Wednesday, July 27, 2011 Study Suggests that Grandparents are Safer Drivers than Parents
Kids may be safest in cars driven by grandma or grandpa instead of mom or dad, according to study results that even made the researchers do a double-take.
Source/more: USA Today/Associated Press (July 18, 2011)
"Grandparents, when they have the opportunity to interact with their grandchildren find that to be the primary focus of their time together," he says. "They're perhaps not as distracted by trying to do a million errands, or get the dinner on the table, or wonder about their response to the latest e-mail.
"Speaking as a grandparent, about the worst thing that could happen is one of your grandchildren getting hurt on your watch, and trying to communicate that to your children," Henretig says.
Saturday, July 09, 2011 Depression in the Elderly
In this month's "Mental Health Matters" newsletter published by Centra Mental Health Services, Dr. Peter Betz describes how the process of aging brings with it inherent misunderstandings that highlights processes of grief and loss that lead to a negative outlook on the aging process. Further stressors of aging are having to move away from the home one has lived in for much of their lives, admission to healthcare facilities, loneliness, financial hardship, illness and death of loved ones.
Grief and sadness as a response to such is perfectly normal. Persistent sadness to the extent it impairs the usual day-to-day life is not. Depression is a real concern among elders and it is not a normal part of the aging process! Here are three symptoms of depression to be on the lookout for:
1. Mood Change: this may be chronic sadness or melancholia, or irritability and lack of happiness.
2. Self-Attitude Change: the elder may begin to doubt their own personal value, with feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness. They may say that everyone would be "better off" if they "weren't around". If such attitude sets in, they may have feelings their ilfe has no further meaning, use or enjoyment.
3. Neurovegative Symptom Change: This complex phrase is used to denote the brain-body continuum. You may see changes in sleep patterns, eating patterns, energy levels and motivation to engage socially. The elder may become withdrawn or apathetic.
These changes are often gradual but can be the first sign of a developing clinical depression. If you or a family member sees these signs, you should talk to a healthcare professional. If you wish, you can start the conversation with our Elder Care Coordinator, Sandy Vernon. Sandy has many years experience in the mental health field in her work at Piedmont Community Services. She would be glad to meet with you privately and discuss a course of action to address these issues.
Monday, July 04, 2011 Fatal cocktail of common drugs putting elderly at risk
Hundreds of thousands of older people are being put at increased risk of death or developing dementia by taking combinations of common medicines to treat routine illnesses, according to a new study. Well-known brands of hay fever tablets, painkillers and sleeping pills pose a previously unknown threat to people’s health when taken together, British scientists claim.
Source/more information: The Telegraph (UK) (June 24, 2011) Wednesday, June 22, 2011 Lifelong Learning
I have long counself my clients on the need to not only stay active physically, but mentally. Crosswords, sudoku, board games all help to keep an elder's faculties sharp! Continued learning is an important component of well being throughout life. Continuing education provides self-enrichment, socialization, stimulation, and leisure time for older adults. Opportunities for learning can be found in a variety of places and be in almost any form. It is never too late to learn something new!
Whether it is an interest in financial management, computer skill training, ceramics, or hiking, chances are there is a learning opportunity out there that matches an individual's learning style and interest. The article linked to below gives you a lot of ideas if you wish to take the next step and engage in a new learning adventure!
http://www.seniornavigator.org/virginiaNavigator/DetailSN.aspx?contentId=143&.f=1 Saturday, July 24, 2010 "Granny pod" will keep aging parents nearby
A small Virginia firm hoping to revolutionize the way Americans care for aging family members has unveiled its first prototype of a portable, high-tech dwelling that would provide temporary shelter for a sick or elderly relative in their family's back yard. On Monday, N2Care, a company formed by a Methodist minister in Salem, Va., showed off its first MedCottage, a 12-by-24-foot prototype filled with biometric technology that would allow a family and health-care providers to monitor the condition of an aging or disabled relative. The cottage contains air-filtration systems, video links, devices that allow the remote monitoring of vital signs and sensors that could detect an occupant's fall. Until now, the MedCottage had been an idea on paper only. Even before the prototype was trotted out, however, the company's concept had received an important endorsement: the Virginia General Assembly this year passed legislation, HB1307, that supersedes local zoning laws and allows families to install such a dwelling on their property with a doctor's order. AARP, the lobbying group for aging Americans, has said local zoning laws pose one of the biggest obstacles to making such dwellings a practical solution to caring for aging family members in what it calls "accessory dwelling units." Although the bill passed almost unanimously and was signed into law by Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R), detractors have dubbed the concept the "granny pod" and predicted that it could create conflicts between neighbors who find the dwellings unsightly. Some critics also worry that the setup could lead to cases of neglect involving elderly or disabled occupants of the dwellings.
Source: Washington Post (July 20, 2010)
Full story: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/19/AR2010071903132.html |