The 4 Most Common Age-Related Eye Diseases

I have my training in Gerontology, which encompasses a variety of topics, psychology, sociology, social work, health, healing, medicine, etc. However, I am not a medical expert and while I do feel knowledgeable enough in some areas to present medical or health-related information, eye health is definitely not one of those areas. In order to share an article about age-related eye diseases, I've decided to find a reliable article from an expert in this area.


I chose Aging Care's article by Marlo Sollitto called the 4 Most Common Age-Related Eye Diseases. Not only does this article provide useful information about  important topic, but it does so in a way that people who do not have a medical background can read and have a greatly improved understanding of these eye diseases.

  By age 65, 1-in-3 Americans have some form of vision-impairing eye disease.

There are four major age-related eye diseases (AREDs) — glaucoma, cataracts, age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy that affect seniors.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma damages the eye's optic nerve and results in vision loss and blindness. Sometimes, there are no initial symptoms, so as many as 1 million people may have glaucoma and do not know they have it. It is one of the main causes of blindness in the United States.

At first, glaucoma has no symptoms. However, as the disease progresses, a person with glaucoma may notice his or her side vision gradually failing.

There are many different types of medications (in eye drops or pills) that are used to treat glaucoma. In some people, however, medications alone do not control the eye pressure, and surgery needs to be performed. One type of surgery uses a laser -- called trabeculoplasty -- to improve the flow of fluids out of the eye. This can be done in your doctor's office. There is also conventional surgery -- called trabeculectomy -- in which your doctor creates a new drainage path in the eye, under the eyelid.

Risk factors for glaucoma include: age, family history of glaucoma, taking steroid medications and being near-sighted. Learn more about Glaucoma

Cataracts

A cataract is a clouding of the lens within the eye. The lens is composed of water and protein. If the protein clumps together, it starts to cloud over a small area of the lens. This cloudy mass of protein — called a cataract — can grow larger, making it hard to see. If the cataract worsens, surgery may be necessary to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with a new lens.

People with cataracts begin to complain about glare and cloudy/fuzzy vision, double vision in one eye, or glare from lamps and the sun. Surgery is the only way to correct vision loss caused by cataracts.

Getting older is a major risk factor for cataracts. Women are at slightly higher risk than men for cataracts, and people with a family history of cataracts are more likely to have cataracts. Learn more about Cataracts

Macular Degeneration

Macular Degeneration (MD) diminishes sight in a dramatic way: It affects the central vision. Although people with MD rarely go blind because of it, many find it difficult to read, drive and perform other daily functions. The macula is located in the center of the retina, which is the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the eye. Deterioration of the macula results in eye disease. Macular Degeneration affects central vision. People with MD find it difficult to read, drive and perform other daily functions that require central vision.

People with Macular Degeneration can be treated with laser surgery. Anti-angiogenesis drugs and low-vision devices are also useful.

Age is the biggest risk factor for developing MD. After age 75, up to 46% of people may have some form of it. Family history, race (whites appear to have a higher risk than blacks or Hispanics) and smoking are other risk factors. Learn more about Macular Degeneration

Diabetic Retinopathy

This potentially blinding disorder is a complication of diabetes. Diabetes causes abnormal changes in the retina’s blood vessels. Blood vessels can become leaky and begin to grow where they should not. These new vessels tend to break and bleed, or hemorrhage. As they try to heal, these blood vessels will contract and detach the retina.

Diabetic Retinopathy symptoms include shadows or dark objects that "float" across your field of vision, blurred or distorted vision, partial loss of vision and pain in the eye.
Consistently high blood sugar and high blood pressure are associated with retinopathy. If your loved one has type 2 diabetes and uses the medicine rosiglitazone (Avandia, Avandamet, Avandaryl) to treat your diabetes, you may have a higher risk for problems.
There is no cure for diabetic retinopathy. However, laser treatment (photocoagulation) is usually very effective at preventing vision loss if it is done before the retina has been severely damaged. Surgical removal of the vitreous gel (vitrectomy) may also help improve vision if the retina has not been severely damaged.

Eye Tests Every Senior Should Have

Age-related eye diseases are diagnosed through a comprehensive exam, performed by an ophthalmologist. A comprehensive eye exam should include at least the following three tests:

• Visual acuity test: The familiar eye chart measures how well you see at various distances.
• Pupil dilation: Drops are placed into the eye to widen the pupil. This reveals more of the retina and other signs of disease. After the examination, close-up vision may remain blurred for several hours.
• Tonometry: A standard test that determines the fluid pressure inside the eye. There are many types of tonometry. One uses a purple light to measure pressure; another, an "air puff," test, which measures the resistance of the eye to a puff of air.

Please check in for our next blog post on Friday January 29th, our topic will be dealing with Caregiver Guilt!

Please check us out at 

www.thrivegcm.org

Connect with us on social media:

 on Facebook at

Thrive Geriatric Care Management

on Twitter at

@thrivegcm

 Instagram at

thrive_gcm

This blog series is designed to help you 

and your loved ones 

Knowledge is Power!

Improving Home Safety for Seniors

I decided to focus tonight's blog on a more general topic of home safety for seniors.

But before we stray that direction, I wanted to share a personal FALL story.

A few years ago, I was carrying two large, not too heavy but awkwardly shaped boxes that contained computer parts from my house out to my car. I should have and very well could have made more than one trip. But my stubbornness won that morning and I have continued to pay that price to this day, over 6 years later. I missed my step from the curb to the street and went down H A R D. I could both hear and feel the loudest, most intense snap feeling. I didn't realize immediately how severe things were for a little bit. I was in shock- physically and emotionally. 

here I am laid up on the couch

with my two messed up legs

I tried to stand back up and immediately fell back down, I couldn't feel my left leg, basically from the knee down. I had long pants on and a sandal. I crawled to my car and decided to drive to urgent care and get it looked at. Fast forward a few hours and I'm on crutches with a severely and dislocated broken left ankle and leg and a badly sprained right ankle AND a surgery scheduled to implant several pieces of metal. I ended up needing several months off from work, AND several months of not being able to put ANY weight on my left leg. 

this is the hardware they put 

into my left ankle

After my first my surgery my surgeon told my mom that I had experienced a life changing injury. And boy was he right! This could have all been avoided had I either made more than one trip to the car, or by wearing more sturdy shoes. I am, however, somewhat grateful for this experience though because it has taught me a lot about falls, the fear of falling that I still have as a result of this experience, and how much that has impacted my life which makes me a more compassionate and accurate geriatric care manager.

Home accidents are a major source of injury and can even result in death. Older adults can be even more susceptible to injuries from falls and other accidents due to less dense, more brittle bones that break more easily.

Over the years I've spent working with various senior populations in different settings. I've kept an ongoing list of ideas relating to home safety, which really can be used universally but are designed with a senior in mind. I decided that breaking list up by areas of the home made the most sense. 

*please note that these are general suggestions, ideas and of course checking with your doctor and discussing these with your family is a good idea before making any radical changes in your home or life. If you live in an apartment or any type of senior living facility it is important also to check with management before any modifications are made.

General Home Safety

※Interior and exterior door handles and locks are functional and easy to use

※Keep emergency phone numbers and addresses by each phone

※Have a peephole to see who is at your door before you open it, and make sure it      is at the height appropriate to you

※The water heater is set to 120 at the highest 

※Area and floor rugs have nonskid backing and are not too warm

※Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are installed properly in working order

※Medications are stored in a safe place and instructions and dosage are on the label

Kitchen

※The counter, cook-spaces and sink areas are well-lighted and working properly

※The stove is not located under a window with curtains that could fall down onto      a burner

※If your stovetop is gas, it needs to have pilot lights and an auto cut-off if there is a      flame failure (the Gas Company can come check that for you, if needed)

※Knives are kept in a knife rack or drawer

※Drawers and cupboards are kept closed

※Spilled grease and/or other liquids are wiped up      immediately

※Small appliances are unplugged when not being used

※Flooring is safe not in disrepair

※Work surfaces and cooktops are not shiny or glaring

※Use the exhaust fan with the stove is being used

※When preparing foods do not wear garments with long, loose sleeves

※Frequently used food, supplies, etc are kept in places that are      easily accessible, where you do not need to over-reach in order to grab them

Stairways and Halls

※Foyer has a nonslip entrance

※Stairs are in good condition and are free of clutter and/or objects

※Hallways, bathrooms and kitchens are equipped with night-lights

※There are sturdy handrails on both sides of the staircase

※Hallways and stairs are well lighted

※There are no doors that open out over steps

※There is enough space in stairways to avoid bumping head and reducing the need to duck

Living Room

※Electrical cords and wires run along walls and not under rugs

※Chairs, couches and other seating areas are secure and sturdy

※Seating areas are easy to get in and out of and have full arms to aid in sitting down           and getting back out

※There is enough room to walk through the room

※The light switch is near the entrance

Bathroom

※The bathtub and/or shower doors are glazed with safety coating or plastic

※The bathroom has even lighting without glare

※The bathroom door opens outward

※Shower has hand-held shower head with flexible hose

※The towel bars and soap dish in and around the      shower/bathtub are made of strong, durable materials and are firmly installed

※Grab bars are installed by the walls by the toilet      and bathtub, and they are sturdy

※The shower and tub has a single-lever, anti-scalding faucet head

Bedroom

※If necessary for mobility issues, the bedroom is on the first

floor

※A nightlight is used to brighten the room at nighttime 

※There should be a sturdy arm chair that can be used to dress

※There is plenty of room to walk around the bed

※The bedroom has low-pile carpeting or other smooth surface floor covering

※Next to the bed is a small table for telephone, cell phone, glasses and any other necessary items

Backyard/Patio

※Any steps and walkways are in good condition

※Handrails are installed where needed and are securely fastened

※Doorways, steps, porches have good lighting

※Security lighting is installed outside

※The garage is adequately ventilated

※Garage doors are easy to operate and open and      close all the way

※The street and end of driveway are visible from the      garage and are not blocked by hedges, trees, shrubs,      etc

Our homes serve many physical and emotional purposes; the most basic need is to offer protection against intruders and the elements.Therefore it is important that we make our homes as secure and safe as possible. 

Please check us out at 

www.thrivegcm.org

Connect with us on social media:

 on Facebook at

Thrive Geriatric Care Management

on Twitter at

@thrivegcm

 Instagram at

thrive_gcm

This blog series is designed to help you 

and your loved ones 

Knowledge is Power!

Using a Geriatric Care Manager to THRIVE

With the Age Wave beginning to take effect and our aging population continuing to grow like never before, job fields are being needed and developed that might not have existed, or been too well known of until now. One such area is Geriatric Care Management. While Geriatrics as a medical field is pretty well known, Geriatric Care Management is a well-kept secret. When I share with people what I do for a living, frequently people only know of this area if they have personal knowledge for whatever reason.

What is a Geriatric Care Manager?

A Geriatric Care Manager is a specialist who acts as a guide and advocate for families who are caring for and dealing with an older adult.  Geriatric Care Managers can be educated in a variety of fields; some of these can include:

→psychology

→social work

→work

→gerontology

→nursing

At Thrive Geriatric Care Management we strive to assist the client in maximizing their functional potential. Independence is encouraged while also addressing safety concerns. Geriatric Care Managers also have extensive knowledge of the cost, quality and availability of resources within their service area.

When Should I Enlist the Assistance of a Geriatric Care Manager?

I've compiled a brief list of questions in order to do assess whether or not it is time for you and your family to consider utilizing the services of a GCM.  If you feel that this might be something you and your family could benefit from, please do not hesitate to contact me and we can either work directly together, or I can help you find a provider in your area or the area where the older adult is living. (if you find yourself having questions while reading this also feel free to contact me and I will do my best to answer your questions-- my email address is thrivegcm@gmail.com) 

→Is your family feeling overwhelmed by the needs of your loved one?

→Are you feeling stressed and unsure of what to do to help take care of your loved one?

→Are you confused about the options to help your loved one?

→Are you no longer able to continue caring for your loved one?

→ Are you concerned about a change in condition of your loved one?

Answering yes to any or all of these questions can indicate that it might be time to at least consult with, if not hire, a Geriatric Care Manager

How do Geriatric Care Managers like Thrive help Seniors and Their Families?,

I recognize that each older adult is unique, thus has unique complexities which require a custom approach and care plan.

As the Geriatric Care Manager I will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the older needs and safety concerns. From the results of this assessment I will create a custom care plan which is designed to improve the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health while maximizing their independence and ensuring their safety. With the assessment I've developed, I go further than the typical assessment in that I also discuss and explore any spiritual beliefs or traditions to which they subscribe. I find that spirituality can be a vital component to our health, if one so believes, and I appreciate the value of that in my work.

From there I can further assist the senior and their family by assisting them to implement the care plan. Appropriate referrals are made to physicians, attorneys, home health agencies, care companion agencies, senior living facilities, day care programs and hospice organizations.

With the nature of my work and how the situations in which my clients find themselves can change without notice, I am able to visit clients if they are hospitalized, placed in a senior living facility and can oversee and further support their continued care. Through phone calls, videoconferencing and/or emails I am able to update the family of the older adult and keep them updated on the coordination of services.

If needed I am also able to facilitate family meetings in a safe, knowledgeable and neutral manner.

What makes a Geriatric Care Manager Worthwhile when it is an Out-of-Pocket Expense?

→ I have more time to spend on my individual clients which makes it possible for me to discover missed or hidden issues or potential hazards at home. Doing in-home assessments, I am able to see various issues which may be hidden or kept from doctors while in the office.

→It is not only possible, but likely, for my clients and their families to experience an increase in quality of life. Lowered stress levels and more of an ability to relax are commonplace due to knowing your older adult is adequately being cared for.

→As a result of the trust-filled relationships I develop with each of my clients, my clients experience a reduced risk of falls, medication errors, becoming victim of fraud or elder abuse.

→If the family members are not local to their loved one I am able to keep them apprised of the situation.

→As a result of cutting down on any duplication of services, unnecessary appointments and office visits, it is possible to save money by employing a Geriatric Care Manager.

→Consistant treatment and service coordination is provided, thus I am able to continue working with my clients no matter what level of care is being utilized (meaning I am able to work with clients when they are placed in facilities, or acutely in the hospital having something treated.

→Geriatric Care Managers are enlisted to handle crises, help solve problems and assist with decision making, children can continue being the children instead of the all too common and uncomfortable role reversal that often occurs during the aging process.

Meet the Newest Private Practice Gerontologist in Town!

Thrive Geriatric Care Management was founded in 2015 with an anticipated official launch date of March 2016.

I would like to start the New Year by providing some greatly informative and helpful blog posts as well as video blogs.  For our introductory post, I thought it would be fun to introduce our community to the Gerontologist and founder Stephanie Sauer. I've decided to answer some icebreaker questions to introduce myself.

                                        

What is your favorite food?

Mexican is definitely my very favorite food: cheese enchiladas to be exact! YUM! And in Santa Clarita I love Darios the best!

Describe your best friend.

My best friend is Karines. We met in Graduate school at the University of La Verne. We bonded through the trials of Graduate school. Since then we have done tons of road trips (which are my absolute favorite way to get away) and we also hike once a week! We have a crazy good time together.  Not only are we able to have an incredibly fun and silly time driving up our beautiful Californian coast but we are also able to support one another and be there during the harder times as well. 

What is something you would like to accomplish before you die?

I have always enjoyed writing. I even enjoyed writing both my undergraduate and graduate theses! I just love it! I find so much comfort and understanding in writing things out. One goal I have is to have a book of mine published and that is in process! I have written a book about my experience with endometriosis in order to help raise awareness about a disease that desperately needs infinitely more knowledge and awareness available. I have submitted my manuscript to my publisher and am anxiously checking the mailbox everyday waiting for my book to arrive. 

Another goal I have always wanted to start my own geriatric counseling and consulting private practice business. And I am working on getting ready to launch that business! Seems that right now a lot of my ambitions are coming to fruition. I guess it is time to search within and realize my newest goals and objectives.

Give three words to describe how you are feeling right now?

tired, excited, creative

What is the best advice you have been given?

The very best advice I've heard came from my favorite high school history teacher, Ms Arrowsmith. She told me, to always trust my gut. I repeat this to myself frequently and am so grateful to have learned this at a relatively young age.  She was one of my favorite teachers and I will forever remember this advice.

Talk about the neatest birthday gift you've ever received.

By far the most amazing gift I've been given is my baby Tink the Bengal kitty!  The woman who used to do my grandma's hair found a little pregnant kitty hiding under her car, in the rain of course and she took her home. Little did she know she was going to birth seven enormous, gorgeous babies.  My best friend and I were able to come and choose one to have as our babies.  I will always remember Tink as a little baby, well that was almost twelve years ago. He is an absolutely beautiful, magical kitty.  He is such a special cat and completes my life.  I cannot imagine not having him.  Unfortunately he is experiencing some severe arthritis pain so he has to have a few medications everyday

What is one of your hobbies?

One of the things that makes me most happy is ROADTRIPS! I love them. I love enjoying our beautiful California coastline in particular!  I love every part of them!  

Well, that is a brief introduction to me, Stephanie. Some of the more official information about me is that I studied psychology in Undergraduate work at Chapman University through the University Center on the College of the Canyons campus. I completed my Graduate work in Gerontology at University of La Verne. I have over 10 years experience working with seniors and their families in various environments, such as assisted living, independent apartments, medical groups, and in their own homes. Further I have developed and facilitated my own groups and massive amounts of material to provide not only emotional support but pertinent and useful information to family caregivers and seniors themselves. My most popular talk/group is definitely Laughter Wellness. I have presented that numerous times and look forward to doing that again in the future.

I love working with seniors and their families. I have definitely found my life's passion! Looking froward to getting back to it and couldn't be more excited to be doing it now in my own practice! 

Please check back here and enjoy the posts that will be here and check out my website at www.thrive.org