Palliative Care vs. Hospice Care

Palliative Care vs. Hospice

Palliative care is pronounced pal-lee-uh-tiv and is the medical specialty focused on improving the quality of life of people facing serious illness. Emphasis is placed on pain and symptom management, communication and coordinated care. This type of care is appropriate from the time of diagnosis and can be provided along with curative treatment.

The point of palliative care is to relieve suffering through pain and symptom management, communication and coordination of your care. But it is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Palliative care treats people suffering from serious and chronic illnesses including cancer, cardiac disease like Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), kidney failure, Alzheimer’s, HIV/AIDS and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

Palliative care relieves symptoms such as pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, constipation, nausea, loss of appetite and difficulty sleeping. It helps you gain the strength to carry on with daily life. It improves your ability to tolerate medical treatments. And it helps you to better understand your choices for care.

Palliative care is not end-of-life care and is not the same as hospice. Hospice is focused on providing quality care to people in the last months of life who have decided to stop treatments meant to cure them. Palliative care on the other hand can be provided from the time of diagnosis. You can have palliative care at the same time as curative treatment.

Usually a team of experts, including palliative care doctors, nurses and social workers, provides this care. Chaplains, massage therapists, pharmacists, nutritionists and others may also be part of the palliative care team. Working together with your own doctor, the palliative care team provides:

• Close communication
• Expert management of pain and other symptoms
• Help navigating the healthcare system
• Guidance with difficult and complex treatment choices
• Emotional  and spiritual support for you and your family

To learn more about hospice and palliative care visit The National and Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s website http://www.nhpco.org/templates/1/homepage.cfm.

Four College Towns Great for Retirees

Why the best place to retire is where others go to school.

Retirement shouldn’t come with the same anxiety that moving after college did. Lately, retirees are finding college towns more appealing than other comparable cities. College towns typically have a great community atmosphere that fosters learning, outdoor activities and various arts and culture opportunities that attract crowds- whether they are 20-somethings or 60-somethings.

Gainesville, Florida- Home to University of Florida

Retiring to Florida is a big American cliché, but it’s worth looking into. Gainesville is a medium-sized town in northern central Florida, and is home to the University of Florida. The college sustains a lot of the town’s economy, and provides excellent opportunities for retirees. Residents can take advantage of cultural exhibits and performances, four public libraries, and great access to health care, all thanks to the university.

Athens, Georgia- Home to University of Georgia

Athens has many redeeming qualities such as its 16 historic districts chock-full of antebellum buildings and Victorian-era homes, its lively music scene and the 300-acre State Botanical Garden. Many are drawn to the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, in partnership with the University of Georgia, which is geared toward senior education and provides classes, trips and even allows those over age 62 to audit courses free of charge. The city also hosts a “Really, Really Free Market” where people can come and swap items completely free.

Huntsville, Alabama- Home to Alabama A&M University and University of Alabama, Huntsville

Although Huntsville houses multiple universities, 37 percent of its population is over the age of 50. Also known as “Rocket City,” Huntsville was the original location of NASA, and the military post Redstone Arsenal, both of which contribute to the large retirement population. Keeping retirees active is a big job for the city, which maintains six public golf courses, three municipal swimming pools, 3,200 acres of parks, and 175 miles of bike paths. Not an outdoorsy person? Huntsville also has several shopping centers, movie theaters and museums. Day trips to Nashville are also popular, as it’s only two hours away by car.

Asheville, North Carolina- Home to University of North Carolina, Asheville

At the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is a great area for culture and art. The city hosts the country’s oldest annual festival, the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival. For those who enjoy the outdoors, hiking, river rafting and mountain biking are just a few of the seemingly endless outdoor adventures Asheville can provide. Want to learn something new? Asheville has the North Carolina Center for Creative Retirement, which encourages those over 55 to teach and learn, keeping retirees connected to the community.

Exercise Tips for Caregivers and Their Loved Ones

No matter your age, the benefits of exercise are the same — a healthier heart, stronger bones and improved balance and flexibility – but exercising is especially important for older people, as it can keep them remain independent longer.

As a caregiver, you can help your loved ones live a richer and healthier life as they age by encouraging them to exercise.

The first step is to take your loved one to their healthcare provider to see whether they will need to consider any special modifications before starting an exercise program. Next, find a program that your loved one will enjoy doing. Some people prefer a structured routine at a local gym, while others enjoy a walk around the neighborhood or even a long-forgotten sports activity. Remember that it is easier for them to stick with something that’s fun to do.

Walking

Walking can be the beginning of a fitness program, or the fitness program itself. This low-intensity exercise will improve physical fitness and can be done anywhere. The most important piece of equipment needed for this activity is proper shoes. There is a difference between running shoes and tennis shoes. Getting the proper style and fit will make the exercise more enjoyable. Take a trip to your local fitness store, where the employees are familiar with the needs of various exercise activities.

Group Classes

These classes are great for seniors to get motivated because everyone in the room has the same goal. It will provide a great source of fun, stress relief and it’s the perfect way for your loved one to make friends. Many of the classes are geared toward older adults and can be adapted at any level, so you can rest assured that your loved one is taking part in a safe activity.

Golf

Golf is a low-impact exercise that is excellent at keeping people physically fit and mentally alert. Before heading to the course, help your loved one prepare a few weeks in advance with 20 to 30 minute walks three to four times a week. Have them practice their grip, their back swing and then have them work toward their full swing. When they arrive at the course, do a few simple lower and upper body stretches with them to warm up.

Swimming

Your loved one doesn’t even need to know how to swim to enjoy this exercise. Exercising in the water is the best option for seniors because it decreases strain on the joints and other supporting structures of the body. Just be sure to keep a close eye on them and always make them aware of depth levels and exits. If your loved one has a tendency to stub their toes, you can offer them an old pair of sneakers or special water shoes while in the water.

At-Home

Gardening can be a great source of exercise and your loved one can enjoy the beautiful results of their hard work, but make sure they have the right tools before they begin. People with arthritis will need tools with enlarged handles, while people with back problems will need tools with longer handles. Encourage them to stretch, stand up frequently from a kneeling position to loosen stiff joints and give them a pillow to absorb the pressure on their knees.

Another simple activity involves making your loved one’s car work for them. If they do not feel they can put much effort into working out, start with trips to the car. Move the car farther and farther away and have them walk to and from the car. When they go to the store, encourage them to park on the outer edges of the parking lot, rather than looking for a spot closest to the entrance.

Chair-Bound

Movement matters and fitness is entirely achievable through strength training, flexibility and endurance routines. Buy a set of lightweight dumbbells or use anything weighted- like soup cans- and have your loved one do a few sets of lifting. Resistance bands are a great piece of equipment, as they can be attached to furniture or even the chair. Have them complete a variety of pull-downs, arm rotations and leg extensions to give their muscles a good workout. A physical therapist can be very helpful at getting you and your loved one started with a routine.

Chair yoga is also available at many fitness centers. It focuses on breathing, slow stretching, bending and is designed to improve range of motion. There are also fitness facilities that offer pool therapy programs and arm bicycling or rowing.

The key is starting slowly and making sure they don’t overdo it, as it can make them sore and unmotivated. Make sure they listen to their body and if at any point they experience pain, dizziness, shortness of breath or nausea, make them stop immediately. Help them create short and long-term goals for their exercise routine. This way they can plan their daily activities and work toward achieving their long-term goals that they do not feel physically capable of completing at the moment.

Even brief amounts of physical activity can be beneficial to older adults. Give them the support they need and keep them inspired with daily reminders of the great things they are doing for their health.

Help Seniors Make Heart-Healthy Changes During American Heart Month

February is American Heart Month, which makes it the perfect time for senior citizens to take charge of their lives by making heart-healthy choices. And as a caregiver, you play a big role in helping them to maintain an active lifestyle.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for people over the age of 50, but a few simple tweaks in their lifestyle can prevent premature death and improve their quality of life.

Every person is different, so before beginning a new exercise or diet program, we encourage you and your loved one to talk to his or her doctor first. The next step is to find a regime and stick with it. The results can keep them more independent, help them manage illness and even reverse some signs of aging.

Exercise

Many seniors find themselves unsure of where to begin when it comes to taking on an exercise routine and they are not alone. But the truth is, they can’t afford to not get moving.  Inactivity can cause seniors to lose the ability to do things on their own and can result in more doctor visits, illnesses and hospitalizations. Tackle these activities together and urge them to do around 2.5 hours of exercise per week. Even small doses of activity can really help a senior.

We’re never too old to exercise and if it’s been a while or your loved one has never exercised before, walking around the neighborhood, swimming or riding a bike together are perfect introductory activities. For patients with a fear of falling, encourage them to do squats and other balancing exercises to build up their ankle and hip muscles. Exercising benefits the whole body, as it can improve sleep, help to maintain or lose weight, boost confidence and even help prevent memory loss.

Eat More Fiber

Eating the right amount of fiber can have a wide range of health benefits. Consuming fiber-rich foods aids in digestion and the absorption of nutrients, which makes you feel fuller longer, and helps reduce unwanted weight gain. Dietary fiber can lower cholesterol and minimize the risk of coronary heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer.

Men over 50 should consume 30 grams of fiber per day, while women over 50 should try to eat at least 21 grams of fiber daily. Fiber can come in a variety of fruits, vegetables and grains such as beans, oats, raspberries, oranges and green peas.

People who add more fiber into their diet may experience bloating, cramping or gas. The key to preventing these pains is making changes in the diet over a period of time. Introduce one new source of fiber per week and if it doesn’t work for them, try another the following week. Be sure to increase their intake of no-or low-calorie beverages to help the body digest fiber.

Limit Sodium Intake

A diet high in sodium can cause blood pressure to rise, and since elderly people have a diminished sense of taste and smell, they may readily add salt to every meal. It is advised to not take in more than 2,300 mg of sodium per day, which is equivalent to 1 teaspoon of salt. Avoid letting them eat processed foods and encourage them to eat more fruits, vegetables and other whole foods.

Drink in Moderation

Small amounts of alcohol can be beneficial to the heart by increasing good cholesterol. By small, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention means one drink a day for women and two for men (http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/faqs.htm#standDrink). Alcohol can also have negative effects on seniors, so be sure to speak to them about the dangers of drinking in excess as well.

Focus on the Good Fats

Replace butter, full-fat dairy and fried foods with olive or canola oil, nuts, organic peanut butter, fatty fish and avocados. Help them prepare fresh meals of salmon, sardines, halibut and soybeans, as they are beneficial to the cardiovascular system and are packed with omega-3 fatty acids.

Our bodies change over time and we are all in different stages of our life, but even the smallest amount of activity or change in diet can have cumulative effects on our health, regardless of our age. Be the extra source of motivation your loved one needs to overcome the health risks they are faced with every day.