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. 

1. 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.
2. Call the second physician's office before your appointment to make sure they received your records
3. Have a list of questions on paper you want to ask and take them with you to your appointment.
4. Ask somebody close to you to come to the appointment with you. 

• 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.

1.  Decrease your risk of cancer, heart attack, and lung disease
2.  Have better blood circulation
3.  Have a more sensitive sense of smell
4.  Have healthier family members, especially children and grandchildren

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.

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

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

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.

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.