Dementia

Dear Linda:
       My mother repeats stories, gets lost in familiar places, forgets to eat and bathe, and is often disoriented. I don’t know if she has dementia or Alzheimer’s. Can you explain the difference?
Confused Daughter


Dear Daughter:

       The classic symptoms of dementia include the ones you’ve identified and also impaired judgment, behavioral problems, mood swings, and difficulty with language and abstract thinking. Caused by changes in brain function in those over 65 years old, dementia (nerve cell mutation or destruction) affects a person’s ability to do Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s).

       The two most common types of dementia are Multi-infarct (vascular dementia caused by stroke) and Alzheimer’s (progressive disease destroying communication pathways). Neither condition is curable. Of those with vascular dementia, about half also have Alzheimer’s disease. Several drugs are effective in slowing symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and in reducing associated anxiety, depression or problems with sleeping. With Multi-infarct dementia patients, physicians often prescribe medication to control blood pressure and prevent new strokes.

       Dementia is caused by many conditions. Some are treatable: high fever and dehydration, poor nutrition and vitamin deficiency, head trauma, medication reactions, and problems with thyroid gland. Seek diagnosis and treatment options.

       Emotional problems can be mistaken for dementia. Seniors face the loss of work, family and friends, and physical wellness. Adapting to these changes and resulting emotions—anger, sadness, loneliness, worry and boredom—can result in being confused and forgetful. These problems can be eased by supportive friends and family, a professional counselor, and appropriate medication.

       A physician can conduct a thorough physical examination (blood and urine tests), can assess medical history, prescription use and diet, and may recommend a neurological and/OR psychiatric evaluation. A CT scan may be ordered to rule out a curable disease and identify brain changes.

       Delay disease onset by keeping the mind sharp. Keep working or volunteer after retirement, stay involved in stimulating interests, maintain physical fitness and a positive attitude.

       Visit www.dementia.com and contact the the Alzheimer’s Association at 800-272-3900 or www.alz.org for more information and critical support services. 

65 Ways to Save Money

General Finances:

1.    Have a budget, review it often and live within it – www.spannet.com / www.credit.com

2.    Use a credit card with no annual fee to make all your purchases. It allows you to contest a charge, to track your spending, and to enroll in program that will credit you with airline mileage or refund money back to you. But you must  pay the bill off fully each month to avoid interest charges.  I was so emphatic about this rule that one of my children thought it was a law.

3.   Do not have more than two credit cards as it impacts your credit standing when you keep opening accounts, and having many cards allows for paying off one account with the another one--the most common way people get into terrible trouble. 

4.   Budget a certain percentage from every paycheck to be automatically deposited into a savings account. When a paycheck is automatically deposited, and bills are paid automatically from your account, and savings are automatically withdrawn before you have access to it, you will be less likely to spend money in a way that is impulsive, foolish or extravagant.

5.    If your full time job does not allow for saving, get a temporary or seasonal job to build a savings account and put every dime in the savings account.  

6.    Bank extra paychecks or pay down your mortgage. Even two paychecks a year pays down a mortgage significantly. If you can, refinance your 30 year mortgage to a 15 year one. When you pay off your mortgage, you will think you've gotten rich.

7.    Find a bank right for you and avoid all fees. If you have banked with them for a long time, call in to have the fees removed.

8.    Pay all bills on time and avoid late fees. Pay bills on-line to save postage and shipping.

9.    Save money by paying annually for things rather than monthly as they usually include service charges.  (Example:  Paying annually for insurance saves rather than paying monthly).

10. Have a special fund into which you save monthly for big ticket items like property taxes if you do not have a mortgage, holiday shopping, college and weddings. If you have money earmarked, you will be less likely to spend it on something else and you will be better prepared and less likely to charge what you can't afford.

Shopping:

11.   Set a certain dollar amount weekly for your shopping needs (groceries and toiletries) and  don’t exceed that amount. Include just a little for impulse buying so you won't feel you are  denying yourself constantly, but be wise about how much and don't spend more.

12.   Always ask the services clerks if there are any deals on the items you are purchasing.

13.   Be kind to sales/service associates as they will tell you about discounts and deals.

14.   Avoid shopping without purpose. Hobby or window shopping fosters impulse buying.

15.   Buy generic instead of brand names. Check the labels to see if they are the same products. If  you do not care for the generic product, return it to the store.

16.   You will save money if you buy in bulk. Go in with others to buy in larger quantity.

17.   Buy holiday and birthday gives all year around and when things are on sale. I would even wrap early to minimize the number of things to do at the time of the holiday. Keep a careful list of what you intend to buy and indicate when you bought it, so you will not overbuy.

18.   Use Coupons and go to the store on double coupon day.  Use only the coupons you need.

19.   Visit www.grocerygame.com  as it tracks sales with coupons for you. If you "join" grocery    stores online, they will send you the featured sales for that week.

20.   Always shop with a list and don’t deviate. Try to avoid processed foods (all those items on the shelves in the interior of the grocery store. They are the most expensive items in the store and the least healthy for you. You can buy all the fresh, natural foods you need just by shopping the perimeter of the store.

21.   Don’t’ shop when hungry. Impulse buying rises exponentially when you do and you make

       less wise food choice.

22.   Always do research and price check.  www.pricegrabber.com researches the product and price

       checks for you.

23.   Appliances – buy efficiency vs. price.

24.   Buy scratch and dent items when available.  They sell at a discount.

25.   Avoid disposable items (i.e. paper plates, forks, cups etc.).  Use and wash instead.

26.   Limit dry cleaning.  Buy things that don’t need dry cleaning.

27.   Grow your own vegetables and spices if you can.

28.   Invest in a water purifier instead of buying bottled water.

29.   Take snacks don’t use vending machines. 

30.  Prepare your lunch for work or school. The savings are tremendous and you can ensure healthier fare for less money.

31.   Before making any major purchase, wait for best times of the year to buy the product. The item will be on sale and you will have saved a great deal of money.

32.   Never order drinks when eating out.  Order water with lemon and you can put sweetener in it  for lemonade. Make sure they bring the lemon on the side. They are the dirtiest food in a restaurant, so clean off before putting in your glass.

33.   Go to matinee movies instead of evening.  Watch for promotions at the movies example:  dollar night.  Watch for free events sponsored by your town like concerts and openings.

34.   Don’t cook huge portions for meals unless you want left overs.  www.leftoverchef.com gives you ideas on  how to use your left overs.

35.  Get into the habit of going o the library not only to borrow books instead of buying but also for music and movie CDs. The children's offerings at the library are great. Make a weekly event of it. Attend story time, return read books they've selected and take out new selections. You and your child will get into the habit of using that resource and reading more.

Utilities:

36.   Never leave heat or cooling items running. Unplug whatever you can. If it is plugged in, it is draining electricity.

37.   Don’t over dry clothes.

38.   Shut off dripping faucets.

39.   Place a brick in the toilet bowl.  It makes it not use so much water when flushing.

40.   Run appliances in the evening, like the oven and dishwasher, so it doesn’t heat up the house. 

41.   Avoid the rinse hold option on the dishwasher. Open the door and avoid dry cycle.

42.   Change hot water thermostat to a lower temp.

43.   Check with the Utility company to see if they can conduct an energy audit on your home.

44.   Use caulking and weather stripping around the windows and doors to close air gaps.

45.   Use blinds or curtains to hold in/out air.

46.   Use compact flourescent lights instead of regular bulbs.  They are more energy efficient.

47.   To check the door gasket on the refrigerator, put a dollar bill in the door and close it.  If it is  easy to pull out, it is time to change the gasket.

48.   Ask your utility companies for average billing.  It makes the bill the same each month instead of high/low.

49.  Shred newspapers and magazines and use them in flower beds and pots.  Put them under the potting soil.  It holds the water on the plants longer and serves as mulch.

50.   Get on a cell phone plan that is good and disconnect the home phone.

51.   Bundles services when your able, and negotiate periodically with your company to achieve the best programs for the least amount of money.

52.  Negotiate for big ticket items like cars, appliances and furniture, but don't forget to try even at local stores. Ask for a discount or sale price. Be sure you've done your research about the price of an item. Know what it cost the company and add on a fair profit margin. If you go too low, they won't consider your offer, but if it is reasonable, they will be likely to agree.

Transportation

53.   Car pool or use public transportation or a bike when you can.

54.   Conserve gas by combining errands.

55.   Keep car well maintained and keep tires inflated.

56.   Vacation off season.  It’s less crowded and cheaper.

Health & Education

57.   Check with local community for free vaccines or hearing tests.

58.  If you do not have medical insurance, visit free clinics in your area.

59.   Take advantage of employment benefit offers. Check and see what your coverage dictates for procedures and vaccines. They may have reduced the cost of a vaccine you have avoided because you thought it was too expensive.

60.  Use tuition reimbursement offers.

Miscellaneous

61.   Become a product tester; you get free products.  (i.e. diapers)

62.   Don’t throw out items, sell them (ebay, garage sale)

63.  Never spend change.  Save it in a jar and then cash it in. Look for machines that don’t charge

       to cash in or take to sales clerk.

64.  Keep a gift closet. When someone gives you something nice that you can't use, regift.

65.  Keep your receipts and return items that are sub standard, break too soon or spoil too quickly

       including to the grocery or club store.

Dealing with Diabetes

Dear Linda:

My husband's been diagnosed with Adult Onset Diabetes. He's vowed to exercise at least 30 minutes a day and make changes in his diet, but I wondered if there's a way I can help.
Anne

Dear Anne:

       Your support and encouragement will be vital to your husband's success in making the lifestyle changes required to manage a lifelong disease that can result in heart, nerve and blood vessel damage, wounds, strokes, kidney failure, blindness and amputations.

       Type 2 (Adult Onset) diabetes develops when the pancreas can't produce enough insulin (aiding sugar to enter cells that supply energy) or when the body's tissues become insulin resistant, both resulting in unsafe blood sugar levels.

       Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes are itchy and hard-to-heal skin, tingling of hands and feet, and gum or urinary tract infections in addition to any Type 1 (Childhood Onset) indicators—extreme thirst, frequent urination, drowsiness, appetite and weight changes, vision problems, labored breathing and unconsciousness.

       After diagnosis, the physician should educate your husband about disease management and monitor his success in keeping blood sugar levels from going too low (hypoglycemia) or going too high (hyperglycemia). Consult also with an ophthalmologist for regular eye exams, a podiatrist for routine foot care, and a dietician for an approved diet and to learn day-to-day skills.

       Healthy eating, physical activity and blood glucose testing are crucial to disease management. Oral medication and insulin injections may also be necessary to control blood sugar levels. Contact the American Diabetes Association at 800-342-2383 with questions or to order their free information packet and their book The Complete Guide to Diabetes ($29.95). Visit www.askada@diabetes.org for other resources.

       Personal habits practiced over a lifetime are tough to break. You can help your husband by setting a good example for healthy living. Exercise with him. Suggest involvement in a sport or taking walks instead of watching television. Prepare meals that are tasty but low in sugar and fat. You will both benefit from these important lifestyle changes.

Do Not Suport Freeloaders

Dear Linda:
      
My mother and mother-in-law live in other states and will probably need financial aid in the near future. Though we’re not wealthy and still have a child to put through college, we’d like to help, except both mothers have repeatedly bailed out their adult children. We’re concerned that if we give either mother money, their children will be the beneficiaries. Any suggestions?

Stymied in Benbrook

Dear Stymied:

The sandwich generation is struggling with multiple challenges, the most prominent of which is still launching their children while having to care for their parents. The pressure of meeting these demands can cause severe financial, physical and emotional problems. Be careful not to take on so much that you drown in the process. You must set boundaries.
      
As you are under no obligation to offer support, despite your great desire, it’s perfectly reasonable to determine the conditions for the help you’d like to give.  Communication is crucial. Be honest about your concerns. Make it clear that you won’t help if the money’s used for the benefit of others, and put all agreements in writing to ensure clarity and better enforcement.
      
After telling your mothers that you’d like to help, do a budget to determine income and anticipated expenses. If there’s a deficit, you could agree to pay directly for those expenses that have created the shortfall. If the parent is then short in a particular month, you’d be right in asking for an accounting. If the deficit is not the result of giving to others, then you could consider additional support. One of your stipulations should be to do a regular audit.
     
If assisted living or long-term care is eminent, research legal avenues to protect your mothers’ assets. Visit www.legalhotline.org for the number in your area to call about creating a simple trust that pays a local caregiver or care facility directly. Also make certain that your mothers have given financial Power-of-Attorney to a responsible agent in case they lose the capacity to handle their financial affairs.