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Senior Dating

In April Bill Wilson and Lillian Kar Wilson passed away within minutes of each other. What was so special about this couple was that they were high school sweetheart and had been married for 73 years (source). Many aging adults find themselves in a much different situation than the Wilson’s. In 2009, seventeen percent of singles, 16.2 million individuals, were 65 years or older (source). With this many senior singles it is no wonder why dating among seniors has become a much talked about topic.Then are several important benefits that aging adults can receive from dating. Having someone beyond friend or family where one can have intimacy and companionship is important for all human beings. Aging adults who live alone and have less social contact can become withdrawn and may be more susceptible to health issues. According to eHarmony, there are several strengths that mature singles can offer to a partner including knowing themselves, being better able to assess potential partners, clearer sense of what is important, and realistic expectations. However, seniors may also face some obstacles in dating such as grieving past relationships, grown children that object and health conditions. No matter what the obstacle to dating is, it may be important for your emotional and physical wellbeing to begin to date or at least be more social if you’re a single aging adult. This post is provided by Sprain Brook Manor Rehab which Provides unique opportunity to recover from medical procedures that result in true satisfying results. Getting you stronger and better every day. Contact us today to receive more information.Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as health advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual medical counsel or consulting your physician.

The Importance of Skin Care as You Age

The skin is the body’s largest organ. According to the NIH as we age our skin becomes thinner and loses fat. As a result veins and bones can be seen more easily and scratches, cuts and bumps may take longer to heal. In addition there are common skin conditions in the elderly that are listed below.Senile Purpura –This purple bruising is common (affects over 10% of people over 50) in the elderly and occurs after minor traumas. This benign skin condition is caused by thin dermal tissue and also the increased breakability of blood vessels. Stasis Dermatitis –This change in skin color that usually occurs in the lower leg may cause pain, swelling and itchiness. Exfoliative Dermatitis– This scaley dermatitis can occur in response to drug therapy, disease or idiopathic entity and is more prevalent in individuals over 40 years old. Skin Infections and Infestations– Aging Adults often develop infections and infestation on their skin. Cancerous and noncancerous skin growths– Exposure to the sun puts individuals a higher risk for Cancerous and noncancerous skin growths as they age. It is important that seniors take extra steps for their skincare. Depending on the skin condition using moisturizes, milder soap and a humidifier can help with dry skin. It is important to wear sunscreen and check your body every month for new growth or bleeding moles that might be skin cancer. As allows it is important to discuss with your dermatologist the best ways to keep your skin healthy as you age. This post is provided by Sprain Brook Manor Rehab which Provides unique opportunity to recover from medical procedures that result in true satisfying results. Getting you stronger and better every day. Contact us today to receive more information. Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as health advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual medical counsel or consulting your physician.

The Dangers of Falling

On Wednesday July 15th former President George H.W Bush was hospitalized after falling and breaking a neck bone. He was extremely lucky as he is expected to make a full recovery and will only need to wear a neck brace and receive physical therapy (source). However many adults over 65 have serious injuries from falling. In fact, according to the CDC 33% of adults over 65 fall each year and among older adults the majority of fatal and non-fatal injuries are a result of falling. In 2013 alone there were 2.5 million adults over 65 that went to the ER as a result of falling and 734,000 that had to be hospitalized.There are several risk factors that increase aging adults likelihood that they will fall. Below is a list of risk factors from NIH Senior Health that can help one understand the risk of falling at an older age. For a full list please check out the NIH Senior Health website.

Muscle Weakness, especially in leg muscles is a leading cause of falls.
Aging adults with poor balance are more likely to fall. Difficulty with balance can be related to neurological issues, lack of exercise and other conditions.
Postural hypotension, which can results from dehydration of other medical conditions is a condition where blood pressure drips to fast when you go from lying down or sitting to standing
Vision issues, such as poor depth perception and cataracts can lead you to misjudge and fail to see objects that you might trip over

With over 33% of aging adults falling every year it is likely that you or a loved one may fall and need rehabilitation. Sprain Brook Manor’s rehabilitation center in Westchester offers state of the art skilled nursing care and short term care in a warm and caring environment. Sprain Brook Manor’s short to rehab in Westchester offers several healing therapy’s including physical therapy, speech therapy, cardiac therapy and pulmonary therapy. If you or a loved one has had a recent medical event and you are looking for quality rehabilitation in the New York Tristate area then please contact Sprain Brook Manor Rehab right away.This post is provided by Sprain Brook Manor Rehab which Provides unique opportunity to recover from medical procedures that result in true satisfying results. Getting you stronger and better every day. Contact us today to receive more information.Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as health advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual medical counsel or consulting your physician.

Apps for Seniors

There are over a million apps that do everything from helping remember your grocery list , to giving on the go news updates and tracking your pet. The current phone app explosion also provides many tools that can help elderly or aging adults in their everyday lives. We have looked through several lists of different apps for the elderly and compared reviews to find our top choices. RxmindMe Prescription / Medicine Reminder and Pill Tracker created by Walgreen CO this app reminds individuals to take their medications. Users are able to enter all of their medication dosage information, set reminders and keep track of whether they took their medications. The apps other features include being able to email your prescription history which is great if you need to give that information to a new doctor and also has the ability to search the FDA drug database for your medication. In addition, if you get your medication from Walgreens you can refill the prescription through the app and it is free so you don’t have to spend any money on it in case you don’t like it.EyeReader by NetSoft is a reading magnifier that uses the phone screens LED light to focus light on text in dark places and gives the user the ability to read text more easily by enabling the user to magnify the text. Lumosity Mobile by By Lumos Labs, Inc. is a great app for those aging adults who love puzzles and games and wont to help keep their mind’s sharp. According to the app’s description the activities in lumosity were design by neuroscientists to help with memory , attention and neuroplasticity. While activities in the app may be based on proven research the cost might be a little high for some. Unlike other apps mentioned, to access Lumosity you most pay around $12 a month or $60 for a year.Phone applications offer a lot of help in making older adult’s lives easier. The best way to find an app for your or your older loved one is to search a difficulty or problem you or your aging loved one is having and see what results come up. This post is provided by Sprain Brook Manor Rehab which Provides unique opportunity to recover from medical procedures that result in true satisfying results. Getting you stronger and better every day. Contact us today to receive more information. Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as health advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual medical counsel or consulting your physician.

Finding Fun Activities for Seniors in New York City

It is finally summer which means sunny weather, more BBQs, and more down time. Even though some summer days it might feel too hot to go outside, it is important for senior’s mental and physical health to stay active. If you’re a senior living in the tristate area then New York City is a great place to visit regularly. NYC’s department for the aging is a great resource for seniors to use to find fun things to do. For example, on the department’s website there are links to NYC’s top events that are great for seniors. The website also features deals such as 2 for 1 admission to the Staten Island Museum. You can also see what is playing on Broadway and book tickets to shows with ease. Another great resource to use to find activities for seniors is seniorplanet.org’s calendar. The calendar lists several fun and educational activities for seniors, such as hearing a lecture on online shopping or watching a classic movie. If you’re a senior that is excited by the arts then nyc-arts.org is a perfect resource for you. Their events calendar will keep you up to date on the latest art related events and activities and they also have a kids section if you want to look for art related activities you can do with your family. At Sprain Brook Manor Rehab we understand how important it is for seniors to stay active. If you or a family member needs to recover for a health related event Sprain Brook Manor can offer highly effective short term rehab and care in Westchester to help make the recovery process as comfortable as possible. This post is provided by Sprain Brook Manor Rehab which Provides unique opportunity to recover from medical procedures that result in true satisfying results. Getting you stronger and better every day. Contact us today to receive more information. Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as health advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual medical counsel or consulting your physician.

MEMORIAL DAY EXTRAVAGANZA

For most Memorial Day weekend is a time to commemorate those we’ve lost and those that have and continue to serve for our nation. At Sprain Brook Manor, we make it memorable by coordinating a BBQ for family/friends/staff and our beloved residents.
This year we kicked off the BBQ by honoring our veterans, by having our very own WWII veteran, George S. Martin raise the American flag. Sergeant T/4 – George S. Martin (WWII Veteran)

Sergeant T/4 George Martin, was drafted on April 11th, 1946, the last draft of WWII and also his birthday. When asked about his feelings at the time about being drafted, Mr. Martin quickly responded by saying “I was at ease about it. I felt it was my right to serve, especially after my brother serving before me and being a prisoner of was during the ‘Belgium Bulge’ war, I just felt like I had to.” While enlisted, George did his basic training in Alabama, where he recalls the weather being “very sloppy & muddy. I just rained a lot. Everyday almost.” Shortly after his training he began his tour to be stationed in Asmara, Eritrea (East Africa), took him and his troop six weeks to get to their destination. George and his wife Mary Martin smile as they tell the story of how it took him 6 weeks to get there, Sergeant Martin just shook his head as he reminisced and said “most dreadful six weeks of my life.” During his time in East Africa George camped out 30 miles into the desert and 2 miles deep underground, covered by sand (a commonly used tactic to hide from war planes). Mr. Martin was a radio correspondent during the war. Like many other members of the military George would by his carton of cigarettes, the only difference was, George didn’t buy them to smoke them. Instead, Mr. Martin would buy these cigarettes, .40 cents a carton and sell forward for about $20 a carton and taking the profits to help support the family “house-boy, Tasfu” by giving him the money or buying him clothes/food. George explains, “I never saw color, I just understood right from wrong, fair and unjust.”

Mr. Martin & his wife are currently long-term residents at Sprain Brook Manor Rehab, where the say often, “we love it here.”

Preventing Dehydration in the Elderly

Preventing Dehydration in the ElderlyAs winter comes to an end the elderly are faced with a new danger, dehydration. The elderly are at a high risk of becoming dehydrated because they might not drink when they are thirsty, their thirst mechanism is less sensitive, their kidneys are not as efficient as when they were younger, and they often cannot get water themselves (source). As the summer heats up ensure that your elderly loved ones are getting enough water. Know is time to get your elderly loved ones into the habit of drinking more water before the summer heat begins. In addition, as it gets hotter you or anyone caring for your elderly loved ones should look out for these symptoms Mild dehydration:· Dryness of mouth; dry tongue with thick saliva· Unable to urinate or pass only small amounts of urine; dark or deep yellow urine· Cramping in limbs· Headaches· Weakness, general feeling of being unwell· Sleepiness or irritability More serious dehydration:· Low blood pressure· Convulsions· Severe cramping and muscle contractions in limbs back and stomach· Bloated stomach· Rapid but weak pulse· Dry and sunken eyes with few or no tears· Wrinkled skin; no elasticity· Breathing faster than normal According to Linda S. Eck Mills, MBA, RD, LDN, FADA the water recommendation for is usually around to 6-8 glasses per day. However for elderly individuals she is more specific.“30cc of fluid for each kilogram of body weight for older patients with no diagnosis of CHF, COPD, or renal disease should be used. For patients with CHF or COPD, 25cc per kilogram of body weight is used. In some instances, such as in many patients with kidney disease, fluid intake may need to be restricted and the amount of fluid taken in may be monitored very closely. In some cases patients need more fluids, especially if there is vomiting, diarrhea, or high environmental temperatures” (page 2) Linda Eck recommends contacting a dietitian to help determine someone’s exact hydration needs. In addition those at higher risk for dehydration should avoid liquids with a diuretic effect like alcohol or caffeine. Individuals can also rely on fruits and vegetables for some hydration as they are composed of as much as 95% water. The best way to deal with dehydration in the elderly is to prevent it by ensuring they are consuming enough water and liquids. This post is provided by Sprain Brook Manor Rehab which Provides unique opportunity to recover from medical procedures that result in true satisfying results. Getting you stronger and better every day. Contact us today to receive more information. Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as health advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual medical counsel or consulting your physician.

Depression in the Elderly

Depression in the elderly affects about 6 million individuals 65 and older. However, only about 10% of elderly individuals with depression receive treatment. One of the main reasons why such a small percentage of the depressed elderly seek treatment may because their symptoms are often different then the symptoms of depression in younger individuals, their symptoms are labeled as part of a physical illness or side effects of medication that they are on (source). According to the National Alliance on Mental Health one of the most common consequences of untreated depression is suicide. In fact, older white males are at the highest risk for suicide in the United States. One way to help prevent depression from negatively affecting the lives of the elderly is to educate people on the topic and help spot the symptoms. Depression in older individuals often include memory problems, confusion, social withdrawal, loss of appetite, weight loss, vague complaints of pain, Inability to sleep, Irritability, hallucinations, persistent and vague complaints, help-seeking, moving in a more slow manner and demanding behavior. As mentioned before one of the reasons why depression in the elderly often does not get diagnosed is because the symptoms are so similar to side effects of medication, other illnesses or aging. Therefore, a physical exam is essential in determining whether the above mentioned symptoms are from depression or another medical illness. Once diagnosed, about 80% of people with depression improve when treated with medication, psychotherapy and or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). For more information on the topic please see NAMI Depression Fact Sheet. Sprain Brook Manor’s Rehab, located in Westchester prides itself on having the best skilled nursing care in Westchester. We understand that after major health events individuals are at great risk for mental health related issues. For this reason we work towards creating a supportive and friendly environment where residents have the chance to participate in daily activities and heal their body, soul and mind. This post is provided by Sprain Brook Manor Rehab which Provides unique opportunity to recover from medical procedures that result in true satisfying results. Getting you stronger and better every day. Contact us today to receive more information. Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as health advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual medical counsel or consulting your physician.

Vaccines for the Elderly

Every year there is a massive push to get the flu shot. This should be no surprise considering that the CDC recommends that everyone above the age of 6 months (except if you allergic to eggs or have had a bad reaction to the vaccine in the past) be administered the vaccine (source). The elderly are at increased risk of having complications from the flu therefore it is very important that anyone above age 65 receive the flu shot. Besides for the flu shot there are several other vaccines that Vaccines.gov, a federal gateway to information on vaccines and immunization, recommends that individuals over 65 consider. These vaccinations include Shingles (Herpes Zoster), Diphtheria/Tetanus, Pertussis (Whooping Cough), Pneumococcal (Pneumonia) Shingles is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. After someone gets chickenpox the virus can stay dormant in the body and eventually become active again. Shingles usually begins as a painful rash that eventually forms blisters, that scab. Other symptoms include fever headache, chills and upset stomach. It can lead to serious complications and in rare cases death. Half of all shingles cases include people over 60 and the only way to prevent shingles once you have had the chickenpox is to get the vaccine.In addition to the shingles vaccine individuals over 65 should get the Tdap vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis), and the Pneumococcal vaccines, which protects against pneumococcal disease (source). Pneumococcal is caused by Streptococcus pneumonia bacteria and can lead to pneumonia, bloodstream infection (sepsis), or meningitis. Older individuals are at elevated risk for having serious complications from pneumococcal disease (source). Make sure to talk to your healthcare provider to determine what vaccines may be appropriate for you or your loved ones.This post is provided by Sprain Brook Manor Rehab, located in Westchester NY, which Provides unique opportunity to recover from medical procedures that result in true satisfying results. Getting you stronger and better every day. Contact us today to receive more information. Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as health advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual medical counsel or consulting your physician.

Summary of Heart Disease & Stroke Statistics 2014 Update

Summary of Heart Disease & Stroke Statistics 2014 UpdateOne of the most important aspects of heart disease and stroke prevention is to understand the statistics of those affected. Every Year the American Heart Association, the NIH, CDC and other governmental agencies work together to release a statistical report on stroke and heart disease’s morbidity, mortality rates and other variables related to cardiovascular disease. This report is released to the public so that researchers, clinicians, policy makers, media professional and others can use this information as a resource. Some of the most interesting findings have been included below (for full update summary click here)

Prevalence: 33% of Americans older than 20 years have hypertension (est. 78 million).
- Men and women have about the same prevalence rate
- African Americans Adults have one of the highest prevalence rates (44%)
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) deaths have decreased but the burden in still high
- From 2000-2010 deaths attributed to CVD fell 31%
  - However 31.9% of all deaths are contributed to CVD (787,650 deaths in 2010)
- From 2000-2010 deaths from stroke fell 35.8%
  - However almost 800,000 people a year have a new or recurrent stroke and 1 out of every 19 deaths in American are from a stroke.
Cardiovascular Procedure Use & Cost
- Total number of inpatient cardiovascular operations increased 28% ( to 7,588,000) from 2000 to 2010
- Total cost related to CVD and stroke in 2010 is estimated at about $315.4 billion
  - In comparison cost related to cancer and benign neoplasm was 201.5 billion

These CVD and stroke statistics from the Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics 2014 Update indicate that while there have been major improvements in the population’s health in the past 40 years, stroke and CVD is still extremely common and a major health concern in the United States. In fact, every 34 seconds an American has a coronary event and every 40 seconds someone in the United States has a stroke.One way to improve the mortality rate for stroke and CVD is to ensure that individuals who go through these severe medical events have appropriate rehabilitation care. At Sprain Brook Manor’s Rehabilitation Center in Westchester facility they specialize in skilled nursing care, pulmonary therapy, speech therapy and cardiac therapy that is essential to the recovery of individuals who recently had a stroke or cardiovascular event.This post is provided by Sprain Brook Manor Rehab which Provides unique opportunity to recover from medical procedures that result in true satisfying results. Getting you stronger and better every day. Contact us today to receive more information.Disclaimer: The information provided in this post in not intended to be construed as health advice, nor should it be considered a substitute for obtaining individual medical counsel or consulting your physician.

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