Use Safe Body Mechanics to Help Loved Ones

Whether helping your loved one into the car, transferring from a wheelchair to the car, or handling a mobility device such as a wheelchair or walker, it is important to use proper body mechanics to avoid injuries.  Many injuries for both caregiver and care receiver are preventable.   Several suggestions that will help your loved one get in or out of the car safely follow: 

Suggestions to keep your body safe:

·         Plan the lift by checking the area for slippery spots or possible tripping hazards. 

·         Wear appropriate footwear.  Non-skid heels and soles will be safer for both you and for the person you are assisting. 

·         Use proper stance.  Spread your feet to a width that feels comfortable – usually shoulders’ width apart. 

·         Keep your head and body as upright as possible. 

·         Lower your hips to the height of the person or object you intend to lift by bending your knees and hips rather that your back. 

·         Carry weight as close to your center of gravity as possible. 

·         Get close to the person or object you plan to lift.  Bear weight on your forearms rather than your hands. 

·         Lift with your legs.

·         Do not attempt to lift with your back alone. 

·         When lifting, do not rotate your spine.  Shift the position of your feet to turn (pivot). 

·         Know your limits.

·         Push or pull an object instead of lifting whenever you can.

When transferring and positioning from a wheelchair to a car:

• Have the person you are helping wear a gait belt during transfers, if one is available.  A gait belt is a safety device used for moving a person from one place to another.  The belt may be used to help hold up a weak person while he or she walks and decreases the chance of injury of a helper hurting his or her back while transferring a passenger. 
• Open the car door.  Stand with your back to the inside of the car door and pull the wheelchair toward you between the car door and seat.
• Talk to your loved one through the transfer process step by step, so that he or she can assist if possible.
• Hold on to the gait belt and help him or her to a standing position.  Use your legs to pull up for strength.
• Have your loved one lean his or her weight forward toward you, put his or her arms around your shoulders (not your neck), if possible.
• Carefully pivot yourself and your loved one so that his or her backside is toward the inside of the car.
• Help him or her sit with their legs still out of the car.  Be careful that his or her head clears the door frame while sitting down.
• Help your loved one move their legs into the car once they are sitting and have been given a moment to gain balance.  A swivel cushion is helpful for this.
• Assist with the seat belt, and close the door before going to the driver’s seat.

Positioning:

Make certain that your loved one’s seat belt is securely fastened while in transit and that he or she does not unfasten it until the vehicle stops.  Provide assistance when entering or exiting the vehicle, but do not make them feel rushed.  Give your loved one extra time to do what is needed.

If your loved one has a stroke and has right-side or left-side weakness, seat his or her affected side nearest the door.  For example, if a left-sided weakness, then seat on the driver side of the back seat.  This can aid balance and allows you to position the weak side into the car and also encourages your loved one to assist.  The shoulder strap on the seat belt can assist with balance in the back seat.  It may also be beneficial to keep a pillow in the car for positioning.

It can be difficult to assist someone who has a stroke or limited movement or understanding to get positioned comfortably in the car, especially if he or she cannot assist.  A few helpful hints:

• Have your loved one wear a gait belt to provide you with a secure place to hold while assisting.
• Use a swivel cushion to swing his or her legs while in a sitting position on the car seat.
• Place a towel on a heavy duty plastic bag on your cloth seat or directly on your leather seat.  Then, help your loved one sit on the towel covered seat.  Next, go to the other side of the care and pull toward you.  The plastic bag makes it easier to slide him or her further into the car.  Finally, pivot their legs into the car.

I hope these suggestions help promote a safe and positive experience for both driver and passenger.

Volunteering for Good Health

Good news – for older volunteers, helping others improves their health.  According to a new study, by helping others, volunteers may also be helping themselves. 

A review of recent research has found a significant connection between volunteering and good health, such as greater longevity, higher functional ability, and lower rates of depression and less incidence of heart disease.  More than 61 million Americans volunteer to improve conditions for people in need and to unselfishly give of themselves.  While the motivation is altruistic, it is gratifying to learn that their efforts are returning considerable health benefits.

Research suggests that volunteering is particularly beneficial to the health of older adults and those serving 100 hours annually.  According to the report:

• A study of adults age 65 and older found that the positive effect of volunteering on physical and mental health is due to the personal sense of accomplishment an individual gains from his or her volunteer activities.  
• Another study found that volunteering led to lower rates of depression in individuals 65 and older.  
• A Duke study found that individuals who volunteered after experiencing heart attacks reported reductions in despair and depression – two factors that have been linked to mortality in post coronary artery disease.  
• An analysis of data found that individuals over 70 who volunteered approximately 100 hours had fewer declines in self-reported health and functional levels, experiencing lower levels of depression and had more longevity.  
• Two studies found that the volunteering threshold is about 100 hours per year, or about two hours a week.  Individuals who reached the threshold enjoyed significant health benefits, although there were not additional benefits beyond the 100-hour mark.

This is good news for people who volunteer. Just two hours of volunteering a week can bring meaningful benefits to a person’s body and mind.  For volunteer opportunities at The Dale Association, please visit: http://www.daleassociation.com/ or call us at 716-433-1886.

Safe at Home

The Centers for Disease Control estimates that one-third of all people 65 years of age and older fall each year, and up to two-thirds of them sustain injury in their own home.  At the same time, people want to live in their current home as long as they want.

“Aging in place” refers to people staying in their existing homes safely as they age. Some helpful suggestions for improving the safety of a home follow:

• Kitchen cabinets with roll-out and pull-out shelving alleviates the need to stretch or bend.
• Extra lighting, especially in bedrooms and bathrooms.
• Raised toilets can be easier to use.
• Non-slip floors and non-skid rugs reduce risk of falling.
• Raised garden beds.
• No-threshold showers with grab bars.
• Non-skid strips in the shower.
• Lever handles instead of standard round doorknobs. 
• Front loading washer and dryer.
• Replace drawer knobs with U shaped pulls which are generally easier to grasp.
• Vary height of counter top to accommodate height of person and makes tasks easier
•  Use contrasting colors, particularly at tops and bottoms of stairs.
• Install and secure railings which are easier to grasp.
• Replace fixed shower head with a hand-held model.
• Replace light switches with easy to use rocker switches
• Make doorways wider.
• Adjustable height closet rods.
• Raise electrical outlets, requiring less bending.
• Purchase smoke detector with strobe lights if hearing impaired.

Incorporating subtle modifications such as above can provide comfort, help you stay in your home longer and ultimately age in place safely.

'Walkable' Neighborhoods Lead to More Active Lifestyles for Seniors

Numerous studies show that physical inactivity causes a variety of health problems, and older adults are particularly at risk. Literature has recently emerged regarding the relationship between neighborhood environment and physical activity - suggesting that neighborhood design has a significant relationship to physical activity and body weight among older adults.

The study looked at objective measures of neighborhood design in 216 different US census blocks. The researchers assigned each census tract to one of four categories, based on whether the neighborhood was of high- or low-income, and of high or low walkability—relative to the surrounding area. The designation of “walkability” was based on residential density, land use, and features of road intersections.

Researchers recruited a total of 719 older adults and each participant completed a physical activity questionnaire; gave a self-report of their height and weight to calculate body mass index (BMI) and any mobility impairments; and was equipped with an accelerometer to objectively measure their physical activity. The outcomes evaluated by the questionnaire included weekly minutes spent walking or biking for errands, and weekly minutes spent performing outdoor activities. The accelerometer was used to count weekly minutes spent in moderate or vigorous physical activity.

Neighborhood walkability correlated to physical activity (according to accelerometer measures as well as participant self-report) and BMI. In both high- and low-income areas, high walkability was associated with 22 to 40 more minutes per week of active walking. Further, residents of highly walkable neighborhoods averaged about 33 percent more moderate and vigorous physical activity. Neighborhood income related to activity and BMI, but was not associated with active walking. These findings suggest that designing walkable neighborhoods can encourage healthy, active aging across income levels.

"Body Clock" tied to risk of Dementia

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.  In the new year, keeping busy and keeping your mind stimulated would be a good resolution for all! Happy New Year – I hope everyone has a healthy and safe 2012 – and surround yourself with caring people.

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End of Year Charitable Giving

If you are like me, you can hardly believe that the end of the year is almost here.  In addition to thinking about the holidays, it is also a good time to review important financial matters, including your charitable gift plans. As the calendar year comes to a close, some donors are considering tax reduction strategies.  Giving is much more than tax brackets and charitable deductions – your gifts also provide a meaningful difference to the organizations who receives them. 

American’s are very giving people.  In fact, individuals in the United States contribute more than 80% of the funds raised by charities. For many, the end of the year is a time to express thanks for the blessings they have received in the past and to plan for the future.  It can also be a time for sharing with others.   

To help donors make wise decisions about contributing, the Council of Better Business Bureaus has developed some tips on charitable giving:

1) It is best to make your contribution with a check (not cash) which is made payable to the charity, not the individual collecting the donation. 

           

2) Keep records of your donation, such as receipts, cancelled checks, and bank statements, in order for you to document your charitable giving at tax time.

           

3) Be wary of names of organizations that closely resemble the name of a well known organization but are not affiliated.

           

4) Check out the organization before giving.  Always take time to ask who they are, what they are doing, and how they spend their funding.  A legitimate organization will be happy to answer your questions.

           

5) It is illegal to demand payment for unordered merchandise.  If items such as calendars, greeting cards, etc. are enclosed with an appeal letter and you did not order them, you are under no obligation to pay for or return the merchandise.

Many people are not aware that gifts other than cash can be given to non-profit organizations. Those that do donate gifts of securities, gifts of life insurance, gifts of retirement assets, charitable gift annuities and/or make a bequest can receive tax benefits for such planned giving.

We all have things we are grateful for, causes we believe in, and experiences that have enriched our lives.  In appreciation we donate time and money.  The end of the year offers an opportunity to reflect on those things we appreciate most and for many completing their charitable goals is a natural and satisfying part.