Author Archive
Slowing the Progress of Age-related Macular Degeneration
Posted by: | CommentsAs we age, the fact that we may end up wearing glasses to help us read does not surprise us. Irritating as that may be, the need for reading glasses can be a common result of the wear our eyes experience as they grow older. However, some eyesight changes can denote the onset of a serious condition called age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of vision loss in adults 50 years and older.1
What is age-related macular degeneration?
AMD is a painless disease that occurs within the macula, the part of your eye that enables sharp, central vision needed for reading, driving, and other tasks that require fine detail. There are two types of AMD and neither type shows symptoms until the disease is fairly progressed. Dry AMD affects eyesight over a period of time while wet AMD causes a rapid loss of central vision and is considered the most severe type of age-related macular degeneration.
Who is at risk?
- The elderly, but AMD can occur in the middle-aged.
- Those who have a family history of AMD.
- Caucasians are in a higher risk bracket.
- Females are affected more so than males.
- Those who are obese and / or smoke are at a greater risk.
How can it affect you?
Vision loss not only affects the overall health of an individual, but it can also affect one’s well-being. Because of the lack of acute vision, seniors with AMD are at a higher risk of falls, depression, and mismanagement of medication. Seniors with AMD may also find it difficult to dress, bathe, and cook. With the help of a caregiver, such as a Comfort Keeper®, seniors with AMD can live a fulfilling life in the comfort of their home.
How can you slow the progression of AMD?
There is no cure for AMD, and its onset is unpreventable. However, research shows that some things can be done to help slow the progression of AMD and foster the best eyesight possible for a longer period of time.
- Eat a healthy diet of orange peppers and leafy, green vegetables, fruits, dairy, grain, and legumes. Consume fatty fish at least once per week. Limit caloric intake from added sugar, alcohol and fat.
- Exercise regularly, within your capability.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Do not smoke, and if you do – quit today.
- Have your eyes checked regularly. Early detection is essential in slowing vision loss.
Doctors are now prescribing vitamins and minerals rich in vitamins C and E, carotenoids, selenium and zinc, as a recent U.S. government clinical trial found that high doses of these antioxidants can slow the effects of AMD in its middle stages. Many of these antioxidants can be found in food one should eat every day to maintain a healthy, well-balanced diet. Another study showed obesity being a cause of AMD was actually a result of poor diets and lack of physical activity, which is common in the obese.2
The bottom line is this: The healthier we become today has a direct impact on the health we have tomorrow. Eating right, exercising daily and refraining from smoking are things we can begin doing today that can make a difference – and not just in our appearance – but in our overall good health and well-being for years to come.
1 National Institute of Health -http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/maculardegeneration.html
Also called: Age-related macular degeneration, AMD
Hello. My name is Jane, and My Mother is an Alcoholic
Posted by: | CommentsIt may be quite surprising to you to realize that your elderly mother or another senior in your life has come to abuse alcohol. After all, none of us plan to become alcoholics when we grow up and many of us take great pains to avoid the devastation of this disease. However, if you find yourself wondering if Mom or Dad is drinking too much, know that you are not alone. Research shows that alcoholism among seniors is a silent epidemic on the rise, one study reporting that 17% of those over 65 abuse alcohol.1 
The reasons the elderly may abuse alcohol vary but often include depression and the loneliness many seniors face at an age when they may have outlived their spouses and close friends. Retirement can also have an impact, increasing a senior’s sense of isolation and lack of purpose in life. Often, seniors who abuse alcohol are unable to adjust to changes in their lives due to aging and turn to alcohol to combat feelings of sadness and grief.
It is important to talk to the senior in your life regarding the dangers of drinking too much alcohol. An honest, open line of communication regarding their happiness and mental state is key. If you suspect your elderly loved one is battling loneliness and isolation, talk to them about things they can do that interest them. Many seniors lead happy active lifestyles after retirement, and even after the loss of a beloved spouse. Some travel, others volunteer, join garden and book clubs or participate in other activities. For those who cannot be that active, having a Comfort Keeper® spend time with your senior may help combat some of the loneliness that can lead to alcohol abuse.
Also, discuss the dangers that alcohol consumption may pose for the elderly. During the normal aging process, liver and kidney function may decline, metabolic rates can change, and blood flow may slow – all of which can cause negative effects on the body’s ability to process alcohol. Sometimes, just a drink or two can cause seniors to become lightheaded or even drunk, causing falls and other accidents. In fact, some early warning signs your elderly loved one may be consuming too much alcohol are frequent falls and injuries.
Alcohol use may intensify illnesses that seniors have, such as low blood pressure, diabetes and depression. Some medicine is weakened when combined with alcohol, which can cause dire complications regarding life-sustaining medications. Mixing any amount of alcohol with some medications, both prescribed and over-the-counter, can cause adverse effects, furthering the risk of additional illness or injury.
Knowing these facts may help seniors decide to limit their intake of alcoholic beverages or not drink them at all. During your talks, share the statistics of seniors who abuse alcohol. Let them know they are not alone and there are help groups designed for their ages that offer support as well as a successful road to recovery and the happiness they deserve in their golden years.
Sundowner Syndrome
Posted by: | CommentsSundowning is a term used with Alzheimer’s and dementia in order to describe behavior difficulties that can occur in the early morning, late afternoon, evening or night hours. Sundowning is commonly associated with early stages of Alzheimer’s and can be found in senior citizens who are in an unfamiliar setting such as a rehabilitation facility, hospital or have recently moved to assisted living.
How do I know if my loved one is experiencing Sundowning?
Sundowning usually results in a noticeable change in a persons body language and/or mood.
Specific changes can include:
- Increased confusion and anxiety
- Increases irritability
- Decreased ability to process information
- Overall being less cooperative and/or more argumentative
It is important to note that just because you are observing these behaviors, your loved one might not be experiencing sundowning. There may be a level of discomfort due to medications, living conditions, continence and other outside influences. Be careful to do what you can to minimize these contributing factors. Do your best to make sure you are not being demanding or setting unrealistic expectations.
What can I do to help deal with Sundowning?
First make sure the agitation is not caused by physical pain or discomfort. Look for “triggers” that may be leading to sundowning. If you see a pattern developing that is contributing to the confusion or agitation, do your best to limit the trigger.
Consider these possible triggers:
- End-of-day activity (at a care facility). Some researchers believe the flurry of activity toward the end of the day as the facility’s staff changes shifts may lead to anxiety and confusion.
- Fatigue. End-of-day exhaustion or suddenly the lack of activity after the dinner hour may also be a contributor. Seniors may loose their desire to clean up the dishes or put leftover food away following a meal. Assistance with meal preparation is important.
- Low light. As the sun goes down the quality of available light may diminish, and shadows may increase, making already challenged vision even more challenging. If a person is living at home alone with little interaction, they can become easily confused. Regular, frequent home care visits can help a person stay on a schedule.
- Winter. In some cases, the onset of winter’s shorter days exacerbates sundowning. This effect indicates sundowning may have a correlation with Seasonal Affective Disorder, a common depression caused be less exposure to natural light.
Sundowning is Exhausting for Caregivers and People with Dementia
Towards the end of the day, both the person with Alzheimer’s, and his or her caregiver, may be tired and not at their best. Understanding the dynamics of sundowning, and the fact that it is a result of dementia, will prepare caregivers and family members for properly handling the situation in which sundowning occurs.
To work towards limiting the amount of sundowning a person experiences, you may:
- Set a routine. A routine is a good way to make things feel more familiar to a person with dementia or confusion. You should experience less resistance due to the fact that the person feels like they should be doing what is routine.
- Limit outside distractions. If your loved one is living in a facility, do your best to reduce the amount of noise and unpleasant odors. Individual rooms or moving to another floor can make an enormous difference in a person’s outlook on life.
- Diet. Large fluctuations in sugar and caffeine can be a bad thing. Try to do your best to limit the amount of caffeine or sugar that your loved one is eating. Even though a piece of cake or pie at the end of the day is what many seniors look forward to, limiting the number of pieces they eat may be helpful.
Remembering that your loved one is not choosing to be the way they are acting can help the caregiver or family member cope with the behavior easily and more appropriately. When caring for a person with Alzheimer’s or dementia it is important to take care of yourself through adequate rest, respite care, and knowledge about the disease. If your health is failing or you are not emotionally stable, this will have a negative effect on both you and your loved one.
