Tag Archives: NJ senior health
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Mental Disorders Not Part of Normal Aging
New Jersey Senior Health News
Contrary to popular belief, mental disorders like anxiety, depression, cognitive impairment, mood disorders and behavioral problems, are not a normal part of aging.
Yet, psychiatric illnesses in older adults have long tended to be neglected, sometimes with tragic consequences. This is why the rate of suicide is higher than any other age group and twice the national average.
Many elderly people suffer in silence because they are unable to relate their problems to someone who understands. Access to psychiatric care has long been a problem for them. And most families and nursing homes don’t know how to care for them.
According to the American Medical Association, there are less than 2,600 board certified geriatric psychiatrists for 35 million seniors – or about one per 14,000 Americans 65 and older. Families and nursing home personnel often fail to recognize mental or emotional illness in an elderly person, which can be confused with the symptoms of multiple medical problems.
In addition to a shortage of appropriate health specialists, experts cite barriers to access, a denial of problems among the elderly, and a lack of coordination between mental health and aging networks.
It is estimated that 40 percent of older adults with medical problems also have signs of depression. It’s not surprising when you think that in addition to dealing very often with the loss of loved ones, financial concerns, feelings of neglect and loss of independence, they also must deal with the realities that their bodies are breaking down.
Depression is not just a case of being in a bad mood, but continues for more than a couple of weeks. Signs include a loss or lack of concentration, sleep, appetite, and interest. Watch out for them in your loved ones!
Senior Dental Health – Help Them Keep Their Teeth
New Jersey Home Care News
Teeth are meant to last a lifetime, but tooth decay and gum disease can often get in the way. When teeth aren’t cleaned properly or often enough, plaque can form. Plaque can cause tooth decay, damaging the enamel that covers your teeth. Plaque that stays on teeth can form tartar, a hard layer that you can’t clean away by brushing.
Plaque and tartar can create a gum infection called gingivitis. People with gingivitis have red, swollen gums that bleed easily. If gingivitis isn’t treated, it can lead to a more serious gum infection called periodontitis. Over time, periodontitis can loosen teeth, and a dentist may have to remove them. Dental problems can also result from taking certain medications, having diabetes, having dry mouth, eating poorly or not seeing a dentist regularly.
Here are steps to help keep teeth and gums healthy at any age:
- Brush your teeth twice a day. Use a soft-bristle brush and fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss between your teeth once a day.
- See the dentist at least twice a year for a checkup and cleaning.
- Eat a balanced diet and avoid sugary drinks.
- Stay away from cigarettes and chewing tobacco.
TIP: If holding a toothbrush is a problem, try putting a wide rubber band around your hand and the brush to hold them together. You can lengthen the handle of the toothbrush by attaching a long piece of plastic or wood to it, or you can make the handle bigger by taping it to a small ball or a sponge. Try using an electric toothbrush.
If seniors have missing or loose teeth, a dentist can fit dentures or put in dental implants. Mouth sores; lumps or rough spots; pain or numbness; or difficulty moving your jaw or tongue could be warning signs of oral cancer, which is why regular visits to the dentist are critical.
Alternative Medicine Vs. Traditional, Western Medicine
Is alternative medicine (combined with traditional medicine) right?
Most people see a family doctor or a specialist for their medical care. Some people seek out other healing methods. In between, there is a type of medical practice that combines the two. This is often called integrative medicine.
Think of a hybrid vehicle. It uses two power sources – gas and electricity – to make the vehicle work. Integrative medicine works the same way. Its two “sources” are:
- Traditional, or Western, medicine. This is practiced by medical and osteopathic doctors (MDs or DOs).
- Complementary or alternative medicine (CAM). This is an approach to healing and staying healthy that is different from traditional or Western medicine.
Integrative medicine is when doctors use CAM along with traditional medicine.
How are integrative and traditional medicines different?
Western or traditional medicine typically uses conventional therapies to help prevent and treat disease. These include lifestyle changes, counseling, medication, physical therapy or surgery.
Complementary medicine uses different methods to promote health. Some complementary medicines include:
- Massage therapy
- Yoga
- Aromatherapy (using the scents of herbs and plant oils)
Some doctors will use a combination of traditional and complementary medicine. For example, your doctor may suggest massage or yoga along with standard treatments to help you manage pain or reduce stress that comes from certain chronic health conditions. These treatments are meant to support, but not replace, traditional medicine.
Alternative medicine is meant to be used instead of traditional medicine. It includes such methods as:
- “Eastern” medicine
- Folk cures
- Faith healing
- Herbal medicine
- Acupuncture
- Chiropractic treatment
Sometimes these therapies can be used along with traditional medical therapy for certain conditions.
Is integrative medicine safe?
Many alternative medicines have been used for thousands of years. But only a few have been studied in the same way as traditional medicine. For this reason, it is not possible to assure their safety. Also, the outcomes of some therapies are hard to measure using standard scientific methods. For example, it’s hard to assess the effectiveness of faith healing.
Before you try any CAM treatments, though, it’s important to talk to your doctor. Many substances an alternative medicine practitioner may prescribe could interact poorly with prescription drugs or over-the-counter medicines. For example, a dietary supplement promoted as a memory booster might also raise your blood pressure.
Posted by: Frank Esposito, VP Expert Home Care. New Jersey’s Expert Home Care provides professional, dependable home health care and companion care for NJ elderly, helping them with their daily living activities since 1984. Please call us toll free at 800-848-2336 when you have home care related questions or need assistance for a loved one. Get a Free Home Care Assessment (a $375 value!) when you mention this post.
Elderly Sleep Tips: Tai Chi Can Help
New Jersey Senior Health
Did you know that about half of older adults say they have trouble sleeping at least a few nights each week? Despite this “sleepless epidemic,” few treatments focus on improving sleep quality in people with moderate sleep complaints.
One alternative approach that shows some promise for treating people with sleep problems is tai chi. This is an ancient art of performing slow, gentle movements. It combines relaxation and exercise – both shown to contribute to a better night’s rest.
Why seek alternatives?
As many as four out of five people with sleep problems never seek help. Among the remaining one out of five who do seek treatment, most turn to sedative medications. But these medications can have harmful side effects, including:
- Daytime confusion
- Drowsiness
- Falls and fractures
- Adverse interactions with other medications
For these reasons, many people avoid sleep medications, and go untreated. This leaves them at risk of developing more serious problems, including chronic insomnia. And insomnia can worsen conditions like depression, pain and anxiety.
About tai chi
Tai chi is also known as “moving meditation.” It combines deep breathing, relaxation and slow structured movements. Tai chi has been practiced widely in China for hundreds of years as a form of meditation, exercise and self-defense.
The practice of tai chi is inexpensive and has no side effects. And because it combines movement and relaxation, it is especially attractive to researchers investigating sleep problems. It’s also a win-win for older adults who may have age-related limitations with some standard forms of exercise.
Getting started
Tai chi or TCC classes are offered at many health clubs and community recreation programs. There are also many books, DVDs and videotapes that can get you started with tai chi right in your own home. Always check with your doctor before you start a new physical activity.
Posted by: Frank Esposito, VP Expert Home Care. New Jersey’s Expert Home Care provides professional, dependable home health care and companion care for NJ elderly, helping them with their daily living activities since 1984. Please call us toll free at 800-848-2336 when you have home care related questions or need assistance for a loved one. Get a Free Home Care Assessment (a $375 value!) when you mention this post.
