Seniors
Menstuff® is actively compiling information, books and
resources on the issue of seniors.
My
Generation
Being a Man
'Safe home' design may prevent injuries in
elderly
He Who Dies with the Most Toys, Still
Dies
Seniors
& Health
Sex and Aging
Aging Changes in
the Senses
Sexuality and Physical Changes With
Aging plus a Dr. Ruth 2:10 Video
The Caregiver's
Dilemma: Financing Care for Your Aging Parents
Widower's Peak: As Males Live
Longer, More Are, Unexpectedly, All Alone
When Sex Doesn't Work, What Do You
Do?
When the Thrill Is
Gone
Seniors & Health
Newsbytes
Newsbytes
Related Issues: Deafness, Elder
Care, Senior
Health, Skin
Journals
- on Elder Abuse and Trauma
Resouces: Seniors,
AIDS & Aging,
Mature Smart
Books: Grandpa
Knows Best
'Safe home' design may prevent injuries in
elderly
Research shows that 80% of injuries in people over 50 years of age
occur in the home. In response to this statistic, Brazilian doctors
held a competition that called for people to design a "Casa Segura"
(Safe Home), suitable for an elderly person. www.healthcentral.com/news/newsfulltext.cfm?ID=45261&src=n46
He Who Dies with the Most Toys, Still
Dies
Most Men Will Die Before They Can Retire. I found a page on the web
that listed life expectancy rates for women and men by the date they
were born. I ran out of ink about a third of the way through and
can't find it again. It was NVSR data, Table 6, Life Expectancy at
birth by race and sex, US 1940, 1950, 1960 and 1970-96. It showed
that all men born before 1992 have a life expectancy of 72 years or
less. Black men born in 1996 or before aren't expected to make it to
66 and all men of color aren't expected to make it to 72 if born
prior to 1996.
With Social Security, though you can get reduced benefits before
72, full funds don't happen until 72. That means that most men will
never collect social security. Not a bad system from a governmental
standpoint. I'm collecting mine starting at 62 - to hell with them.
You pay into a system for 54 years (working from 18-72) and don't get
anything back. No wonder the National Institute of Health isn't
interested in figuring out how to end men's early death rate in all
15 major causes of death. What a country.
Mature Smart
This is a commercial site, but the products are straight-forward and
useful, very appropriate for an older or disabled person. www.maturesmart.com/
Newsbytes
Senate Probe: Abuse In Nursing Homes Not
Treated Like Other Crimes
Nursing home patients have been dragged down hallways, doused with
ice water, sexually assaulted and beaten in their beds, yet few
prosecutions have resulted, a congressional investigation found.
Source: www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/22030/8896/346699.html
Video
2:10
The normal aging process brings about physial changes in both men and
women. These changes can have an impact on one's ability to enjoy
sex.
Sexuality and Physical Changes With
Aging
Sex and sexuality communicate a great deal: affection, love, esteem,
warmth, sharing, and bonding. These gifts are as much the right of
older adults as they are of those who are much younger.
Three aspects of sexuality are covered in this topic: the changes
that come with aging, suggestions on how to adjust to these changes,
and information about sexually transmitted diseases.
In most healthy adults, pleasure and interest in sex do not
diminish with age. Age alone is no reason to change the sexual
practices that you have enjoyed throughout your life. However, you
may have to make a few minor adjustments to accommodate any physical
limitations you may have or the effects of certain illnesses or
medications.
Source: www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/tc/sexuality-and-physical-changes-with-aging-topic-overview
Secretary Thompson Hails 30th Anniversary Of
The Older Americans Act Nutrition Program
Calling it the one of the most successful community-based programs
for seniors in America, HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today renewed
his commitment to the Older Americans Act (OAA) Nutrition Program and
launched its 30th anniversary celebration.
Source: www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/22030/8896/346641.html
Census: More Elderly Live Together
Vic Pelton, 73 and in love, says there are no wedding bells in his
future. He's content to share house keys and closet space - but not
"I do's" - with his girlfriend of nearly two decades.
Source: www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/333/8010/353097.html
Gray hair can be a signature life event
Whether dyed, rinsed or allowed to grow naturally, gray hair can be a
signature life event. Find out why it happens.
Source: www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/9023/24253/348513.html?d=dmtContent&k=wellx408x24253
Census Finds 2.4 Million Grandparents Taking
Primary Caregiver Roles Again
Hunched on the living room floor in front of a Lego set, 5-year-old
Michael Simmons turned and waved at his grandfather. "Look, Grandpa,"
he said, holding a newly built toy in hand.
Source: www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/333/8896/352197.html
Boomers Age, Housing Needs Change
Experts call it the home of the future: wider hallways, nonslip
floors, bathroom grab bars and adjustable shower seats - all for the
comfort and convenience, too, of aging baby boomers.
Source: www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/22030/8896/347962.html
UN: People Over 60 Will Quadruple
The number of people over 60 years of age will quadruple during the
next half century in a worldwide "demographic revolution" that will
strain pension and health care systems, U.N. officials and experts on
aging said Wednesday. ,Source: www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtIH/WSIHW000/22030/8896/347830.html
Get the Most from Your Health Care
Team
Whether you are the primary caregiver for a family member, or even
taking care of yourself, it pays to ask questions in a clear and
assertive manner. Don't assume "the doctor will let us know if..."
The best work actively with the health care team.
Use these suggestions to take the initiative:
- Stay educated on each condition or treatment
- Discuss personal wishes
- Prepare for doctor's appointments
- Schedule regular discussions with all care team members
- Call in "the cavalry" when necessary
Stay educated on each condition or treatment
Research suggests that caregivers and patients who educate
themselves get better results from doctors. Learn all you can to
explore treatment options and alternatives knowledgeably.
- Ask the doctor for books, videotapes, or other materials that
explain your loved one's condition and treatment.
- Get information from condition-specific organizations, such as
the Alzheimer's Association and the American Heart
Association.
- Speak up if you have questions or concerns. You have a right
to question anyone involved with your loved one's care.
FamilyCare America (www.FamilyCareAmerica.com
)
offers articles designed to address the specific concerns of
caregivers. The company's online resource locator can help narrow
your search for relevant information.
Discuss personal wishes
Before meeting with the doctor, get firm answers to the tough
questions. Review these issues as early as possible, before there is
a crisis. And consult a lawyer about living wills, durable powers of
attorney for health care, and other documents that can help insure
your loved one's wishes are carried out.
- Who should make medical decisions if your loved one
cannot?
- What kind of medical intervention does your loved one want?
Under what circumstances should heroic measures not be taken?
- What medications or procedures should be avoided?
- What worries or fears does your loved one have?
Prepare for doctor's appointments
Before each meeting with the doctor, make a list of issues you
want to discuss. Write down questions in advance and make sure you
have a pen and paper handy to take notes and record the doctor's
answers. Consider asking the following types of questions:
- Can you explain the illness in non-medical terms? Where can I
find more information?
- How has the situation changed since the last appointment?
- Are more tests required? A second opinion?
- What treatment options are available? Are there alternatives?
What is likely to occur without any treatment?
- What are the side effects of these treatments? Of prescribed
medications?
- How can you be reached? If you are unavailable, whom should we
contact?
- What steps should we take in case of emergency? What is the
likelihood of such an event?
- What are the next steps in the procedure or diagnosis?
You can keep a record of all discussions by using the Appointment
Information form and the Caregiver's Log worksheet found at www.FamilyCareAmerica.com
Schedule regular discussions with all team members
A health care team may include a primary doctor, specialists,
nurses, health aides, care professionals, family, and friends. In
cases of complicated illness, you may want to draw these people
together for a "heath care conference" that will get everyone on the
same page. Don't assume all members of the health care team know the
full picture; ask the primary care physician to take charge as
"quarterback" to make sure everyone is clear about their roles.
Call in "the cavalry" when necessary
If you are unable to get the results you want on your own, find
professional assistance.
If you are dealing with an eldercare situation, consider hiring a
geriatric care manager.
Most health care facilities have resource persons such as social
workers, patient advocates, chaplains, and nurses who will work for
you and help clarify any concerns.
If you are battling the "system," enlist the help of your state
ombudsman for managed or long-term care.
About this Article
This article is reprinted with permission of www.FamilyCareAmerica.com
,
a nationally recognized resource that provides families with
interactive care planning tools, resource locators and helpful
checklists to make caregiving easier. The company also provides
corporations with a Work/Life program for employed caregivers.
Older Men and Community Building
Prof. John Macdonald, Director of MHIRC, presented a paper about the
spiritual health of older men at the "Older Men and Community
Building Seminar" in February 2001. New articles also include "Making
it OK to be Male", by Professor John Macdonald, Dennis McDermott and
Carmine di Campli, which was presented at the 8th National Australian
Suicide Prevention Conference. These and other new papers are
available on the "articles" page: www.menshealth.uws.edu.au
* * *
Age is not a handicap. Age is nothing but a number. It is how you use
it. - Ethel Payne
* * *
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