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

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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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A durable power of attorney is your written authorization for someone to act for you in many financial and legal matters. This document will serve you best if it provides a broad range of authority, so be very careful in choosing your representative. And always consult an estate planning attorney on the proper creation and use of this powerful and trusted position.

	Request our free guide on what you need to ensure a complete and up-to-date estate plan.

You may authorize your power of attorney to:

• Pay for your support and care.
• Borrow money.
• Complete bank transactions.
• Manage property.
• Handle legal claims.
• Gain entry to safe-deposit boxes.
• Prepare and file tax returns.
• Deal with insurance and retirement benefits.
• Exercise stockholder rights.
• Contract for services.
• Make gifts to family and charitable organizations.
• Collect Social Security and other benefits.
• Exercise rights of the creator or beneficiary of a trust.

For more estate and gift planning information, 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.

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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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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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When you are caring for a relative, it seems obvious that health care providers would readily answer your questions. But health professionals and health plans are not permitted to freely give information. This can interfere with your ability to help your loved one follow doctor’s orders or figure out insurance billing.

Rules about confidentiality

You’ve probably heard the term “HIPAA.”

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Camp Carousel promotes healthy mourning through creativity and fun!

Camp Carousel 2011 will be held Monday, July 25 – Friday, July 29.

Learn how to cope with a death-related loss. Camp Carousel is designed to meet the unique needs of grieving children (ages 6-12), teens, and adults. For more information or for a registration form please see the Grief Counseling section of our web site or call 336-768-3972!

click here for registration brochure

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

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