Patient power August 2017

August 1, 2017

PATIENT POWER Health Insights for Seniors, Loved Ones and Caregivers

Try Qigong It’s pronounced Chee-goon, but even if you say it wrong, use it right! This ancient Chinese art involves moving and breathing easily and a new report confirms it helps senior health.

It improved attention, blood pressure and brain processing speed, but scientists note it must be kept up to maintain these benefits.

Post-Stroke, Years Later Science has known for years that stroke patients (even mini events) need to be careful and watched short-term; that is for five years. Now experts see long-term vigilance is also important. So don’t get lazy.

Make sure you and your doc both watch for signs and don’t ignore times you’re not feeling well again.

Photo: From StevenM_61 via Flickr.com

It’s Celebrating Boomers Month Actually, it’s called “Boomers Making a Difference Month,” but whatever its title it reflects the facts that a) Boomers are critical to society and b) They are an active element in making a society productive, often even happy. Merrill Lynch interviews discovered that 65 percent of retirees found this is a great time of life to give back.

Chats on Depression

There are all sorts of options for you and those involved with you to make a difference. Here are just a few ways to be a giver:

It’s not a substitute for real people interaction, but sometimes online chats help.

Explore here: http://bit.ly/ 2v0dYcs

Keep Your Brain Active—The fewer folks with cognitive brain issues, the better chance boomers and their potential caregivers have for enjoying down time, whether in full retirement mode or during holidays/flex schedules. One study showed close to 40 percent of those age 50+ are video gamers. So gather together

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Famous Birthdays Still Going Strong… …whether still alive or in our memories: • Carroll O’Connor: August 2, 1922, Actor • Joycelyn Elders: August 13, 1933, former U.S. Surgeon General • James Cameron: August 16, 1954, Director • Cal Ripken, Jr.: August 24, 1960, Baseball All-Star, MVP • John McCain: August 29, 1936, U.S. Senator, Serviceman ……………………………………….

Wendy Meyeroff is president of WM Medical Communications, based in

August 1, 2017

with others (and don’t forget blowing away the youngsters!) to spread fun and keep the mind spry.

Watch Out for Boomeritis—Want to keep exercising? That’s great. The Boomer generation is actually known for learning and adopting fitness techniques from jogging to walking to swimming and more. But it’s also now the group prone to knee and hip issues and facing everything from tendinitis to stress fractures to replacements. So consider modifying the exercises you did in your 20s, especially after talking to a PT or an orthopedic specialist.

Then make sure older friends/family get the word.

Consider Consulting—If you’re a bored retiree, get back in the game and provide your expertise as a consultant. Whether you do it as a volunteer or actually get paid, you’ll stay mentally and physically active. And yes, you can get dollars. One news story talked of a lady who—thanks to her management skills—made the same six figure income advising part-time as she had as a fulltime exec!

“Invest” in Volunteering—One study found you’re less depressed when you volunteer and all sorts of help is needed.

Some require you still be in good physical health, like building with Habit for Humanity. But there are a host of other options: driving neighbors to doctors or gaming; delivering Meals on Wheels, tutoring and advising on taxes and investing are a few.

Enjoy “Knit”-Picking—OK, I’ll let my bias show: create, even gather knitted/crocheted projects. I know one group that as I write this is getting hats and scarves ready for the homeless and others in need this winter. They will even provide yarn if you can’t afford it, as long as your creation comes back to them. Check with your PTA, religious group and elsewhere…or create a group yourself!

Baltimore, MD, but serving clients throughout the U.S., Canada and overseas for over 20 years. Her specialty: writing for and about America’s aging population in print and then one of the first called online.

See her at www.wmmedcomm.com

Patient Power

Yes, Remember Dollars—But perhaps think of smaller, even local, charities. The study mentioned earlier also notes that 44 percent of boomers prefer to specify how their donations are used. One fellow says, “Boomers want to see the impact,” of their donations.

I trust this gives you a few ideas. Don’t forget to explore online, then talk with family, friends, neighbors, even health professionals.

WM Medical Communications

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