It was a busy morning, about 8:30 am, when an elderly gentleman in his 80′s arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am. I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone  would to able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound.

On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.

While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor’s appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer’s Disease.

As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now.

I was surprised, and asked him, ‘And you still go every morning, even though she doesn’t know who you are?’ He smiled as he patted my hand and said, ‘She doesn’t know me, but I still know who she is.’

I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought, ‘That is the kind of love I want in my life.’

True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.  The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.

‘Life isn’t about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain.’

We are all getting older, tomorrow may be our turn.

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Because of the health issues that accompany increasing age, it can be difficult to tell which conditions result from the normal process of aging and which result from illness. The following diseases are not necessarily common, but their symptoms are often nonspecific, making them difficult to diagnose in elderly populations.

Mesothelioma

This deadly cancer is nearly always linked with exposure to asbestos, a fibrous mineral once used heavily in the construction and shipbuilding industries. However, mesothelioma symptoms can take from 20 to 50 years after exposure to appear, so the average mesothelioma patient is in his (it affects far more men than women) seventies. Symptoms of mesothelioma, especially early on, can also mimic those of other, less serious lung conditions, allowing the disease to go undiagnosed until the later stages. Anyone who has worked in these industries or specifically with asbestos should have their lungs examined for signs of mesothelioma or other lung conditions.

Allergies

It is possible for an elderly adult to develop new allergies. The prevailing theory for this occurrence is the “lifetime load theory,” which states that many years of exposure to allergens like pollen, dust, and mold can eventually overload the immune system, causing new allergic sensitivities. While allergies that develop at this stage of life are rarely fatal, they can interfere with quality of life. Allergy shots are a potential treatment, but need to be carefully considered in light of an elderly patient’s other health issues or medications.

Hypothyroidism

This condition, a shortage of thyroid hormone, is most commonly caused by iodine deficiency, but can also be a result of other problems with the thyroid gland or genetic factors.  Common early signs include weight gain, fatigue, poor muscle tone, and low heart rate. This disease is more prevalent in the elderly, but nonspecific or even absent symptoms can make it difficult to distinguish from signs of aging.  Up to 15% of elderly patients in primary care show at least some signs of hypothyroidism.

Celiac Disease

Though celiac disease is often thought of as something that babies have, then outgrow, research suggests that it can also develop in middle-aged and elderly adults. Troublingly, in one study only 25% of the elderly patients with this disease, which affects the absorption of nutrients by the small intestine, displayed any symptoms at all, while still incurring the intestinal damage it causes. The good news is that, though celiac disease is correlated with higher levels of osteoporosis and hypothyroidism, it does not seem to increase rate of death.

Mental Illness

With so much focus on the health of the body, both doctors and patients alike can sometimes neglect the health of the mind.  A study published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry reported that 17% of the 300 elderly hospital patients surveyed showed signs of undiagnosed depression. Those with depression were also far more likely to be readmitted to the hospital with other conditions. Ill health, lack of exercise, and little social activity are risk factors for depression in the elderly, many of whom are unaware of the symptoms.

Guest contributor: Jason Abraham, aspiring writer and a health and safety advocate from Southeast.

Coping with Alzheimer’s can be difficult. Whether its you or someone you know, there are resources you can consult to make the best possible life decisions.

Resources:

• Don’t know much about Alzheimer’s? You aren’t alone, but becoming educated will help you understand the disease. Discover more about each stage.
• What are the medical steps taken for Alzheimer’s? Read about the medications available to help alleviate the symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
• Experiencing Alzheimer’s yourself? Read about what to expect, how to keep physically healthy, and how to manage your emotions.
• Worried about ways to keep your independence? Find out how you can continue to live independently during the early stages by making simple changes.
• Aren’t living with Alzheimer’s but looking for a way to help? There are ways to get involved to really help make a difference.
• Not sure how to involve your family? Scared to share the news? Here are some tips and suggestions for how to share your diagnosis with people you love.

Not finding what you need here? Discover more resources at The Alzheimer’s Association.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, there are ten signs that can warn you about the onset of Alzheimer’s. Noticing these changes can give you or your loved one a head start on diagnosis and planning for your future.

The following are a few signs of the onset of Alzheimer’s:

1. Drastic Memory Changes

One of the most distinct and common signs of the onset of Alzheimer’s is someone not remembering recently learned information. In other words, one might need to depend on the need for a written reminder note or rely on a loved one to handle things they used to do on their own. This is more than occasionally forgetting about a doctor’s appointment – a person with Alzheimer’s might ask for the same information repeatedly.

2. Difficulty Completing Daily Tasks

People with Alzheimer’s find it difficult to complete tasks that used to be familiar to them, like driving to a well known location or forgetting a loved one’s phone number.

3. Confusion with Time or Place

Someone with Alzheimer’s can have difficult knowing where or when they are. It can be more severe than that, like forgetting what season it is.

4. Difficulty Understanding Visual Images and Spatial Relationships

An onset of visual problems can be a sign of Alzheimer’s. However, this is more than just a prescription change or needed a new set of glasses. People with Alzheimer’s might have difficulty reading or determining color. They might not even recognize themselves in the mirror.

5. Losing Things

People without Alzheimer’s can easily misplace an item, but a person with it can put items in unusual places and be unable to retrace their steps to finding that item again. They may not even know that they have moved it, and accuse others of stealing.

Want to know more? Read about all the signs of Alzheimer’s.

Staying physically fit at an older age may be a priorty to you or an elder loved one, but you might not know the best way to go about doing it the right way. Exercising for elderly people is both safe and encouraged, and is thought to have numerous health benefits, including lowered likelihood of memory loss, cardiovascular health, lowered blood pressure, reduction of stress, and more.

Ready to go? Start off slowly. Low intensity exercises, like walking, will bring all the benefits of exercise without creating soreness. Swimming and biking are also good examples of low intensity aerobic exercises. Be sure to warm up and cool down before each session and include plenty of stretching. Wearing comfortable clothes and supportive shoes will help keep you safe during your exercise, so be sure to have the proper equipment before you begin any regimen.

As much as exercise is important, always be sure to consult a doctor, first! Read more about exercises for senior citizens or see actual exercise videos to help you get going.

We had a great time raising funds to benefit The Senior Connection of Montgomery County, an area non-profit that provides free transportation for senior citizens. The July 18 event featured the unique, fun “Zydeco Dance” music that celebrates the creole culture of Louisiana. This was the real deal, with DJ Texas Fred The Zydeco Cowboy leading the event and Rosie Ledet & The Zydeco Playboys performing. If you’re not familiar, Texas Fred has been a DJ on WPFW 89.3 in DC since 2000 (12-1pm, every Friday), spreading the word about Zydeco music and culture. Warman Home Care was proud to be an event sponsor – and we had a blast! Sorry you missed the event? Click through to hear Rosie Ledet while you take a look at our photos from the event!

We’ve certainly covered this topic before, but I was recently struck again by the careful, thorough process required to successfully match caregivers and clients. I overheard a Warman “Care Coordinator” on the phone with someone exploring their options; someone who just learning how home care could work for their loved one. The Warman representative really needed to ask a range of questions to even begin to recommend the level of care and support required, from medical conditions, to medications, mobility, lifestyle, expectations, and more.

Even when it appears to be a good fit, a Warman representative, usually a registered nurse, will first visit the home, meet the client and further assess their needs. They are primarily working to match the ideal caregiver in terms of skills, experience – and personality. But they are also making sure that additional, skilled care is not warranted. At the same time, they often also make simple, but important recommendations on how to make the home environment safer and easier for a senior, regardless of their decision on home care support.

If you are inquiring about care, you should be concerned if a provider is NOT this thorough. It is common for adult children beginning their research to want to “cut to the chase” and hone in on the bottom line cost – but I submit that a little patience with an initial conversation will give you far more of an indication of whether a home care provider is a good fit for your Mom or Dad. Click for more on the unique approach Warman Home Care or discover a few tips on when it’s time to consider home care.

In their latest “Cost of Long Term Care” study that looks at every state in the U.S., Genworth Financial shows there is good news for the 78% of Americans that say they would prefer to stay at home as long as possible. Now in its 35th year as a leading provider of long term care insurance, Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey helps raise public awareness of the various options available beyond just nursing home facilities, and the costs associated with each.

According to Genworth’s 2010 Cost of Care Survey, the cost to receive care in the home has risen at an annual rate of just 1.7 percent over the past five years. That compares to annual increases of 6.7 percent for assisted living facilities, and 4.5 percent for a private room in a nursing home, over the same period. For more information, here’s a good blog on long term care where first found this story, and Genworth Financials’ web site for details on the study itself, including a state-by-state cost breakdown.

Thanks to our favorite personal chef and party menu planner, Nikki Haddad, we wanted to share recipes from our June CareShare event. Try these light, healthy dishes – they’re perfect for a summer party. Click to download a PDF of these great recipes: Summertime Feta and Tomato Dip, Stuffed Grape Leaves (Dolmades), Hummus with Mediterranean Salsa, and all the tricks to make a complete Antipasto Platter!

Just thought we’d take a minute to profile an outstanding facility in Montgomery County, Maryland. We partner with a lot of great nursing homes, assisted living and adult apartment communities, so we don’t mean to play favorites. But, Collingswood deserves a little attention; they’re hosting our latest CareShare event for healthcare and related professionals in June, and they are welcoming the promotion of Kathy Catucci, RN, LNHA as Collingswood’s Adminstrator.

The Center offers private rooms, up-scale amenities, long-term nursing care, full time registered dieticians, dialysis treatment on-site in a new dialysis center, a certified wound care specialist, and superior rehabilitation services.  Find out more about Collingswood.