Alzheimer’s disease affects more than 35 million individuals worldwide and costs the global economy more than $600 billion. Alzheimer’s is an international health epidemic that impacts people from all racial and ethnic backgrounds.
September is World Alzheimer’s Month and an opportunity to raise awareness of this devastating disease on a global level. If you know an individual who is in need of information on Alzheimer’s, you can direct them to the following resources in multiple languages from the Alzheimer’s Association:
• Brain Tour – A virtual tour of the brain that helps to explain how the brain works and how Alzheimer’s disease affects it. It is currently available in 14 languages including German, Polish, French and Spanish at alz.org.
• Know the 10 Signs – An easy-to-read list describing the warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Available at alz.org in Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese and Chinese.
• 24/7 Helpline – A round-the-clock information and support helpline provided by education specialists and masters level counselors. Services include bilingual Spanish-speaking consultants and interpretation for more than 170 languages. Call 1.800.272.3900.
• Online portals – Fully translated microsites with an overview of Alzheimer's disease, signs and symptoms, caregiving tips and more. These sites are currently available in Chinese, Korean, Spanish and Japanese and can be accessed by visiting alz.org.
For those seeking information on Alzheimer’s in other languages, a local chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association may also be a good resource. To find the chapter nearest you, visit alz.org.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Maintaining Mental Health as We Age
by Anne Pagnoni
Oh, to be young again! How many times have you heard yourself or someone else say this? As Home Care Assistance of New Jersey celebrates Health Aging Month, it's important to keep in mind that healthy aging encompasses more than just physical health. Mental health plays a big part in how well we age.
Many people are of the impression that memory loss is a product of normal aging. This is not true! However, as the saying goes, use it or lose it. Therefore, in order to maintain your mental and cognitive health, you have to make sure you're exercising your cognitive abilities. Here are some great brain exercises that you can do on a daily basis:
If you're depressed, you very well may want to lock the door to your home and not allow anyone in or venture out. You may allow yourself to sleep or watch television all day. These things will only make the depression worse. Instead, you need to make yourself more active and more socially involved. Research suggests that physical activity may be just as effective as antidepressants in treating depression. You don't need to hit the gym for two hours per day to reap the benefits of exercise. Instead, park a little farther from the store, do some light housework, or take a short walk. If you're physically disabled or frail, you can always participate in chair exercises to help boost your spirits and your muscle tone. Make sure you're enjoying the company of others. You need support to get through a depressive episode. Limit the time you spend alone. Keep in touch over the phone or email if you're unable to get out of the house regularly. Participate in activities that you enjoy. Get a pet to keep you company. Laugh! If you don't feel like you have anything to laugh about, then watch a comedy or read a funny book.
If you have made some lifestyle changes but are still experiencing depression, then seek help. Talk to your family physician about how you're feeling. Therapy, support groups, and medications are all effective treatments for depression. Don't go it alone.
The key to maintaining mental health as we age is to continue to find meaning in our lives. While we may no longer be working and our children may live further away, we can find other things that will give us a sense of purpose in our lives. Keep moving forward instead of focusing on the past.
As Mark Twain said, "Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." Make sure you're giving your mental health as much attention as your physical health!
Oh, to be young again! How many times have you heard yourself or someone else say this? As Home Care Assistance of New Jersey celebrates Health Aging Month, it's important to keep in mind that healthy aging encompasses more than just physical health. Mental health plays a big part in how well we age.
Many people are of the impression that memory loss is a product of normal aging. This is not true! However, as the saying goes, use it or lose it. Therefore, in order to maintain your mental and cognitive health, you have to make sure you're exercising your cognitive abilities. Here are some great brain exercises that you can do on a daily basis:
- Play games that involve strategies, such as chess or bridge
- Read newspapers, books, magazines and anything else that you find challenging
- Try to learn new things such as games, driving routes, musical instruments, a foreign language, or a topic of interest
- Do crossword and other word puzzles
- Spend time regularly with others either by phone or in person
- Volunteer your time at an organization that you believe in
If you're depressed, you very well may want to lock the door to your home and not allow anyone in or venture out. You may allow yourself to sleep or watch television all day. These things will only make the depression worse. Instead, you need to make yourself more active and more socially involved. Research suggests that physical activity may be just as effective as antidepressants in treating depression. You don't need to hit the gym for two hours per day to reap the benefits of exercise. Instead, park a little farther from the store, do some light housework, or take a short walk. If you're physically disabled or frail, you can always participate in chair exercises to help boost your spirits and your muscle tone. Make sure you're enjoying the company of others. You need support to get through a depressive episode. Limit the time you spend alone. Keep in touch over the phone or email if you're unable to get out of the house regularly. Participate in activities that you enjoy. Get a pet to keep you company. Laugh! If you don't feel like you have anything to laugh about, then watch a comedy or read a funny book.
If you have made some lifestyle changes but are still experiencing depression, then seek help. Talk to your family physician about how you're feeling. Therapy, support groups, and medications are all effective treatments for depression. Don't go it alone.
The key to maintaining mental health as we age is to continue to find meaning in our lives. While we may no longer be working and our children may live further away, we can find other things that will give us a sense of purpose in our lives. Keep moving forward instead of focusing on the past.
As Mark Twain said, "Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." Make sure you're giving your mental health as much attention as your physical health!
Monday, September 5, 2011
Keeping Yourself Safe at Home
by Anne Pagnoni
Home is where the heart is. Most people want to stay in their homes for the duration of their lives. While it's inevitable that we'll experience physical changes as we age, there are some things that we can do to make sure that we're able to remain safely in the family home.
The biggest thing which forces an older adult from his or her home is a fall. According to the Centers for Disease Control, one out of three adults over age 65 falls each year and is the leading cause of injury death. Falls are also the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions due to trauma. Keep in mind that a fall can cause a hip fracture, pelvis fracture, or head injury all of which carry their own complications. All is not lost, however, as many falls do not "just happen" but can many times be avoided.
One of the most important things to do to ensure safety in the home is to make sure that your house is well-lit. If you have areas in your home that are dim, then consider adding additional lighting fixtures or table lamps. Have working light switches at the top and bottom of all stairs.
Stairs can be particularly hazardous. Make sure that all stairs are in good repair and clutter free. You should have handrails on both sides of the stairs. If you have wooden or concrete steps, then you may consider painting a strip of contrasting color on the edge of each step to guard against a misstep. Avoid carrying large items up or down the stairs. If you absolutely must carry something, then make sure you carry the item in one hand and hold onto the hand rail with the other. Never let the item that you're carrying block your view of the steps.
Throw rugs, pets, electric cords, coffee tables, and cluttered high-traffic areas all pose a tripping risk. All throw rugs should either be removed or tacked down. Pets have a tendency to get under foot. Make sure you always know where your pet is as you are walking around your home. Electric cords and telephone cords should all be taped down if they are crossing the floor in a traffic area. Coffee tables tend to be knee level as opposed to eye level. Make sure your coffee table is in an area that you don't frequently walk. Keep all walkways clutter free.
Avoid using waxy cleaners on hardwood, tile, or vinyl flooring as wax makes floors slippery. If you must use wax, then choose a non-skid formula. Do not walk on wet floors as they are slippery. Allow ample time to make sure that floors are dry before walking on them. During the winter months, make sure that you have salt or sand by any exterior doors that are used. Icy surfaces are slippery, too!
The bathroom is another room in the house that is full of fall hazards. To avoid falls in the shower, make sure that you have a non-skid surface in the tub/shower. If you have a bath rug or bath mat outside of the shower, make sure that it is secured to keep it from slipping when you step on it. Grab bars should be present and anchored securely to the inside of the tub or shower. If it is difficult for you to shower standing up, then consider purchasing a bath seat and a hand-held shower head. Both will allow you to continue tending to your personal care while reducing your risk of falling while showering. If you have difficulty getting on or off of the toilet, make sure that you have a toilet with a raised toilet seat and securely anchored grab bars near the toilet.
While a fall might not be the biggest concern to someone who is preparing a meal in the kitchen, there are a variety of other accidents waiting to happen. Keep your canned goods, other staple items, and pots and pans in an easy to reach location. Heavier items should be stored in lower cabinets while lighter items can be stored in higher cabinets. Make sure you have a stable step stool handy so that you can safely reach items that are outside of your reach. Keep a working fire extinguisher readily accessible to the kitchen. Avoid wearing loose fitting clothing while cooking on the stove top as they may catch fire.
For added security, have a telephone in all bedrooms, the living room, and kitchen. Make sure you have a list of emergency numbers next to each phone. If you have chronic health conditions or take medications that have a tendency to make you dizzy, then you may benefit from wearing an emergency call pendant. Should you happen to have a fall or another mishap in a part of the house where you aren't able to get to a phone, an emergency call pendant just may save your life. By pressing a button on a pendant that you wear either around your neck or on your wrist, you have access to an emergency response team 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
By exercising caution and making some minor home improvements and changes to the way you do things, you will greatly reduce your risk of injury in the home.
Home is where the heart is. Most people want to stay in their homes for the duration of their lives. While it's inevitable that we'll experience physical changes as we age, there are some things that we can do to make sure that we're able to remain safely in the family home.
The biggest thing which forces an older adult from his or her home is a fall. According to the Centers for Disease Control, one out of three adults over age 65 falls each year and is the leading cause of injury death. Falls are also the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions due to trauma. Keep in mind that a fall can cause a hip fracture, pelvis fracture, or head injury all of which carry their own complications. All is not lost, however, as many falls do not "just happen" but can many times be avoided.
One of the most important things to do to ensure safety in the home is to make sure that your house is well-lit. If you have areas in your home that are dim, then consider adding additional lighting fixtures or table lamps. Have working light switches at the top and bottom of all stairs.
Stairs can be particularly hazardous. Make sure that all stairs are in good repair and clutter free. You should have handrails on both sides of the stairs. If you have wooden or concrete steps, then you may consider painting a strip of contrasting color on the edge of each step to guard against a misstep. Avoid carrying large items up or down the stairs. If you absolutely must carry something, then make sure you carry the item in one hand and hold onto the hand rail with the other. Never let the item that you're carrying block your view of the steps.
Throw rugs, pets, electric cords, coffee tables, and cluttered high-traffic areas all pose a tripping risk. All throw rugs should either be removed or tacked down. Pets have a tendency to get under foot. Make sure you always know where your pet is as you are walking around your home. Electric cords and telephone cords should all be taped down if they are crossing the floor in a traffic area. Coffee tables tend to be knee level as opposed to eye level. Make sure your coffee table is in an area that you don't frequently walk. Keep all walkways clutter free.
Avoid using waxy cleaners on hardwood, tile, or vinyl flooring as wax makes floors slippery. If you must use wax, then choose a non-skid formula. Do not walk on wet floors as they are slippery. Allow ample time to make sure that floors are dry before walking on them. During the winter months, make sure that you have salt or sand by any exterior doors that are used. Icy surfaces are slippery, too!
The bathroom is another room in the house that is full of fall hazards. To avoid falls in the shower, make sure that you have a non-skid surface in the tub/shower. If you have a bath rug or bath mat outside of the shower, make sure that it is secured to keep it from slipping when you step on it. Grab bars should be present and anchored securely to the inside of the tub or shower. If it is difficult for you to shower standing up, then consider purchasing a bath seat and a hand-held shower head. Both will allow you to continue tending to your personal care while reducing your risk of falling while showering. If you have difficulty getting on or off of the toilet, make sure that you have a toilet with a raised toilet seat and securely anchored grab bars near the toilet.
While a fall might not be the biggest concern to someone who is preparing a meal in the kitchen, there are a variety of other accidents waiting to happen. Keep your canned goods, other staple items, and pots and pans in an easy to reach location. Heavier items should be stored in lower cabinets while lighter items can be stored in higher cabinets. Make sure you have a stable step stool handy so that you can safely reach items that are outside of your reach. Keep a working fire extinguisher readily accessible to the kitchen. Avoid wearing loose fitting clothing while cooking on the stove top as they may catch fire.
For added security, have a telephone in all bedrooms, the living room, and kitchen. Make sure you have a list of emergency numbers next to each phone. If you have chronic health conditions or take medications that have a tendency to make you dizzy, then you may benefit from wearing an emergency call pendant. Should you happen to have a fall or another mishap in a part of the house where you aren't able to get to a phone, an emergency call pendant just may save your life. By pressing a button on a pendant that you wear either around your neck or on your wrist, you have access to an emergency response team 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
By exercising caution and making some minor home improvements and changes to the way you do things, you will greatly reduce your risk of injury in the home.
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