We had a fun Valentine’s Day sing-along at the Board of Developmental Disabilities today. The hands-down favorite song among the group was the Beatles classic “Love Is All You Need”. How true!
Facts about diabetes
According to a 2010 study by the Centers for Disease Control, 10.9 million people aged 65 or older have diabetes. Diabetes is a disease that affects the body’s ability to convert food into energy. Insulin is a hormone the body manufactures to convert food into the glucose that our bodies need.
People with diabetes get too much glucose in their blood because their body may not make enough insulin, may not use insulin in the right way, or both. This can lead to complications, such as heart attack, stroke, blindness, circulation problems and a higher-than-normal risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
There are two types of diabetes. According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), Type 1 diabetes (formerly called juvenile diabetes) causes the body to make insufficient levels of insulin. Type 2, formerly called adult-onset diabetes, causes the body to use insulin inefficiently.
Although both types of diabetes can be contracted at any age, the National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) states that 90–95 percent of older adults with diabetes have Type 2. Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes include feeling tired or ill, unusual thirst, frequent urination, weight loss, blurred vision, frequent infections and slow healing of wounds. See your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.
Fortunately, there are ways to prevent diabetes. According to NIA, one is at higher risk for developing Type 2 diabetes if he or she is overweight, inactive, or has a family history of diabetes. Good nutrition, adequate exercise and maintaining a healthy weight are recommended. Healthy eating and physical activity for at least 30 minutes, five days a week can make a big difference. Work with your doctor to set up a plan.
NDEP further recommends keeping one’s cholesterol, blood glucose and blood pressure at healthy levels and checking them regularly. Cholesterol should be checked once a year, blood glucose checked twice a year, and blood pressure at every doctor visit.
The Diabetes Partnership of Cleveland provides support and education to people in the community who have diabetes. Its services include self-management training, telephone counseling and referral, risk assessment, peer support groups, assistance with blood glucose monitoring supplies and insulin syringes. The partnership also help clients develop personal action plans and coping skills. It can be reached at 216-591-0800.
According to NIA, Medicare will pay for you to learn how to care for your diabetes. It also helps pay for diabetes tests, supplies, special shoes, foot exams, eye tests and meal planning. Medicare can be reached at 800-633-4227.
For more information about diabetes, its prevention and management, call NIA at 800-222-2225 and NDEP at 888-693-6337.
Click here to read the full article in the Heights Observer.
1/15/14 – Good Therapy for Everyone
J.J. the therapy dog came today for her monthly visit to the nursing home. The residents look forward to her visit and she always gets showered with love! And the residents always have stories to tell about the pets they had at home. Good therapy for everyone!
1/14/14 – A Talk at the Northern Ohio Association of Activity Professionals
Many thanks to the Northern Ohio Association of Activity Professionals for inviting me to speak at their monthly meeting. I shared my “Making Lemonade From Lemons” presentation with them, giving them tools to help the seniors in their care. They learned how to help the seniors stay happy, positive and optimistic despite the challenges of aging. I was so honored to be able to share these tips with them!
Local in-home services for seniors
During the winter many people find it difficult to get out of the house to do errands and socialize with friends. Those with limited mobility are unable to get out any time of the year. Fortunately, there are local companies that bring their services to people’s homes.
Amy Roth, a Heights-area dressmaker and tailor, will come to your home to pick up your mending and tailoring. With more than 40 years of couture experience, Roth can alter your clothing to make garments easier to put on and take off. “It’s called adaptive sewing,” said Roth. “I can replace buttons with snaps or Velcro.” Roth also makes comfort and convenience items for seniors, such as wedge pillows for back pain, and privacy curtains to create a sleeping area on the first floor of your house. Call Amy Roth at 216-904-1786.
Spa On Wheels For Seniors is a mobile service caring for feet and nails. Owner Wanda Ragins is a licensed manicurist and pedicurist with nine years of experience. She cleans the feet, clips and shapes the toe and finger nails and removes dry skin. Ragins specializes in conditions common to older feet and hands, such as corns, calluses, long nails, yellowed or thick nails, fungus and dry skin. “Many seniors are embarrassed to have someone else see the condition of their feet,” said Ragins, “But I tell them it’s OK, sometimes it just gets too hard to care for your own feet.” To schedule an appointment, call 330-348-1922.
Vets on Wheels (VOW), a mobile veterinary service, comes to your home to provide medical care for pets. Staff provide medications, vaccinations, disease testing, wellness screening and nail trimming. They also treat skin diseases and ear problems, and provide nutritional guidance. VOW is a program of One Health Organization, a nonprofit group dedicated to the health of people, animals and the environment. VOW offers discounts for low-income seniors. Founder Dr. Anna van Heeckeren said, “Many seniors have trouble affording health care for both themselves and their animals. Our discounts help ease this burden.” To reach Vets on Wheels for services, call 216-920-3051 or visit www.onehealth.org.
Meals On Wheels (MOW) provides for seniors who have trouble shopping and cooking for themselves. Coordinated by the Cleveland Heights Office on Aging (OOA), MOW volunteers deliver two meals per day, five days per week, to people in need. The cost is $6.25 per day.
OOA also offers a transportation service for Cleveland Heights seniors. Drivers will pick you up and take you to the doctor at a cost of $2.50 per round trip. You can also go to the Senior Activity Center (SAC) for $1 per round trip, to participate in classes and programs offered at SAC and socialize with other seniors. To reach the Cleveland Heights Office on Aging for services, or to become a MOW volunteer, call 216-691-7377.
The Loving Hands Group consists of professional artists and holistic health care practitioners who bring classes, activities and therapies to seniors at home. Loving Hands has more than 70 different programs in a wide range of subjects, such as art, architecture, interior decorating, writing, music, yoga, tai chi and massage. For information call The Loving Hands Group at 216-408-5578.
Click here to read the full article in the Heights Observer.
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