I’m Natalie Crohn, MSW, LSW. I am a Geriatric Care Research Analyst at My Health Care Manager. I received my masters degree in social work and concentrated in gerontology. My experience includes working at a long term care facility and the Alzheimer’s Association.
My passion lies with older adults and helping them stay active and independent in their later years. My blog focuses on healthy aging along with preventative tips for a holistic approach to the health of the older adult including physical, social, and mental health.
I recently watched a video about Alzheimer's disease and creative arts that a co-worker sent to me that I wanted to share. Often we hear about the many losses that are associated when somebody has this disease but I wanted to touch on a strength that people with Alzheimer's disease still have until the very end - creative arts. Drawing, painting, clay making are all activities that can be used as a way to tap into the person's imagination and improve their quality of life. Plus, it is fun!
Somehow, paintings speak to them and the person is able to tell a story from it. They take in the colors of the painting, the form, and design and they live in the moment. For them - it has meaning to them. This is a great non-verbal way of communicating with someone with Alzheimer's disease. Not only are they being engaged, but it is a great way to work out the muscles in their bodies. Imagination is one thing that stays with someone through the duration of the disease.
Click here to watch the video.
There is also a "Memories in the Making" program through some of the Alzheimer's Association chapters that focuses on art and those with early stage Alzheimer's disease. Contact your local chapter for more info and to see if they are participating.
Do you ever find yourself having a hard time concentrating? Do you get worried or anxious about things in your life? Is it difficult for you to stop worrying? We all have moments in our life when we are worried about things and usually our worry goes away. However, for some individuals they do not go away and may be experiencing anxiety. Experiencing stress and anxiety can be very taxing for both the older adult and the person caring for them.
The National Mental Health Association offers 12 steps that can help people cope with stresses and anxiety:
- Set realistic goals and have realistic expectations
- Let others share the responsibilities of special tasks
- Live and enjoy the present; look into the future with optimism
- Do not compare one day with the good ol' days of the past. This can and often does lead to disappointment.
- Those who are lonely should try and volunteer some time to others
- Limit drinking - excessive alcohol can increase feelings of depression
- Get exercise or do some physical activity regularly
- Spend time with supportive and caring individuals
- Reach out and make new friends
- Make time for yourself
- Find activities that are free in the community
- Keep tracking of your financial spending. Over spending can lead to stress and anxiety when the bills arrive.
If you still feel you are anxious or can't stop worrying, please get an appointment to your primary care physician to discuss them with him/her so you both can work together on how to alleviate feelings of anxiety.
When we hear of indiviuduals who have alcohol challenges we hear about statistics usually for the general public. In doing some research I found that approximately 50% of older adults aged 65 and older drink alcohol. Up to 15% may be experiencing health risks from either the amount of alcohol being consumed or the combination of alcohol use with medications.
This topic is important because many older adults are on more than one medication and many times those medications should not be mixed with alcohol.
If you or somebody you know is dependent on alcohol and would like to get more info on how to become sober, please read about the following sobriety programs to get more information:
1. Contact your primary care doctor - It is essential to communicate with your doctor on the desire to become sober and follow any safety prorcedures to prevent withdrawal symptoms.
2. Contact the national helpline to assist in locating treatment providers
1-800-662-HELP (4357) or
http://findtreatment.samhsa.gov 3. Other treatment options include:
a. Self help groups (Alcoholics Anonymous, www.aa.org)
b. Day treatments, outpatient therapy or community based groups
c. Counseling
Brrr, it's cold outside and this is a good time to highlight a dangerous concept among older adults during winter -
hypothermia. We all know about the winter damages such as broken bones from falls on ice or slippery snow, however, there is something else to watch out for also. The cold weather and wind chill also lowers the temperature inside your body, which can be extremely dangerous if not treated quickly. Signs of hypothermia include: weak pulse or decreased blood pressure, chilly room temperatures, shivering or stifness in legs, slowed speech, confusion, or sleepiness.
There are several safety precautions to take to prevent hypothermia:
- Ask your physician how the medicines you are taking affect body heat.
- Make sure you are eating enough food to keep up your weight. Fat keeps heat in your body.
- Make sure your living environment is set to 68-70 degress.
- Sometimes you may need to put on more clothes to help keep warm.
- If driving, always start the car and allow it to warm up before driving in the winter months.
If you suspect hypothermia with yourself or anybody else, make sure to get the person to the doctor or hospital quickly.
Source: National Institute on Aging
Part of healthy aging is making sure you are getting the right amount of nutrients and vitamins in your diet. One way individuals are getting the appropriate nutrients and vitamins in their diet is to take herbal supplements. An herb is a plant or plant part used for its scent, flavor, or therapeutic properties. Herbal supplements are a type of dietary supplement that people take to improve their health. They can be tablets, powders, teas, or extracts. While many herbal supplements may be helpful, they can cause health problems if they interact with other medications you are taking.
Before beginning an herbal supplement:
1. Always talk to your doctor first before starting any new medication or supplement
2. Always follow the recommended dosage – never take an increased amount that the label says
3. Consult your doctor if you have side effects
Your doctor may be cautious about embracing many herbal supplements. This is because there have been very few controlled studies done on herbal supplements. However, a growing number of doctors are working to better understand herbal therapies to help you make an informed decision about your health care.
When looking at purchasing herbal supplements, take these points into consideration:
1. Buy only single herb products. Do not buy supplements that are mixtures of several herbs with unknown amounts of each
2. Beware of claims that sound too good to be true. There is no herbal supplement that can address a wide range of health concerns
3. Be extremely cautious about herbal supplements manufactured outside the U.S.
Avoid taking herbal supplements if:
• You are taking prescription or over-the-counter medications
• A proven medical treatment is available for your medical condition
Source:
National Institutes of Health
http://www.nlm.nih.gov
The holidays are upon us and that means we will be spending time with family and friends. I wanted to provide a list of possible eldercare activities to do with older adults this season to help make fun memories with family and friends.
- Play games (cards, dominoes, checkers, board games)
- Bake/cook - The purpose is to have fun with it and enjoy the final cookie, cake, etc. and not worry about making it perfect
- Read (jokes, short stores, magazine articles of interest)
- Look through old family photos - this is sure to get a good laugh! It is also a great reminiscing activity
- Watch a documentary or family movies on DVD/VHS
- Do an arts/crafts activity
- Listen to music
- Work a puzzle
Most importantly, have fun with whatever activity you choose to do!
Have you ever went to a doctor and they told you something about your treatment
option(s) that you were unsure with or didn't agree on? If you ever feel this way, you are entitled to and should get a second opinion. A second opinion is when a physician other than your regular physician gives their view about your health condition and how it should be treated. Part of healthy aging is knowing and understanding your health care and treatment options and a second opinion will allow you be more informed about your health care.
When should I get a second opinion?
You should consider getting a second opinion if your physician tells you that you need surgery to make a diagnosis or treat a health problem that is not an emergency. It is always up to you, the patient, to decide if and when you will have surgery. However, if you need surgery immediately, do not wait for a second opinion. This would include appendicitis, accidental injuries, blood clots, aneurysms, etc.
Preparing your visit for a second opinion:
Before your appointment with the second physician, you should:
- Have your medical records sent to the second physician. This will inform the physician of what has been discussed and any tests that have been performed.
- Call the second physician's office before your appointment to make sure they received your records
- Have a list of questions on paper you want to ask and take them with you to your appointment.
- Ask somebody close to you to come to the appointment with you.
What should I do if the first and second opinions are different?
If the second physician does not agree with your regular physician you may want to discuss your condition more with your first physician. Getting a second opinion does not mean you have to change doctors, it is up to you which physician you choose to see. The final decision is up to you and should be made with all the facts.
The holidays are quicky approaching us! That means traveling near and far to visit with family and loves ones. This is such a great time of the year so I wanted to provide you with some tips to help traveling go smoothly when you are bringing along someone who has a cognitive impairment. In addition, November is also National Alzheimer's disease Awareness Month so I wanted to address a topic related to Alzheimer's disease this month. Below are some holiday travel tips from the Alzheimer's Association:
- Avoid having a rushed schedule. This only increases anxiety.
- If traveling by plane, minimize stops and long layovers in the airport
- Travel at a time when the person is most alert
- Rely on familiar and comfortable destinations
- Carry identification such as the Safe Return/Medic Alert bracelet, which can be purchased through the Alzheimer's Association.
Following these tips will help the caregiver and the person with dementia have a safe and hopefully a great time when visiting families and friends. In addition, vaccinations are also important for older adults when traveling. For more information on vaccinations and traveling with older adults, please refer to Jean Bandos blog titled "
Vaccinations and Travel Planning for the Elderly".
We all hear everyday the risks of smoking and what it does to our health. But, what about older adults who smoke...is it beneficial to them to quit smoking now even though they may have smoked for 30-40 years? The answer is yes! It's never to late to quit smoking. Part of healthy aging is keeping our lungs clean and free of all the tar that builds up from smoking. If you quit smoking you are more likely to add years to your life, not to mention the money you will save from not smoking. Food will taste better and you will have more energy.
Even if you are older than 65 and quit smoking, here are the benefits it will do to your health:
- Decrease your risk of cancer, heart attack, and lung disease
- Have better blood circulation
- Have a more sensitive sense of smell
- Have healthier family members, especially children and grandchildren
Smoking is often a difficult habit to break since nicotine is so addicting, however there are products available to help you quit smoking. Talk to your doctor first to see what choices are best for you. There are:
1. Nicotine gum, patches, or lozenges that you can get over the counter
2. Join a support group
3. Ask a friend to quit with you. This will help to motivate each other.
4. Stay busy
5. Begin exercising
For more information on how to quit smoking, please visit: www.smokefree.gov
Many adults question their memory as they get older and wonder if losing their keys is a part of normal or healthy aging. Recently, the Alzheimer’s Association came out with a list of 10 signs to help distinguish between what is normal and what is not with your memory as you age.
So, what is normal and what isn’t?
Typical/Normal
1. Sometimes forgetting names or appointments but remembering them later
2. Making small errors sometimes when balancing a checkbook
3. Sometimes needing help with recording a TV show or help with microwave settings
4. Getting confused what day of the week it is but later figuring out what day it is
5. Visual changes due to cataracts or other eye problems
6. Sometimes having a difficult time coming up with a word while in conversations
7. Misplacing things once in a while such as the remote control or eyeglasses
8. Sometimes making a bad decision
9. Sometimes feeling of weary of family, work or other obligations
10. Developing a routine of how to do certain things and getting irritable when the routine is done a different way
What could be signs of Alzheimer’s?
1. Memory changes that disrupt life – Asking information repeatedly
2. Challenges in planning or solving problems – May have difficulty following a familiar recipe 3. Difficulty completing tasks at home or work – May have trouble finding the location of a place or remembering the rules of a favorite game
4. Confusion with time or place – Sometimes they forget where they are or how they got there
5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships – They may have trouble reading or judging distances
6. New problems with words with speaking or writing – May have trouble following or joining a conversation
7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps – A person with Alzheimer’s may put things in unusual places and not remember where they put it
8. Decreased or poor judgment – They may use poor judgment when dealing with money such as giving large amounts of money to telemarketers
9. Withdrawal from work or social activities – They may have trouble remembering how to do their favorite hobby
10. Changes in mood and personality – They may become confused, suspicious, depressed, etc.
For more information on differences between normal and healthy aging vs. dementia, please visit the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org or call their 24 hour helpline at 800-272-3900.
We all hear day in and day out how beneficial exercise is to our overall health. But what about for older adults? Is it beneficial for them too? The answer is ABSOLUTELY! Exercise is one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself, young AND old. Staying active and exercising regulary can prevent or delay many disabilties and diseases. This is one healthy aging topic that keeps getting discussed within the health care world. Some older adults are afraid that exercise will be too strenuous or that physical activity will harm them. Older adults actually hurt their health by not exercising. Before beginning any exercise program, it is important to discuss the details with your physician and especially if you begin a program and you notice any symptoms or changes that were not there before.
So, what are some examples of exercises for older adults?
Strengthening Exercise: Build muscles as well as increase metabolism
Balance Exercise: Build leg muscles and prevent falls
Stretching Exercise: Gives you more freedom of movement to do the things you like to do
Endurance Exercise: Any activity such as walking, jogging, swimming, raking, which all increase your heart rate
Taking your pet for a walk in the neighborhood or parking further from the grocery store are just a few of the examples to incorporate in your daily routine. Increasing your physical activity for 30 days can be significant to your health.
Happy Exercising!
Source: National Institute on Aging
A big component of healthy aging is how well we are eating. With fast food joints on every corner and the convenience of getting fast food it may be difficult to eat healthy for some. Whether you are on your way to a book club or going to see your grandchild's sporting event if you find you must pull into a fast food restauraunt, consider ordering a salad with low fat dressing rather than a burger and fries for example. There are other tips that can help with planning meals. If you are cooking meals at home, consider these tips for nutritional healthy aging:
- Eat a diet that is low in saturated fats
- Eat 5 or more servings of fruit and vegetables each day
- Reduce salt to help prevent high blood pressure or water retention
- Consume more fiber rich foods to help prevent constipation
- Limit sugar and dry food
For more information on healthy eating tips for older adults go to:
American Dietetic Association
http://www.eatright.org/cps/rde/xchg/ada/hs.xsl/home_4479_ENU_HTML.htm
It is becoming more and more popular for older adults to volunteer these days.
Whether they are looking for something to occupy their time after retirement or just
want to help others, they are volunteering in the community. There are many activities
you can do to help your neighbors, friends, and organizations. You don’t have to
volunteer for many hours each day, you can spend 5 minutes helping or several
hours if you like. Need volunteering ideas? The AARP has a web site titled
“Create the Good”. You can get ideas on where to volunteer at and how to make
a difference in the lives of others. Check it out at
http://www.aarp.org/community/groups/CreateTheGood
You have heard everywhere to see your physician regularly for your health and get annual exams, etc. Along with your physical health, it is important to have good “social health” too. The outcomes of being with friends or family have very positive effects on your health. The support of having friends or family can also help get you through tough times. Some benefits of being social may include:
- Mental and physical well being increase, along with self-confidence and reduced depression
- Improved cognitive abilities
- Reduced negative effects of stressful life events (loss of a job, death of a spouse)
- Improved cognitive abilities
- Reduced disability and mortality risk
So, grab a friend (or 2 or 3) and go do something fun together!
Health professionals have been saying for years it is important to keep your brain active. What does that really mean though? Research has shown that as we age, mental decline may be due to altered connections of brain cells. However, by keeping the brain active daily can help may reserve these brain connections. So, how do you keep your brain active during the day? Here are some tips:
- Reading
- Working crossword or sudoku puzzles
- Take a walk
- Go a different route to work one day to challenge your brain, rather than going the same way which is routine for you
- Take a class that is of interest to you (exercise, art, photography, cooking, etc.)
- Play a game
- Try brain teaser games
- Exercise
These activities can be slowly adapted to your normal daily routine. Maybe start doing one crossword puzzle in the evening after dinner or taking a stroll in the neighborhood and then start participating in other activities. Any activity that is challenging for the brain is a good way to help stay mentally active and brain healthy.
Within the first 12 months of enrolling in Medicare Part B you get a one time physical exam that is covered by Medicare. Your physician will go over your medical history with you and make you sure you have had certain health screenings and shots to help prevent certain health conditions. This exam is a good way to get up to date on all the important preventative services you should be doing and at what age. The doctor will also discuss end of life planning, including advance directives as part of this exam. As long as you have Medicare Part B and you have this exam within 12 months of enrolling you pay 20% of the Medicare approved amount and NO part B deductible. This is a great benefit to take part in to make sure you are doing all the proper things to ensure a healthy aging experience. For more information on this physical exam, please visit www.medicare.gov for more information.
Every year the month of May is dedicated to "Older Americans Month" throughout the nation. The Administration on Aging (AoA) picks a theme each year to go along with recognizing this special month. This year's theme is "Living Today for a Better Tomorrow". The focus is on ways to stay healthy and offer prevention programs and avoid the risk of chronic disabilities and injuries. The tip this week from the AoA is for women to schedule regular checkups for their health. Talk to the doctor about any changes you have noticed since your previous checkup and ask questions on ways to lead a healthy lifestyle. Many women are the primary caregivers and may forget to take time out for their own health. Women are encouraged to visit their doctor and receive a checkup as part of the Older Americans Month.
For more information on Older Americans Month, go to the Administration on Aging website at: www.aoa.gov
It is a myth that older adults need more sleep than younger adults. In reality, older adults need about the same amount of sleep as everybody else – between 7-9 hours each night. Typically, many go to bed earlier and wake up earlier than when they were younger. This could be due to the fact that their bodies are in a pattern of getting up early daily to go to work, etc. It is true that elders experience less “efficient” sleep, meaning they spend less time in the deeper stages of restorative sleep and feel less rested when they wake up. Hence, many older adults fall into a pattern of taking naps during the day. It is essential to get a good nights sleep every night as a part of healthy aging. Sleeping well will help you feel rested the next day along with being able to concentrate better. If you do find yourself not sleeping well, here are some tips to consider:
1. Follow a regular sleep schedule – Go to bed and get up at the same time each day – even on the weekends.
2. About 30 minutes before going to bed, do things to relax your body (read a book, take a bath, watch TV, listen to music)
3. Have a comfortable pillow
4. Exercise regularly but not within 3 hours of when you plan to go to sleep.
5. Do not have caffeine late in the day since it is a stimulant and can keep you awake at night.
6. Drink less fluids in the evening. Getting up throughout the night to use the bathroom breaks up your sleep.
7. Make an effort to get outside everyday to get some sunshine.
If you still feel tired and are not sleeping well it is important to see your doctor about this so you can get a good night’s sleep without having to count sheep.
A big topic floating around the aging world is the idea of healthy aging. We see everyday in the media how important it is to eat healthy, quit smoking, exercise our minds and bodies, and stay fit. For older adults, it is important to continue to live a healthy lifestyle. I once read an aging article that said, "exercising everyday keeps the doctor away".
Exercise is important for those who have heart conditions and can help them maintain their independence longer. Many assisted living facilities offer aerobics, exercise, or even tai chi classes. While exercise directly impacts your physical health, research has also shown that staying active impacts cognitive health. The Alzheimer's Association states that what is good for the heart is also good for the brain. Ideas for exercise include: taking a dance class, walking to the store, parking further in the parking lot at the store, and gardening. For more information about seniors and exercise please visit the Centers for Disease Control website for physical activity for older adults:
http://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/guidelines/olderadults.html
Eric Tinsley
Alan Stanford 
Jean Bandos
Karen Kelsey
Natalie Crohn
George Slater
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