Parkinson’s Disease is Most Often Seen in Seniors By Bethesda Gardens Assisted Living in Phoenix, AZ

There are approximately 60,000 new cases of Parkinson’s diagnosed in Americans each year and 1.5% to 2% of adults over 60 have some form of the disease.  It is the most common neurodegenerative disease affecting the elderly and the greatest risk factor for developing Parkinson’s is aging.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) occurs when neurons die or become impaired in the part of the brain that controls body movement.  PD is hard to diagnose and a person should be seen by a neurologist.  The cause is not known but about 5 to 10% of patients with PD have a family history of the disease.  There is not one test for diagnosing PD, and several drugs and medical disorders can generate Parkinson’s like symptoms (called Parkinsonism) to appear. Your doctor will rule out the specific diseases that can look like PD and review the medications you are taking before making a diagnoses of Parkinson’s.

Patients with PD display symptoms differently and there is variation in the severity and progression of the disease from one person to another which doctors cannot predicate.  The most common symptom of PD is tremors and trembling in the hands, legs, and jaw or stiffness and rigidity with movement of the limbs.  It can impair a senior’s balance and lead to falls.  As the disease progresses, the voice becomes softer as well as a slowness in speech.  Many patients develop a stooped posture and an unsteady gait.  For some patients, the progression of PD greatly affects quality of life and interferes with basic skills to the extent that they are not able to manage their own daily care.  

There is no cure for Parkinson’s but doctors treat the disease with medication, exercises, and physical therapy.  In very severe cases of PD, surgery may be an option.  Many patients with PD can experience depression which is thought to be an underlying symptom and should be addressed by a doctor along with the treatment for the PD. 

*This is for informational purposes only and not intended as medical advice.  Please consult your physician or health care provider with any concerns and questions you may have.

When the time comes to start looking into Phoenix retirement communities, Bethesda Gardens is the ideal choice for assisted living and short term care in a comfortable, home-like setting.   Trying to find ways to alleviate your aches and pains?  Please read our next post on how massage therapy can benefit seniors.    

Foster Grandparent Program Helps Children Thrive By Bethesda Gardens Assisted Living in Phoenix, AZ

Retirement is a wonderful opportunity to volunteer your time and experience to help nurture a child in need.  The Foster Grandparent program, part of the Senior Corps organization, was started over 45 years ago and has served children in communities all over the country.  They place volunteers in thousands of organizations including Head Start, faith-based groups, and schools to mentor children and assist with tutoring and enrichment activities.  

To become a foster grandparent, you must be 55 years or older and available to work anywhere from 15 to 40 hours a week.  Many of  the volunteers give the full 40 hours of time.  To get started, you can fill out an application online and a program director will contact you for an interview.  You will be asked questions about why you are interested in wanting to become a volunteer and what your past experiences are.  A criminal background check is done and you are given a free physical and TB test which you must pass.  From the financial information on your application, it will be determined if you are eligible for a stipend that is based on income.  The stipend does not negatively affect your social security.  

The Foster Grandparent program initially provides an orientation to each new volunteer, and then the organization where you are placed does their own training so you are well prepared for your new job. Many of the programs are located in bigger cities as needs are higher in urban areas, but there are still programs in suburban settings.  

Remember you will get as much benefit from volunteering as you are giving.  It is a great feeling to be needed and to make a difference in a child’s life.  The Senior Corps likes to cites a study that shows volunteering can help a senior to live longer as well as improve their mental wellbeing.   

  

Bethesda retirement community Phoenix offers exceptional assisted living and short term care in a comfortable, tranquil setting.  Medicare supplemental insurance helps to pay for the additional medical cost not covered by Medicare.  Please read our latest blog on to find out why you might need medigap insurance. 

Golf Can Help You Stay Fit as You Age By Bethesda Gardens Assisted Living in Phoenix, AZ

Golf is a game that can be played and enjoyed long into your senior years.  Not only does it help to keep you physically fit, but it gives you the opportunity to spend time outdoors.  Also golf is a social activity as it is most often played with a group of people.  Further, putting recreational benefits aside, golf requires mental concentration and focus so it exercises our brain.  Remember if you are getting back into the game, or just a beginner, you should check with your doctor before starting any new exercise. 

It is extremely important that seniors warm up beforehand as we lose flexibility through the aging process.  One of the biggest reasons for injuries or sore muscles and joints after a golf game, is inadequate preparation.  It is recommended that an older golfer does stretching exercises for at least 10 minutes before the start of a game and preferable more.  If you are really serious about playing the game, you should continue with a routine of exercising even when not on the golf course.

The pros have some tips for what type of equipment a senior should use to help with their game.  In most cases, older golfers should stick with the standard length clubs as the new, longer options may help you to drive the ball farther, but does not allow for better accuracy. It is also recommend that you use shallow face metalwood clubs as they provide a low center of gravity and should help improve precision in your game. 

It is probably best to consult with a reputable golf shop or professional to help with getting the proper clubs and golf shoes.  Getting outfitted with the right equipment is important and seeking expert advice can help avoid making costly mistakes.

*Please consult your doctor or health care provider before starting any new exercise or physical activity.

Bethesda retirement community Phoenix offers a wide range of amenities and comforts in a beautiful setting designed for assisted living and short term care.  It can be increasingly hard for seniors to keep up with the day-to-day chores.  Please follow our latest blog on a unique way of caring when you help with spring cleaning-a great gift for seniors.

Finding Your Family’s History By Bethesda Gardens Assisted Living in Phoenix, AZ

Genealogy can be an entertaining hobby and a great way to learn more about your ancestors’ lifestyles.  You do not have to be a professional to research your family’s history, but it does help to get some tips on resources for conducting the search. 

The first steps you will want to take are to go through family papers, photos, school yearbooks, family bibles, etc., and write down all the pertinent information.  Talk to older relatives and ask what they know about your family’s history.  You might want to record the interviews for future reference.  Go over old photos to see if they can identify them and if they know which branch of the family they belong to.  Take detailed notes and record any dates.  

Your next step is outside research.  One of the most helpful tools in genealogy is the Internet and it has tremendously changed our access to archived material.  It is a wonderful way to discover our ancestors without having to dig through a bunch of dusty old files in a county records building.  You can do a lot of it sitting in front of your computer without having to travel to the different locations where your relatives may have lived.  

The us.gov website has links to many sites that can be of help in obtaining records to start filling in your family tree.  Here are a few examples:  

·         Immigration Records provide information about when people enter the country and where, by what means did they traveled here, and with whom.

·         Military Records have the dates someone served and where they were stationed. 

·         Birth, Marriage, and Death Records give you the dates and location where these events took place.  

·         Ellis Island allows you to do a passenger search, has a list of famous arrivals, and a place where people tell their stories.  They have a genealogy learning center that provides a guide on how to start recording your own family’s history. 

·         Sites such as Archives and Historical Societies as well as Genealogy resources provide a link to all of the groups of that type available on a state by state basis.  

·         Census Records allows you to search the data that gets collected every ten years.  They are not published online but us.gov shows you how to access the information. (online services such as ancestry.com or heritagequest.com do have the records online but you pay a fee)

There are many different companies that run genealogy websites that you pay to join and are then provided with the access and tools you need to research your family’s history.  They give you links to sites that you will use on your search.  You can find many of these sites on your own; they just package it together to make it easier.  They guide you through the process as well as offering templates to use for building your tree.  

Retirement communities in Phoenix are proud to count Bethesda Gardens as an exceptional example of assisted living and short term care residences.  The time may be right for you to make the transition to senior housing or assisted living but you are concerned about finding a buyer for your home in this market.  Please follow our latest blog with some tips on making it easier when selling the family home.

Seven Signs of Health Problems in Aging Parents By Bethesda Gardens Assisted Living in Phoenix, AZ

Being aware of changes in our loved ones’ health can be a first step toward addressing the issue.  Since we know that catching problems early can be instrumental in preventing more serious problems later on, it is worthwhile to know some of the warning signs that indicate changes may be occurring.  

The Mayo Clinic has put together 7 signs for children (and caring relatives) to look for in regards to potential health problems with their aging parents.

• Are your parents taking care of themselves?
  Pay attention to your parents’ appearance to determine if they are neglecting their personal hygiene.  Also look at the condition of their home.  Is it being kept up?  A home neglected and in disrepair can be a sign of dementia or depression.
•  Are your aging parents experiencing memory loss?
  Memory loss is a normal part of aging but there is a difference between forgetting keys or an appointment to serious problems that interfere with peoples’ lives.  More concerning would be your parent forgetting common words when speaking, getting lost in their own neighborhood, or not being able to follow directions.
• Are your aging parents safe in their home?
• Inspect the home for unsafe conditions that may exist. 
  Has either parent fallen recently?  Are they still able to read directions on their medicine containers?
•  Are your aging parents safe on the road?
• Does either parent get confused while driving? 
  If you are concerned and think they should be off the road, provide the information for other means of transportation.
•  Have your parents lost weight?
  Losing weight without trying can be a sign that something is wrong.  It may be a symptom of an underlying health problem.  Also a loss of smell or taste can interfere with the pleasure of eating or it may be they are having trouble cooking and preparing food.
• Are your aging parents in good spirits?
  Have you noticed a marked change in your parents’ mood and outlook?  Talk to them to make sure they are getting enough social contact and that they are connecting with friends.  Encourage them to join clubs or senior groups.
• Are your aging parents able to get around?
  Do your parents have difficulty walking any kind of distance?  Would they benefit from a cane or walker?  Do they have problems with their knees or hips?  Are your parents unsteady on their feet and at risk of falling?  Falls are a major cause of disabilities for seniors.    

Communicate with your parents that you care about their wellbeing and want what is in their best interest.  Encourage them to talk to you about any problems they may be having and make sure they see their doctor for regular check-ups.  If you have found problems with their living conditions, address them.  Eldercare.org is a wonderful resource and can offer information on all kinds of services that are close to home.   If it seems like your parents need more assistance than you are able to provide, consider looking into an assisted living community.

 
Bethesda Gardens is an outstanding Phoenix, Arizona retirement community that provides assisted living and short term care for its residents.  Growing older may mean a lot of things but one positive is having more leisure time.  Please follow our newest blog with a fun idea on spelling bees for seniors.