MARCH 2017
plus! The magazine for active, mature lifestyles
9 PAGE
Vitamins: More than just a pill a day
50
JIM MILLER
Syndicated columnist, NBC Today contributor & creator of SavvySenior.org
plus!
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
Also, has your mom had any fender-benders or tickets lately, or have you noticed any dents or scrapes on her vehicle? These, too, are red 2 The Savvy Senior: flags. How to help older drivers give up the For more assessment tips, see car keys SeniorDriverChecklist.info. If you need help with this, 3 Sheboygan Pearl consider hiring a driver Harbor survivor dies rehabilitation specialist 4 ADRC: ‘Healthy who’s trained to evaluate Living with Diabetes’ older drivers. This typically class to start runs between $100 and $200. Dear Savvy Senior, Visit AOTA.org/older-driver 6 Heart keeps pumping with What tips can you recommend that can help me deal or ADED.net to locate a squeeze from with my mom’s bad driving? At age 83, her driving specialist in your area. robotic sleeve abilities have declined, but I know she’s bound and TRANSITIONING AND 7 Games, crafts could determined to keep driving as long as she’s alive. — TALKING After your assessment, if you help safeguard aging Nervous Nelly think it’s still safe for your brains Dear Nelly, mom to drive, see if she would There’s no doubt that giving up driving can be 8 Puzzles be willing to take an older a tough step for many elderly seniors, as well 9 ON THE COVER: as a difficult conversation for concerned family driver refresher course. These courses will show Vitamins: More members. her how aging affects driving than just a pill a While there’s no one way to handle this skills, and offers tips and day sometimes touchy topic, there are a number of adjustments to help ensure her tips and resources that can help you evaluate 10 Puzzle Answers safety. and adjust your mom’s driving, and ease her 11 Wisconsin nursing out from behind the wheel when she can no Taking a class may also earn your mom a discount on her homes phasing out longer drive safely. auto insurance. use of alarms ASSESS HER DRIVING To locate a class, contact your To get a clear picture of your mom’s driving local AAA or AARP. Most abilities, your first step – if you haven’t already courses cost around $20 to $30 done so – is to take a ride with her and watch and can be taken online or in a for problem areas. classroom. STAFF For example: Does she drive at inappropriate If, however, your assessment Brandon Reid, editor speeds, tailgate or drift between lanes? Does shows that your mom really Herald Times Reporter 920-686-2984 she have difficulty seeing, backing up or does need to stop driving, breid@manitowoc.gannett.com changing lanes? you need to have a talk with 50 Plus! is published monthly by the Does she react slowly, get confused easily or her, but don’t overdo it. If Herald Times Reporter Media. It also is distributed to select businesses make poor driving decisions? you begin with a dramatic in Manitowoc County.
INSIDE
How to help older drivers give up the car keys
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outburst like “mom, you’re going to kill someone!” you’re likely to trigger resistance. Start by simply expressing your concern for her safety. For more tips about how to talk to your mom about this, the Hartford Financial Services Group and MIT AgeLab offers a variety of helpful publications including the “We Need To Talk: Family Conversations with Older Drivers” guidebook. REFUSES TO QUIT If your mom refuses to quit, you have several options. One possible solution is to suggest a visit to her doctor who can give her a medical evaluation, and if warranted, “prescribe” that she stops driving. Older people will often listen to their doctor before they will listen to their own family. If she still refuses, contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles to see if they can help. Or, call in an attorney to discuss with your mom the potential financial and legal consequences of a crash or injury. If all else fails, you may just have to take away her keys. ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION Once your mom stops driving, she’s going to need other ways to get around, so help her create a list of names and phone numbers of family, friends and local transportation services she can call on. To find out what transportation services are available in her area, contact Rides in Sight and the Eldercare Locator (800-677-1116), which will direct you to her area agency on aging for assistance. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.
Sheboygan Pearl Harbor survivor dies Stuart ‘Bud’ Sweeney died Jan. 28
PHILLIP BOCK
USA TODAY NETWORK-WISCONSIN
SHEBOYGAN - Stuart “Bud” Sweeney, the last known Pearl Harbor survivor in Sheboygan County, died Jan. 28. Sweeney, 94, graduated from Plymouth High school in 1940 before enlisting in the Army Air Corps in November of the same year. He was stationed at Wheeler Field in Hawaii at the time of the Pearl Harbor attack. “We had no idea that they were going to hit Pearl Harbor,” Sweeney recalled last December on the 75th anniversary of the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor. “We knew we were at war when the first bomb hit Wheeler Airfield. It was at 7:37, because I looked at my watch. I was in the middle of the street.” Sweeney was working as an airline mechanic on Dec. 7 in 1941. “It was important to serve his country, especially in 1941 when the (Japanese) attacked. At the legion post, he always said, ‘It’s not about me, it’s about the guys that never survived,’” Ed Schroeder, a friend of Sweeney’s, said. “He was very humble.” Schroeder recounted a story “Bud” used to tell about Pearl Harbor. On the day of the attack, Sweeney was resupplying fighter pilots in P-40s Warhawk’s with 30 caliber ammunition. One particular pilot had asked for 50 caliber ammunition, which his plane was not set up for. “The pilot said, ‘Quick, put some 50 caliber in there,’ and Bud started thinking and said, ‘Is this plane even synchronized for 50 caliber?’ If he would have flew and tried to shoot the 50 calibers, it would have shot his own
prop off and he would have crashed,” Schroeder said. “The bullets have to be synchronized to go in between the blades.” Sweeney spent four years in the South Pacific during World War II. His last combat was on the island of Saipan. He was discharged in 1945. “I’m a Vietnam vet, so when I got my orders, I only had 12 months and then I would come back,” Schroeder said. “When he got into it, it was for the duration. With Bud, it was years he spent fighting in the South Pacific.” Bud was a lifetime member of the Ladewig-Zinkgraf American Legion Post 243 of Plymouth, serving as commander for three years. Sweeney said he feared people would forget what the nation endured on Dec. 7, 1941, so every year on Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, he joined other area veterans to pay tribute to the lives lost. “It’s about remembrance of those who weren’t lucky enough and got hit. I want to keep it alive as long as I can,” Sweeney said in a 2010 interview. Sweeney received military honors at his funeral last Wednesday, Feb. 1. “I was on the honor squad and presented the flag to his son,” Schroeder said. “I’ve known Bud for years. You know you have to get through it, but it was tough.” Sweeney enjoyed flying as a private pilot, playing golf, and spending time with family and friends, according to his obituary. He was preceded in death by his wife Pat, his parents, and infant sister, Ellen. “He was a great man to know. I always looked up to Bud and respected him,” Schroeder said. “He was very humble.”
Pearl Harbor survivor Stuart “Bud” Sweeney, shown here in Plymouth at Pearl Harbor ceremony Dec. 7, 2016, died Jan. 28. (Gary C. Klein/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)
-Think Spring-
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50 plus! . MARCH 2017 .
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ADRC
Aging and Disability Resource Center
‘Healthy Living with Diabetes’ class to start BY CATHY LEY
the camaraderie of being with each other, knowing they are not alone in how they’re feeling.
The Aging & Disability Resource Center of the Lakeshore, along with Holy Family Memorial Health Care, will offer a “Healthy Living with Diabetes” class beginning March 6.
Attendance at all six sessions is highly encouraged, as each class builds upon previous skills acquired.
Aging and Disability Resource Center of the Lakeshore director
Holy Family Memorial’s Harbor Town Campus will host the class beginning March 6 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. The series will conclude April 10. You must sign up for the entire series. Class size is limited, and individuals wanting to participate should call promptly. ‘Healthy Living with Diabetes’ is a six-week series that meets for two-anda-half hours each week. This program was designed by Stanford University for people with diabetes or pre-diabetes and their caregivers, and is based on the Living Well With a Chronic Condition curriculum. During the workshop, participants receive support from trained leaders and other workshop participants, learn practical ways to manage their pain and fatigue, learn about reading food labels, planning low-fat meals, preventing low blood sugar, exercise options, foot care, learn better ways to communicate about their conditions with doctors and family members, explore problem-solving skills and practice goal-setting. The goal is to help people better manage their diabetes and deal with the frustration, fatigue and pain that can accompany diabetes. Participants also benefit from meeting other people in the same situations, learning how they cope and enjoying
A $10 registration fee is collected at the first class to help to defray the cost of the textbook provided. The class itself is free. Class size is limited. Call soon, as this class will fill quickly. For more about this program and to register, call Lynn Scheinoha at the Aging & Disability Resource Center of the Lakeshore at 920-683-5110.
Memory Café Have you heard about the Lakeshore Memory Café?
munity Committee – a partnership of many local organizations who have joined together to make Manitowoc County more dementia friendly. For more information about the program, or if you would like to volunteer for the committee, call Kim Jacquart Franzen at 877-416-7083.
Memory Cafés welcome those experiencing early stage dementia, mild memory loss or cognitive impairment, and family and friends of those affected. It’s a great opportunity for lively discussions, information gathering, refresh- Alzheimer Family Caregiver Supments, camaraderie and lots of creative port Program available fun. The Alzheimer’s Family Caregiver Support Program was created by the We have a dementia specialist proWisconsin Legislature in 1985 in refessional on hand to answer questions, sponse to the stress and service needs and an enormous wealth of experience of families caring at home for someone among participants to be shared. with irreversible dementia. Upcoming sessions will be from 10 to To be eligible, a person must have a 11:30 a.m. both March 1 and April 5 at diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or a Manitowoc Public Library. related disorder, and be financially eliMarch’s theme is Exercise Bingo. Let’s gible. get moving and work out for a chance to Funds for the AFCSP program are win at bingo. Win a prize and get fit at the same time. April will feature a spe- made available in each county to assist cial guest from the Wisconsin Maritime individuals to purchase services and Museum who will share some maritime goods related to the care of someone heritage of the Great Lakes. with Alzheimer’s disease. Up to $4,000 Lakeshore Memory Cafés are a pro- per person may be available. gram of the Dementia Friendly Com-
Allowable services are those that are
necessary to maintain a person with Alzheimer’s disease in the community. Typical services have included in-home help, respite care, adult day care and transportation. Goods provided have included nutritional supplements, security systems, specialized clothing, incontinent products, home-delivered meals, home adaptation and specialized equipment. The asset limits are as follow: a couple may have a joint income of $40,000 or less, but if a couple’s income is more than $48,000, the costs related to Alzheimer’s can be subtracted from the gross income. If the net income is less than $40,000, the couple would be eligible. Assets are not counted for this program. Only the income produced by the assets would count toward the $48,000 limit. To find out more about this program, contact the ADRC of the Lakeshore at 920-683-4180 or toll-free, 1-877-4167083.
CMS revises nursing home rules The following information is provided by the Greater Wisconsin Agency for DIABETES CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
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DIABETES
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4
Aging Resources, Inc. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services revised federal rules that impact long-term care facilities and its residents. The rules had not been comprehensively reviewed or updated since 1991. Accordingly, CMS reviewed and revised the rules in an effort to improve both the quality of healthcare furnished through federal programs and patient safety, while at the same time reducing procedural burdens on providers. Three phases of implementation are planned for the revised rules. Phase 1 regulations have an implementation date of Nov. 28, 2016. Although one of the requirements under the revision banned the use of arbitration agreements in admission documents to nursing homes, that rule has been challenged and the ban is on hold. Here are highlights of the requirements now in effect:
Making the nursing home feel must now get copies of any involuntary discharges so the situation can be remore like home: The regulations say that residents are entitled to alternative meals and snacks at non-traditional times or outside of scheduled meal times. A resident can also choose his or her own roommate and has the right to receive visitors of his or her choosing at the time of his or her choosing – so long as the visit does not infringe on another resident’s rights.
viewed as soon as possible.
Bolstering grievance procedures:
Ensuring a qualified staff:
Expanding protection from abuse: The definition of abuse now includes financial exploitation. Nursing homes are prohibited from hiring any licensed professional who has received a disciplinary action because of abuse, neglect, mistreatment, or financial exploitation of residents.
Nursing homes must now appoint an Facilities must have enough skilled official who will handle complaints and and competent staff to meet residents’ follow a strengthened grievance pro- needs. There are also specific training cess. Decisions must be in writing. requirements for caring for residents with dementia and for preventing elder Challenging discharges: Residents can no longer be discharged abuse. while appealing the discharge. They Medicare now pays to manage cannot be discharged for non-payment chronic care if they have applied for Medicaid or Previously, if a doctor oversaw a paother insurance, are waiting for a pay- tient’s transition from the hospital to ment decision, or appealed a claim de- a nursing home, followed up with a nial. patient between visits, took longer to A state’s long-term-care ombudsman assess cognitive impairments, or coor-
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Heart keeps pumping with squeeze from robotic sleeve Device in early stages, tested in pigs LAURAN NEERGAARD Associated Press
ditions becomes progressively weaker and unable to pump properly.
WASHINGTON - Scientists are developing a robotic sleeve that can encase a flabby diseased heart and gently squeeze to keep it pumping.
For severe cases, the only options are a scarce heart transplant or battery-powered mechanical pumps that are implanted into the chest to take over the job of pumping blood. These VADs, ventricular assist devices, prolong life, but running blood through the machinery can leave patients at risk of blood clots, strokes and bleeding.
So far it’s been tested only in animals, improving blood flow in pigs. But this “soft robotic” device mimics the natural movements of a beating heart, a strategy for next-generation treatments of deadly heart failure.
That shouldn’t be a risk with the robotic sleeve.
The key: A team from Harvard University and Boston Children’s Hospital wound artificial muscles into the thin silicone sleeve, so that it alternately compresses, twists and relaxes in synchrony with the heart tissue underneath.
“The nice thing about this is it can go on the outside of the heart, so it doesn’t have to contact blood at all,” said Harvard associate engineering professor Conor Walsh, senior author of the research published Wednesday.
It’s a dramatically different approach than today’s therapies and, if it eventually is proven in people, it might offer an alternative to heart transplants or maybe even aid in recovery.
Unlike with traditional rigid medical devices, the soft robotics approach allowed design of a sleeve that could fit snugly over a heart’s irregular surfaces. It moves thanks to artificial muscles, a concept developed in the polio era that’s now being used in robotics. They’re powered by pressurized air that would have to be carried in a pump in a backpack or fanny pack much like the batteries that power today’s VADs.
“You can customize the function of the assist device to meet the individual needs of that heart,” said Dr. Frank Pigula, a cardiac surgeon who, while at Boston Children’s, took the idea to Harvard colleagues developing soft robotics. More than 5million Americans, and 41million people worldwide, suffer heart failure, a number growing as the population ages. A heart left damaged by a heart attack, high blood pressure or other con-
6 . MARCH 2017 . 50 plus!
The researchers programmed the robotic sleeve to move in the same pattern as the weakened heart muscle it surrounds while strengthening and optimizing each heartbeat. The device can be tailored to compress different sections of the heart.
A pig’s heart is encased in a robotic sleeve designed to gently squeeze a diseased heart so it better pumps blood. Researchers developed the experimental device in hopes of improving treatment of heart failure. (Ellen Rouche/Harvard University via AP)
And importantly, as the sleeve relaxes, it helps the damaged heart better expand and refill with blood ready to be pumped out with the next heartbeat, said Pigula, who is now with the University of Louisville. The big test: The sleeve restored normal blood flow in six pigs that had been put into heart failure, Walsh’s team reported in the journal Science Translational Medicine.
The experiments were short, lasting only a few hours, and more research to test how long animals could live safely with the implanted sleeve is crucial before it ever could be studied in people, Walsh cautioned. “I’m quite impressed with where this research is going,” said Dr. Christopher O’Connor, chief executive of the Inova Heart and Vascular Institute in suburban Washington, who wasn’t involved with the sleeve’s development.
Games, crafts could help safeguard aging brains Research suggests simple activities stave off mental decline LINDSEY TANNER Associated Press CHICAGO - Even in your 70s and beyond, simple activities including web-surfing, playing bridge and socializing can stave off mental decline, new research says. Benefits were greatest in computer users and in those without a gene variation linked with Alzheimer’s disease. But even among seniors with that trait, mental decline that sometimes precedes dementia was less common among those who engaged in mindstimulating activities. The results don’t apply to costly, computer-based games that purport to keep the brain sharp — those were not studied. The benefits were found from activities to which many seniors have access. “They don’t have to spend their life savings” on fancy gadgets, said Dr. Yonas Geda, the study’s senior author and a neurologist at the Mayo Clinic’s Scottsdale, Arizona, campus.
Don’t neglect that weekly bridge game: Research published Jan. 30 suggests that simple activities like playing cards can help stave off mental decline. (Jean Pieri/Pioneer Press via AP)
other types of dementia. Almost 2,000 adults ages 70 to 93 without any memory problems participated. They lived in Minnesota’s Olm-
The study was published Jan. 30 in the journal JAMA Neurology. The researchers noted that the statistical link they found with reduced risk does not prove the activities were responsible.
sted County, where the Mayo Clinic in
Still, said Heather Snyder of the Alzheimer’s Association, the results support the idea that “being engaged mentally is good for brain health.”
and, if so, how often. They were tested
The study looked at five types of activities that are thought to help keep the mind sharp: computer use, making crafts, playing games including chess or bridge, going to movies or other types of socializing, and reading books. The idea was to see if these activities could help prevent mild cognitive impairment. That condition involves problems with memory, thinking and attention that don’t interfere much with daily life but increase risks for developing Alzheimer’s disease and
Rochester is located. They were asked whether they had engaged in any of the five activities during the previous year for the condition in mental exams at the beginning and every 15 months for
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about four years. During that time, 456 study participants developed the mild impairment. Analysis found a protective effect from each activity except for reading books. Study participants who engaged in any of the other activities at least once weekly were 20 percent to 30 percent less likely to develop the condition over the four years than those who never did those activities.
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CROSSWORD
SUDOKU 29 30 31 33 34 35 36 38 39 40 41
ACROSS 1 Amigo of Fidel 4 Billboards 7 Renown 11 Embrace
12 Grouch 14 “-- do for now” 15 Romantic phrase (3 wds.) 17 Enjoy the hammock 18 Bungalow
19 21 22 23 26
Fishing nets Spanish hero El -Groupie Spring bloomer Goal
Culture dish goo Toe woe Telegraph signal URL ending Lo-cal Zilch Stubble removers No longer wild PC button Cries of pain Wooden container 44 Piece of china 48 Sandwich cookie 49 Levels 51 Office assistant 52 Took to court 53 Fleur-de- -HOW TO PLAY: Each row, column and set of 3-by-3 boxes must 54 Back talk contain the numbers 1 through 9 without repetition. 55 JAMA readers 35 Twangy, as a voice 13 Rider’s charge (2 56 ABA mem. wds.) 37 Nulls 16 Bishop’s deputy DOWN 38 Nubby woolens 20 Accrue interest 1 Elegant 40 Significant - 23 Fond du - 2 Luau dance 41 Jungle crushers 3 Freud’s concerns 24 Inventor -- Sikorsky 42 “La Traviata” 25 Dalai - 4 Mild acid highlight 26 Tykes 5 Tree nymph 43 Cincinnati team 27 Party-tray cheese 6 -- Paulo 45 Burger mate 28 Ocean motion 7 Grinding down 46 Apartment 30 Hoops 8 Nefertiti’s god 47 Library sound 9 Mme.’s daughter 32 Youngster 10 Plumbing bends
34 Fail to win
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Vitamins: More than just a pill a day Reading the fine print can help maximize benefits without spending a ton
SHELBY LE DUC USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin GREEN BAY - One look down the vitamin aisle proves the world of vitamins is a crazy, colorful mess with seemingly endless options and varying price tags. The National Institutes of Health estimates the vitamin and dietary supplement industry accounts for $37 billion in sales each year.
For many people, vitamins and other supplements have become a part of their daily routine. Since everyone’s body works differently, though, how can consumers know they’re taking the right amount and not needlessly spending money on excessive supplements? Here are some tips from local medical professionals on how consumers can get the vitamins they need without wasting money.
GET THE GOOD STUFF
This is a case where it actually pays to spend a little more.
Kristen Lindgren, functional medical physician at Prevea Health in Ashwaubenon, said people who take vitamins should invest in those that are pharmaceutical grade. “I only recommend pharmaceutical grade supplements,” Lindgren said. “They are great in their potency and
actually contain what the bottle says.” Pharmaceutical grade vitamins are more than 99 percent pure with no binders, fillers, dyes or other added substances. Polly Anderson, pharmacy supervisor at Aurora BayCare Medical Center, said some store grade vitamins contain only about 20 percent of the vitamin specified on the label. VITAMINS CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
50 plus! . MARCH 2017 .
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VITAMINS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9
Pharmaceutical grade supplements don’t require a prescription. However, because they are higher quality, they are usually more expensive. She added, though, sometimes supplements that don’t even meet the pharmacy standards can still be pretty pricey. So, consumers wanting to get their money’s worth, should thoroughly read the label on vitamin bottles before hitting the check-out counter. Also note that any pharmaceutical grade vitamin should also be certified by the U.S. Pharmacopeal Convention. The USP is a scientific, nonprofit organization that sets federally recognized standards of quality for medicines, dietary supplements and foods.
CONSIDER THE TIMING Lindgren said there may be some truth to the idea that taking several different vitamins all at once reduces their effectiveness, but
it ultimately depends on the individual Lindgren said taking too many vitaand their lifestyle, including things such mins, especially fat soluble vitamins A, as eating and exercise schedules. D, E, and K, can lead to nausea, upset Anderson said certain supplements stomach, headache, neurological probare more effective if they’re taken at lems and vitamin toxicity. specific times throughout the day.
Other signs of excessive vitamin usage include difficulty sleeping or conProbiotics are best taken on an empty centrating, and irritability, Anderson stomach. It helps to minimize stomach said. acid and prolong the life of the microorganisms used to promote digestive Consumers should also watch doses health. of water soluble vitamins, such as B, C Taking this first thing in the morning and folic acid. The issue is not adverse health affects, but cost. before breakfast is the way to go. On the other hand, multivitamins, Bcomplex, E and C vitamins should be taken with a meal to help with absorption and dissolution, Anderson said. These common vitamins are generally OK to take together. It shouldn’t affect their effectiveness.
KNOW THE RIGHT AMOUNT
Lindgren said the body can digest or absorb only a certain amount of those nutrients. The rest is eliminated through urination. The best way consumers can ensure they’re not flushing vitamins down toilet is to only take the recommended dose listed on the label.
Overall, there isn’t an issue with takAlthough everyone’s body is differing a variety of vitamins at the same ent, Anderson said the government’s time. The problem is making sure not recommended average daily intake to take too much of any of them. level is applicable about 97 percent of healthy people.
Some Decisions are TOO IMPORTANT to be Rushed
KNOW WHAT’S MOST IMPORTANT With so many choices, brands and stores, choosing the right vitamins can seem like an impossible feat. Lindgren suggests those looking for an easy answer or to simply take the
ANSWERS
It just makes sense to prepare for the inevitable while emotions are at rest and heads are clear. Pre-planning Specialist Mike Jarzin is available to answer your questions and provide the guidance you need to make educated decisions. Call Mike today to set up an appointment.
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FROM PAGE 8
bare minimum should get four things: a multivitamin, a probiotic, vitamin D and an omega 3. She said these four supplements are sold everywhere and when taken regularly contribute good overall health.
BE REALISTIC AND WHEN IN DOUBT, ASK Both Lindgren and Anderson said consumers should not depend solely on supplements. “A balanced diet is ideally where everyone’s vitamins should come from,” she said. Lindgren added people shouldn’t get into the habit of just taking one multivitamin. She said the components of vitamins are much too large and complex to actually fit into a single capsule. Thus, those swearing by their one vitamin a day are likely not getting everything they think they need. Consumers concerned about vitamin intake and effects on health should consult their doctor, especially those first starting out in the world of vitamins supplements. sleduc@greenbay.gannett.com Like’ Shelby Le Duc on Facebook and follow her on Twitter @pgshelbyleduc
Wisconsin nursing homes phasing out use of alarms Increase in attentive care producing better results than safety devices
BRYNA GODAR Associated Press MADISON - Alarms no longer go off when a resident shifts in bed or rises from a wheelchair at Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge in Madison. Nurses no longer place fall mats next to beds or lower beds to the floor when residents sleep. The changes are part of a nationwide movement to phase out personal alarms and other long-used fall prevention measures in favor of more proactive, attentive care. Without alarms, nurses have to better learn residents’ routines and accommodate their needs before they try to stand up and do it themselves. “We’re putting alarms on residents so we can forget about them,” said Jenna Heim, director of nursing at Oakwood Village Prairie Ridge.
The use of bed and chair alarms proliferated in the 1990s, when physical restraints were banned, and are intended to go off when a resident’s weight shifts, indicating they may be trying to stand without assistance. But a growing body of evidence indicates alarms and other measures, such as fall mats and lowered beds, do little to prevent falls and can instead contribute to falls by startling residents, creating an uneven floor surface and instilling complacency in staff. Nursing professionals, advocates and regulators say such alarms will likely be phased out almost entirely within a few years, though a spokesman for the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said there’s no timeline for any formal, widespread changes. Some staff and family members have been hesitant to let go of the alarms, wor-
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rying the change will lead to an increase in falls. “What we really need to do is understand why that individual is wanting to get up in the first place,” said Joan Devine, director of education at the Pioneer Network, which is pushing for national changes. There isn’t clear data on how many Wisconsin facilities have gone alarm-free, but a letter from Lasata Senior Living Campus north of Milwaukee notifying families about its own transition to being alarm-free says it’s one of only a few facilities left in the state that haven’t made any changes. About 1,800 older adults living in nursing homes die each year from fall-related injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Research
shows a reduction in falls at long-term care facilities that discontinued the use of the alarms and tailored fall prevention for individuals — things like altering bathroom schedules, room rearrangements or more mental stimulation.
At the Jewish Rehabilitation Center for the North Shore in Massachusetts, the Massachusetts Peer Review Organization found a 32 percent reduction in falls for the unit in the final quarter of 2005 as it went alarm-free, compared to the average number of falls for the first three quarters of 2005.
At a long-term care facility in Ohio for those with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, researchers also found a decrease in the rate of falls and staff members reported a “calmer, more pleasant environment.”
at Felician Village The Gardens at Felician Village offers independent living in beautiful condos or apartments for those 55 years or better. Residents enjoy a thriving lifestyle with our: Dynamic programming Three restaurants on-campus Woodworking shop Exercise classes and fitness room Dedicated chapel with daily Catholic mass and weekly Lutheran and Protestant services Salon and massage therapy Affordability
Call today for a tour! (920) 684-7171, ext. 409 WI-5002089070
1700 S. 18th St. Manitowoc felicianvillage.org 50 plus! . MARCH 2017 .
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A NEW Era In Senior Living Dawns! Shady Lane, Inc. – is Changing!
Visit us on Facebook www.shadylaneinc.com
Our 3-Phase Plan will evolve our campus into a modern senior living community sensitive to Manitowoc’s needs. The first step of this change is a
NEW Assisted Living Building
that adds accommodations to Laurel Grove Assisted Living
Our dedicated rehabilitation center is goal-centered. We want to send you home -- but we want to send you home healthier and ready to resume your life. Smart Healing is a program centered on activities and diet that works to achieve that goal.
Privacy when you want it, help when you need it. Independence is important to healthy living. Healthy living sometimes calls for someone to help at times, to be there so you’re not alone. We provide nutritious and delicious meals, activities, cleaning and laundry service as well as companionship. Secure memory care is also available.
All rooms at Shady Lane are private and have private bathroom facilities. Suites, an exclusive feature at Shady Lane Skilled Care, offer more room for residents and their families. Our staff of professional nurses and caregivers reflect the values of Shady Lane giving compassionate care. Hospice care is available.
For information contact: Theresa Patrick, Community Relations Director, 920-682-8254 WI-5002089072
12 . MARCH 2017 . 50 plus!
Shady Lane, Inc. / 1235 South 24th Street / Manitowoc, WI