Carmel, CA Many Nutritionists Recommending Vitamin B12 And Vitamin D3 For Seniors

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There have been debates over whether it is prudent to take just one multivitamin per day versus taking a variety of different vitamins.  Part of it depends on what your diet looks like.  Some believe supplements are not that effective.  “When you take things out of the food matrix and you put a single ingredient into a pill, it doesn’t have the same effect,†Katherine Tucker, director of the Center for Population Health at the University of Massachusetts Lowell told AARP Bulletin (June 2021, page 32).  In regards to B12 and D3, experts say that you can’t get them from plants.  In addition, as we get older, we begin to develop difficulty absorbing them in their natural form.  Vitamin B12 plays an essential role in nerve function.  A shortfall has been associated with depression, dementia, decreased cognitive function and anemia.  If you don’t get out in the sun much, a D3 supplement can be helpful.  It’s needed to maintain a healthy immune system, bones and muscles while protecting us from cognitive decline.  If you have diabetes, with a doctors note you can enroll in diabetes nutrition classes here at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula (CHOMP):

https://www.montagehealth.org/locations/profile/diabetes-nutrition-therapy/

They also publish a monthly schedule in the Monterey Herald with classes on fitness, estate planning, cancer and other subjects.  Many of the classes are free.

Pensions Saved In Stimulus Bill


More than a million plan participants who were in danger of having their pension payments slashed were bailed out in a recent stimulus package.  It gave $86 billion to shore up employee pension plans covering retirees at a myriad of companies.  AARP fought hard for the measure, says David Certner, AARP’s legislative policy director.

COVID Impact On The Brain May Last Forever

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As many as 1 in 3 COVID-19 survivors experience a mental health or neurological disorder within six months of the coronavirus infection, according to a major large-scale study reported in The Lancet Psychiatry.  About 34% of those study had been diagnosed with a neurological or mental health disorder following their bout with COVID.  For nearly 13% of these patients, it was the first time they had received such a diagnosis.  Unfortunately, the symptoms have not gone away for many and may be permanent (AARP Bulletin May 21, P6).

Monterey, CA Financial Elder Abuse Hit Record During Pandemic

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An FBI report said that Americans were victimized by cybercriminals at a record rate last year, a result of so many people being stuck at home and in front of their consumers.  Total consumer losses to online thieves in 2020 surpassed $4.2 billion, with almost half of that amount lost to those over 50 years old.  Unfortunately, since there is so much wealth in Monterey County—in Carmel, Pacific Grove and Pebble Beach in particular—seniors here are disproportionately targeted.  Be suspicious anytime someone you don’t know calls or emails you. (AARP Bulletin May 21, P6).

Nutrition Important To Seniors

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At Family inHome Caregiving, we always stress the importance of getting the proper amount of exercise, plenty of social interaction (even if it is on zoom!) and a nutritional diet,  A study done at Rush University Medical Center found that those who ate just one serving of leafy greens per day had a slower cognitive decline.  The Mediterranean Diet has also shown a significant impact on longevity.  And if you have a problem getting exercise regularly, make a date with a food friend where you do two hours of aerobic exercise a week.  Exercisers are 45% less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease according to the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation.

Pacific Grove, CA Home Care Aide (HCA) Senior Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caregiver Jobs Available

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Pacific Grove, CA Home Care Aide (HCA) Senior Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caregiver Jobs Available (Also Aromas, Big Sur, Carmel, Carmel-by-the-sea, Carmel Valley, Castroville, Corral-de-Tierra, Del Rey Oaks, Gonzalez, Greenfield, King City, Marina, Monterey, Pebble Beach, Prunedale, Salinas, Seaside, Soledad & Watsonville

We have developed a reputation for having the best caregivers (Home Care Aides or Senior Companions) in Monterey County over the past decade and have recently expanded into Santa Cruz County.   We are currently looking for qualified caregivers.

Family inHome Caregiving of Monterey is seeking compassionate, mature and dependable caregivers who want to improve the lives of our elderly Clients by providing in-home, non-medical care.  Our services include:

Caring companionship

Meal preparation

Incidental transportation

Running errands

Light housekeeping

Medication reminders

Monitoring of safety while bathing

Information and referral services

Other services that improve the safety, security and quality of life of seniors.

If you believe you would make an exceptional Home Care Aide, we would love to hear from you!  We prefer those with experience helping the elderly, disabled and others with mobility problems.  Having cared for those with dementia and/or Alzheimer’s is a plus.  To work for us, you must have excellent references, a clear criminal record, a good driving record, and an insured reliable vehicle.  To apply, please visit our website www.fhcofm.com, click on home care aides, then careers where you can fill out an application online.  We have immediate openings all over Monterey County.

Seniors Need To Be Educated On Antibiotics

A woman is helping an older person in the bathroom.


There is a critical need to educate seniors on the use of antibiotics, according to a study published by University of Michigan’s National Poll on Healthy Aging, sponsored by AARP.  Researchers found that almost 13% of those with antibiotic prescriptions stopped taking the drug before running out of the medication, while 34% wrongly believe antibiotics can be used to treat a cold or the flu.  More than half of those who reported having leftover antibiotics used to treat an earlier ailment took the old drugs. (AARP Bulletin May 21, P6).

Carmel, CA Exercise Is Critical For Those With Early Onset Alzheimer’s

Three older women are holding pink dumbbells.


We have written repeatedly on our blog about the importance of proper nutrition, social interaction and exercise is to keeping the mind and body healthy for seniors.  A new study from Arizona State University Edison College of Nursing and Health Innovation had participants either ride a stationary bike or do stretching exercise for six months.  Those who took part in the regular exercise program had significantly less memory loss than those who don’t follow a particular exercise regimen.  The results were published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s disease. (AARP Bulletin May 21, P6).  Regular readers of my blog know that both my father and grandmother had this terrible disease when they passed away.  There are wonderful people at our local chapter of Alzheimer’s Association in Ryan’s Ranch.  They also have a 24-hour hotline if you need support at 800-272-3900.

Prunedale Resident Facing Nine Year Prison Sentence For Elder Abuse

A pile of money sitting next to stacks of cash.


Severiano Negrete, Jr., 24, of Prunedale, plead guilty to assault by means of force likely to cause great bodily injury, battery causing serious bodily harm and attempting to dissuade a victim from prosecuting a crime.  He faces a nine year prison sentence.  On April 1, 2020, he was arrested by the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office for assaulting his 64-year-old father.  He punched him in the face multiple times causing a nasal fracture and other serious injuries.  From jail, Negrete repeatedly called a third party and asked her to contact his father and request that he drop the charges against him.  He called her again and asked her to take him to the sheriff’s office to drop the charges before he went to court.  Let’s hope he gets the maximum sentence.  Sadly, most elder abuse cases are done by family members, caregivers and others who the victim is intimately involved with.  If you see elder abuse happening, please call Adult Protective Services.

Capitola, CA Caregivers Looking For Relief For Clients With Arthritis Or Osteoporosis Might Want To Turn To Vibration Therapy Or Light Therapy

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With the opioid crisis, it has becoming increasingly difficult to get doctors to embrace any kind of pain medication therapy for those struggling with debilitating and painful diseases which impact the muscle and bone.  Amplitude Vibration Therapy is now getting a lot of buzz in the medical community, providing relief for a number of ailments without having to turn to prescription drugs.  It works by stimulating muscles and ligaments, which increases blood circulation and can reduce pain and inflammation, promote immune response and improve joint strength as well as more flexibility.  A recent study by the National Institutes of Health and researchers from the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa found that those living with rheumatoid arthritis showed improvements in functionality and decreased pain after using vibration therapy over three months, and an even better response after six months.

 

https://www.homecaremag.com/june-2021/buzz-vibration-therapy

 

Best of all, vibration therapy doesn’t bring the feeling of electric shock that is commonly associated with some other therapies.  Clinical studies suggest vibration therapy may offer benefits for patients with arthritis, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis and other ailments. It is also a trendy workout recovery option due to ease of use. A study completed earlier this year indicates that five minutes of low-level vibration therapy was as effective as a 15-minute massage at reducing muscle soreness and improving recovery time after strenuous exercise.

Potential Benefits of Vibration Therapy:

  • Increased blood and lymphatic circulation
  • Reduced pain and inflammation
  • A boosted immune response
  • Additional joint strength and flexibility
  • Increased healing of fractures, strains and sprains
  • Decreased stress and increased energy levels
  • Assistance in detoxification and removal of wastes from the body
  • Safe and effective

Source : www.brownmed.com

Locally, Sol Santa Cruz provides a number of different therapy programs for those in pain, including exercises like Pilates, Active Relief and Light Therapy.

https://solsantacruz.net/about-us/featured-services/a-perfect-light/

Commonly Treated Conditions

  • Back pain
  • Ligament injuries
  • Muscle strains
  • Contusions and bruising
  • Arthritis
  • Muscular atrophy
  • Chronic pain conditions
  • Muscle aches and pains
  • Tendinitis

Source : Sol Santa Cruz

 

Experiment with these traditional and non-traditional treatments and see what is best for you.  You may be surprised at how your body reacts.  My chiropractor has evolved over the years to combining massage therapy, ultrasound, laser therapy and other services which are sued to relieve chronic pain along with traditional chiropractic treatments.  I’ve been very pleased with the results.

https://drbarkalow.com/services/