75% Will Be Obese According to First-Ever Obesity Forecast

According to the first-ever obesity forecast citizens of the world's richest countries are getting fatter and fatter and the U.S. is leading the charge. Three out of four Americans will be overweight or obese by 2020, and disease rates and health care spending will balloon, unless governments, individuals and industry cooperate on a comprehensive strategy to combat the epidemic, the study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said.

In 10 years, a full 75 percent of Americans will be overweight, making it "the fattest country in the OECD." According to Johns Hopkins, about 86 percent of U.S. adults would be overweight or obese by 2030 if current trends continue.

The lifespan of an obese person is 8 to 10 years shorter than that of a normal-weight person, the OECD said, the same loss of lifespan incurred by smoking. In the U.S. the cost in dollars of obesity is equivalent to 1 percent of the country's total gross domestic product. These costs could rise two- or threefold over the coming years. Obesity and overweight-related health care costs would rise 70 percent by 2015 and could be 2.4 times higher than the current level in 2025 according to the report.

I mean honestly do you really have to say anymore?

World's Oldest Man Shares Insight

Check out this interview at McKnights with the world's oldest man.

Dental Health - A Good Time of the Year to Consider It

The following is a guest blog by Hannah Daniel who writes for the 1Dental.com Blog and can be reached at hdaniel@cidental.com.

Fresh off a holiday feast and anticipating more of the same, it is important that we remember the affects this is all having on our teeth.

Oral health affects your entire well-being – if your mouth is in bad shape, your overall health suffers. Senior citizens especially must pay closer attention to their oral health.

Why Seniors Have Different Oral Health Needs

A healthy smile becomes harder to maintain as time progresses, and it may require different or additional care. However, age in and of itself is not the cause of these heightened dental concerns. Other health factors that tend to be more prevalent in seniors are the culprits.

With advancing age, the body absorbs fewer nutrients from food and produces fewer hormones and enzymes. Arthritis does not directly affect the teeth, but it could lead to bruxism, or teeth grinding. Arthritis could also make a person unable to properly complete basic oral hygiene routines like flossing.

Medications can also cause the body to react unfavorably in the mouth. For example, a dry mouth condition called xerostomia, which creates a favorable environment for oral decay, is a common side effect for some antihistamines, decongestants, heart medications and diuretics. Previous dental work may need to be replaced, and decay can form around old fillings and crowns. To top it all off, teeth simply wear down over time.

Senior Citizens and Dental Health Nationwide

Dental health has improved among the older population compared to past decades, but with heightened risk among the older generations, decay and gum disease are still prevalent. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention presented a National Health & Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2004, concluding that:

• Seniors age 65+ have an average of 3.28 decayed or missing permanent teeth and 13.65 decayed or missing permanent surfaces.
• Approximately 23% of seniors age 65+ currently have untreated dental decay.

• At least 92% of seniors age 65+ have had cavities in their permanent teeth at some point.

Common Dental Health Issues for Seniors:

The older generation faces an extended list of potential dental health problems. A few of these include:

• Xerostomia – Often called dry mouth, this disease occurs when the mouth produces less saliva than normal. Saliva washes plaque-causing debris from the mouth, but certain medications like antihistamines, heart medications, decongestants or diuretics can dry it out.
• Thrush – The overgrowth of oral fungus Candida albicans stems from a poor immune system. Certain medications or diseases can hinder the immune system, making the mouth more prone to oral thrush.
• Stomatitis – Stomatitis, the inflammation of oral tissues, can be caused by inadequate oral hygiene and fungal buildup. The condition often occurs in the tissue under dentures, making ill-fitting dentures an additional risk factor.
• Root decay – Receding gums expose the roots of the teeth, leaving them more susceptible to decay. Exposure to bacteria and acid reactions can easily lead to cavities since the root has a thinner layer of enamel protection.
• Facial Collapse – The body notices that it’s no longer supporting a full smile as teeth begin to fall out. It therefore pulls resources from the jaw bone and redirects them to other parts of the body. The jaw eventually begins to deteriorate from a lack of nutrients, which can cause even more tooth loss.

Taking Care of Your Teeth

One of the most important steps you can take toward maintaining a healthy mouth and avoiding these associated health problems is to visit a dentist for regular dental checkups. A dentist can detect problems that the naked eye would never notice. For those with dentures, all appliances should be checked frequently to make sure they still fit properly and are not damaging the mouth in any way. Additionally, seniors should be sure to brush their teeth regularly using whatever method matches their dexterity. For those with less dexterity, you can wrap electrical tape around the toothbrush handle to make it easier to grasp, purchase an electronic toothbrush or even ask for assistance.

Last year, 34% of the American population did not visit a dentist at all (Gallup-Healthways poll). Infection and decay advance more quickly in seniors, so it’s important to schedule frequent checkups with a dentist. You only get one permanent set of teeth in your life, but if you take care of your smile, it could last a lifetime. Proper oral health can help you ensure a healthy mouth at any age.

Happy Thanksgiving

To all of our readers I am grateful for the opportunity to serve you and grateful for your interest in this blog. Please take time for yourself and family today and caregivers especially take care of yourself. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Nursing Home Restraints Fall - Anti-Anxiety Drugs Rise

According to a report released by the American Health Care Association and the Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care, use of physical restraints, falls, and emotional and behavioral symptoms dropped at nursing and rehabilitation facilities across the country over the last decade. But other quality indicators, such as the prevalence of anti-anxiety drug use, increased.


The percentage of residents who were physically restrained fell from 9.3% in 2000 to 3.1% in 2009. The prevalence of anti-anxiety and hypnotic drug use increased from 17% to 23.1% over the last 10 years. Meanwhile, the percentage of nursing facility patients taking nine or more medications increased from 42.8% to 70.6% over that same period. The report is available online at www.ahcancal.org or www.aqnhc.org.

Global Costs of Dementia 1% of GDP

The global cost of dementia in 2010 is expected to exceed 1% of the global gross domestic product, or $604 billion—and the price tag will only get higher, according to a new report by researchers at the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden, and King's College London in the UK.

The number of dementia patients is expected to double by 2030 and triple by 2050. The cost of care is so massive that, if dementia-care were a country, it would be the world's 18th largest economy—larger than Indonesia, Switzerland or Belgium.

Source: McKnights

Mercury in Flu Vaccines May Be Dangerous

Evidently, there have been studies suggesting that mercury may be implicated in somehow contributing to Alzheimer’s Disease. According to an industry advocacy group called SafeMinds, a mercury preservative, known as thimerosal, can be found in the majority of influenza vaccines, including those given annually to seniors. According to Lyn Redwood, RN, MSN, Executive Director of SafeMinds "while there are mercury-free flu shots available, consumers are often unaware that they need to ask for them and insist on not being exposed to mercury."

The new SafeMinds "Don’t Take the Risk" tool kit includes listings of which flu vaccines are mercury-free. The website has links to the package inserts, the CDC’s Vaccine Information Sheets, related research, and background information on mercury and thimerosal.

Ask your doctor before getting your flu vaccine this year.

New Technologies Help Caregivers and Seniors Alike

George Mason University Professor Andrew Carle recently released the top “Nana” technologies for 2010. Carle, director of the university's Program in Assisted Living/Senior Housing Administration, coined the term “Nana" technology in 2004 to define the growing industry of microchip-based products for seniors. 

This year, he singled out four: GlowCaps, Wellcore, DriveSharp and ActiveONE-Personal Assistance Locator.

GlowCaps are designed to replace the cap on standard prescription bottles. They provide light and sound reminders at programmed times.

The Wellcore activity monitor is an emergency pendant and incorporates automatic “fall detection” technology and other information. 

DriveSharp provides 20-minute training programs to strengthen attention and peripheral vision. 

ActiveONE, is a cell phone-size device that offers live 24-7 operator assistance. Services range from emergency assistance to medication reminders.

Source: McKnights

B Vitamins Can Cut Rate Brain Shrinkage

British researchers say they have discovered that very large daily doses of B vitamins can cut the rate of brain shrinkage in half. The findings could lead to treatment that would slow the progression of dementia and Alzheimer's disease, they said.

"This is a very dramatic and striking result. It's much more than we could have predicted," said trial co-leader David Smith of Oxford University's department of pharmacology. "It is our hope that this simple and safe treatment will delay development of Alzheimer's in many people who suffer from mild memory problems."

The two-year clinical trial is believed to be the largest to date studying the effects of B vitamins on individuals with “mild” cognitive impairment. Researchers said about half of those diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment develop Alzheimer's within five years. B6 and B12 vitamins have been found to control levels of an amino acid in the blood that has links to higher risks of developing Alzheimer's, experts explained.

Check with your doctor. A good vitamin regiment could be good for your health.


Source: Mcknight's Long Term Care News

Prescription Drug Use on the Rise

Nearly 90% of older adults reported taking at least one prescription drug in the past month, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which noted that prescription drug use overall is on the rise.

In the last decade, the number of Americans taking one or more prescription drugs rose to 48% from 44% according to a report from the CDC. The most commonly prescribed drugs for seniors were cholesterol-lowering statins. Approximately 76% of seniors take two or more prescription drugs, while 37% take five or more.

Some previous reports have suggested seniors may be prescribed too many medications, which can lead to adverse reactions. (McKnight's, 7/17/07). Seniors who take multiple medications are also at a higher risk of falls, which are the leading cause of admission to a nursing home. (McKnight's, 7/14/08)

Pollution Can Increase Risk of Sudden Heart Attack

The fine particles of pollution that hang in the air can increase the risk for sudden cardiac arrest, according to a study conducted by a team from Long Island Jewish (LIJ) Medical Center and The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) keeps tabs on air pollution through dozens of strategically placed pollution sensors in cities and towns throughout the country. Researchers wanted to find out if there were more cardiac arrests on high pollution days than on lower pollution days.

Researchers reported that for a 10ug/m3 rise in small particle air pollution, there was a four-to-10 percent increase in the number of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests. Researchers are now looking for a relationship between out-of-hospital cardiac arrests and traffic flow patterns. Other studies have suggested that one in three people live in areas where small particulate matter levels are considered unhealthy.

So what do you say to a study like that? Tell people to move? Not sure. 

Met Life to Discontinue Selling LTC Insurance

Met Life says it will halt sales of long-term-care insurance. Coming from one of the thought leaders in aging that is pretty serious news. More and more insurers have given up this product because they underestimated the claims they would pay out over time and so did not price their policies accordingly.

Part of it is our culture. We are ranked 37th in the World Health Organization and we don't take care of ourselves. Plagued with chronic conditions it is no wonder there is more of a demand for these services. Yet only eight million have long-term-care insurance in the U.S.

According to a Wall Street Journal article, MetLife's "$36 million in sales last year were dwarfed by perennial industry leaders John Hancock Financial, at $116 million, and Genworth Financial Inc., at $108 million, according to Broker World." And Hancock is asking state regulators for an average 40% increase for about 850,000 of its 1.1 million long-term-care policyholders.

Health care reform only scratched the surface in terms of aging services. Sure there will be a CLASS Act come January. But it is voluntary and does not pay much. There is tsunami of crisis heading our way with an aging population.

If long-term care insurance goes away there are few good choices for payment. The scenario now is: if hospitalized for three consecutive days and you enter a facility, Medicare will help for a while. Then it is about self-pay then exhausting your funds then qualifying for Medicaid. My advice if you can afford it. But long-term care insurance now. It will never be cheaper. And it will certainly be needed by many.

Fighting the Aging Brain

This guest post is contributed by Alisa Gilbert, who writes on the topics of bachelors degree.  She welcomes your comments at her email Id: alisagilbert599@gmail.com. 

  

Everyone knows that the older they get the more forgetful they seem to be. This is because as we age, we not only begin to lose brain cells but our bodies make less of the chemicals that brain cells need to work. As our cognitive processes slow down, it interferes with memory storage and retrieval. If you've noticed that it's been harder for you to remember things like what you ate for dinner last night, where you put your keys last, or even the name of a person you were just introduced to, you may be starting to experience the effects of an aging brain. Studies show that short-term memory, episodic memory, and semantic memory are affected by aging, but difficulties with working memory most commonly experienced. Working memory is the information the mind actively uses to complete more complex tasks like comprehension, learning, and reasoning. Basically, it is the memory that you use when your brain is doing conscious thinking and it usually doesn't last longer than about 30 seconds. Even though memory loss is associated with aging, there are plenty of things that older adults can do to keep the brain sharp and healthy.

Eat

The term "brain food" doesn't just apply to young people in an educational setting. As we age our brains need the right nutrients to function at optimum levels. B vitamins are important as the help reduce brain shrinkage and protect the nervous system. Vitamin B-6 helps the brain stay healthy and aids with memory retention, while Folic Acid improves mental clarity as it is used in red blood cell production. Omega-3 fats help to prevent memory loss and dementia as they contain acids that act as anti-inflammatories which keep the brain cells from swelling and help to repair cellular damage. It's also important to eat lots of fruits and vegetables that contain antioxidants and phytochemicals which fight free-radicals that cause cell damage and reverse age-related memory loss. You can also incorporate supplements into your diet like Ginkgo Biloba which helps to enhance memory as it increases circulation to the brain.

Exercise

It's important to stay active as we age not only to keep our bodies strong but our minds healthy. Exercise is related to improved mental function as those who do it regularly tend to have more brain volume and white matter. This is likely due to the fact that getting your heart rate up increases blood flow throughout the body, including the brain. Better blood circulation and oxygen intake means that the brain is getting the nutrients it needs to encourage the development of new nerve cells. Whether you join an aerobics class or simply start walking the dog in the evenings, you can reduce the risk of cognitive decline just by getting off the couch and moving. 

Play

When you were younger, the continuous mental activities required of school or work may have been enough to keep your mind in shape. With retirement comes leisure and even though the mental break may be nice, it shouldn't turn into a permanent vacation. But don't worry you don't have to go back to sitting at a desk, there are plenty of ways you can keep your brain sharp that are more play than work. Engage in some brain boosting activities like word games, such as crossword puzzles or soduku, which stimulate the brain's temporal lobes as they challenge verbal language ability. Picking up a hobby like knitting or woodwork will not only be an enjoyable way to spend your free time, but will help to increase mental alertness as it involves active thinking. Also, it's never too late to learn something new and by participating in an educational class at your local community college or community center you can help to challenge your brain and keep it agile.

 

Caregivers of Veterans Under More Stress Than Other Caregivers

A study released by the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) and funded by United Health Foundation, finds that family caregivers of veterans face a higher burden of care, both in intensity and duration, often supporting a spouse or partner over a longer period of time than typical family caregivers. These caregivers also are predominantly women (96 percent) compared to the national average (65 percent), and many make sacrifices to their own health and jobs to care for their loved ones.

The Caregivers of Veterans - Serving on the Homefront study is the first in-depth look at family caregivers of veterans and provides unique insights into the effects of caregiving for a veteran on the caregivers’ own health, work and home life. The study also provides a look at caregiving across the age spectrum representing caregivers of veterans from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“The family caregivers who serve our country’s veterans are making huge sacrifices in terms of their own health, careers and home life,” said Reed Tuckson, M.D., United Health Foundation board member and executive vice president and chief of medical affairs, UnitedHealth Group. “The data indicate that these ‘homefront heroes’ are proud to serve in the role of caregiver for their loved ones. Yet it is incumbent upon all of us to help them find support and solutions to preserve their own health and well being, as well as that of the veteran. It is important that relatives, friends, and neighbors seek out opportunities to provide respite and other supportive services to these caregivers.”

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs projects that there are more than 23 million U.S. veterans. A previous NAC study on caregiving nationwide found that more than 10 million people are caring for a veteran, and nearly seven million of them are veterans themselves.

The Caregivers of Veterans - Serving on the Homefront study found that 96 percent of caregivers of veterans are women and also found that 30 percent of these caregivers are part of the “Sandwich Generation” – balancing caring for their veteran and caring for children under the age of 18.
Compared to caregivers nationally, caregivers of veterans are twice as likely to be in their caregiving role for 10 years or longer (30 percent vs. 15 percent). They also are twice as likely to be in a high-burden caregiving role and to consider their situation highly stressful.

When looking for support or advice, caregivers most often depend on word-of-mouth (70 percent), which 63 percent find helpful. In addition, 65 percent of caregivers of veterans who have a care manager say their care managers have been helpful locating, arranging and coordinating care and resources for the veteran. Forty-three percent feel the care manager has been helpful finding support for the caregiver her/himself.

Online forums, groups or blogs are rated as helpful (74 percent) by the 48 percent of caregivers of veterans who turn to them. Caregivers taking care of younger veterans are more likely to turn to these online resources by a wide margin, followed by the Department of Defense military system and Military OneSource, whereas those caring for an older veteran are more likely to turn to local government or community organizations.

The full findings of the Caregivers of Veterans - Serving on the Homefront study can be found here.

Interesting to me was the fact that women are literally the caregivers in almost all situations and are caring for people longer than other caregivers. Bottom line is that caregivers need help. If you are fortunate to not be in a caregiving situation, reach out to others who are.

Medicare Open Enrollment - Let the Marketing Begin

Humana and Walmart have announced a new Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. The plan offers a national monthly premium of $14.80, which the companies claim is, according to the government, the lowest national plan premium in 2011 for a standalone Medicare Part D plan premium.

“One of the primary goals of health care reform is to make health coverage more affordable – and that’s what we’re doing with the introduction of this low-cost Medicare Part D plan,” said William Fleming, PharmD, vice president of Humana Pharmacy Solutions.

In-store copayments (at preferred pharmacies) on generic prescriptions start as low as $2 when plan members use preferred pharmacies. Copayments as low as $0 for generic prescriptions filled via Humana’s RightSource home-delivery prescription service.

The plan pays up to $2,830 in total drug costs, after which the patient pays 100% of drug costs up to a total of $4,550 out of pocket. The ‘donut hole’ will close slowly through 2020, This year Medicare patients will get a $250 rebate if they top the $2,830 threshold, and in 2011 they’ll receive a 50% discount on brand name drugs while in the ‘donut hole’.

You can find out more about their plan here.

But I would recommend you use the CMS Medicare site to compare plans and find one that is right for you.

Not All Hospitals Are Just Getting By

The average American hospital barely breaks even. But some are enormous profit centers. Forbes' first-ever survey of America's most profitable hospitals reveals that some American hospitals make 25 cents or more for every $1 in patient revenue they take in.

Beet This - as in Beet Juice is God for You

Researchers at Wake Forest University's Translational Science Center have found that beet juice can improve blood flow to the brain in older adults.

When high-nitrate foods are consumed, bacteria in a person's mouth turn nitrates into nitrites. Nitrites then help blood vessels open up, which blood flow. Blood flow to the brain is important for older adults since research shows that perfusion to certain areas of the brain is linked to problems such as cognition and dementia.
MRI's of 14 older adults who consumed a high-nitrate diet for four days showed that blood flow to the white matter of the frontal lobes increased in these patients. This area of the brain is linked to the kind of degeneration associated with dementia and cognitive problems, Medical News Today reported.

National Hospice Month - a Chance to Learn

Someone sent me the presidential proclamation for National Hospice Month. In part it reads:

We recognize the dignity hospice care can provide to patients who need it most, and the professionals, volunteers, and family members who bring peace to individuals in their final days. Hospice care gives medical services, emotional support, and spiritual resources to people facing life-limiting illnesses. It can also help families and caregivers manage the details and emotional challenges of caring for a dying loved one....All Americans should take comfort in the important work of hospice care, which enables individuals to carry on their lives, in spite of a terminal illness. During this month, let us recognize those who allow the terminally ill to receive comfortable and dignified care." 

I was taken by the one line "enables individuals to carry on their lives." And that is so true. Hospice has had to a degree the same reputation as nursing homes, the place you go to die.

Yet, the truth is hospice is a place of life. 

In the 2010 National Hospice and Palliative Care Hospice Care in America publication, it illustrates that. Two studies were cited.

In a 2007 study, patients who chose hospice care lived an average of one month longer than similar patients who did not choose hospice care. Longer lengths of survival were found in four of the six disease categories studied. The largest difference in survival between the hospice and non-hospice cohorts was observed in congestive heart failure patients where the mean survival period jumped from 321 days to 402 days. 

In a 2010 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, lung cancer patients receiving early palliative care lived 23.3% longer than those who delayed palliative treatment. Median survival for earlier palliative care patients was 2 .7 months longer than those receiving standard care . The study authors hypothesized that “with earlier referral to a hospice program, patients may receive care that results in better management of symptoms, leading to stabilization of their condition and prolonged survival.

The bottom line - people have a dignified quality of life at the end of life because of hospice care. Learn more about hospice care so you can make educated decisions about care for a loved one.

Long-Term Care Insurance Deductibles Increase in '11

Jesse Slome, executive director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI), issued a release yesterday that says The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced increased deductible levels for long-term care insurance policies that will be purchased in 2011.

The deductible limits under Section 213(d)(10) for eligible long-term care premiums are as follows:

If you are 40 years old or less you can deduct $340.
More than 40 but not more than 50, you can deduct $640.
More than 50 but not more than 60, you can deduct $1,270.
More than 60 but not more than 70, you can deduct $3,390.

Check with your tax professional.

A complete explanation of tax deductible rules for individuals and business owners can be found on the Association's website.

I for one believe that no one and no program, including the CLASS Act, is going to pay for our long-term care. It's up to us! 

AAHSA Launches Consumer Information Site

The American Association of Homes and Services has launched a new online consumer hub where consumers can learn about healthy aging, retirement planning, caregiving and other services they may need as they—or someone they love—ages.

The consumer section features profiles of seniors, up-to-date research and listervs. Providers can find resources more appropriate for them, such as podcasts, listservs, videos and information about the consumers they are trying to reach, as well as interactive polls and surveys.

Consumers and providers can use the hub to collaborate and problem solve with each other.  With the hub's listserv, consumers can ask providers for advice on specific problems. Providers and consumers can also interact by checking the site's “partnerships and possibilities” box, which offers resources detailing opportunities that allow them to work together.

Alzheimer's Month Begins - As Detection Starts Earlier so Should Planning

As Alzheimer's month begins, it is important to take stock.

According to McKnight's (citing a NYT op-ed by Justice O'Connor) the number of people who will develop the disease is expected to skyrocket over the next few years. Starting in January, 79 million baby boomers will turn 65 at a rate of one every eight seconds. That is more than four million per year.

If scientists could delay onset of the disease by five years, via better drugs, the United States could keep much fewer Alzheimer's patients from needing nursing homes said in the piece. For every penny the National Institutes of Health spends on Alzheimer's research, Americans spend $3.50 caring for individuals with the disease, for a total of $172 billion a year.  At that rate, by 2020, the cumulative total will be $172 billion a year, or $20 trillion by 2050.

Alzheimer's researchers have asked Congress to take action on new legislation that would give $2 billion to scientists working on new drugs to treat and prevent the disease, the editorial states.


The NYT on Sunday had another telling article that detailed through heartbreaking stories the fact that one of the first signs of impending dementia is an inability to understand money and credit. as the article states, it isn't just families who are affected — financial advisers and lawyers say they are finding themselves in a bind too. If new brain scans and other methods show signs that a person is developing dementia, does that mean the patient should be watched, or that there should be limits on his or her abilities to make financial or legal decisions?

I agree with the need for more funding. Other diseases seem to make more "noise" and call attention to themselves. And because many are acute conditions the needs are immediate and the pocketbook is more likely to open. Alzheimer's is sneaking up on us and when it does strike a loved one it becomes crisis situation that affects the health and well-being of everyone around. We need more funding. We need more expert PR and marketing people positioning this disease as the #1 rallying point in the country. And we need as a society to want to learn more about aging so that we can prepare for it. Because we are in denial of it, everything gets exacerbated.