All Posts in "Health & Fitness"

Did you know that one in three older Americans falls every year? Falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries for people aged 65-plus.
Falls can result in hip fractures, broken bones, and head injuries. And even falls without a major injury can cause an older adult to become fearful or depressed, making it difficult for them to stay active.
If you have an aging parent, grandparent, or neighbor in your life, helping them reduce their risk of falling is a great way to help them stay healthy and independent as long as possible.
Common factors that can lead to a fall include balance and gait, vision, medications and chronic conditions.
Here are six easy steps you can take to help your older loved one reduce their risk of a fall:
1. Enlist their support in taking simple steps to stay safe. Askif they’re concerned about falling. Many older adults recognize that falling is a risk, but they believe it won’t happen to them or they won’t get hurt—even if they’ve already fallen in the past. If they’re concerned about falling, dizziness, or balance, suggest that they discuss it with their health care provider who can assess their personal risk and suggest programs or services that could help.
2. Discuss their current health conditions. Find out if they are experiencing any problems with managing their own health. Are they having trouble remembering to take their medications, or are they experiencing side effects? Is it getting more difficult for them to do things they used to do easily? Are hearing and vision changes becoming problematic?
3. Ask about their last eye checkup.Make sure they have a current prescription and they’re using the glasses as advised by their eye doctor.
4. Notice if they’re holding onto walls, furniture, or someone else when walking or if they appear to have difficulty walking or arising from a chair. These are all signs that it might be time to see a physical therapist.
5. Talk about their medications. If your older loved one is having a hard time keeping track of medicines or is experiencing side effects, encourage them to discuss their concerns with their doctor and pharmacist. Suggest that they have their medications reviewed each time they get a new prescription.
6. Do a walk-through safety assessment of the home.There are many simple and inexpensive ways to make a home safer. For instance, increase lighting throughout the house, especially at the bottom and top of stairs. Make sure rails on stairs are secure. And install grab bars in tubs and showers.

Source: National Council on Aging

srmedia by — September 30, 2014 in Health & Fitness

The mayors of Tacoma, Lakewood, Puyallup, and University Place have signed proclamations making September Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in an effort to raise awareness of the disease.
Prostate cancer affects one in six men during their lifetime, with an estimated 232,000 men being diagnosed nationally in 2014, according to Tacoma Prostate Cancer Support Group. It’s expected that approximately 30,000 men will die from the disease this year, making it the second-leading cause of death for men.
When screened and diagnosed early, prostate cancer is easily treated by a variety of methods, making it a survivable disease. Most deaths are caused by late diagnosis after the cancer has spread beyond the prostate.
The Tacoma Prostate Cancer Support Group initiated the Prostate Cancer Awareness Month proclamation process with 11 cities in the South Sound region.
The group conducts monthly meetings on the fourth Tuesday of the month (except December) at University Place Presbyterian Church, offering open discussion and talks by members of the medical community about prostate cancer. The meetings are open to all men and their families who have been diagnosed or just want to educate themselves about the disease. More information about the group is available from Bob Freeborn (253-228-3616) or Jack Hudspeth (253-381-8831) and at www.tpcsg.info.

srmedia by — September 16, 2014 in Health & Fitness

We walk all over them, but most of the time there’s no complaint – until it’s too late.
“If the Shoe Fits … The Secrets of Walking for Health,” a free, information-only presentation about feet, shoes and the science of selecting the right fit to last a lifetime, will be offered four times – twice each on two days – in September in Pierce County. Participants in the workshops hosted by Pierce County Aging and Disability Resource Center will learn about how and why feet change and how shoes should be evaluated for long-term benefit.
The presentation will be held on:
• Sept. 15 from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m. at the Pierce County Annex Main Meeting Room (2401 S. 35th St. in Tacoma) and from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Lakewood Senior Center (9112 Lakewood Dr. SW. in Lakewood). Organizers are asking for participants to RSVP for this site at 253-798-4090.
• Sept. 17 from 12:10 to 12:50 p.m. at the County-City Building’s seventh-floor conference (903 Tacoma Ave. in Tacoma) and from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Summit branch of Pierce County Library (5107 112th St. E. in the Summit area).
The average woman will own 450 pairs of shoes in a lifetime. Men will own about half that many. Yet few people have their feet measured professionally, trusting only their feel. A lifetime of ill-fitting shoes can result in pain and discomfort in our later years, according to officials of Aging and Disability Resources.
“We talk all the time about aging in place,” said Aaron Van Valkenburg, manager of Aging and Disability Resources. “The most important way to age in place is to stay physically active. Owning the right pair of shoes makes all the difference in the world if someone wants to keep moving. Good-fitting shoes are the best way for families to support their loved ones –and themselves – into their later years.”
“If the Shoe Fits… The Secrets of Walking for Health” will be presented by Bobby Lozier, a pedorthist certified by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics. He will speak about foot anatomy, balance and circulatory issues, shoe design and features, shoe fit, how feet change, diabetes and foot care, health issues that are revealed in feet and specialized pedorthic products.
Additional information about the workshops is available at 253-798-4600.

 

srmedia by — August 26, 2014 in Health & Fitness

Medicare went into effect 48 years ago on July 1, 1966. Earlier that same year, Medicare workers went door to door trying to get seniors to sign up. Medicare was not the cornerstone then that it is today and people did not know whether it was going to work for the long haul.
Now, nearly half a century later, Medicare remains one of the most popular government programs in the nation.
We can’t see the future, but one thing’s for sure: Medicare is here to stay. Medicare provides health insurance to more than 50 million Americans. Forty-two million are people age 65 and older and the other 8 million are younger and have disabilities.
Most people first become eligible for Medicare at age 65.
The four parts of Medicare are parts A, B, C, and D.
• Part A (Hospital Insurance) helps cover inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing care, hospice care, and home health care. Most people get Medicare Part A premium-free since it is earned by working and paying Social Security taxes.
• Part B (Medical Insurance) helps cover services from doctors and other outpatient health care providers, outpatient care, home health care, durable medical equipment, and some preventive services. Most people pay a monthly premium for Part B. In 2014, the premium for most people is $104.90, the same as it was in 2013. Some high-income individuals pay more than the standard premium. Your Medicare Part B premium also can be higher if you do not enroll when you are first eligible, also known as your initial enrollment period. There also is a Medicare Part B deductible of $147 in 2014.
• Part C (Medicare Advantage) allows you to choose to receive all of your health care services through a provider organization. This plan includes all benefits and services covered under Part A and Part B, usually includes Medicare prescription drug coverage, and may include extra benefits and services at an extra cost. You must have Part A and Part B to enroll in Part C. Monthly premiums vary depending on your state, private insurer, and whether you select a health maintenance organization or a preferred provider organization.
• Part D (Medicare prescription drug coverage) helps cover the cost of prescription drugs. Many people pay a premium for Part D. However, people with low income and resources may qualify for extra help from Social Security to pay the premium and deductible. To see if you qualify for extra help visit www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp.
Will you be age 65 soon? Even if you decide not to retire, you should consider applying for Medicare. You can apply in less than 10 minutes using our online Medicare application. Do it today at www.socialsecurity.gov/medicareonly.
To learn more about applying for Medicare when you plan to delay retirement, read our publication Applying For Medicare Only—Before You Decide, available at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs.

Kirk Larson, who wrote this article, is a Social Security public affairs specialist for western Washington.

Contributing Author by — August 15, 2014 in Health & Fitness