JustCare

Tag: Depression

  • Coffee appears to be good for your health

    Coffee appears to be good for your health

    In the category of almost too good to believe, coffee appears to be good for your health. The U.S.D.A. in its dietary guidelines for Americans says that up to five cups of coffee a day could have health benefits. So, in addition to being the most popular central nervous stimulant in the world, coffee has been found to stave off cancer, heart disease, stroke, depression, diabetes and Parkinson’s disease–possibly because of its antioxidants and phenolic compounds.

    • Longer life: A recent study of more than half a million people, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, found that people who drink between one and four cups of coffee a day, caffeinated or decaffeinated, over the course of 16 years lower their chances of dying from a variety of health conditions. Men who drank three or more cups of coffee a day were 18 percent less likely to die than people who did not drink coffee; women who drank three or more cups of coffee a day were eight percent less likely to die.
    • Less likelihood of heart disease: A meta-study of 36 studies published in Circulation, found that people who drank three to five cups of coffee a day had the lowest risk of heart disease.
    • Less likelihood of stroke: A meta-study of nine studies published in the Korean Journal of Family Medicine, found that people who drank four or more cups of coffee a day reduced their risk of stroke.
    • Less likelihood of liver cancer: A meta-study of four cohort and five case-control studies published in Science Direct found that people who drank two or more cups of coffee a day reduced their risk of liver cancer.
    • Less likelihood of depression for older women: A  2011 Harvard School of Public Health study of 53,000 women who drank four or more cups of caffeinated coffee a day, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, found that they had a 20 percent lower risk of depression than women who drank little coffee a day. The women studied averaged 63 years old.
    • Less likelihood of type 2 diabetes: A 2014 Harvard School of Public Health study found that people who increased their daily coffee intake by at least a cup a day over four years reduced their chances of type 2 diabetes by 11 percent relative to people who did not. It further found that people who decreased their daily coffee intake by more than a cup a day increased their risk of type 2 diabetes by 17 percent relative to those who did not.
    • Less likelihood of Parkinson’s disease for people drinking three cups of coffee a day.
    • Possibly less likelihood of dementia and cognitive decline, but no evidence as to daily intake of coffee needed.

    This all said, people with acid reflux should likely avoid coffee because of its acidic properties.

    Here’s more from Just Care:

  • Abuse of people 60 and older more common

    Abuse of people 60 and older more common

    Around the world, abuse of people 60 and older has become more common. A new World Health Organization study published in Lancet Global Health reveals that around one in six older adults are abused. To arrive at this finding, researchers looked at 52 studies of elder abuse in 28 countries.

    Abuse comes in different forms. Psychological abuse is most prevalent, affecting more than one in ten (11.6 percent) older adults. With psychological abuse, a person’s self-worth is harmed. The person may be called names. Or, the person may be made to feel embarrassed or scared. Or, the person may be isolated from family and friends.

    Financial abuse is also relatively common, affecting about one in fourteen (6.8 percent) older adults. In these cases, the abuser may take the older person’s money or other property.

    Neglect affects more than one in 25 (4.2 percent) older adults. In cases of neglect, basic needs of the older adult are not met, including medical care, food, housing, and clothing,

    Physical abuse affects about one in 40 (2.6 percent) older people.

    Elder abuse in any of these forms occurs between older people and the people they trust, and it affects the health and well-being of older people. Abuse can cause depression, stress, anxiety, as well as pain. Abuse also increases the likelihood of hospitalization, emergency care, nursing home care and premature death.

    Today there are one billion people 60 and older around the world. That number is projected to double by 2050. But, despite the documented prevalence of elder abuse, governments are not addressing elder abuse to the extent they need to.

    The researchers propose more studies on the frequency of elder abuse, along with evidence-based guidance on how best to address and prevent elder abuse.

    Here’s more from Just Care:

  • Mental health telemedicine growing in rural areas

    Mental health telemedicine growing in rural areas

    At both the federal and state levels, there is a growing interest in telemedicine. But how is it working? Ateev Mehrotra and his team studied the use of mental health telemedicine in rural areas for people with Medicare with either mental illness or serious mental illness over the ten-year period between 2004 and 2014. They found that telemedicine is serving a small cohort of vulnerable people with mental illness, largely people with disabilities living in poor communities.

    There has always been an unmet need for mental health care. At the beginning of the 21st century, fewer than one in three people with a mental illness received care. And, fewer than one in two people with a serious mental illness received care.

    People with mental illnesses in rural communities are most likely to go without care because of the lack of mental health providers. Telemental health can meet their need because mental health providers do not need to be based nearby. It provides for care through live video teleconference. And, it has been shown to work particularly well for people with depression and schizophrenia.

    To help address the unmet need for mental health care, Medicare covers telehealth via live videoconference for people living in rural communities, so long as it takes place at a health clinic or hospital and the health care provider is licensed in the state in which the patient lives. But, Congress has been reluctant to expand the benefit for fear that it will drive up Medicare costs significantly.

    The researchers found that, in 2014, Medicare covered telehealth services for 1.5 percent of people with mental illness and 3.7 percent with serious mental illness in rural communities. More than 85 percent of them also received in-person mental health care. Many suffered from depression or bipolar disorder. Most of them were under 65 with a disability and lived in poorer communities.

    The researchers also found a huge rise in the use of telehealth services between 2004 and 2014, growing from one in 500 people using the services in 2004 to more than 25 in 500 in 2014. But, the state people lived in affected the rate of usage. Different states have different laws regarding telehealth services.

    For example, no one with mental illness in rural Connecticut, Delaware and Rhode Island received Medicare-covered telehealth services. Whereas, one in ten people with mental illness in rural Iowa and South Dakota received services.

    In rural Nevada and Wyoming, there were 45 visits for every 100 people with serious mental illness. In seven other states, there were more than 25 visits for every 100 people with serious mental illness.

    The researchers did not study whether Medicare-covered telehealth services were improving access to care and health outcomes.

    Here’s more from Just Care:

  • World’s oldest female bodybuilder is most inspiring

    World’s oldest female bodybuilder is most inspiring

    Born in 1936, Ernestine Shepherd is a bodybuilder. In her 60s, she had been a “couch potato.” Then, she and her health care buddy, her sister, decided to take weight training. Their goal was to be in the Guinness Book of World Records.

    The weight training transformed Ernestine’s life. And, after the death of her beloved sister, it alleviated Ernestine’s depression and anxiety. At the age of 74, Ernestine made it into the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s oldest female bodybuilder.

    Watch Ernestine’s video and be inspired! As she says, “Age is nothing but a number, and you can get fit!”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRhIJlVcf2Q

  • Health resolutions for 2017

    Health resolutions for 2017

    We’re well on our way through the first month of 2017 — about the time that most people start giving up their New Year’s resolutions. So how can you stick to your health resolutions this year? Think of them as goals; you’re more likely to accomplish something if you are working toward it, instead of being confined to it.

    1. Find a health care buddy, and spend time with your buddy regularly. Whether you’re going on walks or eating healthy meals together, keeping up with a buddy is a great way to help you meet your health goals. Track your progress together and encourage each other. Chances are, your buddy will keep you accountable for more than just one of your resolutions.
    1. Try a new hobby — or return to an old one. Sticking to habits can help with anxiety, depression and other signs of mental illness, so choosing a hobby is a great way to relieve stress and stay mindful. Visit your community center or contact your local area agency on agency to find resources for group classes and clubs, or look into your social networks to find opportunities near you.
    1. Visit your doctor or other medical care provider. Annual visits to a doctor or family nurse practitioner can help you address new health concerns as you age. At each visit, be sure to discuss your current medications, exercise habits and whether they are still working for you. Keep in mind that Medicare covers the full cost of an annual wellness visit as well as a range of other preventive care services.
    1. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Dieting is one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions, Instead of cutting entire food groups from your diet, try adding fresh items to each meal. Whether it’s a food you’ve always wanted to try, or a new twist on a favorite dish, including produce–fruits and vegetables–is a healthy way to add more vitamins and minerals to your diet.

    What other goals do you have for 2017? Let us know in the comments below!

    Here’s more from Just Care:

  • “Activated” people less likely to develop chronic disease

    “Activated” people less likely to develop chronic disease

    A new Commonwealth Fund study reveals that people who are better able to take care of themselves and navigate the health care system, “activated” people, are less likely to develop chronic disease. These study findings complement other recent study findings showing that having a purpose promotes better health and that having friends and not being socially isolated also fosters better health and longer life risk.

    The Commonwealth Fund study found that people without good self-management skills were more at risk for chronic conditions, including depression and high blood pressure, after three years than people with good skills. They are also more likely to be hospitalized and to use emergency departments.

    There are ways to help people gain confidence and take charge of their health so that they can age in place, have better health outcomes and need less health care. Just Care is piloting a new telebuddy program that will empower older adults and their designated caregivers through sharing simple health care advice during regular phone conversations. If you are interested in learning more about this program or participating in it, please email [email protected].

    Here’s more from Just Care:

  • Caregiving: Understanding the emotional impact of dementia

    Caregiving: Understanding the emotional impact of dementia

    In part one of a four-part series on caregiving and dementia, Julie Potyraj, community manager for the online master of public health at The George Washington University, looks into the emotional symptoms many dementia patients experience and what caregivers can do to help.

    It’s understood that dementia can impair a person’s ability to remember, communicate, think, and reason. But beyond the practical aspects of the disease, dementia has emotional consequences as well. Below are some common behavioral and psychiatric symptoms that can occur in many dementia patients.

    Depression or anxiety after diagnosis. A dementia or Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis can trigger intense emotions in many people. The person diagnosed may experience feelings ranging from shock and disbelief to grief and fear. For people with lasting feelings of sadness or anxiety, talk therapy can be helpful, or, in some cases, medication.

    Changes in emotional responses. People with dementia may have less control over how they’re feeling and their emotional expressions. They may have volatile mood swings, irritability, or become inappropriately agitated in certain situations. Some people may appear to be distant or disinterested in what’s going on around them.

    Anger and agitation. In later stages of the disease, a person may have physical or emotional outbursts, visible emotional distress, or periods of agitation. Feelings of anger can be exacerbated by new places and people, loud noise, or a lot of activity.

    Lower self-esteem. People with dementia may feel “out of control” and lose confidence in themselves or their ability to perform basic functions. They may also feel the impact of the social stigma of dementia and perceive a real or imagined difference in the way people treat them. All of this can have a devastating effect on someone’s sense of self-worth.

    What Caregivers Can Do

    Fortunately, there are things caregivers can do to help lessen the brunt of emotional changes in their loved one with dementia. These include:

    • Validating the patient’s worries instead of dismissing them.
    • Giving the person adequate time to calm down after an outburst.
    • Trying not to take emotional responses personally.
    • Employing a healthy sense of humor, when appropriate.

    Caregivers are also encouraged to involve their loved one in everyday tasks—for example, asking what they would like for dinner. This can give the patient a sense of control during a time when they feel they have no say in what’s happening around them. Empathy and patience go a long way in helping to preserve the dignity of those struggling with dementia.

    Here’s more from Just Care:

  • To help relieve stress, understand and recognize caregiver strain

    To help relieve stress, understand and recognize caregiver strain

    As a family caregiver, you provide support for a variety of reasons, but the most important is that you care deeply about your loved ones. And, if you’re like most caregivers, you find the work rewarding. However, the satisfaction from the work often hides the toll it takes on your health. Strains on your emotional, mental and physical health can be difficult to spot. To help relieve stress, understand and recognize caregiver strains; you’re not alone.

    Emotional Health

    Family caregivers give emotional support to their loved ones. As a caregiver, your challenge is often that you provide support for a loved one’s fear, depression or anxiety, at the same time that you experience the same emotions. You may also feel anger and resentment about your new role. It’s not unusual for caregivers to direct their anger toward their loved ones for being the source of new responsibilities, toward others who have not stepped up to help, or even toward the world or their faith for bringing this new responsibility upon them. And, it’s OK.

    Mental Health

    Research shows that caregivers experience elevated levels of stress and depression. Many caregivers feel constant anxiety or worry related to their ability to care for their loved ones. You may experience grief over your loved one’s loss of independence and may pre-emptively grieve the loss of someone who is either terminally ill or losing mental ability. You may feel angry about the situation or feel like you are not doing enough. All of these emotions add up and explain why nearly half of caregivers experience symptoms of major depression.

    Physical Health

    The mental and emotional strain of caregiving can translate into physical ailments stemming from changes in sleep patterns and changes to self-care and health-related routines. Caregivers are three times more likely to be highly vulnerable to health issues than non-caregivers. Compared to individuals who are not caring for an older adult, caregivers experience higher rates of physical illness including chronic pain and compromised immune systems.

    This is Part Two of a three-part series.  Click here to read Part One, What it means to be a caregiver today: The data.

    Here’s more from Just Care:

  • Help spot depression in the men you love

    Help spot depression in the men you love

    According to the National Institute for Mental Health, six million men in the U.S. are depressed. But, men are half as likely as women to seek help for their depression or any mental health problem, putting them at greater risk of suicide. Older men are at greatest risk of not being treated for depression and have the highest suicide rates. Help spot depression in the men you love.

    Depression is a disease of the brain that generally can be treated through talk therapy and medications.  Eighty percent of cases are treatable. If left untreated, however, depression often leads to suicide.

    Depression in men may go undetected and untreated for many reasons. Classic signs of depression include feeling sad, worthless or severely guilty. But, research suggests that men are more likely to feel pain or anger or to be irritable. They might also experience sleep problems, inability to concentrate, lack of energy or lack of interest in activities.

    Men are more likely to conceal their depression than women and address it with drugs and alcohol. In addition, doctors may fail to diagnose depression in older men, focusing instead on their physical chronic conditions, such as heart disease or stroke. Experts believe that’s why men are three and a half times more likely to commit suicide than women.

    That said, twice as many women experience depression as men.

    Here’s more from Just Care:

  • Medicare covers depression screenings

    Medicare covers depression screenings

    Depression can be crippling, disrupting people’s daily lives and normal functioning. But it is generally treatable if diagnosed. Depression is a common condition for older adults, too often undiagnosed and unreported. To help ensure older adults are correctly diagnosed and treated, Medicare covers depression screenings. (Click here for a list of preventive care screenings Medicare covers.)

    Keep in mind that big life changes such as the passing of a loved one, retirement, or a serious illness will naturally cause stress, anxiety and sadness. These feelings generally will pass with time and do not mean you are depressed. But, they can also become all-consuming.

    Your doctor should determine your risk factors for depression if you go for a Welcome to Medicare visit or a Medicare Wellness visit. However, your doctor need not do a depression screening. If you’d like one, you should ask  for it.

    For Medicare to cover depression screenings, a doctor must conduct the screening in a primary care setting. Medicare will not cover a depression screening conducted in an emergency room, inpatient hospital setting, or skilled nursing facility.

    The depression screening includes a questionnaire that you must complete on your own or with help from your doctor. Your responses will indicate whether you suffer from depression or are at risk. If you have symptoms of depression, your may receive a more extensive exam.

    Whether you have traditional Medicare and see a doctor who takes assignment or a Medicare Advantage plan and see an in-network doctor, Medicare covers the full cost of your annual screening–no deductible, coinsurance or copays.

    If you are diagnosed as suffering from depression, Medicare will cover your treatment from a mental health professional. But, you will be responsible for meeting any deductible you have and any coinsurance or copays.  In eight out of ten cases, depression can be treated.

    Click here for a summary of the different preventive care services Medicare covers, and here’s more detailed information on Medicare coverage of weight-loss counseling, smoking cessation and nutrition counseling. For more information on depression screenings, visit Medicare Interactive.