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The A.M. Post

An eNewsletter for Aging Magnificently — ISSUE 7

At Lifespark we’re all about helping you stay healthy at home, navigating your health options with confidence, and living a fuller, more independent life. That’s what The A.M. Post is all about, too. Read on — we hope you enjoy!

Silent Epidemic Affecting Seniors – Could Vitamin ‘R’ Play A Role?

As connected as our world appears, there remains a silent truth – loneliness prevails, proving to be quite harmful to seniors’ overall health. According to an article in Medscape, “overall, 1 in 3 U.S. adults reports chronic loneliness — a condition so detrimental that it rivals smoking and obesity for its negative effect on health and well-being. From anxiety and depression to life-threatening conditions like cardiovascular disease, stroke, and Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, loneliness is more than an emotion — it’s a serious threat to both the brain and body.”

In fact, in 2023, a U.S. Surgeon General advisory raised the alarm about the national problem of loneliness and isolation, describing it as an epidemic.

Loneliness stems from feeling disconnected from others. You don’t just wake up one morning and think, “hey, I’m lonely.” It’s a slow change in our mindset that often starts with a move to a new home, loss of a spouse or friends, changes in our mental health, or the loss of doing what we once enjoyed. Slowly we find ourselves pulling back, retreating into the safety of doing nothing because we might get hurt or because it seems difficult.

But, our need for social connections is as basic a need as eating. “We are made to connect with one another, to be part of something bigger than ourselves. And when we lose that, we do feel, like, a deep sense of pain,” said Dr. Vivek Murthy, former U.S. Surgeon General.

“People who rise each day with a sense of purpose tend to live seven to ten years longer than those who don’t,” said Richard Leider, fellow sage and purpose guru. This is in line with what Dr. Murthy found, “decreasing feelings of loneliness depends on three critical factors: Relationships, Service, and Purpose.”

Perhaps a potential cause of loneliness is the fact that we limit purpose in exchange for safety.

As people age, there is this unintentional thing that happens when we put our fears of an ER or hospital visit or worse before the reward of doing what we love. Could you fall and get hurt playing in an over 65 hockey league? Sure, but the reward probably outweighs the risk. Have you told your spouse or loved one, “just hire someone – that garden is too much work,” or “It’s too far to drive, we shouldn’t go to the reunion.” In doing so, you may have removed what brought them joy. Slowly those around us — society, our providers, even ourselves — start to tell us what we can or can’t do with our lives and it begins to take its toll, leaving us lonely in its wake.

Could ‘Vitamin R’ be the answer?

Dr. Bill Thomas, world-renowned geriatrician and Lifespark Independence Officer, refers to risk as “vitamin R,” and just like vitamin A, too little risk is bad, and too much risk is bad. “The right amount of vitamin R is highly individual—there’s no everyone should, or everyone shouldn’t,” he said.

The problem is, we’ve become so preoccupied with keeping seniors safe that we have stripped away too many of the surprises and unexpected twists that make life worth living. Disconnectedness is a symptom of living a life without purpose.

What’s the antidote for loneliness? Fueling your purpose!
Here are a few tips…

• Join a club or group activity
• Reach out to a friend and go on walks together
• Dust off those running shoes — start with just a few steps
• Volunteer for a cause
• Eat lunch in a communal space
• Introduce yourself to neighbors
• Map out your road trip
• Ask someone for help
• Do a random act of kindness

When it comes to loneliness, perhaps a little risk is worth it. As humans, we crave new things, reasons to get up in the morning. Just beyond risk lies a sense of strength, purpose, and belonging if we’re willing to challenge ourselves and connect to whatever brings us joy. Our advice to you – do what makes your life worth living. If you don’t, there’s risk in that, too.

vitaminr
ask ethel

Ask Ethel

Should I go to the ER?

Dear Ethel,

I’ve been to the ER twice in the past month for a UTI, but I’m worried about other germs I could be exposed to. I heard the flu, COVID, and norovirus are keeping the hospital busy. What should I do if I can’t be seen by my primary care?

~ Remaining Cautious in Eagan

———————————————————————

Dear Remaining Cautious in Eagan,

First, I’m sorry to hear you are not feeling well. UTIs are a common reason older adults end up in the hospital and as you know, they can be painful and serious if left untreated. You are right to question if there are alternative options. We are in the height of flu and norovirus and as you noted, many of our area hospitals and ERs are busy with people experiencing these viruses. While your immune system is busy fighting a UTI, you are at greater risk of exposure to some of these things. At the same time, UTIs should be treated. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, the ER may just be where you should head.

In the meantime, I would ask your primary care team if you have an option like an in-home urgent care or ER at home team who comes to you. Many providers and hospital systems are offering these types of services to prevent seniors especially from having to go the ER for things that could be served at home. What I’ve found is that seniors and their families don’t even know this option exists. I know that people who have Lifespark COMPLETE, for example, have this as an integrated part of their team. If you’re ever questioning if you should go to the ER or if you need labs, UTI testing, or other things, they can be done from the comfort of your own home.

The bigger question to me though is why are you experiencing reoccurring UTIs? Understanding the root cause, and if it’s really a UTI, should be explored with your primary care provider. I would go one step further and suggest speaking to someone who is a geriatric expert (I much prefer ‘senior savvy’). A provider with training and experience in geriatrics can help you understand if you are being diagnosed accurately and importantly, are not being exposed to the harms of “overtreatment.” Diagnosing and treating UTIs is more complex than many health professionals and most people understand.

Without the right diagnosis, attributing UTIs as a root cause can lead to serious negative outcomes including antibiotic induced colitis, drug resistant organisms, poor appetites, and drug-to-drug interactions.

Encourage your primary care team to explore the cause of your symptoms to avoid missing something serious. Be vocal about what’s available to you instead of just going to the ER – your health deserves it.

In health,
Ethel

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DID YOU KNOW:

According to CDC data, more than 20% of adults aged 85 and older require assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs).

Often, it takes a health crisis, or a few, for seniors to accept help. It’s the consequences of a pants on fire approach that we hope to avoid. Not sure if those are red flags worthy of needing a little help? Read on…

Subtle changes in health can be unsettling. The inability to clean your home, cook meals, remember your medications, or bathe yourself can undoubtedly rock your sense of independence. And it doesn’t have to be for you, it can be in your ability to care for someone who needs these things. Your spouse just had surgery or a heart attack, can you care for them at home? Or perhaps they were just diagnosed with a new illness or worsening of one you’ve been managing for years. Are you able to continue doing this on your own?

Instead of asking for help and alerting family, you keep it to yourself and protect what autonomy you have left. It’s understandable.

Often though, it takes a health crisis, or a few, for seniors to accept help. It’s the consequences of a pants on fire approach that we hope to avoid. By asking for a little help when you see or feel those red flags appear, you sidestep larger health crises with a more proactive support system that focuses on maintaining control and independence longer.

How do you know it’s time to seek assistance? Ask:

Is your family member able to care for themselves independently?

Are they able to keep up with daily routines?

Do you notice that the house is not being kept up to the usual standards?

Does your loved one get lost in familiar locations?

Does your loved one experience confusion with time, location, and people?

Is your loved one still enjoying a social life?

Is your loved one able to still get around quickly?

If you start to see some of these red flags it may be time to seek a little extra support. Talk with your primary care team. Lifespark has an in-house Community Home Care team who can seamlessly connect with your Lifespark COMPLETE team to answer any of your questions. Even if you aren’t ready yet, it’s good to know your options for when you are.

Read our blog to learn more »

Tips from Johns Hopkins

Empowering clients and their families

Ardis Hopps was a Lifespark COMPLETE client for five years. Her daughter, Tammy, recalls what it was like riding the roller coaster of health care crises before she met her Lifespark COMPLETE team. What stood out for her was the support she and her mother received throughout their journey. When Ardis decided, “I don’t want any more appointments,” her team listened. As Tammy shares in this heartfelt video, Lifespark provided what they needed foundationally so that they could work through it emotionally. To her, it was a completely different way of looking at her mom’s life and health. Here’s her story…