Physical activity also keeps your elderly parent’s brain fit

As your parents age, it’s still important for them to exercise. While many associate exercise with benefits to physical health, studies show it can also benefit us cognitively. A post at the New York Times describes several recent studies that outline the role exercise has in maintaining our brainpower. 

Physical activity, any physical activity

Laura Middleton is an associate professor at the University of Waterloo in Ontario where one of the studies was conducted. She told the New York Times, “Our results indicate that vigorous exercise isn’t necessary [in protecting the mind]. I think that’s exciting. It might inspire people who would be intimidated about the idea of quote-unquote exercising to just get up and move.

The results of the study were found by measuring the energy expenditure and cognitive functioning of a large group of elderly adults over the course of two to five years, the newspaper reported. The physical activities of the group described to have the least cognitive impairment over the course of the study consisted of minor exercises like “walking around the block, cooking, gardening, and cleaning.” Nearly 90 percent of those with the greatest daily energy expenditure thought and remembered throughout the study just as well as they had in previous years.

Staving off dementia

The second study was conducted at Brigham and Women’s Hospital at Harvard Medical School. The senior author of the study was Jae H. Kang, assistant professor of medicine at the institution. This time physical activity was measured in women with vascular conditions. Kang told the Times that walking and light activity bought participants heading towards dementia five years of better brainpower.

Weight training and cognitive health

The third study mentioned in the Times article might mean that there’s another option besides walking and gardening to help cognitive health as we age: weight training. Scientists from the Aging, Mobility and Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory at the University of British Columbia and other institutions found that light weight training changed how well older women thought and even changed how blood flowed within their brains.

The study participants incorporated lifting weights twice a week for 12 months. At the end of that period they performed markedly better on tests of mental processing than control groups who only completed balance and toning training programs. M.R.I. scans of the weight trainers showed that the parts of their brains in charge of mental processing were considerably more active compared to the control group.

So in short, get your parents off the sofa and out for a walk — it’ll not only help them maintain their physical independence, but their cognitive well-being as well.

Physicians Choice Private Duty currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa ” provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of the available care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. All Physicians Choice Private Duty services are directed by registered nurses or social workers with no long-term contracts. Contact us today for help with your senior care needs.

“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the challenges families face in caring for aging parents, with a focus on strategies that keep them in their homes. To learn more about our solutions, visit https://private-duty.pchhc.com/services/  today..”

A contract to stop your elderly parent from driving?

The answer to getting your elderly parent to stop driving may come long before they are physically unable to drive. Having your elderly loved one hang up their keys and surrender their Nebraska driver’s license can be a touchy subject. Some are broaching this subject early. A blog post on The New York Times‘ website mentions a novel way that some are doing this: with a contract. 

The contract, signed while the driver is still able to safely drive, makes it apparent that the reason for one day preventing the person from driving stems from a love of them and consideration of their safety and the safety of others. Having the conversation before someone needs to intervene and establishing a contract can make the decision less painful, and put the decision somewhat in the driver’s hands.

The agreement is used to signify that the elderly driver recognizes that a trusted relative will notify him when he should stop driving, or only drive under certain restrictions. By signing the document, he pledges to accept his trusted relative’s recommendation when the time comes. The driver, a witness and the person who will advise him when to stop driving all sign the agreement.

Matt Gurwell came up with the idea from informal contracts recommended for teen drivers and their families. Gurwell retired after 24 years as an Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper and during that time brought more than 100 death notifications to people’s doors. Gurwell said a substantial proportion of those involved elderly drivers. The article points out that after age 75, drivers have worse crash records than young drivers and are more vulnerable to injury and death.

Gurwell told The New York Times, “I saw a significant void in how we deal with this problem. Families don’t know what to do. Physicians sometimes don’t want to get involved. Courts hands are tied because of sentencing guidelines. It’s a hot potato.

The contract has no legal weight and some drivers will not sign or adhere to, but it seems like a delicate way to approach the subject.

If you’re concerned with the safety of your elderly loved one behind the wheel, plan on discussing it as soon as possible. Help and advice is always available via senior care providers such as Physicians Choice Private Duty.

“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the challenges families face in caring for aging parents, with a focus on strategies that keep them in their homes. To learn more about our solutions, visit us today..”

Elderly Nebraskans at risk for West Nile Virus

The Omaha World-Herald reported on the first confirmed death from West Nile in Nebraska this summer. The man who died in an Omaha hospital was over 65.

The man was suspected of contracting West Nile Disease while in Texas, however in mid-July the first case of West Nile was reported in Nebraska by a man in his 70s living in Hamilton County, according to the World-Herald. At that time, infected mosquitoes had been found in Adams, Douglas, Hall, Madison, Scottsbluff, Sheridan and Richardson counties according to the Sheridan County Journal Star. Additionally, according to the Department of Health and Human Services, birds had tested positive for the West Nile Virus in Madison and Phelps counties.

A representative from the State Department of Health and Human Services told the World-Herald that 20 cases of West Nile have occurred in Nebraska this year. Iowa has reported five cases.

Elderly at risk

Only about 1 in 150 people infected with West Nile Virus become severely ill. However, Those over 50 are particularly at risk to develop serious illness when contracting the disease — as are those with immune deficiencies.

Symptoms of West Nile Fever

According to the CDC only 20 percent of those infected with West Nile Virus develop West Nile Fever. Those infected with West Nile Virus often report no symptoms or only mild flu-like symptoms. West Nile Fever symptoms include:

• fever
• headache
• tiredness
• body aches
• occasionally with skin rash (on the trunk of body) and swollen lymph glands.

Symptoms of Severe West Nile Disease

• headache
• high fever
• neck stiffness
• stupor
• disorientation
• coma
• tremors
• convulsions
• weak muscles
• paralysis

Preventing West Nile Virus

West Nile Virus is spread to people through mosquito bites by mosquitoes that have fed on infected birds. Precautionary measures should be taken to reduce the risk of contracting West Nile Virus. These include:

• Using insect repellant
• Wearing long sleeves and long pants if outside between dusk and dawn
• Removing standing water in yards from items that might capture water

Physicians Choice Private Duty currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of the available care options and helps families maneuver through the challenges of the system. All Physicians Choice Private Duty services are directed by registered nurses or social workers with no long-term contracts. Contact us today for help with your senior care needs.

“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the problems families face in finding home health care providers they can trust. Providers who will focus on strategies that keep parents in their homes. To learn more about our health care services, visit https://private-duty.pchhc.com/services/.”

New PSA depicts caregivers’ call for help

Earlier this month, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) joined forces with the Ad Council to make a series of public service announcements depicting common, frustrating scenarios in the lives of millions of caregivers in the United States. As we’ve mentioned before, taking care of an aging loved can be very stressful, especially while balancing caregiving with day-to-day obligations such as working a full time job and taking care of children.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSlrO3zO49E

In a recent story about the new AARP/Ad Council PSA campaign, the Associated Press reported that, according to a 2009 estimate, more than 42 million Americans are responsible for some form of consistent care for aging adult relatives, loved ones or friends. Although not all these people consider themselves to be “caregivers,” even the smallest of tasks like helping an aging parent with chores or driving Mom or Dad to appointments count as caregiving — and add up fast and unintentionally cause more stress in a caregiver’s life.

The article concludes that the point of the campaign “to raise awareness of the impact of family caregiving as the nation rapidly grays — and to point overwhelmed families toward resources,” like the AARP’s Caregiving Resource Center.

Are you a stressed out caregiver? We can help

Physicians Choice Private Duty — currently serving Omaha, Lincoln, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa — provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of the options available for your elderly loved one facing the difficulties of losing independence due to disability or illness. All Physicians Choice Private Duty services are directed by registered nurses or social workers with no long-term contracts. Contact us today.

“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the problems families face in finding home health care providers they can trust. Providers who will focus on strategies that keep parents in their homes. To learn more about our health care services, visit https://private-duty.pchhc.com/services/“

Does my elderly parent have an iron imbalance?

Iron imbalances — either too much or too little — in the elderly can cause numerous problems. While many may assume that these imbalances involve a deficiency, it’s more likely in Westernized societies that the imbalance will involve too much iron.

Iron is important to the body because it is an essential part of the protein that transports oxygen in the body. About two-thirds of the body’s iron supply comes from Hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells. Iron is also found in myoglobin, the protein responsible for supplying oxygen to the muscles and also the enzymes required for certain biochemical reactions.

Iron is an essential part of the proteins that transport oxygen in the body. Hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells, accounts for about two-thirds of the body’s iron supply. Smaller amounts are found in myoglobin, the protein that supplies oxygen to muscles, and in enzymes needed for various biochemical reactions.

Excess iron

According to a New York Times article, one person in 250 inherits a genetic disorder called hemochromatosis that increases iron absorption and results in organ damage due to a buildup of stored iron, often in mid-life or later. Studies have shown that too much iron can also be a risk factor in diabetes, heart attack and cancer — especially in the elderly.

Too much iron clearly has its drawbacks, but too little iron can also be detrimental.

Iron deficiency

Deficiency in iron can cause numerous symptoms: fatigue and weakness, increased risk of infections, brittle hair and nails, dizziness, heart palpitations and sensitivity to cold.

Getting proper iron absorption

Livestrong provides several foods that aid in the absorption of iron.

• Glycine is an amino acid. Foods rich in Glycine include including beans, brown rice bran, eggs, fish, nuts, soy and whole grains.
• Vitamin C can be found in many fruits and vegetables.
• Vitamin A increases iron absorption in humans when eating rice, wheat and corn, grains that contain phytates.

Warnings with iron supplements

Iron supplementation should be monitored by a physician. Iron imbalance can often be treated through diet. The body cannot get rid of too much stored iron without bleeding. If this is the case, treatments, such as a phlebotomy, may be necessary (of course it’s always best to consult your doctor with any questions and/or concerns). Without these measures the excess iron finds its way to the liver, heart and pancreas where it can contribute to cirrhosis, liver cancer, cardiac arrhythmia and diabetes.

In addition the New York Times article cited that high levels of iron have been discovered in the brains of people with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinsons and Lou Gehrig’s disease, although this may also be an effect of brain disease rather than a cause.

Physicians Choice Private Duty can help

Physicians Choice Private Duty currently serving Omaha, Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa provides seniors and their families a complete understanding of the options with facing an elderly person living with an iron disorder. Our professional staff can help properly implement the necessary lifestyle changes that will ensure the best quality of life for your aging loved ones.

All Physicians Choice Private Duty services are directed by registered nurses or social workers with no long-term contracts.‚ Contact us today.

“Physicians Choice Private Duty solves the problems families face in finding home health care providers they can trust. Providers who will focus on strategies that keep parents in their homes. To learn more about our health care services, visit https://private-duty.pchhc.com/services/“