Tag: Health

Integrity vs Despair

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AGING GRACEFULLY

 Integrity vs. Despair

English: Portrait of old woman sitting by a wi...

Some may say, “What’s that all about?”  And some may find this very familiar.  According to theorist, Erik Erikson, “Integrity vs. Despair”, is the final psychological stage of development and life.  Erikson believes that as we age and mature, our goal should be to move successfully from one stage to the next.  In each stage, a person confronts and, hopefully, masters new psycho social challenges.  Each stage builds on the positive completion of the previous stages.  It is indicated, that by reaching “Integrity vs. Despair”, we have mastered the previous 7 psychological stages.

 My thought is that this final stage of life is the most important one.  This is the last chance we have to make our lives meaningful and to correct any mistakes we may have made in the past. This stage occurs during late adulthood (age 60 years and older).  As we enter this stage we have a heightened sense of mortality. This may be due to our changing social roles.  There may be less parenting responsibilities, or the retirement and / or death of a spouse or close friends.  We may also feel the physical problems that come with aging such as illnesses, which limit the way we function physically and mentally.

People who struggle with this stage of life are said to be in despair.  They become preoccupied with the past and their failures.  They regret all the bad decisions and realize they have little time or energy to reverse them.  People in despair often become depressed, spiteful, paranoid, hypochondriacal, and can develop patterns of senility with or without physical basis.

People with integrity have come to terms with their life and with the thought of the end of life.  They can look back on their lives and feel comfortable with the course of events and the choices they have made along the way. They have learned from their failures and still maintain a sense of hope and trust in the future.  We have all made mistakes, some more serious than others; yet if you hadn’t made these mistakes you wouldn’t be who you are.  If you play it too safe and made few mistakes, your life may not be as rich as it is.

The good news is that I have seen many older adults in this last stage of life actually turn despair into integrity.  They have the opportunity to review their life, the good and the bad, and to find a way to resolve burdens or problems that have left them in despair.  Having worked with the elderly for over 30 years, I marvel at the ability and strength we have in our last years.  If we are unable to solve issues on our own, there are many resources available to help you work through this difficult time.  If possible, reaching out to family is a great start. Clergy, counselors and doctors are also very helpful in assisting someone to find satisfaction in their life.  To find peace within yourself is definitely worth the effort.

Erikson states that someone who approaches death without fear has the strength called wisdom.  He also adds that this is a gift to our children because “healthy children will not fear life if their elders have integrity enough not to fear death.”  We should all try to make our life the best it can be and work to find the integrity we have within.

Submitted by Carol McKee, RN, Farrar Home Administrator

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I Don’t Want the Flu Shot!! — Really??

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AGING GRACEFULLY

I Don’t Want the Flu Shot!!  — Really??

 English: A White House nurse prepares to admin...

It is that time of year.  Most medical professionals are encouraging their high risk patients to get the flu shot, but why are they doing so?

Every year in the United States, on average, 5%- 20% of the population gets the flu. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications. People often are uncertain about  whether to get the flu vaccine or not. Many people often have questions regarding the flu vaccine. What is the flu? Why should I get the vaccine? What is the flu vaccine? Here are some answers to commonly asked questions.

What is the flu?

The flu is a common viral infection that is spread from person to person in secretions from the nose and lungs. (For example, when sneezing.) The flu is a common respiratory infection that develops primarily in the lungs. As opposed to other respiratory infections,the flu usually causes higher temperatures, more malaise and body aches.

 Why should I get vaccinated?

The flu is a serious, highly infectious respiratory infection. With other respiratory infections, the symptoms are usually mild and most people can continue working or going to school while ill. With the flu, the symptoms are severe and prolonged. The infection stresses the body and causes people to miss days of work or school. The flu can be treated with medications. However,the medications are expensive and are not as effective as the vaccine. They need to be started 24-48 hours after the symptoms begin.

 Who should get vaccinated?

-People 65 or older.

-People living in nursing home or other long term care facilities.

-Adults and children 6 months or older with chronic lung or heart disease (including asthma)

-Adults and children 6 months and older who need regular medical care or were in a hospital during the previous year because of a metabolic disease (like diabetes), chronic kidney disease, or weakened immune system (including immune system problems caused by medicines or by infection with human immunodeficiency virus [HIV/AIDS].

-Women who will be pregnant during the flu season.

-All children from 6 -23 months of age.

-People who can transmit the flu to others. For example, healthcare workers, childcare workers, people in close contact with adults 65 or older

 How long does it take for the vaccine to work?

The vaccine is effective 2 weeks after injection. The vaccine is only effective against the strains of the virus that match the vaccine. The strains vary from year to year. This is why it is important to be vaccinated each year! The flu season can begin in October and may last until May. October or November is the best time to receive the vaccine. However, it is still effective if administered earlier or later in the season.

 What is the flu vaccine?

The flu vaccine is an inactivated vaccine, meaning that it contains killed influenza virus. The vaccine is injected into muscles and stimulates the immune system to produce an immune response (antibodies) to the flu virus. When the virus enters a person who has been vaccinated, the antibodies attack and kill the virus to prevent infection.

Each year the flu virus can change slightly, making the vaccine used in previous years ineffective. Every year, a new vaccine must be prepared that will be effective against the expected flu virus. The trick is to be able to predict which flu viruses are going to cause infection. The appropriate vaccine is then developed.

As required by the NYS Department of Health, I strongly encourage all my staff and residents to get the flu shot.  This helps to keep everyone healthy.  Over the years, I have seen a marked decrease in the incidence of the flu at the Farrar Home.  I feel this is largely due to almost 100% of our population receiving the flu shot.

I Do Want the Flu Shot!!  — Really!!

 Submitted by Carol McKee, RN, Farrar Home Administrator

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Laughter is the Best Medicine!

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AGING GRACEFULLY

Laughter is the Best Medicine!

Laughter...

It has been said that you don’t stop laughing because you’re old, but you grow old because you stop laughing.  Laughter has been proven to be a wonderful anti-aging weapon and the best part about it is that it is free and available to everyone!

Humor helps us put our lives in perspective and not take ourselves too seriously.  Laughing uses many of our muscles, which stimulate our immune system.  When we laugh we are also exercising our minds.  This helps us keep mentally fit and add fun and enjoyment to our lives.   

Research has shown that for the most part, our longevity is based on our attitudes, beliefs and coping skills.  People who live the longest are optimistic, handle change in a positive way, enjoy friends and family and are able to cope with loss.  You may add years to your life by believing you are youthful and expecting to live a very long, healthy and happy life.

We all need to relax.  “Don’t sweat the small stuff.”  Stress is the most harmful factor when it comes to aging.  It causes wrinkles, indigestion, poor absorption of vitamins and minerals by the body and over time can greatly deteriorate the body.  This is another reason to bring laughter and humor into your day.  With laughter, negative emotions and stress are pushed away.  Laughter exercises our body by stimulating heart and blood circulation, improving lung capacity, along with exercising facial and abdominal muscles.

We can stimulate laughter by watching funny movies, reading a funny book or jokes, but the best laughter comes from the funny things we think, hear or share with others.  Don’t be afraid to be silly or laugh at yourself.  It may be your best medicine. 

I recently attended a conference where we were told to fire any employees who did not laugh or smile regularly while at work. Smiling and laughing creates a healthy, happy environment for residents and employees.  I have always told my employees that they need to look happy and smile, even if they don’t feel like it.  This will make others happy and soon, they will feel happy too. It works!

“Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine.” George Gordon Byron

Submitted by Carol McKee, RN, Farrar Home Administrator

 

 

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Exercise Your Way to Better Health

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AGING GRACEFULLY

Exercise Your Way to Better Health

English: KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea— Airmen ...

Summer is off to a great start.  It is a perfect time to begin an exercise program along with enjoying the weather outside.  For the most part, exercise is a safe way to improve your mental and physical health at any age, but you must check with your doctor for any restrictions you may have.  People with chronic illnesses can usually still exercise safely.

We all know that exercise will benefit us in many ways.  Staying active physically helps to keep your heart healthy and your muscles strong.   Recent studies have shown that in older cancer patients, exercise has been shown to ward off relapse.  Exercise helps to maintain good health and may even prevent the onset of chronic diseases such as heart disease, osteoarthritis and dementia.  Keeping active also improves blood pressure, diabetes and helps to lower cholesterol levels.

As we grow older, bones become weak and brittle.  Both men and women lose bone mass as they age. Broken hips are one of the major side effects.  Bones respond to exercise much like muscles do.  They grow stronger when force is put upon them.  Additionally, with exercise, bone density improves and this will reduce the risk of osteoporosis.    Exercise is a prime example of preventative care, helping the older adults become better equipped to fight disease and infirmity while increasing strength and balance.

2000 years ago the Father of Medicine, Hippocrates, understood the necessity of keeping the body active and in shape throughout one’s life.

He stated, “All parts of the body which have a function , if used in moderation and exercised in labors to which is accustomed, become thereby healthy and well developed, and age slowly; but if unused and left idle, they become liable to disease, defective in growth,  and age quickly.  This is especially so with joints and ligaments, if one does not use them.”

In conclusion, it’s time for us to start moving and make our life the best it can be.   A 20 minute walk, 5 days a week, will do wonders to improve our mental and physical health.

 Submitted by Carol McKee, RN, Farrar Home Administrator

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Older IS Better!

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AGING GRACEFULLY

Older IS Better!

English: Main regions of the vertebrate brain,...

I recently attended an educational seminar presented by Gene Cohen, M.D. Ph.D.

Dr. Cohen has had a successful career studying the aging population and discovering many of the positive changes that occur in the brain. It may be hard to believe that a part of our bodies can actually get better with age. However, studies show that our minds, in fact, improve as we grow older.

             For way too long, the images of aging have been negative myth

s, stereotypes and misinformation about the process. Problems can, and do, occur with aging but a person’s potential has too often been ignored and misunderstood. The latest research indicates that we experience positive brain changes along with psychological growth and development throughout our entire lives! During the second half of our lives, our cognitive, emotional and social skills, along with our judgment, become more mature and better integrated. Dr. Cohen refers to this process as developmental intelligence which is the basis of what we call “WISDOM”. The old saying, “growing older and wiser”, is true. Scientific research has shown that many positive things happen later in life, not despite aging, but because of the aging process.

            Our brains continually generate new cells until we die. We can stimulate our brains to produce cells by engaging in challenging activities and experiences. Believe it or not, just moving into a new home will cause enough challenge for a person to generate new brain cells. Activities such as playing dominoes or cards, doing puzzles, listening to music, and especially singing along to music, exercising, and even reading, can help to make you smarter. They also promote the health of our brains.

For those at risk of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, it is believed that exercising the brain and body will delay the onset of these diseases.

            Another study has found that the brain expands its memory storage from our early 50’s to late 70’s. During that time, the brain enlarges its ability to handle the processing of complicated information.  Thus, our aging brains are working with us and for us to maximize our mental capacities for the second half of life.

            I returned to college in my late 30’s. I was concerned that I would not be able to keep up with the workload like the younger students. One professor told me that I shouldn’t worry because the older brain was more sophisticated. It could process information more efficiently and retain it better than the brain of a younger student.

He was right! I found that I was a better student in my 30’s, 40’s or 50’s than I was at a younger age.

            We all know our brains are made up of two halves. We use the left side for some tasks and the right side for others.  Scientists have recently discovered that, around middle age, we begin to use both sides of the brain simultaneously. This integration improves brain function. In addition, we experience a deepened emotional capacity and a greater propensity for thinking. This “maturing” of the mind improves our capacities for cognition, judgment, emotional intelligence, social intelligence, life experience and consciousness (including spirituality).

            In conclusion, this seminar proved what I knew all along. In many regards, older is better. Our society is often too quick to discount the value of our aging population. It is refreshing and exciting to see such positive research on the aging process.

 

                                                           Submitted by Carol McKee, R.N.

                                                           Administrator, Farrar Home

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Staying Healthy in the Heat

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AGING GRACEFULLY

(It Happens To All Of Us)

 Staying Healthy in the Heat

Flag of the Red Cross Suomi: Punaisen Ristin l...

With summer upon us, the days are getting longer and warmer. For many people, it is the most enjoyable season of the year. During the summer months, we should all be thinking of ways to maintain our health in the heat.

As we age, this issue becomes even more important. Older people are more sensitive to sun, heat and humidity. Dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke can be life threatening. Consequently, taking steps to maintain adequate hydration and prevent overheating of the body is important. Hopefully, the following tips will help to ensure a happy, healthy summer for everyone.

Drink plenty of water. This is an important step because your body requires water to prevent dehydration during warm summer days.

Keep informed daily of the air quality reports especially if you have asthma or other respiratory problems. Also, don’t forget to bring your inhaler or other medication with you when you go out.

Rest or take a nap when you feel fatigued.  Do not push yourself beyond your physical limits.

Sunscreen

Wear sunscreen. Overexposure to the sun is unhealthy and may lead to skin cancer. Choose a screening product that is right for your skin and has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Apply as directed even on cloudy days. Be aware that certain medications may increase your sensitivity to sunlight. Your pharmacist can provide you with this information.

Wear sunglasses. Select glasses that have at least 99% protection against the sun’s UVA/UVB rays which can damage your eyes.

Eat a well-balanced diet. Maintain your energy level by limiting your intake of fat and sugar; focus on carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables.

Before leaving on vacation, pack a few items (calamine lotion, baking soda, e.g.) that will help with itchy or painful insect bites.

Be informed about plants that will be pollinating in your vacation area if you have allergies and plan to be traveling. Include your allergy medications when you prepare the medications for your trip.

Know your body. If you are feeling ill, see a doctor.

 

Wishing you a healthy, happy summer,

                                                           Carol McKee, R.N.

                                                            Farrar Home Administrator

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