Exercise…for Your Brain

Public service announcements regularly proclaim that physical exercise is good for your heart.

And now there is research that it’s also good for brain functioning and keeps dementia “at bay”.

It’s long been thought that mental tasks and games are good -- “thinking” is also exercise. Physical exercise increases blood flow to the brain and beneficially (usually) increases the heart rate. Strength training (lifting weights & aerobics, for example) are included as desirable exercising.

To Stay Sharp, Watch Your Blood Pressure!

Sometimes the simplest of medical tests can be a life saver. A blood pressure test is standard for routine doctor visits and medical checkups. It seems so automatic and low tech. A cuff goes on your arm, air is pumped in, usually by hand, and the doctor or nurse gets a reading from a gauge being held or mounted on a wall.

But this reading can foretell whether you are at high risk for dementia. In fact, there’s no doubt that there is a high correlation between elevated blood pressure and the development of cognitive impairment.

If you are diagnosed with hypertension (a very common problem for older people), react with serious intent. Take your pills! Side effects are usually minor, if present at all. Retention of your wits is at stake!

Narcotic Drugs Pose Greater Risks for Seniors

News reports are full of stories on the opioid (narcotic drugs) crisis caused by the over-prescribing of such pain relievers. They have proven to be highly addictive.

But there has been relatively little attention focused on a particularly vulnerable segment of the population: older people.

First, as we age, our bodies react differently to medications of all sorts. A particular dose that may be appropriate for a 25-year old may be excessive and dangerous for someone 75.

Second, older people are susceptible to falls, fractures and breathing problems independently of any drug use. Opioids significantly increase the risk of such events. They also can interact harmfully with the many other medications seniors are often taking.

But, of course, opioids are powerful pain relievers. Hence, they have been widely prescribed. But now we know their use is often accompanied by addiction exposure.

What to do? Avoid opioids if the pain is mild. Maybe aspirin alone will suffice. If not, ask your doctor for a low dose of narcotic painkillers with a short duration. If that doesn’t work, call the doctor to discuss alternatives to a higher dose. The increased interaction with your doctor allows for better monitoring of your pain management regimen and will be a barrier against addiction.

Words to the Wise

The Wall Street Journal recently published an article based on what retired readers found to be the biggest surprises of retirement.

Among noteworthy observations:

-        People tend to spend more than they anticipated. Although work-related expenses (like commuting, dry-cleaning and restaurant meals) disappear, travel, recreation and medical bills go up.

-        Not working can affect one’s sense of worth. Look for volunteer tasks – or part-time jobs – to compensate. Dedication to a new or old hobby can help, too. Always wanted to learn to play the piano? Now is the time.

-        Social life changes: For many of us, our lives and friendships are anchored in our work environment. That, unavoidably, changes in retirement regardless of promises of former workmates to stay in touch. Make an effort to reach out to other retirees in the community. If you like to read, join a local library book club, for instance. One retiree noted happiness in retirement is directly related to the people you spend time with.

What Medicare Doesn’t Cover

Many seniors make the mistake of thinking that Medicare covers all reasonably foreseeable medical procedures.

Not true.

Here are some likely areas of necessary health care which Medicare does not pay for:

-   Advanced cataract surgery (no modern laser treatment, only covers if removal is by scalpel)

-  No dental work (unless covered under a Medicare Advantage plan)

-  Long-term care. People with serious dementia (unsafe to live on own) are covered for medical problems, not the cost of care in a nursing home or facility. Expensive insurance or Medicaid (with very restrictive eligibility requirements) are your only options, besides self-funding.

Estate Planning – Fight the Urge to Procrastinate!

It’s understandable that people procrastinate when it comes to getting a Last Will and Testament and other estate planning documents like powers of attorney. Who wants to think of “end of life” concerns.

Interestingly, the fact that a person has lots of assets apparently has little to do with a person’s motivation to take care of such matters.

Last year a survey of very wealthy people revealed that almost 50% of such multi-millionaires had no will!

The consequences of such inactivity can be very damaging indeed. Unnecessary estate taxes, squandered inheritances with children unprepared to deal with sudden wealth and failure to provide for deserving others.

It is simple negligence to “put off” what you know needs – and should – be done. Not being “very wealthy” is no excuse.

When Is Memory Loss a Serious Problem?

We are all forgetful at times, and certainly the frequency seems to increase as we age. But memory lapses aren’t necessarily a symptom of dementia.

As a matter of fact, many, many people function quite well with mild dementia. The concern is that the condition is not static and will only worsen (although some meds may slow the decline – e.g., Aricept). The tipping point is when forgetfulness endangers the person. Not remembering the name of an old friend may be embarrassing but the lapse is not important, nor is forgetting where one left the keys. But holding the car keys in the hand and not knowing that they are necessary to start the vehicle is another matter, as is going shopping and forgetting how to get home.

That is the time to get help.