Chicago's Geriatric Care Manager Center of Excellence – Since 1991 • geriatric careChicago's Geriatric Care Manager Center of Excellence

Long COVID’s Long List of Symptoms
The COVID pandemic is not yet done with us in the United States, and the story certainly is different...
Read more
February 7, 2023
0
0
Happiness is a Long-Term Investment
If I were to ask you to make a New Year’s Resolution for your own happiness, what would your...
Read more
January 17, 2023
0
0
Planning for the Holidays is More than a Menu
The latest news reports suggest only about 10 percent of American Adults have received their seasonal booster for COVID. ...
Read more
October 24, 2022
0
0
What’s COVID Going as for Halloween?
It’s been a year and a half since the COVID19 vaccines came on line to address the pandemic when...
Read more
October 11, 2022
0
0
The Will To Do the Right Thing
This whole idea to write up a legal document to give surviving loved ones clarity about how to take...
Read more
August 9, 2022
0
0
Why AND Is the Most Important Word
Do you recall the 1991 movie called City Slickers? It was another great role for Billy Crystal, but it...
Read more
July 19, 2022
0
0
Age and “Long Covid”
There seems to be a cliché for everything, so we’ll start with this go-to for COVID: “We’re not out...
Read more
June 7, 2022
0
0
A Good Habit Missing for Most Older Adults
Even among those older adults who dodged COVID, “gymnesia” may be a lingering effect. Please let me explain… What...
Read more
May 24, 2022
0
0
HDL Graduates from “Good” to Better
You may have had the conversation with your physician about your cholesterol levels during your annual physical; there are...
Read more
April 26, 2022
0
0
When That Doesn’t Stink…
There are a lot of tests and exams we all know that are important to catching a condition early...
Read more
April 12, 2022
0
0

In the Caregiver's Words

Recent Client Praise

If I were to ask for a show of hands, I suspect nearly all would want their older loved ones to live long. We hear stories with some regularity about someone who is 100+ years old, and I have written about “super-agers.” I am going to share ten tips for healthy aging. Spoiler alert…the “aging” part is pretty easy if one attends to the “healthy” part. You may recall from my post about super-agers that a defining trait is that they may be 70 or 80 years old, but they have the cognitive or physical characteristics of a person decades younger. I had a client whom I remember most for her comment at her 100^th birthday party when she giggled a bit and remarked: “I guess I can start on my second century.” And she did! If you are hoping for a longer age span for your older loved ones…or yourself, a lot of it is about choices more than genes. Let me to share some tips:
1. Stress reduction – We all can agree that stress reduction is important at any age, but for our older loved ones stress actually can damage brain cells, precipitate depression, diminish our immune response to infection and even impair memory. A person is never too old to benefit from “talk therapy,” practice relaxation therapy or take up yoga. And just keep things in perspective…don’t sweat the small stuff.
2. Prevention is better than a cure – It is more than the annual flu vaccine, but that is as important as good hand washing hygiene. It is important for your older loved ones to get their vision and hearing checked regularly. And do a home safety test to see if your loved one’s home is still “user friendly” as the “user” ages in place.
3. Health is a lifestyle – We all can complain about the cost of health insurance or medical care or medications. The fact is that most of your older loved one’s health is about their lifestyle. And when they do have a doctor’s visit, make the most of it with lists of their meds and most important any questions they may have.
4. Engage others – Reading a good book is great, but participating in a book club is even healthier for your older loved one. Getting involved in community events, committee work or a trip with friends and anything that gets a person out of the house and engaged is an investment in longevity.
5. Sleep more than food – Humans are able to last longer without a meal than without sleep, and this does not change as they age. Some older adults talk about not needing as much sleep as they age, but what they really are saying is that they have more difficulty sleeping longer. Encourage good sleep habits that include 7 to 9 hours a night, just like we would encourage our kids to do.
To cover all ten tips, I am going to continue this into next week’s post. So, to learn more about living well…and therefore longer…please check out my post next week. Charlotte Bishop is an Aging Life Care Advisor, Geriatric Care Manager and founder of Creative Care Management, certified professionals who are geriatric advocates, resources, counselors and friends to older adults and their families in metropolitan Chicago. She also is the co-author of How Do I Know You? A Caregiver’s Lifesaver for Dealing with Dementia.
You have heard from me before about how there is a new Alzheimer’s Disease diagnosis in America every 67 seconds…about one a minute every day and every night! According to medical professionals it is becoming even more prevalent worldwide. By the year 2050, this rate is expected to double to one new case every 33 seconds. It is ranked as number one in prevalence of all neurodegenerative conditions affecting 5-6 million Americans and as many as 47 million people across the globe. Translated, that means about one in eight individuals over age 65 will be affected by Alzheimer’s and that climbs to almost half of those 85 years and older. It has been studied for more than 100 years with little headway on what causes Alzheimer’s Disease, let alone how to treat it. I am going to talk more about treatment, and there are some avenues that show promise, in a second installment to this two part series on Alzheimer’s. In this part, let’s go over how Alzheimer’s is diagnosed accurately today than ever before. Not that long ago, Alzheimer’s could only be diagnosed after a patient had died when they could actually investigate how much beta amyloid plaque had accumulated in their brain. That is so yesterday. There are now three ways to arrive at an Alzheimer’s diagnosis in a patient. The first starts with a genetic marker that predisposes an individual to developing Alzheimer’s. It’s called the APOE4 gene, and about one in seven to one in ten people carry this gene. Those who have one copy of this gene are about two to three times as likely to develop the dementia as those who do not have the gene. And if a person has two copies of this gene the likelihood shoots up to 12 times that of a person with no copies of the gene. Should everyone get the genetic test? Well, talk to your doctor, but as medical professionals have consistently shown early diagnosis can be the first step toward more effective treatment of any condition. A second step toward diagnosis will be what is termed a neuropsychological test which assesses a person’s cognitive function. It should be conducted by a neurologist, not just a primary care physician. Combined with the genetic test, it can help to pinpoint Alzheimer’s Disease, but not without the third test. Brain-imaging can not only help to look for the signature of Alzheimer’s activity the brain, but also rule out other issues like hemorrhage or tumors that may be causing mental difficulties. It will also more concretely assess the extent of any Alzheimer’s spread in the brain. This latter testing can be done by a number of technologies like CT or PET scanning, but the most common test is MRI. Look for Part 2 next week when I review the existing as well as new, promising treatments for this condition. You all may recall that I have a book that I have co-written on what a caregiver should know about Alzheimer’s…it is noted in the closing paragraph here. If you want to save 20 percent off the Amazon price, please just send me an email and we will send you a copy for $19.97 which includes shipping and handling. Charlotte Bishop is an Aging Life Care Advisor, Geriatric Care Manager and founder of Creative Care Management, certified professionals who are geriatric advocates, resources, counselors and friends to older adults and their families in metropolitan Chicago. She also is the co-author of How Do I Know You? A Caregiver’s Lifesaver for Dealing with Dementia.
The Boomers are aging, and that means the percentage of adults 65 years of age an older has now surpassed 13% of the population and growing. It also means that the number of older adults who suffer from physical, financial or mental abuse along with neglect is rising with this tide. But there is a second level of elder abuse that will also be rising, and it provides the added insult to the injury of abuse of those older adults less able to care for themselves. The second level is comprised of those who see abuse and don't report it as well as those who receive the reports of abuse but fail to act. In research conducted by the National Center on Elder Abuse, 45% of patients in nursing homes report being abused in some fashion and 95% report being neglected or seeing another resident suffer from neglect. Yet, we do not see this prevalence in any of the other "official" statistics, because it is either not reported or not acted upon. If you are a caregiver to an older loved one, you can do something about it. 1. If you see something, say something. I am borrowing this one from the TSA, but it works here also. Regardless of the age of the older adult whom you know, if you suspect active abuse or passive neglect, report it to a health care provider, social worker or law enforcement professional. These are what are termed "mandatory reporters" who must file, but sometimes they do not. Medical providers may not wish to be seen as violating the confidence of a patient, but that is patently wrong. Keeping silent only allows the perpetuation of this predatory behavior. 2. You do not have to see it to ask about it. Especially neglect may be incredibly subtle, and the abused victim may be hesitant to report a caregiver or even a spouse who is abusive for fear of reprisals. But inquiries have become part of the standard procedure for a lot of health care providers these days. I recall being a bit taken aback when on a doctor's office visit my older parent was taken out of my earshot by the provider and queried about whether she felt safe at home. That provider was doing her job. 3. Make sure there is action. Reporting abuse or neglect is the first step, but the professional to whom the report is made needs to act on the information. This is where it can get a bit murky, especially if this report is about a nursing home facility or chain that carries weight in political circles. The state of California has passed what has come to be known as the Elder Abuse Act which is intended to counter the potential obstacles to protection that political clout can create. Closer to home, the state of Illinois last year passed a law prohibiting anyone with a history of violence against older adults from holding a job in a position of care for an elder. Legislative changes are certainly important steps, but it also comes back to my rule about the village. It takes a village to support a senior just as it takes a village to raise a child. It is part of everyone's job description. Charlotte Bishop is a Geriatric Care Manager and founder of Creative Care Management, certified professionals who are geriatric advocates, resources, counselors and friends to older adults and their families in metropolitan Chicago. Please email your questions to info@creativecaremanagement.com.
Because I work in geriatric care, it almost goes without saying that I talk with a lot of people who have had a lot of birthdays. In conversations with these older adults and with their caregivers, I have learned some important lessons in elder care management about how to have a healthy brain. Much of what I am sharing here also is supported by the scientific literature; see what you think.
1. Healthy brains get out more. I hear older adults talk about how being active is important, and they don't mean hardcore exercise. They mean socializing. Having friends and a social life also exercises the brain as older adults engage others in stimulating conversation, remembering names and more.
2. Healthy brains are challenged. The older adults I meet who have the most "on the ball" minds also tend to have stimulating hobbies like doing crossword puzzles, going to the theater or reading books. While a bit of television or other visual stimulation is good, it can degrade into very isolating behavior that should be avoided.
3. Healthy brains are fit. Where the feet run (or walk), the brain will follow. Think of exercise as a chance to flush the brain with blood flow, and it will result in actually growing new brain cells.
4. Healthy brains need to be fed well. The foods that are good for your cardiovascular system like those low in cholesterol or high in phytonutrients will benefit the brain as well as the heart. And just as a healthy heart will do well with alcohol or caffeine in moderation, the brain also will benefit from the same.
5. Healthy brains chill out. No matter the age, there will be stressors in life. The key is to find ways to cope with and move through the stress. Some of the above - like physical exercise - can be part of the stress management that is important to being mentally healthy.
6. Healthy brains believe in something. While it is not one faith or one way of spirituality, researchers have found that people who believe in something greater or have a higher sense of life's mission also have healthier brains and live longer.
All of these may seem like a lot to juggle to achieve brain health, but not to stress. Think of all of these elements of brain healthiness to be incremental ways you can pay forward to your brain's longevity and your brain will return the favor by helping you to navigate a happier and longer life. Charlotte Bishop is founder of Creative Care Management, certified geriatric care management professionals who are geriatric advocates, resources, counselors and friends to older adults and their families in metropolitan Chicago. Please email your questions to ccbishop@creativecasemanagement.com.
You remember the Tom Hanks movie where he is stranded on a Pacific Island and how he learns to adapt. Unfortunately, Hollywood does not offer a role model for us, because we are not suggesting you resort to a diet of raw fish or having heartfelt conversations with your volleyball. But there is some good advice available to us all to help us lean into this situation and get through it. It comes from our own government’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Let me give you the short version:
- Minimize News Exposure – I find this one particularly hard to follow, but think of it as sunshine. It can be illuminating, but over-exposure can cause burning. And since we don’t have “news screen” as we have sun screen, limit your exposure to 30 minutes or so.
- Stay Informed – This may seem to contradict the first suggestion, but getting the facts is important for understanding how this pandemic is affecting everyone, how it can be contained and the progress we are making toward containing it. It’s a fire presently out of control unless we contain it. This means to not get glued to opinion media – see number one. Opinion “newscasters” are to the pandemic what gasoline is to a fire.
- Sitting is the New Smoking – Take regular breaks from whatever it is that is occupying your time. If you are working from home, take periodic walks around the block, make a call to a friend, anything to put what occupies you on pause. Try to fill your pause with something good for you: walking, meditating, praying, whatever renews you.
- Reach Out – I mentioned in an earlier post how my family gets together each Sunday on ZOOM. Helping them know how you’re feeling is good for them, and it is equally gratifying for you to know they are holding up as well. I participate in a phone tree to check up on people we would normally see, but are unable to see now. With ZOOM dinners we actually are making better friends of existing acquaintances and new acquaintances on top of that. We are a social species, so don’t cut yourself off.
- Become Stronger – How many times have commitments or work gotten in the way of doing what we should to sustain ourselves? Getting enough sleep has no excuses anymore. There are no excuses to not take time for long walks or working out. For this latter, you may have to get creative, but pushup-ups and sit-ups need no equipment…or leg lifts, etc.
- Ask for Help – If all of the above still leave you feeling depressed, mentally fatigued or just out of sorts for a reason you cannot quite put your finger on, reach out. The SAMHSA that I referenced in my introduction has a help line, so don’t be afraid to ask: 1-800-985-5990.
We at CCM want you all to remain safe and follow the rules so that you all will get through this health crisis. It has been only 37 days so far. Be safe and be healthy. Charlotte Bishop is an Aging Life Care Advisor, Geriatric Care Manager and founder of Creative Care Management, certified professionals who are geriatric advocates, resources, counselors and friends to older adults and their families in metropolitan Chicago. She also is the co-author of How Do I Know You? A Caregiver’s Lifesaver for Dealing with Dementia.
We see the numbers on a daily basis. How many have died from COVID, to date, we all probably know is more than 372,000 in the United States alone. The number who have had the disease and survived is a bit more murky, because not all cases are detected or reported. We know how many have been vaccinated: about 40% of eligible Americans have had at least one dose so far and about one in four Americans have received both doses. We all have been making the push to that finish line to be rewarded with a 94% immunity from COVID. The number that has not been broadcast as much, if at all, is the number of people who have lost a loved one to COVID…not just known of someone as almost all of us do. The number of people who have lost a dear family member or friend is estimated to be about nine individuals for every person who has succumbed to COVID. Do the math for our own domestic turf, and that is well over 3 million Americans who have been … and likely continue to be … grieving for a loved one who has died. Some people may say that these losses … well … just happen, and people eventually get over it or through it. Hold that thought, because scientists have studied the biological effects of grief and found that grieving is actually life-threatening. Sure, we probably all realize that grief can lead to depression which is not to be taken at all lightly. But it also leads to changes in the immune system and it triggers inflammation in the entire body. Chronic inflammation in the body also can lead to cardiovascular disease, diabetes (type 2) and even some forms of cancer. We don’t see this from the outside, but it is analogous to instantly becoming morbidly obese; grieving is the same kind of ticking time bomb. So, what can we do if we have had this kind of loss or know someone who has lost a loved one? A grieving person will not move beyond that sense of loss, but they will – often with professional help – move forward able to retain a loving memory that walks alongside the loss. So, people don’t get over grief nearly so much as learn to move forward with it. Lora McInerny is the host of a really helpful web site whose name speaks volumes. It is titled, “Terrible. Thanks for Asking.” She had been through a deep personal loss, and had just a few too many people ask the wrong question, “How are you doing?” Some even chimed in with the cliché, “These things happen for a reason.” A better question can be “What did you do today…or yesterday?” or “What have you been doing?” You get the picture. If you have not experienced a loss, there is a good chance that you know someone who has. I recommend you visit the web site. Make someone’s day better. Charlotte Bishop is a Caregiver Coach, an Aging Life Care Advisor, a Geriatric Care Manager and founder of Creative Care Management, certified professionals who are geriatric advocates, resources, counselors and friends to older adults and their families in metropolitan Chicago. She also is the co-author of How Do I Know You? A Caregiver’s Lifesaver for Dealing with Dementia.