Source: SeriousIllness.org

We usually associate the word “vaccine” with children. But vaccines play an important role in disease prevention for seniors, too. Because aging weakens the immune system, even common infections can cause serious problems for those over age 65.
The annual flu shot

The flu takes a heavy toll on aging bodies. Hospitalization rates for seniors surge during flu season. Really, what we call “the flu” is a constantly changing virus. Because there’s a new type circulating each winter, an annual shot is essential. That is true for your aging relative, but also recommended for any adult caring for a frail elder. For greatest effect, get the shot sometime in the October to December time frame.

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For more information about Hospice & Palliative CareCenter, visit http://www.hospicecarecenter.org!

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It is wise to be cautious about crime. But extreme fear traps some elders at home unnecessarily, undermining their quality of life.

If you are concerned about the person you care for, these tips can help you support your relative’s safety and address his or her anxiety.

The facts about seniors and crime show that

- fear is out of proportion. Older adults are the victims of crime far less often than are people in other age groups.

- violent crimes are uncommon. Seniors most fear assault and rape. But older adults are rarely the victims of such crimes.

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For most family caregivers, frustration and guilt are common, as is anxiety. These feelings are normal and reasonable under the circumstances. And it’s not realistic to eliminate negative emotions. Caring for an ailing family member IS emotionally taxing, especially in the case of memory loss.

But you can avoid amplifying a downer mood. According to stress and coping research, you can reduce your distress by concentrating on the present moment, the here and now.

To interrupt the downward spiral

– observe yourself. Practice noticing your thoughts and feelings. Get curious about your emotions. Explore them objectively, as though you were outside yourself. Your thoughts and feelings aren’t “you”; they are one part of your total experience.

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For more information about Hospice & Palliative CareCenter, visit http://www.hospicecarecenter.org!

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Depression is common in older adults living with a serious illness.
It’s long been known that brisk exercise can help reduce depression. Perhaps as a result of an “endorphin high” or changes in other brain chemicals.

But the exercise doesn’t have to be vigorous, according to new research. Even mild exercise can help combat disease-related depression. This is good news for people who are ill or disabled. Researchers have found that

- completing an exercise task yields a sense of achievement
- achievement boosts our sense of personal power
- increased self-confidence reduces feelings of depression and fatigue

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One of every three older women is dealing with urinary incontinence. And one of every six older men. If your loved one has this problem, he or she is likely not talking about it. Not talking to you. Not talking to the doctor.

She may be embarrassed. Or he may assume nothing can be done.

In fact, urinary incontinence is a medical problem with many treatment options. Untreated, urinary incontinence is associated with

• social isolation. Fear of accidents often leads to withdrawal from activities outside the home.

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For more information about Hospice & Palliative CareCenter, visit http://www.hospicecarecenter.org!

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In some communities, nearly 60% of all patients and families facing the challenges of end-of-life receive loving support and compassionate care from a hospice organization. In our community, approximately 40% of patients and families are receiving our care.

Our goal is to help as many patients and families as possible. We know we can do more. With your voice, we can spread the word. By addressing commonly asked questions, we can raise awareness. Advocating together, we can reach more people.

There are many ways you can help Hospice & Palliative CareCenter, but simply spreading the word is one of the most valuable. You could help someone have a life-enriching experience because of the knowledge you share.

In whatever way you help, whether it’s volunteering, participating in a hospice event, or making a gift, simply telling a friend could be the most valuable way you can support us and, more importantly, make a life-changing difference for a friend in need.

No one should face end of life alone. Together we can do more. When people understand the benefits of our Programs and Services, we will reach 60% in our community.

With Hope and Appreciation,

Your Friends at Hospice & Palliative CareCenter

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We’re breathing all the time. But when it comes to stress relief, not all breathing is equal.

The body’s stress cycle

- Our bodies are built to handle periodic crises. When we sense danger, our bodies release “stress hormones” that enable us to respond powerfully and fast. When the crisis is over, those hormones are no longer released. The body returns to relaxed, “normal” mode.

- But chronic stress is damaging. When we’re stressed every day, the “fight-or-flight” hormones keep running. Not a lot, but enough to upset the body’s balance and undermine physical health and mood. The body is distracted from its routine tasks of repair and maintenance. This can result in significant consequences.

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For more information about Hospice & Palliative CareCenter, visit http://www.hospicecarecenter.org!

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Source: SeriousIllness.org

Perhaps you wonder if your family member is a “hoarder.” You may even harbor secret fears about yourself! We all have cherished possessions. From trophies to teacups. Spare buttons to cans of half-used paint.

To save things is normal. To hoard compulsively is not.

Most of us can determine when we have “enough.” And we can decide to stop buying things and/or start donating or recycling things or throwing them away. Hoarding is different. The formal definition of a person with a hoarding disorder is a person who

* acquires and fails to discard a large number of possessions that appear to be useless or of limited value
* lives or works in spaces so cluttered they cannot be used as originally intended
* has significant distress and/or problems in everyday life that are caused by the hoarding behavior

What’s “normal” in home clutter occurs across a spectrum. The disorder of hoarding falls at the far end of this spectrum:

* Clutter free
* Clutter
* Social impairment: problems in everyday life, such as inability to find bills that must be paid, can’t invite friends or family to visit
* Safety issues: piles on the floor create a falling hazard. Belongings stacked on top of each other create a fire hazard
* Squalor/health hazard: infestation by mold, bacteria, insects, or rodents. (At this late stage, the local fire department and/or Adult Protective Services typically begin an intervention.)

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For more information about Hospice & Palliative CareCenter, contact Ann Gauthreaux, public relations director, at 336-768-3972, or see Hospice’s website at http://www.hospicecarecenter.org!

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Source: SeriousIllness.org

It’s unsettling when a family member is losing weight unexpectedly. If the doctor has no medical explanation, perhaps it’s the result of one of these common situations:
Access to food

- Money. Many elders needlessly limit purchases. A review of the budget, or shopping together, may help. If finances are limited, contact your local Area Agency on Aging to find senior dining programs and food banks. Or check out our listing of nutrition programs.

• Shopping. Your parent may have difficulty getting to a grocery store. And difficulty carrying packages. Have your parent try using a wheeled cart. Arrange for rides. Order groceries delivered. Or consider a taxi.
• Cooking. Cooking is physically demanding. Standing. Lifting. Carrying. With arthritis or vision loss, simply opening a package can be difficult. Help prepare meals in advance. Or identify shortcuts, such as precut vegetables.

Appetite and eating

• Flavor. We lose taste and smell as we age. And salt-restricted diets are often bland. Suggest cooking with more herbs and spices.
• Pain. Pain decreases appetite. Eating with others can create a natural distraction. Also check for correctable problems with dentures or teeth.
• Depression. Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or loneliness commonly reduce appetite. Have your loved one evaluated for depression. Look for ways to reduce isolation, particularly at mealtime.
• Medication. Some medications cause nausea or constipation. Others bring on a depressed mood. Still others reduce taste and smell. Ask the pharmacist about side effects and possible alternative drugs.

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For more information about Hospice & Palliative CareCenter, contact Ann Gauthreaux, public relations director, at 336-768-3972, or see Hospice’s website at http://www.hospicecarecenter.org!

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Source: SeriousIllness.org

It’s natural to want to help when your loved one can no longer drive. But it may not be realistic. Smart caregivers learn to delegate things that can be done by others. Only you can provide the love of a family member. Transportation is something others can do.

Each town has its own transportation program. Check to see which of these are available where your loved one lives.

Public transportation options

• Public or mass transit. This service is bus or rail travel on a preset route. It usually has a preset schedule. Seniors often pay a reduced fare. Some companies can even arrange ahead of time for someone to accompany a first-time rider, share tips, etc.
• Paratransit service. This service is for individuals with physical or mental disabilities. It provides door-to-door or curb-to-curb travel. Most paratransit vehicles can handle wheelchairs. Timing is based on the rider’s schedule. Advance reservations are required.

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For more information about Hospice & Palliative CareCenter, contact Ann Gauthreaux, public relations director, at 336-768-3972, or see Hospice’s website at http://www.hospicecarecenter.org!

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