Why Is Going For Your Annual Exam Important?

Every 50,000 miles a car needs an oil change to stay in top condition. While it is up on the lift they do a bit of an inspection to let you know if anything is out of the ordinary. It is tempting to let an oil change go but you know that you are in for trouble if you do. The same goes for an annual exam, you know you should go but it is very tempting to put it off. Why would you take care of your car better then you take care of yourself?

A routine check-up is an opportunity to see the doctor when you are well. Many things can be detected early when the doctor is giving you a once over and not focused on something that is ‘broken’. Some people actually like the annual exam because it confirms that you are as healthy as you feel. Many people feel they get more out of an exam if they come with a list of questions. During the weeks before jot down any question that come to mind and bring the list. It is pretty easy to forget things when you are in a paper gown.

If you have been skipping your exam here is a quick list of what may be checked:

·         Blood pressure

·         Heart rate

·         Breathing 

·         Resting temperature

·         Memory and mental quickness

·         Skin and extremity health

·         Throat and tonsils

·         Teeth and gums 

·         Ears, nose, sinuses, eyes, lymph nodes, thyroid

·         Nerves, muscle strength, reflexes, balance, are all checked

·         Gender dictates some specific checks.

·         Depending on the last time you had it; cholesterol, colorectal screening, and a few other blood tests might be ordered.

Getting a benchmark on all these stats yearly help show a pattern of your personal normal health that is very important if you ever do become sick. A year over year review can also show things that sneak up on you like a mole that has gotten bigger so slowly you never even noticed.

The theme of an annual exam should be prevention. This is the time that you and your doctor should discuss not just how to prevent further deterioration but how to get MORE HEALTHY. Each of us is in a different place physically and mentally but there is always room for improvement. Take the opportunity to ask the doctor what they recommend for improving your health, they might be pleasantly surprised at the question since so many people are just looking for status quo.

While you are scheduling your annual physical exam don’t forget an appointment with the eye doctor and any other specialist you are supposed to check in with. If this is a chore for you, schedule a treat to look forward to. Even if it is not a chore, scheduling a treat is good for you too. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Interesting Infographic about Diabetes in America

Source: http://dailyinfographic.com/diabetes-by-the-numbers-infographic

Noah the Caregiver

By Dr. Vicki Rackner, MD 

You may have heard the story of Noah, the one-legged homing pigeon.

Heʼs a permanent resident of the Wild Rose Rescue Ranch.

Noah recently showed an interest in three 6-day old orphaned bunnies brought to the ranch. He repeatedly looked into the bunny cage and event slept in front of the cage door.

The vulnerable bunnies were under close observation. Imagine the surprise when the staff found only two bunnies in the cage. Noah moved a bit, and there--under his wing--was a tiny bunny sound asleep.

They speculate the bunny slipped through the cage to rest in Noahʼs soft feathers. Now, they’re all together, and all doing great. When the bunnies scoot underneath Noahʼs feathers, he carefully extends his wings to surround them. When one of them moves, he gently nudges them back, He even coos them to sleep.

Noah is an unlikely caregiver. Sometimes sources of support for aging parents or bunnies come in surprising packages!

The bunnies have since been released. Noah continues to help with other rescued babies, although bunnies seem to be his favorite. You can keep up with Noah on his Facebook page.

The Importance of Senior Centers

For seniors who have retired and enjoy their retirement years in the comfort of their homes, a senior center can be a strong form of socialization. Senior centers offer social benefits, emotional benefits and in some ways financial benefits. When it is hard to see how a community can justify maintaining a senior center or you find it hard to locate a volunteer opportunity, consider these important benefits of senior centers in the community.

Emotional Benefits

Seniors who attend senior center activities on a regular basis are shown to have better emotional health. The senior center offers an escape from lonely homes, lonely lives and isolation. There are also volunteer efforts to offer seniors counseling free of charge a community centers. These small efforts make large and lasting impressions within the community.

Social Benefits

Socialization is vastly important to happy senior living. Seniors who participate in senior center activities enjoy being around other seniors, sharing stories and participating in community activities. With the volunteer efforts of community members, seniors who would normally be isolated are offered the chance to maintain friendships and create new ones.

Financial Benefits

This is probably the most important of the unspoken senior center benefits. Senior centers generally offer services from 8 in the morning to 6 in the evening. This means that if a senior wants to spend their day at the center they could receive two to three meals, beverages, free health evaluations and other benefits that would normally be far outside of their monthly budget. Just two meals per day and the chance to socialize with friends offers many seniors benefits beyond measure.

Fighting Alzheimer’s Stigma

It can be difficult to open up about challenges in your life. Sometimes you don’t want to share something private with the world. Other times you’re going through denial, and talking about it would make it real. But then there’s the fear of stigma.

When it comes to Alzheimer’s, that’s often what keeps people quiet, points out an article at the website for Norwalk, CT, newspaper The Hour. Both people with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers go through this, but some are fighting their way out of it. Opening up, letting family, friends and colleagues know what’s happening and loosening the chains of denial is a liberating decision. Nine times out of ten, people find that almost everyone knows someone affected by Alzheimer's and has experiences to share. This openness is necessary to fully understand symptoms, learn about lifestyle changes and bring relief and support to caregivers.

In the article, one man with Alzheimer’s shares his story of opening up. Still in an early stage of the disease, he was able to teach others about it and advocate for early diagnosis and for research funding.

Another man whose wife had Alzheimer’s finally told his clients and co-workers so he wouldn’t have to lie if he had to change his schedule. “It was the right thing to do,” he says. “In fact, several co-workers opened up to me about family and friends with Alzheimer’s.”

What about you? If you’ve dealt with a difficult diagnosis, have you told friends and co-workers about it? How did that go? How did you feel? If you haven’t told anyone, why not?

Top Tips for DIY Home Safety

With just a small investment in time and a few dollars, you can make your home safer and more comfortable by following these do-it-yourself tips. All of the home modification suggestions below are easily implemented by you, the homeowner, and do not require the services of a professional contractor. So why wait? Modify your home today and feel happier and more secure.

Top DIY Tips For Home Safety: All Rooms

1.     Keep emergency numbers (911, doctor, relatives, neighbors) in large print near each phone.

2.     Arrange furniture to create unobstructed pathways and strategically place heavy, sturdy furniture pieces for resting and support.

3.     Try to create bright, uniform lighting by adding lights to dark areas and  changing light bulbs to a higher wattage (without exceeding manufacturer's maximum).

4.     Ensure ample reading and task lights in the bedroom, kitchen and living room; consider under-counter lights and natural spectrum desktop or magnifier floor lamps.

5.     Remove personal items, decorations and any clutter on floors, tables and counters.

6.     Clean out and reorganize contents of closets, cabinets, shelves and pantries for easy access of the most frequently used items.

7.     Remove throw rugs, but if you can't part with them, secure with double-sided tape, tacks or a non-skid mat.

8.     Remove or rearrange electrical cords and extension cords that interfere with  pathways.

9.     Make sure electrical outlets are not overloaded with plugs; consider switching to a surge protector.

10.  Make sure smoke/carbon monoxide detectors have new batteries, are in working order and are placed near bedroom, kitchen and utility area where your boiler, furnace, hot water heater and washer/dryer may be located.

11.  Keep a working fire extinguisher in the home that is easily accessible, preferably near the kitchen, and know how to operate it.

Top DIY Tips For Home Safety: Kitchen

1.     Move frequently used small appliances to the counter or waist-height cupboard and near an outlet.

2.     Consider upgrading to small appliances with an automatic shut-off feature such as a coffee maker, electric kettle, toaster oven and iron.

3.     Reduce the risk of fire around the stovetop area by relocating potentially flammable fabrics such as curtains, aprons and dish towels; and refrain from  wearing clothing with billowy or wide sleeves when cooking on the stove.

4.     Reduce the risk of burns by placing a heat-resistant surface near the stove, oven and microwave for placing hot pans and dishes; keep potholders and mitts handy.

5.     If you must use a step stool, make sure your foot stool has a support handle and never use a chair in place of a step stool.

Top DIY Tips For Home Safety: Living Room

1.     Make sure curtains and shades are easy to operate; and consider adding sheers  to reduce glare.

2.     Upgrade to a lighted, big-button universal remote control to easily operate the  television and entertainment system.

3.     Make sure your favorite chair or sofa is easy to sit down in and get up from, and  has sturdy arms for support; otherwise consider a lift chair or uplift seat device.

Top DIY Tips For Home Safety: Bedroom

1.     Use a sturdy nightstand with ample surface for a lamp, phone, glasses and  water; use a drawer to store a flashlight and extra batteries.

2.     Use nightlights with sensors that illuminate your path from your bed to the bathroom and to the hallway.

3.     Have a sturdy chair with arms in your dressing area for support and comfort while putting on shoes, socks, pants, jewelry, etc.

4.     Ensure your bed is high enough to get in and out of easily; consider adding sturdy wooden risers and remove casters.

5.     If possible, consider relocating your bedroom to the first floor of your home.

Top DIY Tips For Home Safety: Bathroom

1.     Install non-slip strips or a suction-cup bath mat on the floor inside the shower and tub.

2.     Place a non-slip, absorbent floor mat outside the shower and tub to soak up excess water and dry the bottom of your feet.

3.     Consider using DIY suction cup grab bars with green-light safety indicator, a tub rail and bath transfer bench or bath lift inside the tub.

4.     Install an elevated toilet seat with support arms to help with sitting and standing.

5.     Make sure toilet paper is comfortably within reach and extra rolls are handy in case you run out; consider installing an L-shaped holder that makes changing  the roll easy.

Top DIY Tips For Home Safety: Exterior

1.     Mount battery-operated, motion-detector lights outside to illuminate doors and walkways.

2.     Make sure address numbers are visible at all exterior doors and easily seen from the street in the event of an emergency.

3.     Clean garage floor to remove slick spots, pick up any sharp objects (nails, screws, shovels) and use a non-slip floor mat to wipe moisture and debris off  shoes and boots before entering the home.

4.     Clear a path, free of overgrown grass, bushes and shrubs, to a sturdy mailbox that is easy to open and close.

5.     Make sure garden tools are easily reached from a flat-footed stance; and use a retractable reel to keep hoses coiled.

6.     Consider hiring a local service for wintertime ice and snow removal, spring and summer yard maintenance and fall leaf removal and gutter cleaning.

For more extensive home modifications such as ramps, grab bars, curbless showers,  recessed lighting and wider doorways, just to name a few, hire a reputable company  that is certified in aging-in-place solutions.

Holding On To Your Stresses

A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they’d be asked the “half empty or half full” question. Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired: “How heavy is this glass of water?”

Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz. 

She replied, “The absolute weight doesn’t matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it’s not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I’ll have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb and paralyzed. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn’t change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.” She continued, “The stresses and worries in life are like that glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt. And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed – incapable of doing anything.”

It’s important to remember to let go of your stresses. As early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don’t carry them through the evening and into the night. Remember to put the glass down!