Although the issue of caretaking for parents is not a new one it is now getting much needed attention at the government level. The following was excerpted from a post on the White house web site.  It was written earlier this year by Terrell McSweeny who is Domestic Policy Advisor to the Vice President. 

“The Middle Class Task Force unveiled a series of initiatives in the President’s FY 11 budget that are aimed at helping families with soaring child care costs, balancing work with caring for elderly relatives or people with disabilities, paying for college, and saving for retirement. These are costs that – along with health care – have risen dramatically for families at a time when their incomes haven’t. Some people call this “squeeze” because of the pressure these costs put on family budgets. But for many families it just seems like it is impossible to get ahead. This is particularly true for the so-called “sandwich generation” – people who are caring for children (or grandchildren or adult children who are struggling financially) and their parents. The Vice President often speaks very personally about his experience caring for his parents and in-laws. And almost all of us know someone who has juggled caring for a parent or relative who can’t get along completely on their own. Millions of Americans provide unpaid care to aging relatives – including approximately 23 million caregivers with jobs and 12 million who are also caring for their own children. That’s why the Middle Class Task Force’s “squeeze” initiative includes help for family caregivers. These caregivers play a vital role in helping seniors stay in their communities or at home. But too often they don’t have the support they need to balance caregiving with work and family responsibilities.  Approximately 65 million Americans provide care to a loved one, giving more than $375 billion worth of unpaid care each year—often at their own financial and emotional expense.   The caregiver initiative won’t magically alleviate all the strain on caregivers and their families – but it is an important first step toward providing more support for families and caregivers and the vital services they are performing.”

The group meeting this month really helped me understand what an important issue this is for women who are also coping with the changes and personal health issues of menopause.  The planning team has already started to discuss how we can help meet your needs for information on this subject and likely will repeat the stress and depressed topic and caregiving  as a fall event.  Your imput is welcome either by comment or contact via email through this blog.  Thanks.

Tetanus, Diptheria. Pertussis (Td/Tdap)  All adults age 19-64 should get a Tdap once and all adults should get Td booster every ten years. Pertussis, which is known as Whopping Cough caused a great deal of illness in death in children and infants in the 1940s.  For years it was nearly wiped out  due to immunizations but has recently reemerged.   Adults  have largely lost their immunity to the disease.  Getting the Tdap booster will prevent you from getting the disease and passing it on to any children you may come in contact with. ( think grandchildren). Obviously, parents, teachers and health care providers are also important adult groups to immunize.

Varicella-  (chicken pox).  2 doses recommended unless you have evidnece of immunity.

Zoster- (shingles).  One dose is recommended at age 60 or above.  Shingles can be very debilitating and the pain can last for months and months. Vaccines don’t always completely prevent infection but can greatly reduce symptoms and time for recovery.  The disease seems to get worse as we get older so it makes good sense to get this vaccine. 

Pneumococcal- (Pneumonia). One or two doses for people with medical conditions putting them at high risk and one dose if you are over 65.  Most people who die from the flu actually die of pneumonia so  this vaccine is often given along with the annual flu vaccine.

Influenza-   Get the flu vaccine yearly.  Flu shots are safe for most people and even if you do get the flu your symptoms will be milder.

Other vaccines that may be appropriate for you to get  include Measles- Mumps- Rubella (MMR),  Hepatitis A and or B and Meningococcal.  Check with your doctor to see if you are in a high risk group for these disesases and should be immunized. 

I wish you health.

Facebook users also can sign up to become a “fan” of the Pinky Swear Facebook page to receive news and information about breast cancer from Henry Ford. In metro Detroit, an estimated 154,000 women, ages 40 to 64, use Facebook. For Facebook users who are not in Michigan, Henry Ford hopes Pinky Swear will encourage women to start a dialogue with friends and family, as well as their health care providers, about the importance of breast cancer screening. Facebook users can access the Henry Ford Pinky Swear application at  

Facebook users can access the Henry Ford Pinky Swear application at http://apps.facebook.com/pinky_swear.

 About Henry Ford Mammography:  Henry Ford Health System offers 17 mammography sites throughout southeast Michigan, the majority of which offer online appointment scheduling.

To schedule an appointment, visit www.henryford.com  for locations and real-time mammography scheduling, or call 1-800-HenryFord.  There is also a link to the right of this post.

A physician’s prescription is not needed for real-time online mammography appointment scheduling for women ages 40 and older who require a routine screening mammogram. Patients who schedule a mammography at a Henry Ford location on Oct. 16, National Mammography Day, will receive a pink carnation at their appointment.

Chances are that if you live in Michigan you are vitamin D deficientor at least insufficient.  Your risk is even greater if you are older, dark skinned or cover your skin while outside.  Experts in the medical community generally agree that vitamin D deficiency among women is widespread.  Some predict that as many as  70% of white people and 97% of black people are deficient.   Vitamin D is either synthesized in the skin through exposure to ultraviolet B rays in sunlight or ingested as dietary vitamin D.  However it is difficult for humans to get adequate vitamin D from diet alone.  And our Michigan climate and latitude make it difficult to get enough sun exposure.  Then there is the dilemma of increasing the risk of  skin cancer with sun exposure.  Sun screen blocks the skins ability to synthesize Vitamin D.  What is a person to do?

Get your vitamin D level checked.  Ask your health care provider about getting this simple blood test the next time you go for an exam.

Consider taking a supplement.  There is no general agreement about the optimal intake of vitamin D. Some researchers say the current recommended intake of 400 international units (IU) to 600 IU daily is inadequate and suggest a much higher daily intake, from 1,000 IU to 5000 IU.  Cholecalciferol is the preferred form.   It is easily available in any drug store and not terribly expensive. If your blood levels are low your health care provider may give you with a high dose prescription form of vitamin D.  Experts reassure that it is rare and dificult to get too much Vitamin D but check with your care provider.

Include nutritional sources of Vitamin D in your diet.  Look for vitamin D fortified foods such as milk,cereals, orange juice and yogurt.  Other foods with vitamin D include tuna, salmon, beef liver, egg yolks, cheese. ( and of course cod liver oil if you can stomach it)

Continue limited sun  exposure.  (if you can find it!)  Most experts say that 15-30 minutes of sun exposure without sunscreen is reasonably safe.  Getting this amount most days of the week can help boost most peoples vitamin D levels safely.

Be sure to take advantage of this free event on an important subject for women.  At this point there is still space  so call 1-800-HenryFord to RSVP today.  

See the Menopause Support Circle page for a link for directions and for the other 3 dates and locations this talk will be offered.

Health care providers are understandably concerned that these delays in preventative health care such as pelvic exam, pap smears, mammograms and more will result  in  serious health problems down the road.   The benefits of preventative health care is just that, preventing illness or late diagnosis.

If you have lost your health insurance or know someone who has, here are a few suggestions:

1.  Ask about discounts or payment plans for office visits. Many health care organizations have programs for people who self pay.

2.  Take advantage of generic drug programs by national chains.  Walmart, CVS, Kroger and many others have programs covering hundreds of medications.  This includes hormone thrapy, osteoporosis medications and anti-depressants, to name a few.  The cost for these medications  may be $4-10 a month.

3.  Check out discount programs  by pharmaceutical companies.   A good resource is www.rxassist.com.

4.  Be savvy about drug costs.  Go to www.michigandrugprices.com  to compare prices at local pharmacies.   If you are not in Michigan maybe your state has a similar resource. Do a search.

5. Recommit to a healthy lifestyle.  It’s difficult enough to be sick during good times.  No one can afford to get sick during bad times. Take care of yourself.  Exercise, diet and stress management is even more important now.

Contact Information:

Chelsea McPeek. Research Assistant, School of Nursing, University of Texas at Austin

E:mail: cgmcpeek@mail.utexas.edu

1700 Red River, Austin, TX 78701
Phone: (512) 475-6352
Website: http://mapa.nur.utexas.edu/MAPA/
IP: 128.83.241.133

Acupuncture has been around for about 5,000 years.  Very thin “needles” are placed in key areas of the body called meridians to stimulate and balance the flow of energy through the body.  It has been used by an estimated 8.2 million U.S. adults.  Benefits have been published in peer-reviewed western medical literature and studies conducted by the National Institutes of Health

Acupuncture is often used in combination with Chinese herbal medicine and referred to as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).  Increasingly TCM and other alternative health modalities such as mind/body therapy and massage is being combined with conventional ( allopathic) western medicine to achieve enhanced results.  Referred to as Integrative Medicine it is hoped, by practitioners in both camps, to bring the best of both worlds together.  TCM is being used for various women’s health issues such as menopausal symptoms,  cancer support, emotional health issues and chronic disease management.  All issues close to the hearts of many of us of a certain age.

In 2008 Henry Ford Health System oncologist, Dr. Eleanor Walker with the assistance of  acupuncturist, Beth Kohn conducted a study with 47 breast cancer patients.  These patients were all on tamoxifen or Arimidex to reduce cancer recurrence.   Hot flashes are a common side effect of these two drugs.  Half of the women received acupuncture treatment and half were given the antidepressant venlafaxine (Effexor).  Effexor has also been shown to reduce hot flashes.  At the end of 12 weeks both groups reported 50-75%  fewer hot flashes.  The acupuncture group reported no side effect and other improvements such as  improved sense of well being, more energy and higher sex drive.  The antidepressant group did not experience these benefits.

This is useful information to those of us who may be struggling with menopausal symptoms but do not want the side effects of hormone therapy or antidepressants.  Although most health insurance companies do not cover the cost of acupuncture, it is eligible for reimbursement from a health care  flexible spending account.  Many large health care organizations around the country have Integrative Medicine Centers were you can be assured of getting well trained, reliable practitioners.  If you are interested in more information and live in  southeastern Michigan, contact Henry Ford Center for Integrative Medicine  at 248-380-6201.  Tell them you are “poking around” for some answers.

 KNOW YOUR RISK FACTORS.  Risk factors include: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, being overweight or obese, physical inactivity, being over 55 years old, family history.

KNOW YOUR NUMBERS.   Optimals are:  BP<120/80.  Total cholesterol <200. LDL<130.  HDL>50.  Triglycerides <150.  Fasting glucose <100.  Body mass Index (BMI) <25.  waist circumference <35 inches.  Consult your health care provider to discuss evaluation and management.  For more information and a BMI calculator go to www.henryford.com/knowyournumbers

KNOW HOW TO REDUCE RISK. Exercise and eat right. Exercise and eat right. Exercise and eat right.  A normal weight and regular activity can, in many cases, prevent risk factors of diabetes and high blood pressure.  Get treatment for high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes.  Medications are effective and will prevent heart attack.   

KNOW HEART ATTACK WARNING SIGNS.

.     Chest discomfort

·     Usually in the center of the chest

·     Lasts for more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back

·     Can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain

·     Discomfort in other areas of the upper body, including pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach

·     Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort

·     Other symptoms, such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or light-headedness

KNOW WHAT TO DO.  If you have symptoms do not delay.  Go to emergency room.  Dissolve an asprin under your tongue if you have one. Women are more likely to delay treatment and more likely to die of a heart attack than men.  They are less likely to be treated accurately for heart disease than men.  Less likely to be given medications like beta blockers, statins and ACE inhibitors which can be crutial in preventing advancement of heart disease.  So know your stuff, ladies. 

To learn more go to www.womenheart.org.  If you live in the Detroit Metro area check out our Menopause Support Circles this month.  Our topic is Heart Health. We are having speakers from our cardiovascular institute on several dates and locations. 

Take a class.  Look through those catalogs you have been getting from your local community college, city school system and recreation department.  They are full of interesting “enrichment” classes.  Skills ranging from yoga, bird watching, palm reading to a variety of arts and crafts are yours for a phone call and small fee.  Many have senior citizen rates.  There are  day and evening courses and even on-line courses.

Program for Women: Science for a Healthy Brain. Sponsored by  Henry Ford Health System Neurology Department, this is a series of three programs.     Physican speakers will address topics near and dear to the heart of menopausal women, so consider attending. There is no charge.   From 6:00 to 7:30p.m. at Fairlane Health Center, Dearborn.  September 11 topic is Sleep, October 9 is Mood, and October 30 is Memory. Call 313-916-8088 for more infomation and to reserve a spot.  See you there.  I’m already signed up.

Attend a retreat.  No matter what your religion or beliefs, retreat houses generally welcome everyone.  St. Paul’s Retreat house in Detroit is a lovely oasis with many programs for women.  They have a day long program  called “Women in Midlife-A Mosaic of Transitions.  It is designed for nurses and offers CEUs but is open and appropriate for all.  A donation of $70 is suggested.  Go to www.passionist.org/stpauls  or call 313-535-9563 for more information on this or their other programs.

Click the link on the right.  Henry Ford Health System has numerous programs and events, most free.  Go to site and click on Henry Ford Classes for a calendar.  In addition to the Menopause support group information you will find programs for weight management, back care and more.

What other ideas or resources have you discovered and enjoyed in your community?  I would love to hear about them.