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(ARA) Biting cold, ice-slicked sidewalks and roadways, and storms that shut down businesses, schools and services winter aggravations can create serious safety risks for seniors. Yet with some planning, preparation and caution, seniors can stay safe and even enjoy some time outdoors this season.

Here are seven tips for senior safety in cold weather:

1. Make sure your home and its heat source are safe, secure and reliable. Before the weather turns cold, have your homes furnace serviced. Change air filters throughout the house every 30 days. Check the insulation in your attic to ensure it meets government standards. Seniors can be more susceptible to the negative effects of cold, including joint discomfort, dry skin, chapped lips and general discomfort.

2. Stay in touch. Isolation can be a problem for seniors throughout the year, but it can be life-threatening in bad weather. Be sure you check in regularly with someone whenever the weather turns bad. Establish a call schedule with a family member or another senior so they know to expect you to check in regularly. This way, if something prevents you from making your regular call be it illness or injury your winter watch buddy can send help.

3. Outdoor exercise in fresh, brisk air can be beneficial to your mental and physical well-being. Take care when walking outdoors on ice or snow. Invest in equipment that can help you stay sure-footed, like Stabilicer Lite, a cleat-like device that fits over most shoes and provides traction on snow and ice. The cleats are easy to put on or remove, so theyre good for seniors who might have dexterity challenges. Stabilicer Lite can be found at sporting goods stores nationwide, or you can order direct from the company by calling (800) 782-2423 or logging on to www.32north.com. And dont forget to place a floor mat by the door to catch snow and ice melting off your shoes and Stabilicers.

4. Be extra cautious when driving. Be sure your vehicle is in good repair and not likely to leave you sitting on the roadside in dangerously cold weather. Invest in good snow or all-weather tires, or snow chains if you live in an area that permits them. Avoid non-essential driving when the roads are bad, and schedule necessary trips during daylight hours when there is less traffic on the road.

5. Stock up on non-perishable food items. Choose options like peanut butter, almonds, other nuts, cheeses and boxed milk that provide heat- and energy-generating protein. Keep some items on hand that require no cooking, in case you are without power during or after a winter storm.

6. Keep a flashlight with fresh batteries, candles, a fully charged cell phone and a portable radio on hand for emergencies.

7. Be sure your home is well-lighted inside and out during winter months when sunlight is dimmer and a covering of snow can impair your vision. When walking outside on a bright, snow-covered day use polarizing sunglasses to diminish glare and improve visual acuity.

With some simple precautions like preparing for storms and using Stabilicers when outdoors, seniors can feel safe and secure during winter months.

Courtesy of ARA Content

(ARA) - When Jody found her grandmother Florence, a strong, 77-year-old woman affectionately called "Mama", vacuuming the front lawn one day, Jody finally decided it was time to move her to a dependent care facility. The decision was not easy. Having seen her grandmother gradually slip away, five years after being diagnosed with Alzheimers, the family struggled with the decision of when to seek full-time nursing care for Florence.

Its a scenario that more baby boomer children are facing every day. With the U.S. population of people age 65 years and older expected to increase threefold within the next 20 years, its a decision that a wave of boomers will be forced to consider in the years to come.

What are the signs that a loved one may be starting to fail? How do you know who to trust? Who do you listen to? Where do you start when you suspect some changes may have to be made for an older loved one?

Janet Louise Gibson faced this decision as her mother, Marjorie, suffered from a terminal disease. Unable to find a single source to guide her through the ordeal, Gibson compiled a book that would help other boomers facing the painful emotional and financial decisions around finding long-term care for an aging parent or loved one.

Gibson shares some signs that your loved one may require care from her new book, "The Complete Guide to Senior Care," recently published by Wise Life Press (wiselifepress.com). These signs include:

* Your loved one has had a stroke or heart attack, has fallen, been severely injured or has been diagnosed with a fatal disease;

* Sudden or dramatic weight loss;

* Memory lapses, decreased judgment or increased forgetfulness;

* Difficulty in taking medications or remembering to take medications;

* Avoiding, ignoring or forgetting responsibilities including neglecting household duties and basic hygiene;

* Unexplained bruising;  

* Withdrawal from social activities and from wanting to be with other people;
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* Mood changes, unsuitable behavior, speech or appearance; and

* Wandering.

If you recognize these or other disturbing changes in your aging parent or loved one, Gibson recommends taking these steps:

* Start by speaking with your loved one. Ask questions to help assess the situation.

* Speak with your family. If you havent already, put a legal, financial and health action plan into place.

* Talk to your loved ones friends and neighbors. They may see your loved one more frequently and at different times of the day.

* Consult with your loved ones physicians and other legal and financial professionals. While they may not be able to legally discuss specific information without your loved ones consent, they can provide advice.

As the caregiver for your aging parent, this is the time when you must become the advocate. After assessing available input and information, you are ultimately the best judge of your loved ones well being.

For more information or to purchase a copy of "The Complete Guide to Senior Care," visit www.wiselifepress.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) More than 5 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimers disease (AD), and, by 2050, approximately 16 million will have the disease.

Alzheimers disease gradually destroys a persons memory and ability to learn, reason, make judgments, communicate and carry out daily activities. People with the disease experience difficulties in memory severe enough to have an impact on their work, social activities and family life.  While there is no cure for AD, early diagnosis and treatment with approved medications can help slow symptom progression.

A new online survey of 1,040 adults age 55 and over titled, "Alzheimers Disease: Current Attitudes, Perceptions and Knowledge," shows that despite overwhelming support for early AD screening and detection, there are striking differences between intentions and behavior. Nearly 95 percent agree that they would encourage a loved one to seek early diagnosis upon suspecting signs of AD, but of the 34 percent who previously thought a loved one had the disease, only about one-quarter prompted that person to take an AD screener and less than 40 percent encouraged initiating a conversation with his or her doctor.  

This survey was commissioned by the Alzheimers Disease Screening Discussion Group (ADSDG), a consortium of multi-disciplinary experts. The survey and ADSDG were sponsored by Eisai Inc. and Pfizer Inc.  

"About half of AD patients in the U.S. are diagnosed and of those, only half receive treatment. To help patients and their loved ones better manage this disease, we need to increase diagnoses," says Dr. Richard Stefanacci, founding executive director, Geriatric Health Program, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, survey co-chair and a member of the AD Screening Discussion Group.  "One way to do this is to educate and motivate those closest to the patients to take action by seeing a doctor as soon as symptoms are suspected," advises Dr. Stefanacci.

The survey also shows that although AD impacts most Americans age 55 and over, the majority have little knowledge of the disease and are confused about its symptoms. In fact, although 78 percent say they could notice signs of AD in themselves or a loved one, more than 90 percent could not distinguish early disease symptoms from late disease symptoms or symptoms unrelated to AD.  

"These results are troubling because AD symptoms are typically detected by a close friend or relative, and without the ability to do so, patients dont get diagnosed until symptoms are far along. Not only can early treatment slow the progression of disease symptoms, but an early diagnosis also gives the patient and their loved ones more time to adjust to the news and make important legal, financial and medical decisions together before the disease advances," comments Dr. Paul R. Solomon, professor, department of psychology and program in neuroscience, Williams College; clinical director, The Memory Clinic in Bennington, VT; survey co-chair and member of the AD Screening Discussion Group.

To ensure Americans are best prepared to deal with this growing health issue, the AD Screening Discussion Group encourages everyone with a loved one age 55 and over to visit www.seethesigns.com to learn more about the disease, its signs and symptoms, and complete an online memory screener on behalf of a loved one if symptoms are suspected.

The chart below can help distinguish between normal signs of aging and others signs that might indicate something more serious.

Normal Aging            
Forgetting names of people you rarely see          
Briefly forgetting part of an experience
Occasionally misplacing something                    
Mood changes due to an appropriate cause        
Changes in your interests                                    

Potential Signs of AD
Forgetting the names of people close to you
Forgetting a recent experience
Not being able to find important things
Having unpredictable mood changes
Decreased interest in outside activities

Always speak with a doctor if you suspect you or someone close to you may be experiencing memory loss or changes in cognitive ability that may indicate AD. By recognizing the signs and symptoms of early disease and speaking with a doctor about a medical diagnosis, you can get your loved one the help he or she needs. Early treatment with approved AD medications can slow symptom progression. Visit www.seethesigns.com for more information.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - In the United States, nearly one million people are affected by Parkinsons disease, with one person diagnosed every nine minutes. That means that in the time it takes you to boil pasta, make a pot of coffee, or write a quick e-mail, one more person has been diagnosed.

Although many Americans are affected by this devastating disease, a new survey unveiled a need for increased education on key issues in the management of Parkinsons disease. The "Parkinsons Knowledge and Needs Exchange" survey was commissioned and funded by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. GfK Roper Public Affairs & Media designed and conducted the survey on behalf of Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., in collaboration with the Parkinsons Disease Foundation.

This survey is the first of its kind in a decade to explore the dynamics between people living with the disease, their caregivers and the neurologists who treat them. Key findings reveal a great need for the development of resources that can improve disease management, as well as the opportunity to educate people of existing resources. Some of these resources include support groups, educational Web sites and information available through physicians.

Communication is one of the key barriers to optimal disease management for the community.

While people living with Parkinsons disease and their caregivers take an active role in discussions with their doctor, survey findings reveal a need for resources and tools to help enhance the quality of communication during doctors office visits. In fact, nine out of 10 people with Parkinsons disease surveyed, would find a discussion guide with sample questions for the doctor to be a useful resource and 87 percent of caregivers agree. The survey also found that unless the patient and/or caregiver brought up particular issues, neurologists did not discuss them because they were concerned with overwhelming the patient and/or caregiver (59 percent of neurologists surveyed reported this).    

Although the disease generally progresses slowly, over time even the most basic daily routines, like socializing with friends and family members, earning a living, and taking care of the home, may be affected. When asked, a majority of neurologists felt that financial concerns are the greatest obstacle for caregivers, and yet, this topic was only discussed with 35 percent of caregivers. Further, more than half of caregivers surveyed would like their physician to discuss the financial or legal impact more often during their disease management discussions. In addition, nearly one in four neurologists does not discuss healthy lifestyle changes with people living with Parkinsons disease or caregivers, despite nearly all physicians (85 percent) thinking that maintaining a healthy lifestyle is an obstacle for both groups. Recent studies have shown that stretching, strengthening, and balance training may improve gait, speed, balance, and participation in activities of daily living, and regular exercise can help people with PD stay more flexible, improve posture, and make overall movement easier.

Education in and out of the doctors office.

It is important that people living with Parkinsons and their caregivers continue to educate themselves and are able to find appropriate answers to their questions easily and effectively. In todays fast paced, technology-based society, its easy to quickly become overwhelmed in a quest for answers. In fact, more than three-fourths of neurologists patients and caregivers state that a single resource would be helpful in disease management.

Resources that support people with Parkinsons disease and their caregivers are available, and yet, more than half of all caregivers and patients surveyed are not taking advantage of the tools provided by patient advocacy groups and educational Web sites.

Support groups, educational Web sites and resources available through physicians can offer helpful advice on:
* Exercise: 92 percent of people living with Parkinsons disease would be interested in a form of exercise designed for people with the disease
* Making a home Parkinsons disease friendly: 84 percent of people with Parkinsons disease and 81 percent of caregivers expressed interest in this topic
* Parkinsons clinical studies: 63 percent of people living with Parkinsons disease and 70 percent of caregivers said information from a Parkinsons organization would motivate them to join a clinical trial. For more information please visit clinicaltrials.gov.

Also, the Parkinsons Disease Foundation developed the Parkinsons Information Service (PINS), a unique toll-free/online service, which connects people with questions about Parkinsons disease to trained PDF information specialists.

Parkinsons disease is a potentially debilitating neurological condition, impacting movement. The average age of a person diagnosed with the disease is 60. It is the second most common chronic neurological disorder in older adults after Alzheimers. Symptoms include tremor, muscle rigidity, slowed motion, shuffling gait, and a loss of facial expression. The symptoms vary from individual to individual, but become more severe over time. While promising research is being conducted, there is currently no cure for Parkinsons disease.

Although there are obstacles and educational barriers within the Parkinsons community, there are educational tools and resources, and future materials to support patients, caregivers and physicians.  There are great opportunities to increase collaboration and begin overcoming some challenges and better manage this disease.

Courtesy of ARAcontent