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On my way to our retirement community this morning I was flipping through the channels on my radio and landed on NPR. I heard a report about the common cold that I thought I would pass on. The findings of the report said one thing you might expect – Get more than eight hours of sleep a night.

The other finding was to exercise on a daily basis. Researchers recruited about 1,000 volunteers between age 18 and 85 to complete a daily log of symptoms throughout cold and flu season.

At the end of the three-month study, the researchers found that the more the participants exercised, the less they reported getting sick. Those who exercised five days a week for 20 minutes or more experienced about 40 percent fewer days of illness compared with those putting in less than one day a week of activity.

Here is the full report from NPR. Or click here to listen to the story.

Whether it’s shoulder, knee or hip joint replacement, aftercare is vitally important. Early motion after joint replacement helps achieve the best possible function. And motion is typically started 48 hours post surgery.

According to University of Washington, arthritic joints are stiff. One of the major goals of total joint replacement surgery is to relieve much of this stiffness. However, following surgery, scar tissue will tend to recur and limit movement unless motion is started immediately. This early motion is facilitated by the complete surgical release of the tight tissues so that after surgery the patient has only to maintain the range of motion achieved at the operation.

All new joint patients need to have a regular exercise program to maintain their fitness and the health of the muscles around their joints. With both their orthopedic and primary care physicians’ permission, they should be on a regular exercise program 3 to 4 times per week lasting 20 to 30 minutes.

General Tips from Texas Health Resources

• Patients should take antibiotics one hour before having dental work or other invasive procedures for their lifetime. Patients are recommended to take antibiotics before, during, and immediately after any elective procedures in order to prevent infection of the replaced joint
• Although the risks are very low for postoperative infections, it is important to realize that the risk remains. A prosthetic join could possibly attract the bacteria from an infection located in another part of the patient’s body. A fever is reason to call the doctor.
• Occasionally, antibiotics may be needed. Superficial scratches may be treated with topical antibiotic ointment. Patients should notify their doctor if the area becomes painful or reddened.
• Patients are given an implant card by their surgeon that states they had a joint replacement. They should carry the card with them, as they may set off security alarms at airports, malls, etc. Also when traveling, patients should stop and change positions hourly to prevent the joint from tightening.
• Patients should visit their surgeon yearly unless otherwise recommended. Routine initial, mid-term and long-term follow up is a valuable part of joint replacement care.

According to the Mayo Clinic, patients usually require some assistance with self-care, activities of daily living, shopping and driving for approximately six weeks after surgery. Patients usually go home after this surgery, especially if there are people at home who can provide the necessary assistance, or if such assistance can be arranged through an agency. In the absence of home support, a convalescent facility may provide a safe environment for recovery.

Recovery of comfort and function after joint replacement continues for many months after the surgery. Improvement in some activities may be evident as early as six weeks. With persistent effort, patients make progress for as long as a year after surgery.

Future activities are generally limited to those that do not risk injuring the replaced joint. Sports that involve running or contact are avoided, in favor of leisure sports, such as golf, and swimming.

Swimming is the ideal form of exercise, since the sport improves muscle strength and endurance without exerting any pressure or stress on the replaced joint.

See you at the pool!

Although the fall weather has been gloriously moderate, one can be certain that cold weather is on the way. It is important to remember that the cold temperatures of winter are especially dangerous for older adults. Seniors may not be able to feel that they are getting too cold, or they may set their thermostats low to save on heating costs.

A drop in body temperature is called hypothermia (hi-po-ther-mee-uh), and it can be deadly if not treated quickly. Hypothermia can happen anywhere, not just outside and not just in northern states. In fact, some older people can have a mild form of hypothermia if the temperature in their home is too cool.

When you think about being cold, you probably think of shivering. That is one way the body stays warm when it gets cold. But, shivering alone does not mean you have hypothermia.

So how do you know if someone has hypothermia? According to the National Institute on Aging, look for the “umbles” – stumbles, mumbles, fumbles, and grumbles. These may be clues that the cold is a problem.

Check for:

• Confusion or sleepiness
• Slowed, slurred speech, or shallow breathing
• Weak pulse
• Change in behavior or in the way a person looks
• A lot of shivering or no shivering; stiffness in the arms or legs
• Poor control over body movements or slow reactions

According to gericarefinder.com, during each cold weather month, many seniors die from hypothermia.

Wearing more clothes and proper cold-weather attire are necessary for aging adults. Indoors, many seniors may require an extra blanket or thicker socks.

To prevent hypothermia (very low body temperature), a dangerous and potentially life-threatening condition, ), read these tips offered by the National Institute on Aging:

• Ask your doctor if you have any health conditions or take any medications that make it hard for your body to stay warm. At increased risk are older people who take certain medications, drink alcohol, lack proper nutrition and have conditions such as arthritis, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
• Set your thermostat above 65 degrees; older people are at higher risk of becoming ill during the cold winter months.
• Try to stay away from cold places. Changes in your body that come with aging can make it harder to feel when you are getting cold. It also may be harder for your body to warm itself.
• Wear several layers of loose clothing indoors and out. The layers will trap warm air between them. Tight clothing can keep your blood from flowing freely, which can lead to loss of body heat. Hypothermia can occur in bed, so wear warm clothing to bed and use blankets.
• Ask friends or neighbors to look in once or twice a day if you live alone. Your area may offer a telephone check-in or personal visit service.
• Use alcohol moderately, if at all. Avoid alcohol altogether near bedtime.
• Eat hot foods and drink hot liquids to raise your body temperature and keep warm.
• Keep aware of the daily weather forecast and be sure to dress warmly enough, with hat and gloves, if you must go out. In extremely low temperatures with wind-chill factors, weather forecasters may suggest staying inside.
• Make sure you eat enough food to keep up your weight. If you don’t eat well, you might have less fat under your skin, and fat can help protect you by keeping heat in your body. Also, drink 10 glasses of water or other non-alcoholic liquids daily.

And remember, spring will eventually come. Promise.

Visiting a doctor’s office can make a senior nervous, impatient, or even scared. He or she may have only a few minutes with the health care provider, and later the patient may remember unasked questions. And it’s hard to remember what was said.

Before the visit, take a list of specific questions to the appointment, making sure to list the most important ones first. It’s a good idea, too, to review your health history, so you can convey it concisely to your doctor. Writing out a brief synopsis to give a new doctor can be helpful and save time.

A list of medications and dosages is essential. Make copies of this list for all doctors.

During Your Visit:

• Tape-record the visit or bring a pencil and notebook to take notes or bring a trusted friend or relative to take notes.
• Keep the discussion focused, making sure to cover the main questions and concerns, symptoms and how symptoms impact your life.
• Ask for clarification if you don’t understand what you have been told or if you still have questions.
• Ask for explanations of treatment goals and side effects.
• Let your doctor know if you are seeing other doctors or health care providers.
• Share information about any recent medical tests.
• Let your doctor know how much information you want and if you have religious or cultural beliefs that affect your treatment.
• Stand up for yourself or have a friend or family member advocate for you if your concerns are not addressed.
• Balance assertiveness with friendliness and understanding.

Hopefully these tips will help seniors understand their diagnosis and any recommended treatments.

The SEASPAR EAGLES will join Encore residents for a Veteran’s Day celebration from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 11, at The Birches Assisted Living, 215  55th St., Clarendon Hills. A Patriotic Bingo game will take place.

Veterans Day is an annual American holiday venerating men and women who have served in the military. Both a state holiday and a federal holiday in all states, Veterans Day is celebrated on 11th day in November. It is commemorated as Remembrance Day or Armistice Day in other part of the world. Veterans Day is held on the anniversary of signing of Armistice that ended World War I. The main hostilities of World War I were properly finished at 11th hour of 11th Day of 11th Month of 1918 with Germany signing the Armistice.

“We are delighted to welcome the SEASPAR EAGLES,” said Jackie Raschke, director of Encore and Dementia Services at The Birches. “Our Encore residents are looking forward to the visit.”

Located in Downers Grove, the South East Association for Special Parks and Recreation (SEASPAR) partners with many organizations – including The Birches – to offer cooperative recreation programs. By sharing resources with these organizations, SEASPAR is able to provide service to a wider range of individuals with disabilities.

EAGLES stands for Enhancing Adult Growth through Lifestyle Education and Service. It is a community-based program to assist young adults with disabilities transition from high school to adult life in the communities they live. For information about the EAGLES, call Laura Christensen at 1-630-789-6666, Ext. 115.

Encore is a secure neighborhood within The Birches. Encore’s services have been designed to make life easier and more meaningful for people with dementia. The staff believes in providing and promoting feelings of attachment to others, inclusion in a group, identity as a person, comfort and occupation.

For more information about the event or about Encore, call Jackie Raschke at 630-570-6175 or visit: http://www.birches.net.

Ah-choo! With cooler weather on the way, the cold season revs up, and there’s nothing as miserable as a bad head cold. How about this statistic from healthline.com: Americans “catch” an estimated one billion colds every year. Most adults suffer from two to four colds per year.

The common cold causes a runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing, and, in some cases, coughing and a sore throat. Colds can occur at any time during the year but are most common in the fall and winter months.

A head cold really is a viral infection which settles in the mucus membranes of the nose. A cold is usually harmless, although it can be quite uncomfortable. Typically it resolves on its own after around ten days. Some people experience a mild fever and watery eyes, and people may complain of feeling unwell.

The mucus which drains from the nose is typically clear in color. Some people with a head cold find that they cough and experience hoarseness because of mucus dripping down their throats.

No vaccine has been developed for the common cold which can be caused by many different viruses, but there are some common-sense precautions to slow the spread of autumn viruses:

• Wash your hands. Clean your hands thoroughly and often. Carry a bottle of alcohol-based hand rub containing at least 60 percent alcohol for times when soap and water aren’t available. These gels kill most germs.
• Scrub your stuff. Keep kitchen and bathroom countertops clean, especially when someone nearby has a cold.
• Use tissues. Always sneeze and cough into tissues. Discard used tissues right away, and then wash your hands thoroughly.
• Don’t share. Use your own glass or disposable cups when you or someone else is sick.
• Steer clear of colds. Avoid close contact with anyone who has a cold.

Drinking lots of fluids, especially warm fluids, can help as can staying in a warm and slightly humid environment. Avoiding dairy is advised, because this tends to  increase mucus production. Rest, many people think, helps a cold resolve more quickly.

If a head cold is persistent, a doctor can prescribe decongestants and pain management medications. Saline rinses or sprays in the nose can also help to flush out the mucus and increase comfort. However, patients should be aware that prolonged use of decongestant sprays can lead to an inflammation of the mucus membranes in the nose.

Sometimes a head cold can become a sinus infection. A head cold can also lead to an ear infection. While these infections sometimes can resolve on their own, medical treatment may be necessary especially if the condition becomes especially painful.

Web MD mentions more worrisome situations and complications when it comes to colds. It’s a good idea to consult the doctor for any of these conditions:

• Asthma and Colds  – Living with asthma is no easy task, and a cold can make breathing more difficult.
• Heart Disease and Colds – Catching a cold for someone with heart disease poses a greater danger, because the cold makes it difficult to take in oxygen efficiently.
• Diabetes and Colds – For those with diabetes, a common cold makes it difficult to keep blood glucose levels balanced.

No matter what, skin ages because of too much cold weather, too much sun, and too many years. Most people make a point of taking care of their skin, using moisturizers and creams to keep inevitable damage at bay as long as possible. But as aging takes place, skin dilemmas happen to nearly everyone.

According to the Mayo Clinic wrinkles happen due to many years of ultraviolet rays and gravity. The skin becomes less elastic and subsequently sags and wrinkles. Habits like frowning and smoking can cause wrinkles around the mouth.

Seniors are prone to dry skin which is rough and scaly skin that appears on the lower legs, elbows, and lower arms. A few causes of dry skin include:

• Dehydration due to not drinking enough fluids
• Staying in the sun for long periods of time
• Being in very dry air
• Smoking
• Experiencing stress
• Losing sweat and oil glands which happens naturally with age
• Some health problems like diabetes or kidney disease
• Using excessive amounts of soap, antiperspirant, or perfume
• Taking hot baths

Dry skin can lead to itching, bleeding, and infection. It can also contribute to sleep problems. Such problems can be treated by medication, so it is encouraged that one seek medical attention before itchy skin leads to more serious conditions. Men and women can also use lotions and ointments, take fewer baths, use milder soap, use cooler water when bathing, or use a humidifier in order to treat dry and irritable skin.

Age spots, which are sometimes referred to as liver spots, are brown spots that can appear on the hands and body. They are harmless signs of years of sun exposure.

Skin tags are flesh-colored growths of skin that can grow anywhere, but the neck is a likely spot.

Although these age spots and skin tags are harmless and are simply due to aging, it is important to alert the doctor as it may be difficult for those without medical training to discern between these and irregular growths. A dermatologist can remove both of these types of growths if they are bothersome.

With age, men and women can bruise more easily and take longer to recover from bruising. Seniors with excessive bruising should see a doctor.

Psoriasis. This skin condition is marked by a rapid buildup of rough, dry, dead skin cells that form thick scales.

Thyroid disorders. Hypothyroidism, a condition that occurs when the thyroid produces too little thyroid hormones, reduces the activity of sweat and oil glands, leading to rough, dry skin.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States and is mainly caused by exposure to the sun, sunlamps, or UV light in tanning booths. People with fair skin are more at risk for developing skin cancer. If diagnosed early, skin cancer can be cured.

According to SeniorAdvice.com , some ways to prevent skin conditions are as follows:

• Sun exposure, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun’s rays are the brightest, should be limited. Cloudy skies or staying in water does not mean you are not being exposed. UV rays travel through these translucent surfaces to reach the skin.
• SPF15 sunscreen and higher should be reapplied at least every two hours with long periods of sun exposure.
• Hats and sunglasses can help protect the face and eyes from harmful UV rays.
• Purposefully exposing the skin to direct UV rays without protection is discouraged.

To recognize Cataract Awareness Month in August, John Hahn, M.D. of DuPage Ophthalmologists, will present an informational seminar on cataracts at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31, at The Birches Assisted Living, 215 55th St., Clarendon Hills. The seminar is free and open to the public.

Nearly 20.5 million Americans age 40 and older have cataracts, one of the most curable causes of vision loss.

A cataract is the clouding of the eye’s normally clear lens, blocking the passage of light needed for vision. They form slowly and cause no pain. Some stay small and hardly affect vision, but if the cataract does grow and begin to affect vision, it can usually be removed with surgery.

Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide; however, in most cases, vision loss from cataracts is reversible. New techniques developed over the past decade have made cataract surgery one of the safest and most successful procedures available in terms of restoring quality of life to patients.

Each year more than 1.6 million of these delicate eye surgeries are performed in the United States.

There are no drugs or exercises that will make a cataract disappear, and contrary to popular belief, cataracts are not removed using lasers. Lasers are used in follow-up procedures, if needed. Cataract surgery is most often done as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia. The cloudy natural lens can be replaced with an artificial lens to give the eye proper focusing power. In most cases, the improvement in the patient’s vision is profound.

Some people notice a gradual painless blurring of vision, double vision in one eye or fading or yellowing of colors. When older adults mention sensitivity to glare and/or bright light or trouble driving at night, this may be caused by cataracts. Or, if someone needs frequent changes to his or her glasses or contact lens prescriptions, they should be evaluated for cataracts.

Dr. Hahn wants to dispel the notion that a cataract has to be “ripe” before it’s removed. The best time to have a cataract removed is when it starts to interfere with the things someone likes to do.

Cataract surgery, although quite safe, is still surgery. If cataracts don’t affect quality of life, someone may feel that surgery is not needed. The only person who can really decide when it’s time to have them removed is the patient.

Eye health care is provided by the three “O’s” – opticians, optometrists and ophthalmologists. It is the ophthalmologist, or eye MD who can treat it all – eye diseases and injuries, and perform eye surgery.

The Birches Assisted Living is dedicated to providing caring and professional assisted living services that assure its residents safety, security and comfort. Located in Clarendon Hills, The Birches offers a full calendar of programs and activities designed to promote a stimulating and rewarding retirement lifestyle.

Again, Dr. Hahn’s seminar is free and open to the public. Space is limited, so reservations are requested. Call Carol Weigel at 630-789-1135 or visit: http://www.birches.net

It’s a fact that many seniors are intimidated by computers, the Internet, Facebook, etc., but that number is growing smaller every day as more and more older adults embrace a whole new world of communication.

Computer use can help seniors connect in ways that older generations simply couldn’t imagine. The Internet helps make and maintain vital relationships with family, friends and grandchildren. Think about it – computers are available 24/7. The Internet can rekindle confidence and independence, and improved contact with others can ease isolation.

As Gill Adams, of Digital Unite says, “The internet is curiosity’s best friend.”

The latest survey data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that 42 percent of individuals 65 years and older actively access the Internet; 53 percent live in a setting with Internet access. The 42 percent statistic represents a 50 percent jump in Internet use among this age group since 2000, when only 21 percent of 65+ individuals were actively online.

The U.S. Census Bureau goes on to report that many older adults use the Web for three specific reasons:

• to read e-mail,
• to use a search engine to find information, and
• to access news items.

According to nielsen.com, online visitors 65 and older participate in a variety of activities, from e-mail to bill paying. Neilsen found a slight variation for online activity:

• Personal E-mail
• Maps online
• Weather online
• Pay bills
• View or post photos
• Read general news
• Researched personal health sites
• Planning travel
• Searched recipes
• Read business/financial news

The No. 1 online destination for people over 65 in November 2009 was Google Search, with 10.3 million unique visitors. Windows Media Player and Facebook were No. 2 and No. 3, with 8.2 million and 7.9 million visitors, respectively. Interestingly, Facebook, which came in at No. 3, ranked No. 45 just a year ago among sites visited by senior citizens.

Top online destinations for adults age 65 and older:

1. Google search
2. Windows Media Player
3. Facebook
4. You Tube
5. Amazon

Seniors who are ready to jump in and learn about computers and the Internet can contact SeniorNet. The mission of SeniorNet is to provide older adults education for and access to computer technologies to enhance their lives and enable them to share their knowledge and wisdom.

SeniorNet classes are offered in communities throughout the United States.

It’s sneaky and it’s subtle. It’s referred to as “…the silent thief of sight.” “It” is glaucoma. Most types of glaucoma cause no pain and produce no symptoms. What glaucoma does do, however, is cause damage to the optic nerve. The main function of the optic nerve is sending electrical transmissions to the brain. Damage to it can lead to serious problems with vision that eventually lead to blindness.

Glaucoma is caused by increased pressure in the eye. This pressure is from a buildup of fluid, called aqueous humor, in the front of the eye. The elevated pressure is often extremely subtle with no symptoms until the disease has already caused significant damage.

In the U.S., approximately 2.2 million people age 40 and older have glaucoma, and of these, as many as 120,000 are blind, according to the American Health Assistance Foundation. An estimated 3.3 million of Americans could have glaucoma by the year 2020.

Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness among African Americans and Hispanics in the U.S. Three times as many African Americans have glaucoma than Caucasians, and four times as many are blind. Between the ages of 45 and 64, glaucoma is fifteen times more likely to cause blindness in African Americans than in Caucasians.

Because people may not know they have glaucoma, a simple and painless glaucoma test, performed by an ophthalmologist, is vital. These tests allow the doctor to measure pressure in the eye, examine the optic nerve, check the visual field and determine the fluid drainage angle in the eye.

According to seniormag.com, there are actually two major types of glaucoma – open angle and closed angle. Typically open angle glaucoma has no symptoms in its early stages and vision remains normal. As the optic nerve becomes more damaged, blank spots begin to appear in one’s vision, but such spots can be unnoticeable at first. If the optic nerve is significantly damaged, these spots become large. If all the optic nerve fibers die, blindness results.

Some eyes are formed with the iris too close to the drainage angle. In these eyes, which are often small and farsighted, the iris can be sucked into the drainage angle and block it completely. This is called closed-angle glaucoma. Since the fluid cannot exit the eye, pressure inside the eye builds rapidly and causes an acute closed-angle attack. Symptoms that occur suddenly can include blurry vision, halos around lights, eye pain, nausea and vomiting. Medical attention should be immediate.

Early detection is key

Early detection through eye exams, visual field tests and optic nerve imaging, and management through medications and laser treatments (to relieve eye pressure) are keys to preventing optic nerve damage and blindness from glaucoma.

Be aware

• Everyone older than age 60 is at increased risk.
• For certain population groups such as African-Americans, the risk is much higher, and they should have eye pressure monitored before age 30. Hispanic, Asian and Japanese Americans also face an increased risk. The reasons for these differences aren’t clear.
• If there’s a family history of glaucoma, there is a much greater risk of developing it. A form of juvenile open-angle glaucoma has been clearly linked to genetic abnormalities.
• Diabetes increases the risk of developing glaucoma. A history of high blood pressure, heart disease, or hypothyroidism can increase risk as well.
• Severe eye injuries can result in increased eye pressure. Injury can also dislocate the lens, closing the drainage angle. Other risk factors include retinal detachment, eye tumors or eye inflammations.
• Being nearsighted, which generally means that objects in the distance look fuzzy without glasses or contacts, increases the risk of developing glaucoma.
• Using corticosteroids for prolonged periods of time appears to increase the risk of getting secondary glaucoma. This is especially true if someone uses corticosteroid eye drops.