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“I only see clearly what I remember,” as French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau put it. Some of us can’t even remember what we have seen clearly. Many older adults find it hard to recall past events. A Harvard University study examined how well seniors could create imaginary scenarios. The research found that the lack of this ability is linked to the seniors’ ability to recall detailed memories too. According to the study, episodic memory, which is our personal memories of past experiences, “allows individuals to project themselves both back...
Bionic eye helping patients with retinitis pigmentosa After more than two decades of field work, the first bionic eye for the blind is finally available. It is call the Argus II Retinal Prosthesis System (“Argus II”) and is used to treat patients with late stage retinitis pigmentosa (RP). The system involves implanting a small electronic device in and around the eye. It also uses a tiny video camera attached to a pair of glasses and a video processing unit that is worn or carried by the per...
Are you dealing with sundowning? One of the most common problems I hear from family caregivers regards their loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia becoming restless or agitated in the evening. While no one really understands why sleep disturbances occur with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias, it’s believed that the changes somehow result from the impact of the disease on the brain. According to “Sleep Issues and Sundowning,” from www.alz.org, factors that may contribute to sundowning and sleep disturbances include:...
The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following meetings and trainings in August: Aug. 6, Caregiver training at Sterling Senior Center, 1 to 2 p.m., “How to Stay Safe and Independent in Your Home: Fall Prevention for Seniors.” Aug. 13, Caregiver peer support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 to 3 p.m. Aug. 19, Caregiver training at Kenai Senior Center, 1 to 3 p.m., “Understanding Stroke.” Aug. 27, Peer support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 to 2 p.m. There is no charge for these services and everyon...
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Thomas Jefferson may have written that sentence in the Declaration of Independence, but these truths are not self-evident to everyone. Frail older people get bullied and their rights get trampled, at times by family members, at other times by staff in long term care facilities. The tra...
Gets rid of wrinkles, provides rapid weight loss, gives your digestive system a rest, detoxifies your body and even cures cancer – these are some of the benefit claims that proponents of “juicing” make. This popular part of the 60’s and 70’s health food movement seems to be back, with fresh juices standard fare in chic, health-focused eateries. With all the dietary emphasis on eating more fresh vegetables and fruits and the many tantalizing health claims, you may think that juicing could be...
The sibling relationship is considered the longest-lasting of the human experience, providing the greatest opportunity for reciprocal support and care. Today in the United States, there are millions of people who assume a larger role as caregivers in the lives of their brother or sister with disabilities more so than in previous generations. When given the opportunity to meet other siblings of individuals with disabilities, they often note their sense of comfort and relief to know they are not alone. There is a new group called the Tanana...
Phone technology may play dramatic new role in health care In the next 12 months, doctors will be able to make house calls where they diagnose and treat the patients on the spot using their phones. Researchers and physicians in the field are about to start running on-the-spot tests for environmental toxins, medical diagnostics, food safety and more with their smartphones. University of Illinois researchers have developed a cradle and app for the iPhone that uses the phone’s built-in camera and p...
The Alaska State Library Talking Book Center held their 3rd Annual Open House Celebration on June 19. Attendees celebrated the arrival of summer with ice cream sundaes and an “old-time” melodrama performed by Lynn Cragholm. The center is a federal-state partnership bringing audio book and magazines free of charge to people whose visual or physical disabilities prevent them from reading standard print. The National Library Service supplies the book and magazines plus the playback equipment. State libraries across the country provide staff and...
(Taken from Action for Happiness) Gratitude is known to be good for us and those around us. Yet it isn’t always our automatic response and we often take the good things in our lives for granted. So we have to consciously learn to get into the habit of being grateful. Science is showing us that gratitude increases how much positive emotion we feel and decreases negative emotion. It raises our overall satisfaction with life and helps us have a positive outlook. It has also been shown to reduce health complaints and help us cope with d...
“Yee Gu.aa Yáx X’wán,” goes a traditional Tlingit farewell: “Be of brave heart.” Of course, that can be easier said than done when facing terminal illness or the physical and mental deterioration that accompany aging—for individuals as well as their families. “These are intense situations, involving people at very challenging points in their lives,” says Willow Moore, executive director of Brave Heart Volunteers, a non-profit organization that provides free services including education, inform...
If you are a Medicare beneficiary or someone who helps people access medical equipment or supplies such as oxygen equipment, diabetic supplies or wheelchairs, you should know about a Medicare program called Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) competitive bidding program, that saves money for taxpayers and people with Medicare. Under this program, providers of certain medical equipment and supplies submit bids which Medicare uses to set payments that are lower than the price that is currently paid for these...
Swelling of the legs, feet and ankles is a common problem in seniors. The medical term for this is edema. Edema is the trapping of excess fluid in any part of the body, but occurs most commonly in the ankles, legs and feet. One source estimates almost 4.4 million people in the U.S. suffer from edema. Edema causes a puffiness of the tissue under the skin. The skin may appear stretched or shiny. Pressing on the swollen area may leave a dent when the pressure is relieved. Usually swelling of the legs and feet comes on gradually and may not be noti...
Detecting Alzheimer’s disease in its earliest stages Australian scientists say they now are much closer to developing a screening test for the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease. The investigators have identified blood-based biological markers that are associated with the build-up of amyloid beta, a toxic protein in the brain. This plaque build-up develops years before symptoms appear and irreversible brain damage has occurred. “Early detection is critical, giving those at risk a much bette...
The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following meetings and trainings this month: June 4, Caregiver Peer Support Meeting at Sterling Senior Center, 1 to 2 p.m. June 11, Caregiver Peer Support Meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 to 3 p.m. June 17, Caregiver Training at Kenai Senior Center, 1 to 3 p.m. Topic is “Mayo Clinic for Heart Health.” Understand your condition, eat well to feel well, and learn about soothing therapies. June 25, Caregiver Peer Support Meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 to 3 p.m. There is...
Tax time has just passed. For many people, that’s a time to take stock of finances and to start planning for the future. That should include plans in case you or a family member need long-term care. It’s a tough topic. But if you plan ahead, you’re more likely to get the kind of care you want. Here are some questions and answers to help you jump-start the process. If you need long-term care, what are your preferences? Once, long-term care meant staying in a nursing home. Not anymore. Today, there are assisted living facilities, retir...
National Stroke Awareness Month takes place in May every year. On May 11, 1989, President George Bush signed Presidential Proclamation 5975 designating May as National Stroke Awareness Month. Since then, National Stroke Association has been honoring this special time of the year to increase public awareness of stroke in an effort to conquer it. Here are some facts about stroke in Alaska, provided by the Alaska Dept. of Health and Social Services Division of Public Health, Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program: What is stroke costing...
Alaska Health Fair, Inc. wraps up its spring health fairs this month at various locations around the state. The health fairs offer free health screenings and education, low cost blood tests and can help you learn about your health and detect potential problems early, when treatment or changes in personal habits can be most effective. The test results give you and your health care provider important information about your physical condition and vital organ functions. Remember, if you plan on any tests requiring a blood draw, drink lots of water...
Understanding your benefits and knowing your hospital status (whether you are an “inpatient” or “outpatient”) can help determine what you pay out-of-pocket or if your services will be covered by Medicare. Medicare Part A (hospital) provides coverage for services as an inpatient when a doctor formally orders your admission to the hospital. Medicare Part B (medical) covers outpatient services such as emergency room services, outpatient surgery, lab tests, x-rays and observation services, and the doctor has not admitted you as an inpatie...
Dear Pharmacist: I have your Diabetes Without Drugs book and it has helped me, but I’m still on two of the original five medications for this condition. What nutrients should I take with my medicine? -- B.B., Micanopy, Florida Answer: For my new readers, the term “drug mugger” is something that my followers understand from 14 years of my writing, and it’s also the title of one of my books. It refers to how medications (or foods) reduce levels of vitamins, minerals and beneficial flora (probiotics) and cause side effects. But if you don’t k...
Lupus is one of the cruelest, most mysterious diseases on earth – an unpredictable and misunderstood autoimmune disease that ravages different parts of the body. Research shows lupus, which affects an estimated 1.5 million Americans, is more pervasive and more severe than people think, and has an impact that the public doesn’t realize. May is Lupus Awareness Month and the Lupus Foundation of America is urging the public to join them throughout the month to educate others and improve public understanding of lupus – an important key to unloc...
“Health Equity for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Elders of Color,” explores 10 policy areas where health and wellness can be improved for LGBT older people of color. The groundbreaking report examines policy topics such as federal funding gaps, the ways in which health reform implementation can reach marginalized people, LGBT-specific barriers within programs such as Social Security, and much more. The report was prepared by SAGE (Services and Advocacy for LGBT Elders) and is available for free download at www.sageu...
Wearing a contact lens at night may help restore age-related loss of near vision It may be possible to get rid of your reading glasses. Many older adults have age-related declines in near vision (presbyopia) requiring bifocals or reading glasses. Now, a newly emerging technique called hyperopic orthokeratology (OK) may provide an alternative for restoring near vision without the need for glasses. Researchers have just completed a small study showing that wearing OK contact lenses overnight can...
The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following meetings and trainings in May: May 3, Caregiver Peer Support meets at Nikiski Senior Center, 1 to 2 p.m. Presentation: “Stress: Portrait of a Killer.” May 6, Caregiver Training at Tyotka’s Elder Center, 1 to 3 p.m. This will be the last caregiver training at Tyotka’s until September. May 7, Caregiver Peer Support Meeting at Sterling Senior Center, 1 to 2 p.m. With a viewing of “Sunset Story,” an award winning documentary telling the story of friendship among women...
One of the best things that you can do for yourself and also for your loved one is to establish a routine or rhythm for the day. Our lives feel more comfortable when there is a rhythm, when one thing leads to another in a familiar way. Don’t let this make you feel that you are “in a rut.” Remember, if you are caring for a person with cognitive impairment, a comfortable and steady routine is a great source of security. If your loved one feels secure it just makes your job that much easier. When your loved one feels secure in a comfortable routi...
