I found this on Facebook…just had to re send….so perfect for Mother’s day in 2012 as we see dementia enveloping so many…Letter from a Mother to a Daughter: “My dear girl, the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If when we talk, I repeat the same thing a thousand times, don’t interrupt to say: “You said the same thing a minute ago”… Just listen, please. Try to remember the times when you were little and I would read the same story night after night until you would fall asleep. When I don’t want to take a bath, don’t be mad and don’t embarrass me. Remember when I had to run after you making excuses and trying to get you to take a shower when you were just a girl? When you see how ignorant I am when it comes to new technology, give me the time to learn and don’t look at me that way… remember, honey, I patiently taught you how to do many things like eating appropriately, getting dressed, combing your hair and dealing with life’s issues every day… the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If I occasionaly lose track of what we’re talking about, give me the time to remember, and if I can’t, don’t be nervous, impatient or arrogant. Just know in your heart that the most important thing for me is to be with you. And when my old, tired legs don’t let me move as quickly as before, give me your hand the same way that I offered mine to you when you first walked. When those days come, don’t feel sad… just be with me, and understand me while I get to the end of my life with love. I’ll cherish and thank you for the gift of time and joy we shared. With a big smile and the huge love I’ve always had for you, I just want to say, I love you… my darling daughter. Read the rest of this entry »
- Buster, Age 101 Years Young
I had the opportunity to visit Boylston Place at Chestnut
Hill, MA to view Mark Wexler’s award-winning film. I anticipated a look into a
new modern world. In reality it presented some light-hearted fun as Mark travels
the globe interviewing a broad group of the elderly including a group which
might be called the extremely old. Read the rest of this entry »
At any age there are good drivers and bad. Some are consistently aggressive, forget to
look before backing out of the driveway, or get distracted with their cell
phone. What about the coffee cup, the
darkness when you entered the tunnel, or the “unseen” curb.
For the senior driver in particular when skills can diminish
(eyesight, hearing, or other physical or cognitive changes) it is helpful to
have an independent third party determine licensing, or driving capacity. States
are inconsistent about retesting, and licensing older drivers.
I recently discovered “Keeping Us Safe” www.keepingussafe.org a program developed by a retired Ohio State Highway
patrol officer, Matt Gurwell. Rather than deal with the results of accidents (as the police
often need to) why not prevent the accident in the first place. Create objective/tangible metrics to assess
driving abilities. Determine if you or
your loved one is a safe driver. The
program has two options.
First one could use a self-assessment tool available for
senior drivers using a 114 page workbook format “Beyond Driving with Dignity”. After completing the workbook, the driver and
family have objective metrics to determine if driving should continue or
alternate transportation options are needed.
Second, one could choose to have a certified professional
visit the driver. During a 3 hour
session, which includes some actual behind the wheel time, the professional can give feedback about the
merits/safety of continued driving. Sometimes it’s easier to leave the assessments
to a professional 3rd party rather than deal with the family
dynamics involved in such a decision.
Today, I was lucky enough to hear Dr. Robert Stern speak. He
wears two hats: Director of Boston University’s Alzheimer’s Disease Center and
Co-Director of the Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy. Both forms of dementia are becoming better
known because of our aging population, and the awareness of athletic brain
trauma effects. Still he urged us to
spread the word because knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease and its research
funding lags way behind that of breast cancer. He must have read our IB post of
2 weeks ago Jan 21. Why? He emphasized the importance of research when
50% of our population age 85 and older will have Alzheimer’s disease…and
large proportions will before then due to our Baby Boomer population
bulge. In fact he said 330 new cases are
diagnosed each hour. BU is actively
recruiting participants for 10 different ongoing studies related to
Alzheimer’s. Again, why participate?
Just like our prior posting noted:
- Medical testing and results for you at no cost
- Education on an issue of importance to you from
top researchers - Altruism….you can do something!
Dr. Stern left everyone with a feeling of HOPE, and the
gentleman sitting next to me, recently diagnosed when he was around 60 years
young a former executive at a local university couldn’t wait to volunteer for
the studies available…..I will too!
Medical Research Volunteers
You’ve read the notices…on the bus, metro, in the papers or a waiting room….Would you like to participate in a medical study? What is it? Why should you? And how do you find them?
A medical study aims to eventually develop treatment therapies for health issues.
Medical research and trials have been going on for centuries. Before modern times, research and trials were “hit or miss”. The scientist or physician might use family members, workers, slaves, or him or herself as test subjects. Because of much abuse and our social awareness, medical procedures are now formalized. Trained specialists conduct clinical trials. There are educational credentials important for researchers, and specialties such as “GCP” Good Critical Practices, “CRA” Clinical Research Associates”, and “CDM” Clinical Data Managers. Participants must give “informed consent”.
Why would you want to participate in a medical study?
Like many people you are hoping for a benefit personally, or perhaps you have an altruistic motive to help future generations. Depending on the trial you volunteer for you could:
- Get significant medical testing and results done at no cost to you or your insurer
- Get specialized medical attention earlier even before a potential diagnosis or development of a particular condition or illness
- Be compensated for participation to mitigate the inconvenience, transportation costs etc.
- Obtain some first-hand education about a particular medical issue of interest
How do you find a medical study of interest to you?
The National Institute of Health manages a website: www.clinicaltrials.gov.
You can search by location, or by illness (common and rare) such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Alzheimers. You might also choose by interest: vision, hearing, aging, athlete and so forth. The website gives you information about the requirements to participate, the locale, purpose of the study, and contact info. If you live in a metropolitan area, with many medical researchers, and teaching hospitals you may find just the right study to benefit you. Read the rest of this entry »
Dental Care Comes to You
As with our earlier post,
The Traveling Eye Doctor, why not consider the mobile dental hygiene option. I had the opportunity to speak with Marcy Foreman, of The Traveling Tooth Fairy. As with all medical services, the equipment meets the standards and care of OSHA and the Center for Disease Control. Read the rest of this entry »
- Police & Roses
You all know my interest in hearing loss, especially when
it comes to helping Seniors. I had the good fortune to visit the exhibit booth
of MCDHH, the Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing at a
health and wellness fair recently. My
experience included trying out and learning about the benefits of using
Assistive Listening Devices and Systems, ALDS.
Hearing and hard of hearing people use ALDS to understand more in a
variety of communication situations. I found myself listening through a pair of durable stereo headphones plugged into a tunable FM ALDS receiver.
Car Keys
After receiving yet another call from a concerned family member, I find that Transportation & Mobility continue to be the primary concern for seniors. Can the elderly safely “age in place” in the home and community where they have lived their lives? It’s not fair to “take away the keys”, without providing alternatives to maintain independence. How can someone enjoy a socially and mentally stimulating retirement without mobility? Not everyone can put a chauffeur on the payroll as in “Driving Miss Daisy”.
A recent North Dakota webinar called transportation options a necessity for the “activities of life”. Well, there is an exciting choice coming to many communities, and for those where it hasn’t appeared yet, it can serve as an inspirational model. The Independent Transportation Network known as ITN America is a nonprofit transportation system. Through a program of donations, grants, and volunteerism they provide transportation for senior adults and the visually impaired. Similar to the “village movement” amongst senior residences, they have grown through grassroots efforts to encompass 22 affiliates. Riders use a prepaid account so that no cash is necessary at the time of the ride. The total cost to the rider represents a significant discount from standard taxi fares.
For drivers, ITN uses a mix of volunteer and paid drivers appropriately screened and checked. Rides can be booked in advance by phone.
A personally scheduled ride is the alternative of choice for many senior adults living in suburban and rural areas where urban/mass transit options are just not available. Another advance for independent living!
Watch this video featured on PBS, http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7701569969756944771# about the ITN service, and get inspiration from the young founder who turned trouble into an opportunity for many.
Noise Pollution
In an earlier post, we noted how many senior residences are not even aware of the in patient/resident hearing issues surrounding background noise. Their designs and equipment exacerbate the problem for residents with hearing aids. Simple solutions could be implemented. Here are a few remedies to encourage change (remembering that many residents with hearing loss also have vision issues associated with cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration).
1) Universal Designers/Interior Designers should be trained in the issues facing residents with hearing impairment. Also, all new residences could require approval on building design from an acoustical engineering perspective. Lets do away with unnecessary background noise, waterfalls, elevator music, loud kitchen appliances….use fabrics when needed to muffle echo sounds, etc….
2) Captioning should be a requirement for any common area screen viewing. Staff should be able to assist residents with TV viewing/ captioning selections in their private rooms.
Check out this advocacy group, The Collaborative for Communication Access www.ccacaptioning.org
3) It would be helpful to test obtain a decibel/volume rating on proposed appliance purchases (our appliances could easily be labeled just as they are for energy efficiency) to help us in our consumer choices and reduce noise pollution.
Newsletter
Features Products
