Posts Tagged ‘senior citizens’
Thursday, July 29th, 2010
Excerpt from Marjorie Gorospe, loQal.ph
115-year-old I-Apayao native Rufina Daluyon reflects the healthy lifestyle of the I-Apayao tribe and despite her age, the centenarian shows no signs of serious illness.
Apo Rufina can still talk and can still walk but she only speaks Ilocano. She shares her stories to willing listeners through her great granddaughter Susan.
1. Lifelong Physical Activity
The I-Apayao tribe is related to Isneg tribe and both tribes are known as good farmers.
2. Diet – mostly vegetables
Susan says being a member of the I-Apayao tribe, Apo Rufina is very fond of vegetables.
3. Good Genes
Apo Rufina’s husband lived for 126 years. Apo Rufina has three children, but only one among the three is still alive at a still remarkable age of 90.
4. Spirituality and Gratitude
5. Discipline
“Napakahigpit nya (Rufina) lalo pagdating sa pag-uwi ng maaga sa bahay at tamang pagkain. (She is very strict, particularly on curfews and eating the right food),” says Susan in jest.
Centenarian Northern Philippines
“Minsan tinatanong na rin nya kung bakit di pa sya namamatay at mukha daw nalimutan na siya ni Lord sunduin. (She often wonders why she’s still alive and that the Lord probably has forgotten about her),” says Susan who often visits her great grandmother and gives her a shower.
For her part, Susan says she is thankful for the life that God has granted Apo Rufina.
But Susan admits that things are getting harder for Apo Rufina. Susan says all they can do is to give her the love that she deserves while she is still alive.
Tags: Aging, elderly, filipinos, Gerontology, longevity, philippines, Prevention, senior citizens
Posted in Words from the Wise, environment, geriatrics, lifestyle, philippines | No Comments »
Sunday, July 18th, 2010
The addition of folic acid to the list of vitamins and supplements for the prevention of memory decline is addressed in this meta-analysis. Wald et al conducted a meta-analysis of 9 randomized controlled trials on folic acid, with or without vitamin B and its effect on memory, speed of information processing, language and executive function (decision making). The median duration per study is 6 months and the median age of participants is 75 years.
The results showed no effect of folic acid in the prevention of cognitive decline (memory, speed of information processing, language and decision making) among individuals without preexisting dementia.
The pooled standardized mean difference
in cognitive function test scores was 0.01 (95% CI,
-0.08 to 0.10) after a median treatment of 6 months; an
increase of 1% of a standard deviation of a cognitive
function test score, with confidence intervals excluding
an improvement or a deterioration greater than 10% of 1
standard deviation.
Studies of longer duration are needed in order to address the role of folic acid in the prevention of cognitive decline.
Source: The American Journal of Medicine (2010) 123, 522-527
Tags: Aging, brain, dementia, elderly, Prevention, senior citizens, Syndrome
Posted in complimentary and alternative therapy, drug therapy, geriatrics, psychiatry, psychology, research | No Comments »
Saturday, July 10th, 2010
The newly signed Expanded Senior Citizens Act 0f 2010, RA 9994 includes discounts for vitamins, minerals, diapers, and essential medical supplies. This includes Calcium for osteoporosis, Iron tablets for anemia, and B complex for patients with neuropathy.
However, the DOH and FDA have clarified that discounted drug and medicine purchases, now extend to vitamins and minerals specifically prescribed by doctors for senior citizens for purposes of prevention, treatment, or diagnosis of a disease or illness. This excludes those classified as “food supplements with no approved therapeutic claim”.
This law also mandates that DOH is to provide free pneumoccocal and influenza vaccines to indigent senior citizens.
Moreover, the 20% discount also extends to the purchase of essential medical supplies, accessories or equipment like eyeglasses, dentures, hearing aids, walkers or wheelchairs, and even to geriatric diapers.
Wheelchair
Tags: elderly, filipinos, geriatrics, House of Representatives, philippines, policy, senior citizens, well-being
Posted in Uncategorized, complimentary and alternative therapy, drug therapy, healthcare services, medical, philippines, policy, public health | No Comments »
Saturday, July 10th, 2010
The Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9994 (Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010) went into effect on July 6 granting the full 20 percent discount – privileges to senior citizens.
Secretary Soliman emphasized that senior citizens who have queries and complaints may call the DSWD hotlines 951-7120 and cellphone number 0999-314-7425 or visit the National Coordinating and Monitoring Board (NCMB) website at http://ncmb.dswd.gov.ph and email at ncmb@dswd.gov.ph
“We also plan to set-up Help Desks at the DSWD Central Office and in all DSWD Regional Offices for senior citizens without access to phone lines and the internet,” Secretary Soliman added.
Secretary Soliman appealed to senior citizens to refrain from abusing the privileges under RA 9994. “The law is the government’s way of acknowledging and giving praise to senior citizens who contributed to nation building, and is designed for the sole enjoyment of the senior citizens, so please do not abuse these privileges,” Secretary Soliman stated.
DSWD Sec Dinky Soliman
Tags: DSWD, elderly, filipinos, Governance, philippines, policy, senior citizens, well-being
Posted in complimentary and alternative therapy, geriatrics, healthcare services, medical, philippines, policy, public health | No Comments »
Sunday, May 16th, 2010
Modified from Alzheimer’s International UK:
Alcohol and cigarettes
“Supervise drinking and smoking to make sure accidents don’t happen.”
There is no problem for a person with dementia drinking alcohol in moderation if their medication allows. However the person may forget they have just had a drink and so have another one. This cycle can lead to repetition with the person becoming drunk or unmanageable.
1. Do not buy or store alcohol at home.
- reduce the number of bottles of alcohol available in the drinks cabinet
- empty or dilute some of them.
2. Distract the person with another activity, so that they do not think about drinking.
3. Provide water, juice, light soda, and other healthy cool drinks.
Cigarettes introduce a greater danger because of the risk of fire and damage to health.
1. Do not buy or store cigarettes at home.
2. Always supervise the person when smoking
- but remember the dangers of second-hand and third hand smoke!!!
3. Discourage smoking altogether and enroll in a smoking cessation program
4. Make sure that the clothes they wear and the furniture in the house are fire-resistant.
5. Install a smoke alarm, which can alert you to any danger.
Tags: Aging, brain, dementia, elderly, Old, senior citizens, Syndrome
Posted in psychiatry, psychology | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 4th, 2010
Part 2: Cognitive Engagement and Physical Activity
1. Cognitive Engagement.
Cognitive Training – modest benefits on cognitive functioning and a small but statistically significant effect on reducing the extent of age-related decline in cognitive function at a 5-year follow-up. Very small but statistically significant benefit on instrumental activities of daily living—for example, managing finances, managing medications, keeping house, and, in a subgroup analysis, benefit on driving performance in the elderly.
However, these results from a single trial must be replicated to confirm the benefits of cognitive engagement on preventing
cognitive decline over a longer time period and in study subjects with varying levels of baseline cognitive abilities before a firm recommendation can be made.
2. Physical Activity. Increased physical activity, including walking, may help maintain or improve cognitive function in normal adults.
Although encouraging, these data should be viewed as preliminary. Work is ongoing to further investigate the benefits of
physical activity.
Factors associated with decreased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline were cognitive engagement (as indicated by literacy and social enrichment), physical activities in later life, and a diet low in saturated fat and high in vegetable intake. Light to moderate alcohol intake
is reported to be associated with reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease, but results are inconsistent for cognitive decline
Source: NIH State-of-the-Science Conference:
Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease and Cognitive Decline
April 26–28, 2010
Tags: Aging, brain, dementia, elderly, healthy, middle-aged, minds, Prevention, research, senior citizens, Syndrome, wisdom
Posted in Guideline, complimentary and alternative therapy, geriatrics, lifestyle, psychiatry, psychology, research | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 4th, 2010
Part 1: Supplements and Medicines for Alzheimer’s Prevention
Available scientific evidence is inadequate to conclude that any known preventive strategies are effective. This conclusion is based on a review of published literature of randomized, controlled trials (RCTs), the most rigorous, highest quality evidence.
Summary of Detailed Interventions:
1. Vitamins, Nutrients, and Dietary Supplements.
Vitamin E – no evidence that this factor altered the onset of the Alzheimer’s disease.
Gingko biloba – A recent, large long-term RCT showed no reduction in the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease, leading to the conclusion that there is not sufficient evidence to support the efficacy of gingko biloba.
2. Medications
Cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine) – this class of drugs is not effective in preventing Alzheimer’s disease.
Anti-hypertensive medications – negative with insufficient evidence for protection against Alzheimer’s disease.
NSAIDs—rofecoxib, naproxen, and celecoxib—suggest an increased incidence of Alzheimer’s disease with treatment.
Conjugated equine estrogen, one combined with methyl progesterone – suggest an increased incidence of dementia (including Alzheimer’s disease) with treatment.
Together, these trials suggest that no known medication can be said to reliably delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
Source: NIH State-of-the-Science Conference:
Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease and Cognitive Decline
April 26–28, 2010
Tags: Aging, anticholinergics, brain, dementia, elderly, geriatrics, minds, Prevention, senior citizens, Syndrome, wisdom
Posted in geriatrics, medical, psychiatry, psychology, research | No Comments »
Monday, April 19th, 2010
The American Academy of Neurology has released a guideline on Driving among Patients with Dementia.
Concerned about the Driving Ability and Driving Safety of a patient, parent, friend or loved one?
Ask yourself the following questions.
QUESTIONNAIRE for FAMILY OR CAREGIVER :
1. How many times has the patient been stopped or ticketed for a traffic violation in the last three years? (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or more)
2. How many accidents has the patient been in, or caused, within the last three years? (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or more)
3. In how many accidents was the patient at fault in the last three years? (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or more)
Use this scale to answer the following questions:
1 strongly disagree;2 disagree; 3 no opinion; 4 agree; 5 strongly agree.
1. I have concerns about the patient’s ability to drive safely.
2. Others have concerns about his/her ability to drive safely.
3. The patient has limited the amount of driving that he/she does.
4. He/she avoids driving at night.
5. He/she avoids driving in the rain.
6. He/she avoids driving in busy traffic.
7. The patient will drive faster than the speed limit if the patient thinks he/she won’t be caught.
8. The patient will run a red light if the patient thinks that he/she won’t be caught.
9. The patient will drive after drinking more alcohol than the patient
should.
10. When he/she gets angry with other drivers, the patient will honk the horn, gesture, or drive up too closely to them.
cartoon from telspatch.co.uk
If you have numerous YES responses:
1. Seek help from the patient’s healthcare provider for an assessment of Dementia (neurologist, geriatrician).
2. Make sure the patient gets a vision and hearing check.
3. Review medications and drugs (including alcohol and sleeping pills) that may increase the risk of driving accidents.
Source: American Academy of Neurology Guidelines 2010
Published in: Neurology 74 April 20, 2010
Tags: Aging, brain, dementia, minds, Prevention, Safety, senior citizens, well-being
Posted in emergency preparedness, environment, lifestyle | No Comments »
Monday, April 12th, 2010
Excerpts from AFP 9 April 2010
Japanese robo-suit promises superpowers for greying farmers
TOKYO (AFP) – – While Robocop and Iron Man can dodge bullets and crush villains, a new powered suit from Japan promises its elderly users more modest powers, such as pulling up radishes without getting a backache.
Unlike its heavily-armed Hollywood counterparts, the Power Assist Suit aims to make life easier for Japan’s army of greying farmers.
The metal-and-plastic exoskeleton boasts eight electric motors that amplify the strength of the wearer’s arms and legs, as well as sensors that can detect movements and respond to commands through a voice-recognition system.
Professor Shigeki Toyama and his team developed the power-enhancing suit at the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, and Toyama plans to set up a company to start producing the futuristic outfit by the end of the year.
“If the farmer bends over to grasp a radish, his back will be firmly supported,” said Gohei Yamamoto, one of the students working on the team, as he recently demonstrated the suit on his university campus.
“A brief vocal instruction will instantly straighten the rods along his legs, giving him the power he needs to pull the vegetable without effort.”
Robo-suits are making inroads in hospitals and retirement homes, where they can help carers lift patients or aid in physical rehabilitation exercises.
The suit should hit the Japanese market in 2012, when it will initially retail for about one million yen (11,000 dollars), a price tag its makers hope to halve if the device is mass-produced, the team said.
Tags: active, elderly, senior citizens, well-being
Posted in lifestyle, physical therapy | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 9th, 2010
Heat exhaustion is a form of heat-related illness that can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures and inadequate or unbalanced replacement of fluids.
Warning signs vary but may include the following:
* Heavy sweating
* Paleness
* Muscle Cramps
* Tiredness
* Weakness
* Dizziness
* Headache
* Nausea or vomiting
* Fainting
* Skin: may be cool and moist
* Pulse rate: fast and weak
* Breathing: fast and shallow
To protect yourself from heat stress and heat stroke, follow these tips:
# Drink cool, nonalcoholic beverages. (If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills ex. furosemide or hydrochlorothiazide, ask him how much you should drink when the weather is hot. Also, avoid extremely cold liquids because they can cause cramps.)
# Rest.
# Take a cool shower, bath, or sponge bath.
# If possible, seek an air-conditioned environment. (If you don’t have air conditioning, consider visiting an air-conditioned shopping mall or public building to cool off.)
# Wear lightweight clothing.
# If possible, remain indoors in the heat of the day.
# Do not engage in strenuous activities.
If you are living with or taking care of an older person
* Visit older adults at risk at least twice a day and watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
* Encourage them to increase their fluid intake by drinking cool, nonalcoholic beverages regardless of their activity level.
Warning: If their doctor generally limits the amount of fluid they drink or they are on water pills, they will need to ask their doctor how much they should drink while the weather is hot.
* Take them to air-conditioned locations if they have transportation problems.
If You Don’t Have Air Conditioning:
• Take a cool shower, bath or sponge bath.
• Create cross-ventilation by opening windows on two sides of your house.
• Keep windows open at night.
• Keep curtains, shades or blinds drawn during the hottest part of the day.
• Cover windows when they are in direct sunlight.
• Electric fans may help, but when the temperature reaches the high 90s, fans won’t prevent heat-related illness.
• Go somewhere that’s air-conditioned like the shopping mall, the movies, the library, a senior center or a friend’s house. If you don’t have a car or no longer drive, ask a friend or relative to drive you. If necessary, take a taxi. Don’t stand outside waiting for a bus.
More heat stroke and heat stress information from the CDC link: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention USA
Tags: elderly, emergency preparedeness, geriatrics, Prevention, senior citizens, Syndrome, well-being
Posted in emergency preparedness, environment, geriatrics, lifestyle | No Comments »
