Serving AUGUSTA & the CSRA Information For Ages 50 PLUS! EnjoyEnjoy anan EveningEvening ofof BallroomBallroom Dancing!Dancing! July 2011 Vol. 25, No. 7 StoryStory onon PagePage 66 Page 2 • July 2011 • Senior News • Augusta Taking Care Help older relatives enjoy summer safely by LISA M. PETSCHE health and keep him or her to take some beverages along your vehicle is not air condi- comfortable during the dog whenever you go out. Water is tioned, time your trips and plan days of summer: best, but if he or she isn’t a water your routes to avoid traffic con- Attention caregivers: sum- • Before planning your day, lis- drinker, try vegetable juice or gestion. Before getting in, open mer sun, heat and smog can be ten to the weather forecast for diluted fruit juice. Avoid caf- all the windows or doors to let harmful to your older relative’s temperature, humidity level and feinated and alcoholic beverages. heat escape. Never leave your already fragile air quality reading If your relative is on fluid restric- relative in your vehicle while health. • Stay indoors and keep win- tions or a special diet, consult doing errands, as heat can quick- At tins time dows closed when smog alerts with the doctor before making ly build up to a dangerous level of year, the ele- are issued. any changes. during the summer months. ments bring • Close blinds and curtains to • For cooking, use a microwave • Whenever you go out, see to increased risk for block the sun’s powerful summer oven, toaster oven or barbecue it that your relative is wearing Lisa Petsche certain problems, rays. rather than a conventional oven sturdy, comfortable shoes with some potentially • Have your relative avoid all or stovetop. Consider buying pre- good treads, and that he or she fatal. These include: decreased unnecessary physical activity. cooked foods that only require has any recommended mobility circulation and an altered sensa- • Serve lighter, more frequent warming. An even cooler alterna- aids. tion of thirst; chronic illness, meals and offer more fruits and tive is to order takeout food. • One final piece of advice: such as heart or lung disease; vegetables, which have high • If you don’t have central air Don’t forget to protect yourself improper or overuse of medica- water content. Avoid hot, spicy, conditioning, use fans or window from the ill effects of excessive tions; and being significantly high-fat and protein-rich foods. air conditioners to improve air- summer sun, heat and smog. You underweight or overweight. • Offer plenty of extra fluids, flow and evaporate sweat. Stay matter, too! The following tips will help regardless of whether your rela- on the lowest possible floor of you protect your relative’s tive expresses thirst, and be sure your home, preferably on the If your relative lives alone: shaded side. If necessary, cool • Make daily checks during your relatives with a refreshing heat waves to ensure your rela- bath, shower or sponge bath, or tive is eating and especially Why get regular medical checkups? by placing a cool washcloth on drinking sufficiently (arrange for wrists and foreheads. Open win- more groceries as necessary), dows in the evening if there is a isn’t overdressed and is acting breeze. normally. Seek medical attention Because staying well • If you don’t have an air con- if you have any concerns about ditioning unit, seriously consider his or her physical or mental is SO much better getting one, especially if you and state. your relative can’t easily get out. • Ensure any air conditioners or Otherwise, plan to spend the fans are in good repair and being than having to recover! hottest part of the day in a cli- used. mate-controlled environment: a • Help to obtain an air condi- CPC can help . friend’s or relative’s home or a tioning unit if your relative does- public place such as a senior’s n’t have one, or arrange during a center, library or shopping mall. heat wave for him or her to stay The Family Physicians of CPC-Crossroads CPC-North Augusta • If you need to go out with with someone (you, another rela- CENTER FOR (706) 922-6600 (803) 279-6800 your relatives, do so in the morn- tive or a friend) whose home is PRIMARY CARE CPC-South CPC-Evans CPC-Central ing before the heat reaches its climate controlled. Your Prevention Specialists (706) 798-1700 (706) 650-7563 (706) 868-7380 peak, or in the evening. Avoid • Provide or arrange for trans- situations involving a crowd. If portation to appointments, for errands, or to take your relative to a cool place. Walking any dis- Do you have a leg wound that just tance or waiting at bus stops in extreme weather is not advisable. won’t seem to heal? • If you live at a distance, If so, you may be eligible to participate in a research study that arrange for a local friend or neighbor to make a daily visit. investigates a new product that may aid in the healing process. Supply your relative with a list of local businesses that offer deliv- Diabetic Wounds • Pressure Ulcers • Venous Ulcers ery service, including grocery Arterial Ulcers • Cellulitis • Osteomyelitis • Infections stores and pharmacies, so he or she doesn’t feel the need to ven- Now accepting new patients. ture out in extreme conditions. If Call today for an appointment or screening. your relative doesn’t have air conditioning, call the local public health office or Agency on Aging to find out if there is a program that subsidizes the cost of air conditioners, or a public cooling 629 Ronald Reagan Drive, Suite C center in the area. ********* Evans, GA 30809 Lisa M. Petsche is a medical 706.868.0319 • 706.868.0320 social worker and a freelance Mon. - Fri.: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. writer specializing in boomer and www.aiyandiabetescenter.com senior issues. July 2011 • Senior News • Augusta • Page 3 The 3rd Annual Elder Rights Conference: “Bringing Law and Order to Elder Abuse” Submitted by was a personal experience that I these elders that they were in fact adapt to the increasing numbers of KATHLEEN ERNCE won’t soon forget: stories of elder victims of abuse, neglect, or fraud. elders entering the world of assist- Executive Director residents whose lives were deeply Some refused to testify, making ed living. The Senior Citizens Council enriched by the garden at the prosecution still more complicated. By the end of the event, I was Augusta, Georgia Golden Living Center, whose need Many people who are acquaint- far more knowledgeable about for companionship was met by car- ed with elders’ needs know that issues facing elders who may be Written by ing individuals with busy lives and elder abuse is one of the most considering (or who may not have KRISOFFER THOMPSON families of their own, and whose underreported crimes in American a choice in) alternative living AmeriCorps VISTA simple wishes for a clock, picture, society today. I knew, or thought I arrangements, assisted living, or some other item to brighten up a knew, but as each speaker shared homes, or other options. But more wall were granted by volunteers their experiences and the fruits of importantly, I was acutely aware of with scarcely any funds them- their labor, be it new tips on mak- the singular nature of human serv- Wednesday, June 15, selves! ing residents feel at home and val- ices. Hearing what it’s like to stay 2011 was World Elder Abuse Day. The conference opened with a ued, or detailed analysis of the in a room with a roommate that It was also the date of the incredi- presentation from Nathanael components of Culture Change, I frequently receives visits from fam- bly informative 3rd Annual Elder Wright, a Prosecuting Attorney began to connect a more human ily, when you yourself receive Rights Conference: “Bringing Law who specializing in elder abuse element with all of the information. nothing, had made an impact on and Order to Elder Abuse.” As an cases. The speech itself (which Mrs. Kim McRae, Chairwoman of me. AmeriCorps VISTA service mem- detailed some of the more curious Culture Change Network of These are real events happen- ber volunteering with The Senior cases which elders may find them- Georgia, spoke about her own ing to real people all over the Citizens Council, I had the unique selves in) was quite interesting; experiences with an aging mother nation, but there’s a lot we can do opportunity to learn information but, when I asked him afterwards and father-in-law (both now to help. I hope that those who did that I (a 23 year old) would not what the most difficult part of the passed), and her passion for help- not attend the event do so next normally encounter. However, the job was, he gave me an even more ing elders feel like important mem- year, even if just to validate the conference was more than just a interesting answer – “the victims.” bers of society. She led much of stories we read and hear. collection of facts and well-creden- Convincing a grandmother to testi- the event, imparting personal And as always, should you tialed speakers. It was more than fy against her daughter or grand- touches to her vision of Culture have concerns about alternative liv- learning that as part of “Culture daughter, who has stolen thousands Change for Georgia. The audience, ing arrangements, questions about Change,” even the words have from her over the course of a few composed of Personal Care Home what to expect in personal care great meaning – using the term short weeks or even days is diffi- Directors, Nurses, Volunteers, homes or nursing homes, or would “elder” instead of “senior” denotes cult business! Often Mr.