Heart Disease KILLS More Women Than All The Cancers COMBINED

Heart Attacks are not just for men, in fact,they are much more likely to survive a heart attack than we are. Most heart attacks are caused by clots, and the diameter of our vessels is smaller. 

Men also tend to develop heart disease over a longer period of time, allowing their bodies to make a greater amount of collateral circulation. Women, typically develop heart disease as they approach middle age.

1/3 of all women do not experience the "hollywood chest pain" that we all seem to associate with heart diease. Most women actually experience flu like symptoms when they are having a heart attack. Keep that in mind when you think something is just not right.

If you experience any of these signs get help immediately!


Pain, pressure, fullness, discomfort in the center of your chest
Stabbing chest pain that radiates to your shoulders, back, arms, jaw
Shortness of breath or pounding heart beats
Nausea or vomiting
Sweating, dizziness, or weakness
Panic with the feeling of impending doom
Upper abdominal pain or gas-like pain

Unexplained pain between your shoulder blades


For more information, please click on these links.  Get the Facts!  The Life You Save May Be Your Own.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/

http://www.eventsoftheheart.org/faqs.asp

Communicate with patient with dementia/Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's Disease or Dementia?

Family on the Brink - Caring for Elderly Parents

FACTS & TIPS FROM BARBARA MC VICKER'S BLOG


Over 75 million people care for an elderly parent.

Most decisions are made out of crisis. Being proactive is the only way to stay sane.

Let go of futile efforts and focus on the battles you can win.

Consider your own needs first! Put your oxygen mask on first before assisting others!

70% of adult children have never talked to their parents about finances.

People age 85+ are the fastest growing segment of the population.

It's never too soon. Start the conversation early while your parents are still able to make decisions.Barbara provides clients, sales professionals, and caregivers essential caregiving information.

Don't sacrifice yourself for the perceived good of your parents without including your own needs.

Even great families become dysfunctional while caregiving for elderly parents.

It's normal to feel angry, resentful, guilty, inadequate, and lonely. Handle those feelings properly.

The best gift we can give our children is to get our financial, medial, & legal documents in order now.

Take time off! You're more useful when you're relaxed and healthy!

Be prepared to say goodbye.


Barbara McVicker

Stuck in the Middle LLC

614-893-6467
ABC Nightly News has had a week-long series running about siblings caring for aging parents titled "Family on the Brink". During one episode, they interviewed a family who said there were clashes as they first started out caregiving. Now the adult children have some suggestions:

•Ask for Help

•Support the Primary Caregiver

•Remember that Everyone Reacts Differently

•Don't Let This Tear the Family Apart

Some additional suggestions I'd like to offer are that the whole family needs to support the primary caregiver by:

•Saying "Thank You"

•Sharing the Care

•Arranging Respite Care

•Providing Financial Support

•Providing Emotional Support

-Barbara McVicker

Boomers and Biking

It's true... you never forget how to ride a bike. but we do forget how to play as we age. Boomers are returning to biking and having more fun now than ever!

http://www.bicycle-riding-for-boomers.com/

Get your bike ready for spring - it's always good advise to have a professional look it over, especially if you haven't ridden it in a few years,to make sure it's in good working condition .

Remember, it's cheaper to do that than it is to pay your deductible if you are injured.

In Darke County, Countryside Bike Shop can take care of all your needs.

Countryside Bike Shop

A Full Service Bike Shop

                         301 S Broadway, Greenville, OH 45331

                                                                      
                                                                     (937) 423-4415

AARP Survey Shows Boomers Turning 65 Are Satisfied With Their Lives

 A recent survey of boomers who will turn 65 in 2011 commissioned by AARP show that 78 percent of the oldest boomers, those turning 65 in 2011, are satisfied with the way things are going in their lives today.

The survey, Approaching 65: A Survey of Baby Boomers Turning 65 Years Old, also showed that overall, 70 percent of baby boomers say they have achieved all or most of what they wanted out of life. 26 percent say they have achieved some of what they wanted.

Only three percent say they have achieved little or none of what they wanted out of life. Words used to describe their feelings about the next five years included exciting, fulfilling, confident, hopeful and optimistic.

Area on Aging Electronic Newsletter

AoA eNews is an electronic newsletter distributed by the AoA Office of Communications. Its contents are for informational purposes.

For information on AoA please visit our website at http://www.aoa.gov/.

Financial Crisis Survival Blog - and Money Saving Ideas

This site offers words of advice and encouragement for those going through a financial crisis.

http://crisissite.info/blog/

Reduce Your Utility Bill

There are many sites online that address how to conserve energy for the sake of the environment but not that many that actually focus on HOW to save money on utility bills.  This site does just that.....

Click on the link to visit the blog -
http://utilitybillreduction.jansaz.com/

New Report Spotlights Elders Living in Poverty

According to findings in a recent report from the Alliance for Children and Families, half of America’s elderly will spend at least one year in poverty.

In the report, Aging in Poverty: A Call to Action, researchers also note that 18% of Americans will have experienced poverty by the age of 70, 29% by the age of 80, and 41% by the age of 90.

To download a copy of the report, please go to http://www.familiesinsociety.org/new/SpecialIssue/AgingInPoverty/AgingInPoverty.pdf

Prescription Drug Interaction Checker - tool to help you avoid drug interactions

Drug interactions occurs when the effect of a particular drug is altered when it is taken with another drug, or with food.

The Drug Interaction Checker explains the mechanism of each drug interaction, the level of significance of the interaction (major, moderate or minor), and in certain cases, can provide the recommended course of action to manage the interaction. The Drug Interaction Checker will also display any interactions between your chosen drug(s) and food.

Medication Dispensing Service by Phillips

With the complexity of medications many seniors take, it's no surprise: 1 in 10 hospital admissions for seniors are a result of medication errors.* Philips Lifeline now offers a simple, proven Medication Dispensing Service that can help.

Philips provides an easy-to-use solution that helps maintain the proper medication schedule. Hear a simple audio reminder and at the push of a button, get your medications at the pre-programmed times.

Sound easy? It is—and it's effective. Philips Medication Dispensing Service has been proven to deliver a 98.6% in-home dispensing adherence level among monitored subscribers.

Click here to learn more

Develop a Plan For Your Future to Live Independently

You value health, independence, and the comforts of home, but sometimes changes in mental and physical health challenge how well we can live independently. That's why it's important to think about your expectations and plan for the future with appropriate support along the way.

It can be difficult to develop a plan for the future, but researchers at Boston University have created an easy Independent Living Assessment to help you, right from the comfort of your own home. Philips Lifeline is sponsoring this free assessment to help you take control of your future and add to peace of mind for both you and your family.

Powered by Boston University Activity Measure for Post Acute Care (AM-PAC), the assessment will help you think about three areas of your life:

moving about freely
managing life skills
performing daily tasks

TAKE THE INDEPENDENT LIVING ASSESSMENT
https://www.theindependentlivingassessment.com/

Calling Medicare Help Line

Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP)

OSHIIP provides free health insurance information and services for people with Medicare. You can reach them at 1-800-686-1578 or by e-mailing oshiipmail@ins.state.oh.us.

Medicare

For general Medicare information, ordering Medicare booklets, and information about health plans, call 1-800-MEDICARE, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for assistance. English and Spanish-speaking customer service representatives at this number can answer questions about the Original Medicare Plan and provide up-to-date information regarding the health plans available in your area. You can also visit www.medicare.gov.

Glaucoma Awareness Month - Tests, Symptoms, Treatment

Familywize - Immediate Savings on Prescription Drugs for Everyone

 In Darke County the Familywize cards are distributed by United Way but you can also print a card from the Familywize web site or pick one up at the Kmart pharmacy.
http://www.familywize.org/index.aspx

PRESCRIPTION DRUG SAVINGS PROGRAM     

IT'S FREE: This is a free resource from the FamilyWize community service partnership. Use this FamilyWize card to start saving money on your prescription drugs today.

IT'S EASY: Simply present your card and prescription to a participating pharmacy to obtain the discounted price. You always receive the lower of the discounted price or pharmacy's retail price.

HOW MUCH YOU SAVE: This card can save you and your family an average of up to 30% or more on 8 out of 10 prescriptions. Click here to see the discounted price of medications using this card.  (Note - that this says prices at CVS may be significantly higher, even for generic drugs) It pays to price shop.

NO RESTRICTIONS: Use your card as often as you need, for any prescription, for everyone in your family. There is no income limit, age requirement, eligibility or registration required.

$1 BILLION IN SAVINGS: The goal of this community partnership is to reduce the cost of medicine for children, families and individuals with no prescription drug coverage by $1 billion. FamilyWize cards are being distributed free of charge nationwide by participating United Ways, community and faith-based organizations, county agencies, doctors, businesses, some pharmacies, and individuals like you. The discounts and savings are provided voluntarily by the more than 55,000 participating pharmacies that have agreed to accept this card. Please remember to thank your pharmacy for its participation and those helping to give out the cards for the difference they are making for you, your family and your community.

HOW YOU CAN HELP: Did you know that more than one out every five people in the United States has no prescription drug coverage? Please email, text and tell your friends, family members, co-workers, and members of groups you know a link to this website, place a link to this site on your websites and web pages, and print cards for the people you know that do not have Internet access. And please click on the Volunteer Center to get cards and flyers to distribute in your area. Together, we can make a difference! THANK YOU!

THIS IS NOT HEALTH INSURANCE: Discounts are available only at paticipating pharmacies.

Diabetes - Low Carb Fruits And Vegetables

25 Fruits & Vegetables with Lowest Carbs = Click Here

Understanding Bronchitis and How It Is Treated

Happiness Increases After 50 - Gallup Poll Finds

For all who have dread "the golden years", a new Gallup poll suggests that happiness increases after 50!

Who knew?

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/health/2010/06/01/2010-06-01_happiness_increases_after_age_50_gallup_poll_finds.html

A "Black Box" for Humans to Monitor Health

The day is coming - the technology that was developed to monitor the vital signs of the astronauts may soon be used in homes to monitor our heart and respirations! Thanks to technology, when this type of technology is used, the "black box" will help save lives (and money) by providing the data of what happened and when!