267-424-2194 Admissions
Falls, and hypothermia are likely to top the list of caregiver concerns during the icy winter months. But, elderly loved ones are also at risk for some lesser known, but still impactful, hazards brought on by frigid weather.
Seasonal affective disorder and vitamin D deficiency can be hazardous to a senior’s health. The good news is, they are both easily treatable if identified and dealt with properly
https://www.agingcare.com/Articles/winter-seasonal-affective-disorder-depression-149072.htm
Creative art pursuits provide older adults with multiple benefits, not the least of which is enhanced cognitive function.
Throughout history, artists have known that art provides benefits for both the creator and viewer. Current studies in the fields of art therapy, music therapy, and other creative modalities confirm that art can affect individuals in positive ways by inducing both psychological and physiological healing. We know that, in general, exercising our creative selves enhances quality of life and nurtures overall well-being. We all are creative—not just a select few.
Less well known is the effectiveness of incorporating expressive arts into programs for older adults and patients who are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other chronic degenerative diseases. Recent clinical research validates what some professionals and others who work with older adults have known for years—that making art is an essential, vital component of activities that offer a wide range of health benefits. Several studies show that art can reduce the depression and anxiety that are often symptomatic of chronic diseases. Other research demonstrates that the imagination and creativity of older adults can flourish in later life, helping them to realize unique, unlived potentials, even when suffering from Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease.
Scientists don’t completely understand why sleep disturbances occur with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. As with changes in memory and behavior, sleep changes somehow result from the impact of Alzheimer’s on the brain.
Some studies indicate as many as 20 percent of persons with Alzheimer’s will experience increased confusion, anxiety and agitation beginning late in the day. Others may experience changes in their sleep schedule and restlessness during the night. This disruption in the body’s sleep-wake cycle can lead to more behavioral problems.
Read more: http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-sleep-issues-sundowning.asp#ixzz3qRrIqdZ0
by: Liz DeSantis
Some Alzheimer’s tests cost thousands of dollars, some cost pennies. The trick is using the right tests at the right time for the right person. An excellent scoring system from Mayo Clinic offers a powerful tool for making the best choices.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic developed a rigorous scoring system to help determine which elderly people may be at a higher risk of developing the memory and thinking problems that can lead to dementia. The study is published in Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
http://www.sciencecare.com/launching-aging-gov-for-seniors-and-caregivers/The federal government recently launched Aging.gov to provide older Americans, their families, friends, and other caregivers, a one-stop resource for government-wide information on helping older adults live independent and fulfilling lives. The Web site links to a broad spectrum of Federal information, including how to find local services and resources in your community for everything from healthy aging to elder justice to long-term care, as well as how to find key information on vital programs such as Social Security and Medicare.
http://www.sciencecare.com/launching-aging-gov-for-seniors-and-caregivers/
The coming of summer provides many opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. Whether it’s an afternoon gardening or a day at the beach here are some basics for safe, smart time in the sun.
Keeping these tips in mind will make your time in the sun safe and enjoyable. And remember to stay on the sunny side of the street!
Introduction to the POLST Form
by Alex Trotta
Pennsylvania Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) is a medical order that gives patients more control over their end-of- life care. The POLST form specifies the types of medical treatment that a patient wishes to receive towards the end of life. These medical orders are signed by either a patient’s physician, physician assistant or certified registered nurse practitioner and the patient or the patient’s surrogate.
Completion of a POLST form is only a small step in the process of a patient’s decision-making, and it is critical that this form be used as part of a program for end of life decisions that includes educational support and other aspects of planning for providers and patients.
This form was developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Patient Life Sustaining Wishes Committee and designed to be consistent with Pennsylvania law. There are significant advantages in using a form that contains standardized language and is produced in a distinctive and easily recognizable format.
Resources and educational information for the use of the POLST form are found on the Pennsylvania Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment website at: www.aging.pitt.edu/professionals/resources-polst.htm.
For questions on POLST contact:
Marian Kemp
Pennsylvania POLST Coordinator
Coalition for Quality at the End of Life (CQEL)
Email: [email protected].
A living will is a declaration of your preferences regarding end-of-life decisions should you be involved in a serious accident or illness. The living will tells your loved one(s) how you would like them to pursue medical treatment should you not be able to make those decisions on your own.
The medical terminology can be confusing, which was addressed in a post dated December 14, 2013, on AskDoctorK.com. Here’s the full text of that post for your reference.
Dear Dr. K.: I’m drawing up a living will, but I don’t understand many of the medical terms I’m encountering. Can you help?
Dear Reader:
Many people, certainly including me, have asked themselves how they would want to be cared for if they became very sick and unable to speak for themselves. The two most common ways of doing that are to designate one trusted person, such as your spouse, who knows your wishes to make decisions for you — a health care proxy. Another is for you to write a living will.
In a living will, you specify how you want to be cared for. Living wills can be the sole way you make your wishes clear to the doctors who someday may be in charge of your care. It also can be a guideline for someone who is your health care proxy.
A living will is used to determine how aggressive you would like your medical treatments to be as the end of life nears. I’ll explain several terms that you probably are seeing in a draft living will. As you read, think about whether you would, or would not, want certain procedures or care.
I’m like most people: I didn’t exactly look forward to drawing up a will or a living will. But I saw the burden that not having done so caused the families of my friends and patients. That convinced me to do it.
Dr. Komaroff is a physician and professor at Harvard Medical School.
Unintentional weight loss is common among seniors. As many as one in four aging adults may experience unintentional weight loss without any underlying cause. While losing weight is common, it can have some adverse effects on your health and sometimes lead to malnutrition and/or dehydration. That’s why together with your food service partner, Culinary Services Group, LLC, we created the Enriched for Life Program.
In order to help residents maintain a healthy weight, CSG developed a fortified foods program called Enriched for Life. Enriched for Life has changed the way senior living communities like LifeQuest approach nutrition intervention. Your Registered Dietitians and Certified Dietary Managers will work together evaluating residents’ nutritional needs and preferences. When residents aren’t eating and require intervention, our philosophy is “food first,” before prescribing supplements.
Enriched for Life uses natural, rich, nutritionally dense foods to improve resident health. Our Culinary Team has selected comfort foods and simple menu items which are then fortified to taste great while giving residents the calorie and protein boosts they need. Enriched for Life program menu items include:
We use all natural ingredients to fortify these foods. Ingredients like whole milk, sugar and butter make traditional foods taste great while encouraging residents to eat more and stay healthy. Enriched for Life uses recipes which have been developed in Culinary Services Group’s own test kitchen and taste-tested by residents. CSG’s goal is to keep everyone eating their best.
Jocelyn Spreitzer, Director of Marketing
Culinary Services Group, LLC
Preventing the Norovirus Infection is a challenge in nursing facilities, day care centers, schools and other environments where people live, work or spend their days in close proximity to others.
The best way for everyone to prevent getting the Norovirus Infection is to follow the following guidelines recommended by the CDC.
Practice proper hand hygiene
Wash your hands carefully with soap and water especially after using the toilet, changing diapers and always before eating, preparing or handling food.
Noroviruses can be found in your vomit or stool even before you start feeling sick. The virus can stay in your stool for 2 weeks or more after you feel better. So, it is important to continue washing your hands often during this time.
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can be used in addition to hand washing. But, they should not be used as a substitute for washing with soap and water.
Wash fruits and vegetables and cook seafood thoroughly
Carefully wash fruits and vegetables before preparing and eating them. Cook oysters and other shellfish thoroughly before eating them.
Be aware that noroviruses are relatively resistant. They can survive temperatures as high as 140°F and quick steaming processes that are often used for cooking shellfish.
Food that might be contaminated with norovirus should be thrown out.
Keep sick infants and children out of areas where food is being handled and prepared.
When you are sick, do not prepare food or care for others who are sick
You should not prepare food for others or provide healthcare while you are sick and for at least 2 to 3 days after you recover. This also applies to sick workers in settings such as schools and daycares where they may expose people to norovirus.
Many local and state health departments require that food handlers and preparers with norovirus illness not work until at least 2 to 3 days after they recover. If you were recently sick, you can be given different duties in the restaurant, such as working at a cash register or hosting.
Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces
After throwing up or having diarrhea, immediately clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces. Use a chlorine bleach solution with a concentration of 1,000 – 5,000 ppm (5 – 25 tablespoons of household bleach [5.25%] per gallon of water) or other disinfectant registered as effective against norovirus by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Wash laundry thoroughly
Immediately remove and wash clothes or linens that may be contaminated with vomit or stool (feces).
You should handle soiled items carefully without agitating them, wear rubber or disposable gloves while handling soiled items and wash your hands after, and wash the items with detergent at the maximum available cycle length, then machine dry them.
For additional information, you can go to the CDC at www.cdc.gov.
