Aging with SLU

Frailty
Muscle loss
Weight loss
Cognitive impairment

According to researchers at Saint Louis University, these 4 issues are the most common reasons for hospitalization, disability, and death for seniors.  They have developed a screening tool to quickly catch these problems and more, paving the way for interventions that can address these problems and counteract their damaging effects.

Anyone 65 and older can get a free geriatric assessment next Saturday, November 7
When: 8 a.m. to noon
Where: St. Louis University Medical School Learning Resources Center, 3545 Vista Avenue
Contact: Kathy Leonard, 314-977-8848 or kleona12@slu.edu

Find more information at aging.slu.edu.

Arthritis

If you have joint pain, you may have arthritis.  The symptoms of various types of arthritis, as well as treatments, therapies, and tips for living with arthritis, are detailed by the CDC and at Medline.

Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, involves breakdown of tissues in a joint, including cartilage, bone, and ligaments.  Rheumatoid arthritis is primarily an inflammation of the lining of the joints, which results in wear to the cartilage and bone.  Other conditions that fall under the arthritis category are gout and lupus.

Arthritis impacts productivity and quality of life.  For further reading, check these out:

• The very best painkiller foods: 72 natural foods to ease arthritis and joint pain: 115 healing recipes by Rachel Fontaine
• Living with rheumatoid arthritis by Tammi L. Shlotzhauer, M.D.
• Gentle yoga for arthritis featuring contributions by Laurie Sanford and Nancy Forstbauer
• Arthritis: what exercises work by Dava Sobel & Arthur C. Klein

There are more titles on the way!

Free flu vaccinations, and immune system help

Cold and flu season has arrived, so now's a good time to look at ways to boost your immune system!

Along with a flu vaccination [Barnes-Jewish Hospital offers free shots (variety of dates)! and St. Louis County offers free FluMist for children 2-18 on October 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.] here are some tips to help keep your body running smoothly and illness-free:

maintain proper hygiene
handwashing with plain soap and water makes a huge difference

sleep
fatigue weakens the immune system, and makes you more vulnerable to bugs

exercise
a little light physical activity strengthens the immune system, boosts circulation, and increases energy

drink water
staying hydrated keeps systems working optimally

eat healthful foods, which include
yogurt, garlic, tea, mushrooms, berries

Care and conquer

The Alzheimer's Association presents a series of educational events in the St. Louis area starting in late October and running through November.  Tickets are $5 per person, but readers of this blog can get in for free!  Leave a comment or email echadderdon@slpl.org to find out how.

For more information on this series, call 1-800-272-3900 or visit alz.org/stl.

Trail mixer

Social connections, exercise, and good nutrition all are good for your health!

Next Saturday, join Lafayette Square Chiropractic Centre to make trail mix, followed by a walk in the woods.  The walk is around 2 miles, and will last about an hour.

Help further knowledge

Would you like to enjoy yourself, make a little money, and advance scientific knowledge?  Are you 65 or older?  There are opportunities right here in St. Louis for you!

Washington University Aging and Development is conducting research on aging and draws on an Older Adult Participant Pool.  When a study needs participants, they check their database and send out invitations.  Areas they study include cognitive testing, sleep studies, and memory training.  Contact 314-935-6524 or jenniferguyton@wustl.edu to be added to the database or for more information.  Visit www.psychnet.wustl.edu/coglab/ for more information.

KnightADRC (Alzheimer's Disease Research Center) at Washington University is looking for people 65 and older, both with mild dementia, and those with no memory or thinking problems, to join their Memory and Aging Project (MAP).  Their goal is to learn how aging may affect memory and thinking abilities and to better understand brain disorders that cause memory loss.  Brain scans, memory testing, and helping researchers find ways to diagnose and treat dementia are benefits of participating.  Call 314-286-2683 or visit alzheimer.wustl.edu for more information.

Cancer Awareness Fairs

Reminder: Affinia Healthcare, our partner in bringing Obamacare information and assistance to you, will be here in the Locust Street Atrium of Central Library on Monday, October 12 from 10 a.m. until noon.

Then, they are holding 3 Cancer Awareness Fairs this month, and the first is on Tuesday.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and because breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in American women, many lives have been touched by it (and men can get breast cancer too).  There are lots of resources covering risk, prevention, and treatment.  Here are just a few.

Online

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• The National Institutes of Health
• More from the CDC
• WomensHealth.gov

At the library, recent books include

• Bald is better with earrings: a survivor's guide to getting through breast cancer by Andrea Hutton
• A breast cancer alphabet by Madhulika Sikka
• The silver lining: a supportive and insightful guide to breast cancer by Hollye Jacobs
• Pandora's DNA: tracing the breast cancer genes through history, science, and one family tree by Lizzie Stark

Shopping for healthcare

How do you find the health information you need?  What's the best insurance plan for you?  Shopping for health insurance and healthcare can be very confusing!

Open enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace starts November 1.  Certified Application Counselors from Affinia Healthcare (formerly Grace Hill Health Centers), will be at Central Library in the Locust Street Atrium on October 12 and 26 from 10 a.m. until noon to help people choose the plan that's right for them, and will be back on select Mondays in November to help with the actual signup.
Counselors will also be available to discuss Medicare and Gateway to Better Health.

For more information, call 314-539-0390.