by trevor@addfuelfire.com | Aug 10, 2016 | Healthy Aging, Uncategorized
Retirement years can be active ones. Freedom from daily work responsibilities means more time to relax and enjoy life. But for seniors who aren’t actively engaged with volunteer work, favorite hobbies or other pursuits, it is easy to fall in to a sedentary lifestyle. Recent studies have identified just how dangerous that can be for older adults.
The dangers of smoking have long been identified and documented. In fact, it is linked to 90% of lung cancer cases in this country. Smoking also contributes to other leading causes of death and disability including heart attack and stroke. But researchers now say a sedentary lifestyle might just be the new smoking.
What is just as important to know is that sitting too much can have dangerous consequences despite how much exercise you get each day.
Sedentary Lifestyle Dangers
Dr. James Levine from the Mayo Clinic has been studying the health effects of sitting for 15 years now. In one study, his team compared adults who spent 2 or less hours in front of a television or other screen each day with those who logged more than 4 hours.
They discovered that those who spent more time in front of screens were 50% more likely to die sooner and 125% more likely to experience a cardiac event than those who sat less. These statistics held true no matter what type or how much exercise the adult engaged in.
The Health Concerns of Sitting Too Much
Other health issues associated with sitting too much include:
- Diabetes: Blood sugar is higher among people who spend more time sitting. This increases your risk for developing diabetes. It can also cause an existing case of the disease to worsen
- Cancer: Sedentary seniors experience greater incidences of cancer, especially breast, colon and prostate cancers.
- Depression: Spending more time on the couch puts you at higher risk for depression and other mental health conditions at any age.
- Obesity: Metabolism slows by 20 – 50% when you sit too much. This increases the odds for obesity.
To learn more about the dangers of sitting too much, download Dr. Levine’s free guide “Sit Less. Stand More. Start Down.” It has resources to help you stay active.
If you are considering a move to a Michigan senior living community you will have the chance to participate in life enrichment programs, like those offered at the Heritage Senior Communities, every day. It will help you enjoy a longer, healthier life!
by trevor@addfuelfire.com | Aug 6, 2016 | Healthy Aging, Uncategorized
Summer is the season when seniors and family caregivers spend the most time outdoors. It is also the time of year when pests make their return to the Great Lake state. While the Zika virus is a big concern in some areas of the world, experts say Michigan isn’t one of them. Illnesses like West Nile and Lyme disease are more likely.
Weaker Immune Systems Put Seniors at Risk
Older adults and people with chronic illnesses are higher risk for insect -related illnesses because they often have weaker immune systems. This can be especially true when it comes to contracting the West Nile Virus.
Seasonal mosquito activity varies from year to year but mosquitoes in Michigan have been linked to illnesses such as West Nile virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).
Ticks are another pest to contend with. They are linked to both Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne disease in Michigan. In 2013, there were 165 human cases, an increase of nearly 60 percent from the previous year.
What can caregivers do to protect a Michigan senior loved one?
Experts say there are some easy ways you can keep a senior safe this summer.
On Guard against Summer Insects
- Bug Spray: Encourage your senior loved one to invest in a good quality insect repellant and to spray it on from head to toe when they will be outdoors. Search for brands with the either DEET or Picaridin as an ingredient.
- Avoid Potential Harbors: Brush piles, standing water and overgrown grass can all provide safe harbor for mosquitoes and ticks. Avoid walking near these types of areas.
- Vaccinate Pets: If you own horses, be certain they are up-to-date on vaccinations especially the West Nile virus and the Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus.
- Patio Fan: A sturdy outdoor fan that blows air around on your senior loved one’s patio can help keep ticks and mosquitoes away.
- Doors and Screens: Encourage your loved one to keep their exterior doors closed. Also be sure the screens on their windows and doors don’t have any holes. Both are good ways to prevent insects and bugs from getting in to their home.
- Tick Check: Make certain that everyone in the family —including your furry friends — has a head-to-toe tick check as soon as they come back inside.
Michigan’s Emerging Diseases project is asking for the public’s help in tracking the spread of the West Nile virus. If you spot dead birds in your area, please use their website to report it.
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by trevor@addfuelfire.com | Aug 4, 2016 | Alzheimer's and Dementia, Uncategorized
If you are a caregiver trying to maintain a healthy diet and help your senior loved one do the same, you’ve probably noticed an increasing number of products popping up in grocery stores throughout the Great Lake state that bear the label “Gluten-free.”
While most of us think the gluten movement is primarily focused on helping people manage digestive illnesses, newer research might suggest there are other reasons to monitor your gluten intake. One is a link between wheat and other grains and the development of dementia.
Researchers believe the connection might be because gluten increases inflammation in the body. When gluten can’t be digested or processed, the body’s immune system begins to attack. This leads to increased inflammation. Chronic inflammation is widely considered to increase a person’s risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
What is Gluten?
So what exactly is gluten?
Gluten is the protein found in wheat, barley, rye and triticale. It is what helps our food maintain its shape, essentially acting as a bonding agent that holds it together. Estimates are that 10% of the population lives with gluten-sensitivity or intolerance. Some people aren’t even aware they have it. Many times it is misdiagnosed as IBS or a “nervous stomach.”
Researching the Connection between Gluten and Dementia
Dr. David Perlmutter, the author of Grain Brain, is a neurologist who advocates for gluten-free living. His research shows that people with lower blood sugar levels are at lower risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia. Dr. Perlmutter believes gluten increases blood sugar.
In reinforcing his point, he cites studies going back more than a decade, including one published in Neurology in 2005. Perlmutter contends that the connection between blood sugar levels and the rate of brain atrophy and cognitive decline is the key.
Even slight elevations of blood sugar increase your risk for brain degeneration. Researchers like Perlmutter are especially interested in a process known as glycation. It occurs when glucose binds to protein in the body. The result is an increased production of inflammatory chemicals.
Dr. Perlmutter and his colleagues say you can cut your risk for dementia by eating a diet rich with inflammation-fighting foods and low in gluten and other carbohydrates.
What Other Researchers Say about Gluten
Then there are the scientists who say this issue is much more complex. Frank Sacks, Professor of Cardiovascular Disease Prevention at the Harvard School of Public Health, believes obesity might be the underlying issue.
They cite the obesity epidemic in our country as the real cause of high blood sugar and the rise in type 2 Diabetes. These experts say eating a healthy diet and getting the right amount of exercise each week will help you lose weight while decreasing the level of inflammation in your body. The result may be a lower risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
To learn more about Alzheimer’s disease, including the latest news on how diet and lifestyle might impact your risk, we invite you to follow our blog. We share frequent updates on a variety of aging-related topics!
Photo Courtesy of Freedigitalphotos.net
by trevor@addfuelfire.com | Aug 3, 2016 | Dear Donna, Uncategorized
Dear Donna:
My dad is on his own for the first time in his life. Since my mother passed away unexpectedly four years ago, he’s really slowed down. The two of them used to be on the go all of the time, but now he’s become very sedentary.
In the early days after we lost my Mom, I think he was struggling with depression. Now I’m concerned that he has developed some bad habits. Among them is watching too much television. He’s gained a few too many pounds as a result and I’m worried it may lead to health problems.
I am going with him to have his yearly physical next week. Before that date, I want to talk with my Dad about some senior-friendly forms of exercise he might be interested in. If I can come up with a few ideas my Dad likes, we can discuss them with his doctor during his appointment.
Do you have any suggestions for me? Other than walking, I’m not sure where to start.
Ellen in Glen Arbor, Michigan
Dear Ellen:
The situation you described is fairly common. And we know breaking bad habits isn’t always easy. Your Dad is lucky to have you in his corner!
And you are right to be concerned. A sedentary lifestyle is indeed dangerous. Newer research is actually comparing the dangers of sitting too much to the dangers associated with smoking!
Exercises for Seniors in Michigan to Try
At the Heritage Senior Communities across Michigan, we have adopted a Wellness Model that blends social and physical health services to ensure each resident lives their best life. A few suggestions that follow a similar approach to healthy living include:
- Go4Life: The National Institute on Aging developed this fitness program exclusively for older adults. Go4Life has a variety of resources to make it easier for seniors to get started and stay motivated. From guides you can download to free workout DVDs mailed right to your home, this is a very comprehensive program.
- Silver Sneakers: Another national program for seniors is Silver Sneakers. The organization works with health insurance companies and local fitness centers to offer free exercise classes for older adults. Check with your insurance provider to see if they are a part of the program.
- Growing Stronger: Mounting evidence shows the important role strength training plays in preventing early mortality. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) created their complimentary Growing Stronger Guide to address the issue. It is packed with tips for goal setting, a quiz to measure strength, and suggestions for staying motivated.
A couple of additional senior-friendly forms of exercise for your Dad to consider are swimming at a club like the YMCA or participating in Chair Yoga or Tai Chi at the local senior center.
I hope this gives you some ideas to help get your Dad moving again, Ellen!
Kind Regards,
Donna
by trevor@addfuelfire.com | Jun 2, 2016 | Dear Donna, Uncategorized
Dear Donna:
My dad will be 90 years old a few days before Father’s Day. He’s had some real health challenges in the last year that gave us a real scare.
My siblings and their kids will all be traveling here to spend Father’s Day with Dad. Then my brother and I will be looking for an assisted living community in the Saginaw, Michigan area for him to move to this summer.
We are hoping to make Father’s Day extra special for him this year, but are having a hard time coming up with ideas!
Do you have any suggestions?
Pam
Dear Pam:
It sounds like a good plan! Father’s Day is a day we set aside every year to remember and honor dads. But finding meaningful ways to do so can be tough when Dad is a senior.
Honoring an Older Michigan Dad on Father’s Day
Here are a couple of suggestions:
- Reenact Childhood Memories. Think back to those times when your dad made you feel special. Were you at a ball game? Did he take you for ice cream or another treat? Was it when he was teaching you how to ride a bike? Try recreating one of those favorite memories with your dad. Go to a Little League game or plan an afternoon in front of the TV watching sports together. Take him to a place you used to go to together. Pose for a picture of the two of with him holding onto the back of your bike seat.
- Put on a Show. Gather up old home movies and photos and use them to create a family video. Plan a time on Father’s Day for your family to sit down to watch the video together. Press the pause button every so often to ask questions and to share your memories. Show your dad how much you love him by taking time to set the scene by darkening the room and serving his favorite snacks. Be patient as he tells you the same old stories you’ve heard a thousand times.
- Update Photo Albums. Take old photos and arrange them in albums. Add captions to as many of the pictures as possible. Write in your favorite takeaway from the scene in the picture: “This was the time when ______.” Ask your dad to help you name the people and places in the pictures.
Remember to Consider Your Father’s Special Needs
As you are making plans for your Father’s Day celebration, remember to take any special needs your dad has in to account. Plan your outing around his regular meal and nap times instead of pushing him to eat or nap later. If he needs to follow a special diet, remember to plan for it.
As be aware of the potential dangers sun and heat can create for seniors. If you plan to take your dad to a local ball game, be sure to bring a comfortable chair or cushion for him to sit in rather than on the hard bleachers.
A hat that shields his face or umbrella that attaches to his chair will also keep him safe from the sun’s harsh UV rays if you will be outdoors. Sunscreen and water are also necessary.
I hope this helps your family plan and enjoy a special day with your Dad!
Donna
by trevor@addfuelfire.com | May 28, 2016 | Caregiving, Uncategorized
November is National Family Caregiver Month, a month dedicated to providing support and raising awareness for the 66 million Americans who are providing care for ill, disabled or aging relatives.
If you are caring for a senior loved one in Michigan, you know that this job can be both rewarding and demanding. But you may not be aware that helping an older adult with daily-living tasks could be taking a serious toll on your health and relationships.
Caregiving can be harmful to your health
According to the Family Caregiver Alliance, family caregivers report more health issues and seem to suffer from a lowered immunity. About 10 % report that assisting a loved one with hygiene, meals, medications, errands and housecleaning has caused their own health to decline. A stunning 40-70% of caregivers report symptoms of depression.
Most family caregivers devote about 20 hours a week to their loved ones in need. Research shows that adults who spend more than a few hours a week caring for others are more likely to suffer from physical illness and mental strain. They are also less likely to visit a doctor, to exercise and to eat a balanced diet.
But there is good news. Studies confirm that that education, access to resources and community support can relieve a lot of the stress and strain of caring for an aging parent, whether they are in the home or in an assisted-living community.
Resources for healthy caregiving
These websites can help you locate the information, resources and services that will support you as a caregiver.
- AARP Home and Family Caregiving: An educational resource where caregivers can learn strategies for juggling work and caregiving, dealing with stress and living healthier lives. This is also home to a busy online community where you can talk with other caregivers and ask experts for advice.
- The Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Center: If you are providing Alzheimer’s or dementia care, this is a great resource for support. You can talk to others in the caregiver discussion boards and access materials that may ease your caregiving duties. This website also offers a Community Resource Finder that can help you locate events, services and support options in the Great Lakes State.
- Michigan Aging and Adult Services: These government agency websites offer links to educational resources, support groups and workshops that can make caregiving less stressful. You can also find information about adult-day care and enrichment programs, assistance with in-home care and services like home-delivered meals.
- The National Caregiver’s Library: A storehouse of information covering every aspect of caregiving. This helpful resource includes a section dedicated to educating employers of caregivers.
- Video Caregiving: An online library of informative mini-documentaries where people share their stories and offer informative tips to support caregivers.
Please help us spread the word about National Family Caregiving Month by sharing this article with your personal network of family and friends!
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