Senior Living Estate Planning
Do I need a Living Trust?
Medication Mismanagement can be prevented
Understanding Dementia
a key to compassionate care
2017 Special Supplement to Log Cabin Democrat | thecabin.net 1
Senior Living 2017
MEDICATION MISMANAGEMENT CAN BE PREVENTED Medication management is an important issue for seniors and their families.
Failure to properly manage medications can threaten the lives of seniors, highlighting the emphasis families must place on ensuring seniors take their medications in strict adherence to their physicians’ instructions. Polypharmacy, or the taking of multiple medications for different conditions, can be a potential health hazard for the thousands of seniors who must manage health conditions with prescription drugs. Harmful drug interactions are a result of the confusion that can arise when seniors take multiple medications at the same time. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists estimates that more than 34 percent of senior citizens are prescribed medications by more than one physician, and 72 percent use medications they were prescribed more than six months prior. Many people also have begun pharmacy shopping to save money. According to a study published in 2010 in American Nurse Today, 44 percent of men and 57 percent of women older than age 65 take five or more medications per week, with some taking as many as 10. Medication confusion is one risk, but older adults also metabolize medications differently than young people. As a result, they may be more susceptible to overdose or other ill effects. Families looking to help seniors effectively manage their medications should consider the following tips. • Keep a running list of medications. Maintain a list of all medications being taken, noting both prescription and over-the-counter medications and
any supplements and herbs. Provide a copy to any new doctors you visit and any new pharmacies you patronize. • Use pill sorters. Medication sorters can keep medications organized and eliminate some of the personal error in medication management. Organizers have daily slots and may also differentiate between nighttime and daytime medications. • Understand why each medication is being prescribed. Ask your pharmacist and doctor to explain why each medication is prescribed. This information should be printed on the prescription label. Some drugs designed for one symptom may actually be used to treat other issues as well. • Ask for help. Some seniors may benefit from friendly reminders from a loved one regarding when to take certain medications, especially if they
need to take multiple doses throughout the day. Cognitively impaired seniors may require the services of a visiting nurse or another caregiver. • Recognize that not all medications are right for seniors. The American Geriatrics Society maintains a list of medications that older adults should avoid or take with extreme caution. Some drugs pose a high risk of side effects or interactions, while others are less effective. Discuss alternatives with your physician if you are prescribed one of these medications. • Keep a medication diary. Record any side effects that occur and how the medications make you feel. Always bring up issues promptly with a doctor. Proper medication management can help seniors avoid drug-related accidents or worse. Log Cabin Democrat | thecabin.net 3
Understanding dementia a key to compassionate care Alzheimer’s disease is one of the more prominent forms of dementia.
Alzheimer’s disease is one of the more prominent forms of dementia, but there are many additional types of dementia that also can cause both physical and cognitive alterations. Understanding the complexity of dementia can be beneficial to both dementia sufferers and their caregivers. Dementia is a general term used to define a decline in mental ability severe enough that it can interfere with daily life, offers the Alzheimer’s Association. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. Dementia is not a disease but a term used to describe a wide range of symptoms. The words senility and dementia often are incorrectly used interchangeably. However, serious mental decline is not a normal part of aging. Dementia presents itself through various symptoms, and memory loss alone is not enough to lead to a dementia diagnosis. Dementia can affect thinking and social abilities, but the Mayo Clinic notes that some dementias may be reversible. The following are some common symptoms of dementia:
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• Trouble communicating or finding words. • Difficulty completing complex tasks. • Challenges with planning and organization. • Episodes of confusion and disorientation. • Memory loss, which is often noticed by a third party. • Personality changes that can include agitation, anxiety, inappropriate behavior and even hallucinations. Apart from Alzheimer’s disease, which is a progressive disorder most common in people age 65 and older, there are other types of dementia. The second most common is called “vascular dementia.” This results from damage to vessels that supply blood to the brain. This damage can be the result of stroke, smoking and other blood vessel conditions. Brain imaging can often detect blood vessel problems implicated in vascular dementia. Dementia with Lewy bodies, or DLB, is another dementia that lay-
men may mistake for Alzheimer’s disease. The Alzheimer’s Association notes that people with DLB often have not only memory loss and cognitive problems common in Alzheimer’s, but they also display initial or early symptoms such as sleep disturbances, well-formed visual hallucinations, slowness, gait imbalance or other Parkinsonian movement features, which can lead to misdiagnosis. If physicians suspect dementia was caused by various factors, a person may be diagnosed with mixed dementia. Unfortunately, there are no cures for progressive dementias that are linked to plaque tangles in the brain and changes in the way the brain processes the protein alpha-synuclein. Patience and various medications may be needed to help those with dementia live fuller lives. Cholinesterase inhibitors are mainstays in dementia treatment. These medications prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger important for learning and memory. Acetylcholine supports communication among nerve cells by keeping acetylcholine levels high. Physical therapy and cognitive therapy may be used in conjunction with medication to assist those with various dementias. Helping individuals with dementia remain comfortable is a priority for caregivers, and understanding the symptoms and treatments can help caregivers make patients and loved ones as comfortable as possible.
Arthritis linked to another condition What is psoriatic arthritis?
People who see dermatologists for the skin condition psoriasis should not take the presence of joint aches and pains lightly, as the two things might be connected. The National Psoriasis Foundation notes that psoriasis is a precursor to psoriatic arthritis in 30 percent of patients. What is psoriatic arthritis? Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that affects the rate of skin cell reproduction. People with psoriasis may experience redness, itchiness and raised bumps (plaques) of skin on various areas of their bodies. Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic form of arthritis that typically occurs in people with skin psoriasis, but also can be present in those without the skin condition, but particularly among those who have relatives with psoriasis. The American College of Rheumatology says that psoriatic arthritis typically affects the large joints, especially the lower extremities, distal joints of the fingers and toes and the back and sacroiliac joints of the pelvis. Early recognition, diagnosis and treatment of psoriatic arthritis are crucial to relieving inflammation and preventing permanent joint damage. SYMPTOMS Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis can develop gradually or quickly, and some symptoms can be severe. NPF indicates that common symptoms of psoriatic arthritis include • morning stiffness and tiredness; • tenderness, pain and swelling over tendons; • swollen fingers and toes;
• reduced range of motion; • nail changes, including pitting, and redness and pain in the eyes. Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis are similar to rheumatoid arthritis, gout and reactive arthritis. Doctors will rule out other symptoms that may be indicative of those conditions. The American College of Rheumatology also indicates that psoriatic arthritis is typically blood test negative. The diagnosis is typically made by a rheumatologist after reviewing a clinical history and performing a physical exam.
TREATMENT Doctors will need to assess symptoms before deciding on a course of treatment. Mild cases may respond to overthe-counter, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen. However, antirheumatic drugs and newer biologic drugs may be prescribed to treat more aggressive cases of psoriatic arthritis. Corticosteroid injections can be useful for swollen joints, and surgery may be necessary to repair badly damaged joints. Individuals who suspect their arthritis may be linked to psoriasis can first speak with a dermatologist or primary care physician. The NPF also offers a screening tool at www.psoriasis.org/psa-screening.
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How to address frequent feelings of coldness
As people age, many report feeling chilly even when the temperature outside is warm. Studies have shown that older people are more likely to have slightly colder body temperatures than their younger counterparts. Feeling cold can be the result of the natural aging process, or it may be symptomatic of a medical condition. Understanding the reasons behind chilliness can help people take proper action. Aging adults can feel cold for various reasons. As people age, their metabolisms slow down, leading to decreased energy. During times of low energy output, one can feel cold. The American Geriatric Society Foundation for Health suggests that individuals with slower metabolisms may not produce enough heat from their own bodies to stay warm. Circulation issues also may be a concern. As people age, the walls of their blood vessels may lose their elasticity, negatively affecting circulation as a result. Vasoreceptors also may no longer be as quick to
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direct blood vessels in order to constrict to keep body temperature up. Inadequate fat storage may also be a contributor. Older people generally have less subcutaneous fat stores and muscle mass, both of which can insulate their bodies from cold weather. As a result, they may have trouble regulating body temperature. Exercise and healthy eating may help remedy this situation. Certain medical conditions or medications may be to blame, too. SUNY Upstate Medical University offers that some drugs, like beta blockers, can decrease heart rate, which can reduce circulation to the extremities. High cholesterol levels can impair blood flow. Hypothyroidism, or an underperforming thyroid, also can affect a person’s ability to regulate body temperature. It’s imperative that people speak with their doctors to rule out any medical conditions or medication issues that may be contribut-
ing to their feelings of being cold. The following are some additional steps aging men and women can take to stay warm. • Make sure you are at a healthy weight for your gender and age. • Get the cardiovascular system pumping by exercising more. • Layer clothing until you feel comfortable so that you are not adjusting the thermostat as frequently. • Wear a vest to keep your chest warm to prevent heat being drawn from the extremities. Often the body will sacrifice heat in the hands and feet to keep its core warm. • Invest in wool socks and blankets, as wool will help wick away moisture from the body. Feeling cold is usually nothing out of the ordinary when a person gets older. Fortunately, there are ways that older men and women can stay warm.
Helping a loved one adapt to a nursing home Many older men and women find the transition to a nursing home somewhat difficult.
Men and women tend to see a move to a nursing home as a step toward surrendering their independence, and this can be a difficult hurdle for seniors and their loved ones to overcome. Adding to the difficulty is the fact that many men and women move into nursing homes because their physical or mental status requires the help of a professional nursing staff, leaving family members with little to no recourse when aging relatives protest the move. But there are ways to ease a loved one’s transition into a nursing home. • Keep a positive attitude. The stress of moving an aging relative into a nursing home can be significant for all parties involved. But focusing on the positives of nursing homes, such as around-the-clock care and daily activities, can help aging relatives look at nursing homes in a new light. In addition, family members who familiarize themselves with nursing homes will begin to see they are often great places for aging men and women to socialize with others their age while receiving the care and attention they need. When discussing the move to a nursing home, focus on these positives and your relative will be more likely to follow your lead. • Choose a nursing home that’s close to home. One of the more difficult parts of transitioning to a nursing home is the notion that men and women are leaving their lives behind once they move into a home. Choos-
ing a nursing home that’s close to home and makes routine visits from friends and relatives possible enables men and women maintain a connection to their current lifestyle. A home that is miles and miles away from a person’s support system can foster feelings of isolation and loneliness. • Plan trips with your loved one. Just because an aging relative lives in a nursing home does not mean he or she can no longer travel. If a relative is healthy enough to travel, include them on family trips and outings. This includes more routine events like weekly Sunday dinners, kids’ sporting events and other extracurricular activities. The more involved your aging relative are in the daily life of your family, the more likely they are to see the advantages of living in a nursing home. • Encourage your loved ones to take some personal items with them. When moving into a nursing home, men and women must leave behind many of their possessions. This is a simple space issue, as the rooms in a typical nursing home cannot accommodate a life’s worth of keepsakes and possessions. But that doesn’t mean men and women have to leave everything behind. Encourage your loved one to bring along some possessions, such as his or her family photos, a favorite chair or smaller mementos from places he or she visited throughout his or her life. Such items can make a nursing home seem less antiseptic and more like a home. Log Cabin Democrat | thecabin.net 7
assistive devices help people remain mobile Disabilities affect people from all walks of life.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that around 55 million Americans have a disability of some kind. Of these people, 33 million have a disability that makes it difficult for them to carry out some daily activities. Statistics Canada states that, as of 2012, 13.7 percent of the population age 15 years or older reported having a disability that could impact daily life. People with disabilities may need assistive devices to reclaim some measure of their independence. For example, millions of people rely on wheelchairs or walking aids to get around. These are called assistive technology and rehabilitative devices, which include tools, equipment or products that can help people with disabilities get around more easily. These devices may be as small as magnifying glasses for reading to as large as wheelchairs. Senior Living 2017
The National Institutes of Health state that 2.2 million people in the U.S depend on wheelchairs for day-to-day tasks and mobility. More than six million use canes, walkers or crutches to assist with mobility. The following are some of the common types of mobility devices available for purchase. • Canes: Canes are handheld devices that provide a little extra stability or support to weakened limbs. Canes are easily transported and can assist those who need only a little help. • Standard walkers: Also known as medical walkers, standard walkers offer substantial support and must be lifted to move. That requires upper body strength, which can be difficult for some to maintain on long trips. • Rolling walkers: Rolling walkers are similar to standard walkers. But rolling walkers have wheels, either
on the front only or on both sets of legs. They are somewhat less stable than standard walkers. Rolling walkers with wheel-locking devices may offer stability when needed. Some rolling walkers are called “rollators.” • Wheelchairs: Standard wheelchairs must be powered by the person in the chair or by someone pushing it from behind. This can be difficult for people with minimal upper body strength. Mechanical wheelchairs are powered with a lever or button. Some people may opt for motorized scooters over bulkier wheelchairs when possible. Assistive devices can be highly effective, but only when they are used properly and safely. Assistive devices should be measured for each user. Many walkers are height-adjustable. The width of a device also is important. A walker or another device that is too wide can affect mobility or require modifications to be made around the home. Weight is another consideration. The device should be lightweight so it can be maneuvered, but also weigh enough to provide enough stability to keep users upright. Users should proceed slowly and favor their stronger sides when relying on canes or walkers. Devices should not be used to climb atop other items like step stools. Children should not be allowed to play with or ride on assistive devices. If there are safety belts or locks on any assistive technology, they should be put in place before use to prevent further injury.
What is a silent stroke?
Stroke describes a sudden stoppage of blood from reaching the brain. The brain is a complex organ responsible for controlling many different bodily functions. When working at optimal capacity, the brain is a wonder to behold. When illness or trauma affects the brain, various parts of the body may not work as they should. One of the more devastating things that can affect the brain is stroke. Stroke describes a sudden stoppage of blood from reaching the brain. Harvard Medical School states that if a large number of brain cells are starved of blood supply, they can die. With their demise, a person’s memory and ability to speak and move can be compromised. While many strokes come on suddenly, certain factors may indicate a person is at risk. Such factors may include prior heart attacks, genetics, high blood pressure, smoking, or a prior stroke. However, in a particular type of stroke a “silent stroke” symptoms are far more subtle and difficult to spot. Silent cerebral infarction, often referred to as “SCI” or silent stroke, is a brain injury likely caused by a blood clot interrupting blood flow to the brain, offers the American Stroke Association. Silent strokes increase risk for other strokes and can be a sign of progressive brain damage. A silent stroke is typically only noticed as a side component of an MRI of the brain. Many times patients do not recall having a stroke and never felt any symptoms. Silent strokes should not be mistaken for mini-strokes. Ministroke is a brief but discrete and memorable event, with symptoms appearing for a few minutes or a few hours. According to a study on silent stroke titled “Functional and Cognitive Con-
sequences of Silent Stroke” Discovered Using Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging in an Elderly Population and published in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society, silent strokes are quite common and can have serious consequences. Researchers have found that silent stroke is associated with impairments in tests of cognitive function rather than movementoriented performance tests like rising from a chair. Almost 50 percent of studied silent strokes affected frontal circuit components of the brain, such as the frontal cortex, basal ganglia and thalamus. Lesions in these brain structures compromised executive functions and were related to vascular dementia. Another study showed associations between silent stroke and visual field deficits, weakness in walking on heels, history of memory loss, migraines, and lower scores in cognitive function tests. The “silent” part of a silent stroke also refers to the areas of the brain that the stroke affects. Experts at Harvard Medical School explain that, during a
silent stroke, an interruption in blood flow destroys areas of cells in a part of the brain that is “silent,” meaning that it doesn’t control any vital functions. Researchers say that, over time, the damage from silent strokes can accumulate, leading to more and more problems with memory. Collectively, silent strokes become silent no longer. There are certain ways to reduce the risk of any type of stroke. These include: • managing high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels • quitting smoking • reducing the risk of diabetes and effectively treat the condition if it is present • losing weight to prevent obesity • exercising and avoid a sedentary lifestyle • taking a low-dose aspirin or a drug that prevents blood clots. Silent strokes largely go unrecognized but can lead to significant brain injury. Getting the facts can help men and women reduce their risk for silent stroke. Log Cabin Democrat | thecabin.net 9
Got a Dollar and Two relatives? Do your Estate Planning!
After thirty years of being an Elder Law Attorney, people still ask me the question, “Who should do estate planning?” My answer is always the same, “Anyone with $1.00 and two relatives!” You might laugh at that, but it is true. Anytime there is money and people who believe that they are entitled to a share of that money, there needs to be a plan (1) to eliminate family fights, as much as possible, (2) to avoid the Probate proceeding which comes about if there is no estate planning, or if there is just a will, and (3) to move the estate where you want it to go, when you want it to go. In order to speak to each of these is-
CONWAY
• Conway Fire Department (501) 450-6148, conwayfd.com • Conway Police Department (501) 450-6120, conwaypd.org • Conway Convention & Visitors Bureau 900 Oak St., (501) 327-7788, conwayark.com • Conway City Hall 1201 Oak St., (501) 450-6110 cityofconway.org
GREENBRIER
• Greenbrier City Hall 11 Wilson Farm Road, (501) 679-2422, cityofgreenbrierar.com • Greenbrier Fire Department (501) 287-0175 • Greenbrier Police Department (501) 679-3105 Senior Living 2017
sues, we use Living Trusts, either revocable or irrevocable. A Living Trust is one written while the Trustmaker(s) is/ are alive and capable of planning. It is possible to write a Testamentary Trust in a will, but it is only activated through the Probate process. We want to avoid probate, so we use a Living Trust. There are three characters acting in this type estate planning, (1) Trustmaker also referred to as the Grantor--the person(s) creating the Trust, (2) the Trustee, the person managing the assets in the Trust, and (3) the beneficiary. Usually the person(s) setting up the Trust will be all three, the Trustmaker, the Trustee and the Beneficiary but
MAYFLOWER
• Mayflower City Hall 2 Ashmore St., (501) 470-1337, cityofmayflower.com • Mayflower Fire Department (501) 470-1200 • Mayflower Police Department (501) 470-1000
VILONIA
• Vilonia City Hall 18 Bise St., (501) 796-2534, cityofvilonia.com
they will not always be the Trustee. There will come a time when they are no longer able to act for themselves in managing their assets in the Trust and they will cease to be the beneficiary at death. The children or grandchildren or whomever they choose, will then be the beneficiary of the Trust assets. Picture a Trust as if it were a box. Your Elder Law Attorney, who practices exclusively in this area of the law, will know how to create the documents to set up your trust. Into this legal entity “box”, the attorney will assist you in transferring ownership of your home and other properties, including your brokerage accounts, bank accounts, stocks, bonds and other assets. It’s all in your trust or this fictional “box”, owned
SENIOR SUPPORT GROUPS Contact Faulkner Senior Centers: • Conway 501-327-2895 • Greenbrier 501-679-3103 • Mayflower 501-470-3350 • Mt. Vernon 501-849-2323 • Twin Grover 501-335-7733 • Vilonia 501-796-4680
• Conway Regional Senior Support Groups 1-800-245-3314 • Alzheimer’s Support Group (501) 513-9578
• Vilonia Fire Department (501) 796-2534
• Parkinson Disease Support Group (501) 329-6282
• Vilonia Police Department (501) 796-8170
• Faulkner County Senior & Wellness Center 705 East Siebenmorgen Conway, (501) 327-2895
EMERGENCIEs CALL 911
and managed by the Trustee (usually the person(s) creating the Trust). At death, there are no assets that belong to the person individually. Everything belongs to the Trust, thus there are no assets to go through the Probate Court. The successor Trustee (someone appointed in the Trust document to carry out the distribution of the Trust assets at the death of the Trustmaker without costs or delays), will take over management of the trust after incapacity of death of the initial trustee(s). The Irrevocable Trust can be written to change the Trustees during the life of the Trustmaker, but do not allow for changes in the named beneficiaries, though it is possible to change the amounts going to each of the beneficiaries. The main goal for these types of Trusts is asset protection. Not only do my clients want to
avoid probate and set up their distribution to send their assets where they want them to go, when they want them to go, but to avoid future creditors in the case of lawsuits or creditor claims, including Medicaid claims (often the largest creditor in an estate) in case of a nursing home stay. Living Trusts, if properly prepared can protect the children’s inheritance
from their creditors, lawsuits, bankruptcy, divorce or even the child’s own nursing home stay. There are no other vehicles out there that do as much to protect family assets and keep family money in the family as a Living Trust. Everyone with a dollar and two relatives needs a Living Trust to protect the “whole” family.
Log Cabin Democrat | thecabin.net 11
Understanding, preventing and managing osteoarthritis While osteoarthritis, or OA, can affect people of all ages. rubs against bone, creating even more pain while damaging the joints even further.
The most common chronic condition of the joints in both the United States and Canada, osteoarthritis affects roughly 30 million people in just those two countries alone. While osteoarthritis, or OA, can affect people of all ages, it’s most common in men and women over the age of 65. Understanding osteoarthritis and how to prevent and manage the disease can help men and women over the age of 50 reduce their risk and live more comfortably even if they develop OA. What is osteoarthritis? According to the Arthritis Foundation, healthy joints are covered by cartilage, a flexible connective tissue that covers the end of each bone. Cartilage facilitates motion of the joints and serves as a cushion between the bones. When a person has OA, cartilage breaks down, causing swelling and pain and affecting the mobility of the joint. Over time, OA can worsen and cause bones to break down and develop bone spurs, which form when bones meet each other in the joints. OA can even advance to a point where cartilage wears away and bone Senior Living 2017
What causes osteoarthritis? Once considered a byproduct of the wear and tear the human body naturally endures over a lifetime, OA is now viewed as a disease, notes the AF. The following are some potential causes of OA. • Genes: The AF notes that certain genetic traits can increase a person’s likelihood of developing OA. Collagen is a protein that makes up cartilage, and, while rare, a genetic defect that affects the body’s production of cartilage can lead to OA occurring in people as young as 20 years old. Researchers have also noted that the gene FAAH is more commonly found in people with OA of the knee than in people who don’t have the disease. FAAH has been previously linked with pain sensitivity. • Weight: Being overweight increases a person’s risk for a host of ailments and diseases, and OA can be counted among them. Extra weight puts additional pressure on hips and joints, and over time those extra pounds can cause cartilage to break down more quickly than it would if the body was not carrying extra weight. • Injury: Men and women who have suffered injuries to their joints may be at greater risk of developing OA than those with no such injury history. • Overuse: Overuse of joints, tendons and ligaments can accelerate the
breakdown of cartilage and increase a personÕs risk of developing OA. Cartilage also can break down more quickly in the bodies of athletes and people whose careers require them to stand for extended periods of time, bend over frequently and/or lift heavy items. • Preexisting conditions: Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, hemochromatosis and acromegaly may also contribute to the development of OA among people diagnosed with such disorders. Prevention and management of osteoarthritis Men and women who maintain healthy weights and exercise regularly and appropriately may be able to prevent the onset of OA. Appropriate exercises include strength training that focuses on building muscles around the joints, even if those joints are already affected by OA. Strong muscles around the joints can reduce the pain associated with OA, while range-ofmotion exercises can improve flexibility of the joints and reduce stiffness. Aerobic exercise also helps men and women maintain healthy weights while facilitating weight loss for those who are already overweight. Those already diagnosed with OA should speak with their physicians before beginning an exercise regimen, and such conversations can also include discussions about the various medications that can be used to reduce symptoms of OA. More information about OA is available at www.arthritis.org.
The benefits of preplanning your funeral Coping with the death of a loved one is never easy.
Dealing with a sudden, unexpected death of a beloved friend or family member can be even more difficult, especially for those people who have to make important financial decisions while grieving. To remove the burden and stress associated with funeral planning, many adults preplan their funerals. Adults can be as specific as they prefer to be when preplanning their funerals, and doing so gives relatives peace of mind knowing that their loved ones’ funeral services were conducted in accordance to their own wishes. Preplanning a funeral may sound morbid, as few people want to think about their deaths or discuss dying with their families. But there are numerous benefits to preplanning funerals. • Preplanning provides time to make the best decisions. Men and women who preplan their funerals have ample time to decide just what they want their memorial services to be like and how they want to fund those services. Men and women trusted to make those decisions upon the death of a loved one will need to make those decisions more quickly and likely won’t be in the correct frame of mind to make decisions that will honor their loved one’s legacy. • Preplanning ensures your wishes are honored. Men and women who formalize their funeral plans will ensure their wishes are honored. That can give men and women peace of mind and will provide peace of mind to the loved ones they leave behind, who can attend funeral services knowing
those services are being conducted in adherence to their loved one’s wishes. Even men and women who discuss their wishes for their funerals with loved ones may not have those wishes honored if they are not put in writing. • Preplanning can help control costs. Preplanning often includes men and women setting aside money for their funerals before they pass away. Knowing that a funeral, which can be expensive, is already paid for can provide additional peace of mind. Instead of worrying that their relatives will be forced to handle the burden of financing their funerals, men and women who preplan can rest easy knowing their insurance money and life’s savings will be going to their surviving loved ones and not toward paying for funeral expenses. • Preplanning protects families faced with sudden death. Few people want to think about their deaths, and fewer still want to think about dying suddenly and/or dying young. Pre-
planning a funeral and setting money aside early can protect and help families faced with sudden deaths. That can be especially important for young parents, who won’t want to leave their spouses and children financially destitute should they suddenly pass away. Preplanning a funeral may not be something to look forward to, but doing so can protect families and provide men and women with some peace of mind. Log Cabin Democrat | thecabin.net 13
Appointment companions are a smart move
Visits to a physician are just one step people make in an effort to improve their well-being. While it’s important that everyone visit their physicians at least once a year for a checkup, seniors may need to see their physicians more frequently than other age groups. When visiting the doctor, it is easy for anyone to miss important components of what the doctor is saying, and it’s just as easy to misunderstand certain instructions or medication information. Seniors who bring companions along to appointments with their physicians can reduce the risk of misunderstanding advice or diagnoses given by their doctors. Data from U.S. News and World Report states that about one-third of seniors still living on their own take a companion with them to their routine doctor’s office visits.
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Companions are typically spouses, but they can include children or other family members as well. Patients may find there are many advantages to bringing someone along to an appointment. And companions may want to learn more about patients’ goals at each appointment prior to going along so they can prepare and know how to help during the appointment. Listen People tend to forget at least half of what they hear in the doctor’s office, says the Archives of Internal Medicine. This tendency may be increased when patients are nervous about the potential outcome of their visits. Bringing a companion along
means that both people are actively listening. Together, the information they’ve heard can combine to provide a full account of the visit. Taking notes Companions can jot down important notes about the appointment, such as dates and times for followup visits, medication advice and any other instructions that may be forgotten once the patient leaves the office. Companions can later translate the jargon-heavy language of a physician into an understandable language the patient can fully understand. Medical history Sometimes a companion can be a useful resource, calling a doctor’s attention to a patient’s prior hospitalizations and illnesses. Companions can even call attention to any medications the patient is currently taking. Serving as an advocate Very often a companion can operate as a patient advocate, clarifying questions or getting further information out of a doctor if the patient is hesitant to ask. If the information isn’t clear, the companion can raise red flags or ask to have the instructions put in a different light. Translation Sometimes patients need companions who speak their native languages when their physicians do not. People are learning that bringing a family member or friend along to doctors’ appointments can be a smart way to make the most of doctor/patient interactions.
Untreated hearing loss affects brain structure and function Sooner is always better than later when considering treatment.
Recent studies shed light on the importance of timely treatment of hearing loss. Most people believe that hearing loss is a condition that only affects their ears. In reality, untreated hearing loss can affect so much more, including brain structure and function. According to a 2013 John Hopkins University study, hearing loss may increase the risk of cognitive problems and dementia. A 2011 dementia study monitored the cognitive health of 639 people who were mentally sharp when the study began. The researchers tested the volunteers’ mental abilities regularly, fol-
lowing most for about 12 years, and some for as long as 18 years. The results were striking: The worse the initial hearing loss, the more likely the person was to develop dementia. Researchers say that there are plausible reasons for why hearing loss might lead to dementia — the brain’s hearing center, called the auditory cortex, is very close to the regions where Alzheimer’s first starts. Hearing loss also has a noted link to brain shrinkage. Although the brain naturally becomes smaller with age, the shrinkage seems to be fast-tracked in older adults with hearing loss, according to the results of a study by Frank Lin, M.D Ph.D. through Johns Hopkins Uni-
versity and the National Institute on Aging. The report revealed that those with impaired hearing lost more than an additional cubic centimeter of brain tissue each year compared to those with normal hearing. Those with impaired hearing also had significantly more shrinkage in particular regions, including the superior, middle and inferior temporal gyri, brain structures also responsible for processing sound and speech. When a person is affected by untreated hearing loss, their auditory cortex becomes “impoverished” due to the lack of sound stimulation. Treating hearing loss in a timely matter, however, can help offset this.
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