Category Archives for Healthcare

Tennis and Your Later Years

Published in Pawtucket Times, July 25, 2014

Like bacon and eggs, AARP Rhode Island hopes to make tennis synonymous with AARP’s Life Reimagined initiative.  On Friday, July 11, Rhode Island’s largest aging advocacy group firmly tied its national initiative to the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum, seeing an immediate opportunity to be associated with one of the world’s most high-profile tennis events, one that matched its age 50 plus membership demographic.  The new relationship provided a unique opportunity for the Providence-based group to get the word out about its legislative advocacy and grassroots community work.

This July, AARP Rhode Island unveiled its sponsorship with the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships which drew 22,500 tennis fans from across the country to the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum in Newport, Rhode Island.  A live telecast of the tennis matches and the tennis organization’s Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony, which honors the best of  the tennis world, was beamed to millions around the tennis world on The Tennis Channel.  AARP’s sponsorship include center-court signage at 30-second spots on this channel.

“When we heard that tennis is promoted as ‘the sport of a lifetime’ we knew we were on the same wavelength,” noted AARP State Director Kathleen Connell, who stressed “AARP is all about providing resources for a lifetime.”

Anne Marie McLaughlin, Director of Marketing at the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum, agrees with Connell’s keen assessment.  “Tennis is very much in sync with AARP’s Life Reimagined program.   Perhaps people are seeking new ways to connect with friends once they’ve  become empty nesters, or a new hobby to keep them active and healthy.  Tennis can provide so many benefits in these areas, and it’s a great activity for people who are looking to reimagine and explore their life.”

“We’re proud to partner with AARP Rhode Island to showcase the game’s many physical, social, and mental benefits to their members,” says McLaughlin who agrees with Connell’s take that tennis is a sport of a lifetime.  “It can be played and enjoyed by a 5-year-old or a 95-year-old and we are very excited to  partner with AARP Rhode Island to engage, and inspire their members,” she says.

“But, Connell warns that “You cannot generalize about the athletic abilities of people over 50, noting that demanding sports such as marathons, and distance swimming attract athletes in their 60s, 70s. 80s. and even older.  Tennis is a great sport for people over 50 because you can play at your own level with players of similar skill.  To live longer and remain healthy we know that being and staying active is critical.  AARP encourages people to find a sport or activity that can provide life-enhancing benefits, both physical and mental,” added the Middletown resident.

Creating New Opportunities in Your Later Years

As a sport, tennis is a great fit for people looking to reimagine their life after 40.  “Whether it’s a job transition, career change, starting a dream business, adapting to being an empty nester or making the switch to a retirement lifestyle, AARP Life Reimagined provides online assessment tools, guidance and resources to help people explore new opportunities, identify adaptable skills and set new goals,” Connell explained.

Connell says Life Reimagined.org is the go-to web address for feeling good about aging. “It’s about you and what you want to accomplish,” she says, noting that it helps put AARP’s “Real Possibilities” into action.

According to Connell, AARP is no longer an organization for older people, but one for all people who want the best out of life, regardless of their age.  Many AARP members are still working and do not plan to retire, others leave their jobs seeking new challenges or even establishing new businesses, she explains.

Over a year ago, AARP launched Life Reimaged, a free program designed to help 76 million Boomers easily navigate into new life experiences or reboot their professional lives into different directions.  For the sixties generation, continuing to work a full-time job, or even coasting into retirement is no longer an acceptable option.  But, AARP stressed that reinventing oneself is the way to go in your later stages of life.

The Life Reimaged website provides tools to help you make key decisions for your next direction and detailed resources to guide you through that journey, says Connell.  “Whether your career has hit an unexpected bump in your 50s, or you are looking to start your own business or head down a new path into retirement, AARP can help,” she said.

At the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships

AARP staff and over 50 volunteers were on hand at the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships from Monday, July 7 through the tournament finals on Sunday, July 13.  Being stationed at an AARP Life Reimagined booth, these individuals answered questions and distributed copies of AARP Magazine and other materials.  On Friday, July 11, (at AARP Day) Connell announced a new AARP membership benefit — a year-round discounted AARP member rate of $8 (instead of the standard $13 rate) for admission into the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum.  The organization’s museum is open daily and also offers special events including film and music.  Year-round tennis programming, including lessons and group play on the historic green courts are available, too.

Activities for AARP Day included a free 50+ tennis clinic led by legendary tennis coach and newly inducted Hall of Famer, Nick Bollettieri, followed by a book signing and Q&A session (see Bollettieri in action on AARP Rhode Island’s YouTube Channel, http://www.youtube.com/aarpri).  That day, over 70 people attended an-hour long panel discussion in air-conditioned comfort of the Casino Theatre at the Hall of Fame, about AARP’s Life Reimagined initiative.

At the Friday panel, Connell noted that “It was a real treat for fans to get a chance to hear Hall of Famers Nick Bollettieri, 82, (Class of 2014) and Owen Davidson, 71 (Class of 2010) talk about their careers.  AARP volunteer, Charles Dress, 76, of Warwick, also shared his thoughts about how tennis has played an important role in his later years, after retiring from a full-time career,”
said Connell.  The panelist all agreed that tennis was “a natural outlet for the life-long learners who want to work hard at improving their skills and staying mentally sharp.”

Meanwhile, at Friday’s tennis clinic Bollettieri, stressed to those attending, “age is only a number.”  Connell noted that this is in line with the messaging of AARP.  “His enshrinement into the Hall of Fame is fitting not only because of his place as the coach of some many tennis champions, but also because he is a magnificent ambassador for the game.  He inspires people with his energy and enthusiasm.  We were thrilled that he made his way to our tent to join AARP,” she says.

McLaughlin added that Bollettieri is “an amazing example of what Life Reimagined can represent.  At 82 years of age, Nick is still on court 6 days a wee for 10 hours a day…and likely on the golf course the 7th day.  He’s living proof that it’s possible and very positive, for someone to stay physically active in older years.  With this physical activity come great social and mental benefits as well.”

Before the Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony, Bollettieri gave this columnist a few pointers on living life in your later years.  “Stay active and never, never, never, use the word retire,” he says, warning that once the word enters your vocabulary, you begin to decline.

Buying into AARP’s Life Reimagined initiative, Bollettieri advices, “Don’t retire, just change professions.”

Check This Out…

On September 4 and 5, AARP Rhode Island will host two free Life Reimagined “Checkups” at its Providence headquarters.  A Life Reimagined leader will facilitate the three-hour workshop that familiarizes people with the available Life Reimagined tools and resources.  These sessions include small-group exercise for people looking to make changes in their career direction or hoping to reinvent themselves in retirement.  The first session will be in the evening, the second session in the morning.  Register online at aarp.org/ri or call 401-248-2671.

For more information about the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum go to http://www.tennisfame. com.

Herb Weiss, LRI ’12, is a Pawtucket-based writer who covers aging, health care and medical issues.  He can be reached at hweissri@aol.com.

 

 

 

TV Celeb Valerie Harper Calls for More Funding for Cancer Research

Published in Pawtucket Times, May 12, 2014

With a growing population of aging baby-boomers, the U.S. Special Committee on Aging held a hearing on Wednesday to put the spotlight on how decreased federal funding to support cancer research is derailing the nation’s successful efforts on its fight against cancer and to detail treatment advances. .

In Dirksen Building 562, Chairman Bill Nelson (D-Florida) addressed the packed room on how innovative cancer research has tripled the number of survivors during the last 40 years, while continued federal cuts to balance the nation’s budget are having a severe impact on biomedical research.

But, despite significant advances in medical treatments over the years, cancer still is a major medical condition for the national to confront. About 1.6 million Americans—the majority of them over age 55—will receive a cancer diagnosis this year, and more than 585,000 will die from the disease.

Putting Cancer Research on the Public Agenda

In his opening statement, Nelson stated that “As a result of the sequestered cuts, Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), had to stop 700 research grants from going out the door.” Federal funding support has “accelerated the pace of new discoveries and the development of better ways to prevent, detect, diagnose, and treat cancer in all age groups,” he says.

Cancer research has been put on the radar screen of the Senate Aging panel because “little is known about the impact of cancer treatments on the body as it ages,” added Nelson.

Nelson notes that although many cancer survivors are in remission because of ground breaking advances in research, there still remains a large percentage of people with cancer across the nation who are still dependent on their next clinical trial, or even the next NIH research grant to keep them alive just a little bit longer. This is why Congress must be committed in its war against cancer, he adds, noting that the best place to start is to renew the federal government’s role and commitment to innovative research that is taking place at universities, oncology centers and hospitals, where much of the federal funds are being directed by NIH.

Dr. Harold Varmus, director of the National Cancer Institute, said more research is needed to fully understand how cancer is linked to aging. “Because most types of cancer-but not all-are commonly diagnosed in older age groups, the number of people with cancer is rising [with the world’s population rapidly aging], and continue to rise, here and globally.”.

“For people of any age, the first line of defense against cancers and their damaging consequences is prevention,” states Varmus.

Dr. Thomas Sellers, director of the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, made his views quite clear about the federal government’s “irreplaceable role” in funding medical research. “No other public, corporate, or charitable entity is willing or able to provide the broad and sustained funding for the cutting edge research necessary to yield new innovations and technologies for cancer care of the future,” he says.

Sellers warns, “Without increased funding now, the spectacular advancements we have witnessed in the past will not be there in the future.”

Star Power to Make a Point

One of the nation’s most prominent lung cancer survivors, Valerie Harper, who rose to fame on the “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and “Rhoda,” “Valerie,” and more recently on “Dancing with the Starts, advocated at the May 7 Senate panel for increased funding for cancer research. Harper, detailed her own battle with cancer, reminiscing about her initial diagnosed with lung cancer in 2009, later finding out last year that her cancer had spread to the lining of her brain.

Through the eyes of an entertainer Harper explained her fight with cancer. “Cancer reminds me of a very bad but tenacious performer, who although no one wants to see, insists on doing an encore, having a return engagement, making a comeback and worst of all, going on tour,” she said.

According to Harper, more than two-thirds of all lung cancers occur among former smokers or those who never smoked, the majority being former smokers.  Second hand smoke, air pollution and radon, a colorless, tasteless and odorless gas, can cause lung cancer. But, one’s genes can play a role in developing lung cancer, too, she says.

Seventy four-year old, Harper, a cancer survivor of four years, admitted she never smoked, but was exposed to secondhand smoke for decades. As to family, her mother developed lung cancer and later died from it. The actress believes that her lung cancer might be traced to two risk factors, second-hand smoke and genetics.

In her opening testimony, Harper claimed that 75 percent of all lung cancers are often times discovered too late, in the later stages when the disease has already spread. The vocal cancer advocate called for Congress to put more funding into finding better ways for early detection of the disease.

Harper notes that research can also identify new treatment options for lung cancer when it is detected in stages 3 and 4 and finding promising ways to personalize chemotherapy, by testing genetic markers, making the treatment less toxic and more effective against specific tumors.

Others on the Witness List

In 2012, Chip Kennett, 32, a former Senate staffer, remembers passing his annual physical “with flying colors.” Weeks later, a nagging, blurry spot in his right eye would lead to a PET scan that showed he had cancer “everywhere.”

Looking back, he expressed to the Senate panel the shock of being diagnosed with having cancer. “There are really no words to describe what it feels like to be told you have an incurable disease that will kill you,” he said.

Now 18 months post-diagnosis, Kenett, who is now living with an as-yet incurable form of State IV lung cancer, is now in his fourth targeted treatment, the clinical trials have allowed the young man to lead a relatively normal and productive life. “Research saves lives and I am a living example of that. The drugs that have kept me alive for the past 18 months were not available just seven years ago,” he says.

Other witnesses at the hearing included Mary Dempsey, assistant director and cofounder of the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope and Healing in Lewiston, Maine, who shared her experience of taking care of her mother, Amanda with her Brother, nationally renowned actor Patrick Dempsey seen on “Grey’s Anatomy.” Over 17 years since the mother’s initial diagnoses in 1997, she had a total of twelve recurrences and just recently died in March.

“My mom lived this experience, and I shared it with her as her primary caregiver,” notes Dempsey said. “In this role, I experienced first-hand the impact cancer had on every part of my life. For me, it really became a full-time job, navigating resources, understanding the medical world, and coping with the profound changes in our lives.”

A Call for Increased Cancer Funding

Hopefully the Senate Aging Panel’s efforts to put medical research on the short list of the nation’s policy agenda will get the attention of GOP lawmakers who over the years have attempted to balance the nation’s budget by slashing NIH funding.

Cancer touches every family. Everyone knows of a family member, colleague or friend who has died from cancer or is a cancer survivor. Americans must send a strong message to their Congressional lawmakers, “no more cuts to medical research.” If the nation is truly at war with cancer, it is shameful to not give the nation’s medical researchers the adequate funding necessary to defeat it once and for all.

Herb Weiss, LRI ’12, is a Pawtucket based writer who covers aging, health care and medical issues. He can be reached at hweissri@aol.com

Alzheimer’s Takes a Toll on Middle-Aged Adults, Too

Published in Pawtucket Times, May 10, 2013

While many view Alzheimer’s Dementia as a devastating disease afflicting persons well into their later retirement years, Jacob Vinton (“Jake”) knows better than that. The 57-year-old is one of an estimated 200,000 persons (out of five million Americans) who today have been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s.

Discovering the Truth

Jake’s physical deterioration derailed any plans to reenter the workforce, forcing him into early retirement. Because of his age, he will not be eligible for the full range of federal retirement and pension benefits that he could be eligible to receive if he waited to retire at age 65.

In his mid-50s, the middle-aged man experienced early signs of cognitive impairment that included memory loss, specifically not remembering conversations or previous events, or the names of people and things. As the disease progressed, Jake gave up his car keys.

In 2006, Jake, chose to became a stay-at-home father, taking care of his two teenage sons, while his wife, Karen, a clinical psychologist, became the family breadwinner, working as a public health researcher for a national nonprofit consulting firm.

Before making this decision, Jake, an electrical engineer who graduated from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, had decided not to reenter the job market, or even to apply for graduate school. Looking back his wife believes that his declining “planning and organizational” skills played a key role in his decision.

Karen, 54, never attributed her husband’s occasional loss of words to be due to a very serious, devastating cognitive condition. Warning signs became obvious to her when Jake could not remember a conversation that had taken place 15 minutes earlier.

For Jake, a daily walk with the family’s rescue golden doodle, down a very familiar walking path, gave him a startling “wake up call,” that something was definitely wrong. He broke down, crying when he realized that he was lost and did not recognize his surrounding neighborhood. The emotionally distraught man would ultimately get home through the assistance of others in the neighborhood.

Being a professional researcher, Karen tiressley sought out answers to explain her husband’s cognitive decline through professional contacts in the medical field. After a year medical appointments that included multiple diagnostic tests (there is no one definitive test) by a neuropsychologist and a neurologist who specialized in Alzheimer’s disease, his wife’s worst fears were positively confirmed – Jake definitely had early onset Alzheimer’s Dementia.

Karen was not shocked by the medical findings. Alzheimer’s Dementia has limited pharmacological treatments that slow but do not stop the disease’s progression. Although Jake was not happy with his medical diagnosis, he strangely felt relieved now knowing the cause of his memory slips and why he was so “loopy,” as he put it.

Following the 2011 medical diagnosis, the Foxboro couple made a joint decision to relocate to the City of Providence. “Providence offered more medical and support services and also allowed him to walk to his volunteer activities and classes,” Karen said.

Loving Friends at Hamilton House

Jake also began taking Aricept and Namenda, prescription medications used to treat mild, moderate, even severe Alzheimer’s disease. Over time with adjustments to the dose, “it has made a big different in my thinking,” Jake remarked.

But, every morning has become time-consuming when Jake needs to be oriented to the days activities, reports his wife. “He can be told that he has an art class at Hamilton House but he’ll forget it,” she says, adding that even if you write that down he might just loose that piece of paper.

Even before his symptoms of Alzheimer’s intensified, Jake did a little carpentry and painting at Hamilton House, a center for active adults age 55 and over on Providence’s East Side, located very close to his home. Today, still does his maintenance chores, but attends art classes and other activities at the French Chateau-style home.

“I am just the kid here,” jokes Jake, noting that “everyone keeps an eye on me” during his three daily visits each week.

Director Jessica Haley, of Hamilton House, says that Jake is the only person with early onset Alzheimer’s among its 300 members. “He’s comfortable here because we’re not a senior center but an adult learning exchange,” she says.

“People love his sense of humor, and he just hugs everybody, says Haley.

When not at Hamilton House, Jake also spends time at the Eastside Mount Hope YMCA. “It’s like playtime,” he says, a place where he can lift weights and exercise. He also regularly attends Live & Learn, a weekly social engagement program held at this YMCA, run by the Alzheimer’s Association, Rhode Island Chapter. This program is offered in five different locations through out (at the Woonsocket Harris Library).

But as the disease progresses, forgetting little details and names continues to frustrate Jake. As to coping, “He rolls with the punches and goes with the flow,” says his supportive wife, noting that “he really is an easygoing person.” However, Jake believes that his daily walking helps him to think more clearly. “I try to do the best I can, not wanting to be a burden on my wife and family,” he say.

So far he seems not to be a burden to anyone.

Finding Needed Support and Resources

Karen keeps tabs on her spouse, making sure he does not get lost when he walks their dog. “This has not happened in a long time,” he says. She also has taken over the household finances and has power of attorney over his legal issues. All of these changes took an enormous amount of time and effort.

She has turned to a very large network of friends who could help. “You should be not shy in asking for assistance when you need it,” she adds.

According to Annie Murphy, Outreach Coordinator for the Live & Learn Program, at the Alzheimer’s Association-RI Chapter, out of 24,000 people in the Ocean State with Alzheimer’s disease, there is about 900 diagnosed under the age 65.

Early intervention is extremely important for those afflicted with early onset Alzheimer’s, says Annie, noting that a formal diagnosis can allow for earlier treatment.
“We know that medications approved to manage the symptoms of Alzheimer’s are more effective if they are given in the earlier stages of the disease,” she says.

Once diagnosed, a person has an opportunity to participate in their future care planning, states Annie. “This gives them an opportunity to be able to learn what they are living with and to be able to personally manage this disease along with their care partners,” she adds.

A “healthy, active, lifestyle combined with proper nutrition and appropriate medication treatment” is important for those living with this disease, notes Annie. “It won’t slow down the progression, but improves the quality of life.”

The Alzheimers Association, Rhode Island Chapter, offers a new education series, “Living with Alzheimer’s,” geared to persons who are in their early stages of this disease and their care partners. The nonprofit’s website ( http://www.alz.org/ri/ ) also provides information about the debilitating Alzheimer’s and other related dementias, available resources, services and support groups, that are offered free to person with Alzheimer’s and their families.

In addition, she notes the offering of a new support group for people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s at her office in Providence.

Annie also notes that information related to the nonprofit’s annual caregiver’s conference at the Crown Plaza, in Warwick, on June 25, 2013, is also posted on the nonprofit group’s website. There is no registration fee and one of the workshops specifically addresses younger onset Alzheimer’s issues.

Herb Weiss, LRI ’12, is a Pawtucket-based writer covering aging, health care and medical issues. He can be reached at hweissri@aol.com.