"The Pip" is a really icky illness that chickens get. In my family, when you have "the pip" you have an unspecified something that makes you feel like the way a chicken with the pip looks. In other words, you feel pretty crummy. Sounds like the flu qualifies.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 10 to 20 percent of Americans come down with the flu during each flu season, which typically lasts from November to March. Although most people recover, CDC estimates that in the United States more than 100,000 people are hospitalized and about 36,000 people die from the flu and its complications
every year.

Your immune system takes time to respond to the flu vaccine. To give the vaccine time to do its work you should get vaccinated 6 to 8 weeks before flu season begins in November. So the time to get your flu shot is now.

If you are in any of the following groups or live in a household with
someone who is, CDC recommends that you get the flu vaccine:

> You are 50 years of age or older or live with someone who is;
> You have chronic diseases of your heart, lungs, or kidneys;
> You have diabetes;
> Your immune system does not function properly;
> You have a severe form of anemia;
> You will be more than 3 months pregnant during the flu season;
> You live in a nursing home or other chronic-care housing facility.

Of course you can go to your doctor for a flu shot. But if that doesn't work well with your busy schedule, you can locate a convenient date, time and location for a quick walk-in at http://www.lungusa.org I tried my own ZIP code and found more than a dozen locations within an easy drive.

Medicare will cover the cost of the flu shot, so if you're eligible or you're taking along someone who is, remember to bring your Medicare card.

-----------------------<<< >>>------------------------

> Cool Stuff For Caregivers Department <

Got a cell phone you use in the car? We caregivers are a bunch of multi-taskers, and if you have a cell phone you're probably using it in the car. A lot. You've heard all the "preachin' and teachin'" about using a hands-free device. If you've lost yours, or never had one, there's a resource where
you can get one. I can't use the word fr-- here or half of you won't get this issue at all, but that's just what it is - "fr--." There is a little postage involved.

These aren't refurbished. They're straight from the original manufacturer, and they work. They have headsets for all the major brands. Put your brand of phone into their locator and you'll see a photo and description of the headset styles they have: http://www.freeheadset.org

Now you don't have any more excuses to be clutching that phone to your ear while you're trying to get on the freeway.

-----------------------<<< >>>------------------------

Risk more than others think is safe.
Care more than others think is wise.
Dream more than others think is practical.
Expect more than others think is possible.

- Cadet maxim, U S. Military Academy, West Point

-----------------------<<< >>>------------------------

> Insider's Tip When You're Checking Out A Facility <

Thinking about a long-term care residence (assisted living or nursing) and in the process of narrowing down your selection? Here's a tip: Call the facility you're considering any evening around 11 pm, or at 3 on a Sunday afternoon.

See how long it takes for the phone to be answered (and how many voicemail selections you have to go through first). Does the person who answers speak understandable English?

Ask a simple question (i.e., What's the name of your Administrator?). Does the person answering get defensive and demand to know who you are and why you want to know?
Does the person answering know the answer? Are you put on hold forever while someone who does know is called to the phone? Are you disconnected?

I tried this exercise recently and was quite disturbed by the poor response I got from several facilities. One nursing home never answered the phone at all on a Sunday afternoon (I tried for more than two hours between 3 and 5 p.m. - not an unreasonable time of day).

What if you needed to get critical information to or about your loved one during off hours? Could you?

If you don't get a response that satisfies you, scratch the facility off your list.

-----------------------<<< >>>-----------------------

You'll find lots more tips and things to look for in the "Insider's Guide to Assisted Living: What You Really Need To Know Before You Sign A Contract."

Don't be sold by the beautiful reception area and the fancy chandeliers. Know what you should be looking for behind the decor and the glossy marketing brochures.

For less than the cost of a compact's tank of gas you'll have all the information you need to make the right choice for someone who needs assisted living care - and you'll save that tank of gas by not driving all over town to the places that aren't right.

There's more information at http://www.eldercareteamcom/knowassistedliving.htm

-----------------------<<< >>>------------------------

> I Can't See The Mashed Potatoes <

People suffering from advanced Alzheimer's disease often lose so much weight that their health is in real jeopardy. Most often explanations point to depression, an inability to focus on more than one food at a time, or an inability to eat independently.

Now there's a new idea that seems to have some merit: researchers from Boston University recently published the results of a fascinating study in The Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

They tried serving their subjects with bright "frames" for the food and drinks front of them. Brightly colored plates and glasses increased the amount their subjects ate and drank by 25 percent or more.

Bright red appeared to work best, with bright blue coming in second. Pastel colors weren't effective. Their theory is that the person with Alzheimer's can't distinguish between the plate and the table, between the food and the plate, or between the glass and it's contents, unless there is a lot of visual contrast.

If you're loved one is having trouble focusing on eating and losing weight as a result, this is certainly worth trying. Use plain, brightly colored dishes - patterns, multi-colored decals and such that you find on a lot of children's dishes will be a major distraction and I would avoid them. I would stay with
one uniform color, rather than a red plate and a blue glass.

If you try this, I would be interested in hearing how it works for you and your elder. You can email me at molly@eldercareteam.com

-----------------------<<< >>>------------------------

"Whatever you are, be a good one."

- Abraham Lincoln

-----------------------<<< >>>------------------------

Have a terrific weekend, everyone -
'Till next time,
Molly