Being alone is sometimes a good thing, but at the same time it remains a double-edged sword. We all need our alone time, whether it is on top of a mountain, fishing, gardening, reading a good book or seeing a movie. The difficulty comes when one does not go out at all or see other people socially. Being cloistered in one’s own home or apartment and never going out can have detrimental psychological effects on the psyche and mind.

People tend to get depressed a lot quicker by choosing to be alone all the time and not seeing other human beings. I remember reading about a native tribe in the South Pacific who ostracized one of their tribesmen when that person made an infraction against the law of the land within the village. The person was told to leave the tribe and never, NEVER talk to anyone within the tribe again or have any kind of contact with them. Eventually, this person died.

It goes without saying that the human touch is a basic need. It is our most intimate form of communication and a basic desire for all humans. We all need to be wanted and feel needed.

Touch allows one to express their feelings and to receive the feelings of others. Our words are an extension of our thoughts and feelings and show others our actions towards them in a verbal way including the expression of our values and habits. Without human words and touch, people’s self-esteem is lowered and they eventually get depressed and will die of loneliness. Men are especially more vulnerable and have a higher percentage of suicide than older women due to the inability of men to form longer lasting social relationships in later life. Women are basically more gregarious and I think live longer because of this fact. Be social and live a longer and happier life!

1. Be prepared. That is be prepared for change and what you may need to do to adapt or change yourself.
2. Plan to work and work to plan. We all need a plan on where we need to go and how we are going to get there. As the late, great American philosopher, Yogi Bera once said, “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will take you there.” So, formulate your goals from your core values and make them part of your strategic life plan. Set time aside to think about what it is you want to accomplish in the next three to five years. Write these down. Then set a list of objectives on paper supporting your goals. Then develop an action plan.
3. Plan to change. Be open to change. Be ready to change your plan if necessary. Plan for retirement the same way you plan to work. Be accepting of change.
4. Know thyself. In all of your planning, get to know how you think, what you want for yourself, and why. Be accepting of yourself.
5. Learn to give your gifts away. I have always advocated that none of us know what gifts we have until we give them away. Volunteer and get out of yourself. This will help to empower you and others.
6. Challenge yourself. Work your brain and stay young. Exercise your brains. Exercise your bodies. Stay social. Stimulate and rekindle your inner child. This will enable you to continue to be curious and spontaneous. Have fun and enjoy each day. Live in the moment.
7. Forgive. Forgive yourself for not meeting the expectations of others and forgive others for putting their expectations on to you. This way you can continue to develop your sense of self, be yourself and increase your self-esteem. Forgiveness is freeing and brings on new vistas and capability for achievement and introspection.

It is the news that someone in your family has been diagnosed with cancer, the BIG C we call it; and now the fear factor is working in overdrive. It’s quiet because no one knows what to say or even do at this point. Panic sets in. There are doctor’s appointments to make, medicine’s to buy, tests to take and a thousand things clouding one’s mind. All of these things happening, yet blanketed by the fear, the choked back tears, the “Why Me?” questions in a process of denial that has started to worm its way into your head. Yet there is light ahead in the form of hope.

It is called Hospice care. If recognized early enough, a condition that is life-threatening, like cancer, can be referred to hospice; which can prolong life, decrease pain and suffering for not only a patient but for their family too. Hospice involves a team approach to care and caring. Many people from different back- grounds make up this team; all with varying skill sets and from different professions:  The medical director, the nurses, home health aids, chaplain and social workers. All of whom who care for the patient, as this team approach engulfs the patient and their immediate family.

I was called upon by the Chinese government to go to China in 2008 to teach hospice to medical professionals, nurses and dental personnel within a hospital setting. There is no hospice in China amidst a burgeoning older population. There is no such thing as palliative care either. Teaching people in the medical field is supposed to be like “singing to the choir;” but in a country that has a different culture, different ideals and philosophy about life and death, it is like “pulling teeth” from a chicken. Two million people die from smoking habits each year in China. The only light they see is the smoldering embers of their ashes as they drift off in peace from lung cancer.

1. Age: Most Alzheimer’s patient’s are over the age of 65. The risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease increases with age.
2. Family History: Research shows that those who have a close relative with this disease are more likely to develop the disease.
3. Genetics: Scientists have identified an Alzheimer’s risk gene, which is protein variant…Gene 19.
4. Vascular Health: Good heart health, including lowering cholesterol, is linked to lower disease rates.
5. Healthy aging: keeping the brain active, being physically fit and maintaining social connections may offer some protection.
6. Head injuries: There appears to be a link between serious head injuries and developing Alzheimer’s disease…so wear a helmet when biking or climbing.

We must be aware of our surroundings and we must always take precautions to make sure we are balanced and prepared if we do slip and lose our balance. Firstly, a good pair of shoes is warranted in bad, wet weather; non-skid soles or slip resistant to be exact.

When walking, try to center yourself with your Chi…that is a point mid-way between your breast bone and your navel. Breathe slowly and evenly when you walk and concentrate on staying focused to your surroundings and your gait.

If you have a balance problem due to your inner ear or have had knee, hip, back or stroke problems then do not be ashamed or embarrassed to use a cane or walker when you walk. If you should slip you can help yourself by using your assisted device to help you and keep you from falling.

Many elders feel that using an assisted walking device is a sign of weakness or being old. On the contrary, it is a sign of maturity and wisdom that you know when you need a helping hand and most of the time you will look distinguished using such a device.

My own mother got a plexi-glass cane that looks like crystal. Everyone has commented on how beautiful it is.  “Where did you get it” rings out from those passers-by. But she won’t tell! I tried to get her to use a cane a long time ago because she was falling and now she does not leave home without it!!

So if you have balance problems, try a cane, you’ll like it!!!

Government health insurance programs can help pay for nursing home care; however, they have very specific requirements. Medicare only covers a very small part of nursing home care. It limits the amount of time and circumstances under which it pays for nursing home care. It pays only for care that it defines as “skilled” nursing care which is comparable to care received in a hospital. Federal guidelines for Medicare basically limit coverage to people who are recovering from an acute condition.

If you can afford it, long-term health insurance is a good bet. It will help you cover the costs of nursing care in a home, hospital, assisted-living and the like. There are many laws regulating the keeping of assets with regard to nursing home care and if you are interested in learning about these, which could save you a “bundle,” in the long-run, then contact me or other experts who can advise you on how to save your assets from the government and still be able to get the care you need.

As we age, we produce less melatonin, a hormone used in our bodies for sleep. When this happens to us it is difficult to get to sleep. Taking this hormone over the counter can be useful if one has fatigue from not sleeping enough and it is recommended that you take up to 4 mg a night, one hour before retiring. This will help regulate your internal clock and put you on the right track again. Some people resort to drinking alcohol before bedtime. This is not recommended due to other characteristics it possesses that can have a negative effect on your mind, memory, and body by dehydrating you for one.

 

Oldest man in history at 126 years

The great muscian, Eubie Blake, once stated that “If I had known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself.” He said this on the occasion of his 100th birthday. Seems like people are aging more, living to older ages in better health. Thanks to our medical system, our better nutrition and better drugs for staving off disease we are living longer. Essentially our better ways of living. A study having taken place since 1975 or thereabouts, in Okinowa, Japan and has illuminated  a great many secrets about aging successfully. The people on this tiny island are far outliving other’s anywhere else and have a greater amount of 100 year olds and above, than any other country in the world. This is all attributed to diet, exercise, their way of life, eating fresh food-nutritious food such as fresh grains, fruits and vegetables.

 The other aspects to long-life here are the practice of a religion, constant exercise, no alchohol consumption, and keeping active and social. We know through logistics and statistics that if we keep up this kind of lifestyle there will be over 600,000 centenarians world-wide by 2025. Where this will happen is a direct response to our ways of living and how we function diet wise and keeping our general health.

When my dad was dying I tried to get him on a macrobiotic diet; however he was not interested in my lecturing him about what he could or should eat. It seems that he just wanted to eat what he could. Many people with cancer and life-threatening diseases have altered their diets and have sustained life in better health than before the disease. We must remember that “we have a disease when this occurs, it does not have us!” We can help to eliminate it by adhering to strict nutrition standards, keeping active, allowing our minds to generate positive thoughts and staying social. We must live life to it’s fullest to be able to experience the joys and the pains that accompany it; each allowing us to know that we are living life. Live long and prosper….Dr Eric Shapira

Original watercolor / pastel by Dr. Eric Shapira

My grandmother used to keep a bottle of wine under her bed. When she couldn’t sleep, she drank. This is certainly not advisable due to the fact that older people are “fall risks” and we don’t want to see this happen with resulting injury. So taking  up to 4 mg of melatonin, which you can buy in a health food store, will help with getting to sleep. Take it one hour before bedtime. You might check with your doctor to make sure it will not counteract any other medications you might be taking as well. You can try counting sheep or goats…works for some.

Sleep apnea is another sleep problem and this requires sleep studies to determine the extent of the problem and subsequent treatment. Sometimes a simple dental appliance worn nightly will help with this problem and snoring as well, which can keep anyone awake. Just ask me…my wife sounds like a heard of cattle when she snores. I am always afraid of getting caught in the stampede.Now you know why I can’t sleep…

Are you having sleep problems?  Call me and set up an appointment.  I’m happy to evaluate your situation and help you any way that I can!

Here’s to sweet dreams….

Dr Eric Shapira

Your Aging Mentor, Optmizing your daily health and making aging transitions easier.