

August 30, 2010

A Family Caregivers Top 10
“Must Read” Book List

I often get asked what I’m reading or better yet, if I have any suggestions for a good caregiver’s book. I read a lot of fiction and there’s so much out there, I’m not sure I can give a Top 10 list as good as the New York Times or USA Today can but I do feel like I can be helpful in listing out my best suggestions for “Must Reads” for caregivers looking for a good book. Here’s one disclaimer though: please keep in mind this list includes books I’ve read and others I haven’t, so I’ve complied this through my own personal opinions and the opinions of others by way of book reviews. If you have a chance to read any of these, let me know what you think. Or better yet, if there are enough readers amongst our blog audience who would be interested in forming a Caregiver’s Book Club, please let me know. I think that would be a lot of fun! Alright, here’s our Caregivers “Must Read” list. Enjoy!

Passages in Caregiving by Gail Sheehy. As with most of us, Gail became a caregiver when she least expected it. She received a call from the doctor announcing her husband’s cancer and for the next 17 years she was his sole caregiver. As Ms. Sheehy says, “It’s not a book about dying but about periods of living with reprieves and learning to reinvigorate your lust of life.” Here’s a Q&A with Ms. Sheehy that was written by USA Today in June of this year.
The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. Mitch is commonly known as the author of Tuesdays with Morrie but if you don’t know, he has others in his collection that are equally as fantastic. One includes The Five People You Meet in Heaven. This book is actually not a new release, it’s from 2003. The book is all told about the same man, an 83 year old maintenance worker named Eddie. At the beginning of the book Eddie is only minutes away from dying and so the story that ensues retraces his steps through life and then on into heaven and the five pivotal figures from his life that he meets up with again.
Chicken Soup for the Caregiver’s Soul by LeAnn Thieman. There are quite a few “Chicken Soup for the…..” books out there and yes, there is one for caregivers as well. This book was published in 2004 and includes a good dose of daily inspiration for each of us caregivers. Kind of like a book you keep around readily available so that when you need a little pick-me-up, you can flip to any page and read a passage and walk away feeling better about yourself and the day ahead of you.
Voices of Caregiving, the Healing Companion: Stories for Courage, Comfort and Strength written by various caregivers. What’s interesting about this book is it actually doesn’t have just one author. Rather there are a collection of true stories told through the eyes of everyday caregivers like you and me. These first hand accounts of caregiving can really be enlightening, and also inspiring, and be a helpful reminder to all of us that we are not alone in our quest to help our loved ones.
The Daughter Trap by Laurel Kennedy. This book is fairly current as it came out in the spring of 2010. This book is written by the founder of Boomer consulting firm Age Lessons and argues that daughters and daughters-in-law are the primary caregivers for our elderly parents, which is contradicted by a recent MetLife survey saying that 40% of American caregivers are male. The author discussions the desperate need for policy changes in order to care for our growing population of elderly.
My Mom Has Alzheimer’s: Inspiration and Help for Caregivers by Linda A. Born. This book came out in the fall of 2009 and is the author’s story of how she went from a mother-daughter relationship to a caregiver-patient relationship with her mom. The book is a combination of practical advice for caregivers and inspirational readings to help each of us get through trying times. There’s even a Q&A at the back of the book that addresses issues like respite care, seeking legal counsel, and much more.
Priceless Caregiving: Stories of Elder Care Success, Courage and Strength by Valerie VanBooven. This is another book that includes a collection of caregivers’ stories and as the author states, is about the shining examples of people who came together to do the right thing for their aging loved one. This book takes on stories told through professional caregivers rather than family caregivers but even some of these have personal stories to share of how not only are they caring for others’ loved ones but they’ve also been a caregiver at home.
If I Were an Only Child by Rebecca MacKinnon and Kristy Wright. Now, I did not put together this list of caregiver book suggestions just as a reason to include my own. I promise! But with that said, I do believe the book I helped write along side of Rebecca MacKinnon is a great read for any of us Baby Boomers who now find ourselves in a caregiver role for our aging parents. This book is fiction but its based on characters that likely have a strong resemblance to either you, your siblings or someone else you know and will help walk you through the challenges you will face as a caregiver.
The House on Beartown Road: A Memoir of Learning and Forgetting by Elizabeth Cohen. This is a moving tale chronicling one caregiver’s life of taking care of her baby Ava and her aging father Sanford who suffers from mid-to-late stages of Alzheimer’s. As Ava learns to walk and talk, Sanford forgets how to climb stairs and struggles with his own vocabulary.
To Survive Caregiving: A Daughter’s Experience, A Doctor’s Advice on Finding Hope, Help and Health by Cheryl E. Woodson, M.D., FACP, AGSF. This book provides the perspective of a caregiver who is not only caring for her own ailing parent, but is also a doctor who specializes in eldercare. The review tells it best, this book shoots from the hip and from the heart, using everyday language, real caregiver stories, compassion and humor to bring practical information to overwhelmed caregivers.

Although summer is almost done and that’s typically when we need a good “Must Read” book list, I encourage you to print this one out and consider reading them all throughout the year. Hopefully these book suggestions will help you take your mind off of the stresses caregiving can put each of us through every day, and also share some useful experiences from others who are in your exact same position.

Until next time,

August 23, 2010

Financial Scams and Seniors

Sadly a post like this is necessary. There are too many scammers out there taking advantage of seniors with scams and tricks to strip them of their life savings. And what I find amazing is that financial scams against the elderly are growing at an astonishing rate. What is wrong with people?? Since we’ll never know, let’s concentrate on how we can better protect our senior friends and loved ones from being the victims of a financial scams.

Preventing financial abuse against elders is really difficult. Unfortunately, it often goes unreported because the victim is fearful, embarrassed, or too confused to report the crime. Consumers Digest reported that at least 5 million cases of this type of crime happened last year alone and only about 1 in 25 were reported. The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to know more about the crimes that are being committed.

Scammers target those they see as the most vulnerable like those who are isolated, lonely, physically or mentally disabled, unfamiliar with handling their own finances, or have recently lost a spouse. The scam artist often poses as a trustworthy helper looking to lend a hand. They can be strangers such as telemarketers or door-to-door sales people, or even family members, friends or acquaintances. That’s what makes it tough to combat. You often will have no idea who did the scamming.

Here are some recent and popular scams against the elderly:

Telemarketing or mail fraud. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, dishonest telemarketers take an estimated $40 billion each year, bilking one in six Americans. And the AARP claims that about 80% of them are 50 years or older. Scammers use the phone to sell goods that will never be sent, conduct investment or credit card fraud, lottery scams, identity theft.

Lunch and learns. These are often pitched as an educational seminar with lunch thrown in. But once the unassuming seniors arrive, they are hard sold on financial products that they don’t need and aren’t appropriate for them. The bait and switch is all too common so try to avoid these types of educational series all together.

Getting unauthorized access to funds. In this situation, alleged suitors woo older people by convincing them that they love and care for them and therefore, should be included on bank accounts, property deeds or other financial accounts. As soon as the suitor disappears, often the money or property does as well.

Charging excessive amounts of money. This scam comes by way of convincing a senior they need a good or service and then when they are charged, they seriously overcharge their account for that said good or service. The overcharge is often hidden behind interest or installment payments and in order to resolve the situation, the senior is led down a difficult path where it ends up getting too frustrating to resolve. These types of scams are common with products that make a senior’s life easier such as hearing aids or safety alert devices.

Selling bogus items. This scam is sometimes called “Rock in a Box.” A senior is conned into purchasing a high priced item such as a TV and when it arrives, the suspiciously sealed box is opened and reveals literally a rock. Not a TV. Encourage your loved ones to only make purchases from respectable stores with big brand names. Also, make sure they get receipts for all purchases made and keep them.

Getting money or property through undue influence or fraud. Mastermind scammers have a way of successfully duping seniors into parting with their homes or other property by convincing them it’s for their own good. Make sure you and your senior keep in very close contact about their belongings (yes, their house too!) and their bank accounts and that if they ever want t make a sizable transaction – whatever it may be – that they talk to you first.

Using fraudulent legal documents. Some scammers will draw up wills, power of attorney, or other legal documents and deceptively con seniors into signing them. My advice here again is communication. Never have your senior loved one sign any sort of financial document without your involvement.

Offering false prizes. A good example of this is the "You have won the lottery" scam operating out of Canada. In this scam, thousands of older people were conned into believing they became wealthy overnight, but had to wire money in "fees and taxes" before they could collect the grand prize. In a joint crackdown, the U.S. Attorney General and the Solicitor General of Canada estimated the take from this mass-marketing fraud to be about $1 billion a year.

Doing unsolicited home repairs. Typically working in teams of two or more, scammers scour neighborhoods with a high concentration of older residents, or even track recent widows and widowers through obituaries and death notices, then appear on their doorsteps claiming to spot something in need of fixing -- a hole in the roof or clogged drainpipe. The scammers then demand payment up front, and then often claim that their initial investigation reveals a more serious problem, with a more expensive solution. The "work" they do is unlicensed and often shoddy, such as applying paint to a roof to make it appear as if it has been tangibly fixed.

The best way to protect yourself and your loved one from any of these types of scams is to keep a constant line of communication open regarding their finances. Don’t allow them to do any sort of transaction over the phone or from a door-to-door salesman or handyman. Have them instead get the callers or visitors name and number and say they will get back to them if they are interested. Also, make a deal with your senior to never sign any sort of legal documents without your involvement. This alone can save you and your loved one a lot of stress, time, and any loss money or belongings. It’s very important to ensure your loved one protects themselves in public. Unfortunately we now live in a time where you have to be aware of your surroundings and be cautious of any suspicious activity or people around you. Don’t be naïve to someone asking for help or pass someone too closely who seems to be lurking. I hate that this is the case but we always need to be on guard and protect ourselves when we leave home.

If you or your loved one has been the victim of a financial scam it’s important to report it immediately. First call your local police and next contact your bank. You should also contact the Adult Protective Services agency in your area. This is the government agency responsible for elder financial abuse and will offer their assistance in getting this situation resolved quickly. You can never be too cautious or protective of the finances of your senior loved one. Do what you can today to ensure you prevent these types of scams happening to your family.

Until next time,

August 16, 2010

What it Takes to be a Caregiver

Many become caregivers without advance notice or discussion. Just one day a parent becomes ill, a spouse injures themselves, or a sibling announces they have a terminal illness. Will you be the one who cares for them? If so, do you have what it takes to be a caregiver?

Don’t worry, there is no set amount of must-have skills and believe me, there is no quiz at the end of this blog post. But in general, there are some good characteristics to have if you find yourself in the caregiver role.

Here’s the list:

Compassion – Being a caregiver means you have a tremendous amount of compassion. It fills your heart and brightens your day to care for someone in need. The compassion you exude towards others is probably one of your most enduring traits.

Composure – As a caregiver, you will find yourself in situations that may not be that comfortable for you or your loved one. You may be cleaning up after them, bathing them, and helping them go to the bathroom. It’s important to always keep your composure and ensure your loved one is never ashamed or embarrassed that they need your help.

Empathy – Having empathy for your loved one is also important. A caregiver ensures their loved one is cared for every hour (or nearly every hour) of the day and with that comes the capability to share your loved ones feelings. Hear them out and help reassure them when they need it. Being empathic will help show you share their feelings and that you understand and are always there for them, no matter what.

Diplomacy – Being diplomatic may not have been one of the characteristics of caregiving that you would have thought of but it is an important one. There will come times where you need to negotiate and reason with your loved one. You may also need to stand beside your loved one and either be on their side or the family’s side when it comes to concerns regarding their care. Having a diplomatic way about your caregiving role will help you in situations where sound decisions need to be made where every party involved gives a little and a mid-way point is met.

Creativity – It’s important to keep things fun and creative when caring for a loved one. Getting into a routine is important as well and something your loved one will probably welcome but every once in awhile it might be fun to do something different, play a different game, or go on a different outing. Keep things fresh and exciting for your loved one and both of you will reap the benefits.

Humor – It’s always important to have a good sense of humor, and as a caregiver it counts for you too. There will be trying and tiring days that will wear you out. Your loved one’s demands may get to a point where you don’t know if you can do it. But keeping a good sense of humor and not getting angry or frustrated at the situation is really important.

Patience – Having a good amount of patience is also a really good trait to have as a caregiver. Caregiving for a loved one will bring on daily surprises and bumps in the road so having a good sense of balance and calm, and the ability to handle situations with the right amount of patience will not only be helpful for you but also for your loved one. Of course times will arise where you get frustrated but all in all, being patient will help you overcome many obstacles you and your loved one may encounter.

Know your limits – As a caregiver you will be stretched further than you ever thought possible. You will come up against days of very little sleep, very little food in your belly and an increasingly high stress level from being pulled in too many directions. One person alone can only do so much to help someone else so it’s extremely important to know your own limits. Know how far your care can go. If your loved one is getting worse and needs further medical attention or a different level of care, you need to realize this is out of your control and you are doing what is best for yourself and your loved one.

Ability to forgive yourself – I list this one last but not because it’s any less important than the others. Being a caregiver means you will typically be tasked with handling more than a person can handle throughout the day. You will not be able to always make your loved one happy or your family members happy and you will also encounter times of guilt. But keeping all of this in check and realizing you are only doing the best you can is extremely important. Caregivers need to be able to forgive themselves and not feel badly for things they couldn’t get too or for choices they made about their loved one. The job they are doing is amazing and should never be taken for granted.

Will all of us caregivers have each of these nine character traits perfectly mastered? Of course not. Does it mean we are any less qualified or equipped to help our loved ones? Not for a second. But I did feel it was important to post this so we can see some of the recipe items (so to speak) that makes up the millions of caregivers who are taking care of a loved one each and every day. As caregivers, we see a different potential in ourselves daily and of those character traits I list above, we may have a few or most but what’s most important is we are doing our best. We are caring for our loved ones and we are ensuring they are happy, healthy, and being cared for at home, in a setting that is comfortable and familiar.

Until next time,

August, 9 2010

Hospice: A Personal Story

This week’s blog post is written by a friend of mine. She asked that her name not be shared but she was kind enough to share her story about how important hospice was to her, her aunt, and her family.

My aunt Brooke had been diagnosed with breast cancer 10 years prior. We were all so excited that she was retiring from her job in California and moving to Winston-Salem, N.C. to join her family. We were even more excited that she reached the 10 year mark with her cancer diagnosis, the pivotal milestone for cancer survivors, and felt she was home free and never had to look back again.

She quit her job, packed up her town home and hopped on a plane. Winston-Salem bound she was. But when she arrived, she was terribly jaundice and not feeling well so we rushed her to the hospital. After several tests it was discovered that her cancer actually was back and it had metastasized to her liver. She was counseled on quite a few options and then we packed up and went home, her new home in North Carolina.

After several days of discussing what she wanted to do and what the family thought was best, she went against any of our wishes and decided she just wanted to live her life without all the bother of cancer treatment, drugs and the like. She had been down this road before and wasn’t interested in dealing with it again. She felt defeated from the first time she thought she’d beaten breast cancer and now that it was back, she didn’t feel like she had it in her to give it another fight of her life. With some hesitation, we supported her wishes and informed the doctors.

The next 6 months were great. We got together as a family as often as we could and enjoyed every minute together. From simple days of rocking on the porch to day trips to see “the little ones” play baseball, our lives were filled with time together. After the 6 month mark, my aunt’s health took a serious turn for the worse. We informed our out-of-town family who then planned weekly trips to see her.

Each day seemed like a mystery. Sometimes all she wanted to do was get out of bed and enjoy a good book on the sofa with her kitty, and other days she couldn’t even bear to leave her bedroom. The pain and suffering showed on her face and it tore us all apart. But we kept our spirits high and never let Brooke know we were worried about how quickly she may go.

During these last months hospice was called in to help Brooke enjoy her final days more comfortably. Carol was our main hospice nurse and she was truly a godsend. She was not only there for Brooke, but also for us, the family. Without her constant support, soothing voice, and reassuring words, I’m not sure we would have made it through. Brooke was considerably more comfortable with her help and that was what was most important. Because of hospice care, our final days with my aunt were the best they could have been for her and for us.

We rotated nights sleeping in Brooke’s room to ensure she wouldn’t fall out of bed. She was on quite a bit of medication towards the end and so there was always a chance she could slip out and hurt herself. It was my turn on her very last night. I’ll never forget. The Hospice volunteers made me a nice pallet on the floor complete with comfy blankets and the remote control. Brooke and I always watched Golden Girls before we went to bed. That night was no different. Of course, I’ll never know if she really watched that last episode with me, but I’d like to think she did.

I woke up a few times that night because I heard her rustling. Thankfully she was fine but I always took the opportunity to watch her chest move up and down. Look at her soft face and wish to myself that this wasn’t really the end. She was beautiful and seeing her face light up by the moonlight was magical.

By the morning, most of us knew it may be her last day. None of us wanted to talk about it but rather we took turns being by her side and holding her hand. My father and brother were to arrive that day. They hadn’t seen Brooke in months. Their flight landed shortly after 10am and they immediately drove to the house. We all left the room so they could spend some quality time with her. She even squeezed my brother’s hand and tried her best to open her eyes and look at him. After they left the room, she was gone. Carol told us not to be surprised if she hangs on until the final members of the family arrived. She was right. Brooke held on so she could see my dad and my brother one last time. What an amazing experience for each and every one of us.

I haven’t seen Carol since but I wish I could. I want to thank her for all she did to help me and my family through such a difficult time. Things will never be the same without Brooke in our lives but through Carol’s guidance, each of us has grown to truly appreciate one another and the time we have together. Her help allowed us to enjoy every last second with Brooke before she was gone and we knew because of Carol, Brooke was comfortable and no longer in pain. Carol truly became a part of our family during those last days and for that I can’t thank her enough. Hospice is an amazing gift to families in need. I’m so thankful for Carol and for all she did to help us.

Until next time,

August 2, 2010

Could You Go Non-Processed, Cold Turkey?

I’ve seen quite a few articles lately challenging people to remove any and all processed foods from their diet. It’s like going organic but taking it even one step further and cutting out all processed foods like cookies and cereals, frozen foods, and much more. Research shows the positives (healthier, potentially disease fighting, opportunity to eat what you grow) far outweigh the negatives (expensive, inconvenient, likely no more dinners out). So are you doing it? Has it been beneficial and are you now making healthier food choices for yourself and your family?

I decided to do a little digging into exactly what it entails to go non-processed. From what I read, the food you eat in a non-processed diet needs to be five ingredients or less, and nothing is refined so no white sugar or white flour. This sounds hard, doesn’t it? It gets even more difficult. The non-processed diet also means your grocery store bill will take a hike, and you will probably be cooking more at home as going out to eat may prove to leave you a little hungry.

The good news is going non-processed means you will begin to pay better attention to your food labels, buy locally grown produce and grass-fed meats, and in general be much more conscious of what you eat and where it’s coming from. Knowledge is power. Food powers us. Coupling the two seems like an idea each of us should definitely entertain.

So will I try any of these so-called challenges? Go Non-processed for 100 Days. 4 Weeks To a Non-processed You. 10 Day Pledge to Going Non-processed, Cold Turkey. I’m not sure but I will say, I think paying better attention to the food I buy and eat is a smart idea. All of us could use a little help in this area, I’m sure.

If this topic interests you, here’s a blog I came across that chronicles a family who is taking their own challenge called 100 Days of Real Food. They are 2/3rds of the way through and have had some very interesting stories of their journey, their real food “rules”, 10 reasons to cut out processed foods, and much more. Enjoy!

Until next time,

July 26, 2010

Eye Health for Seniors

A recent NY Times blog post got me thinking about how important it is for seniors to take care of their eyes. The post came from a great blog called “The New Old Age” and if you are not familiar with it, you should check it out. It’s a great source of information for caregivers, seniors, and baby boomer kids who are saddled with caring for their own families and now their aging parents. Specific to eye health, here’s the post I’m going to talk about today.

Caring for your eyes is important for everyone but particularly important for our senior friends. Unfortunately though, routine eye exams, glasses and many other eye services are not covered by Medicare and so often the elderly neglect vision problems. I can debate whether or not I think Medicare should make a change but I’ll leave that out of this post and instead talk about why eye care is important and one great resource that is free for seniors.

Common eye problems for seniors include macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts and diabetic retina problems. Vision problems are defined as having 20/40 vision or worse even with glasses on. And with vision problems, of course, comes the inability to get around, to drive, and sadly, to care for oneself.

Some signs seniors should look out for (sorry, no pun intended) are having difficulty reading, difficulty seeing colors, having a hard time seeing things around the house, lights seem dimmer than they used to, having a hard time reading signs, and the worst one, you no longer recognizing familiar faces. Whenever any of these signs occur, it’s important to schedule an appointment with your eye doctor.

As I said before, Medicare does not cover routine eye care but there is one free service available for seniors that I think is definitely worth looking into and it’s called the EyeCare America program. This was mentioned in The New Old Age blog and it stated that this program maintains a network of more than 7,000 eye doctors nationwide willing to perform routine eye exams for seniors annually with no out-of-pocket fees. That’s one great service! What’s even better, these doctors will accept Medicare as payment in full and if your senior is uninsured, they won’t be charged at all. The blog also posts out that 14,000 older Americans took advantage of this program in 2009. Let’s make that number higher more in 2010!

Here’s how you can qualify for EyeCare America: the patient must be at least 65 years old and an American citizen or legal resident. They can’t have seen an ophthalmologist within the last 3 years, can’t belong to an H.M.O., or get medical eye care through the Department of Veterans Affairs. The patient (or a family member) will need computer and Internet access to complete the program application. For those who qualify, you will be matched with a local doctor within 2 weeks of completing the online form. This to me sounds like something all western PA seniors should try!

Here’s one drawback of this program. Although it will pay for the routine exam, patients are then required to pay out-of-pocket for eyeglasses, prescriptions and surgery if necessary, which I know can cost a lot of money. But that said, I do believe this is a great program and an important one to help our seniors get their eyes checked free of charge and to also help us know whether or not there are any serious problems that may exist. To get started, visit www.eyecareamerica.org.

As we age, unfortunately so do our eyes. It’s a bummer getting old, isn’t it?? For the seniors in our life, consider taking advantage of this great program to get a routine eye exam free of charge. One quick exam could be the difference between discovering and fixing a vision problem and of permanent sight loss.

Until next time,

July 19, 2010

When Your Senior Resists Extra Care

Caregivers often perform a juggling act between helping their aging loved ones enjoy their independence and fear for their safety. Losing your independence is scary for a senior but there may come a point where it’s obvious that your loved one needs extra help. And unfortunately, this is often an emotionally charged topic and one that is very difficult to discuss. But don’t worry, help is here to get you through this.

It’s important for all family caregivers to understand that there are resources available to help them care for their loved ones, and that means there is even help available to talk to your aging seniors if you feel you are bumping up against too much resistance.

As caregivers, you may reach a point where what your loved one’s need exceeds your areas of expertise. And that’s ok. Your top concern has always been their safety and health. If that means you need a little extra help, please know there is nothing wrong with that. The important part is keeping your loved one at home, safe and sound.

First off, the most important aspect of this process is to involve your loved one in the choices being made about their care. Make sure that you are also a good listener. Sit and talk (and listen) to your loved one while hearing out their concerns, fears, anxieties and any other feelings they have about getting older, losing their independence, and having to rely on others to help. As a caregiver, you’ll need to put yourself in their shoes and realize that getting older and no longer being able to golf 18 holes is different than getting older and no longer being able to bathe yourself, go to the bathroom on your own, or cook yourself meals. It’s frustrating to experience the loss of what used to be simple every day tasks. And sometimes, it’s even more frustrating to have to rely on someone else for help.

Next, explain to your loved one that your main goal is to help them remain independent and safe and living at home for as long as possible, but that they are no longer able to accomplish this alone. Tell them that you worry about them when you are not around and that it will be a great relief knowing they are in good hands when you are away. Make sure they understand that you will help with the entire transition, that you are not going anywhere, and that this is something both of you need.

When interviewing for extra help you may want to involve your loved one in the process or at the very least, find someone who has similar interests as your aging senior. Building a long-term relationship with the person who is going to help you and your senior will be important so what better way to start than by having things in common. When you’ve found the right person to help, slowly integrate them into your day. Maybe at first you have lunch together (with your aging parent) for a few days. Next have the new caregiver come for just an hour or two while you are also there. Slowly ease your loved one into being alone with the caregiver and you’ll likely find they are happy with how things are going vs. flat out rejecting it.

If you are still bumping up against serious resistance, there are third party professionals like a family doctor, a social worker, or a geriatric care manager that can assess the situation and offer their opinion. Hearing from someone who is not emotionally vested may help diffuse the situation.

Of course every situation is different, but hopefully today’s post has provided you some tips when looking for help as a caregiver. Remember, unless your senior has dementia, they will ultimately make the final decision on what type of care they receive. But as a family caregiver, you have every right to suggest what you feel is going to help your loved one avoid risky situations. Sometimes the two of you won’t agree but communicating about it from the very beginning will go a long way.

Until next time,

July 12, 2010

Seniors are staying safe and driving more

Looks like we all have a thing or two to learn from senior citizen drivers. According to an Institute for Highway Safety report released last week, seniors are driving more, keeping their driver’s licenses longer, and are safe on the roads. Check out the full report here.

This study shares some simple facts that we all need to take into account. Seniors drive less miles, they are more cautious when driving, and they are not distracted by cell phones. Ah ha. No cell phones?? What a novel idea. Seriously though, as long as the seniors in your life are still driving, make sure they are following the same safety measures as their peers.

Here are some senior driving health tips to check:

Visual impairment – It’s important to make sure to have your senior’s eyes check regularly. Annually is usually a good timeframe. Also, while at the doctor’s office make sure corrective lenses are current. Then before driving, make sure the windows, mirrors and headlights are clean, and that the dashboard light is turned all the way up.

Hearing loss – Also have your senior’s hearing checked annually. If your senior already wears hearing aids, they must wear them while driving.

Medications – If your senior is taking any medication, make sure to talk to the doctor about any side effects they may have potentially impairing their ability to drive.

Drowsiness – With or without medication, if your senior isn’t sleeping well, this can lead to a driving disaster. Make sure they are getting a good night’s rest if they are still driving and if not, consult their doctor.

Dementia – If you sense any type of memory loss or dementia, it’s critical to stop driving immediately and get your senior to the doctor.

And here are some senior driving safety tips:

Find the right car – If your senior is driving, it’s important that they are matched with a car they feel comfortable in, has power steering, power brakes, and is in good working condition. As I said above, it’s also important the windows, mirrors and headlights are clean and if any driving aids or devices are needed, see an occupational therapist for the right equipment.

Drive slowly and safely – There’s no rush. If your senior is on the road we want to make sure they are driving at a safe speed and ensuring there is always plenty of space between them and the cars around them.

Avoid distractions – As we learned from the Institute for Highway Safety report, it’s best to avoid distractions in the car like cell phones or other gadgets. In general seniors are already doing a good job here but a friendly reminder from time to time is important.

Steer clear of uncomfortable driving situations – Maybe it’s best for your senior driver to only drive during the day. Or if left hand turns have become difficult, try to avoid them all together. And if directions aren’t their strong suit, ensure they don’t go on an adventure looking for a new store or a friend’s house. Keep in constant communication with your senior about driving and what they do and don’t feel comfortable with. Make sure you go on drives with them so you can keep a keen eye on how they are doing.

Losing the ability to drive for a senior is often viewed as a huge loss of independence. But their safety and the safety of others around them needs to be your first and foremost concern. So buckle up, keep a close eye on your senior driver and together, you can enjoy the open road this summer.

Until next time,

July 5, 2010

Get Your B.E. Taylor Tickets Today!

We’re excited to announce that coming September 18 to Pullman Park in Butler, B.E. Taylor will play a benefit concert to support the VNA Inpatient Hospice! Ticket prices run from $20 for general admission to $30 for platinum admission. Proceeds from the concert will go directly to the VNA Inpatient Hospice and help support this new community landmark. Join us on September 18 by purchasing your tickets here. (all ticket sales are a donation to the VNA Inpatient Hospice, a 503c)

Born in Aliquippa, B.E. Taylor is a hometown success story and very popular in the Pittsburgh area. Mr. Taylor has written, performed and produced for the award-winning TV show LightMusic, produced 3 major record albums in 6 years, and scored several regional Top Ten Hits along with 2 Billboard Top 100 Hits.

Mr. Taylor was gracious enough to support the VNA Inpatient Hospice with his tribute concert coming this September. Words can’t explain how excited and thankful we are for his support of the new Inpatient Hospice. VNA Inpatient Hospice is providing area citizens a new option of hospice care. Without the support of B.E. Taylor, and from all of the community donations we’ve received to date, our vision of helping those in need within the comforts of this new facility would not have become a reality. We are humbled by all of your continued kindness and generosity. Thank you!

We hope you’ll mark your calendar and join us for this fun B.E. Taylor concert on September 18. For more information on B.E. Taylor and to listen to some of his fantastic music, please visit www.betaylor.com. And don’t forget to get your tickets here!

Until next time,

June 22, 2010

Travel Tips for Seniors

Last week’s blog post highlighted some summer activities that families can enjoy together with their senior loved ones. This week, I’m taking things one step further and sharing some important travel tips for seniors. With summer here, vacations have begun and so what better way for us to get ready than to provide a good (and printable!) list of helpful tips for seniors who are getting out on the open road.

Whether flying or driving, there are certain precautions seniors should take in order to be fully prepared for a trip. You can certainly “take this show on the road” so to speak but in order to be safe and happy, consider running through the following check list to make sure you are ready to go.

Top Travel Tips for Seniors

Research – There is no reason why your senior loved one can’t travel with you and your family for your summer vacation. All it takes is a little research in advance to make sure your final destination is safe and comfortable. Will your vacation spot have a lot of stairs? Are bathrooms and hallways wheel chair accessible? Does the pool offer plenty of shade? Contact the hotel in advance and let them know you are bringing a senior loved one with you on the trip and run through any unanswered questions you have. You may be surprised to find out that the resort actually has events and activities just for older guests to enjoy!
Meet with your Doctor – Before traveling it’s a good idea to meet with your doctor and let him/her know you and your senior are about to take a trip. This way, the doctor can address any immediate concerns while also ensuring that they have the proper amount of medication for their travels. Your doctor may also be kind enough to jot down any conditions your senior has and the medication they take which can be used for their “Health Conditions List”, which you will see listed below in number 4.
Packing – In order to make sure you and your senior are ready for a trip, make sure to pack appropriately. That means ordering and packing the proper amount of medication that is needed for the entire time you are away. Consider taking an additional seven days worth of medication with you in case your return date has to change for some unknown or unexpected circumstance. Also, is there any medical equipment that your loved one will need while you are gone? How about hot and cold weather gear? You never know when the weather could take a turn so do some research on your final destination and make sure to pack for every possible weather situation. Beyond clothes, make sure you pack proper shoes. Will you be doing a lot of walking? What kind of terrain will your travels encounter?
Create a Health Conditions List – It’s vitally important that you create what can be called a Health Conditions List. Start by writing your senior’s name at the top. Then write out their doctors’ names and contact information. Your name and phone number as an emergency contact. And also, list out all of their medical conditions, as well as the medications they take. This Health Conditions List is something you will want to keep on you and your senior at all times so make sure to make a couple of copies.
Protect yourself – Now you’re away from home and enjoying your fantastic vacation. Although it’s tempting to throw caution to the wind, make sure you’re still careful on the road. You and your family may not be able to wash your hands all of the time so bring along alcohol-based hand sanitizer. You never know what germs are floating around a crowded airplane, rest stop or amusement park. Also, are you traveling overseas? Make sure everyone has the proper vaccinations before you depart. You usual routine will of course be disturbed because you’re on vacation but try to keep things as “normal” as possible. Keep meals on schedule as best as you can. (and make sure what you eat is thoroughly cooked, and water is good enough for drinking.) And, ensure everyone gets the right amount of sleep. It’s fun to overindulge a little from time to time, just make sure you do it with your safety hat on to make sure you and your loved ones are protected.

Enjoy your summer and all that it brings. Especially those fun road trips! Travel safely and have fun creating all new memories together with your family. Just be sure to be prepared and safe with all of your travels and the entire family will enjoy themselves vs. the alternative – which I won’t list out. We can use our imaginations here☺.

Until next time,

June 14, 2010

Summer Fun for Seniors

Summer is finally here (well, technically it’ll be here June 21 but close enough, right?!) and we’re ready to start enjoying some sun and fun like cookouts, camping trips and more! Today’s blog post is all about having fun with your senior loved one this summer. There are tons of things you can do together with your older relatives – of course always being cautious of the sun, the heat and their hydration. So enjoy the summer months together and create some lasting memories!

If you’re a caregiver or have elderly relatives who live close by, the summer brings a bunch of fun new activities to enjoy. Have you ever planted a garden together? Taken classes at the pool? Gone on daily walks with an occasional stop at the local ice cream shop? How about gone on a picnic, watched the grandkids play at the park, played mini-golf or even planned a beach trip? There are tons of fun summer-time activities and outings that you can plan with your family – including your senior loved one – that you will all enjoy together!

Only a few words of caution in today’s blog post – you know how I am. When caring for a senior loved one, always be very careful of the summer heat and sun. Remember to insist they put on sun block (or do it for them). Also, it’s very important that you make sure they drink lots of water and stay hydrated. And last, keep the lines of communication open. If an activity is too much for your mom or dad, or if it has gone on for too long, it’s important that you pay attention and bring your loved one home so they can rest inside, away from the sun and the heat. Spending time together as a family is great but you also need to be mindful that too much time outside in the heat can be harmful, especially for someone who is elderly.

Ok, back to some of our fun summer time activities for seniors:

Plant a garden – Getting outside and working together on a garden can be great exercise but also extremely rewarding for you and your loved one. You start by planting the garden together and before you know it, you’ve created a daily activity that you can enjoy together. Watering, weeding, and then cooking and eating your crop will go on all summer long and something the two of you can look forward to daily.
Go to a local pool – You don’t necessarily need to take swimming lessons but consider going to a pool a couple of times a week together. The two of you can learn some easy exercises and practice them in the water as a team. You’ll enjoy the break from the heat and also get in some great cardio work. Here is a list of water exercises to check out. (of course, consult a physician first before starting any exercise program.)
Start a mini-golf tournament – Your loved one may have been quite the golfer back in the day but the thought of walking 18 holes is long since gone. Why not use those skills on a local mini-golf course? Get as many family members together as you can and set up teams. Then let loose on the course and see who the winner is. This will be fun for the entire family, young and old, and maybe something you consider making an annual event!
Start your own book club – Summer always marks some of the best times to enjoy a little quiet reading so why not start your very own book club? You don’t need tons of people in the club. It can even be as small as you and your loved one. Pull out a great summer reading list like this one, select your books and get started! It’ll be fun to pick out the books together, read them chapter by chapter and then have some time together to talk about the characters and the plot.
Lunches at the park – Summer isn’t summer without a great picnic so pack up a lunch and head out to your local park. The grandkids will love romping around on the playground and you and your mom or dad will love watching them. This is an activity you can do several times throughout the summer and really be something your loved one looks forward too. Keep it simple with very little fuss. A few sandwiches, some juice boxes and water and off you go. And don’t forget the sun block!

We’ve finally thawed out from that brutal winter and thank God, summer is finally here! Create a fun summer activities list that you and your entire family can enjoy for the next few months. Of course always be mindful of the heat and the sun, but get out there and enjoy yourselves. Your elderly loved one will surely enjoy themselves as well!

Until next time,

June 7, 2010

Coping with Caregiver Stress

The daily lives of caregivers are extremely stressful. No longer do you feel able to care for yourself or do the simple things when all of your waking hours are spent caring for someone else. You let yourself go because there seems no time for exercise or a trip to get your hair cut. You let your house go because there seems not a moment left in the day to run the vacuum cleaner. But when you stop and look around, the amount of daily tasks looming are building up and they are stressing you out. And, this is on top of the fact that, you see no light at the end of the tunnel. Your mom is not getting better. Her ability to take care of herself is long since gone. With all of these stressors building, how can a caregiver cope? Here are a few ways…

Coping with stress is not easy. Believe me, I get it. I’ve been caring for my mom as her primary caregiver for years and on top of my day job, my home and my husband, I’m stressed. But I do try my best to cope with it all in manageable bite size pieces. This helps me keep things in perspective and also helps me work through my feelings as they come rather than let everything build up to a point where I explode.

Some of my coping skills have been developed over time. I’m not a trained psychiatrist so I thought it was best for me to share that fact right up front. These coping skills have been what works for me and what works for you will likely be different. But my hope is that after reviewing what I have listed here, each of you who are also caregivers will feel empowered to write down your own list and starting doing what you can to lessen your stress load.

Ok, here we go. Here are my Top 5 ways to cope with stress as my mother’s caregiver.

First start off with identifying your stress triggers. What sets you off? Each of us is different so be honest with yourself. Jot down all of the things that really get you upset. Keep this list handy because you’ll want to refer back to it. Knowing what stresses you out is the first step.
Start taking “stress” notes – Some keep a “stress journal” while others jot down a list of their daily demands. Whichever style you prefer is fine but the point here is it’s time for you to start jotting down what your day or week entails so you can notice a pattern of stress. After a long day, the last thing you want to do is grab a pen and start rehashing it but take my advice and try it. The goal is to see where your stress points are so you can make things better. After a week’s worth of time, you should be able to effectively see what your hot spots are and begin creating a plan of action to help alleviate some of that stress.
Improve your time management skills – Yes, we’d all love it if there were more hours in the day but the goal here is to manage the hours that we have better. Identify your goals, set your priorities, and use your time wisely. This will lessen your stress load tremendously.
Start cleaning up the clutter – A good place to start reducing stress in your life is to clean up the clutter. Are bills piling up? Are dishing oozing out of the sink? Can you find a place to sit on your sofa? The best way to clean your mind is to clean your surroundings. And consider cleaning as you go. This way, things won’t pile up and become overwhelming.
Don’t get to the point of caregiver burnout – yes, you can do something to help yourself. Caregiver burnout is a serious issue and all too common so if you feel you are approaching a situation where you just can’t take any more, get help. There are lots of people in the community who can give you a helping hand, a shoulder to lean on, and some time away to clean your mind. You do not need to take on the stress of caring for a loved one all by yourself. Whether a loved one or a professional caretaker, find someone who can come give you a day off. It can truly make all the difference in the world.

There are 65 million caregivers across the entire country. Isn’t that amazing? Each one of us has dedicated our lives to caring for a loved one through sickness and health, through the good times and the bad without a second thought to the sacrifices we are making. If you are a caregiver or if you know a caregiver, give them this list. It’s important that we recognize the hard work and stress a caregiver undergoes and that we all do what we can to minimize and even reduce their stress. It’ll make an important difference in their lives and just as importantly, it’ll make a difference to our loved ones in need.

Until next time,

June 1, 2010

June is Home Safety Month – Top 10 Home Safety Tips for Seniors

June is Home Safety Month so it's a perfect time for all caregivers to read through our Top 10 Home Safety Tips for Seniors and ensure their home is safe for you and your family.

Home safety is important for everyone, but it’s particularly important for caregivers. Caring for a loved one in your home, or theirs, means you are responsible for their safety. Home safety doesn’t necessarily mean the professionals need to be called in and big ticket items need to be purchased. Instead, what you need to do is go through each room and take a look at your surroundings with a new keen eye focused directly on safety. Take this Top 10 list with you and you’ll be well on your way to making your home safe and sound for you and your loved ones.

Here are the Top 10 Safety Tips for Seniors:

Install grab bars in the tub and shower and also purchase non-slip mats.

Install bright lights over stairs and steps and on landings. Does each room have the proper amount of lighting to help your loved one navigate with no problem? Check out each room and make sure the light switches are easy to find and use. Also, make sure lamps and overhead lights are working properly and provide your loved one an adequate amount of lighting so they do not trip and fall.

Tuck electrical cords away so they are not in a direct pathway. Also, consider arranging furniture so that outlets are available for lamps without the use of extension cords. If you still need to use an extension cord, make sure to tuck it away against the wall so it’s not in the way where someone can trip and fall.

Ensure all pathways are clear of clutter. This seems logical but you’d be amazed at what could be a potential tripping hazard. Magazine racks, even yesterday’s newspaper can cause problems. The list goes on and on so just take a tour through the house and ensure that each room is clutter free and easy to navigate.

Check all rugs, runners and mats as all of the above could cause someone to trip and fall. Also, ensure the rugs have slip resistant backing so that the rug doesn’t get out from under your loved one’s feet. Falls are the most common cause for injury among seniors so it’s important to make sure your home is clear from tripping hazards.

Are emergency numbers placed near your phone? You never know when an emergency can occur so it’s extremely important to be prepared. Write emergency numbers in large print and tape them directly to the phone or adjacent to the phone.

Check all of your home’s smoke detectors and ensure they are equipped with new batteries. Many home fire injuries are due to smoke and toxic gas inhalation rather than the fire itself. It’s extremely important that your smoke detectors are installed and working properly so that they can wake you in the event a fire may occur.

Check each of your electrical outlets throughout the house. If you come across one that is warm or hot, call an electrician right away to check the wiring of your home. Immediately unplug any cords from that outlet until a professional assesses the situation.

Do you have an emergency exit plan in case of a fire? If not, it’s time to create one and review it with your loved one. Ensure your plan includes a meeting place outside of the home. Fires spread rapidly and therefore a well rehearsed plan can make all the difference.

Check all medications and make sure they are stored in their proper container and clearly marked. Medications that are not properly labeled can easily be mixed up and mixing up medications or missing a dosage can be extremely dangerous.

There are many things you can do to ensure you and your loved ones are safe at home. Hopefully this list provides some quick and easy things you can do to get started. Take a morning or an afternoon to walk around your house and see if everything is up to standard. Accidents happen, of course, but if there are things you can do to prevent them, do it. Because we believe that having a home that is filled with love is also a home that feels safe and sound for everyone who lives there.

Until next time,

May 24, 2010

Senior Health & Fitness Day: May 26

Anyone looking for the fountain of youth? Me too! Here’s how we can find it – through exercise. May 26 honors Senior Health & Fitness Day so of course I have to chat a little about some of the great things our senior friends, family and neighbors can do to get up, get moving, and get fit!

Fitness starts with your mind. You need the right frame of mind in order to be dedicated to beginning and sticking to a fitness program. For some, it may take nothing to get you off the sofa and out the door for a walk. For others, a gentle nudge may do just the trick. Consider this your gentle nudge.

Getting up and moving is great for all of us but especially great for seniors. A sharp mind and a sharp body are a recipe for a long and healthy life. Exercise helps in numerous ways but for seniors it’s particularly helpful in keeping blood pressure low, dropping high cholesterol counts, getting blood and oxygen moving around to all parts of our bodies, strengthening muscles, and much more.

There are four main types of exercises seniors should focus on:

Endurance activities – this means we all need to get up and go for a walk, go swimming, go on a bike ride, and commit to doing this at least 3 times a week. (Of course, consult your doctor before beginning any sort of fitness program.) Endurance activities are particularly good for our heart health and our circulatory system.

Strengthening exercises – strength training is great for helping prevent muscle loss as we age. Believe me, you don’t need to break out the dumb bells to build muscle. Strength exercises can be as easy as going to your pantry and finding a jug of syrup or a bottle of soda and doing arm lifts. Look around your home and be creative. It’s amazing what you’ll find that can help you build muscle strength.

Stretching exercises – stretching is important for each of us as it helps keep the body limber and flexible. A more flexible body is one that is more likely to be injury-free, something all of us strive for.

Balance exercises – and last, balance exercises are really important for seniors as they can help prevent harmful falls. The better balance each of us has the better likelihood we’ll remain on our feet, where we’re supposed to be!

To celebrate Senior Health & Fitness Day this Wednesday more than 100,000 seniors will participate in an exercise program all across America. Why don’t you consider joining them? And make Wednesday the first day of a life-long fitness program. It’ll certainly help each of us find that fountain of youth, I can promise you that!

Until next time,

May 17, 2010

A Glass Half Full for Caregivers

May is Mental Health Month. And so now is a perfect time to talk about the mental stress caregivers undergo each and every day. A caregiver is twice as likely to develop depression as a non-caregiver. This statistic is likely not surprising as each day they dedicate their time and love caring for a critically ill child, a frail parent at the end of life’s journey, a loved one with Alzheimer’s, or a multitude of other mentally and physically debilitating illnesses. It’s terribly sad to witness a loved one suffer. It’s even harder to know you can’t do anything to stop the pain or the trek the illness is taking throughout their body.

But what’s important is for a caregiver to stay mentally strong. Despite the hardships and the long tiring days, keeping a positive mind and a positive attitude will pay off 10-fold in the long run. And yes, I’ve said this before – this is much easier said than done. But if you make a conscious decision to remain in good spirits, look at the world with a glass half full vs. half empty, it’s amazing the change you will have in your outlook.

Of course it’s not realistic to walk around 24/7 with a smile on your face. As a caregiver, what you’re faced with is difficult, and has never has been a walk in the park. Acknowledging your feelings of sadness, frustration and anger is perfectly healthy and really, a good idea. But what I do suggest is to surround yourself with good thoughts. Keep your situation in perspective and remember that life is yours for living. Yes, things are tough. Yes, your days are long. But you are blessed to be spending time with someone you love and providing them something no one else could give – time, compassion and companionship.

Having positive thoughts propagates more positive thoughts. Being negative creates a swirl of more negativity. And the best part is, you have control over your thoughts, whether they are positive or negative. Again, this may be easier said than done so try this easy exercise on for size. Over the course of the next day, take every negative thought you have and turn it into a positive one. Pull out those rose colored glasses and give it a try. By the end of the day, see if you any feel better. Then, jot down what made you feel better. The next day, try it again. The more you do this, the easier it gets and the more natural it becomes where you won’t even need to make an effort.

Examples? Ok, let’s try a few. “I hate driving 45 minutes to the doctor’s office 3 times a week.” Instead try this, “During this 45 minute drive it’s nice having time together to enjoy some peace and quiet or to talk a little about Rachel’s upcoming graduation party.” Or, “Honestly, I don’t think I’m going to make it through this day on such little sleep. How can I survive?” Instead, “I’m operating on 2 hours of sleep and that’s simply not enough. When I’m done cleaning up from breakfast, my first to-do task is to take a nap or better yet, find someone who can come here to watch Mom and give me a break.”

Never for a moment forget how wonderful you are as a caregiver and pat yourself on the back for all of the hard work you do. Your job as a caregiver is overwhelming physically and mentally but hopefully today’s post will help give you a little ammunition to make each day brighter. At the very least, I hope this gives you some ideas of how to fill your day with positive thoughts that will ultimately help make your day a little brighter.

Until next time,

May 10, 2010

National Nurses Week – May 6-12

May 6-12 is National Nurses Week! 3.1 million strong, nurses play a vital role in the healthcare continuum delivering their services in hospitals, homes, long-term care facilities, and schools all across the country. From a baby’s first breath to emergency room visits, and from wellness check-ups to cancer and hospice care, nurses provide care for all us from the beginning of life to the end.

While the nation has been embroiled in a heated healthcare debate, nurses continue caring for patients during times of calm, or crisis and disaster, providing compassion and hands-on help at bedsides all across America. And now finally, this is a week where we can take a time out from our busy lives and celebrate the countless hours of hard work and dedication nurses provide us all.

Not only is now a time to thank all of the nurses in our area, but it’s also an important time to note that we are in the midst of a pretty serious nursing shortage. To be frank – there are less nurses available at a time when our population is living longer, causing the demands on the already strained healthcare system to be even greater. Being a nurse is a tough job. And with less nurses to help even more people, they are being stretched extremely thin. Find a nurse today. Give them a hug. Buy them lunch. Do what you can to pay it forward to a nurse has made a career out of doing the same.

I would like to personally thank every nurse that works at the VNA, as well as all of the nurses in our community. Your love and pursuit to make the world a better place should never be taken for granted or be forgotten. Your compassion and unconditional support is what truly makes a difference when each one of us needs it.

Until next time,

In celebration of National Nursing Week, here are a few nursing facts I dug up:

In Pennsylvania there are over 100,000 nurses. The demands of nurses are high nationwide but particularly strong in Pennsylvania, which has the 2nd oldest population in the country. And as boomers age and their healthcare demands grow, the demands on nurses will continue to grow beyond their means.

Projected nursing “Supply vs. Demand” for 2010 is – 103,426 current nurses vs. the 120,492 that Pennsylvania needs – is a nursing shortage of -14%. For 2015, that projected shortage is expected to go to -22% with 99,517 nurses employed but 127,301 needed.

According to US News and World Report, registered nurses are one of the 50 Best Careers in 2010. It is expected that 582,000 more nurses will be added nationwide between 2008 and 2018, a growth rate of more than 22 percent, a much faster expansion rate when compared to other professions.

The median salary last year was $62,450. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $43,400, while the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $92,200.

The most common path to an entry-level nursing job is a bachelor of science degree in nursing or an associate's degree. The two-year associate's degree is a quicker and more economical route, but many graduates of associate's programs eventually aim to complete a bachelor's degree for a more comprehensive nursing education. For people who have already earned a bachelor's degree in a different field, accelerated B.S.N. degree programs can last from 12 to 18 months.

The average age of a nurse today is 47.

Annually, National Nurses Week is observed as a lead-up to May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, founder of nursing as a modern profession.

May 3, 2010

Hospice care is for the patient, but also the family and the caregiver

I blogged last week about how hospice care helps patients coping with life-limiting conditions. I also talked about how if you live in our community, those in need can now receive hospice care at home or in the new VNA Inpatient Hospice. But what I didn’t touch upon was how tremendously helpful hospice care is for the families and caregivers who are closely involved.

Caring for a loved one who is ill and no longer responding to treatment can be emotionally and physically draining. Most caregivers fill their days with as many tasks as they can to be helpful and also to avoid thinking about losing their loved one. Because of this, caregiver burnout is extremely common and sadly, often goes unnoticed.

When a loved one has reached a point where they no longer wish to receive treatment or their bodies simply won’t respond to treatment, hospice care can be there to help the patient be more physically and spiritually comfortable. Hospice care is a collaborative effort between doctors, nurses, personal care aides, medical social workers, chaplains, grief and support counselors, and other care providers as needed. This team approach ensures the patients receives top-notch care, but also ensures that family members and caregivers are taken care of as well.

Hospice care helps caregivers by relieving some of their daily duties and stress, allowing them to spend more time with their loved, and also provides them with support and counseling. To us, it’s important that the patient is comfortable and surrounded by loved ones. We want to ensure that worry and stress goes away and that a peaceful environment is enjoyed by everyone.

As a caregiver or a family member whose loved one is ill, discussing end of life care is difficult. We know. We understand. Knowing a loved one may only have a short time to live can be extremely painful. Hospice care is here to help you and your family and is right around the corner. You do not need to go through these trying times alone. Trust that a hospice team can help both you and your loved one during this difficult time.

To learn more about hospice care, please visit www.vnalegacyforlife.com or call 877-862-6659.

Until next time,

April 26, 2010

What is Hospice Care?

In the wake of the new VNA Inpatient Hospice opening, I want to take some time to describe hospice care and what VNA has been doing for the past several decades in this area. When some hear “hospice” they think it's the care provided at the very end of a person's life.

But to get to the true heart of this type of care, hospice helps serve the needs of individuals of any age who are coping with life-limiting conditions. This care can happen at any time whether there are months or days remaining. One way to think of it is when an illness no longer responds to curative treatment or the patient elects to discontinue such treatment, hospice empowers the patient and their family to make positive choices concerning their physical, emotional and spiritual care during this difficult time.

VNA Hospice works in collaboration with a patient’s physician. An interdisciplinary team implements a personalized plan of palliative care, which can include education about the condition, management of pain and other symptoms, and development of support networks. Over the past three decades, VNA has served more than 10,000 hospice patients in communities throughout western Pennsylvania. Our team of experts certified and experienced in end-of-life care, palliative care, thanatology, bereavement counseling, ostomy and wound care, and work closely with physicians to deliver hospice care in private homes, assisted living facilities, nursing homes and hospitals, and soon in our new VNA Inpatient Hospice facility in Butler.

But I thought hospice care was delivered at home? Why would VNA build a hospice facility? VNA Hospice has been providing supportive and palliative care in homes within our area since 1981. Focusing on comfort and quality of life, VNA always strives to help patients remain at home for as long as possible. However, sometimes a patient may reach a point when their symptoms require a more intensive level of care, even if only on a temporary basis. The new state-of-the-art Inpatient Hospice, combined with our VNA in-home hospice services, allows us to provide the complete range of hospice care both in your home and in the new facility.

Are you interested in taking a tour of the new Inpatient Hospice? Join us for our very special open house on Sunday, May 2, 2010 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. You may also want to consider joining us on Saturday, May 1 for the Legacy for Life 5K Run with the Slipper Rock University Women's soccer team. All proceeds from the race will go to support our new VNA Inpatient Hospice. We look forward to seeing you this weekend during all of the VNA festivities.

Until next time,

April 19, 2010

Thank You for Supporting the New VNA Inpatient Hospice

VNA is providing a new option for hospice care and is proud to announce the opening of our community’s very first free standing community based Inpatient Hospice. VNA Inpatient Hospice is located at 115 Technology Drive (off Benbrook Road) and is nestled among a quiet and serene five acres. On May 3 we will open the doors to this beautiful and unique home-like center that will not only meet the needs of area residents and their families, but also serve the future needs of members of our community that are faced with life-limiting illnesses.

The construction of the new Inpatient Hospice has been a labor of love. Together with the community, we have nearly reached our goal of raising $2 million dollars. Because our center was built from the ground up through your kind generosity, we want to personally thank you for helping this dream become a reality. Without your overwhelming support, the center would not be possible. It took many of you to believe in our cause and to understand what an important role this Inpatient Hospice will serve. This center will open because of you, and for this, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

VNA Hospice has been providing supportive and palliative care in homes within our area since 1981. Focusing on comfort and quality of life, VNA always strives to help patients remain at home for as long as possible. However, many eventually reach a point when their symptoms require a more intensive level of care, even if only on a temporary basis. The new state-of-the-art Inpatient Hospice, combined with our VNA in-home hospice services, allows us to provide the complete range of hospice care both in your home and in the new center.

When we open our doors, we hope it will be with you by our side. Join us for our very special open house on Sunday, May 2, 2010 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. We plan on having guided tours of the facility and will be on hand to answer any questions you may have. We welcome you – our friends, family and neighbors – to share in this special moment as we open the doors to something that is not just the VNA’s, but rather a place that belongs to our community; a place of warmth and caring when the time of need arises.

Until next time,

* For more information about hospice care and the new VNA Inpatient Hospice (including pictures of the inside and the outside of the building), please visit www.vnalegacyforlife.com. Also, consider joining us on Saturday, May 1 for the Legacy for Life 5K Run with the Slipper Rock University Women’s soccer team. All proceeds from the race will go to support our new center.

April 12, 2010

Can you die of a broken heart?

I recently came across a Wall Street Journal article that was about a medical condition called “broken heart syndrome.” We’ve all heard the saying, “dying of a broken heart” but did any of us believe it was really true? Well according to this article, the reporter chronicles the story of one particular woman who had no symptoms of heart troubles yet hours after her husband of 40 years passed away, she had sharp pains in her chest and went unconscious. She later died. The doctors determined it was from a broken heart.

Broken heart syndrome appears to be a condition that affects patients who recently lost a spouse or loved one. They’ve experienced emotional stress or physical trauma that releases a large amount of adrenaline into the body. This adrenaline ultimately overwhelms the heart and effectively freezes its ability to pump blood throughout the body properly. The condition mimics symptoms experienced by someone who has a heart attack yet often these patients have perfectly healthy hearts. They are calling it a “heart concussion” vs. a “heart attack” because it’s triggered by stress or physical trauma vs. a clogged artery.

Do you know someone who has died of a broken heart? It appears that this diagnosis is still in question as doctors continue to research the mechanics behind the syndrome. When looking at a graphic of a normal heart vs. a heart from someone who passed from broken heart syndrome, the left ventricle is noticeably larger than that of a normal heart. But what confuses doctors is what exactly triggers this condition. We’ve all experienced emotional stress, and physical trauma takes on a life of its own depending on the person. One may experience an asthma attack, while another may experience broken heart syndrome through a sudden drop in blood pressure. But why is it that feelings of loss overwhelm one person to such great levels or that one asthma attack is any different from another and potentially leads to death by a broken heart?

Broken heart syndrome is an interesting topic that leaves us with many unanswered questions. Is this really a condition someone can die from? Can someone prevent dying from a broken heart? We’ll certainly need to follow this and see what advancements the medical community makes towards better understanding this puzzling condition.

Until next time,

April 5, 2010

Depression Among Older Adults and the Elderly

Depression among older adults and the elderly is all too common. Losing a spouse, dealing with physical and mental problems, or living alone are all typical reasons an aging adult can become depressed. Compounding this problem is the fact that most seniors fighting depression don’t ask for help. They are scared to share their problems with anyone thinking they will be a burden or will lose the opportunity to live independently. Or worse yet, they fear they won’t be taken seriously as often times people believe with age comes sadness or depression.

The good news is depression among the elderly is treatable and should not be ignored. If an aging adult in your life is showing any of the following signs, make sure to take action immediately. Depression can easily be detected and treated if you just pay attention to the warning signals.

Sadness
Fatigue
Abandoning or losing interest in hobbies or other pleasurable pastimes
Social withdrawal and isolation (reluctance to be with friends, engage in activities, or leave home)
Weight loss; loss of appetite
Sleep disturbances (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, oversleeping, or daytime sleepiness)
Loss of self-worth (worries about being a burden, feelings of worthlessness, self-loathing)
Increased use of alcohol or other drugs
Fixation on death; suicidal thoughts or attempts

The very nature of depression may keep someone from seeking out the help they need. Therefore it’s important for you to pay attention to the senior in your life and help them find help. There are plenty of doctors who can assist. Also, make sure you are by their side offering to accompany them to appointments or to simply be there for them even if it’s just a quiet chat over coffee. Showing support is going to go a long way. Together you can beat depression and get back to loving life again.

Until next time,

March 29, 2010

Caregiver Support: Helping Our Aging Parents

Each of us is aging. It’s inevitable and we can’t deny it. But when it comes to our parents, are we prepared to handle anything that their aging may bring? Today’s post is all about how to spot the warning signs of a parent whose age may lead them to needing some professional assistance. Don’t worry. Getting help is not a bad thing. In fact, you as a caregiver can get a little extra help for your aging parent all while they remain at home, safe and sound.

Here are 5 things to look for:

Weight – Have you noticed an unexpected weight loss in your aging parents? Losing weight can be a tell tale sign that something is wrong. If your parents cook for themselves ask them, are they losing their appetite? Are they losing their motivation to cook? Have they lost their sense of taste or smell? Sometimes losing weight can be the signal that something more serious is going on and will require a visit to your physician. Sit down and talk to your parents about what is going on and if necessary, make an appointment to see their doctor. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Appearance – Your mom is always in her Sunday’s best and has never spent a day in sweat pants in her life. It’s just the way she is. Now all of a sudden, you notice a drastic change in her overall appearance. She’s no longer getting dressed up each day, her hair hasn’t been brushed and you’re not sure she is bathing any longer. Same goes with their house. All of a sudden you’ve noticed the house isn’t its usual spotless clean. Make sure you don’t ignore these changes. If your parents no longer have the desire to take care of themselves or their home, it may mean something more serious is going on.
Home – Have either of your parents recently experienced a fall at home? When you next visit, take a visual inventory. Do they have to go up and down stairs a lot? Are they able to do it unassisted? Are they able to reach cabinets in the kitchen and bathroom? Can they get out of the house safely in case of an emergency? Simple changes can be made to make sure your parents remain safe in their home and also that the items they need each day are easily accessible.
Attitude – Has your mom or dad’s attitude all of a sudden changed for the worse? If your parents are typically in good spirits and now they are constantly worried or angry, it’s time to sit down with them and find out what is the root of the problem. Depression among seniors is extremely common and something that can be easily helped. Make sure you remain in tune with how your parents are acting on a daily basis so you can evaluate for yourself whether or not professional assistance is needed.
Mobility – Make sure you pay attention to how your parents are getting around. Has there been a change in their ability to walk up and down stairs, get to and from their bedroom or kitchen. Are they able to get themselves outside without assistance? Changes in mobility can easily be remedied with a cane, a walker or even just some changes to the house. If your parents are unsteady on their feet they risk injuring themselves by falling so make sure if you see a change in their mobility that you address it right away.

If you’ve noticed changes in any of the above with your aging parents, please don’t be afraid to sit down and discuss it with them. Talking through issues now can mean the difference between a serious injury or worse down the road. Share your concerns with your parents in a loving manner and don’t criticize them or blame them for what is happening. You may find they are embarrassed by their changes and want to hide them from you. Be understanding and make sure they know you are only there to help them and to get them the assistance they need. Asking for help is a good thing, both for our aging parents and us, the caregivers.

Until next time,

March 22, 2010

Quick Fixes for Allergy Season Sufferers

The snow has melted, we’ve changed our clocks and the daffodils and crocus are popping through. Spring is here! And what a relief. The amount of snow we’ve had this year was unreal. Did it ever feel like it would end? Wait, maybe I shouldn't say that. Did I just jinx us into having one more snow storm?? I hope not!

Although we welcome spring with our arms wide open, with it comes allergy season. We love the flowers and the budding trees but we don’t love the hay fever, the sneezing, coughing, runny nose and itchy watery eyes. Is there any relief for those of us that suffer from annual allergies that force us to go about our daily business in a cloud of haze? Here’s some helpful information I’ve uncovered…

First off, there are millions of spring allergens out there. What exactly are we allergic to? There’s no telling but the quickest and easiest way to find out is through a skin test. A skin test performed at a medical facility is inexpensive and the most accurate at pin pointing exactly what you are allergic to, whether it's pollen, mold, grass, etc. The test takes approximately 15-20 minutes and provides instant results. Unfortunately, there aren’t instant remedies but at least you’ll know what is causing your allergies.

Now you can start avoiding areas or times where the allergens you are reacting to are at their worst. One quick tip is to begin using something called a Pollen Counter. Simply drop in your zip code and you’ll receive results for the amount of grass, weed, tree and mold pollen in your area.

Also, with a doctor’s assistance, you may want to try over the counter medication. There are pills, lozenges, sprays and the like. The selection may get overwhelming. Simply ask your doctor for a good place to start. In addition, consider purchasing or making your own saline nasal rinse. Simply mix 8oz of water with a half a teaspoon of salt in a squirt bottle. Also one point to note, make sure to be careful with medical nasal sprays as they are highly addictive. Again, seek your doctors assistance in what is a good product to try if you decide you’d like a medical nasal spray.

But beyond over the counter medication there are ways you can avoid allergen triggers just by being more aware of your surroundings. Make sure your windows are closed in your house and car. Allergens literally stick to your body, so after spending any amount of time outside, make sure to wash your clothes and bedding, take a shower, and regularly clean your hands so that you can stay as allergen-free as possible.

Of course the next and final step if no relief has been found is prescription-strength medicines. Your allergies may be severe enough that even after all of the ideas we’ve suggested, you still suffer and it's getting worse. Don’t give up. Call your doctor and take the next steps in discovering what relief is out there for you.

The spring is lovely with its new beginnings, singing birds, blooming flowers, what could be better? But for some of us, spring also comes a box of Kleenex and some nose spray. Believe me, I understand how this time of year can get you down vs. “springing us ahead.” Try some of our tips and if all else fails, contact your doctor. I promise, there is relief out there for you in some way, shape or form.

Until next time,

March 15, 2010

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and although this is a topic most of us may feel uncomfortable discussing, I feel it’s very important for us to know the facts.

Fact #1: Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the U.S., accounting for 20% of all cancer deaths. This year alone, 131,000 Americans will be diagnosed with colon cancer and 56,000 will die from it.

Fact #2: Colon cancer is also one of the most curable types of cancer if diagnosed early. When detected at its earliest stages, chances for a cure are as high as 90 percent.

Fact #3: There are several excellent screening and diagnostic methods to detect colon cancer early before it spreads to vital organs.

Learning about the risk factors and having regular screenings for colon cancer are your best defenses against this all-too-common cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, the following are important risk factors for colon cancer:

Your age: About 90 percent of all colon cancer cases occur in people older than age 50. About 6 percent of people age 75 to 80 have had colon cancer at some point in their lives.

Your race and ethnicity: African-Americans have the highest colon cancer incidence and mortality rates of all racial groups in the U.S. In addition, Jews of Eastern European decent have one of the highest colorectal cancer risks of any ethnic group in the world.

Your lifestyle: Having an unhealthy diet including low-fiber, high-fat foods can increase your risk of developing colon cancer. In addition, low physical activity and being obese can also increase your risk. Smoking and heavy alcohol use can also contribute to your risk of developing many kinds of cancer, including colon cancer.

Personal or family history: Know your family medical history of colon cancer or non-cancerous polyps. Polyps are small benign (non-cancerous) growths that occur in the colon and rectum. Although most remain unchanged, some develop into cancerous growths.

Diseases of the colon: In addition to cancer, there are other diseases of the colon that you should be aware of such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Having either or both can increase your risk of colon cancer developing.

My list above is a condensed version of what can be found at the American Cancer Society’s Web site. You can find a complete list here.

And last but certainly not least, it’s important that colon cancer screening begin at the age of 50 unless your family medical history includes a relative who has had this disease, has developed polyps, or if you have inflammatory bowel disease, then you should begin screening earlier. Consult your physician to determine the right time to begin. Make sure to keep yourself and your family safe and ensure you and your loved ones get properly screened for colorectal cancer at the appropriate age.

Until next time,

March 8, 2010

National Nutrition Month – Organic Foods. Are we getting what we’re paying for? Does eating organic really matter?

National Nutrition Month continues so I wanted to dive into the much hyped discussion of organic foods. Buying organic seems to be trendy right now. But is it really just a popularity contest? Whole Foods and EarthFare grocery stores are popping up everywhere. You’re even seeing organic items at the local grocery store. But does breaking the bank on organic food really matter? (as we know, buying organic gets pretty pricey!) Are we getting what we’re paying for? Or better said, what are we paying for? Let’s dig a little deeper into the world of organic food.

First off, what does buying organic mean? What qualifies a product as organic or not? You’ll see labels on food such as “natural”, “organic” or even “made with organic ingredients” but are there standards to all of this or are these marketing gimmicks? There actually are standards. According to the USDA products displaying the USDA Organic seal must consist of at least 95 percent organically produced ingredients. Processed products with at least 70 percent organic ingredients can use the phrase “made with organic ingredients” and farms that produce organic foods must be approved by a USDA-accredited certifying agent. The standards the USDA governs include specific guidelines detailing what qualifies as “organic” – for example, the growing area must be free of synthetic chemical pesticides, fertilizers and defoliants for at least three growing seasons. The rest of the guidelines can be found here.

Next, why buy organic? There are a couple of different arguments for being pro-organic. One is because organic food is grown or raised without using most conventional pesticides, which could penetrate the food and then be ingested. Another reason is organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and promote environmental conservation thus being much more earth friendly.

No pesticides, no hormones, no antibiotics, keep the earth safe and sound. Sounds like a great idea! But what does eating organic do to our budget? Eating organic can cost as much as 50-75% more. Most of us probably can’t afford to go 100% organic so I did a little digging and discovered a web site that lists out some of the foods that we may want to splurge on and pay the extra money for the organic version. Check out that web site here. Also on this site, you’ll notice a link that suggests some foods that we don’t necessarily need to buy organic. You can find that list here.

Buying organic or not is a personal choice. In my opinion, it’s certainly something to consider. I also believe buying local from the Farmer’s Market is a great idea. For me, it’s all about buying fresh, healthy food and after having now reviewed those two helpful web sites, I feel I have a better idea of what items I’ll be buying organic during my next grocery shopping trip. I hope you do to!

Until next time,

March 1, 2010

National Nutrition Month - Quick Tips for Seniors

It’s already March. Is it possible that 2010 will fly by as quickly as 2009? Wow – we're nearly 1/3 of the way through this year already! March marks National Nutrition Month so I wanted to take this post to discuss some important facts about diets for seniors.

As we age, our relationship with food changes. When we're young, we grab a quick bite to eat and move on with our busy days without thinking much of it. However, later in life our nutrition levels can mean the difference between remaining sharp, energetic and balanced or tired and listless.

Have you ever eaten a greasy burger and fries and when you're done felt sluggish? Yes, we all enjoy an occasional burger and fries – believe me, I understand – but the idea here is that if we maintain poor diets, it truly does have an effect on our bodies. This is especially important for seniors whose diet can help them live strong, healthy, and even longer lives.

Maintaining a healthy diet for seniors can help increase mental acuteness, resistance to illness and disease, maintain high energy levels, provide a more robust immune system, faster recuperation times, and better management of chronic health problems.

As we can expect, nutritional needs change as we age. Our bones become weaker, our metabolisms slow down, and our appetites may even drop so with each meal we eat, it’s important that it includes as many smart ingredients as possible.

Let's break it down. Check out these quick tips for seniors looking to make smart decisions about their diets:

As we age, it's a good idea to reduce sodium. Sodium causes dehydration and high blood pressure. 2 problems we can easily avoid if we stay away from salt.

It’s also important to monitor how much fat we consume. A diet rich in fat can lead to high cholesterol and heart problems down the road for all of us, but especially seniors.

Avoid empty calories. Empty calories come in foods with little to no nutritional value like chips, cookies, soda and alcohol, and although we certainly like to have a treat on occasion, try not to consume these on a daily basis.

As we age, our bones become weaker therefore it’s important to eat foods rich in calcium and vitamin D. Drink your milk and eat cheese but also, did you know even a packet of fortified oatmeal contains 350 mg of calcium?

Make sure to include fiber in our diet to prevent constipation. Fiber can be found in cereals, beans, mixed veggies, fruits, nuts and seeds.

Last but certainly not least, don't forget your vitamins and water! As we age, it's vital that each of us takes the daily recommended amount of vitamins and minerals, and that we all remain properly hydrated. If you haven’t done so already, increase your water intake.

And don’t forget, as our metabolisms slow down it's important to manage a healthy weight. Pairing an active lifestyle with a diet that maximizes nutritional value and we have a perfect recipe for a senior who is healthy, energized and full of zest!

Until next time,

February 22, 2010

Heart Health: The Basics and Benefits of Barley

You gotta love that headline, right? What’s so special about barley, you ask? I saw a press release just last week where the headline read, “Choose Barley for Healthy Hearts” and since our heart health month continues, I had to read it. To summarize, it says by adding barley to your diet, you can lower your LDL (the “bad” cholesterol) and reduce your risk to heart disease. Great news! But barley? I’ve never cooked with barley. So I continue to read further.

The release goes on to say that barley is a rich source of beta-glucan, a technical way of saying a fiber that we can easily digest and helps manage high blood pressure. Even the FDA agrees that adding barley to our diet is a good idea. In 2006, the FDA published a ruling stating just that - barley soluble fiber can lower your risk to coronary heart disease. Great! I’m sold.

Barley is low in fat, is cholesterol free and a great source of fiber. And so this got me thinking. How can we easily add barley to our diet and make it taste good? Barley isn’t exactly the first item I think of when listing out my favorite foods, right? Well thankfully this press release included the following web site www.barleyfoods.org to help each of us find easy-to-cook recipes. I’ve since hunted around and found a few that I’m looking forward to trying. Look below – don’t those sound delicious?

And one more question you might be asking – where can I find barley? Don’t worry; I had the exact same question. You can find barley in most grocery stores next to the dry beans, lentils and rice. Pearl barley may also be found in the bulk foods sections.

Oh, before I forget, if cooking isn’t your thing, just keep a look out for cereals, crackers and breakfast bars at the grocery store that have barley in them. You may find that they taste really good!

Half-Time Barley Stew

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 pound small white mushrooms, cut in half, divided

1 medium onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

2 teaspoons dried leaf oregano, crushed

2 teaspoons dried leaf basil, crushed

6 cups fat-free chicken broth

1 cup pearl barley

2 bay leaves

3 medium carrots, peeled and sliced 1/4-inch thick

1/2 cup Pinot Noir wine or chicken broth

1 pound fat-reduced Kielbasa sausage, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices

In large pot with lid, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add half of mushrooms (about 1/4 pound), onion and garlic. Sauté 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add oregano and basil; sauté 2 more minutes. Stir in chicken broth, barley and bay leaves. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and cook 25 minutes. Mix in carrots, wine or broth and remaining 1/4 pound mushrooms. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. Add sausage and cook 5 minutes longer. Remove bay leaves and serve. Makes 8 servings.

Per serving: calories 249, protein 17g, carbohydrates 28g, fat 7g, fiber 6g, cholesterol 37mg, sodium 642mg.

Thai Barley Stir-Fry

1/2 cup pearl barley

1 cup water

2 tablespoons peanut or vegetable oil, divided

2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves, cut into bite-size pieces

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 cup thinly sliced Chinese or regular eggplant

1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper

1/2 cup chopped onion

3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves

1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint leaves

8 to 10 drops red pepper sauce

1 teaspoon granulated sugar

1 tablespoon oyster sauce

1 teaspoon soy sauce

3 tablespoons chopped peanuts

Shredded red cabbage and carrot curls, for garnish

Place barley and water in medium saucepan; bring to boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook 45 minutes or until barley is tender and liquid is absorbed. Set aside. In large skillet or wok, heat 1 tablespoon oil over high heat. Add chicken pieces and garlic; stir-fry 3 to 4 minutes. Add cooked barley; stir-fry an additional 3 minutes. Remove barley-chicken mixture from pan; keep warm. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in skillet. Add eggplant, bell pepper and onion; stir-fry 3 minutes. Add basil, mint, red pepper sauce, sugar, oyster sauce and soy sauce; cook 2 more minutes. Return barley-chicken mixture to skillet; stir-fry 3 minutes. Sprinkle with peanuts and garnish with shredded red cabbage and carrot curls for an authentic Thai finishing touch. Makes 4 servings.

Per serving: 296 calories, 22g protein, 28g carbohydrate, 7g fiber, 11g fat, 41mg cholesterol, 186mg sodium.

If these two recipes don’t peak your interest, there are plenty more to choose from. Just click here: http://www.barleyfoods.org/recipes.html.

Until next time,

February 15, 2010

Heart health: It's time to get moving!

It has long been known that exercise and a healthy heart go hand in hand. But did you know that the heart of a sedentary person is twice as likely to develop coronary artery disease as one whose life is filled with a regular fitness regimen? This makes a sedentary lifestyle as risky as smoking, high cholesterol or high blood pressure.

Physical activity was first researched in the late 40s and early 50s when Jeremy Morris, a British epidemiologist compared heart attack rates among double decker bus drivers and conductors in London. The drivers sat for 90 percent of their jobs compared to the conductors who climbed 600 stairs on average per shift. His data published in 1953 concluded that the conductors had fewer than 1/2 the heart attacks of their sedentary colleagues.

Since that time, study after study has been released sharing the ongoing benefits and connection of physical activity and heart health. So what can we all do about it? We can get moving! Yes, this is easier said than done but trust me, once you start a routine of adding exercise to your daily activities you’ll soon feel the wonderful effects exercise has on your body, mind and soul. Don’t get me wrong, the first few weeks to a month are tough. I know, I’ve been there. But after you get over the hump and make exercise a part of your life, you’ll wonder why it took you so long to get moving in the first place!

Since I’m not an exercise expert, I did a little digging. Here’s what I found – a quick list of tips found on MayoClinic.com that will help each of us get started with a new exercise program. And it shouldn’t be too hard to do. Here are some notes I jotted down after reading the full article.

Assess your fitness level – check the following:

Your pulse rate before and after a one-mile walk
How long it takes to walk one mile
How many push ups you can do at a time
How far can you reach forward while seated on the floor with your legs in front of you
Your waist circumference at the level of you navel
Your body mass index

Design your fitness program

Consider your fitness goals
Plan a logical progression of activity
Think about how you’ll build activity into your daily routine
Plan to include different activities
Allow time to for recovery
Put it on paper

Assemble your equipment

Athletic shoes that fit properly
If you plan on buying exercise equipment, get something you like and is easy to use. Consider buying used.
Make your own weights with things around the house.

Get started

Start slow and build up gradually
Break things up if you have to
Be creative
Listen to your body
Be flexible

Monitor your progress

Retake your personal fitness assessment after six weeks and then again every three to six months
If you lose motivation, set new goals
Consider exercising with a partner to stay motivated

Getting heart smart is extremely important for each of us. Adding an exercise program to your normal routine will certainly be a hurdle to get over at first but before you know it, you’ll be walking and running your way to a strong and healthy heart!

Until next time,

February 10, 2010

Heart Health - What else can affect our tickers?

We continue our heart smart series throughout February and today we’re going to discuss some other problem areas of the heart that each of us should be aware of. Last week we talked about heart disease broadly and provided some smart tips to ensure your ticker remains healthy and strong. This week we’ll narrow our discussion into some other heart-related issues that I feel each of you should be aware of.

When you think of heart disease often “heart attack” comes to mind. But did you know, there are other life-threatening diseases that can affect our hearts? Here’s a list of heart related issues, symptoms and helpful advice that we hope you’ll review to protect yourselves and your loved ones.

Angina is chest pain or discomfort that occurs when your heart is not getting enough blood. Angina may feel like pressure or a squeezing of your chest, as well as additional pain or pressure may be felt in you shoulders, arms, neck, jaw or back. You may even have symptoms more commonly related to indigestion. Angina comes in 2 forms – stable and unstable. The difference is stable angina happens during physical activity or when you are under mental or emotional stress. Unstable angina is chest pain that occurs while at rest and with no apparent reason. If you are at rest and feeling chest pain or pressure in the areas I mentioned above, please consider this an emergency and seek medical attention immediately.

Hypertension, more commonly referred to as high blood pressure, is a chronic medical condition in which a person’s blood pressure is elevated above ideal levels. Hypertension is considered either essential (no known medical cause for raised blood pressure) or secondary (the result of another condition the body is experiencing – example: kidney disease.) and should never be ignored. Common symptoms of hypertension include headache, vision problems, nausea and confusion, or even vomiting. If left ignored, hypertension can be a high risk factor for stroke, heart attacks, aneurysm or even heart failure. Make sure to have your blood pressure checked with a medical practitioner and if it’s high, discuss options you can implement immediately to drop it to a healthy level.

Arrhythmias are a broad category that include any abnormal electrical activity involving the heart. With an arrhythmia, the heart may beat too slowly or too rapidly, may be considered regular or irregular and can lead to life-threatening emergencies. Please note that some arrhythmias are completely normal and can be felt as palpitations. This type is usually more annoying than life-threatening. Again, it’s important to meet with a doctor or nurse to have your heart checked to see if you may have an arrhythmia. If left ignored, an arrhythmia could lead to serious heart problems that may even be life-threatening.

A murmur includes any extra sounds your heart makes as the result of blood flow that may be insufficient. Murmurs are common and often mean there is no present danger of heart disease or of a patient developing heart problems or disease. These are called innocent murmurs. But there are also murmurs that left untreated can be the cause of a larger problem such as a leaky valve or any abnormalities with the passage of blood throughout your heart. Again, have your heart checked to determine whether or not you have a heart murmur. Are you seeing a common theme here – make sure you have your heart checked!

My main message for today’s post is to educate you about your heart and then give you a gentle (maybe not so gentle) nudge to take heart health seriously and to go see your doctor and have a complete physical. It is vitally importantly that you have your heart checked out by a trained medical practitioner to determine whether or not you have any abnormalities that I listed above. Your heart is literally your own personal life support system so it’s best for all of us to keep it loved and nurtured and in tip-top shape.

Until next time,

February 1, 2010

Time to get heart smart – 8 healthy tips

February is American Heart Month so in recognition, I want to share some easy tips to ensure each of us takes our “tickers” seriously and begins a program to get our hearts healthy and smart.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States (26% of all deaths!). And heart disease does not discriminate. It’s the leading cause of death for both men and woman. In 2006 alone, half of the deaths due to heart disease were women. And an even more startling statistic - each year 785,000 Americans have a first heart attack while another 470,000 who have already had a heart attack have another. That’s 1.25 million heart attacks happening annually that with some simple changes to our lifestyles, each of us can work to prevent.

Alright, so without further adieu (or anymore jarring statistics to unleash our nerves!) here are 8 healthy tips to help each of us get heart smart:

Each of us should have regular screening tests done for cholesterol, blood pressure, and diabetes at least every 5 years. Never had any of the above checked? Now’s the time and believe me, it’s quick and easy and what you discover can be literally be life changing. The results of these tests can quickly help a doctor determine your own personal risk levels for heart disease and therefore get the ball rolling on a good healthy plan for you to be heart smart.
Probably the simplest change a person can make to help their heart is through their diet. Eating healthy can significantly reduce your risk for heart disease. A healthy diet should include a daily intake of 25-30 grams of fiber, 6-11 servings of fruits and vegetables, eating lots of whole grains, fish and healthy fats (olive oil, nuts, avocados) and avoiding the unhealthy ones like saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol.
It’s important to get moving and by moving, yes I mean exercise. Come on, don’t each of us love to break a sweat?? Ok, maybe not love but each of us should really try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise in daily. If you don’t have enough time to do a 30 minute workout, consider doing 3, 10 minute workouts throughout the day.
Do some investigative work on your family medical history. Each one of us was dealt a hand of cards at birth that determines a lot about our risk for heart disease. Share what you know with your doctor so he or she is aware of your genetics. Having a relative with heart disease does not mean you will have heart disease but it does help you and your doctor better understand what sort of risk factors you should avoid in order to reduce your chances of following in your family’s medical footsteps.
Quit smoking. I can’t say this enough. If you are a smoker, you need to stop immediately! Smoking is one of the most significant risk factors for developing heart disease. I know, I know, you’ve tried quitting 100 times. It’s impossible to do. But this time, consider getting some help. There are several smoking cessation classes in our area or you can contact your doctor for other suggestions. Please stop smoking!
Now it’s time to relax. Studies have shown that if each of us takes 15-20 minutes daily to decompress, we can reduce our chances for heart disease. Depression and excessive stress are known heart disease risk factors so each of us needs to do what we can do take a time-out and seriously reduce the amount of craziness in our daily lives.
Know your healthy weight. Maintaining a healthy weight consistently is really important to reducing your individual risks for heart disease. Pay attention to your weight and talk to your doctor about a healthy body mass index (BMI). Studies have shown a direct correlation between someone’s waist line and their risk for someday developing heart disease. Make sure you talk to your doctor about your BMI when you have your next cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes screening.
Pay attention to the warning signs. This I can’t emphasize enough. It’s extremely important for you to pay attention to your body and if something doesn’t seem right, get help immediately. The warning signs for heart disease are extremely serious so if you are experiencing shortness of breath, chest pains, unexplained fatigue, pressure in your upper abdomen, nausea and upper back pressure contact your doctor or a medical facility right away.

Heart disease is a preventable disease if each of us commits to putting in a little effort to relax, eat better, exercise and just plain be aware of our bodies and our limitations. By getting smart, adopting a healthy lifestyle and knowing your own risk factors, you can significantly reduce your risk to developing heart disease. Take the month of February to do a “heart smart inventory” on the above 8 tips and see what you can get moving on right away. Here’s being heart smart in 2010!

Until next time,

January 25, 2010

Caregiver Exercises: Mobility

I’ve decided to use my blog to write about some caregiver exercises that I feel are both useful and helpful. Every so often I’ll share with you these easy-to-do tips that I hope will help ease your already heavy load. Today I’m going to chat about mobility and an easy weekend exercise you can do the next time you visit your mom or dad. Ok, here it goes!

If you have an aging parent, mobility should be on your radar. Right now your parent may get around just fine achieving common house chores, shopping, running errands and caring for themselves. But in the blink of an eye, an accident or emergency could occur taking away your loved ones ease of mobility. I hate to be an alarmist but I do hope you take the following into consideration regarding your parent’s mobility.

Consider visiting your parent’s home and staying for the weekend. While there, of course, enjoy your time together but also, in the back of your mind, survey and move around the home as if you had a disability. Pretend just for those 48 hours that you are your aging parent but imagine yourself with some sort of handicap and try to go about the daily tasks that your loved one currently does.

Are you able to easily maneuver around the home even if you had to use a cane, a wheelchair or a motorized cart?

How would you get into and leave the home if your mobility was compromised? Do you have stairs at the front and back doors that would need to be turned into ramps?

If your loved one indeed needed a wheelchair to move around the house, is the furniture arranged so a wheelchair could get through? Is the bathroom equipped to accommodate your dad or mom while he or she bathes, uses the sink and toilet? Are the hallways and doorways wide enough?

Is your mom or dad’s bedroom on the first or second floor? If it’s on the second floor can you turn a first story room into a bedroom down the road if necessary?

Are cabinets throughout the house accessible from a wheelchair? This includes all rooms so don’t forget the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and utility/laundry areas.

This exercise may seem a little extreme but I do feel it’s an important one to discuss and at the very least, place into the back of your mind for your next visit to your parent’s home. Thinking about mobility now before the time comes is going to save you a lot of hard work and energy down the road. Also, equipping their home properly allows your aging parents the opportunity to remain at home where they’d rather be during their retirement years.

Until next time,

January 18, 2010

Aging in Place

There’s an interesting phenomenon occurring among us baby boomers and those of older generations – we’d rather remain at home as we age, and not find ourselves in a facility with support such as a nursing home or an assisted living community. And by home, I mean the homes and neighborhoods we’ve lived in for decades. Despite conventional theory, after we retire we’d rather stay put vs. heading south for a warmer climate. I know, that’s crazy right? I’d much rather be in Ft. Lauderdale (a balmy 74 degrees today) vs. Butler, Pa (snow is falling outside of my window as I type this blog post!).

Today’s post was prompted by an interesting Web site I recently discovered. According to the Aging in Place Initiative, fewer than 5 percent of the 65 and over population reside in nursing homes. And once I dug further on this Web site, this is where I read that not too many of us are heading south to enjoy our retirement years. Instead, we’re staying put, right here (for us, that means our good ‘ole snow belt), within the communities where we’ve long lived.

This Initiative is a national effort helping communities prepare for the aging of its population. This got me thinking, what can we as caregivers do to help prepare our aging loved ones in order to help them remain at home and independent as they age in place? So here’s what I’ve come up with – ok, I’ll admit, this helpful list was created by some of my really great co-workers-

Get fit! Physical activity is vital to living a long and healthy life. It reduces your chances of illness and certain diseases, keeps you strong and thus, helps prevent injuries and falls. Also and most importantly, getting fit allows you to maintain your independence. Consider adding 30-60 minutes of physical activity to your daily routine 4-5 times a week. This may seem like a lot but remember even the little things count like walking up and down stairs and carrying your groceries. (Of course, please remember to consult your physician first before starting a fitness plan.

Consider your care options. Going to an adult day care or receiving in-home care may help lighten your load while also providing your loved one with social interaction, proper medication administration (if necessary), healthy home-cooked meals, and much more. Remember, your loved one is still independent even if they receive a little extra care. And as a caregiver, you may need a little extra help so don’t forget to think of your needs and consider what options may be out there for you.

Take inventory. In order for your loved one to age in place, you may need to make some changes within their home. Consider moving their bedroom to the first floor. Check out the bathroom and see if installing a ‘grab bar’ in the shower is necessary. Or can you hook up a handheld shower head and purchase a slip resistant tub mat? What is the lighting situation throughout the house? Can you install more lighting? Check interior and exterior stairs to make sure they have proper handrails. Are any floors in the home slippery or are there any tripping hazards that can be fixed? The list can go on and on so don’t be overwhelmed. Just the next time you are at your loved one’s home, go through the house and take a full inventory of some areas that can be improved in order for the home to be safe and easier to navigate. It’ll surprise you the quick and easy things you can do to make the entire house much easier and safer to live in.

This notion of aging in place seems to really hit home for me as my mother is 83 years old and receives care in the comforts of her own home. She’s living independently and hopes to do so for many, many more years. As her caregiver, I’ve promised her that I would fulfill this wish of hers for as long as I feel it’s safe for her. Have you also pledged to a loved one to do the same? Together, let’s do what we can to help those we care for enjoy their senior years in the comforts of their own homes as they age in place.

Until next time,

January 11, 2010

3 New Years Resolutions for Caregivers

The new year is upon us. It’s 2010. Can you believe it?? Honestly, time continues to fly by at light speed. Was it not just yesterday that the Steelers won the Super Bowl and what about when Bill Cowher was our coach? Of course I hope you all enjoyed a fantastic holiday season with your friends and family. I pray each of you enjoyed peace and happiness, welcomed good fortune and created lasting memories.

What I love about January is that with each new year we are given an opportunity to start fresh. To create new ideas, to follow new opportunities and to seek new resolutions that of course, each of us will successfully achieve, right? I will have no problem getting to the gym 3 times per week and I will definitely plan meals before I go grocery shopping. Of course I will!

Ok, maybe my resolutions are a little lofty but I do have 3 very achievable resolutions for each of you, our community of caregivers, that you can really accomplish in 2010. I promise they are not backbreaking, you won’t endure countless hours of never-ending cravings, and you will not be required to get a gym membership. Are you ready?? Here we go….

I, as a loving family caregiver, will make 2010 the year about me. I will take time for myself – which means at least 1 - 2 hours per week – where I will do nothing but enjoy myself. I’ll read a book, or go for a walk, or watch my favorite reality show, or whatever I want. I will find the help I need to care for my loved one during this time and I will find my special place and simply get away. I will do this!

I will have no problem asking for help when I need it. I will lean on my friends, family, and neighbors so that my loved one can receive the most attention and the best care possible. I will not take on the entire burden of caring for my loved one all by myself. I will make sure I have at least 1 other person running errands, spending time with my loved one, cooking meals, doing chores, or whatever else it is that I need. I resolve to not go into 2010 alone with my caregiving duties.

I will be realistic about my situation as a family caregiver. I will fully evaluate my loved one and my ability to care for them and I will ask for professional help if I need it. I realize I am only one person with only so many waking hours in a day to help and I recognize my limits and abilities to help my loved one during the time we are together. I will research opportunities for respite care for my loved one even if it’s just for a few hours a week. I will also do whatever I can to ensure my loved one receives the proper medical attention so that I can keep my loved one at home, comfortable, safe and sound, which is exactly where they want to be.

Those resolutions don’t seem too difficult, right? What’s important about each one of these is we want you to take time for yourself and not get to a point where you feel overburdened. Caregiver burnout is a serious issue and with some of these resolutions, you can avoid any possible calamities for both you and your loved one.

Happy New Year to each of you and may 2010 bring you all the stress free, fun filled days you deserve.

Until next time,

January 4, 2010

Home for the Holidays

The holidays brought us all together again, a happy time spent with family enjoying wonderful home cooked meals, hours catching up with loved ones and creating great memories with one another.

This time of year may also have made you aware of a loved one who is in need of care. Time passes quickly and before we know it, the holidays were upon us again and it may have been awhile since you saw your grandmother or your aunt and uncle or your parents. Did you notice anything different about their health? Are they able to get around as well as last year? Were their bills paid and was the house clean? If something didn’t seem quite right, don’t ignore it. Consider looking into private duty, or home care, to provide your family any assistance they may need.

Home care for a loved one can be as simple as having a companion for the day, cook warm, healthy meals and play a few fun hands of cards. Home care can also ensure your loved one is taking their proper medication at the exact time they need it. Is able to get around their home safely, take baths or even get some shopping done. Home care professionals can be with your loved ones around the clock or can simply check-in on them via remote monitoring systems. Whatever level of care you believe your loved one needs, home care can be of great assistance.

For more information on what home care can do for you and your loved ones, give us a call. We’d love to talk to you about your personal situation and see if we can lend a helping hand. We’re available whenever you need us. Contact us at 877-862-6659 or visit www.vna.com.

Until next time,

December 28, 2009

Caregiving in the United States: 2009 Study

I just read a study solely dedicated to caregivers that is very interesting and I wanted to share it with you. The National Alliance for Caregiving, in collaboration with the AARP and MetLife commissioned this study just this month and it’s called Caregiving in the U.S. 2009. It examines caregivers across the U.S. and is a follow-up study to one originally done in 1997, then repeated in 2004, and now again this month.

The data revealed in this study is quite telling. There are approximately 65.7 million caregivers across the country or 29% of the U.S. population and 31 percent of all households. The profile of a typical U.S. caregiver is a female (66%), 49 years old and works 20 hours per week caring for a younger adult, an older adult or children with special needs. She often already works a full time job, cares for her own household, husband and children, while also caring for a loved one in need.

The study also shares that more and more caregivers are looking for help and for information. They are increasing the use of supportive services such as assistance from home care or transportation services. And they are realizing that the burdens of caregiving can be relieved from the help and resources of others giving them a much needed breather.

If you are a caregiver in the community this study is definitely worth the read. See the entire study here. On the left hand side, you’ll see listed the options you have to review this report either by age breakdown, the executive summary of the complete study. Enjoy!

Until next time,

December 21, 2009

The Holidays and Family Visits

According to the AARP, 93% of all Americans say they’d rather be at home when recovering from an illness or an injury. In addition, recent data proves those who heal at home, heal faster and are much happier. As most of us will be home for the holidays, I thought this was the perfect time to blog about having our loved ones at home while they rest and recover.

Receiving care at home is growing in popularity as more and more people are released from hospitals earlier. As people are choosing to go home earlier to recover, doctors are also releasing patients earlier to free up bed and room space in hospitals. The combination is helping more people receive proper medical attention in the comforts of their own home, where they’ve said they’d rather be.

With the advancements in technology, receiving top-notch, doctor-supervised care at home is an option that many patients and their caregivers are choosing. Caregivers are relying more on home care as a means to relieve stress and free up some of their time. Home care is providing them the peace of mind that their loved one is being properly cared for while they are away. At the same time, patients are enjoying the technology and specialized care that now exists with home care allowing them to receive the exact same treatment that they would receive if they were in a hospital or a physician’s office.

On top of these obvious benefits of home care, this healthcare option is also much less expensive than an extended hospital stay or placement in a nursing home or assisted living facility. More people would rather be home, more are recovering faster at home, and staying at home is much less expensive. What could be better? We don’t believe there is much better than this. If we can assist you or a loved one through our home care services during this holiday season, please reach out. We’re here to help and we’d love to ensure your holidays are merry and bright by bringing your loved one home and giving them the care they need.

Until next time,

December 15, 2009

Advancements in technology provide better care for your loved ones at home

Over the years that I’ve been with the VNA, advancements in home care technology have truly been amazing. And this includes technology that provides seniors proper medical monitoring all from the comforts of their own homes. Developments in technology have created systems like emergency response systems, vital sign monitors and medication dispensing units have allowed many more seniors to receive proper medical care while living independently in the comforts of their own homes, our #1 goal.

We’ve all seen the commercials that reference “Help, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up”. This is what an emergency response system is. And in the unfortunate event that something happens to your loved one while you are away, an emergency response system can respond to their needs immediately. This type of technology provides peace of mind not only for your loved one but also for you, the caregiver. Emergency response systems have proven to minimize the amount of care a person may require after an accident, and more importantly, this technology saves lives. If you decide an emergency response system is right for your loved one, the time it takes to get a system installed and up and running takes less than an hour. Amazing!

Another important technology advancement has been made with vital sign monitoring. From our headquarters our nurses can now monitor the vital signs of more than 250 patients every day with this remote monitoring system. This type of technology allows us to properly care for hundreds of patients who are all safe and sound at home while we watch for any possible fluctuations in a patient’s blood pressure or a change in weight, and much more. Vital sign monitoring also saves you the caregiver money on additional care previously required for a visiting nurse to come to your home, meet with your loved one and test each of their vitals. And while we monitor, if any of the vital signs happen to move to an area we feel is unsafe, we can take action immediately and address the situation much faster than we could previously.

Also, we recently deployed a new system of medication dispensing units to our patients and have seen great success. We currently have two separate medication dispensers used by our patients. One is called MedReady™ and dispenses the proper amount of medication at the exact time it should be taken throughout the day. This unit can be programmed easily and also, can be locked so there is never a fear of being tampered with. In addition, we also have a monitored medication dispenser called MedSmart™. MedSmart dispenses medication to patients throughout the day at preprogrammed times. This device also has a safety lock feature. If the medication is not taken, any number of people can be alerted either via email, text message or a phone call. This has been an extremely popular device as the caregiver now knows whether or not their loved one is taking their medication. This device is also extremely important to us at the VNA because we can keep a watchful eye on our patients knowing they are given friendly reminders to take their medication throughout the day. And if they forget, we are alerted and can step in and do something to help them out.

Improvements in technology are happening rapid fire and we at the VNA believe it’s vitally important to invest in and support these types of advancements. Our goal is to ensure the citizens of our community remain healthy, happy, and at home, where they want to be. And through the help of technology, we can continue to make this happen.

Until next time,

December 6, 2009

5 Quick Tips to Avoid Caregiver Holiday Stress

The holidays are in full swing and stress levels are high. We’re shopping and entertaining and wrapping and cooking. And hosting relatives and shipping gifts and mailing holiday cards and it seems like your to-do list is never ending.

All the while, as a caregiver, you aren’t often afforded a vacation from your responsibilities of caring for a loved one. The holidays just add a layer of complexity to your already crazy day. Like there are even enough hours in the day as it is!

Yet, now on top of all of the hard work you do, you need to get the family ready for their holiday portrait, get the holiday cookies baked and deliver the gifts for the “Angel” program at church. Oh and you also need to remember to give a gift to the person who delivers your newspaper and that’s right, you are in a gift exchange at work. Sigh.

Like I said, it’s never-ending. So to help caregivers enjoy the holiday season with as little stress as possible, here are some quick tips:

Stay healthy – Nothing is more important than your health. Make sure you get enough rest, eat healthy each day, and exercise (if time allows). Pledge to yourself to eat an orange a day, or take a multi-vitamin, or drink more water. Whatever it is you do to stay healthy, make sure to keep it up. Not only will you enjoy the holidays more, but you’ll be better equipped to care for your loved ones when you’re happy and healthy.
Get organized – You’ve got a lot on your plate as it is and the holidays just adds some more. The best way to stay on top of things is to get organized. It can be as simple as creating a daily to-do list and crossing things off. You can send yourself email reminders, or even stick to using the old stand-by – Post-It Notes. Coming up with a way to keep yourself on track and organized throughout the day will help you stay on top of your holiday must-dos.
Be positive and keep the holidays in perspective – Ok, take a deep breath and remember, you are not a super hero. The holidays are a wonderful time of year but it’s not the time of year to take on too much and burn yourself out. Make sure you only tackle what you honestly know you can get done and not over burden yourself with unnecessary items or tasks that sure might be a good thing to have, but at the end of the day, does everything need to get done?? No. Enjoy your family. Enjoy your time together. Don’t loose sight of what this time of year is all about because you are lost in a sea of holiday tasks.
Take a break – Don’t forget to stop for a moment each day and take a break. Remember, if you run yourself into the ground, you’ll be hurting yourself and the loved one you are caring for. There is nothing wrong with taking a break every once in awhile. And really, we strongly encourage it. Take a moment to sit and eat lunch. Enjoy a cup of coffee. Go and grab the newspaper and read the front section from cover to cover. Whatever you prefer to do to take a break each day, make sure you do it.
Enjoy yourself – Yes, this might be easier said than done but really, make sure you enjoy yourself during the holidays. You don’t need to get everything done on this never-ending to-do list I mentioned. It’s much more important that you enjoy yourself, enjoy the holidays and enjoy your family. The rest of the craziness of the season will sort itself out.

Happy holidays to all of my blog friends and particularly to those of you who are a part of our caregiving community. We value your hard work and dedication, your commitment and your love. You truly are saviors in our community and we appreciate everything you do.

Until next time,

December 1, 2009

Recent Time magazine article discusses the importance of home care

In a recent Time magazine issue I enjoyed a great article called “Five Things the U.S. Can Learn from China”, particularly because the author Bill Powell describes how the Chinese “Look After the Elderly” in number 3.

He details the great differences between how the Chinese care for their elderly vs. how Americans care for their elderly. The author’s wife is a Shanghai native and was shocked at the fact that her father-in-law was living in a nursing home here in the states. As she detailed, “in China, it’s a great shame to put a parent in a nursing home.” Rather, in China there exists a time-tested tradition where parents care for their children and when the children grow old, they care for their parents.

As the author describes, this tradition of caring for the elderly may have risen out of necessity. China simply doesn’t have the social security system that we have here in America. But more than this, it’s a cultural model that has lasted thousands of years where the Chinese care for their elders rather than place them into institutional care.

The author goes on to detail the growing need of elderly care in the U.S. As he sited, the number of elderly Americans will jump from 38.6 million in 2007 to 71.5 million in 2030. And because of the sheer shock-and-awe growth rate this segment will undergo over the course of the next 20+ years, home care and community-based healthcare will most certainly be the answer when caring for our aging population.

Well, you know how we feel about this conclusion. We completely agree! Home care is a less expensive, highly effective healthcare option allowing the elderly to remain independent in the comforts of their own home. And as reported by the AARP, 90% of aging Americans have stated they’d rather remain at home vs. moving into a nursing home or an assisted living facility.

Therefore, home care is a great fit allowing more elderly to remain at home when receiving care, while also helping their adult children – who may not have the ability or time – grant the wishes of their aging parents.

And if you are interested in reading about the other 4 items we as Americans can learn from the Chinese, the article is available here. It’s certainly a great read.

Until next time,

November 23, 2009

Take Time to Give Thanks

Each November we should all take time to give thanks. The holidays serve as such a wonderful occasion for us to slow down, get together with friends and family, break bread and enjoy the many wonderful opportunities we have. It’s that special time of year where we take a moment to look around and realize all that we have in our lives that are abundant and great.

I’m thankful for my husband who loves me regardless of the hours I put in at the office, the fact that I leave dirty dishes in the sink instead of in the dishwasher, and that, all too frequently, the answer to “What’s for dinner?” is “Whatever you’re bringing home, honey!”

I’m thankful for my co-workers who make me laugh each and every day and who have chosen professions that help our community in more ways than I can count. I’m also thankful for my friends and family who share their hearts with me in many different ways and who make my life more meaningful.

I encourage you to find those you are thankful for. Tell them how much they mean to you. Do something unique and kind for each one of them, even if it is as simple as putting those darn dishes in the dishwasher. Sometimes, all it takes is a smile and a “thank you” to change somebody’s day.

As we wind down 2009, take a time-out in your busy lives and enjoy special moments with your friends and family. Enjoy the upcoming holidays together. Enjoy the time spent together at home in front of a warm fire sharing stories of your day.

Time passes by too quickly so take today to give thanks. It’ll mean the world to those you care about.

Until next time,

November 16, 2009

Caregiver Burnout – 5 telltale signs and 5 quick tips to help

Western Pennsylvania has the oldest population in the state, and the 2nd oldest in the nation. These numbers contribute to an important issue – caregiver burnout. The caregivers who are assisting our aging community are working tireless hours wading through a never ending to-do list without a moment to spare to tend to their own needs.

As we have to expect, the art of caregiving includes the ability to cope with the many strains and stresses that fill a caregiver’s day. But consequently, caregivers are then at risk of burnout that could lead to sickness and even feelings of resentment or guilt. All combined, burnout can limit a person's ability to meet their daily caregiving demands.

To be cautious and aware of caregiver burnout, here are 5 telltale signs that you or a loved one could be approaching this danger zone:

Feeling depressed or helpless
Constantly feeling fatigued
Lost desire or interest in work
Withdrawal from other daily activities including time for yourself and fun time with family
Increased use of stimulants like caffeine and/or increased use of alcohol

Now with stress there must come relief. Here are 5 quick tips to help relieve caregiver stress and hopefully help avoid burnout all together.

Find and participate in area support groups. This can even be as simple as meeting up with other caregivers for a cup of coffee.
Attend a support group to receive feedback and coping strategies. Getting together in a group setting can help by simply showing you that you are not alone in this endeavor.
Delegate caregiving tasks if at all possible. You’d be surprised to see how many others are willing to lend a hand.
Take time for yourself. Whether it includes exercise, reading a book, or just plain quiet time. It’s important for you to take time each day just for you.
Start a hobby. Is there something you loved to do many years ago but you’ve given up? Have you always wanted to try something new but didn’t think you had the time? Why not see if you can begin a hobby for even an hour a week?

Caregiving is a heartfelt role that many of us will take on at some point in our lives. And with it comes the sacrifice of many hours, much energy, and lots of love. Be proud of what joy and sense of self you bring to another in need. And also, remember to care for yourself so you are better able to care for others. Don’t ever forget – you are just as important as those you care for.

Until next time,

November 2, 2009

November is National Home Care and
Hospice Month

As we celebrate National Home Care and Hospice Month, I'd like to take a moment to reflect on what providing care at home really means to each of us. To me, home care is all about allowing someone to remain in the comfort of their own home — helping them maintain independence — while they receive the care and medical attention they need. Independence is key. Without it, many lose their soul, their will to push forward and their happiness to be who they are.

For the many caregivers in our community, November is also a time when together we take time out from our busy lives and make sure we have a plan in place in case a loved one becomes ill or injured. Preparedness is the difference between a tragedy and a misfortune or set back. As we know, sometimes life can throw you a curve ball. But when you are prepared and ready, life's game can keep on playing with you and your family as active participants. If you are caught off guard and left with no plan in place, an event can quickly become a serious game changer that leaves you wondering if you have anywhere to turn.

This November, I also have taken some time to reflect on the national health care debate that has dominated our discussions from church to the dinner table for almost this entire year. The Obama administration is busy at work trying to determine whether or not a public health care option will be available for every American citizen. He and his administration felt this debate became a necessity as rising health care costs have swallowed up millions of Americans who have no insurance whatsoever.

The debate is a healthy one and continues on Capitol Hill. The stakes are high and affect us all. We appreciate the efforts made by Obama and his administration, as his goals are quite similar to our own — providing top-notch, affordable healthcare to the citizens of our community. Home care is a cost-effective option available to those who desire the opportunity to remain in the comfort of their own home while they receive the medical attention they need.

VNA has been providing home care to citizens of our community since 1965. Our goal is to help the people of our community navigate the complexities of staying at home during an illness or injury while we age. To say we are honored and humbled by this opportunity is quite an understatement. Thank you to our staff, all the family caregivers and our patients. We look forward to celebrating many more Home Care and Hospice Months together.

Until next time,

Wright@Home

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