Here in an earlier post we outline many different ways to help our aging loved one’s brain stay as active as possible.  Being a family caregiver for an aging parent is not always fun but there are tools available that will assist you in providing in home senior care.

While dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease are as of yet, curable there are ways to slow down and even deal with the symptoms of these debilitating afflictions.  We even produced a couple of videos dealing with the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and answering some questions that you might have.  Both the blog post and the video are worth viewing as a companion to this post.

I have also written about how family members are using today’s technology to bring some joy to their aging parents lives.  In this video a family member uses an i-Pad to bring back the joy of reading to her parent who has advanced glaucoma.

Now there is Lumosity (and yes I did spell it correctly).  Lumosity now has the world’s largest and fastest growing database on human cognition.

Cognition literally means “to know”.  Knowledge can be thought of as memories formed from the manipulation and assimilation of raw input , perceived via our senses of sight, hearing, taste, touch and smell.

Can you see how this ties into what we observe in our aging parents and dementia?  How it sadden us when talking with our parents and they cannot come up with a word that is “on the tip of their tongue”.

Lumosity might be able to help. 

There is a free version which I am doing now and would be a good starting place for you and your aging loved.  The paid version has more statistics, analysis, games as you would expect.  The most expensive program of the paid version is the month to month plan which is currently $14.95 a month.  If you sign up for a year it drops to $6.70 a month.  Affordable on any budget.

But try the free version first to see if it will work for you.

Each day after you log in you will have the opportunity to play five different games.

The games are different each day and are designed to test and improve functions of the brain that deal with memory, speed, problem solving, attention and flexibility.  The games are quite simple with fun graphics and animations and are really just a hoot to play.

They do require keyboard and or mouse utilization and if your aging loved one’s manual dexterity and coordination are not what they used to be then you can be their partner.  These are games that you can play as a team and I guarantee you will get a lot of laughs out of them.

Here is a comment from their website:

You can set goals, track your daily progress, see how you measure up against others and many other processes.

Lumosity boasts that 97% of users improve and with just 10 hours of Lumosity training can create drastic improvements.

Lumosity is based on the science of neuroplasticity, which isyour brain’s ability to strengthen and grow. Loads of research papers have been published on Lumosity’s effectiveness—and with its ongoing research collaborations, Lumosity continues to improve its ability to change your brain.

So give this a try.  With the research I have done on dementia and Alzheimer’s I know that the brain can, to a certain extent, rewire itself and learn new operations.  An old dog can really learn new tricks.

If you have tried this tell us about it in the comments below.

Michael Simpson

Basic hygiene is a critical part of everyone’s daily routine. You get up, hit the shower, brush your

teeth, deodorize and sometimes do it all over again in the evening.

Being really clean can make you feel really great. But, what if you were not capable of performing these tasks yourself and nobody would actually carry out that routine for you? You would go into every day feeling dirty and that would only bring about depression and frustration.

These tasks are part of what social workers call the Activities of Daily Living or ADL and are used as a benchmark to gauge what level of senior care is needed. If you are responsible for caring for an aging parent then you should pay attention to the routine that you establish and talk them through it the first few times so they know what to expect. This will not only build up trust, but may help them relax.

Many seniors are somewhat reluctant to let anyone administer their personal care, and understandably so. If you rely on someone to do everything for you then you are likely to feel as if you have lost all of the self-respect you had for yourself, as well as your dignity.

It is exactly the same for seniors, regardless of illness and mental state, unless they are completely unaware of what is going on. Some seniors may even react angrily but again this is completely understandable. It may be unpleasant to experience verbal abuse, which you may just get in this situation, but if you put yourself in their shoes you will understand exactly where they are coming from.

If the senior in your care can be encouraged to maintain their personal hygiene and can be trusted then you should always allow them to administer their own personal care. Not only does this promote their independence, but is also gives them a sense of purpose. Even if they can only do one little thing for themselves then it is better than nothing! For tips on adapting a home for senior living see this post.

The routine that you establish regarding a senior’s personal hygiene should include all the basic elements that we include in our own daily routine. Showering, washing all of the nooks and crannies, deodorizing and brushing teeth should always be the integral elements. This should take place every day. However, the routine can incorporate other things. For example, if the female senior in you care like to put on makeup to feel feminine then you should encourage it as far as possible in order to maintain her identity.

It is also worth noting that maintaining good personal hygiene for the elderly in your care will not only promote mental well-being, it will also promote physical health. If you are washing someone, then you are likely to note any lumps, bumps and bruises as well as any bodily changes that may spell trouble in the future. By noticing and noting changes in a care plan, you are creating a medical record that may lead to early diagnosis of illnesses. Also, if there is more than one caregiver performing the same role for the same senior then it may also alert them to any physical changes.

Personal hygiene is undoubtedly one of the most important aspects of caring for the elderly. It can be a sensitive area but, if handled in the right way, it can also form a bond between you. As long as effective hygiene is maintained, the rest will fall into place as far as their appearance is concerned.

Michael Simpson

For years we have been supplying quality caregivers to those who need in home senior care in the Phoenix area.  And for years we are always trying to find ways to keep the seniors in our care stimulated and interested in activities of daily living.

For a caregiver, it is sometimes difficult to find what to do that is in the best interests of the senior that you are looking after. Especially if they are afflicted with some sort of dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease. However, if you can keep your loved one with dementia occupied, then you are half way to winning the battle.

Mental stimulation of seniors with Alzheimer’s can work wonders for your mental health as well as theirs. This may sound simplistic but playing with them will provide you with a welcome break from your usual caring routine and could provide laughter for you both.

So here are five things you might not have thought of and would want to try.

#1 Put the Activities on the Schedule

Setting aside a specific time frame every few days will ensure that you are doing something fun with them. For the senior, it often proves to be the highlight of their week because they finally recognize something and respond to it. It breaks the monotony for them and can actively be used to calm them. They also see a light every now and then in the dark tunnel of the mind and they will often remember it and look forward to it.

#2 Participate and Observe

When you start your activities it is important that you not only be a part of the activity but also be an observer. Your loved one will enjoy the interaction but not every activity will produce a positive response. Before their slide into dementia they had their likes and dislikes and they still do but they are more difficult to recognize. Be aware of smiles and frowns and disinterest. If they turn away from an activity it doesn’t mean that they don’t want to do it anymore, it could just mean that they are bored of it. So try something else. But keep it fun and engaging. When they say that they are tired, it’s over. Don’t make it a chore, it should be fun for both of you.

#3 Stimulation Is Treatment

It is important to mentally stimulate the elderly in your care to keep their minds as sharp and active as possible. Seniors with Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, dementia and other ailments must exercise their minds as often as possible. But finding the right ways to achieve this could take forever, unless you have a little bit of help and advice. Medical research has found that some forms of stimulation are better than others because of the way in which the mind responds to certain stimuli.

#4 Colors and Puzzles

Bright colors have been found to work exceedingly well. Here playing with rag dolls and brightly colored balls have worked wonders in keeping their mind active. In fact, if you ask them to do something as they are concentrating on the colors will stimulate different areas of the brain. This is, of course, purely for mental exercise and it has no direct meaning to it. However, there are certain activities that do have meaning and can also be used to exercise them physically as well as mentally. Examples of games that are brightly colored and serve a purpose are puzzles. You can find large piece jigsaw puzzles of clown and balloons. Not only do the colors draw their eye, but you can also encourage the individual senior to try and place the piece, with a little help of course! Puzzles are fun and can be of great benefit to the Alzheimer’s victim.

#5 Take it Outside

Outdoor activities that involve animals are also perfect activities for mentally disabled seniors. For example, walking a dog will afford them responsibility and give some meaning to what they are doing. It will also enhance their perception of themselves tremendously. The responsibility of looking after another living creature can brighten up even their darkest days. Dogs are perfect for such activities because they are loving and affectionate and provide a warm and loving response to any fuss and attention they receive. Obviously, any such activities must be carried out under close supervision to ensure that the safety of all is maintained.

Communication is so important between you and your loved one and many times that communication is on a non-verbal level. It is important that you be an observer at all times and activities like those above can increase your bond and be fun for both of you.

Once a month we put on a free support group for family caregivers and it is a real blessing to show these folks that they are not alone and that there are solutions out there.  Another benefit of doing this is meeting extraordinary people and on a recent Saturday we met Pamela Prine who is a family caregiver and also a financial adviser.  Being a family caregiver is complex and deals with many issues and one of those is financial.  She offered to write a guest post to help folks work through these issues.  Her contact information is at the end and if you want more information please contact her direct.

A CAREGIVER’S FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Key questions for you & your family to consider.

by Pamela Prine

Being a family caregiver is a labor of love which eventually will come to involve money issues. Providing eldercare to a parent, grandparent or relative is one of the noblest things you can do. It is a great responsibility, and over time it may also lead you and your family to reflect on some financial responsibilities. Here are some tips to consider.

Will caregiving affect my own financial picture?

Try to estimate a budget, either before you begin or after a representative interval of caregiving. How much of the elder’s finances will be devoted to care costs compared with your finances? If you are thinking about quitting a job to focus on eldercare, think about the resulting loss of income, the probable loss of your own health care coverage, and your prospects for reentering the workforce in the future.

 ”Aging in place” sounds good but what will it cost?

Growing old at home (rather than in a nursing home) has many advantages. Unfortunately, over time, the cost of care provided in the home can greatly exceed nursing home services. So you must weigh how long you can manage with home health aide services versus adult day care or nursing home care.

Are you ready to dig into your loved one’s financial life?

Caring for a parent, grandparent or sibling may eventually mean making financial decisions on their behalf. So you may have a learning curve ahead of you. Specifically, you may have to learn, if you don’t already know:

• Where your loved one’s income comes from (SSI, pensions, investments, etc.)
• Where wills, deeds and trust documents are located
• Who the beneficiaries are on various policies and accounts
• Who has advised your loved one about financial matters in the past (financial consultants, CPAs, insurance agents, etc.)
• Assorted PIN numbers for accounts and of course Social Security numbers

When is it time for a power of attorney?

If a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or any form of disease which will eventually impair judgment, a power of attorney will likely be needed in the future. In fact, if you try to handle money matters for another person without a valid power of attorney, the financial institution involved could reject your efforts.

When a power of attorney is in effect, it authorizes an “agent” or “attorney-in-fact” to handle financial transactions for another person. A durable power of attorney lets you handle the financial matters of another person immediately. A springing power of attorney only lets you do this after a medical diagnosis confirms a person’s mental incompetence. (As no doctor wants a lawsuit, such diagnoses are harder to obtain than you might think.)

You want to obtain a power of attorney before your loved one is unable to make financial decisions. Many investment firms will only permit a second party access to an account owner’s invested assets if the original account owner signs a form allowing it. Copies of the durable power of attorney should be sent to any financial institution at which your parents have accounts or policies. Whoever becomes the agent should be given a certified copy of the power of attorney and be told where the original document is located.

I have heard about conservatorship, should this be considered?

A conservatorship gives a guardian the control to manage the assets and financial affairs of a “protected” person. If a loved one becomes incapacitated, a conservator can assume control of some or all of the protected party’s income and assets if a probate court allows.

To create a conservatorship, you must either request or petition a probate court, preferably with assistance from a family law attorney. A probate court will only grant conservatorship after interviews and background check on the proposed conservator and only after documentation is provided to the court showing financial and mental incompetence on the part of the individual to be protected.

A conservatorship implies more vigilance than a power of attorney. With a power of attorney, there is no ongoing accountability to a court of law. (The same goes for a living trust.) There is little to prevent an attorney-in-fact from abusing or neglecting the protected person. On the other hand, a conservator must report an ongoing accounting to the probate court.

If a trust is created, who should serve as trustee?

As some care receivers acknowledge their physical and mental decline, they decide to transfer ownership of certain assets from themselves to a revocable or irrevocable trust. A settlor (or grantor) creates a trust, a trustee manages it and the assets go to one or more beneficiaries. (The trustee can be a relative; it can also be a bank or an attorney, for that matter.) At the settlor’s death, the trustee distributes the settlor’s assets according to the instructions written in the trust document. Probate of the trust assets is avoided – so long as the assets have been transferred into the trust during the settlor’s lifetime.

A trustee has a fiduciary responsibility to watch over the financial legacy of the settlor. Practically speaking, a trustee needs to have sufficient financial literacy to understand tax law, the managing of investments and the long-range goals noted in the trust document. Some families consider all this and opt to manage trusts themselves; others seek the services of financial professionals.

If the care receiver has a living trust or another form of trust already, you may still need a power of attorney as percentages of his or her assets or income may not end up in the trust. (There is nothing from preventing a trustee from also being the agent in a power of attorney.) Additionally, while a living trust is essentially a will substitute, you will still need a pour-over will to supplement it. That is because in all probability, some of the settlor’s assets won’t be transferred into the trust during his or her lifetime. A pour-over will is the legal mechanism that “pours” those stray assets into the trust when the settlor passes away. If 100% of the settlor’s assets are transferred into the trust during the settlor’s lifetime, a pour-over will becomes superfluous.

 Do I have any potential for liability?

As a caregiver, you have a physical, psychological and legal duty to the care receiver. If you neglect that duty, you could be held liable as many states have laws demanding that caregiving meets certain standards.

These laws are basically similar: a caregiver must not abuse the care receiver in any conceivable way, and any incidents of such abuse must be reported (there are often state and local “hotlines” set up for this). The elder must have adequate nutrition, clothing and bedding, and the environment must be clean and not pose health hazards.

If you have obtained a power of attorney for finances, then appropriate amounts of the elder’s money must be spent on necessary health services and other services on behalf of his/her well-being. Failure to do so could be interpreted in court as a form of abuse or neglect.

When abuse and neglect occur, they may have roots in caregiver burnout – the caregiver is constantly cross and irritable with the care receiver, or stress defines the experience, or an overwhelming sense of duty or anxiety prevents the caregiver from having a life of his/her own. If you ever feel you are approaching this point, it is time to call for assistance or to assign caregiving to professionals.

Some good websites for great resources.

• U.S. Administration on Aging’s Eldercare Locator (eldercare.gov)
• National Council on Aging’s online benefits checklist service (benefitscheckup.org)
• National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a.org/about-n4a/?fa=aaa-title-VI)

Pamela Prine may be reached at 623-334-6800 or pamela.prine@jwcemail.com.

www.pprine.retirementtime.com

Fiber is important in all diets but it is

especially true when it comes to the elderly.

The elderly can have issues with diabetes, constipation, colon cancer, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, heart disease, diverticulitis and/or high cholesterol.  Studies have shown that a  diet high in fiber may be beneficial in treating those conditions.

But there is always controversy when it comes to the validity of those studies and if they really can do all that they claim.  And of course there is confusion as to what is fiber and should it be soluble or non-soluble.  BTW, you need both soluble and non-soluble.

Here is a chart listing a few different sources of soluble and non-soluble fiber.

As you can see dietary fiber is found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts.

Stuff that I really like to eat such as eggs and meat do not contain any fiber.  Which is hard to believe especially when you get a tough steak…isn’t cardboard fiber?

We have many elderly clients who take a variety of OTC medications such as Ducolax and other stool softeners, Imodium, Kaopectate and other anti-diarrhea concoctions.

If the senior’s diet is high enough in fiber then their stool should be softer and easier to pass.  And to work properly, that is to aid this high fiber diet, the senior has to hydrate consistently.  The two go hand in hand.

The issue of course is getting your senior to add more fiber into their diet and to drink more water.  But if you can achieve this the senior will see the results and will be more motivated to stay on the program.  When seniors have bowel disorders they do not feel comfortable going out, socializing or even just being with family.  They are worried that they might have an odor about them, have an accident and be embarrassed about their many trips to the bathroom.  So this breeds isolation then depression and withdrawal.  If you can just convince them to give it a try their whole outlook could improve.

So where to start?  Don’t start by going through their refrigerator and throwing out all the T-bones and stocking it with broccoli.  Won’t work.  If they are still preparing their own meals bring more salad stuff, brown rice and oatmeal.  If they have really been fiber light then even a small change could help.  If you or a caregiver prepare their meals then a fresh fruit salad might be a nice change.  See if you can get those Ruffles out of the cabinet and replace it with almonds or even some trail mix, without the chocolate.  Also you should note that if you peel it, it looses some of its fiber.  But on the good side (fiber wise) frozen is as good as fresh.

How much fiber per day should you shoot for?  For a man over 51 years should have 30 grams for a woman over 51 years it is 21 grams per day.  Just don’t get hard nosed about this, see if you can increase it a little a week.

Here is a good chart that shows fiber content of certain foods.

Can your senior still have that Ribeye?  Of course, just keep the portion on the small side and serve some nice steamed veggies to go along with it.

Here is the scenario.  My 88 year old mother in law lives with us.  She is in remarkable shape…for 88.  She has her own room with a recliner chair and a large screen TV.  She has been taking the same meds for over 50 years, has a pacemaker and sometimes annoying COPD.  Her only exercise is down the hall to the bathroom and getting her coffee and breakfast in the morning.  Other then that she sits most of the day watching TV, playing solitaire or crocheting.  Her eyesight, hearing and balance are deteriorating but what do you expect for being 88.

However it is the balance issue that concerns me the most.  I am home a lot because many of my marketing duties for our Visiting Angels franchise are handled from my home office, I am also partner with my son in a web design, video production business (SixVine Media) and he is usually here working on client projects and while Teresa has a real office she does a lot of her work from her home office.  So you can see that there are adults in attendance just about every day, all day.

But there are times when we are all out on appointments leaving Mom alone.  For these times she sometimes wears one of those personal alarm systems that dials into 911 services.  I say she wears it sometimes because…well did I mention she is 88?  Also Mom wants the front door locked when we are gone and will not answer the door if someone rings the bell.

Here is another concern.  I was with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and have seen what the Fire Department has to do when they need to gain entry to a senior’s home.  Not pretty.  Usually there is a security door which is quickly pried open using a Halligan.  This process will render that door useless.  Then comes the entry door which can be an ornately carved solid wood beauty.  A sledge hammer against the lock set is a quick remedy but this will rip out casing, drywall and do a lot of damage to the door and lock set.  So this entry just cost the homeowner close to $2,000.

Does all this sound a little over the top?  Well maybe, but what would you have them do if your mother was laying on the floor screaming in pain?

So that’s the problem and here is the solution I came up with.  I am sure it is not a secret but hopefully it will help.

I know you have all seen those lock boxes that Realtors use so home buyers and their agents can gain access to a house that is for sale.  I bought this one on Amazon and you can see it here but I am sure they are available most everywhere.

They are simple in their design and use a four digit combination to gain access to the key box.  Releasing the curved yoke is possible once the box is open.  Once you have access to the inside of the box all you have to do is to set your code and find a location to place the box.

Our front door has a handle that is connected to the door in two places so that is the location I chose but if your door has some other configuration or you just don’t the box seen from the street there is another location.  Find an exterior hose bib, gas meter or incoming water line that is close to the front of the house and secure your box there.

I then called my local police department (don’t call 911!) and told them that I wanted to register the location of the lock box and the combo with their emergency services.  I was told that I needed to call a special Fire Department number, which I did and so now the problem is solved.

Anytime a call comes into the 911 system from my address the location of the lock box and the combination appears on the dispatcher’s screen.  The dispatcher will then transmit that information to the responding emergency personnel.  This will save me the $2000 repair costs for the front door.  For us this works for short periods of time, if we were to be gone for more then a day then we would have a caregiver come in for several hours a day to make sure that all is well and prepare meals for Mom.

One more thing is that I taped the code to the box on the inside of the front door.  At the time I am sure I had a good reason why I did this but cannot recall what it was.  Oh well if I forget the number I will know where to find it…if I can remember where I put it.  LOL

Please leave me a comment below and let me know if this works or what solution you have come up with.

The holidays have now passed into a swirling mist of cinnamon, nutmeg and turkey coming out of the oven memories.  There has been much love, laughter, maybe a bit too much wine but it has been nice to spend some time with the folks.  But going to the hardware store with dad driving was a bit a wake up call.

If this is what is on your mind as we slide into the new year, it could be time to take stock of how your parents are getting around.  Maybe it’s time to have “that talk” with them about giving up the car keys.

This short video will help you develop talking points and hopefully keep everyone’s emotions in check so that a reasonable outcome can be achieved.  I would love to hear your story about how you handled this situation so please leave a comment below.

First you must realize that assessing their driving ability and then making a decision about what to do is hard for the senior to do on their own.  With over 10,000 Americans a day turning 65, driving is seen as an issue that is concerning city and state governments and the population as a whole.  Safety of the seniors behind the wheel and others on the road is of concern to us all.  But talk to a senior about restricting their driving and they will immediately get defensive and worry about their loss of independence.

Secondly, talk to other family members and friends to see if they have observed a decline in your parent’s driving ability.  They may have observed things that you have not and that information could be used in a family meeting.

It is always important that you maintain a sense of trust in your relationship with your parents by being honest yet persistent.  Not so much in persisting in getting your way but persisting that the discussion is ongoing.  Perhaps the outcome will be not to give up driving but to reduce the amount of driving.

Be aware that persons who give up driving or lose the privilege of driving often feel lonely, isolated and anxious because they have fewer opportunities to be with friends or involved in activities.  This is where you and other family members must be ready to step in to provide transportation or if that is not possible then come up with an acceptable solution.

It is a thorny situation but do not start down this road with a dictatorial attitude, you just might see a response from your parents that you have not seen since you were a child.  They will definitely dig their heels in.  Instead, be part of the solution, not part of the problem and be on their side.  Expect some emotional reactions and do what you can to get them through these tough times.

We have clients in their mid-nineties that have not driven for thirty years and still bemoan the loss of independence even though they fully realize they could not handle today’s traffic or pilot today’s cars.

We have a brochure on this subject which you can download, print and share.  Go here to see it.

Final word…be gentle and don’t think you will get this decided in one meeting.  If you can broach the subject and keep the discussion alive then you will be far ahead of the game.

This is something we have not tried before but I was so engaged by Kevin Struz that I asked him to share with us some of his knowledge about food and nutrition that he has learned over the years.

I met Kevin at one of our family caregiver support groups that we put on here in Phoenix.  Kevin left the corporate world years ago because he was “killing himself” with the lifestyle that many times comes with climbing up the economic ladder.  His daily diet was filled with nutrition-less calories, stress was peaking, sleep and exercise was almost non-existent.  So if he was to see his 50th birthday he had to change.

One morning he walked in and told his boss he quit and he walked out the door and into the unknown (to him) world of  proper nutrition and better living.  He fully immersed himself into the science and the practicality of better nutrition and at our first meeting I sat wide eyed listening to him expound on how easy it can be.

We are not advocating that you do not have a flu shot but if you have decided, for whatever reason, not to get that shot then here are nutritional changes you need to look at possibly making.  Kevin’s post is about educating you on how to help your body defend itself against those nasty bugs.

Teresa and I (both seniors) have not had a flu shot in many, many years and have not had the flu either.  We realize that this is a controversial subject and strictly a personal decision but we want you to know some things if you decide not to have a flu shot.

Please leave your comments below or you can email Kevin.

Choose the No Flu Shot Approach

to this Cold & Flu Season.

By using your immune system instead of a Flu Shot is the better choice for our over all health.

What is the immune system?

Kevin Struz

Your immune system is like a finely tuned orchestra whose purpose is to defend your body from unhealthy attacks from the world around you.  Like an orchestra, your immune system contains many different instruments that work harmoniously together with one goal, protecting you from foreign insults that can cause damage to your body.  And, like an orchestra, the different parts of your immune system must be present, play their part at the right time, and then stop when they have completed their function.

By supporting your Orchestra with Nutrition, your immune system will be armed and able to fight foreign invaders to your body, like pathogenic bacteria and viruses, and also for destroying cells within your body when they become cancerous.

Choices Which Will Get Your Orchestra Out of Tune.

Sugars – It suppresses the immune system for about 4-6 hours. This can make you vulnerable to illness.

Processed Foods – Puts incredible stress on the body, particularly on the pancreas since it has to produce massive quantities of metabolic enzymes because the food lacks digestive enzymes.  All the enzymes are destroyed in the cooking process.

Over Cooked Foods – Denatures the proteins, vitamins & minerals and they become unusable to our bodies. Basically it becomes “Dead Food”

Dehydration – Water regulates every single function in our bodies, from growth to metabolism, also your digestion to cardiovascular function. Numerous studies have been conducted on athletes since the 1940’s and they all demonstrated that even mild dehydration drastically impairs performance.

Sleep – Not getting enough sleep has been linked to a laundry list of mental and physical health problems, including those that stem from an impaired immune system.  Our immune system is designed to protect us from colds, flu and other ailments but when it is not functioning properly, it fails to do its job.  The consequences can include more sick days.

Stress – The long-term activation of the stress-response system and the subsequent over exposure to cortisol and other stress hormones can disrupt almost all your body’s processes.  This puts you at increased risk of numerous health problems. That’s why it’s so important to learn healthy ways to cope with the stressors in your life.

Choices Which Will Get Your Orchestra Back in Tune.

When you choose to eat a little more raw fruits or vegetables before and with each meal you will find that this creates better digestion.

Eating a rainbow color of foods supports our bodies orchestra and reduces the stress on our immune system.

Eat smaller portions of animal protein at each meal and this will help lessen the stress on the digestion system.

Small changes can help a lot. A diet that is over 51% in raw foods will keep the immune system in tune & in the ready mode at all times.

Apples – “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Today, this old proverb in backed up by science. Research suggests that due to the Vitamin C and other antioxidants in apples, this fruit may reduce risk of cancer by preventing DNA damage. Also, fibers control cholesterol levels, helping with heart disease and weight loss.

Coconut Oil – Coconut Oil’s antimicrobial effects reduce stress on the immune system, allowing the immune system to function more efficiently. The stronger our immune system is the better the body is able to defend itself against all types of illnesses, whether infectious or degenerative.

Water How much should I drink? – The rule of thumb is to drink about half an ounce of water per pound of body weight. If a person weighs one hundred pounds, then your daily water intake should be 50 ounces a day of water. Drink the greater part of your water in between meals. Drinking too much water with a meal dilutes your digestive juices, delays & blocks the digestive process considerably. When we drink enough water, our body can eliminate toxins much quicker.

Sleep – Seven to nine hours of sleep every night and going to bed at the same time and waking up at the same time every morning will strengthen our immune system. By avoiding caffeine after lunch and not consuming any alcohol within six hours before going to bedtime sets up your body for a better night sleep. No computer or TV in the bedroom.

Cherries for Better Sleep- Tart cherries contain a significant amount of Melatonin, a hormone also produced in the brain’s pineal gland that regulates sleep and circadian rhythm. Melatonin has antioxidant properties and is especially beneficial because it is soluble in both fat and water, so it can enter cells that other antioxidants cannot.

Stress – By living in the present & looking at life from a humorous angle allows us to let go of stress & heal faster.

The Possibilities of a Smile- The simple action of a Smile can immediately switch you into a clam, Positive Awareness.

Try this for 10 Seconds & feel yourself change.

First, Think about Someone or Something that you LOVE, that always puts a Smile on your face,

Second, Now hold that thought & Smile for 10 Seconds.

The Longer we Choose to do this the Better it Gets.

NOW Life has the Possibility to become Very Good all Day!!!!

Supporting your Immune system with supplements

Digestive Enzymes – Offers a comprehensive blend of ten enzymes that enhances digestion (100% non-animal) that all function together to extract all the nutrients from the foods that we eat at breakfast, lunch, dinner and our snacks. Undigested foods will create inflammation and creates other health issues in our bodies.

Probiotics (beneficial bacteria) – Maintain the intestinal micro flora balance, promote good digestion, immune function, help us maintain healthy cholesterol levels & increase resistance to infections.

Colostrum is Life’s first food & is an Immune supplement. – Colostrum has a Virus Antibody that acts against viral invaders. Bovine colostrum, has the same ability to regulate activity of the immune system as hormones of the Thymus gland. The colostrum immune factor not only boosts the under active immune system but it also works toward regulating the over active immune system.

Whole-food Vitamins – These are more readily and acceptable to the digestive system than processed multivitamins . With the additional benefits of using organic herbs and naturally occurring minerals, organic whole-food vitamins are a much better source of nutrition. Inorganic vitamins and minerals offer little or no absorption through the walls of the intestine. Most of this inorganic material will just pass through you.

Chlorophyll – This is a blood cell builder which helps the elimination of toxins from your body.  It’s a nutritional aid for the immune system and one characteristic of chlorophyll is that it contains abundant minerals, vitamins, protein and trace elements. This is the reason why, as a food substance chlorophyll constitutes to be one of the richest food supplements known to us today. Chlorophyll is therefore essential to our vitality and well-being, ensuring that we stay and remain healthy.

So give your body the tools that it needs to fight off the flu and strengthen your immune system.

Any questions or comments email  Kevin Struz

E-Mail – iget2now@gmail.com

Above all you must have a plan, if you just jump into the muddy waters of aging you will end up in a fight with the very people you want to help, your parents.  Be gentle, be friendly and go slow.  Do not, if possible try to check off all these tips in a single visit with them.  It will come off as too confrontational and as a power grab.

Please watch the video and leave me your comments.

Tip #1 – The Plan.

This must start with reassuring your parents that you are sensitive to their desires and their need to be a major part of the decision making process when it comes to their future.  You must assure them that you are there for them and you can be depended upon to help them solve their problems.

Restate the importance of the leadership, guidance and family coaching that they have provided over the years and how you and your children have benefited from such great parenting.  Remember, sucking up to Mom and Dad doesn’t hurt.  Stress that they have built a strong family and that they will now benefit from those family bonds which they created.

Tip #2  Educate Yourself.

You, and your parents if able, must become information sponges.  You need to lead the way using the awesome power of the internet and simple questioning techniques to uncover specialists in areas relevant to their changing situation.  This is just a short list and as you proceed you will uncover more resources and of course have more questions.

• Legal matters, including wills (where are they and are they up to date) and property ownership.  Not just “real” property but personal as well.  Do they have gold, silver, other precious metals or gems?  Does Dad still have all those hand guns in the house?  This could be a serious issue for your parents or maybe a caregiver.
• Financial arrangements.  Any promissory notes or other contracts?
• Health care resources.  Do you have a list of their doctors and medications they are taking?
• Housing, now and future.  Are they maintaining their house or is maintenance being overlooked?  Should you be looking for a caregiver to come in a few times a week and have you checked out assisted living facilities?
• Are you up to speed on the aging process?

Tip #3 – Take Stock.

As health and living problems arise, obtain an assessment of your parent’s problems and needs.  This could be done by a medical professional, a geriatric consultation team or a social worker.  You can also be involved by being observant as to your parents mobility and cognitive ability.  If they are still driving then look at their car and their garage.  Are there dents in the fenders or bumpers that were not there last month.  Document it with you cell phone camera for proving your case later on.

Tip #4 – Help Them Retain Control

Respect your parents need to make their own decisions and remain in control of their lives.  Limits on independence are often placed on the elderly due to a fall or illness.  If neither of these are a determining factor then go easy.  Just don’t walk in and inform them that they are not going to drive any longer as you grab their car keys and leave the house…not smart.

Avoid making hasty decisions, just because they bumped into the dining room table don’t exile them to a nursing home.

Tip#5 – Share The Work

Share the emotional, physical and financial heavy lifting with family members and even friends.  If someone offers to take Mom to the crocheting club then PLEASE do not be a martyr and say Oh No, I will take her.  Mom just might enjoy being around someone besides you.  And you will really enjoy the break too.

Use friends (yours and theirs), volunteer organizations, family members, church resources and whoever you can to lighten the load, you will be glad you did.  Also check out the local caregiver agencies in your city.  They can be very affordable and the needed pressure relief valve you need when you want a long weekend “away”.

Mental stimulation of seniors with Alzheimer’s can work wonders for your mental health as well as theirs. This may sound simplistic but playing with them will provide you with a welcome break from your usual caring routine and could provide laughter for you both.

Put the Activities on the Schedule
Setting aside a specific time frame every few days will ensure that you are doing something fun with them. For the senior, it often proves to be the highlight of their week because they finally recognize something and respond to it. It breaks the monotony for them and can actively be used to calm them. They also see a light every now and then in the dark tunnel of the mind and they will often remember it and look forward to it.

Participate and Observe
When you start your activities it is important that you not only be a part of the activity but also be an observer. Your loved one will enjoy the interaction but not every activity will produce a positive response. Before their slide into dementia they had their likes and dislikes and they still do but they are more difficult to recognize. Be aware of smiles and frowns and disinterest. If they turn away from an activity it doesn’t mean that they don’t want to do it anymore, it could just mean that they are bored of it. So try something else. But keep it fun and engaging. When they say that they are tired, it’s over. Don’t make it a chore, it should be fun for both of you.

Stimulation Is Treatment
It is important to mentally stimulate the elderly in your care to keep their minds as sharp and active as possible. Seniors with Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, dementia and other ailments must exercise their minds as often as possible. But finding the right ways to achieve this could take forever, unless you have a little bit of help and advice. Medical research has found that some forms of stimulation are better than others because of the way in which the mind responds to certain stimuli.

Colors and Puzzles
Bright colors have been found to work exceedingly well. Here playing with rag dolls and brightly colored balls have worked wonders in keeping their mind active. In fact, if you ask them to do something as they are concentrating on the colors will stimulate different areas of the brain. This is, of course, purely for mental exercise and it has no direct meaning to it. However, there are certain activities that do have meaning and can also be used to exercise them physically as well as mentally. Examples of games that are brightly colored and serve a purpose are puzzles. You can find large piece jigsaw puzzles of clown and balloons. Not only do the colors draw their eye, but you can also encourage the individual senior to try and place the piece, with a little help of course! Puzzles are fun and can be of great benefit to the Alzheimer’s victim.

Take it Outside
Outdoor activities that involve animals are also perfect activities for mentally disabled seniors. For example, walking a dog will afford them responsibility and give some meaning to what they are doing. It will also enhance their perception of themselves tremendously. The responsibility of looking after another living creature can brighten up even their darkest days. Dogs are perfect for such activities because they are loving and affectionate and provide a warm and loving response to any fuss and attention they receive. Obviously, any such activities must be carried out under close supervision to ensure that the safety of all is maintained.

Communication is so important between you and your loved one and many times that communication is on a non-verbal level. It is important that you be an observer at all times and activities like those above can increase your bond and be fun for both of you.