Senior Care elder abuse By Karl Karch To raise awareness and promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect, the period from mid-May through mid-June is designated Elder Abuse Awareness Month with June 15 designated as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. In fiscal 2012, Virginia Adult Protective Services (APS) received 19,990 reports of adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation - an increase of 11.4% over 2011. Of these, 16,473 were investigated and 9,610 were substantiated. Unfortunately, the problem is actually much worse. National studies estimate that less than 20% of elder abuse is reported, and a May 2011 New York State report found that less than 5% were reported. Various types of elder abuse include: Physical – intentional infliction of physical pain or injury. Mental/Psychological – intentional infliction of mental anguish by verbal assault, threat, intimidation, humiliation, or other means. Sexual – unwanted sexual activity. Neglect – failure by those responsible to provide food, shelter, health care, or protection for a vulnerable elder. Self-n neglect – failure to provide one’s self with the necessities of life in a way that puts the person’s health, safety, or wellbeing at risk. Financial exploitation – illegal use of an adult’s resources or property for another individual’s profit or advantage. Physical and financial abuses are what most people first think about when abuse is mentioned. However, the Virginia APS 2012 report stated that 54% were self-neglect, followed by 21% involving neglect. The others were financial (9%), physical (7%), mental (6%), other exploitation (2%), and sexual (1%). Let’s take a closer look at selfneglect. What are some of the signs? Not eating to the point of malnourishment.
Wearing clothes that are filthy, torn, or not suited for the weather. Living in filthy, unsanitary, or hazardous conditions like hoarding. Not getting needed medical care or taking medicines. Skin rashes or bed sores. Inadequate supervision, especially as it relates to cognitive impairment. While self-neglect is a serious problem, solutions are not always clear. On the one hand, we don’t want to let any abuse go unreported. But, if the person is mentally competent and chooses not to properly care for himself, he has a right to make bad choices and refuse help. So what should you do if you suspect neglect? If the situation is serious, call APS. They will maintain confidentiality, investigate, and do everything possible to ensure the person’s safety and well-being. However, if the situation is not extreme, talk to the person about your concern and offer support. Human interaction is important. The self-neglect cases we’ve encountered generally involved social isolation. By simply providing companionship and engaging our clients in activities, they had a reason to change. For example, our agency received a call from the hospital to provide transitional care for a patient being discharged with a broken leg. We discovered that she was a hoarder and her apartment was so cluttered it caused her to fall and break her leg. She was unable to bathe properly because the bathroom was so cluttered. Several of our staff de-cluttered her apartment, filled two dumpsters, and provided much needed companionship and homecare services. We also re-connected her with her estranged daughter. As a result, she had positive things to look forward to and keep herself and her apartment clean. Karl Karch is a local franchise owner of Home Instead Senior Care, a licensed home care organization providing personal care, companionship and home helper services. go to .homeinstead.com/FredericksburgVA
Soaking various cuts of meat in a marinade is good for adding flavor as well as helping to tenderize the meat. A proper marinade should contain an acidic ingredient such as vinegar or wine, oil such as olive oil, and seasonings such as herbs and spices. Citrus fruit juices may be used in place of the vinegar or wine to provide the acidic ingredient that is necessary to soften the tissues of the meat. There are several important points to remember when using a marinade: The marinade should totally cover the meat in order for it to work effectively. When using tender cuts of beef, a soaking time of 2 hours or less is all that is required because the marinade is used basically to flavor the meat. Tougher cuts of beef should be soaked in the marinade for at least several hours or overnight in order to tenderize the meat as well as flavor it. Always marinate meat in the refrigerator. Since the marinade contains an acidic ingredient, reactive containers such as metal bowls should not be used. It is best to use containers such as glass or plastic bowls or plastic bags that can be sealed. Marinades containing tomato or sugar should be used towards the end of grilling or broiling, since they tend to burn food. Marinades containing oil or butter tend to cause flare-ups when meat is grilled. When meat has been marinated for a long period of time it will shorten the cooking time. Twelve hours of marinating will reduce the cooking time by 30 to 35%.
Reuse: Marinade should not be reused for any other purpose because of the bacteria that may be present from having been in contact with raw meat. The only way marinade can be reused is to boil it thoroughly for use as a basting liquid or as part of a sauce for the meat.
Energy ~ Spirit ~ Intuition ~ Essences
Nestled under the shade trees on Charles Street, directly across from the James Monroe Museum is the shop of Suzy Woollam, aptly named The Scenter of Town. Suzy is a Certified Aroma therapist and Reiki Master/ Instructor. The products that are available in her store include essential oils, herbs and supplements, gemstones and crystals. The services that she offers include Aromatherapeutic massage, Reiki Treatments, Reflexology, Gemstone Healing and personalized blending. If you are not familiar with holistic alternatives, some definitions might be useful. Aromatherapy and the use of essential oils have been recorded as far back as the 1st century, but the word was first coined somewhere around 1907. The methods of applying the oils include aerial diffusion (environmental fragrance),
direct inhalation for respiratory issues and topical applications for massage, baths, compresses and therapeutic skin care. Though there is debate as to the scientific evidence, it is generally accepted as a viable alternative to treatment for a variety of ailments, both physical and mental. Reiki is a hands-on energy healing technique that originated in Japan as a spiritual practice. There are two main branches of Reiki, traditional and Western and practices vary widely in application. Western practices use a palm or hands-on technique to transfer universal energy, which promotes self healing and equilibrium. Reflexology is a practice that uses the application of pressure to points located on the feet, hands or ears to activate the energy centers of the body. There is some historical reference as far back as 2450 B.C. on walls in an Egyptian tomb that depict men massaging feet and hands. The premise is that the feet and hands are especially sensitive, and the entire body is mapped into “reflexes.” Suzy stated that her interest in holistic therapy derived from a time in her life when she was dealing with emotional turmoil and depression. She became interested in finding natural methods to help deal with these issues. In the present age of “just take a pill,” these types of treatments can be a viable alternative. She began with Aromatherapy in 1990, and discovered a source of healing in the Essential Oils connected to this practice.
Things used in the past by our elders, like lavender and aloe, are again taking a forefront in healing practices. As she delved into the practice of Aromatherapy, she also became interested in other methods to help people find relief for many physical and mental ailments. She is a Reiki Master and instructor, the highest level one can achieve. She is a Clinical Hypnotherapist, and received her Doctor of Naturopathy from Trinity College of Natural Health. With healthcare again taking a forefront in the national and local arena, these methods are alternatives that cannot be ignored. Suzy has a bursting desire to help people. In the brief time we spent together, I felt in touch with someone who has reached her potential in so many ways. Her outlook on her professional modality says it all: “I am an approved continuing education provider for NCBTMB. There are so many therapists in our community who need C’s for their practice; I want them to know they can do it locally on a schedule that is easy for them. We’ve all got to help each other!” Suzy’s website www.thescenteroftown.com explains many of the available services and practices. Her Aromatherapy Bar has a scent for every need. In this age of being connected, she is also on Facebook and Twitter. Suzy does a lot of one-on-one sessions to determine the type of practice that could assist people in healing. Just give her a call (540-372-4145) to set up an appointment, or stop in at 907 Charles for a little chat.
Mary Lynn Powers writes frequently for Front Porch.
` Gentle, Individualized Chiropractic Care ` Cranio-Sacral Balancing (Sacro
Enhance the Body’s Natural Healing Abilities. Kandra Orr, MS, EEMCP, is a Certified Eden Energy Medicine and Raindrop (Essential Oils) Practitioner.
online: www.save7lives.org
Please Call for an Appointment (540) 840 - 5369 kandraorr.com
in person: Dept. of Motor Vehicles
Front porch fredericksburg
By mary lynn powers
SPECIALIZING IN:
Use the Body’s Energy Systems to Create and Maintain Balance and Well-Being.
June 2013
Suzy Woollam: holistic & alternative medicine
Healthcare For the Whole Person
Natural Essential Energies LLC
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Wellness
Safe Grilling with Marinades & Rubs
Occipital Technique - SOT) ` Addressing Your Total Health Needs with Natural, Holistic Treatment Methods ` Detoxification/Weight Loss Nutritional Programs
Your Hot Yoga Studio 540-659-0777 staffordhouseofyoga.com
Dr. Christine Thompson
971 Garrisonville Rd Stafford
front porch fredericksburg
June 2013
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