Immune Response Changes In Seniors Place Them At Risk

Seniors can be affected with a variety of different types of infections that hit hard and hang on. As we get older our immune response changes and one of the most prevalent infections impacting seniors is a urinary tract infection (UTI). Sometimes our loved ones can’t tell us what the problem is, where the pain is or when something doesn’t feel right. UTI’s can be very dangerous when not treated quickly. Symptoms in seniors can be different than in younger people. 

Sometimes the only symptom of a UTI in the elderly is acute confusion. If an older person becomes suddenly confused or have behavioral issues, some people may think that their loved one must be developing Dementia / Alzheimer’s disease. Others may mistakenly assume that confusion is normal for all older people. You may find your loved one feeling restless and anxious.  Some seniors will have overall discomfort and weakness, including falls or unsteady gait. There may be loss of appetite or dizziness. Seniors will be unable to do activities of everyday living they always perform. A person with Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, or other dementia may become temporarily worse. 

Physical UTI symptoms that might present themselves include:  foul, strong smelling urine, more frequent trips to the bathroom especially at night, inability to empty the bladder fully leaving a feeling that your loved one needs to go when they just went, pressure or mild pain when urinating, night sweats, shaking or chills, lower back pain, general discomfort, a feeling of being over-tired, blood in the urine, incontinence, nausea, vomiting, coughing, shortness of breath and abdominal pain. Woman may have pain above the pubic bone. Men sometimes have a feeling of fullness in the rectum. Back and side pain can indicate the infection has reached the kidneys. However, a person would probably not have all these signs; and perhaps none. If left untreated, the infection can spread and develop into far more serious conditions. Seniors will rarely get a fever, but if an older patient has one it is considered an emergency. It should not be taken lightly. UTI’s for instance, are a leading cause of sepsis, a potentially life-threatening infection of the bloodstream.

UTI’s can be prevented by keeping the area clean after using the restroom with front to back wiping and if wearing adult briefs, they should be changed regularly. Take a shower instead of a bath. Making sure your loved one is getting enough fluids especially including cranberry juice. Limit caffeine containing beverages which might irritate your bladder.

If your loved one’s symptoms are consistent with a bladder infection it’s recommended that their healthcare provider be called for an appointment.  The most common treatment for a UTI is antibiotics.

Lori Schuler is Marketing and Activity Director for Pioneer Place supportive Apartments

and North Haven Assisted Living Homes

Healthy Resolutions to Insure a Happy New Year's For Seniors

The New Year means new starts, and that typically involves making New Year's resolutions. While the old-faithful standbys still exist, adults over the age of 65 can greatly benefit from making healthy resolutions - especially those that help prevent illness and injury. Here are five New Year's resolutions that will keep you feeling young and vibrant.

Participate in Cognitive Health Activities

Mental health is an important aspect of health that we tend to overlook as we extol the benefits of staying physically fit. Keep your mind engaged and stimulated through a language class, book club or by playing brain games and trivia on the computer.

Exercise or start a new physical activity

Exercise doesn't have to be exhausting, and it certainly doesn't have to feel like work. Older adults are increasingly looking to classes such as yoga and tai chi to not only increase physical health, but to meet people and widen their social circles. Other activities like local walking clubs can be found at many senior organizations and community centers.

Eat More Fresh Foods

Processed foods are easy to throw together for a meal, but they come with a host of health issues and concerns, and frankly; they're not worth the hassle. Make a promise to eat more fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables and you'll see a noticeable difference in the way you look and feel - and it takes very little work on your end.

Make Your Home Safer

According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in three adults over the age of 65 falls each year. Many of these falls are preventable, especially if home safety tips are implemented. Tips like moving cords out of walkways, having good lighting near beds and taping down edges of carpeting and rugs can help tremendously to decrease the number and severity of falls for seniors.

Schedule Regular Checkups

Unfortunately, with age comes increased risk of illness and other complications such as high blood pressure, osteoporosis and other medical conditions. Making sure that you schedule a regular annual checkup can help in early detection and prevention.

Not only will these New Year's resolutions improve your mental and physical healthy, they'll provide social opportunities and benefit your life in multiple ways. What are some of your goals and resolutions for the upcoming year?

Healthy New Year's Resolutions for Seniors published Dec 21, 2011 by NYC Senior Care

New Year's 2012 photo credit: freedigitalphotos.net Jannoon028

Under Pressure

God didn't do it all in one day.  What makes me think I can?  ~Author Unknown

Sound familiar? While we all are aware that stress is the root of sleepless nights and can lead to a myriad of health issues, we pay little heed to the warnings and charge ahead attempting to do it all. Browse the self-help section of the library or your favorite book store and the number of books written to help us all remove stress from our lives is a testament to our desire to live life stress-free. 

Here are just a few suggestions that we can easily apply to our lives allowing us to concentrate on the important things in our life. It's been said that if we did just that - there would be a shortage of fishing poles.

Be prepared. It's more than the Girl Scout's motto. Keep some cash on hand, avoid letting the gas level in your car fall into the empty zone, keep pain relievers such as Tyelnol or Advil on hand was well as over the counter antacid and treatment for mild diarrhea. Taking care of the 'small details' on a daily basis will help ease your mind and reduce stress.

Reverse your dinner/breakfast caloric intake. You know that eating breakfast is good for you - the word for the first meal of the day instructs us to "break the fast." Our constant motion, get it all done right now society has made breakfast something that we can "eat on the go." Debbie Mandel, a stress-management expert and author of "Addicted to Stress" advocates making breakfast the biggest meal of the day and dinner your smallest. A breakfast of lean proteins to fuel your brain to think straight and complex carbohydrates, like oatmeal or multi-grain bread, will help keep you in a good mood.

Get organized. Studies show we are more likely to forget things if our homes are cluttered. Apparently someone has seen my kitchen counters and dining room table. If you are stressed about forgetting appointments or other events, get into the habit of writing them down in a special notebook, calendar or electronic device such as your Smartphone or computer. Repeating each entry out loud as you write it down will help commit it to memory. Set aside a certain place for your wallet and your keys and put them away in the same place every day.

Take a walk around the block. Yes, exercise at any time of the day is better than no exercise at all but the experts agree that when it comes to eliminating stress and setting the tone for your day, the morning is the best time to get your heart rate up. If you're like me, you'll feel great about crossing "exercise" off your list at the start of the day, but the added benefits of boosting the energizing endorphins will help carry you through the rest of your day.

Clear your mind. Lack of sleep is one of the major causes of stress. If you are anxious about something your brain will trigger the adrenal glands to make you more alert. Meditate or do some simple breathing exercises to help prepare your body for sleep.

Socialize. We all know that getting together with friends and family can help keep depression at bay but did you know that depression and stress can contribute to memory loss? Seek out opportunities to get together with loved ones - especially if you live alone. When someone extends an invitation to share a meal or attend an event - go! 

The days of summers' blistering heat are here, and while we cannot control the rising temperatures outside, we can control the heat index of our bodies.  Older adults are at an especially high risk, they are not able to sense elevations in temperature as quickly or be able to cool down as readily.  The effect of the sun on the skin of older adults is heightened because of changes in the skin as we age.  You burn much quicker even with short exposure to the sunlight.

When temperatures rise so does the risk for heat related injuries such as muscle cramps due to loss of water and salt through perspiration, medicines that work against the body’ natural thermometer, dizziness, clammy skin, rapid heart beat, heat exhaustion in the form of headaches, nausea and weakness, and finally heat stroke, which can be fatal.

The human body is very much like a machine.  It’s constantly challenging itself to adapt to its environment and keep up with what’s going on externally. Your body is always working to keep a balance between its heat production and heat loss, with your brain acting as a thermostat.

When the temperatures begin to creep up, take immediate action.

Keep cool. Air conditioning can be a lifesaver, especially if you have heart disease.  If you don’t have air conditioning, head to a cool shopping center, library, movie theater, place of worship, and here in Stevens Point the Lincoln Center/Aging and Disability.

Lightweight, light-colored, loose clothing reflects heat and sunlight, and wear a hat or carry an umbrella to protect your head and neck when outdoors.

Cool baths or showers can provide relief.  Ice bags and wet towels are also helpful.

Beware of dehydration: drink plenty of water even if you’re not thirsty.  Remember fluids can also come in the form of fruits and vegetable.  Avoid drinking an excess of coffee, tea, and alcohol. Caffeine is a dehydrator and alcohol acts as a diuretic, causing your body to lose water.  A good test of hydration is to make sure that your urine is always clear in color.

Limit your salt intake.

Curtail physical activity during extremely hot weather.  Activity adds to heart strain.

Always remember to use sunblock (SPF 15 or greater) when outdoors even on hazy or cloudy days.  A person, who has memory problems, should not be in the sun for any extended period of time.  They may not recognize or be able to tell you that they are uncomfortable.

Take the heat seriously.  Dizziness, rapid heartbeat, diarrhea, nausea, headache, chest pain, mental changes or breathing problems are warning signs that you should seek immediate medical attention.

Lori Schuler is the Marketing and Activity Director for Central Wisconsin Senior Living.