Honoring Our Aging Veterans on November 11, 2012: Understanding the History of Veterans Day In Tucson, AZ

Celebrating the Close of the War to End all Wars

Veterans Day is a federal holiday which honors those who have served in our armed forces, both living and dead. Some may confuse this holiday with Memorial Day, but the difference is significant. Memorial Day is held in memorial of those who have died in war. On the other hand, Veterans Day is meant to commemorate every soldier of all of our nation’s armed forces.

This holiday has a noble and triumphant history which stems from the conclusion of World War I.

The day that is set aside each year to celebrate peace, and to remember those who have helped to create and preserve it, is November 11th. The date is special and greatly significant. In the year of 1918, the German Armistice was signed on the 11th day of the 11th month at precisely the 11th hour. This signified the close of the “war to end all wars,” and represented a new era of peace. Many aging veterans will remember their parents and grandparents speaking of this day with solemnity and appreciation.

Originally, November 11th’s celebration was called Armistice Day, and was installed by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919.

There are corresponding holidays in other countries throughout the world as well, such as Remembrance Day and Armistice Day. Although the United States has seen many changes over the course of decades for what was formerly called Armistice Day, including a change of date, it is now back to its original time but is officially known as Veterans Day.

Many communities throughout the country celebrate this day with thanksgiving. It is not uncommon at all to see many small towns lined with American flags, or to see parades held in honor of those who have served us so nobly throughout the years. Many take special consideration for the aging veterans throughout the country, and moments of silence at precisely 11 in the morning are common.

However, there is no service more heartrending than the one held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

This grave does indeed contain an unknown American soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. It is guarded at all times by servicemen and women of this great nation. And on November 11th, there is a special ceremony held at 11am which includes a color guard of four; one person to represent each branch of service, and the sounding of the taps. The President of the United States, or his personal representative, places a wreath on the grave. There is also a Parade of Flags at the Memorial Amphitheater.

When researching options for in home care agencies in Tucson, AZ call us at (480) 535-6800. Home care counselors at Endeavor Home Care are available to talk with you about your in home care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care. We are an elder care agency providing home care in Tucson, AZ.

Senior Care in Gilbert, AZ: What is COPD and How Do Seniors Get It?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, describes a spectrum of irreversible, progressive conditions permanently affecting airflow to the lungs. These conditions include chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Patients with chronic bronchitis struggle to bring air into their lungs due to inflamed, swollen airways clogged with excess mucus. Seniors with emphysema have damage to the small air sacs in their lungs, which makes it difficult for them to absorb oxygen and expel carbon dioxide. Usually the diagnosis of COPD entails some combination of both of these conditions.

Frequently undiagnosed, COPD is one of the top five causes of death in the United States. As many as 12 million people have COPD but do not know it. Symptoms develop slowly and are often missed or discounted. It is not unusual for seniors with COPD to have lost over 50 percent of their lung capacity before their diagnosis, so it is especially important for those working in senior care to become familiar with the symptoms.

One of the earliest signs of COPD is difficulty doing every day activities. Those involved with senior care should monitor seniors for apparent trouble completing the same activities as their peers, unusual fatigue or weight loss. Additional symptoms of COPD include: shortness of breath, wheezing, chronic coughing with mucus and a tight chest. Seniors with advanced COPD may have blue lips and nail beds, morning headaches or cough blood. Side effects of COPD include a higher incidence of heart problems, depression and an increased susceptibility to respiratory infections.

Over 80 percent of those with COPD are smokers or have a history of smoking. COPD strikes women more often than men. Other significant risk factors include: secondhand smoke, dust or chemical exposure and air pollution. Less than 1 percent of patients with COPD got it through the inherited genetic disorder Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.

While COPD cannot be cured, it can be managed. Treatment for this disease focuses on avoiding further deterioration of the lungs and reducing symptoms. COPD patients should quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke. Medication and supplemental oxygen can relieve symptoms by reducing inflammation and easing breathing. Pulmonary rehabilitation can help seniors learn proper breathing techniques and exercises to recondition their lungs and improve lung capacity. Additionally, every senior should get an annual flu shot to help prevent respiratory infection. With proper senior care, COPD does not have to reduce the quality of a senior’s life.

When researching options for senior care agencies in Gilbert, AZ call us at (480) 535-6800. Home care counselors at Endeavor Home Care are available to talk with you about your senior care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care. We are an elder care agency providing senior care in Gilbert, AZ.

Senior Care in Chandler, AZ: Open Enrollment for Medicare –Now through Dec 7, 2012

Medicare provides senior care coverage for millions of older Americans. The program offers a variety of coverage selections through the various “Parts” of the program and through advantage policies. These plans offer a combination of the Medicare coverage with private insurances.

Medicare beneficiaries can review and change their Medicare plans from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, each year.

Know Your Current Plan

You may not have had any problems with your current Medicare coverage, but that doesn’t mean it is the best option for you. Know what is covered by your current coverage and what your responsibilities are for co-pays or deductibles. Know what you pay in premiums and what you pay out of pocket for medical care. This can include prescription drug costs and coverage for non-covered services as well as deductibles.

Research Other Options

Would a small increase in premiums result in a large reduction in health care costs you pay? Check, for example, what coverage is available for prescription drugs you take? Medicare representatives can create a report containing the costs and benefits of various insurance products if you supply them with a list of your drug prescriptions. Ask questions about participating doctors and clinics. Some Medicare Advantage plans limit which physicians a patient can visit.

The staff at the local Medicare office can provide reports based on your location. You may want to research coverage costs and benefits for multiple locations if you reside in different parts of the country during the year. This is of particular importance to northern residents who travel south for the winter.

The other variable is difficult to predict. What medical problems will you suffer next year? Will you need senior care services? Most Medicare recipients base their choices for next year’s coverage based on their current medical situation and prescription drugs. If you have reason to believe your medical condition will change, you may want to include that information in the Medicare decision process.

Make the Change

Once you determine which policy provides you with the best value in senior care make the change. This can be arranged through a representative of the company offering the Medicare Advantage Plan or through the Medicare representatives for standard Medicare coverage. Changes take effect on Jan. 1, 2013.

When researching options for senior care agencies in Chandler, AZ call us at (480) 535-6800. Home care counselors at Endeavor Home Care are available to talk with you about your senior care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care. We are an elder care agency providing senior care in Chandler, AZ.

Elder Care Questions in Sun City West, AZ: What is Parkinson’s Disease, and How Can We Help Seniors Suffering from this Illness?

For those involved in elder care, either as an occupation or out of respect for the needs of a loved one, the subject of Parkinson’s Disease may become part of their daily vernacular. As the second most common neuro-degenerative disorder in the United States, Parkinson’s Disease is most common among the 50 years of age and older population. With that said, it is also important to note that this debilitating disease process can begin in people as young as 30 years of age.

Early Signs and Symptoms

Early signs of the disease process include loss of coordination, muscle stiffness, weakened voice, tremors and loss of sexual function (in men). For many patients, the neuro-degeneration caused by Parkinson’s Disease can proceed slowly for the rest of their lifespan, meaning that, while these symptoms may not improve, they will not grow noticeably worse in a rapid time-frame. Fortunately, this means that a large percentage of Parkinson’s Disease patients will require limited elder care services beyond basic in home care or the assistance of a private caregiver to successfully live at home with the disease.

Elder Care and Parkinson’s Disease

As caregivers, there are a few things that can be done to assist patients suffering from Parkinson’s Disease. Physical therapy, especially during the early and middle stages of the degenerative process, may be extremely helpful in maintaining the patient’s range of motion and flexibility, thus prolonging the painful stiffening of the joints and other debilitating effects of the disease. Some patients also respond well to vitamin supplement and drug therapies to reduce or slow the progress of pain, inflammation and other symptoms of the disease process. In the later stages of the process, a patient may become more reliant upon the assistance of others to accomplish basic tasks, such as shaving, brushing of teeth or bathing. Unfortunately, due to degeneration of cognitive and sensory functions, the patient may not recognize the need for added assistance so it falls to the caregiver to decide when the extra help is appropriate.

While the physical effects of Parkinson’s Disease can be devastating, the non-motor function effects of the degeneration process are often the most troubling for patients, family members and the elder care team that is trying to provide needed support. As a neuro-degenerative process, Parkinson’s disease can cause patients to suffer from depression and anxiety. The disease can also cause normally fluent speakers to lose their train of thought or develop a twitch during conversations, which makes communication difficult. Caregivers can assist the patient by displaying patience and empathy in these situations, as well as redirecting the patient when lessened cognitive function is causing them to make dangerous decisions.

By providing for the patients physical and mental needs, caregivers can ensure that those suffering from Parkinson’s Disease can continue to live a full and well-adapted life at home or in assisted living.

When researching options for elder care agencies in Sun City West, AZ call us at (480) 535-6800. Home care counselors at Endeavor Home Care are available to talk with you about your elder care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care. We are an elder care agency providing home care in Sun City West, AZ.

Learn More About Assistance for Caregivers in Sun City, AZ through the “Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregiver Center Online”

Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that generally affects elderly individuals over 60. It is the most common type of dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Alzheimer’s Disease and other types of dementia effect a person’s memory, visual perception, language skills and thought processes to the extent that they have a difficult time functioning. dementia can cause them to forget how to perform basic functions, such as getting dressed or eating.

Most patients suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease and other types of dementia require total care, which means that their family members, spouses or others need to be with them at all hours of the day. Caring for patients with different forms of dementia can be emotionally and physically draining. Many people taking care of these patients feel overwhelmed and alone.

The Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregiver Center provides different tools for caregivers to get information and connect with others in similar situations.

Being a caregiver doesn’t always come naturally. The caregiver center looks to educate individuals on how to take care of someone with Alzheimer’s Disease or another type of dementia.

On the website, people can find answers to common questions about Alzheimer’s Disease, tips for caring for someone with Dementia, advice on training resources and an online calendar for families taking care of dementia patients.

On the website, alz.org/care/overview.asp, a person caring for an Alzheimer’s patient can also find information about different stages of dementia; ways to take care of patients as they start to lose their ability to function and suggestions for caregivers to engage and entertain patients.

Caring for a patient with dementia or being in the early stages of dementia often causes a person to feel isolated or frightened. The center’s website features message boards where people taking care of patients or suffering from dementia can communicate with each other.

The forums provide special areas for patients, spouses and partners, young people with dementia and people who have lost loved ones. On the forums, people can reach out to others to talk, find out information, share poems or learn about recent clinical trials.

Sometimes people who care for dementia patients want to meet people experiencing similar challenges and emotions. The center’s website provides links to local Alzheimer’s and dementia support groups, where people can meet in person and chat with others who are also caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s Disease.

During the support group meetings, people can talk about common issues, share their feelings and find out more about resources available to caregivers.

When researching options for in home care agencies in Sun City, AZ call us at (480) 535-6800. Home care counselors at Endeavor Home Care are available to talk with you about your in home care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care. We are an elder care agency providing caregivers in Sun City, AZ.

Senior Care in Paradise Valley, AZ: The Challenges for Seniors Diagnosed with Type-2 Diabetes

Seniors diagnosed with Type-2 Diabetes have many challenges to face to keep their health on an even keel. Once diagnosed, some important lifestyle changes need to be made, and those changes could be complicated depending on the senior’s overall condition.

Diet and Exercise

Diet and exercise often are the first lines of defense when it comes to controlling diabetes. For those on fixed incomes, affordable food sometimes does not add up to a balanced diet. If a senior has additional health issues and does not exercise, then starting a workout routine can be a daunting prospect. The goal should be to apply corrections in both of these areas as much as possible.

Medical Guidance

Medical guidance can help a senior learn more about nutrition to make better choices at the grocery store. Starting an exercise routine can depend on the person’s condition. Even as little as two, 10-minute sessions a day could begin to make a difference in overall health. The key motivator is that diet and exercise help manage this disease effectively in many patients.

Transportation

Transportation to and from medical appointments also can be an issue. With a diabetes diagnosis, more health monitoring is necessary to maintain appropriate levels of treatment. Senior care services offering transportation may be able to help. Qualifying seniors also may be able to participate in local government transit programs at reduced cost, which may provide rides to and from doctors’ offices.

Lack of medical assistance because of tight finances may be at the root of most undiagnosed diabetes cases. Type-2 Diabetes, left untreated, can damage kidneys, lead eventually to blindness and cause other life-threatening conditions. If these conditions already are taking hold, there can be additional challenges and expenses to maintain the senior’s quality of life. These challenging elements are why early detection is crucial.

Check-Ups are VERY Important

Make the time for checkups with your doctor and make note of any physical changes you may be experiencing, such as excessive thirst or fatigue. Taking control of diabetes is much easier and cheaper to confront in its earlier stage than trying to manage an advanced case. The challenges, while daunting at first, can be tackled one by one with planning, knowledge and outside assistance.

When researching options for senior care agencies in Paradise Valley, AZ call us at (480) 535-6800. Home care counselors at Endeavor Home Care are available to talk with you about your senior care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care. We are an elder care agency providing senior care in Paradise Valley, AZ.

Senior Care in Fountain Hills, AZ: Pay Attention to Your Bones During National Bone and Joint Week Oct. 12-20

Did you know that almost half of Americans age 18 or older are limited by a bone-related disorder like back pain, arthritis, osteoporosis, sports trauma, or fractures?

That’s why October 12-20 has been designated as National Bone and Joint Awareness Week. The goal is to raise awareness of various bone disorders so that the public is more informed, and health care practitioners can focus on prevention.

National Bone and Joint Awareness Week began as an initiative of the global Bone and Joint Decade program. Healthcare industries, government agencies, and physicians are working together with the goal of improving the prevention of disorders of the bones.

Let’s take a look at two bone and joint disorders that affect many Americans, with a focus on education and prevention.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is the most common disorder of the bones in the United States. It affects almost one in four men and one in two women. The condition is progressive and debilitating. It can greatly restrict one’s freedom and range of movement, leading to high rates of spine and hip fractures. In turn, these injuries tend to make an already fragile person more sedentary.

Another way to prevent osteoporosis is through weight-bearing exercise. The body responds to this type of exercise by building bone mass to support any additional muscle and the force generated by that muscle. This may sound like a daunting task, but you don’t have to be an Olympic athlete to see benefits from this type of exercise.

Moderate lifting with some small hand weights is all that is required. Be sure to start with weights you can handle and add weight very slowly. Always listen to your body and rest between exercise days to allow your body time to recover.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a common disorder of the joints, which causes pain, inflammation, and limited range of motion in the joints. A joint that is swollen can be damaged over time. Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis related to aging.

Medications are typically prescribed to treat arthritis. Anti-inflammatory drugs help reduce the swelling and can reduce pain. Pain killers are also sometimes prescribed to helps manage the pain.

Preventing Arthritis

In addition to Vitamin D, getting adequate exercise is important. Maintaining a healthy weight eases the burden on knees. Glucosamine Chondroitin supplements help many arthritis sufferers. Another great supplement is hyaluronic acid. These supplements help build and maintain cartilage that helps cushion joints.

When researching options for senior care agencies in Fountain Hills, AZ call us at (480) 535-6800. Home care counselors at Endeavor Home Care are available to talk with you about your senior care needs including how to reduce caregiver stress while providing better, affordable care. We are an elder care agency providing senior care in Fountain Hills, AZ.