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Study Says Stroke Victims Taking Longer to Get to Hospital

Prompt medical care needed for drugs to work

There’s only about a four-hour window for getting a clot-busting drug that can effectively treat a stroke, but a new study shows that many stroke victims are still not getting to the hospital fast enough to take advantage of the drug.

In fact, an analysis of 114,420 stroke patients by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that patients are getting to theemergency room even slower than they did in 2005.

The CDC researchers found that almost 44 percent of patients who had strokes between 2005 and 2010 took more than 4.5 hours to get to the emergency room after their first symptoms. That’s up from the almost 40 percent who hesitated before going to the hospital in 2005.

At the same time, the percentage of stroke victims who got to the hospital within two hours also decreased — from 40 percent in 2005 to 35 percent in 2010 — another sign that people may not understand the need to get prompt medical care.

About 795,000 Americans suffer a stroke each year, according to the CDC. The most common type (87 percent of all strokes) is ischemic stroke, caused by a blockage in the blood flow to the brain.

Study lead author Mary G. George, medical officer in the CDC’s Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, said the new findings indicate that people need to learn the warning signs of stroke and the importance of calling 911. The longer people wait, the more brain damage a stroke can cause.

The study findings also indicated a slight drop in the number of people calling for an ambulance to take them to the hospital, possibly because not all insurance plans cover EMS.

“This is a perennial problem,” says Larry B. Goldstein, director of the Duke Stroke Center, who was not involved in the study. “Someone has to recognize a stroke is occurring and that they need to call 911.”

Goldstein says that “a number of studies” show that people who use EMS get to the hospital quicker and get better care than other patients “usually because the 911 system contacts the hospital while the patient is en route,” allowing the emergency room to prepare for that patient.

Stroke symptoms, according to the National Stroke Association, include sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body; confusion, trouble speaking or understanding; trouble seeing from one or both eyes; trouble walking, dizziness or loss of balance; and a sudden severe headache with no known cause.

Goldstein says stroke education should also target younger people, who often are with the older, higher-risk patients when a stroke occurs. “With brain injury, the patient may not even be able to recognize the symptoms,” he notes.

The study was presented last month at the American Stroke Association annual meeting in New Orleans.

Source: AARP.org

Contact Pure Home Care Services at (586) 293-2457 today!  If you live in Sterling Heights or the surrounding area, we can help you care for your loved ones.

Living with AMD

People with age-related macular degeneration can make the most of their remaining vision with special training and technologies. Ask for a referral to a low-vision specialist for instruction on how to compensate for the vision that is lost. Many community organizations and agencies offer information and services such as:

• Training on new ways of doing things
• Low-vision adaptive devices such as hand or stand magnifiers, magnifying spectacles, video magnifiers, screen readers, and special computer programs and equipment
• Large-print books or audiobooks
• Home modifications, including improved lighting
• Alternate transportation when it is unsafe to drive
• Support groups where people with low vision can exchange ideas and share experiences
• Information about new research on treatments and vision-enhancement devices

The National Eye Institute also reminds seniors: “If you have lost some sight from AMD, don’t be afraid to use your eyes for reading, watching TV and other routine activities. Normal use of your eyes will not cause further damage to your vision.”

Can AMD be cured or treated?

Treatment for wet AMD consists of laser surgery; slowing or stopping the leaking of blood vessels by means of injections; or photodynamic therapy, a procedure that uses a combination of light and drugs. The National Eye Institute says that these treatments can help slow down vision loss and in some cases improve sight. But none of these treatments are a cure for the disease, and vision loss may continue despite treatment.

There is no treatment to reverse dry AMD. The goal, instead, is to prevent the condition from progressing to a more advanced stage. Certain lifestyle changes may prevent or delay further vision loss. These include having an annual eye exam, managing high blood pressure and cholesterol, exercising regularly, and avoiding smoking and second-hand smoke.

Nutrition is especially important. According to Prevent Blindness America, a wide variety of foods, including lentils, grapes, carrots, bell peppers, broccoli, spinach, sweet potatoes, kale, certain kinds of fish, turkey and some kinds of nuts, have been shown to aid eye health. Foods that contain refined starches and are high in sugar can be damaging to vision.

What about vitamins?

As reported in the October 2010 issue of Caring Right at Home, the National Eye Institute has conducted a series of important studies on the effect of nutrition on AMD. Certain nutrients were found to be protective against the development and progression of AMD, including vitamins A, C and E; zinc; lutein; zeaxanthin; and certain omega-3 fatty acids. It is a challenge to get the levels of these nutrients from diet alone. Ask your eye doctor whether you should take supplements containing these nutrients. (Be sure to tell your other healthcare providers that you are taking these vitamins; if you are already taking a multivitamin, the formula may need to be changed to avoid a higher-than-recommended dose of certain vitamins.)

Source: Caringnews.com

Contact Pure Home Care Services at (586) 293-2457 today!  If you live in Franklin or the surrounding area, we can help you care for your loved ones.

Out And About: The Home Care Perspective

Sadly, for many older adults, giving up driving means that their world becomes smaller, with a loss of independence and connection to the community. The term that was once used for homebound seniors—”shut-in”—isn’t far off the mark. Staying inside every day can lead to social isolation, lack of stimulation, lessened physical activity, poor sleep and depression. For Americans, the automobile has traditionally equaled independence. But the changes of aging, such as vision problems, hearing loss or reduced manual dexterity, make it unsafe for many seniors to drive. And once older adults give up the car keys, they may find that whether they live in a city, the suburbs or a rural area, getting around can be difficult. In a recent Caring Right at Home poll, almost a quarter of respondents named transportation as the greatest challenge to senior independence.

Life space and cognitive health

A recent study in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry demonstrated that a senior’s “life space” can affect brain health. Researchers at Chicago’s Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center define life space as “the extent to which we move through our environments as we carry out our daily lives—from home to garden to workplace and beyond.”

The study examined the life space of a group of seniors during a span of eight years, interviewing them to find out how far from home they typically ventured—outside their neighborhood, outside their city, or no farther than their home, yard, patio or porch. The subjects also were tested for cognitive health over the course of the study. According to study author Bryan James, the seniors who had “constricted life space” were almost twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.

Experts in healthy aging advise seniors to participate as fully as possible in community life. Whether it is lunching with friends, going to the senior center, walking in a garden or participating in one’s faith community, visiting places we enjoy brings a health-promoting mood boost. A trip out need not be elaborate or planned in advance. Indeed, The Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health recently reported that for seniors, shopping offers physical and emotional benefits—scientific evidence for the value of “retail therapy”! This makes sense when you consider that since the beginning of civilization, people have congregated in the marketplace. According to the study, there is more good news: You don’t even have to buy anything to benefit from a shopping outing.

Expand your life space!

Most seniors prefer to “age in place”—that is, to remain in the comfort and familiar surroundings of their own home. Home-dwelling seniors who don’t drive might rely on family, relatives or volunteers for transportation, but often express concern about “being an imposition.” When it is safe and possible for them to do so, some older adults take the city bus or rapid transit. Some communities offer special transportation for seniors. Taxi cabs are another option, though the cost can add up quickly.

For seniors who are living at home and need assistance with the activities of daily living, in-home care can be the perfect resource to support independence in the community. Though many people envision home care services taking place only at home, professional in-home caregivers can actually be a great support to keep senior clients active in the community.
In-home care supports wellness and well-being, both at home and out on the town. A professional in-home caregiver can:

• Transport senior clients by car to events and activities, or accompany them on public transportation;
• Provide an extra measure of safety and security for seniors who are at risk of falling or becoming lost;
• Help clients manage walkers, wheelchairs and other mobility aids;
• Supervise and support clients who are dealing with memory loss and cognitive impairment;
• Enable senior clients to continue favorite activities, and locate new activities as health needs and abilities change;
• Ensure that clients fill prescriptions and arrive on time for healthcare appointments;
• Help clients feel at their best and prepared for outings with hygiene care, such as assistance with bathing, dressing and using the toilet; and,
• Take over “chauffeur duty” for family caregivers, who can go about their daily work and family routine with confidence, knowing their loved one is well cared for.

Most of us know the feeling of lethargy that results when we are stuck at home too long—“the blahs” that can disappear with a change of scenery. Seniors benefit by getting out of the house now and then. Professional in-home care helps them enjoy successful, safe outings.

Source: Caringnews.com

Contact Pure Home Care Services at (586) 293-2457 today!  If you live in Franklin or the surrounding area, we can help you care for your loved ones.

No matter what our age or health condition, physical activity is good for the body, mind and spirit.

When a loved one is living with Alzheimer’s disease or other memory loss, exercise doesn’t become any less important. Inactivity can lead to muscle and joint pain, increased agitation, sleep disturbances, and other behaviors that make caregiving more of a challenge.

The National Institute on Aging offers suggestions for helping loved ones with dementia exercise safely:

• Be realistic about how much activity can be done at one time. Several 10-minute “mini-workouts” may be best.
• Help get the activity started or join in to make the activity more fun.
• Find time in the morning for exercise.
• Break exercises into simple, easy-to-follow steps.
• Choose comfortable clothes that are suitable for the weather and appropriate shoes that fit well.
• Make sure both you and your loved one drink plenty of water when exercising.

Some activities to try together:

• Take a walk together.
• Do simple tasks around the house, such as sweeping and raking.
• Work in the garden.
• Play music and dance.
• Exercise with videos made for older people.
• Throw a soft rubber exercise ball back and forth.
• Lift weights or household items such as soup cans.
• Use resistance bands, which you can buy in sporting goods stores. Be sure to follow the instructions.

In a recent Caring Right at Home poll, readers confirmed that the best way to encourage senior loved ones to exercise is to exercise with them. This is a great way to take care of yourself while you are caring for your loved one.

One more reason to be active

New research from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee shows that joining your loved one for a brisk walk or home exercise workout may be especially important for Alzheimer’s family caregivers. According to UWM College of Health Sciences professor J. Carson Smith, “Our study suggests that if you are at genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease, the benefits of exercise to your brain function might be even greater than for those who do not have that genetic risk.”

Source: Caringnews.com

Contact Pure Home Care Services at (586) 293-2457 today!  If you live in Birmingham or the surrounding area, we can help you care for your loved ones.

As we age, those minor physical ailments – including sore feet, poorly fitting dentures and skin irritations – may turn out to be not so minor after all.

A new study published in the journal Neurology has found that as problems not traditionally associated with brain health pile up, a person’s chance of developing dementia increases.

“When a lot of small things go wrong, it can add up to an important risk,” says Kenneth Rockwood, M.D., professor of medicine at Dalhousie University, Halifax, and an author of the study “Nontraditional Risk Factors Combine to Predict Alzheimer Disease and Dementia.”

The 10-year study, launched in 1992, included more than 7,200 cognitively healthy 65-year-old Canadians who were asked questions regarding their overall health. While the questions included known risk factors for Alzheimer’s, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, the thrust of the research was on 19 problems that seemingly have no connection with brain health – including vision and hearing, loose dentures, sinus congestion, arthritis, morning cough, and problems with the skin, stomach, kidneys or bowel.

While any healthy 65-year-old has an 18 percent chance of developing dementia in 10 years simply because they are aging, the study found that each health problem not traditionally associated with Alzheimer’s increased that risk by 3.2 percent. The risk accelerated as more and more conditions were added, jumping to 40 percent among those in the study who reported as many as 12 conditions. Since age is a major risk factor for Alzheimer’s, Richard Lipton, M.D., professor and vice chairman of neurology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, says the study in a sense is identifying people who “age badly” — developing one ailment after another so their biological age exceeds their chronological age.

While taking care of minor ailments is likely to improve a person’s quality of life, Rockwood says, no one has yet proved that fixing one problem after another would necessarily reduce one’s risk for Alzheimer’s.

His advice? “Don’t panic over one problem.” As much as bad things can add up, so can the good, he said, citing studies showing that walking as little as 30 minutes a day, three days a week “dramatically attenuated” risk factors for dementia.

Source: AARP.org

Contact Pure Home Care Services at (586) 293-2457 today!  If you live in Bloomfield Hills or the surrounding area, we can help you care for your loved ones.

Fitness and Diabetes

Sheri Colberg was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age four and as a child discovered how much better regular exercise made her feel.

“Think of exercise as an extra dose of insulin,” she said. “It’s an alternate way to lower blood sugar naturally.”

Her own experience with diabetes led her to—no, not become a professional athlete—become an exercise physiologist and author of several books on diabetes and fitness. A few of the titles written by Dr. Sheri Colberg include “The Diabetic Athlete,” “Diabetic Athlete’s Handbook” and “The 7 Step Diabetes Fitness Plan.”

Chronic diabetes conditions include type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes, and both refer to a group of diseases that affect how your body uses blood glucose (commonly called blood sugar), according to The Mayo Clinic. “Glucose is vital to your health because it’s an important source of energy for the cells that make up your muscles and tissues. It’s your brain’s main source of fuel,” the Mayo Clinic staff writes on their website. “If you have diabetes, no matter what type, it means you have too much glucose in your blood, although the reasons may differ. Too much glucose can lead to serious health problems.”

Although there are many famous athletes past and present—tennis great Arthur Ashe, for one–who live with diabetes and push themselves physically, the average person with diabetes can literally take small steps toward being fit.

“Anything under 6,000 steps a day is considered sedentary,” said Dr. Colberg. “Just add a few hundred steps here and there. The easiest thing is to fit it into what you are already doing.”

She suggests that the person with diabetes, or their in home caregiver, maybe leave things across the room so that you have to walk to get your book or glass of water. Another tip is to park the car farther away from your destination to add a few extra steps.

“If people are starting from being couch potatoes, they shouldn’t do anything too fast or too hard,” she said. “If you start out too intensely you risk injury and pain and that is very demotivating.” Dr. Colberg added that there can also be cardiovascular concerns so people should talk to their doctors about what feels right for their own exercise regimen. “Start slowly and progress slowly, and back off if you need to figure out how to proceed,” she said.

The Mayo Clinic recommends regular exercise such as a daily 30-minute brisk walk. “A recent study found that a combination of exercises — aerobic exercises, such as walking or dancing, most days, combined with resistance training, such as weight lifting or yoga twice a week — helps control blood sugar more effectively than either type of exercise alone,” writes the Mayo Clinic staff.

Dr. Colberg describes building muscle as creating a “glucose sink” and said, “If you don’t have that, then there is limited storage capacity.”

And many of these activities can be encouraged and done with a partner, friend, loved one, and caregiver—Tai Chi classes, taking walks, dancing, playing tennis and much more.

Because people with diabetes sometimes lose feeling in their feet, Dr. Colberg said it is imperative that they have good shoes that fit well and moisture-wicking socks to prevent any type of infection. “There should be a visual inspection of their feet daily to check for any blisters,” she said, noting it could be done by an in home caregiver or the individual themselves.

Getting circulation can possibly prevent lower limb amputations, which are not uncommon in people with diabetes. Dr. Colberg said that as a child the only person she knew with diabetes was her grandmother, who was overweight and in the last six years of her life had a heart attack, several strokes and lower limb amputation. “I realized that I don’t want that lack of quality of life,” she said. “That was part of my impetus for my profession was to help people figure how to have quality of life, not just longevity, and to be active and feel good.”

Source: homewatchcaregivers.com

Contact Pure Home Care Services at (586) 293-2457 today!  If you live in Birmingham or the surrounding area, we can help you care for your loved ones.

Planning for Retirement

You’ve reached age 60, but are you financially ready to retire in the next 2 to 6 years? If not, you are not alone. A growing number of people will work well beyond retirement age, not
because they want to, but because they have to in order to meet living expenses. Even though most people are saving, they are not saving enough. If you are discouraged about what you have not done to prepare for retirement, there are still things that you can do now to secure your financial outlook for the future.

Plan
Never before have so many people lived so long and enjoyed such active lives. Plan to have a long, active and healthy life. Start considering your lifestyle options today and identify resources available to help you
maintain your independence. Consider these life events:

• Changing work and retirement patterns

• Changes in your health or that of loved ones

• Family transitions

• Aging parents

• Long-term care

• End of life issues

Your local Area Agency on Aging is an excellent source for information about retirement planning, financial assistance, legal services, employment and other community resources for older adults.

Contact Pure Home Care Services at (586) 293-2457 today!  If you live in Macomb County or the surrounding area, we can help you care for your loved ones.

Winter Warmth and Safety: Home Energy Tips for Older Adults

Everyone appreciates a warm, comfortable home during the cold winter months.  Yet  with escalating energy costs many older Americans will find it a challenge to keep up with home heating bills this winter.  Higher heating bills can be overwhelming.  But with a little planning and preparation they don’t have to be.  The Eldercare Locator and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offer some economical ways to stay warm and safe at home. While it is best to take action before winter arrives, family gatherings during the holidays provide a great opportunity to discuss energy efficiency and winter safety.

Find out about financial energy assistance programs

• Many states, counties and cities provide programs that assist older adults with winter heating costs.  Your local Area Agency on Aging is a good source of information about available community programs and eligibility requirements.

• Ask about the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) – the federally funded program that helps eligible low-income homeowners and renters meet their home heating needs. The name of this program and eligibility requirements may vary across states.  Be mindful that there is an application deadline for assistance, except for emergency situations.

Depending on where you live, LIHEAP may offer one or more of the following types of help:

• Heating funds (i.e., fuel subsidies) to increase the affordability of home energy;
• Low-cost residential weatherization and other home repairs to safely increase the efficiency of a household’s use of home energy, thus lowering energy bills and making homes more comfortable; and
• Energy crisis intervention to address weather-related and fuel supply shortages and other household energy-related emergencies, such as utility shutoffs.

For details about LIHEAP visit: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/liheap/index.html

• Get information about the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP).  Most state and local governments receive federal funds to help low-income families permanently reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient.  WAP assistance is free and preference is given to people over age 60 and households with children or people with disabilities. You must apply to determine eligibility. WAP services are provided by local nonprofit agencies that employ energy professionals. They will thoroughly analyze your energy systems for safety and determine the most cost-effective energy upgrades for your home.  This means that in addition to making minor repairs such as adding insulation, they will also check for hazards such as carbon monoxide, indoor air quality problems from mold and outdated electrical equipment and wiring.

Be aware of help provided by utility companies

• Check with your gas, water and electricity suppliers to see if they offer a monthly budget plan to help spread out energy costs throughout the year.  Often they have special heating assistance funds, as well as “no cut off” guidelines to avoid termination of service for older adults, people with disabilities and ill customers who may have difficulty paying their bills. Utility companies are also a great source for energy conservation information.  They might be able to refer you to an expert to inspect your home for ways to make it more energy efficient, or provide a list of contractors to tune up your furnace so that it operates at peak efficiency. Look for ways to cut down on winter energy use.

• The ENERGY STAR Program, run by the EPA and the Department of Energy, offers steps to follow to make your home more energy efficient (888-782-7937 or http://www.energystar.gov). ENERGY STAR is a label that identifies and promotes energy-efficient products, including major appliances, office equipment, lighting, home electronics and more. These products can save about one third on energy bills without sacrificing features, style or comfort.

• Simple, inexpensive energy-saving things you can do yourself:

• Have a friend or relative seal air leaks.  Weather strip and insulate the attic hatch or door to prevent warm air from leaking out of the house.  Use storm windows or stretch window film to keep out drafts.
• Use an ENERGY STAR qualified programmable thermostat that can automatically adjust the temperature of your home when you are away.
• Prepare you furnace, boiler or heat pump for winter by having them professionally tuned-up in the Fall. Remember to change furnace filters at least every three months to keep warm air flowing.
• Although a log fire in your fireplace is attractive, it does not heat your home because heated air drafts up the chimney.  When not using your fireplace, close the damper.

Ensure your health and safety

Source: Eldercare.gov

Contact Pure Home Care Services at (586) 293-2457 today!  If you live in Farmington Hills or the surrounding area, we can help you care for your loved ones.

What is Adult Day Care?

Adult Day Care Centers are designed to provide care and companionship for seniors who need assistance or supervision during the day. The program offers relief to family members or caregivers and allows them the freedom to go to work, handle personal business or just relax while knowing their relative is well cared for and safe.

The goals of the programs are to delay or prevent institutionalization by providing alternative care, to enhance self-esteem and to encourage socialization. There are two types of adult day care: adult social day care and adult day health care. Adult social day care provides social activities, meals, recreation and some health-related services. Adult day health care offers more intensive health, therapeutic and social services for individuals with severe medical problems and those at risk of requiring nursing home care.

Seniors generally take part in the program on a scheduled basis and the services that are offered may include the following:

• Counseling
• Education
• Evening care
• Exercise
• Health screening
• Meals
• Medical care
• Physical therapy
• Recreation
• Respite care
• Socialization
• Supervision
• Transportation
• Medication Management

How Do Adult Day Care Centers Operate?

These centers are usually open during working hours and may stand alone or be located in senior centers, nursing facilities, churches or synagogues, hospitals, or schools. The staff may monitor medications, serve hot meals and snacks, perform physical or occupational therapy, and arrange social activities. They also may help to arrange transportation to and from the center itself.

Who Can Benefit From Adult Day Care?

The following case study is an example of a senior who may need adult day care services, both for his own well being and that of his family caregivers: Paul is 69 years old and recently suffered a stroke. He needs some care and supervision so he lives with his son and daughter-in-law, David and Kira. However, because David and Kira both work, they need help to care for Paul during the day. They found a solution to their problem by having Kira drop off Paul at the local adult day care center in the morning, and having David pick him up when he gets off work in the evening. The center monitors Paul’s medications and offers him lunch, some physical therapy, and a chance to socialize with other seniors.

What Should I Look for in an Adult Day Care Center?

All states do not license and regulate adult day care centers. There may be a great deal of difference between individual centers; therefore it is important to learn more about each of the centers near you. You will probably want to visit the centers closest to you, and talk with the staff and other families that use the centers to determine if the facilities and programs available meet your individual needs. You may want to find out if your state has an Adult Day Care Association.

How Do I Pay for Adult Day Services?

Costs vary among adult day centers. Costs range from $25 a day to over $100 per day depending on the services offered, type of reimbursement, and geographic region. While an adult day care center is not usually covered by insurance of Medicare, some financial assistance may be available through a federal or state program (e.g., Medicaid, Older Americans Act, Veterans Administration).

Source: Eldercare.gov

Contact Pure Home Care Services at (586) 293-2457 today!  If you live in Warren or the surrounding area, we can help you care for your loved ones.

Look and feel better with these inexpensive natural treatments

Do you have trouble sleeping? Does your skin look tired and dry? Then it might just be time for a spa getaway. But don’t despair if you’re not flush with cash — we’re not talking about a weekend at a desert ranch.

All you’ll need to look and feel refreshed are a few minutes to yourself and a handful of ingredients that may already be in your pantry or refrigerator. These easy home remedies will boost the health of your hair, nails and skin — and likely your mood, as well.

Remember that natural remedies are not cures, says Dr. Barbara Reed, Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. Always check with your doctor to make sure your symptoms are not related to an underlying health condition.

Discolored Nails

As we age, nails grow at a slower rate and may become dull or yellowed. Consider stopping nail polish use or smoking if those practices could be contributing to changes in your nail color. In some cases, discolored nails could be a symptom of a serious condition, so it’s important to talk to your doctor, especially if you see a dramatic change in nail color.

If you’re healthy but your nails are discolored, try lightly scrubbing nails with equal parts lemon juice and baking soda, Dr. Reed says. The acidic and antimicrobial properties of the lemon combined with abrasion from baking soda will lighten discolorations.

If a fungal infection is to blame, try “tea tree oil or medicated vapor rub, applied around and squished under the nail twice a day for at least 6 months,” says Reed.