• IT Streamlines Nursing Home Operations
• A New Purview for HIV/AIDS
• The Workplace Landscape
• Medication Monitor
• Genes vs. Behavior
• Senior Emergency Rooms
• Elders Want Active Activities
• Turning to Franchises
• Ask the Expert
• E-Vote

How do your patients/clients use their free time?

A. Exercise/sports
B. Artistic pursuits
C. Volunteer work
D. Reading

(Vote here!)

IT Streamlines Nursing Home Operations
Innovative technology continues to improve the implementation of nursing home functions, from resident services modifications to facility management nuances. Read more

A New Purview for HIV/AIDS
Although successful therapies have extended the life expectancy of older adults with HIV/AIDS, some significant obstacles remain. Read more

The Workforce Landscape — Graying but Gritty
Older adults no longer anticipate early retirements or the prospect of unplanned, lazy days. Boomers expecting to work well past the age of 65 plan to use their knowledge, talent, and time wisely. Read more

Medication Monitor — Interaction Vigilance

Genes vs. Behavior
Behavioral choices such as smoking and sun exposure surpass genes in determining appearance as we age, according to CBS News.

Senior Emergency Departments
NPR reports that specially trained staff and innovative design elements make an older adults’ emergency department particularly efficient and appealing.

Seniors Want Dynamic Activities
Senior centers across the country face challenges in developing programming that meets the expectations of 21st century older adults, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

Turning to Franchises
Franchises offer retirees opportunities to develop their entrepreneurial talents, according to MSNBC.

Editor’s E-Note

It’s clear that nutrition is a critical player in lifestyle considerations that affect older adults’ longevity. As we celebrate National Nutrition Month in March, it’s important to create opportunities to make your patients and clients aware of the key role diet plays in staying healthy and, in turn, enhancing elders’ quality of life.

This month’s E-News Exclusive, “Adult Day Services: More Than a Stopgap Measure,” highlights the dramatic modifications such services will likely undergo to effectively serve the baby boomer demographic that will populate senior day care centers in the not-too-distant future. In addition to programming and staffing considerations, diet and nutrition issues serve as a focus for proposed overhaul and enhancement.

Healthcare professionals can take active roles in providing input to local legislators and planners who can influence the success of senior day care services as they evolve to serve diverse groups of older adults. Take the opportunity to make a difference.

We welcome your comments at AWeditor@gvpub.com

Adult Day Services: More Than a Stopgap Measure
By Barbara Worthington

Adult day care provides for specific acute needs of older adults and their caregivers. But to successfully address the approaching wave of baby boomers, such services will have to be modified in both programming and flexibility to meet boomer needs and expectations.

Ideal for providing an intermediate step between aging in place and institutionalization for older adults, adult day services continue to expand and evolve. It may be surprising that such services have been in place for more than three decades. In 1978, only 300 adult day care centers existed nationwide. The country’s older adult population explosion has seen that number increase to more than 2,100 such centers by the 1980s and more than 4,000 today, according to the National Adult Day Services Association.

(FULL STORY)

Question:
As a social worker and facilitator of an Alzheimer’s disease (AD) support group, I have seen many families (including mine with regard to my mother) in denial when their loved ones have been diagnosed with AD or dementia. In addition to denial in such cases, another important issue that troubles family members is their concern regarding the older adult’s driving. When an older adult gets lost and/or experiences impairment in decision-making processes, who should tell an elder that the individual may no longer drive? Should families rely on the elder’s physician?

Sandra L. Marsch, MSW
Drums, PA

Response:
Informing any older adult that he or she should stop driving presents a potentially delicate situation. The family—spouse, children, or other—is in a very risky position and can expect unfavorable reactions from a loved one that can vary from resistance and resentment to intense anger or even hostile responses. This is especially true when, as with your clients, cognitive impairment is present.

The physician is the ideal choice in most cases. This is especially effective and well received when the individual has an established and trusted relationship with the physician. In cases where there is not such a close physician-patient rapport, a pastor, rabbi, or other spiritual adviser can provide similar caring and authoritative communication of this important advice.

(READ MORE)

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