Rhode Island

I work in a busy Rhode Island medical practice where we see a large number of senior caregivers that work professionally or provide care for a family member. Recently, our doctors have been receiving a lot of inquiries from these individuals about when and if a Swine Flu vaccine will become available. An interesting trend about the caregivers inquiring is that they’re less worried about protecting their own health, but more concerned with protecting themselves so they don’t pass any viruses along to their vulnerable elderly care recipients. If this sounds like you, but you haven’t wanted to ask your health care professional, here are some details about the Swine Flu vaccine to ease your mind:

• Availability – the H1N1 vaccine should be available in fall of 2009 in order to combat formal flu season. Specific dates have not yet been released as they are based on manufacturing

• Production – a Swine Flu vaccine is currently in production, and before being offered to the public, will be involved in clinical trials

• Combined vaccines – the Swine Flu vaccine will be separate from the seasonal flu vaccine. It can be administered at the same time, although since the H1N1 vaccine is likely to be available later in the season, seniors are encouraged to get the seasonal flu vaccine first

• Age for priority vaccinations – studies have shown that H1N1 is more likely to affect people aged 25 to 64, or those with compromised immune systems due to health issues. The vaccine will be available to these people initially, and older adults over 65 can receive the vaccine after

• Locations – the Swine Flu vaccine will be available in locations that aren’t just your doctor’s office. Vaccination programs will take place in offices, schools, pharmacies, and other private settings

• The 1976 vaccine – the Swine Flu pandemic of 1976 also had a vaccine developed to fight the spread of illness, however, even those vaccinated then should receive the new H1N1 vaccine as the disease is not likely the same

Via: Center for Disease Control and Prevention

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Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.

You might have been told to slow down on your caffeine consumption due to adverse health effects, but good news if you’re one of those seniors who cannot function without their morning cup of coffee. There are actually proven benefits to your health and they include:

1. Dementia prevention – drinking 3 to 5 cups a day can prevent dementia

2. Lower risk of stroke – according to research, the more coffee you drink, the more your likelihood of having a stroke is reduced!

3. Prevention of skin cancer – coffee can disrupt the protein that causes damaged skin cells to turn into skin cancer

4. Relieves pain – coffee is a proven treatment for headaches and it can help alleviate pain from exercise

5. Reacts with brain’s receptors – by reacting with the brain’s receptors, caffeine prevents Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, improve moods, lowers suicide rates and reduces pain.

6. Healthy heart – since coffee is a great source of magnesium, it can make for a healthy heart!

7. Prevention of other diseases and illnesses – Parkinson’s, type 2 diabetes, several types of cancer (liver, endometrial, colorectal), suicide and some mood disorders, gallstones, cirrhosis of the liver and cavities are all prevented and reduced in regular coffee drinkers

Of course, the above benefits refer to drinking coffee black, as adding cream and sugar isn’t going to do your body any favors!

Via: Cognifit

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Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.

Driving takes a great deal of cognitive skill for decision making and interpreting the actions of other drivers, and as these skills decline with age there is an increased risk of accident when getting behind the wheel in Rhode Island, especially when navigating left turns. According to studies, seniors are 9 times more likely to have an accident when turning left because they need to determine when it’s safe to go based on the speed and distance of other cars. Of course, since safety is a priority for all seniors, some can try to reduce their risk of having an accident when making left turns with the following techniques:

• Avoid left turns – instead of turning left at an intersection, make 3 right turns to go around the block and go straight through the intersection
• Only turn left on an advanced green – during certain hours of the day, some intersections may have left turn signals, or others may have them all the time. Only make left turns at an intersection with a left turn signal
• Drive during the day – with increased visibility, senior’s can have an easy time processing the visual stimulus and making a safe decision on when to turn
• Avoid busy times – seniors can avoid driving during busy times of the day, or in the busier areas unless absolutely necessary
• Take your time – when making a left turn, seniors should take their time and not feel pressured by other drivers. If there’s limited visibility, they can wait until it’s possible to see

Via: Cognifit

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Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.