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The theme for World Alzheimer's Month 2013 is "Dementia: a journey of caring". This event is a way to increase awareness of Alzheimer's disease, which is the most common form of dementia. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 35.6 million people have dementia worldwide and 5 million Americans aged 65 years or older have Alzheimer's disease. The number of Alzheimer's cases in the United States is predicted to nearly triple in the future. In addition, Alzheimer's disease is currently the 6th leading cause of death among adults aged 18 years or older. The CDC reports that the direct and indirect costs of dementia among those aged 70 and over totaled an estimated $159 billion to $215 billion in 2010.
Do you know the signs of Alzheimer's disease? It can be hard to separate normal age-related change from the symptoms of Alzheimer's. The Alzheimer's Association lists 10 warning signs for this disease here. If you would like to get involved in raising awareness about Alzheimer's disease, you can see a list of events here.
We are entering the hot summer months in Florida and it is important to prevent heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Older Adults (aged 65 and older) are more susceptible to heat stress than younger people and older adults may also be taking medications that decrease their ability to regulate their body temperature. Here are some tips from the Administration on Aging to stay safe in the heat:
- drink more fluids (but avoid drinks with lots of sugar or alcohol)
- stay indoors as much as possible
- electric fans help some, but are not helpful if the temperature is in the high nineties
- take a cool shower or bath
- if you do not have air conditioning, consider visiting a public library or mall
- if you need help getting to a cool place, ask a friend or relative for help or call the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco Pinellas (1-800-963-5337) - they may be able to help.
- if you have air conditioner, but cannot afford the electric bill, you may be able to get help from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
- never leave anyone in a closed and parked vehicle
If you become very overheated, you may get heat stroke. This serious illness occurs when the body can not regulate its temperature anymore and the body stops sweating. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists these symptoms for heat stroke:
- high body temperature - above 103 degrees
- hot dry skin
- rapid pulse
- dizziness
- nausea
- throbbing headache
For more information, on heat stress in Older Adults, you can click here.
This past week was designated the "National Influenza Vaccination Week" and Thursday was "Older Adults Vaccination Day". The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are urging people 65 years and older to get vaccinated. Vaccination is important because this age group is at the greatest risk of serious flu-related complications (such as pneumonia). For example, each year about 9 out of 10 seasonal flu-related deaths and more than 6 out of 10 seasonal flu-related hospital stays in the United States occur in older adults (press release). For more information about the flu, visit Flu.gov for Seniors.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have launched a new heart disease website. This website has information about coronary artery disease, heart attack, and about the signs and symptoms of a heart attack. In addition, they provide information about how to prevent heart attacks. The CDC also has websites with information about stroke and high blood pressure.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that all individuals 65 years and older get the "seasonal" flu shot. The CDC recommends this vaccination because older adults have a much higher risk of complications from the seasonal flu than do other age groups. According to the flu.gov website, approximately 36,000 people die each year from flu complications and 90% of these people were 65 or older. The Florida Department of Health has a web page to help you locate a flu shot in your area.
However, older adults are not in the initial target group for the "Swine Flu" (H1N1) shot, because this age group is the least likely to get this version of the flu. If you are interested in finding out more about the seasonal flu and the swine flu, the CDC has partnered with WebMD to provide a blog called "Focus on Flu".
Recently we have had many "Heat Advisories" due to high heat and humidity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that older adults (aged 65 and over) are more vulnerable to heat stress than younger adults because:
- Elderly people are more likely to have a chronic medical condition that interferes with the body's response to heat.
- They may be taking prescriptions which limit perspiration or limit the body's ability to regulate heat.
- They do not adjust well to sudden changes in temperature.
High heat can lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke. For more information about heat exhaustion and heat stroke, please click here.
What can you do to prevent heat-related illness?
- stay indoors during the hot part of the day.
- stay hydrated by drinking cool, nonalcoholic beverages.
- do not do strenuous activities.
- stay in air conditioning as much as possible (consider visiting a public library or mall if you do not have air conditioning).
You can help elderly relatives and neighbors by checking on them at least twice a day, by taking them to air conditioned places if they do not have air conditioning, and by making sure that they have an electric fan.
