The American Heart Association has already given its recommendation for not consuming more than 450 calories from sweetened drinks per week which is less than 3 cans of soda.  The men in the study, mostly white and from 40 to 75 years old, from 1986 to 2008 were questioned every two years about their eating habits  They also provided a blood sample halfway through the study period.  The artificially sweetened beverages did not increase the risk of heart attack even when the sugar-sweetened beverages were consumed only twice monthly than twice weekly.

The increased risk for heart disease in the men in the study who regularly drank sugar-sweetened beverages persisted even after the researchers controlled for other risk factors like smoking, physical inactivity, alcohol use and family history of heart disease.  The study ultimately finds that there is growing evidence that sugary beverages have damaging affects on the cardiovascular vascular health of those who consume them and provides strong justification to decrease the amount of sugary drink consumed.

Drinking regular or diet soda has previously been linked to diabetes and metabolic syndrome, a precursor to diabetes. Surprisingly, Gardener and colleagues failed to detect an increased cardiovascular risk among daily drinkers of regular soda.

“Unfortunately, it may be that individuals with poor dietary habits do resort in some kind of calorie balancing and continue to eat high-calorie sweet foods but reduce their guilt by drinking diet soda,” said Dr. Howard Weintraub, clinical director of the New York University Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, explaining the propensity to wash down a high-fat meal with low-cal soda.

Sugary beverages have damaging affects on your cardiovascular vascular health

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.  While the study noted an association between sugary beverages and heart disease, it did not show cause and effect.

This blog was provided by Jocelyn Stewart.  Thanks to DME Supply Group for providing content for the Senior Living Rockies Blog.

Here are several tips I learned after speaking with a few passengers that have these challenges, and some tips from TSA too.  I am keeping these in mind for taking my 77 yr. old father on an international trip next year.

1. Drop them off first — Save yourself 30 minutes by dropping them off where taxis drop off passengers.  Find them a seat and let them wait for you while you park and get back to them.  Some parking garages are rather large and will take MUCH longer to navigate with someone with mobility challenges.
TIP: Make sure you know where you dropped them and don’t forget it.

Security Tips to make it easier for the elderly at the airport

2. Get A Pass — Airport security normally doesn’t allow anyone but departing passengers with a flight boarding pass to go to the gate. There are exceptions, if a passenger needs extra help (like caring oxygen equipment, etc.) you can often go along. Remember, the departure gate person must type up and print this pass, and it will take extra time.  Bring your ID and passport if you have one to make it easier on them.
TIP: Request a gate pass right as you check-in; it will save time later.

3. Hitch A Ride — My dad can stand and walk, but even with a rollator it quickly gets painful.  Getting from the airline’s check-in desk to the security checkpoint would be to much for him.  It is easier on him and everyone around him if he can do it in a wheelchair. TIP: Request a wheelchair or cart ride in advance (even online), and again when you get to the check-in counter.

4. Don’t Stop Asking — Getting a ride isn’t a right.  Some airlines let you request a wheelchair when you purchase the tickets, and this typically should alert the agent when you check in.  Remember that you aren’t the only person that needs limited equipment.  They might not have any available wheelchairs when you get there.  Plan for this and give yourself ample time.
TIP: Be patient and if you have waited 8-10 minutes without help, ask again politely.

4. Pay extra care with your wheelchair — We know that security lines are not consistent widths and can weave around everywhere. Be prepared to annoy people behind you when adjusting the gates to accommodate the wheelchair. Security Officers will inspect your wheelchair or scooter.  These inspections will be conducted while you remain in your wheelchair or on your scooter if you indicate that you cannot get out of your wheelchair or off your scooter.
TIP: Let the security officer know in advance what you can or can’t do, and if you want a private screening or not.

5. Remove NON-required metal pieces — If you have a metal rod in your spine… DON’T take it out.  But go ahead and wear pants with elastic that STAY on when you remove your belt.  Get rid of all that change in your pocket in advance and remove those pens and cellphone.  Wear sandals if you can too, makes things much easier.
TIP: As soon as you checkin go ahead and remove all metal and place it in your small carry on bag that can go through the x-ray.  You can survive 20-30 minutes without that change or belt on.

6. Talk To TSA — They want their job to be easy and you to get through as fast as possible.  Help them by TELLING them IN ADVANCE of any special requirements, implants, needs, you may have.
TIP: If a rollator or cane gets separated from the person who needs it, ask a TSA agent to deliver it.

7. Hidden Metal Challenges — When the metal detector beeps on metal that’s not obvious, TSA is required to inspect further.  TSA believes in no exception, no doctor’s letter, or sweet talk will avoid this.
TIP: Request a secondary screening in advance if you know you’re not going to slip my the metal detector without beeping.

8. Cooperate Courteously — The TSA agents don’t enjoy giving a deep pat down to anybody.  Especially someone in their 80′s.  Remember they are just doing their job and want to finish in a timely manner but they are going to be thorough.
TIP: Be helpful, but not demanding or discourteous. Remember your goal is to breeze through the process, not lose an argument or miss a flight.

10. Time to get to the gate – Once the agent clears you, request for a ride to your gate.  Most airports have personnel driving around constantly to give rides to passengers with mobility needs.
TIP: If the traveler faces mobility and/or security challenges, get to the airport very early — 1 hour earlier than required is a safe bet.

Any other tips that we missed here?  Let us know!!

This blog entry was provided by Jason Monroe.  Thanks to JRS Medical for taking care of the senior community through its solid value medical supplies.

The changes follow a controversy in November, when two women in their 80s complained that they were essentially strip-searched at New York’s John F. Kennedy airport.  One had to remove a back brace to undergo an X-ray scan and the other lowered her sweat pants, so security officials could examine her colostomy bag.  As you know, anyone with ostomy supplies has an uncomfortable screening process at airports regardless of their age already.

Security Screening by the TSA on seniors getting easier

TSA officials have denied asking anyone to remove their clothes.  Betsy Markey, an assistant secretary at the TSA, apologized in a January letter that said security officers would receive refresher training on how to respectfully screen passengers with disabilities or medical conditions.

“TSA sincerely regrets any discomfort or inconveniences the passengers at JFK experienced,” she wrote.  The TSA also made a public statement, “we don’t get it right every time” while screening about 1.8 million people a day.  The agency created a hotline in December called TSA Cares for the elderly or people with medical conditions to help plan for screening “while respecting their privacy.”

Do you think the TSA has done enough to cover up their mistake and should more be done?  Our next post will give you 10 tips on making flying easier for seniors with medical conditions.

This blog was provided by Jason Monroe.  Thanks to JRS Medical for continuing to provide top level customer service to its seniors.

Advanced Healthcare Directives For Seniors

If something unexpected happens, you will want to know your wishes will be carried out if you are unable to express those wishes. The best way to make sure your desires are carried out is to write them down.

Although a survey by the Pew Research Center shows that the majority of people agree they have a right to decide what kind of medical treatment they receive, only 27 percent put their wishes in writing.

Living Will

A legal document used to tell family and medical professionals what life-sustaining procedures – if any – you would like to be used on you. It can also describe whether you’d like healthcare workers to take measures to prolong your life.  A living will is used when you are unable to otherwise communicate your wishes in regard to life-saving medical treatment.  This advanced directive addresses the kind and extent of medical treatment you want if you become incapacitated and are unable to speak for yourself.  It can include instructions on resuscitation measures, life-sustaining equipment such as a ventilator and whether you will receive a blood transfusion.

Power of attorney
A legal document that enables you to designate someone (known as your attorney-in-fact) to make certain legal, financial and healthcare-related decisions on your behalf.  This document appoints someone to make health care decisions for you if you are incapable of making your wishes known. This agent can make decisions such as if or when to remove feeding tubes or other medical equipment. The benefit of a health care POA is that he or she can make decisions in situations that may not be covered in other advanced directives.

Having this information written down can alleviate confusion among family members. If you already have a living will, durable power of attorney and other legal documents, it is a good idea to have them reviewed to make sure they are still valid. Sometimes laws change, and documents that are several years old may not include all of the current legal requirements. With the growth in an aging population, longer life spans and advances in medical technology, having advance directives is more important than ever before.

For more information visit: http://www.seniorlivingrockies.com/legal.htm

Thank you to Andrea Rosen andrearosen@ezlaw.com and EZLaw for contributions to this blog.

Time does not slow down as we age does it?  Thanksgiving is literally one week away already.  Most Americans are preparing for a big turkey feast with family and relatives. For some people it means getting up early to drive to Mom’s house while others have to fly across the country to be with family and to make the most out of a four-day weekend. For those with loved ones in nursing homes we have different concerns.  Is our loved one in good enough health to even attend with us OR are we going to join them seperately for a mini family get together?  Sadly, my father is not in good enough health to be transported by a standard vehicle anymore; of course we do have a great elderly transportation list to assist you in finding transport for your loved one.

Enjoy Thanksgiving with your gentle Elderly

I do like getting together with family and friends to enjoy a great day and most of the time good food.  I am not really particular how the turkey is cooked; since I’ve been focused on a healthy lifestyle I’ve learned to only take one plate of food at lunch and prevent myself from grazing.

Assisted Living Facilities and Board and Care Homes operate somewhat differently during the holidays; their residents require care 24 hours a day, seven days a week, which means some caregivers don’t have a long weekend to enjoy with family.  Some of the elderly/residents are fortunate to be in good enough health to spend a few hours or the day with family and friends while others are not able to travel and have to stay behind. Good facilities try to create a family experience even for those that have no family visiting.  Luckily my dad is in one of those.  If you need help choosing a good nursing home check out our guide.

Many facilities don’t know until Thanksgiving Day who is going to stay and who is going to be picked up by family.  Once in while they have a family that has things come up the last minute and they are not able to pick up mom or dad which is like telling a little boy or girl that Christmas is not happening; most of them get sad and some more mad at what’s happening.  They don’t understand, even the ones that tend to forget because they suffer with Alzheimer’s or Dementia.

Remember if your dad or mom is not quite ready to be picked up when you get there that it’s usually not the facility’s fault.  It’s a crazy day for everyone.  Mornings are always busy, the caregiver has to get everybody up, even the ones that like to sleep in.  Residents have to be dressed, eat breakfast, etc.  Some will get picked up for a few hours over lunch while others are going for the afternoon or early dinner.  The Nursing Home has to make sure that any resident that is leaving has the proper medication for lunch and or dinner and that the family understands when to give this or that pill.  If a mistake is made, responsibility can fall on the nursing home.

This blog was provided by Jason Monroe. Thanks to JRS Medical for continuing to make a difference in the lives of seniors throughout America.

Researchers from the University of Colorado said surgeons should assess the elderly differently than younger patients and take walking speed into account when determining surgical risks.

“This approach may lead to a more individualized way of deciding who should undergo surgery. We are designing tests to get away from chronologic age, and instead are now focusing on physiologic age,” said study co-author Dr. Thomas Robinson, an associate professor of surgery, in a American College of Surgeons (ACS) news release.

Frailty, a condition marked by muscle loss, fatigue and a lack of physical resiliency, can be revealed by a slow gait or walking speed, the researchers said. In these cases the stress of an operation could lead to serious complications, they said, which could be avoided by assessing walking speed in a simple test before surgery.

5 Misconceptions about Exercise and the Elderly

Myth 1: There’s no point to exercising. I’m going to get old anyway.

Fact: Exercise and strength training helps you look and feel younger and stay active longer. Regular physical activity lowers your risk for a variety of conditions, including Alzheimer’s and dementia, heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, high blood pressure, and obesity.

An older couple walks down a dock in the morning

Myth 2: Elderly people shouldn’t exercise. They should save their strength and rest.

Fact: Research shows that a sedentary lifestyle is unhealthy for the elderly. Period. Inactivity often causes seniors to lose the ability to do things on their own and can lead to more hospitalizations, doctor visits, and use of medicines for illnesses.

Myth 3: Exercise puts me at risk of falling down.

Fact: Regular exercise, by building strength and stamina, prevents loss of bone mass and improves balance, actually reducing your risk of falling.

Myth 4: It’s too late. I’m already too old, to start exercising

Fact: You’re never too old to exercise! If you’ve never exercised before, or it’s been a while, start with light walking and other gentle activities.

Myth 5: I’m disabled. I can’t exercise sitting down.

Fact: Chair-bound people face special challenges but can lift light weights, stretch, and do chair aerobics to increase range of motion, improve muscle tone, and promote cardiovascular health.

This blog was provided by Jason Monroe. Thanks to JRS Medical for continuing to make a difference in the lives of seniors throughout America.

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