Since this is Older Americans Month, I looked into the Older American Act (OAA) and found the many functions of the OAA very interesting. I thought I would share a few key points with you. What I found disturbing was the OAA has unfortunately lost ground reaching those in need of services.

The first special person in everyone’s life would almost always have to be their mother. On this Mother’s Day, May 12, the most important thing you can do for her is to show her some love and respect. Not to disrespect our fathers as they are special too - but there is a special bond between a mother and a child. The bond between a mother and her child can begin before they are even born.

Every May, since 1963, we have celebrated the contributions elderly people make in our lives and in our country. When President Kennedy, with the help of The National Council of Senior Citizens, issued the formal proclamation, then known as “Senior Citizen Month”, about 17 million living Americans had reached the age of 65. About a third of older citizens lived in poverty and there were few programs to meet their needs.

Sleep is a varied issue for many older adults. I remember my mother-in-law had trouble falling asleep. She could get a decent night sleep once she got to sleep. Even getting up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night would make it hard for her to get back to sleep. My dad does not seem to be able to get his nights and days straight. He’s up all night and asleep most of the day. Then there is mother, who goes to bed fairly early, goes to sleep right away and is able to sleep well into the next morning.

Medication management is a major part in providing elderly care. Polypharmacy – taking multiple medications for different conditions- is very common for an elderly person. Therefore, the importance of medication management cannot be overstated in regard to adverse risks. Taking multiple medications creates a risk factor for drug reactions and interactions, nonadherence, financial burden and even worse. With the patient’s specific goal in mind, one needs to be careful and use a systematic approach for managing medications and adherence.

Since first launched in April of 1992, Stress Awareness Month has taken on the task of raising stress awareness, it causes, and negative affect as well as education on how to detect and minimize its impact. In the field of research it is thought to be an epidemic.

As I was researching March as “National Nutrition Month” and considering my renewed vow to lose weight, I found some important facts on nutrition and bone health.

Due to changes brought about by aging, many seniors are more vulnerable to harmful effects of some medications, including over the counter medications. When appropriately prescribed and monitored, medications are an effective way to maintain older adult’s health, control chronic disease and pain, and recover from illnesses. People of the age of 65 and older account for over one third of all prescription medication used and almost one third of all over the counter medications. I have often commented that my parents take so many medications that it is no wonder they do not have an appetite anymore.

Maintaining a healthy brain is simply about making the most of your brain and reducing risks as you age. Research is showing strong evidence that people can reduce their risk of cognitive decline by making key lifestyle changes. Consequently staying active becomes more and more important as we age and is essential for living a long and full life. A healthy brain enables us to pay attention better, enhance problem solving, communicate more effectively, and so much more. It is so important that we now have a Brain Awareness week, this year March 11-17, 2019.

What is an automated care call? These calls are an automated calling system from SageMinder that will place calls on a daily basis to remind a loved one to take their medication or just simply check in. The medication reminder calls can be set up to call multiply times a day. (We also offer Live Operator Care Calls)