LGBT Issues for Seniors

Categories: Active Senior Living, Aging Advocacy, GLBT, Helping Seniors, Resources, Uncategorized

Philly.com recently released an article that discussed an equality forum that was held to address problems of lesbian/gay/bisexual/trans-gender (LGBT) seniors. Advocate on Aging Deborah Dolan weighs in on the issues:

“On November 16, 2010,  Advocate On Aging posted a podcast about aging issues of LGBT seniors.  The issues are enormous as noted in this article and often create fear and uncertainty at a time we are losing much of ourselves anyway – our jobs, our friends, our way of life.  For LGBT seniors, they must face the added uncertainty of “coming out” again if they are forced to move into a retirement or continuum of care community.  For transgendered seniors, health issues may require they see doctors other than their primary care providers.  They will be required again to explain their outward presentation of one gender while coping with the illnesses associated with the other gender.  Few people – heterosexual or LGBT — have the long-term, supportive relationship that Joel and Bob (the subjects of this article) have created.  Given time I believe acceptance will occur.  Until then, may we work harder to open our minds, talk, teach and provide non-judgmental support to all who do not fit into some predetermined set of ‘normal’ lifestyle choices.”

Deborah Discusses “Over 90 and Loving It”

Categories: Active Senior Living, Aging Advocacy, Caring For Elderly, Grandparents, Helping Seniors, Planning, Podcasts, Resources, Retirement, Uncategorized, depression

 Over 90 and Loving It [10:06m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (89)

Deborah Dolan, the Advocate on Aging, and Kevyn Burger, host of the show,  discuss the new film “Over 90 and Loving It.” The two also discuss what it means to have a positive attitude about your current stage in life. As Deborah points out, getting older doesn’t mean that you have to become sedentary! Life after retirement should still be a great part of your life.

Deborah Dolan’s Top 5 Reasons for Seniors to Become Comfortable with a Computer

Categories: Active Senior Living, Caring For Elderly, Elderly Drivers, Grandparents, Helping Seniors, Resources, Uncategorized

Just because you didn’t grow up learning how to use a computer, that doesn’t mean that it’s too late to try it now! Need a few reasons why? How about for communication purposes, to read research and reviews on doctors/medications, to find updated news, to order products/items online instead of having to drive or get a ride to the store – and there are many more reasons! Here are Advocate on Aging Debora Dolan’s top 5 reasons to become comfortable with a computer:

1. The rest of the world depends on the computer for information and communication – time to join in!
2. Your grandkids will say that they know more than you if you don’t become computer literate! Why not become computer savvy to be able to communicate with your family in a different way?
3. It helps you connect with those places you no longer are able to travel to – from the grocery store to the Turkish flea market!
4. The internet gives you the tools to care for yourself. For example, you can keep your medication list on file and current, research the reasons why you have been prescribed a certain medication, or view your medical records.
5. Using a computer gives you reason to think, which means it allows your brain to organize information and solve problems. All of these activities promote mental acuity to help you stay mentally young.

Long-Term Care for Seniors: Dr. Robert Kane Shares Insights

Categories: Active Senior Living, Aging Advocacy, Caring For Elderly, Grandparents, Hospitalization, In-Home Care, Medical, Uncategorized

In a recent article from the Star Tribune, reporter Warren Wolfe dug deep into the issues that can arise while caring for elderly loved ones. The article features Dr. Robert Kane, a physician who heads the U of M Center on Aging. Kane was so frustrated with the problems he and his sister faced after caring for their aging mom that he wrote a book about the long-term care system.

Advocate on Aging Deborah Dolan shared her thoughts on the article and Kane’s work. “Dr. Kane expresses beautifully from personal experience the essence of a geriatric care manager (GCM),” said Deborah.  “He speaks well of the advocacy a strong, knowledgeable GCM can provide to elders and their family.  Even in the best of circumstances when you are an adult child of an aging parent providing the daily love and support they need can be ‘grueling,’ and a geriatric care manager can help.”

Deborah had the privilege of meeting with Dr. Kane several years ago as she was growing her geriatric care management business, and he spoke of his experience with his mother.  He had formed the on-line support group and found that he had many colleagues in a similar position of caregiving as he and his sister.  Deborah was not sure if he was promoting his number one lesson just yet, but she is glad to know the importance of a GCM has found a prominent position on his list of lessons learned.

For Kane’s work, Deborah is appreciative. “Thank you, Dr. Kane, for your support both as a care manager and as a volunteer with the Senior Linkage Line.  An additional resource of the Minnesota Board on Aging is www.minnesotahelp.info, an online directory of services designed to help people in Minnesota find human services, information and referral, financial assistance, and other forms of help’ (taken from the website).  It is a wonderful point of beginning when families are ready to take the first step in finding help for their aging loved ones.”

What’s in a food label?

Categories: Uncategorized

Today guest blogger Jolene Bell Makowesky (sister of Advocate on Aging Deborah Dolan) weighs in on what you should know about changes in nutrition labels that are on every-day food items.

On January 24^th the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) released their Nutrition Keys program in response to Michelle Obama’s request to develop a front-of-pack labeling system that could be widely adopted on food packages in a way that consumers can quickly select more nutritional items when shopping. This replaces another initiative from two years ago named Smart Choices that the FDA labeled as misleading. Let’s face it, the job of food companies are the same as politicians and the media—they need to spin what they are doing or saying to make it “appear” beneficial, safe or in this case healthy.

I have been reading food labels for more than 10 years in an effort to consume a whole foods diet. In essence, focus on cooking fresh or frozen meat, vegetables, and grains; not eating processed foods that have preservatives, colorings, any kind of hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup, enriched or bleached flours, and monosodium glutamate as ingredients. Accomplishing this requires a lot of label reading. As I began reading food labels, I discovered two things: 1) there is always a trade-off for purity, and 2) natural does not equate to healthy.

A trade-off for purity directly correlates to “fat free” or “reduced-fat” products. An example is the difference between regular and reduced fat cheddar cheese. Yes, reduced fat cheddar is lower in total fat by three grams and 20 calories per serving. However, it is only one gram lower in saturated fat—that is the bad fat for our body, as well as it is higher in carbohydrates and sugar per serving. Our bodies turn carbohydrates into sugar. So, is saving only one gram of saturated fat worth increasing carbohydrate and sugar intake, when saturated fat and too many carbohydrates are significant contributors to chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes?

If fat free or reduced-fat foods are not healthy choices, then logic says products labeled “natural” should be. Not necessarily. Once again reading the label is of utmost importance. Another example, companies will add various cane juices, honey, and maple syrup in order to enhance the flavor of natural grains. Yes, these products are natural and healthier than processed sugars, but too much of a good thing can make these foods items just as unhealthy as processed products.

The moral of the story is that when a senior, or any one, chooses “fat free”, “reduced-fat”, or “all natural” products, compare labels. Just choose products that do not include hydrogenated oils, sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and enriched or bleached flours as one of the first five ingredients.

Thanks, Jolene!