January has been slated as Glaucoma Awareness Month.  Though at this time incurable, the disease is preventable and can be halted in time to cause serious damage. Often referred to as "a thief in the night", the only symptoms of glaucoma are the actual loss of sight and blindness.  That is why it is so important to have regular eye check-ups.  The sooner the disease is detected, the less damage is done and the loss of sight can be minimized.  Though glaucoma is more prevalent in older adults, it can strike at any age. The Glaucoma Research Foundation lists the most common risk factors:

• People of African, Asian, and Hispanic descent 
• People over 60
• Family members of those already diagnosed with glaucoma
• Diabetics
• People who are severely nearsighted

If you fall into any of these categories, or know someone who does, it is important to maintain regular check-ups. As we grow older it is easy to attribute changes, such as vision loss, to the natural aging process. Don't take anything for granted and talk to your doctor about any changes. 

Do you or someone you know have glaucoma?  How did you/they learn about the disease?  What steps were taken to repair any damages and restore vision?  We look forward to all comments.

As far as winters go, the Chicago area has been extremely lucky this year. So far, temperatures in the 40s and lack of snow, have made it one one of the most tolerable winters in recent memory. Unfortunately, we all know that this will not last and won't be long before the thermometer dips below zero and we are covered in ice and snow.  For many, these attributes of winter are a nuisance; for seniors, however, they can jeopardize their safety, health and well-being.

If you know and/or care for a senior, there are some precautions and measures that should be taken to insure that they get through the winter season safely:

EXPOSURE: Due to poor health conditions and even certain medications, seniors can be easily susceptible to hypothermia. Especially for those with dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease, who tend to wander and may not be properly dressed.  Make sure that the individual has a warm coat, gloves, scarves and hats and that they used when going outside. Try to keep their time spent outdoors to a minimum.

FALLING:  Winter weather conditions greatly increase the chances of anyone falling, but more so for seniors.  Problems with balance may make slippery sidewalks impossible to traverse.  Remove all snow and ice and if possible, escort the individual through dangerous areas.  Remember that a simple fall for a senior can result in serious injuries.

DRIVING:  If at all possible, run errands for or drive the individual to appointments, errands, etc...If the senior must drive, make sure that their car is properly winterized and has an emergency kit inside, including blankets, flashlights, water... It is best to keep the kit inside the actual car (not the trunk) for easy accessibility.

HEATING:  Make sure that the individual's home is prepared for the winter months by having the heating system checked out in advance. Also, many seniors are on a fixed income and may choose to use space heaters to save money. Doing so increases the risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning. If a space heater must be used, it should be in perfect working order and used sparingly. 

DEPRESSION:  Seasonal depression, as it is now known, is quite common, especially in areas, such as Chicago, where the winters are long.  The lack of sunshine and physical activity takes it's toll on everyone, but for seniors, social isolation adds another level. Organize visits for seniors who may be housebound.  If the individual can travel, take them out to visit family and friends or even for a drive on a sunny day.

These are just a few of the areas where precautions should be taken. Keeping on top of weather forecasts is also very important to being prepared for not only yourself, but those you care for.  If you have any other suggestions or would like to share your experiences in this, or any other matter that regards seniors and care, we would love to hear them. 

When making a decision to move into a retirement community, assisted living or a nursing home, care and security are first and foremost, top priorities. However, the activities that takes place within those  communities are just as important.  They help to build and maintain a higher quality of life for the individual, as well as the group overall.
It is the responsibility of the Program Director/Activity Director of a community to organize and facilitate these activities. NAAP, the National Association of Activity Professionals, was organized to assist these directors in planning events and providing resources for ideas.  State and local chapters meet on a more regular basis, sharing ideas and experiences.
Though "having fun" is an important goal when creating activities, there are several other functions that are being considered, including:

• Socialization
• Physical Fitness
• Brain Fitness
• Mental Well-Being

All of these actions help to elevate mood by decreasing feelings of loneliness and depression. It can be easy for seniors to withdraw, especially if they have just moved into a community that is unfamiliar to them. Group activities are a key component to the socialization of an individual. It is no different than going to a new school as a child. Recess is the easiest time to make new friends; seeking out those who have similar interests. Having a good time together is a great way to build bonds that turn into friendships.
Offering simple exercises and physical activities is also very important in maintaining good health, which results in a better quality of life. Exercise in general strengthens the body, but it also helps to fight off depression, which is another issue that seniors must be aware of.  The activities can serve one or all of the purposes and still be fun.  A great example is Wii bowling.  It has become a staple in senior living communities across America.  Though it can be played alone, it is easily done as a group, or more importantly a team, allowing for exercise, socialization and even brain fitness.
With the help of national and local activity professional associations, ideas can be shared and spread much more easily. The sole purpose of these directors is to make the residents lives as full as possible, while having fun along the way.  They are just one, very important part to a strong and healthy community.

Do you know an activities professional?  Do you have unique ideas that you would care to share with others? Please leave comments and share your experiences with us.

Hoarders!  We've all seen the shows, or least their commercials, of people who compulsively hoard an astonishing amount of items.  There are a variety of factors than can lead to this disorder.  Though it is believed to develop during adolescence, most of the serious symptoms emerge during middle age and then worsen. It has long been an easy assumption that older people develop this behavior due to past hardships, such as living through the Great Depression or the Holocaust. However, the general nature of aging can trigger these anxieties and traits, magnifying them even more.  Depression, loneliness, low-self esteem, financial hardships, mourning...are just some of the common causes that a senior might begin hoarding. For example, if they have lost several loved ones, they may hold onto possessions that remind them of those people.  They may  even acquire new things that the person "would have liked".  The fear or anxiety of losing anything more, can become overwhelming. The mere act of acquiring and keeping provides a sense of control, a sense they don't feel on a regular basis.  The symptoms may appear gradually.  It is best to address any possible issues early, before the situation becomes unmanageable or even dangerous. Caregiverstress.com provides signs to look for:

•Piles of mail and unpaid bills
•Difficulty walking safely through a home
•Frustration trying to organize
•Difficulty managing activities of daily living
•Expired food in the refrigerator
•Jammed closets and drawers
•Compulsive shopping
•Difficulty deciding whether to discard items
•A health episode such as a stroke or dementia
•Loneliness

If you find yourself in this situation, there are several websites that can provide information and assistance:

*National Association of Professional Organizers.  Find a professional organizer near you at http://www.napo.net

*National Association of Senior Move Managers.  For assistance helping older adults and their families downsize, relocate or modify their homes, contact http://www.nasmm.org.

*National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization.  For various resources on combating clutter.  This non-profit organization features fact sheets, a clutter-hoarding scale for professional organizers to help assess their clients, and a questionnaire to determine if someone is a chronic disorganize.  Chronic disorganization is defined by the group as ongoing (chronic), interfering with the ability to get things done or with relationships, and a history of failed self help.

*Vickie Dellaquila.  Certified professional organizer and author of Don’t Toss My Memories in the Trash.  Email Vickie at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

*University of New Mexico Researcher Dr. Catherine Roster.  Dr. Roster is a clutter researcher who serves as research director for The National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization.  She is currently working on a clutter self-assessment tool that will help clutter collectors get to the root of their issues.

*University of Kansas Professor Dr. David Ekerdt.  Dr. Ekerdt is coordinating a “household moves” project to determine the role that possessions play in older people’s housing decisions.

*Katherine “Kit” Anderson, CPO-CD.  President of the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization.  You can email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

*Remove from Junk Mail Lists.  To get Seniors off of junk mail lists, you can remove them by going to online resources such as http://dmachoice.org, http://www.catalogchoice.org and http://www.optoutprescreen.com

Do you know a hoarder?  Do you think you might be a harder yourself? Share your story with us and leave comments. By sharing experiences, others may find solutions to similar problems.