Loneliness is Bad for Your Health

Here is a press release from the Association for Psychological Science about the negative effects of lonliness.  And this isn’t just for seniors – everyone can be impacted by isolation.

The press release, from the APS,  shows the importance of having a caregiver i the home for the elderly because being left alone for long periods of time can actually have a detrimental effect of their health.  Just another reason why the services of Home Instead Senior Care can help the elderly get well, and stay well.

Two University of Chicago psychologists, Louise Hawkley and John Cacioppo, have been trying to disentangle social isolation, loneliness, and the physical deterioration and diseases of aging, right down to the cellular level.

The researchers suspected that while the toll of loneliness may be mild and unremarkable in early life, it accumulates with time. To test this idea, the scientists studied a group of college-age individuals and continued an annual study of a group of people who joined when they were between 50 and 68 years old.

Their findings, reported in the August issue of Current Directions in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, are revealing. Consider stress, for example. The more years you live, the more stressful experiences you are going to have: new jobs, marriage and divorce, parenting, financial worries, illness. It’s inevitable.

However, when the psychologists looked at the lives of the middle-aged and old people in their study, they found that although the lonely ones reported the same number of stressful life events, they identified more sources of chronic stress and recalled more childhood adversity. Moreover, they differed in how they perceived their life experiences. Even when faced with similar challenges, the lonelier people appeared more helpless and threatened. And ironically, they were less apt to actively seek help when they are stressed out.

Hawkley and Cacioppo then took urine samples from both the lonely and the more contented volunteers, and found that the lonely ones had more of the hormone epinephrine flowing in their bodies. Epinephrine is one of the body’s “fight or flight” chemicals, and high levels indicate that lonely people go through life in a heightened state of arousal. As with blood pressure, this physiological toll likely becomes more apparent with aging. Since the body’s stress hormones are intricately involved in fighting inflammation and infection, it appears that loneliness contributes to the wear and tear of aging through this pathway as well.

There is more bad news. When we experience the depletion caused by stress, our bodies normally rely on restorative processes like sleep to shore us up. But when the researchers monitored the younger volunteers’ sleep, they found that the lonely nights were disturbed by many “micro awakenings.” That is, they appeared to sleep as much as the normal volunteers, but their sleep was of poorer quality. Not surprisingly, the lonelier people reported more daytime dysfunction. Since sleep tends to deteriorate with age anyway, the added hit from loneliness is probably compromising this natural restoration process even more.

Loneliness is not the same as solitude. Some people are just fine with being alone, and some even see solitude as an important path to spiritual growth. But for many, social isolation and physical aging make for a toxic cocktail.

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Author Contact: Louise Hawkley hawkley@uchicago.edu

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Be A Santa To A Senior Program Begins in October: Community Ornament Parties Scheduled at Area Senior Centers

Local Senior Care Company, Area Agencies and Retailers Play Santa to Overlooked Seniors: Community help Needed

A local senior care company, along with area retailers and seniorcare agencies, are bringing Santa to the lives of seniors who may have been overlooked in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

Three area offices of Home Instead Senior Care® in Oakland County, Michigan, the world’s largest provider of non-medical home care and companionship for seniors, have teamed with dozens of regional senior care providers and all Oakland County National City Bank branches and ACO Hardware stores to provide presents to seniors who otherwise might not receive a gift this holiday season. 

Jeri Edwards, coordinator of customer service and operations assistant for ACO Hardware emphasized, “We are excited that we can now give back to seniors who have been our customers for all of these years.  We’ve been in business in Michigan for over sixty years, and many of those who will benefit from this program are, or were at one time, our customers.” 

“In addition to supplying gifts, Be a Santa to a Senior^® is also designed to help stimulate human contact and social interaction for seniors who are unlikely to have guests during the holidays,” said Bert Copple, Director of Community Relations for two of the Home Instead offices serving Oakland County.  “Since children are often the focus of holiday festivities, we’d like to help brighten the holidays for some area seniors as well.”

Here’s how the program, which runs from Nov. 1 through Dec. 7, works:  Prior to the holiday season, the participating local non-profit organizations identify financially challenged and lonely seniors in the community and provide those names to Home Instead Senior Care for this community service program.  Christmas trees and collection boxes, which will go up in all Oakland County National City banks and ACO Hardware stores on November 1, will feature ornaments with the first names of seniors and their respective gift requests.

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Are You Prepared for an Emergency?

A recent article from the NewsMax.com website showed that a town in Alabama is beginning the process of reopening its fall-out shelter, a building once only used during the Cold War when a nuclear attack was greatly feared.  So why reopen the shelter fifteen years after the federal governemnt stopped funding such causes?

Fear, perhaps.  But in an unceratin world, where tensions remain high with countries like Syria and Iran, and an ever-fumbling Russia, the truth that our country could be attacked again is a real threat.  So the question I pose today is this:

“What would you do if your city was attacked by a nuclear or biological weapon?”

Would you know where to go?  Do you have a plan in place?  I fear that for most seniors, that answer would be a resounding NO.  Here is an excerpt from the article found at NewsMax.com:

Alabama City Reopening Fallout Shelters

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — In an age of al-Qaida, sleeper cells and the threat of nuclear terrorism, Huntsville is dusting off its Cold War manual to create the nation’s most ambitious fallout-shelter plan, featuring an abandoned mine big enough for 20,000 people to take cover underground.

Others would hunker down in college dorms, churches, libraries and research halls that planners hope will bring the community’s shelter capacity to 300,000, or space for every man, woman and child in Huntsville and the surrounding county.

Emergency planners in Huntsville _ an out-of-the-way city best known as the home of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center _ say the idea makes sense because radioactive fallout could be scattered for hundreds of miles if terrorists detonated a nuclear bomb.

“If Huntsville is in the blast zone, there’s not much we can do. But if it’s just fallout … shelters would absorb 90 percent of the radiation,” said longtime emergency management planner Kirk Paradise, whose Cold War expertise with fallout shelters led local leaders to renew Huntsville’s program.

Huntsville’s project, developed using $70,000 from a Homeland Security grant, goes against the grain because the United States essentially scrapped its national plan for fallout shelters after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Congress cut off funding and the government published its last list of approved shelters at the end of 1992.

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Proposed Service Tax Will Hurt Michigan Seniors

I received this press release/letter to the editor today from the National Private Duty Association’s Michigan Chapter.  I thought you would appreciate seeing the honest truth about Michigan’s proposed service tax.  Though it will raise funds, it will hurt many for generations to come.

 

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Dear Editor:

 

The voice of Private Duty Home Care, The National Private Duty Association – Michigan Chapter, finds it appalling that our lawmakers are considering a service tax in an effort to overcome spending short-falls from years of poor fiscal responsibility.  Though raising taxes is a viable way to tackle the deficit, the strain of higher costs will be felt by a rapidly aging population.

 

The so-called “luxury tax” currently being debated holds its greatest flaw in that the majority of services to foot the bill are far from the category of luxurious.  For seniors, taxing needed services which help the elderly age in place begs the question, “If a service tax is implemented, how many seniors will no longer be able to afford basic care services they require to live in their homes?”

 

A recent survey, which had its results published in the New York Times in August, found that in America a full ninety-percent of seniors desire to live, and age, in their homes.  For many, this can only happen with the help of businesses who specialize in keeping seniors safely in their place of residence.  From basic home maintenance to in-home care, the cost of living at home continues to rise for seniors.

 

Over the next fifteen years, the number of seniors in Michigan will increase by 41%, bringing a full 500,000 adults above the age of 65 by the year 2020.  According to the Michigan Community for a Lifetime study completed by Michigan State, “…communities must make a commitment to ‘ease the way’ for this population group.”  The proposed service tax does not ease the way for seniors to continue living independent and productive lives in the State of Michigan.

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Your Senior Advisor: Older Men Who Cope with Stress Have Better Cholesterol, Study Says

By Shannon Wygant, Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) and owner of the Waterford and Walled Lake, Michigan franchises of Home Instead Senior Care. 

1. My 68-year-old father discovered at his last physical that his cholesterol is up.  He watches what he eats and is very active.  However, it seems that he’s always stressed out and angry about something.  Are there any studies that link stress and cholesterol?

 As a matter of fact, a study just released in August at the 115^th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association (APA) found that older white men who are better able to cope with stress do in fact have more “good cholesterol” than those who are more hostile or isolated (http://www.apa.org/releases/cholesterolC07.html). According to the APA, this study gathered data from 716 men—average age of 65—to look at hostility, stress and coping processes, and cholesterol levels.  The subjects were given a questionnaire that asked them to rate how often they used 26 coping strategies.  The study found that:

• Individuals high in hostility were more likely to perceive problems as stressful and react with negative behavior, self-blame and social isolation.
• Men who were better able to cope could make a plan of action and pursue it.

Following an overnight fast, the subjects’ blood was tested for high-density lipoproteins (good cholesterol), low-density lipoproteins (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides.  The authors had theorized that hostility would have an effect on all three lipoproteins, but what they discovered was a direct effect on HDL and triglycerides, but not on LDL.  

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Your Senior Advisor: Technology and Companionship Helping Seniors Stay Home Longer

By Shannon Wygant, Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) and owner of the Waterford and Walled Lake, Michigan franchises of Home Instead Senior Care. 

1. As an 80-year-old woman who lives at home alone, I am interested in doing whatever I can to stay here.  My grandson has told me that there is technology being developed that can help me do that by letting my family “monitor” me.  I’m a very independent person.  Would I have to give up some privacy if I accepted these new-fangled ideas? 

 Your grandson is right.  Here are some interesting innovations designed by Georgia Tech College of Computing (http://gtresearchnews.gatech.edu/newsrelease/privacy.htm):

• “Cook’s Collage,” which photographs people during meal preparation and displays the cook’s six most recent actions on a flat-panel display mounted over the countertop. The idea is to prevent distracted chefs from forgetting what actions they’ve already taken. To reduce “Big Brother” appearances, cameras are mounted out of sight and only show the chef’s hands.
• “Digital Family Portrait” helps out-of-town family members keep an eye on aging relatives. A display monitor hangs in the caregiver’s home and displays a static photo of the older relative. The photo is surrounded by a digital-image frame whose icons change daily to reflect information about the older adult’s life, such as general activity level.
• “FaceBot” is a communication device that interacts with other home technologies. It features two cameras for eyes, microphones as ears and a speaker as its mouth.  Instead of giving voice commands to an empty room, such as “turn up the temperature,” residents can talk directly to FaceBot.

Researchers at the school invited 44 adults ages 65 to 75 to tour the residential laboratory and view these new age-in-place technologies.  Overall the seniors who were surveyed said they didn’t mind giving up some privacy to be able to remain independent, researchers reported.   The results of their poll show how important it is for seniors to remain at home.  While technology is of value, there is no substitute for human contact.  A few hours a week with a Home Instead CAREGiver can keep older adults in their homes longer as well. CAREGivers are screened, trained, bonded and insured, and equipped to provide that human touch that technology can’t.  CAREGivers are even matched with seniors to share their same interests and hobbies.  Services are provided from a few hours a week up to 24 hours a day—including weekends and holidays. —Editor’s Note:  This is a continuation in a bi-weekly series which will be emailed every other Monday to regional press affiliates to help promote health, welfare, and advocacy for our senior population.  Bert Copple, Director of Community Relations, can be reached via email at dcrcommerce@inspireseniors.com, or via cell at 248-953-9916.

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Your Senior Advisor: Tips Can Help Seniors At the Doctor’s Office

By Shannon Wygant, Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) and owner of the Waterford and Walled Lake, Michigan franchises of Home Instead Senior Care. 

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. 

Review family medical history.  Many diseases are hereditary.  Make sure you know your family history and provide a detailed outline to the doctor. 

Get an examination the old-fashioned way.  A thorough physical must include a thorough examination, no matter how uncomfortable, for early detection and prevention. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

For more information about Home Instead Senior Care, contact Shannon Wygant at 866-922-1400 or visit www.homeinstead.com. 

—Editor’s Note:  This is the second in a weekly series which will be emailed every Monday to regional press affiliates to help promote health, welfare, and advocacy for our senior population.  Bert Copple, Director of Community Relations, can be reached via email at dcrcommerce@inspireseniors.com, or via cell at 248-953-9916.

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Living With Alzheimer’s: Daily Activity Options

I have always been amazed at the effect Alzheimer’s and dementia have on people.  Many are able to still function within the role of daily activities, but are lacking the context within which those activities exist.  I found this most interesting when I first visited a memory care unit of an assisted living facility in Bingham Farms, Michigan.  There was one section of the building’s courtyard where there sat a pile of unfolded clothes, a clothes basket, and a bench.  The sign sitting nearby on a table read PLEASE FOLD THESE CLOTHES.  Moments later a beautiful silver-haired women with advanced dementia strolled into the room, sat down, and began to hum to herself while she folded the clothes and placed them in the basket.  She took her time, making sure each item was folded nicely, and placed them gingerly into the basket.  When all the clothes were done, she rose to leave, greeted me with a smile, and continued her walk.

A few minutes later a facility employee came by, dumped the clothes back onto the bench, and tussled them with her hands.  She, too, left the room greeting me with a smile.  I, to be honest, was dumbfounded.  Why on earth wold she do that right after the nice old lady folded all of the clothes?

Well, I am smarter now, and understand that when dealing with dementia, repetitive activities can actually be a soothing and comforting way to keep one with dementia etertained and free from boredom.  Sure enough, just a few minutes later, the nice old lady with the silver hair returned and folded the clothes, as if it was something new and exciting for her to do.  In a way, I’m sure she felt important in the fact that she was able to accomplish something that day.  Even if it was the same thing, over and over, it was something new and exciting for her each and every time.

What other activities can we find for the with dementia to engage each day?

The following activities are suggested in the book, Practical Guide for Caregivers:

Art
Clay: Use modeling clay and make objects or animals.

Water colors or crayons: Free-style water-color/crayons

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Your Senior Advisor: Sore Feet One Problem of Aging

By Shannon Wygant, Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) and owner of the Waterford and Walled Lake, Michigan franchises of Home Instead Senior Care. 

1. My 83-year-old mother, who lives alone, complains that her feet hurt more.  Is this a common problem for seniors and something we should be worried about?

The wear and tear that comes with aging can indeed cause foot problems for seniors, according to experts.  “Signs of foot trouble may include pain; excessively dry skin; thickened or discolored nails; swelling; redness; and unusual sensations,” reported Joshua Kaye, D.P.M, a podiatrist in Los Angeles, in an article written last year by Michelle Meadows for the FDA Consumer Magazine. What’s worse, foot pain can trigger other problems such as pain in the legs, hips and back, according to the article “Taking Care of Your Feet.”  Because foot problems may be potentially serious for seniors, the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) suggests that people take their socks off when they go to their primary care physician for a regular checkup. In a recent APMA survey of more than 600 people, 73 percent said their feet were not routinely inspected at doctor visits. 

Following are common foot ailments:

• Fungal nails—Infections that can quickly spread to other nails.
• Ingrown toenails—These can be caused by a variety of problems including improper nail trimming.
• Bunions—Misaligned big toe joints that can become swollen and tender.
• Hammertoes—Toes that are bent like claws, often caused by muscle imbalance or tight socks and shoes.
• Corns and calluses—Calluses appear on the soles and corns on the top, often caused by skin rubbing against shoes.
• Plantar Fascitis—Stretching or tearing of the plantar fascia, which runs along the bottom of the foot and supports the arch of the foot.

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Your Senior Advisor: Seniors Should Watch Food Labels To Achieve Better Cholesterol Readings

By Shannon Wygant, Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) and owner of the Waterford and Walled Lake, Michigan franchises of Home Instead Senior Care. 

Q.    High cholesterol tends to run in my family and when I went for my last physical, I noticed that it was up.  My doctor said to watch what I eat and gave me a diet to follow, but it’s difficult since my wife died.   What can you suggest? 

One of the easiest ways to stay out of trouble at the grocery store is to start reading labels.  According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI: www.nhlbi.nih.gov), it’s important to choose foods that are low in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol.   The government has worked to make this easier for all of us. 

A Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rule went into effect in January 2006 requiring that food labels list the amount of trans fat together with saturated fat and cholesterol. What makes trans fat so dangerous?  Trans fat is a type of fat that is formed when vegetable oil is hardened through a process called hydrogenation.  The process actually helps to prolong the shelf life of food. Unfortunately, saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol work together to raise the level of LDL “bad” cholesterol in the blood.  And those factors contribute to disease such as coronary heart disease (CHD), the main form of heart disease and a leading cause of death, illness and disability in the United States, according NHLBI. Check the “Nutrition Facts” panel of the food label.  

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