The Power of a Positive Attitude - Mind, Body & Spirit

If there is power in positive thinking, you will feel the energy when Mary Anne Cappellino walks in the room. Bring a friend and learn how to harness the power of positive thinking to enhance your mind, body and spirit. For more than 20 years, audiences of all ages have learned, laughed and been inspired by Mary Anne’s creative and unique presentations. What: Women’s Health - Better Than Ever: Mind Body and Spirit Presented By: Mary Anne Cappellino When: Thursday, June 26th Time: 9:00am – 11:30am Where: The Dale Association 33 Ontario Street, Lockport, NY Mary Anne’s presentation is sure to be lively, informative and thought provoking. She has an engaging style and contagious personality that relates to all attendees. Mary Anne speaks from the heart and her positive attitude shines through. Among her many certifications, Mary Anne holds credentials from the American Association for Fitness and Aerobics, the Cooper Aerobic Research Institute, Zumba Fitness, Body Recall Older Adult Exercise and Silver Sneakers Health Care Dimensions. She’s also received the New York State Physical Activity Coalition Chairman’s Award. Mary Anne actively promotes good health – appearing on TV and radio and inspiring thousands through her seminars and presentations. As a fitness coach, Mary Anne preaches the benefits of an active lifestyle and the importance of a fit mind. The public is invited to this free event, sponsored by BlueCross Blue Shield of Western New York. A light breakfast will be provided and each attendee will receive a complimentary duffel bag (one duffel bag per person, while supplies last). Mary Anne will speak to the group using her creative and unique style, and then guide the group in some gentle exercises. If you’d like to participate in some gentle exercises, make sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Additionally, information will be available from BlueCross Blue Shield of Western New York about Silver Sneakers, Medicare Advantage Plans, wellness, prescriptions, health coach, and disease management. This event is for educational purposes. Please RSVP online at bcbswny.com/betterthanever or by calling 1-800-248-9296 (TTY 711)

Dementia Risk and a Woman's Body Clock

A woman’s “body clock” might affect her dementia risk according to a new study. The timing of an older woman’s sleep/wake cycle (also known as circadian rhythms) and the levels of daily physical activity was also linked to odds for mental decline, the study found. It found that the risk of dementia or "mild cognitive impairment" (a state that sometimes precedes dementia) was higher in older women with weaker circadian rhythms who are either less physically active or more active later in the day, compared to those who have a stronger circadian rhythm and are more active earlier in the day. "We've known for some time that circadian rhythms, what people often refer to as the 'body clock,' can have an impact on our brain and our ability to function normally," lead author and scientist said. Findings suggest that future interventions such as increased physical activity or using light exposure to influence body clock cycles could help influence cognitive mental health in older women. Data was analyzed from almost 1,300 healthy women, over age 75, who were followed for five years. At the end of that time, 15 percent of the women had developed dementia and 24 percent had some form of mild cognitive impairment. Women with weaker circadian rhythms who had lower levels of physical activity or who were most active later in the day were 80 percent more likely to develop dementia or mild cognitive impairment than those with stronger circadian rhythms who were active earlier in the day. "To our knowledge this is the first study to show such a strong connection between circadian activity rhythm and the subsequent development of dementia or mild cognitive impairment," researchers said. The finding marks an association only, however, and cannot prove cause-and-effect. "The reasons why this is so are not yet clear," he added. "The changes in circadian rhythm may directly influence the onset of dementia or mild cognitive impairment, or the decrease in activity may be a consequence, a warning sign if you like, that changes are already taking place in the brain. Identifying what the reason is could help us develop therapies to delay, or slow down, the development of brain problems in the elderly.

National Decision Making Day

The New York State Bar Association’s Elder Law Section is sponsoring National Healthcare Decision Making Day 2014. What is National Healthcare Decision Making Day? It is a volunteer, public-service project which will involve attorneys speaking on topics relevant to older New Yorkers, their family members and caregivers. The National Healthcare Decision Making Day initiative is a collaborative effort of national, state and community organizations committed to ensuring that all adults with decision-making capacity in the United States have the information and opportunity to communicate and document their healthcare decisions. Despite recent gains in public awareness of the need for advance care planning, studies indicate that most Americans have not exercised their right to make decisions about their healthcare in the event that they cannot speak for themselves. The National Healthcare Decision Making Day will help people understand that making future decisions includes much more than deciding what care they would or would not want; it starts with expressing preferences, clarifying values, identifying care preferences and selecting an agent to express healthcare decisions if patients are unable to speak for themselves. According to a recent research study: 71% of Americans have thought about end-of-life treatment preferences, 95% have heard of a living will, but only 29% have a living will. The public is invited to attend a free session of National Healthcare Decision Making Day 2014, which is being held locally on May 14, 2014, from 10:00 am – 12:00 noon, at The Dale Association, 33 Ontario Street, Lockport. Local attorney, Patricia George will be the speaker. The program will include a question and answer session, and a “legal checklist” with an overview of legal documents every New Yorker should be aware of. Topics will include: Health Care Proxies Powers of Attorney Wills DNR Organ Donations Probate What are healthcare proxies and powers of attorney? How do they differ? How can these documents help avoid problems regarding guardianship, DNR orders and organ donation requests? Why do I need a will? What insurance, pension and financial documents should I have? What must be done to complete and maintain these documents? It is important for everyone to understand the importance of having these documents in order, it doesn’t matter what your age is. When people are unprepared, it can be emotionally devastating, financially costly, and an obstacle for people to take care of everyday dealings. For more information or to register for the session, please call 433-1886.

Invitation to Learn at Annual Senior Forum

What do Financial Security and Benefits for Persons over 60 in a Tight Economy, Balancing a Healthy Budget on a Limited Income, EPIC, Chronic Illness Strategies in the Elderly, Diabetes Self Management, How the 2013-2014 NY State Budget Will Affect Seniors, Hoarding, and the Affordable Care Act all have in common? These topics are of interest to older adults and the opportunity to hear directly from a panel of experts on these subjects is coming up on Friday, May 16, 2014 from 1:00 – 3:00pm at The Dale Association, 33 Ontario Street, Lockport. Additionally, service providers will be on hand with helpful information and displays from 12:30 – 1:00 and 3:00 – 3:30pm The Senior Forum is open to the public and free to attend. Angie Blackley, The Dale Association employee and coordinator of the forum is encouraging the public to attend. She says, “It is important for people to stay abreast of the issues that affect seniors. People can attend and hear directly from the decision makers about topics that are of such significance.” She goes on to say, “The panel will also have the opportunity to hear vital opinions from people who are affected by the policies and decisions being made. We are glad to bring together important groups of people around topics that are critical to each constituent.” Guest panel members will include: New York State Senator George Maziarz New York State Office for Aging Executive Deputy Director, Greg Olsen Chris Collins, Congressman 27th Congressional District EPIC Outreach Representative Gabrielle Dotterweich Associate State Director AARP Bill Armbruster Corrine Tracey, RN Niagara County Public Health Nurse Lisa Frankenberger, Certified Financial Counselor for Consumer Credit Counseling Services Miriam Callahan, Project Coordinator Caregiver Resources for Erie County Senior Services I hope the public will attend and hear first hand what is happening with issues affecting seniors locally. Please call 433-1886 to reserve your seat. Refreshments will be served.

Caregiving in Crises

Family caregivers are reminded to practice four self-care strategies to keep safe during various caregiving crises. Crises in caregiving can be brought on by things like: • Conditions: Broken hip, blindness, stroke, cancer, a rare disease, or chronic illness • Decisions: Take away car keys, move to assisted living, begin hospice, or remove a breathing tube • Conflicts: Doing enough, doing the right thing, or balancing work and caregiving responsibilities Caregiving crises develop when health conditions change, difficult decisions must be made, or conflicts arise. Overwhelming, they disrupt daily routines, demand a response, and can drastically change lives. As the caregiver, you must find ways to live through caregiving crises. It’s impossible to predict exactly how or when they’ll end. But you can count on anxious moments and debates about what to do. Post-crisis, life is different. Sometimes the changes are minor, sometimes significant. Whatever the outcome, there is always relief when the storm has passed. To stay safe in the storm, practice self-care: • Stay calm. Anxiety, fear, and panic block logical decision making. These emotions are contagious and can raise fears in those around you. Calm yourself by breathing slowly and deeply. Affirm your strength and capacity to handle adversity. Envision positive resolutions. Distract your mind from worry by focusing on topics or activities that aren’t related to the crisis. Do what works best to help you relax. • Create a plan. Don’t waste time and energy focusing on things you don’t control. Identify ways to improve your situation: what you can influence, improve, decrease, or eliminate. When making plans, be specific by defining who will do what. Set a time for each action. Make sure actions are achievable, and assignments are reasonable and within people’s abilities. Get agreement with others on the plan. Then take action and follow up to check progress. • Connect with others. It’s awful to feel alone in a storm or crisis; it’s always easier to bear with the support of others. Discuss the situation and how you feel about it. Ask for, and offer, a helping hand or words of encouragement. Seek advice from experts or from others who have had similar experiences. If you are a caregiver, you will at some point be faced with a crisis – I hope these tips help.

Wellderly Week

Have you ever heard of Wellderly Week? Wellderly is a blend of the words “well” and “elderly”. The third week of March is set aside to celebrate and recognize senior citizens who are young at heart. During the week, I hope you will select your own Wellderly activity and celebrate in style. Here are some great ideas about how to celebrate being young at heart. Take a class – Find a cooking class or some other type of class that you are interested in. Not only is it a great chance to continue to grow and learn, it also gives you the opportunity to meet and engage with new people. The more you branch out of your comfort zone, the more you gain from the experience. Give Back – volunteer. By giving back to your community, not only are you rewarded with the sense of accomplishment and goodwill, but you’re changing the lives of those around you. Nothing puts your world back into perspective than seeing yourself through someone else’s eyes. Exercise – I’m not suggesting you run a marathon (unless that is already your style). What I’m suggesting is to stay active. From gardening to dancing to yoga or Qi Gong , there are a variety of ways t keep your body limber and moving. Whatever you do, don’t stop moving. Go on a date – whether it’s with your longtime spouse or the cutie from the center, take a special night to show how you care. Appreciate all the ways they have helped you feel young. Throw a party – get together with friends. This is a great time to celebrate life. And, add balloons and a cake – just to make it a real party! You may have your own ideas about how to celebrate being well and elderly – just celebrate!

Drug Use and Dementia

Many people are unaware that dozens of painkillers, antihistamines and psychiatric medications — from drugstore staples to popular antidepressants — can adversely affect brain function, mostly in the elderly. Regular use of multiple medications that have this effect has been linked to cognitive impairment and memory loss. The drugs block the action of the chemical messenger in the brain, which is responsible for a range of functions in the body - including memory production and cognitive function. The difficulty for patients is the cumulative affect. Doctors are not always aware of all of the medications their patients take. It’s a particular problem for older patients, who are more vulnerable to the effects of these drugs and who tend to take more medicines over all. New research studies have focused on these types of medicines (called anticholinergic drugs). Researchers found that those taking more than one scored lower on tests of cognitive function than those who were not using any such drugs, and that the death rate for the heavy users during the course of the study was 68 percent higher. “These are very, very common drugs; that’s a scary finding,” according to one of the lead researchers from the study. The researchers go on to say that they suspect these drugs take a toll on bodily organs and systems like the cardiovascular system, although there are no studies confirming this. The same types of drugs have also been implicated in the delirium that intensive-care patients frequently develop in the hospital. “Clinicians don’t think of them nearly as often as they should as a potential cause of cognitive problems,” said another professor who studied the deficits that occur after intensive care hospitalization. Of the 36 million Americans 65 and older, at least 20 percent take at least one medication that affects the chemical messengers in the brain. A study of nearly 4,000 older adults found that those who had been using three or more such drugs consistently for 90 days or longer were nearly three times as likely to receive a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment as those who had not taken any. “If you were taking one of the drugs we know is definitely an anticholinergic for 60 days, you doubled the odds of developing mild cognitive impairment” compared with a patient taking none” researchers said. The aim of studies like these is to evaluate the magnitude of the effects of different drugs, to determine whether there are safe thresholds for their use and to learn whether the effect is transient and reversible. Studies from large clinics that treat people with memory disorders have shown that up to 25 percent of the patients who seek help have reversible disorders, including those caused by taking a combination of medications. Even so, why do physicians prescribe medications that alter chemical messengers in the brain to elderly people, who may be using them regularly for many years? Not only are doctors often unaware of all the medicines their patients are taking, but the list of drugs is a long one. So what’s a patient to do? If you or an elderly relative take one or more drugs on a regular basis, ask your primary care physician to evaluate the cumulative anticholinergic burden of all them (as well as other potential interactions and side effects). The patient is critical in triggering that kind of discussion. It may not be automatic, but if in fact the patient asks for it, it’s much more likely to be done. Remember to tell your physician about drugs prescribed by other specialists, as well as nonprescription or alternative medicines you take. This review should be done once a year. Do not stop medications on your own without medical supervision.