We plan and God laughs. 
Keeping track of medical history, shopping for alternative living arrangments, and discussion of financial planning under one roof is efficient. Too many surprises with end-of-life decisions could be avoided with these tracking tools. For those tracking their own histories ensure that someone you trust has access to your records and will follow-through with those choices. Why was my friend surprised that two sons rather the father less literate were named executors of their mother's estate?
God bless those who gave their lives, veterans, returning troops, those serving, and their families. When I read these treasured stories it remains me when my uncle's brother, Saul Goldman, joined our family gatherings in uniform in the 50s. Treasured also were reunions of New Jersey buddies you served in separate divisions during WWII who were reunited in South Florida 50 years later. Though they lost track of each other, their reminscence included concise reference to their arenas; one could see other memories of incredible loss to their charges appear in intense exchanges of their eyes, words not to be spoken.
A special salute to Herman Rubin who forever postponed being a professional baseball player to serve his country. To my uncle Leonard Sherman who took ill shortly after he was on base but came home to make significant differences in his scientific discoveries that, by my father's recall, others took credit for. Bless extended family who share their presence minus their day as he is with the National Guard two weeks each summer. "Better than 18 months (in Iraq)", his 12-year-old son uttered in a quiet voice. 
When it comes to caring for your parents, there are a lot of different issues to deal with. By taking the time to find resources that are available, it will be much easier for you to get the outcome that you are searching for. Of course, the way that you go about caring for your parents says it all. In a recent blog I wrote about senior safety and health, I talked about the relationship between parents and children when the roles are reversed. Caring for your parents can be a very stressful situation and you really have to make sure that you are doing whatever it takes to make things right. 
There are so many different resources out there that you can benefit from. You can find local groups in your neighborhood, support groups online, and plenty of informational resources like this blog right here to help you get the most from your situation. It doesn't matter if you are taking care of your parents full time or if you are just trying to keep an eye on whether they need your help or not, because education is always the most important tool in your success. 
According to an article written in Time magazine, they've been doing research in Europe that proves that lower sodium intake might not actually help heart health in the long run. Studies have shown that people who have high blood pressure or heart disease would benefit from lowering salt intake. However, in a study of more than 3,500 people who didn't have heart problems, the ones who had the highest salt intake were the lowest risk for heart disease-related death. The study was done for more than eight years and those with the highest sodium levels only had a 0.8% death rate. Those with low sodium had a 4% death rate. 
According to researchers, while salt intake does affect blood pressure, it doesn't increase the risk of hypertension or a death related to heart disease. It apparently doesn't have as much of an effect as they thought, and is much less of an issue. The American Heart Association is still hard at work trying to convince people to lower their sodium intake just for the sake of their health, but there's apparently less of a connection to heart health than was previously thought. 
So many people come to me and question where they can find exercise programs and fitness classes that suit their age and abilities. Most gyms and fitness centers don't have a lot for the 55+ crowd, but there is another place to look. In any community with a significant population of people over the age of 55, community centers and senior centers are going to be a great resource. Most towns have groups and classes that are designed specifically for older people and their unique abilities.
Let's face it. You're not 25 anymore and you probably have limited abilities, or at least a limited desire, when it comes to fitness and exercise. It's not about busting your butt in that 2 hour spinning class. It's about finding healthy, easy ways to stay active and enjoy yourself. By all means, if you want to get into extreme fitness programs, go ahead if you are capable. However, most people are just looking for a way to stay active without working too hard.
Check out your local community resources. Call around, ask about classes or programs specifically for the 55+ crowd. If you aren't sure, ask friends and acquaintances if they can recommend anything. Most athletic clubs and community centers have programs for seniors that include things like aerobics, yoga, water activities, and even jogging or walking clubs. If your local facilities don't have any of these, consider starting your own group. You'd be surprised at how many people are interested. Everyone wants to stay fit and healthy because they know that it's the key to a longer, happier life.
If you decide to start a group, you'll be able to find plenty of people to include. You will get the exercise that you want, plus you will probably make new friends. Take time to explore your local community and find the resources that you need. If you can't find them, create them. I wrote an article awhile back, in case you need some motivation, about healthy aging and how we aren't incapable just because of our age. You can check it out at the senior safety blog I write for occasionally. Start talking to your local community resources today and find the ones that give you what you need.
These systems often come with discounts, special offers, and a variety of different benefits for active adults. When you are considering a device like this, the internet is going to be your best option for getting the deals that you deserve. Online, these systems are marketed aggressively and given rock-bottom prices for all-inclusive features and solutions. While an infomercial or a mailer insert might give a good deal, the internet is the place to go for the best deals on medical alert devices. 
From vantage points of rockers, chairs, and benches residents and guests in senior communities can breathe fresh air in South Florida or countless other alternate living accommodations across the country. Onlookers become immune to emergency vehicles; when faced with emergency they are grateful to the medic team for transfer to the nearest medical center.
This week, with stattaco emails sharing my mother's emergency hospital stay, dismantling of her apartment, and decision making for another stop on her journey, I know not to call. I can only hope that someone will read the Mother's Day message I posted a few days ago as the card shop lacked the words to express the gratitutde for every opportunity I had been given.
Girl trip anyone? My friends' trip was not born of grade school, high school, or university reunions. These women, authors in common, a nurse practitioner, photographer, and retreat coordinator met in our mountain community about eight years ago. Their husbands or partner fostered their interests at home while these adventure-seeking dames explored Peru. 
At the personal invitation of my geronology professor Dr. Rita Gugel, the founder of National Association of Professional Care Managers (NAPGCM) visited our class at Lynn University in the early 90s. Within the next few years I enlisted the help of a professional geriatric care manager to address a caregiving situation that ultimately provided opportunity for my second husband's distant four children to care for their father, albeit long distance. "I won't come until my father is situated", are the dispassionate words heard from one son. 
My friend has been a caregiver for her mother for sixteen years in my friend's home, including years of raising a young family. Today she wrote that her mother, at 91, struggled halfway through writing a birthday note to her other daughter who lives a gazillion miles away and was confused with layers of clothing. Though my friend has chosen not to share her journey with the world others take advantage of new technology whether by choice or by prescription. 
This article www.gainesvilletimes.com/section/6/article/45169 is a blatant reminder that we all need to have our voices heard on healthcare reform. Home health care agencies not accepting Medicaid patients seems like discrimination to me. As close as this family appears, everyone needs respite and professional support in caring for a loved one.
Listening effectively helps caregivers appreciate the present trading past roles and ill feelings for the richness of life through family history. Instead of responding in anger because a hearing loss prevents one from responding appropriately or in a timely manner, try speaking slower so an elder can read your lips. Smiling helps and alleviates fright. Staying with a paid caregiver while he/she becomes familiar with your parent or spouse helps soften the atmosphere with familiarity. The paid caregiver can see how you handle situations, acting rather reacting, and we can learn from them. Some of the best caregivers are professional geriatric care managers who interact with elders and their families, sometimes through mediation, but always with the best outcome in mind. What listening method have you found to be effective? No one can hear you when your head is in the refrigerator or 1/2 way out the patio door ensuring your smoking habit does not injure the house's inhabitants.
There are many struggles and rewards of grandparents raising their grandchildren. I was moved learning that there are scholarships for small entities like the Children's Playhouse in Boone (and possibly INK in Gainesville). This allows grandparents who cannot otherwise afford even the most nominal fee respite and a place to share activities with their grandchildren. http://www.goplayhouse.org/ There are also many grandparents picking up their grandchildren from school and offering care until parents return from their professional obligations. And please remember there is a population of grandparents who take their grandchildren to see their son or daughter who is incarcerated. Share your thoughts here without disclosing names, companies, or institutions to observe privacy. Where possible, provide a link to support your beliefs and inform others. http://www.aarp.org/ has ongoing discussion/resources on this issue.
When I went for an annual checkup at a hospital-based clinic 1 1/2 hours from my home, I was fortunate enough to be accompanied by a good friend. I saw a woman staring at the office roster, unsure of the next direction in the maze to turn. A warm "Follow-me" relaxed her and replaced the angst of my appointment with gratitude that I could help someone else. Though disappointed the specialist did not have recent records I was assured were faxed a month ago, she conducted simple neurological tests that left me with renewed confidence. What style of communication has affected the way or you healthcare professional are perceived?
