Dr. Mauk’s Boomer Blog
Each week, Dr. Kristen Mauk shares thoughts relevant to Baby Boomers that are aimed to educate and amuse.
Dr. Kristen L. Mauk, PhD, DNP, RN, CRRN, GCNS-BC, GNP-BC, FAAN
Guest Blog: Reasons The Elderly Benefit From Aging in Place
In the movie classic, The Wizard of Oz, little Dorothy knew then what has become a staple in the lives of elderly seniors today; “there is no place like home!” Dorothy, the main character in the movie, was swept away by a tornado from her home to a far away fantasy land. The only way back home was for her to follow the directions of the Good Witch Glenda’s magic spell which required Dorothy to click her red shoes together three times and think of the phrase, “there’s no place like home, there’s no place like home, there’s no place like home!” Afterwards, she woke up from a deep sleep in her own bed and in her own home.
Today, roughly 90 percent of older adults aged 65 and over prefer aging in place rather than moving to an assisted living facility or nursing home according to a study conducted by AARP. Like Dorothy, these older people know what Dorothy knew then, that “there is no place like home”, and they plan to stay in their homes as opposed to living in a long term care facility.
What Does Aging In Place Really Mean?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines aging in place as “The ability to live in one’s own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level.” Although aging in place is the new trend for senior living, changes to an elderly senior’s body due to aging, may pose a problem. However, with a few low-cost home modifications, the goal to age in place is easily achieved and the benefits from doing so are rewarding.
There are however, some seniors living with medical conditions and other limitations that may prevent them from performing normal activities of daily living on their own. If this is the case, they may need to seek assistance from a home care provider or a family member. With in-home care assistance for routine daily life activities, aging in place is still achievable in spite of those limitations.
3 Common Reasons Elderly Seniors Should Age In Place
Elderly seniors choosing to age in place are doing so for any number of reasons. Even though assisted living facilities have been on the rise since 1979, over a million Americans are opting out of that option. Here are five common reasons why:
1. The growing high cost of living in an assisted living facility!
According to LongTermCare.gov, the average cost for a one bedroom at an assisted living facility is over $3,000 a month. Of course, this price may increase if additional services beyond the basic ones mentioned in the contract are needed. For example, if the resident requires assistance from a healthcare provider or home health aid. This service could add an additional $1,600 a month. Therefore, staying in your own home will definitely save money, even if you had to hire a personal care provider. In most cases, an elderly person’s medicare will cover part or all of the cost of home healthcare.
2. Aging in place is more comfortable!
Living in your own home is much more comfortable. All the treasures you hold dear are in your long term home. In fact, the American Society On Aging found that 56 percent of seniors 65 to 74 years old and 63 percent of those 75 years old and older reports that the “emotional” value of their home is worth more to them than the sales value. This is most likely because their home may be the same home they raised their children in and the memory recall is priceless.
3. Aging in place offers more independence!
Maintaining an independent lifestyle is very important to the elderly population. The ability to go where you want, when you want is a very liberating feeling and doesn’t diminish your quality of life. Responsible adults do not like being told what they can or cannot do. In assisted living facilities, meals are served at a certain time of day, activities are scheduled around their schedules and outside visitors are monitored which can be intrusive.
Just like little Dorothy, “there is no place like home” for today’s elderly seniors choosing to age in place. The benefits for doing so are very rewarding. Aging in place offers elderly seniors an opportunity to save money to enjoy life’s extra pleasures as well as allows them to enjoy the comforts of living at home. In addition, aging in place allows elderly seniors to maintain their independence.
5 Great Benefits of Rub for Inflammation and Minor Pain
Content Body: Whether you are an athlete or a regular office-goer, every human body is prone to two issues: inflammation & minor pains. Strained, overworked, and strained muscles these fundamental problems can be relieved by simple muscle rub cream. In most cases of minor aches, muscle rubs work by rushing blood to the affected areas. However, when the user is tackling inflammation, rubs can provide cooling, soothing sensations to ease it. The third primary work of muscle rubs is to penetrate herbs to encourage the healing of muscles. These rub creams are prepared to loosen up tight, loosen up and tired muscles so that they can perform at their full potential.
- Reducing Swelling & Inflammation
Cooling rubs, especially ones prepared using CBD oil, are the first choice of people facing inflammation-related skin issues. Meanwhile, warming muscle rubs are usually applied for the sole purpose of improving blood circulation in certain areas.
Rubs with cooling effects can also reduce swelling and inflammation caused to any muscle due to injury or overuse. It is the active ingredients like MCT oil, lavender, and menthol that make these cooling rubs so effective for inflammation.
Most of these rubs that are thick in the state can tackle acute pain, cramps, and scars as well. What makes such rubs ideal to use is the fact that they are suitable for all sorts of skin types, even for sensitive and dry.
- The Natural Rubs Are Good For Your Skin.
Along with helping you cool down the inflammation and helping you with pain, natural rub creams are actually good for your skin too. Natural rubs contain ingredients valuable ingredients like clary extract, willow bark, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Fruit Extract, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Saccharide Isomerate, and Tilia Cordata (Linden) Flower Extract.
All these ingredients help your body in reducing inflammation, pain, and stiffness. Similarly, some rubs have black pepper and ginger in them, that help in warming muscles, joints and tendons naturally.
The foremost benefit of using natural products is that you’re not applying lab-developed chemicals but only nature’s boons provided to humans. In other words, you’re lowering the risk of irritation, blistering, swelling, and other side effects.
Other side effects in rather basic creams include severe redness, nausea, ringing in the ears, rashes, dizziness, and allergic reaction. So, it is better if you’re consulting a proper doctor before using any rub available in the market. If your city is still observing lockdown, then telehealth is a safer option.
- Warming The Muscles/ Painkillers
The most basic combination every rub contains is cassia oil, camphor, and menthol. This master combination provides pain relief and vasodilation. Vasodilation is the process of drawing blood rush into the skin capillaries that create warmth sensation.
While using a rub for warming up a muscle, make sure it has basic ingredients cayenne, ginger, rosemary, and lemongrass. Named elements are essential to create a gentler sensation of warmth.
Many studies have found that many rubs are effective as acetaminophen and fast-acting as pain relief in the cases of acute tension headaches. So, if you have a home care consultant as him/her to throw those painkillers away and start using rubs straight away. Nonetheless, if you’re not using the services of a home care consultant, read here why you should for your business?
- Accelerates Healing Process
We’ve established how rub creams help to rush blood to a muscle it is applied to with ingredients like camphor. Health benefits of improved blood circulation include reduced inflammation and quicker healing time.
Some leading rub creams also have capsicum that blocks pain impulse transmitter nerve receptors. The whole process not only reduces the pain but also speeds up the healing process.
Capsicum is also used in medicine as it reduces the aches induced from gastrointestinal, arthritis, and even cancer.
Another basic ingredient that boosts the healing process is methyl salicylate that numbs the skin, reducing aches and stiffness.
- Unlocking Skin Cells
Your skin is the largest organ of your body. It regulates temperature, plays a vital role as a protective water barrier, controls fluid loss, and keeps your health balanced internally. There is an intricate blood supply that human skin is supported by. Our skin also has nerve endings that carry signals like pain, temperature, touch, etc., to the brain.
The rub creams we use carry medication through our skin layers directly into the blood. Certain compounds in the rubs help in penetrating skin barriers by widening the closed channels for a longer time.
Not just that, the rub creams also help the skin in absorbing drugs quickly through the unlocking of the skin cells closed naturally.
Ending Note
So, these are some expected benefits of the rub creams used basically to reduce inflammation and minor pain. The medical world is increasingly getting close to topical drugs instead of pills and injections. The reason behind this new trend is thought to be the fact that rub creams have lesser side effects than their counterparts. Rub creams are a safer option, especially for kids and senior citizens.
However, it is highly recommended that one use the natural rub creams as much as possible as they have lesser side effects.
CBD rubs are the most recommended rub creams as the cure for inflammation if your state has legalized it. They are safest, have all the required ingredients, and are very economical compared to other options.
Author Bio
For the past year, Sami J has worked as an author at Clariskincare.com. CLARI Skin Care is a growing company that is owned and operated by women and focuses on providing skincare beauty and body products. She has evolved a passion for content writing through beauty. Beauty and skincare are her main interests, which is what lead her to start writing within these industries.
Guest Blog: 5 Aged Care Aids that Should Be Accessible to Health Workers
When you are involved in the healthcare sector in Australia, and dealing with aged caregiving, you need to know what you may need to take care of the elderly under your supervision. Aged care requires some equipment and aids to be accessible to healthcare workers in order for them to perform their duties responsibly.
After all, health care workers dealing with aged caregiving is more demanding than many other jobs. You have to be on call for tending to the needs of the elderly in your care. If the equipment you have is insufficient, there might be a drop in the level of service provided.
That reflects badly, not only on you but on the health care facility as a whole. If you are missing any of these 5 aged care aids at your facility, you need to get in touch with your supervisors to have access to them when you need them most.
1. Wheelchairs
This is an absolute essential and can be used with many of the other aids mentioned here. There are many elderly that face difficulty when walking and a wheelchair on hand ensures that they don’t have to wait and suffer in discomfort to get to where they want.
It’s really important to have wheelchairs available on the spot if there is an injury in the elderly as the statistics about hip injuries and lack of immediate care are not that bright.
2. Gel Cushions
There are times when the elderly patient complains of pain in their hip joints and that sends stress signals, as your mind starts to go haywire thinking of the implications. You don’t need to be worried. With gel cushions, you’ll be able to have support for the elderly when they sit down.
The gel cushions are especially formulated for multiple uses, and are recommended by physiotherapists for pressure problems that may lead to stress fractures down the road.
3. Arthritis Handles
If there are elderly in your aged care facility that you see, struggling to open doors due to arthritis, an arthritis handle can help them be more mobile with less effort. It can safely attach to doors and drawers to help open them easily.
There’s no need to twist any knobs, grip firmly or any of the hard stuff. The elderly can get a hold of the things most important for them with an arthritis handle installed on doors and cupboards.
4. Hip Protection Pants
Safety+Mobility Aged Care Suppliers also have unisex protection pants with padded pressure guards, especially near the hip, for the elderly. It can be worn over undergarments as well, if they feel uncomfortable wearing it without underpants.
It’s not embarrassing as it is barely visible to anyone and protects the most precious areas of the elderly’s lower torso when they sit and walk. It’s a necessary aged care aid for those prone to hip problems.
5. Back Support
Lastly, back support is also very important because as we age, our bones also start to weaken without the proper diet and exercise. It means that you need to have our most important body areas safeguarded as we approach our golden years. A cushion provides the back and head support to help the elderly with posture problems.
Caregiver Stress: Tackling Tough Decisions In the Age of COVID
Caring for and making decisions for an aging and sick parent is never easy. But as the coronavirus continues to complicate matters for older adults, it can be even more challenging to know how and when to step in. However, sometimes choices must be made, and when that time comes, it pays to be prepared. Senior Care Central explains what you need to consider.
How Does the Virus Affect Seniors?
Scientists and doctors have made inroads in pandemic research, and all are resolute in reporting that older adults are in the highest risk category. As Johns Hopkins explains, those over age 60 with pre-existing conditions, such as lung disease and diabetes, are at the greatest risk. For these reasons, if you are caring for a senior with a health condition, the decisions you make now are that much more important to their overall health and well-being.
Getting It Together
Even if you’ve already discussed your senior loved one’s wants and wishes, you may not be legally able to make decisions if they take a turn for the worse unless you have legal documents in place. Elder Protection Center lists the most pertinent of these as a medical directive, power of attorney for health care, power of attorney for finances, revocable trust, and a will.
Each of these documents allows you to give direction in different areas. For example, the healthcare power of attorney lets you quickly make decisions about things like medical treatment in case your loved one is incapacitated. Becoming appointed as the executor of a will gives you the power to carry out their final wishes as far as their estate and belongings go. Making arrangements while your loved one is able ensures their wishes are met.
Hospice Care
As your loved one declines, it may be necessary to arrange for hospice care. If your loved one’s illness worsens and they cannot take care of themselves and they need assistance maintaining a medical condition or hands-on care when it comes to bathing, dressing, and eating, it’s likely time for hospice care to take over. You might even be attempting this care yourself, but find yourself in a burnout situation, in which case a professional is the best choice for you both.
Financing the Future
If your loved ones’ needs outweigh their ability to continue in their current living situation, it might be necessary to sell their home to cover expenses. Keep in mind, however, that the real estate market has changed in response to COVID-19.
First, find out what you can earn from the sale of the home by running some calculations online. It’s also a good idea to learn about your local market to help with your decisions. You can get a better idea of what their home might sell for by doing some research on market trends in the area. If their property value has dropped dramatically, it may be wise to wait and use other means to pay for expenses until the market perks back up.
For instance, you could rent out the property to generate income to cover your loved one’s living expenses. Just bear in mind that by turning the home into a rental, you or your loved one will be responsible for tenant vetting, maintenance and upkeep. You’ll also need to gauge the cost of local rentals. Denver apartment rentals right now are averaging $1,874 for a one-bedroom. If this seems like an ideal scenario, you can also work with a property manager to handle rental operations for a small percentage.
Key Takeaways
- The coronavirus affects senior citizens, and that can make it more difficult for caregivers to make decisions about their well-being.
- Without having legal documents in place, any decisions you do make may not be carried out.
- Real estate prices may affect your loved one’s ability to pay for care, and research may be needed when facing a home sale.
Again, it’s not easy to make decisions for a loved one, particularly one who has a life-limiting illness and may not be able to offer input. But as a caretaker, making decisions is something that you have to do. As the world continues to remain uncertain, having a plan in place now can save you and your entire family from indecision and heartache during what is surely one of the most stressful times of your life.
5 Reasons Exercise is the Best Treatment for Hemiplegia
Hemiplegia is a form of brain injury that can result in paralysis on one side of the body. In neurological rehabilitation, exercise is considered the cornerstone of recovery from stroke. One of the most common forms caused by trauma to the head or neck can be addressed through rehabilitation exercises. You will improve your power and functioning by working your muscles and enhancing coordination with physical therapy exercises.
1. Exercise Releases Brain-Protecting Chemicals
Exercise triggers the release of the brain-protecting chemical called endorphins. Endorphins make you feel happy and pain-free while helping you deal with the stress of being hemiplegic. Exercise also has the power to boost your levels of serotonin and dopamine, two essential neurotransmitters needed to combat depression.
Exercise can also relieve anxiety, helping you to get a good night’s sleep and cope with negative emotions. Exercise also releases neurotrophins, which are the chemicals that promote the growth of new neurons and synapses in the brain. Neurotrophins are needed to combat cognitive decline and the risk of developing dementia.
2. Exercise Builds Muscle and Strength
Exercising even while in a wheelchair can help you improve your strength and build the endurance necessary to move around more on your own. However, you might feel that the things you can do have been severely limited, but you can still challenge your muscles and build strength.
You can increase your upper-body strength by pushing yourself to hold items for longer periods or by trying to keep a grip on things such as a pen or a cup for a longer period. Or you can increase your endurance by holding your legs in place for a few minutes or pushing yourself to work with your legs for longer.
Exercising can also help you improve your posture, which can help you to reduce pain and decrease your risk of developing future complications. Exercising can be challenging in a wheelchair and may require creativity, but it is certainly possible. There are several ways to incorporate exercising while in a wheelchair, such as leg lifts, arm exercises, or using a special treadmill-type device.
3. Exercise Will Help You Regain Mobility
If you have been diagnosed with hemiplegia, you will most likely start your rehab process in a wheelchair. Although you may feel like you have been permanently relegated to a wheelchair, exercise can help you regain functional mobility when the time comes to transition out of it.
If you have been in a wheelchair for some time, you may have noticed that your leg muscles may have atrophied (weakened). This lack of muscle strength and endurance can lead to the need for a wheelchair ramp or stair lift in the future, as well as compression stockings, shoe inserts, or knee-high compression socks for poor leg circulation. Exercise can help you build up your leg muscles, which can help you avoid these items and regain your mobility.
4. Exercise Makes You Stronger and Quicker When You Do Get Up and Move
When you first start exercising, you may feel like you are pushing yourself to the limit. However, as you keep exercising, you will see that your strength builds up and that you can do more each time. This will give you confidence that even though you may be in a wheelchair now, you can still do things and will be able to be independent and move around on your own when the time comes.
Exercising can also help you to develop your gross motor skills. We use these physical skills daily, such as walking, running, and playing sports. These are also the skills most often impacted when someone has hemiplegia.
If you have been in a wheelchair for some time, you may have noticed that your gross motor skills have deteriorated. Exercising can help you regain these skills so that when the time comes to get out of the wheelchair, you will be able to do so quickly and easily.
5. Exercise Improves Balance
As you exercise, your muscles become stronger, which can help to improve your balance if you have hemiplegia on one side. There are many exercises that you can do to help improve your credit. You can try standing on one leg while you are sitting in a chair or while you are lying down. You can also try exercises focusing on your balance, such as yoga, tai chi, or even walking.
When you have hemiplegia, getting the proper amount of exercise is important. This will help you to maintain flexibility and mobility in your body, reduce pain, and feel more confident about getting out of a wheelchair and living your life fully.
Online Educational Programs for Mental Health
Mental illness affects nearly one in five adults, and the stigma surrounding mental health makes it even harder for those who need help to get it. Fortunately, online education gives people access to knowledge no matter where they live or how much free time they have. These best online mental health programs are a great way to learn about mental illnesses, their symptoms, and how to recover if you or someone you know is dealing with a crisis.
These courses will help you develop a strong understanding of the importance of mental wellness while also providing valuable information on how to recognize the warning signs of an impending crisis and what to do if someone you know is showing early signs of depression or another type of mental illness, just like when you catch diabetes on the early stage is can be treated or your doctor can explain how type 2 diabetes can be reversed just because of early diagnosis.
What is a Mental Health Program?
A mental health program can be either a short course or a degree program. Some of the main topics that you might learn are signs of mental illness, how to help someone who is suffering, and how to seek help if you need it. Mental health programs can also be helpful to people who work in the mental health field and want to stay updated on the latest research.
Mental health programs are useful for many different people, but they aren’t the same as mental health therapy. Some online mental health programs do include a section on therapy, but the main focus is on the facts and information related to mental illness for example you want to lose weight and instead of going to a dietician you get an online weight loss diet chart. If you want to learn how to help yourself or someone else through therapy, you might want to look into online therapy programs instead.
Mental Health Counseling Certificate Course
This mental health counseling course from Walden University is designed for people who want to become a licensed mental health counselor. It takes about two years to complete on a part-time basis and includes both online and campus-based learning. The coursework starts out with an introduction to the field before diving into psychology concepts, theories, and research.
Students will also study ethics and cultural considerations, as well as their own personal issues and the ways in which these affect their work. The course culminates in a supervised field experience where students will apply their skills in a real-world setting. This course is accredited by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification. Walden also has a variety of other online counseling programs that are not designed to lead to licensure.
Mental Health First Aid Certification Course
This online mental health first aid course from Mental Health First Aid USA teaches people how to recognize when someone may be suffering from a mental health condition and how to help them get the proper treatment. The course covers signs and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses, as well as substance use disorders.
It also discusses how to create a safe environment for people who are experiencing a mental health crisis. This is a good course for anyone who wants to understand more about mental health but does not want to become a therapist. The certificate for this course is recognized by employers, schools, and other organizations, so it’s a great credential to add to your resume.
Depression and Anxiety Online Course
This course from Anna Marie University focuses on treating depression and anxiety. It’s a good option for people who are interested in the mental health field but don’t want to become a licensed mental health professional. This course is also a great option for people who want to understand their own struggles with mental health better.
This course is designed to help students understand their own triggers, as well as how to manage their symptoms and create a healthy lifestyle. It has interactive exercises and other activities that make it more engaging than many online courses. The course is self-paced, so you can work through it at your own speed.
It also comes with a money-back guarantee, so you can try it without risk. This depression and anxiety online course is also accredited by the International Board of Clinical Specialists.
Bipolar Disorder Counseling Course
This online bipolar disorder counseling course from GRACE University teaches students how to help people with bipolar disorder. This course also teaches students about their own triggers, so they can better manage their own bipolar disorder. The course features video lectures, a library of course materials, and a forum where students can discuss the course content with others.
It’s a good option for people who are interested in the mental health field but don’t want to become a licensed mental health professional. This online bipolar disorder counseling course is also accredited by the International Board of Clinical Specialists.
Conclusion
Mental health is a crucial component of overall health. Unfortunately, many people do not recognize the importance of mental health until they or someone they know is in crisis. Online mental health programs are a great way to learn more about mental health and the signs and symptoms of mental illness. These programs also provide essential information about how to help someone who is experiencing a mental health crisis.