Palouse
Seniors
WINTER 2020
INSIDE:
How to avoid drug interactions Palouse Seniors is a supplement of the Lewiston Tribune and Moscow-Pullman Daily News
2 | November 21, 2020 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune
SIGNS OF UNSAFE DRIVING IN OLDER DRIVERS Metro Editorial
A license to drive has long been symbolic of independence. Teenage drivers long for the day they earn their licenses and can take to the road without mom or dad riding shotgun, while aging drivers want to keep driving as long as possible so they can come and go as they please in their golden years. There’s no formula drivers and their families can employ to determine when it’s time to take the car keys away from senior citizens. Thankfully, fatal collisions involving older drivers have declined considerably in recent decades. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, collision-related fatalities among drivers ages 70 and older declined by 15 percent between 1997 and 2018. A host systems that have become standard of factors have no doubt contributed offerings on many modern vehicles. to that decline, including lane-assist As much as technology has helped technology and forward collision warning
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make driving safer for everyone, aging drivers should still keep an eye out for certain signs that may indicate their skills behind the wheel are diminishing and potentially compromising their ability to drive safely. According to AARP, the following are warning signs of unsafe driving. • Delayed response to unexpected situations: Frequent close calls and narrowly avoiding collisions when other drivers stop suddenly indicate reduced response time that can put aging drivers at an elevated risk of being involved in an accident.
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Palouse
Seniors
WINTER 2020
INSIDE:
How to avoid drug interactions Palouse Seniors is an advertising supplement of the Lewiston Tribune and Moscow-Pullman Daily News
PALOUSE SENIORS • Becoming easily distracted while driving: Distracted driving has become a significant concern in recent decades, but it’s often associated with young drivers. However, aging drivers who are easily distracted also pose a safety risk to themselves and other motorists. • Decrease in confidence while driving: Only drivers will know if they feel confident enough to drive safely, and it’s vital that aging drivers be honest with themselves when assessing how they feel when driving. • Having difficulty moving into or maintaining the correct lane of traffic: Lane-assist technology can help drivers recognize how often they’re staying in the correct lane of traffic. When the warning bell goes off frequently, it might be time for older drivers to reconsider if it’s safe for them to be behind the wheel. ¥ Hitting curbs when making right turns or backing up: Hitting curbs when turning or backing up indicates drivers may be having difficulty controlling their vehicles and/or seeing the road, both of which indicate it’s no longer safe for drivers to get behind the wheel. ¥ Getting scrapes or dents on car, garage or mailbox: These signs also indicate drivers are having trouble controlling their vehicles. • Driving too fast or too slow for road conditions: This indicates drivers are not as alert to their surroundings as they need to be to stay safe on the road. It’s not easy for aging drivers to relinquish their drivers’ licenses. Learning to recognize potential warning signs of unsafe driving can help aging drivers make the safest decisions for themselves, their passengers and their fellow motorists. ENJOY PALOUSE SENIORS IN PRINT: Palouse Seniors is published quarterly, with 6,500 copies distributed in the Moscow-Pullman Daily News and Lewiston Tribune. Readers can also pick up a copy at the Moscow-Pullman Daily News and Lewiston Tribune offices. ONLINE: Check out the latest edition in digital format online at DNews.com, just click on the Special Sections tab. To advertise your business or service, contact Lisa-Smith Horner at lisa@lmtribune.com
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Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune | November 21, 2020 | 3
EXPLORING HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE Metro Editorial
The opportunity to live independently is a goal for many people as they plan for retirement. While there’s much people can do to plan for financial independence in their golden years, health issues may arise that can make it hard for aging adults to get through the day without a little help. Palliative care and hospice are sometimes mistaken as the same thing, even though they’re quite different. Learning about each option can help adults identify which option is best for them should they one day require daily assistance.
PALLIATIVE CARE
family, including caregivers.
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The National Institute on Aging notes that hospice care may be recommended when it is no longer possible to cure a serious illness or when a patient opts out of certain treatments. Like palliative care, hospice provides comprehensive comfort care and family support. However, attempts to cure the person’s illness are stopped in hospice. Hospice is typically recommended when a person with a terminal illness has around six months or less to live. When people hear “going into hospice” they may think this means entering a facility. However, hospice can take place in many different settings, including at home, in a nursing home, in a hospital, or
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Palliative care may be available at any time for individuals with serious and potentially life-threatening conditions. According to Healthline, palliative care is focused on improving the overall wellness of individuals with serious illnesses, such as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, COPD, and other chronic illnesses. Since it is based on individuals’ needs, palliative care can differ from one person to the next. WebMD says a palliative care program frequently aims to ease pain and help with other problems, including improving comfort. It is used in addition to other treatments. Palliative care also can help patients and their families if an illnesss makes it more difficult to get around, leads to depression or adversely affects the
professionals with special skills. This team can include doctors, nurses, social workers, therapists, spiritual advisors, and trained volunteers. Everyone works together to address patients’ emotional, medical and spiritual needs. The main difference between palliative and hospice care is when each is offered to a patient. Palliative care can be available at any time, regardless of illness stage, prognosis or life expectancy. Hospice care is only available when an illness is no longer responding to treatment. It is sometimes known as end-of-life care. However, a person can come out of hospice care should his or her condition begin to improve. Patients and their families can discuss the options of palliative and hospice care with their health care teams. While these types of care have become much more accessible in recent years, they may not be available everywhere. It also pays to ask questions about health insurance coverage to determine if the costs of palliative or hospice care will be covered by a provider. A long-term care policy also may be an option to cover palliative services.
4 | November 21, 2020 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune
PALOUSE SENIORS
TIPS FOR DEMENTIA CAREGIVERS DURING THE PANDEMIC
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worn when tending to dementia patients. This includes when preparing meals for dementia patients or cleaning their homes. The CDC urges caregivers to wear personal protective equipment when providing personal or medical services to people with dementia, including when helping them bathe. • Arrange for a substitute caregiver if you are ill or exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19. Caregivers should have a backup caregiver lined up in case they feel ill or if they are exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 or if they have been exposed to anyone with the virus. The CDC notes that symptoms of COVID-19 include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, and muscle or body aches. A full list of COVID-19 symptoms can be found at www.cdc.gov. • Wash your hands frequently. Frequent handwashing can help dementia caregivers keep their patients safe. Wash Metro Editorial your hands with soap and water for at Caregivers play vital roles in the lives least 20 seconds upon arriving at your of the people they look after. That’s patient’s home, and continue to wash especially true for people caring for your hands frequently throughout the dementia patients, many of whom require day. If visitors arrive, insist they follow round-the-clock help every day. the same handwashing routine. If you A caregiver’s role is never easy, but cough or sneeze during the day, wash the demands have been even greater your hands immediately, and always wash during the global COVID-19 pandemic. hands before preparing meals. Despite social distancing guidelines and • Look for virtual programs that recommendations to reduce interactions encourage social engagement. Virtual with those vulnerable to COVID-19, gatherings have become the new normal including the elderly, dementia caregivers as people try to maintain connections must continue to help patients in need. with family and friends while respecting The Centers for Disease Control social distancing guidelines. The and Prevention notes that older adults Alzheimer’s Association urges dementia are at the highest risk of severe illness caregivers to consider programs that from COVID-19. That puts dementia offer virtual activities that encourage caregivers in difficult positions, as data dementia patients to engage socially. Such from the World Health Organization engagement can lift patients’ spirits and indicates that age is the strongest known remaining socially active supports brain risk factor for dementia. The Alzheimer’s health. Association urges dementia caregivers Caring for dementia patients during to follow guidelines established by the the COVID-19 outbreak requires CDC as they continue to provide care for embracing various strategies to reduce dementia patients. patients’ risk of exposure to the • Wear face masks or cloth coverings. potentially deadly virus. Face masks or cloth coverings should be
PALOUSE SENIORS
Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune | November 21, 2020 | 5
HOW TO AVOID DRUG INTERACTIONS Metro Editorial
and wait to speak with your physician before taking an OTC medication you’re unfamiliar with. • Order all prescriptions from the same pharmacy. Ordering all prescriptions from the same pharmacy makes it easy to access all prescriptions. Pharmacists can look up all prescriptions and crosscheck interactions that may result from taking certain medications at the same time. This safety net can be useful and convenient. • Utilize online resources. The Drug Interactions checker at www.drugs.com/ drug_interactions.html is a convenient way to learn about the potential interactions that can result when taking more than one medication or even mixing it with certain foods or beverages. Drug interactions can be deadly, which only underscores the importance of being careful when taking more than one medication at a time.
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Hundreds of millions of people across the globe rely on medications for their survival. In fact, the percentage of people using prescription medications may surprise people who work outside the health care industry. According to the National Center for Health Statistics’ National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015-16, nearly 46 percent of the population of the United States used prescription drugs in 2015-16. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that prescription drug use is similar in Canada, where the Canadian Health Measures Survey found that roughly two-thirds of adults between the ages of 40 and 79 used at least one prescription drug in a 30-day period. Prescription drugs may be vital to many people’s survival, but they also can prove deadly if mismanaged. That’s especially true for people taking more than one medication. Taking multiple medications each day may be necessary, but it’s equally necessary that people taking more than one medication every day take steps to avoid drug interactions. • Discuss all medications with each of your doctors. Primary care physicians and specialists should be kept in the loop regarding which medications their patients are taking. Patients should never assume their doctors know every medication they’re taking. When prescribed a new medication, mention to your prescribing doctor what else you are taking. Include prescription medications but also over-the-counter, or OTC, drugs, supplements and even vitamins. Use a notes app on your smartphone to create a running list of your medications so you can easily access it during doctor’s appointments. • Read all labels. Prescription drugs and OTC medications list potential side effects in different ways. Each prescription medication comes with a lengthy list of potential side effects, while OTC labels cite potential side effects in the “Warnings” section on their labels. Familiarize yourself with all potential side effects of a given medication prior to taking it. Err on the side of caution
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5 WAYS TO PROTECT HEARING EVERY DAY Metro Editorial
The saying “you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone” is never more true than in regard to hearing. It’s easy to take hearing for granted, but even momentary hearing loss can highlight how vital it is to protect hearing. People rely on headphones or ear buds to listen to music, stream movies or participate in work-related meetings more than ever before. Having the volume too loud can contribute to hearing loss over time. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says five in 10 young people listen to their music or other audio too loudly. Overall, 48 million people in the United States have trouble hearing in one or both of their ears. Johns Hopkins Medical Center reports approximately 15 percent of adults 18 years of age or older
report some trouble hearing, and the risk of hearing problems increases with age. Once it’s gone, hearing cannot be restored in many cases. To protect hearing and guard against future hearing loss, consider these recommendations. 1. Ask for a baseline hearing test. It’s
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easier to measure hearing loss if there is a baseline by which it can be measured. During your annual physical, ask for a hearing test or a referral to an audiologist. This can set the course for monitoring progression of any future hearing loss. 2. Wear hearing protection. There are various types of hearing protection that can filter out certain levels of sound. Many earplugs, like the ones musicians wear or those worn when attending rock concerts, can reduce the sound by approximately 25 dB. Custom fit ear plugs provide more noise reduction, in upwards of 35 to 40 dB. They are optimal for high-noise environments, such as when mowing lawns or operating machinery, according to the hearing loss resource Hearts for Hearing.
PALOUSE SENIORS 3. Turn down the volume. Experts recommend adhering to the 60/60 rule when enjoying audio through headphones. This suggestion is to listen with the headphones at no more than 60 percent volume for no more than 60 minutes a day. Earbuds fit directly next to the eardrum and can be harmful to your hearing. If possible, choose over-the-ear headphones instead. 4. Have custom molds made. Rather than turning up the volume, people can have custom ear molds made for use with earphones, suggests Johns Hopkins. The custom ear molds will block outside noise, allowing for higher quality listening. 5. Keep your ears dry. Moisture in the ear can cause bacteria to grow and potentially lead to infections. Towel-dry ears gently after showering or swimming. Avoid the temptation to use cotton swabs to dry the ears. For the most part, ears are self-cleaning, and using a cotton swab can push wax and cause it to become compacted in the ear canal. In addition to these tips, discussing hearing health with a doctor is a wise idea.
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Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune | November 21, 2020 | 7
RETIREMENT TRAVEL TIPS THAT WON’T BREAK THE BANK Metro Editorial
Retirement ushers in a new stage in life, one in which adults have ample free time to pursue their interests and hobbies. When eight or more hours per day are no longer allocated for work, those hours can be devoted to other pursuits. Retirees have the time to travel, and such exploration need not break the bank. A 2014 MassMutual survey found that 72 percent of respondents reported feeling quite happy or extremely happy in retirement. Being able to travel when and where they desire may be a big component of this happiness. A study by Virtuoso found that travel factors significantly into the lives of today’s seniors. They spend more on travel than any other generation Ñ an average of $11,077 a year. Travel spending is at the highest among people between the ages of 75 and 79. Learning how to get the most bang for your traveling buck can help retirees make travel more affordable. • Avoid peak travel seasons. Many working families are restricted by school and work schedules, often limiting travel to summer and holiday breaks. The hospitality industry tends to raise their prices during these times of year. Retirees can travel any time they want. Booking trips during less busy times of year for tourism is a great way to save money. • Consider a rental agreement. Retirees who want to travel for many weeks or even months out of the year may want to think about renting their homes while they are gone. The money earned in rent can help offset the costs of travel. • Think about alternative living situations. Seeing the country and traveling most of the time may be more doable if retirees forego the house entirely and opt for different residences. Many recreational vehicles are large enough to be full-time homes. Simply park the RV in a new spot each month for a different perspective. House boats can be an option for the marine-minded.
• Try a repositioning cruise. Cruising is a popular form of travel for seniors. Investopedia says cruise lines offer discount repositioning cruise trips when they need to move ships from one port to another, usually during the off-season. Unlike typical cruises where a ship will return to the port of origin, a repositioning cruise stops at several ports on the way and ultimately docks in a new end destination. • Find an inexpensive destination. For the cost of staying at a popular family resort for a week, you may be able to stay for double or triple the amount of time for about the same amount of money elsewhere. Weigh destinations carefully and compare costs. Think beyond the “popular” destinations around the world. Travel is a favorite pastime for retirees. Cost-saving strategies can make travel more budget-friendly for seniors who want to spend more time exploring.
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8 | November 21, 2020 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune
PALOUSE SENIORS
HOW TO CONFRONT THE POTENTIAL ONSET OF MEMORY LOSS instances, memory loss is not severe and not indicative of the onset of dementia No two individuals are the same, but or Alzheimer’s disease. However, the many men and women encounter similar Alzheimer’s Association notes how changes as they approach their golden important it is for aging men and women years. As adults get closer to retirement, to seek support if they are concerned about their eyeglass prescriptions may need to their memory or any changes in the way get a little stronger and their workouts may need to be a little less intense as their they’re thinking or behaving. Doctors can bodies adjust to the physical challenges of be invaluable resources for aging men and women, offering tips on how to confront aging. memory loss and recommending strategies Many changes associated with aging that can improve cognitive function. don’t affect seniors’ ability to live The Alzheimer’s Association independently. However, one common recommends aging adults take a threeconcern for older adults is the potential pronged approach to memory loss the decline of their cognitive health, which can moment they notice any changes in their compromise their ability to get through memory or behaviors. their daily lives without some form of assistance. 1. ASSESS THE SITUATION. According to the National Institute on Start making a list of any changes Aging, many older adults worry about you notice each day. Changes could be memory loss as they age. The Alzheimer’s related to memory, thought patterns Association notes that voicing concerns or behaviors. Note anything that feels about memory loss can make those abnormal or is causing you concern. worries seem more real. That fear may A good assessment also will involve compel some aging men and women to careful consideration of any and all write off memory loss as a minor side potential factors that may be behind your effect of getting older. And in many Metro Editorial
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2. HAVE A CONVERSATION.
The Alzheimer’s Association notes that many people find it helpful to discuss their concerns with a loved one rather than going it alone. Don’t delay such conversations, but try to figure out how you will approach them in advance. After discussing your concerns with a trusted loved one, ask this person to accompany you when you discuss these
concerns with your doctor. Having a loved one accompany you when visiting the doctor can calm your nerves, and this person can serve as a backup who can ask the doctor any questions or share any concerns you may forget to ask or bring up. If a loved one says your concerns sound like normal aging but you still want to seek more support, don’t hesitate to contact another friend or family member.
3. REACH OUT FOR HELP.
The Alzheimer’s Association is a reliable source of information that can be accessed online at www.alz.org and over the phone at 800.272.3900. Individuals also can find local resources by visiting www.alz.org/CRF. Many individuals are scared to confront the potential onset of memory loss. But no one has to make such a journey alone.
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concerns. Is something other than aging going on? Family stress or a recently diagnosed medical condition can lead to the same issues many people associate with dementia or Alzheimer’s. The Alzheimer’s Association lists 10 warning signs for Alzheimer’s at www. alz.org/10signs. Familiarize yourself with these signs to see how they line up with how you’re feeling. Take note of anyone who has shared concerns about your memory loss, thought patterns or behaviors. It’s not always easy to hear loved ones express such concerns, but they should not be ignored.
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