Palouse
Seniors
SUMMER 2020
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Common warning signs of arthritis Palouse Seniors is an advertising supplement of the Lewiston Tribune and Moscow-Pullman Daily News
2 | May 23, 2020 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune
PALOUSE SENIORS
New medications help with Parkinson’s treatment
Courtesy of Metro Editorial
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that primarily affects movement. In the earliest stages of Parkinson’s, an affected person’s face also may show little or no expression and speech may become soft and slurred. According to Parkinson’s News Today, Parkinson’s is the second most common age-related neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, Parkinson’s affects more people than multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and ALS combined, and an estimated 10 million people worldwide have Parkinson’s disease. The Parkinson’s Foundation estimates that nearly one million people in the United States live with Parkinson’s disease in 2020. Age is a risk factor for Parkinson’s, but an estimated 4 percent of people with the disease are diagnosed before age 50. Many people are familiar with the symptoms of Parkinson’s, like tremors in the limbs. Slowed movement, or bradykinesia, also occurs over time. Rigid muscles, impaired posture and balance, and loss of automatic movements like blinking and
swinging arms while walking also can occur, advises the Mayo Clinic. Like other neurodegenerative conditions, Parkinson’s is linked to changes in cells in the brain, which may gradually break down or die. Environmental triggers or genetics may also contribute to Parkinson’s. Parkinson’s also may be caused by shifting levels of the chemical messenger dopamine in the brain. When neurons break down, they produce less dopamine, and this causes abnormal brain activity. Parkinson’s has no cure, and treatment of the disease is designed to slow progression and treat certain symptoms. Parkinson’s patients and their families may be excited to learn that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the use of a new medication known as Nourianz (istradefylline). It is recommended for “off ” time, when symptoms return between other medication doses. Nourianz belongs to a class of medications known as adenosine A2A antagonists, which work differently from all currently available Parkinson’s drugs. This drug blocks the brain chemical adenosine, which
boosts the signaling of dopamine, the brain chemical that decreases in Parkinson’s patients. The medication can be added to a regimen consisting of levodopa/carbidopa to decrease off times. Four placebo-controlled clinical trials, which included more than 1,000 participants, demonstrated a significant decrease in “off ” time when Nourianz was added
Palouse
Seniors
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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.
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to levodopa/carbidopa. Levodopa is converted to dopamine in the brain. Carbidopa helps prevent the breakdown of levodopa before it can reach the brain and take effect. Parkinson’s patients can work with their doctors to find a regimen of drugs, therapy and support that may lessen their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
Palouse Seniors is an advertising supplement of the Lewiston Tribune and Moscow-Pullman Daily News
To advertise your business or service, contact Lisa-Smith Horner at lisa@lmtribune.com
PALOUSE SENIORS
Common warning signs of arthritis Courtesy of Metro Editorial
Arthritis has name recognition, even among people who are not suffering from it. But despite that recognition, arthritis is not as well understood as one might think. According to the Arthritis Foundation, arthritis is not a single disease, but rather an informal way of referring to joint pain or joint disease. In fact, the term ÒarthritisÓ is so wide-ranging that it actually refers to more than 100 types of conditions.
warm to the touch. The Arthritis Foundation advises anyone who experiences this swelling for three days or longer or more than three times per month to contact a physician.
3. STIFFNESS
This warning sign is, along with pain, the one that is most often associated with arthritis, even by people who donÕt suffer from the condition. Stiffness when waking up in the morning or after long periods of being sedentary, such Despite that complexity, arthritis as sitting at a desk during the workday or taking a long car ride, often produces four important warning signs, regardless of which can be symptomatic of arthritis, type of arthritis a person may have. especially if the stiffness lasts an hour or longer.
1. PAIN
The Arthritis Foundation notes that arthritis-related pain may be constant or intermittent. One common misconception about arthritis pain is that it only occurs during or shortly after a body is at rest. However, arthritis-related pain can occur while the body is at rest and is not always triggered by an activity that incorporates a part of the body affected by arthritis. In addition, pain from arthritis can be isolated to one area of the body or affect various parts of the body.
2. SWELLING Skin over the joints affected by arthritis may become red and swollen. This skin also may feel
Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune | May 23, 2020 | 3
4. DIFFICULTY MOVING A JOINT The Arthritis Foundation notes that people should not experience difficulty moving, such as when getting out of bed. People who experience such difficulty may have arthritis. People who recognize any of these warning signs should report them to their physicians immediately. Be as specific as possible when describing these symptoms, as specificity can help physicians design the most effective course of treatment.
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4 | May 23, 2020 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune
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How illnesses are stopped from spreading in nursing homes Courtesy of Metro Editorial
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Millions of elderly and incapacitated individuals find long-term care facilities are the safest places to reside and receive both medical care and assistance with daily living requirements. Nursing homes aim to keep residents safe and healthy, and in order to do so important precautions need to be taken not only by staff members, but by friends and family who visit their loved ones in nursing home facilities. Infectious diseases can spread easily through nursing homes if visitors are not careful. Age and compromised immune systems which are common among many people who live in longterm care facilities, elevate residents’ risk for disease. A nursing home outside of Seattle was the site of one of first cases of COVID-19 on American soil. As of early March 2020, thirteen residents of the facility contracted and died from COVID-19, an additional 11 deaths were being investigated but had not yet been attributed to the novel virus that dominated headlines. In many nursing homes, residents share rooms, and common areas are small, making residents vulnerable to infections that are transmitted from person to person, advises the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. And the open-door policy of many facilities can make it easy for diseases to find their way in. These pointers can help reduce the risk for disease transmission. • Visitors should not come into the facility if they have symptoms of respiratory infections or other illnesses that are easily transmissible.
• Employees should stay home if they are sick. • Good infection prevention and control techniques always should be implemented. These include cleaning hands before and after touching another resident. Cleaning and disinfecting environmental surfaces, removing soiled items, and wearing personal protective equipment is advised. • Residents, workers and visitors should practice proper cough and sneeze etiquette by coughing and sneezing into the crooks of their elbows rather than into their hands. • The CDC says alcohol-based hand rub should be available in every resident’s room. • Restrict residents with any contagious illnesses to their rooms. If they need to be moved for testing or other reasons, have them wear correct safety items, like facemasks. • Healthcare personnel who may work other jobs, such as those in other facilities, should exercise extreme caution after caring for an individual with an infectious disease. • Guests should wear gowns when visiting someone who has a virus or type of bacteria that can be transmitted through direct contact. Infectious diseases can be problematic in nursing home settings since residents are vulnerable due to their proximity to others, ages and potentially compromised immune systems.
PALOUSE SENIORS
Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune | May 23, 2020 | 5
6 ways to prevent falls around the house can affect anyone.
A broken bone may be a minor inconvenience for young people, but fractures are more serious for the elderly. As a result, seniors must take measures to protect themselves against falls. These steps can minimize risk at home.
3. Stick to sensible shoes. Sensible shoes fit properly and have sturdy, nonskid soles. Avoid walking around in slippers or even in stocking feet, which are much more slippery. 4. Store items within reach. Store items that are used frequently, such as dishes, in easily accessible cabinets and other locations. This prevents having to climb or reach for them.
5. Install more lighting. Poor visibility can contribute to falls. Lighting in hallways, stairways, bathrooms, and bedrooms - even 1. Remove if it is a small night light - can be tripping hazards. enough to light the way. Examine rooms and hallways for potential hazards, such as slippery throw Is it now more obvious rugs, floorboards that you have been that stick up, reading lips in order to loose carpeting, understand loved or furniture that ones? blocks walking paths. Remedy Now is the �me to get these hazards as help with your soon as possible. Address loose floorboards and/or hearing. place nonslip materials beneath rugs.
6. Reinforce your home’s exterior. Falls do not only occur inside. Inspect the perimeter of a property for uneven turf, holes or cracked or uneven patches of walkways. Make sure lighting is working at entryways, and check that exterior handrails are secure. Falls can cause serious injury or death, particularly for aging men and women. Simple fixes around the house can make things more secure and reduce the risk for falls.
Can You Read My Lips?
Courtesy of Metro Editorial
Despite all of the potential hazards around a house - from electrical issues to fire hazards to carbon monoxide - the National Home Security Alliance says that falls are the leading cause of death due to home accidents. Falls are responsible for one-third of all home-related fatalities. Although seniors are the group most affected by falls, these types of accidents
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2. Install grab bars or railings. Install grab bars in certain locations for extra stability or where someone may need leverage getting up from a seated position. They are particularly helpful near toilets and bathtubs and in stairways and hallways.
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6 | May 23, 2020 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune
PALOUSE SENIORS
When communication becomes difficult Courtesy of Metro Editorial
Trouble communicating with others can be a symptom of various disorders. Difficulty conveying words or emotions can be a condition of autism spectrum disorder, but quite frequently it occurs when a neurological injury affects the portion of the brain responsible for language. The National Aphasia Association states that aphasia is an impairment of language that affects the comprehension or the production of speech as well as the ability to read and write. Aphasia results from an injury to the brain, including head trauma, brain tumors, infections, and stroke.
The Cleveland Clinic notes a person with aphasia may experience difficulty speaking, writing, reading, and understanding language. Impairments can range from mild to very severe (nearly impossible to communicate). While aphasia may only affect one area of communication, usually limitations occur across many areas.
One of the more common symptoms of aphasia is wordfinding issues. This can be characterized by challenges remembering the names of people, events or things. Sometimes an individual may not be able to think of the word he or she wants to say. In other instances, that person may say the wrong word entirely, such as using “rope” for the word “ball.” The American Speech-LanguageHearing Association also states that it is common for someone with aphasia to switch sounds in words, like “wishdasher” for “dishwasher.” Often sentences are difficult to come by, and single words may be easier. Living with an illnes illness, a disability or growing Trouble communicating also older sometimes mean means being apart from our extends to a person with aphasia community and the people you know. COVID-19 has having challenges understanding made getting care, information, or supplies and connecting what others are saying, particularly with people even harder. when they speak fast or in long
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sentences. The situation may be exacerbated when it is noisy or a person is in a group setting.
aphasia, it also can create other language-related issues, such as weakness in the muscles that control the face or mouth or an inability to move the lips or tongue in the right way to make sounds. People with aphasia can benefit from working with a speechlanguage pathologist as early as possible. This professional can present many strategies to help manage deficits or potentially return some measure of communication. Augmentative and alternative communication, such as using images or a computer to tell what a person wants, may be options in more severe cases of aphasia.
Aphasia can affect anyone. Aphasia affects many people However, it is more common in and can rob them of the ability to those who are middle-aged and communicate effectively without older. The NAA says roughly 180,000 people are diagnosed with intervention. aphasia each year. Even though brain injury is a primary cause of
PALOUSE SENIORS
Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune | May 23, 2020 | 7
Identifying factors of perimenopause release an egg at all. Some women also experience menopause-like The female body is a medical symptoms, such as vaginal dryness, marvel. Not only does it have the capacity to operate and sustain its hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and own life, but a womanÕs body also mood swings. Many women know they’ve can conceive and sustain the life of reached menopause when a period another. has not occurred for 12 months. Various hormones, organs and the reproductive system as a whole But women may not be so certain help set females apart from males. when they are in perimenopause. The complex cocktail that enables a Here’s how to identify that this woman to reproduce will continue transitional period has begun. Courtesy of Metro Editorial
to evolve as she ages, until the body comes to a point when it begins to shut reproduction down once and for all. Menopause represents the curtain call of reproduction. But prior to that happening, women may start to see the first signs that their childbearing days are coming to a close.
• Periods begin to change. Menstrual periods might be heavy, light, long, or short. One of the most consistent characteristics of perimenopause is inconsistency, especially as it pertains to menstrual periods. Low-dose birth control pills may be able to keep women more regular.
Perimenopause is the period of time that comes between the consistent menstruation and fertility of reproductive years and menopause. It often is a time of transition that can bring with it a variety of symptoms. Franciscan Health says perimenopause can be a hormonal roller coaster that tends to begin when a woman is in her forties. However, some women notice changes as early as their mid-thirties.
• Fibroids or heavier bleeding: WebMD says that periods can become heavy during perimenopause due to a drop in the hormone progesterone. The lining of the uterus becomes thicker before it is shed. Others experience growths in the uterus known as fibroids.
Estrogen and progesterone hormones are the key players in a woman’s reproductive cycle. As these hormones rise and fall unevenly, women often notice their menstrual periods become longer or shorter. Some menstrual cycles may occur in which ovaries do not
• Hot flashes may start. Some women may experience flushing and sweating during the day or night. These flashes also may wake a person from sleep. • Mood changes: Mood swings, irritability or increased risk of depression can happen during perimenopause. These changes may stem from sleep disturbances or hormonal changes.
Perimenopause is a transitional period when the body begins to adjust to fluctuating hormones as it draws closer to a cessation in menstruation and fertility.
• Changes in sexual function. The Mayo Clinic says that, during perimenopause, sexual arousal and desire may change. This can affect intimate relationships with partners.
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8 | May 23, 2020 | Moscow-Pullman Daily News & Lewiston Tribune
What causes cataracts? Courtesy of Metro Editorial
When a brand new car is driven off a dealership lot, its plastic headlight lenses are clear and pristine. Over time, due to contaminants in the environment and oxidation from ultraviolet rays, those same lenses can become cloudy, yellow and opaque. Cloudy headlights can decrease visibility and potentially put drivers at risk. Similar scenarios sometimes unfold involving the human eye. Starting around age 40, proteins in the eye may begin to break down and cause lenses to become cloudy. UV rays can be damaging to the eyes and contribute to this natural protein degradation. While pronounced vision problems may not occur immediately, the American
PALOUSE SENIORS
• Cortical cataract: This cataract is characterized by opacities that are white and wedge-like, which form on the periphery of the lens. Eventually they work to the center in a spoke-like fashion. Cortical cataracts can result from aging. Symptoms of cataracts often can be slow to form, so people may not even notice they have cataracts until they start Academy of Ophthalmology says to block light, while others may learn vision can be impaired later in life. The of their presence during vision exams. organization All About Vision states Cataracts may cause vision that is filmy, cataracts are the most common cause of blurry or foggy, indicates WebMD. vision loss in people over age 40 and also In older adults, nearsightedness may are the principal cause of blindness in the be attributed to cataracts. Glare, both world. during the day and at night, also may Unprotected exposure to the sun is Cataracts form in various regions affect vision due to cataracts. Double just one contributor to cataracts. Certain depending on the cause, according to vision or changes in the way one sees medical problems, such as diabetes, also AAV. color can be symptoms of cataracts as can cause cataracts. An eye injury, eye • Subcapsular cataract: A subcapsular well. surgery or radiation treatments on the cataract occurs at the back of the lens. Eye professionals can diagnose upper body also can cause cataracts, as People with diabetes or those who take cataracts and make recommendations on can corticosteroids, advises the AAO. high doses of steroid medications have the course of treatment. Cataract removal Congenital cataracts, which occur when a greater risk of developing this type of surgery is highly effective. More than 95 infants are born with cataracts, may cataract. percent of people who have undergone be caused by infection, injury or poor the surgery experience improvements. • Nuclear cataract: Th is cataract development in the womb; otherwise, Such surgeries are often performed on an forms in the central zone of the lens and they can form in childhood. outpatient basis. is often associated with aging.
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