NOF celebrates National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month with the Healthy Bones, Build Them For Life® campaign

This month the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) will celebrate National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month in conjunction with a new campaign, called Healthy Bones, Build Them For Life®. As the nation’s leading voluntary health organization solely dedicated to promoting lifelong bone health and fighting osteoporosis, NOF’s goal is to reduce the widespread prevalence of osteoporosis and associated fractures and to find a cure for the disease through programs of awareness, education, advocacy and research. This exciting new campaign will give NOF a platform to continue to address the vital need for increased education for the awareness, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis while working to make bone health a reality and a priority for everyone.

Healthy Bones, Build Them For Life will help NOF increase awareness of osteoporosis and bone health among women and men of all ages and backgrounds and to address the vital need for increased education and for the awareness, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. This campaign will focus on educating the ENTIRE population on the importance of bone health and osteoporosis prevention, including nutrition, lifestyle choices and exercise. This year’s campaign will feature television Public Service Announcements about osteoporosis on ABC 7/WJLA-TV in the Washington, DC area, a live patient education webinar, special events, grassroots outreach and more.

Hosted on May 27, the live patient education webinar, titled How Strong Are Your Bones, offers a great new opportunity for those interested in osteoporosis and bone health to learn more. Participants will be able to listen to and view live presentations led by bone health experts. The May event is the first in a series of webinars that will cover a variety of osteoporosis-related topics including risk factors, testing, nutrition, exercise, treatment and more. To learn more or to register for the How Strong Are Your Bones webinar, visit www.nof.org.

“Bone health must become a priority for all Americans. Approximately one in two women and up to one in four men over age 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their remaining lifetime,” said Robert Recker, MD, president of the National Osteoporosis Foundation. “It is never too late or too early to talk to your healthcare professional about osteoporosis and your bone health and that is what this campaign stresses,” he continued.

“Through Healthy Bones, Build Them For Life – our hope is that the next generation of Americans will be armed with the necessary steps to keep their bones healthy and strong for a lifetime. Our hope is to increase awareness among the male population and educate them that osteoporosis is common among men,” said Amy Porter, National Osteoporosis Foundation Executive Director and CEO. “Our hope is to reach pre- and post-menopausal women and spread the message that osteoporosis is a disease that is preventable and treatable,” she continued.

NOF would also like to extend a special thank you to the foundation’s partners in prevention for this year’s campaign. Those partners include Amgen, Novartis, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American College of Rheumatology, American Society for Bone and Mineral Research and The Endocrine Society.

About National Osteoporosis Foundation

Established in 1984, the National Osteoporosis Foundation is the leading consumer and community-focused health organization dedicated to the prevention of osteoporosis and broken bones, the promotion of strong bones for life and the reduction of human suffering through programs of public and clinician awareness, education, advocacy and research. For more information, visit www.nof.org or call 1 (800) 231-4222.

Original content HERE.

You might hope that when the American Academy of Neurology reviews and updates its decade-old guidelines on driving and dementia, the experts would come up with clear-cut recommendations: a specific score on a specific test means someone can head for the mall without much concern, or a particular behavior means it’s too risky to be on the road, so hand over the keys.

You might hope that…

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Visit www.seniorhomeservices.net for help with an aging loved one in the San Diego, California area.

Elder Care Solutions – Dealing With Difficult Aging Parents

By Gregory Weldy

Ah, the empty nest. Your teenagers have moved out of the house. You have time to take a yoga class, have lunch with a friend, or learn a new hobby-until Dad moves in with you because he can no longer live alone. Caring for aging parents is tough, no matter how much you love them.

Looking after elderly parents can be even tougher when Dad isn’t cooperative. And even though he’s a cranky old man, he’s your cranky old man-and it’s your job to find an elder care solution that works for him. Here are 3 common elder care support problems and how to overcome them:

Medication meltdowns

Failure to take medications is one of the leading reasons seniors are admitted to nursing homes. To avoid nursing home elder care solutions and keep Mom at home longer, you’ll need to make sure she takes prescribed medications.

First, recognize there might be valid reasons Mom refuses to take her pills: sickening side effects, interactions with other prescription meds, cost concerns, forgetfulness, or dementia. Experts also say there’s another possibility-Mom may be rebelling against the reversal in roles. This woman, who spent a lifetime caring for her own children, is now being compelled to take medicine in the same manner as a 2-year-old toddler.

When you’re caring for aging parents, one way to overcome the medication meltdown is to allow her to feel some control over the situation. For example, give her a choice of what sort of snack or drink she takes with her pills. Other experts suggest a reward system. For instance, you might suggest, “Mom, you can watch your TV show after you take the pills.”

Silent suffering

Cultural or generational beliefs actually prevent some elderly from sharing important health information or concerns with family and doctors. While mom’s ability to suffer in silence might qualify her for sainthood, it won’t do a thing to relieve discomfort, prolong life, or create elder care solutions.

If you’re caring for aging parents who are silent sufferers, the family will need to don its Sherlock Holmes hats to monitor her care. Be aware of little changes in behavior or appearance. Are Dad’s clothes starting to hang from his already thin frame? Is his grocery list made up of a few nutritionally void bagels and cans of soda? When was the last time Mom changed the litter box? Noticing small but important changes will help you plan the right elder care solutions.

Car Conundrums

One of the biggest battles many adult children who are caring for an aging parent face is talking to a parent about giving up a driver’s license. Whether Mom can no longer see when there’s a glare or your dad asks passengers to help him judge distances, you’ll need to act to keep your parent-and fellow drivers-safe.

Some experts recommend staging an intervention. During this meeting, family, friends, and health care professionals can share concerns with your parent, as well as facts about how his or her driving performance has deteriorated. In serious situations, you may need to report your parent to the local Department of Motor Vehicles.

Caring for aging parents can be challenging, especially when you find that you need to parent your parent. With patience, a little bit of detective work, and compassionate intervention, you can make your elder care solutions more manageable.

Gregory Weldy is an expert on guiding families through the challenges of finding elder care solutions. He has written an amazing Free report called, “Nursing Home Nightmares: Challenges of Caring For An Aging Parent”. To claim you FREE copy, visit: http://www.BestElderCareAtHome.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gregory_Weldy

Blood cholesterol levels have been proven to be a major, modifiable risk factor for the development of heart disease. A risk factor is a condition that increases your chance of getting a disease. The fact that high cholesterol is a modifiable risk factor is important. Unlike your gender or your age, the cholesterol level in your blood is something you have the ability to change. High cholesterol levels can be treated with lifestyle modifications, supplements and/or prescription medication. Treatment to change blood cholesterol levels have been shown to lower your risk of getting heart disease or having a heart attack or stroke.

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Visit www.seniorhomeservices.net for information and assistance regarding home care for an aging loved one in the San Diego, California area.

April is National Parkinson’s Disease Month!

Parkinson’s disease is a disorder of the brain that affects the transmission of messages to the muscles. It is characterized by tremor, stiffness of the muscles, and difficulty in initiating movements. Over one million Americans have Parkinson’s disease. It occurs most often in later life, but can also affect younger people. Men face almost twice the risk of developing the condition.

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disease, which means that it normally worsens over time. It usually, but not always, develops slowly. No one knows what causes Parkinson’s disease. Certain “Parkinson-like symptoms” can result from the side effects of some drug therapies, or can be caused by conditions such as a brain tumor, arterial disease, viral encephalitis, stroke, or head injury.

What are the Symptoms?

Tremor or involuntary movements-One or both hands or limbs may exhibit an involuntary trembling, which lessens when the person is using the affected part. Involuntary movements of the hand are common, and the person may seem to be “rolling” something between the fingers.

• Rigidity of muscles; slowness of body movement-Posture may be stiff or stooped, with diminished movement of the arms and legs.

• Shuffling gait-The person may take small, cautious steps, or may alternate slow steps with rapid ones.

• Loss of facial mobility-The person’s face may seem to be expressionless.

• Speech difficulties-Speech may be slow and expressionless, and the voice a low-pitched monotone.

• Impaired balance-The person may have difficulty balancing or sitting up straight.

• Deteriorating handwriting-The person’s writing becomes cramped, smaller and more difficult to read.

How Is Parkinson’s Disease Diagnosed?

At present, there are no laboratory tests that can confirm the diagnosis of

Parkinson’s disease. In order to arrive at a diagnosis, the physician takes a family and health history from the person, and performs a thorough physical and neurological examination, observing the person’s movements and muscle function.  The physician will also rule out other disorders that can cause similar symptoms. Early diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease is important so that appropriate treatment can begin.

Managing Parkinson’s Disease

For now, there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease. But with early diagnosis and an effective plan of treatment, the symptoms of the disease can often be controlled or lessened. Treatment varies widely for each individual, and may include:

Medication therapy-A number of drugs can help control the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. The choice of correct drug or drugs, the dosage, the method of taking medication, and the risk of side effects of drugs vary from person to person, requiring careful physician supervision.

Rehabilitative therapy-Physical, occupational and speech therapists can assess the person’s abilities and needs, and provide exercises to help maintain the highest possible range of motion, muscle tone, balance and flexibility, and communication ability.

Lifestyle alterations-Exercise helps maintain muscle tone and strength. Diet is important for nutrition, for maintaining an appropriate weight, and because protein level may be a factor in the person’s condition. Rest and stress reduction are also important.

Support groups and counseling are available to help the person and family members deal with the social and emotional impact of Parkinson’s disease.

Find more information at

http://www.parkinson.org/

It’s a wrenching decision that doesn’t necessarily depend on age, experts say

For many Americans, driving equals independence — the ability to run errands, go to church or visit family and friends as you please. So the decision to hand over the car keys for good can be a difficult one.

To help doctors, seniors and their family members spot the signs of someone who is too old and too frail to drive, the American Medical Association this week released the Physician’s Guide to Assessing and Counseling Older Drivers.

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Visit www.seniorhomeservices.net for help with an aging loved one in the San Diego CA area.

26 million American adults have Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), and millions more are at risk. Most people are not aware that they have CKD or are at risk.  The National Kidney Foundation’s Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP®) offers free screening for those at risk – anyone 18 years and older with high blood pressure, diabetes or a family history of kidney disease. It is designed to raise awareness about kidney disease among high-risk individuals and provide free testing and educational information, so that kidney disease and its complications can be prevented or delayed.

Keep Screening

KEEP provides three simple tests that determine kidney function to nearly 2,500 people each month in dozens of cities across the U.S. Participants receive a comprehensive health risk appraisal, blood pressure measurement, blood and urine testing and the opportunity to discuss their health and review results with onsite clinicians.  The program, which recently screened its 130,000th participant, is finding kidney disease at the earliest stage possible.

Find a KEEP Location Near You.

Visit www.seniorhomeservices.net if you need help for an aging loved one in the San Diego CA area.

Consider adding vitamin D in your daily diet. A new study suggests that high levels of vitamin D in older adults can cut the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin present in many foods such as fish (salmon, tuna and mackerel), fortified milk, breakfast cereals, and some juices. Available as a dietary supplement, it is also produced by the body when exposed to sunlight.

The sunshine vitamin is important for numerous reasons; it boosts immunity needed for bone growth, reduces inflammation and the risk of cancers, controls blood pressure, lessens joint pain, and helps prevent osteoporosis.

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Visit www.seniorhomeservices.net for assistance for an aging loved one in the San Diego CA area.

In an effort to showcase the important message that screening equals prevention when dealing with colon cancer, an awareness campaign called Stop Colon Cancer Now, and powered by AmSurg, aims to educate the public about early detection and prevention of the disease, to eliminate the stigma associated with colonoscopies and to increase regular screenings for people over 50 and for other groups at added risk for the disease.

The risk of a person having colorectal cancer in his/her lifetime is about 1 in 19. Almost 75 percent of colon cancer cases have no prior family history and most have no symptoms. Scientists are still unsure of exactly what causes colon and colorectal cancer, but some risk factors have been identified, including a high-fat diet, diabetes, smoking, alcohol, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and other inflammatory bowel diseases.

Americans continue to battle this disease at alarming rates with 49,920 reported deaths in the U.S. in 2009. It is important to understand who is at risk, and what the available prevention methods are, to eliminate the onset of colon cancer.

Colon cancer indiscriminately affects people regardless of race, sex, economic status or geography. There often are no symptoms. It is important to get screened if you are:

* 45 and older and African-American

* 50 or older

* 40 or older and have a family history of polyps or colon or rectal cancer

* Have a history of cancer or polyps found earlier

The easiest way to prevent colon cancer is to schedule a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy is a painless screening test that provides important information about your digestive health. For most patients, a colon cancer screening does not have to be performed at a hospital. Today, many outpatient centers provide screenings by highly skilled physicians in a more relaxed, personal environment and usually with much lower out-of pocket costs for the patient.

No matter where you live or work, stopcoloncancernow.com provides valuable education, colon cancer screening options, screening locations, insightful patient stories and more.

Additional information on colon cancer and prevention methods can be found online at www.stopcoloncancernow.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Visit www.seniorhomeservices.net for information and assistance with home care for an aging loved one in the San Diego, CA area.

By Paula Spencer, Caring.com senior editor

Original Content HERE.

What’s worse –- the many challenging dimensions of dementia caregiving, like losing your privacy, worrying, assisting with daily living, filling the long hours, coping with new expenses, the anticipatory grief of watching someone you love change, and family-work stress (to name, oh, a few) –- or the thanklessness of it all?

Feeling taken for granted as a caregiver is incredibly common. Surveys indicate that more than half of all caregivers do. And yes, these understandable feelings are a stressor. What also adds stress: Feeling sheepish when you want to complain about this.

“I know it sounds petty to gripe about not being appreciated,” apologized a friend who moved her newly widowed mother halfway across the country to an assisted living near her home. “But every little thank-you is like gas in the tank that keeps me going.”

No kidding. Here are some ways to cope with the fact that caregiver appreciation isn’t always forthcoming:

Remember what you’re dealing with.

Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy Body dementia, and other dementias are progressive illnesses that shut down aspects of brain functioning. Over time, the affected person literally becomes incapable of recognizing your sacrifices, much less acknowledging them. That’s when you need to turn to other family members. Having a sounding board is critical. (Better still if they remember to tell you thanks, though how to say thank you to a caregiver is another post.)

Ask and (maybe) ye shall receive.

Sometimes caregiving pairs fall into routines, whether established years ago or recently, where they just expect you to cook, clean, et. al. without comment. Don’t be shy about pointing out the rut. The person might be oblivious to your need for the emotional refueling of a kind word. Sometimes we have to spell out for the people in our life what we need.

“When my mom, who has mild dementia, came to stay with me for six weeks after her hip replacement, she started saying things I would never permit my children to say, like ‘I’m hungry!’” says a friend. “I finally had to sit her down and say, ‘Mom, I love you and I will do anything for you – but you have to be nicer to me. Can you make me feel like what I do is a choice and not an order?”

My friend laughs: “She still asks outrageous things of me –- ‘Can you please stand on your head and flip backyards?’ –- but at least she’s more polite. She even says, ‘thank you,’ which I honestly don’t think she ever would have done if I’d never spoken up.”

Pat your own back.

Ultimately, you’re in control of your life and your feelings. So, because you deserve it, give some niceness to yourself. Praise yourself verbally: “Wow, that was a fabulous meatloaf!” (Or hint: “Hey, wasn’t that a great meatloaf?”) Acknowledge your efforts with a self-treat. Order a new book or movie. Send yourself flowers.

Learn to “see” your own invisible good acts.

So much of what a caregiver does seems to happen “behind the scenes”: talking to doctors, planning activities, orchestrating outings or surprise visits from friends. These are things your loved one is often unaware of, let alone going to high-five you for. But these covert efforts make life with your loved one smoother or easier — which is its own kind of reward.

Remember your motives.

Most primary caregivers step in out of a combination of love and duty. You’re not doing it for the kudos. On some level, you want to do this. That’s not to say appreciation isn’t useful, only that you can’t let it be the thing that gets you out of bed in the morning.

Quit keeping score.

Sometimes we subconsciously keep a score of “praise points” in our head. “My husband and I do a million things for our parents (who live with us) and never hear a word about it,” said one caregiver. “But my brother makes them hot soup once in six months and we hear about it over and over. It used to bug me, but now I realize that my relationship with them exists separate from theirs with him. I do what I do, and I know in my heart it’s good.”

Give loud applause to others.

Yes, even anemic helpers like the brother in the example above. Setting an example of appreciation — what it looks like, what it feels like — is another route to getting more of it yourself.

Finally, consider being taken for granted as a backhanded compliment.

If nobody’s saying anything, it usually means they’re happy with what you’re doing. Beats being groused at.

Visit www.seniorhomeservices.net for assistance for an aging loved one in the San Diego CA area.