JOURNAL ENTRY #54: Dementia risk linked to over the counter meds

As if it couldn't get any worse, a study has linked Benadryl and a number of over-the-counter medications to dementia.  The focus appears to be on sleep aids.  I have provided two links to articles on it.  A few doctors (mostly the ones that favor holistic treatments) have linked foods and even some medications to dementia and Alzheimer's.  I see their point.  Recently I have wondered of the things that are the market contribute to dementia and other ailments.  Something interesting in the articles I read pertaining to this is that a side effect with each is memory loss. 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/11370231/Drugs-like-Nytol-and-Piriton-raise-risk-of-Alzheimers-disease-say-scientists.html


http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/288546.php

JOURNAL ENTRY #53: To walk or not to walk

NURSE ON CALL in Daytona Beach came to evaluate my mother for physical and occupational therapy.  According to the home attendant they recommend she walk to and from the commode as opposed to being wheeled.  Easier said than done.

Don't get me wrong, as long as she has someone walking with her I fully support my mother walking as opposed to being wheeled.

However,

I remember a few years ago when she transitioned from walking to using a cane to using the walker.  She complained more about her balance more than anything which is why she went to the wheelchair.  Her legs were strong.

The way I reason it, there are going to be things she will go through that she not explain or be able to. This is why I won't push too hard.  It's like her eyes.  Her eyes are paralyzed.  We gave up trying to figure out why after they suggested surgery, but she now has cataracts.  They should be removed but that also requires surgery.  The doctors suggested that as long as she can see and read there is no urgency to remove them.  I personally feel that because she can see somewhat (I never know with her) she doesn't want to risk losing that.  She will live with the cataracts.  Similar with the walking situation.  She CAN walk but her balance is a little off sometimes and she is afraid of falling.  I won't push her.  I can also guarantee you she will not walk everyday either.

Homeless Talk

This is an article I found which lists the top ten states in this country as it pertains to having homeless people.  New York and Florida making the list doesn't surprise me.  Idaho and the Dakotas do.

http://www.therichest.com/rich-list/poorest-list/10-most-homeless-states-in-america/8/

JOURNAL ENTRY 52: Why bother Part 1

I toyed around with this blog entry for several weeks now.

 

I am wondering if I have Mickey Mantle syndrome. I don't think any such syndrome actually exists, at least not officially. For those who are not familiar with one of the all-time great baseball players, Mantle played for the New York Yankees in the 1950s through the late 1960's.  However, legend has it that he led a reckless lifestyle in part because he believed he would not live to be an old man. Apparently a lot of people in his family passed away at early ages so he figured he would not live to be 70. So he supposedly drank in excess and partied and ultimately did not take care of himself properly. Supposedly. He died in his sixties .  I believe of liver cancer.

 

No I do not think I want to start boozing it up or God forbid even start taking hard drugs.  I do wonder though the purpose of going to the extreme to take care of myself. Here is one example:
I recently ran into a neighbor who is also a friend and more importantly was good friends with my father when he was alive. They also went to the same church. She has to be in early seventies. I don't see her too often but when I do we greet each other warmly. I give her a kiss and a hug, almost as if she were an aunt or a grandmother. When I saw her it was no different but in this conversation she asked how my father was doing. An embarrassing moment, I brushed it off why politely reminded her but he passed in 2011. She seemed oblivious to it. This is not the first time in a conversation with her that I realized something wasn't right. Naturally, I am wondering if memory loss is present. Hopefully she is not in the early or even mid stages of dementia.

 

 We are hearing about it more and more now; people suffering from dementia and memory loss.  You hear about Alzheimers  Disease as well. I have shared my feelings about that term in this blog.  I think Alzheimers disease is an overused term.

 

From the time I was a child I can recall seeing commercials and news reports that supported early detention, the use of vitamins, basically taking better care of yourself so that you can live a long life. Even though the government allowed cigarette smoking there were plenty of ads supporting the ban of the use of cigarettes. On television people routinely talked about drinking less alcohol and watching your weight, watching your blood pressure, watching your cholesterol and basically eating healthy. I went along with that program. Still do. But now I am wondering, for what? There is a part of me that wonders if that whole wellness campaign was just another marketing ploy to get money.

Back quick glance my theory may seem paranoid. However, if you think about it this country does very little for anyone unless someone can make a profit. Why give out advice to extend people's lives? Obviously to cash in on it. The problem is that as we grow older, even though we may have tried our best to take care of ourselves we still run into problems.   We all have to die from something. Some of it is genetics. Personally, I believe God has our destiny in his hands. For those who don't believe, let's just say we are genetically coded. Somethings you can probably fix with a pill or dietary change while others there is nothing you can do about.

 

There are a lot of people living to be 70, at and beyond. Probably more than we experienced 50 or 60 years ago. The problem is though people may have taken care of themselves and gotten screened for cancer and heart disease, they still fell victim to debilitating arthritis and other elements. The bottom line is they are 70 and 80 years old in poor physical and/or mental condition and cannot afford the care it takes to keep them alive. The state of elder care, especially in the United States is horrific. If you were not fortunate enough to have a sizable nest egg and be blessed with good health in your old age you will suffer.

 

There are a lot of people who are not quite yet middle class. They may have had families and other expenses which prevented them from saving a lot of money. Now they are old and quite often the family they raised cannot properly assist them. Nobody wants to give good health care. Some people have even lost pensions.  So I look at all of this and ask is it worth it?  I am rapidly realizing it does not.

 

I am convinced now that environmental conditions and mostly the food we eat and water we drink contribute to certain neurological conditions. Yes, I believe a lot of the post things that are passed around on Facebook regarding genetically processed foods. We are consuming too many items that have no nutritional value. Forget the fact that whatever they are treating the foods with are harmful to our bodies. I believe this is a major contributor two people who have dementia and other neurological conditions. Forget the fact most of our politicians want to sweep this under the rug and not even let us know about it. Personally I think there are some who want to make it illegal for us to know about it. Think about it. For years when I was growing up the country pushed margarine on us to use as opposed to lard and butter. However, if you checked out the ingredients of margarine there was nothing of any significant nutritional value in it. In fact, in moderation butter and lard where better for us than margarine because at least it had items the body could use.

 

It gets worse. There are certain items we eat that no longer spoil. Some of the pastries we eat including breads often do not spoil no matter how long we keep it at room temperature. there are packaged pastries I've had on my desk for months that look the same as they did when I first purchased it. It may get a little stale but there's no mold on it. These are the kind of things we are putting into our bodies without a second thought. These are the things I think contribute to deteriorating mental health as we grow older. Our bodies are not only facing malnutrition but we are being poisoned.

 

So now more of us are facing a future of dementia and memory loss. Even if not connected to the foods we eat, more of us are living longer and it is quite possible we are genetically coded for memory loss and dementia. With no way to pay for assistance. Even if you can afford the care, with the low wages we offer caregivers we won't get much quality. My mother and her sister went through that. There are a few horrifying events in our life, but none as fearful as not being able to assist yourself and having to depend on a third party who may or may not show up. My mother pays close to $2000 for ladies to come and help her clean herself, bathe and eat. Eventually she will not be able to afford this and maybe, hopefully Medicaid will help. God forbid she needs to go to a nursing home with the care can be even worse.

 

I am just renting right now, however you may be able to see what my gripe is. I seriously doubt if it is worth it to put the effort in to have a long life. I personally feel but growing old is a luxury afforded by people with money. That's the way it was meant to be.

JOURNAL ENTRY 51 : The State of Florida

Been back from Florida for a full week.    I think the month long trip was moderately successful.  I got to take my mother to a few appointments.  Things may not improve greatly but they are stabilized. 

Got blood work done.  Mom has an under active thyroid.  The doctor is concerned about her sodium level and the cholesterol level have not changed.    He prescribed a supplement for the thyroid.

Got eyes checked.  Cataracts are the same, but with the eye paresis I will not press the issue when it comes to removing them.  Her vision is the same and the eye issues continue.  Still a problem with dry eye.

Caregiver issue remains.  Had to cut hours.  Mom is paying $2000  month for care.  Some people feel that if it is needed just pay it, but it is not coming out of their pockets.  Plus, to go from paying nothing two years ago to paying two grand would be shocking to anybody.

Have to keep pushing the water.  I was told that her mood changes when she doesn't drink the water as she should and I notice it.  She is more forgetful when she fails to drink.

Brought in her birthday, Christmas and New Years.

Took her to church.

Took her to a couple of functions and out to eat.

I often wonder if Mom is going to be here next year.  I think she can if she keeps up with her water.  Her cholesterol is not going to change but she doe not need to be dehydrated.  She moves around less than I would like but at least she moves.  I talk to her at least twice a day to help keep her spirits up.

What's next:  Tax forms and personal forms (POA, Advanced Directive and Living Will)

JOURNAL ENTRY 50: MY 2015 New Years Resolution

For now I won't even get into my resolutions for 2014 and how well I did...or didn't do.  I have though made a list of things I want to accomplish for 2015.  I think this is a more realistic list even though I shouldn't put limitations on myself.  Oh, and I start in February since I was in Florida till mid January.   Here is the list for this year:

1.  Save at least $1 a week.  Now with this resolution I got the idea from a Facebook posting a few weeks ago asking people to progressively start saving from $1. Week one you save $1.  Week 2 you save $2, and so on.  By the time the your ands you would have saved over $1000.  I will try this by sliding the money into my savings.

2.  Take my green tea and Omega oils regularly.  Gonna see how long I last doing this.  I need to keep these two things on hand.  Already started today (January 19th) with the tea extract.  On the days I don't take the liquid I shall take the capsules.

3,  Take my lunch to work at least three days a week.  This is actually harder than it sounds. To achieve this I must get up early enough to fix a sandwich or prepare a hot meal PLUS not get tired of what I have to eat.  The purpose of this is to save money (prices are outrageous) and be confident what I eat is clean and safe.

4.  Do at least ONE blog entry in both blogs (two blogs entries in total) each week.  I must embrace my more creative side.  Plus, the photography blog just means posting pictures I took.  I will try to take a new picture each week as well.

5.  Lose five pounds by June.  Good luck.

6.  Keep up with my fitness apps.  Self explanatory. 

7.  Be more aggressive in moving.  Most of this means to find work.

8. Aside from Florida make at least TWO weekend trips AWAY from New York.  Again self-explanatory.  I just need to not be in this city everyday.  It doesn't have to be eight hours away.  Philadelphia is cool.  This means that I need ME time.

I think these are reasonable goals to shoot for.  Left off this list are driving lessons.  When it is meant for me to drive I will drive.  I will keep weight loss attempts realistic.  I work and get home after 8:00 so my eating habits are going to vary.   I will keep you posted.  I may just add a resolution.

Assisted living help

Assisted Living Facility link


http://www.agingcare.com/Questions/how-do-you-find-a-reasonable-assisted-living-facility-175689.htm?utm_source=Daily+Questions&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Daily%20Questions%20-%20January%204,%202015

Florida gripes

I personally have never liked Florida. My mother moved here in 1996 and I visit here often only for her. Yes, I come to see my aunt as well but she is part of the package deal with my mother. I hate almost everything about the state. And I have absolutely no use for it before October and after April. After April you are dealing with the worst weather on the globe. It straightens out a bit in October but it is still awful. Aside from that, the mentality in Florida leaves you scratching your head. Allstate full of old people and they vote for Rick Scott. Very limited healthcare and the job market savouries service pipe employment. If you want to work in a supermarket, restaurants, theme park or hotel they are plenty of jobs for you at low wages and no health insurance. Additionally, this is the state that exonerated Casey Anthony for killing her daughter. It is also the state with jervey routinely sentence black offenders to eat a life or the death penalty. However, it is the same type of jewelry that so fit to exonerate this piece of garbage:

 

http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/10/us/george-zimmerman-arrested/index.html

 

There are times I think Florida maybe did not get it wrong with this animal. Ever since he was acquitted of murder he hasn't had one altercation after another with law enforcement. Specifically he has had to deal with the police a few times. No specific encounter is against the cops. He has had a couple of domestic violence charges. And I wonder, if it was meant for him to be free so that he can be a poster child to a racist community that feels that whites and Blacks should be judged differently

ELDER CARE TALK: Water with links on the benefits of drinking water

My mother's caregiver has to constantly remind her about the water.  You would be amazed at how much a lack of it damages senior health.

http://www.aplaceformom.com/senior-care-resources/articles/elderly-dehydration

Years ago my mother would drink nothing but water.  She and her sister would drink hot water from the kettle.  Almost never coffee and only occasionally tea.  Now, we have to almost force Mom to drink.  It's not that she outright refuses.  It seems like she has no interest though.  As if she doesn't care.


http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/112365.php

From time to time Mom suffers from constipation.  Drinking water helps eliminate that problem.  Doesn't cure it but it makes the constipation flare up happen less frequent.


http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/12-unexpected-benefits-drinking-hot-water.html

Cancer Teen Thoughts

This case caught my attention while I was in Florida.  I have mixed feelings on it.

On one hand, even though I am not a huge supporter of a lot of modern medicine because it seems to ignore natural and holistic plus I feel chemotherapy is toxic, it has been proven to save lives.  I still think there are better less toxic methods but chemo has worked.  On the other hand it is scary that a court can not only force a person to take a medication but it can mandate that a parent only have contact with their child during certain times. 

A part of me wonders if the state is only forcing this because of money.  Who is paying for these treatments? 


http://www.nbcnews.com/health/cancer/connecticut-teen-curable-cancer-must-continue-chemo-court-n282421

Congress voting to redefine work hours

Essentially Congress is voting to say fuck you to people who need affordable health care. I blame both parties. There are obviously people in this country who need affordable health care. Why Republicans are only for people who don't want it is beyond me.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/house-votes-to-change-health-laws-definition-of-full-time-worker-1420753634

Freelance help

Check out www.agingcare.com  .  They have pretty good forum and answer a lot of questions.  This one is directed towards people looking for help in the home from non agency workers.

http://www.agingcare.com/Questions/anyone-hired-a-free-lance-person-to-help-in-home-175666.htm?utm_source=Daily+Questions&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Daily%20Questions%20-%20January%204,%202015

I have mixed feelings regarding the whole freelance home health situation. On one hand it is nice to be able to negotiate a price with someone who can help. The problem is, you wonder if these people are doing it for the money or for genuine need to assist. I have always felt that health care or at least the payment of people who assist the elderly, should be handled by a government agency. You have senior citizens who are not capable of handling their own financial affairs. However, they're not quite ready to be thrown away into a nursing home.  I look at my mother's situation. I do not trust her to pay her help each week on her own. However, she is so independent she will not let me take care of that.  Sadly she even needs help with paying.

Another problem with freelance help is that you have to take care of checking references yourself. You honestly have no idea what's working in your home. You may get a bargain price and end up losing all of your jewelry and cash. As we slowly evolve as a society, the richest society in the world, perhaps we will come up with a pleasant solution for freelance help versus conventional assistance.

USUAL RANT: Elder care and homeless issues should be government issues

I know.  If conservatives have their way this will never happen. 

I had a night from hell.  Mom was late paying the caregiver last night.  Again. she is taking it personal because she is the only lady my mother delays with. At times it seems like Mom doesn't even want to pay the lady

I know mom doesn't dislike her.  However, my mother is more comfortable with this lady than she is with the others.   She is more like a daughter.    Doesn't make the behavior right but  it is what it is.  Bottom line is we had to shave some of the hours.  Currently mom is paying $10 to the ladies and they work 40-45 hours a week.  I have to get it to 30-35 hours.  Not easy since Mom is never ready when she needs to be.  I am in Florida for my last week.  I need this resolved.

As for the government, it is ridiculous that senior citizens pay for their own home care.  With so many of them facing dementia and other health issues it would make more sense for the  government to handle that whether the senior has insurance or not.  I guess private industry ca't make a large enough profit....