Be Part of an Alzheimer’s Study
The number of people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is astounding-but even more so is the number of people caring for a loved one suffering from AD. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 5 million Americans have AD and almost 11 million people are serving as their unpaid caregivers.
America spends $172 billion caring for people with AD and other dementias and costs are expected to reach over $1 trillion by 2050.
Dr. Michael Weiner, M.D., principal investigator of one of the largest clinical trials on Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in history, is working with his colleagues from around the country to find answers to who gets AD, how it progresses, and how best to stop it.æ Dr. Weiner is leading the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) – the largest and most comprehensive AD research study of its kind sponsored by the National Institute on Aging.
ADNI is looking for volunteers to participate in its critical research. Go here or call 1-800-432-4380 to be a part of the fight against AD and to support those providing care for the millions of men and women suffering with Alzheimer’s.
Insurance Affects Health Care
Heart failure patients who are Medicare or Medicaid beneficiaries äóî or who are uninsured äóî are less likely to receive essential treatments and tend to be hospitalized for longer periods of time according to investigators from the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Medicine. Medicaid recipients with heart failure are 22% more likely to die in the hospital than patients with private insurance.
Data collected data from 99,508 heart failure patients found that individuals receiving Medicaid were less likely to receive drugs such as beta-blockers, enzyme inhibitors or receptor blockers. The study suggests that access to specialists and the patient’s socioeconomic may be a factor in the care these individuals receive.
This is not necessarily new information. What will be interesting is what happens when everyone in theory is insured. Will providers still favor the most favorable payers? Stay tuned.æ
Supplements Now Not Good??
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| @Nicholas Eveleigh, Getty Images |
A new study suggests that multivitamins and some other supplements actually increase the odds of mortality.
Lead author Jaakko Mursu, Ph.D., a nutritional epidemiologist at the University of Eastern Finland
Calcium was the only supplement shown to reduce the risk of death.
Duffy MacKay, vice president for scientific and regulatory affairs at the Council for Responsible Nutrition, countered by telling Health Day News the äóìresearchers started out with the intention of identifying harm. I caution against making overstated assumptions and conclusions from this data.äó
Check with your physician. A few years back we had our metabolism checked out and went on a heavy course of supplements. Lost a ton of weight and felt great. But I don’t have any idea of the long-term effects. Main stream providers have not always been big fans of supplements so your doctor may already have a bias.
Seven Senior Health Tips For The Holidays
The following is a guest post from Erin Palmer.
For seniors, the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping, cooking, baking and get-togethers can be loads of fun and a nice break from the typical routine. Unfortunately, holiday activities can also cause an increase in stress levels – which can compromise the immune system and leave seniors more susceptible to illness.
If you’re a senior, you know that staying healthy during the holidays will make them much more joyful for you and your loved ones. Being healthy doesn’t have to be hit-or-miss: a little planning can go a long way to prevent the weight gain, colds, flu, and physical exhaustion that often take hold this time of year.
Here are seven tips to help you sail through the holiday season in good health and high spirits.
1. Organize Your Time
When planning family visits, parties, shopping, baking, decorating, travel and other holiday activities, be sure to organize your time around your needs. Don’t over-schedule yourself. It’s okay to say “no” to invitations that might add too much stress to the day.
If you are not able to tackle the mall for an extended day of shopping, try a few one hour shopping trips. Shopping online is another easy option. Buying gifts a little at a time will help keep you from getting overstressed.
Ask for help from friends and family when you need it. If you typically prepare the entire holiday meal, this year, ask guests to bring a dish. This will make it easier on your schedule. Plus, the less time you spend in the kitchen, the more time that you get with your loved ones.
2. Set A Holiday Budget
Worrying over finances can lead to a lot of stress. Before you start shopping, set a realistic budget and stick to it. Small, meaningful and handmade gifts are often the most valued. Always ask family members what they’d like, instead of guessing and overspending. Consider giving gift cards; they’re easy to buy and one size fits all. No matter what, do not let the holidays overwhelm your budget. Focus on the quality time with family instead of just material things.
3. Avoid Germs
Holiday get-togethers can bring much joy and happiness to life. They can also bring a slew of germs to your home. Kids, in particular, can be little germ factories, so it’s especially important that they – and you – wash hands frequently.
Keep your hands away from your mouth, nose and eyes. If possible, keep children’s hands away from your face. Keep hand sanitizer close by and use it often. Be particularly careful in the kitchen. Make sure to keep counters, utensils and other cooking spaces clean when making holiday meal preparations.
4. Eat Healthy Foods
At the holidays, it’s far too easy to overindulge on sweets and rich foods, but you’ll probably pay for it later! Feel your best by choosing healthy foods. Try to stick to your regular diet as much as possible. When you indulge, choose smaller portions to avoid a sugar rush or car overload.
Don’t skip meals before a holiday feast. Proper diet and nutrition can keep your energy level high and help you ward off illness. Before a party, eat a small meal or snack, to help you avoid eating too much of the wrong foods. Eat vegetables and salads first, then enjoy your holiday favorites in moderation.
5. Stay Hydrated
Eating rich or salty foods or drinking alcohol means your body will need extra fluids to avoid the dangers of dehydration. Try keeping a water bottle close by and sip frequently. Have a glass of water with every meal – not only will it help you stay hydrated, but it can also make you feel more full so you don’t overeat.
6. Exercise Every Day
Staying active can be the key to avoiding stress this holiday season. Taking a daily walk will quiet your mind and get your blood flowing. A family walk is a nice way to finish the evening after a big meal.
If you have errands nearby, try walking instead of driving when possible. If you’re out after dark, take a flashlight and be extra careful. Dress for the weather and wear proper shoes to prevent falls. If it is too cold to walk outside, head to a mall or other indoor space where you can safely walk around.
7. Get Proper Rest
For seniors, getting enough rest could be the most important component of a healthy holiday season. When you feel tired, listen to your body and take a nap. Plan to relax after a shopping trip or other hectic activity. . Don’t jump from one activity to another. Allow time to relax in between.
Try not to rush to “get it all done.” Take it easy. You don’t have to meet everyone’s expectations in order to have a lovely holiday. Remind yourself it will be okay if you scale back a bit, and only bake three types of cookies instead of five. Always aim to get a good night’s sleep, especially when you have a busy day ahead.
It is Possible for Seniors to Have a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season
The holiday season is all about seeing family and friends, eating good food and reminiscing about holidays past. Wouldn’t it be a shame to miss any of the fun because of illness? Take care of yourself by following these tips, and this year, you could have your healthiest and happiest holidays yet!
Erin Palmer is a contributor to U.S. News University Directory a leading resource for education information online. The directory includes top colleges and universities offering online nursing degree, business education programs, healthcare degrees and many other accredited continuing education programs. For more information please visit http://www.usnewsuniversitydirectory.com.
