LAKEWOOD ORTHOPAEDICS & SPORTS MEDICINE

Nilpesh M. Patel, MD Terry K. Gemas, MD

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1130 Beachview St., Ste # 100 Dallas, TX 75218 Around the corner from Doctors Hospital lakewoodorthoandsportsmed.com

Geriatric Care Management

A new program with real answers from the experts on aging at The Senior Source

Looking for solutions to ensure the highest quality of life for an elderly parent or family member? Our new fee-based for older adults and their caregivers.

Call us today at 214.823.5700 for a complete list of services or an initial consultation at no cost. To learn more, visit TheSeniorSource.org

Another common physical concern after the age of 50 is hearing loss. “Left untreated, hearing loss can lead to dementia, depression, anxiety and a reduced quality of life,” says Total Hearing Care owner Debbie Schirico, MCD CCC-A. Schirico notes that people often don’t think much of not being able to hear as well as they used to, especially in situations with background noise, but that the body should be able to go beyond that. “If you don’t seek help early, your hearing loss can begin to affect your relationships because communication is affected,” says Schirico. “If you suspect you are having hearing problems, have a hearing test performed and get a prescription; the sooner you have it corrected, the less of an adjustment it will be.”

Seniors must also stay vigilant when it comes to dental health. “We now know that oral health directly affects overall heath,” says Rosa C. Lopez, D.D.S. of Rosa Lopez Family Dentistry. “The mouth is the window to all systems.” Seeing a dentist regularly is of the utmost importance in one’s 40s and 50s. Brushing twice a day, flossing once a day, and eating a diet that’s low in sugar and carbs (linked sugars) is vital to keeping your bacteria count low. “There are two things people must start doing, and the earlier the better,” says Lopez. “Use an electric toothbrush (it removes more plaque), and drink fluoridated water. Too often, people only drink bottled water, but they are missing all of the benefits of fluoridated tap water.” mean different for different g round. of the statistic practice for mental and physi director of the RSVP volunte

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When it comes to balanced mental health, the journey can mean different paths for different people, but there is some common ground. “All of the statistics point to volunteerism as a good practice for mental and physical health,” says Diane Maguire, director of the RSVP volunteer program at The Senior Source. “The spiritual aspects of giving of yourself can be very beneficial.”The RSVP program at The Senior Source, a Dallasbased nonprofit for aging services, matches seniors with volun- teer opportunities at 200 area nonprofits including the American Red Cross and Ronald McDonald House Charities. “Our seniors come together as strangers and end up forming support groups of friends,” says Maguire.

According to Ann McKinley, vice president of marketing for Presbyterian Village North senior living community, maintaining a sense of purpose is vital to mental wellness at 50 and beyond. “Our residents thrive on being plugged into the community,” says McKinley. “You shouldn’t have to change who you are just because you have moved into a senior living community. If you were a C.E.O., we help you find ways to use those skills, ensuring a sense of purpose. Our goal is to keep residents as independent as possible and to empower them to live their lives to the fullest.”

Fulfilling one’s sense of purpose well into the later years is a viable option nowadays with the many opportunities and activities offered at local senior living communities. Everything from iPAD and line dancing classes to newsletter staffs and volunteer opportunities show that growing old doesn’t have to mean hanging up your hat. But when is the proper time to start exploring these future living arrangements? The sooner, the better.

“Come early, don’t wait until you perceive you need it,” says McKinley. Janelle Parsons of Parsons House Preston Hollow retirement community adds, “Start the conversation early. Communicate with your children and all parties involved, and make sure everyone is aware of what you want. If you wait, you don’t get to choose. Of course, home is the best option, but it may not be practical.”

To C.C.Young sales and marketing director Kevin Maloney, choosing a senior living community is all about the individual. “The right community for each individual is a very personal choice,” says Maloney. “I often hear residents say that they just felt as if this was going to be their home.” Maloney also points out the benefits of moving to a continuing-care campus. “The benefit of the continuum campus is familiarity with staff and residents. Also, couples who are in different stages of their lives (i.e. independent living v. assisted living) are able to live in the same community and each get what he or she needs.”

When exploring communities, it is important to know what to ask. “Make sure to understand the full array of services that will be made available to you,” says Judy McCombs, marketing manager for Juliette Fowler Homes. “Have a meal with the residents and get a feeling for who lives there.You want to see a progressive level of activities offered and a responsive activities director. They should keep you stimulated and interested.”

When the Boomer generation starts moving in, will the piped-in music from Glen Miller soon be replaced with that of

Jimi Hendrix? McCombs explains, “The level of expectations is different for every generation. You have to look forward to what each generation is going to want: barber shop, amenities, off-campus activities, food, entertainment, etc. The Boomers expect to be much healthier for much longer,” says McCombs. By adopting a well-balanced diet and fitness routine, maintaining a sense of purpose and staying focused on the future, today’s seniors are able to make their next 50 years the best yet.

The wisdom that comes with age brings forth beauty of character unfortunately, it also brings with it some wrinkles. Don’t fret! A facelift is no longer the only option.Today’s skin care is wrought with non-invasive procedures that tighten the skin, remove age spots and leave you looking as young as you feel.

As skin ages, it begins to lose its elastin and collagen and, therefore, its “bounce back” quality. Shea Boothe-Wood, CEO and founder of True Beauty RX and self-proclaimed “personal trainer of skin”, says the trick is using skin creams that stimulate these lacking proteins.“The more antioxidants the better,” says Boothe-Wood.“You need vitamins C and E during the daytime and vitamin A at night.

Vitamin A (retinol) causes skin turnover, revealing younger-looking skin. If a retinol is too harsh for your skin, try an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA or glycolic acid).”

Boothe-Wood suggests pairing antioxidant-laden, home skin care with in-clinic treatments like microdermabrasions, which slough away the surface layer of the skin, and chemical peels, which use a chemical solution to remove the damaged, outer layers of skin. The microdermabrasion should be performed about every 4-6 weeks, and one chemical peel is equal to approximately 4-5 microdermabrasions. These treatments can also lessen the appear-

But forget about the pores. One myth BootheWood would like to debunk:“You can change pore size” False! As you age, your pores start looking bigger because the fibers in the skin start breaking down, but the pores are not actually getting larger. You can affect the appearance of pore size by exfoliating to make skin look tighter.

“Each person is an individual with unique skin care needs,” says Boothe-Wood. “I like to consult and educate each client before customizing a skin care regime that suits him or her. Invest in your skin; it’s what people remember.”

For those who want a quick fix, there is an array of fillers and lasers that do the trick. “The most popular treatments right now for patients over 50 are Botox, fillers like Juvéderm and Restylane, and Pixel Fractional Skin Resurfacing,” says local cosmetic dermatologist Lynne J. Roberts, M.D. “Lines crow’s feet, frown lines, brow lines, etc. — are caused by muscle movement. If you keep the muscles relaxed with Botox every three months, they will stay soft.And the longer you do Botox, the longer the results last between treatments.”

What about those unattractive vertical lip lines or “smoker lines”? Surprisingly, Dr. Roberts says that more than half of her patients with vertical lip lines have never smoked. “Those lines are caused by any sucking motion, not just smoking,” says Roberts. “Straws are actually the worst, and water bottles can cause them too. We can reduce their appearance with fillers.” Fillers like Juvéderm and Restylane can also be used on “laugh lines”; each treatment lasts for one year or longer. If used around the mouth, one treatment usually lasts about four months.

Another popular — and highly effective — option for wrinkles is Pixel Fractional Skin Resurfacing. Unlike traditional laser resurfacing where the top layers of the skin are removed in a solid treatment, fractional resurfacing shoots a pattern of dots. This results in a shorter downtime: redness for only two days and no swelling, as opposed to redness for 2-3 months with traditional resurfacing. This can be used on the face, neck, chest and hands and takes 4-5 treatments for best results.

Gone are the days of going to extreme measures for beautiful skin.There’s no reason to not look young, gorgeous, and, best of all, like yourself.Today’s procedures and treatments have you in and out of the office in a jiffy, sporting nothing more than a dewy glow.

DID YOU KNOW?

“40 percent of people who are 20-40 years old have tattoos, and there is a demand for tattoo removal. The Pixel Fractional Skin Resurfacing laser works on these, but takes an average of 10 treatments.”

—Lynne J. Roberts, M.D.

“SkinMedica’s TNS Essential Serum ($250, 1 oz.) is the new Rolls-Royce of skin care. Until now, its powerful properties have only been used to help grow new skin cells for burn victims. “

—Shea Boothe-Wood, True Beauty RX

“The number of men looking to reverse the clock is increasing. The working world is competitive, and men and women who want to stay in it longer are looking at ways to appear younger.”

—Lynne J. Roberts, M.D.