New Recommendations for Whooping Cough Shots By Bethesda Gardens Assisted Living in Phoenix, AZ

It is important for seniors to keep up-to-date on immunizations and follow the guidelines published by the CDC for which shots to get and when.  The CDC has revised its earlier recommendation regarding whooping cough or pertussis and now states that all adults 65 years and older be vaccinated.

Whooping cough is a highly contagious disease and is spread on a person-to-person basis.  It is cause by a bacterial infection called Bordetella pertussis, which according to the CDC, “attach to the cilia (tiny, hair-like extensions) that line part of the upper respiratory system. The bacteria release toxins, which damage the cilia and cause inflammation (swelling).”

There has been some research to suggest that immunity to the pertussis bacteria is not as effective over time, and it is believed that most of the carriers are adults.  Someone infected with pertussis is contagious for up to six weeks.  The group most at risk for serious complications from the disease next to infants is elderly adults. 

According to the Mayo Clinic, once you have been infected, it can take one to three weeks for the first symptoms to appear that start out much like a common cold:

·         Runny nose

·         Nasal congestion

·         Red, watery eyes

·         Mild fever

·         Dry cough

After 10 to 14 days, the severity of the symptoms worsen and you may develop prolonged coughing attacks that:

·         bring up thick phlegm

·         provoke vomiting

·         cause extreme fatigue

·         end with a high-pitched "whoop" sound

Not everyone will experience the whooping cough sound but see your doctor if you have any doubt.  Your doctor can easily test for pertussis by a nose or throat culture, a blood test, or chest x-ray.  The best advice for prevention is to get an immunization, cover your mouth when coughing, and wash your hands well.

*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.

Bethesda Gardens retirement community, Phoenix AZ is an assisted living and short term care community.  There are some things to consider both for your safety and the safety of others when driving as a senior citizen.  Please follow our newest post regarding driving safely as a senior.

Your Eyes May Change with Age By Bethesda Gardens Assisted Living in Phoenix, AZ

As we age, our vision declines much like other parts of our bodies.   So while some loss of vision is normal, there are other signs that may be an indication of more serious medical problems.

Presbyopia is a normal condition of the eyes that starts around the age of forty and is the hardening of the lens.  It causes the eye not to focus as well on objects close at hand.  While it is easily corrected by reading glasses or multi-lens glasses, it does continue to worsen as we age.  Generally people need stronger and stronger prescriptions through the years or several different sets of glasses for different tasks.  There are surgical procedures called conductive keratoplasty or monovision lasik that can be done to correct the problem.

Cataracts, which are a clouding of the eyes’ lens, are so common among seniors and easily treated that they are now considered a normal part of the aging process.  In fact according to the Mayo Clinic, “about half of all 65 year old Americans have some degree of cataract formation in their eyes. As you enter your 70's, the percentage is even higher. It is estimated that by 2020 more than 30 million Americans will have cataracts.”  Surgery is very safe, and in most cases, the doctor removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with a plastic lens.

Glaucoma is another disease that strikes mainly older people and is caused by too much fluid pressure inside the eyes.  There is no pain associated with early stages of glaucoma and it may lead to vision loss and blindness.  It can be treated so early detection is important. 

Vision Aware, the American Foundation for the Blind recommends contacting your doctor if you experience any of the following changes in your vision:

• Sudden hazy or blurred vision
• Recurrent pain in or around the eye
• Double vision
• Seeing flashes of light
• Seeing halos around lights
• Unusual, even painful, sensitivity to light or glare
• Changes in the color of the iris
• Sudden development of persistent floaters

There are several other vision problems that can lead to blindness.  Macular degeneration (also called age-related macular degeneration or AMD) is one of those.  It is the leading cause of vision loss or blindness among older Americans.  The All About Vision website states: “Early signs of vision loss from AMD include shadowy areas in your central vision or unusually fuzzy or distorted vision.  An Amsler grid (used to diagnose AMD) consists of straight lines, with a reference dot in the center. Someone with macular degeneration may see some of the lines as wavy or blurred, with some dark areas at the center.”

It is very important for seniors to have regular eye check-ups and see their doctor if something changes.  Eye diseases can be very serious and early intervention is important.

*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.*

Bethesda Gardens retirement community, Phoenix is an assisted living and short term care community.    Many seniors are just looking for inexpensive, low-tech devices that are easier to use and make their lives safer.  Please follow our latest post on the different options of cell phones for seniors.

Are You Eligible for Benefit Programs? By Bethesda Gardens Assisted Living in Phoenix, AZ

There are over 2,000 different federal, state, and private benefit programs available throughout the country.  Some are little known, but there may be programs that you are unaware of that could be valuable to you.  A little bit of time and research on your part could make a difference in the kind of assistance you receive.  

The National Council on Aging, a non-profit service and advocacy organization, provides a free service called Benefits CheckUp.  It is a simple questionnaire that takes you through a series of questions, and then gives you a report on all of the benefits you may qualify for, and even has the forms that you will need to apply.  Most of the programs can be applied for either online or by printing an application and mailing.   They offer help with the cost of prescription drugs, healthcare, utilities, food as well as other services.

There are a few different ways you begin the process.  There is one questionnaire that is for those that are in the greatest overall need, and then there is another set of questions for those that require help mainly with prescription drugs or food.   They have a list to look over before you get started on everything you will need to answer the questions (date of birth, income, current insurance/programs, household size, etc.).  You can fill it out for yourself or for someone else.

Benefits CheckUp provides the information for those that are having trouble paying for their prescription drugs and are on Medicare.   Extra Help may be able to assist if:

·        Your income is less than $16,755 if single and $22,695 if married.  Alaska or Hawaii residents may qualify with higher incomes.

·        You have resources less than $13,070 if single and $26,120 if married.

This site is full of useful information that is safe, reliable, and available.  If you or your loved one is in need of some assistance, please check it out to see if there is something for you. 

Bethesda Gardens Assisted Living in Phoenix, Arizona is an assisted living and short term care community.  Sometimes things happen to those we love that requires us to step up and offer our assistance.  Please read our latest post to get some answers about care giving and your career.

National Disaster Preparedness is Especially Important for Seniors by Bethesda Gardens Assisted Living in Phoenix, AZ

Being prepared in the event of a disaster may mean different things for a senior than someone younger.  Many seniors take medications on a daily basis; some have hearing or sight problems, while still others may not drive or be as mobile anymore.  Chronic health conditions and dementia or Alzheimer’s only add to making seniors more vulnerable.   This presents special circumstances when and if such an emergency might occur.                                                                                                                                                                                    

This is why it pays to have some advance preparation in place.  The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recognizes that many senior citizens will need outside help if they have to evacuate.  According to the CDC, “A 2005 Harris poll found that 13 million people aged 50 and older said that they would need help to evacuate during a disaster”.  Government agencies are working hard to make sure that they are prepared to address this in the case of an emergency.

The U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA) gives this advice to seniors and their families:

·         Have a communication plan-all family members should report in to one key person

·         If it becomes necessary to evacuate, predetermine a meeting place that is convenient and familiar to all of your family members

·         Make sure you always have on hand a two-week supply of medications, ready-to-eat food and water for three to six days, first aid supplies, flashlights, candles, and any other items needed for your disability

·         Have a kit put together with extra batteries, eyeglasses, medications, copies of prescriptions, identification papers, insurance information, and a small amount of cash (no more than $50)

Just remember that having a plan can give you the peace of mind to know that you will be ready in the unlikelihood of a disaster.  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) states on its website: “Being prepared can reduce fear, anxiety, and losses that accompany disasters.”   

Bethesda Gardens Assisted Living Phoenix, AZ is an assisted living and short term care community.  Foodborne bacteria are serious but easy to prevent using basic guidelines when handling and preparing food.  Please read our latest post to find out about food safety and seniors.

Medical Innovations in 2012 by Bethesda Gardens Assisted Living in Phoenix, AZ

We are fortunate to be living in a time where there are so many medical breakthroughs.  The Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit, academic medical center that has been responsible for such major medical advances as coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant done in the United States.  Once again this year, they have published their list of top medical innovations for 2012.  

One of their nominations includes, “Catheter-based renal denervation to control resistant hypertension”.   Since it is estimated that one in three Americans has hypertension or high blood pressure (HBP), this is major step forward in helping millions of people.  Renal denervation is a new forty minute procedure that could permanently lower blood pressure.   A catheter is used to deliver low-level radio-frequency energy to disrupt the nerves surrounding the kidneys.  The method will be used on patients that have drug resistant HBP and may be taking as many as four different drugs to treat it. 

Another top innovation they cite is “Harnessing big data to improve health care”.  It is about organizing and managing the huge amount of data involved in patient healthcare but still protecting privacy.  Chris Coburn, the Cleveland Clinic Foundation’s executive director of innovations, states, “It’s bringing new efficiency to patient care at the individual level and then aggregating it with billions of records.  So on a single question that might have taken days to answer in the past now can be addressed in seconds-or less”.

A new treatment for diabetes also made the list called “Novel Diabetes Therapy: SGLT2 Inhibitors”.   This is a revolutionary way to treat diabetes and given the number of people afflicted with the disease it could make a huge difference.  SGLT2 inhibitors are a new class of drugs that reduces blood sugar by allowing it to be excreted during urination.  The medication is taken once a day and also helps with weight loss.   

It will be interesting to watch how these advancements will be brought into mainstream patient care and how they will change treatment.  Part of the Cleveland Clinic’s criteria for choosing the top innovations are that they have a high probability of success and are already on the market or close to being available.  We can only hope that they are as successful as some of the early data is showing. 

*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.

Bethesda Gardens Assisted Living, Phoenix, Arizona is an assisted living and short term care community.  It is great to spend time with our grandchildren and share special activities with them.  Please read our blog with some fun ideas on baking withgrandkids.

Swimming and Water Exercises for Seniors by Bethesda Gardens Assisted Living in Phoenix, AZ

Swimming and water exercises can be a fun, low-impact choice for seniors to try.  The CDC reports that, “water-based exercise can benefit older adults by improving the quality of life and decreasing disability.  It also improves or maintains the bone health of post-menopausal women”.  It is one of the safest exercises to do and is right behind walking in the number of injuries reported.

There is a lot of data to supports that seniors’ health does improve with swimming and water exercises.  It is both easier and safer to start an exercise program that is water based especially for those that are not as physically fit.   The buoyancy of the water eliminates much of the stress that is placed on a body during other forms of exercise.  Aquatic exercises work on cardiovascular and strength training and helps in improving balance (hard to fall in water) and flexibility.  Water exercises are also a safe and effective way for someone who is overweight to start getting in shape.   

The Arthritis Foundation (AF) has sponsored aquatic classes for over 25 years.  They believe it can be beneficial in improving bone, muscle and joint troubles.  Shannon Whetstone Mescher, a certified health educator and vice president of programs and services for the AF, said, “Over a period of time, people see things like a decrease in pain, improved daily function, and improved perceived quality of life”.

Please check with your doctor before starting any new exercise regimen.  Even though swimming is a low impact exercise and easy on joints and muscles, it is not for everyone.  People that suffer from breathing disorders, congestive heart failure, or high blood pressure should not be exercising in water that is above the waist.   It can cause too much pressure on the cardiovascular system and create breathing problems. 

*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.

Bethesda Gardens Assisted Living in Phoenix, Arizona is an assisted living and short term care community.  Limited range of motion or a disability can make an everyday task like getting dressed even harder.   Please follow our latest blog on how adaptive clothing canmake seniors’ lives easier.