Preventing Falls and Fires

Western Mountains Senior College member Jacqueline Cressy, from the Age-Friendly Community Initiative, reminded us how to stay safe in our homes at a recent To Your Health presentation. Older adults represent the population most likely to be injured from a fall or in a fire, and many of these injuries are preventable. Here are some of the points Jackie made.

How to Prevent Falls:

• Exercise regularly to improve strength and balance.Take your time getting out of bed or out of a chair. Stand and get your balance before walking.
• Keep stairs and walking areas clear of electrical wires, shoes, books, etc.
• Improve lighting and get yearly vision checkups.
• Use non-slips mats in the tub or shower and install grab bars.
• Be aware of uneven surfaces, indoors and out.
• Stairways should be well lit, with easy to grab handrails on both sides.
• Wear sturdy, well-fitting, low heel shoes with non-slip soles – even in the house.

How to Prevent Fires:

• If you smoke, smoke outside.
• Keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything that will burn. Shut off heaters when you leave or go to bed.
• Stay in the kitchen when cooking – especially when frying food.
• Stop, drop, and roll if your clothes catch on fire – Do Not Run.
• Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of your home. Local fire departments are available to do this for us – just call and ask.
• Plan and practice your fire escape route.
• Know your emergency number – for us it is 911.
• Plan your escape around your abilities - keep your phone, glasses, medication, walker etc. by your bed so you can grab them in an emergency.

For more information on the Age-Friendly Community Initiative visit their website http://www.agefriendlybethel.org/

Elder Abuse Is a Bigger Problem Than You May Think

Did you know that one in nine Mainers over the age of 60 experiences some form of neglect or abuse? And that in the majority of cases the perpetrator is a family member or spouse?

Betty Balderson (Elder Abuse Prevention Advocate at Legal Services for the Elderly) spoke to a small but appreciative group at To Your Health’s presentation on elder abuse last Thursday, September 21.  Abuse can be physical, sexual, psychological, and may involve neglect and abandonment, but by far the most common type of abuse is financial exploitation.

What’s financial exploitation? Perhaps a grandmother gives her credit card to her grandson to pick up a prescription, but the grandson also uses that card to pay his bills. Or a daughter convinces her mother to withdraw money from the bank and “give” it to her.

Why do family members do this?  Some may rationalize that they’re going to get the money anyway, why not take it now when they need it. Why does the senior not report it? They may feel they are dependent on the family for care, they may be in denial, or think that it is just a “family problem.”

Friends and neighbors can learn to recognize the red flags of elder abuse:

• Changes in appearance and personality
• Change in routine -- no longer participating in events enjoyed in the past
• Social isolation or family not allowing visitors
• Sudden loss of ability to meet financial obligations
• Senior states or implies problems/conflicts with caregiver

Watch, Listen, Do Something!

• If worried about immediate danger, call 911.  Or try talking with the senior about your concerns.
• Report your concerns to Adult Protective Services -- it’s confidential.  800-624-8404
• Help the senior call Legal Services for the Elderly (free to everyone over 60). 800-750-5353
• Contact Oxford County’s Area Agency on Aging -- Seniors Plus.  800-427-1241

Betty Balderson says there is no wrong choice in who to contact -- all of these agencies know about the others and will help you find the right person to talk to. If you do something, you’re doing the right thing!

Age-Friendly Community Has a Website

The Age-Friendly Community Initiative has launched their new Website:   http://www.agefriendlybethel.org/   Take a look - you will see a lot of familiar faces!  The website is still under construction, but when the resources link is active there will be a link to Western Mountains Senior College.

For more information about Western Mountains Senior College visit our website at http://sad44.maineadulted.org/western_mountains_senior_college

Minimizing the Risk of Heart Disease

Ever-popular cardiologist Dr. Daniel van Buren recently spoke to a To Your Health audience on the risk and prevention of heart disease. Some risks (age, race, sex, and family history) are non-modifiable; but others, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking and lack of physical activity can be modified.

Dr. van Buren divided prevention of heart disease into two types – primary prevention (lifestyle changes) and secondary prevention (medication prescribed after disease has been diagnosed). This presentation focused on primary prevention.

Inactivity, obesity, and diabetes are among the greatest risks for developing heart disease. The good news is that there IS a magic pill – it's called 30 minutes of moderate exercise five times a week. (Examples of moderate exercise: a brisk walk, snowshoeing, or using a treadmill). Regular exercise coupled with eating a healthy variety of foods in moderation can work wonders in reversing the risk associated with inactivity, obesity and diabetes.

Dr. van Buren left us with a prevention list of seven things to do:

• Get regular medical checkups.
• Control your blood pressure.
• Check your cholesterol.
• Exercise regularly.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Eat a healthy diet.
• Manage stress.

And one thing not to do:

Don't smoke.

Dr. Daniel van Buren with To Your Health committee members Jan Stowell, Ellen Crocker, Rosabelle Tifft and Judy Whitman.

 

For more information about Western Mountains Senior College visit our website at http://sad44.maineadulted.org/western_mountains_senior_college

On Arthritis

At To Your Health on April 6, Christopher P. FitzMorris, D.O., M.P.A. introduced the causes and symptoms of arthritis to an interested group. There are several types of arthritis, but Dr. FitzMorris concentrated on osteo and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is by far the most common type, resulting mostly from wear and tear or injury. Symptoms include pain, stiffness, and swelling of joints, which may be worse first thing in the morning or after sitting for awhile. Anti-inflammatories can help, but for severe arthritic pain, you should see your physician. Injections and drugs can relieve the symptoms.

More debilitating is rheumatoid arthritis, which usually presents between the ages of 30 and 50. Diagnosis and treatment by a physician are required.  While the causes of rheumatoid arthritis are still under investigation, there are drugs which can alter the disease, not just treat the symptoms.

Whatever kind of arthritis you may have, take control of the situation! Discuss self-management strategies with your primary care provider. Research credible sites, such as the Arthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org).  Manage your weight. Eat a healthy diet. Remain active as much as possible. If you are not active, begin a gentle exercise program, remembering that small increments provide the most benefit.  Use assistive devices (cane or walker) when necessary.  And perhaps most important, form a support team of your medical professional, your friends, and family.  But remember, you are the captain!

To Your Health team members shown with speaker:  Linda McDonough, Judy Whitman, Jan Stowell, Dr. Christopher FitzMorris, Donna Coe and Rosabelle Tifft.

For more information about Western Mountains Senior College visit our website at http://sad44.maineadulted.org/western_mountains_senior_college

The "What's New?" Tab

We now have a “What’s New?” tab at the top of the blog. As new information becomes available, we'll announce it in this new tab. For example, two Brown Bag Lunch discussions have recently been planned, and they’ve been added to the Public Events listings. But you wouldn’t know about these new events unless we announced them somewhere. That’s where the new tab comes in. Whenever you click on “What’s New?” you’ll see the latest updates. It’s up at the top between the “Home” and “Membership/Registration Form” tabs. Give it a try! (To get back here click on the "Home" tab.)
 

 

For more information about Western Mountains Senior College visit our website at http://sad44.maineadulted.org/western_mountains_senior_college

Takeaways from “Ask the Pharmacist”

On Thursday, March 23 two local pharmacists, Scott Fraser, RPh and Retief Orffer, RPh spoke at To Your Health’s “Ask the Pharmacist” presentation. More than 30 people attended. Following are several points that they made:

• A varied diet will supply most necessary vitamins and minerals, and it is better to get them from food. It is difficult to get enough Vitamin D and calcium, so supplementing these is beneficial. But avoid megadoses!
• Ask your doctor for a printout of all the medications you are on and take this to your pharmacist. Your doctor and your pharmacist commonly discuss issues of drug interaction, but your pharmacist is not usually notified when you are taken off a drug. This list will keep him or her up to date. 
• When you visit your doctor, take a list of questions so you don’t forget. Bring a friend or family member with you - two sets of ears are better than one. Ask how long you will be on a medication, if you are starting at the lowest dose, and if there is a lower-priced generic equivalent available.
• Your pharmacist is the only health care professional you can see and speak with without an appointment!

Scott Fraser and Retief Orffer offered three handouts - “Patient Guide for Food and Drug Interactions,” “Vitamins and Minerals” and “How to Interact with Your Pharmacist.” If you were unable to attend, copies are available in the Adult Education office at Telstar High School.

For more information about Western Mountains Senior College visit our website at http://sad44.maineadulted.org/western_mountains_senior_college