Senior Living Kentucky

Inside Self PAGE 3

Home Home safe home, with some simple updates PAGE 4

Health & Care New solutions for staying young, healthy PAGE 6

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Self Dental implants-The best solution for missing teeth and slipping, uncomfortable dentures

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ccording to the National Institute of Health, 64 percent of the U.S. adult population are missing one or more teeth.

Over 40 million are edentulous (missing all of their teeth). The New York Times reported 25 percent of those 65 years of age or older have lost all of their teeth.

If a patient has dentures for many years, there comes a time when they can no longer function properly due to the continued bone resorption (bone loss). This problem is magnified in the lower jaw.

A recent study shows that extensive use of denture adhesives can lead to neurological disorders.

Johns Hopkins University published an article in AARP News stating that of the 10 most important health tips, No. 4 was do dental implants instead of dentures, especially the lower one.

Patients with implant stable teeth can eat a more healthy diet, fruits, vegetables and food high in fiber. A lower denture can be stabilized with as little as two implants offering a low cost approach.

It is also recommended that patients with advanced periodontal (gum) disease should have the condition treated, the hopeless teeth

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removed and replaced with dental implants.

Gum disease can lead to more serious health problems such as heart disease, diabetes and shown in a recent study, pancreatic cancer.

What is a dental implant? A dental implant is a titanium root shaped device with a special surface that allows for a strong bone bond.

Dental implant placement is an in office procedure performed under local anesthesia and for apprehensive patients, conscious sedation. Post operative discomfort is no more severe than a simple extraction.

Patients that are missing one tooth or must lose a tooth that can’t be saved wonder if they should replace it with a bridge or an implant.

According the American Dental Association, the average life of a bridge is 7-9 years, whereas a single dental implant has predictability of 25 years or more.

Dr. Jack Hahn of the Cosmetic & Implant Dental Center is a pioneer in implant dentistry and has developed techniques and devices that are used worldwide. He is the inventor of the world’s most widely used implant system and has successfully placed over 30,000 dental implants. The

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Cosmetic & Implant Dental Center has their own in-house dental laboratory with experienced technicians.

Patients are never without teeth during treatment and in some cases, permanent teeth can be placed the same day of implant placement.

The in-house dental laboratory has many advantages. The doctor,

patient and technician work together in order to obtain the most optimum functional and cosmetic result.

There is also a substantial savings in time and expense to the patient. At the consultation appointment, the doctor will go over the patient’s health history, take special Xrays with a machine that allows for computer treat-

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ment planning for precision implant placement.

Dr. Hahn and his staff will thoroughly explain the various treatment options.

Call the Cosmetic & Implant Dental Center to schedule your free consultation at 281-2333.

Dr. Hahn is a diplomate and past president of the American Board of Oral Implantology & Implant Dentistry.

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Home Where there is always an Angel standing by

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isiting Angels is a non- medical home health care company serving the entire Northern Kentucky area, assisting elderly adults who need care in order to live where they are the most comfortable – their own homes.

Most older adults don't want to go into nursing homes just because they need a little extra help getting daily activities done. Visiting Angels provides older adults a means of staying in their own houses by sending qualified, loving, compassionate caregivers.

We can provide light housekeeping, laundry, and meal preparation. We can also provide medica-

ment, workers compensation and liability insurance. This takes you out of the responsibilities that fall under the employer/employee relationship.

We pride ourselves on not only providing what we feel is the best service You can rest assured we in the area, but on being a hire only the best and most qualified caregivers. resource for the families we serve.

Our caregivers go Our extensive backthrough a rigorous screenground in this field allows ing process, which us the knowledge to be includes a criminal backable to recommend other ground check, drug screening, TB test, orienta- services, which may be helpful. tion process and compeOur office staff is availtency evaluation prior to servicing a single client. In able 24 hours a day, seven days week. We work addition, every caregiver when you need us. is our employee, which Weekends, holidays, means we cover all paywhatever the time we will roll, taxes, unemploy-

The care and understanding of the stress and needs of the family is important tion reminders and hygiene assistance such as bathing, shaving, mouth care, etc‌ Our services can be tailored to fit your needs.

The Northern Kentucky office is owned and operated by Kevin & Cindy Sesher. They have provided care to thousands of seniors since starting in business 2001.

We know firsthand how difficult it is to invite someone into your home.

make sure your loved one receives the quality care they deserve.

Visiting Angels will do a free in-home consultation to gather information and determine if homecare is right for you or your loved one.

Our case managers are second to none when it comes to matching seniors and caregivers.

Personality matters when choosing to invite someone into your home.

We take the time to get you know you and find out the qualities you are looking for in a caregiver.

At Visiting Angels you matter.

Let us show you the difference an Angel can make in your life.

To advertise in the 2011 version of Senior LIving or Creative Living call 578-5501.

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Home, safe home, with some simple updates N inety percent of homeowners plan to stay in their homes for as long as their health permits, according to “Kitchen and Bath Business” magazine. And, as the place that you spend a majority of your time, your home can play a big role in your health and happiness.

Follow these simple hints to ensure you are living a happy and healthy lifestyle.

Sanctuary or safety hazard?

Most of us look forward to our daily shower or bath as a time to relax and unwind.

However, a disproportionate number of fall-related injuries (70 percent) occur in the bathroom – especially getting into and out of the bath or shower. Keeping your bath a sanctuary rather than a safety hazard is simple.

Make your bathroom a safe sanctuary with simple updates.

Some brands, offer a variety of easy-to-use, easy-to-install and inexpenBreathe easier sive bath safety items like grab bars, tub grips, shower chairs and transfer More than half the American popubenches. lation (55 percent) tests positive for at least one allergen, while more than 16 Let there be light million adults and nearly 7 million chilIt’s no secret that lighting can make or break the ambiance of a room, dren have asthma, according to but did you also know that by age 60 the average person requires 15 WebMD. With that in mind, it’s essentimes more lighting than when they were 10 years old? tial to keep your family protected from Lighten up your mood and your home with new metal halide lamps. indoor irritants.

Metal halide is an improved lighting technology that is the closest simuAir purifiers use a HEPA filtration lation to natural sunlight, making everyday tasks such as reading, writsystem to remove up to 99.97 percent of ing, sewing and cooking easier. It also boasts long life and energy effiallergy-causing airborne particles. ciency.

Additionally, it is wise to change your furnace filters regularly to remove airborne irritants and also extend the life of the mechanical system.

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Health&Care Curves welcomes Silver Sneakers members at no cost

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ast year, Curves, the leading fitness and weight management program created for women, rolled out the red carpet to members of the award-winning Healthways Silver Sneakers Fitness Program, the nation’s leading exercise program designed for older adults.

Silver Sneakers members are eligible to join Curves across Northern Kentucky at no cost.

“We are so pleased to welcome local Silver Sneakers members to Curves of Northern Kentucky”, said Pam Westerman, owner of the Curves locations in Florence and

Independence. “As you age, your risks for debilitating disease increase, and being overweight or obese significantly adds to that risk.

At Curves, we have programs that help women of all ages do the three most significant things they can do to decrease their risks – manage their weight, exercise regularly, and eat healthfully.”

Curves provides guidance to SilverSneakers

female members on using strength training and cardiovascular-conditioning equipment, as well as other membership privileges, such as nutritional counseling and access to social and community activities.

Because of the hydraulic equipment used at Curves, women of any age can get or stay strong.

This exercise helps to increase muscle tone, improve flexibility, enhance endurance and

stamina, improve blood circulation, help balance, reduce the risk for chronic disease, and much more.

There are more than 2.5 million women in the U.S. who are eligible for the Silver Sneakers program.

So, if you are Medicare-eligible, check with your insurance carrier to see if you are also Sliver Sneakers eligible.

If so, call 1-800CURVES30, visit curveskentucky.com, or make your way to the nearest Curves to sign up for free.

Home from page 5 Conquer clutter Organization experts report that we only use about 20 percent of our “stuff” regularly. With that in mind, purging your home of these unused items can make you feel more organized, while making your home feel more open, easier to keep clean and dust-free.

Take control of clutter by acting like you are moving. If you wouldn’t make the effort to pack and relocate items – get rid of them. And, by selling your unwanted goods or donating them to a local charity you may earn a few extra dollars to reinvest into your home.

With a few simple and inexpensive updates, you’ll soon be living a happier, healthier life. For more about Home Care

by Moen products, visit homecare.moen.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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New solutions for staying young, healthy

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s we grow older, we look forward to the changes that life brings – retirement, grandchildren, financial security and travel.

Other changes that we might not accept so readily are the aches, pains and mental slowdowns that leave us longing for the good old days of our youth.

We think we have to put up with degeneration when aging, but that is not true. Staying active is key for a healthy lifestyle, but what else can we do to benefit our bodies as we age?

The human growth hormone (HGH) might be a key element in feeling your best as you age.

When HGH was first discovered, its only purpose was thought to be to stimulate body growth to adult size. Recent studies have found that one of the main reasons the body ages is because of the decrease in HGH, which helps the body regenerate.

It is possible that aging symptoms – rise in blood glucose, high blood pressure and even skin wrinkles – can be treated by maintaining HGH levels in the body. Receptor sites for HGH exist in almost every cell in the human body, so regeneration and healing effects can be quite comprehensive.

Until now, HGH therapy was injectable, costly and messy, available only to celebrities and the very wealthy.

In 1997, a group of doctors and scientists

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developed an all-natural source-product which causes your own natural HGH to be released again.

GHR, manufactured by GlobalHealth Products, is a capsule that works as a natural releaser for HGH. It has no known side effects, unlike the synthetic version, and has no known drug interactions.

Aging baby boomers and seniors can feel young again by realizing HGH potential.

Some think that HGH is so comprehensive in its healing and regenerative powers that it has the capability to displace many prescription and non-prescription drugs.

HGH is known to help treat hemorrhoids, autoimmune diseases, macular degeneration, cataracts, fibromyalgia, angina, chronic fatigue, diabetic-neuropathy, hepatitis C, chronic constipation, high blood pressure, sciatica, kidney dialysis, and heart and stroke recovery.

As seniors and others deal with health care coverage problems, it is important to look at what you can do for yourself to ensure your healthiness.

HGH can be particularly helpful to the elderly who, given a choice, would rather stay happy, healthy and independent in their own home. HGH gives the possibility of real health, not just treating sickness.

For information on HGH and the GHR capsule visit www.BIEHealth. us or call 877-849-4777.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Colonial Heights a great place to live

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aurine and Ray Owens used to be snow birds, dividing their year between Walton, Kentucky, and Florida, and they loved the lifestyle.

But when Ray’s health began to give him problems, Laurine convinced him to move to Colonial Heights and Gardens, a retirement community located on Hopeful road in Florence in May of 2007.

“We loved it here from the start,” Laurine stated. “Ray died last October, three days short of our 58th anniversary.

Ray was always very shy, whereas I am outgoing, and we both loved living here.”

Laurine started making friends right away, and has been elected Chairperson of the Resident Advisory Council, a position she takes very seriously, addressing any issues thoroughly. She also is the line dance instructor for a class that is held every Saturday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

“I always say is the Line Dancing and Comedy Club,” Laurine said with a laugh. “If we can’t get the steps, I tell jokes and funny stories, and to tell the truth, I think more people come for the jokes than the dancing!”

Laurine is a firm believer that laughter is good for the digestion and the soul, so she always tries to make the residents laugh. Out of the 200 plus residents, she knows at least 125 of them on a first name basis. She loves people, gives hugs freely, and is known for her back rubs.

Laurine’s favorite time is the social hour, on Thursdays from 3 to 4 pm, and she tries to arrive at 2:30 pm to get a front row seat. Different live entertainment is provided every week, and drinks and snacks are served. Laurine, who will turn 87 next month, is always the first on the dance floor, and does her best to encourage everyone to get up and dance.

“Laurine is a very involved resident, and we appreciate her positive outlook and leadership skills,” said Marvalyn Zix, Marketing Director for Colonial Heights. “She loves to laugh, and stays healthy by keeping active. We are lucky to have her.”

Laurine appreciates the versatility of the retirement community. Before her husband died, they took part in field

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Include Hospice of the Bluegrass in your life plans

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o many of you this title may seem contradictory.

All too often hospice is not considered until the very last minutes, and that lack of planning and awareness can severely limit the benefits of quality hospice care.

Myth No. 1 - People don’t want to think or talk about death.

Although one might agree that it doesn’t need to be a topic of daily conversation, the fact of the

matter is many of us do think about it and make plans accordingly.

We create wills, take out life insurance, purchase family burial plots.

As we age many of us pre-pay funeral costs and plan memorial services.

And, for the most part, all of these actions are done out of consideration for those who will survive us, for their well-being.

Another one of those elements in this life planning process should be a consideration of hospice care

because this service is not only for a patient. It’s for the family as well.

Myth No. 2 - hospice is only for the last 2 weeks of life.

Hospice of the Bluegrass – Northern Kentucky, tries to dispel this myth at every possible opportunity.

Because hospice care is focused on the entire family, the earlier the hospice professionals are brought into the care plan the more opportunity they will have to relate to the family members and be there to offer information and support for everyone involved.

A family in crisis because of a member’s terminal diagnosis needs support.

All family members are going to need it leading up to a death, and they are going to need it afterwards just as much. The stronger the support system, the stronger the family.

the level you and your family need. If you need in-patient care, they can provide that as well.

Making plans is a natural part of what we do. hospice should be an integral part of the planning process that includes wills, both Living Wills for medical purposes and traditional ones for financial reasons, and life insurance. Let your family

emotionally through its time of grief.

One of the statements we hear so often from families is that they wish they would have called hospice sooner.

They say, “…if only we had known.” Information is a powerful asset.

Information allows us to face the future and its uncertainties with an enhanced level of security.

Hospice of the Bluegrass - Northern Kentucky provides quality end-of-life services to residents of Boone, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant and Kenton Counties.

know you recognize the value of hospice care and expect them to take advantage of it at the earliest possible opportunity should the situation present itself.

It’s one more way you can provide for your family when they need it the most.

Myth No. 3 - Hospice is a Hospice will travel place. with you and will be there Hospice is a care plan with your family when it –- a team that is directed has to continue on the by the patient and the journey without your patient’s family. The docphysical presence. tor, nurse, social worker, Hospice of the aide, chaplain, and volun- Bluegrass - Northern teer are there to support Kentucky has professional your life plan and decibereavement counselors sions. They primarily pro- who work to make sure vide care in your home at your family is supported

On those occasions when the conversation does turn to serious topics and you’re reviewing the plans you have put in place, include hospice in that discussion. You’ll be providing yet another level of care for those who mean so much.

Hospice of the Bluegrass - Northern Kentucky provides quality end-of-life services to residents of Boone, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant and Kenton Counties.

Their phones are answered 24 hours a day/seven days a week.

Call 441-6332 or 800-2005408 or access the Web site: www.hospicebg.org.

Colonial Heights from page 7 trips, and because she has her own car, she can go to the stores whenever she wants.

She loves the food, especially the fried catfish, which she says is to die for, and the potato soup and bean soup, but

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also has many other favorites.

“What I like best about being here is that everybody treats you like family,” she stated. “It is a very friendly place, and I feel welcome and special. That‘s important to me.”

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