This news about oligomers, a floating protein in the brain, causing Alzheimer's is incredible. Now, some scientists say it's not the sticky plaque, just the proteins. The plaque actually protects the brain, they think. Amazing! Read more in the AARP Bulletin. Link below.
New Science Sheds Light on the Cause of Alzheimer’s Disease, New Direction for Finding Cure - AARP Bulletin
Needed, Now: New Approaches to Financing Old Age - Knowledge@Wharton
How do you finance old age today? You may have to work into your 70s. That's what experts are now saying. With the decline of corporate pension funds and with people living longer than ever, you may outlive your savings. We certainly can't rely on Medicare and Social Security.
We all need to become financially more literate -- to understand the power of compounding (if we ever get higher interest rates again), investing for the long-run and the way annuities work.
Read more in this alarming article from the Wharton School.
Needed, Now: New Approaches to Financing Old Age - Knowledge@Wharton
We all need to become financially more literate -- to understand the power of compounding (if we ever get higher interest rates again), investing for the long-run and the way annuities work.
Read more in this alarming article from the Wharton School.
Needed, Now: New Approaches to Financing Old Age - Knowledge@Wharton
Take Care With Medications
Last week I attended a talk on Medication Management for seniors. A registered nurse who is with Nursing and Home Care gave the presentation, which was really excellent. What I liked most was how many seniors showed up and how engaged they were in listening. They are confused by those "meds" they're taking are, and came to find out more about how to manage taking them. The woman sitting next to me came with a baggie filled with about 10 different pill bottles.
That's why it was great that there was a useful freebie being given away at the talk - a seven-day pill organizer. This is a plastic case with seven rows of little square holders for your pills. You organize the pills by day and time, so that you can keep track of what you've taken and not taken.
I can see how this would be really helpful. Two years ago, I had an infected dog bite, and I had to take two antibiotics on two different schedules. Plus, I could only take them within a certain number of hours before or after taking a multivitamin. The regimen was quite complex.
My solution was to write out the schedule on one piece of paper that I left on the kitchen table. Then, I had another piece of paper on which I wrote down the date and time that I had taken each pill -- immediately after I had taken it. This way, I didn't have to wonder if I had taken it or at what time I had done so. The system worked very well for me and helped keep me out of the hospital.
Try it for yourself. I'll be writing more on medication management this week.
Please send me questions and comments.
That's why it was great that there was a useful freebie being given away at the talk - a seven-day pill organizer. This is a plastic case with seven rows of little square holders for your pills. You organize the pills by day and time, so that you can keep track of what you've taken and not taken.
I can see how this would be really helpful. Two years ago, I had an infected dog bite, and I had to take two antibiotics on two different schedules. Plus, I could only take them within a certain number of hours before or after taking a multivitamin. The regimen was quite complex.
My solution was to write out the schedule on one piece of paper that I left on the kitchen table. Then, I had another piece of paper on which I wrote down the date and time that I had taken each pill -- immediately after I had taken it. This way, I didn't have to wonder if I had taken it or at what time I had done so. The system worked very well for me and helped keep me out of the hospital.
Try it for yourself. I'll be writing more on medication management this week.
Please send me questions and comments.
Seniors: How to Avoid Scams
I just got this notice from the Bedford, NY, Police Department. In the spring bunco artists (i.e., scammers and crooks) prey on seniors. Even though it comes from police in New York, seniors everywhere can benefit by reading this and taking care.
April 29, 2010 Contact: Det. Sgt. William Hayes PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
Bedford Police are reminding residents, particularly seniors, to be on the alert for con artists that often ply their trade during the spring months. These individuals engage in activities such as driveway paving or sealing scams, chimney repair or other home improvement offers. Criminals also pose as fake water or utility inspectors who try to talk their way into your home. Residents should be suspicious of anyone who comes to their home uninvited and offers these types of services.
All contractors must be licensed by the Westchester County Department of Consumer Protection. Their website has some excellent resources regarding assistance to homeowners desiring to hire contractors, as well as information on other types of scams, the website is http://consumer.westchestergov.com/.
Other types of scams include having a female or child come to your door and ask to use the bathroom or phone. When allowed in, the person claiming to need assistance or nearby accomplices will steal items from the home of the unsuspecting homeowner. Some groups will try to lure a homeowner out of the house by claiming a neighbor is cutting trees or constructing a fence near the property line to get the homeowner out of the house and allow accomplices to enter and steal property.
Another good resource for information on these and many types of scams is http://www.nabihq.org/. This organization, the National Association of Bunco Investigators (NABI), is a non-profit organization that assists law enforcement in solving confidence scams, commonly known as “bunco” crimes. NABI has assisted the Bedford Police in the past and has directly led to arrests of perpetrators of bunco crimes committed in the Town of Bedford.
Residents are encouraged to check on their elderly relatives and neighbors frequently and particularly if you see suspicious activity at their homes. If you see something suspicious, call Bedford Police right away, don’t wait!
IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHNG!
April 29, 2010 Contact: Det. Sgt. William Hayes PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
Bedford Police are reminding residents, particularly seniors, to be on the alert for con artists that often ply their trade during the spring months. These individuals engage in activities such as driveway paving or sealing scams, chimney repair or other home improvement offers. Criminals also pose as fake water or utility inspectors who try to talk their way into your home. Residents should be suspicious of anyone who comes to their home uninvited and offers these types of services.
All contractors must be licensed by the Westchester County Department of Consumer Protection. Their website has some excellent resources regarding assistance to homeowners desiring to hire contractors, as well as information on other types of scams, the website is http://consumer.westchestergov.com/.
Other types of scams include having a female or child come to your door and ask to use the bathroom or phone. When allowed in, the person claiming to need assistance or nearby accomplices will steal items from the home of the unsuspecting homeowner. Some groups will try to lure a homeowner out of the house by claiming a neighbor is cutting trees or constructing a fence near the property line to get the homeowner out of the house and allow accomplices to enter and steal property.
Another good resource for information on these and many types of scams is http://www.nabihq.org/. This organization, the National Association of Bunco Investigators (NABI), is a non-profit organization that assists law enforcement in solving confidence scams, commonly known as “bunco” crimes. NABI has assisted the Bedford Police in the past and has directly led to arrests of perpetrators of bunco crimes committed in the Town of Bedford.
Residents are encouraged to check on their elderly relatives and neighbors frequently and particularly if you see suspicious activity at their homes. If you see something suspicious, call Bedford Police right away, don’t wait!
IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHNG!
Medication Management for Seniors - May 18 in Darien, CT
Did you know that one in every three hospitalizations in older adults results from medication mishaps?
Did you know that one in every four medications prescribed may be unnecessary?
Aging In Place in Darien and Nursing and Home Care are jointly presenting Medication Management at the Darien Town Hall.
Elaine Abrams, MPH, RN, and Community Health Coordinator at Nursing & Home Care will talk about drug interactions, how to read drug facts and labels and what to ask your doctor.
I'm going to attend and will blog about the information I get from the presentation.
Don't miss this important meeting - Tuesday, May 18th, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. -- Room 119 at Darien Town Hall. It's free and open to the public.
To register, call Aging In Place at 203-202-2912.
Follow me on Twitter: @indieseniors.
Did you know that one in every four medications prescribed may be unnecessary?
Aging In Place in Darien and Nursing and Home Care are jointly presenting Medication Management at the Darien Town Hall.
Elaine Abrams, MPH, RN, and Community Health Coordinator at Nursing & Home Care will talk about drug interactions, how to read drug facts and labels and what to ask your doctor.
I'm going to attend and will blog about the information I get from the presentation.
Don't miss this important meeting - Tuesday, May 18th, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. -- Room 119 at Darien Town Hall. It's free and open to the public.
To register, call Aging In Place at 203-202-2912.
Follow me on Twitter: @indieseniors.
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