Serving AUGUSTA & the CSRA Information For Ages 50 PLUS! HearingHearing LossLoss AssociationAssociation ofof AugustaAugusta receivesreceives thethe PhoenixPhoenix Award!Award! StoryStory onon PagePage 66 September 2011 Vol. 25, No. 9 Page 2 • September 2011 • Senior News • Augusta NIA Tips for Older Adults to Combat Heat-related Illnesses Special to Senior News • Being dehydrated is suffering from a heat-related Disease Control and Preven- • Age-related changes in the illness: tion’s (CDC) recommendations skin, such as decreased func- • Move them into an air con- for heat stress and older adults, tioning of small blood vessels ditioned or other cool place please visit http://www. cdc. s people age, their bod- A and sweat glands • Urge them to lie down and gov/nceh/extremeheat/index.ht ies lose some ability to adapt to rest ml. heat. They may have medical Lifestyle factors that can • Remove or loosen tight-fit- The Low Income Home conditions that are worsened by also increase the risk of hyper- ting or heavy clothing Energy Assistance Program heat. And their medications thermia include hot living quar- • Encourage them to drink (LIHEAP) within the could also reduce their ability ters, lack of transportation, water or juices if they are able Administration for Children and to respond to heat. The National overdressing, visiting over- to drink without choking, but Families in the U.S. Depart- Institute on Aging (NIA), part crowded places, and not under- avoid alcohol and caffeine ment of Health and Human of the National Institutes of standing how to respond to • Apply cold water, ice packs Services helps eligible house- Health, has some advice for weather conditions. Older peo- or cold wet cloths to the skin holds pay for home cooling and helping older people avoid ple, particularly those at special • Get medical assistance as heating costs. Individ-uals inter- heat-related illnesses, known risk, should pay attention to any soon as possible ested in applying for assistance collectively as hyperthermia. air pollution alert in effect. should contact their local or Hyperthermia occurs when the People without fans or air con- For more information on state LIHEAP agency. For more body overheats. Conditions ditioners should go to shopping hyperthermia from NIH, please information, go to www.acf. involving hyperthermia have malls, movie theaters, libraries visit http://www.nia.nih.gov/ hhs.gov/programs/ocs/liheap/ or different names, including heat or other places with air condi- HealthInformation/Publications/ www.acf. hhs.gov/ programs/ stroke, heat fatigue, heat syn- tioning. In addition, they can hyperthermia.htm ocs/liheap/brochure/brochure.ht cope (lightheadedness or faint- visit cooling centers which are To view the Center for ml. ing in the heat), heat cramps often provided by government and heat exhaustion. agencies, religious groups and Health-related factors that social service organizations in Agency on Aging promotes “Each may increase the risk of hyper- many communities. Heat stroke thermia include: is an advanced form of hyper- • Pre-existing diseases such as One Reach One” Campaign thermia. It occurs when the congestive heart failure, dia- by JEANETTE CUMMINGS are still highly body is overwhelmed by heat betes and chronic obstructive Director, Area Agency on Aging active; but great and unable to control its tem- pulmonary disease A Division of the CSRA Regional numbers of the perature. In heat stroke, the Development Center CSRA’s elders • Decreased ability to move body temperature is at least 104 cope with social around degrees Fahrenheit. Someone isolation, hunger, • Dementia or cognitive with heat stroke may have a The Area Agency on Aging unsafe living impairment encourages faith communities, civic conditions, and strong rapid pulse, lack of • Certain medications that groups, families and individuals to inadequate trans- sweating, dry flushed skin, may cause dehydration or that commit to the “Each One Reach portation,” said Jeanette faintness, staggering and mental may affect the responses to heat One” campaign – a campaign to con- Jeanette Cummings status changes such as confu- nect seniors with community mem- Cummings, by the heart, blood vessels or sion, combativeness, disorienta- bers of all ages through caregiving director of the Area Agency on sweat glands tion or even coma. Seek imme- supports, friendships, volunteering, Aging. • Being substantially over- diate medical attention for a and mentoring across the genera- “With a growing number of weight tions. older individuals, a shrinking num- person with any of these symp- • Drinking alcoholic bever- “Older adults deserve our deep- ber of caregivers, fewer workers to toms, especially an older adult. ages est respect for their lives of service support Social Security retirees and If you suspect that someone to this community, and many seniors less funding, success will only come from a coordinated response includ- ing faith communities, civic organi- zations, businesses and human serv- Do you have a leg wound that just ice providers. What we’re facing is much too large and complex for gov- won’t seem to heal? ernment agencies or nonprofit organ- If so, you may be eligible to participate in a research study that izations alone,” Cummings added. investigates a new product that may aid in the healing process. “Every CSRA resident is a part of the solution, and each of us must Diabetic Wounds • Pressure Ulcers • Venous Ulcers guarantee that no one in our commu- nity is left behind.” Arterial Ulcers • Cellulitis • Osteomyelitis • Infections A “Each One Reach One” pres- entation was held at the Kroc Center Now accepting new patients. on Monday, August 15th from 1-3 p.m. Call today for an appointment or screening. To request an “Each One Reach One” idea guide or presentation from the Area Agency on Aging, the pub- lic may call Jeanette Cummings at 706-210-2013, e-mail [email protected], or visit 629 Ronald Reagan Drive, Suite C www.areaagencyonaging.com. Evans, GA 30809 The Area Agency on Aging is a division of the CSRA Regional 706.868.0319 • 706.868.0320 Commission. Services are available Mon. - Fri.: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. through the Agency’s help center at 706-210-2018 or 888-922-4464. www.aiyandiabetescenter.com September 2011 • Senior News • Augusta • Page 3 AGENCY ALERT: Emergency Readiness for Older Adults and Caregivers by KATHLEEN ERNCE emergency preparedness kit for your- a backpack or travel bag, preferably likelihood that essential needs will Executive Director self and/or your loved ones doesn’t one that rolls, that has room for many still be met, even in an emergency sit- The Senior Citizens Council have to be complicated, but it should of the items listed above and that is uation. Augusta, Georgia contain vital supplies that will help pre-packed with the following items: You’ve gathered the information you and/or your loved ones survive • basic personal hygiene items, such you need. You’ve pulled together the until help arrives. Being ready for an as toilet paper, alcohol wipes, and gel emergency supplies you should have emergency means having the supplies hand sanitizers on hand. You’re ready, right? Not Once again we are in the you would need. • extra pair of prescription glasses quite. The third step – and for many, hurricane season and are reminded Your “stay at home” supplies: • change of clothing the most important – is to make a per- that personal emergency readiness These are the things you would need • compact rain slicker sonal emergency response plan. Do needs to be a priority for everyone, to survive safely in your home until • good pair of walking shoes and you have special needs? How will including older adults and caregivers. help can arrive which maybe several socks they be met in an emergency? No one Planning for an days or even a week or more. For • blanket or sleeping bag knows your situation better than you. emergency that planning purposes, you need to • two bottles of water, some break- So, you are in the best position to might never happen assume you would be without power fast bars, and some hard candy plan ahead. If you have limited – and that we cer- and would not be able to go out for • disposable dust masks mobility or are disabled, you may be tainly hope will food or water. Your household emer- • a copy of both your emergency able to register with your local fire never happen – may gency supplies should include: contacts list and your current medica- department or office of emergency not seem like a pri- • enough water to last 3 to 6 days tions list services for special assistance. If you ority; however, it (recommended quantity: one gallon use an electric wheelchair or scooter, per person per day.) Remember, the goal here is to consider keeping your old, manual Kathleen Ernce should be. No mat- ter where you live, • food – also enough for 3 to 6 give yourself a margin of prepared- powered model around for emergency your community is already working days – consisting of high energy ness to see you through until help can use. If you are receiving health care on emergency planning – but the items that won’t spoil and don’t arrive, or to get you safely through an services at home, ask your home emergency planning department is require cooking evacuation. So, think about what health provider about emergency pro- also counting on individuals to take • flashlights and extra batteries other items you might need, given cedures. For example, if you depend responsibility for being prepared at a • portable radio and extra batteries your situation. For example, if you on electric power for home dialysis or personal level. Hopefully, your per- • first aid kit have a car and would expect to use it infusion, you’ll want to know your sonal emergency planning will never • hand-operated can opener if you had to evacuate, you’ll want to options for temporary emergency be put to a test; however, keep in • light sticks (along with your flash- keep the gas tank at least half or even power or home infusion.