Two Home Modifications for Aging in Place

Home really is where the heart is. Upon retirement - when all of their children have moved out of the house - 90 percent of Americans age 60 and older choose to stay right where they are, according to 20 years of data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

And because so many Americans are aging in place, they’re looking for ways to make their homes safe and comfortable for the long term. With just a few modifications, retired couples can make their homes perfect sanctuaries for their golden years. Here are some modification ideas to help you keep your heart right at home:

* If you plan to stay active in your community, you may need to make adjustments to your vehicle so you can safely and easily negotiate the controls from behind the wheel. Car manufacturers are adapting vehicles to accommodate seniors with such options as seats that swivel to face out the door so you can sit down or stand up easily and not have to bend down at an angle to climb into the seat. Other available adapters are dashboards that push back until the driver is in the seat and ready to start the car, buttons to control the radio and temperature on the steering wheel, and sliding cabinets that help a person load items into the trunk - and get them out easier.

* Make your home easily accessible. At least one entrance should be level with the walkway - you may need to build a ramp to accomplish this. Also consider changing the door handles to lever style so if a person is suffering from arthritis, they can still easily open the door. Remote locks and a covered walkway are also a good idea, because you won't have to be standing out in the elements while you attempt to unlock the door with a key. The covering also helps prevent ice from building up along the walkway. Finally, installing a good light at all the entrances will allow you to easily see where you are going and any potential obstacles that might be in your way.

With a few modifications, your house can be a very comfortable and safe haven for many years to come. And since it’s already a place you call “home,” why not enjoy it during your retirement years?

Memory Decline Doesn’t Rely on Just One Method

If you’ve been trying to stave off senior moments with brain-boosting activities, you need to know that new evidence suggests that these specific training regimes are not any better than simple conversations at improving memory in older adults.

Some studies show that healthy older adults, and those with mild cognitive impairment, do remember words better after some memory training. However, seniors with memory training do not improve their memory any more than do seniors who participate in a discussion about art, for instance, instead of drilling with a list of words.

One psychologist suggests that as memory loss and typical slowing down occurs, all kinds of activity are helpful, not just cognitive interventions.

In other words, there’s no need to stop word drills and memory games, but just know that they may not be as effective as you once thought. Have friends in for conversation, play board games with neighbors, participate in discussion groups and stay active in your church or synagogue. The important thing is that you not count on just one thing to keep your mind alert!

Cervical Cancer is a Quiet Cancer

Approximately 12,000 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cervical cancer. Nearly one-third of these women will not survive this disease.

Generally there are no symptoms associated with earlier stages of cervical cancer. Some of the first signs of more advanced cancer include irregular vaginal bleeding, heavier or longer-lasting menstrual periods and abnormal vaginal discharge. As the cancer progresses, the patient may experience painful urination, fatigue, weight loss, a dull backache or swelling of the legs.

“Early stages of cervical cancer very rarely involve any pain or symptoms,” says Miller. “Even the symptoms a woman may experience from more advanced stages are often thought to be something less serious. It is a very quiet cancer.”

“However, cervical cancer is also highly treatable when found early,” Miller continues. “Depending on the best treatment for the patient, whether radiation, chemotherapy or surgery, early stages can be treated and result in a long survival rate and good quality of life. This is why regular screening to catch it in the earlier stages is so important.”

Cervical Cancer -- Screening Works

Cervical Cancer – Screening Works
Cervical cancer is one of the most common reproductive cancers in females, but women can take steps to greatly reduce their risk of developing it.

“Many cervical cancer cases could be prevented, or at least caught early, if all women received proper screening for this disease,” says Robert Miller, M.D., oncologist at Wellspring Oncology in Pinellas Park, Florida. “Simply visiting your gynecologist once a year can greatly reduce a woman’s risk.”

Though cervical cancer was once the leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States, cases have dropped significantly over the past 50 years. This sharp decrease is largely due to the development of better medical screening for women.  Still, this year approximately 12,000 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cervical cancer. Nearly one-third of these women will not survive this disease.

Am I At Risk?
“Cervical cancer doesn’t discriminate,” says Miller. “All women of all ages are at risk for developing the disease. However, there are certain factors that can increase a woman’s risk.”

The most common cause of cervical cancer is the. This virus is passed from one person to another through sexual contact and can infect the cervix. However, for most women, HPV will go away on its own without ever causing cervical cancer. Only a very small number of women infected with HPV will develop cancer of the cervix.

While HPV is the primary cause of cervical cancer, it is not the only factor that can increase a woman’s risk. Other known risk factors for cervical cancer include:
Smoking
Human papilloma virus, or HPV
Extended use of birth control pills
Giving birth to three or more children
Multiple sexual partners or sexual activity at a young age
HIV or other immune system disorders
Irregular screening history

The best ways to reduce your risk of developing cervical cancer is through regular pap tests to screen for precancerous cervical cells and by following-up with your doctor, should the test come back abnormal.

WellSpring Oncology  Doctors Robert Miller, Zucel Solc and Frank Franzese, at

6600 Sixty Sixth Street North

in Pinellas Park, Florida. For more information, contact WellSpring Oncology at (727) 343-0600 or visit them online at http://www.wellspringoncology.org/.

Festival of Chocolate

The Museum of Science and Industry hosted a Festival of Chocolate Jan. 15-17 in Tampa. Lots of chocolate to see, sample, purchase and eat. The beautiful cakes won my heart.

Catching up with technology

My boss Kathy Beck and I have talked about the rapid increase of technology for businesses and we haven't quite known how to keep up. By the time we learned one thing, the business world told us we needed to know three or four other things about computers and social networking and being Linkdin to others in the business world.
When the conversations would end we wouldn't be necessarily Linkdin, but we'd certainly be stressed out.

Here's where we now stand. We publish two editions of Senior Connection every month and four editions of Mature Lifestyles. When the magazines run as many as 48 pages, that's a lot of work selling ads, creating the ads, laying out stories and fact checking details with numerous people for every page.
Now our company has a Facebook and Twitter presence which Tracie Schmidt keeps up with. Our sales staff networks, Links in and now we're adding a Blog Site.

As I write this, we're gearing up for one of our biggest Senior Fun Fests of the year at the State Fair Grounds in Tampa, Thursday, January 20. If I don't see you there, I hope to see you at one of our events in the future. Keep up with them through our magazines (which you can view each month online at http://www.srmagazine.com/), by checking our Facebook page or via Twitter.