One of the top complaints among family caregivers is that their siblings aren’t helping. A National Family Caregivers Association survey found that 76 percent of family caregivers say they don’t receive help from other family members. This troubling statistic is one of the reasons AGIS now offers Family CareGroups.

Family CareGroups is an easy-to-use, private group calendar, specifically designed for organizing helpers. On your own group everyone can pitch in with meal delivery, rides, and other tasks necessary for life to be a little easier for family caregivers. You can personalize your own page with pictures, notes and updates about your loved one.

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Filed under: Caregiving, Resources, Working Caregivers | No Comments »

February is American Heart Month, so let’s all take a moment to talk about strokes and the simple things you can do to save a life. Yes, you. Every year in the U.S., 700,000 people suffer a stroke. A whooping 75% of them occur in people age 65 and older. It is the third leading cause of death. OK, so what is stroke?

There are three kinds of stroke:

The most common is the ischemic stroke, which happens when an artery that supplies blood and oxygen to the brain becomes blocked, perhaps by a blood clot. Atherosclerosis –when plaque caused by fat and cholesterol clog the arteries – is the main cause.

Another kind of stroke happens when an artery in the brain, weakened by plaque, age or high blood pressure, bursts causing a hemorrhage, ergo this is called a hemorrhagic stroke.

Did you know there is another kind called a mini-stroke? No, it’s not for short people, but a transient ischemic attack (TIA) starts like a stroke but clears up within an hour.

What can stroke do to me?

Not to get too scary here, but stroke is the leading cause of adult disability in the United States. Because blood is blocked from the brain, stroke is sometimes called a “brain attack.” Without oxygen, brain cells begin to die. The abilities controlled by that area of the brain are lost, such as speech, movement and memory. A small stroke may cause minor weakness to an arm or leg. A major stroke may leave you paralyzed, or without the ability to speak. Although some recovery occurs, more than 2/3rds of victims are permanently disabled.

How do I know someone is having a stroke?

You don’t need to be Pamela Anderson to do something for your loved ones, just memorize the following lists of symptoms:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg – especially on one side of the body

• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding

• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes

• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination

• Sudden severe headache with no known cause

Our friends at stroke.org also recommend the following simple test called Act F.A.S.T.:

F = FACE Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?

A = ARMS Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

S = SPEECH Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Does the speech sound slurred or strange?

T = TIME If you observe any of these signs, it’s time to call 9-1-1 or get to the nearest stroke center or hospital.

How can I prevent stroke?

The National Stroke Association recommends:

1. Know your blood pressure. If it is elevated, work with your doctor to keep it under control. High blood pressure is a leading cause of stroke. Have your blood pressure checked at least once each year – more often if you have a history of high blood pressure.

2. Find out if you have atrial fibrillation (AF). If you have AF, work with your doctor to manage it. Atrial fibrillation can cause blood to collect in the chambers of your heart. This blood can form clots and cause a stroke. Your doctor can detect AF by carefully checking your pulse.

3. Stop Smoking. Smoking doubles the risk for stroke. If you stop smoking today, your risk for stroke will begin to decrease.

4. Drink alcohol in moderation. Having one drink each day may lower your risk for stroke (provided that there is no other medical reason you should avoid alcohol). 5. Lower your cholesterol. If your cholesterol is high, work with your doctor to control it.

6. Control your diabetes. If you are diabetic, follow your doctor’s recommendations carefully.

7. Exercise. A brisk walk, swim or other exercise activity for as little as 30 minutes a day can improve your health in many ways, and may reduce your risk for stroke.

8. Enjoy a lower sodium (salt), lower fat diet. By cutting down on sodium and fat in your diet, you may be able to lower your blood pressure and, most importantly, lower your risk for stroke.

9. Circulation problems? If so, work with your doctor to control them.

10. If you have any stroke symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.

Got a question? Ask our experts.

Find out more about stroke.

Filed under: AGIS, Baby Boomers, Caregiving, Health & Safety | 2 Comments »

Ministers in England are supporting new measures that would enable an aging population to stay in their homes longer. These new standards include 16 features which will allow for aging in place.

In addition to designing features such as ground-floor toilets, wide stairways that could be adapted to take a stair-lift, room for wheelchairs to turn and level or gently-sloping approaches to front doors, the “Lifetime Homes, Lifetime Neighbourhoods” initiative calls for creating entire neighborhoods sustainable for the elderly. By improving street lighting, better positioning bus stops and increasing access to toilets and other amenities, Prime Minister Gordon Brown hopes to build safe, long-term housing options.

“I want our homes to be places that help us adapt as we age - safe and familiar havens rather than obstacle courses to be negotiated each day,” Brown opined. “That is why I was clear that we should become one of the first governments in the world to publish a strategy for housing in an ageing society, setting out our commitment to giving people more influence over their own lives as they grow older and to helping them stay comfortable and secure in their homes.”

Introducing the new plans, housing minister Caroline Flint, said, “The vast majority of people want to stay independent in a suitable home as they get older. We have a responsibility to support that desire by increasing the housing choices that are available.”

The proposal aims for all new homes built from 2011 by housing associations to meet the new standards. The new guidelines do not benefit private sector houses until two years later. Two-thirds of all British housing is purchased from private developers.

The National Housing Federation (NHF), which represents 1,300 United Kingdom not-for-profit housing associations, welcomed the new “lifetime homes” standards. NHF Chief Executive David Orr said, “We are particularly delighted to see recognition of the importance of housing in preventing people needing to use more expensive services which can undermine their independence. The Prime Minister is making a very welcome call for all new homes built by housing associations to meet Lifetime Homes standards from 2011.”

Orr continued, “But this will apply to just one in three homes. It will be at least another two years before private developers are expected to follow suit. We are committed to working with government to help them shape the delivery of the strategy, and see this as a very important step towards achieving the sort of housing we need for our society in the future.”

Paul Cann, director of policy at Help the Aged, an international charity fighting to free disadvantaged older people from poverty, isolation and neglect, noted, “Older people often tell us that they want to live in their own homes for as long as possible. This strategy will hopefully be a springboard to this becoming a reality.”

Noting the enormously important strategy, head of public affairs at Help the Aged, Mervyn Kohler, added, “We live in an ageing population and our housing must meet the needs of older people, both now and in the future.”

Until standards like these are implemented where you live, find tips on allowing loved ones to stay at home here. You can also share your advice and learn from others with loved ones wanting to stay at home in the AGIS Forums.

Filed under: Elder Issues, Eldercare, Health & Safety, Housing, Uncategorized | No Comments »