Pittsburgh Healthcare Report

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Elderly Addicts Face an Uphill Battle Toward Recovery

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While we don’t often think of the elderly suffering from substance abuse problems, addiction is a growing epidemic among older adults. Whether from prescription medications, illegal narcotics or alcohol abuse, there are more elderly people struggling with addiction every day. Unfortunately, successful treatment can be even more challenging for this age group, so unique programs must be developed.

The Face of Elderly Substance Addiction

According to reports from the U.S. Census Bureau, by 2050, they estimate the number of people aged 65 or older will rise to 83.7 million people. Of those, researchers estimate that over 6 million will abuse alcohol by 2020 and the number that abuse drugs will more than double from 2013 to 2020. While some may be quick to blame prescription misuse for those skyrocketing numbers, there may be other contributory causes of elderly addiction.

Those people born in the Baby Boom generation spent their teens and young adult years experimenting with drugs and alcohol use throughout the 60s and 70s. Now, those people are reaching their retirement years and many may have never had to previously confront their addictions. As they become more reliant on health insurance and limited retirement incomes, they may be experiencing more problems in obtaining their substance of choice. Additionally, addiction becomes more easily recognized, as the elderly enter assisted living facilities. [Read more…]

Redefining Aging

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A puppy or kitten playing clumsily with a toy is certainly categorized as cute. Babies, with their contagious smiles and giggling squeals, are adorable. But when it comes to talking about older adults, please refrain from talking about how ‘cute’ or ‘adorable’ they are.

And, do not refer to them as ‘sweetie’ or ‘honey.’ Terms of endearment can carry different meanings and lead to judgments or assumptions at any age. One of the most damaging behaviors of ageism is to begin treating older adults like children, and words are often part of the problem.

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Modern Technology is an Activity of Daily Living at Providence Point

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Providence Point is a robust retirement and LifeCare community welcoming residents 62 and older. Residents have access to a revolving calendar of classes, programs and events. The popularity of classes for iPad, iPod and iPhone tutorials are proof that technology is everyday routine and a must for living at Providence Point. The number of visitors to the new website, that features a Google 360◦ virtual tour, has also risen dramatically.

The website was recently relaunched and includes floor plans for Hamilton Tower, and a video ‘fly-over,” an architectural rendering of the planned expansion of 70 spacious one- and two-bedroom residential living apartments. Using technology to gain information is no longer out of the hands of the older generation. Tech-savvy seniors participate in the community’s social media regularly and were thrilled to experience the tour of their community with Google VR glasses.

The virtual tour allows visitors the option to tour the grandeur at Providence Point from the comforts of home, something our tech-savvy residents are sharing with friends to best demonstrate the attributes of living at Providence Point. [Read more…]

70-40 Rule® – Bridging the Communication Gap

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7040-RPNSenior care professionals are often caught in the middle when families can’t agree. That’s where the “70-40” Rule® programs and emotional support services can help. This program is offered to develop open discussions between families when it comes to providing care to parents and other various senior needs. Older adults and their families often look to professionals like you for practical resources and tips to help them bridge the communication gap.

You may have witnessed this in your senior care practice: the communication gap that occurred when Boomer children were teenagers can repeat as seniors struggle to find the right words to talk to their kids about sensitive subjects.

Independence, money, health and romance can leave tongue-tied even senior parents who are close to their Boomer children. How do seniors tell their adult children they want to stay in their own home versus going to a nursing home? What does a widower say to the kids when he’s dating a family friend? How does a widow tell her children that she has cancer? How do older adults explain that they’re becoming forgetful without sending their family into a panic?

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Surviving Eldercare: 6 Tips for the Sandwich Generation

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Screen Shot 2014-02-02 at 1.44.58 PMBy Carol-Ann Hamilton

Here are some alarming statistics.

According to a recent Statistics Canada census (figures globally will be equivalent, anywhere burgeoning elder populations exist):

The number of seniors who live with relatives and non-relatives in private dwellings is 393,150 – up from 285,370 only a few years’ previously;

Twenty-five percent of those aged 45 to 64 (the so-called Sandwich Generation) have children living at home and perform some form of eldercare;

Fifteen percent of those workers must take time off from their job to care for aging relatives.

Juggling multiple competing demands is tough at the best of times.  You’re already split umpteen ways daily through your employment or business, significant other, children, grandchildren, home and/or car maintenance, your health and tons more.

You’re not alone.

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Be Proactive: Help Prevent Prostate Cancer

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aaron-e-katzBy Aaron E. Katz, M.D.

Prostate health issues are becoming increasingly common in men, particularly those who are 50 years old and older. In fact, one in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. The disease is the third most common cause of death from cancer in men of all ages. Thanks to a simple physical exam and the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test, most prostate cancers can be detected before there are symptoms. If you do get prostate disease, you can harness the power of potent natural medicines to strengthen your body’s own ability to heal. But why wait for a negative diagnosis?

Here are steps that men can take to improve their prostate health, today.

Improving Your Diet — Reduce fat: Studies suggest acorrelation between dietary fat and prostate cancer. Eat less than 30 percent fat overall and favor unsaturated fats such as olive and canola oils over saturated and trans fats.

Eat organic: Eat a largely organic and vegetarian diet.
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Improving Communication Between Seniors and Doctors

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improving-communicationToday’s seniors belong to a generation that tends to view doctors as authority figures who are not to be questioned. That mindset keeps many seniors from having the conversations they need to have with their healthcare providers.

During a recent webinar on patient/doctor communication, Dr. Amy D’Aprix, Executive Director of the DAI Foundation, shared the following story:

“My father was referred to a urologist because he was having trouble urinating. I spoke with him right after the appointment and he said to me, ‘Well, I feel good. The doctor assured me it isn’t prostate cancer.’ And I said, ‘Oh Dad that’s great! Well, what did the doctor say about the problem you’re having urinating?’ And his response to me was ‘Not much.’ And I asked him, ‘Well did you mention it to the doctor?’ And he said, ‘No, I figured if it was important, he would have brought it up.’”
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Eight Things You Need to Know about Long-Term Care

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By Harold Lustig

Many of us don’t think about long-term care (LTC) until elderly parents need it or we come face-to-face with our own medical crisis. Myths about long-term care are legion, including “My spouse will take care of me” or “I’m too young to think about it.” Here are eight things you need to know.

LTC costs more in some parts of the country than others. The median cost of long-term care in New York State, for example, was $116,000 per year for a private room and $73,000 for a semi-private room in 2010, but only $52,000 a year in Louisiana. Would you send your loved one to a less expensive area? Not if you want them to live longer. People whose family, friends, and relatives visit them in a long-term care facility live longer and maintain better health than those who have no visitors.

Women are more likely to end up in a nursing home than men. Here’s why: Two out of 3 people 85 and older are women. Women over 65 are more likely to be living alone. Women are more likely than men to get Alzheimer’s disease, and they are more likely to suffer a debilitating stroke. And to make matters worse, many elderly women have no Social Security benefits.

LTC isn’t only for the elderly. The need for LTC can arise at any age. In fact, more than 40 percent of people who need it are under 65. Michael J. Fox was only 30 when he noticed a twitch in his finger that was later diagnosed as Parkinson’s. Christopher Reeve was 43 when he had his tragic accident that left him a quadriplegic.

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SeniorCare Network wins Best of the Best at 17th Annual Apartment Excellence Awards

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York Commons_2013 Best of the Best copySeniorCare Network, the real-estate management affiliate of Presbyterian SeniorCare won the Best of the Best award in elderly housing, as well as three additional Apartment Excellence Awards at the June 14 ceremony at the Rivers Casino.

The awards recognize property owners, managers and staff of apartment communities in metropolitan Pittsburgh (comprised of Allegheny, Beaver, Butler and Westmoreland counties) that achieve the highest standards of property management. Best of the Best awards are given to the property that achieves at least a 98% in their category.

Through SeniorCare Network, Presbyterian SeniorCare provides affordable and supportive housing for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities. Supportive housing includes additional services as needed and as appropriate to enhance the quality of life and care for residents, such as wellness and educational programs, optional meal plans and transportation.

Excelling in its commitment to meeting the needs and desires of seniors in our region is York Commons, winner of the Best of the Best in Overall Community Appeal.
[Read more…]