Senior CHOICES Supplementto
TheMiddletownPress+ WestHartfordNews Thursday,May11,2017
Ask the Experts
Tuesday, May 23 • The McAuley Auditorium, 2:00 p.m. Please be our guest for an enlightening presentation and reception at The McAuley. Hear first-hand how our residents
R.S.V.P. to 860.920.6319 by May 17 – advance registration is required, so reserve your spot today • www.themcauley.org/May2017
made their decisions about independent living in a community of friends, and listen to them describe their experiences with the transition to life at The McAuley. Afterward, tour our model apartments and see the latest in summerwear brought to you by J. McLaughlin and Karma Girls.
www.TheMercyCommunity.org 275 Steele Road, West Hartford, CT
West Hartford’s Only Life Plan Community • INDEPENDENT LIVING • ASSISTED LIVING
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| SENIORCHOICES | THE MIDDLETOWN PRESS + WEST HARTFORD NEWS
THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2017
Regain your independence by living with some assistance. Assisted Living at Avery Heights
Nobody plans to move from the house they love. Yet it seems that at some point we all experience something that tells us it might be the best option—loss of balance, piles of unread mail, no food in the house or the strain of isolation. The Terraces at Avery Heights is designed to make each day a little easier by providing assistance with the tasks of daily living. Conveniently located in the heart of Hartford’s west end, we offer comfortable residences for singles and couples that wish to maintain the highest level of independence possible. • • • • • •
Assistance, as required, with bathing, grooming, dressing and toileting Personal laundry service each week Help with light housekeeping Three meals available daily Round-the-clock supervision and comfort checks by trained staff Comprehensive medication management
Save
* 1,000! on downsizing and $
moving costs. And get one month of FREE RENT! *Terms and conditions apply.
Assisted Living at Avery Heights offers an affordable rental model with no “buy-in” required.
Avery Heights Open House Tours Take a tour of our beautifully updated model home, enjoy lunch and get a taste for the exceptional value we provide!
Tours start promptly at 11:00 am • Wednesday, May 24 • Saturday, June 3 • Wednesday, June 21
To learn more, or to schedule a personal tour, contact Cyndee Goodwin at 860-953-1201, ext. 403 or visit averyheights.org
One Senior Living Community. Everything You’ll Ever Need. 550 Avery Heights Hartford, CT 06106
MAY 2017
THE MIDDLETOWN PRESS + WEST HARTFORD NEWS
| SENIORCHOICES | 3
MUSCLE POWER
3waysheartdiseasecansneakuponyou As Americans, our health is far from perfect, but over the decades, we've seen great improvements to medical care and lived longer lives. But new health data in a recent report might shake up our complacency: The federal government finds that life expectancy for Americans has dropped for the first time in 25 years. Though the factors are varied and complex, it has health experts and doctors taking a hard look at the current realities, including our rising obesity rate and the fact doctors may be reaching their limit on what they can do to treat heart disease. "The report, though troubling to any family doctor, can be used as the basis of a wake-up call to anyone to improve their health," says Andrew Manganaro, MD, FACC, FACS, Chief Medical officer for Life Line Screen-
creep in gradually. Fully 80 percent - 4 out of 5 - of people who have a stroke have no symptoms beforehand. High blood pressure, high cholesterol and coronary artery disease are often silent, partly because the warning signs are not what most people expect. Symptoms are less obvious, such as a headache, shortness of breath or pain BRANDPOINT in the jaw. Even if you are Problems with the cardiovascular system can creep in already taking steps to gradually. Fully 80percent - 4out of 5- of people who have manage your risk factors, a a stroke have no symptoms beforehand. screening will give you and your doctor a picture of the ing. "That is especially true ings a part of your wellness health of your cardiovascufor those who have been di- routine. lar system. agnosed with a risk factor Not convinced you need for heart disease." a screening? These three 2. Minor conditions Manganaro urges pa- realities of cardiovascular are easy to ignore. tients ages 55 and older health might change your to be proactive with their mind. Even if your screening heart health by scheduling doesn't reveal you're at a regular doctor visits and 1. Heart disease is very high risk of suffering following their doctor's in- often silent. a stroke or heart attack, structions. In addition, he don't be complacent. Berecommends making reguProblems with the car- cause your cardiovascular lar cardiovascular screen- diovascular system can system is interconnected,
plaque in one artery makes it very possible that plaque will eventually show up elsewhere. For example, a diagnosis of peripheral artery disease is a condition that is associated with leg cramping, but that's a diagnosis that should be taken as a warning. Because these leg arteries are literally narrowing, it could mean that the arteries to the brain could also narrow, creating the ideal conditions for a stoke. Likewise, if arteries to the heart were to narrow, that could lead to heart attack or heart failure.
3. Oral health is a window to artery health.
While the connection is not yet fully understood, we do know oral plaque has a relationship to carotid artery plaque. Manganaro encourages patients to also see their dentist regularly and take good care of their gums and teeth. The good news is you don't need a prescription or take a trip to the doctor's office to have preventive health screenings for cardiovascular disease. Life Line Screening performs affordable testing in community settings throughout the country. This testing will reveal where carotid artery plaque buildup is located and how much. This could translate into lifesaving treatment for you, or simply offer peace of mind. To find out when a screening clinic may be scheduled in your area, visit www.lifelinescreening.com/HeartCheck or call (877) 754-9631.
For decades, researchers have seen a connection between oral health and heart health. Back in the 1920s for example, doctors thought they could cure heart disease by extracting teeth. Courtesy of BrandPoint
Water’s Edge Center for Health & Rehabilitation is proud to be Middletown’s only 4-Star Medicare rated skilled nursing facility.
Specialty Programs & Services Long-Term & Secured Memory Care Private Rooms on our Designated Short-Term Passport Rehabilitation Unit Orthopedic Post-Surgical Care/ Orthopedic Surgeon on staff Pulmonary & Cardiac Rehabilitation • Heart Failure & Stroke Recovery Wound & Pain Management • Respite Care • IV therapies To pre-book your post hospital stay or for more information on our facility, please contact Marianella Spada, Director of Admissions.
111 Church Street, Middletown, CT T. 860-347-7286 | F. 860-346-5589
Honored to be selected as a participating provider in the Middlesex Hospital Post-Acute Network.
www.WatersEdgeRehab.com An affiliate of National Health Care Associates, Inc.
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| SENIORCHOICES | THE MIDDLETOWN PRESS + WEST HARTFORD NEWS
THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2017
5factsaboutstrokesthatcouldsaveyourlife
HEALTH
Chances are you know someone who has had a stroke. Anestimated795,000peoplein the United States have a stroke eachyear,accordingtotheCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention. Despite how common strokes are, there are a lot of widelybelievedmisconceptions. Unfortunately,notknowingthe facts can put a person at bigger risk for experiencing a stroke themselves, or, not being able to help someone else who may be experiencing a stroke. To help separate fact from fiction, the medical experts at Life Line Screening share the truth about the top misconceptions about stroke: Misconception: Strokes only happen to older people Fact: Research found 61 percent of strokes happen in people over the age of 65. That means 39
percent of strokes happen to younger people. Misconception: Strokes are not a problem in the United States Fact: You may only know a few people who’ve had a stroke in their life, but someone has a stroke every 40 seconds in the U.S. Misconception: A stroke will kill you Fact: Approximately one out of eight strokes results in death within thirty days. The other seven instances leave the person disabled. Stroke is fatal in about 10 to 20 percent of cases and, among survivors, it can cause a host of disabilities, including loss of mobility, impaired speech, and cogFact: Up to 80 percent of nitive problems. strokes could be stopped beMisconception: Strokes fore they start. Health screencannot be prevented ings are an effective way to
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Call For Your FREE Consultation Today! 860-347-9167 Kristine Lane, PA-C
400 Saybrook Rd., Suite 110 Middletown, CT 06457 www.ssaangiocenter.com
An estimated 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. BRANDPOINT
identify and understand risk factors so they can be properly managed. Research shows nine out of 10 cardiovascular
doctors support preventive with key risk factors. To learn health screenings for cardio- more, visit http://www.lifelinevascular disease (plaque in screening.com. the arteries) among patients Misconception: Only a doctor can identify a stroke Fact: Everyone can and SAFETY? should know the signs and symptoms of stroke. By taking COMFORT? quick action, you could save a PEACE OF MIND? life. According to the CDC, the most common signs of stroke are: ● Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body. ● Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or difficulty understanding speech. ● Sudden trouble seeing in PERSONALIZED SKILLED NURSING CARE one or both eyes. Beginning with a compassionate welcome, we work ● Sudden trouble walking, together with residents, families, area hospitals and dizziness, loss of balance or physicians to achieve the highest levels of care and lack of coordination comfort possible. ● Sudden severe headache with no known cause. If you or Family owned and operated, we provide individual, personalized long term care that makes all the difference. someone else has any of these symptoms, call 911 immediLet us tell you more. ately. Understanding the facts about stroke helps empower youtocontrolyourownhealth. Even if risk factors are present, you can take proactive mea130 Loomis Drive, West Hartford, CT 06017 sures to help prevent stroke for 860-521-8700 westhartfordhealth.com yourself and loved ones.
Affiliated with Avon Health Center
Courtesy of BrandPoint
THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2017
THE MIDDLETOWN PRESS + WEST HARTFORD NEWS
| SENIORCHOICES | 5
GETTING AROUND
Howtomaintainindependenceoutsidethehome
It can be hard to admit your vision isn't what it used to be, especially when it comes to driving. Maybe you've noticed some difficulties reading traffic signals, or you've found it challenging to drive at night. If you're a family member noticing these warning signs in a loved one, pointing out these challenges may seem like a daunting and delicate undertaking. But when it comes to being on the road, safety is one thing you can't ignore. Encouraging your loved one to prioritize safety can be hard, especially when it feels like their independence is at stake. That's why it's important to have an open and honest discussion to determine the best options for maintaining independence outside the home.
Step 1: Address driver safety Vision is the most important sense for driving safety. Annual vision screening is important for everyone, but it is especially critical for older people, since the sensory data used for driving is predominantly visual. For seniors still able to drive, a defensive driving class can be beneficial. These classes allow students to brush up on skills while gaining confidence and introduce them to alternative transportation options for the times and locations of their preference. What's more, many i n su r a nc e c ompa n ie s provide discounts to seniors who complete these courses. Giv i n g up d r iv i n g doesn't have to mean choosing between all or nothing. For example, start limiting driving to daylight
Encouraging your loved one to prioritize safety can be hard, especially when it feels like their independence is at stake. That’s why it’s important to have an open and honest discussion to determine the best options for maintaining independence outside the home.
only, non-rush-hour periods. Then look into supplementary transportation options that eliminate the need to drive while still allowing you to get where you need to go.
Step 2: Research transportation options It's important to educate yourself or your loved one about locally available transportation options for seniors. When you know there are reliable, cost-effective transportation options available, it can help maintain a high level of independence for a trip to the grocery store or a doctor's appointment. Rides in Sight is a nationwide, online database of senior transportation options built by ITNAmerica, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to providing sustainable transportation options for seniors. Visit www.ridesinsight.org and enter basic information like your state or zip code, and you can find the ride option that's best for your situation. If you prefer to access information by phone, call 1-855-60-RIDES (1-855607-4337). Rides in Sight makes it easy to find customized transportation, no matter what a person's needs. For example, you can find wheelcha ir a cc e ssible transportation options or door-to-door driver assistance if that's what you need.
vice during a time you normally drive. Any change takes time to adapt to, so try it out for a while before reassessing and making any necessary adjustments. After this trial period, you should feel more comfortable with someone else driving you, and you get to be in control of your mobility. For older Americans, it's important to be able to maintain independence when they limit or stop driving. When they are encouraged to create their own driving transition plan, more emphasis can be placed on finding new passions and activities to engage with their communities. The result is a positive impact on people of all ages. To have that impact, reliable, secure transportation Step 3: Implement a is essential. Having the nectrial period essary conversations and researching appropriate transGiving up the keys is eas- portation options helps keep ier if you do it over a pe- everyone happy, healthy riod of time. Pick a date and safe. and schedule your first ride with a transportation ser- Courtesy of BrandPoint
BRANDPOINT
WELCOME HOME Assisted Living the Way It Should Be... One MacDonough Place
MIDDLETOWN, CONNECTICUT 06457
One MacDonough Place offers gracious retirement living with four-star health care services. Residents enjoy private apartments in a warm, friendly, service-rich environment. Included are three meals served each day in the elegant dining room, transportation, social, spiritual, and cultural activities, 24-hour health care, and a convenient downtown location directly across from Middlesex Hospital. Please call 860-358-5802 or visit onemacdonoughplace.org.
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| SENIORCHOICES | THE MIDDLETOWN PRESS + WEST HARTFORD NEWS
THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2017
TECHNOLOGY Phones these days aren’t what they used to be— but that’s for the best, as smartphone technology can actually improve your life. STATEPOINT
3waystogetmorefromyoursmartphone With the rapid pace of new developments in smartphone technology, it can be hard to keep up with all the changes, especially if you grew up in an era when phones were attached to a cord. Phones these days aren’t what they used to be— but
that’s for the best, as smartphone technology can actually improve your life. Here are three easy ways that seniors can get more from smartphones:
ing, or you simply want to give your eyes a rest, consider listening to books on your smartphone. You can purchase audiobooks a la carte or opt for a subscription plan, which of1. “Read” audiobooks. fers deals, such as unlimWhether your hands are ited selections for a f lat tied up gardening or cook- monthly fee.
Helping your family the way we would our own An affiliate of
Jewish Family Services
860.233.4470 70
of Greater Hartford
jfscareathome.org
JFS Care At Home is registered as a Homemaker Companion agency with the CT Department of Consumer Protection: # HCA0000490
Feat ures like bookma rk s a nd ba ck buttons make it easy to “flip through” a digital audiobook.
2. Use health apps to manage conditions. Well-designed health apps can help patients m a n a g e t hei r c ond itions. For example, ArthritisPower, a free app for patients with arthritis, allows users to track symptoms and treatment outcomes, and share the
Your smartphone is the world at your fingertips. Make great use of it.
information with their doctors. Creat ed by Crea k yJoints, a go-to resource for arthritis patients and their families, in collaboration with the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the app is also a data-gathering tool for researchers. Via informed consent, user data is helping researchers better understand how different treatments work for different people. “One out of every five U.S. adults of all ages lives with doctor-diagnosed arthritis and it’s important that patients actively engage in managing their own treatment plan,” says Seth Ginsberg, President and Co-Founder of CreakyJoints and Principal Investigator of ArthritisPower. To download the free
app or learn more, visit arthritispower.org.
3. Video chat with loved ones. Talk and see grandkids and other far-f lung friends and loved ones between visits with video chatting. It’s the perfect way to ensure you don’t miss impor t a nt mile stones. Many such video communications services are free, even internationally, and can present affordable alternatives to placing long- distance calls on a landline. You r sma r t phone i s the world at your f ingertips. Make great use of it. Courtesy of StatePoint
MAY 2017
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| SENIORCHOICES |
I want him to be as independent as possible.
Assisted Living + Memory Care If someone you love is experiencing memory loss and wants to continue to live an enriched life, Duncaster offers a unique choice. Here, they’ll greet each day in their private cozy residence while benefiting from exceptional care for those with varying stages of memory loss. You can rest easy knowing that your loved one is living safely and securely where staffing levels adjust according to the residents’ personal well-being.
Call to schedule your tour today.
860-380-5005 40 Loeffler Road, Bloomfield, CT • www.Duncaster.org Independent Living • Memory Care • Rehabilitation • Assisted Living
Accommodations are private pay.
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| SENIORCHOICES | THE MIDDLETOWN PRESS + WEST HARTFORD NEWS
THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2017
GOLDEN YEARS G r a n t M A I N L I V I N G S PA C E
We are nearing completion on 68 new one- and two-bedroom Independent Living residences in Seabury’s South Wing. We’re very excited to welcome our new residents to campus this fall and to watch these beautiful new spaces be transformed into neighborhoods and communities by the people who will live here. We have a limited selection of South Wing residences still available. The time to reserve your space is now. Start planning today! Life at Seabury offers a stimulating, engaging environment surrounded by friends and neighbors, with the peace of mind and security of Life Care. Come be a part of it. And invite your friends.
Learn more about how to reserve your future home at our monthly informational sessions on every 1st Thursday at 1:30pm and every 3rd Wednesday at 10:30am. Call (860) 243-6081 or (860) 243-4033 for reservations or e-mail
[email protected]
Revolutionizing the experience of aging!
200 SEABURY DRIVE | BLOOMFIELD, CT 06002 (860) 286-0243 | (800) 340-4709 WWW.SEABURYLIFE.ORG |
[email protected]
Key retirement milestones everyone shouldknowabout
Retirement can seem like a very distant destination in your early working years. However, as you age, that once distant destination starts to become more real. As you enter your 50s you can really start to think about how much you have saved and how that will translate into retirement income. You can also start to better understand the idea of allocating part of your retirement nest egg to guaranteed income based on your calculation of how much pension income and Social Security you will receive. Also critical during this final phase of working is understanding the key retirement milestones and how they will impact your ability to retire. The following are the critical retirement milestone ages:
Age 55
If you are fortunate enough to consider the possibility of an early retirement, attaining age 55 is a critical date since you can start withdrawing from your 401(k) without the application of the 10 percent penalty tax applicable to premature plan distributions. This exception from the general applicability of the penalty tax, however, depends on you retiring from the company sponsoring your 401(k) plan during or after the year you reach age 55. You cannot continue to work at the company and decide you want to start using your 401(k) assets at age 55. In that circumstance the 10% penalty tax will still apply.
Age 59 1/2
At age 59 1/2 you are no longer subject to the 10 percent penalty tax for premature withdrawals on all
of your retirement assets, such as your IRAs, 401(k) or annuities. Therefore, for many this is really the earliest that one can consider retirement as a possibility. Of course, retirement at age 59 1/2 will increase the length of your retirement and the risk that you will outlive your assets.
Age 62
At age 62 you become eligible for a reduced Social Security benefit. In terms of managing your guaranteed income for retirement, in general you will be better served to not start taking Social Security at such a young age since the benefit will continue to grow. Only those with a shortened life expectancy should consider starting Social Security benefits at this age. And even someone with a shortened life expectancy might consider delaying benefits if married, since turning on benefits early will reduce a surviving lower earning spouse's benefit. Unfortunately, the reality is many individuals do turn on their benefits at age 62, either because they have not saved enough for retirement or because they want to start getting money back from the system they have contributed to over the years.
Age 65
Age 65 is a critical year for considering retirement since you will become eligible for Medicare. Prior to age 65, retirement requires you to consider the cost of paying for your own health care insurance, which can be a very costly proposition. This health care analysis gets more complicated if you have a spouse who is not working and has not attained age 65 when you do, since you will need to con-
sider the cost of health insurance for that spouse until he or she attains age 65. While the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has helped ensure that you can obtain health insurance regardless of your medical condition, the cost of such health insurance remains a significant deterrent to those considering retiring before Medicare eligibility. Also, as this is written, Congress is planning to repeal and replace the ACA, and you will need to understand the replacement plan and how that impacts health care planning for those who are not Medicare eligible.
Age 66-67
At this age you will become eligible for full Social Security benefit payments, and not the reduced payment you can take at age 62. The full retirement age has been raised over time and varies depending on your year of birth. For those born from 1943 through 1954, age 66 is the full retirement age. For those born in 1955 through 1959, the full retirement age is 62 plus 2 months for each year. For example, someone born in 1955 has a full retirement age of 62 and 2 months, and someone born in 1958 has a full retirement age of 66 and 8 months. For those born in 1960 or later, the full retirement age is 67. Bear in mind that while attaining the full retirement age allows you to take an unreduced Social Security benefit, it does not maximize the benefit payment.
Age 70
Age 70 is the delayed Social Security benefit age, or when you must start taking your Social Security payments. By delaying to age MILESTONES >> PAGE 9
THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2017
Milestones FROM PAGE 8
70 you can increase your full retirement age benefit by 8 percent a year from your full retirement age. Given that Social Security is an annuity that pays you for your lifetime, and the benefit itself is increased by inflation costs each year, the increase in benefit payments from the full retirement age to age 70 can have a material impact on your benefit payment in future years. Maximizing Social Security should be your first consideration when thinking about how to ensure that your assets last as long as you do. Unfortunately, many nearing retirement do not understand the importance of maximizing this BRANDPOINT benefit, from an insurance perAs you enter your 50s you can really start to think about how much you spective, and take the reduced have saved and how that will translate into retirement income. payout at age 62 or at the full retirement age. ment assets such as your 401(k) or sets. The idea is that you will be Age 70 1/2 IRA. Your RMD amount is deter- forced to liquidate your account At age 70 1/2 you must start tak- mined by an IRS table, which ef- gradually over your lifetime. For ing Required Minimum Distribu- fectively requires you to take an example, at age 71 the table retions, or RMDs, from your retire- increasing percentage of your as- quires you to take out around 3.77
THE MIDDLETOWN PRESS + WEST HARTFORD NEWS
percent of your account value, determined on Dec. 31 of the year prior to the RMD withdrawal. At age 80 you must take out around 5.35 percent. At age 90 you must take out around 8.77 percent. You have a choice for the year in which you attain 70 1/2 to take your first RMD amount in that year or defer the distribution to before April 15 of the following year. Keep in mind that if you do defer this first RMD amount you will have to take two RMD amounts in the following year. You may want to consider carefully whether this makes sense since you could be increasing your overall tax liability. RMDs are not required from a Roth IRA but are required from any funds you have in a Roth account in an employer plan. You may want to consider rolling funds, for example, from a Roth 401(k) to a Roth IRA, if you want to eliminate RMD requirements on these funds. You should know, however, that the time you have invested in the Roth 401(k) does not carryover to the 5-tax-year period for income tax free withdrawals from a Roth IRA. So if
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that is part of your future strategy, you may want to open a Roth IRA ahead of time to start the 5-tax-year clock running, which could include making a Roth IRA contribution or converting some traditional account assets to a Roth IRA. Once the 5-yearclock has run it applies to all future contributions, even if a particular contribution has not been in the account for 5 years. The above analysis of retirement milestone ages highlights the importance of delaying your retirement as long as you can. Delaying your retirement ensures that you will not be subject to the 10 percent penalty tax on premature distributions from retirement plans and IRAs, that you will have affordable health care coverage under Medicare, and that you will maximize the Social Security lifetime benefit payment. Importantly, it also reduces the length of your retirement which, of course, increases the likelihood that you will be able to make your retirement assets last as long as you live. Courtesy of BrandPoint
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| SENIORCHOICES | THE MIDDLETOWN PRESS + WEST HARTFORD NEWS
THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2017
PRESCRIPTIONS
Simplestepstobettermanagemedications
Modern medicine can work wonders. However, in order to be effective, medicine needs to be taken safely, according to prescribing guidelines, and patients and health care providers need to be vigilant about the dangers of drug interactions. When it comes to medication use, seniors take more prescription and over-the-counter drugs than any other age group, and they are most likely to experience problems because of their medications.
The average American senior takes five or more prescription medications daily, and many of them can’t read the prescription label or understand the prescribing instructions, according to the National Council on Patient Information and Education. “Unless they reside in a senior living community or have another form of assistance, it can be very difficult for seniors to manage their own medications,” says Kim Estes, senior vice president
Celebrating National Nursing Home Week May 14-20 Please join us for an Open House Fri., May 19, 10am-3pm
Respite Care Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy IV Therapy Orthopedic Rehabilitation Stroke & Neurological Rehabilitation Pulmonary & Cardiac Care Complex Medical Management Pain & Wound Management Continuum of Care offered by Athena Home Health & Hospice
Managed By Athena Health Care Systems 30 Boston Road, Middletown, CT - 860.346.9299 athenanh.com/wadsworth
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of clinical services for Brookdale Senior Living. “A lot of factors make medication management a challenge for seniors, including the sheer number of prescriptions many of them take in a day.”
Management challenges While doctors prescribe medication to treat a range of chronic conditions from arthritis to diabetes and high blood pressure, seniors may find managing their medications difficult for multiple reasons: ● Many meds and many prescribers - Seniors who are on multiple medications are often prescribed to them by multiple doctors, who may or may not be aware of other medications the senior is already taking. Taking a large number of medications can increase the risk of a drug interaction that harms seniors’ health, rather than helps them. ● Adverse side effects - If a medication makes a senior feel ill, he or she may stop taking it. ● Lack of knowledge - If they don’t understand exactly what the medicine is supposed to do for them, seniors may feel they don’t need it and discontinue use. ● Physical challenges Age-related physical challenges such as hearing or vision loss, dexterity issues or trouble swallowing can make it difficult for seniors to take their medications as prescribed. ● Cognitive challenges Seniors with memory loss or dementia may forget to take their medications as prescribed. ● Cost - Even with Medicare and supplemental health insurance, many medications can come with a hefty price tag. Seniors
BRANDPOINT
The average American senior takes five or more prescription medications daily, and many of them can’t read the prescription label or understand the prescribing instructions, according to the National Council on Patient Information and Education. may not be able to afford a ing the labels on your premedication their doctor pre- scriptions or can’t open the scribed. bottle, ask your pharmacist to provide your medicine in Medication easy-to-open containers with management made large-print labels. ● Make a plan for getting easier your prescriptions. You may “Fortunately, seniors and decide to schedule a drive to their caregivers can take the pharmacy every month some fairly easy steps to on a certain day or have help them better manage someone drive you there. their medications,” Estes You may also find an online says. “These steps take a little pharmacy that can deliver time and effort, but they can your prescriptions to your go a long way toward help- home. ing seniors use their medi● When you go to the doccines more effectively.” tor, take your list of prescrip● Most seniors take five or tions with you, especially if more medications a day, and you’re seeing him or her for those with severe health is- the first time. Your list will sues or who are in the hos- help the doctor know what pital may take significantly medications you’re already more than that. Make a list taking. of every medication you take, ● Work with your docwhat it’s for, and what the pill tors to see if you can reduce actually looks like. the number of pills you take ● Make a checklist of all by consolidating medicines. your medications. Every time For example, if you take a you take a prescription, note pill to reduce water retenthe date, time and dosage on tion and a medication for your checklist. high blood pressure, some ● If you have trouble read- prescription drugs combine
both types of medicine into a single pill. ● A study by the University of Arizona found that having a pharmacist on a senior’s care team helped keep seniors safer and improved their ability to take medications as prescribed. Keep all your prescriptions with one pharmacy and get to know the pharmacists who work there. Your pharmacist may be able to help you spot potential drug interactions. ● Technology can help you remember to take medications on time. Set an alarm on your cellphone or download an event reminder app on your smartphone to help you remember when it’s time to take your medicine. “With a little planning and help, seniors and their caregivers can better manage their medications to ensure seniors get the most benefit out of their prescription treatments,” Estes says. Courtesy of BrandPoint
THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2017
THE MIDDLETOWN PRESS + WEST HARTFORD NEWS
| SENIORCHOICES | 11
“Experience the Difference” at The Saybrook at Haddam.
Resident Doris Whitmore with daughter Beryl enjoying a cup of tea in the country kitchen.
Mom has Blossomed!
“Mom’s memory loss meant her way of life was changing, but we did not want her quality of life to change as well. We are so happy – and a little surprised – at how quickly she settled into her new home and routine.” At the Safe Harbor Memory Care Neighborhood at The Saybrook at Haddam, residents experience the difference and blossom. Safe Harbor offers: • Stimulating and therapeutic programs that promote individual self-worth, dignity and independence • A kind and specially trained professional staff 24 hours/day • Personalized care and medication management • A cozy, homelike setting with lovely living/community and dining room for shared meals with family and friends • Fresh air and sunshine in our secure “Walking Garden”
~Retirement and Assisted Living~Memory Care~ 1556 Saybrook Road, Haddam, CT 06438 www.TheSaybrookAtHaddam.com
Call 860-345-3779 for information and a guided personal tour.
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| SENIORCHOICES | THE MIDDLETOWN PRESS + WEST HARTFORD NEWS
THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2017
Shoreline Surgical Associates Introduces Dr. Albert Sam! Do you have leg pain and cramping when you walk? Simply put: this means you may have decreased blood flow to your legs.
We can make you walk again!
Joseph A. Coatti MD, FACS
Albert D. Sam II MD, FACS
Board Certified – Vascular Surgeon
Board Certified – Vascular Surgeon
Shoreline Surgical Associates
Angio Center
Conveniently Located:
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Our main office in Middletown is the right place to call for any questions or to schedule an appointment.
Serving Middlesex County For Over 25 Years 860-347-9167 www.ssaangiocenter.com Shoreline Surgical Associates Welcomes Dr. Sam Board Certified – Vascular Surgeon l
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Joseph A. Coatti MD, FACS
Dr. Coatti has extensive training in minimally invasive vascular procedures. The office setting eliminates the time and process of a hospital admission. Minimally invasive procedures result in fewer complications and quicker recovery times. Our main office in Middletown is the right place to call with any questions or to schedule an appointment.
Board Certified – Vascular Surgeon
Dr. Albert Sam has recently joined Shoreline Surgical Associates. l He joins SSA from Tulane University where he was an associate professor and chief of vascular and endovascular surgery at the Tulane Heart & Vascular Institute. l Dr. Sam has 13 years of practice experience and was one of the first physicians nationally board certified in general surgery, vascular surgery and endovascular medicine. l He has also been an active researcher – serving as a principal investigator for numerous national and international vascular clinical trials including the landmark NIH stroke trials CREST and CREST-2.
Albert D. Sam II MD, FACS
