Learning to connect in today's society keeps relationships strong

 

(ARA) - Whether it's at work, at home or among friends, building and maintaining relationships is one of the most important parts of life. As people get older, however, the ways in which connections are made and kept change due to life adjustments, new technology and health.

Those changes often mean challenges. For instance, hearing loss is a common cause of diminishing connections. Those who suffer from it might be reluctant to say or do anything, but not being able to hear can lead to isolation and frustration in all facets of life. Your professional life can suffer just as much as personal relationships, and hearing loss has even been linked to weakened earning power in the workplace.

Putting off hearing loss testing is common, for any number of reasons, ranging from not wanting to admit the problem to worry about having to use a bulky hearing aid. But those who take that first step find that their lives take a dramatic turn for the better, with strengthened relationships and greater ability to enjoy what they were previously missing out on.

To keep your life connected to those around you, on a personal and professional level, consider these ideas:

* Remember the health connection. With age comes an increased awareness of the true value of health and how deeply it affects our lives. By paying attention to and making an honest assessment of health concerns like hearing, it's easier to ensure that you can stay active and connected to your loved ones and friends over the long term. Get your hearing tested and learn about the wide array of new developments in hearing products that can help you live life to the fullest. Visit Starkey.com to find a hearing professional and learn more.

* Find ways to maintain your lifestyle. When you've worked to create a life that you enjoy, it makes sense that you want to keep it up, in spite of life changes. Whether that means going out to dinner with friends every Thursday or opening your home as a gathering place to watch movies or sports with family, it's important to keep those connections and habits going. With the help of state-of-the-art hearing aids and hearing aid accessories like SurfLink Mobile, you can maintain your lifestyle without any sacrifices. The SurfLink Mobile device from Starkey Hearing Technologies enables completely hands-free cell phone conversations. In addition, SurfLink Mobile can act as an assistive listening device and hearing aid remote control, as well as stream music and TV directly to a wearer's wireless hearing aids.

* Seek opportunities to learn. The constant flood of new gadgets and ways to use them can feel overwhelming, particularly if you were born into a generation that knew a world before personal computers. However, most of these technological developments have been designed for easy use, as long as you have a little background information. Look for community education classes, stop into a computer store that offers instruction, or even ask a friend to help you learn. You might find it easier to connect with loved ones and friends through texting, email and the Web, and that knowledge will also help in the workplace, where computer literacy is now essential.

In today's society, "connectedness" refers to technology usage as much as human interaction. But interestingly, the two ideas intersect in ways that improve everyone's lives, with technology driving human connections and vice versa. By taking advantage of the new ways to connect, you'll make your relationships even stronger.

Modifying Your Home to Promote Greater Independence

If your plans include remaining in your home you should read the booklet Modifying Your Home to Promote Greater Independence by the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association. The booklet covers ways you can make your home more "senior friendly" and includes examples of  ways people have modified their home to fit their changing needs. Read More.

Taking Care of Your Teeth

Thanks to better at-home care and in-office dental treatments, more people are keeping their teeth throughout their lives. Some diseases and conditions can make dental disease and tooth loss more likely. But most of us have a good deal of control over whether we keep our teeth into old age.

The most important thing you can do is to brush and floss your teeth each day.
Most mouth woes are caused by plaque. Plaque is a sticky layer of bacteria, bits of food and other organic matter that forms on your teeth. The bacteria in plaque make acids that cause cavities. Plaque also leads to periodontal (gum) disease. This can become a serious infection. It can damage bone and destroy the tissues around your teeth.
The best defense is to remove plaque before it has a chance to build up and cause problems. Brushing removes plaque from the large surfaces of the teeth and from just under the gums. Flossing removes plaque from between your teeth. You also can use other tools to keep your mouth and teeth clean. Read More.

How to protect your pet from the heat

How to protect your pet from the heat

 

(ARA) - When the weather warms and the heat arrives, it seems everyone has a reason to smile. Whether you prefer to cool off with a dip in the pool or with a tall cool drink in the shade, we all have ways to beat the heat. But what about your dog? Pets can suffer from heat just like people.

There are steps you can take to help ensure your dog doesn't overheat in hot weather. Dawn Bolka is a registered veterinary technologist (RVT) and full time veterinary technology instructor at Brown Mackie College - Michigan City. She offers insight into keeping your dog safe during the hot months.

"A dog's normal body temperature is 101 degrees, and sometimes up to 102.5 degrees," Bolka says. "Match this base with rising temperatures, and a pet can get hot quickly." Fortunately, your pet has two ways of cooling down. "Panting through the mouth is a form of sweating. Dogs also sweat through the bottoms of their feet," she continues.

One of the first things Bolka recommends doing for your pet is take time to brush out the undercoat during the spring shed. Dogs shed twice a year - once in the spring to get rid of the winter coat, and once in the fall to lose the summer coat. "Most dogs like the brush. Removing the thicker winter coat helps to keep your dog cooler," says Bolka.

Two of the most important things you can give your dog in the summer are water and shade. "Never leave a dog out in the sun - even in the backyard - without an ample supply of drinking water," Bolka continues. "A shady area should be within easy reach, providing the dog with a place to get out of the heat. When given the options of both sun and shade, dogs know when to take them."

Another way to protect your dog from summer heat is to be aware of the ground temperature. "Pavement can get hot enough to fry an egg," says Bolka. "Taking a dog out for a mid-day walk is a common mistake dog owners make, and it can result in burnt pads. It's best not to walk or run your animal in the heat of the day." Much like pavement, sand at the beach gets hot. Bolka advises giving your dog access to a grassy area, or protecting the dog's feet with booties. Pool decks are another culprit to consider. Bolka's rule of thumb is: If it burns your feet, it will burn your dog's feet.

It is not a good idea to shave a dog during hot weather. "A dog's summer coat actually insulates the skin, offering protection from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays," says Bolka. However, it is possible for a dog to experience sunburn. "If your dog has a black nose, the nose is protected from sunburn," she continues. "A pink nose is more susceptible to UV rays. You will sometimes see a dog bury his nose in dirt, caking mud on it for protection. As long as dogs have shade and water, they tend to do well."

Another bad idea is to leave your dog in a car on a hot day, even with the windows cracked. The American Veterinary Medical Association, reports that temperatures in a car can rise 20 degrees in just 10 minutes, and 30 degrees in half an hour. "Heat builds up fast inside a sitting car," Bolka says. "A dog can suffer heat exhaustion in just 20 minutes."

Heat exhaustion is defined by DogChannel.com as a life-threatening condition that "occurs when a dog's respiratory tract cannot evacuate heat quickly enough." Signs that a dog is in heat distress include excessive panting, thick saliva, dark red gums, and non-responsiveness. "A dog experiencing any of these symptoms should be taken to a veterinarian immediately," Bolka says. "You can offer water, and place wet washcloths on the dog, especially around the head and paw pads." The Indiana Veterinary Medical Association cautions dog owners not to use ice or extremely cold water on a dog with symptoms of heat exhaustion. A veterinarian can run tests to find out if any internal damage has occurred.

With a little knowledge and a lot of common sense, you can help ensure your dog safely enjoys outdoor summer activities and sunny weather.

Warning: Be extra careful on your birthday. New report: You’re more likely to die on your birthday:

It’s the most unwelcome birthday surprise: death.
People are 14% more likely to die on the day they were born than any other day of the year, a new study found.
And for individuals over 60, that number climbs to 18%.
Researchers at the University of Zurich analyzed data from more than 2.4 million Swiss people who died between 1969 and 2008 and published their findings Monday in the Annals of Epidemiology.
"We concluded that birthdays end lethally more frequently than might be expected,” lead author Dr. Vladeta Ajdacic-Gross told the Independent.
The findings give credence to the "birthday blues" or anniversary theory, which suggests the stress of turning a year older can be lethal. Read More.

From AAA: New website is a great tool for seniors and their families

As 10,000 Americans turn 65 every day, AAA is helping aging drivers and their families cope with the life-changing transitions by offering expert advice and easy-to-find resources.

Our new website, SeniorDriving.AAA.com, provides convenient, online access to a wealth of interactive material, and AAA’s Senior Driver Safety Expos offer a local hands-on opportunity to sample AAA’s suite of free tools. Read More.

A Message by George Carlin

June 22 is the 4th anniversary of George Carlin's death from heart failure in Santa Monica, California. He was 71 and lived in Venice, California. Love him or not he sure brought us some interesting insights on life.

Here is an example of his work that I really appreciate.

A Message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

If you don't send this to at least 8 people....Who cares?

George Carlin

Ever wonder how PEZ candies are made?

Gather up the grandchildren and take a ride over to the PEZ factory in Orange and find out.
The PEZ visitor center is open seven days a week but is not operational on weekends and holidays.
Click her for more information

What four factors influence the severity of allergy season?

 (ARA) - While many people rejoice when the weather gets warmer, it's not always a pleasant time for everyone. Those who suffer from seasonal allergies know to expect difficulties around this time of year, but the severity of allergy season can vary.

The presence of the common causes of spring allergies - pollen and mold - can fluctuate depending on a number of weather-related factors. Here are some of the conditions that can affect pollen counts, according to the experts at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI).

* Length of the growing season. Longer growing seasons might be a good thing for farmers and gardeners, but it can mean increased misery for allergy sufferers, as it increases the time pollen and mold are present as well.

* Erratic weather. A warmer-than-usual winter season, as experienced this year, makes trees pollinate earlier. If spring weather fluctuates greatly between warm and cold spells, it can result in more intense periods of pollen release during the warm spells, when plants take the cue to grow and release pollen.

* Rainfall. Rain can be either a good thing or a bad thing for allergy sufferers, depending on when it happens. The worst allergy seasons are often preceded by a wet spring, which promotes rapid plant growth later on. But rain can also provide a much-needed respite for those with allergies, as a heavy rainfall can help clear the air of pollen.

* Wind. Dry and windy weather is not kind to people with allergies, as the wind spreads pollen and mold.

Since so many factors contribute to high pollen counts, it's all but impossible to predict how intense an allergy season will be. However, in addition to taking steps to limit your exposure to allergens that affect you, seeing an allergist before the season starts can also help ensure you find relief.

Why see an allergist?

Allergists are not only trained to treat your systems, but can identify the source of your allergies and develop a treatment plan to address your symptoms. A doctor who is also a certified allergist can teach you how to avoid potential triggers for your allergies, and recommend treatment options that may go beyond over-the-counter medications.

An allergist may also recommend allergy shots, also known as immunotherapy, which can alter the progression of allergies, providing more than just symptom relief. Even if an allergy shot might not be for you, an allergist can recommend both prescription and over-the-counter medications that can best treat your symptoms.

"You can waste a lot of time, money and energy treating yourself instead of seeing an allergist," says Dr. James Sublett, an allergist and chair of the ACAAI Public Relations Committee.

In fact, studies suggest immunotherapy, when used on the appropriate patients, can result in health care cost savings of up to 41 percent. To learn more about allergy symptoms and treatment, or to find an allergist, visit www.allergyandasthmarelief.org.

Surprising facts you should know about hearing loss

(ARA) - When it comes to our health, many Americans have two realities: what we know and what we think we know. When what we think we know is less than accurate, it can be as harmful to our health as the things we don't know at all. Perceptions about hearing loss are a good example of this phenomenon.

You may think you already know a lot about hearing loss and treatment, but some of the facts surrounding this prevalent problem - for instance that, according to the Better Hearing Institute (BHI), 11 percent of Americans report having hearing difficulties - could surprise you. Here are some realities that may make you reconsider what you think you know about your hearing, what puts it at risk and what you can do if you suffer a hearing loss:

Surprising fact No.1 - Not everyone who has hearing loss is old. In fact, most people with hearing problems (65 percent) are younger than 65, BHI reports. And, more children and teenagers are experiencing hearing loss. Nearly one in five American teens now has some level of hearing loss, according to a 2010 study by researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.

While you may think the volume dial on Johnny's iPod is directly related to his hearing problems, there's more to the story, researchers say. Which leads to the next fact.

Surprising fact No. 2 - Threats to our hearing lurk in places you might not expect. Protecting your ears while engaging in activities you know are loud - such as attending a rock concert or a visiting a shooting range - is only the start. Gradual hearing damage can begin to occur with prolonged exposure to sounds of just 85 decibels-roughly the volume generated by a kitchen blender.

So while that MP3 player may be a contributing factor to a child's hearing loss, it's not the only one. In fact, very loud toys -those that emit 90 decibels or more - can be a risk factor, too, according to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Hearing experts take the toy risk so seriously, that every November the Sight and Hearing Association publishes a list of the noisiest toys.

Surprising fact No. 3 - Loud noise isn't the only thing that can damage hearing. In reality, many outside factors - from some medications to a blow to the head - can cause hearing loss. Pressure differences between the inside and outside of the eardrum can be harmful, putting SCUBA divers and frequent flyers at risk.

Diseases like sickle cell anemia, kidney disease, toxoplasmosis and even herpes have been linked to hearing loss. Chemotherapy drugs, loop diuretics and some antibiotics also can affect your hearing. Even large quantities of aspirin (salicylates) may cause hearing loss.

Surprising fact No. 4 - Hearing loss not only affects your ability to hear and your quality of life, it may even hurt your earning potential. The BHI reports that untreated hearing loss may decrease your income by up to $30,000 a year. The good news is that treating hearing loss with hearing aids can reduce the risk to your income by 90 to 100 percent if your hearing loss is mild, and from 65 to 77 percent if it's moderate to severe. Which leads to fact five.

Surprising fact No. 5 - Hearing aids change lives. Technology has made modern hearing aids more effective, versatile, convenient and discreet than ever before. Advances like completely-in-canal styles make it virtually impossible for observers to know if someone is wearing a hearing aid.

Wireless hearing aids, such as those marketed by Starkey Hearing Technologies, can even stream sound directly from your TV, MP3 player or radio to your hearing aids, all without a relay device. The aids automatically transition from one device to another when you move from room to room. And the Starkey Hearing Technologies wireless hearing aids come in three custom styles including completely-in-canal (CIC), in-the-canal (ITC) and in-the-ear (ITE).

Surprising fact No. 6 - Despite the prevalence of hearing loss, less than 15 percent of American adults who get a physical exam this year will also have their hearing screened by their physician or nurse during that exam, a BHI survey indicates.

"The vast majority of doctors in today's health care system don't include hearing health as a routine part of annual exams, despite the fact that more than 95 percent of those with hearing loss could benefit from hearing aids," Dr. Sergei Kochkin, executive director of BHI, said in a press release announcing the survey.

How to Enjoy the Sun and Avoid Skin Cancer

The lure of the outdoors is here for almost everyone. Working in the yard, going to parks with grand kids, sports and barbecues are just a few activities most seniors are planning over the next several months.
But spending time in the sun can be a costly adventure for seniors. With age, the skin is more susceptible to damage and cancers of the skin rank number 1 as the most common form of cancer.
Estimates are that over 1 million new cases will be diagnosed this year alone and the annual frequency of skin cancer is increasing indicating we either haven’t learned how to manage in the sun or we tend to ignore the warnings. Take heed…if you live to reach the ripe age of 65, almost 50% will confront skin cancer at least one time. Read More.