SAN ANTONIO POLIO SURVIVORS ASSOICATION

Memorial Service Photos

Authored by Madfish Willie
Sun, December 17, 2006

Here are some pictures from the Memorial Service for those who were unable to make it. She would have understood and wanted us to share these with you.

small Mom.jpg

Small Table Wideshot.jpg

Small Photo and Urn.jpg

Small Diploma.jpg

Small Guest Table.jpg

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Obituary

Authored by Madfish Willie
Fri, December 15, 2006

Ethel E. K. Taylor, age 75, joined her beloved parents, Alvan and Edythe Killgore and brother, James A. Killgore in the arms of God on the 10th of December 2006.

As an Army Air Force 'Brat,' she traveled with her family to the Orient where she lived in Manila and the Philippine Islands. While in Manila Ethel contracted Polio, but was saved from being crippled by a young corpsman who played a game of 'penny' with her. If she could touch a penny, which was placed on her chest, she could keep the penny. During WWII Ethel traveled with her family throughout the South, as her Dad was transferred to various stations. Unfortunately, in her later years, polio returned in the form of Post-Polio Syndrome.

Despite what some would allow to be a set back in life, Ethel had a successful nursing career of fifty plus years.

Ethel joined forces with friends, Cathryn Matson, Ruth Moon and Mike Beard, and organized the Post-Polio Group at Warm Springs Rehabilitation Hospital. Witnessing the group prosper proved to be a source of great inspiration for Ethel. She will truly be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Ethel is survived by her daughter, Charlotte Mahler and husband, Stan; sons, Michael J. and Peter T. Taylor; grandchildren, Jessica Lauchner and husband, Nathan, Matthew Mahler, David Mahler and wife, Erin; sister, Eloise K. D'Amore and husband, George; Uncle, Farrol Killgore and wife, Juanita; sister-in-law, Le Killgore; many nieces, nephews, and friends.

MEMORIAL SERVICE WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2006, 7:00 P.M. PORTER LORING NORTH CHAPEL

GRAVESIDE SERVICE WITH MILITARY HONORS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2006, 1:45 P.M. FT. SAM HOUSTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

You are invited to sign the Guestbook at www.porterloring.com Arrangements with Porter Loring Mortuary North.

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BlueAngel - RIP

Authored by Madfish Willie
Sun, December 10, 2006

My mother, BlueAngel, passed away this morning at 11:30.

She had been in the hospitol for the last week due to breathing and heart troubles. Yesterday she was moved into ICU. This morning she suffered a heart attack. The doctors brought her back once and she stabilized for a brief time. She suffered another heart attack and the doctors performed CPR for around 10 minutes before they came out to talk to the family. They determined that if they could and did resuscitate her, she would be in a vegatative state. Her living will included a DNR so we honored her wishes and let her go.

She goes to a better place where her body is made whole again and she suffers no more.

I will post information on her memorial services as soon as we get the details worked out.

I know that she really enjoyed working on this web site and passing along information to others who were afflicted with the same disease she had. Please remember her in your prayers.

Thank you very much

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THE PHOENIX SAN ANTONIO POLIO SURVIVORS ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2006 SEPTEMBER 2006

Authored by BlueAngel
Thu, September 28, 2006

Before we start with repetative information concerning PPS (and before I foget it {>:)
SAPSA CHRISTMAS PARTY WILL BE HELD 13 DECEMBER 2006 AT

THE "GARAGE ROOM" OF LOGAN'S ROADHOUSE ON I-10W . MR ABE SALINAS

HAS OFFERED TO PAY FOR THE MEAL. THE TIME IS AT 1:00pm-3:00pm.

RSVP TO RUTH MOON (210 523 6216 ) OR MOONFAMILY3@SBCGLOBAL.NET

OR MICHAEL BEARD MICHAEL78247@YAHOO.COM OR 210 490 3190 NO LATER

22 NOVEMBER 2006 THANK YOU

>This is the first entry I have endeavored to make in almost a year. The National Institute of Neurological Diseases (NINDS) has redone its Web site which I will cut and paste into these two articles regarding PPS.
(there is quite a lot of new as well as old informationin into the blog site as well as the news letter.

Take care and enjoy reading the information.

Disorders section pages and search
Image Description
Science For the Brain
The nation's leading supporter of biomedical research on disorders of the brain and nervous system.

More about Post-Polio Syndrome
Studies with patients

NINDS is part of the National Institutes of Health

Content for this page

Post-Polio Syndrome Fact Sheet

Get Web page suited for printing
Email this to a friend or colleague
Request free mailed brochure
VersiÃ³n en EspaÃ±ol

Table of Contents (click to jump to sections)

What is post-polio syndrome?
What causes PPS?
How is PPS diagnosed?
How is PPS treated?
What is the role of exercise in the treatment of PPS?
Can PPS be prevented?
What research is being conducted?
Where can I get more information?

What is post-polio syndrome?

Post-polio syndrome (PPS) is a condition that affects polio survivors years after recovery from an initial acute attack of the poliomyelitis virus. PPS is mainly characterized by new weakening in muscles that were previously affected by the polio infection and in muscles that seemingly were unaffected. Symptoms include slowly progressive muscle weakness, unaccustomed fatigue (both generalized and muscular), and, at times, muscle atrophy. Pain from joint degeneration and increasing skeletal deformities such as scoliosis are common. Some patients experience only minor symptoms. While less common, others may develop visible muscle atrophy, or wasting.

PPS is rarely life-threatening. However, untreated respiratory muscle weakness can result in underventilation, and weakness in swallowing muscles can result in aspiration pneumonia.

The severity of residual weakness and disability after acute poliomyelitis tends to predict the development of PPS. Patients who had minimal symptoms from the original illness will most likely experience only mild PPS symptoms. People originally hit hard by the poliovirus and who attained a greater recovery may develop a more severe case of PPS with a greater loss of muscle function and more severe fatigue. It should be noted that many polio survivors were too young to remember the severity of their original illness and that accurate memory fades over time.

According to estimates by the National Center for Health Statistics, more than 440,000 polio survivors in the United States may be at risk for PPS. Researchers are unable to establish a firm prevalence rate, but they estimate that the condition affects 25 percent to 50 percent of these survivors, or possibly as many as 60 percent, depending on how the disorder is defined and which study is quoted.

Patients diagnosed with PPS sometimes are concerned that they are having polio again and are contagious to others. Studies have shown that this does not happen.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What causes PPS?

The cause is unknown. However, the new weakness of PPS appears to be related to the degeneration of individual nerve terminals in the motor units that remain after the initial illness. A motor unit is a nerve cell (or neuron) and the muscle fibers it activates. The poliovirus attacks specific neurons in the brainstem and the anterior horn cells of the spinal cord. In an effort to compensate for the loss of these neurons, ones that survive sprout new nerve terminals to the orphaned muscle fibers. The result is some recovery of movement and enlarged motor units.

Years of high use of these enlarged motor units adds stress to the neuronal cell body, which then may not be able to maintain the metabolic demands of all the new sprouts, resulting in the slow deterioration of motor units. Restoration of nerve function may occur in some fibers a second time, but eventually nerve terminals malfunction and permanent weakness occurs. This hypothesis is consistent with PPS's slow, stepwise, unpredictable course.

Through years of studies, scientists at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and at other institutions have shown that the weakness of PPS is a very slowly progressing condition marked by periods of stability followed by new declines in the ability to carry out usual daily activities.

How is PPS diagnosed?

Physicians arrive at a diagnosis of PPS by completing a comprehensive medical history and neuromuscular examination and by excluding other disorders that could explain the symptoms. Researchers and physicians typically use the following criteria to establish a diagnosis:

Criteria for diagnosis of post-polio syndrome*

Â· Prior paralytic poliomyelitis with evidence of motor neuron loss, as confirmed by history of the acute paralytic illness, signs of residual weakness and atrophy of muscles on neuromuscular examination, and signs of nerve damage on electromyography (EMG). Rarely, persons have subclinical paralytic polio, described as a loss of motor neurons during acute polio but with no obvious deficit. That prior polio now needs to be confirmed with an EMG. Also, a reported history of nonparalytic polio may be inaccurate.

Â· A period of partial or complete functional recovery after acute paralytic poliomyelitis, followed by an interval (usually 15 years or more) of stable neuromuscular function.

Â· Gradual onset of progressive and persistent new muscle weakness or abnormal muscle fatigability (decreased endurance), with or without generalized fatigue, muscle atrophy, or muscle and joint pain. Onset may at times follow trauma, surgery, or a period of inactivity, and can appear to be sudden. Less commonly, symptoms attributed to PPS include new problems with breathing or swallowing.

Â· Symptoms that persist for at least a year.

Â· Exclusion of other neuromuscular, medical, and orthopedic problems as causes of symptoms.

*Modified from: Post-Polio Syndrome: Identifying Best Practices in Diagnosis & Care. March of Dimes, 2001.

PPS may be difficult to diagnose in some people because other medical conditions can complicate the evaluation. Depression, for example, also is associated with fatigue and can be misinterpreted as PPS or vice versa. For this reason, some clinicians use less restrictive diagnostic criteria, while others prefer to categorize new problems as the late effects of polioâ€”for example, shoulder osteoarthritis from walking with crutches, a chronic rotator cuff tear leading to pain and disuse weakness, or breathing insufficiency due to progressive scoliosis.

Polio survivors with PPS symptoms need to visit a physician trained in neuromuscular disorders to clearly establish potential causes for declining strength and to assess progression of weakness not explained by other health problems.

Physicians may use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), neuroimaging, and electrophysiological studies as tools to investigate the course of decline in muscle strength. Less commonly, they will conduct a muscle biopsy or a spinal fluid analysis. These tests are also important to exclude other, possibly treatable, conditions that mimic PPS, but the tests do not identify survivors at greatest risk for new progression of muscle weakness.

It is important to remember that polio survivors may acquire other illnesses and should always have regular check-ups and preventive diagnostic tests, such as mammograms, pap smears, and colorectal exams.

How is PPS treated?

There are currently no effective pharmaceutical or specific treatments for the syndrome itself. However, a number of controlled studies have demonstrated that nonfatiguing exercises can improve muscle strength.

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have tried treating PPS patients with alpha-2 recombinant interferon, but the treatment proved ineffective. Another study in which PPS patients received high doses of prednisone demonstrated a mild improvement in their condition, but the results were not statistically significant. This, in addition to the drug's side effects, led researchers to recommend that prednisone not be used to treat PPS.

In an effort to reduce fatigue, increase strength, and improve quality of life in PPS patients, scientists conducted two controlled studies using low doses of the drug pyridostigmine (Mestinon). These studies showed that pyridostigmine is not helpful for PPS patients.

In another controlled study scientists concluded that the drug amantadine is not helpful in reducing fatigue. And other researchers recently evaluated the effectiveness of modifinil (Provigil) on reducing fatigue and found no benefit.

Preliminary studies indicate that intravenous immunoglobin may reduce pain, increase quality of life, and improve strength. Research into its use is ongoing.

The future of PPS treatment may center on nerve growth factors. Since PPS may result from the degeneration of nerve sprouts, growth factors can target these and help to regenerate new ones. Unfortunately, one small study that NINDS scientists participated in showed that insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), which can enhance the ability of motor neurons to sprout new branches and maintain existing branches, was not helpful.

Although there is no cure, there are recommended management strategies. Seek medical advice from a physician experienced in treating neuromuscular disorders. Do not attribute all signs and symptoms to prior polio. Use judicious exercise, preferably under the supervision of an experienced professional. Use recommended mobility aids, ventilatory equipment, and revised activities of daily living. Avoid activities that cause pain or fatigue that lasts more than 10 minutes. Pace daily activities to avoid rapid muscle tiring and total body exhaustion.

Learning about PPS is important for polio survivors and their families. Management of PPS can involve lifestyle changes. Support groups that encourage self-help, group participation, and positive action can be helpful. For some, individual or family counseling may be needed to adjust to the late effects of poliomyelitis, because experiencing new symptoms and using assistive devices may bring back distressing memories of the original illness.

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What is the role of exercise in the treatment of PPS?

The symptoms of pain, weakness, and fatigue can result from the overuse and misuse of muscles and joints. These same symptoms can also result from disuse of muscles and joints. This fact has caused a misunderstanding about whether to encourage or discourage exercise for polio survivors or individuals who already have PPS.

Exercise is safe and effective when carefully prescribed and monitored by experienced health professionals. Exercise is more likely to benefit those muscle groups that were least affected by polio. Cardiopulmonary endurance training is usually more effective than strengthening exercises. Heavy or intense resistive exercise and weight-lifting using polio-affected muscles may be counterproductive because they can further weaken rather than strengthen these muscles.

Exercise prescriptions should include

the specific muscle groups to be included,
the specific muscle groups to be excluded, and
the type of exercise, together with frequency and duration.
Exercise should be reduced or discontinued if additional weakness, excessive fatigue, or unduly prolonged recovery time is noted by either the individual with PPS or the professional monitoring the exercise.

Can PPS be prevented?

Polio survivors often ask if there is a way to prevent PPS. Presently, no intervention has been found to stop the deterioration of surviving neurons. But physicians recommend that polio survivors get the proper amount of sleep, maintain a well-balanced diet, avoid unhealthy habits such as smoking and overeating, and follow an exercise program as discussed above. Proper lifestyle changes, the use of assistive devices, and taking certain anti-inflammatory medications may help some of the symptoms of PPS.

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What research is being conducted?

Scientists are working on a variety of investigations that may one day help individuals with PPS. Some basic researchers are studying the behavior of motor neurons many years after a polio attack. Others are looking at the mechanisms of fatigue and are trying to discover the role played by the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, the neuromuscular junction (the site where a nerve cell meets the muscle cell it helps activate), and the muscles.

Determining if there is an immunological link in PPS is also an area of intense interest. Researchers who discovered inflammation around motor neurons or muscles are trying to find out if this is due to an immunological response.

Other investigators have discovered that fragments of the poliovirus, or mutated versions of it, are in the spinal fluid of some survivors. The significance of this finding is not known and more research is being done.

Where can I get more information?

For more information on neurological disorders or research programs funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, contact the Institute's Brain Resources and Information Network (BRAIN) at:

BRAIN
P.O. Box 5801
Bethesda, MD 20824
(800) 352-9424
http://www.ninds.nih.gov

Information also is available from the following organizations:

Post-Polio Health International
4207 Lindell Blvd.
#110
St. Louis, MO 63108-2915
info@post-polio.org
http://www.post-polio.org
Tel: 314-534-0475
Fax: 314-534-5070

March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
askus@marchofdimes.com
http://www.marchofdimes.com
Tel: 914-428-7100 888-MODIMES (663-4637)
Fax: 914-428-8203

"Post-Polio Syndrome Fact Sheet," NINDS.
NIH Publication No. 06-4030

Back to Post-Polio Syndrome Information Page

Prepared by:
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892

NINDS health-related material is provided for information purposes only and does not necessarily represent endorsement by or an official position of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or any other Federal agency. Advice on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patient's medical history.

All NINDS-prepared information is in the public domain and may be freely copied. Credit to the NINDS or the NIH is appreciated.

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Last updated July 26, 2006

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Page footer
Accessibility Policy | Graphical version | Start of page
NINDS Post-Polio Syndrome Information Page

Condensed from Post-Polio Syndrome Fact Sheet

Table of Contents (click to jump to sections)
What is Post-Polio Syndrome?
Is there any treatment?
What is the prognosis?
What research is being done?

Organizations
Publicaciones en EspaÃ±ol
Additional resources from MEDLINEplus

What is Post-Polio Syndrome?

Post-polio syndrome (PPS) is a condition that affects polio survivors anywhere from 10 to 40 years after recovery from an initial paralytic attack of the poliomyelitis virus. PPS is characterized by a further weakening of muscles that were previously affected by the polio infection. Symptoms include fatigue, slowly progressive muscle weakness and, at times, muscular atrophy. Joint pain and increasing skeletal deformities such as scoliosis are common. Some patients experience only minor symptoms, while others develop spinal muscular atrophy, and very rarely, what appears to be, but is not, a form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also called Lou Gehrig's disease. PPS is rarely life-threatening.

Is there any treatment?

Presently, no prevention has been found. Doctors recommend that polio survivors follow standard healthy lifestyle practices: consuming a well-balanced diet, exercising in moderation, and visiting a doctor regularly. There has been much debate about whether to encourage or discourage exercise for polio survivors or individuals who already have PPS. A commonsense approach, in which people use individual tolerance as their limit, is currently recommended.

b>What is the prognosis?
b>What is the prognosis?
individual has after the original polio attack. People who had only minimal symptoms from the original attack and subsequently develop PPS will most likely experience only mild PPS symptoms. People originally hit hard by the polio virus, who were left with severe residual weakness, may develop a more severe case of PPS with a greater loss of muscle function, difficulty in swallowing, and more periods of fatigue.

What research is being done?

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and other institutes of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) conduct research related to PPS in laboratories at the NIH, and also support additional PPS research through grants to major medical institutions across the country.

Select this link to view a list of studies currently seeking patients.

Organizations

Post-Polio Health International
4207 Lindell Blvd.
#110
St. Louis, MO 63108-2915
info@post-polio.org
http://www.post-polio.org
Tel: 314-534-0475
Fax: 314-534-5070

March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10605
askus@marchofdimes.com
http://www.marchofdimes.com
Tel: 914-428-7100 888-MODIMES (663-4637)
Fax: 914-428-8203

Publicaciones en EspaÃ±ol

El SÃndrome de la Pospoliomielitis
InformaciÃ³n del Sindrome de la Pospoliomielitis/Spanish-language fact sheet on Post-Polio Syndrome compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

Prepared by:
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892

NINDS health-related material is provided for information purposes only and does not necessarily represent endorsement by or an official position of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke or any other Federal agency. Advice on the treatment or care of an individual patient should be obtained through consultation with a physician who has examined that patient or is familiar with that patient's medical history.

All NINDS-prepared information is in the public domain and may be freely copied. Credit to the NINDS or the NIH is appreciated.

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Last updated July 26, 2006

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this subject is interesting to me, i would like to know more
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THE PHOENIX SAN ANTONIO POLIO SURVIVORS ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2005 JUANUARY 2006

Authored by BlueAngel
Tue, January 24, 2006

This newsletter is the last one for 2005 and the first one for 2006. Please enjoy reading it.
Read More THE PHOENIX SAN ANTONIO POLIO SURVIVORS ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2005 JUANUARY 2006 »

The Phoenix San Antonio Polio Survivorsâ€™ Association Newsletter

Volume 5 Issue 3 â€œEducation, Fellowship, Resources & Supportâ€ December 2005 â€“ January 2006

Disclaimer

The San Antonio Polio Survivorsâ€™ Association Newsletter, THE PHOENIX, is intended to share, with our readers, information of interest to them, including medical opinion of others. It is not intended to offer specific advice or as a substitute for professional health care. Opinions, products, or services mentioned, herein, are not necessarily endorsed by the San Antonio Polio Survivorsâ€™ Association or the Warm Springs Resourcenter for People with Disabilities or Warm Springs Rehabilitation Foundation, Inc.; 5101 Medical Drive; San Antonio, Texas 78229-4801

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The following article is from www.azstarnet.com by the Arizona Daily Star and was published the 18th of October. The article presents some interesting insights into the Medicare medicine coverage as it pertains to seniors. Think youâ€™ll be interested in them. If you have questions you can either contact the authors of the two articles or www.medicare.gov or www.eldercare.gov. or phone 1-800-MEDICARE.

Mind the Gap: How to Fill the Medicare Donut Hole

Written by:

Eric Sabo -

As seniors begin to sort through the hundreds of private insurance plans now offered for Medicare, there is one number that stands out from the fine print: $3,600. This is the surprise medical bill that could greet many enrollees, unless they are careful to choose the right plan.

Set to take affect next year, the latest government benefits are far more generous in paying for needed medications. Yet the new Medicare rules can also saddle older Americans with rather hefty co-payments, which is why some insurance companies may be better than others when out-of-pocket costs are a concern, experts say.

"For someone who is not counting on $3,600 in expenses, it's a big deal," says Deane Beebe of the Medicare Rights Center, an advocacy group in New York.
Seniors can scrutinize the various insurance offerings on the government Web site, www.medicare.gov. A new search tool that will allow people to comparison shop has just been unveiled. Although the deadline for choosing a prescription drug plan is not until May 15th, 2006, you need to decide between November 15th and December 31st to get the new Medicare coverage by the first of the year.

In considering the different policies, experts suggest that you check whether your new insurance covers the amount that government will not. The initial out-of-pocket expense is relatively painless. Medicare does not fund the first $250 spent on prescription drugs, but some insurance companies will pay for these costs, while charging only slightly higher monthly premiums.

The Big Expense

Far harder to get around is the big chunk of cash needed in the middle. This gap in coverage, nicknamed the donut hole, kicks in if you run through more than $2,250 worth of prescription drugs in a year. Once your medication needs reach $5,100 and above, Medicare starts to pick up 95 percent of the tab.
In between, it's up to you or your insurance company to pay for this $3,100 donut hole. The hardest hit will be patients with chronic diseases who rely on expensive new treatments. But as drug prices continue to rise, Beebe says that it will not take much for others to rack up such a tab. "The donut hole is only going to get bigger," she says.

A study by the Commonwealth Fund found that 38 percent of Medicare enrollees are likely to experience this costly interruption in care. Moreover, the benefits must be renewed each year, meaning that the coverage gap repeats itself if you reach the donut hole again. Over the next three years, researchers estimate that the average Medicare recipient will be paying about 44 percent of all drug costs out of their own pocket.

"Even while they're in this donut hole, they will still be paying monthly premiums for insurance," adds Beebe.

Hard Choices

Various companies offer coverage to make up for this gap, often for an extra cost. The average monthly premium is $37 a month, but some of the plans that pay for drugs during the donut hole charge several times as much. In some states, the extra coverage is not an option.

For local plans that do cover the donut hole, Beebe says that it's important to check if these plans cover the treatments you need during the gap. Some only cover generic drugs, which will not help for conditions where a specific therapy is needed. And for those who want to go to Canada for cheaper drugs, beware: buying treatments from a foreign country will not count toward the $5,100 needed to reach additional Medicare coverage.

The government has announced that they will offer financial assistance to make up for this gap in those who fall below a certain income. "Everyone in Medicare, no matter what their income or how they get their health care, can chose coverage that reflects what they want," said Mark McClellan of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

But Beebe worries that many seniors will have to make more difficult choices than finding the right insurance company. For those who are ill and likely to need the most prescription drug coverage, the Commonwealth study suggested that high spenders will have to pay as much as two-thirds of their own drug costs.

As concerns about the budget deficit grow, Beebe says that people who can barely pay for treatment now face an uncertain future.
"For those on a low income, the choice will be between food and medicine," says Beebe.

Â© 2005 Healthology, Inc. Published October 18, 2005
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
From: "Gary Burroughs"
To: "Michael Beard"
CC: "TPSA"
Subject: TPSA: for distribution
Date: Fri, 18 Nov 2005 16:12:06 -0600

TPSA, Inc.
P.O. Box 41325
Houston, Texas 77241-1325

713-690-0695 Fax 713-690-0696
Physical office address 6701 Pinemont, Suite 209 Houston, Texas 77092
Our office has moved, but P.O. Box is the same. Our old office was broken into and we lost some names, address, etc.(our computer was attacked.) While we were moving, our storage was broken into and we don't know what was lost there.

We are blitzing Texas for TPSA and polio survivors. If you haven't heard from us, please feel free to contact us via telephone, fax or email tpsa@flash.net

Sincerely,
Gary--Treasurer TPSA

I was asked by Michael Beard to include the above notification in the Newsletter in addition to sending it out to the members who have e-mail addresses. We are considered to be semi-associate members of the Texas Polio Survivors Association (TPSA).

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

The following article was sent via e-mail and is a little bit tongue in cheek and thought you might enjoy this little bit of â€œhumorâ€.

Subject: Pillsbury Doughboy died yesterday

It is with the saddest heart that I must pass on the following news:
Please join me in remembering a great icon of the entertainment community. The Pillsbury Doughboy died yesterday of a yeast infection and trauma complications from repeated pokes in the belly. He was 71.

Doughboy was buried in a lightly greased coffin.

Dozens of Celebrities turned out to pay their respects, including Mrs. Butterworth, Hungry Jack, the California raisins, Betty Crocker, the Hostess Twinkies, and Captain Crunch.

The grave site was piled high with flours. Aunt Jemima delivered the eulogy and lovingly described Doughboy as a man who never knew how much he was kneaded. Doughboy rose quickly in show business, but his later life was filled with turnovers. He was not considered a very smart cookie, wasting much of his dough on half-baked schemes. Despite being a little flaky at times he was still a crusty old man and was considered a roll model for millions.

Doughboy is survived by his wife Play Dough, two children, John Dough and Jane Dough, plus they had one in the oven. He is also survived by his elderly dad, Pop Tart.

The funeral was held at 3:50 for about 20 minutes. If this made you smile for even a brief second, please take time to pass it on and share that smile with someone else that kneads it.
_________________________________________________________________

Elder CareTips:
Mastering The Eldercare Mazeâ„¢
October 15, 2005

The newsletter for all elder caregivers. Sent twice a month, and only by request. You are welcome to pass on Elder CareTipsâ„¢ to anyone you think might be interested. You'll find information about how to get your personal subscription below.

Veterans Benefits

I recently was privileged to accompany a new client as he made "pre-arrangements" with a local funeral home. His wife passed away this year and he is in the process of putting his own affairs in order. Prior to her passing neither of them had made any provisions for disability or death, and he has seen first hand the benefit of planning ahead.

This wonderful gentleman served with pride in two wars, World War II and in Korea. Although he's quiet about it, he would really like to have a simple military funeral.

But, there's a but...isn't there always a "but."

His wife always took care of the paperwork. After her death he had lots of help from family, who helped him clean out his home and move to an assisted living residence. Somewhere, somehow, his military records went missing.

He needs to give a copy of his official discharge (his DD-214) to the funeral home so they can arrange the final ceremony he wants.

Luckily, he's in relatively good health and there was time to get the document. Time isn't always a luxury we have.

I went to the military archives on the web, followed the instructions, and in just about a month he had the form he needed. (Of course, the minute it arrived I immediately ran it down to the office to make multiple copies.)

If your elder served in the military there are benefits available. In order to access benefits, just about the first thing a veteran will need is the DD-214. Finding it is the tricky part. As soon as you get the chance, ask your elder where his or her military discharge papers are. If the answer is a blank look, see if he remembers his service number. It's amazing how that number has stuck in the memory of most who served.

Then go ahead and request an official copy. Immediate family members (spouse or children) can request one with minimal hassle. It will probably be easier in the long run to get a replacement than to find the original if you got that blank look.

And, don't forget the women in your family. A whole lot of women served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam (not to mention the Gulf). They are entitled to benefits, too.

A 6-year old was asked where his grandma lived. ''Oh,'' he said, ''She lives at the airport and when we want her we just go get her. Then when we're done having her visit we take her back to the airport."

It's Medicare Part D (Again)

Yes, I promised that I would try to stay away from the new Medicare programs in this newsletter, but there is a new development, and it's imperative that we get the word out.

A booklet called "Medicare and You" was recently sent to everyone on Medicare. It supposedly covers what you need to know to make a decision about selecting a prescription drug plan under the new Medicare Part D plan.

The problem is, the booklets were sent out with a major error.

Eligible low-income Medicare beneficiaries are being offered assistance with paying the Medicare Part D premium. For those who are eligible, the government will pay a basic premium to cover the cost of a Part D prescription drug plan.

The problem with the booklet, which the government attributes to a misprint, begins on page 97-a. That's where highlights of the various plans are listed: what they cost per month, the co-pay and the yearly deductible.

The error is in the last column of the comparison chart. Many of the "yes" answers should actually say "no," meaning the government does *not* pay for the extra prescription coverage above the basic plan.

If you select a plan that costs more than the basic plan, and you are receiving what is being termed "extra help" with paying the Part D premium, you will have to pay the balance of the premium yourself.

If your elder is in the low-income program and she chooses a plan because of the information in the Medicare & You 2006 Handbook there is a strong possibility that she could find herself with an unexpected bill. And she won't be protected because it was "in the book." There's a disclaimer on the second page that reads: "Medicare and You 2006 explains the Medicare program. It isn't a legal document. The official Medicare Program provisions are contained in the relevant laws, regulations and rulings."

In other words, just because the government printed the information, you can't rely on it to be correct.

This program is so unbelievably complicated. You will probably have to get involved to help any elder who isn't extremely competent and computer-savvy. You will have to talk to the carriers individually to be sure you understand the coverage and what it will really cost.

There's a telephone number to speak with a Medicare representative: 1-800-633-4227. However, I have very little faith that the information you get from this telephone number will be any more reliable than what you get when you call the IRS hotline.

Elder CareTip
The television remote controls that come with new televisions are so complicated I'm terrified of hitting the wrong button. All kinds of strange things happen when I do and there's a devil of a time getting back to the regular screen. Imagine how your elder feels.
Why should changing the channel be terrifying?

If you don't have a simple control box...on, off, louder & softer (order a big universal control as a gift - they're great if you can find one that works on your machine)...paint or nail polish to the rescue.

You can get all kinds of strange nail polish colors where teens shop - Target, WalMart and such. Put a dab of red on the power button. Use other colors for louder/softer/channel up & down. Keep the bottles as the polish will eventually wear off.

For elders who can see the little buttons this does help a lot.

It's flu shot time again. If you want to know where
to go to get yours, check the flu clinic locator.

The really frightening thing about middle age is that you know you'll
Grow out of it.
Doris Day

Don't keep us a secret. If you know other people who should be reading this too, then do them and us a favor by telling them about Elder CareTipsâ„¢. Just send them this link: http://eldercareteam.com/resources/newsletter.htm

Â© 2005 Molly Shomer, All rights reserved. You are free to use material from Elder CareTips: Mastering The Eldercare Mazeâ„¢ as long as you include complete attribution, including live web site link and email link. I would appreciate it if you
would let me know where the material will appear.

The Eldercare Team
SeniorLink, LLC
P.O. Box 700291
Dallas, Texas 75370
Phone (972) 395-7823 Fax (972) 395-7164
email: info@eldercareteam.com
Â©1999-2005
Advanced Professional Member
National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers

POST-POLIO-MED@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU

Polio: A Virus' Struggle
By James Weldon

The Science Creative Quarterly

A graphic cartoon novelette with an anthropomorphic polio virus
telling its story in a "group therapy session".

pdf file (14pages, ~2.7Mb)

http://www.bioteach.ubc.ca/quarterly/?p=45 (youâ€™ll have to type this http:// out yourself.)

Please look this web site up. I think that youâ€™ll find it interesting. If you donâ€™t have pdf all you have to do is to download it free by going to their web site www.AcrobatAdobe.com and down loading the reader (Adobe reader.

There are two more sites that might be of interest regarding the Medicare D Discount Card information. Albeit some of both the sites are, a little confusing at times itâ€™s either that are my memory and mind is going a little faster than I thought. [:>) . The sites are http://www.medicare.gov/ or www.eldercare.gov. There are two booklets â€“one is called â€œGuide to choosing Medicare Covered Drug Discount Cardâ€ 11602 and the one from www.eldercare.gov.(They took this site off the net as soon as I read the booklet) .

If you're at this point in your life, you can relate...if you're not...check out what you have to look forward to!!!

Copied from an e-mai sent by a member & thought you would enjoy!

Twinkies and Root Beer

A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of Root Beer and he started his journey.

When he had gone about three blocks, he met an elderly man. The man was sitting in the park just feeding some pigeons.

The boy sat down next to him and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the man looked hungry, so he offered him a Twinkie.

The man gratefully accepted it and smiled at boy. His smile was so pleasant that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered him a root beer.
Again, the man smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word.
As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the man, and gave him a hug. The man gave him his biggest smile ever.

When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?

"He replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? God's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"

Meanwhile, the elderly man, also radiant with joy, returned to his home. His son was stunned by the look of peace on his face and he asked," Dad, what did you do today that made you so happy?"
He replied, "I ate Twinkies in the park with God." However, before his son responded, he added," You know, he's much younger than I expected."

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Embrace all equally!
~author unknown~

MERRY CHRISTMAS, KWANZA, HANAKA, AND ALL OTHER SPIRTIUAL BELIEFS

BEST WISHES AND A HAPPY, PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!

The following is a farewell to our group from Michael Spell who past away on November 10th. We do express our sorrow to Marilyn, his wife, at his loss as well as his family and friends. We rarely saw him due to his illness but he was still our fellow member and we do know that his passing does send him to a better place where there is not any pain or illness. We wish him Bon Voyage on his last trip.

(I am copying his last communiquÃ©s to all of his friends, including us, which was written very lovingly by his Mother.)

Michael Spell had Polio most of his life and from the farewell below you can see that he had lived a very full life, particularly, with Marilyn his wife.
Sent: Thursday, November 10, 2005 7:19 PM

Subject: Farewell

Dear Friends,
I have known each of you in different degrees of friendship but I love each and every one of you for who you are to me and the times of joy or laughter we have shared.
Please accept my apologies for the grouping of email addresses but time restricts addressing each one of you at this time.
As you know I have been restricted to a bed or wheelchair all but 7 months of my life but if a book were written all would be amazed at the experiences and adventures I have enjoyed. Also some of the close calls and challenges. But God had put a desire in my heart to live my life to the fullest.
At times I tried (as most of us do) to go my own way but in the midst of heart failure and facing death I turned to God again and was spared to live out my destiny. Sent to San Antonio (I needed a ventilator now) for care I met an angel who was my nurse and became my wife three years later.
Marilyn and I will be married 8 years on November 16 (her birthday). She has made the past 11 years of my life the most fulfilling, joyous and incredible I could ever imagine. Together we could do anything. We cooked together, built "stuff" together, went to Canada on a Dart, Chicago, and even attended college. We prayed together and saw my nephew return from Iraq unharmed.
You all have been my friends and I pray you all have as good a life as I have enjoyed. Please keep my lovely wife in your prayers as she is about to embark on a new life. I was in the hospital after about two months of gradual weakening and a breathing crisis. She was by my side and took care of me for the month I was there. I was feeling better, eating and gaining back some of the weight I had lost when I was ill. My mom came down from Dallas and we had a pre-birthday visit. Mine was the 7th and hers the 8th. On my birthday friends brought balloons and the female nurses came in and sang "Happy Birthday". My wife bought me another "Boy Toy", a portable DVD player and we watched "Batman Begins" in the hospital.
After being on a ventilator for 11 years I decided to go to Dallas and attend college (with my wife) to be a Respiratory Therapist. We were excited about the move and the future.
Finding it difficult to breathe I asked Marilyn to check the machines and see what was going on. When she went to the nurses desk it was the last time I would see her (this side of Heaven). They tried to bring me back but were unsuccessful. T.O.D. 4:15pm. I will always be with you, my Angel, in spirit.
But don't feel bad for me. I will be where my brother, Uncle, Grandmas and Grandpa are waiting to see me and with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, where there is no sorrow, tears nor crippled limbs. I told my pastor, Mike Hayes, that I was "spiritually homesick" just last week. Well, God took me home and if Jesus is your Saviour I will meet you there.
Thank you for your friendship, God bless you and Fairwell My Friends".
Mike
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Michael Beardâ€™s Mother also passed away in November prior to Thanksgiving. Our condolences go to you and your family also, Mike.

It seems a sad way to start the New Year, but I think we can all learn how the world keeps on going whether we are here or not. I just hope that when it is our time to go that we grab on to the other side with much joy and graciousness.
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THE PHOENIX SAN ANTONIO POLIO SURVIVORS ASSOCIATION OCTOBER NOVEMBER 2005

Authored by BlueAngel
Tue, January 24, 2006

This is the first publication since the bugs have been evaluated and fixed so we could send our Newsletter to those of you who are interested.

It has some information you might find of value and some humor. Enjoy the read!
Read More THE PHOENIX SAN ANTONIO POLIO SURVIVORS ASSOCIATION OCTOBER NOVEMBER 2005 »

The Phoenix San Antonio Polio Survivorsâ€™ Association Newsletter

Volume 5 Issue 2 â€œEducation, Fellowship, Resources & Supportâ€
October 2005 â€“November 2005

Disclaimer

The San Antonio Polio Survivorsâ€™ Association Newsletter, THE PHOENIX, is intended to share, with our readers, information of interest to them, including medical opinion of others. It is not intended to offer specific advice or as a substitute for professional health care. Opinions, products, or services mentioned, herein, are not necessarily endorsed by the San Antonio Polio Survivorsâ€™ Association or the Warm Springs Resourcenter for People with Disabilities or Warm Springs Rehabilitation Foundation, Inc.; 5101 Medical Drive; San Antonio, Texas 78229-4801

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The next two articles are of interest to most of us due to our PPS and our own rush with destiny of becoming a part of the so-called â€œGolden Yearsâ€. Hope you find the articles as informative as I did. They are from the Arizona Daily Starâ€™s Health sectionâ€™s web site. The third article is from the National Institutes of Health and is as interesting as the Arizona Daily Starâ€™s two articles.

Distinguishing a Severe Headache from the Warning Signs of Stroke

Written by:

Eric Sabo -
Published on: June 2, 2005

A rapid, severe headache has long been considered an early warning sign of stroke. Along with other clues, such as a sudden numbness on one side of your face or body, an extremely painful headache that seems to come out of nowhere may require an immediate trip to the emergency room. Strokes are more common as you get older, but these so-called "brain attacks" can strike at any age. The faster you get to the hospital, the better your chances of preventing serious damage to the brain.

But new research suggests that migraines and other headaches are not just an early sign of stroke, they may even put you at risk for one. Looking at some 12,700 men and women who were involved in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study, published in May in Neurology, investigators found that people who have a history of severe migraines were more likely to suffer an ischemic attack, the type of stroke that is caused by blocked blood vessels. Compared to those who reported few serious headaches over their lifetime, migraine sufferers also showed greater symptoms of having a stroke or mini-stroke, known as a transient ischemic attack.

This connection appeared strongest in men and women who suffer from aural migraines, which are associated with blurry vision and strange smells, in addition to pain. Intuitively, a link between migraines and stroke would seem to make sense. Severe headaches are believed to cause a disturbance in blood vessels, and there is an unusually high prevalence of strokes in younger migraine sufferers.

How to Tell the Difference

But these recent findings also cause some confusion. For those who frequently get serious headaches, how can one tell regular pain from a possible stroke?
"There is a great overlap in symptoms between migraine and stroke," says Philip Stang, MD, lead author of the study and an associate of the department of epidemiology at the University of North Carolina. "And there are types of migraine that include stroke features and vice-versa."

Keeping that in mind, experts say there are some potential differences as well. For one, most migraines will clear up relatively quickly, whereas stroke symptoms are constant.

The presence of certain risk factors may also make one more suspicious that a headache could be a sign of stroke. For example, younger women with migraines, especially if they smoke or take oral contraceptives, are more likely to suffer a stroke than others, says Stang. In older patients, hypertension is a more serious risk factor for stroke than severe headaches.

It may turn out that the link between migraines and stroke risk is not a serious concern. In an editorial that accompanied the study, the authors argue that there are more questions than answers at this point. Stang is cautious as well. "Since there is no laboratory test to confirm migraine, it is difficult to be so precise and assured," he says.

Still, there is little question about the importance of seeking medical help at the first signs of a stroke, including severe headaches. Specially trained hospital staff can determine if you are having a stroke and initiate treatment, which can prevent significant harm if started early. Experts recommend that you seek help immediately if you experience the following, sudden symptoms:

â€¢ Numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body

â€¢ Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding

â€¢ Trouble seeing in one or both eyes

â€¢ Problems walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination

â€¢ Severe headache with no known cause

Hereâ€™s the 2nd article: It is very interesting and one most of us, including the medical profession including nurses, donâ€™t realize the dangers to the patient and family are concerned.

Right-Sided Stroke Harder To Detect

Written by:

Karen Barrow â€“

Published: August 25, 2005

Strokes that occur on the right side of the brain go undiagnosed more often than left brain strokes, said a new study.

Since the left side of the brain controls coordination and language, left-brain strokes usually cause clear symptoms, like slurred speech or weakness in the right hand. However, since the right side of the brain controls judgment, symptoms are more subtle.

"It is intuitive that patients, their families and their physicians might be more likely to recognize a disturbance of speech or language than a cognitive deficit," said Dr. John N. Fink of the Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Science in an editorial accompanying the study, which was published on July 30 in The Lancet.

With more right-side strokes going undetected, however, the speed and quality of care may suffer during the early stages of attack, the most critical time in preventing permanent damage. Fink points out that strokes on the right side of the brain may influence relationships, one's abilities at work and the ability to safely drive.

The study is based on data from 11,328 stroke patients in Germany. Of these, 56 percent were found to have had a stroke on the left side of their brain, while 44 percent had one on the opposite side. About 15 percent more patients with left-sided strokes were treated or admitted to the hospital within 3 hours than those with right-side strokes.

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked or ruptured, resulting in a lack of blood supply to a particular region of the brain. The longer this region goes without blood, the more damage that occurs. Treatments are available to stop the progression of the stroke and to prevent further brain damage.

Diagnosing a right-sided stroke is complicated for two main reasons, the researchers state. First, current stroke-diagnosing methods are designed to look for the symptoms of a left-sided stroke, making a right-sided stroke much harder to diagnose. Secondly, since a right-sided stroke affects awareness and reasoning, a patient is less able to realize that they are acting unusually and seek help in the first place.

"Right sided events are probably perceived by patient or doctor as being less severe or are not identified as a stroke at all," said study author Dr. Christian Foerch, from the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany.
The study authors call for an increased awareness of right-sided strokes. But since the symptoms are so unclear, the responsibility resides mostly in the ability of doctors to be better able to identify these strokes and begin treatment quickly.

"It is up to physicians who assess patients with stroke to train other physicians and organize stroke services to improve our standard of performance," said Fink.
Â© 2005 Healthology, Inc. ________________________________________________________________
Stroke Information for Seniors Added to the NIHSeniorHealth Web Site: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Stroke Information for Seniors Added to the NIHSeniorHealth Web Site

For release: Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Each year in the United States, there are more than 700,000 strokes. Nearly three-quarters of all strokes occur in people over the age of 65 and the risk of having a stroke more than doubles each decade after the age of 55. To help older adults learn more about the signs and symptoms of stroke and the need to act quickly, the National Institutes of Health is adding four new topics on stroke to its NIHSeniorHealth web site:
Act Quickly, Warnings Signs and Risk Factors, What Happens during a Stroke, and Treatments and Research.

The site features easy-to-read stroke information, developed by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), and may be found at www.nihseniorhealth.gov.

â€œStroke is an unmistakable event. Few other medical conditions come on so suddenly or are so noticeable to a bystander,â€ said John R. Marler, M.D., associate director for clinical trials at the NINDS.

A stroke occurs when normal blood flow to the brain is disrupted. Brain cells die when deprived of oxygen and nutrients provided by blood. Because stroke injures the brain, the person having a stroke may not realize what is happening.

But to a bystander the signs of a stroke are distinct:
â€¢ Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg (especially on one side of the body)

â€¢ Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech

â€¢ Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes

â€¢ Sudden trouble walking, dizziness or loss of balance or coordination

â€¢ Sudden severe headache with no known cause

In treating a stroke, every minute counts. New treatments are available that greatly reduce the damage caused by a stroke, but must be delivered quickly after symptoms begin. Knowing the stroke symptoms, calling 911 immediately, and getting to a hospital are critical to preventing long-term disability.

Risk factors for stroke include family history, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, physical inactivity, advancing age, and being overweight.

Older Americans are one of the fastest growing age groups using the Internet, especially when searching for health information. In fact, 66 percent of â€œwiredâ€ seniors search for health and medical information when they go online. NIHSeniorHealth, a joint effort of the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the National Library of Medicine (NLM), was designed especially with seniors in mind.

The site, which is based on the latest research on cognition and aging, features short, easy-to-read segments of information. The new section links to other information on stroke on the NINDS website at www.ninds.nih.gov.

The site also links to MedlinePlus, NLMâ€™s premier site for news on diseases and wellness, drug information, clinical trials, and other consumer health resources.
The NINDS is the nation's primary supporter of biomedical research on the brain and nervous system. It is dedicated to research and education on the causes, treatment, and prevention of stroke. The NIA leads the federal effort supporting and conducting research on aging and the health and well-being of older people. The NLM, the world's largest library of the health sciences, creates and sponsors web-based health information resources for the public and professionals. All three are components of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH)â€”The Nation's Medical Research Agencyâ€”is the primary Federal agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and investigates the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.
Date Last Modified: Tuesday, August 23, 2005

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ms Hartman is a nutritionist who contributes quite a few articles with an approach which anyone can understand. This article is about the nutritional value of Flax seed and how it can substitute for other foods in our daily diet.

What about Flaxseed?

Jann Hartman,
Baltimore, Maryland

Fish such as mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna and salmon contain two omega-3 fatty acids â€“ eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids (EPA and DHA). A third kind, alpha-linolenic acid, is less potent. It comes from soybeans, canola, walnut and flaxseed, and oils made from those beans, nuts and seeds.

Flaxseed oil and flaxseeds (which need to be ground into flaxseed meal to be properly utilized by your body) each provide omega-3 fatty acids. Research shows that the omega-3 fatty acids, especially those in fish, have cardioprotective benefits, but that all omega-3 fatty acids, including alpha-linolenic acid, the one in flaxseed, are needed for good health Flaxseeds are also a great source of soluble fiber as well as providing thia-min, riboflavin, niacin, trace minerals and even some high quality protein. You must consume them because your body cannot manufacture them.

To add this supplement to your diet, you can either use the flaxseeds whole or use the flaxseed oil. Practically, it is easier to use the oil and not have to bother with grinding the seeds. Remember, the oil must be refrigerated so that it does not turn rancid.

Nutritionally, flaxseeds will give you more bang for the buck. They have a pleasant, nut-like flavor and taste good sprinkled on a variety of foods. You must either chew the seeds very well or grind them, because whole seeds pass through the body without their essential nutrients being absorbed. You can purchase ground seeds, but they are much more perishable than the whole seeds. Either way, they need to be kept in the refrigerator, too. The seeds can also be bought in bulk and kept in the freezer for even longer storage.

The recommendation for adults is to use one or two tablespoons of flaxseed meal or oil daily. You can stir it into hot cereal or into your juice. It can also be used as a replacement for an egg in some recipes such as muffins or pancakes. To replace one egg, use one tablespoon flaxseed meal plus three tablespoons water (or other liquid). You can also mix one to three teaspoons of flaxseed oil with a little ketchup as a condiment. Be careful not to exceed recommended amounts as flax can have a laxative effect.
The US Department of Agriculture recently released MyPyramid, an updated guide to healthful eating and active lifestyles. You can find it online at www.mypyramid.gov.
Enter information about yourself into â€œMy Pyramid Planâ€ and get a customized food guide that tells how much from each food group you need every day.

Jann Hartman, a polio survivor, has a degree in Home Economics and Nutrition and has written and lectured on nutrition for the past 20 years.

A consumer brochure, â€œFinding Your Way to a Healthier You: Based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans,â€ can be downloaded from www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/document/html/brochure.htm.

Post-Polio Health (formerly called Polio Network News)
Issue: 21.2
Article title: What About Flaxseed
Author: Jann Hartman, Baltimore, MD
Page (s)/column location: Page 8
Reprinted from Post-Polio Health (formerly called Polio Network News) with permission of Post-Polio Health International (www.post-polio.org). Any further reproduction must have permission from copyright holder.

*****************************************************************
A TEXAS BLESSING

Note: If you are not a resident of TEXAS or never have lived in the humid Southwest, you may not understand the weight of this blessing!

Bless this house, oh Lord, we cry. Please keep it cool in mid-July. Bless the walls where termites dine, while ants and roaches march in time. Bless our yard where spiders pass fire ant castles in the grass. Bless the garage, a home to please carpenter beetles, ticks and fleas. Bless the love bugs, two by two, the gnats and mosquitoes that feed on you. Millions of creatures that fly or crawl, in TEXAS , Lord, you've put them all!! But this is home, and here we'll stay, So thank you Lord, for insect spray.

HOLD IT.............there's more....................

YOU KNOW YOU ARE IN TEXAS IN JULY WHEN. . . .
The birds have to use potholders to pull worms out of the ground.
The trees are whistling for the dogs.
The best parking place is determined by shade instead of distance.
Hot water now comes out of both taps.
You can make sun tea instantly.
You learn that a seat belt buckle makes a pretty good branding iron.
The temperature drops below 95 and you feel a little chilly.
You discover that in July it only takes 2 fingers to steer your car.
You discover that you can get sunburned through your car window.
You actually burn your hand opening the car door.
You break into a sweat the instant you step outside at 7:30 a.m.
Your biggest bicycle wreck fear is, "What if I get knocked out and end up lying on the pavement and cook to death?"
You realize that asphalt has a liquid state.
The potatoes cook underground, so all you have to do is pull one out and add butter, salt and pepper.
Farmers are feeding their chickens crushed ice to keep them from laying boiled eggs.
The cows are giving evaporated milk. Ah, what a place to call home.
God Bless Our State of TEXAS !!

POLIO POST NEWS North Central Florida Post-Polio Support Group

Polio Survivors are Long-Time Pioneers

By Joan Swain

â€œPolio Pioneersâ€ was the name given by the March of Dimes to the 1,829,916 children in grader 1-3 who participated in the 1954 field trial of the Salk poliomyelitis vaccine that was joyfully proclaimed â€œsafe and effectiveâ€ in April 1955. In her talk at the 14th Annual Conference on Post-Polio Syndrome last April, Joan Headley, Executive Director of Post-Polio Health International, asked, â€œIs Our Work Finished?â€

Probably not, was her answer. To help us reach that conclusion, Ms. Headley outlined the many ways in which polio survivors have served as pioneers throughout their lives. She describer â€œpioneerâ€ as one who goes into previously uncharted or unclaimed territory with the purpose of exploring and possibly colonizing it. Pioneers suffer hardships but they often form societal structure for those who follow.

Polio survivors were pioneers when they went back to their neighborhood schools with crutches, wheelchairs, and braces. They went through high school, and when it came time for collect, they were frequently financed by vocational rehabilitation scholarships. They were frequently the first in their occupation, their work or their school.

Pioneered independent living movement

They were pioneers as educated jobseekers who sometimes were denied positions because of their disability. Surprised and indignant, a core of these polio survivors were pioneers in the independent living movement. Their demand for societal change coincided with other movements of the 60s.

Doctors learned about the musculo-skeletal system, muscle testing, reeducation of muscles, physical and occupational therapy, brace making, and other improvements from polio pioneers. They then applied this information to other disabilities. Survivors who originally needed the help of an iron lung wanted lighter weight ventilators so that they could be more mobile, and thus more independent.

In the late 70s and early 80s, polio pioneers were important in bringing their problems with increasing weakness to the medical community. And in 1981, the first conference on the topic was held. Over the next 10 years, support groups sprang up all over the world.

Successful self-help implementers

Polio survivors have been the most successful in implementing the philosophy of self help, according to Ms. Headley, who described self help as assuming the responsibility for your own care and helping each other get the skills to be able to do that. This is basically what is now known as chronic disease self-management, and important part of the control of diabetes and other chronic conditions.

Being on the leading edge of people with disabilities, along with World War II veterans, polio survivors have the opportunity to be examples to peopleâ€”weâ€™re aging with disabilities. Issues such as Where are we going to live? Become problematic when some assisted living centers donâ€™t want wheelchairs in the dining room. â€œThereâ€™s a perception of wheelchairs out there that itâ€™s up to us to challenge and to change,â€ Mr. Headley said.

This article is intended for personal use only. It may not be reproduced without express written permission of the author, the North Central Florida Post-Polio Support Group, or of the publication listed in its credits.

0297 - Polio Survivors are Long-Time Survivors.doc
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
These last two or three items are meant to leave a smile on your faces. You never know if they will be appreciated or if they will offend someone . They are meant to be light and to be not of the thought provoking kind of thing!

Your Age By Chocolate & Diet Stuff

YOUR AGE BY CHOCOLATE MATH

DON'T CHEAT BY SCROLLING DOWN FIRST!

It takes less than a minute... Do the math as you read.
Be sure you don't read the bottom until you've worked it out!
This is one of those waste-of-time things, but it's pretty fun.

1. First, pick the number of times a week that you would like to have chocolate. (more than one time, but less than 10)

2. Multiply this number by 2 (Just to be bold).

3. Add 5. (for overindulging on Sunday or whatever day).

4. Multiply that number by 50 (we'll wait while you get the calculator...)

5. If you have already had your birthday this year add 1755. If you haven't, add 1754.

6. Now subtract the four digit year that you were born.

You should have a three digit number...

The first digit was your original number (i.e., how many times you want to have chocolate each week).

The next two numbers are...YOUR AGE! (Oh YES, it is!!!!!)

Supposedly, THIS IS THE ONLY YEAR (2005) IT WILL EVER WORK.
ITALIAN PASTA DIET, IT REALLY WORKS !!

1) You walka pasta da bakery.

2) You walka pasta da candy store.

3) You walka pasta da ice cream shop.

4) You walka pasta da table and da fridge.

Also:
For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to hear the truth after all those conflicting medical studies.

1. The Japanese eat very little fat, lots of carbs, consume a lot of liquors, and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat, eat a lot of carbs, drink lots of alcohol, and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

3. The Chinese drink very little red wine, eat lots of protein & carbs, and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

4. The Italians drink excessive amounts of red wine, tons of carbs, and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

5. The Germans drink a lot of beer, eat lots of sausages and fats with carbs on every dish, and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

CONCLUSION:

Eat and drink what you like.
Speaking English is apparently what kills you.
******************************************
If you are pretty good with numbers and puzzles youâ€™ll find this web site entertaining and head scratching for quite a few hours. One thing for sure, you donâ€™t get to terribly bored???? They have puzzles from easy to very hard and over 25000 of them. They also have little buttons to push to see how you are doing which I found kind of intriguing.
http://www.websudoku.com/?level=1

PLEASE REMEMBER THE CHRISTMAS PARTY SCHEDULED FOR 13 December 2005 @ 12:30PM â€“ 3PM. It is to be in our meeting room at Warm Springs Resource Center. We need to have a RSVP by November 15th as to the number who plan to attend.
We realize it is a little early to start planning the party this far in advance to some but a lot of details have to be confirmed by the management of Warm Springs.
The Director of the Resource Center has already reserved the room for our usage for that day for those particular hours. The planning so far is to have a barbecue brisket, potato salad, & beans (with drinks provided by Warm Springs). It will be discussed at our meeting in September and October. The plan is to use some of the dues for the food and charge a fee of $2.00/plate to defray any other costsâ€”like the paper plates, table clothes etc .

My Piggy Bank after filling up my car today!!!!

Poor thing.....don't know what we'll do if things don't get better.....
I think this kind of expresses all of our opinions about the current outrageous gasoline prices. I donâ€™t get out very often now a days but when I do, just seeing the prices displayed on the gasoline pumps just takes your breath away.
THE DAILY MOTIVATOR
Wednesday, September 7, 2005
Leave doubt behind
Doubt is nothing but a thought you choose to have. Just as easily as you choose to have doubt, you can choose to let it go.
Doubt has no power other than the power you give it. Yet the power you give it can be enormous.
When you focus on doubt, your problems and limitations become greatly multiplied. When you give yourself to doubt, your resources and abilities lose much of their value.
So why would you want to hold yourself back in this way? There's really not even a single good reason.
As soon as you sense that doubt is pulling you down, make the decision to leave it behind. Remember that each doubt is your own creation, and once you stop sustaining it, it will no longer be.
Choose to walk away from doubt. And you'll set yourself free to achieve great things.

Ralph Marston

Copyright Â©2005 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. All rights reserved.
(From The Daily Motivator. http://greatday.com/v.html?1157h05BAxxq
This site has both the printed version and the slide show version with beautiful pictures. Mr. Marston lives in the Hill Country in the Travis Lake area just outside of Austin, Texas.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We should all count our many blessings
Hide THE PHOENIX SAN ANTONIO POLIO SURVIVORS ASSOCIATION OCTOBER NOVEMBER 2005

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WD_eTip for the Week of January 1, 2006

Authored by BlueAngel
Tue, January 03, 2006

Here's some new tips to begin the new year with
Read More WD_eTip for the Week of January 1, 2006 »

WD-40 e-Tip of the Week for January 1

This week rings in a New Year, which means New Year's festivities are in full swing. WD-40 can help make any party run smoothly. Try it to:

Shine stainless steel countertops and appliances
Lubricate beer taps
Keep corkscrews turning easily
Stop squeaks on rotating disco balls
Grease noisemakers to make them spin with ease
Stop squeaks on door hinges, folding chairs and party accessories
Clean gunk from jukebox buttons

These uses for WD-40 were provided to WD-40 Company by end-users of the product and do not constitute recommendations or suggestions of use of WD-40 by WD-40 Company. These uses have not been tested by WD-40 Company.

This email is sent only to subscribers. Please do not reply directly to this email. Want to unsubscribe from the Fan Club mailing list? Please visit http://fanclub.wd40.com, go to the "My Profile" page and opt-out of the Email Announcements. Comments or questions? Please use the "Fan Feedback" form in the Fan Club at http://fanclub.wd40.com/.

WD-40 Company, 1061 Cudahy Place, San Diego, CA 92110-3929

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WD_40 eTip for Week of Dec. 26, 2005

Authored by BlueAngel
Sun, December 25, 2005
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Seasons' Greetings

Authored by Madfish Willie
Sun, December 25, 2005

Merry Christmas from YellowDog!

Season's Greetings from PipEye!

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ETIPS WD_40 FOR DECEMBER 6, 2005

Authored by BlueAngel
Mon, December 05, 2005

wITH THE CHRISTMAS SEASON UP US WE CAN USE ALL THE HELP WE CAN GET TO MAKE THINGS A LITTLE EASIER.
Read More ETIPS WD_40 FOR DECEMBER 6, 2005 »

WD-40 e-Tip of the Week for December 5

For many of you, the cold weather has started or it's about to hit. If you live in certain parts of the country, you'll soon, or may already be shoveling some snow. WD-40 helps make this back-breaking task much easier. Try it to:

Coat snow shovels before beginning work.
Spray a full coat of WD-40 on any snow shovel to keep snow from sticking and to make it slide off easier

Lubricate snowblowers to help drive moisture from the parts.
Coat any moving parts on your snowblower with WD-40 before and after use.
You'll notice less rust and achieve precision performance.
Make sure snowblowers are off before spraying WD-40

This email is sent only to subscribers. Please do not reply directly to this email. Want to unsubscribe from the Fan Club mailing list? Please visit http://fanclub.wd40.com, go to the "My Profile" page and opt-out of the Email Announcements. Comments or questions? Please use the "Fan Feedback" form in the Fan Club at http://fanclub.wd40.com/.

WD-40 Company, 1061 Cudahy Place, San Diego, CA 92110-3929
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December 1, 2005 Newsletter

Authored by BlueAngel
Fri, December 02, 2005

This issue has a lot of interesting information for both the caregiver and the person they are carin gro.

Have a happy holliday season.
Read More December 1, 2005 Newsletter »

Subject: Elder CareTips (tm) Dec. 1, 2005

Elder CareTips: Mastering The Eldercare Maze(TM)

The newsletter for all elder caregivers. Sent to you twice a month,
and only by request. Please feel free to pass on Elder CareTips:
Mastering The Eldercare Maze(TM) to anyone you think might
be interested.
-----------------------<<< >>>------------------------

Read this issue in full color online:
http://www.eldercareteam.com/resources/newsletter.htm

You are receiving this email newsletter because you
asked to receive it. If you've changed your mind, or
if you want to leave us for any reason at all, you can
remove your name below.

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

>> Is Staying At Home The Right Choice? <<

I call it "care creep." In the beginning it's almost unnoticeable
as we make a quick trip to the store or run by our elder's home
to drop something off. It expands to a regular weekend visit,
then mid-week trips to the doctor. Then you're making daily
calls to be sure medications are being taken and your elder is
able to answer the phone. You stop by every night on the way
home.

They say everyone wants to stay at home. If we discount the
woman who for twenty years has detested the retirement
location her husband insisted on, or the couple who are bone
tired of taking care of the empty four-bedroom house they
raised their children in, this is the way most people feel.

But for most of us, even "successful" aging eventually brings
with it some loss of flexibility, some aches and pains, perhaps
vision and hearing changes. It gets harder to do what needs to
be done to stay at home without help. If memory problems
surface it's eventually downright dangerous to live alone at
home. If one spouse needs a great deal of care, the other
spouse can become exhausted and depressed, and often dies
before the more "disabled" spouse.

So, staying at home requires a great deal of thought and
preparation if it is to go well.

Parent at home can be the most expensive choice of all the
residential alternatives available. In a group living situation
(assisted living, personal care home, or nursing home) an
aide will take care of several people. His or her salary is
spread across all of them. At home, an aide or companion is
giving undivided attention to just one or two people and
there is no one with whom to share the cost. This can get
expensive fairly quickly.

I have found that, once the amount of care needed at home
grows to more than 5 or 6 hours a day, it begins to be less
expensive financially to look for alternate living arrangements.
Of course, this is "only money." There are a lot of other benefits
to staying at home that have nothing to do with money. But if
money is tight, it can make staying at home difficult if not
impossible as time goes by.

The decision to stay at home should be a joint decision. Ideally
both the caregivers and the care recipient will talk about what is
and what isn't possible to do at home before urgent needs arise.
Unfortunately, we don't always have the opportunity before
an emergency crops up and decisions have to be made in a
hurry. Whether you have the chance to talk it over ahead of
time, or you're working against the clock, the "thinking &
talking" points below should help to clarify whether staying
at home is the best decision.

Many families say they are willing to do "whatever it takes"
to keep an elder at home. Most often they make this decision
while caregiving is not overwhelmingly difficult. But as time
goes by and demands on their strength and time increase,
they find themselves stretched to the breaking point - often
before they see it coming. This is care creep, and it's almost
universal for those who are trying to take care of aging loved
ones at home.

Few of us are in a position to leave our jobs and families to
take on complete responsibility for an elder's at-home care.
Eventually almost everyone has to turn to some kind of
outside help. If your elder is capable of understanding this,
and is willing to accept that staying at home will eventually
involve financial costs, then staying at home may be an
excellent choice.

If your elder isn't willing to consider at some point having help
from someone other than family, then remaining at home will
probably be immensely difficult for the long term.

The following checklist gives you some important things to
consider and talk over. Note that most of the items on this list
suggest that the older person must not only have the funds,
but must be willing to use them. He or she must also be
willing to accept the help. This is often the big barrier that
many older folks aren't willing to cross.

__I understand that if my needs increase I will probably have
to pay for additional help to stay at home. I understand the
approximate cost of this kind of help, I have the funds to pay
for it, and I am willing to use my money for the help I will
need to stay in my own home.

__I have a close neighborhood support system (other than a
family member) who I can call on in an emergency. These
people are at home during the day and are willing to help.

__ My home is in good repair, and I have working smoke
detectors. If not, I'm willing and able to get started on making
it so, or I'll hire someone who can do the work.

__I am not confused. I would know what to do in an emergency.
I would be physically able to do it. If not, I would be willing and
able to pay the costs of having someone stay with me, and I
would be willing to accept someone other than a family member.

__I have not fallen more than once in the past 3 months, or
I was able to get up by myself if it happened. If I have fallen
more frequently I understand that I probably need someone
with me when I walk. This may not always be a family member,
and I am willing to accept help from others.

__I can remember necessary daily activities such as taking my
medications and bathing, or I am willing to accept assistance
from someone who comes in regularly to help me if I
cannot do these things.

__My bedroom and bathroom are on the ground floor.

__I would be able to get around indoors using a walker or a
wheelchair, or I can afford the necessary renovations. There
are no sunken rooms. Thresholds are not raised. Doors are
wide enough to pass through.

__Indoor clutter is minimal, or I am willing to clear out/
rearrange my rooms.

__I have an alternate source for transportation if I should be
unable to drive, and I am willing to use it.

__I can prepare nourishing meals and clean up afterward, or
I am willing to accept (and pay for if necessary) help with
my meals.

__I can do light housework and laundry, or I am willing to
accept and pay for help if necessary.

__I have an extra bedroom where a companion or aide
could spend the night.

If you and your elder have not been able to honestly say "Yes"
to most of these items, then staying at home for the duration will
be extremely difficult, especially for the elected caregiver. An
elder who is too "independent" to acknowledge that he or she
may one day need help will probably refuse the help when it is
really needed. This can put your care "creep" into caregiver
overload and burnout, as well as create an unsafe living
situation.

If your elder does not have the funds to pay for necessary
renovations to his home or extended care through the day,
this checklist will give you a better idea of when it will be a
good idea to start seriously considering your alternatives.

Of course, if you're properly covering all your bases, you'll
be looking seriusly at all your alternatives before you make
any decisions.

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

Why is it that holidays intended to bring people together are
so stressful and often unhealthy? Make a pact with yourself to
enjoy what's coming, tolerate the inevitable comments that
rub you the wrong way, and assume that every mode of
transportation currently in use will be running late.

--Alan Weiss

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

If you know anyone with kidney disease, especially anyone
who is on dialysis, you should know that their medical
regimen is nothing to mess around with. Getting those
medications may be more complicated now that Part D is
here. But there's help especially for renal patients. First, the
social workers in dialysis facilities have had special training
to help their patients find the right plan to cover their
particular medications. Make it a point to get together with
that social worker as soon as possible, because the line of
people waiting to see them is only going to get longer.

Second, there is a website especially for those with kidney
disease who are faced with Part D. You'll find current
information about how to choose a kidney-friendly plan
and get the most help paying for your prescription drugs:
http://www.kidneydrugcoverage.org

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

Going home for the holidays? If your elders live "away," while
you're there get a copy of their Yellow Pages. Bring it home
and keep it handy. The next time you need a resource for them,
if you don't have an advisor to call, you'll be able to "let your
fingers do the walking."

* * *

If you've got a Reader Tip you'd like to share, please send it
to molly@eldercareteam.com with the subject line "Care Tip."

Let me know if I can use your name. Or if you'd rather have me
leave your name off, that's OK, too.

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

Middle age is when you've met so many people that every
new person you meet reminds you of someone else.

--Ogden Nash

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

I am collecting testimonials about this e-zine from those of
you who have been subscribers for a while. If you'd like to
provide a testimonial, send it by e-mail and include a link to
your website so I can link back to you:
molly@eldercareteam.com

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

I hope everyone had a peaceful Thanksgiving holiday. Those
of you who are caregivers may not have had the most
relaxing of times - the holidays can be stressful for our
elders and sometimes caregivers bear the brunt. If that was
so for you, can you take some time for yourself now that
the big dinner is done? There's another one around the
corner, and we need to store up some quiet and a little
relaxation when we can get it this time of year.

It actually makes the idea of being snowed-in sound kind
of nice. For about 20 minutes.

Molly

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

Don't keep us a secret. If you know other people
who should be reading this too, then do them and us a favor by
telling them about Elder CareTips(TM). Just send them this link:
http://eldercareteam.com/resources/newsletter.htm

Â© 2005 Molly Shomer, All rights reserved. You are free to
use material from Elder CareTips: Mastering The Eldercare
MazeT as long as you include complete attribution, including
live web site link and email link. I would appreciate it if you
would let me know where the material will appear.

Box 700291
Dallas, TX 75370

To unsubscribe or change subscriber options visit:
http://www.aweber.com/z/r/?TAyMjCxstMysHKxMjAwc
Hide December 1, 2005 Newsletter

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zocor links with: zocor
zocor links with: zocor

December 1st issue of Eldercare Newsletter

Authored by BlueAngel
Fri, December 02, 2005

This issue of Molly Shomers newletter for December the 1st is full of good tips for the caregivers as well as the person being careful to take carefully the suggestions offered.
Read More December 1st issue of Eldercare Newsletter »

Elder CareTips (tm) Dec. 1, 2005

Elder CareTips: Mastering The Eldercare Maze(TM)

The newsletter for all elder caregivers. Sent to you twice a month,
and only by request. Please feel free to pass on Elder CareTips:
Mastering The Eldercare Maze(TM) to anyone you think might
be interested.
-----------------------<<< >>>------------------------

Read this issue in full color online:
http://www.eldercareteam.com/resources/newsletter.htm

You are receiving this email newsletter because you
asked to receive it. If you've changed your mind, or
if you want to leave us for any reason at all, you can
remove your name below.

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

>> Is Staying At Home The Right Choice? <<

I call it "care creep." In the beginning it's almost unnoticeable
as we make a quick trip to the store or run by our elder's home
to drop something off. It expands to a regular weekend visit,
then mid-week trips to the doctor. Then you're making daily
calls to be sure medications are being taken and your elder is
able to answer the phone. You stop by every night on the way
home.

They say everyone wants to stay at home. If we discount the
woman who for twenty years has detested the retirement
location her husband insisted on, or the couple who are bone
tired of taking care of the empty four-bedroom house they
raised their children in, this is the way most people feel.

But for most of us, even "successful" aging eventually brings
with it some loss of flexibility, some aches and pains, perhaps
vision and hearing changes. It gets harder to do what needs to
be done to stay at home without help. If memory problems
surface it's eventually downright dangerous to live alone at
home. If one spouse needs a great deal of care, the other
spouse can become exhausted and depressed, and often dies
before the more "disabled" spouse.

So, staying at home requires a great deal of thought and
preparation if it is to go well.

Parent at home can be the most expensive choice of all the
residential alternatives available. In a group living situation
(assisted living, personal care home, or nursing home) an
aide will take care of several people. His or her salary is
spread across all of them. At home, an aide or companion is
giving undivided attention to just one or two people and
there is no one with whom to share the cost. This can get
expensive fairly quickly.

I have found that, once the amount of care needed at home
grows to more than 5 or 6 hours a day, it begins to be less
expensive financially to look for alternate living arrangements.
Of course, this is "only money." There are a lot of other benefits
to staying at home that have nothing to do with money. But if
money is tight, it can make staying at home difficult if not
impossible as time goes by.

The decision to stay at home should be a joint decision. Ideally
both the caregivers and the care recipient will talk about what is
and what isn't possible to do at home before urgent needs arise.
Unfortunately, we don't always have the opportunity before
an emergency crops up and decisions have to be made in a
hurry. Whether you have the chance to talk it over ahead of
time, or you're working against the clock, the "thinking &
talking" points below should help to clarify whether staying
at home is the best decision.

Many families say they are willing to do "whatever it takes"
to keep an elder at home. Most often they make this decision
while caregiving is not overwhelmingly difficult. But as time
goes by and demands on their strength and time increase,
they find themselves stretched to the breaking point - often
before they see it coming. This is care creep, and it's almost
universal for those who are trying to take care of aging loved
ones at home.

Few of us are in a position to leave our jobs and families to
take on complete responsibility for an elder's at-home care.
Eventually almost everyone has to turn to some kind of
outside help. If your elder is capable of understanding this,
and is willing to accept that staying at home will eventually
involve financial costs, then staying at home may be an
excellent choice.

If your elder isn't willing to consider at some point having help
from someone other than family, then remaining at home will
probably be immensely difficult for the long term.

The following checklist gives you some important things to
consider and talk over. Note that most of the items on this list
suggest that the older person must not only have the funds,
but must be willing to use them. He or she must also be
willing to accept the help. This is often the big barrier that
many older folks aren't willing to cross.

__I understand that if my needs increase I will probably have
to pay for additional help to stay at home. I understand the
approximate cost of this kind of help, I have the funds to pay
for it, and I am willing to use my money for the help I will
need to stay in my own home.

__I have a close neighborhood support system (other than a
family member) who I can call on in an emergency. These
people are at home during the day and are willing to help.

__ My home is in good repair, and I have working smoke
detectors. If not, I'm willing and able to get started on making
it so, or I'll hire someone who can do the work.

__I am not confused. I would know what to do in an emergency.
I would be physically able to do it. If not, I would be willing and
able to pay the costs of having someone stay with me, and I
would be willing to accept someone other than a family member.

__I have not fallen more than once in the past 3 months, or
I was able to get up by myself if it happened. If I have fallen
more frequently I understand that I probably need someone
with me when I walk. This may not always be a family member,
and I am willing to accept help from others.

__I can remember necessary daily activities such as taking my
medications and bathing, or I am willing to accept assistance
from someone who comes in regularly to help me if I
cannot do these things.

__My bedroom and bathroom are on the ground floor.

__I would be able to get around indoors using a walker or a
wheelchair, or I can afford the necessary renovations. There
are no sunken rooms. Thresholds are not raised. Doors are
wide enough to pass through.

__Indoor clutter is minimal, or I am willing to clear out/
rearrange my rooms.

__I have an alternate source for transportation if I should be
unable to drive, and I am willing to use it.

__I can prepare nourishing meals and clean up afterward, or
I am willing to accept (and pay for if necessary) help with
my meals.

__I can do light housework and laundry, or I am willing to
accept and pay for help if necessary.

__I have an extra bedroom where a companion or aide
could spend the night.

If you and your elder have not been able to honestly say "Yes"
to most of these items, then staying at home for the duration will
be extremely difficult, especially for the elected caregiver. An
elder who is too "independent" to acknowledge that he or she
may one day need help will probably refuse the help when it is
really needed. This can put your care "creep" into caregiver
overload and burnout, as well as create an unsafe living
situation.

If your elder does not have the funds to pay for necessary
renovations to his home or extended care through the day,
this checklist will give you a better idea of when it will be a
good idea to start seriously considering your alternatives.

Of course, if you're properly covering all your bases, you'll
be looking seriusly at all your alternatives before you make
any decisions.

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

Why is it that holidays intended to bring people together are
so stressful and often unhealthy? Make a pact with yourself to
enjoy what's coming, tolerate the inevitable comments that
rub you the wrong way, and assume that every mode of
transportation currently in use will be running late.

--Alan Weiss

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

If you know anyone with kidney disease, especially anyone
who is on dialysis, you should know that their medical
regimen is nothing to mess around with. Getting those
medications may be more complicated now that Part D is
here. But there's help especially for renal patients. First, the
social workers in dialysis facilities have had special training
to help their patients find the right plan to cover their
particular medications. Make it a point to get together with
that social worker as soon as possible, because the line of
people waiting to see them is only going to get longer.

Second, there is a website especially for those with kidney
disease who are faced with Part D. You'll find current
information about how to choose a kidney-friendly plan
and get the most help paying for your prescription drugs:
http://www.kidneydrugcoverage.org

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

Going home for the holidays? If your elders live "away," while
you're there get a copy of their Yellow Pages. Bring it home
and keep it handy. The next time you need a resource for them,
if you don't have an advisor to call, you'll be able to "let your
fingers do the walking."

* * *

If you've got a Reader Tip you'd like to share, please send it
to molly@eldercareteam.com with the subject line "Care Tip."

Let me know if I can use your name. Or if you'd rather have me
leave your name off, that's OK, too.

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

Middle age is when you've met so many people that every
new person you meet reminds you of someone else.

--Ogden Nash

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

I am collecting testimonials about this e-zine from those of
you who have been subscribers for a while. If you'd like to
provide a testimonial, send it by e-mail and include a link to
your website so I can link back to you:
molly@eldercareteam.com

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

I hope everyone had a peaceful Thanksgiving holiday. Those
of you who are caregivers may not have had the most
relaxing of times - the holidays can be stressful for our
elders and sometimes caregivers bear the brunt. If that was
so for you, can you take some time for yourself now that
the big dinner is done? There's another one around the
corner, and we need to store up some quiet and a little
relaxation when we can get it this time of year.

It actually makes the idea of being snowed-in sound kind
of nice. For about 20 minutes.

Molly

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

Don't keep us a secret. If you know other people
who should be reading this too, then do them and us a favor by
telling them about Elder CareTips(TM). Just send them this link:
http://eldercareteam.com/resources/newsletter.htm

Â© 2005 Molly Shomer, All rights reserved. You are free to
use material from Elder CareTips: Mastering The Eldercare
MazeT as long as you include complete attribution, including
live web site link and email link. I would appreciate it if you
would let me know where the material will appear.

Box 700291
Dallas, TX 75370

To unsubscribe or change subscriber options visit:
http://www.aweber.com/z/r/?TAyMjCxstMysHKxMjAwc
Hide December 1st issue of Eldercare Newsletter

Display Comments »

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December 1 2005 Edition of Newsletter

Authored by BlueAngel
Fri, December 02, 2005

This newsletter is interesting and helpful as usual. read and enjoy! Have a happy and merry holiday season.
Read More December 1 2005 Edition of Newsletter »

Elder CareTips (tm) Dec. 1, 2005

Elder CareTips: Mastering The Eldercare Maze(TM)

The newsletter for all elder caregivers. Sent to you twice a month,
and only by request. Please feel free to pass on Elder CareTips:
Mastering The Eldercare Maze(TM) to anyone you think might
be interested.
-----------------------<<< >>>------------------------

Read this issue in full color online:
http://www.eldercareteam.com/resources/newsletter.htm

You are receiving this email newsletter because you
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if you want to leave us for any reason at all, you can
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>> Is Staying At Home The Right Choice? <<

I call it "care creep." In the beginning it's almost unnoticeable
as we make a quick trip to the store or run by our elder's home
to drop something off. It expands to a regular weekend visit,
then mid-week trips to the doctor. Then you're making daily
calls to be sure medications are being taken and your elder is
able to answer the phone. You stop by every night on the way
home.

They say everyone wants to stay at home. If we discount the
woman who for twenty years has detested the retirement
location her husband insisted on, or the couple who are bone
tired of taking care of the empty four-bedroom house they
raised their children in, this is the way most people feel.

But for most of us, even "successful" aging eventually brings
with it some loss of flexibility, some aches and pains, perhaps
vision and hearing changes. It gets harder to do what needs to
be done to stay at home without help. If memory problems
surface it's eventually downright dangerous to live alone at
home. If one spouse needs a great deal of care, the other
spouse can become exhausted and depressed, and often dies
before the more "disabled" spouse.

So, staying at home requires a great deal of thought and
preparation if it is to go well.

Parent at home can be the most expensive choice of all the
residential alternatives available. In a group living situation
(assisted living, personal care home, or nursing home) an
aide will take care of several people. His or her salary is
spread across all of them. At home, an aide or companion is
giving undivided attention to just one or two people and
there is no one with whom to share the cost. This can get
expensive fairly quickly.

I have found that, once the amount of care needed at home
grows to more than 5 or 6 hours a day, it begins to be less
expensive financially to look for alternate living arrangements.
Of course, this is "only money." There are a lot of other benefits
to staying at home that have nothing to do with money. But if
money is tight, it can make staying at home difficult if not
impossible as time goes by.

The decision to stay at home should be a joint decision. Ideally
both the caregivers and the care recipient will talk about what is
and what isn't possible to do at home before urgent needs arise.
Unfortunately, we don't always have the opportunity before
an emergency crops up and decisions have to be made in a
hurry. Whether you have the chance to talk it over ahead of
time, or you're working against the clock, the "thinking &
talking" points below should help to clarify whether staying
at home is the best decision.

Many families say they are willing to do "whatever it takes"
to keep an elder at home. Most often they make this decision
while caregiving is not overwhelmingly difficult. But as time
goes by and demands on their strength and time increase,
they find themselves stretched to the breaking point - often
before they see it coming. This is care creep, and it's almost
universal for those who are trying to take care of aging loved
ones at home.

Few of us are in a position to leave our jobs and families to
take on complete responsibility for an elder's at-home care.
Eventually almost everyone has to turn to some kind of
outside help. If your elder is capable of understanding this,
and is willing to accept that staying at home will eventually
involve financial costs, then staying at home may be an
excellent choice.

If your elder isn't willing to consider at some point having help
from someone other than family, then remaining at home will
probably be immensely difficult for the long term.

The following checklist gives you some important things to
consider and talk over. Note that most of the items on this list
suggest that the older person must not only have the funds,
but must be willing to use them. He or she must also be
willing to accept the help. This is often the big barrier that
many older folks aren't willing to cross.

__I understand that if my needs increase I will probably have
to pay for additional help to stay at home. I understand the
approximate cost of this kind of help, I have the funds to pay
for it, and I am willing to use my money for the help I will
need to stay in my own home.

__I have a close neighborhood support system (other than a
family member) who I can call on in an emergency. These
people are at home during the day and are willing to help.

__ My home is in good repair, and I have working smoke
detectors. If not, I'm willing and able to get started on making
it so, or I'll hire someone who can do the work.

__I am not confused. I would know what to do in an emergency.
I would be physically able to do it. If not, I would be willing and
able to pay the costs of having someone stay with me, and I
would be willing to accept someone other than a family member.

__I have not fallen more than once in the past 3 months, or
I was able to get up by myself if it happened. If I have fallen
more frequently I understand that I probably need someone
with me when I walk. This may not always be a family member,
and I am willing to accept help from others.

__I can remember necessary daily activities such as taking my
medications and bathing, or I am willing to accept assistance
from someone who comes in regularly to help me if I
cannot do these things.

__My bedroom and bathroom are on the ground floor.

__I would be able to get around indoors using a walker or a
wheelchair, or I can afford the necessary renovations. There
are no sunken rooms. Thresholds are not raised. Doors are
wide enough to pass through.

__Indoor clutter is minimal, or I am willing to clear out/
rearrange my rooms.

__I have an alternate source for transportation if I should be
unable to drive, and I am willing to use it.

__I can prepare nourishing meals and clean up afterward, or
I am willing to accept (and pay for if necessary) help with
my meals.

__I can do light housework and laundry, or I am willing to
accept and pay for help if necessary.

__I have an extra bedroom where a companion or aide
could spend the night.

If you and your elder have not been able to honestly say "Yes"
to most of these items, then staying at home for the duration will
be extremely difficult, especially for the elected caregiver. An
elder who is too "independent" to acknowledge that he or she
may one day need help will probably refuse the help when it is
really needed. This can put your care "creep" into caregiver
overload and burnout, as well as create an unsafe living
situation.

If your elder does not have the funds to pay for necessary
renovations to his home or extended care through the day,
this checklist will give you a better idea of when it will be a
good idea to start seriously considering your alternatives.

Of course, if you're properly covering all your bases, you'll
be looking seriusly at all your alternatives before you make
any decisions.

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

Why is it that holidays intended to bring people together are
so stressful and often unhealthy? Make a pact with yourself to
enjoy what's coming, tolerate the inevitable comments that
rub you the wrong way, and assume that every mode of
transportation currently in use will be running late.

--Alan Weiss

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

If you know anyone with kidney disease, especially anyone
who is on dialysis, you should know that their medical
regimen is nothing to mess around with. Getting those
medications may be more complicated now that Part D is
here. But there's help especially for renal patients. First, the
social workers in dialysis facilities have had special training
to help their patients find the right plan to cover their
particular medications. Make it a point to get together with
that social worker as soon as possible, because the line of
people waiting to see them is only going to get longer.

Second, there is a website especially for those with kidney
disease who are faced with Part D. You'll find current
information about how to choose a kidney-friendly plan
and get the most help paying for your prescription drugs:
http://www.kidneydrugcoverage.org

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

Going home for the holidays? If your elders live "away," while
you're there get a copy of their Yellow Pages. Bring it home
and keep it handy. The next time you need a resource for them,
if you don't have an advisor to call, you'll be able to "let your
fingers do the walking."

* * *

If you've got a Reader Tip you'd like to share, please send it
to molly@eldercareteam.com with the subject line "Care Tip."

Let me know if I can use your name. Or if you'd rather have me
leave your name off, that's OK, too.

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

Middle age is when you've met so many people that every
new person you meet reminds you of someone else.

--Ogden Nash

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

I am collecting testimonials about this e-zine from those of
you who have been subscribers for a while. If you'd like to
provide a testimonial, send it by e-mail and include a link to
your website so I can link back to you:
molly@eldercareteam.com

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

I hope everyone had a peaceful Thanksgiving holiday. Those
of you who are caregivers may not have had the most
relaxing of times - the holidays can be stressful for our
elders and sometimes caregivers bear the brunt. If that was
so for you, can you take some time for yourself now that
the big dinner is done? There's another one around the
corner, and we need to store up some quiet and a little
relaxation when we can get it this time of year.

It actually makes the idea of being snowed-in sound kind
of nice. For about 20 minutes.

Molly

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

Don't keep us a secret. If you know other people
who should be reading this too, then do them and us a favor by
telling them about Elder CareTips(TM). Just send them this link:
http://eldercareteam.com/resources/newsletter.htm

Â© 2005 Molly Shomer, All rights reserved. You are free to
use material from Elder CareTips: Mastering The Eldercare
MazeT as long as you include complete attribution, including
live web site link and email link. I would appreciate it if you
would let me know where the material will appear.

Box 700291
Dallas, TX 75370

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Email Tips For November

Authored by BlueAngel
Wed, November 30, 2005

These are the last few WD_40 E-mail tips that I have received and thought they migtht be of interest to you.
Read More Email Tips For November »

WD-40 e-Tip of the Week for November 27

Fall is just about at its midpoint, and that means that leaves are everywhere and there's plenty of yardwork to be done. WD-40 can help make outdoor chores a breeze. Use it to:

Coat shovels to make dirt slide off easier
Prevent rust from forming on rakes, hoes and other garden accessories
Drive moisture from tools and accessories left out in the rain (Be sure to unplug any electrical tools before spraying WD-40)
Keep grass from sticking to lawnmower blades
Prevent rust and corrosion from forming on wheelbarrow beds and other tools
Lubricate and prevent rust on sprinkler heads
Dissolve sap and stubborn garden messes from pruning shears

This email is sent only to subscribers. Please do not reply directly to this email. Want to unsubscribe from the Fan Club mailing list? Please visit http://fanclub.wd40.com, go to the "My Profile" page and opt-out of the Email Announcements. Comments or questions? Please use the "Fan Feedback" form in the Fan Club at http://fanclub.wd40.com/.
WD-40 Company, 1061 Cudahy Place, San Diego, CA 92110-3929 -WD-40

e-Tip of the Week for November 20

It's almost time for Thanksgiving! Preparing the feast, and making sure all the day's guests have a great time is no walk in the park. This Thanksgiving, try WD-40 as your little helper. When preparing for the big day, use WD-40 to:

Remove stubborn messes and leftovers from grills and oven traps. (Appliance must be turned off and washed with soap and water after WD-40 use)
Lubricate moving parts of rotisserie grills and oven doors (Make sure the grill is not on when spraying WD-40. Allow 10 minutes of fresh air ventilation before lighting grill)
Lubricate lazy susans so guests can easily peruse the fixings
Lubricate and stop squeaks on wheels of rolling chairs
Keep sliding doors squeak-free and gliding with ease
Lubricate and stop squeaks on folding arms of card tables and table leaves

This email is sent only to subscribers. Please do not reply directly to this email. Want to unsubscribe from the Fan Club mailing list? Please visit http://fanclub.wd40.com, go to the "My Profile" page and opt-out of the Email Announcements. Comments or questions? Please use the "Fan Feedback" form in the Fan Club at http://fanclub.wd40.com/.

WD-40 Company, 1061 Cudahy Place, San Diego, CA 92110-3929

WD-40 e-Tip of the Week for November 13

Rust can be more than an eyesore--it can prevent tools and equipment from staying in working order. WD-40 is an excellent way to remove rust and prevent it from forming in the first place.

Try WD-40 to:

Remove rust deposits from metal table legs
Prevent rust from forming on outdoor air conditioners
Keep pruning shears rust-free
Remove rust particles from stainless steel countertops, appliances and tools
Remove rust particles from saw blades
Protect barrels and metal containers against rust and corrosion
Winterize lawnmowers to prevent freezing and rust while in storage

This email is sent only to subscribers. Please do not reply directly to this email. Want to unsubscribe from the Fan Club mailing list? Please visit http://fanclub.wd40.com, go to the "My Profile" page and opt-out of the Email Announcements. Comments or questions? Please use the "Fan Feedback" form in the Fan Club at http://fanclub.wd40.com/.

WD-40 Company, 1061 Cudahy Place, San Diego, CA 92110-3929

WD-40 e-Tip of the Week for November 06

Keeping a clean and well-maintained work environment can increase productivity and make a working day less stressful. WD-40 has multiple uses around the office. Try the 52-year-old blue and yellow wonder to:

Lubricate wheel bearings on chairs, rolling file cabinets and mail carts
Remove unwanted adhesive from desks and other surfaces
Shine stainless steel accessories and countertops
Stop squeaks on door hinges and window cranks
Drive dirt and grime from sliding tracks on retractable keyboards
Clean gunk and other messes from keyboards
Remove old, permanent marks from dry erase boards

This email is sent only to subscribers. Please do not reply directly to this email. Want to unsubscribe from the Fan Club mailing list? Please visit http://fanclub.wd40.com, go to the "My Profile" page and opt-out of the Email Announcements. Comments or questions? Please use the "Fan Feedback" form in the Fan Club at http://fanclub.wd40.com/.

WD-40 Company, 1061 Cudahy Place, San Diego, CA 92110-3929

WD-40 e-Tip of the Week for October 30

The living room is central to many homes. As a result, the furniture often suffers from serious wear and tear. To keep your living room looking great, use WD-40 to:

Remove melted tape, wax and cup marks from the coffee table
Penetrate and loosen sticky knobs and levers on adjustable chairs
Remove crayon from walls, carpets and floors
Stop squeaks on wheels of rolling tables and furniture
Remove rust from metal table legs
Clean grime from TV remote control
Shine brass and metal decorations and candle holders

This email is sent only to subscribers. Please do not reply directly to this email. Want to unsubscribe from the Fan Club mailing list? Please visit http://fanclub.wd40.com, go to the "My Profile" page and opt-out of the Email Announcements. Comments or questions? Please use the "Fan Feedback" form in the Fan Club at http://fanclub.wd40.com/.

WD-40 Company, 1061 Cudahy Place, San Diego, CA 92110-3929

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WD_40 FAN CLUB OCTOBER 30, 2005 EDITION

Authored by BlueAngel
Sun, October 30, 2005

Here's another edition with interesting uses of WD_40
Read More WD_40 FAN CLUB OCTOBER 30, 2005 EDITION »

The living room is central to many homes.
As a result, the furniture often suffers from serious wear and tear. To keep your living room looking great, use WD-40 to:

Remove melted tape, wax and cup marks from the coffee tables

Penetrate and loosen sticky knobs and levers on adjustable chair

Remove crayon from walls, carpets and floors

Stop squeaks on wheels of rolling tables and furniture

Remove rust from metal table legs

Clean grime from TV remote control

Shine brass and metal decorations and candle holders

This email is sent only to subscribers. Please do not reply directly to this email. Want to unsubscribe from the Fan Club mailing list? Please visit http://fanclub.wd40.com, go to the "My Profile" page and opt-out of the Email Announcements. Comments or questions? Please use the "Fan Feedback" form in the Fan Club at http://fanclub.wd40.com/.

WD-40 Company, 1061 Cudahy Place, San Diego, CA 92110-3929

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THE PHOENIX SAN ANTONIO POLIO SURVIVORS ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTERS

Authored by BlueAngel
Sun, October 23, 2005

This is a copy of our latest newsletter of our San Antonio Polio Survivors' Association Newsletter The Phoenix. The newsletter is intended to have some information and humor.

Hope you enjoy reading them.

RSVP: Christmas Party December 13, 2005 @ Warm Springs Resource Center
1230 PM -- 3:00PM $2.00/plate brisket , pinto beans & potato salad. Contact 595-9200 by November 15, 2005

BlueAngel aka Ethel Taylor,
Editor
Read More THE PHOENIX SAN ANTONIO POLIO SURVIVORS ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTERS »

The Phoenix

The San Antonio Polio Survivorsâ€™ Association Newsletter

â€œEducation, Fellowship, Resources & Support"

Volume 5 Issue 2 October 2005 -- November 2005

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Disclaimer

The San Antonio Polio Survivorsâ€™ Association Newsletter, THE PHOENIX, is intended to share, with our readers, information of interest to them, including medical opinion of others. It is not intended to offer specific advice or as a substitute for professional health care. Opinions, products, or services mentioned, herein, are not necessarily endorsed by the San Antonio Polio Survivorsâ€™ Association or the Warm Springs Resourcenter for People with Disabilities or Warm Springs Rehabilitation Foundation, Inc.; 5101 Medical Drive; San Antonio, Texas 78229-4801
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The next two articles are of interest to most of us due to our PPS and our own rush with destiny of becoming a part of the so-called â€œGolden Yearsâ€. Hope you find the articles as informative as I did. They are from the Arizona Daily Starâ€™s Health sectionâ€™s web site. The third article is from the National Institutes of Health and is as interesting as the Arizona Daily Starâ€™s two articles.
The Arizona Daily Star's Web site is

www.azstarnet.com produced by Healthology

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Distinguishing a Severe Headache from the Warning Signs of Stroke

Written by:

Eric Sabo -

Published on: June 2, 2005

A rapid, severe headache has long been considered an early warning sign of stroke. Along with other clues, such as a sudden numbness on one side of your face or body, an extremely painful headache that seems to come out of nowhere may require an immediate trip to the emergency room. Strokes are more common as you get older, but these so-called "brain attacks" can strike at any age. The faster you get to the hospital, the better your chances of preventing serious damage to the brain.

But new research suggests that migraines and other headaches are not just an early sign of stroke, they may even put you at risk for one. Looking at some 12,700 men and women who were involved in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study, published in May in Neurology, investigators found that people who have a history of severe migraines were more likely to suffer an ischemic attack, the type of stroke that is caused by blocked blood vessels. Compared to those who reported few serious headaches over their lifetime, migraine sufferers also showed greater symptoms of having a stroke or mini-stroke, known as a transient ischemic attack.

This connection appeared strongest in men and women who suffer from aural migraines, which are associated with blurry vision and strange smells, in addition to pain. Intuitively, a link between migraines and stroke would seem to make sense. Severe headaches are believed to cause a disturbance in blood vessels, and there is an unusually high prevalence of strokes in younger migraine sufferers.

How to Tell the Difference

But these recent findings also cause some confusion. For those who frequently get serious headaches, how can one tell regular pain from a possible stroke?
"There is a great overlap in symptoms between migraine and stroke," says Philip Stang, MD, lead author of the study and an associate of the department of epidemiology at the University of North Carolina. "And there are types of migraine that include stroke features and vice-versa."

Keeping that in mind, experts say there are some potential differences as well. For one, most migraines will clear up relatively quickly, whereas stroke symptoms are constant.

The presence of certain risk factors may also make one more suspicious that a headache could be a sign of stroke. For example, younger women with migraines, especially if they smoke or take oral contraceptives, are more likely to suffer a stroke than others, says Stang. In older patients, hypertension is a more serious risk factor for stroke than severe headaches.

It may turn out that the link between migraines and stroke risk is not a serious concern. In an editorial that accompanied the study, the authors argue that there are more questions than answers at this point. Stang is cautious as well. "Since there is no laboratory test to confirm migraine, it is difficult to be so precise and assured," he says.

Still, there is little question about the importance of seeking medical help at the first signs of a stroke, including severe headaches. Specially trained hospital staff can determine if you are having a stroke and initiate treatment, which can prevent significant harm if started early. Experts recommend that you seek help immediately if you experience the following, sudden symptoms:

â€¢ Numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, on one side of the body
â€¢ Confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
â€¢ Trouble seeing in one or both eyes
â€¢ Problems walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
â€¢ Severe headache with no known cause

Hereâ€™s the 2nd article: It is very interesting and one most of us, including the medical profession including nurses, donâ€™t realize the dangers to the patient and family are concerned.

Right-Sided Stroke Harder To Detect

Written by:

Karen Barrow â€“

Published: August 25, 2005

Strokes that occur on the right side of the brain go undiagnosed more often than left brain strokes, said a new study.

Since the left side of the brain controls coordination and language, left-brain strokes usually cause clear symptoms, like slurred speech or weakness in the right hand. However, since the right side of the brain controls judgment, symptoms are more subtle.

"It is intuitive that patients, their families and their physicians might be more likely to recognize a disturbance of speech or language than a cognitive deficit," said Dr. John N. Fink of the Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Science in an editorial accompanying the study, which was published on July 30 in The Lancet.

With more right-side strokes going undetected, however, the speed and quality of care may suffer during the early stages of attack, the most critical time in preventing permanent damage. Fink points out that strokes on the right side of the brain may influence relationships, one's abilities at work and the ability to safely drive.

The study is based on data from 11,328 stroke patients in Germany. Of these, 56 percent were found to have had a stroke on the left side of their brain, while 44 percent had one on the opposite side. About 15 percent more patients with left-sided strokes were treated or admitted to the hospital within 3 hours than those with right-side strokes.

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked or ruptured, resulting in a lack of blood supply to a particular region of the brain. The longer this region goes without blood, the more damage that occurs. Treatments are available to stop the progression of the stroke and to prevent further brain damage.

Diagnosing a right-sided stroke is complicated for two main reasons, the researchers state. First, current stroke-diagnosing methods are designed to look for the symptoms of a left-sided stroke, making a right-sided stroke much harder to diagnose. Secondly, since a right-sided stroke affects awareness and reasoning, a patient is less able to realize that they are acting unusually and seek help in the first place.

"Right sided events are probably perceived by patient or doctor as being less severe or are not identified as a stroke at all," said study author Dr. Christian Foerch, from the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany.
The study authors call for an increased awareness of right-sided strokes. But since the symptoms are so unclear, the responsibility resides mostly in the ability of doctors to be better able to identify these strokes and begin treatment quickly.

"It is up to physicians who assess patients with stroke to train other physicians and organize stroke services to improve our standard of performance," said Fink.
Â© 2005 Healthology, Inc.

__________________________________________________________

Stroke Information for Seniors Added to the NIHSeniorHealth Web
Site:
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)

Stroke Information for Seniors Added to the NIHSeniorHealth Web Site

For release: Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Each year in the United States, there are more than 700,000 strokes. Nearly three-quarters of all strokes occur in people over the age of 65 and the risk of having a stroke more than doubles each decade after the age of 55. To help older adults learn more about the signs and symptoms of stroke and the need to act quickly, the National Institutes of Health is adding four new topics on stroke to its NIHSeniorHealth web site: Act Quickly, Warnings Signs and Risk Factors, What Happens during a Stroke, and Treatments and Research. The site features easy-to-read stroke information, developed by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), and may be found at www.nihseniorhealth.gov.

â€œStroke is an unmistakable event. Few other medical conditions come on so suddenly or are so noticeable to a bystander,â€ said John R. Marler, M.D., associate director for clinical trials at the NINDS.

A stroke occurs when normal blood flow to the brain is disrupted. Brain cells die when deprived of oxygen and nutrients provided by blood. Because stroke injures the brain, the person having a stroke may not realize what is happening. But to a bystander the signs of a stroke are distinct:

â€¢ Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg (especially on one side of the body)
â€¢ Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech
â€¢ Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
â€¢ Sudden trouble walking, dizziness or loss of balance or coordination
â€¢ Sudden severe headache with no known cause

In treating a stroke, every minute counts. New treatments are available that greatly reduce the damage caused by a stroke, but must be delivered quickly after symptoms begin. Knowing the stroke symptoms, calling 911 immediately, and getting to a hospital are critical to preventing long-term disability.

Risk factors for stroke include family history, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, physical inactivity, advancing age, and being overweight.
Older Americans are one of the fastest growing age groups using the Internet, especially when searching for health information. In fact, 66 percent of â€œwiredâ€ seniors search for health and medical information when they go online. NIHSeniorHealth, a joint effort of the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the National Library of Medicine (NLM), was designed especially with seniors in mind. The site, which is based on the latest research on cognition and aging, features short, easy-to-read segments of information. The new section links to other information on stroke on the NINDS website at www.ninds.nih.gov. The site also links to MedlinePlus, NLMâ€™s premier site for news on diseases and wellness, drug information, clinical trials, and other consumer health resources.

The NINDS is the nation's primary supporter of biomedical research on the brain and nervous system. It is dedicated to research and education on the causes, treatment, and prevention of stroke. The NIA leads the federal effort supporting and conducting research on aging and the health and well-being of older people. The NLM, the world's largest library of the health sciences, creates and sponsors web-based health information resources for the public and professionals. All three are components of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH)â€”The Nation's Medical Research Agencyâ€”is the primary Federal agency for conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and investigates the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.
Date Last Modified: Tuesday, August 23, 2005

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Ms Hartman is a nutritionist who contributes quite a few articles with an approach which anyone can understand. This article is about the nutritional value of Flax seed and how it can substitute for other foods in our daily diet.

What about Flaxseed?

Jann Hartman,
Baltimore, Maryland

Fish such as mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna and salmon contain two omega-3 fatty acids â€“ eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids (EPA and DHA). A third kind, alpha-linolenic acid, is less potent. It comes from soybeans, canola, walnut and flaxseed, and oils made from those beans, nuts and seeds.

Flaxseed oil and flaxseeds (which need to be ground into flaxseed meal to be properly utilized by your body) each provide omega-3 fatty acids. Research shows that the omega-3 fatty acids, especially those in fish, have cardioprotective benefits, but that all omega-3 fatty acids, including alpha-linolenic acid, the one in flaxseed, are needed for good health Flaxseeds are also a great source of soluble fiber as well as providing thia-min, riboflavin, niacin, trace minerals and even some high quality protein. You must consume them because your body cannot manufacture them.

To add this supplement to your diet, you can either use the flaxseeds whole or use the flaxseed oil. Practically, it is easier to use the oil and not have to bother with grinding the seeds. Remember, the oil must be refrigerated so that it does not turn rancid.

Nutritionally, flaxseeds will give you more bang for the buck. They have a pleasant, nut-like flavor and taste good sprinkled on a variety of foods. You must either chew the seeds very well or grind them, because whole seeds pass through the body without their essential nutrients being absorbed. You can purchase ground seeds, but they are much more perishable than the whole seeds. Either way, they need to be kept in the refrigerator, too. The seeds can also be bought in bulk and kept in the freezer for even longer storage.

The recommendation for adults is to use one or two tablespoons of flaxseed meal or oil daily. You can stir it into hot cereal or into your juice. It can also be used as a replacement for an egg in some recipes such as muffins or pancakes. To replace one egg, use one tablespoon flaxseed meal plus three tablespoons water (or other liquid). You can also mix one to three teaspoons of flaxseed oil with a little ketchup as a condiment. Be careful not to exceed recommended amounts as flax can have a laxative effect.
The US Department of Agriculture recently released MyPyramid, an updated guide to healthful eating and active lifestyles. You can find it online at www.mypyramid.gov.
Enter information about yourself into â€œMy Pyramid Planâ€ and get a customized food guide that tells how much from each food group you need every day.

Jann Hartman, a polio survivor, has a degree in Home Economics and Nutrition and has written and lectured on nutrition for the past 20 years.

A consumer brochure, â€œFinding Your Way to a Healthier You: Based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans,â€ can be downloaded from www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/document/html/brochure.htm.

Post-Polio Health (formerly called Polio Network News)
Issue: 21.2
Article title: What About Flaxseed
Author: Jann Hartman, Baltimore, MD
Page (s)/column location: Page 8
Reprinted from Post-Polio Health (formerly called Polio Network News) with permission of Post-Polio Health International (www.post-polio.org). Any further reproduction must have permission from copyright holder.

**********************************************************

A TEXAS BLESSING
Note: If you are not a resident of TEXAS or never have lived in the humid Southwest, you may not understand the weight of this blessing!

Bless this house, oh Lord, we cry.
Please keep it cool in mid-July.
Bless the walls where termites dine, while ants and roaches march in time. Bless our yard where spiders pass fire ant castles in the grass.
Bless the garage, a home to please carpenter beetles, ticks and fleas.
Bless the love bugs, two by two, the gnats and mosquitoes that feed on you. Millions of creatures that fly or crawl, in TEXAS , Lord, you've put them all!!
But this is home, and here we'll stay, So thank you Lord, for insect spray.

HOLD IT.............there's more....................

YOU KNOW YOU ARE IN TEXAS IN JULY WHEN. . . .
The birds have to use potholders to pull worms out of the ground.
The trees are whistling for the dogs.
The best parking place is determined by shade instead of distance.
Hot water now comes out of both taps.
You can make sun tea instantly.
You learn that a seat belt buckle makes a pretty good branding iron.
The temperature drops below 95 and you feel a little chilly.
You discover that in July it only takes 2 fingers to steer your car.
You discover that you can get sunburned through your car window.
You actually burn your hand opening the car door.
You break into a sweat the instant you step outside at 7:30 a.m.
Your biggest bicycle wreck fear is, "What if I get knocked out and end up lying on the pavement and cook to death?"
You realize that asphalt has a liquid state.
The potatoes cook underground, so all you have to do is pull one out and add butter, salt and pepper.
Farmers are feeding their chickens crushed ice to keep them from laying boiled eggs.
The cows are giving evaporated milk. Ah, what a place to call home.
God Bless Our State of TEXAS !!

*****************************************************

POLIO POST NEWS North Central Florida Post-Polio Support Group

Polio Survivors are Long-Time Pioneers

By Joan Swain

â€œPolio Pioneersâ€ was the name given by the March of Dimes to the 1,829,916 children in grader 1-3 who participated in the 1954 field trial of the Salk poliomyelitis vaccine that was joyfully proclaimed â€œsafe and effectiveâ€ in April 1955. In her talk at the 14th Annual Conference on Post-Polio Syndrome
last April, Joan Headley, Executive Director of Post-Polio Health International, asked, â€œIs Our Work Finished?â€

Probably not, was her answer. To help us reach that conclusion, Ms. Headley outlined the many ways in which polio survivors have served as pioneers throughout their lives. She describer â€œpioneerâ€ as one who goes into previously uncharted or unclaimed territory with the purpose of exploring and possibly
colonizing it. Pioneers suffer hardships but they often form societal structure for those who follow.

Polio survivors were pioneers when they went back to their neighborhood schools with crutches, wheelchairs, and braces. They went through high school, and when it came time for collect, they were frequently financed by vocational rehabilitation scholarships. They were frequently the first in their
occupation, their work or their school.

Pioneered independent living movement

They were pioneers as educated jobseekers who sometimes were denied positions because of their disability. Surprised and indignant, a core of these polio survivors were pioneers in the independent living movement. Their demand for societal change coincided with other movements of the 60s.

Doctors learned about the musculo-skeletal system, muscle testing, reeducation of muscles, physical and
occupational therapy, brace making, and other improvements from polio pioneers. They then applied this information to other disabilities. Survivors who originally needed the help of an iron lung wanted lighter weight ventilators so that they could be more mobile, and thus more independent.

In the late 70s and early 80s, polio pioneers were important in bringing their problems with increasing weakness to the medical community. And in 1981, the first conference on the topic was held. Over the next 10 years, support groups sprang up all over the world.

Successful self-help implementers

Polio survivors have been the most successful in implementing the philosophy of self help, according to Ms. Headley, who described self help as assuming the responsibility for your own care and helping each other get the skills to be able to do that. This is basically what is now known as chronic disease self-management, and important part of the control of diabetes and other chronic conditions.

Being on the leading edge of people with disabilities, along with World War II veterans, polio survivors have the opportunity to be examples to peopleâ€”weâ€™re aging with disabilities. Issues such as Where are we going to live? Become problematic when some assisted living centers donâ€™t want wheelchairs in the dining room. â€œThereâ€™s a perception of wheelchairs out there that itâ€™s up to us to challenge and to change,â€ Mr. Headley said.

This article is intended for personal use only. It may not be reproduced without express written permission of the author, the North Central Florida Post-Polio Support Group, or of the publication listed in its credits.

0297 - Polio Survivors are Long-Time Survivors.doc
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

These last two or three items are meant to leave a smile on your faces. You never know if they will be appreciated or if they will offend someone . They are meant to be light and to be not of the thought provoking kind of thing!

Your Age By Chocolate & Diet Stuff

YOUR AGE BY CHOCOLATE MATH

DON'T CHEAT BY SCROLLING DOWN FIRST!

It takes less than a minute... Do the math as you read.
Be sure you don't read the bottom until you've worked it out!
This is one of those waste-of-time things, but it's pretty fun.

1. First, pick the number of times a week that you would like to have chocolate. (more than one time, but less than 10)

2. Multiply this number by 2 (Just to be bold).

3. Add 5. (for overindulging on Sunday or whatever day).

4. Multiply that number by 50 (we'll wait while you get the calculator...)

5. If you have already had your birthday this year add 1755. If you haven't, add 1754.

6. Now subtract the four digit year that you were born.

You should have a three digit number...

The first digit was your original number (i.e., how many times you want to have chocolate each week).

The next two numbers are...YOUR AGE! (Oh YES, it is!!!!!)

Supposedly, THIS IS THE ONLY YEAR (2005) IT WILL EVER WORK.
ITALIAN PASTA DIET, IT REALLY WORKS !!

1) You walka pasta da bakery.

2) You walka pasta da candy store.

3) You walka pasta da ice cream shop.

4) You walka pasta da table and da fridge.

Also:
For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to hear the truth after all those conflicting medical studies.

1. The Japanese eat very little fat, lots of carbs, consume a lot of liquors, and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat, eat a lot of carbs, drink lots of alcohol, and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

3. The Chinese drink very little red wine, eat lots of protein & carbs, and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

4. The Italians drink excessive amounts of red wine, tons of carbs, and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

5. The Germans drink a lot of beer, eat lots of sausages and fats with carbs on every dish, and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

CONCLUSION:

Eat and drink what you like.
Speaking English is apparently what kills you.
******************************************
If you are pretty good with numbers and puzzles youâ€™ll find this web site entertaining and head scratching for quite a few hours. One thing for sure, you donâ€™t get to terribly bored???? They have puzzles from easy to very hard and over 25000 of them. They also have little buttons to push to see how you are doing which I found kind of intriguing.
http://www.websudoku.com/?level=1

PLEASE REMEMBER THE CHRISTMAS PARTY SCHEDULED FOR 13 December 2005 @ 12:30PM â€“ 3PM. It is to be in our meeting room at Warm Springs Resource Center. We need to have a RSVP by November 15th as to the number who plan to attend.
We realize it is a little early to start planning the party this far in advance to some but a lot of details have to be confirmed by the management of Warm Springs.
The Director of the Resource Center has already reserved the room for our usage for that day for those particular hours. The planning so far is to have a barbecue brisket, potato salad, & beans (with drinks provided by Warm Springs). It will be discussed at our meeting in September and October. The plan is to use some of the dues for the food and charge a fee of $2.00/plate to defray any other costsâ€”like the paper plates, table clothes etc .

THE DAILY MOTIVATOR

Wednesday, September 7, 2005

Leave doubt behind

Doubt is nothing but a thought you choose to have. Just as easily as you choose to have doubt, you can choose to let it go.

Doubt has no power other than the power you give it. Yet the power you give it can be enormous.

When you focus on doubt, your problems and limitations become greatly multiplied. When you give yourself to doubt, your resources and abilities lose much of their value.

So why would you want to hold yourself back in this way? There's really not even a single good reason.

As soon as you sense that doubt is pulling you down, make the decision to leave it behind. Remember that each doubt is your own creation, and once you stop sustaining it, it will no longer be.

Choose to walk away from doubt. And you'll set yourself free to achieve great things.

Ralph Marston

Copyright Â©2005 Ralph S. Marston, Jr. All rights reserved.
(From The Daily Motivator. http://greatday.com/v.html?1157h05BAxxq
This site has both the printed version and the slide show version with beautiful pictures. Mr. Marston lives in the Hill Country in the Travis Lake area just outside of Austin, Texas. This site is very interesting.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We should all count our many blessings
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WD_40 eTip for the Week of October 23

Authored by BlueAngel
Sun, October 23, 2005

Another few good tips for the uses of WD_40
Read More WD_40 eTip for the Week of October 23 »

WD-40 e-Tip of the Week for October 23

Get to know the protective power of WD-40. The multi-purpose problem solver can help shield many of your favorite tools, toys and household items from wear-and-tear.

Try WD-40 to protect:

* Chrome features, stained wood, and strings on guitars, basses and banjos from rust and corrosion

* Stored blades and sharp tools from oxidation

* Light sockets and other electrical components from rust, oxidation and built-up moisture (be sure electricity is off before using WD-40)

* Wheelbarrow beds from rust and plant stains

* Cast iron skillets and other metal cookware from rust and build-up (be sure to wash with soap and water after using WD-40)

* Pruning shears, rakes, shovels and other garden tools from rust

* Wrought iron from oxidation and tarnishing

This email is sent only to subscribers. Please do not reply directly to this email. Want to unsubscribe from the Fan Club mailing list? Please visit http://fanclub.wd40.com, go to the "My Profile" page and opt-out of the Email Announcements. Comments or questions? Please use the "Fan Feedback" form in the Fan Club at http://fanclub.wd40.com/.

WD-40 Company, 1061 Cudahy Place, San Diego, CA 92110-3929

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WD_40 eTip for the Week of October 16

Authored by BlueAngel
Sun, October 16, 2005

Here's another group of tips for your use of WD_40. Hope you can use them!
Read More WD_40 eTip for the Week of October 16 »

WD-40 e-Tip of the Week for October 16

Birthday parties are a blast. But, for those organizing them (and cleaning up afterward), they can sometimes be a chore. WD-40 can help celebrate someone's special day.

Use WD-40 to:

>Lubricate pulleys used to hoist pinatas

>Help put together gifts that need assembly

>Stop squeaks on outdoor swing sets and jungle gyms

>Get rid of sticky residue left behind after removing price tags from gifts

>Shine helium canisters

This email is sent only to subscribers. Please do not reply directly to this email. Want to unsubscribe from the Fan Club mailing list? Please visit http://fanclub.wd40.com, go to the "My Profile" page and opt-out of the Email Announcements. Comments or questions? Please use the "Fan Feedback" form in the Fan Club at http://fanclub.wd40.com/.

WD-40 Company, 1061 Cudahy Place, San Diego, CA 92110-3929

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Eldercare Team Newsletter for October 15, 2005

Authored by BlueAngel
Sun, October 16, 2005

This issue contains some interesting articles about the VA, Medicare D program and other items you might possibly be interested in.

Molly Shomer does an excellent job with her Newsletter in bringing items of interest , not only to caregivers as well as those having the care given to them.

Hope that you enjoy the articles.

Ethel Taylor aka Blue Angel
Read More Eldercare Team Newsletter for October 15, 2005 »

Elder CareTips:
Mastering The Eldercare Mazeâ„¢

October 15, 2005

The newsletter for all elder caregivers. Sent twice a month, and only by request. You are welcome to pass on Elder CareTipsâ„¢ to anyone you think might be interested. You'll find information about how to get your personal subscription below.

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Veterans Benefits

I recently was privileged to accompany a new client as he made "pre-arrangements" with a local funeral home. His wife passed away this year and he is in the process of putting his own affairs in order. Prior to her passing neither of them had made any provisions for disability or death, and he has seen first hand the benefit of planning ahead.

This wonderful gentleman served with pride in two wars, World War II and in Korea. Although he's quiet about it, he would really like to have a simple military funeral.

But, there's a but...isn't there always a "but."

His wife always took care of the paperwork. After her death he had lots of help from family, who helped him clean out his home and move to an assisted living residence. Somewhere, somehow, his military records went missing.

He needs to give a copy of his official discharge (his DD-214) to the funeral home so they can arrange the final ceremony he wants.

Luckily, he's in relatively good health and there was time to get the document. Time isn't always a luxury we have.

I went to the military archives on the web, followed the instructions, and in just about a month he had the form he needed. (Of course, the minute it arrived I immediately ran it down to the office to make multiple copies.)

If your elder served in the military there are benefits available. In order to access benefits, just about the first thing a veteran will need is the DD-214. Finding it is the tricky part. As soon as you get the chance, ask your elder where his or her military discharge papers are. If the answer is a blank look, see if he remembers his service number. It's amazing how that number has stuck in the memory of most who served.

Then go ahead and request an official copy. Immediate family members (spouse or children) can request one with minimal hassle. It will probably be easier in the long run to get a replacement than to find the original if you got that blank look.

And, don't forget the women in your family. A whole lot of women served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam (not to mention the Gulf). They are entitled to benefits, too.
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A 6-year old was asked where his grandma lived. ''Oh,'' he said, ''She lives at the airport and when we want her we just go get her. Then when we're done having her visit we take her back to the airport."
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It's Medicare Part D (Again)

Yes, I promised that I would try to stay away from the new Medicare programs in this newsletter, but there is a new development, and it's imperative that we get the word out.

A booklet called "Medicare and You 2006" was recently sent to everyone on Medicare. It supposedly covers what you need to know to make a decision about selecting a prescription drug plan under the new Medicare Part D plan.

The problem is, the booklets were sent out with a major error.

Eligible low-income Medicare beneficiaries are being offered assistance with paying the Medicare Part D premium. For those who are eligible, the government will pay a basic premium to cover the cost of a Part D prescription drug plan.

The problem with the booklet, which the government attributes to a misprint, begins on page 97-a. That's where highlights of the various plans are listed: what they cost per month, the co-pay and the yearly deductible

The error is in the last column of the comparison chart. Many of the "yes" answers should actually say "no," meaning the government does *not* pay for the extra prescription coverage above the basic plan.

If you select a plan that costs more than the basic plan, and you are receiving what is being termed "extra help" with paying the Part D premium, you will have to pay the balance of the premium yourself.

If your elder is in the low-income program and she chooses a plan because of the information in the Medicare & You 2006 Handbook there is a strong possibility that she could find herself with an unexpected bill. And she won't be protected because it was "in the book." There's a disclaimer on the second page that reads: "Medicare and You 2006 explains the Medicare program. It isn't a legal document. The official Medicare Program provisions are contained in the relevant laws, regulations and rulings."

In other words, just because the government printed the information, you can't rely on it to be correct.

This program is so unbelievably complicated. You will probably have to get involved to help any elder who isn't extremely competent and computer-savvy. You will have to talk to the carriers individually to be sure you understand the coverage and what it will really cost.

There's a telephone number to speak with a Medicare representative: 1-800-633-4227. However, I have very little faith that the information you get from this telephone number will be any more reliable than what you get when you call the IRS hotline.
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Elder CareTip

The television remote controls that come with new televisions are so complicated I'm terrified of hitting the wrong button. All kinds of strange things happen when I do and there's a devil of a time getting back to the regular screen. Imagine how your elder feels.

Why should changing the channel be terrifying?

If you don't have a simple control box...on, off, louder & softer (order a big universal control as a gift - they're great if you can find one that works on your machine)...paint or nail polish to the rescue.

You can get all kinds of strange nail polish colors where teens shop - Target, WalMart and such. Put a dab of red on the power button. Use other colors for louder/softer/channel up & down. Keep the bottles as the polish will eventually wear off.

For elders who can see the little buttons this does help a lot.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's flu shot time again. If you want to know where to go to get yours, check the flu clinic locator.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The really frightening thing about middle age is that you know you'll grow out of it.
Doris Day

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Have a great weekend everyone. See you on the first.
Turkey month approaches!!

Take care,

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Don't keep us a secret. If you know other people who should be reading this too, then do them and us a favor by telling them about Elder CareTipsâ„¢. Just send them this link: http://eldercareteam.com/resources/newsletter.htm

Â© 2005 Molly Shomer, All rights reserved. You are free to use material from Elder CareTips: Mastering The Eldercare Mazeâ„¢ as long as you include complete attribution, including live web site link and email link. I would appreciate it if you would let me know where the material will appear.

The Eldercare Team
SeniorLink, LLC
P.O. Box 700291
Dallas, Texas 75370
Phone (972) 395-7823 Fax (972) 395-7164
email: info@eldercareteam.com
Â©1999-2005
Advanced Professional Member
National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers

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The October Newsletter

Authored by BlueAngel
Sun, October 09, 2005

Some more useful information
Read More The October Newsletter »

WD-40 e-Tip of the Week for October 10

Get some exercise! It's a well-known fact that exercising a few times a week is a great way to relieve stress, improve your health and encourage better eating habits. WD-40 helps keep your exercise gear in great "shape."

Try it to:

Lubricate chains and gearshifts on bicycles

Stop squeaks on weight lifting machine pulleys

Prevent dirt and mud from sticking to mountain bike frames

Grease roller skate bearings for a smoother ride

Prevent rust from forming on dumbbells

Clean and shine golf clubs

This email is sent only to subscribers. Please do not reply directly to this email. Want to unsubscribe from the Fan Club mailing list? Please visit http://fanclub.wd40.com, go to the "My Profile" page and opt-out of the Email Announcements. Comments or questions? Please use the "Fan Feedback" form in the Fan Club at http://fanclub.wd40.com/.

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Elder CareTips:Mastering The Eldercare Mazeâ„¢

Authored by BlueAngel
Sat, October 01, 2005

For October 1, 2005

The edition with some interesting articles and tips
Read More Elder CareTips:Mastering The Eldercare Mazeâ„¢ »

Elder CareTips: Mastering The Eldercare Mazeâ„¢

October 1, 2005

The newsletter for all elder caregivers. Sent twice a month, and only by request. You are welcome to pass on Elder CareTipsâ„¢ to anyone you think might be interested. You'll find information about how to get your personal subscription below.

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The Three Ps of Eldercare

Once upon a time there were 3 little pigs, and they each had a set of two little parents who were "getting up there."

The first little pig went merrily about his life, raising his kids, dreaming his dreams and visiting his little parents now and then. They looked hunky-dory and life was good. Until the phone rang at 3 am. and the first little pig's life came crashing about his ears. This little pig's house of straw came tumbling down that morning and he's never had the time to rebuild it as he scrambles from crisis to crisis.

The second little pig lived in a fine, sturdy wooden house of plans. He knew just what he would do when the phone rang. And when it did he went right to work with his fine, sturdy plans setting his little parents up with everything they needed. Then he went back to raising his kids and dreaming his dreams, never hearing the termites of change chewing away at his fine, sturdy wooden house of plans. Until one day his fine, sturdy wooden house of plans disintegrated in a cloud of termite-ridden dust as his little parents' needs grew too heavy to be supported. He's been too depressed to rebuild.

The third little pig built his house with his own little hands out of the best little kiln-fired bricks. He insulated it with contingency plans and carpeted it with determination, all with his own two little hands. He cared for his little parents and his children, and he dreamed his little dreams, all with his own two little hands in his sturdy brick house. Until one day his little back broke from the strain and he died.

And Thus Endeth the Parable.

There are 3 Ps to Elder Care: Preparation, Progression, and Partnerships.

Ignore any of these Ps and your eldercare house just might come tumbling down.

Preparation: If you're not prepared when the call comes, and one day it will for a parent or a spouse, you'll be slow out of the starting gate and scrambling to catch up. You may never be able to. If you don't have the most basic medical and financial information, and if you don't have some basic legal arrangements in order you won't be able to do what must be done. The time to start is now, even if the elders in question are hale and hearty. Use the "Things You Need To Know" workbook to get a head start, and make it a point to start having the conversations you've been putting off.

That's Preparation.

Progression: Life is a progression from birth to death. We may be able to prevent the first, but not the second. And Murphy lives. Whatever plans you have in place are certain to need change. The sitter will quit, the hip will break, the dementia will progress. Prepare for Progression by trying to anticipate and making contingency plans.. Learn what can and what can't be fixed...and how. And expect the unexpected.

Plan for Progression.

Partnerships: Trying to do it alone is the one certain guarantee of failure. Caregivers who go it alone because, "I made a vow" or, "No one can do it as well as I can" or, "He won't let anyone else help him" often get ill or die before the person they are caring for. Caregivers who go it alone risk sentencing both their care recipients and themselves to physical and financial hardship and a poorer quality of life. When you partner with family, friends, professionals and community resources your caregiving will be supported in a way it can never be when you stand alone.

Plan for Progression with your Partners.

So those are the three Ps of eldercare. Planning, Progression and Partnerships.

Make them part of your vocabulary.

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Knowing is not enough; we must apply.
Willing is not enough; we must do.
Goethe

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Do you or anyone you know/care for have arthritis or fibromyalgia? The Arthritis Foundation has a plethora (I love that word!) of information including the latest information on surgical options, online brochures, and tips for living with arthritis. If you haven't been by in a while it's worth a visit.

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Elder CareTip

Here is a tip which I like for using soap while in the shower. Take an old
nylon knee hi stocking, put the soap in it and tie a knot. No more slippery
soap when washing. The soap comes right through the nylon and it makes a
good gentle scrubber.

- Sandy Milne

* * *
If you've got a Reader Tip you'd like to share, please send it to me with the subject line "Care Tip." I'll give you credit unless you ask me not to.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Use supplemental oxygen and want to travel? Visit the Society for
Accessible Travel Hospitality or call the Department of Transportation disability hotline at 800.778.4838 for resources for oxygen delivery to a U.S. vacation destination. Note: A recent decision to permit portable oxygen delivery systems on some planes is now in effect. However, be sure to contact your carrier before booking your flight to make sure that the policy is valid for that airline.

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What we anticipate seldom occurs; what we least expect generally happens.
-Benjamin Disraeli

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Woo-hoo! as they say. It's October 1 and we haven't broken 90 degrees here in two whole days. On the other hand, today is supposed to be hot again. But I feel hope in the air and the weeds in the garden may just get some real attention. The squirrels have been burying acorns from our over-enthusiastic oak trees like there's no tomorrow and I have a bumper crop of teeny, tiny little oaks everywhere. Do oak trees sprout in September in Maine?

Have a great weekend everyone. See you on the 15th.

Take care,

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Molly Shomer
Head Coach
The Eldercare Team
http://www.eldercareteam.com
mshomer@eldercareteam.com
(972) 395-7823

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Don't keep us a secret. If you know other people who should be reading this too, then do them and us a favor by telling them about Elder CareTipsâ„¢. Just send them this link: http://eldercareteam.com/resources/newsletter.htm

Â© 2005 Molly Shomer, All rights reserved. You are free to use material from Elder CareTips: Mastering The Eldercare Mazeâ„¢ as long as you include complete attribution, including live web site link and email link. I would appreciate it if you
would let me know where the material will appear.

The Eldercare Team

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WD_40 FAN CLUB FORUM FOR SEPTEMBER 2005

Authored by BlueAngel
Thu, September 29, 2005

HERE'S A NEW EDITION OF THE WD_40 NEWSLETTER. READ AND ENJOY

This copy of the news forum is printed for your information only -- recognition is given to WD_40 for the composition and format of the e-mail received by the editor of this "blog" by Ethel Taylor aka BlueAngel
Read More WD_40 FAN CLUB FORUM FOR SEPTEMBER 2005 »

The History Channel program "Modern Marvels" profiles companies that are unique, innovative or have an interesting story to tell. It makes sense, then, that we got the call earlier this year to let us know that WD-40 would soon be a star of the show!

WD-40 was featured on an episode of the show in August, called "Lube Job." The episode, dedicated to modern man's slew of products used to keep things working smoothly, focused on WD-40 as a multi-purpose problem solver, that continues to work as well as the day it was created.

"My wife and I moved to Meizhou, China in February. We are foreign teachers at Jaiying University. We purchased electric bikes to be able to move about the city more quickly. As with many bikes in China, mine developed a very annoying squeak. I looked in many stores for lubricant products and tried to explain my problem and desire for a remedy, but to no avail.

One Saturday afternoon as my wife and I were biking down one of the city streets, my wife noticed a car wash. I went into the store and looked over all the shelves for something that would help. A salesman came up to me and began speaking in Chinese. In my frustration, the only thing I could do was point at the bike and make a "squeak, squeak, squeak" sound. I then gestured as if I had a can of WD-40 while making a spraying sound. The Chinese man immediately cried out, "WD4!" I yelled, "YES!!!!" He went in the back and brought out a can of WD-40 and presented it to me. He would not let me pay him for it. I sprayed the squeak and happily rode my bike back to the university. I was so happy to find out that WD-40 had made its way into Meizhou, China. No more squeaks!"

â€” Terry Williams --

Who better to provide WD-40 tips than those who use and love it the most? WD-40 Fan Club members send in their favorite uses every day.

Fans have suggested using WD-40 to:
Remove sticky price tag glue residue
Keep can openers clean, rust-free and running smoothly
Clean permanent marker from keyboards and computer screens
Lubricate and prevent rust on motorcycle chains
Remove gum from carpet
Remove roofing tar from tools and hands
Soften guitar strings
Keep ice chest hinges from squeaking
Clean and shine bumpers

Got a Great Use You'd Like to Share?
Visit the Fan Speak section of the Web site and send it our way. You never know, your use could be posted on our Web site or featured in next quarter's Always Another Use!

This email is sent only to subscribers. Please do not reply directly to this email. Want to unsubscribe from the Fan Club mailing list? Please visit http://fanclub.wd40.com, go to the "My Profile" page and opt-out of the Email Announcements. Comments or questions? Please use the "Fan Feedback" form in the Fan Club at http://fanclub.wd40.com/.

WD-40 Company, 1061 Cudahy Place, San Diego, CA 92110-3929
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Eldercare Team Newsletter fpr September 15, 2005

Authored by BlueAngel
Thu, September 15, 2005

This issue is on one subject only. It is an interesting perspective on the Hurricane, Katrina and what you might want to consider doing for your own peace of mind..
The Newsletter booklet Molley is talking about can be gotten through the e-mail address listed at the end (the complete end) of the newsletter. I think that you will find it useful.
BlueAngel aka Ethel Taylor
Read More Eldercare Team Newsletter fpr September 15, 2005 »

Elder CareTips:
Mastering The Eldercare Mazeâ„¢

September 15, 2005

The newsletter for all elder caregivers. Sent twice a month, and only by request. You are welcome to pass on Elder CareTipsâ„¢ to anyone you think might be interested. You'll find information about how to get your personal subscription below.

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It's a little different kind of newsletter this time around. The subject is important enough that there's only one item this time. Please read through to the end and take action - it's easy and you'll feel ever-so-much more prepared and secure.

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Two weeks ago thousands and thousands of Americans were forced into shelters with the clothes on their backs and little else. Many of them were elderly. Many of them had health problems requiring medication or treatment. Most of them had no medication or the medical supplies they needed. Most had no way to contact their doctors or clinics, because they were evacuated, too.

Many, in the stress of the moment or because of failing memories, couldn't give strange doctors and nurses vital information about their medical needs. They couldn't remember the names or doses of their medications. They sometimes couldn't remember what, exactly, they were being treated for. Emergency medical personnel in the shelters have done heroic work in untangling most of these puzzles and getting people emergency supplies of what they need.

Evacuees who went to the homes of relatives haven't always had the same access to emergency medical help, and some families have had to jump through incredible hoops to get the right medication and supplies for relatives and friends staying with them.

Before the storm some of these evacuees were organized. They had great records. Some even kept their records on their desktops, ready to print out at a moments notice. Problem is, their paper records are dissolving underwater or blown to who-knows-where by the wind, and so are their computers and the refrigerators where they had the information posted.

We can't depend on anyone but ourselves to have this kind of critical information available in a crisis. There are several web-based operators who say they will store your medical documents so they can be accessed by authorized individuals. Monthly charges start at about $10 a month. This can add up, and I'm not really all that comfortable handing my personal information over to strangers at the other end of a website that may or may not still be in business when I need it. But some people think this is a great way to go. If you think so, just do it and keep it current. And of course let someone know all the passwords and stuff so they can get at the information.

Another way to go is to make your vital information directly available to trusted family members or friends - especially someone who lives in another part of the country and isn't likely to be hit by the same natural disaster that hits you.

When you signed up for Elder CareTipsâ„¢ you had the option to download a pdf booklet, "What You Absolutely, Positively Need To Know." This booklet was designed to be a paper document you could fill out and give to whomever. This is well & good, but sometimes we just don't get around to updating and re-mailing as things change.

So yesterday I revised it to allow you to fill it out on your screen, save the information to your desktop or print it out, and email copies to as many people as you want with one keystroke. Just type in the information you want someone to know, and leave out the information that you would rather not have them know. Remember, though - if you get hit by a truck someone, somewhere, has to know most, if not all, of this information.

If you're not already a subscriber just sign up to receive Elder CareTipsâ„¢ on the first and 15th of every month and you'll receive your download instructions immediately.

I suggest that before you send your information off to someone as a pdf attachment you check with them to be sure they are willing to electronically store your information. If they agree, send it off. And try to remember to update it as your information changes.

Do this for yourself, your family - and for me. I know I'll personally feel like a million if I know this has helped someone.

'Till next time,
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Don't keep us a secret. If you know other people who should be reading this too, then do them and us a favor by telling them about Elder CareTips (TM). Just send them this link: http://eldercareteam.com/resources/newsletter.htm

Â© 2005 Molly Shomer, All rights reserved. You are free to use material from Elder CareTips: Mastering The Eldercare Mazeâ„¢ as long as you include complete attribution, including live web site link and email link. I would appreciate it if you
would let me know where the material will appear.

To subscribe, send a blank email to eldermatters@aweber.com

The Eldercare Team
SeniorLink, LLC
P.O. Box 700291
Dallas, Texas 75370
Phone (972) 395-7823 Fax (972) 395-7164
email: info@eldercareteam.com
Â©1999-2005
Advanced Professional Member
National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers

http://www.eldercareteam.com/resources/newsletter.htm
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Eldercareteam for August 15, 2005

Authored by BlueAngel
Mon, August 15, 2005

Here's the previous newsletter to ! September 2005 Eldercare Newsletter that I failed to take out of the draft status. I DO APOLOGIZE. There are some good articles. Hope you enjoy them.
Read More Eldercareteam for August 15, 2005 »

Elder CareTips:
Mastering The Eldercare Mazeâ„¢

August 15,2005

The newsletter for all elder caregivers. Sent twice a month, and only by request. You are welcome to pass on Elder CareTipsâ„¢ to anyone you think might be interested. You'll find information about how to get your personal subscription below.

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Aging in Place - It's A Whole Lot More Than A Buzzword

We do it for our children without even giving it much thought. When a new baby arrives (even long before a baby arrives) we spend months getting our home ready. We buy a special bed, we "safety proof" the cabinets and the outlets, we buy monitors. We try to keep the environment safe for the developmental stage of the child, making changes as he grows. First we worry about how clean the floor is, then we put the plants and the breakable items up high. Before we know it, the whole house has been modified in one way or another.

Then when the children are older we stop thinking about it and the house slowly reverts to "grown-up."

But our physical abilities don't stop changing as we mature. Sure, they'll stay more or less the same for several decades if we're lucky. But then, inevitably, we'll begin to notice a little twinge here or there. Our balance won't be quite as good as it once was. We may need a bit more light to see what we're reading (if our arms are long enough to see it at all).

And bit by bit, the house we call home isn't quite as user-friendly as it once was.

Just about every older person I've ever talked with wants to stay at home. And for most, staying at home can be the most economical choice, too. Assisted living can cost $3,000 to upwards of $6,000 a month, depending on the part of the country you live in. Nursing homes are a whole lot more expensive. If you invest less than the cost of one month of assisted living you can possibly buy extra months or years of living at home.

Every now and then over the next several months I plan to address some of the simple changes you can make to a home to keep it senior-friendly and safe. Bathroom safety and getting the throw rugs up have been talked to death, so I will leave those alone for the time being. There are so many other things you can do that don't cost a fortune and will add an amazing amount of comfort and safety to a home.

Today's topic is Electricity...

Isn't running the vacuum fun? You just get up a good head of steam and you run out of cord. So you give the cord a good yank to pull it out of the wall outlet (you know you do...even though you know you're not supposed to) and you stoop down to plug it in to another outlet. And you do this three or four times to get around the area you're trying to clean.

Whoever decided that wall outlets should be four inches off the floor must have been a kid, since they're the only ones who can reach them without a struggle. And we know about kids and outlets - we spent a lot of time and aggravation child-proofing them, didn't we?

If you're having some pain in your hips or back, or your balance isn't what it was, stooping down to those outlets is painful or even dangerous. Imagine how much easier it would be to plug and unplug if the outlets were at waist level or higher. Just think, you could move a lamp over to that bookcase without having to take out all the books to get at the plug. The possibilities are endless.

A good electrician can add waist-level outlets to a home at a very reasonable cost. You don't have to remove the outlets that are already there - just tap into them and add new ones at 30 to 40 inches from the floor, depending on how tall you are. Put them in all the rooms, and put in a couple more than you think you need. They'll get used.

And while the electrician is at it, have him put rocker switches on the walls instead of those little on/off flippers. It's a lot easier to hit a rocker switch than that little flipper thing. And if he's already in the wall installing a rocker switch, have him put in a plug outlet below it at the same time. You can never have too many places to plug things in.

Do this before you need to. Once someone has fallen or had a back go out reaching down to the floor home will never feel as safe again.

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By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.

Benjamin Franklin

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Elder CareTip

Often people with ailments like Parkinson's Disease or one of the many dementias get to the point where they have trouble using utensils to eat. Rather than trying to remind them or help them use a spoon or a fork, try finger foods. It's much less frustrating for everyone.

Try chicken fingers, cubed beef or ham, sandwiches cut in quarters or bite size, cheese cubes, oven baked french fries or hush puppies, cooled steamed vegetables, etc. One or two pieces of dried fruit can give a real taste explosion and perk up appetites, too. Just never more than one or two pieces or you may be sorry.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * * *

If you've got a Reader Tip you'd like to share, please send it to molly@eldercareteam.com with the subject line "Care Tip."

Let me know if I can use your name. Or if you'd rather have me leave your name off, that's OK, too.

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Kids' Letters to God:

Dear God,
I am doing the best I can.
Really !!!!
Frank

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Watch those school zones. In my part of the world school started today for most kids (some started last week, poor things). Whatever happened to summer vacation, anyway?

I heard on the news this morning that in one of our more upscale suburbs the school zone police were giving out speeding tickets left and right . . . to teachers who were late for school.

'Till next time,

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Don't keep us a secret. If you know other people who should be reading this too, then do them and us a favor by telling them about Elder CareTips (TM). Just send them this link: http://eldercareteam.com/resources/newsletter.htm

Â© 2005 Molly Shomer, All rights reserved. You are free to use material from Elder CareTips: Mastering The Eldercare Maze (TM) as long as you include complete attribution, including live web site link and email link. I would appreciate it if you would let me know where the material will appear.

To subscribe, send a blank email to eldermatters@aweber.com

The Eldercare Team
SeniorLink, LLC
P.O. Box 700291
Dallas, Texas 75370
Phone (972) 395-7823 Fax (972) 395-7164
email: info@eldercareteam.com
Â©1999-2005
Advanced Professional Member
National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers

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ELDERCARE TIPS FOR THE ELDERLY AUGUST 1, 2005

Authored by BlueAngel
Mon, August 01, 2005

The newsest newsletter for August 1st from Molly Shomer. Has some good tips regarding Medicare 4 and several other suggestions that are interesting. Enjoy.
Read More ELDERCARE TIPS FOR THE ELDERLY AUGUST 1, 2005 »

Elder CareTips:
Mastering The Eldercare Mazeâ„¢

August 1, 2005

The newsletter for all elder caregivers. Sent twice a month, and only by request. You are welcome to pass on Elder CareTipsâ„¢ to anyone you think might be interested. You'll find information about how to get your personal subscription below.

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When Your Medical Power of Attorney May Not Be Enough

You've done everything "they" say you should to get your documents in order.
You have copies of the Powers of Attorney your elder signed. You want to get
some information from his doctor, and you still hit a stone wall. What's up?

Find your Medical POA and read through it (you do know where it is, right?). If it says something like, "This medical power of attorney takes effect if I become unable to make my own health care decisions...," then it gives you no authority or legal access to medical information while the person you represent is able to make decisions.

As long as your elder is able he is entitled to keep medical information private, even from the person who may one day be making decisions for him.

If this is the position you find yourself in, what you need is an "Authorization to Release Information."

Whenever you go to the doctor you are asked to sign a form authorizing the release of your medical information to insurance companies, etc. This is the same kind of form your elder can sign to authorize release of information to you or anyone else she designates.

If your elder is agreeable to you having access to her medical information she should ask to put your name and contact information on a release form that will be included in her medical chart. She will have to do this at each individual doctor's office.

Some medical offices are reluctant, or will downright refuse, to send a release form in the mail to be completed and returned. They want to be sure that no undue influence is being put on their patient to sign. So they will insist that the form be filled out and signed in their office. If your elder tends to forget to ask about filling out a release form and you can't go with him, you can call the office and ask them to put a form in the chart so the doctor or nurse can offer it at the next office visit. Of course, they may or may not remember to do this.

Doctors don't have time to answer the same questions from several people. If there are multiple family members who will want information from the doctor the patient should designate one to be spokesperson for the group. This person's name should be the one on the release form, and should ideally be the one who holds Medical Power of Attorney. The family spokesperson can then pass the information on to anyone else the elder wants informed.

Note that I said, "... to anyone else the elder wants informed." Just because you have access to his confidential medical information doesn't mean you can pass it along to whomever you choose without your elder's consent. If your elder has given you this kind of extremely personal privilege, please don't abuse it by gossiping or revealing more than you should to people he wouldn't want to have the information. When in doubt, ask first.

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Important Mail From Social Security

There's been some important mail from Social Security recently, and many seniors have discarded it or just put it away somewhere because they think it's junk mail or they don't understand it. If your elder has a limited income it's important mail and you would be smart to double-check.

Medicare Part D is coming. This is the new part of Medicare that covers drugs. There will be a monthly premium and co-pays. If your elder has an income below $14,355 per year (that's $1,197 a month) he may be eligible for help paying these premiums and drug co-pays. For a couple the income limit is $19,425 or $1,604 per month.

Resource limits apply: $10,000 for an individual and $20,000 for a married couple living together.

Social Security is in charge of signing people up. They have sent a white envelope containing information and an enrollment form to everyone they think might be eligible for extra financial help paying for this benefit. Unless your elder has an extremely low income and is already receiving Medicaid (MediCal) enrollment isn't automatic. She must apply.

If your elder isn't sure whether he received an envelope, or isn't sure whether she sent it back, you can request another by calling Social Security at 1(800) 772-1213. You can also get more information and apply online.

If you aren't sure whether your elder will qualify, go ahead and apply.

People who apply late will still be approved if they are eligible, but benefits won't be retroactive.

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Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is a daring adventure or nothing at all.
-- Helen Keller

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In Case Of Emergency Apply Ice

I'm told that someone in London came up with this idea and that it's spreading around the world. It's a terrific idea - wish I'd thought of it.

Paramedics are looking at a victim's cell phone for clues to that person's identity and a contact person. You can make their job much easier with a simple entry in your phone contact list: ICE.

ICE stands for In Case of Emergency. If you add an entry in the contacts list in your cell phone under ICE, with the phone number of the person the emergency services should call on your behalf, you can save them a lot of time. I'm told that paramedics know what ICE means and they look for it.

This could one day be important for you. It could be doubly important if you're a caregiver and someone at home is depending on you. We can't know if our local emergency response teams are up to date on this one yet, but there's nothing to lose and much to gain in an emergency. I've put it in my phone, and I suggest you do the same.

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Accept good advice gracefully--as long as it doesn't interfere with what you intended to do in the first place.

-- Gene Brown

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Elder CareTip

From a Reader:

Here is a tip which I like for using soap while in the shower. Take an old nylon knee hi stocking and put the soap in it and knot. No more slippery soap when washing. Soap comes right through the nylon and makes a good gentle scrubber.
* * *

This reader didn't give me permission to use her name, but I thank her for a great idea. If you've got a Reader Tip you'd like to share, please send it to molly@eldercareteam.com with the subject line "Care Tip."

Let me know if I can use your name. Or if you'd rather have me leave your name off, that's OK, too.

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I spent the past weekend putting the almost-finishing touches on the new and improved website. There are still glitches to be found - it never ends with electronic media that eats things without explanation. If you find something that doesn't work I'd appreciate it if you would let me know. A box of cyber chocolates and your name in lights to the one who finds the most...

...And time moves on . . . Our first Christmas catalog arrived in the mail on Saturday. I think I'm indignant, but it's too hot to get worked up.

'Till next time,

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Don't keep us a secret. If you know other people who should be reading this too, then do them and us a favor by telling them about Elder CareTips (TM). Just send them this link: http://eldercareteam.com/resources/newsletter.htm

Â© 2005 Molly Shomer, All rights reserved. You are free to use material from Elder CareTips: Mastering The Eldercare Maze (TM) as long as you include complete attribution, including live web site link and email link. I would appreciate it if you would let me know where the material will appear.

To subscribe, send a blank email to eldermatters@aweber.com

The Eldercare Team
SeniorLink, LLC
P.O. Box 700291
Dallas, Texas 75370
Phone (972) 395-7823 Fax (972) 395-7164
email: info@eldercareteam.com
Â©1999-2005
Advanced Professional Member
National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers

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