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october 2014

2 - Ravalli Republic, Sunday, October 26, 2014

Seniors and the fear of falling Mellissa Frank,

PTA Marcus Daly Rehabilitation Center

Have you been to the doctor lately and been asked if you’ve had a fall at home? Healthcare professionals are concerned about falls and the impact they have on our client’s daily lives. Falls are a common event with older adults which often leads to injury, loss of independence, decreased participation in activities, fear, depression, and an overall increase in health care costs. Montana leads the nation with the 6th highest rate of death resulting from injuries from falling. Falls are the leading cause of injury morbidity and mortality for Montanans age 65 and older (NCOA). As Montana’s population continues to age over the coming years, we will likely see an increase in the level of injury and disability associated with falls. Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control reports 1 in 3 older adults over the age of 65 have a fall each year and less than half discuss the fall with their healthcare providers.

These are sobering statistics. However, there is hope as most falls are preventable.

Let’s discuss the impact of falls on older adults, factors that lead to falls, and what to do in the event of a fall.

Why do falls occur more as we age? Falls are often due to a mix of factors within the body and in the environment. With age, our body systems change. These changes include changes in vision, hearing, feeling, onset of dizziness or vertigo, weakness, decreased joint mobility, cardiac or blood pressure problems, and cognitive changes. With age, our bodies do not react the same as when we are younger. For example, our bodies use reflexes to respond to unsteadiness. Reflexes have been shown to slow down with age and are not able to react to a slight loss of balance. Also, with age we slowly lose visual acuity, ability to focus on objects, and glare is more bothersome. With age, blood pressure can be more varied leading to feelings of lightheadedness, weakness, or fatigue with postural changes. Additionally, disease states such

Ravalli Republic, Sunday, October 26, 2014 - 3

For more information call 363-5690

Stepping On is a community-based workshop offered once a week in a 7 class series using adult education principles that build older adults’ confidence in their ability to reduce falls.

For more information please call Melissa @ 363-5690

is a 6 week educational program to provide family caregivers with tools to increase their self-care and confidence.

In the 6 week class, caregivers develop a wealth of self-care tools to reduce personal stress, change negative self-talk, communicate their needs to family members and healthcare providers, communicate more effectively in challenging situations, recognize the messages in their emotions and deal with difficult feelings; plus make tough caregiving decisions.

Class participants also receive a copy of The Caregiver Helpbook developed specifically for the class.

There is a minimal cost of $30 to cover the book.

If you are interested oplease call Kati @ 363-5690.

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as arthritis, diabetes, stroke, Parkinson’s or incontinence, which are common in aging adults, can limit participation in activity and safety with mobility becomes a concern. Have you noticed any of these changes?

A significant factor not yet discussed is a fear of falling. Fear of falling has been shown to actually lead to future falls. Often those experiencing a fear of falling limit their activity, which leads to a loss of confidence, depression, general deconditioning, and possible influence of prescription medications to manage symptoms.

It’s a terrible cycle. Prescription medications can have a significant influence on fall risk impairing important body systems used for balance, mobility, and cognitive function. Discuss your medications with a healthcare provider and be informed on how your medication may impact you.

Finally, the environment has been shown to play a role in fall risk. Environment is a person’s surroundings at home, in the yard, or in the community. Examples include lighting, flooring surfaces, stair cases and presence of railings, placement of furniture, use of walkers or assistive devices, presence of clutter, presence of pets, and more. It is often easier to control environmental factors initially to minimize fall risk.

It’s important to know that no one factor discussed today leads to a fall. Fall risk for each person must be assessed individually.

Please discuss your fall risk with your healthcare providers. This will facilitate getting you set up with the individualized services that can help reduce your risk of falling and help improve your

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quality of life.

What to do in the event of a fall? Knowing what to do in the event of fall can assist you in getting the help you need. A sudden fall can be scary and alerting. Follow the steps below to ensure your safety.

Step 1. Stay calm. Don’t move. Take several breaths and control your breathing.

Step 2. Self-assess: Are you hurt? If so, call out for help or call 911. If you’re alone, position yourself for comfort and wait for help to arrive.

Step 3. If you are not hurt and think you can get up without help, roll over onto your side. Rest for a minute. Let your blood pressure adjust. Slowly get up on your hands and knees and crawl to a sturdy chair. Put your hands on the chair seat and slide one foot forward so it is flat on the floor. Keep the other leg bent with knee on the floor. From this position, slowly raise your body and sit in the chair.

Step 4. Discuss the fall (or any near misses) with your healthcare providers.

Acknowledgements: Prevention of Falls in the Elderly by Amy Cook, MS, OTR and Patricia Miller, Med, OTR, FAOTA in Role of Occupational Therapy with the Elderly; National Council on Aging (NCOA.org); NIHSeniorHealth (nihseniorhealth.gov); Centers for Disease Control (CDC.gov)

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Ravalli Republic, Sunday, October 26, 2014 - 5

The “conversation” that makes a difference Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital

Have you had the “conversation” with your loved-ones? It’s not easy to talk about dying at any age, but it’s important. One does not know when this day will come and being prepared makes it a whole lot easier on your loved ones.

Over 60% of people say that not burdening family with tough decisions is important to them but 56% have not communicated their wishes with their family members. Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital is having a free engaging and interactive Educational Class on Tuesday, November 11th from 5:30pm to 6:30pm in Conference Rooms B/C. Participate with Jane Hron, RN in the “Conversation Workshop” and explore solutions to ensure your family is not burdened with tough decisions.

We are all individuals and have personal end-of-life desires; walk through the process with us and be enlightened about how the conversation can make all the difference in the world. Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital is working together to build a healthier community! For more information, visit www.mdmh.org or call 363-2211.

Service Lines At Sapphire Lutheran Homes: • Independent Living Apartments • Assisted Living Apartments • Subsidized Housing For Low-Income Seniors • Dementia/Alzheimer’s Care • Medicaid Provider Call for tours and availability of apartments on the Sapphire Lutheran Homes’ campus.

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6 - Ravalli Republic, Sunday, October 26, 2014

Getting healthy: it’s never too late Maybe you’ve been sneaking a few too many bites of red meat or skipping your morning walk lately. Before you come down too hard on yourself, realize that it’s never too late to redesign how you approach your lifestyle choices.

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Ravalli Republic, Sunday, October 26, 2014 - 7

We all know the simple way to losing weight and finding more energy is through exercise and healthy eating. But what about a senior with a slower metabolism or even a physical disability? Everyone’s situation is unique and may call for a differentiated strategy to achieve healthier living. But one thing remains consistent throughout everyone’s personal journey: You can positively impact your well-being by making smart, health-focused decisions.

Here’s how: TAKE CONTROL Sometimes, we are our own biggest obstacle to following through on our healthy choices. We make excuses, re-schedule workouts and find reasons to indulge in foods that we know aren’t good for us.

It might be time for a long look in the mirror. Are you serious about incorporating more exercise into your daily routine? Do you plan to execute your meal plan without any major slip-ups?

EDUCATE YOURSELF If the answers to the aforementioned questions are no, remember that unhealthy choices are major catalysts in the worldwide increase of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and arthritis.

These diseases lead to a substantial number of preventable deaths and disabilities, as well as negative effects to our healthcare system. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 75 percent of our healthcare dollars go to the treatment of chronic diseases.

DON’T FORGET MENTAL HEALTH Being healthy isn’t constrained to physical well-being. Seniors should maintain their mental sharpness as the years go by to achieve increased vitality, social function and life satisfaction.

Doing so requires a little extra attention to the things that can stimulate your brain – such as reading the newspaper, watching a live play or solving a crossword puzzle. Conversing with others about current events also can help you maintain your mental health.

8 - Ravalli Republic, Sunday, October 26, 2014

Encore entrepreneurs When would you guess is the best age to start a new business? 25? 30? 40? How about 60?

A 2010 survey conducted by the Kauffman Foundation found that Americans ages 55 to 64 launch a new business venture at a higher rate than any other age group.

In fact, nearly one-quarter of all people 44 to 70 are interested in starting their own company or nonprofit organization within the next five to 10 years. This new class of “encore entrepreneurs” is taking the business world by storm – and you can easily become one of them.

THE MOTIVATION So why are more seniors starting their own companies? Senior citizens have long been a driving factor in new business development because they have more free time and financial flexibility after retirement. They may have had an idea for many years and are now ready to act on it.

Also, with most baby boomers in their 50s and 60s, there has been a rapid growth in the senior population. More people mean more business ideas, especially for a generation most known for its free spirit and redefinition of traditional values.

HELPFUL RESOURCES As with any entrepreneur, one of the most helpful resources at the disposal of a senior citizen business owner is the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The organization is passionate about helping foster and advance creative ideas – especially ones that come from the largest population of new business owners.

The SBA recently partnered with the American Association of Retired Persons to form National Encore Entrepreneur Mentor Month, which brought nationwide training to 119,000 individuals in April 2013. The organizations offered workshops, conferences and seminars throughout April to help guide entrepreneurs ages 50 and older in starting their own business.

Ravalli Republic, Sunday, October 26, 2014 - 9

Dehydration: A real concern

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Listening to your body is crucial for senior citizens. This especially rings true when you’re feeling thirsty or dry-mouthed.

This can be a sign of your body becoming dehydrated, most commonly during hot, humid weather.

Seniors’ signaling mechanism for thirst start to weaken as we age, making it harder to stay properly hydrated, according to the Mayo Clinic.

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If we don’t feel that urge to drink water, it may be too late by the time our thirst actually kicks in.

Dehydration is a serious health issue that must be addressed quickly and comprehensively should it occur to you.

WARNING SIGNS The Mayo Clinic identifies the following as warning signs for dehydration: • Little or no urine.

• Urine that is darker than usual.

• Dry mouth.

• Fatigue.

• Headache.

• Dry Skin.

• Disorientation.

• Confusion.

• Light-Headedness.

If you have recently experienced any of the above symptoms, it is important to talk with your physician. Together, you can put together a plan of action for avoiding future dehydration-related issues.

WAYS TO AVOID IT Staving off dehydration requires you to bring a bottle of water with you wherever you go – whether you’re taking in an afternoon baseball game or raking leaves in the yard. Drink from it often to keep your body properly hydrated.

The Mayo Clinic also recommends drinking a glass of water or juice while you enjoy a meal or snack. This will combine with the natural liquids in your food to keep your body up to speed.

If you’re taking a bike ride or going for a walk, be sure to take along a water or sports drink. Your body needs to be replenished during exercise as it releases sweat.

DANGER OF DEHYDRATION Real dangers are associated with becoming dehydrated, most notably an increased risk of falls, urinary tract infections, kidney stones, constipation, dental disease and impaired cognitive function. www.edwardjones.com

When it comes to the number of retirement accounts you have, the saying “more is better” is not necessarily true. In fact, if you hold multiple accounts with various brokers, it can be difficult to keep track of your investments and to see if you’re properly diversified.* At the very least, multiple accounts usually mean multiple fees.

Bringing your accounts to Edward Jones could help solve all that. Plus, one statement can make it easier to see if you’re moving toward your goals. *Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss.

To learn why consolidating your retirement accounts to Edward Jones makes sense, call your local financial advisor today.

Willa Carr Lande, AAMS® Financial Advisor 400 W Main Street Suite 205 Hamilton, MT 59840 406-363-1140

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Habitat for Humanity of Ravalli County is a non-profit Christian based housing ministry building simple, decent, and affordable homes in partnership with Ravalli County families in need…

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Ravalli Republic, Sunday, October 26, 2014 - 11

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12 - Ravalli Republic, Sunday, October 26, 2014

Babysitting your grandchildren Grandchildren can be some of the greatest blessings that life has to offer. Though the primary care responsibilities will go to the parents in most cases, grandparents also can play a pivotal role in the upbringing of a child. it is extremely dangerous if not found early.

If you’ve recently joined the grandparent club, it is only a matter of time before you are recruited as sitter. Are you ready?

Things have certainly changed since you brought up your children, but you are still more than capable of doing the job in today’s world.

CRIB CHANGES The 1994 Back to Sleep campaign marked on one of the biggest changes to infant care in the past 20 years. The nationwide partnership promoted the practice of always placing an infant who is less than 1 year old on his back in the crib.

The research guiding the recommendation was conducted by high-level institutions such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the United States Public Health Service, which found that babies who slept on their stomachs were more likely to fall victim to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

CAR SEATS Unless you’ve used a car seat in the past five to 10 years, you may be surprised at how far they have come – especially considering they

probably weren’t even a requirement when you were raising your children!

Today, all infants must ride in rear-facing seats with multi-point harnesses. Consider purchasing one for day trips with your grandchild, and be sure to install it correctly. Most cars are equipped with the latch system for easy installation, but check with the seat’s manufacturer manual to find out how to safely set it up.

DISCIPLINE CONSISTENCY There is nothing wrong with spoiling your grandchildren – in fact, it is an expected rite of passage for all new grandparents.

But when baby turns into a toddler it is important to carry over the same discipline he or she receives at home.

This will require a quick sit-down with your children to understand how they handle certain situations at home. Maintaining this consistency will keep your grandchild from being confused about certain rules and will lead to a more structured upbringing.

Ravalli Republic, Sunday, October 26, 2014 - 13

Watching for melanoma Melanoma, the leading cause of death from skin disease, is not to be taken lightly. The cancer is less common than other types, but it is extremely dangerous if not found early.

CHECKING YOURSELF Self-examinations can help you spot potential skin cancers early, when they can almost always be completely cured. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends you examine your skin from head to toe once a month, even in the fall and winter.

Take note of any new moles or growths during your self-check, as well as any changes to existing growths. Lesions that change, itch, bleed or don’t heal are signs you need to take seriously. Make an immediate appointment with your physician to have it checked.

Another smart practice to consider is regularly using an SPF 15 or higher sunscreen. People who do so reduced their risk of developing melanoma by 50 percent, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.

THE ABCDE SYSTEM To help people identify and seek treatment for this deadly cancer, physicians have developed the ABCDEs of Melanoma: • Asymmetry: One-half of the abnormal area is different from the other half.

• Borders: The edges of the growth are irregular.

• Color: Color changes from one area to another, with shades of tan, brown or black • Diameter: The spot is usually larger than 6 millimeters in diameter

HealtHy SeniorS Free Vitamin Program Melanoma accounts for less than 2 percent of skin cancer cases, but the vast majority of skin cancer deaths, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.

Seniors are urged to be extra cautious, because the risk of developing melanoma increases with age. Other risk factors for melanoma include fair skin, certain types of moles, multiple birthmarks, using tanning devices, having relatives with a history of melanoma and a weakened immune system.

enrollment Form

Open to all adults in your household ages 50 and up.

Please Complete the fields below: Your name

Birth Date

Address City Phone

State

Zip

Email

Signature

Please return form in person or by mail to 1900 N 1st Street, Hamilton, MT 363-6203 or fax the form to us at (406) 363-7583.

14 - Ravalli Republic, Sunday, October 26, 2014

Multigenerational living By the time people reach senior citizen status, they have likely cared for children, making sure they were safe, sound and healthy.

So when the time comes to consider late-in-life living situations, it’s no wonder that their adult children are opening their homes to returnthe favor.

high medical bills and other financial challenges can put these prices out of reach for many seniors.

Eliminate those costs and add the value associated with knowing that an elderly loved one is cared for by family members.

That is the primary reason that so many people choose multigenerational living.

MULTIGENERATIONAL LIVING:

BY THE NUMBERS According to a Pew Research Center analysis, approximately 51 million Americans (16.7 percent of the population) live in a house with at least two adult generations – such as a grandparent and at least one other generation – under one roof.

The Pew analysis also reported a 10.5 percent increase in multigenerational households from 2007 to 2009.

A survey by national home builder PulteGroup found that 32 percent of adult children expect to eventually share their home with a parent.

MULTIGENERATIONAL HOME PLANS In 2011, national builder Lennar introduced its first Next Gen house geared for more than one generation. The company and many others now offer floor plans in hundreds of communities across the United States to meet an uptick in demand.

Space is the main feature of a home built specifically for multigenerational living. Generally, the main home has three or four bedrooms with an attached unit that has its own front entrance, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.

An adjoining door is usually added so the house does not have WHY THE GROWTH? to appear as two separate homes. Because, though fostering an A 2012 MetLife Mature Market Institute Survey put the average accommodating environment is important in a multigenerational annual cost of a private nursing-home room at $90,520, a semiprivate home, privacy can be just as paramount at $81,030 and assisted living at $42,600. Retirement shortcomings,

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Ravalli Republic, Sunday, October 26, 2014 - 15

A look at advance directives Deciding to create advance directives can be one of the most important – and complicated – decisions one can make.

Advance health care directives offer you a way to give consent for certain situations for which you may or may not want medical treatment. This can be a touchy subject for many people, but they can be extremely useful documents that outline and facilitate your wishes should the circumstance arise.

TIMING OF ADVANCE DIRECTIVES The best time to create an advance directive, obviously, is before you need one. If you become ill or are near the end of your life, it may be too late to cognitively make your own decisions about what medical care you may want in certain situations.

Along those lines, if you make an advance directive early in your adulthood, you are allowed and even encouraged to review and update your documents if you are diagnosed with any type of serious illness.

LIFE-SUSTAINING TREATMENT The American Cancer Society defines life-sustaining treatment as anything mechanical or artificial that sustains, restores or substitutes for a vital body function. It can include: • Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

• Artificial respiration (mouth-to-mouth breathing, manual ven-

tilation or a ventilator).

• Medicine to help with blood pressure and heart function.

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PUTTING SOMEONE IN CHARGE Sometimes, family members make tough medical decisions for spouses, parents, or adult children who can no longer speak for themselves. Many states have passed laws that say which family members may act on behalf of someone in this situation.

A variety of documents can be considered advanced directives, including power of attorney, living wills, do-not-resuscitate orders and other agreements. Since laws vary state by state on such documents, be sure to check in with your local healthcare agency to find out what your state requires.

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