Seniors Site

Good news for working seniors, effective last Friday, July 24, 2009, the third installment of minimum wage increase came through. Although the increase is not a life-changing one, this proves to be very helpful for most seniors struggling with daily expenses, and not to mention their medical needs and bills. This is the third and final federal wage increase which preceded the first two ones in 2007 and 2008. However, if as an employee you are qualified for both state and federal wages, the higher of two shall apply.

The wage increase states that there should be a 70-centavos raise to the $6.55 making it at about $7.25 per hour. This means that there will be a $28 more every week for employed seniors if you are working under the federal minimum wage. On the other hand, seniors who are working under the disability program, please be reminded that you are entitled to receive special minimum wage for workers with disability. Furthermore, seniors who are working through the Senior Citizen Employment Program are also eligible for the increase. State wage is expected to follow lead after the federal wage increase has taken effect.

Working seniors are now looking forward to their next paycheck knowing that there will be a big difference as compared to their last one. Most of them are thankful for the increase since it will help them tremendously with their daily living expenses—something that keeps these seniors working even if it’s way beyond their retirement years. It seems that everyone in the workforce had been looking forward for this raise for some time now considering the fact that the economic crisis has been affecting us still.

Prior to this very good news, there had been debates on whether to push through with the wage increase or postpone it for next year. Economic analysts argued against it since they fear that it will only aggravate the situation further. What they fear the most is that small businesses might see the need to cut back on hiring employees or shorten their working hours to ease the stress of wage increase to their businesses. Also, big companies who are hiring employees on a regular basis would be compelled to seek people who are better experienced for the job at hand, eliminating the possibility for entry level jobs which help those first time workers with no experience under their belts. Nonetheless, this situation doesn’t pose any risk for seniors but is proving to be an advantage since most seniors are well-experienced and don’t need further training.

Apparently, bedbugs are infesting senior housing facilities all throughout America, the most recent reported case being the one in Boston where residents were asked to prepare their things for pests’ extermination come Friday. As to where the residents will stay during the 5-hour mandatory evacuation of the said building during the extermination period is still undisclosed. This is to address the parasite problem discovered sometime last week

Bedbugs in senior facilities have been a major problem for sometime now, no matter how hard housing authorities fight to keep and maintain their facilities habitable for occupants. Parasitic problems such as this one are considered as stressful for senior residents; as much as possible house keepers make sure their facilities are clean and free of any biting bugs to bother their residents. Unfortunately, these things seem to find their way in albeit uninvited.

Some residents are quite unhappy about these bedbugs and seek help from their landlords; After all, this is the housing management’s responsibility but it seems that there are landlords who choose to do little or nothing at all about the problem at hand. Because of this, seniors are stuck trying their best to live with bedbugs until the management finds time to address the problem.

Bedbugs multiply fast; that is why if given 2 years, they could cover the whole area effectively. Actually, bedbugs are widespread and their mode of transmission is fairly easy. They can easily be transported from one hotel room straight to your home or from your home to the senior housing facility via your luggage. Bedbug bites cause allergic reaction for some aside from the very visible bite mark it leaves behind. Because of the ever increasing number of reported cases over the last few years, a bill was introduced last May 2009 that aims to protect Americans from bedbugs. The bill, aptly named as “Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite Act of 2009”, intends to have lodging facilities inspected for bedbugs although senior housing facilities are not mentioned within the bill as it is targeted towards hotels and motel rooms so far.

The best way to prevent bedbugs from invading your home is knowing how to look for them. Almost always, they come from hotel rooms during vacations which means, you must be aware of the telltale signs such as fecal spots, blood spots and musty smell when renting out. Bedbugs are nocturnal creatures so you won’t see them during the day and they usually surface only when they know you’re already asleep. The best place to look for bedbugs is the bed since this is the place where they live; however, for heavily infested areas, they can also be found in walls and cabinets.

Seniors need to be extra careful now that Alzheimer’s disease research and studies are panning out—close enough but not all-too-specific as we are hoping for. There have been numerous speculations and findings on how this terrible disease invades the minds of older people and how they are contracted but none too specific and targeted to prevent it altogether. Is Alzheimer’s disease genetically implanted with us since birth? Or like any other lifestyle diseases, Alzheimer’s disease is based on how we lead our lives? Is it even possible to avoid or cure this dreadful, not to mention expensive disease? Apparently, we will never know, at least for now, but it will not hurt us if we follow some minor lifestyle changes that might steer us away from Alzheimer’s disease.

Just this month, a research showed that eating curry or incorporating turmeric in your diet once or twice a week could delay Alzheimer’s disease and dementia by slowing down plaque formation within the brain. Further studies are on their way to establish if curry could prevent plaques from forming in the first place. Now, it was said that over-the-counter drugs can increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease in an older person’s brain and could be potentially harmful for a person’s nervous system.

According to the University of Indiana researchers, most of the over-the-counter drugs seniors are buying nowadays could cause cognitive impairment in general. These drugs, particularly, are for aches and pains, cough and cold, anti-allergy and sleeping aids. Apparently, these drugs block acetylcholine—a neurotransmitter for both central and peripheral nervous system. FYI, there are three neurotransmitters that get affected during an Alzheimer’s disease onslaught: the serotonin, norepinephrine and acetylcholine—the latter being the most affected of the three.

Not all over-the-counter drugs can harm a senior’s brain; be especially on the look out for those containing diphenhydramine because it is an anticholinergic. This substance is usually present in antihistamine drugs or histamine blockers. If you are taking these drugs regularly, its effect could pile up overtime and could lead to Alzheimer’s disease. It is also not advisable to take these drugs for maintenance; if you are experiencing chronic pain and you need to manage it somehow, you need to consult a doctor for a more suitable maintenance drug that won’t give you such side-effect. Older adults are advised not to take anticholinergic drugs because of its effect on the brain.

Sleep is important no matter what age you are in. Seniors do need sleep especially if they are trying to nurse their body back to health; they need sleep as much as any younger adults do. Sleep is essential for all living humans; this is the time when the body restores itself. If the body doesn’t get its required sleep every single day, it will not be able to repair itself properly. Your body’s restorative cycle is then broken down resulting to minor nerve dysfunction each time you miss a goodnight’s sleep. These nerves are your body’s main “message” ways which connect and transmit messages all throughout your body. Just imagine if you messed-up these neurotransmitters badly by not getting enough sleep accumulatively overtime. It was even suggested that lack of sleep results to plaques in the brain; an indicator of Alzheimer’s disease.

Unfortunately, it gets doubly hard for seniors to get enough sleep for many varying reasons; some of them are for health reasons, medications and abnormal sleeping patterns. These, among other reasons, get in the way of senior’s goodnight sleep. A study was found that seniors age 65 years and above experience chronic sleep disturbances that usually leave them feeling sluggish and unenergetic in the morning. This is because your circadian rhythm is wrecked.

Circadian rhythm is your body’s 24-hour clock; it tells your body when it’s time to sleep and wake up. It encompasses your basic biochemical, physiological and behavioral processes. In layman’s term, this is when you feel sleepy and you start to slow down, something like your body shutting down and getting ready for sleep. You will understand this better if you experienced jetlag in the past. All living things, including plants and animals have circadian cycle or rhythm.

Your circadian rhythm solely depends on the light and dark patterns entering your eyes. This is not your usual light bulb pattern but your 24-hour solar light, night and day pattern. The nerves in your eyes process the signals to be sent to the master clock of the brain. Sadly, these nerves deteriorate overtime and get affected with age-related macular diseases such as hypertensive retinopathy. If and when this happens, your circadian rhythm will only get limited amount of solar light and therefore cannot send the right signals to the master clock.

Alzheimer’s disease can also affect a person’s sleeping pattern because of neural deficiencies common to sufferer of the disease. Lack of outdoor activity for seniors can also add up to development of irregular sleeping pattern among seniors. Although there are light devices in the market today that help stimulate your circadian rhythm, they are sometimes too bright and glaring and would therefore defeat its purpose altogether. One research found out that blue light works better than white light in stimulating our circadian rhythm. The project for this finding is still on-going and developers are hoping this is the answer to seniors’ sleep problems.

Falling is a serious accident for seniors than in any other age groups. This is because older adults tend to break bones when they fall or slip; usually the hip bones. According to statistics almost half of the senior population with hip fracture as a result of accidental falling or slipping, dies in about six months prior to the fall itself. At this alarming rate, health care providers are compelled to seek the root-cause of the problem and in a way prevent seniors from deaths due to this very unfortunate accident.

This is also why exercises that will establish and strengthen an older adult’s balance such as yoga are highly recommended by their physicians and attending doctors. But sometimes, even these exercises couldn’t regain one’s balance and prevent seniors from falling down and injuring themselves.

Last Monday, May 25, 2009, John Hopkins University School of Medicine released a finding that will provide a link to aging and falling risks. Apparently, not because you just reached the age of 40 that you will gradually lose balance; there is a closer link that will provide some sense to it especially if the person feels much younger than his current age.

If you are having some difficulties in hearing or had an inner-ear infection even far back in your childhood days, you have a higher risk of losing balance and falling down when you reach forty. You can even feel this imbalance in your younger years although you must have overlooked it since you still had a stronger footing and faster reflex then. Vestibular dysfunction or inner-ear dysfunction affects half of the American population at any age bracket but doctors didn’t suspect this back then to have an effect on seniors, much less on their falling episodes. They assumed that weakness, vision impairment and gait were the culprits to a senior’s fall.

Vestibular dysfunction affects one’s balance. If you look closely to the ear’s composition, the inner ear is the one responsible for sending signals to the brain which in return stabilizes the person’s balance. When there is a disruption along the line from the ear to the brain, the person’s equilibrium is heavily compromised, exposing the person to increased risk of falling and losing balance.

The study firmly believed that if the senior is aware that he or she is suffering from inner-ear dysfunction, he will be able to prevent falling or protect himself from doing so. Tests for inner-ear dysfunction are available upon request in your doctor’s office and they don’t cause much. Inquire about them now.

As one thinking senior, have you ever wondered how we evolved from apes to our current human form? Even before the word scientist, anthropologist and paleontologist were created, it has been a mystery how closely primates and humans are related and still, we are nowhere near the absolute answer to this age-old question.

Overtime, we gathered bits and pieces of evidence showing how it happened, hoping that somewhere in between we will finally find the missing link. Some of us are still a bit skeptical about the buzz which Sir Charles Darwin started years ago but after substantial evidences come piling up one after another, it becomes harder to turn our backs from the apparent truth.

For those still frowning upon the idea of “us-originally-apes”, I want you all to meet, Ida. Still not the missing link we are hoping for, or at least Sir Charles did, but nonetheless, one step closer to the truth.

Ida, the 47 million year old fossilized lemur-like being with noticeable characteristics of a human had made a debut just recently. Ida is considered by paleontologists as the most critical part of the missing link of human evolution so far. At a glance, this fossilized species looks very much like any other lemur we know considering its size and shape but upon closer inspection, a trained-eye will quickly spot the difference such as nails instead of claws, opposable toes, hands that were capable of grasping and short limbs. What’s more remarkable is the presence of talus bones in this fossilized lemur. FYI, all humans existing today have talus bones located between your heel bone and your lower leg bone. If you had been to orthopedic recently, you would probably know.

Ida had been unearthed some 25 years ago in Germany where she had lived hanging in someone’s private wall for the next twenty years. Only in 2006 that she caught the eyes of professionals. Negotiations began with extremely high amount of money involved in the said transaction. After the deal was done, she settled into her new home—in Oslo; where she will hopefully spend her eternal life living a celebrity’s life, safe and protected.

Evidences showed that Ida lived during the Eocene period. According to researchers, this was the time when early primates branched out. Some primates were left to be just the way they were then—as lemurs, while the other half evolved into apes and ultimately, humans.

Summer is certainly coming. This is the season to have fun, spend time outdoors, frolic under the sun and sport your expensive swim suit that will surely put younger adults to shame! Summers are meant to be spent outside after all.

Unfortunately, it is not safe anymore for elderly people to do this even for younger seniors who are in great health and fitness levels. 20 years ago, it was even forgivable to go out without that sticky sunscreen and sun protection. You can just walk out and stroll away. I even remember the immediate concern for most environmentalists back then: a little hole in the ozone layer; not thinning, not detrimental but a sure portent of what’s to come. 10 years forward, sun screen is a must; if not, you risk exposing your skin to skin cancer. Yet another 10 years and this is what we get, heat waves. Simply put, this issue is no longer about us as an individual person and how we choose to risk ourselves out there; right now, we don’t have much of a choice but to accept what mother nature is going to give us, whether we like it or not.

Heat waves kill. It kills more than any other natural calamities known to us. Heat waves killed thousands of people in the past and is still killing by hundreds every single year, either reported or not; immediate and by health complications. Heat wave hit Chicago in 1995, and then there was France in 1998, the most recent being this year in Australia, along with others that did not bring too much assault in human race but had been uncomfortably hot nonetheless. Weather experts also warn people that due to global warming, they are expecting temperatures to soar higher this year.

By definition, heat wave is considered as such if and when it lasted at least a day of uncomfortably hot, abnormally high temperature combined with unforgiving humidity. It usually runs for days and even weeks unrelenting. A normal human body needs to cool down after experiencing such combination of humidity and high temperature, similar to a sauna experience; but heat waves are remorseless as they can go for days on end. This, of course, can bring catastrophic results to a human body especially to that of a senior’s.

What others won’t probably know is that elderly people are at a greater risk during heat wave. When the body’s temperature is steadily rising, it will reach its limit and when it does, your body can no longer cool itself down or cooling efforts exerted by your body will no longer be enough especially in elderly people’s cases when their bodies’ ability to cool down is much slower than a younger person’s. This is also true for infants and children ages 4 and below, overweight people and those with disabilities and limited range of motion.

Among any other heat-related implications, heat stroke or sun stroke proves to be the most fatal of them all. Others are sunburn, heat cramps and heat exhaustion. Senior citizen is always advised to stay in climate controlled facilities during hot and humid days to avoid health risks.

Saving is important for seniors, especially for those living in a fixed income and are saving for rainy days. But with hard times like these, drastic measures are applied and simple pleasures are forgotten. Gone are the days when we just stroll in a supermarket and buy whatever our eyes like; flash that government issued discount card and head out the door without even batting an eyelash. Today, a senior is forced to find ways for them to somehow cut costs and make ends meet.

When we speak of cutting costs and making ends meet, an average American will think of only one thing: coupons. Coupons are really helpful in acquiring discounts in supermarkets and are quite necessary in maintaining a large household. Coupons can also help a senior in managing his finances better. Actually, if you are a conscious coupon hunter, you will know that there are many of them out there since they are practically everywhere!

You can find coupons in:
·    Products you already bought such as labels, box tops, covers, bottle caps, wraps, inside the product itself and boxes.
·    Product offers and promotional mails.
·    Phone books.
·    Newpapers and Magazines.

For these, you will only need a scissor to cut them out.

However, if you are a computer savvy and you know your way around computers which apparently you are since you are reading this post right now, you should know that there are printable coupons you can also find online. These online coupons are more convenient for seniors since they are given out for free. I think in an attempt to cut promotional costs over the manufacturer’s side, they have acknowledged that it is more cost-effective for them if they distribute coupons online. Come to think of it, this move is certainly great for the environment as well.

Online coupons are better than your ordinary box tops coupons; they have wider choices from electronics right down to travel tickets—things you could actually use. Of course, your regular necessities are always present as well but in bigger discounts as compared to the ones you get in your junk mails.

There are sites especially made to give out coupons. Some sites will require you to register and that is fine, just be careful in signing up for newsletters because they will send out massive junk mails every single day. On the other hand, if you are interested with these mails as well, create a separate email account for your coupons so it will not mess up with your personal email account.

These coupons are searchable over the internet. You can find them at:
·    Manufacturer’s websites
·    Grocery store websites
·    Ebay
·    Coupon sites. Believe me, there are many out there.

Have you heard about the senior pass? Well, if you love parks, US citizen, and you are 62 years old or way above, then grab this affordable lifetime pass made especially for seniors!

This affordable pass allows you to access recreation areas managed by US Federal agencies. Plus the senior pass also provides great discounts to some amenities which will normally require you to pay fees such as camping, site tours and boating.

These little babies cost $10 each and they last for a lifetime. You can purchase one with participating government agencies such as Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Forest Service, and National Park Service. All you need to do is personally present yourself to issuing agencies, bring $10 and some proof of identification like driver’s license, birth certificate, or anything that is government-issued documents.

However, fees vary from one site to another so it is best to inquire to the site first before going to avoid inconveniences along the trip and I heard you need to purchase the pass again if you lost them or if they were stolen from you so you really need to look after them closely.

Senior pass is very convenient and will come in handy for seniors who love strolling down national parks and just be one with nature. This is also a great way to enjoy a family outing without breaking the bank. Seniors are allowed to access most of national parks and lands from Alaska all the way to Florida. Senior Pass is part of the American the Beautiful- Natural Parks and Federal Recreational Lands pass program wherein they offer different kinds of passes for different needs. This program grants US residents to enjoy their national museums, parks and lands.

The good part is, this pass will not only benefit you but your companions as well. Your pass will allow you, three of your adult companions and one private car to enter the premises without any extra charge. Like stated earlier, discounts are given for any other amenities you may want to avail during the trip and mind you, discounts can go up to 50% if you are lucky!

Other available passes which you can avail through same agencies are access pass for people with disability problems, one year pass for adults under 62 years of age, and free pass for volunteers.

This pass will prove to be very beneficial to seniors considering the money they will be able to save and the number of parks they are allowed to access.

Have you heard of Healthy People 2010? This is a government initiated program launched last January 2000 and is still supported by States, communities and health organizations in an effort to improve quality of life and years through healthy life and eliminate other health disparities; Healthy People 2010’s two main goals.

Healthy People 2010 has 467 objectives which serve as a guide for improving health status of all people living in the US. It is closely managed and monitored by Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This program targets all breathing, living people ages 0-beyond although most of the issues focus on older subjects. These health objectives are designed to identify and pinpoint health threats which can otherwise be prevented. After careful deliberation from key members, Healthy People 2010 set out guidelines on how to reduce these “preventable” diseases for people to stay healthy and live longer lives.

Although the allotted time seemed short to see results, Healthy People 2010 is definitely getting there through active participation and great community response. There is noted acknowledgement from people making healthy choices in their lifestyle likewise with their eating habits. Wellness program goes way beyond the simple eat, exercise and live healthy rule, it also implements public health infrastructures, and overall local and national health management.

Healthy People 2010 offers seniors better facilities and assistance in managing their health. Some health issues focusing on seniors are cancer, heart diseases, food safety, infectious diseases, tobacco smoking, vision and hearing, physical activity and fitness, nutrition and weight management and mental health disorders among others. These are all included in the Healthy People 2010 agenda.

For seniors, it promotes healthy aging even in later years of life when chronic diseases are not anymore preventable. Healthy People 2010 closely monitors seniors’ health status such as their mental and emotional being, daily activity, oral health and mobility. It also evaluates seniors’ health behaviors for better understanding of common health problems which make seniors’ life uncomfortable. Preventive measures are applied such as vaccines, screening and laboratory test; all essential in studying seniors’ health patterns.

If Healthy People 2010 succeed in making all of us healthy then seniors will greatly benefit from it. A good health guideline is beneficial for all of us struggling to maintain great health to achieve longer life.