Summer Reunions-a Good Time for Family Planning in Marco Island, Florida

Summertime brings a lot of family time. With family reunions, picnics, weddings and other events, long distant family members travel to gather together. It is also the perfect time to do some planning for the future. With parents aging and their health and lifestyles changing, children need to discuss some changes and decisions that will be needed in the near future. Parents should take the time to tell their children where important documents are kept and what their wishes are in the event of needing health care directives or experiencing long term care needs.

For those children who live away, the change they see in their parent’s health and mental capacity may be alarming — whereas siblings that have daily contact are working with these issues constantly. Here is the chance to compare notes and work together as a complete family in the long term care planning process.

For you parents who are well and active, this is a good time to hold a family meeting and share with your children your plan for long term care. Tell them where financial and legal documents are located. Review health care directives, living wills and long term care alternatives.

Caregiver Tips After a Loved One Has Had a Stroke in Marco Island, Florida

This is a very informative article for anyone who has a loved one recovering from a stroke.  If you need help for an aging loved one in the Marco Island FL area, visit www.sanitasole.net.

15 Tips Caregivers Should Know After A Loved One Has Had A Stroke

The following is being issued by American Stroke Association:

1. It’s better to find out than miss out. Be aware of the medications that have been prescribed to your loved one and their side effects. Ask if your home should be modified to meet the specific needs of the stroke survivor. Ask a doctor, nurse or therapist to clarify any unanswered questions or to provide written information that explains what occurs after the stroke and during recovery or rehabilitation.

Continue reading this very important article here: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/147785.php

Music Can Make the Heart Beat Faster-Sanitasole of Marco Island, Florida

Music Can Make the Heart Beat Faster

Loud music made hearts beat faster and blood pressure go up, while softer passages lowered both heart rates and blood pressure, a new study shows.

It’s the latest word on how music affects the cardiovascular system, from researchers at Pavia University in Italy. Their earlier studies found that music with quicker tempos had people breathing faster, with increased heart rate and blood pressure, while slower tempos produced opposite effects.

The findings “increase our understanding of how music could be used in rehabilitative medicine,” study author Dr. Luciano Bernardi, a professor of internal medicine at Pavia, said in a statement. The report appears in the June 22 online edition of Circulation.

Continue reading here: http://www.healthfinder.gov/news/newsstory.aspx?docID=628283

If you need help with an aging loved one in the Marco Island FL area, visit us at http://sanitasole.net.

World’s 65-and-Older Population to Triple by 2050-Sanitasole of Marco Island, Florida

Hhe world’s 65-and-older population will triple by mid-century to 1 in 6 people, leaving the U.S. and other nations struggling to support the elderly.

The number of senior citizens has already jumped 23 percent since 2000 to 516 million, according to census estimates released on Tuesday. That’s more than double the growth rate for the general population.World’s 65-and-older population to triple by 2050

Here is an interesting article about what the future holds for the senior population in our country.  Remember, if you need help with an aging loved one in the Marco Island FL area, visit us at http://sanitasole.net.

The world’s 65-and-older population will triple by mid-century to 1 in 6 people, leaving the U.S. and other nations struggling to support the elderly.

The number of senior citizens has already jumped 23 percent since 2000 to 516 million, according to census estimates released on Tuesday. That’s more than double the growth rate for the general population.

Continue reading here:  http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2009372611_apusagingpopulation.html

AARP and Obama’s Doughnut Hole Solution-Sanitasole of Marco Island Florida

There is breaking news this week on the health front. On Monday, President Obama announced a proposal to cut the Part D coverage gap (known as the doughnut hole) in half, so that Medicare beneficiaries would only pay 50% of the cost of brand name medications instead of the full 100% they pay now.

The recent deal between the White House and the pharmaceutical industry is a big development towards meaningful health reform – drug manufacturers have agreed to donate half the cost of their brand-name and biologic products to seniors in the gap.

Click here to watch a video of AARP CEO A. Barry Rand as he discusses the agreement which could mean, “the doughnut hole will be substantially filled for millions of middle-income Americans as part of health care reform.” Then click here to learn more about the agreement. But unless Congress acts, the agreement may never become a reality – which is one more important reason for you and everyone you know to demand Health Action Now!

As always, if you need help with an aging loved one in the Marco Island Florida area, visit http://sanitasole.net.

Learning How to Live Longer in Marco Island Florida

“Making it to 90 years old is awe-inspiring in much of the world. But on a tiny Greek island in the North Aegean Sea, nonagenarians barely merit a second glance.”

Here is a terrific article about an island where people live longer!  If you have any questions or need help with an aging loved one in the Marco Island Florida area, visit http://sanitasole.net.

Link to article: The Island Where People Live Longer

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103744881&sc=nl&cc=es-20090531

How to Take the Keys Away from Seniors in Marco Island Florida

Here is a great article about that very sensitive subject many of us may face with a senior in our life at some point-taking the keys away!   If you need help with an aging loved one in Marco Island Florida, visit us at http://sanitasole.net.

Unsafe at Any Speed

An Alzheimer’s expert talks about when and how to take the keys away

By Art Jahnke

Last week, when 93-year-old Louis Vesprini accidentally drove his car through the front entrance of a Wal-Mart in Danvers, it was the fourth time in nine months that a Boston-area driver over the age of 80 had lost control of his vehicle and seriously injured a pedestrian. The Wal-Mart crash, which fractured the skull of a one-year-old sitting in a stroller, renewed calls for legislation requiring elderly drivers to pass regularly scheduled tests of their driving abilities.

But according to Robert Stern, a School of Medicine associate professor of neurology and codirector of the Alzheimer’s Disease Clinical & Research Program, any such legislation would be dead in the water, stalled by opposition from the powerful AARP (the American Association of Retired Persons), which claims that the proposed law is ageist.

Continue reading here: http://www.bu.edu/today/2009/06/08/unsafe-any-speed

“Outfoxing the Senior Scam Sham,” Sanitasole, Senior Services Marco Island, Florida Observes World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, 2009

In anticipation of his presentation “Outfoxing the Senior Scam Sham,” to be presented Mon.15 June, at 7 pm, Keith Dameron, VP/Manager at Orion Bank, pays a surprise visit to the clients at Sanitasole, Marco Island’s Premier Place for Senior Health. Seen here (L to R) are Betty Iannello and Gloria Saul (seated) with David Kocourek and Jean Reed (standing). The presentation observes World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

When Islander Keith Dameron entered “Scams Senior Citizens” on a Google search recently, he received 454,000 listings within one second. “There seems to be no end to the crafty creativity of scammers when it comes to employing scams for their most vulnerable targets…seniors,” Dameron said. “It’s today’s reality but awareness can make all the difference in thwarting it.”

Thankfully, protecting oneself is possible through a number of simple actions as Dameron will assure when he presents, Outfoxing the Senior Scam Sham, at Sanitasole, Marco Island’s Premier Place for Senior Health, at 7:00 pm on Monday evening, 15 June, 2009. The event is free and open to the public, though reservations are recommended due to space limitations.

“On Monday, June 15, we’re observing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day at Sanitasole because advocacy and education is what we’re all about,” said Paula Camposano-Robinson RN, Vice President of Clinical Services. “Everyone is encouraged to wear the color purple as a sign of solidarity with our elders. Keith is so attuned to issues that could threaten their safety –especially economically- and we are thrilled to have him as our guest to do this important presentation.”

As Vice President & Bank Manager at the Marco Island branch of Orion Bank, Dameron’s affable, statesmanlike presence throughout the community has become his trademark. His presentation will focus on the types of scams that have been and ARE being perpetrated in our area: Sweepstakes’ telephone scams, jury duty scams, lottery scams, ATM devices capturing card information, check fraud, credit card “swiping” devices, work-at-home scams including “mystery shoppers,” pyramid schemes and identity theft.

“While there certainly are other important topics that can be covered, I don’t want to create too much confusion-or fear,” Dameron explained. “By creating greater awareness, the vulnerability factor is reduced considerably.”

What: “Outfoxing the Senior Scam Sham”
Where: Sanitasole, Marco Island’s Premier Place of Senior Health
218 South Barfield Drive, Marco Island, Florida 34145
Why: to raise awareness of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
When: Mon. 15 June (6:30 – 7 pm Meet & Greet /light refreshments)
Presentation begins promptly at 7 pm
RSVP recommended: 239.389.6100 or email probinson@sanitasole.net

To learn more about the many programs for seniors at Sanitasole, visit www.sanitasole.net.

Background
The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) was founded in 1997 and is dedicated to global dissemination of information as part of its commitment to world-wide prevention of abuse and neglect of older adults.

The United Nations International Plan of Action adopted by all countries in Madrid, April 2002, clearly recognizes the importance of addressing and preventing abuse and neglect of older adults and puts it in the framework of the Universal Human Rights.

INPEA is dedicated to supporting the plan of action. As part of INPEA’s research agenda, they launched a World Elder Abuse Awareness Day to be held on June 15, 2006.  This project was in partnership and collaboration with interested individuals, agencies, organizations, NGO’s, governments and corporations.

Baby Boomer Generation Fears Dementia, Alzheimer’s and Memory Loss-Sanitasole Senior Services, Marco Island Florida

“The words dementia, Alzheimer’s and memory loss instills fear of aging in the retiring baby boomer generation. Scientific research now shows that the causes of memory loss can be prevented or delayed. The studies also confirm that memory loss is not a normal process of aging.”

Follow this link for the complete article:  http://www.aginghomehealthcare.com/baby-boomer-generation.html

Visit us at http://sanitasole.net with any questions, or if you need help for an aging loved one in the Marco Island Florida area.

A tribute to Mom- stroke, part three. Sanitasole Senior Services, Marco Island Florida

We have been discussing the signs, symptoms and testing that you may expect to undergo if a physician is ruling out, or trying to locate the area in the brain that has been affected by a stroke.

Women especially, have unique warning signs, and research shows stroke risk doubles for a woman if a relative in her immediate family has suffered a stroke.

Once you have been diagnosed with a stroke, it can be very demoralizing. It can completely take away your abilities to walk, talk, think, remember or even breathe depending on the type of stroke and its location.

Because stroke is the leading cause of adult disability in America, it is also the number one reason for nursing home placement according to the American Heart Association.

I have lived through the 911 call. It was 12:10 a.m. on January 30, 2000 when the call came from my Dad alerting me that he was in the Emergency Room at NCH hospital downtown. I immediately thought something happened to him, but I will never forget his tongue-tied words “it is your mother”; I think she had a stroke”.

I could feel the adrenaline rushing through my body as I headed to the hospital, about 10 minutes away. Dad was in shock; he didn’t comprehend the complex environment and somewhat orderly chaos, which is the norm in an ER in the peak of the season in Naples FL. This was also a setting that I was quite familiar with.