Dementia Care More Costly-Study

Support from family and friends was given a cost value at recent study which it found that it doubled the overall cost of caring for someone with dementia.

 According to the study caring for  patients with dementia, often called alzheimer's is a great financial burden on society, greater than caring for patients with heart disease or cancer.

Researchers  compared the cost of treating heart disease, cancer and alzheimer's  and found alzheimers care to be 109 billion annualy while, cancer is 77billion and heart disease 102 billion.

The study was done in the USA using US participants.

For the study researchers collected data on ;

• Self-reported out of pocket cost
• Nursing home spending
• Medicare claims data
• Hours spent by unpaid volunteers

The annual cost per person was $56.290.

When support from family and friends was  given a cost value the annual cost doubled, to 215 billion. Researchers predict this figure will reach 511 billion by 2040.

 Read more about this report on the cost of dementia care.

Helping A Loved One With Depression

Depression is a mental disorder characterized by sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy and poor concentration. 

Depression affects people of any gender, age or background, it affects over 120 million people worldwide and is a leading cause of disability.

Depression can become chronic affecting the person's ability to take care of himself or to do everyday chores.

Depression can lead to loss of employment and relationships with family and friends.

If your loved one is suffering from depression there are things you can do to help and make them feel.
 better. 

The loved one will need support, but support is more than a shoulder to cry on.

If you are a care giver,  you must realize that treatment is important.
 
Here are some ways to go about giving your help.

• Get active in their care- If you are a care giver , get active in their care.
• Talk about it- let them know you care
• Stay in contact-Call, visit or involve them
• Focus on small goals- Praise their small achievements
• Keep informed
• Give them help to get to and from appointments
• Encourage and remind them to take medication
• Remind them to keep doctor's appointment

This article is about many ways you can help a family member or loved one who is suffering from depression.
View the ways and read about each in more detail, they are in slide format.

Click Here to begin.

How To Help Seniors Have A Safe Stay In Hospital

The question was how best can an elderly woman prepare for a comfortable stay in hospital and a safe recovery.

The person who raised the question was a family member and the hospital stay for knee surgery.

Giving for health begins as soon as the decision for surgery is made.

Support and encouragement from family members are important before surgery, they can help with physical and emotional support. This may mean giving up some of their time or even money.

Preparing both physically and emotionally means better health prior to surgery. Good health before surgery means quicker and fuller recovery.

A positive attitude on the part of the family member can go a long way towards to fostering hope and

After surgery, while recovering, instead of giving her flowers or a get well card, instead of a box of chocolates or some of her favourite cookies give a gift of health.

Leg surgery will affect mobility and the ability to be physically active. Remember to give gifts that can assist with mobility and daily living.

There are medical aids and supplies that will assist with daily living and for safe recovery; these can be given as wrapped gifts instead of others.

Here are some useful advice for family members and care givers on how they can contribute to the prevention of delirium. The advice are in an article in the Spec.com
Read about these below.
TheSpec - How to help seniors have a safe stay in hospital

Donating Organs Can Bring Grief And Solace

Families grieving the loss of a loved one can also be a source of miracles through organ donations.

Amidst all the grief of bereavement there can be happiness; donating organs can bring solace.

Knowing that, although you have lost a loved one you have donated to saving the life another brings a special kind of happiness.

One donor family describes it as "sharing a bond" with the organ transplant receipient.

One donor can save several lives through transplant of the organs:kidney, liver, heart or lungs. Many others can be saved through the donation of eyes, skin, bone and heart valves.

Here are some remarkable stories of families stricken with grief, but relieved by the happiness of donating for organ transplants.

TheSpec - Donating organs can bring solace amid grief

Popular Vitamins-How Healthy Are They?

I am sharing this article with you because you, as many, may believe that vitamin supplements are good. You may even take them regularly.

Some nutrition experts recommend vitamin supplements when their is a deficiency or when the diet consists of inadequate amounts for a healthy eating.
These three vitamins , although are essential and are good when taken as supplements have experts worried that they may not be doing any good.
According to the article, their benefits in preventing cancer and heart disease have not been proven.

They have been known for immune function.

They are:
1-Vitamin- A
2-Vitamin-C
3-Vitamin-E

Vitamin A- Useful for reproduction and bone health.

Vitamin C -Known for infection fighting powers.

Vitamin E- Known for its fight against cancer.

To read this article/report Click Here
After reading the article you may or may not agree.

Giving For Health On Valentines Day

If you are planning on giving a gift of love on Valentines Day, why not give a gift of health instead.

If your valentine has health needs you can make a difference by giving him/her a gift of health.

Giving has benefits to both the giver and the receiver.


May be your Valentine needs:

• To get well soon


• Lose weight and be trimmer


• Be more physically active


• Daily nursing or caregiver care


• To make adjustments to daily living

Is your loved one battling with a disabling health problem or recovering from surgery? Giving gifts of health could improve their well being and hasten recovery.

What can you do?
Focus on giving for health, take a look at their health needs.

If you are a care-giver or if your loved one needs care in any way, why not give private care on Valentines, his or her own private nurse will be a nice change.

If your Valentine is overweight and his/her health is already compromised, why not give a gift that will promote weight loss. It will also protect their health.

If your valentine is not active enough, rather than a gift that will keep him/her more comfortable sitting, give a gift that will increase his physical activity.

If you've been giving support and encouragement during the year you can give something tangible on Valentines Day. There are many health gifts that can be wrapped for Valentines Day.
If you've not been giving support to your loved one with health needs, the problem may have caused a strain on the relationship. The problem may have forced a lifestyle change you were not prepared for. You can start by giving support instead of something wrapped. It is a good time to show your love and start making the changes that are often necessary.

Remember, unlike other gifts, gifts of health can last all lifelong and all year round.

Antidepressant Drugs May Cause Falls

In a study involving 248 nursing home residents, researchers found that the risk of residents falling was increased if they were given anti-depressant drugs. They found that the risk of falling and sustaining an injury was three times higher in residents taking the anti-depressants.

For the study researchers recorded drug use and records of falls over a two year period. The average age of the residents was 82.

One hundred and fifty-two of them suffered a total of 683 falls, 220 falls resulted in injuries such as a hip fracture or other broken bones.

As a result of the findings , researchers are asking that caution be used in prescribing anti-depressants for the elderly.

The anti-depressants called selective serotonin uptake inhibitors (SSRI's) are frequently prescribed for dementia patients suffering from depression.

You can read more on the report.

Cancer Drives Families Into Debt- A Charity Report

According to a charity report parents of children with cancer borrow money to make ends meet driving them into debt.

A survey carried out by the Children's Cancer Charity found that the illness has a major impact on finances and loss of earnings.

The survey involved 245 families; 76% reported that it had a major impact on their finances and 2 in 3 parents reported a loss in earnings.

Parents also reported a substantial amount of money spent on cancer related expenses each month.


Read more on this report.

This report is about children with cancer, but adults with cancer are affected financially too. Loss of income as a result of disability is common.

When we give gifts for health we are also contributing to the financial needs that often accompany ill health.

Coffee And Tea Gift Baskets

For the coffee and tea lovers among you.


 

Better Recovery From Heart Attacks With Social Support

According to a recent study patients recovering from myocardial infarction have poorer quality of life if they have little social support.
When compared with patients who have good social support, they have a greater risk of angina, more symptoms of depression and lower mental functioning.
The website managing your health online places social support as an important factor in determining health outcome.
This blog encourages support through giving for health instead of another.



Read about the report

Another Tanning Bed Health Warning

Britain is to pass private members bill that would ban children under 18 from using tanning beds.

Cancer experts have called this beauty treatment comparable to arsenic in a previous study.

Self bronzing creams and gels are recommended as an alternative

Read Report

Related Post

Text Messaging Good For Mothers-Be

Text messaging has again been identified as effective in delivering wellness tips, this time to pregnant women.
A free health education program in the USA is making it possible to deliver health teaching through text messaging. Topics will include nutrition, immunization, prevention of birth defects and more.

Mothers will receive weekly messages by texting "BABY" to 511411. Until the end of the first year of life.

The program organizers are expecting to reduce risk factors such as poor nutrition, excessive stress, smoking and alcohol use from their lifestyles.

Related links:
Behaviour change
Smoking cessation

Valentines Day- A Gift Of love Is A Gift of Health

Have you ever thought of giving someone you love a gift of health instead of material things?
During sickness and ill health, the people most affected are the ones closest to us.

During sickness relationships can also grow colder or warmer.
When lifestyle changes are necessary and health is not good, relationship issues may prevent or promote these changes.
If these changes are necesssary to save a life, the life can be affected.
Giving gifts of health is a another way to show support and encouragement, not abandonment.
The gifts on this site can be ideal health gifts on Valentines day.

Give A Food Gift For Health & Nutrition

Still looking for a perfect Gift?
Looking for a gift for the person who has everything?

Food gifts make excellent surprise presents.

You can shop for quick and easy full meals and lobster dinners that are sure to please anyone on your gift list this Christmas.

Here is a healthy eating guide to help you choose meals for anyone, meals that are nutritious, for weight control, promoting health, for diabetics, food for children and adults.

A Healthy Back- For Gift Giving

Aero Pilates Pro 557 Machine

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CXO Executive Office Chair - $ 799.00
Retail Price: 1099.00
You Save: $300.00
From: Healthy Back Store

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What Can I Give?

Gifts of health can be chosen based on the immediate needs of the person. Several can be seen displayed on the right.
Persons requiring lifestyle changes are need in many ways. They need reassurance and support, they may be struggling to make it work, they may be affected financally.
Those with with physical problems may be managing their health for a full recovery.
Give a gift that would make a difference.
If the person is a teen facing challenges with addiction, give a gift to motivate or to educate.
Behaviour modification can be powerful tools for this.
If health risk factors are hindering the person's success with being healthy, give a gift to enlightening and make aware them aware

Give them a subscription to online health education.

Give a gift certificate if control is more important than surprise.


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Why Give Gifts Of Health?

Outcomes Of Giving Gifts Of Health:

• When you give a gift of health you may be providing financial help at a time of health needs.


• Since ill health can accompany financial difficulties. you are helping in more than one ways.


• You will be showing support and not abandonment when lifestyle changes are necessary.


• You can be a valuable source if information to that person.
• You have a happier, healthier family or friend

The Physically Challenged

Health care continues at home after medical intervention or hospitalization.
Life also continues at home for many years after.
The quality of life, though can improve after intervention
If lifestyle is affected and change is necessary an unexpected financial need can add to the fear and anxiety. By giving gifts of health to someone who is physically challenged, you can be supporting them in many ways.
Instead of giving a gift of no health value. Give the physically challenged a gift to improve their health status, a gift to maintain optimum health while in their own environment.
A gift that can speed up recovery or help financially.
This blog is about giving for this purpose.

Giving Gifts At Times Of Need

We give gifts throughout the year and for many occasions. Gifts for:Get well, sympathy, birthdays, retirements, graduations, christmas, weddings, family days and more. This list can go on.
Have you considered giving a gift of health instead of another?
If you or someone you know have an interest in being healthy, giving and receiving gifts of health can be a source of support and encouragement. A gift of health carefully chosen can be of financial help at a time of need.
You can ask for one of these instead of another. To encourage this type of support we have made this blog possible.