Reducing the Chances of Food Poisoning in the Elderly.

Categories: Prevention

Spring and summer time are here at last! It’s the time of year when many families schedule reunions, and when get-togethers to celebrate graduations and weddings fill many of our schedules.

And, of course, no such gathering would be complete without food. Along with warmer weather comes a higher risk for foodborne illnesses. There are many kinds of bacteria that multiply more quickly in hotter temperatures–salmonella, listeria, etc.–but most come under the common name of food poisoning.

For the elderly, the risk of food poisoning is higher than in the general population. Our immune systems weaken as we age. Many elderly live with chronic health conditions, or kidney disorders or diabetes, and these disorders pose an additional risk factor. In addition, our stomachs produce less acid as we get older, which allows more harmful germs to get into the digestive system.

Also sobering is the face that when elderly people do get food poisoning, they may face more severe consequences, ranging from mild dehydration to neuromuscular dysfunction. Recovery from a nasty bout will also take more time for older people.

Certainly this is a case where an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. A few simple steps can increase food safety and decrease the chances that an elder will contract food poisoning.

It pays to be strict with food that older people will be eating. Food does not have to look, smell or taste spoiled in order to be contaminated. Food left out of the refrigerator too long can become a breeding ground for germs. Food poisoning often occurs from eating undercooked meat, dairy products, or dishes containing mayonnaise. When in doubt–toss it out!

Simply making sure good hand washing techniques are practiced is an easy way to reduce the chances for contamination.

And keep an eye on the setting in the refrigerator. It is recommended that you set the temperature inside for 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or colder. The freezer temperature should be kept at zero.

If these precautions fail, symptoms for food poisoning include stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness fever and dehydration. Contact your health provider immediately if such symptoms develop. Remember, what might represent a bit of misery in a younger person could become a serious issue for an older one.

Alzheimer’s Affects the World Around Us.

Categories: Alzheimer's, Dementia, Resources

Thank Goodness (Achoo!) That It’s Spring (Achoo! Achoo!)

Categories: Allergies, Caring For Elderly

It’s been a particularly glorious spring in Minnesota this year, with many mild days and few April showers.

But the same conditions that  have led the flowers to pop earlier and the kids to play outdoors almost every day after school are combining to add to the misery for people who suffer with seasonal allergies in the spring.

The lack of snow in Minnesota in March made tree pollens drop earlier and at a higher rate. In the meantime, the mold spore content has remained high. As a result, a higher than normal number of Minnesotans are struggling with wheezing, sneezing, and itchy eyes. Due to their weaker immune systems, the elderly may be particularly susceptible to these side effects.

Approximately 36 million Americans live with seasonal allergies, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

Allergy specialists stress that, especially in the elderly, symptoms should be carefully monitored. Left untreated, allergies can lead to ear, sinus and bronchial infections that may require antibiotics.

SENIORS TARGETED BY SWEEPSTAKES SCAMMERS

Categories: Aging Advocacy, Caring For Elderly, Publishers Clearing House, scams

A shocking scam that snared an elderly Hibbing women has prompted law enforcement officials to remind seniors that, if they are told they have to pay money in order to claim a prize, then they have not really won anything at all. Further, being asked for money to have access to cash winnings is a tip-off that you are being targeted by a con man.

The case involving the 81-year-old Hibbing woman began when she was told that she had won $600,000 in the Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes. A scam artist posing as a security officer for the contest told her that she would have to spend $2,500 so that her winnings could be wired into her account. The woman complied, using Western Union to transfer to the money account in Canada.

Not satisfied with that, the scam artist came back for more. Next, still posing as a legitimate official from Publisher’s Clearing House, he explained to the woman that she would need to wire an additional sum to pay the duty on the winnings before she could get her money. So she wired more–lots more. The woman sent an additional $36,000 to a Florida bank.

The Hibbing woman then became suspicious and contacted her local police. They, in turn, referred the case to the Department of Public Safety’s Alcohol and Gaming Enforcement Division. Then state and local law enforcement officers in Minnesota and Florida connected to investigate the case.

Eventually, they were able to recover almost all of the woman’s money. However, that is quite unusual. Most times than not, it is impossible to retrieve a victim’s losses. It is estimated that Minnesotans, most of them seniors, lose $30 million a year in sweepstakes and fraudulent lottery schemes.

Con men use the phone, the mail and the Internet to contact and then trick potential victims.

All people are urged to refrain from sharing personal financial information with someone who lets them know that they have won a prize. This includes credit card, bank account and social security numbers.

Consumer advocates stress that legitimate contests never require participants to pay in order to play. So what should you do when you receive those letters in the mail or that phone call indicating you’re a winner of the PCH sweepstakes?  Look up the number yourself (from a trusted source like the Better Business Bureau) and give them a call; representatives should be able to verify if the letter you’re holding is legitimate or if it’s a scam.

Let’s work to keep our seniors and ourselves safe from these scams. Have you heard of other scams going on?  Let’s open the doors to known scams and keep everyone informed!