February is Heart and Stroke Month; what should you know about Stroke?

Stroke is a brain attack! Stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain is cut off and brain cells die or become damaged.  The two main types of stroke are ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Both of these types of stroke result in a lack of blood flow to the brain, where a buildup of blood puts too much pressure on the brain.

Anyone can suffer from a stroke. Although many risk factors for stroke are out of our control, several can be kept in line through proper nutrition and medical care.

Some risk factors for stroke include the following:

· Over age 55  - A family history of stroke - High blood pressure - High cholesterol

· Excessive Alcohol Consumption- Smoking  - Diabetes - Obesity and overweight

· Cardiovascular disease - High Blood - Cholesterol - High Stress

Common symptoms include:

· Dizziness - trouble walking - loss of balance and coordination - Speech problems –Numbness

· Weakness - or paralysis on one side of the body - Blurred, blackened - double vision

·  Sudden severe headache

The good news is something can be done about stroke as it is one of the most preventable and treatable of all life threatening health problems. You can reduce your risk for a stroke by: having your blood pressure checked regularly by a health care professional, quitting smoking, reducing your weight if you are overweight, reducing your fat and salt intake, eating more grains, fruits and vegetables, and be physically active.

Within a few minutes of having a stroke, brain cells begin to die and symptoms can become present. It is important to recognize symptoms, as prompt treatment is crucial to recovery.  Major advances have occurred in stroke care over the past decade and we now have a number of highly effective treatments for stroke and programs to prevent stroke.

January is Alzheimer Awareness Month in Canada; what should we be aware of?

After reading many news releases related to January being Alzheimer Awareness Month in Canada, the message that I see being consistently put out there is for people experiencing signs of dementia, is to be diagnosed as early as possible. An early diagnosis is hugely important as it enables people with dementia to understand their condition and access treatments that could help relieve their symptoms.

After the age of 65 the risk factor of developing dementia increases by 50 percent every five years.To date, there are many forms of dementia, with Alzheimer’s being the most common. Forgetfulness is the most known symptom of dementia, though this alone should not be cause for concern.

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive and degenerative disease and the most common early symptoms are:

—Frequent memory loss affecting day-to-day function, such as continually forgetting where you put things or what you were doing or why you were doing it.

—Disorientation of time and place, including getting lost even in familiar places or not knowing what month or year it is.

—Changes in personality or acting out of character, such as becoming suspicious, fearful or confused.

 It is important to see a doctor when you notice any of these symptoms as they may be due to other conditions such as depression, drug interactions or an infection. If the diagnosis is Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia, your medical professionals and or your local Alzheimer Society can help.

If you or someone you know is experiencing problems with memory loss, make an appointment to see your doctor right away. Many visits to your Doctor are short and it may be difficult to think of all the things you want to ask or present. To help you prepare for you Doctors visit you may download a checklist by going to The Alzheimer Society of Canada link below.

http://www.alzheimer.ca/en/About-dementia/Diagnosis/Getting-a-diagnosis/Doctor-s-visits

How do I survive the Holidays if I have Diabetes?

The holidays can be the most wonderful time of the year and “tis the season for social eating”. Tempting treats are everywhere. If you have diabetes, you know that the holidays can be an especially tricky time of year to manage.

With some careful planning and smart choices you can make sure that your holidays are both happy and healthy. Now that the season is upon us, here is a simple recipe you can follow to manage your diabetes:

• Have a healthy snack before going to a social event so you don't give in to cravings.
• Fill your plate will healthy things like fruits and veggies. Holiday favorites like pumpkin and turkey are also nutritious and delicious!
• Share a dessert, have only a small amount, or skip the whipped-cream topping.
• Bring a low-fat or sugar-free dish at the next holiday party you attend.
• Make your traditional holiday foods healthier. When baking, use less sugar in a recipe and increase the use of cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and other sweet-tasting spices and flavorings.
• Use sugar substitutes to cut carbs and calories
• When you're out shopping, bring along healthy snacks like apples, carrot sticks, or nuts and avoid the food court.

Enjoy Yourself!
You don't have to let diabetes spoil your celebrations. Get caught up in the festivities. Savor time with loved ones. Remember that a little bit of self-control can help make sure that there are many more happy holidays to come for diabetics and their families.

Can Falls be Prevented in our Senior Population?

Falls are the leading cause of injury hospital admissions for seniors in Alberta, as one in three seniors living in the community and over 40% of those living in supportive living experience a fall each year.

While it is recognized that the prevalence of falls increases as we age, it has been well researched that the incidence of accidental falls in the elderly can be prevented. 

At our Retirement Residence we attempt to reduce accidental falls by:

ü      Supporting independence with all activities of daily living, as well as encouraging daily exercise and ambulation within our Home area

ü      We assess the appropriateness of using one bed rail and arrange that the environment is obstacle free

ü      Establish easy access to lighting at night, use night lights and or keep the light on in the bathroom

ü      We frequently monitor the resident and observe that proper footwear is worn before getting up

ü      Shoes should be closed at the toe and heal with a not too smooth or not to chunky sole

ü      We remind our Residents to keep their functional and sensory aids within reach and to avoid fast movements including quick turns or changes in position

ü      We consult with our Health Professional partners on medical and pharmacological management if required

The Alberta “Finding Balance” campaign advocates four specific strategies for Alberta seniors to use in preventing falls.

ü      Check your medication – have a doctor or pharmacist check your medications every year

ü      Keep active – do a half hour of physical activity every day

ü      Watch your step – clear debris from your path, wear supportive shoes, take extra time on ice, and use the hand railings on stairs

ü      Speak up about dizziness – let your health professional know if you are feeling dizzy, and take steps to manage dizziness

Always take care of yourselves with healthy eating, staying active, and learning about the effects of your medications. By doing this you can reduce hospital visits and prevent falling injuries.

What is “the flu” (influenza) and why seniors should receive “the flu shot” (Influenza vaccine) yearly each fall.

Influenza is a respiratory infection caused by influenza A and B viruses. In Canada it generally occurs each year in the late fall and winter months.

Influenza viruses change from year to year. When influenza viruses change, so do the vaccines. The World Health Organization identifies the strains of influenza that are expected to circulate every year. This information is used to develop a vaccine to protect against these strains. The immunity you get from your vaccine decreases over time, which means you need to get immunized every year to stay protected (even if you've been immunized against the same strain before).

Symptoms typically include the sudden onset of headache, chills, cough, fever, loss of appetite, muscle aches and fatigue, running nose, sneezing, watery eyes and throat irritation. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may also occur, especially in children and or seniors

Most people will recover from the flu within a week or ten days, but some - including those 65 years of age and older and adults and children with chronic conditions - are at greater risk of more severe complications, such as pneumonia.

The immune system weakens with age leaving older adults more vulnerable to severe disease when they get sick, including influenza, making vaccination critical for this age group. The Influenza vaccination is the best way to help protect against this potentially deadly disease.

If you’re 65 years or older, getting a flu shot is the best way to protect yourself and those around you from the flu.

Get Your Flu Vaccine. Not the Flu.

What does retirement home living have to offer a senior who is thinking about making a move?

Many seniors feel that if and when they decide to move into a retirement home, they would have to give up their present lifestyle and one’s self. Of course, you may want to give up some of your daily or weekly chores of cooking and cleaning, but a reputable retirement home will encourage you to remain yourself, involved in what interests you; surrounded by your family and friends. They would understand how important it is for you to live independently, just as you please, in the privacy of your own suite; your home.  Social activities and supportive services should be developed around your needs and choices, that respect your individuality and be supported by engaging and caring staff.

A retirement home that provides supportive living care services will have a regulated nurse, such as a registered or licensed nurse, who takes on the responsibility of being actively involved with developing foundational and regulatory systems that promotes safety. When requested they should be available to work individuality with you, your family and or your community of health professionals to coordinate services that may be required for you to live safely in your suite.

You have many retirement homes to choose from, visit them all, know what your needs and wants are and explore all to see whether the retirement home you are considering can meet your requirements and standards.

Are retirement home employees aware of the many disease processes that affect their senior population?

Education and support are ongoing between the health professionals and support staff at our retirement home. This is usually triggered either by the need to assist a Resident and or their family or by taking the opportunity of monthly awareness campaigns. This month is Arthritis Awareness Month and we took this opportunity to present the topic of Arthritis, the methods of prevention, its symptoms, and approaches to living with it. 

Arthritis causes pain and fatigue, which are the symptoms of the disease process. Inflamed, damaged joints are responsible for most of the pain. The energy your body uses to fight back is the source of the fatigue. This can make everyday activities difficult or painful. When joints are damaged, people tend to presume that reducing movement will reduce pain. The fear of pain usually leads to inactivity and loss of strength; this only worsens the situation because strong muscles are needed to support damaged joints.

There are ways that a person with Arthritis can prevent needless pain and have more energy to do what they want or need to do. Maintaining a healthy weight and regular physical activity will improve joint flexibility. We incorporate exercises that are approved by the Arthritis Society in our daily chair exercise classes and support the use of Dr. approved medications and therapies to ease the pain, so that our residents can remain as active and independent as possible.