Posted on February 21st, 2011
Until very recently there has not been a national plan in the US to deal with the issues of Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia. Deborah Dolan, Advocate on Aging, and Kevyn Burger, host of the show, discuss the signing and launch of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) and the effects it will have on research and support for Alzheimer’s Disease. The new plan is going to help develop the treatments that are designed to prevent, halt and reverse the course of Alzheimer’s.
Podcast Links:
National Alzheimers Project Act (NAPA) - On January 4, 2011, The National Alzheimer’s Project Act was signed into law by the President of the United States after having been passed unanimously in both the Senate and House of Representatives. Once enacted, NAPA will create a national strategic plan to address and overcome the rapidly escalating crisis of Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s Association – Their mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support to all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.
Tags: advocate on aging, advocate on aging podcast, alzheimer's disease for seniors, Alzheimers Association, deborah dolan, kevyn burger, napa, napa recognizes severity of alzheimers disease, national alzheimers conference, national alzheimers project act, seniors with alzheimers disease
Posted on February 14th, 2011
During Valentine’s Day we often think of sweethearts and love. Deborah Dolan, Advocate on Aging, and Kevyn Burger, host of the show, want to remind everyone that Valentine’s Day is not just for romantic relationships, but for friends and family as well. It is about love that can be shown in a variety of ways – not just smooching! Don’t forget about your loved ones because the thought of those you love can actually decrease pain, whether it is physical or emotional. Choose to live, love and laugh… it can be healing!
Link:
Why Love Doesn’t Hurt by: Sandeep Ravindran (Star Tribune)
Tags: advocate on aging, deborah dolan, happy valentines day, kevyn burger, sandeep ravindran, star tribune article, v day, valentines day, valentines for seniors, vday, why love doesnt hurt
Posted on February 9th, 2011
When Advocate on Aging Deborah Dolan first began organizing Senior Life Transitions, she thought that she would be very busy with clients near the holidays. She quickly found out that her busiest time is actually right after the holidays in January. Why then? It’s because so many people see their elderly parents and family members over the holidays and notice changes in them due to the aging process.
“Spending more time with family members right before the new year can bring their physical and mental cognitive changes to your attention,” said Deborah. “Staying informed on these changes is extremely important as a caregiver.”
Deborah feels that the biggest changes to look for in seniors are:
Physical
- Weight changes either loss or increase
- Sleeping pattern changes
- Body odors
- Bathing habits
- Gross misplacement of familiar items
Emotional
- Placid
- Easily angered
- Inappropriate response toward others
Environmental
- Rotting food in refrigerator or cupboards
- Dirty surroundings
- Maintenance items left undone; i.e., burned out lights
If you have concerns about any of these behaviors or signs that you see in an elderly loved one, contact a doctor or professional immediately for safety purposes.
Posted on February 7th, 2011
What happens if your loved one has been taking his or her medication for weeks, months, or years and suddenly it no longer has the same effects as it once had? Deborah Dolan, Advocate on Aging, and Kevyn Burger, host of the show, discuss the effects of medication changes as seniors age and tips for keeping those changes under control. Analysis of risk verses benefit is a top priority in determining seniors’ medications. Elder persons and their loved ones must be their own advocates or engage the assistance of a geriatric care manager to ensure that the individual’s best interest is maintained. Each person has a right to question every aspect of his or her own care to ensure knowing why each medication is being prescribed. The number one tip for being your own advocate is “ask, ask, ask.”
Tags: aging, contraindicate, do medication benefits outway risks, effects of medications, elderly prescriptions, geriatric care manager, medication changes as seniors age, medications for seniors benefits outway risks, prescriptions for seniors, seniors, seniors medications, tips for keeping medication changes under control for seniors
Posted on January 24th, 2011
Dignity is a big word and it should always begin with a capital letter. Deborah Dolan, Advocate on Aging, and Kevyn Burger, host of the show, discuss Dignity and Respect for seniors. The Advocate on Aging has her own definition of what Dignity is. If you are going to help someone, do it in the way they would like it to be done. How do you define Dignity? Find out what can be done to keep Dignity intact while caring for the elderly.
Posted on January 10th, 2011
No matter how old you may be there is always room for improvements! Deborah Dolan, Advocate on Aging and Kevyn Burger, host of the show, discuss New Years Resolutions for the elderly. Resolutions for the new year do not have to be global change but can actually help elders be proactive as they transition through different stages of life. Choosing resolutions that are short term or have milestones along the way give us a sense of gratification all year long!
Links from Podcasts:
Top 10 New Year Resolutions for Seniors – Associated Content
Posted on January 3rd, 2011
Happy New Year! The holidays can be a fun time to visit grandparents and family members. Now that children have been home they are realizing that their elders have changed quite a bit. Listen to your intuition and take a look at what changes have occurred. Even the smallest issues such as scratches on the car, problems with the cooking, unusual odors can be a view of what is to come. Deborah Dolan, Advocate on Aging and Kevyn Burger, host of the show, discuss elder care and aging through different stages of life and transitions.
Links from Podcast:
MNHelp.info – The Minnesota Board on Aging’s help for Minnesota Residents.
Senior Linkage Line -1-800-333-2433 (National Number)
Alzheimer’s Association -1-800-272-3900 (24/7 National Helpline)
Posted on December 28th, 2010
Define the word “dignity.” Is it something you can describe easily with words, or is it more of a personal feeling? Advocate on Aging Deborah Dolan has her own definition of the word based on what she has learned from her personal and professional experiences.
“I define dignity as meeting someone where he or she is psychologically, physically and emotionally; not treating that person as just anybody, but somebody,” said Deborah. “Taking the time, even if it’s just a few minutes, to learn about who that person is, what he or she values, how that individual has lived, and listening to his or her personal story then using that knowledge to interact with the person. Whether it’s a simple conversation or daily care giving, understanding his or her individuality and working with the person accordingly speaks volumes to your empathy, compassion, and concern. Don’t make other people fit who you are and what you know; meet them were they are. My mom taught me that when you help someone, it isn’t much help if you do a job your way; it’s only truly helpful if you do it the other person’s way. Doing so shows the individual you value him or her – dignity.”
Keep in mind that human dignity is usually associated with a person’s self-worth. How do you show respect to others to value their dignity?
Posted on December 23rd, 2010
Although the holidays come every year, shopping for the right gifts never seems to get much easier. If you’re low on time, money, gift ideas – or all of the above – take a look at these tips to relieve some of your holiday headaches.
Getting to and from stores during the winter weather is not the only challenge of the holidays – crowds, lack of convenient parking, and comparing prices all over town can all make shopping a pain in the neck. This year, consider trying to do some or all of your holiday shopping online. Many stores offer reasonable shipping costs or free shipping on orders over a certain dollar amount, and the selection of items is typically much larger online than in stores. You can choose to ship your items directly to any person’s address, and you can compare prices with an unlimited amount of competitors in just a few clicks. If you are unsure about the legitimacy of a certain site, it is better to avoid it and choose a site that gives you a safer shopping experience. Need help placing your order? Many sites offer phone numbers for customer assistance with online shopping.
For a company that dates back to 1858, Macy’s really knows how to service today’s shoppers. The department store offers personal shoppers who are available to help you shop for anything you need at Macy’s. You’ll receive expert advice on which items are best for you to purchase, which can save you time and money. The best part about it is that this service is free! All you have to do is call your local Macy’s and schedule an appointment with a personal shopper. By saving yourself so much time, you might get a chance to indulge in a few gifts for you!
If your list is a little intimidating this year, just remember that giving from the heart is the most important reason for the season!
Posted on December 21st, 2010
While the holiday season can be extremely busy and often difficult due to winter storms, our to-do lists can get the best of us before we know it. Do your best to keep the giving spirit of the holidays, no matter how busy you may become. Remember those who need a little extra help during this time of year, such as elderly friends and family members. Here are a few ways that you can help make the holidays easier for many seniors:
- With poor road conditions causing difficult driving in many areas of the US, offer a ride to an elderly friend or family member for running errands or shopping for holiday gifts.
- Offer to help by setting up holiday decorations for those who might not be able to do it themselves.
- Does everyone need to bring something to share for the holiday meal? Lend a hand to an elderly person by helping with baking or cooking needs.
- Snowstorms can be messy. Help out elderly persons by shoveling and salting their sidewalks and/or driveways.
- Even everyday tasks like going out in the cold and snow to get the mail can be difficult for some seniors, and your help can make a big difference.
- Make sure that your elderly loved ones have appropriate winter gear if they plan to go outdoors in the snow, such as gloves, hats, warm coats, and boots or shoes that can go through snow easily.
- If you plan to buy warm slippers or thick socks for an elderly person, make sure that they have good grips or soles and are not slippery on uncarpeted floors.
- While some may prefer thick rugs to help keep floors warmer to walk on or to wipe off snow and dirt, they can also be a tripping hazard. Make sure that rugs are out of the way whenever possible for elderly persons.
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