Our latest issue of the Age in Place Magazine features stories and content about Healthy Aging. Contact us if you would like to schedule a consultation!

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Saturday, March 10  |  10:30 AM - 1:30 PM  |  Frank Mackle Park, Marco Island, Florida

Cure PSP is a non-profit organization that helps families affected by rare, neurodegenerative brain diseases through education, support, and advocacy, along with educational programs for physicians, public awareness, and worldwide research efforts.

Help us support the CurePSP organization by joining us on Saturday, March 10th to walk! You can either join in the walk, or come to the event to support and enjoy other entertainment.

There will be a Silent Auction, Raffle Prizes, and Live Entertainment. Our American In-Home Care sister company, Advocate Home Care Services, will also have a booth set up.

Registration is $25 per person or $10 per student (Cash and check only at the event, credit cards accepted online). Registration includes lunch and t-shirt!

To register, donate, or for more information, go to:
www.swflpspsupportgroup.wixsite.com/swflsupportgroup

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“Music is the universal language of mankind.” - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Whether it’s the bluesy tones of classic country music, the melodic harmonies of an old-fashioned R&B song, or the energizing instrumentals of a rock n’ roll band, music creates impressions in a human being’s soul. By pressing play on a favorite song, a lifetime of memories can come flooding back and be experienced all over again.

And that is precisely the goal when it comes to music therapy for Alzheimer's treatment - to allow patients to relive past memories through song. The healing power of music has incredible potential for improving the quality of life for Alzheimer’s patients, and the first time you see a loved one with Alzheimer's singing along to a favorite song from their youth, the value of music therapy and the happiness that it brings becomes immediately clear.

Dr. Oliver Sacks from the Alzheimer’s Music Project condones music as a valuable therapy method for Alzheimer’s patients: “When I’ve worked with people with Alzheimer’s and various forms of dementia, some of them are confused, some are agitated, some lethargic, some have lost language. But all of them, without exception, respond to music.”

Some of the major advantages of exposing loved ones with Alzheimer’s to music include:

1. A marked improvement in their overall happiness
2. Improved cognition through active brain engagement
3. Therapy that is free and can be done in your own home
4. Serving as a mental anchor for those suffering from Alzheimer’s to use when things get unsteady

Music Makes People Happy

The first time that music is introduced as a form of therapy for Alzheimer's patients has been consistently described as a “night and day” difference. All of a sudden, a loved one that was bordering on completely non-responsive is smiling, swaying with the beat, and humming. Their entire disposition is changed instantly.

Suddenly their mind is back in the jazz club where they met their spouse, at a high school football game for homecoming, or road tripping with a dear friend at the start of summer vacation. A simple song becomes associated with a special moment in time, tapping into a deep instinctual place in the mind that triggers overwhelming happiness associated with that memory. That is the power of music when introduced to the life of an Alzheimer’s patient, it can genuinely feel like magic.

If you have any experience with Alzheimer’s, you know that happiness is incredible therapy. Not only for the person suffering from this terrible disease, but also the caretaker(s). For many, a single smile from their loved one is enough to keep them moving forward.

Engaging Your Brain with Music

The core of most treatment and care for Alzheimer’s patients is to stimulate the brain to keep it active and healthy. There are countless studies that credit maintaining an active brain as the best way to keep a high quality of life when living with a memory-related disease. There are a number of studies that show that maintaining a steady level of brain activity improves blood flow to the brain, and also increases the brain's ability to form important connections between different emotional centers.

Doctors at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center found that when individuals listened to their favorite songs from their youth, connections were immediately made between the brain areas responsible for memory and social emotion. They even found that music therapy can actively help to restore connections in the brain that were broken through illness or injury.

What does this mean? That it might actually be possible that those immediate, happy emotional responses to musical therapy are also having long-term benefits, such as memory recovery, and increased social awareness.

Effortless Therapy

Music therapy is a truly low-impact, high-reward activity that many doctors believe should be universally implemented for memory care. It gives Alzheimer’s patients an important sense of control, and makes them more likely to respond well to the treatment. Below are some noted benefits of music therapy for Alzheimer's:

1. It is incredibly simple to administer music therapy
2. There are no potentially negative side-effects
3. It is completely unobtrusive
4. It is extremely low-cost or likely completely free -  All you need is a good set of headphones or speakers, and a device to play music from (try using Spotify to search for your loved one's favorite songs).

Music as an Anchor

Individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s often have a feeling of being lost mentally, and have trouble pinning down exactly where they are without some sort of anchor to “bring them home.” Often, the patient's caregivers serve as this anchor, but music can serve this role as well. It isn’t uncommon for an anchor song to be able to bring Alzheimer’s patients out of states of complete trance.

How can you establish music as an anchor for your loved one? 

1. Choose a particular song or genre of music that was special to your loved one from their youth.
2. Connect this song/genre with a state of calm in your loved one by playing it to them often when they are relaxed.
3. After this song becomes associated with a state of calm for them, playing it to them when they are having a "bad moment" can do wonders.

Recent studies have also shown Alzheimer’s patients reacting in miraculous ways to being taken on a “journey through their life” with music. Early results show that this method actively increases overall happiness, gives patients a strong sense of control, and effectively stimulates the memory center in the brain.

How can you create a "journey through life" with music?

1. Create a playlist that starts off with popular music from their youth and formative years
2. Then select songs that your loved one enjoyed during adulthood
3. Finish off the playlist with songs from their golden years.

The Magic of Music

While music therapy for Alzheimer's might not be a true cure, many caregivers and Alzheimer’s patients consider it to be like magic. Given the ease of implementing music therapy, and its success rate at increasing quality of life for people living with Alzheimer's, many professionals agree that music therapy should be used widely as a legitimate means of therapy and treatment for Alzheimer's and other dementias. The first time you see your loved one's reaction to music therapy, their happiness rolling across the room in waves, you immediately know that the magic of music isn’t just a cheap platitude, it is very real.

If you would like to explore music therapy as an option for your loved one, or if you are looking for a in home care Tampa provider with experience caring for individuals with Alzheimer's, American In-Home Care can help. We refer qualified and compassionate care providers that are matched directly with your loved one's personality and needs. We can refer care providers that specialize in Alzheimer's and dementia care, and who have training and continuing education in this area to ensure they provide the highest quality of care to your loved one, and that you and your loved one are in the best hands.

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Our Client Care Liaison and Certified Senior Advisor, Kristi O'Neal, is leading two important and informational discussions and workshops this month in Florida. Be sure to check them out if you are in the area, and be sure to RSVP!

1. Discussion: Geriatric ED Visits and The Relevance of Home Care

When: Thursday, October 12, 2017  from  7:00-8:30 pm

Where: St. Vincent's Medical Center Southside - 4201 Belfort Road, Jacksonville, FL 32216

What: The Emergency Nurses Association presents two special discussions on Geriatric ED Visits and The Relevance of Home Care
and Making the Invisible Visible: ER Nursing Care of the Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis Patient Population.

Our American In-Home Care employee, Kristi O'Neal, a Client Care Liaison and a Certified Senior Advisor, will be giving the first talk on Geriatric ED Visits.

Dinner is included with the event. You must RVSP by 10:00 am on October 11th. RSVP here.

2. Workshop: Life Care Planning

When: Tuesday, October 24, 2017 from 9:30 - 11:00 am

Where: Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC Office - 814 A1A North, Suite 203, Ponte Vidra, Florida 32082

What: Learn more about implementing a plan to protect your assets should you or your loved one need Long-Term Care. Join us for a presentation from Jennifer Singh, JD, from the Legacy Planning Law Group, and our own Kristi O’Neal of American In-Home Care to learn more about:

-Long-term care providers and resources in our community
-The cost of long-term care
-Payment options for long-term care
-Planning for incapacity
-What Medicare pays for
-Medicaid & VA Planning
-The 6 major rules of Medicaid & Medicaid myths

Breakfast will be included! Seating is limited. Please RSVP to Carol Ann Bowe at 904.280.4905 or cbowe@janney.com

The post AIHC in the Community: Upcoming October Events appeared first on AIHC.

Roughly one-third of all breast cancer diagnoses are in women over the age of 70, however, only around nine percent of these cases are found through early breast cancer screening. This is compared to nearly 50% of cases detected through early screening in slightly younger women, aged 50-70. That's why we are calling attention to the importance of breast cancer awareness in aging women, and the need to stay "Breast Aware" and make breast health a priority with age.

Being "Breast Aware"

Breast cancer is generally slow-growing, especially in older women, but if it is undetected for many years, once it is finally detected, it can be much more aggressive. That's why it is vital that all women, and especially older women, are "breast aware" and stay on top of their breast health. This can be done by giving yourself regular breast exams, and having regular check ups with your doctor. Although it might be a little harder to notice changes in your breasts the older you get, it is extremely important to be diligent and aware of your body, to go for regular screenings, and to report anything unusual to your doctor. Women age 50-70 should go for breast screening every three years, and can phone their local screening unit for an appointment. Remember: early detection saves lives.

Learn how to give yourself a breast exam here

What can I do to reduce my risk of breast cancer?

If you're concerned about breast cancer and your risk as you age, you might be wondering if there are steps you can take toward breast cancer prevention. Some risk factors, such as family history, can't be changed. However, there are lifestyle changes you can make to lower your risk. Lifestyle changes have been shown in studies to decrease breast cancer risk even in high-risk and older women. The following are steps you can take to lower your risk:

• Limit alcohol. The more alcohol you drink, the greater your risk of developing breast cancer. The general recommendation — based on research on the effect of alcohol on breast cancer risk — is to limit yourself to 1 drink per day or less, as even small amounts increase risk.
• Don't smoke. Accumulating evidence suggests a link between smoking and breast cancer risk, particularly in premenopausal women. In addition, not smoking is one of the best things you can do for your overall health.
• Control your weight. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of breast cancer. This is especially true if obesity occurs in older women, particularly after menopause.
• Be physically active. Physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight, which, in turn, helps prevent breast cancer. For most healthy adults, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends at least 2 hours per week of moderate aerobic activity, or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity, plus strength or bodyweight training at least twice a week.
• Eat healthy and avoid processed meat. Eating a healthy diet could decrease your risk of some types of cancer, as well as diabetes, heart disease and stroke. For example, women who eat a Mediterranean diet have been shown to have a reduced risk of breast cancer in some studies. The Mediterranean diet focuses on mostly on plant-based foods - fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts, as well as healthy fats, like olive oil, and fish rich in omega-3 oils instead of red meat. The World Health Organization states that all processed meat is carcinogenic (something that causes cancer), and lists red meat as being a probable carcinogen, so in general, processed and red meat should be avoided, especially in aging and high-risk women.
• Limit dose and duration of hormone therapy. If you're taking hormone therapy for menopausal symptoms, ask your doctor about other options. Combination hormone therapy for more than three to five years increases the risk of breast cancer. You might be able to manage your symptoms with non-hormonal therapies and medications. If you decide that the benefits of short-term hormone therapy outweigh the risks, use the lowest dose that works for you and continue to have your doctor monitor the length of time you are taking hormones.
  • For younger women who might be concerned about using Birth Control pills, studies show that current or recent use of birth control pills does slightly increase the risk of breast cancer compared to women who have never used the pill. However, this extra risk is quite small because the risk of breast cancer for most young women is already low. So, even with a slight increase in risk, younger women using the pill are still unlikely to get breast cancer. And once women stop taking the pill, their risk begins to decrease and after about 10 years, returns to that of women who have never taken the pill. It is also worth noting that in most studies to date, women took older, higher-dose forms of the pill, and almost all of the pills today have lower dosages of hormones, and are thus likely to pose even less of a risk.
• Breast-feed. Breast-feeding might play a role in breast cancer prevention. The longer you breast-feed, the greater the protective effect.
• Avoid exposure to radiation and environmental pollution. Medical-imaging methods, such as computerized tomography, use high doses of radiation. While more studies are needed, some research suggests a link between breast cancer and radiation exposure. Reduce your exposure by having such tests only when absolutely necessary.

The Silver Lining

Women today are living longer than ever before. The average life expectancy for women is 87 years old, so it is of increasing importance to be aware of changes in our bodies as we age, because being proactive and being “breast aware” can save our lives. And it is important to understand that getting breast cancer at an older age does not have to mean you have received a death sentence. Older women can get just as much benefit from breast cancer treatment as younger women, and breast cancer treatment has vastly improved over the past 30 years, both in its effectiveness and managing side effects. Know that if you are diagnosed, being proactive in your treatment and keeping a positive mindset can help save your life. Older women who are in good health, and who are diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer are likely to live for many more healthy and happy years.

One Last Thing

While breast cancer is most commonly thought of as a woman's disease, it can occur in men. Male breast cancer is a rare cancer that forms in the male breast tissue. Although it can occur at any age, it is most common in older men. Like women, men diagnosed with breast cancer at an early stage have a very good chance of curing it. Unlike women, men with breast cancer do not always realize the changes or show unusual signs or symptoms, such as a breast lump. Because of this, male breast cancers are typically diagnosed when the disease is more advanced. So this means it is especially important to be proactive with your health as you age, no matter your gender.

Spread the word this October. Be proactive with your breast health and get checked out!

Contact us for a free in-home consultation to discuss care options.

The post Breast Cancer Awareness in Aging Women: Reduce Your Risk appeared first on AIHC.

Yoga can help ease and even slow down these changes in the body by keeping muscles supple, limbs more flexible, reducing swelling in joints, increasing mobility and strength, and improving balance and stability. Practicing yoga can also aid in improving your alertness, mood, sleep, digestion, as well as relaxing the body and the mind.

Here are several poses to assist with your stability, strength, balance and overall well-being:

Tree Pose

Stand tall and place your right foot onto the left leg - either on the calf (just below the knee) or on the ankle with the toes propped against the floor - depending on your flexibility. Press your foot firmly into the leg, and the leg into the foot for stability, then open your right knee out to the side to open the hip without tilting your pelvis. Bring your hands to a prayer position at your chest and stay here for five to ten deep breaths. Repeat on the left side.

Tree Pose is great for building leg and abdominal strength. It also assists in improving overall balance and concentration. Another alternative is using a chair for added support, or standing with your back against a wall.

Mountain Pose

Stand tall with your feet touching together. Find even balancing between your feels and your toes. Actively engage your Quad muscles to feel your kneecaps lift. Draw your navel in toward your spine to firm up your abdominals and keep your spine and pelvis neutral - no tucking or arching. Activate the fingers and reach them straight down to draw your shoulders away from your ears. Lift up through the crown of your head and the back of your neck. Breathe here for five to ten breaths. Close your eyes if possible and work to maintain balance.

Variations: If you want to take it further, try reaching the arms up overhead, taking the palms together with arms extended long, and maintaining the engagement in the core and neutrality in the spine and pelvis. This pose can also be done seated for more support.

Mountain Pose helps with balance and grounding through the feet, keeping the feet healthy. This pose allows the body to build stability and focus. It also builds back strength and helps with posture.

Bird Dog

Start by kneeling in a table top position, with hands directly under shoulders and knees directly under hips (Place blankets or cushions under knees if you need extra support). Draw your belly in towards your spine. Press the hands firmly into the mat and broaden the shoulder blades on the back. Reach one arm forward and the opposite leg back, keeping your arm and leg in line with your body. Imagine you have a glass of water balancing on your back, and you have someone tugging you forward from your hand and backwards from your foot so that you are actively reaching in both directions.  Stay for a few breaths then switch sides.  Repeat five to ten times. Take breaks.

Bird Dog is good for strengthening the transverse abdominals and for overall back support. The health and wellness of the spine is very important as the body ages. This pose, if done on a regular basis, allows for maintenance of a healthy spine, relief of low-back pain, and increase of strength and balance.

Sphinx

Lie down on your stomach with legs long behind you. Prop your upper body up onto your forearms,  with your elbows under your shoulders and your hands extending straight in front of you, fingers flared. Press down firmly into your forearms, drawing your shoulder blades away from your ears, broadening your collarbones, and lifting through the crown of your head. Lift your abdominals up, imagining lifting your belly button off the mat. Gently squeeze the sitting bones together. Stay here for five to ten breaths, and then release all the way down onto your stoamch. Repeat one to two more times.

Variations: If there is any pinching in the low back, try sliding your elbows further away from you to lessen the back bend. Also focus on squeezing the sitting bones together and engaging the inner thigh muscles.

Sphinx Pose is gentle enough on the body at any age. This pose does a wonderful job of opening up the chest and working on the upper back and core strength, and relieving low back pain.

Bada Konasana 

Sit on your bottom and bring the soles of the feet in to touch, allowing the knees to drop out to the side and the hips to open. Place your hands around your feet and begin to fold forward toward your feet for a deeper stretch. Hold for five to ten breaths.

Variations: If you need more assisted with this pose, put your back against the wall for support, or try placing blocks or pillows under your knees.

This pose is a great way to work on opening the hips and keep the joints mobile. This pose is good for the health of the prostate for men and the reproductive system for women. The longer you hold this pose the better it is for the body.

Savasana

Lie down on your back with you legs out long and your arms by your sides, palms facing up. Let the floor support your whole body. Completely relax the muscles, let go of all of your effort in your muscles, let go of your thoughts and breathe normal, listening to the sound of your breath. Lay in this pose as long as you need.

Savasana is the most restorative pose you can take. It is typically at the end of all yoga series to ensure that you relax, reflect and restore your mind, body and soul at the end of your practice. It resets your nervous system and helps with restoring peace with in.

It is important to practice regularly, 2-3 times a week if possible. Yoga is an amazing exercise for the overall body and it will help keep you healthy. It can play a huge part physically, mentally and emotionally. Because seniors experience a higher rate of anxiety and depression, yoga allows the body and mind to relax, slow down, and build strength and focus. Yoga encourages mindfulness, improves respiration, blood flow and cardiovascular health, can reduce high blood pressure, assist in a speedier recovery from surgery, help with the grieving process, and reduce chances of a fall. So in short, DO MORE YOGA.

If you or your loved one could use help staying active and healthy as you age, consider bringing a qualified care provider into your home. American In-Home Care always refers qualified, screened, care providers that are compassionate and ready to help with services like meal preparation, diet monitoring, and mobility assistance. Contact us at 1-844-505-0004 to schedule your free in-home consultation to discuss which care options are right for you and your family.

The post Healthy Aging Month: Benefits of Yoga for Seniors appeared first on AIHC.

There are many questions regarding the change to the Haiti Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and for this reason American In-Home Care - through our Advocate and Whitsyms brands - are sponsoring informational meetings with an immigration attorney Patricia Elizee, Esq. over the next 2 weeks to help those impacted by the changes to TPS. Ms. Elizee will be presenting the event in both English and Creole.

Both events will include Question & Answer segments. Please share this with anyone you know who may be affected by TPS.

June 30th | 2:00-6:00 PM @ The Kiwanis Club, Lauderdale Lakes, FL

July 7th | 4:00 - 8:00 PM @ Salem Community Church, Lake Worth, FL

Contact  (561)-808-8434 or (954)-788-4555 to RSVP for one of the events.

The post Community Event: Haitians in TPS Status - What are your options? appeared first on AIHC.

In fact, we love our nurses so much that, according to a Gallup poll, we rated them as the most honest and ethical professionals for 15 years in a row. They are with us from the moment we are born through our last days, cheering us through our joys and helping us through our sorrows.

Nurses Week 2017 Theme

We may not thank our nurses for all of their hard work as often as we should, but take advantage of the opportunity to show the special health care providers in your life that you care from May 6-12 week during National Nurses Week 2017. The theme for this year’s annual appreciation week is “Nursing: The Balance of Mind, Body, and Spirit,” in recognition of this year’s American Nursing Association theme of the “Year of the Healthy Nurse.”

These themes recognize a common irony among nurses: Although they spend most of their time caring for others, nurses often have a hard time caring for themselves. Studies have shown that nurses suffer from musculoskeletal disorders, are at a greater risk of acquiring tuberculosis and blood-borne pathogen infections, and have more occupational allergies than the general public. In addition, one study found that they have an 8% higher rate of depression than at the general population. In A Daybook for Nurses, author and doctor Sharon Hudacek sums up this irony, saying, “Bound by paperwork, short on hands, sleep and energy… nurses are rarely short on caring.”

 How can we help our nurses?

Luckily, many hospitals, doctors offices, and other healthcare outlets are starting to recognize the importance of providing stress-relief and holistic health practices for nurses at work, like Tai-Chi and yoga classes during lunch breaks, on-site farmers markets, and professional support groups. These benefits aim to not only improve the health and well-being of individual nurses, but the quality of care they are able to provide their patients.

National Nurses Week is one more way that nurses’ hard work is gaining recognition. If you have a special nurse or caregiver in your life, help them achieve balance of mind, body, and spirit by providing them some caregiving of their own. Pamper them with a gift card for a massage, offer to bring a home cooked meal or meal-prep (like a jar of various beans and spices for a healthy just-add-water soup), or sit down and have an open conversation with them about what their needs are and if there’s anything you can do to help meet them.

 It’s never too early or too late to tell your caregivers how much you appreciate them!

If your loved one needs a regular caregiver, including live in care Orlando nursing services, consider bringing a qualified care provider into your home. American In-Home Care always refers qualified, screened, care providers, included Registered Nurses, who are compassionate and ready to help. Contact us at 1-844-505-0004 to schedule your free in-home consultation to discuss which care options are right for you and your family.

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