Help for Seniors at the Doctor's Office
Q. Since my wife died last year, I'll be going to the doctor alone for my annual physical this year. I'm nervous and don't know what to ask. And, at age 78, I'm hard of hearing. Do you have any suggestions?
We thought you might find the following information helpful. U.S. Preventive Medicine, a private company that works with hospital and physicians groups, recently released tips to help consumers get the most from their annual physicals.
- Prioritize and verbalize personal concerns and goals. Before you go to the visit, identify all of your concerns and what you expect, and write those down.
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Review family medical history. Many diseases are hereditary. Make sure you know your family history and provide a detailed outline to the doctor.
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Get an examination the old-fashioned way. A thorough physical must include a thorough examination, no matter how uncomfortable, for early detection and prevention.
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Find out about metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome increases the risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease and is easily diagnosed through a cholesterol or lipid profile, blood glucose (sugar), blood pressure readings and measurement of waist circumference. Metabolic syndrome is not routinely addressed by many doctors during a physical. Take the initiative and ask if you should be assessed.
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Ask about screening for chronic diseases. Early detection leads to improved prognosis for many of the most common chronic diseases, such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Talk to your doctor about a schedule of recommended preventive screenings.
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Review the list of prescription and over-the-counter medication you currently take. While medications and supplements may have life-saving benefits or provide symptom relief, all may induce detrimental side effects in some individuals under certain circumstances. Provide your doctor with a complete list of all prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, herbs or other supplements that you are taking or have recently taken.
Another suggestion, from the non-medical caregiving company Home Instead Senior Care, is to take a trusted friend or family member with you to the doctor's appointment. That individual can help you understand what the doctor is saying if you can't hear his/her comments and instructions. If you don't have anyone like that, consider hiring a professional caregiver, who not only can accompany you to doctor's visits but help you maintain a healthy lifestyle as well.
Seniors Should Heed Home Safety Cautions
Q. As a 78-year-old widow who lives alone, I enjoy keeping a neat, clean home. I'm getting more unsteady on my feet and unsure of myself when it comes to cleaning. Do you have any safety tips for me?
It's great that you can still play such an active role in maintaining your home. But it's also important to take extra safety precautions around the house. June is Home Safety Month, a good time to focus on ways to be more careful as you clean your home.
Following are suggestions from the Home Safety Council and Home Instead Senior Care:
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Always keep stairs, steps, landings and all floors clear of clutter
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Carry loads you can see over, and keep one hand free to hold banisters and railings.
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Safely tuck telephone and electrical cords out of walkways.
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If you need to climb, always use a ladder. (Although, as a senior, it is best to get someone else to do the climbing.)
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Follow product label safety recommendations, like wearing gloves and masks, when using harsh products.
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Do not mix household cleaning products together because their contents could react with dangerous results.
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Carefully read the labels on all products and medications and separate those that say "Caution", "Warning", "Danger" or "Poison". Empty buckets after use. Store them turned over or upside down.
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Make sure your water heater is set to 120 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent scalding.
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Keep handy a fire extinguisher and fully stocked first aid kit.
- Post emergency telephone numbers near every phone in your home.
For additional home safety information and resources, please visit www.homesafetycouncil.org. Many women of all ages, as well as men, seek household help to make the most of their energy and free time. Why not consider a little assistance around the home?
A reputable cleaning firm could be just what you need. Here's an even better idea: Consider hiring a senior-care company to assist you around the house. Home Instead Senior Care hires CAREGivers to go into the homes and communities of seniors to assist with such tasks as light housekeeping, meal preparation, medication reminders, errands and shopping.
Your CAREGiver can serve several purposes and assist you in ways you may not have thought about.
Encourage Seniors to Enjoy Favorite Pasttimes
Q. My 70-year-old parents, who are both in relatively good health, were so active in their younger years, but seem to think they've gotten too old now to continue many of the activities they once enjoyed, such as fishing and bowling. How do I convince them otherwise?
A recent lifestyle interest survey conducted by Del Webb Communities on behalf of Pulte Homes shows that active recreational activities "even adventurous pursuits such as hiking and river rafting" are emerging as favorite lifestyle interests for the over-age 55 and Baby Boomer crowds. At the top of the list were health and fitness activities including strength training and cardio workouts.
Those in the survey ranked as extremely important the following activities: swimming, 55.2 percent; golf, 49.2 percent; bowling, 34.4 percent; fishing, 30.1 percent; and canoeing/kayaking, 26.2 percent. Increasing in popularity are such activities as hiking, climbing, rappelling and river rafting.
Among the top health and fitness pursuits were walking at 82 percent and cardiovascular equipment workouts at 78.8 percent.
While you may not be able to convince your parents to head out for an afternoon of river rafting or hiking, it would be great to encourage them to resume bowling and fishing. They might feel more confident with a doctor's physical. Suggest to them that they schedule a visit. If their doctor tells them they're fit enough for their favorite hobbies that may be just the reassurance they need to get back in action again.
Here's another area where you can offer a little moral support. Do any of their friends still enjoy these favorite pastimes? If so, suggest they call those friends and schedule an activity. If they no longer have friends around, encourage them to get involved in a local senior center or church organization.
Or here's another option: Hire a professional CAREGiver to spend time with them. Home Instead Senior Care hires and trains CAREGivers, who are screened, bonded and insured to help keep seniors independent longer. Every effort is made to match CAREGivers with clients of similar interests.
Good luck to you and your parents.
Current Events, Healthy Lifestyles and Faith Keys to Aging
Q. What is the secret to living to 100? Longevity runs in our family and at age 85, I hope I still have a few more productive years left.
According to the latest research, here are three key themes for those who are living a long life: tuning in to trends and current events, leading healthy lifestyles and holding faith and spirituality in high regard.
The second annual "Evercare 100 @ 100 Survey" polled one hundred Americans turning 100 and older this year about their practices and habits and found that, contrary to some conventional stereotypes, centenarians are staying in tune with the times.
Like the rest of Americans, they are following current trends including reality television, video games and iPods, worrying about health and diet, and keeping up on news and current events.
Here are some interesting results:
- When it comes to entertainment, the survey found that nearly a third (31 percent) of seniors have watched a reality TV show and 27 percent have watched MTV or music videos. Nearly a quarter of centenarians have purchased a music CD, and one in seven has played a video game.
- Some centenarians have even tried the latest technology. Six percent said they have been on the Internet and four percent said they have listened to music on an iPod.
- Although 18- to 49-year olds may be a coveted demographic, 68 percent of centenarians polled also turn to the TV for news and current events, while 40 percent turn to newspapers, a change from fifty years ago when newspapers (56 percent) and radio (45 percent) were their primary sources of news.
- A full 82 percent said that their dietary habits have improved or stayed the same as compared with 50 years ago. Just 23 percent said they have ever smoked cigarettes, and on average, those who quit did so 41 years ago.
Companionship is another great way to stay "young" longer. If you don't have regular contact with other people, consider calling Home Instead Senior Care. The company would love to help you reach that 100 milestone by providing the human touch in the form of at-home non-medical companionship and assistance around the house.
