3 Kids and Us

The Baby Boomers and Their Future Needs

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There has been a lot of talk about the baby boomer generation this past decade. Born into the booming post World War II economy, the baby boomers were able to accomplish feats never before seen in human history, such as the launching of the Voyager 1 probe (the first man-made object to leave the solar system), and making seat belts mandatory in all legal road vehicles.

The Post WWII Baby Boom of 1946 – 1964

The baby boomer generation consists of persons that were born between the years of 1946 and 1964 in the US. Today they are roughly 54 to 72 years old, and many do reside or will reside in Residential Assisted Living facilities. Seniors do want to stay in their homes as long as possible, but it’s good to have another plan in case staying in their home is not an option.

A Standard of Living Unprecedented in Human History

One of the most notable qualities of the baby boomer generation is that they were privileged to live in a time period that could be considered the peak of the middle class and enjoy a standard of living that has never been seen before throughout history. This is, of course, thanks to the post-WWII economic boom mentioned before, which can be credited to the actions of past generations, and a perfect storm of economic factors.

The baby boomer generation is aging. They have needs that will have to be met in the coming years. Care centers will be in great demand. There would be great investment opportunities for those looking ahead to this need. No matter what community you might live in, there is a need for assisted living centers and the need will continue to grow.

In the United States right now, there are over 46 million people over age 65. It is said that 40% of Americans over 65 years old will need to live in some type of senior care community or an assisted living center at some point in their lives. Over the next decade, as the aging population increases, the number of those in the United States who need assisted living or memory care centers will be approximately 11 million. The demand will be high. Right now, there are not enough centers to handle this growth. That is why it will be vital to have more residential assisted living centers built and staffed.

Twilight of the Boomers – Assisted Living vs Nursing Homes

As many boomers enjoy their retirement, it comes time to begin preparing for their final days. As they grow older and it becomes harder for them to care for themselves, assisted living and nursing homes become a necessity.

The difference between assisted living and a nursing home boils down to a few things. Nursing homes are typically for the elderly who have completely lost the ability to care for themselves or have health problems that require constant attention. On the other hand, assisted living allows more freedom and independence, and is a great option for the boomers who can still take care of themselves on a day to day basis, more or less.

Assisted living centers offer entertainment, meals, socializing, freedom to come and go, and a room of their own. There is a nurse on the premises to help a tenant, if needed, but it is not like a hospital. Another great thing about the assisted living center is that there are housekeeping services to do the cleaning for the tenants. This is a great plus for those living there. You should plan on touring one and get more information about them.

If you’re a baby boomer, or have one in your life, you should be looking into making arrangements for assisted living, or nursing home care, depending on your situation. The sooner you get started the better, and the more research you do, the better off you’ll be when it comes time to take action. For investing purposes, talk to a professional to see if investing in an assisted living center is the right things for you. It could be a very good investment in the future.

Amniocentesis and CVS – What’s the Difference?

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As our understanding of genetic disorders and the technology necessary to detect them early progresses, the care offered to pregnant women is also changing. Today women undergo much more testing during pregnancy than ever before. This commonly includes non-invasive prenatal testing, which only requires a blood sample from the mother and informs parents of the likelihood that their child could be born with certain genetic disorders.

If you have received an inconclusive or positive result from an initial prenatal blood test, you may be scared and confused. It’s important to remember that a prenatal blood test does not indicate a certainty. Your doctor will likely recommend additional tests to confirm and diagnose your unborn child’s condition. Two of the most commonly recommended prenatal diagnostic tests are amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS). What is the difference between the two?

Amniocentesis

Amniocentesis is a prenatal diagnostic test that is usually performed between the 15th and 20th weeks of pregnancy. This procedure involves using an ultrasound to guide a thin, hollow needle through the abdomen of the mother and into the amniotic sac. The needle will then remove just enough amniotic fluid necessary to test for abnormalities.

Discomfort during and after amniocentesis is minimal. Some women elect for a local anesthetic, but many do not. After the procedure, you may experience very mild pains that can be treated with over-the-counter pain medication, as recommended by your doctor. Plan to rest and avoid any strenuous physical activity for at least 48 hours after the test. If you experience any severe abdominal pain, bleeding, fever or other serious symptoms following the procedure, you should alert your doctor as soon as possible. There is a very slight risk of miscarriage associated with an amniocentesis (less than 1%), but the results can have a significant impact on planning for future healthcare for your baby if they have a diagnosis requiring special medical attention.

The results of amniocentesis should be available within four weeks of the procedure. This test is usually around 99.4% accurate in detecting chromosomal abnormalities in utero. You will likely be required to meet with a genetic counselor to go over the results. They will be able to give you a better idea of how likely it is that your child will be born with a particular disorder, how the results will impact your care during the remainder of the pregnancy, and if the result is positive, what you can do to prepare for the future medical care of your baby.

Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)

Chorionic villus sampling is a test that is usually performed between the 10th and 14th weeks of pregnancy. This procedure involves taking cells from a pregnant woman’s placenta (chorionic villus) to test for potential genetic abnormalities in the fetus. There are two ways that this sample can be taken: transcervically (through the cervix), or transabdominally (through the vagina). Before the procedure, the mother will undergo an ultrasound to verify the age of the fetus and the positioning of the placenta for the procedure. During the procedure, a hollow needle will be inserted into the uterus (via the abdomen or through the cervix, via the vagina) to remove chorionic villus cells from the placenta to send for testing.

Your doctor may use a local anesthetic to numb the area prior to sampling. Following the procedure, you may experience light vaginal bleeding and cramping, but any other more serious side effects should be reported immediately to your doctor. Chorionic villus sampling has a slightly higher risk of miscarriage, but it’s still quite low (around 0.22% chance of miscarriage). The results of the test should be available within a week of the study, and are generally 98-99% accurate. There is a possibility that you receive a false positive or need additional testing after CVS. Your doctor or genetic counselor will be able to better advise what course of action to take following testing.

Speak with Your Doctor

If you have additional questions about prenatal testing, or are looking for guidance after receiving your results, speak with your doctor or make an appointment with a genetic counselor. They will be able to answer your questions, make recommendations, and help you to coordinate the necessary future care for your child.

SOURCES:

  1. http://americanpregnancy.org/prenatal-testing/chorionic-villus-sampling/
  2. https://www.webmd.com/baby/cvs-chorionic-villus-sampling
  3. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/chorionic-villus-sampling/about/pac-20393533
  4. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/test_procedures/gynecology/chorionic_villus_sampling_cvs_92,p07769
  5. https://www.webmd.com/baby/pregnancy-amniocentesis#1
  6. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/amniocentesis/about/pac-20392914

How to Help a Loved One with a Mental Illness

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It can be difficult to watch a loved one struggle with a mental illness. However, with your help and support, they might be able to overcome the issues that are plaguing their everyday lives. Unfortunately, it is not always easy to help a loved one living with a mental health condition because they might not be willing to seek help or even admit they have a problem. If you want to protect your parent, child, relative or friend, find out how to help a loved one with a mental illness today to truly make a difference.

Research the Illness

It might be beneficial to learn as much as possible about the person’s mental illness, so you can identify the best ways to support your loved one. For example, it is common for some people living with depression or PTSD to turn to drugs as a coping mechanism. As a result, you could look for signs of misuse or addiction and potentially enter a loved one into a drug detox center.

Of course, if a friend or relative is in psychiatric distress, you might have no other choice but to enter him or her into hospital involuntarily. While it can be a tough decision to make, it could potentially save your loved one’s life and help them to overcome their mental health condition. By seeking help from professionals who are trained to deal with such conditions, you can hopefully help your loved one move forward into recovery.

Talk to Your Loved One

It is crucial to sit down with a loved one to talk about their mental health. Even if they do not believe they are living with a condition, you should sit down and listen to them. Don’t attempt to change their mind, and simply focus on building their trust. By doing so, they will be more likely to open up about how they are feeling, so you will understand exactly what is going on in their mind.

Additionally, it is important your loved one feels both loved and supported during this difficult period in their life. Rather than making assumptions about how you can help, ask him or her if there is anything you can do to make their life easier. For example, they might appreciate your support when attending medical appointments or could need you to pick up their children from school.

Seek Counseling for Yourself

While helping a loved one overcome a mental illness will most likely be a top priority, this doesn’t mean you should disregard your own mental health. If you want to truly be there for your friend or family member every step of the way, you must start caring for yourself.

It might be helpful to speak to a qualified therapist to discuss your emotions. You can openly discuss your stresses and concerns in a non-judgemental setting, and they could possibly provide clarity, solutions and objectivity regarding your problems. Talking really can help, so don’t keep your feelings bottled up inside and speak to a therapist to effectively handle your emotions.

6 Ways to Combat Brittle Bones as You Age

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As people age, the bones quickly start to become brittle and weak. This is especially true if people aren’t doing what they should to keep themselves healthy and in shape. Strengthening the bones and body is one of the best ways to combat brittle bones, along with other methods. With difficulty moving and handling tasks, regular pain, and other problems, aging adults should do everything they can to keep their bones strong to avoid these struggles.

Surgery

Minimally invasive surgeries exist to help repair broken bones. If other options have not worked, then surgery is often the last resort to ensure the body can work as intended. A wrist surgery, for example, requires just one or two small incisions to treat injuries to both bone and soft tissue within the wrist and hand. Minimize scarring occurs with a faster recovery than a more invasive approach.

Diet

Certain vitamins and minerals are ideal for bone health. By consuming a diet high in these nutrients, people can keep their bones as healthy as possible, even prolonging the aging process. Protein is essential, especially for those who have suffered a break or fracture and need to heal. Calcium and magnesium are also important. Eating foods rich in Vitamin D and Vitamin C will help with calcium absorption and bone growth.

Supplements

Some people do not get all the nutrients they need for strong bones from diet alone. Perhaps they have a particular allergy or simply do not like to drink milk often. Supplements help tremendously to ensure individuals are getting the vitamins and nutrients they need to keep bones strong. Taking a bone health, bone strength, or bone restore vitamin can help considerably.

Exercise

Individuals who already have brittle bones may find it difficult to exercise. With a weakened body and regular pain, working out is often the last thing on people’s minds. However, exercise is essential to bone health and repairing the accumulated damage to bones over the years. A low-impact workout, such as one done in the water, will help tremendously. The buoyancy of the water will lessen the impact on the joints and allow people to work out their bodies in a beneficial way.

Improving Home Safety

Another way to combat brittle bones is to improve safety within the home. If older adults know they struggle with weakened bones and bodies, then they should do what they can to keep themselves from getting hurt and causing more damage. Bones can break easily during falls, for example, so non-slip mats should be added to the bathroom and kitchen, while rugs that come up easily need to be removed so people aren’t tripping over them. It is also wise to add grab bars in the bathrooms for help getting up and down.

Stop Smoking

Smokers tend to have a lower bone mass overall, which leads to a higher chance of fractures. Women who smoke tend to go through menopause sooner because of the loss of estrogen in their systems. This can cause bone loss in itself. Anyone who smokes and has for years will have even more problems. Smokers should stop now to prevent further damage to their bones.

The aging process doesn’t have to be debilitating. Though bones become brittle as people age, there are plenty of ways to prevent the problem, as well as combat it once it’s started. Healthy bones and bodies are possible at all ages as long as people work on improving them at all times.

What Are The Main Causes Of Breast Cancer?

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Source

Most women these days are afraid of breast cancer or are at least aware of the seriousness of the condition. This is one of the most common of all cancers among women and normally happens in the breast’s lobules or ducts. You want to be sure that you take preventive measures in order to avoid this awful condition. Life Medical Technologies mentions the fact that all women should have proper knowledge when discussing breast cancer causes.

What Causes Breast Cancer?

Nobody really knows the main breast cancer cause at the moment. However, there are different factors that are going to put you at a higher risk of being affected by this disease. Those that you really need to know more about include:

  • Aging– This may be a little hard to believe but the truth is that aging is a really common factor associated with breast cancer. As your body ages, risks grow to be affected.
  • Consuming alcohol – If you excessively drink alcohol you practically double the possibility that you will be affected by breast cancer. Make sure you limit quantities in order to avoid increasing breast cancer risks.
  • Denser Breast Tissue – Some doctors will tell you that when you have denser breast tissue there is a higher chance you are going to be affected by breast cancer. This is because cells that create this disease are going to simply grow faster.
  • Late child birth/not being pregnant– The women that have the first child at older age are at a higher risk of getting breast cancer. In addition, women that cannot easily conceive can be affected by breast cancer.
  • Early menstruation – If you are a woman that has the first period before 12 years old, the risk of getting breast cancer is higher when compared to those that get menstruation after that age.
  • Family history of breast cancer – Unfortunately, if you do have breast cancer in your family history, there is an increased possibility you are going to be affected. At the same time, if you had breast cancer in one of your breasts, the other one will most likely have to be checked since the possibility of getting it there is increased. Statistics show that there is a double possibility of having breast cancer if you have the disease in your family history.

It is really important that women go to the doctor and get checked up from time to time. Proper treatment is mandatory. Remember the fact that if breast cancer is diagnosed early, there is a much higher possibility that you are going to be treated. This is something that doctors do all they can in order to promote at the moment.

Women should know as much as possible about breast cancer. Not much information is available at the moment and you cannot trust all that you find online. Have patience and go talk to an experienced doctor. Learn what increases breast cancer risk and be sure you always respect absolutely all the indications that are offered by the medic.

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