MEMORIAL DAY 2011

Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. soldiers who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War. It was extended after World War I to honor Americans who have died in all wars. Memorial Day often marks the start of the summer vacation season, and Labor Day its end. Begun as a ritual of remembrance and reconciliation after the Civil War, by the early 20th century, Memorial Day was an occasion for more general expressions of memory, as ordinary people vidited the graves of their deceased relatives, whether they had served in the military or not. Memorial Day 2011 is on May 30th.

10 SIGNS YOUR AGING PARENT OR ELDER NEEDS HELP

We all may know someone who has been thrust into the role of caregiver for their aging parents or an elderly loved one. And as those who have had to assume this role can surely agree this shift is a major transition. How can we prepare ourselves for this responsibility? How can we become a little more proactive? We can do this by knowing how to identify some of the tell-tale signs that may signal that our elder parents or aging lived ones may need help.

1. Changes in house keeping patterns: Has your parent or elder always maintained a certain house keeping pattern that is beginning to change? This change could be happening for a variety of reasons, but it is important to raise your level of awareness if you see this happening.

2. Finances: Are bills not being paid on time? Are there issues with the primary backing accounts?

3. Weight Loss: Is there noticeable weight loss? Can it be because your aging parent or loved one can not cook or shop on their own? Do you notice that the food in the house is outdated or close to spoiling?

4. Burns & Bruises: Does your aging parent or elder have unusual black and blue bruises on their body? This could be an indication that they may have fallen or have trouble moving from place to place in the home. Any burns may indicate that your elders may have problems cooking.

5. Poor hygiene: Do you notice changes in the bathing, dressing and grooming or toileting habits of your elder or aging parent? Are they wearing the same clothes often or even wearing clothing that may be inappropriate?

6. Moving from place to place: Does your aging parent have problems moving from one room to the other or navigating the kitchen? Are they having problems walking and doing normal tasks like checking the mail?

7. Forgetfulness: Is your aging parent forgetting appointments? Are your elders forgetting things like returning calls, what trash day is, are they frequently misplacing things, can't recall names of familiar people or objects, etc?

8. Depression: Does your aging parent or elder seem sad or withdrawn more than usual? Do you notice a lack of motivation?

9. Physical or Verbal abuse: Does your aging parent seem uncharacteristically volatile? Do you notice sudden verbal or physical outbursts?

10. Physical Signs: Do you notice that the car has dents and scratches or that there are stains on the carpet from spills? Do you smell a urine odor in the house(which could be a sign of incontinence)? Are there stacks of unopened mail, unfilled prescriptions or is the grass growing higher than normal?

By no means is this an exhaustive list of signs that your aging parent or elder loved one may need help. But noticing a combination of a few of these signs could help you be a little more proactive. This will assist in helping you and your aging parent or elder put together an action plan that can help make the transition to home care (if needed) a little less stressful.

URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS(UTI) AND THE ELDERLY

More than 4 million doctor office visits per year in the United States are for urinary tract infections(UTI). About 12% of men and 50% of women will have a UTI during his or her lifetime. A UTI occurs when bacteria, such as E. coli found in the lower intestine, ascend into the urethra or bladder. A recurrent UTI is classified as three or more a year. UTIs can be especially dangerous for the elderly, particularly older women.

Several factors can contribute to the risk of UTI. Sexual intercourse, use of contraceptive spermicide, low levels of estrogen, catheterization, diabetes, pregnancy, and immune suppression increase susceptibility to UTI.

Naturally occurring estrogen helps recurrent UTI in women. After menopause, estrogen levels drop along with the number of "good bacteria" which prevent growth of intestinal bacteria in the vagina. This makes postmenopausal women especially susceptible to UTI.

Catheters also present a risk of recurring UTI. Catheters are associated with colonization of bacteria and increased risks of clinical infection. While single-use of sterile catheters reduces the risks, it does not prevent UTI from occurring. It is therefore important to maintain proper care and use of catheters at all times while remaining alert to symptoms of UTI.

Common symptoms of UTI: painful urination, frequency and urgency of urination, lower abdominal or pelvic pain or pressure, blood in the urine, fever. The elderly may exhibit none of these symptoms early in the course of a UTI, but instead may only exhibit confusion, feelings of general discomfort, and/or new, acute incontinence. If you experience any of these symptoms, see your healthcare professional.

source: www.bocahomecareservices.com/blog

THE JOY OF SOY

Soy is cultivated from the soybean plant. According to Soynutrition.com, soy protein is the only plant protein we commonly consume that is nutritionally complete. In a nutshell, soy provides essential amino acids needed to meet our body's dietary requirements. The United States Department of Agriculture(USDA) recognizes that unlike many sources of animal protein, soy is low in saturated fat. Soy provides protein equivalent to that of animal protein without the dangers associated with saturated fats so common in American diets.

Lately, it seems soybeans(or edamame) are making headlines! Soy products are becoming mor emainstream showing up routinely on more menus and grocery store shelves. Some of the most popular soy products are soy milk and soy nuts, which are typically dry roasted edamame.

And what about tofu? Just what is this stuff? Tofu was invented more than 2,000 years ago in China. Tofu, also called bean curd, is low in fat and is a cholesterol-free source of protein. Our bodies must have protein to build muscle and protect us from disease by powering antibodies that facilitate our immune systems.

Soy products, such as tofu and soy milk, are also high in calcium. It's easy to fall short of the USDA guidelines fro recommended quantities of calcium while trying to cut back on calories. However, calcium is essential for tooth and bone health.

The Food and Drug Administration says that 25 grams of soy protein per day may also help reduce the risk of heart disease. Many studies show that soy protein directly lowers LDL(bad) cholesterol. Heart-healthy Omega-3 fatty acids also occur naturally in soy. Plant-based foods like soy milk are often lower in satured fat and cholesterol than other sources of protein, making them an especially smart choice for a healthy diet and lifestyle.

While soy can be a healthy alternative to meat, be label savvy. Look for foods that say "whole soybeans" or "whole soy." They will contain more fiber, which is good for your digestion and helps to maintain healthy blood glucose levels. Some meat substitutes made with soy can be heavily processed and have a high sodium content.

source: http://www.kennesaw.patch.com/

HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT NURSING HOME

Selecting the right nursing home for your mom or dad has always required what seems like a never-ending series of difficult decisions. But with cases of abuse and neglect against elderly on the rise, those questions have given way to an even scarier thought: Will my parent be safe? While there are no guarantees, there are ways to vet prospective homes, maximize quality of life, and minimize your risks. Eventually, about 40% of adults over 65 years old will at some point spend time in a nursing home. Of course, there is no foolproof strategy for picking the perfect home. The steps are the same whether you are most interested in preventing the worst or planning for the best. Here is where to start and what to consider:

LAY OUT YOUR OPTIONS: Determine which nursing homes in your area are worth at least a look. Start out by casting a wide net. You can locate the nursing homes in any specified area and tell how they rate on two measures: quality of care and how much time the staff spends with residents. Winnow your list down to only homes with four or five stars on quality of care, and 3.5 to 4.5 hours of nursing care per resident per day. Next, along iwht recommendations from doctors and friends, you can consult for free with a long-term care ombudsman in your area. These advocates for nursing home patients can give you the scoop - good and bad - on local facilities.

TALLY THE COSTS: Once you have determined your wish list, check their costs. The national average rate for a private room in a nursing home is $229 per day and for a semi-rivate room, $205 per day. Expect to pay more if your parent has a health problem like Alzheimer's that requires extra supervision. These costs generally cover room and board, day-to-day nursing, meals and activities. Medicare only covers "medically necessary" nursing home care, and does not cover custodial nursing home care, like help with bathing or dressing.

MAKE MULTIPLE VISITS: Armed with your short list of nursing homes, visit each place more than once and at different times of the day. Make sure you make at least one of those visits in the evening, when staffing tends to be thinner. During each visit, look at how the workers interact with the residents. You are looking for a staff that seems to consider the residency a home, not a hospice for sick people. You should also stop some of the residents and other visitors to ask how they like the staff, food, and other services.

MEET THE KEY PLAYERS: Ultimately the care your loved one gets is only as good as its staff, so it is important to meet as many employees as you can. Set up a time to meet these three people - the director of nursing, the facility administrator and the medical director. Ask them for their qualifications, how long they have been working with the elderly, what their typical day at work is like, and what they like and do not like about their jobs.

ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS: Ask the facility if they do background checks on their employees, and if so, ask whether they hire people with criminal backgrounds. You should ask for a copy of their latest federal inspection, which will highlight problems the facility has had, including complaints of abuse or neglect. You shold also find out what each home's policy is for reporting and dealing with abuse or neglect. Finally, see if the administration will share their staff pay rates. Nursing homes tend to have hourly, low-paying jobs, and the higher the rate, the more likely the workers are satisfied.

source: http://www.marketwatch.com/

WHEN TO CALL FOR HOMECARE

Often times people want to know when is the right time to call about home health care for themselves or a loved one. If you are reading this, that may be a good indicator that a caregiver, nurse or aide is needed.

First, look at the person's ability to SAFELY shower, dress, and walk or transfer unassisted(ADL's). If there is dizziness, abnormal or wobbly gait/steps, a history of falls, a physical disability, weakness or dementia, then assistance is needed and should be already in the home. If the spouse is the main caregiver and not 100% steady on their feet, then they are at risk of falling or being pulled down while helping their husband or wife.

Second, assess the person's ability to shop for groceries, cook, do the laundry, manage their medications and get to appointments or leisure activities(IADL's). Shopping and cooking are crucial to nutrition and proper nutrition is a key to better health, both mental and physical. Imagine shopping, carrying the groceries into the home, standing and cooking while using a cane or walker. What mental picture comes to mind?

Planning and action to imporve the home safety of an elderly or unwell person is a paramount concern. Hiring a caregiver helps in all the above mentioned areas. Additionally, a home health aide provides companionship and respite time for the family caregiver, either spouse or adult children.

Assistance a few hours a day, a few times a week is a tremendous buffer against falls, malnutrition, and isolation/depression. If you, a parent or other loved family member seems to need help, if your gut feeling is that they are at risk of falling and hurting themselves or are too weak or unable to manage personal and/or household care safely, then they very likely need help. Please feel free to contact Harbor Health Home Care anytime at 810-765-7144 or toll free at 888-418-2273.

REMEMBER THE 5 C'S OF FOOT CARE!

• 1. CLEAN! Clean and check feet daily! Wash with warm, not hot, water. Pat dry. Check all over for blisters, corns, calluses, scratches.






• 2. CONDITION! Use a moisturizer or cream daily. Choose one without perfume or alcohol.






• 3. CARE! Clip nails straight across with a slight curve at the corners. Let your doctor or foot doctor take care of calluses!






• 4. COVER! Always wear shoes, sneakers, or slippers to protect your feet. Make sure they fit correctly and don't rub or scratch. Cotton socks let your feet breathe.






• 5. USE CAUTION! AND CALL! Be careful. Walk in good light. Take care in slippery places. Call your doctor if you have pain, swelling, soreness - any change in your feet.

KEEP YOUR FEET HEALTHY...TO KEEP THEM WORKING FOR YOU!

OLDER AMERICANS MONTH 2011

Older Americans Month is an occasion to show appreciation and support for our seniors as they continue to enrich and strengthen our communities. This year's theme - Older Americans: Connecting the Community - pays homage to the many ways in which older adults bring inspiration and continuity to the fabric of our communities, and highlights how technology is helping older Americans live longer, healthier, and more engaged lives.

The U.S. Administration on Aging is is sponsoring two exciting activities in observance of Older Americans Month 2011, a video challenge and a video game tournament. They welcome and encourage the participation of seniors and community members across the country.

For more information about Older Americans Month, visit the U.S. Administration on Aging.

source: www.olderamericansmonth.org

KNOW THE DIFFERENCE

HIGH BLOOD SUGAR:

Watch for:

• increased thirst and urination





• large amounts of sugar in the blood





• ketones in urine





• weakness, pains in stomach, aching all over





• heavy, labored breathing





• loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting





• fatigue

What to do:

• call doctor immediately





• take fluids without sugar if able to swallow





• test blood sugar frequently





• test urine for ketones

Causes:

• not enough insulin





• too much food





• infection, fever, illness





• emotional stress

LOW BLOOD SUGAR:

Watch for:

• cold sweats, faintness, dizziness





• headache





• pounding of heart, trembling, nervousness





• blurred vision





• hunger





• inability to awaken





• grouchiness





• personality change

What to do:

• take 2-3 B-D Glucose Tablets, liquids or food containing sugar





• check blood sugar level





• do not give insulin





• do not give anything by mouth if unconscious





• if unconscious, give Glucagon according to package directions





• call doctor

Causes:

• too much insulin





• not enough food





• unusual amount of exercise





• delayed meal

IT'S YOUR TURN!

National Women's Health Week is a weeklong health observance coordinated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office on Women's Health. It brings together communities, businesses, government, health organizations, and other groups in an effort to promote women's health. The theme for 2011 is "It's Your Time." National Women's Health Week empowers women to make their health a top priority. It also encourages them to take steps to improve their physical and mental health and lower their risks of certain diseases. Those steps include:

• Getting at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate physical activity, 1 hour and 15 minutes of vigorous physical activity, or a combination of both, each week.


• Eating a nutritious diet.


• Visiting a health care professional to receive regular checkups and preventive screenings.


• Avoiding risky behaviors, such as smoking and not wearing a seatbelt.


• Paying attention to mental health, including getting enough sleep and managing stress.

NATIONAL NURSING HOME WEEK (NNHW) - MAY 8-14, 2011

National Nursing Home Week spotlights nursing home residents and staff and encourages all to celebrate those that make a positive difference in their lives every day. A supportive and caring environment, such as a nursing home, provides enrichment for residents and families to continue growing, learning and teaching through various ways. The week also provides an opportunity to honor all those who contribute to our nation's nursing homes - residents, family members, employees and volunteers.

National Nurses Day, also known as National RN Recognition Day, is celebrated on May 6th and opens National Nurses Week. National Nurses Week is one of the nation's largest health care events, recognizing the contributions and commitments nurses make and educating the public about the significant work they perform. The American Nurses Association supports and encourages National Nurses Week through state and district nurses associations, educational facilities, and independent health care companies and institutions.

The history of Nurses Day can be traced back to 1953 when Dorothy Sutherland of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare sent a proposal to President Eisenhower to proclaim a "Nurse Day" in October of the following year. The proclamation was never made, but the following year National Nurses Week was observed from October 11-16, marking the 100th anniversary of Florence Nightingale's mission to Crimea.

source: www.calendar-updates.com

MAY IS NATIONAL SKIN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

May starts National Skin Cancer/Melanoma Awareness Month campaign. Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, with over one million people diagnosed each year! Skin cancer and malanoma account for about 50% of all types of cancers diagnosed combined. Skin cancer is one of the more preventable types of cancer. More than 90% of skin cancer is caused by excessive exposure to the sun. Each hour, 1 person dies from skin cancer.

Skin cancer is divided into two categories: melanoma and non-melanoma. Melanoma is a dangerous form of skin cancer. Although serious, non-melanomas are much less life threatening and easier to treat. Melanoma accounts for 4% of skin cancer cases diagnosed. It is estimated that 62,000 people will be diagnosed with melanoma in 2011. Almost 8,000 are expected to die of melanoma this year. There are two common types of non-melanoma skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Unprotected exposure to the sun's UV rays are the culprit of most cases of skin cancer. Genetics also can play a role in skin cancer development.

Symptoms of skin cancer:

• A small lump(spot or mole) that is shiny, waxy, plae in color, and smooth in texture.




• A red lump(spot or mole) that is firm.




• A sore or spot that bleeds or becomes crusty. Also look for sores that don't heal.




• Rough and scaly patches on the skin.




• Flat scaly areas of the skin that are red or brown.




• Any new growth that is suspicious.

If you suspect that a lump, spot, or mole may be suspicious of skin cancer, see your doctor. When detected early, skin cancer is highly treatable.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY FROM HARBOR HEALTH HOME CARE

IT'S ASTHMA AWARENESS MONTH. TIPS TO AVOID ASTHMA ATTACKS.

Asthma affects nearly 25 million Americans, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Asthma has consistently increased over the past decade with more than 4 million additional cases reported, including nearly 1 million children. One out of every 10 school aged children is affected and about 13 million people have reported having an asthma attack in the past year. Asthma results in doctor and hospital visits, lost learnng time, sick days and higher health care costs. To mark Asthma Awareness Month May, EPA recommends these top five things people can do to prevent asthma attacks:

• Smoke outside. One of the most common asthma triggers in the home is second hand smoke. Until they can quit, people should smoke outside, not in their home or car.




• Ozone and particle pollution can cause asthma attacks. Check the Air Quality Index for unhealthy levels.




• Keep it clean. Dust mites are triggers for asthma. For dust mite control, cover mattresses and pillows with allergen proof covers and wash sheets and blankets once a week in hot water.




• Household pets can also trigger asthma. Keep pets out of the bedroom and off furniture.




• Mold is another asthma trigger. The key to controlling mold is controlling moisture. Wash and dry hard surfaces to prevent and remove mold, and should replace moldy ceiling tiles and carpet.

source: http://www.dailypress.com/