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Blurry vision and blind spots may be more than just signs of aging-they can be indicators of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This complex disease affects more than 10 million Americans and is the leading cause of blindness for people over 50. Promising research is advancing new treatments and teaching us more about the disease, but people must take preventive measures and understand the importance of early diagnosis to protect their sight, especially as aging Baby Boomers are becoming more at risk.

Early diagnosis depends on detecting warning signs and regular visits to an ophthalmologist. A person suffering from the early stages of AMD may not notice changes in their vision. But as the disease advances, they may experience blurring in their central vision, especially during detail-oriented tasks like reading.

Doctors diagnose AMD by identifying yellow deposits called drusen that collect underneath the retina. Most people initially suffer from dry AMD, which occurs when the cells in the eye’s macula slowly break down to gradually blur central vision. Some cases of dry AMD progress to the wet form, which causes rapid, advanced vision loss because abnormal blood vessels grow under the macula and leak blood and fluid. A person seeing straight lines as wavy is a classic symptom of wet AMD.

Genetics often play a role in AMD, but the heredity link is complicated as many people develop the condition without family history of it, while those with affected parents may never suffer vision loss. A number of additional factors are associated with AMD, including cigarette smoking, bright sunlight, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and diet.

The National Eye Institute conducted the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS), which found that a dietary supplement containing a combination of vitamins and minerals reduced people’s risk of developing advanced AMD. The supplement is available over the counter, but should only be taken after consulting a doctor.

Studies have also linked consuming lower amounts of dietary fat to decreased chances of developing advanced AMD. Foods high in healthy omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish and nuts, as well as colorful vegetables rich in carotenoids may also help prevent AMD.

Current research holds promise for new AMD treatments. A biopharmaceutical company recently launched a clinical trial of a cellular therapy derived from stem cells that could preserve and restore vision of AMD patients. Another company is conducting a gene therapy human study that could be a long-lasting approach to halting vision loss from AMD, with only a single treatment. And, one company is seeking FDA approval of a therapy for wet AMD that requires less frequent treatment injections than existing treatments.

Dr. Stephen Rose is the Chief Research Officer for the Foundation Fighting Blindness, a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing research for AMD treatments and the entire spectrum of retinal degenerative diseases.

Additional AMD information is available at www.FightBlindness.org or by calling 800-683-5555.

Contributing Author by — October 26, 2011 in Everything Else

Starting a new business at age 60!  What was I thinking?  I thought I was crazy when I decided to go to law school at 45, graduating at 49.  I started practicing elder law right away in Bellingham.    Back then my friends were all talking retirement, downsizing, snow-birding, and I was entrenched in billable hours, court hearings, and all night sessions writing briefs for court.   The bonus in all that work was that I loved my work and enjoyed fighting for my elderly clients and their families every single day.   I moved to Tacoma to open an elder law practice in 2001 and have been here for 10 years practicing Elder Law.

Now at age 60, my friends are all retired, have moved to sunnier climates, and when most people start to wind down their life, I start my own law firm.  And to make it even more interesting my new partner is 32 years old.  So this 60-year-old elder law attorney (and yes, I can be my own elder law attorney now) is learning what the “cloud” is, what “virtual” is, and how in the world can you have a phone system going through your computer.

My partner, Sean Flynn, has a Masters Degree in Business and received his law degree about 1 1/2 years ago.  So he is just starting in law, although he has a lot of experience in real estate as a result of work experience and family interests.   He is somewhat of a technology whiz kid so I was not prepared for what was in store for me.

When I approached Sean to ask if he wanted to go into practice with me, one of his first comments to me was “we can have a virtual office with all our files and documents in the cloud.”  So as I sit there listening to him, I am picturing how my clients will be able to find me in the cloud or in my virtual office to come in to see me or sign documents.  I am having a hard time visualizing that happening.

My life as an attorney and paralegal (15 years prior to being an attorney) has been brick-and-mortar:  an office with a chair, desk, file cabinets and legal assistants.  You can touch your chair and files.  You can see them in front of you.  Your clients can see them.  All is well.   To me, the cloud is all “up there” somewhere.

“You see I have clients who like to see me and hug me,” I told Sean.  “They like to sit in a chair and put their arms on a table.  They like to see documents.  They are like me, they like to see and touch.”   This sounds like an old Dick and Jane Book.  I say, “I like to touch.”  Sean says, “Virtual is the way to go.”  I say, “I like to see.”  He says, “the cloud is where it is at.”

So we compromised.  I have my office with tables and chairs and some files.  I have legal assistants and computers.  But we also have an office in Seattle that is very close to virtual since the staff for that office are located here in Tacoma, the files are all on the “cloud” and the phones are run through the computer.   Even the way my clients can pay me now is changed.  The old days of checks are almost over.  My clients can now  pay their bill virtually on my iPad or my iPhone.    The funds go directly to our bank accounts.   So this old dog has learned new tricks from this young pup of an attorney.

Science is saying that in order to fight off Alzheimer’s Disease you should learn new languages or take on new learning experiences in your 60s or 70s so you form new synapses in your brain.   If that is true, I will never get that dreaded disease since I have formed so many new synapses in the past few months learning the “cloud” that I think I have rewired my entire brain.

So much has changed in the law office in just 30 years. I know that by the time I retire, law offices may be all virtual.  More and more of my clients contact me by cell phone, voice message, email, text messages or on Facebook.   The age of sit down face to face law practice is changing day by day.  But I am holding on to my desk and chair with clenched hands.  I like face to face contact.  You get more hugs that way!

Jonete W. Rehmke is a partner at Rehmke & Flynn, PLLC, 917 Pacific Avenue, Ste 407, in Tacoma, WA  98402.  She can be reached at (253) 209-0899.

Contributing Author by — October 26, 2011 in Everything Else
Pierce County Library System is significantly reducing bookmobile service

Beginning January 2012, Pierce County Library System will significantly reduce its traditional bookmobile service to rural and remote areas. It will reduce the number of places the bookmobiles stopped by 11, from an average of 15 locations.

“Bookmobile service has served our communities well for 64 years,” said Neel Parikh, executive director of Pierce County Library. “We now have 17, soon to be 18 library buildings, and online access 24/7—which were not part of the Library when it started serving the county in 1946.”

The Library is stopping the bookmobile in places of low usage and retaining it in four areas that heavily use the bookmobile. The Explorer Kids’ Bookmobile will continue to provide service at schools and associated family community stops. Due to the isolation of Anderson Island and its high usage, the Library will continue to provide service at the Anderson Island Community Clubhouse.

Over time the number of people who used the bookmobile declined, as the Library System provided more libraries and online services. Currently, less than 1% of the Library’s 251,000 card holders use the bookmobiles. The 756 people most directly “Through the years, we continually reviewed how best to serve people in rural and remote areas and added and changed bookmobile stops and services,” said Parikh. “Reducing bookmobile service is a service delivery decision. We know that people have become increasingly mobile and our services are mobile, too—online.”

Significantly reducing the bookmobile is a $140,000 savings, which helps to lessen the Library’s $1.9 million shortfall for 2012. Decreasing the traditional bookmobile will reduce the hours of a driver and cut costs to buy books, materials, fuel and maintenance for the vehicles. Other staff from the traditional bookmobiles will be reassigned, mostly to the Fife Pierce County Library that will open in fall 2011.

In 2009, the Library conducted a survey of people living in outlying areas of the county and learned that two-thirds of the residents got their books and information from the Internet and were visiting Pierce County Libraries, while only 5 percent were using a bookmobile.

Only a few library systems in Washington State still offer a family bookmobile service. Most others stopped offering the service many years ago.

Press Release by — October 11, 2011 in Everything Else

Medicare Part D Enrollment period begins Oct. 15

Starting this year, Medicare’s open enrollment period for prescription drug plans (Part D) and Medicare Advantage plans takes place Oct. 15 through Dec. 7.

The Affordable Care Act moved and expanded the annual enrollment period a week, giving people additional time to consider their choices.  “The new enrollment time allows Medicare consumers to avoid conducting business during the holiday season and increases their time to compare Part D plans and Medicare Advantage plans,” said Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. “Don’t miss this opportunity to review your options. Our Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) program can help you understand your choices.”

SHIBA helps people answer questions and evaluate plans. “Our trained volunteers in your community can help answer your questions and search for plans online,” said Marijean Holland, SHIBA Program Manager.  “We also offer assistance with Original Medicare and other health plans, and provide free, unbiased information to help you decide.”

Before you make your decision, consider the following tips:

  • Plan costs and coverage can change every year, so carefully review all letters and notices from your current plan.
  • Make a list of all current prescription drugs you take, the doses, and how often.  Then, use the Plan Finder at www.medicare.gov to compare Part D plans.
  • Review the 2012 Medicare & You handbook. You should have received it in September.
  • If you have questions, call 1-800- MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) before you sign up.
  • If you have limited income and need help paying for prescription drugs, check out Medicare’s “Extra Help” program.  To see if you qualify, contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or go to www.socialsecurity.gov and click on Medicare.

“Whatever you do, don’t wait until the end of the enrollment period to get help,” added Kreidler. “Call our Insurance Consumer Hotline today at 1-800-562-6900 and ask to schedule an appointment with a SHIBA volunteer in your area.”

To attend a free Medicare workshop in your local area, go to:  http://www.insurance.wa.gov/shiba/shiba_contacting.shtml

For help in other languages, call:

  • Spanish, Medicare, 1-800-633-4227
  • Spanish, National Alliance for Hispanic Health, 1-866-783-2645
  • Korean, National Asian Pacific Center on Aging, 1-800-582-4259
  • Chinese, National Asian Pacific Center on Aging, 1-800-582-4218
  • Vietnamese, National Asian Pacific Center on Aging, 1-800-582-4336

Individuals in Pierce County can contact Aging Disability Resource Center for help:

  • English: (253) 798-4600
  • Khmer: (253) 798-4550
  • Russian: (253) 798-4552
  • Spanish: (253) 798-4553
  • Vietnamese: (253) 798-4554

 

Press Release by — October 11, 2011 in Everything Else