Posts Tagged ‘Health’
Tuesday, October 19th, 2010
 Elderly citizens age 60 and over should receive a vaccine to protect them against shingles, or herpes zoster. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta recommends a single dose of the zoster vaccine, Zostavax, for adults age 60 and over. This is even if they have had a previous outbreak of shingles.
A new recommendation that was published in the CDC’s Mortality and Morbidity recently replaced a former provisional recommendation made in 2006. This provisional recommendation was made after the vaccine was licensed by the United States Food and Drug Administration.
In those ages 60 and over that received the vaccine, the occurrence of shingles was reduced greatly. Particularly with those ages 60-69, it reduced the occurrence rate by 64 percent.
Side effects of the vaccine from those that had it seem to be redness, pain and tenderness, swelling at the injection site, itching and headache.
It is reported that half of the people living to age 85 have had or will get shingles.
Shingles is characterized by clusters of painful blisters which develop on one side of the body in a band-like pattern and can cause severe pain that may last for weeks, months or years. Shingles is caused by the childhood disease chickenpox that becomes dormant within the nerves and reactivates later in life. It is said that over 95 percent of people are infected with the varicella zoster (chickenpox) during their lifetime. About one in three persons will develop shingles during their lifetime, resulting in about one million cases of shingles per year.
Chickenpox is usually mild, but it can be serious, especially in young infants and adults. The risk of contracting shingles increases with age starting at around 50 and is highest in the elderly.
Tags: elderly, elderly independence, elderly living, Health, Health care, Home Care, home care provider, Home Health, Independence, maintaining independence, Medicine, senior citizens
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Saturday, October 16th, 2010
 Justice is served in Redwood City, CA. A caretaker of an elderly woman was convicted of stealing more than $138,000.00. She was sentenced to four years in prison. She will serve her time in Chowchilla, which is the Valley State Prison.
The caretaker was ordered to pay $145, 00.00 in restitution to the elderly woman she had been hired to take care of. Niumai Adele Lawanivalu was hired to look after the elderly woman who suffers from dementia. She immediately started writing herself checks from the elderly woman’s account. She was charged with three counts each of commercial burglary and elder financial abuse, which are all felonies.
The police began investigating Lawanivalu not long after a worker at one of the elderly lady’s banks became suspicious over a large amount of account activity and contacted them.
An investigation traced the activity back to Lawanivalu. She begged the family not to turn her in to the police. This phone call was recorded by law enforcement.
She was later arrested as she was returning from a Las Vegas trip with the Fijian rugby team. She was initially hired through a local referral agency, From the Heart Homecare; however, two weeks later, she offered to work directly for the family at a cheaper price and they accepted her offer.
Please visit here for more information.
Tags: bay area, California, Dementia, elderly, elderly care, Health, Health care, Home Care, home care provider, Home Health, senior citizens, Senior Health, Service Providers
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Thursday, October 14th, 2010
 Elderly grocery shopping is so much different than shopping for a family. When grocery shopping elderly style, you are no longer buying in large quantities as you would for a family. Instead, you are looking for products that are easy to open and handle and in smaller sizes.
Here are some guidelines for your shopping trip:
- Easy to Handle Products: Seniors do not have neither the strength nor dexterity as they did when they were younger. Lifting bottles of cleaning supplies, milk, juice, or other items found in large, bulky containers, are awkward. Smaller containers may cost more; however they are easier to lift and carry. Buy milk and juice in quart bottles, coffee in 1 lb cans, ketchup and mustard in small bottles as well as mayonnaise, salad dressing, laundry detergent and cleaning supplies.
- Easy to Open Items: Make sure asprin and all over-the-counter medications are in easy to open bottles instead of child proof bottles. When purchasing cans of soup, vegetables, fruit and meat, look for the pop top cans so that the elder doesn’t have to use a can opener.
- Smaller Portion Sizes: Think smaller when it comes to food that can go bad. For example, ask the butcher at the grocery store to package just 1-2 chicken breasts, pork chops, or steaks. Look for canned food in small cans. Many vegetables have the single-serve portions available.
For elderly shopping, it isn’t so much about buying in quantity to save money; it’s more about convenience and ease. With a little bit of practice, you can learn to shop for the elderly. And trust me; they will let you know when something doesn’t work for them.
Information in this article obtained here
Tags: elderly, elderly activities, elderly activity, elderly care, elderly enjoyment, elderly entertainment, elderly independence, elderly living, Health, Health care, Home Care, Independence, maintaining independence, senior citizens
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Wednesday, October 13th, 2010
 Incontinence simply means loss of bladder control and it is a common condition that many who care for the elderly must deal with. It is more of a symptom and not a disease and is caused by a wide range of conditions and disorders including pelvic surgery, injuries, certain medications, and just basic degenerative changes that occur with aging.
Elderly with incontinence can experience both physical and emotional uneasiness. These are many things that can be done to treat and manage the condition. The first step in treatment is to see your doctor to find the cause and establish a treatment plan.
The following are some additional tips to help you, the caregiver, deal with some of the challenges associated with incontinence:
- Make the bathroom easy to find by using night lights in the bedrooms and hallways.
- Many elderly have accidents because they are unable to make to the bathroom in time; consider purchasing a bedside commode. This can be used in the bathroom over the regular toilet or it can be used bedside at night.
- Keep pathways through the home safe and clear; rearrange furniture and remove clutter; make sure throw rugs have a non-slip backing on them.
- Encourage the use of a walker or can to increase mobility.
- Get a waterproof bed sheet to help protect your mattress from night time accidents.
- Provide chairs with sturdy arms so that it reduces the strain of getting up; straining to get in or out of a chair can put pressure on the bladder.
- Make sure the elder is allowed enough time in the bathroom to completely empty the bladder.
- Remove wet clothing immediately after an accident and rinse out to cut down on odor; if the wet item cannot be rinsed right away, store in an airtight container or plastic bag.
- Have a schedule for toileting needs; start with every 2 hours and progress from there.
- Consider a raised toilet seat and handrails beside the toilet to make toileting more comfortable. A raised seat helps an elder get up and the handrails help to steady.
It only takes time and a little patience to work through the symptoms of incontinence.
Tags: elderly, elderly care, elderly independence, elderly living, Health, Health care, Home Care, home care provider, Home Health, incontinence, Independence, maintaining independence, senior citizens, Senior Health, staying social
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Tuesday, October 12th, 2010
 What do you think of when you hear the words, “social worker”? If you are like most people, you think of one of those people in the welfare office. Social work has been associated for a long time with Child Protective Services and other non-profit organizations that work to help improve the lives of children and help to remove them from abusive situations.
Adult Protective Services is also an important part of the field of social work; however, APS is understaffed in many places throughout the United States and some cities do not even have an APS department. Cases involving the elderly have increased in recent years and the increase in reports added with the media attention on the issue has finally given APS the focus it deserves.
Choosing to be a social worker for elderly citizens is going to give you a challenge. You have to be willing to learn specific skills both personally and academically in order to succeed at working with the elderly.
Working with the elderly demands a level of education that can only be obtained through a college or university; a social worker must have at the minimum, a bachelor’s degree, to start a career. Many times, however, it is necessary to have a master’s degree. While working on a degree, electives can be taken to give the more specialized training you may need to work with the elderly.
Some of your coursework might include:
- Death, Loss and Grief
- Social Work with the Elderly
- Evaluation in Adults and Elderly
- Basic Social Work Research
- Adulthood and Aging
- Policies and Services for the Elderly
To work with seniors, you must have compassion and patience. You have to see things through their eyes; many times they won’t understand with a younger person coming to help them. While most elderly are wonderful to know, just like any other group of people, there are bumps along the way. And if the elderly is a victim of abuse or neglect, this may amplify the negativity in them and they may call you names and seem very angry.
It is also good to be able to work with those that have mental illnesses. Many of the individuals in nursing homes are there because of dementia, Alzheimer’s, or some other mental illness and require constant care. It is important to know how to talk with these elderly and be able to tell the difference between fact and fiction as these individuals will often have issues with confusion.
Being a social worker and working for the elderly can provide you with a fulfilling career.
Tags: adult protective services, elderly, elderly care, elderly independence, elderly living, Health, home care provider, Independence, maintaining independence, senior citizens, Service Providers, social work
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Monday, October 11th, 2010
 For many elderly, the idea of living alone can be scary, especially if it is the first time. Some elderly haven’t ever living alone and have oftentimes relied on others to do things like the household budget. Other are having problems with health issues and one fall could be scary, or even life-threatening.
It doesn’t take a whole lot to insure that your elderly relative or friend is safe.
Use the following as a check-list:
- Lighting is important to insure that those with problems seeing can motor through the home easier. Nightlights are a great way to light up the floor.
- Consider moving their bedroom downstairs; stairs can be hard to maneuver if the elderly has mobility problems like arthritis. If stairs just can’t be avoided, insure that the handrails are sturdy and useable.
- Test all smoke alarms on a regular basis
- In the bathroom, use non-slip mats and grab bars for ease of getting in and out of the shower; a shower chair could also be considered.
- Insure that all electrical cords are out of the way safely. This could be a trip hazard.
- Consider putting a timer on small appliances; the elderly can forget to turn things off and these timers could save their life in the long run.
- Have an emergency escape route planned so that in the event the normal route is unable to reached, that they can get in and out of the house safely.
- Help make a list of emergency numbers and have them posted by a phone. This list should include doctors, hospital and nearby family and friends.
Planning ahead for a possible emergency eliminates a rush in the event of one and could save a life or lives.
Tags: elderly, elderly care, elderly independence, elderly living, Health, Health care, Home Care, Independence, maintaining independence, safety, senior citizens, Senior Health
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Sunday, October 10th, 2010
 Richard Ow, an 80 year old gentleman, lives in the North Beach Hotel. He has been a resident there for the past 40 years. He earns less than $24,000 a year from his pension as a former postal worker. He retired 20 years ago. By what the federal government says, this man is not poor; but by San Francisco’s calculations, this elderly Chinatown man is living in poverty.
Mr. Ow considers himself fortunate; some of his friends are earning less than $800 a month from Social Security. The average check in San Francisco is $11, 319 annually which is a mere $500 above the federal poverty line.
Elderly residents are increasing in numbers to line up for the food banks and free meals. And, in the same breath, the federal government doesn’t consider them poor enough to qualify for many of the federal assistance programs.
For example, the federal government considers a single person earning $10, 830 or less a year as living in poverty; however, there are many seniors that earn as much as double that figure and still living in impoverished conditions.
A recent report by the Insight Center for Community Economic Development showed that 61% of San Francisco residents ages 65 and over earn less than $27,282 annually which is the bare minimum that a senior needs to cover necessary costs of living.
To help bridge the gap in costs, seniors will end up skipping meals or cutting pills in half to make them last longer. The economic recession has added to the problems of homelessness among senior citizens. In San Francisco, the number of food stamp, or SNAP, cases have grown by 55% in the past 17 months and the San Francisco Food Bank has seen a 25% increase in their case load over the past 12 months.
Based on an article located here; please visit for more information
Tags: bay area, California, elderly, elderly care, elderly independence, elderly living, food pantry, food services, Health, Health care, Independence, maintaining independence, Medicine, pension, san francisco, senior citizens, Senior Health, social security, soup kitchen
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Saturday, October 9th, 2010
 The flu puts the elderly and those with chronic diseases at risk for problems associated. Those 84 and older are at the greatest risk, age 74 and older, the second highest, and children age 4 and under is the third highest risk.
The flu symptoms in the elderly may include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Fatigue (can last 2-3 weeks)
- Extreme exhaustion
- General aches and pains
- Chest discomfort, cough (can become severe)
- Sore throat (not always)
- Runny or stuffy nose (not always)
Although more common in children, the elderly can also suffer from symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea with the flu; however, these symptoms tend to be more common with the swine flu.
Complications of flu in the elderly may include:
- Pneumonia
- Dehydration
- Worsening of chronic medical conditions such as asthma, emphysema, and heart disease (Congestive Heart Failure)
It’s important to see your doctor immediate if you have any of these flu complications. The sooner you start medical treatment, the faster it can work to treat the more serious symptoms.
The best way to prevent the season flu is to get a flu vaccine annually. Getting a season flu shot helps reduce the risk of being hospitalized due to serious complications, however, the season flu viruses change each year, so the elderly need to get a new flu shot each fall. Flu shots can be obtained at your doctor’s office, drug stores, and various other locations.
The American Lung Association offers an online flu shot. Please visit here and enter your zip code and a date and you will receive information about flu shot clinics in your area.
Tags: elderly, elderly care, flu, flu vaccine, Health, Health care, health inquiries, Home Care, Home Health, Medicine, Senior Health, Vaccine
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Friday, October 8th, 2010
The incidence of elder abuse can be reduced, but it will take more time and effort that we are making right now. Preventing elder abuse means doing three things:
- Listening
- Intervening
- Educating
If you are a caregiver and overwhelmed by the demands of caring for the elderly there are a few things you can do as well to prevent an abuse of elder incidence:
- Request help when you need it so you can take a break
- Find an adult day care program
- Stay healthy
- Seek out therapy for depression
- Find an elder caregiver support group
- Seek help for drug and alcohol abuse
 Remember, elder abuse hotlines offer help for caregivers as well. Call a help line if you think that there is a possibility that you could cross that line and commit elder abuse.
As a concerned family member or friend, you can also help by:
- Watching for warning signs and if you suspect abuse report it
- Keep watch on the elder’s medications; does the amount in the container match up with the date of the prescription?
- Watch for possible financial abuse; ask if you could scan the bank accounts and credit card statements for possible unauthorized transactions
- Call and visit as often as you can
- Offer to stay with the elder so that the caregiver can take a break
If you are an elder, there are ways you can protect yourself against elder abuse. Here are some ideas:
- Make sure your financial and legal affairs are in order. If they aren’t, seek professional help to get them in order, with a trusted friend or relative if necessary.
- Keep in touch with family and friends and avoid isolation.
If you are unhappy with the care you’re receiving, whether it’s in your own home or in a care facility, speak up. Tell someone you know and trust and ask that person to report the abuse, neglect or substandard care to your state’s APS (Adult Protective Services) office, or make the call yourself.
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800 799-7233
Tags: elderly, elderly activities, elderly activity, elderly appreciation, elderly care, elderly employment, elderly enjoyment, elderly entertainment, elderly exercise, elderly independence, elderly living, financial stability, Health, Health care, Home Care, Home Health, Independence, maintaining independence, senior citizens, Senior Health
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Thursday, October 7th, 2010
 Are you an elder who feels you are being abused, neglected, or exploited? Then tell at least one other person that you trust—your doctor, a close friend, or a family member. Other people care and can help you.
There are thousands of reports of elder abuse recorded by authorities every year; the majority of those reported are proven true. This number is only the tip of the iceberg; according to data from different states, for every case of elder abuse reported, there are about a dozen more that go unreported. There is a great need for people to report suspected abuse.
In every state, physical, sexual, and financial abuses that target elders violate laws against assault, rape, theft, and other offenses are punishable as crimes. With some variation among states, certain types of emotional elder abuse and neglect are subject to criminal prosecution, depending on the perpetrators’ conduct and intent and the consequences for the victim.
States do differ on who is required to report suspected elder abuse (there is no federal standard), though the categories of mandatory reporters are expanding. Typically, medical personnel, nursing home workers, police officers, emergency personnel, public officials, social workers, counselors, and clergy are listed as mandatory reporters. That responsibility is spreading to financial institutions and other people that work with senior citizens.
While it is important for elders to seek help from abuse, either by calling a local agency or by telling a doctor or trusted friend, many seniors don’t report the abuse they face even if they are able to. Many fear retaliation from the abuser, while others believe that if they turn in their abuser, no one else will take care of them. When the caregivers are their children, they may be ashamed that their children are behaving this way or they blame themselves or they just may not want their children to get in trouble with the law.
Please note that the first agency a report of elder abuse goes to in most states in Adult Protective Services (APS). Its role is to investigate the claim, intervene and offer services and advice. Calling the local police department is also a way to get into contact with APS.
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800 799-7233
Check back on Friday, October 8, 2010 for the final installment in this series
Tags: elderly, elderly activities, elderly activity, elderly appreciation, elderly care, elderly employment, elderly enjoyment, elderly entertainment, elderly exercise, elderly independence, Health, Health care, health inquiries, Home Care, senior citizens, Senior Health
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