Happiness At Any Age

Dehydration is a common problem among seniors, with studies showing that up to 20-30% of older adults are prone to dehydration. Inadequate fluid intake can cause a range of issues, from fatigue and confusion to more serious complications like urinary tract infections and kidney stones.Fortunately, there are many simple ways for older adults to boost their fluid intake and keep their bodies well-hydrated.Drink Plenty of Water throughout the DayAim to drink at least eight glasses (64 ounces) of water daily. Invest in a reusable water bottle and take it wherever you go. You can take a sip whenever you canbetween bites of food, while watching TV, or during a stroll. If plain water is unappealing, try infusing it with fresh fruits or herbs for added flavor.Monitor Urine ColorCheck the color of your urine regularly. Ideally, a pale yellow or clear urine means youre adequately hydrated. However, darker urine may indicate dehydration, prompting the need to increase your fluid intake. Make water consumption a habit, regardless of whether you are thirsty!Include Hydrating Foods in Your DietMany fruits and vegetables have a high-water content, making them excellent sources of hydration. Watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries, tomatoes, cucumbers, and celery are all great choices for this very reason. These foods not only provide hydration but also essential vitamins and minerals, making them great snacks.You can also include warm broths and low-sodium soups in your diet. They are comforting and hydrating, especially during the colder months.Limit Caffeine and Alcohol IntakeWhile coffee and tea can be part of a healthy diet, they have a diuretic effect, increasing urination and leading to dehydration. Limit caffeine intake and be sure to balance it with water. Alcohol is also dehydrating, so enjoy it in moderation and always follow it with a glass of water.You can also try decaffeinated options like iced tea, lemonades, smoothies, herbal teas, and more!Set Reminders to Drink Water RegularlyOlder adults may experience reduced thirst sensation, making it easier to forget to drink enough water. Using alarms, smartphone apps, or setting specific times for hydration breaks can help establish a regular drinking routine. Some apps can even keep track of your water intake and encourage you to keep sipping!Hydration and HealthProper hydration supports a range of vital bodily functions for seniors. Adequate hydration helps regulate body temperature, ensures proper digestion by lubricating joints to ease movement and reduce discomfort, and facilitates the transport of nutrients throughout the body.By prioritizing hydration, older adults can improve their overall health, boost energy levels, and improve cognitive function, reducing the likelihood of experiencing dehydration-related complications.Staying hydrated is the key to better health and vitality. At The Oberon House in Arvada, CO, we take the health and well-being of our residents very seriously. Our dedicated team values personalized care and encourages healthy lifestyle habits for a fulfilling life for every resident. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you 303-420-7258!

What We Dont Know We Dont Know in Health Care: September 24, 2024 -Oral Care, Monitored Meals, and Aspiration PneumoniaProper oral care is crucial for maintaining optimal health. Keeping the mouth clean not only helps maintain the protective properties of saliva but also reduces bacteria in the mouth which can be a source of infection in aspiration pneumonia. In addition, monitoring meals and assisting with feeding for those at high risk for aspiration is also a necessity. The process of swallowing involves dozens of muscles that start in the mouth and include the pharynx, larynx, and esophagus. These muscles can become weakened with age and from various, often age-related diseases.  The aging population is especially at risk for aspiration pneumonia due to comorbidities, frailty, and conditions that can impair swallowing.  As a result, aspiration pneumonia is one of the leading causes of death from infection in individuals over the age of 65. One study shows that 1 in 10 deaths from pneumonia in elderly nursing home residents may be prevented by improving oral hygiene (Sjogren et al., 2008). Unfortunately, proper oral care and monitoring of meals is often overlooked in the health care setting.  Perhaps the greatest reason for this is the challenge that almost every health facility faces today: adequate staffing. When I started working in acute care as an RN over 20 years ago, nursing assistants (these are the staff generally responsible for proving oral care in an acute care setting) were typically responsible for 5-7 patients. Nurses had 3-5 patients (this was on a step down cardiac unit). Between the nurse and the assistant, we were able to provide oral care at every meal and offer one-on-one assistance to any patient that was at risk for aspiration. This is no longer the case.  RNs oftentimes look after upwards of 8 patients, and there is generally either no nursing assistant on the floor or only 1 for a patient load that can exceed 20.  Consequently, proper oral care is neglected.  I have often seen patients that are aspirating during meals, but do not have adequate staffing on hand to provide them with the supervision and monitoring that they need. This presents a hazardous catch-22: the aging individual needs to eat to maintain nutritional needs yet he/she needs assistance with eating to prevent aspirating pneumonia.   How can this be remedied? If the family is present, they can provide oral care and meal monitoring. If meal monitoring is required for an at-risk individual, its recommended to touch base with the health care team to inquire as to what the specific aspiration precautions are (every individual may have a different need and/or recommendation). A care companion can also be hired to provide the needed care. I hired a companion for my father when he was in a skilled nursing facility. He was not getting his teeth brushed or flossed regularly, and I was seeing a decline in his dentition. Having this extra support provided him with much needed assistance and the care companion had the added benefit of encouraging him to eat more at every meal, something that was a bonus as he was not meeting his nutrient needs. Touching base with staff to request that oral care and meal monitoring be done can also be helpful. Having an advocate to ensure necessary care is getting done can also be very effective in the health care setting.  What is proper oral care and effective meal monitoring?  Proper oral care includes brushing the teeth for at least 1 minute after every meal. It also includes using a soft bristle brush, fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily. A final component of oral care that is often not discussed is denture care. Dentures should be cleaned at least once per day and removed at bedtime. Removing them prior to sleeping can greatly reduce the risk of pneumonia (Iinuma et al. 2014). Effective meal monitoring includes adequate supervision during mealtime for those at risk of aspiration. Such supervision includes ensuring the individual is properly positioned for a meal (head of bed as high as can be tolerated and supine position), takes small bites, eats slowly, swallows a couple times in between each bite, and intermittently takes a sip of liquid to clear the mouth of food particles. The use of straws is generally not recommended for an individual at risk for aspiration as it propels the food to the back of the throat and hence can increase risk. I recall when I was working as a Registered Nurse (RN) in acute care that I was constantly removing straws from the bedside of at risk individuals and often reminding them to eat slowly and swallow at least twice between each bite to ensure food clearance. Individuals at risk for aspiration often require a modified texture diet as it can further prevent the aspiration of food and liquids.   This is a brief summary of the attention to detail needed in addressing oral hygiene and meal monitoring amongst the aging population. Both measures can play a significant role in reducing aspiration pneumonia.  If you would like more information on understanding proper oral care or any other questions that you may have regarding aging life care, please feel free to reach out to me.    Sources:1.      Sjogren P, Nilsson E, Forsell M, Johansson O, Hoogstraate J. 2008. A systematic review of the preventive effect of oral hygiene on pneumonia and respiratory tract infection in elderly people in hospitals and nursing homes: effect estimates and methodological quality of randomized controlled trials. J Am Geriatr Soc. 56:21242130. 2.      Iinuma T, Arai Y, Abe Y, Takayama M, Fukumoto M, Fukui Y, et al. 2014. Denture wearing during sleep doubles the risk of pneumonia in the very elderly. J Dent Res. doi: 10.1177/0022034514552493 3.      F Muller, 2015. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4541086/#   

Congress recently made significant changes to Medicare's Part D prescription drug benefit as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. While some changes aim to help seniors afford their medications, others may have unintended consequences.On the positive side, insulin costs are now capped at $35 per month for Medicare beneficiaries. This has already provided relief for many seniors with diabetes.Starting in 2025, out-of-pocket Part D drug costs will be capped at $2,000 annually. Seniors will also have the option to spread these costs throughout the year through the new Medicare Prescription Payment Plan. These changes can benefit seniors who rely on multiple brand-name medicines or have fixed incomes.However, awareness of the new payment plan is low. Medicare could do more to inform seniors about this option, which requires opting in. Seniors should consider contacting their Part D insurers during open enrollment if they would benefit from spreading out pharmacy costs.The law's drug price negotiation provision has led to some unintended effects on drug development. At least 36 research programs and 22 experimental drugs have been discontinued as a result.Part D premiums have also increased. This year, standalone Part D plans were set to cost 21% more on average compared to last year. Many seniors switched to lower-cost options as a result. The number of available plans has decreased by about 25% since 2020.Some insurers have moved certain medications to tiers requiring higher out-of-pocket costs, restricting access to previously covered drugs. New rules like step therapy requirements have also been implemented, potentially making it harder for patients to access drugs their doctors recommend.It's important for seniors to understand these changes and their potential impacts on drug access before Medicare's open enrollment period begins in October.  Contact Carleen Lachman, Independent Insurance Specialist at 724-571-4688 to learn more.