Meet the Oldest Newlyweds Ever: Elderly Couple Breaks Wedding World Record

Lillian Hartley and Allan Marks are officially the oldest newlyweds ever.

With more than 193 combined years under their belts, 95-year-old Hartley and 98-year-old Marks broke a Guinness World Record for the oldest aggregate age of a couple on when the two  tied the knot Wednesday.

The  couple said, “I do,” in a civil ceremony in Indio, Calif., on Wednesday after 18 years together, according to the Desert Sun. They unknowingly surpassed the previous record of 191 aggregate years, which a French couple set in 2002.

“We talked about it for years, but our lives were so busy that I just never got around to it,” the bride told ABC News, citing their busy lifestyle filled with travel, trips to temple on Saturdays and watching their favorite basketball team, the Los Angeles Lakers. “We just decided to go to Indio and have the marriage ceremony in one day.

“We don’t know for sure what’s going to happen, so I’m not taking any chances. I want to be with Allan for the rest of my life,” she said.

“I want to be with Lillian for the rest of my life,” Marks echoed.

Riverside County Clerk’s Office Deputy Commissioner of Marriages Yvonne Cruz, who performed the ceremony, said Hartley and Marks’  love was evident from the moment they walked in.

“When they came to my window, I spoke to her first and she says, ‘I want to marry this man,’” Cruz recalled. “He puts his arm around her waist and says, ‘I want to be with her for the rest of my life.’ And she says, ‘I want to be together forever.’”

Cruz, who has officiated thousands of marriages over the past seven years,  including one two years ago for an 82- and 83-year-old, said Marks was “one of the most romantic grooms” she’d ever seen, at any age.

“She told us that he tells her he loves her at least three or four times a day,” Cruz said.

During the time the couple was at the clerk’s office, Cruz recounted how the groom gestured lovingly at his bride, put his arm around her, kept giving her pecks on the cheek and told her how much he loved her. “Little things that added up to one big picture that these two were incredibly, incredibly in love,” she said.

Cruz helped Hartley and Marks fill out the paperwork and helped them from the main lobby to another room, where they exchanged vows. (Marks tried to kiss his bride a little too early, but who can blame him.)

“You see couples who come in and they’re in love, but in their case it was just … the degree of their love, surpassed even their ages. It was just so beautiful. It had to be one of the most beautiful ceremonies I’ve ever officiated,” Cruz said.

The bride and groom were both widowers when they met 18 years ago at temple in Palm Springs on the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year. He, a retired veterinarian, talked up the retired paralegal, complimenting her dress, and one thing led to another.

“I believe in fate and destiny a little bit and I think that was meant to be,” Hartley said. “I had been a widow for six years and I really loved my freedom. …I said, ‘Oh, I don’t want a relationship,’…and then he came along, and somehow hooked me.”

The duo is certainly one to learn from. “The wisdom, the knowledge and the love that they have for one another,” Cruz said, “that’s something that you don’t see every day.”

Article care of:  http://abcnews.go.com

Improving Care for the Nation's Elderly Focus of SCAN Health Plan's Tenth Annual Leadership and Management in Geriatrics Conference

LONG BEACH, Calif., Jan 30, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Healthcare professionals concerned with responding to a growing need in an aging society will gather in Long Beach, California, on March 30 to discuss creative approaches to better caring for America's expanding senior population.

"In two decades one of every five Americans will be 65 or older, and our job is to make sure that the healthcare community is well-equipped to serve these older adults," said Dan Osterweil, M.D., course chair of the Leadership and Management in Geriatrics (LMG) Conference. "If care for the elderly is to be more efficient and less costly, healthcare professionals need to hone their leadership and management skills, and that's what this conference is all about."

Now in its tenth year, the LMG Conference helps fill what is widely acknowledged as a serious gap in the professional development of those who work in clinical and academic settings related to geriatric care. This two-day conference is sponsored by SCAN Health Plan in collaboration with the UCLA Academic Geriatric Resource Center and the California Geriatric Education Center.

Unique in its setting and approach, the conference encourages participants -- physicians, nurses and allied health professionals -- to consider novel business approaches to geriatric care. It also provides attendees the opportunity to spend focused, highly interactive time with, and be mentored by, leaders in the field of geriatric medical management as they explore topics critical to caring for the nation's elderly.

"Our goal is to actually change behavior in ways that lead to a better patient experience," said Dr. Osterweil. "It is important that participants leave the conference with the ability to apply leadership and management skills to the practice of geriatric medicine. This real-world knowledge is essential if they are to succeed both in running a successful practice and in better serving their patients."

As a health plan dedicated exclusively to seniors and others on Medicare, SCAN's sponsorship of the conference is part of its ongoing commitment to better understand the aging process and advocating on behalf of the needs of seniors. In addition to the LMG Conference, SCAN offers healthcare professionals an array of online courses on such topics in chronic kidney disease in the elderly, stroke prevention and management, palliative care, prevention and management of atrial fibrillation, and many others. The website -- www.scancme.com -- also provides clinical guidelines, assessment tools and literature regarding common geriatric medical conditions, all designed to assist healthcare professionals in better managing their older patients. SCAN also produces an e-newsletter that focuses on performance-improvement education in geriatrics and features monthly interviews with experts in geriatric care.

For 35 years SCAN Health Plan has been focusing exclusively on the unique needs of seniors and others on Medicare. The company currently has nearly 130,000 members in California and Arizona. 

Further information may be obtained at scanhealthplan.com

Don't forget to sign up for "Home for the Holidays" FREE Web Conference will Help Family Caregivers

Home for the Holidays FREE Web Conference will Help Family Caregivers 

Going home for the holidays often leaves family members shocked at the declining health or independence of a loved one. Warning signs can help make decisions that will keep your senior safe long after you've returned home.

To learn more about these signs, register for theFREE Home for the Holidays web conference.

The web conference will help you recognize thewarning signs that indicate your senior loved one might need additional help for things such as loss of appetite, unwanted weight fluctuations, spoiled food in the fridge or clutter. Whether you're a long-distance caregiver or just live down the street, the holidays are a good time to assess the situation with Mom and Dad, and help them come up with a solution if necessary.

The web conference will be:

• Moderated by a Home Instead Senior Care® representative
• Hosted by the American Society on Aging (ASA)
• Co-sponsored by the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) and the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC).

The hour-long web conference will be offered on Monday, Dec. 5th—8 p.m.Eastern Time.

Get more information and pre-register for the December 5th web conference.

10 Signs that a Senior Might Need More Help at Home

1. A change in appearance or condition of the home
2. Clutter
3. Dirty or unkempt clothing
4. Unpaid bills
5. Fresh food replaced with junk food
6. Spoiled food in the fridge or freezer
7. Bugs or rodents in the home
8. Confusion
9. Unfilled prescriptions
10. Spills on floors and countertops

Elderly Depression and the Holidays

Holiday depression sometimes affects all of us as we get caught up into planning and attending holiday parties, reacquainting ourselves with old friends, and finding the time to shop for gifts, planning family reunions and get-togethers.

However, for many individuals, and most especially seniors, the holidays can be especially sad and depressing.

Causes of Elderly Depression during the Holidays


For many seniors, the holidays are not a time of celebration and joy, but only serve as reminders of how lonely he or she may be, the friends that have passed on, the lack of family get-togethers and an inability to participate in such events. Commonly known as the holiday blues, elderly depression during the holidays affects singles, divorcees, and seniors around the world, and not only during the traditional American holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas, but other events as well.
It doesn't matter whether it's a winter holiday, Mother's Day, or the Fourth of July: many seniors look at holidays as major hurdles to overcome. Elderly depression, loneliness, lack of social interaction, and an inability to get around severely limit many senior's ability to partake in such joyous occasions.
Depending on geographical location, weather often plays a big part in an elderly person's inability to get out or socialize during holiday seasons. Wintertime holidays such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas or Hanukkah are often rainy, cold or snowy, making it extremely difficult for seniors to navigate or enjoy. Often times, medical conditions such as arthritis prevent many seniors from venturing outdoors during cold winter months.
Warm weather can be just as bad, and seniors living in locations such as the deep South or the Southwest are prone to heat exhaustion and heat strokes, which also keeps them indoors.Children and family members spread throughout a state or country often prevent elderly parents from visiting children, grandchildren or other extended family members because of the cost of transportation, compounded by the inability to get from point A to point B.

Common Symptoms of Elderly Depression during the Holidays.


Family members and friends are cautioned to be alert to signs of holiday depression among seniors, regardless of whether they live on their own, with family members or in a long-term care facility. Depression is more apparent in seniors who have limited options for travel, or whose family members are scattered over long distances. Some of the most common symptoms of elderly depression during the holidays may include:
* Change in sleeping habits
* Difficulty sleeping
* Apathy or lethargy
* Change of appetite
* Loss of interest in activities
* Loss of interest in socializing
Of course, there are more, and individuals who know how mom or dad usually act are usually the first to pick up on cues or clues that something isn't right. Picking up on such clues is essential in order to help provide seniors with the attention and care needed to prevent serious repercussions and side effects of depression.

Tips for Combating Elderly Depression during the Holidays


Regardless of whether your elderly parent is in a home or a long-term care facility, children of aging parents can take several steps to ensure the mental health and well-being of their loved ones. Arranging and engaging in regular phone contact when family members are distant is important to make the elderly parent feel cared for, thought about and loved. Scheduling regular visits to long-term care facilities is also important so that seniors don't feel they have been abandoned and forgotten.
On special occasions such as Thanksgiving, Christmas or Hanukkah, try to ensure that an elderly parent is involved in activities or at least is a recipient of well wishes and thoughts by family members and friends. On holidays such as Memorial Day, Veterans Day and the Fourth of July, try to encourage aging parents to take part in community events, or arrange to have that parent recognized by community organizations for their contributions as a veteran.

Conclusion


Holidays can be extremely stressful times for all individuals, especially those worried about finances, family responsibilities and obligations. However, the best thing children of aging parents or caretakers of seniors can do is to make sure that a loved one feels special, and is provided with a sense of self-worth. Do whatever you can to involve an aging parent in holiday activities, whether it's filling out Christmas cards, addressing envelopes, helping plan get-togethers or helping with arts and crafts for holiday decorating.
If you feel your parent is dealing with long-term depression that seems worse at holiday time, schedule a visit with his or her physician and suggest antidepressants when necessary.


The bottom line is to encourage loved ones to stay active, involved and engaged in family and community events whenever possible. These activities don't have to be big, but can be anything that helps make them feel a sense of belonging and provides them with the ability to continue contributing to family and community well-being, regardless of age.


Article care of:
Boomers with Elderly Parents

Part-time Work, Volunteering Help Keep Seniors Active, Fight Frailty

Seniors who keep busy working or volunteering may have discovered a fountain of youth. Research says there are benefits to both employment and volunteering. Staying healthy longer is one of them.

Q. I’m a 66-year-old retiree who had a successful 40-year career. I thought I’d really love retirement, but I find I miss working. Do you have any suggestions? Also, is there evidence that continuing to work harms seniors in any way?

You’re not alone in your desire to continue to put your skills to use. Some studies have indicated that as many as 70 percent of Americans plan to work past the traditional retirement age.

What’s more, your field of expertise may be missing your skills as much as you’re yearning to put them to good use. The retirement of today’s seniors, with the Baby Boomer generation soon to follow, will leave a void of experience and skills in the workplace. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t continue to work, if that’s what you enjoy.

Have you thought about putting your talents to work as a self-employed contractor or consultant, perhaps in a home-based business? Technological advances and the Internet have made it easier than ever to work from home as an independent free agent. Part-time work also may be an option for older adults.

Among the advantages of self-employment are a flexible schedule and an independent work environment. On the other hand, as a consultant you could end up working more hours than you want. And remember that you must be responsible for your own taxes and other benefits, since you are basically your own boss. So you’ll need to carefully weigh the pros and cons. Contact AARP atwww.aarp.org  for more information about being a contractor.

Part-time work also is something to consider and some experts say that type of employment may generate health benefits. Those seniors who work temporary or part-time jobs have fewer major diseases and will enjoy better day-to-day function than their contemporaries who choose to stop working altogether, according to a national study.

And, the researchers say, the findings are significant even after controlling for people’s physical and mental health before retirement. The study’s authors refer to this transition between career and complete retirement as “bridge employment,” which can be a part-time job, self-employment or a temporary job. The findings are reported in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, published by the American Psychological Association.

Over the course of the study, the researchers considered only physician-diagnosed health problems, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, lung disease, heart disease, stroke and psychiatric problems. They controlled not only for baseline physical and mental health but also for age, sex, education level and total financial wealth. The results showed the retirees who continued to work in a bridge job experienced fewer major diseases and fewer functional limitations than those who fully retired.

Employment isn’t the only way to put your skills to work. Perhaps you would be just as happy volunteering. If you’re a member of a professional organization, or if you were affiliated with organizations during your career, contact them for information about how to use your background to serve in your community.

According to a 2004 survey conducted by Independent Sector, a leadership forum for charities, foundations and corporate giving programs, almost 44 percent of all people 55 and older volunteer at least once a year. More than 36 percent reported that they had volunteered within the previous month. These older volunteers give on average 4.4 hours per week to the causes they support.

Volunteerism can come in many forms. One common way seniors give back to communities is by putting the skills they honed in the work force to use in the organizations and causes they enjoy. Some seniors just become more active in their churches or the charities they belonged to when they had less time to give. Why not consider doing something totally different from your occupation? How about working with seniors? Volunteer at a local hospital or care facility.

If you are looking for volunteer activities, check to see if your area has the “2-1-1” telephone service. The 2-1-1 service connects individuals and families seeking services or volunteer opportunities by telephone with the appropriate community-based organizations and government agencies.

There are other ways to learn about how to volunteer in your area. Contact your local senior center or the Area Agency on Aging. And here’s another resource: log on to www.volunteermatch.org ; by simply entering your ZIP Code, VolunteerMatch can list many volunteer opportunities in your area.

Another study confirms the premise that keeping the mind and body active appears to slow many of the signs and consequences of aging. This research finds that volunteering seems to produce the best results, however, paid work was a benefit as well.

UCLA researchers followed 1,072 healthy adults aged 70 to 79 between 1988 and 1991 to determine if productive activities – specifically volunteering, paid work and child care – prevent the onset of frailty. At the beginning of the study, 28 percent of participants volunteered, 25 percent performed child care duties and 19 percent worked for pay.

After three years, participants in all three activities were found to be less likely to become frail. After accounting for levels of physical and cognitive function, however, only volunteering was associated with lower rates of frailty. Frailty is a geriatric condition marked by weight loss, low energy and strength, and low physical activity.

If you would like to know more about how to prevent frailty, visit www.getmommoving.com , the Home Instead Senior Care® network’s public education campaign that is geared toward keeping seniors active and healthy.

For more information: http://www.caregiverstress.com

Loneliness is a 'Hidden Killer'

Loneliness is a 'hidden killer' that poses as great a health risk as obesity, say campaigners

Loneliness is the ‘hidden killer’ of the elderly which threatens health as much as obesity or smoking, campaigners warned yesterday.

A group of charities says the emotional cost may be known, but the physical damage has been neglected.

Almost one in ten elderly people suffers ‘intense’ loneliness, leading to increased risk of depression, lack of exercise and poor eating habits.

Loneliness has been linked to cognitive disorders such as dementia

Greater recognition is needed among health professionals of the links between poor health and loneliness, it is claimed.

The Campaign to End Loneliness is being organised by Age UK Oxfordshire, Counsel And Care, Independent Age and WRVS and funded by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation.

In a report, they call for better awareness of the ‘horror’ of loneliness and its ‘pernicious impact’ on older people.

According to a poll of 2,200, fewer than one in five has ever seen or heard information about loneliness as a health risk.

 

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Andrew Barnett, of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, said: ‘We need to consider the practical ... emotional and psychological implications of growing numbers of older people.’

The World Health Organisation has rated loneliness as a higher risk to health than smoking and as great a risk as obesity.

Researchers also say lack of social interaction increases the chances of suffering degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

Loneliness is increasing, partly due to greater numbers living on their own as they live longer and families disperse. More than half of those over the age of 75 live alone and about one in ten suffers ‘intense’ loneliness.

For more information visit www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1352479/Loneliness-hidden-killer-poses-great-health-risk-obesity.html#ixzz1TG4pGYDs

Alzheimer’s disease screening tool to hit market next year 

Current medical news and unique business news for anyone who cares about the healthcare industry.

Alzheimer’s screening: PET scans that show the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease by detecting a protein in the brain called beta-amyloid will reach the marketplace within a year, according to researchers.”For individuals who have already developed a measurable memory decline, a positive scan for amyloid is the most accurate predictor of progression to Alzheimer’s disease,” a researcher said.

Slashing vaccine costs: Several drug companies have pledged to cut the prices on potentially life-saving vaccines for people in the world’s poorest countries. The companies include: GlaxoSmithKline, Merck & Co., Johnson & Johnson’s Dutch division Crucell, Bharat Biotech and Sanofi SA’s vaccine unit Sanofi Pasteur. For example, GSK said it would cut the price of its vaccine for rotavirus by 67 percent to $2.50.

Can’t trust it: Pharmaceutical companies are using their cash to influence the content of medical journals, the American Scholar reports. “All journals are bought — or at least cleverly used — by the pharmaceutical industry,” says Richard Smith, former editor of the British Medical Journal.

Good sign for Obamacare? In Massachusetts, Romneycare has grown more popular over time, according to a recent poll that compared residents’ support of the law two years ago to today. Will Americans similarly warm up to Obamacare over time?

Social media and HIPAA: KevinMD has a list of seven tips for physicians on how to avoid HIPAA violations in social media.

Bad day for Exelixis: Shares of Exelixis lost a fifth of their value Monday after the cancer drug developer reported the deaths of six patients who took an experimental treatment in clinical trial.

http://www.medcitynews.com

Why do People with Alzheimer's Wander and What you can do to keep them Safe?

Based on the Google alert, it must be a big number. It happened twice in the last week right here in my area.

Alzheimer's patients are allowed to walk freely on their own all the time. Typically, the caregiver will say well they haven't gotten lost or wandered away. This never happens until it does happen.

I wrote some time ago about a man that lived in Texas who decided to drive to Kansas to visit his relatives. After a few days they found him --in Mexico.

Another Alzheimer's sufferer from Denver was missing. They finally found him three days later when he stumbled, hit his head and was taken to a VA facility in San Diego. This man walked down to the corner and took public transportation to the Greyhound bus station. He then took the bus from Denver to San Diego, wandered around, and nobody noticed or suspected a thing.

I know this. If my mother was capable of taking off, I know where I would look first. In south Philadelphia, where she was born and raised. She says all the time, let's move to south Philly. From Delray Beach, Florida? Gotta laugh.

The Mayo clinic has a very good article that explains wandering, and what you can do to lower the odds of someone with Alzheimer's wandering away.


Alzheimer's: Understand and control wandering

Find out why people with Alzheimer's wander and what you can do to keep them safe.

Alzheimer's disease can erase a person's memory of once-familiar surroundings and make adaptation to new surroundings extremely difficult. As a result, people with Alzheimer's sometimes wander away from their homes or care centers and turn up — frightened and disoriented — far from where they started, long after they disappeared.

Wandering is among the most unsettling and even terrifying behaviors people with Alzheimer's display. Often poorly clad, they leave safety at random hours and strike out into unknown territory, for no apparent reason. But this seemingly aimless activity usually does have a reason. It's often an attempt to communicate after language skills have been lost.

Wandering may communicate something as simple as "I'm feeling lost," or "I feel as though I've lost something." It can also signal such basic needs as hunger and thirst, the need to void, or the need for exercise or rest.

Other causes of wandering:

Too much stimulation, such as multiple conversations in the background or even the noise of pots and pans in the kitchen, can trigger wandering. Because brain processes slow down as a result of Alzheimer's disease, the person may become overwhelmed by all the sounds and start pacing or trying to get away.

Wandering also may be related to:

• Medication side effects
• Memory loss and disorientation
• Attempts to express emotions, such as fear, isolation, loneliness or loss
• Curiosity
• Restlessness or boredom
• Stimuli that trigger memories or routines, such as the sight of coats and boots next to a door, a signal that it's time to go outdoors
• Being in a new situation or environment

Tips to prevent wandering

Although it may be impossible to completely prevent wandering, changes in the environment can be helpful. For example, a woman who was a busy homemaker throughout her life may be less likely to become bored and wander if a basket of towels is available for her to fold.

People with Alzheimer's often forget where they are. They may have difficulty finding the bathroom, bedroom or kitchen. Some people need to explore their immediate environment periodically to reorient themselves.

Posting descriptive photographs on the doors to various rooms, including a photo of the individual on the door to his or her own room, can help with navigation inside the home. Offering a snack, a glass of water or use of the bathroom may help identify a need being expressed by wandering. Sometimes the wandering person is looking for family members or something familiar. In such cases, providing a family photo album and sharing reminiscences may help.

Watch for patterns

If wandering occurs at the same time every day, it may be linked to a lifelong routine. For instance, a woman who tries to leave the nursing home every day at 5 p.m. may believe she's going home from work.

This belief could be reinforced if she sees nursing home personnel leaving at that time. A planned activity at that hour, or arranging for staff to exit through a different door at the end of their shift, could provide a distraction and prevent the wandering behavior.

Make a safer environment

If wandering isn't associated with distress or a physical need, you may want to focus simply on providing a safe place for walking or exploration.

Living spaces will be safer after you remove throw rugs, electrical cords, and other potential trip-and-fall hazards. Rearranging furniture to clear space can help. Childproof doorknobs or latches mounted high on doors help prevent wandering outside. Sometimes a stop sign on an exit door is enough.

Rooms that are off-limits pose a different problem. Camouflaging a door with paint or wallpaper to match the surrounding wall may short-circuit a compulsion to wander into such rooms. Night lights and gates at stairwells can be used to protect night wanderers.



For more go to: alzheimersreadingroom.com