Along Life's Path

VETERANS BENEFITS

2011-01-17T12:38:00.000-08:00

Some information that may be helpful...

As part of Veterans Financial's ongoing commitment to you and your families, we are writing to notify you that the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) annual recertification process has started. Many of your residents and clients who are collecting the VA’s Aid & Attendance Pension benefit have already received a gold or green Eligibility Verification Report (EVR). This form must be completed without errors and returned to the VA by March 1st. Failure to do so will result in an interruption or loss of benefits. As a result, Veterans Financial is happy to provide assistance with EVRs.

For Veterans Financial's help with an Eligibility Verification Report:

1. Copy the original form;
2. Complete the copy;
3. Fax to (484) 489-2708;
4. Allow 2-3 business days for a return call.

Anyone without an EVR should contact the Department of Veterans Affairs directly at (877) 294-6380. Please note that those who only receive Social Security Income may not receive one.

For the second consecutive year, neither Aid & Attendance nor Social Security rates were increased, so recipients will not be collecting any additional income in 2011. This, along with record low interest rates and a poor housing market, makes promoting VA benefits important to the health of your census.

Looking ahead, Veterans Financial is eager to help your marketing efforts this year by presenting workshops, printing custom flyers and purchasing veteran mailing lists. For more information on these programs, to request a supply of 2011 flyers, please contact (800) 835-1541.

2011 Monthly Aid & Attendance Pension Maximum Rates:

Surviving Spouse: $1,056

Independent Veteran with Spouse in Need of Care: $1,291

Single Veteran: $1,644

Married Couple with Veteran in Need of Care: $1,949

Your Doctor Wants to Know You

2010-12-21T06:26:00.000-08:00

How to Get Better Health Care
Your guide to asking the right questions. We have all left a doctor’s office feeling like we were rushed through an appointment or later feeling like we need more information. This leaves us considering:

* Other questions that didn’t get asked
* Symptoms that didn’t get a chance to be revealed
* What we don’t understand about the diagnosis or treatment plan
* Other health conditions that may be important for the doctor to know about
* Preventive care options for avoiding health issues in the future

This guide will help you avoid these common issues and give you the tools to take charge of your health care and create a successful relationship with your doctor. It provides a list of the right questions for you to ask your doctor before, during and after your visit as well as accompanying forms for listing your symptoms, medications, and other health care providers. The guide helps you organize your thoughts and information prior to seeing your doctor so you are better prepared to communicate not only what is important to you, but also what is significant for the doctor to know in order to provide the best care for you. Initiating better communication with your physician is easy with this guide and offers the potential for better health care results.

To read the rest of this article, follow the hyperlink below

http://www.csa.us/email/spirit/ssarticles/1210SSMedNews.html

A Laugh for the Holidays-Maxine's Health Care Plan

2010-12-07T08:51:00.000-08:00

Seniors Accentuate the Positive in Life

2010-10-11T11:53:00.000-07:00

Many adults expect to feel a sense of loss, or even depression, as they enter old age. But rather than experiencing unhappiness about the effects of aging, many seniors report an increased sense of peace and contentment. Instead of feeling limited, they feel liberated.

It's well established that how we think affects how we feel. For example, simply smiling can actually make a person happier. Older adults can use this approach to focus on positive emotions and suppress negative emotions, to enhance their overall emotional well-being. By directing their intellectual resources toward their emotional goals, seniors can improve their present emotional state.
Enjoying the "golden years"

Rather than longing for the "good old days," seniors are enjoying their golden years. According to a study conducted by ExtendHealth, a Medicare exchange provider, only 3 percent of 471 retirees surveyed said they miss their jobs, and only 2 percent said they have too much free time.

The fact that older adults often see their lives in a positive light provides a great opportunity for those who work with seniors. Caregivers and professionals can often provide resources that support seniors' connections to their families, friends, community and social networks and thus enhance their emotional well-being.

In addition, because seniors often make decisions on more emotional than intellectual levels, it's important to make positive emotional connections with them. Caregivers and professionals can benefit by presenting their services as positive enhancements to older adults' lives.

2010-08-04T10:25:00.000-07:00

Effects of Summer Heat on Elderly

Summer for most is a season that holds great enjoyment, with the anticipation of picnics, vacations and outdoor events. But for older adults, summer can threaten overall health and wellness. Elderly individuals are much more vulnerable to illnesses related to sun and heat exposure. Dehydration, sunburn, heat exhaustion and heat stroke are just a few hazards of warm weather months.

Why are older adults at greater risk for heat related illnesses? There are a number of factors that contribute to this:

* Lack of hydration - some older adults with health conditions must adhere to fluid restrictions, thus increasing the risk of not drinking enough liquids. Additionally, some older adults refrain from drinking adequate amounts of water because it is a hardship for them to make frequent trips to the bathroom.
* As adults age, their skin becomes increasingly more fragile, which makes overexposure while in the sun a threat.
* Older adults who hesitate to turn on their air conditioning for fear of running up the electric bill may ultimately be suffering in unventilated, hot environments.
* As individuals age, their bodies don't adjust as well to temperature changes.
* Some prescription medications can impede the body's ability to perspire when needed.

Below are some tips to make sure that the older adult you love and care for remains safe and healthy throughout the summer:

* Take regular cool showers or baths.
* Drink plenty of non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated beverages every day. Ask your primary care physician about necessary fluid restrictions.
* Assure adequate resting time.
* Wear lightweight clothing - discourage sweaters and heavy layers.
* Provide a well ventilated, air-conditioned environment when necessary.
* Use sun block and sun screen while outdoors. Don't forget about a hat to shade the top of the head or thinning hair.
* Offer assistance with strenuous activities such as gardening, mowing and walking to destinations.
* Check in with your loved-one regularly.

Geriatric care managers can provide the much needed peace of mind for family members who are not able to check in regularly with their aging loved-ones by acting as the eyes and ears for family members. They can identify risk factors and implement strategies to reduce the risk of a crisis. For more information or to make a referral, call 612-396-5473

Free Spring Shredding Event

2010-04-30T09:03:00.000-07:00

Where: The Colony at Eden Prairie
When: Tuesday May 4, 2010
Time: 1-3 p.m.

All shredding will be done immediately on-site. Bring all of your papers documents and any mail you want to shred.

Refreshments will be Served.

Sponsored by:

Along Life's Path
Mary Kay Cosmetics
Neil Kingsbeck, Funeral Preplanner
Seversen, Sheldon Elder Care Attorneys
St. Joseph Sent Me
Twin Cities Senior Relocation and Transition Specialists
Liz Rosenberg, Massage Therapist

Starting the Conversation with Your Parents

2010-03-04T10:46:00.000-08:00

Here are some tips to help you start a difficult conversation with your Mom or Dad. This may be about nursing home placement, funeral pre-planning or just obtaining health care at home:

1. Acknowledge the difficulty of the situation
Changing roles
Difficult subject

2. Look at the facts- be gentle and sensitive(if there is resistance back up and create a safe space before proceeding)

3. Ask questions- be curious- look for ways to have the senior control the conversation

4. Identify the outcome you are both looking for-the future you want to create. Be open to their thoughts and thinking outside the box.

5. Inquire into what would help the senior create the next stage of their life as the Best part of their life.

6. Develop concrete action items that don't overwhelm.

Remember, it takes courage, compassion and generosity to make a good conversation and a willingness to change your mind.

Provided by the Society of Certified Senior Advisors. http://www.csa.com

Happy Holidays

2009-12-21T05:37:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays to all my clients, colleagues and business associates. I wish you all the best in the coming year.

Watch Out for Illegal Insurance Practices

2009-12-21T05:31:00.000-08:00

It is illegal for anyone to do the following:
• Pressure you into buying a Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance) policy, or lie
to or mislead you to switch from one company or policy to another.
• Sell you a second Medigap policy when they know that you already have one,unless you tell the insurance company in writing that you plan to cancel your existing
Medigap policy.
• Sell you a Medigap policy if they know you have Medicaid, except in certain situations.
• Sell you a Medigap policy if they know you are in a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO, PPO or private Fee-for-Service Plan) (unless your coverage under the
Medicare Advantage Plan will end before the effective date of the Medigap policy).
• Claim that a Medigap policy is part of the Medicare program or any other Federal program. Medigap is private health insurance.
• Claim that a Medicare Advantage Plan is a Medigap policy.
• Sell you a Medigap policy that can’t legally be sold in your state. Check with your
State Insurance Department to make sure that the Medigap policy you are interested
in can be sold in your state.
• Misuse the names, letters or symbols of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), Social Security Administration (SSA), Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services (CMS), or any of their various programs like Medicare. (For example, they can’t suggest the Medigap policy has been approved or recommended by the Federal government.)
• Sell you a Medicare Advantage Plan when you want to stay in Original Medicare and buy a Medigap policy. A Medicare Advantage Plan isn’t the same as Original Medicare. If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan you will be disenrolled from Original Medicare and can’t use a Medigap policy.

If you believe that a Federal law has been broken, call the Inspector General’s hotline at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477). TTY users should call 1-800-377-4950. Your State Insurance Department can help you with other insurance-related problems.

This information is provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors® (SCSA) www.csa.us and comes from Choosing a Medigap Policy 2009 at www.medicare.gov.

New Resources Available for the Twin Cities Area Seniors and Their Families

2009-10-17T11:02:00.000-07:00

Twin Cities area seniors now have a new resource to help them age successfully. Barbara Grimm, CSA, with Along Life’s Path, recently completed a comprehensive course through the Society of Certified Senior Advisors (SCSA) and earned the designation of Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®. SCSA in an international organization that has trained more than 20,000 professionals to meet the changing needs of a growing senior population.

The explosion in growth of the senior population is one of the most important demographic developments of the 21^st century. Two-thirds of the people who have lived past the age of 65 are alive today. In the United States alone, seniors (age 65 and older) number 35 million and will continue to increase (with women being the largest segment), leading an unprecedented shift in the age of the population. By 2030, the U.S. Bureau of Census predicts there will be about 70 million people who are age 65 or older-one in five Americans will be seniors.

This demographic shift requires an educated response in how professionals work with senior and the challenges and opportunities they face. Barbara Grimm said:

“With more people living longer, we are already beginning to see changes in how seniors function in our society, from retirees who choose to start a second or third career, to various forms of alternative senior housing and new approaches to diet, exercise and overall health care for seniors”.

As a CSA, Barbara Grimm will participate in continuing education that emphasizes ethical selling and business practices and volunteer service specific to seniors.

Barbara Grimm is a Daily Money Manager for Seniors. For a free in-home consultation, call 612/385-6446 or email alonglifespath@juno.com

Facebook Fan Page

2009-08-24T10:24:00.000-07:00

As you can see, I now am on Facebook and I wanted to let you know about my "Fan" page for Along Life's Path, Inc. If you go into Facebook on your account and search for Along Life's Path in the Search bar, you will find my "Fan" page. Please become a fan and watch for interesting articles, events and discussions posted there.

I hope to see you on Facebook and soon on Twitter.

The Costs of Eldercare

2009-07-01T09:48:00.000-07:00

Did you know that more time is spent away from work for eldercare than childcare? It's true... Seniors now stay in their homes longer and approximately 90% of all care provided in the home is done by a family caregiver.

The average length of care-giving for an older family member is 4.3 years... More time than their younger children spend in daycare. Adult children often work full time, raise a family, maybe run a business and then haul children to sports and activities. Now add to that the time they spend taking care of their parents' homes, financial paperwork and doctor appointments. WOW!

The employers of adult children are highly impacted by the loss of time their employees are forced to absorb. In this time of financial hardship, adult children are often worried that the additional time spent away from work will cause them to lose their jobs or impact their future with the company.

What can you do? Nobody wants to neglect the loved ones who took such good care of us when we were young. And yet, aren't we entitled to have our lives too?

What is most needed is resources and a strong support system. Ask your employers if flexible time is an option for you. That will decrease stress for employees and employers. Having a flexible schedule allows you to make those doctor appointments during regular hours and only miss a few hours rather than calling in sick yourself to take Mom or Dad. If your employer is flexible, perhaps you can work earlier in the morning or later in the evening and still finish work on time.

Another good supportive tool is to do some research proactively. In other words, look for home health care agencies, attorneys, financial planners, daily money managers and other resources to assist you when you need help. There are many resources out there that will be happy to give you a free consultation BEFORE the crisis hits.

As a Daily Money Manager, I often help people find the resources they need. Even if they don't need my services now or in the near future, they may some day. And I would be happy to help them find viable solutions for their aging parents, aunts, uncles and/or grandparents.

Call me for a FREE consultation at 612/385-6446.
Or email alonglifespath@juno.com

Don't Believe Everything You Read

2009-04-19T15:13:00.000-07:00

Recently, there have been several articles in the Minneapolis Star Tribune about conservators, guardians, and power of attorneys. These articles seem to indicate that there are people out there in the senior industry who are out to take money from their clients.

One recent article indicated that a person from "A Little Help for the Elderly and Disabled" obtained a power of attorney from a man in a nursing home whose wife did not follow through with an application for Medical Assistance. Without knowing all the details... it seems that the person did not advise the wife of the man about the power of attorney obtained. It is hard to know if that is really the case, but the wife claims the new attorney in fact spent thousands on a pre-paid burial and paid herself over a thousand dollars in service fees.

I have to say that the article is misleading. It is perfectly normal to pre-pay a funeral as a method of spending down to qualify for Medical Assistance. The amounts vary but those become exempt assets and therefore not counted in determining eligibility. Also, the time involved in completing a Medical Assistance application would certainly entail many hours of hard work and depending on the hourly rate, would be at least $1,000.

I would suggest that there are people out there who really, truly care for their senior clients. I would hope that the person involved in this case had the man's best interests at heart. At worst, I believe there may have been an error in having an incapacitated person sign a power of attorney.

As a former paralegal in Elder Law, I would never ask an incapacitated person to sign a document giving away financial powers to me or anyone. This is a very unfortunate incident and I don't know the person in question, but, I would hope this serves as a reminder to all families out there. It is very important that you obtain good references for any services provided to seniors. Know your rights and particularly safeguard your vulnerable family members' rights as well.

Call me with any questions in this regard. (612) 385-6446.

NEWS YOU CAN USE IN THE NEW YEAR

2009-02-18T15:12:00.000-08:00

I have been slightly remiss in adding to my blog as you can see... However, I wanted to update the blog with news and some upcoming events:

NEWS YOU CAN USE:

I am now a licensed insurance agent for health, life and accident. I will be getting appointed to an insurance company so I can help you with your insurance needs.

I joined Absolute Connections chapter of BNI, the world's premier networking group.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

March 16, 2009 @ 1:30 p.m.

"Who can you trust with your money?" I will be speaking at Augustana Apartments in downtown Minneapolis on how to protect yourself from theft, fraud, or scams... whether it is inflicted by strangers or your own family. Recently, there have been several articles in the newspaper about vulnerable seniors and how easily their assets were liquidated often without them even being aware.

There are still reputable people out there who can help you with your money management and won't take advantage of you. But...you have to be alert and aware of the warning signs and empower yourself or others to take action on your behalf.

March 23, 2009 at 7 p.m.

"Who can you trust with your money?" I will be speaking at Calvary Cooperative in Golden Valley on how to protect yourself from theft, fraud, or scams... whether it is inflicted by strangers or your own family. Recently, there have been several articles in the newspaper about vulnerable seniors and how easily their assets were liquidated often without them even being aware.

There are still reputable people out there who can help you with your money management and won't take advantage of you. But...you have to be alert and aware of the warning signs and empower yourself or others to take action on your behalf.

If you would like to attend either event, please contact me at alonglifespath@juno.com

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

2008-12-13T19:38:00.000-08:00

Thank you all for your support this past year. My business continues to grow and the success I have achieved in part belongs to my friends who have been so supportive.

I wish you all the happiest holiday season and continued blessings in the coming year.

HOLIDAYS QUICKLY APPROACHING

2008-11-12T10:58:00.000-08:00

Now that the holiday season is knocking on our doors, I would like to remind those of you who will be visiting your aging parents to pay a little extra attention to their situation. For example: Is there mail all over the house that remains unopened?
Is their house not quite as clean as mom used to keep it?
Are there bills that haven't been paid or notices of termination of utility service?

These are signs that things may be getting overwhelming for your aging parents. Don't confront them directly but gently suggest that you may be able to help or you know someone who can help them with day to day money management. Often your parents don't want you to know how confusing things have become for them. It's important, however, that they get some assistance or at least have access to resources for when they do need it.

ALONG LIFE'S PATH can help. Even if they don't want my services (per se), I can direct you or your loved ones to just about every kind of resource available to seniors. I am more than happy to assist in any way I can. I know what it's like to struggle with running your own life and trying to stay up with Mom and Dad's personal business.

What this means for you is that next holiday season you can spend time with your family without the stress and anxiety of worrying about Mom and Dad.

FALL AGING CONFERENCE

2008-10-12T09:12:00.000-07:00

The Annual Fall Aging Conference sponsored by the Minneapolis and St. Paul Area Senior Workers Association will be held THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2008. It is held at Earle Brown Heritage Center, Brooklyn Center, MN.

This conference is geared to all workers in the senior industry. There will be a large vendor fair as well as interesting speakers. This year's theme is: "THE INVISIBLE ELDER" The cost is $60 for members and $75 for non-members. You can join MASWA at the Conference.

For more information you can link to www.seniorworkers.org and register online.

Scott County Senior Expo

2008-10-12T09:06:00.000-07:00

Reminder: The Scott County Senior Expo will be held on Friday, October 17, 2008 from 8:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the (new)
Shakopee Senior High School.
1000 17th Avenue West
Shakopee, MN

Many vendors, such as myself, will be there with information and resources for our aging parents, spouses and family members. They will be able to answer questions on services available to the senior community. Please stop by the booth for "Savvy Seniors" where we will be handing out the guidebook with a wealth of information.

Door prizes will be awarded at lunch time.

A Shining Star

2008-09-08T10:01:00.000-07:00

"Strictly Seniors" a cable TV show on Channel 6 locally, will have me (Barb Grimm) as the guest on an upcoming show. The air date is Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. It also airs on the following Wednesday morning but the time is to be announced.

I hope you will tune in and let me know what you think about my stellar performance. Just kidding.

Roland Minda is the host of the show and his website is www.strictly-seniors. com Feel free to check out the website for other interesting appearances by people in the senior industry.

It's State Fair Time- Financials on a Stick

2008-08-11T12:35:00.000-07:00

A very good friend of mine and my best referral partner is hosting seminars at the State Fair this month. Don't miss this opportunity to hear him speak, especially if you are caring for an aging parent locally or from afar.

Just when you thought everything at the State Fair was already on a stick, there’s a new “stick” at the 2008 Minnesota State Fair—financials served, yes, on a stick.

The Ramberg Senior Center is hosting financial information workshops for fair goers. The 15 minute workshops feature Jim Bear, president and founder of J. Alan Financial in Champlin, Minnesota. Jim is a regular columnist for Minnesota’s Good Age magazine.

Jim made financial planning his career choice somewhat accidentally about 21 years ago after a family member was financially hurt based on poor investment advice. Today, “Safe Money” is Jim’s specialty--focusing his efforts to people over 50 years of age and their need for income, safety, and reduced taxes and risk.

You can attend Jim’s workshop on “5 Mistakes IRA Owners Make…and How They May Cost You” by visiting the Ramberg Senior Center booth located on the corner of Judson Avenue and Underwood Street.

Jim will present on Monday, August 25^th and Thursday, August 28^th at 11:20 a.m. and 12:35 p.m.

Get your 5 Mistakes on a Stick by attending one of Jim’s workshops.

Financial Mistakes on a Stick might be the easiest “on a stick” item to keep. It won’t smell bad after a week!

To receive a full copy of Jim’s report on the 5 Mistakes, contact Jim at 763-746-0829 or Jim@SafeMoneyAdvisorMN.com

Website www.SafeMoneyAdvisorMN.com

2008-07-03T13:19:00.000-07:00

First Diagnostic Test For Alzheimer's

2008-06-19T16:08:00.000-07:00

First Diagnostic Test For Alzheimer's & Parkinson's Disease On The Horizon

ScienceDaily (Apr. 7, 2008) — A new blood test that can give an early diagnosis of neurodegenerative disease and distinguish between Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease could be launched this summer, reports Marina Murphy in SCI's Chemistry & Industry magazine.

Manufacturer, Oklahoma-based proteomics company, Power3 Medical Products, said it plans to sell the test, NuroPro, which would be the first diagnostic test for neurodegenerative diseases on the market, in Greece by Q3 with further plans for it to go on the US market by late Q3 or Q4."

"There is currently no diagnostic test for any neurodegenerative disease on the market -- diagnoses are currently based solely on a clinical diagnosis of symptoms," said chief executive, Steve Rash.

Power3 has identified and patented several blood proteins⁽¹⁾ associated with neurodegenerative disease. The test NuroPro measures a suite of 59 protein biomarkers, the relative levels of which, they say, can help distinguish between Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Lou Gehrig's disease or tell whether a patient is disease free. The test is highly accurate with a specificity and sensitivity in the high 90s, according to Rash.

Although the test has been welcomed by Kieran Breen, director of research at the Parkinson's Disease Society, as being particularly useful for monitoring the progression of disease and assessing the effectiveness of drugs, he urged caution saying: "While the test seems promising, larger studies need to be conducted before it can be confirmed as being helpful in making a diagnosis."

Susan Sorensen, head of research at the UK Alzheimer's Society said: "There are 700,000 people living with dementia in the UK, 62 per cent have Alzheimer's disease and this will rise to more than a million in less than 20 years. An effective blood test would present those diagnosed and their families with an opportunity to prepare for the impact of this devastating illness and make crucial decisions about their future.

"The method, known as proteomics, involves analysing proteins in the blood although it remains unclear which group of proteins gives the definitive signs of Alzheimer's disease... Some suggest Alzheimer's, for example, is too complex to be identified in this way."

Two clinical validation studies are currently underway at the Cleo Roberts Center of Clinical Research in Arizona, US, and the Research Institute of Thessaly in Greece.

Note: (1) Expert Review of Proteomics 2008, 5(1), 1-8; Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 2006, 342, 1034-1039

Adapted from materials provided by Society of Chemical Industry, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

UPCOMING EVENTS

2008-03-24T12:39:00.000-07:00

Here is information about an upcoming NORC Health and Wellness lecture. NORC is a project of Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis funded by grants from the Administration on Aging and the Minnesota Department of Human Services

Free NORC Health and Wellness Lecture

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

2:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Lenox Community Center

6715 Minnetonka Blvd.

St. Louis Park, MN 55426

Money Management for Seniors

Wednesday, April 16, 2008 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Presented by Barbara Grimm, Daily Money Manager and Certified Therapeutic Coach

"Learn techniques to manage your financial information, keep your money in safe places, transfer assets, and find resources to assist you along life's path."

TIPS FOR STRESS MANAGEMENT

2008-02-12T15:54:00.000-08:00

SOME WAYS FOR DEALING WITH STRESS:

1 * Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue

2 * Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.

3 * Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.

4 * Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their Maker.

5 * If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.

6 * If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.

7 * It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.

8 * Never buy a car you can't push.

9 * Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.

10 * Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.

11 * Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.

12 * The second mouse gets the cheese.

13 * When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.

14 * Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.

15 * You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.

16 * Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.

17 * We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box.

18 * A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

Statins and Memory Loss- Discuss with your doctor

2008-01-23T14:35:00.000-08:00

CHOLESTEROL DRUGS CAN CAUSE MEMORY LOSS-Why Statins are Bad for the Brain

by Julian Whitaker, M.D.

A retired professor of business law and computer science who was taking Zocor to lower his cholesterol was diagnosed with rapidly progressing probable Alzheimer’s disease. It got to the point that he had trouble carrying on conversations and recognizing people he’d known for 20 years, and long-term care was looming. After hearing about the association between statins and memory loss, he stopped taking Zocor, and over the next few months his cognitive function returned to normal.

A successful 50-year-old business owner started taking Lipitor in 1998. Within three years he was wracked with pain and weakness, and his memory and concentration were so poor that he was forced to close his business. Although he’s improved somewhat since getting off Lipitor, he continues to have severe cognitive problems.

Seeing split wood scattered all over her porch, strange footprints in the snow, and a plate of partially eaten food in her kitchen, a 69-year-old woman became convinced that someone had broken into her house. The next day, she realized that the footprints were hers—but she had absolutely no memory of what happened. After stroke, blood clots, and other causes were ruled out in the ER a few days later, she was told she had experienced temporary loss of memory, or transient global amnesia (TGA), of unknown origin. She had started taking Lipitor four months before.

A woman reports, “My husband has been on Lipitor for years, and I/we have noticed that more and more his memory and focus have been impaired. We are told that there is no such evidence that Lipitor could cause this. I have watched my husband change from a Harvard Business School graduate who could accomplish more in four hours than most could in four days to someone who has already had a TGA attack and, in the two years since, has become more forgetful, unable to complete tasks, loses track of time...”

Statins’ Second-Most Common Side Effect
These are not isolated incidents. After muscle pain and weakness, cognitive problems are the second-most common side effect of Lipitor, Zocor, Pravachol, Mevacor, and other cholesterol-lowering statin drugs. Hundreds of cases of statin-induced memory loss and TGA have been reported to MedWatch, the FDA’s system for filing adverse drug events. And these are just the tip of the iceberg.

That’s because people taking these drugs—more than 12 million in the United States—who develop memory problems are unlikely to put the two together. They aren’t warned sufficiently on drug labels or inserts about this adverse effect, nor do they hear about it in TV, newspaper, and magazine ads. Doctors aren’t telling them about it either, largely because they don’t know about it themselves.

Doctors: Don’t Know, Don’t Tell
Take Lipitor, for example, the best-selling drug in the United States. The Physicians’ Desk Reference includes reasonable mentions of the potential for liver toxicity, muscle aches, and weakness. However, nowhere does it allude to Lipitor’s cognitive side effects other than a one-word mention of “amnesia” in a long list of things purported to have occurred in less than two percent of patients. And in the clinical studies on the drugs—virtually all of which are funded by drug companies—benefits are emphasized while adverse effects are downplayed. To make matters worse, government and cardiology “opinion leaders” are so conflicted by drug money that they ignore the obvious red flags.

Without this awareness, physicians and patients alike are much more likely to attribute declining memory or blackout spells to dementia, stroke, or just old age than to cholesterol-lowering drugs. In fact, if a patient complains about memory problems related to the drugs, the doctor will almost always discount it.

But the word is getting out, thanks to people like former astronaut Duane Graveline, MD, MPH, and researcher Beatrice Golomb, MD, PhD.

Lipitor Caused Complete Amnesia
In 1999, Dr. Graveline was put on Lipitor to lower his moderately elevated cholesterol. Six weeks later, his wife found him wandering around their driveway, unable to recognize her, or his surroundings. She managed to get him to his doctor, who was perplexed by this episode of severe memory loss, which passed after a few hours. Dr. Graveline, who was in excellent health, had a hunch that Lipitor was involved because he had just started taking it, and it was the only drug he was on. His doctor disregarded his concerns and, a year later, talked him into getting back on the drug. Sure enough, he had another episode of TGA, this one lasting 12 hours.

Despite his physician’s naysaying, Dr. Graveline was convinced that Lipitor had caused his problems. When he came across the Statin Effects Study, headed by Dr. Golomb of the University of California, San Diego, he was vindicated. Since 2000, Dr. Golomb has been gathering case reports of patients who have had changes in thinking, mood, and behavior while on statin drugs.

I recently interviewed Dr. Golomb on my radio show, and she told me that while physicians might not make the association between memory problems and statin drug use—or take the time to report adverse events—patients trying to get to the bottom of their problems have a vested interest in doing so. So far, she has received more than 4,000 reports of cognitive dysfunction—some of them so severe they were diagnosed as rapidly progressing Alzheimer’s disease.

Once Dr. Graveline made his experience public, he, too, was inundated with reports of statin-related amnesia, forgetfulness, disorientation, and other memory problems. His Web site, spacedoc.net, and message board contain nearly 10,000 accounts of statin damage, plus a plethora of information on the adverse effects of these drugs.

How Statins Harm the Brain
When you really think about it, it’s obvious that these drugs would adversely affect cognition. Your brain contains an abundance of cholesterol, much of it in the myelin sheaths that insulate the neurons and speed up nerve conduction. Recent research reveals that cholesterol is also required for the formation of synapses, the areas between neurons where nerve impulses are transmitted and received. In fact, cholesterol is so important that it is manufactured by the glial cells in the supportive tissues of the brain.

Curbing synthesis of such a crucial compound has an inevitable downside. Suicide and violent behavior have long been linked to very low cholesterol levels. Now, data from the ongoing Framingham Heart Study demonstrates that older people with low total cholesterol (under 200) are much more likely to perform poorly on tests of mental function than those with high cholesterol (over 240).

These drugs harm the brain in other ways as well. As you may know, the enzyme pathway that statins disrupt in order to suppress cholesterol production is also involved in the synthesis of coenzyme Q10, which is required for energy production in the mitochondria of the cells. When you block that enzyme, cholesterol goes down, but so does CoQ10—by as much as 50 percent in some patients!

Low CoQ10 Levels = Bad News
The brain, heart, and skeletal muscles are the body’s most voracious consumers of energy, and it’s only natural that these are the systems most acutely affected by inadequate stores of CoQ10. Deficiencies in this essential compound are known to underlie the muscle problems and heart failure so often linked with statins. It’s high time we recognize that CoQ10 depletion is also a factor in cognitive dysfunction and other neurological consequences of these drugs.

Statins also appear to adversely affect tau, a protein made by brain cells that helps maintain their structure. Abnormal tau proteins promote the formation of the neurofibrillary tangles that appear in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Abnormalities in tau proteins are also linked to other neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease). Among the thousands of patient stories Dr. Graveline has amassed are a disturbing number with these and other serious neurological problems. He, I, and others believe the link with cholesterol-lowering drugs is clear and unequivocal.

More Reasons Not to Take Statins
Besides their serious side effects—cognitive problems, muscle pain and weakness, fatigue, liver damage, and even heart failure—these drugs are just not all that helpful. Yes, they lower cholesterol, but lowering cholesterol should not be an end in itself; rather, it should be a means of reducing risk of heart attack and death from heart disease. In this regard, statins fail miserably.

Not a single study shows that statins are beneficial for women. Not one! The largest randomized clinical trial of statins in women found that those who took Lipitor actually had 10 percent more heart attacks than women taking a placebo. Nor is there any research suggesting that these drugs prevent heart attacks or extend life for anyone over age 70—women or men—including those at high risk of heart disease.

The same goes for younger men who have a high cholesterol level but no other significant risk factors for heart disease—statins just don’t help. In fact, potential cardiovascular benefits are counterbalanced by equivalent increases in death and debility from other causes. Yet millions of low-risk men, older men, and women of all ages take these drugs daily.

The only people ever shown in clinical studies to benefit at all from these drugs are middle-aged men at high risk of heart attack (high risk being defined as having existing coronary artery disease, diabetes, disease of the blood vessels to the brain or extremities, or two or more risk factors, such as hypertension and smoking). But even for this group, there are far safer and more effective ways to lower risk than these very dangerous drugs.

Recommendations:

If you are taking a cholesterol-lowering statin drug, discuss this information with your physician—or find one who is willing to by visiting acam.org or calling (888) 439-6891. To schedule an appointment at the Whitaker Wellness Institute, call (800) 488-1500 or visit whitakerwellness.com.
I highly recommend Dr. Graveline’s books, Lipitor, Thief of Memory, available at amazon.com, and Statin Drugs Side Effects, sold at spacedoc.net. To order CDs of my interviews with Dr. Golomb and Dr. Graveline, visit healthytalkradio.com.
If you or someone you know has had an adverse reaction to a statin drug, report it on statineffects.com and spacedoc.net.
To learn more about safe, natural therapies for preventing and treating heart disease, read Reversing Heart Disease, available at (800) 810-6655, or visit the Subscriber Center at drwhitaker.com.

References

Elias PK et al. Serum cholesterol and cognitive performance in the Framingham Heart Study. Psychosom Med. 2005 Jan-Feb;67(1):24–30.
Golomb BA. Impact of statin adverse events in the elderly. Expert Opin Drug Saf. 2005;4(3):389–397.
Muldoon MF et al. Randomized trial of the effects of simvastatin on cognitive functioning in hypercholesterolemic adults. Am J Med. 2004;117(11):823–829.
Pfrieger FW. Role of cholesterol in synapse formation and function. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2003 Mar 10;1610(2):271–280.
Physicians’ Desk Reference, 61st Edition. Montvale, NJ: Thompson PDR; 2007.

Julian Whitaker, MD, has practiced medicine for more than 30 years, after receiving degrees from Dartmouth College and Emory University. In 1979 he founded the Whitaker Wellness Institute, located in Newport Beach, CA. For more information on the clinic, call (800) 488-1500 or visit www.whitakerwellness.com.

Dr. Julian Whitaker is the author of 13 health books, including Reversing Hypertension, The Memory Solution, Shed 10 Years in 10 Weeks, The Pain Relief Breakthrough, Reversing Heart Disease, Reversing Diabetes, and Dr. Whitaker's Guide to Natural Healing.

Dr. Julian Whitaker's Health & Healing¨ (ISSN 1057-9273) is published monthly by Healthy Directions, LLC, 7811 Montrose Road, Potomac, MD 20854-3394, telephone (800) 539-8219, website www.drwhitaker.com.

© Copyright 2007, Healthy Directions, LLC. Photocopying, reproduction, or quotation strictly prohibited without written permission of the publisher. Subscription: $69.99 per year. To learn more about safe, natural therapies for preventing and treating heart disease, read Reversing Heart Disease, available at (800) 810-6655, or visit the Subscriber Center at drwhitaker.com.

Legal Disclaimer: The products, articles and other content on www.virginiahopkinstestkits.com and related sites are not offered for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of any disease or disorder nor have any statements herein been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Said content is not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care professional with regard to matters pertaining to your health.

Upcoming Speaking Engagements

2007-12-03T13:28:00.000-08:00

December 19, 2007- There will be a variety of speakers at this event...Including me and an attorney, home health care, financial advisors and a funeral planner. You will have an opportunity to listen to many areas of concern for those with aging parents. It will be at Mallard Ridge Senior Apartments on Bass Lake Road and County Road 81. More details to follow...

AGING PARENTS: 5 Warning Signs of Health Problems

2007-11-27T06:29:00.000-08:00

Aging parents: 5 warning signs of health problems

You can use this guide to help you gauge how your parents are doing. Find out what to do if you notice anything that might indicate a health problem.

If your parents are getting older, you may want to make sure they're taking care of themselves and staying healthy. But it's difficult to monitor the health of your aging parents from miles away. Use your next visit with your parents to ask about their health and find out if there's anything you can do to help them maintain their independence.

Sometimes your parents won't admit they need help around the house. Other times they may not realize they need help. Here are five things to look for on your next trip home to help you gauge if your aging parents could use some help.

1. Have your aging parents lost weight?

Many people think that being thin is healthy, but losing weight without trying is a sign that something's wrong. Weight loss could indicate a significant health problem in your aging parents, such as:

Cancer
Dementia
Depression
Heart failure
Malnutrition

Talk to your parent about scheduling a doctor's visit if you think his or her weight loss may be a sign of illness. Keep in mind, though, that the reason behind your parent's weight loss isn't always disease related. Your parent could be having difficulty finding the energy to cook, grasping the tools necessary to cook, or reading labels or directions on food products. Age-related changes to your parent's body could mean that nothing tastes as good as it used to. Talk to your parent about your concerns. Together you can find ways to make cooking easier or to make food more appealing.

2. Are your aging parents safe in their home?

Take a look around your parents' home, keeping an eye out for any red flags that might mean they're having trouble maintaining their home. Are the lights working? Is the heat on? Has the well-maintained yard become overgrown? Are there dirty dishes in the sink? Is their home cluttered with piles of newspapers and magazines?

Think in terms of safety. Do your parents have difficulty navigating the narrow stairway? Have your parents mentioned any recent falls or injuries? Note any changes in your parents' hearing and vision. Difficulty reading directions on prescription medications or hearing a doctor's advice could pose safety threats.

Any big changes in the way your parents do things around the house could provide clues to their health. Scorched pots could mean a parent with dementia is forgetting about dinner cooking on the stove. Neglected housework could mean depression is robbing your parent of the motivation to take care of the home. Light bulbs that haven't been replaced could indicate that physical impairments make it impossible for your parents to keep up with the regular maintenance around the house.

Point out potential safety issues to your parents. Together you may be able to devise a plan to fix these problems.

3. Are your aging parents taking care of themselves?

Pay attention to your parents' appearance. Notice if they're keeping up with their usual personal hygiene routines. Are your parents' clothes clean? Do your parents appear to be taking good care of themselves?

Failure to keep up with daily routines, such as bathing, tooth brushing and other basic grooming, could indicate health problems. Dementia, depression or physical impairments could be to blame, and are among the most common reasons why older people move to an assisted living center.

4. How are your aging parents' spirits?

Note your parents' moods. Everyone has good and bad days, but a drastically different mood or outlook could be a sign of depression or other health concern. Ask your parents how they're feeling. Do they seem withdrawn or blue?

Talk to your parents about their activities. Are they still connecting with friends? Have they lost interest in hobbies and other daily activities? Are they involved in social organizations or clubs? If they're religious, do they attend regular services?

Tell your parents if you think they seem down or depressed. Encourage your parents to see their doctor and talk about their feelings.

5. Are your aging parents having difficulty getting around?

If your parents have any health conditions that make it difficult to get around, they may have difficulty caring for themselves. For instance, your parents may experience muscle weakness, joint problems and other age-related changes that make it difficult to move around.

Pay attention to how your parents are walking. Are they reluctant or unable to walk usual distances? Is knee or hip arthritis making it difficult to get around the house? Does your parent need a cane or walker? Talk to your parents about ways to make getting around easier.

If your parents are unsteady on their feet, they may be at risk of falling. Falls can cause major injuries and even death in older adults. The good news is that you can help your parents prevent falls by making their home safer and helping them stay active.

What to do if you have concerns about your aging parents

Talk with your parents if you have any concerns about their health and safety. Knowing that you're concerned about their health may be all the motivation your parents need to see their doctor. Some parents may need a little more encouragement, so let them know that you care about them and that you're worried. Consider including other people who care about your parents in the conversation, such as other relatives, close friends or clergy.

Together you and your parents can come up with solutions to problems around the home. Perhaps your parents could use assistive devices to help them reach items off shelves or to help them stay steady on their feet.

In talking with your parents, you might decide that it's time for them to get some help around the house. Home care service workers can help with small tasks, such as errands and cleaning. Or it may be time to consider a long term care facility, such as an assisted living center.

If your parents aren't willing to listen to your concerns or if they dismiss your claims, you can take other measures. Call your parents' doctor for guidance. Some signs of medical problems aren't easily spotted in a doctor's office, and your concerns may help the doctor understand what to look for in your parents on their next visit. Your parents' doctor won't discuss private information with you unless your parents have given the doctor permission to discuss their care with you. However, their doctor or health care provider may be glad to hear your insights. Your parents' doctor may also want to make sure he or she is allowed to speak with you regarding your parents' care. In the United States, patient privacy is governed by rules often referred to as HIPAA, or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

HIPAA does not prevent a doctor, nurse or health plan employee from discussing your parent's care with you if it's in the best interest of your parent. For example, if discussing your parent's care would help a doctor take care of your parent, that's considered in your parent's best interest. You may have to fill out a form stating that you can discuss your parents' medical information with their doctor or doctor's staff.

You can also seek help from local agencies. For instance, the county in which your parents live may have social workers who can evaluate your parents' needs and put them in touch with pertinent services, such as home care workers and help with meals and transportation. Your local agency on aging — which you can find using the Eldercare Locator on the Department of Health and Human Services Web site — can connect you with services in your parents' area.

This is a reprint of an article in a Mayo Clinic newsletter.

Upcoming Events

2007-11-12T12:28:00.000-08:00

Speaking Engagements:

What is a daily money manager?

Thursday, November 15, 2007 at 1:30 p.m.- Edendale Residence in Eden Prairie

Monday, November 19, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. - Hopkins Senior Center

Posting to my Blog

2007-11-04T07:35:00.000-08:00

For those of you that I asked to visit my website and to link to this Blog... I found out today that you cannot contribute, as I requested, unless you have a Google account. There is no cost for that but you will have to decide whether or not you want to create one.

I appreciate each and every one of my business associates and friends who have viewed these sites and given me feedback. Please send me an email if you wish to be added as a resource on my website. When I update it again, I will add your name and website or address for email.

NEW MEDICARE PREMIUMS 2008

2007-10-18T15:25:00.000-07:00

Here are all the new Medicare figures:

· Part B premium: $96.40/month (was $93.50)

· Part B deductible: $135 (was $131)

· Part A deductible: $1,024 (was $992)

· Co-payment for hospital stay days 61-90: $256/day (was $248)

· Co-payment for hospital stay days 91 and beyond: $512/day (was $496)

· Skilled nursing facility co-payment, days 21-100: $128/day (was $124)

As directed by the 2003 Medicare law, for the first time, higher income beneficiaries will pay higher Part B premiums. Following are the higher premium rates:

· Individuals with annual incomes between $82,000 and $102,000 and married couples with annual incomes between $164,000 and $204,000 in 2008 will pay a monthly premium of $122.20.

· Individuals with annual incomes between $102,000 and $153,000 and married couples with annual incomes between $204,000 and $306,000 in 2008 will pay a monthly premium of $160.90.

· Individuals with annual incomes between $153,000 and $205,000 and married couples with annual incomes between $306,000 and $410,000 in 2008 will pay a monthly premium of $199.70.

· Individuals with annual incomes of $205,000 or more and married couples with annual incomes of $410,000 or more in 2008 will pay a monthly premium of $238.40.

Rates differ for beneficiaries who are married but file a separate tax return from their spouse:

· Those with incomes between $82,000 and $123,000 will pay a monthly premium of $199.70.

· Those with incomes greater than $123,000 will pay a monthly premium of $238.40.

Just how much should we do for our parents?

2007-10-15T09:17:00.000-07:00

"Parents' demands can trigger elemental fears-the looming specter of their mortality, the scary knowledge that a parent's decline brings us closer to our own old age. But only by facing fears can we defuse them and put ourselves back in control."

When parents need our help, often their demands can seem burdensome and overwhelming. After all, don't our spouses and children need us too? It's not easy to say no to our parents, especially since they raised us and always had time for our little mishaps and maybe even bailed us out when times were hard. Don't be afraid to say no, but do it gently.

Many people mistake quantity for quality when it comes to spending time with their parents. I think it is better to spend less time with them and make sure those hours are truly satisfying. Plan activities that will bring you closer together, not just chores and errands. You can hire caregivers for those chores and leave the quality time for more meaningful interactions.

Don't use this time to settle old scores with your parents. "No matter how cruel or neglectful your parents were when you were a child, this is not the time for payback. Showing them compassion and respect, whether or not you feel they deserve it, is a mark of adulthood and depth of character."

Too often people believe that the parent-child role gets reversed as our parents age. "Care giving should not be confused with parenting. Preserving your parents' independence and dignity is perhaps the most important job you will have at this stage in their lives." Giving them something they can do for others is a great way to make them feel productive. It can be as simple as having them help your children with their homework.

"Family dynamics tend to build to a fever pitch when the care of an aging parent is involved." It's true that some siblings are more suited to the task than others. Don't be resentful or shirk your share of the work just because they can't or won't pitch in. And remember, there is plenty you can do from afar... researching a medical issue on the internet or monitoring their accounts online are simple ways to help your parents. Subsidizing their home care and sending care packages are another way to help.

However, don't mistake sending money with caring. "People who confuse the two often come from families in which money was a defining issue." Often mom or dad would rather just spend quality time with their families and let someone else assist them with day-to-day money management.

And so here is the plug: A daily money manager can assist your parents with those day-to-day money issues. Timely bill payment, balancing check books, organizing documents and even application for government benefits can be handled by a daily money manager. This allows you to spend quality time with your parents.

What should you ask before hiring a Daily Money Manager?

What are the costs and how do they bill (hourly or flat fee)?
Do they have professional liability insurance?
Can you check their references?
Do they have a confidentiality agreement as part of their retainer?

If you want to know more, please feel free to call me at (612) 385-6446 or visit my website at www.alonglifespath.com

The quoted portions were reprinted from an article entitled "Setting Limits: Just How Much Should We Do for Our Parents?" published in AARP magazine in June 2005 by Dale Atkins.

A Web Site at Last!!

2007-10-14T16:25:00.000-07:00

If you have found this page, you most likely have logged on to my website. Perhaps not... but I hope that you will visit my updated website at www.alonglifespath.com My thanks to Dana for getting the job done and I am very happy with the results. I would appreciate your feedback.

Soon, I will be posting articles and upcoming events on this blog. I have a few items that I want to post now for the month of October:

Fall Aging Conference at the Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Park will be on Friday, October 27, 2007. This is a great opportunity to hear many exciting speakers and to peruse the booths of many worthwhile vendors pertaining to senior housing, health care and long term care issues. There is still time to register, so don't miss out.

On October 23, 2007 at 7 p.m. - Becca Olson of AND Law Firm and myself will be speaking at Calvary Cooperative in Golden Valley. She will be speaking on estate planning issues and I will be talking on "Daily Money Managers, What can they do for you?" I believe it will be open to the public.

I also have several speaking engagements scheduled this month at "The Heathers", "Sunrise of Minnetonka" and "St. Therese Northridge" during the week of October 15th. My thanks to the Resident Services Coordinators for the opportunity.

Stay tuned for further events and articles to come. Welcome to all my new clients and those interested in the services of a Daily Money Manager.

My computer is back up and running

2007-10-01T13:04:00.000-07:00

Well, after considerable stress, anxiety and grief, my computer is back up and running. I really was fearful that I would have to buy a new computer. Thankfully, that is not the case.

I am busy networking with many business owners to find as many referral resources as possible. Today I met with Jennifer DeKok, an Arbonne distributor, who hooked me up with two networking groups. They meet at different times but both early a.m. So, we will see how motivated I really am.

If anyone reading this blog has other referral resources they would be willing to share to make my business grow and thrive, I would appreciate you posting it or call me on my cell phone.

Make it a great day!

Welcome to my Blog

2007-09-26T14:27:00.000-07:00

Well, this is a first for me. I have a blog! Me, Barb Grimm. Who would have thought?
In any case, I hope that you will check my blog from time to time because I will periodically post thoughts, comments and articles about helping your parents, grand-parents, siblings, (whomever) maintain their independence with the help of a daily money manager or other resources that may be helpful.

Please feel free to share your thoughts on my blog. Give me feedback or tell me to take a long walk off a short pier. I will be happy to hear from you.