Dr. Mauk\'s Boomer Blog

Each week, Dr. Mauk shares thoughts relevant to Baby Boomers that are aimed to educate and amuse.

How Treatment for Prostate Cancer Reached the Radiation Stage over the Past 20 Years

It was in 1853, when a surgeon J. Adams, working at The London Hospital diagnosed prostate cancer for the 1st time. The disease was discovered during a histological examination and Adams described it as “a very rare disease”. Today, 165 years later, this disease has progressed quite rapidly and is considered as one of the most severe health problems.

Why is there such an increase in the number of people afflicted with this disease?

There are three reasons behind, which include:

• First, in the early years until the 1900s, after the disease was discovered, there was no special diagnosis technique that could differentiate urinary obstruction from prostate cancer
• Second, this cancer increases rapidly with age, as compared to other types of cancer
• Third, it is believed that prostate cancer is linked with the “Western” lifestyle. While the main causes of prostate cancer are age, family history and ethnic group, research suggests that obesity and a diet rich in calcium can also contribute to this disease

Here’s a timeline of how prostate cancer treatment reached radiation therapy:

In the early years, it took a long time to diagnose patients with cancer. By the time a treatment plan was created, the disease would take a dangerous turn and the patient would die within 1 to 2 years.

Androgen-Ablation Therapy
It was in 1786, when the Androgen-Ablation Therapy was discovered. However, it wasn’t until 1940 that this technique was used to treat prostate cancer. This therapy involved oral estrogen and medical castration to treat the cancer. While this therapy did reduce the size of the prostate, it didn’t provide any help with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Over the next 40 years, different hormone therapies were tried and a few were deemed successful. To this day, Androgen-Ablation Therapy is considered the best prostate cancer treatment.

Prostatectomy
During this time, other treatment options were in trial and in 1904; Prostatectomy emerged as a clear winner. This treatment involved removing the cancerous or all parts of the prostate gland to cut the disease from the root. There were several improvements in this therapy but almost all patients refused this treatment because it left them impotent.

Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy for prostate cancer took the stage in the early 20s. People were a bit skeptical about the treatment but when rapid advancements were made in the technology, they became more open to the treatment. Moreover, the therapy gave people the option to go for it during surgery or after surgery.

• X-ray Therapy
This therapy involves megavoltage and high-energy X-rays that penetrate the cancerous cells more deeply, which helps minimize the area of skin exposed to radiation. Doctors also used Imaging, so that they could specify the affected area and direct the radiation beams there.
• Proton Therapy
This radiation beam is more precise and doctors are able to control the depth of the beam penetrating the body. The proton therapy prevented “exit radiation”, which made a single radiation dose more powerful.
• Stereotactic Ablative Radiation Therapy
This therapy allows surgeons to target small and specific areas with a high dose of radiation. It allows them to use radiation during complicated surgeries.

There is still much room to experiment with radiation therapy for prostate cancer. New technology is being tested and people with no hopes are being admitted into trials, to find out if they have a chance to beat this disease or not.

By Jim|2024-08-28T17:33:18-05:00September 15th, 2024|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off

happy disabled woman in wheelchair outdoors beach showing victory sign

Let’s face it: There’s no one size for all when it comes to wheelchair cushions.
Therefore, it’s risky buying a wheelchair cushion without pre-evaluation since this might result in serious injuries. Wait a minute? Is it that important getting the right wheelchair cushion?
Prolonged wheelchair usage can result in a variety of infections, pressure points pains, and muscle misalignment such as shoulder tendon tears. According to a research published by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), over 2.5 million people in wheelchairs in the United States, develop pressure ulcers, which are one out of many defects faced.
Therefore, to help you make the right choice, we’ve prepared the features and specifics that you need to look for when choosing the right wheelchair cushion. Without much ado, follow us on this immersive journey.

Factors to Consider Before Selecting a Wheelchair Cushion

As mentioned earlier, there’s no “all for one” type of cushion. Rather, you have to find the one that suits you or your patients’ needs. So, consider the needs before choosing a cushion:

Weight: The weight of the user is an important factor to consider. The right cushion must support the weight capacity of the user without losing its shape.

Height: consider the height of your patient before choosing a cushion. Ensure that the cushion is not so thick that the user’s feet doesn’t touch the ground.

Mobility: know the extent of the patient’s use of the wheelchair. Whether the user will sit for prolonged periods or move in and out of the wheelchair periodically, it’s vital to take this into consideration.

Skin condition: skin conditions also have an underlying role in the type of cushion to choose. Consider the skin condition of the user before choosing a cushion.

This settled, let’s explore the specifics you need to look for in wheelchair cushions.

Related Information – wheelchairs in singapore

What to Look For In Wheelchair Cushions

Select the Right Cushion Material

There are a myriad of cushion materials available for wheelchair users – air cells, foams, gels, and even hybrid combinations. To avoid health complications and discomfort, you need to select the right cushion material based on the aforementioned factors.

For instance, lightweight, spongy cushions are great to reduce the strain on the pressure points. More so, they are ideal for those without skin conditions. Since this type of cushion material come in various shapes and sizes, users can pick which suits their needs.

Latex foam wheelchair cushions, on the other hand, have an elastic build that allows it to mold to the user’s body. Since this material doesn’t absorb moisture, it’s resistant to mildew, bacteria presence, and mold. No doubt, latex foam cushions are great for those with a mild inability to retain bodily fluids.

Memory foam cushions offer optimum comfort to users with a higher risk of getting pressure injuries. Just as the name implies, it molds perfectly to your body shape. More so, it can retain its depressed shape longer, thereby, relieving the pain on your pressure points.

Gel Cushions. These type of cushions are produced from plastic polymers which mimic the protective fatty tissues of the buttocks. Patients with sensitive skin conditions will be most comfortable with this TPE type of cushion. With gel cushion, there’s minimal friction between the user’s skin and the cushion surface. In addition to this, gel cushion comes in various forms such as checkered board surface or honeycomb surface.

Although a bit higher priced than the rest, Air-filled Cellular cushions are a great option for those who desire optimum pressure pain relief. What’s interesting about this device is that users can control and monitor the amount of air that goes into the device. Due to this function, wheelchair users can correct their postures, and at the same, prevent pressure points.

Lastly, the Honeycomb cushion, with its specially crafted spongy surface, is fast becoming popular. Manufactured from Thermoplastic urethane (TPU), this device is ideal for users with pressure management needs. Just like a honeycomb, it constitutes of several small cells arranged in a beehive manner. Not only does this evenly distribute weight, but it also supports the user’s weight without losing memory. Unlike air-filled cushions, this doesn’t transfer pressure point from one side of the cushion to other areas.

Cushion Format
Irrespective of your cushion material, the cushion format is also an important feature to consider. So, talk to your rehab specialist or doctor on the best cushion format for your wheelchair. From the saddle cushion, which helps to keep your knees together to the waffle-shaped cushion which protects your skin and allows air to flow freely, there’s no end to your options as a wheelchair user.

Wrapping Up
Finally! As you can see, choosing the right wheelchair cushion is no small feat. Therefore, consider the aforementioned features and get optimum relief from wheelchair-associated infections and conditions.

Also read about 5 Pieces of Technology Seniors Need

By Jim|2024-08-28T17:32:02-05:00September 7th, 2024|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off

By Tess DiNapoli

America’s caregivers support the social and economic foundations of our society. As the population ages, more and more elderly adults need extra care on a regular basis. To address these needs, a significant and growing number of people are serving as caregivers to family members and others in their communities. In addition, we continue to face the challenges of COVID-19, which has caused many Americans to make the choice to keep their elderly relatives at home and provide care for them. These realities are making caregiving a more routine part of American life.

Who are the caregivers?

The number of Americans providing care for family and other members of their communities has grown over the last five years. According to an AARP study, 43.5 million adults in the United States are caregivers. The vast majority of those caregivers, 34.2 million, are providing care for adults 50 and over.

A substantial number of caregivers are also caring for more than one person, the majority of them being women, as they’re likely looking after both young children and their aging parents.

Multigenerational households

One of the growing realities in America is that many households span multiple generations. Older adults want to stay out of congregate senior care facilities as long as possible, and adult children often become their caregivers. To lessen the burdens of caregiving, a number of these adult children are choosing to bring their parents to live in their own homes with them.

Challenges of caregiving

Caregivers face a multitude of challenges as they provide support to older adults. The time commitment of caregiving is substantial, the financial strain can be significant, especially for unpaid caregivers, and the emotional stress of caring for others can affect the mental health and well-being of the caregiver.

Time challenges

The Family Caregiver Alliance indicates that family caregivers spend an average of over 24 hours providing care each week. This time commitment is on top of the demands of jobs, children, and social obligations. The number of hours a caregiver devotes to caregiving increases when the care recipient lives in the same household. The time commitment also increases with the age of the care recipient.

Financial challenges

When a caregiver is spending a significant number of hours providing care, they are not as available for extra work hours or more work responsibilities. As a consequence, caregivers are often forced to pass up promotions or cut their work hours, diminishing their own earning potential. These financial decisions can have long-lasting effects, potentially lowering social security benefits and retirement savings.

Mental health challenges

The American Psychological Association has identified several mental health concerns that are common among those providing senior care. Depression, anxiety, and guilt are some of the most prevalent challenges to the mental well-being of caregivers.

Benefits of caregiving

Despite these significant challenges, there are benefits to more routine caregiving in American life. Caregivers are less isolated with a growing number of other adults facing the same burdens. As caregiving becomes a more normal aspect of adult life, communities of caregivers help to ease some of the burdens and challenges they all face.

In addition, seniors benefit from remaining at home to receive care and support. They are not constrained by the schedules of care facilities and they can retain a degree of independence, which helps with mental well-being. Remaining in familiar surroundings can ease the strain and anxiety of aging as well.

Caregivers can help their care recipients to maintain their own mental health. One of the risks to elderly adults as they age is social isolation. They are not as able to get out of the house and socialize with their peers, whether due to physical limitations, no longer being able to drive themselves, or both. Caregivers provide much-needed companionship and can keep those in their care from getting lonely and depressed.

There are financial benefits as well. The costs of institutional care for the elderly are often prohibitive. Providing care to older adults in their homes is a cost-effective alternative for those who do not need around-the-clock care.

The reality is that the largest population in America, the baby boomer generation, is now aging. The care needs of these older adults will continue to be an increasing element of American society over the coming years, and we’ll need to prepare ourselves to meet that challenge as well.

By Jim|2024-08-28T17:31:26-05:00September 5th, 2024|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off

Tips for Rehab Nursing: Signs of Stroke F.A.S.T

By Jim|2024-08-28T17:31:03-05:00September 3rd, 2024|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off

Guest Blog: Three key ways architecture benefits the elderly

Most people don’t realize just how big of an impact architecture can have on the lives and well being of elderly individuals. For many years, innovative designs for care homes and retirement living have gone a long way in helping to both support and reassure elderly residents so they feel comfortable in their surroundings, and will do for many years to come. Here are three key ways in which architecture benefits the elderly.

Exposure to sunlight

One of the first architectural considerations for any residential project is ‘how does the building sit in relation to the sun?’ This can influence many factors such as the garden, conservatories and large windows, all because we want residents to have the best exposure to natural light as possible. Designs for many care homes ensure that there are no rooms that face exclusively north, so all residents receive direct, natural sunlight into their room at some point during the day. Not only are there psychological benefits of enjoying the sunshine, but exposure to the sun in moderation provides a healthy dose of Vitamin D, absorbed into the body to help strengthen bones which is a huge boost for the elderly to starve off the effects of frailty with age.

Green space

Residential architecture is not just about the building, but landscaping the garden area too. Retaining some green outdoor space is important for elderly residents for whom it may not be possible to venture to the nearest public park whenever they wish, so they can relax outdoors without completely leaving their home. For more mobile elderly residents, gardens also provide the opportunity to continue with a relaxing gardening hobby, or to even take it up. In care homes, gardens are kept in pristine condition all year round by qualified gardeners, and when the months begin to get warmer, residents can enjoy the various plants and colorful flowerbeds – some of which they may have helped to plant themselves.

Built to adapt

When it comes to care home facilities and retirement housing, architectural designs must cater for the ever-changing needs of the residents. Therefore, it has to be built to adapt. Many elderly who use wheelchairs will require spacious rooms with height adjustable surfaces, particularly in the kitchen, and ramps fitted on all entrances and exits. These features take even more prominence in care homes with more residents present, with designs also incorporating wide corridors to allow residents in wheelchairs or on mobility scooters to pass one another with ease, and interior walls within a resident’s living space fitted as panels that can be easily knocked out to create a larger open plan floor space if necessary.

Author bio: Mick Goode is a co-founder and co-director of Croft Goode Architects, based in Lancashire, UK. As a BIM-focused practice of chartered architects, we have a vast range of experience designing for all kinds of projects, including those for retirement living and healthcare buildings for the elderly and disabled.

By Jim|2024-07-29T11:27:06-05:00August 29th, 2024|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off

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