Caregiver to Caregiver

The other evening Randy and I were in town and I was rushing him to get home by 7:30.

“You really like watching Jeopardy, don’t you?” he asked.

I have to admit it, I do – but not just watching, playing along. So, let’s play some “Elder Jeopardy.” Following are “clues” about twelve of the most common conditions/diseases of the elderly. See how many you can identify. Answers – uh, I mean questions – are at the end.

1. This viral infection causes a painful rash that can occur anywhere on the body, but most often appears on the torso; it is triggered by the same virus that causes chicken pox. A vaccine that significantly reduces risk is available for those aged 60 and over.
2. A chronic disorder of the mental processes, it is caused by brain disease or injury; symptoms include memory disorders, personality changes, and impaired reasoning. A simple brain exercise such as completing this activity may help you delay or avoid it.
3. Usually characterized by recurrent attacks of acute inflammatory arthritis that presents as a red, tender, hot, swollen joint. The joint at the base of the big toe is affected in almost fifty percent of cases. Those at risk should reduce intake of shellfish, red meat and beer.
4. Symptoms of this condition may include seeing “halos” around lights; difficult night vision; and clouded, blurred or dim vision. By age 80, more than half of all Americans either have this condition or have had surgery to correct it.
5. Statistics show that seven million Americans over the age of 65 suffer from this condition, including twelve percent of hospitalized seniors; fourteen percent of those receiving home care; and up to fifty-two percent of elderly nursing home patients. There are varying risk factors, but being married decreases risk.
6. Although medication may be required, the most important way to treat and manage this disease is with activity and healthy eating. Uncontrolled, the disease can affect your eyes, kidneys, arteries and nerves.
7. In the elderly, especially those suffering with other lingering ailments, it is often the immediate cause of death and has therefore been called “the old man’s friend.”
8. This disease is not a normal part of aging, but it is the most common cause of decreased intellectual function among people aged 65 and older and accounts for fifty percent of all dementia cases.
9. Tremor, muscular rigidity and slow movement are some hallmarks of this progressive nervous system disease.
10. If you suspect this is occurring, ask the person to smile, raise both arms, or repeat a simple phrase such as “the sky is blue.” A drooping mouth, one-sided weakness, or slurred speech indicates it is time to call 911 for this medical emergency.
11. Although the leading cause of severe vision loss in people over age sixty, it rarely causes total blindness. A family history of this disease, along with obesity and smoking are risk factors.
12. Characterized by a decrease in bone mass and density, the result is a predisposition to fractures and bone deformities. Calcium supplementation and weight-bearing exercise are useful in treating and preventing.

There are many conditions and disease that are more likely to occur with age. However, these are not inevitable when growing old and may be treatable. The Centers for Disease Control recommends practicing a lifestyle that includes healthy eating, regular exercise, avoidance of tobacco use, and regular medical check-ups to lessen the possibility of the onset of these maladies, while noting that some are unavoidable.

What is…? 1-shingles; 2-dementia; 3-gout; 4-cataracts; 5-depression; 6-type 2 (adult onset) diabetes; 7-penumonia; 8-Alzheimer’s disease; 9-Parkinson’s disease; 10-stroke; 11- macular degeneration; 12-osteoporosis.