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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Increasingly, research shows that older adults can benefit in myriad ways from the companionship of an animal.

Physical health benefits

Pets seem to help us stay calm in the midst of stress:

- Reduced blood pressure and heart rate. Some research shows improvement even when the “pet” is fish swimming in an aquarium!
- Strengthened immune system. One study found an increase in an infection-fighting blood factor.
- Fewer pain medications. Adults who had pet therapy while recovering from joint replacement used 50% less pain drugs than those who did not.

Mood and activity benefits

For elders living alone, pets may provide a kind of companionship essential to well-being. Older pet owners are believed to be more active than their peers. One study even showed that older adults with pets go to the doctor less often than those without.

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Money matters are often intensely private. And no one wants to infringe on a family member’s independence. Yet it is through (sometimes expensive) financial mishaps that you may learn of changes in your parent’s memory and thinking.

Signs of a problem

Diseases that affect memory also tend to impair arithmetic skills and reasoning. That’s why money trouble can suggest the onset of dementia. Be alert for the following changes:

- Difficulty counting change or balancing a checkbook
- Frequent late payment of bills
- Confusion about banking transactions
- Unusual or repetitive purchases
- Accusations that others are stealing from them
- Investing in sweepstakes or other “get rich quick” schemes

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If you worry about your charitable giving traditions disappearing after you’re gone, check out these tips on bringing your loved ones into the loop. With some open communication, you may be surprised to find that your favorite causes will be the recipient of your family’s support for generations to come.

Start the Conversation
To begin, set aside some time to talk at a family gathering, at a family meeting or, if necessary, through a conference call. (Try a website service such as www.freeconferencecall.com.) During this discussion, you should:

• Share your vision, goals and philanthropic ideas.
• Ask your children for their thoughts.
• Request that your children consider their role in your charitable giving plans.

Involve Your Children
After your initial conversation, follow up with each family member to discuss:

• The specific charities you support or would like to support.
• Volunteer opportunities with these organizations.
• Traditions that can be started with your family and, if your children are grown, with their own families.

Plan to Give
Once you establish your children’s interest in taking on philanthropic responsibilities, you can develop the appropriate strategies. This could include connecting them with the organizations you support or setting up trusts to carry out your wishes.

We Can Help
We are happy to tell you more about our mission and the many ways you can support Hospice & Palliative CareCenter. Just contact Ellen Coble at 336-331-1312 or ellen.coble@hospicecarecenter.org.

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

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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 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.

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

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Time off from caregiving is precious. But after a break, many family caregivers find they don’t feel as refreshed as they hoped they would.

New research provides insights about how to get the most from a respite break.

Common respite mistakes

- Unplanned time. It may sound good to “have no plans.” But that can backfire if you end up simply watching TV. You may feel you “wasted” your time.

- Routine tasks. Doubtless, there are chores and tasks to be done. If completing a task will genuinely feel satisfying, great. But you may feel cheated if you use your respite to do “more of the same.”

- Obligations. Watch out for self-imposed “shoulds.” Such as, “I should go see my niece in that play.” If theater is not your thing, you’ll end up frustrated instead of rejuvenated.

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

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In addition to providing hospice care, your gifts support needed programs available to our entire community. Most of these programs are available at no cost to anyone in the community. Your contributions support these programs, including:

- Grief counseling to anyone in the community who has lost a loved one

- Advance Care Planning so that end-of-life care choices will be known and legally documented

- Residential hospice care at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home for those who cannot be cared for in their own residence

- Education of healthcare professionals in the important areas of end-of-life care and pain or symptom control

- Complementary therapies designed to help patients and families experience the best possible quality of life

For more information on contributing to Hospice & Palliative CareCenter, please contact one of the following staff members at 336-768-3972 or 1-888-876-3663.

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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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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