A number of developers across the country are looking at unused facilities such as former hotels as an excellent place to be upgraded into senior housing facilities. They are mostly thinking in terms of housing and not as a way to answer the growing need for assisted living facilities brought on by the ever growing older generation.

There have been many discussions in government circles about addressing the future needs of the aging population with more nursing homes and assisted living facilities. With the current economy playing havoc with the income of seniors that have already retired, availability of facilities may not be the only problem.

In the early work done on stress by Walter Cannon and Hans Selye they were looking at the positive benefits of the condition. Dr. Cannon worked on the flight or fight response caused when an animal felt threatened. The response of rapid heart rate, increased alertness and other physiological effects can help an animal in a threatening environment.

Dr. Selye found the chemical cortisol and saw that its continued presence caused harm to the immune system, enlarged the adrenal gland and caused stomach ulcers. Stress can be a self sustaining problem by influencing people to continue with maladaptive behaviors.

There are a number of symptoms that appear with excess stress. They can include a change in sleep patterns or eating habits, anxiety, irritability and fatigue. The stress that we feel as we age

A stroke can come on suddenly to anyone at almost any time. Its effects can be very debilitating and each person suffering from a stroke can have varying problems after the event. Strokes are caused by one of two things – a clot or restriction of blood flow to an area of the brain or a broken blood vessel that leads to a bleed.

The area of the brain affected by the stroke is what causes the symptoms. Damage to the left hemisphere may cause a problem for the patient with speaking afterwards and others can become aphasic and need to learn to speak again. Comprehending the spoken word can also become a problem. Some sufferers may also experience partial paralysis following a stroke.

The American public’s awareness on a number of bladder health issues. . Bladder Health Awareness week started November 14 and used the internet to discuss different bladder health issues on a daily basis.

It is estimated that 25 million Americans suffer from bladder control issues. As with a number of other health issues that increase in frequency with age, awareness is a priority as many more Americans will have this problem as time goes on.

The Association scheduled informative pieces about overactive bladder, women’s pelvic floor issues and male stress incontinence.

The cold and flu season is upon us and this fact has many seniors scheduling appointments for a flu shot. Physicians are, of course, the primary place to get a shot to help prevent influenza. There are choices that older Americans can make about the strength of dosage to be used though.

The FDA notes that there have been no clinical studies to determine whether a higher dose flu shot prevents more cases of influenza that it’s weaker counterpart. There are also possible side effects that can be more likely with the stronger dose shot.  Pain or swelling in the injection site and headaches are some of the side effects that are slightly more frequent with those who opt for the higher dose shot.

The month of November is very busy for all of us. Thanksgiving is on the horizon and many of us will be getting together for that great day of eating and family camaraderie. The gathering can be a great time for all but the dietary needs of some family members may need to be taken into consideration. Those with diabetes may not be able to partake in everything offered but that shouldn’t be too difficult to make allowances for.

If you know that a visiting family member has diabetes you should contact them and get an idea of what they can and can’t have. There are general suggestions available from the National Diabetes Association but familiarity with the needs of your loved one is the best way to plan your meal.

November is National Diabetes awareness month and November 14 has again been designated as World Diabetes Day. This is to make people aware of the disease and its effects on all of us especially family members.

November is designated as National Alzheimer’s Disease awareness month and also family caregiver month. The designation is to make Americans more aware of the disease and also to acknowledge the tremendous contributions of caregivers to loved ones that suffer from the disease.

Part of the effort to increase awareness is contained in the recent report “Alzheimer’s From the Frontlines: Challenges A National Alzheimer’s Plan Must Address”. The new report contains a wealth of information gathered from the public about the effect the disease has on their lives.

There are estimated that as many as 16 million Americans may be diagnosed with the disease by 2050. The current number of caregivers is already seen as too low and families are struggling with the burden the disease can bring. The cognitively impaired patient can be very difficult for a nonprofessional to deal with. A visiting home health aide can relieve some of the pressure family caregivers are under.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has announced a new coverage for Medicare recipients to help prevent cardiovascular disease. The new program will pay for preventive measures including a face to face meeting with a Doctor for information on diet and other steps a senior can take to lower the risk of heart disease. The plan was announced on November 9, 2011 and is a part of the administration’s new health care package.

The plan doesn’t alter coverage for anyone already diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. It is for those who have not yet had any heart related problems. The consultation is to be done in the physician’s office and they must be a primary care provider. The physician can screen the patient for high blood pressure and other conditions that can increase the chance of heart disease.

The CMS mentions that they want beneficiaries of Medicare to be advised of the help that regular aspirin intake can provide in heart disease prevention. Behavioral modification, especially diet, can be discussed and outlined by the physician and can also play a major part in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. The behavioral modification can be achieved by self help and/or behavior counseling.

A recent article published in Science Daily reported that some sporadic cases of Alzheimer’s originate in the same way that mad cow disease develops in the brain. The disease is caused by plaque that develops in the brain.  The development of this plaque looks similar to the development of the plaque that is created by the infection process found in humans when exposed to mad cow disease.

As with all new research it is far too soon to believe that the real cause has now been found but this does bring to light the fact that research seems to be progressing.  Alzheimer’s continues to be the sixth leading cause of death in the country. 

There are about twenty-six million American adults and children that have been diagnosed with diabetes.  The American Center for Disease Control believes that by 2050 1 in 3 people in the United States will have some form of diabetes if things do not change. These are rather daunting estimates and the American Diabetes Association wants to increase awareness of the disease during November, American Diabetes Month.

This effort coincides with World Diabetes day which is November 14. The public can get involved by taking the pledge and raise your hand to stop diabetes on Facebook. You can also attend local events sponsored by the Association or donate time or money to this fight. There is also another way to join in the fight against diabetes – monitor your own diet and exercise habits and those of your loved ones.