Smart Senior

Blood Pressure and the senior

 

We all dread the moment when the doctor looks us in the eyes and says ‘let’s talk about hypertension.”  Yes, we already know about the dangers of high blood pressure and we have read and heard all of the lectures about taking pills and easing up on the salt shaker, but it is still scary.

 

An article from the Associated Press on May 22, 2008 featured in the The Herald goes one step further.  This article postulates that everyone with high blood pressure should own and use a home monitor so that they can do regular blood pressure checks.

 

High blood pressure is a leading cause of heart attacks, strokes and death.  So, it stands to reason that having it checked a few times a year at the doctor’s office is probably not enough.  Only a third of people who have high blood pressure have it under control. Closer checks will help your doctor fine tune your readings and assure that you are on the proper medication.

 

A monitor can range from $50-100 dollars.  Insurance companies still don’t cover the cost but they probably will in the future.  Home monitors are important for the elderly, pregnant women, diabetics and for those with kidney disease.  Automated, arm-cuff devices are recommended as the finger and wrist models are not as accurate. 

 

Make the decision to use a blood pressure monitor with your doctor.  Take your device with you when you go to the doctor’s office and have it checked for accuracy at least once a year.   A blood pressure monitor may save you trips to the doctors’ office and may even save on the cost of drugs.  A blood pressure monitor can help you feel more in control of your health as you monitor the effects of diet, exercise and your medications yourself.

 

 

Edible Gardening - Senior Living

Edible Gardening - Senior Living

 

I have never been an avid gardener but I can remember growing up in the country and eating strawberries and tomatoes right off from the vine.  It has been a long time and we have grown accustomed to buying convenience foods and produce from our local grocery store; the memories of canning and freezing vegetables are far behind us.

 

Living on a fixed income is frightening.  Even more frightening is paying $1.88 for two small tomatoes.  According to an article in the Wall Street Journal (Thursday, June 5, 2008) by Anne Marie Chaker, more and more families are looking for ways to ease the problem of high food prices.  As a result home owners are realizing that cutting out sections of the lawn or retiring some of the flower beds to grow your own food might not be such a bad idea.

 

Gardening is a lot of work but with the high price of gasoline people are staying home anyway, so why not consider using some of your extra hour’s homes rediscovering the joys of gardening.  Be kind to your back and set up raised vegetable beds and for the price of a package of seeds for a dollar or two you can have a whole bed or organic vegetables.  Your initial cost might be a little high if you plan to do this with style but remember that you can use the same materials year after year.  Talk to your local nursery for instructions on ideal planting times and for a wealth of information growing your own favorite vegetables.  Parents and grandparents need to lead the way and let the next generation know that getting back to basics is often the way to go.

Shoes for Super Women of Any Age

Shoes for Super Woman

 

Clogs and sandals are all well and good if foot comfort is a priority, but maybe pink clogs just don’t do it for you. If high heels are not only a fashion statement but part of your “power woman” image, what are you going to do?

 

Christina Brinkley, writing for The Wall Street Journal (Thursday, April 10, 2008) touches on the subject of comfort and the power heel. A small but increasingly popular number of shoe companies have been busy trying to combine height and comfort. By the time you reach 40, 50, 60, or beyond, the thought of wearing shoes that put extreme pressure on the ball of your foot is painful just to think about.

 

Help is on the way. The top contender for comfort and style is Taryn Rose. If you really value comfort you won’t blanch quite as quickly when you see the $495 price tag. Remember that you are paying over $100 for athletic shoes today so it might not be a bad idea to think about one pair of really good shoes. They were tested for both style and comfort and the model pictured actually looks like a shoe that will never go out of style.

 

Taryn Rose isn’t the only company out there and the author foot tested several other brands that she found quite acceptable. Stuart Weitzman heels log in at $275 and get top marks for style. Cole Haan’s has a $275 Nike Air but watch the pointy toes (author did mention that they made her toes numb). Naturalizer, Aerosoles and Ecco brands feature shoes that blend style and comfort at a more affordable price.

 

The good news is that we are going to see a lot more of this kind of thing, so if you can’t give up your high heels, help is on the way.

 

 

Seniors and their Feet

 

Woman love shoes! Women of all ages are tempted to buy for style rather than comfort, even though we know that when your feet hurt you hurt all over. Painful feet are no picnic. Flimsy shoes lead to sore feet and can contribute to knee and back problems as well.

 

Shannon Wilder (Arthritis Today May/June 2008) understands arthritis and understands painful feet. She wrote an article called “Summer Soles” with tips about what to look for when you buy your next pair of shoes.

 

Support is the key. If your feet are painful you need proper support for the ball, arch and heel of your foot. Shoes should have semi-rigid soles, backs and sides in order to provide enough support. She recommends avoiding shoes that can be bent in half front to back.

 

Coverage is of the essence. It might be fun to show off your fancy pedicure but shoes that have bumpers that cover the toes and heels are studier and more comfortable than flat slippery sandals, and protect you from stubbed toes.

 

Comfort is everything if you are on your feet a lot. Cushioning and support with supple materials such as soft leather is ideal. The heel should be as wide as the back of the shoe rather than tapered, in order to lend stability and comfort.

 

Everyone wants to be a size six or below but if your feet are bigger you are going to have to live with that. Make sure that your shoe has a wide enough toe box so that you can wiggle your toes from side to side and up and down. The space between your longest toe and the edge of the shoe should be equal to the width of your thumbnail. Your heel should not lift off of the foot bed when you walk.

 

Recommendations for summer wear include the Key Largo, which is a closed back clog by Klogs (www.klogs.com) and the Row which has an internal rocker and Velcro straps by

Clarks

(www.clark.susa.com).  For more ideas check out: (www.ArthritisToday.com ) for a more about arthritis friendly shoes (or anyone looking for tips about really comfortable shoes).

Seniors and Compression Hose

Seniors and Compression Hose

Whether you are young and pregnant or not so young and afflicted with edema (accumulation of fluid) in your lower legs, the concept of compression hose arises. I am also sure that you have also read about circulatory problems that can develop from sitting for long periods of time, particularly during a cramped flight. Compression stocking are often recommended by doctors to improve blood flow for people with circulation problems. 

Compression hose are not exactly a fashion statement. Whether knee high or thigh high they look like really thick nylons, and for the most part come in beige or white. We recognize the need for these therapeutic measures but that doesn’t mean that we have to like them.  

Cindy Loose wrote a brief review on Unisex compression socks for the Herald Travel and Leisure section (Sunday, March 9, 2008). Instead of heavy nylons that make your legs look and feel like sausages you might like to try the knee high travel socks that feel more like an athletic sock and are available in various colors and patterns by (www.travelsox.com). She tested them on a long flight, and while she doesn’t have a circulation problem, she noticed that her legs didn’t feel as cramped or tired as usual. I also noticed an ad in the latest Gaiam catalogue (www.gaiammindbody.com) for new compression pantyhose/tights. Seeing that 71% of women over 45 complain of tired and achy legs they have designed an ultra sheer version of the graduated compression hose that is available in a beautiful (or so they say) diamond jacquard-pattern tight. 

Yes, there are more comfortable and attractive versions of these medical necessities available. You will want to check with your doctor first to make sure that they are sturdy enough to do the job for you and if not, perhaps he/she will let you get away with these versions for dress-up occasions at the very least.

 

Medic Alert Bracelets as a Fashion Statement

Medic Alert Bracelets as a Fashion Statement

Growing older isn’t much fun but you still want to look good. We swore that we would never wear long black dresses, house dresses or granny shoes so lets stick to that and make some serious fashion statements. The AARP magazine (March/April 2008) featured some fabulous looking seniors, although I am not sure that I buy into a 73 year old being able to wear 4 inch high heels with just a small toe strap for support Still, I do think we can make ourselves visible in other ways. 

Megan K. Scott wrote an article called “Fighting Illness with Fashion and an Open Attitude” (The Seattle Times, Thursday, January 17, 2008).  She postulates that if you encounter illness or other handicaps, you might as well accept it but look good while doing it.

Medical ID bracelets are growing in popularity despite that fact that many don’t want to wear them because they see them as a sign of weakness. Medical alert jewelry is important and can alert medical teams to conditions such as diabetes, heart conditions, epilepsy, implants, allergies or even special medications.  A Medical ID bracelet can mean the difference between life and death.

You don’t have to settle for the basic metal band any more.  You can find ID jewelry (bracelets, necklaces or watches) to suit your personal style and personality.  Your ID jewelry can be made of gemstones, wood and bone, multicolor beads and all sorts of creative materials. No matter what style you choose, creative jewelry is well worth the investment. 

Fall Prevention and Seniors

Fall Prevention and Seniors

One in every three seniors falls down each year.  As a result of these statistics there are new studies being done with an emphasis on prevention.  Prevention is a good thing. The growing number of older adults and their desire for independence has spurred an emphasis on fall prevention programs. Don’t think of a fall as being a natural part of the aging process, but rather as a symptom with a cause, perhaps a symptom that is treatable.  Marsha Kind wrote an article (The Seattle Times, February 11, 2008) about Fall-prevention efforts for older adults.”

Falls are not a natural part of aging and people need to understand that there are things that you can do to make falls less likely to happen.  The fall prevention programs emphasize exercise, medications, vision, and home safety.

Tell your doctor about even a little fall.  A first tumble may be a sign of more serious falls to come.  An article from the Associated Press (The Seattle Times, February 12, 2008) describes a wrist monitor that may one day be able to predict who is most likely to fall, by tracking how stable you are with each step on a given day.

What can you do to prevent falls?  Consider enrolling in an exercise program like yoga or tai chi to increase strength and balance.  You should be able to do the “get up and go” test.  Come on, try it!  Sit in a straight hard-backed chair.  Fold your arms across your chest.  Try to stand.  You should be able to do that and if you can’t it is time to see your doctor.

Medications should be assessed for side effects or interactions that could result in dizziness.  Get your eyes examined yearly.  Decreased vision is a key factor in fall prevention.  Have your home examined by an occupational therapy specialist to make sure the lighting is adequate and to give you tips on eliminating hazards, as well as suggesting handrails, grab and other helpful tools.  Last but not least is the recommendation that you must wear low healed supportive shoes and avoid slippers.  All of their recommendations make sense, common sense. 

Hair Loss and Aging

Hair Loss and Aging

Hair loss happens, and while our hair isn’t the real essence of who we are, we still can’t imagine ourselves without it.  Having to deal with graying hair is minor when you compare it to losing your hair altogether.

Whether hair loss is a side effect from medications, chemotherapy or just something that happens when you get older, it is unsettling to say the least.  You may not be able to reverse or stop the process but an article by Becky Mollenkamp (Arthritis Today, November/December 2007) discusses ideas about safe and simple ways to conceal it.

Speak with your hair stylist and consider a shorter style with layers to add more body.  Tint your hair to match your skin tone and I liked the idea of adopting a new style by using wide headbands, scarves or even hats.  Go ahead, make a fashion statement!

To wig or not to wig is another alternate hair solution option.  Becky talks about clip in hair pieces and wigs (real or synthetic).  Today’s options are more comfortable and realistic than ever and you can find them in every price range.  Buy the best wig that you can afford and take meticulous care of it.  It won’t cost any more than the dollars you are spending on cuts, shampoos, perms and colors right now.

Humidifiers and the Senior

You know that fall has officially arrived when your apartment building or the facility where you live, turns on the heat whether you need it or not.    Seniors, it seems, like it warm and are happy to oblige.

Radiator heat is notorious for drying things out in your home.  If you wake up to find that your throat feels scratchy, your skin dry and cracked, and if you are prone to having colds and nosebleeds, the chances are pretty good that the moisture level in your rooms is very low.

Applying lotions, using moisturizing lip balm and Vaseline to your nose might make some of the symptoms go away, but an air humidifier purifier can actually replace some of the moisture that is missing from your homes.

A humidifier will replace some of the moisture but if you are going that far you might as well consider a humidifier purifier.   The combination machine is designed to trap dust, dust mites, smoke, germs and bacteria along with adding moisture to your rooms.  You are especially vulnerable if you suffer from asthma or allergies.

Dehydration, respiratory infections, dry skin, and allergies are serious business for seniors.  Speak to your health care provider for hints about increasing your comfort level and preventing recurring health issues.

Socks for Seniors

I am on my feet a lot, and I know I am not alone.  My feet hurt.   Foot problems are especially common in older people and one of the reasons is that feet lose cushioning as you age.

Finding comfortable shoes that fit is the best thing that you can do for your feet, but don’t forget about the lowly socks.  Socks help keep your feet dry.  Wear a clean pair every day and avoid socks with ridges or elastic at the tops.

Jodi Helmer wrote an article for Arthritis Today (July/August 2007) called Sock Science (in pursuit of the perfect sock).  We all know and take considerable care when selecting the perfect pair of shoes, but before lacing them up, take care that you have the right socks to go along them.

We are all aware of the importance of exercise and walking is recommended as being the ideal exercise for seniors.  Avoid cotton socks for exercise.  Synthetic or wool socks will wick the moisture away from your feet, which decreases the chances of fungal infections, excessive rubbing or blister formation.

Jodi debunks the idea that cotton is the only kind of sock to wear.  Experts are now telling us to avoid cotton socks because socks with high cotton content or high synthetic content both create a lot of friction, making them more likely to cause blisters.  Socks with a cotton/nylon blend provided most comfort and cushioning.

Socks tested indicated that inexpensive socks were just as good as the expensive ones when it comes to wicking away sweat and keeping friction at a minimum.  The only advantage to more expensive socks is that they are likely to hold up better after repeated washing and drying.

Recommended socks suggested:  For a good blend of fibers (cotton/nylon/spandex consider Camouflage Socks (www.nike.com). For socks with flat seams that won’t rub or cause blisters look at Light Runner Quarter Socks (www.rei.com), and socks with extra cushioning and support like Ultra Tech Running Compres No Show by Adidas (www.adidas.com).