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Articles on Aging

Articles on Aging

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The New Face of Retirement

Retirement was once defined as the relatively short time of life between the end of one's productivity and death. Now, it is becoming the longest stage of life for many older adults.

The reasons for this shift are two-fold. First, we are living longer and second, we are retiring earlier. In the 1950s the average life expectancy was 68, yet in 1999 that age increased to 76! In 1950, 81% of men 62 and older were in the workforce, by 1999 this number dropped to just 54%. Because of the Baby Boomers, the size and strength of the older population will also increase -- by the year 2030 the 65+ population will number 70 million and comprise 25% of the total adult population. (BY comparison, in 1999 there were 34 million adults over 65).

And while there are diverse plans for retirement, older adults agree that their retirement will not be the same one their parents chose. A study by Peter D. Hart Research Associates, Inc. showed that today's older adults are embracing retirement as a busy, productive and meaningful stage of life. Sixty percent view their retirement as a new beginning, a new phase of their life. A mere 23% mentioned moving to a new community or home for their retirement.

Of even greater significance, is the number of older adults that will continue to work (54% plan to work in retirement in an effort to stay active and involved). Over 50% mentioned that they would volunteer or pursue community service that is meaningful and would take advantage of their special talents and experience.

A recent cover of Modern Maturity, featured Sophia Loren -- and that is a sign of the times. We are aging differently, we are creating a new roadmap for others to follow. Many of the seniors interviewed for the Peter D. Hart study, mentioned wanting to pursue interests that there was never time or energy for before this new phase. And this includes, looking at ourselves in a new light. Retirement is no longer about fading out of society, but finding a voice and helping to create a new society.

One of the best ways to find this voice is to volunteer provided you have the physical, mental and financial capabilities. Volunteer to mentor troubled teens, or assist overworked teachers, or provide respite care for a family member caring for a mentally disabled older adult.

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Glaucoma

Glaucoma is caused by a number of different eye diseases which in most cases produce increased pressure within the eye. This elevated pressure is caused by a backup of fluid in the eye. Over time, it causes damage to the optic nerve which can result in blindness. Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the United States and nearly 3 million people have the disease.

Glaucoma can affect anyone...from newborn babies to senior citizens but some people are at higher risk. They include:

Glaucoma does not initially have any symptoms and is therefore sometimes called the `silent thief of sight.´ As a result, the person with glaucoma is usually unaware of it until a serious loss of vision has occurred. In fact, half of those suffering damage from glaucoma do not realize it. As the disease progresses, a person with glaucoma may notice that his or her side vision begins to fail. As the disease worsens, the field of vision narrows and blindness can result.

Early detection and treatment of glaucoma, before it results in major vision loss, is the best way to control the disease. For those in the high risk groups, which includes everyone over the age of 60, an appropriate eye test from an eye care professional, is essential. An appropriate eye test is one which includes a test through dilated pupils, not just the "air puff" test. The dilated pupil test involves having drops put into the eyes which enlarge the pupils and enable the eye care professional to see more of the inside of the eye. You should have this test done every two years.

Although glaucoma cannot be cured, it can usually be successfully treated with medication or surgery.

For more information on Glaucoma, visit the National Eye Institute's website on http://www.nei.nih.gov or the Glaucoma Foundation at http://www.glaucomafoundation.org.

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Caring for an Ailing Spouse Can Be Risky

Caring for an spouse who is ill can pose greater health risks for the care giving spouse, according to a recent study by the University Center for Social & Urban Research at the University of Pittsburgh.

The study found that almost 60% of all older adults in the study, caring for an ill spouse, reported strain. These caregivers had higher levels of depression and were less likely than other spouses to get enough exercise and rest or to see the doctor when they were sick.

The authors of the study also found that the mortality rate was 63% higher for these caregiving spouses than for non-caregiving spouses.

The study shows the need for caregiver support programs that provide respite care, like Gerontology Network's

For more information call us at (616) 456-6135 or visit Behavioral Health Services of West Michigan.

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Depression - A State of Mind

Depression: A word fraught with misconceptions. Older adults often attribute their blues to the weather or some other minor disruption, and blame themselves for an inability to 'just snap out of it.'

Yet, often depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain or a 'normal' reaction to an often-debilitating set of negative emotional situations. And the latter is most common with an older adult's place in life. It isn't surprising that over 40% of all nursing home residents are diagnosed with depression. The many losses that can happen suddenly, can create depression

Some symptoms to watch for:

While everyone experiences these symptoms from time to time, if they last longer than two weeks it may be depression. And treatment should be sought. And this is, by no means, a sign that the person is unable to handle their problems or is weak. Treatments are less invasive and can improve the quality of life.

And while there is such a depression triggered seasonally, chances are it is not the winter white making you blue.

Talk with your family doctor, or if you would like a more information call Behavioral Health Services of West Michigan, a service of Gerontology Network, at 456-6135.

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Remembering Those With Alzheimer's

n honor of those that are caring for people with this disease, Gerontology Network offers the following suggestions for helping those with Alzheimer's and their caregivers (while this was originally written from a spouse's point of view it could apply to the parent/child care giving relationship as well):

  1. Offer to sit with the person with Alzheimer's, it will give the caregiver time to do other things around the house or garden.
  2. Visit when you can, but call first take make sure that the time is convenient.
  3. Talk with the person who has Alzheimer's, s/he can understand some things even though s/he cannot respond.
  4. Be patient and understanding. Put yourself in their place and imagine what you would feel like when memory fades and you become more helpless.
  5. Make a specific offer to help. If you say "Call me anytime for anything" the caregiver won't know what you want to do or when you are free.
  6. Offer to watch TV with the person with Alzheimer's some afternoon when an old movie is on. This will give the feeling that her/his company is enjoyable without either having to entertain the other.
  7. Suggest coming over to take the person with Alzheimer's for a walk; exercise is very important but sometimes the caregiver cannot find time for a walk. Hold their hand while walking.
  8. Cook a dinner or other meal and stay to eat with us if you can; familiar company helps us both.
  9. Bake cookies or something special that the person with Alzheimer's likes (and if possible make enough to freeze some).
  10. Run errands for us; and take the person with Alzheimer's along.
  11. If the caregiver can get a sitter, offer to take s/he for an evening out.
  12. Offer to help at holiday and birthday times, assisting in buying and wrapping gifts.
  13. Touch or hug the person with Alzheimer's if you feel like it. The isolation of being mentally out of it is pretty devastating.

Tell us about the real life you are living. This will help the spouse feel less like an untouchable and may give the sends that s/he is still involved in the world of normalcy.

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Caregiver Crunch or the Squeeze of the Sandwich Generation

It can happen overnight with a parent breaking a hip, or happen slowly while your aging parent progresses into a state of greater confusion. It can be thrust upon you, or you can oblige the new role willingly. Either way, you may find your self like countless Baby Boomers in the newfound role of caring for an aging parent.

Called the 'sandwich generation', baby boomers are often caught in the dual role of caring for their children while caring for an aging parent. Sandwiched between the generations -- though the role of caregiver is constant, the pressures can be immense. And unlike parenting, where there are tomes and tomes of materials to teach us how to be better parents, there are far fewer resources devoted to the all important role of caring for an aging parent.

And in this new role, there is likely to be confusion -- for both the adult child and the parent. The parent has always parented and may find the new situation awkward at best. The role reversal is an uncomfortable one. Some caregivers believe that their parent is using guilt or manipulation to 'push their buttons' in order to get a desired response. Others may feel cheated that their parent has become old and frail. And still other feel guilty for viewing their parent's care needs as an unwelcome burden in their lives.

There is no question that caring for an elderly parent or loved one can evoke a number of feelings and emotions. It is important to find an outlet and to care for the caregiver! There are thankfully a number of resources to help you care for the caregiver, including support groups or the new web site, www.caregiverzone.com (an excellent site for articles, message boards and even offers local support group referrals.)

Also paramount is finding time for yourself, the caregiver, everyday. Remember the days of caring for your infants -- napping when they napped, or relying on your spouse/neighbor/mother/friend to provide needed breaks. Apply the same principles. Stress plays havoc on the caregiver and a recent study showed that the caregiver could suffer great physical and mental harm if they do not find the needed respite.

" I highly recommend that the caregiver take time for themselves," Julie Griffin of the Support Group for Family and Friends of Aging Adults, said. "If you don't take care of yourself, you won't be around to care for your aging parent. Don't feel guilty!"

She also stresses the many benefits of a support group. "It can be comforting to know that there are others gong through the exact same thing as you. It is a benefit to know that you are not alone."

Respite services like Senior Companions (older adult volunteers that come into your home a few hours a week) or Adult Day Care, can be offer time away for the stressed and tired caregiver.

Another option is to divvy up the duties amongst siblings or other family members. And while Griffin asserts that in almost all families one person 'does the bulk of the load', it is also recommended that you call a family meeting as soon as the role of caregiver becomes your primary responsibility. In not doing so you are reducing the likelihood that the roles' responsibilities will be shared at any time soon. It has been shown, that siblings will not 'volunteer' and need to be volunteered. The longer the role is yours, the more all-family members begin to rely on you. Do not feel guilty about asking others for help; remember that you need to get away at times.

Another troublesome characteristic of care giving is the confusion and lack of knowledge associated with certain behaviors or stages in an aging parent. For instance, an aging parent may start to exhibit confusion and becomes more disoriented. We may assume immediately that our parent is suffering from dementia or not know what is happening. Because of our emotional involvement or attachment, we are not able to determine what is going on.

Gerontology Network has developed numerous publications and trainings that relate to older adults and care giving. One entitled "Principles for Relating to Aging Parents" is chock full of pearls of wisdom. Including:

One universal theme about care giving success is maintaining a sense of humor and balance in your life. As the older adult population continues to grow, projected to reach over 24% of our population in the year 2010, it is likely that more and more Boomers will be finding friends in similar situations. Find a friend or support group that you can share the stories and humor of your new role. And if you can't find a support group, visit www.caregiverzone.com or call Gerontology Network at 616- 456-6135 for in-home assistance.

And while there is such a depression triggered seasonally, chances are it is not the winter white making you blue.

Talk with your family doctor, or if you would like a more information call Behavioral Health Services of West Michigan, a service of Gerontology Network, at 456-6135.

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When The Sheep Won't Sleep

Articles on A Aging

Sleep patterns change as we age; it may take longer to go to sleep, there may be more waking in the middle of the night or the sleep is not as deep. These problems can be exacerbated by the heat of summer, so here are some tips to make the sheep go to sleep!

If you are so tired during the day that you cannot function and it lasts for more than 2 weeks, you should call your doctor for an evaluation.

And remember that iced tea contains caffeine and too much of this refreshing treat can actually do more harm than good -- by keeping you up nights. So curb your consumption of iced tea and sodas as well. Water can be as refreshing and is actually far better for your overall health.

For More Information: Education Services

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