The General 'Seniors' Chat thread
There is really nothing new in fashion... the styles just go around and around, decade to decade, with a few tweaks here and there so designers can keep their jobs. 
thought you might find this interesting to know: would you have guessed there are so many people doing so well over the age of 100 years, in the USA?
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_156837.html
With deep and sincere thanks to Marksierra and lifted from his blog:
Who'll join me in being a test subject???
I'm in!
I wonder if the quality of the plonk makes a difference?
I suppose, though, that after a couple of glasses, you wouldn't even notice if it was Chateau Cardboard or the top shelf stuff...
By the way, upon further investigation, I've learned that the story first appeared a couple of years ago. Now I want to know who's been keeping it from us. 
I'm sure the quality of plonk will greatly affect how you feel about the experiment. I would be so into this if wine had not started making my face go all hot, red, and achy on one side. *sigh*
I'm choosing to pretend for one night that my migraine meds will play nice with those phenols etc Not that I'm testing the theory, just thinking about it, mind you...!
OK, Marksierra mate, I reckon I've single-handedly helped you recruit about 50 test subjects this evening, all prepared to slave under strict drinking conditions - I mean thinking conditions around the world over the next few months. Various age brackets from mid-30s to early 70s, assorted occupations. Except for you, everyone is female. I might be able to adjust that next week, when I float the idea at our professional Network Breakfast!
my sister, ever the helpful bio-med librarian, declined to participate in our proposed in vivo study, pointing out that literature reviews revealed caffeine is more effective in midlife drinking, as it aids cognition, prevents dementia and Alzheimer's, may prevent cardiac disease and may prevent diabetes:
OK, TO BE SERIOUS FOR A MINUTE: I'm posting this here because everyone needs to consider the implications.
We all get to the point where we deal with lapses in memory, ours or someone else's. And we're scared it might mean something sinister. Sometimes it just means we to sleep better, or laugh more (or have more sex!), sometimes a test reveals a hiccup to monitor [surgery 4 years ago affected a friend's memory via an unrecognised reaction to anaesthesia, just picked up this week], sometimes it's more serious. Regardless, we should talk about it more and with our doctors - and get recommendations and diagnoses written down!
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_156953.html
joanne said:
OK, TO BE SERIOUS FOR A MINUTE: I'm posting this here because everyone needs to consider the implications.
We all get to the point where we deal with lapses in memory, ours or someone else's. And we're scared it might mean something sinister. Sometimes it just means we to sleep better, or laugh more (or have more sex!), sometimes a test reveals a hiccup to monitor [surgery 4 years ago affected a friend's memory via an unrecognised reaction to anaesthesia, just picked up this week], sometimes it's more serious. Regardless, we should talk about it more and with our doctors - and get recommendations and diagnoses written down!
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_156953.html
I get "We're sorry. We can't find the page you requested" on that link. 
That's odd. I'm out just now: will fix it when I'm home. My phone battery is almost dead.
See if this works, meantime:
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_156953.html
I have no idea why their links are broken.
Their headline won't copy.
TOO FEW ADULTS TELL DOCTORS ABOUT MEMORY (WORRIES)
By E. J. Mundell
Thursday, January 28, 2016THURSDAY, Jan. 28, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Do you worry that forgetting names, or where you put your keys, might be a sign of impending dementia? If you're like most older Americans, you don't bring this up with your doctor, a new study shows.
Researchers who looked at federal government data on more than 10,000 people found that in 2011, only 1 in 4 adults aged 45 or older discussed memory problems with a health care professional during a routine checkup.
In fact, the likelihood that a person would admit to a memory problem in a doctor's office visit actually declined with advancing age, says a team led by Mary Adams, of On Target Health Data in West Suffield, Conn.
The findings were published Jan. 28 in the journal Preventing Chronic Disease.
"Routine checkups are a missed opportunity for assessing and discussing memory problems for the majority of older adults," Adams said in a journal news release.
Experts agreed that the stigma around memory loss and dementia may hold people back from discussing these issues with their physicians.
"Because dementia is unfortunately an all too common illness, older adults are quite familiar with its heralding signs and symptoms, which they have painfully observed in a long time neighbor or a family member," said Dr. Gisele Wolf-Klein, director of geriatric education at Northwell Health in New Hyde Park, N.Y.
"This reality leads to denial and avoidance, both on the part of the patient and the physician," she said. "'As long as we don't mention it, maybe it's just normal aging.'"
But mentioning memory troubles is important, because it doesn't necessarily have to herald dementia, Wolf-Klein said. "Memory loss may well not be due to dementia, but another highly treatable condition, such as depression," she noted.
And if it is linked to dementia, recognizing that fact early is crucial, she said.
"Patients can promptly meet with family members and elder law advisers, who can best help them in making individualized decisions for their care, rather than rely on last-minute decisions completed by family members at a time when patients now lack capacity," Wolf-Klein said.
Dr. Bruce Polsky is chair of the department of medicine at Winthrop-University Hospital in Mineola, N.Y. He acknowledged that talking about "memory loss and the possibility of the early development of dementia is a difficult discussion for both the physician and patient, mostly because of the long-term implications."
But early diagnosis of dementia can be important, he said.
"Even mild memory loss associated with early Alzheimer's disease may be improved with some of the medicines now available, although these medications do not stop the progression of the disease," he said. "Lifestyle modifications, such as smoking cessation, may also be of value in some cases."
"Although it is difficult for individuals to assess whether their own subtle memory loss is 'normal' or not, open discussion with their physician and, in some cases, testing may result in answers that could potentially lead to treatment and improved functioning," according to Polsky.
SOURCES: Gisele Wolf-Klein, M.D., director, geriatric education, Northwell Health, New Hyde Park, N.Y.; Bruce Polsky, M.D., chairman, department of medicine, Winthrop-University Hospital, Mineola, N.Y.; Jan. 28, 2016, Preventing Chronic Disease
HealthDay
Copyright (c) 2016 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
More Health News on:MemorySeniors' HealthTalking With Your DoctorRecent Health News
well, so, when I get to the doctor, I will mention my concerns about my memory. *sigh*
95 times out 100 there won't be much to worry about, and maybe some small changes in daily routines will fix the way we find what we want to remember, faster. But we need to start the conversation. ><
You guys know about Accuweather.com, don't you? You can set it for forecasts for migraine weather alerts, arthritis alerts, allergies, respiratory, etc plus for various recreational activities and occupational activities (building, painting, elect trades etc).
I've just set it locally for D's asthma, my migraines and our gout/arthritis. This is a high-risk week for pain!
a love story for the ages... Awww!
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-13/canberra-couple-george-and-iris-barlin-celebrate-100th-birthdays/7166080
A recent study confirmed there are minute indicatications that some injuries sustained in a fall may actually be the airline st signs of Parkinson's, to be confirmed over 25years later...
http://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1001954#abstract2
These findings, which identify potential markers of PD more than a decade before diagnosis, need to be confirmed in other settings but provide new insights into the earliest, hitherto unrecognized, stages of PD.
joanne said:
a love story for the ages... Awww!
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-13/canberra-couple-george-and-iris-barlin-celebrate-100th-birthdays/7166080
If joanne's link doesn't open for you, try
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-13/canberra-couple-george-and-iris-barlin-celebrate-100th-birthdays/7166080
See, on my iPad, they look the same on MOL. Despite what you and Jamie have mentioned offthread. Ah well! As long as people get the info! 
would taking the two twin box springs out from under the king size mattress on top work as a way to lower the mattress to facilitate getting in and out of bed? Anyone try it? TIA
imo, depends on what the support is under the box springs. Would it hold the mattress flat and stable?
PS, mtierney, wishing you good outcomes and all the help you need. I hope you are able to stop and breathe for a moment when you need to.
Alternatively, would some sort of stepstool next to the bed help? It can be hard to get out of a bed that is too low.
sometimes your home nursing service can arrange for a quick visit at the same time (or just before the individual gets home) with an occupational therapist, who would advise on the best low-cost option for that person. Because it's at the same time, you might not be charged because they know you and the situation well.
(It's not just about the cared-for's wellbeing and safety. The carer needs to be able to easily change linens, administer medicines etc and maybe assist with wound care or physio, pressure injury prevention and stuff like that, without causing their own back injuries and other occupational health woes)
A walker positioned next to the bed can help with getting on and off a higher mattress. In my experience, a higher mattress is much easier to get up from that a lower one. If you are worried about the patient rolling out of bed, railings are available that can be affixed to the bed.
thanks for your feedback, it helps!
Had another thought about replacing the king mattress with a 10" foam one. The present one is about 15 years old and one I put a 1" foam topper on because I found it too hard. My husband had no issues, but adapted to the topper addition with no problem.
One of the ailments my husband has been coping with is a pressure ulcer on a heel which he developed during his first hospitalization back in May. Doc just said it has finally healed , but I fear he could be prone to more such sores since he has difficulty walking, etc.
Current height of the mattress and foam topper from the box spring base is 15". -- from the floor up it is 28". Dropping that overall height by 5" might make getting in and out of bed easier ?
Any thoughts - pro or con?
How tall is he? How long are his legs? If he has to climb up to get on the mattress, it might be too high. If he can sit on he mattress and then swing his legs over to lie down, it should be a good height.
agree with Joan. To someone without that specific technical knowledge, it seems sensible that if his 'sit-upon' is at the same height of the bed, even if he's not always standing straight, then he should be able to manage as long as there are firm supports.
Perhaps it's also like the re-training we do for getting into and out of a car: butt first, then quarter-turn by pivoting using ankles (to lead) and butt (to secure) so it looks like you're backing into the car-seat not stepping into it. You back onto the bed and safely lever yourself (or are levered) into a lying position. Oh! That reminds me! What about the over-bed arm hoist? I've forgotten it's called!
You can swing it out of the way when not needed. When he's by himself, it can be at a safe height, ready for him to use the dangling part to support himself into a steady raised position then (hopefully) balance with it to stand. Would that work? Is there a showroom or pharmacy to ask?
Sponsored Business
Promote your business here - Businesses get highlighted throughout the site and you can add a deal.
Had to laugh over the weekend: 15-and-a-half year old niece thought she was so soooo fashionable, so ultra-cool in her floppy sun hat with flowers, her big floppy vest, long loose skirt, loose tied tee. She looked pretty, relaxed, beachy. And very 70s.
Took a pic and sent it to girlhood friend, who said A and her brother reminded her of us, 40 years ago!! Oh dear!! Because now I know what the adults around us were thinking when we wore the reclaimed 30s and 40s fashions! Giggle