Supporting seniors at higher risk of poor nutrition…from ...



April 1, 2017Edition 14 Volume 4In The News2017 Elder Planning Issues Conference – Niagara Falls, ON. & Victoria, BC Earth Day 2017 & SeniorsFederal Budget Briefing MARCH 22, 2017Medical Marijuana for Our Older AdultsDeprescribing Can Reduce the Number of Inappropriate Prescptions Taken by Older Adults5 Tips to Stay Healthy at HomeLonliness in Seniors, An EpidemicHYPERLINK \l "Supporting_seniors"Supporting Seniors at Higher Risk of Poor Nutrition9th Edition EPC MaterialsDid you Know that CIEPS/EPC is on LinkedINCIEPS is Looking for Articles for the PULSEPlease Keep Your Contact Information CurrentCIEPS Member BenefitsDid You Know that There is an EPC Member ForumAlberta EPC Chapter InformationVancouver EPC Chapter InformationImportant Notice Regarding Your EPC Membership DuesCE Requirements When Renewing Your EPC DesignationEPC Membership Renewal ReminderContact Usinfo@EPC Member siteIf you want to print a copy of any of the PULSE editions, you will find them on your member site.2017 Elder Planning Issues Conferences”Redefining Retirement and Relevance" - Providing more and better value for an Aging Consumer ??Are you interested in finding out more about our aging society and the impact it will have on our futures? If so, this is the conference you will want to attend. The locations are Niagara Falls, ON – June 4-6, 2017 and Victoria, BC – October 1-3, 2017 View all the information here - 2017 EPIC . View the Niagara Falls agenda and overviews here - 2017 Niagara Falls EPIC Agenda Register securely here - 2017 EPIC Registration CE credits are available. View CE Credits here REGISTER NOW We need your support to ensure that these conferences are successful. Register now. You will not be charged until just before the conference. Earth Day 2017 – What can Seniors do to make a difference…Each year, citizens from across the globe celebrate Earth Day by participating in a number of events geared toward saving the environment, ranging from cleaning up the roads to refraining from using electricity. While April 22 is the official day, there are several ways seniors can minimize their impact on the world any time of year.Seniors living in retirement communities can gather a group of friends to complete these activities, or they can perform them on their own:Plant a gardenGardening provides a range of benefits that can help older adults maintain a healthy lifestyle for seniors. Individuals who participate in this activity report improved self-confidence, increased joint health in their hands and overall higher quality of life.?One study, published in HortTechnology, examined the effect gardening has on the mental health of seniors in assisted living homes. Researchers found that seniors who gardened over the course of four weeks reported improved mastery over their own lives and higher happiness levels. Seniors also reported that the activity?made them feel less lonely, as they now had the responsibility?of caring for?a living plant.?Ditch the devicesWhile gardening allows older adults?to plant a real object that will help improve the environment, there are several other smaller ways seniors can reduce their world impact. Each year, people participate in Earth Hour, or the time during which individuals are encouraged to refrain from using all electronics for 60 minutes. While this event only takes place once per year, seniors can take a break from technology whenever they want?and choose a time during which they will not use digital devices for a while. Whether they want to organize an event for the retirement community or make a personal pledge, this is a great, easy way for seniors to ensure they are giving back.Eliminate wasteEarth Day is the perfect time to examine the way waste is thrown out of the home. Seniors have many ways by which they can reduce the amount of junk sent to landfills, whether by separating items and sending them to the recycling or composting perishable items. While the majority of people have heard about the advantages of recycling, few know about composting. Instead of throwing perishable foods in the trash, people can toss them in a compost bin, which changes biodegradable items into rich soil. Older adults who wish to learn more about either process can conduct research, then find ways they can best start or help contribute to a green waste elimination program in their retirement community.?Things you can do with your senior this Earth Day:Attend a local Earth Day event to learn more about what is happening in your community.Plant a tree! In your yard or your family’s or friend’s yard, in your neighborhood, at your church, at a city park, at a playground or some location in your community that needs a tree!Downsize your senior’s belongings and donate to a local charity so that they can be reused.Re-purpose an item to find another use for it before you trash it!Begin a recycling plan in your senior’s home – create storage bins for newspapers, phone books, magazines, soda cans, aluminum cans, plastic containers, glass bottles, batteries, etc. Most cities will accept these and other items for recycling. Find a location nearby.If your city doesn’t accept recyclables, advocate for this service to help reduce the need to fill landfills and better use our resources.Plant seeds in your garden!Help pick up litter or support others who can do it. Cleaning a roadway, public park or shoreline will help the earth.Donate to a charity that helps protect the environment.Check you senior’s house for leaky faucets and pipes and repair the leak to save water (and maybe save them some money).Replace standard light bulbs with LEDs?that use much less energy to run and last a lot longer.Check the tires on the car to be sure they are properly inflated to reduce wasted gas.Use reusable grocery bags when you go to the supermarket.It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do little. Do what you can. ~ Sydney SmithFederal Budget Briefing – March 22, 2017…as submitted by Ted Wernham BA, CLU, CFSB, EPC…Here is an overview of what the recent March 2017 Federal Budget covered.1. ?Canada Savings Bonds, created in 1946, will be discontinued to new sales in 2017. ? 2. ?Professions who were allowed to defer taxes on "work in progress" will now be taxed on the year the work is done, even if it is not yet billed. ?See your financial advisor to discuss contributions to RRSP programs so that this NEW tax impact might be lessened. This measure applies to Doctors, Lawyers, Accountants, Dentists, Veterinarians, Chiropractors and others. ?BIG CASH FLOW hit! 3. ? CAREGIVER TAX CREDITS: ?The infirm dependent tax credit, the caregiver tax credit, and the family caregiver tax credit will be replaced with a new 15% non-refundable Canada Caregiver Credit. ?Enhanced definitions have widen the value of the Credit. 4. ? Disability Tax Credit: ?Nurse practitioners will be allowed to certify eligibility for this tax credit. ?This tax credit is valuable and should be obtained by anyone eligible. 5. ?Higher Taxes for smokers and drinkers: ?Excise taxes are going up on both, and will be increased every April 01, 2017, based on the Consumer Price Index. 6. ? Public Transit Credit will be eliminated - no longer are Bus passes tax deductible, after July 01, 2017.7. ?40,000 new subsidized Day Care Spaces across Canada, longer parental leave and maternity benefits can now be claimed 12 weeks before baby's due date. 8. ? Student Loans for part time students and/or students with dependent children will be made more readily available. 9. ?The tax strategy of paying family members dividend income will be reviewed. ?The technical term is " sprinkling income using private corporations". ?Beware of any proposals to change or eliminate. 10. ?Employment Insurance provisions have been extended to those providing support for critically ill loved ones, as well as those who are terminally ill, ?The Benefit has been extended to provide another 15 weeks of payments, added to the 26 allowable. Premiums for Employment Insurance have also been increased to the legislated maximum. Medical marijuana for our older adults…Medical marijuana continues to be a trending health topic, particularly with its increasing use among older adults. The regulations on access to cannabis for medical purposes were first established by the Government of Canada in 2001. Today, researchers continue to explore the use of cannabis as an alternative remedy for many health problems that are common with age, including chronic pain, depression and sleep disorders. While more evidence is urgently needed, emerging research hints at marijuana’s potential to reduce and possibly replace some?pharmaceutical-based medications that many seniors are taking. Drug safety continues to be a priority in supporting our aging population, and many older adults are intrigued by alternative approaches to health care. Demystifying medical marijuana is the first step in evaluating its role as a medical treatment and whether it’s right for you. Weeding out the truth: Cannabis-based medications for cancer patients The Bottom LineNausea and vomiting are common and distressing side effects of chemotherapy. Cannabinoids, active chemicals found in cannabis (marijuana), are used for medical purposes including treating nausea and vomiting.Cannabinoids appear to work as well as conventional anti-sickness medications, but may cause side effects such as dizziness.Cannabis – more commonly known as marijuana – continues to be a ‘smoking’ hot topic of discussion. The controversy over its legalization, production, use and distribution may be trending now but cannabis itself is far from being a new phenomenon. In the 1980s, cannabinoids – active chemicals found in cannabis – were approved for medical purposes such as treating the nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy . Up to 75% of cancer patients experience these symptoms which are considered to be the most upsetting and stressful side effect of chemotherapy treatment.But are cannabinoids any better than conventional anti-sickness medications? Or will they cause yet another set of worrisome side effects? To get clarity about the highs and lows of cannabis-based medication, a recent systematic review analyzed the results of 23 randomized controlled trials involving people with moderate to severe nausea and vomiting while undergoing chemotherapy cancer treatment. The study participants were given one of two approved cannabinoids – nabilone and dronabinol – and monitored to see whether the medication effectively controlled nausea and/or vomiting in the short term (within 24 hours of chemotherapy) and in the longer term (more than 24 hours after treatment). The results were compared patients who received a placebo as well as with patients who received conventional anti-sickness medication.What the research tells us Cannabinoids did help control nausea and vomiting for people receiving chemotherapy and appeared to be just as effective as conventional anti-sickness medications, which means they may be a good alternative for people who don’t benefit from traditional drugs. However there is a greater chance of side effects – some of the participants taking cannabinoids reported feeling “high”: dizzy, disoriented, sedated or uneasy. Despite that, in trials where participants were able to take and compare cannabinoids and conventional drugs, the majority preferred the cannabis-based medication. The review authors do note that the comparison to conventional drugs might not reflect current chemotherapy treatment options which have improved in the meantime.The review hints at the potential benefits of cannabis-based drug therapies but more research is urgently needed, particularly in light of regulatory changes in Canada giving eligible patients access to “medical marijuana.” Meanwhile, more high quality studies will help us know whether cannabis and cannabis-based medications truly are preferable to the drugs we have now, or whether it’s another instance of the grass being greener on the other side.Deprescribing can reduce the number of inappropriate medications taken by older patients, and may increase longevity…from an article by the British Jounal of Clinical Pharmacology, 2016The questionIn older patients taking multiple medications to manage their condition(s), how does deprescribing some of these medications affect mortality, adverse drug withdrawal events, psychological and physical health outcomes, quality of life, and medication usage? BackgroundMany older patients take multiple medications every day, which sometimes cause more harm than good. This may be associated with increased rates of impaired cognition, falls and morbidity.These patients can work closely with their healthcare professional to reduce inappropriate medication, a process known as deprescribing. Deprescribing has been proposed for older patients as a promising means of reducing adverse events associated with taking multiple medications, while remaining a safe intervention.How the review was doneA detailed search of a number of electronic databases for all years up to and including February 2015 was conducted. Studies that focused on the deprescribing of one or more prescription medications in patients older than 65 were included in the review.A total of 497 studies were identified in searches and 116 were included in the review after assessments for eligibility.This review was funded by the University of Western Australia and the National Health and Medical Research Council.What the researchers foundThe review found that deprescribing appears to be overall feasible and generally safe. While it did not significantly affect mortality overall, a decreasing trend was noted specifically in the 65-to-80-year-old age group. In the identified studies, deprescribing did not change the number of people who fell, but reduced the number of falls they experienced. There were no significant increases in adverse drug-withdrawal events, and no significant changes in cognitive function and quality of life. ConclusionThis review found that deprescribing appears to be a feasible and safe means of reducing the number of inappropriate medications taken by older patients. Deprescribing reduced mortality in the 65-to-80-year-old age group and the number of falls experienced by all patients. There is promise in applying deprescribing on an individualized basis, but more evidence is needed to further confirm the outcomes presented in this review.Five tips to stay healhy at home…The Bottom LineMost older adults want to live in their own homes for as long as possible.Keeping our home environments and bodies healthy and safe can help us remain happy and healthy at home as we age.Research shows preventing falls, changing your diet, being more active, staying social and reviewing your medications are important priorities for staying healthy at home.Your home is your castle, so they say. But that doesn’t mean you can let down your guard when it comes to staying safe and well.If you’re like most people you want to “age in place,” which means maintaining your independence as you grow older and staying in your own home for as long as possible. According to a report by the Canadian Medical Association, 63% of Canadians selected home and community care for older adults as a top priority. So what can we do to prepare?"It’s important that the places we call home are healthy environments,” said Andrew Beck, Director of the Risk Management Bureau in Health Canada's Safe Environments Directorate. Supporting the health and wellbeing of older adults who wish to remain in their home for as long as possible is an important priority for Health Canada. While adults over age?65 comprise 15% of the Canadian population, they account for 35% of all injury hospitalizations. “Some common health concerns we have identified for seniors include the safe handling of medications, the proper management of household chemicals, poor indoor air quality including mold, carbon monoxide and second hand smoke risks, safe food handling, access to clean, safe drinking water and indoor temperature management particularly during summer heat alerts.”In addition to Health Canada’s environmental health concerns for older adults at home, research on the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal outlines the following?five tips for remaining happy and healthy at home as we age. Click through each title for more information.1. Prevent fallsFalls are the leading cause of injury among older adults, but they can be prevented! Find out what the research shows really works to help keep you on your feet, including options for strength building and balance training. 2. Change your dietA healthy diet can help prevent common health problems, including heart disease and diabetes. Try these 5 diet changes supported by research evidence to help you age well. 3. Get up and get moving!Regular exercise is one of the best ways to stay healthy as you age. And don’t forget to sit less – as well as exercise more – to lower your risk of health problems. Find out which types of exercise work best for different conditions and tips to help you get moving!4. Avoid isolation and depression by staying active and social Many people feel lonely and lose social connections as they age. Isolation and depression go hand-in-hand and can lead to other health problems, even shorten your life. Staying social and engaged with other people is a good way to avoid isolation. Exercise and mindfulness are two ways to help ease and avoid depression. 5. Review your medications A growing number of older adults have more than one medical condition and take multiple medications every day. It can be hard to keep track of it all! Some medications can interact with others, and some may be unnecessary… or even harmful to your health. Read more about the “Pitfalls of Polypharmacy” and when it might be wise to stop taking certain medications.Loneliness in Canadian Seniors is an epidemic, says psychologist…from an article found on the internet by Anna Maria TremontiNew research in Canada is showing that our elderly population is growing increasingly lonely and isolated.?As spouses and close friends die, and children grow and have their own lives to manage, many older?Canadians?are finding themselves painfully lonely.?So much so that some are calling it a public health crisis?— one that affects everything from a person's mental health to their immune system.?According to?Statistics Canada,?as many as 1.4 million elderly Canadians report feeling lonely.It's a number clinical psychologist Ami Rokach?knows all to well. He?studies loneliness and says lonely?seniors are a serious public health issue and related health?effects are at epidemic levels."People who are 80 years and older?say that up to 80 per cent of the time they feel lonely?—?it's a?major problem,"?Rokach?tells?The Current's Anna Maria?Tremonti.Loneliness itself doesn't directly cause health problems but?Rokach?explains that depression, desperation, feeling unappreciated and unwanted can cause seniors to neglect their health or resort to?unhealthy?behaviours,?such as smoking, drinking or not taking their medication."I was shocked?recently to find out that...?up to 25?per cent of the elderly who fall and break a leg in the western world, die."?Rokach?says. "Those who are not lonely have a much better chance to survive that those who are lonely."Rokach?tells?Tremonti?that beyond depression and general psychological distress, health issues such?as?hypertension, sleep disturbances, and even dementia are worse when someone is lonely."Loneliness contributes even to death?—?it's that significant."Supporting seniors at higher risk of poor nutrition…from an article posted by McMaster UniversityThe Bottom LineMany older Canadian adults are at risk of poor nutrition, which can cause serious health issues.Inadequate available services, physical, social and financial limitations, and a lack of awareness about how to get help are among the many challenges that can put people at risk of poor nutrition.Members of a citizens’ panel suggest that access to food and nutrition information, finding ways to identify people at risk, and better coordination and delivery of available services can help to improve nutrition among older adults. Just like a car, our body works best when it is well maintained and receives the proper amount of quality fuel. Also like a car, the older our body gets the more likely it is to break down in some way or another. That’s why proper nutrition is so important and why older adults need to be particularly careful about including enough vitamins, minerals and other nutrients in their diet to fuel a healthy, active lifestyle in their senior years. But that’s easier said than done. Most people make poor food choices occasionally and some may not always eat well for various reasons. Most worrisome are the many people who are at serious risk of poor nutrition: they simply do not get enough of the nutrients necessary for good health. Older adults are especially vulnerable due to one or more factors including a lack of appetite or sense of taste, low income, isolation and physical disability.It’s a serious problem: approximately one third of Canadians aged 65 or older are at risk of having poor nutrition, which in turn puts them at greater risk of health problems like diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. To make matters worse, the support that is available – from community organizations to health care providers, hospitals, dietitians and doctors – often lacks the coordination, monitoring and training necessary to meet the needs of older adults who could use help. The McMaster Health Forum – a leading hub for improving health through collective problem solving – prepared a summary of the latest high quality evidence on the topic and shared this with a panel of 11 older adults in Ontario affected by the problem of nutritional risk among older adults. The panel shared their ideas and experiences on the issue and discussed options to address the situation. What the research tells usPrograms and initiatives aimed at teaching people about healthy eating can have great benefits. For example offering nutrition education to older adults – face to face, by telephone or through the internet – can improve their health and well being. Delivering education and advice in groups or through other media can also help older adults maintain better diets. Boosting motivation through behavioural counselling and financial rewards for healthier eating behaviour have also been successful in changing eating habits.When it comes to identifying and advocating for older adults who may be at risk of poor nutrition, dietitians, doctors, nurses, community health care workers and informal caregivers make up the “front line” team. As familiar and trusted care providers, they are able to provide necessary care while offering advice and education on nutrition. They can also play a role in improving awareness of poor nutrition in care settings such as hospitals, nursing homes and residential facilities.Major barriers to improving older adults’ nutrition are a lack of awareness among the general public and even in the health system about the importance of ensuring older adults are getting proper nutrition. Other obstacles include older adults’ distrust or difficulty understanding important nutritional information, and a lack of awareness of available resources for people at risk.What the panel members told usThe panel maintained that nutrition education and awareness programs may help older adults make wise food choices, provided the campaigns are designed to be easily understood, relevant and respectful of various groups and cultures. The panel members agreed that accessibility is key; initiatives need to focus on improving access to food, not just access to information.Many older adults are socially isolated, distrustful of new information and/or unwilling to change long held behaviours. Therefore, a priority is finding better ways to identify people who may be at nutritional risk so they can receive the help and support they need. This will require the proactive involvement of doctors, nurses and other health care providers, some of whom may need specialized training themselves in order to be able to pass on accurate information about diet and nutrition. But it shouldn’t stop there. Members of the panel believe that everyone has a responsibility to protect the health and well-being of older adults by reporting or referring family members, friends or neighbours who they believe to be at risk. ?While such referrals may be in the best interests of older adults, they also could be seen as a breach of their privacy and right to make their own decisions. The panel members stressed the need to carefully consider whether referrals are justified and that the benefits of intervening outweigh any potentially damaging consequences.The panelists believe more cooperation among all parties, a more?holistic?health system,?and a more??compassionate attitude toward seniors are first steps to addressing the barriers listed above and ultimately providing effective help to vulnerable older adults.9th Edition EPC Desk Reference materials releasedThe 9th edition of the EPC materials have been released and reflect the most up to date facts and figures pertaining to our aging society as of the time of writing. This is your opportunity to purchase the complete 4 manual 2015 EPC Desk References, EPC Student Workbook & USB of scripted PowerPoints for only $139 plus GST/HST shipping included. Please order the 9th edition here - Desk Reference Order FormAlternatively, you can download the 9th Edition free of charge on the EPC members site - Download EPC Desk References HerePlease contact me if you are interested in the 9th edition EPC Desk Reference Materials.Did you know that CIEPS is on LinkedIn?EPC member Paul Fawcett started a group on LinkedIn and it is now an open group. Why not join it so that you can keep up to date with trending discussions that would be of interest to the Elder Planning Counselor.Join and share with the group here - Elder Planning Counselor's Group CIEPS/EPC is always looking for interesting articles from the EPC membership for submission into the PULSEIf you have any interesting articles that you would like to have submitted into the EPC PULSE pertaining to senior issues etc., please send them to me and if suitable, we will put them into the monthly PULSE and give credit where it is due. 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They provide professional looking customized certificate and diploma frames for your EPC suitable for framing certificate indicating that you have qualified to be an Elder Planning Counselor. These frames are very reasonably priced and can be ordered directly from . We will ship a certificate directly to the company after you submit your order to them.Go here - EPC Customized Diploma Frames to find out more information and how you can order them.Did you know that there is an EPC Member Forum?Your EPC Member forum connects you with other EPC members so you can share common concerns, ask questions, and learn about Elder issues and timely information that can help you in your professions. It is only limited by how often you use it.You can access the Member Forum here - EPC Member ForumAlberta EPC ChapterIf you live in Alberta and would like to be involved in starting an EPC Chapter please contact Earl Robertson - earl_robertson77@yahoo.ca Vancouver EPC ChapterIf you live in Vancouver, BC area and would like to be involved in staring an EPC Chapter please contact Jane Chang at jchang@If you are interested in starting an EPC Chapter in your area, please let us know. CIEPS will be happy to provide any assistance necessary to get you started.Important notice regarding your EPC Membership duesWhen you pay your EPC Membership Dues, please include applicable taxes (GST/HST) for your Province of residence.If you are sending a cheque for your EPC Membership, please reference that the cheque is for.Annual renewal fee—$150.00 + Applicable taxes for the Province you reside in. This can be paid by Cheque, Visa or MasterCard? 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With a phone number of 866 833-8606 don’t panic, as this is the Elder Planning Counselor Designation (EPC).If you would like to stop receiving this publication, please respond to info@ with the message “STOP MY PULSE!”To contact us:4438 Ontario Street, Suite 203 Beamsville, ON L0R 1B5 Phone: 866.833.8606 Fax: 866.209.5111 ................
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