-Dr. Kathy Johnson, PhD, CMC

Healthy People need less sleep as they age, and seniors should not be sleepy in daytime.  The study from the Sleep journal says that Senior citizens slept about 20 minutes less than middle-aged adults, who slept 23 minutes less than young adults.

Healthy senior citizens without sleep disorders can have the reduced need to sleep during the day. With sleeping 8 hours a day at night, sleep time decreased as they age. However, the number of awakenings after time spent in deep sleep increased with age.

Healthy aging appears to be related to reductions in the sleep duration and depth is correlated to daytime alertness.  Principle investigator Derk-Jan Dijk, a PhD and professor of sleep and physiology of the University in the U.K. said, “Our findings reaffirm the theory that it is not normal for older people to be sleepy during the daytime. “Whether you are young or old, if you are sleepy during the day you either don’t get enough sleep or you may suffer from a sleep disorder.”

A  study was conducted at the Clinical Research Centre of the University of Surrey and involved 110 healthy adults without sleep disorders or sleep complaints;
●  44 were young (20 to 30 years),
●  35 were middle-aged (40 to 55 years) and
●  31 were older adults (66 to 83 years).

This study shows that when asked to fall asleep in a comfortable position on their bed, young adults fell asleep in about 8.7 minutes, compared to 11.7 minutes for middle-aged adults and 14.2 minutes for older adults.

The author also noted that the cause of the age-related reductions in slow-wave sleep and sleep need still must be established. Related factors could include alterations in reproductive hormones or changes in the brain.

According to the authors, the study also has implications for the treatment of insomnia in older adults, who may be unaware of their reduced sleep need. Therefore, sleep restriction, which leads to increased homeostatic sleep pressure, may be a successful behavioral therapy for insomnia in healthy older adults.

An interesting article on the psychology of aging, by CNN’s Jack Cafferty. More here>>

-Dr. Kathy Johnson, PhD, CMC

A new study  describes a major concern of senior citizens falling because of reduced central and side vision. According to statistics from the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, 35 to 40 percent of people who are healthy and independent above the age of 65 will fall each year, 18 percent leading to medical assistance.

After examining this statistic, the article describes a further experiment conducted by the Los Angeles Eye Study (LALES) that shows the independent effects of central and peripheral vision impairments. After 3,200 participants and 8 years of study, this data correlated: the worse the visions, the higher the number of falls and injuries. Initially, it has been scientifically proven that senior citizens’ ability to see clearly in front of them is reduced due to age-related macular degeneration, but now the issue with peripheral vision is making its way into the laboratories.

The results found that people with central vision impairment were at 2.8 times higher risk for falls with injury than those with no vision impairment. And those with peripheral vision impairment were at 1.4 times higher the risk.  Researcher Rohit Varma, MD, MPH, suggests that both visions need to be treated and taken care of in order to help seniors decrease their risk of falling.

The American Academy of Opthalmology is accordingly the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons with over 27,000 clients. One step at a time, they are looking for more ways to help improve the performance of eye sight and more.

We like to think that in days gone by, the young venerated the elderly. But that wasn’t always so. In “As You Like It,” Shakespeare’s morose character, Jaques, calls old age “second childishness and mere oblivion.” Walt Whitman hoped that the tedium and pettiness of his senior years would not infect his poetry…

More here>>

-Dr. Kathy Johnson, PhD,CMC

Harvard Medical School’s recent report “Healthy Travel: A 10 Minute Consult” presents a wealth of information for senior travelers to ensure a safe, healthy and invigorating vacation. The report lists 10 must haves senior citizens should carry when on vacation.

1.    Prescription medication – carry at least a week’s supply in your hand bag, a precaution just in case your luggage is misplaced along the way.
2.    Any additional prescription medication – consider the destination and your personal medical history when traveling. Take the extra preventive measure by asking your doctor about carrying antimalarial drugs as well as antibiotics for mild to terrible diarrhea.
3.    Gastrointestinal medication – it’s best to have antidiarrheal medicine like loperamide, mild laxatives, and antacids in your hand bag as well, to take care of any stomach problems that might occur.
4.    Allergy medication – always carry antihistamine just in case of allergic reactions. If you or a companion has a history of severe allergic reactions, carry an epinephrine injector for example, EpiPen.
5.    Cold medication – drugs like cold decongestants, throat lozenges and pills will come in handy.
6.    Anti-motion sickness medicine.
7.    Antibacterial and antifungal ointments, for that rash picked up from your tour.
8.    Pain killers are another must carry, drugs like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and aspirin really do come in handy.
9.    Eye drops to lubricate the eye.
10.    Adhesive bandage, gauze, elastic bandage, antiseptic liquid and cream, tweezers, scissors, cotton swabs, and a first aid book.

These are some drugs that need to be carried whenever traveling or setting out on vacation. Those traveling with children should carry along water and snacks, hand sanitizer (alcohol based), rehydration salts, antiseptic ointment, and any other necessary medication.

-Dr. Kathy Johnson, PhD, CMC

In new research, published in the FASEB Journal, mice having abnormalities caused by Werner syndrome gene, also known as accelerated aging, including cancer, obesity, diabetes, heart failure and high cholesterol, can be cured through Vitamin C.

The issue of January 2010 reported the research conducted by a team of Canadian scientists showing that in a mouse model with Werner’s syndrome, vitamin C stops as well as reverses accelerated aging; however, the discovery may also be applicable to other progeroid syndromes.

In their 20s, people with Werner’s syndrome begin showing signs of accelerated aging and develop age-related diseases. Before the age of 50, they usually die.

The co-author of the study from the Centre de Recherche en Cancerologie in Quebec, Canada, Michel Lebel, Ph. D., stated that there is a noticeable indication in the study that in order to increase their lifespan, healthy individuals do not require a huge amount of vitamin C, particularly when they exercise and have a balanced diet.

He also mentions that an individual may profit from a diet with suitable amount of vitamin C when he/she has a mutation in the WRN gene or any gene affected by the WRN protein and therefore predisposes them to several age-related diseases. Both normal mice as well as mice with a mutation in the gene responsible for Werner’s syndrome (WRN gene) are treated with vitamin C in drinking water by scientists.

The mice with a mutated WRN gene were fat, diabetic and developed heart disease and cancer before treatment; however, they were as healthy as normal mice and lived a normal lifespan after treatment.

In WRN mice, vitamin C, in addition, enhanced the manner, in which the mice stored and burned fat, reduced tissue inflammation and oxidative stress. Nevertheless, vitamin C did not help the healthy mice.

The Editor-in-Chief of the FASEB Journal, Gerald Weissmann, M.D. affirmed that in the medicine cabinets and food, vitamin C has become one of the most misconstrued substances.

In addition, he stated that in this study and others similar to his, it is explained how and why this chemical can assist to shield some and indeed not all individuals from premature aging.

With nearly 14,000 subscribers, our free CareNotes newsletter is one of the largest and most followed online newsletters in the senior care industry. Each monthly issue showcases a variety of topics and features. Also included are “Caregiver Spotlights” and updated news from Home Care Assistance 1-866-4-LiveIn, such as newly opened locations. Be sure to subscribe to keep in the know about up to date senior information.

Check our our newest issue here.

-Dr. Kathy Johnson, PhD, CMC

Who says you are ever too old to travel and see the world?  In fact, senior citizens are looking for new and creative ways to travel to get the biggest bang for their buck.  With the limited amount of deals to be found on air travel, more senior citizens are turning to cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Princess, and Carnival.  They found that with going on an all expenses included vacation they are saving money.

Though the economy is slow right now, the cruising industry has remained very competitive, making plentiful deals for their passengers.  The majority of cruise lines have an all-inclusive rate that offers lodging, meals and basis entertainment that represents a significant amount of savings compared to a trip that charges for each different aspect of the vacation separately.

In addition to saving money on an all inclusive vacation there are often discounts given to senior citizens 55 and older.  Another aspect of cruises that are ideal for seniors is the convenience of having everything pre-arranged; from one- stop shopping on board to the cruise line operators arrange everything in advance, even off- shore excursions.  It is a worry free vacation, rather than the typical do- it- yourself vacation.

Many senior citizens also prefer cruises because it allows them to see more places that your average air or car travels.  For example a cruise to Hawaii, may allow seniors to visit all five islands, which could prove to be logistically difficult otherwise.  By having lodging and dining located at the same convenient location every evening, cruises give seniors the excitement of going to multiple destinations but also the comforts of home.  Some of the best deals seniorjorunal.com found was Carnival Cruise Line’s Celebration of Summer promotion.  Carnival Cruise Line, for the entire month of July is offering a different promotion each day to different destinations around the world.

Royal Caribbean International is also offering some exciting summer deals to one or more of their 38 ports all over the world.  As well, Princess Cruise Line is offering amazing packages to Alaska.   If you want a luxury cruise Celebrity Cruise Line’s have some amazing itineraries in Europe.

So when planning your next summer vacation, save some money and a lot of hassle and book a cruise to your dream destination!

Watch this great video of Dan Buettner, the author of “The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who’ve Lived the Longest.”

Two great articles that prove the importance of exercise to seniors!

Senior Citizen Exercise Appears to Prevent, Improve Mild Cognitive Impairment

Physical Activity Has Anti-Aging Effect on Cardiovascular System: German Study