2018 MAIA Concurrent Sessions

MAIA offered 36 concurrent sessions over two days. 

Concurrent sessions are a blessing and a curse.

Yes, it's wonderful to have an array of topics presented when attending a conference.

However, it's painful to choose among competing sessions.

See an earlier post for information about the 2018 MAIA plenary and keynote speakers. 

This was my experience during the 2018 Mid-American Institute on Aging and Wellness, which took place August 9th & 10th on the campus of University of Southern Indiana

As my name badge indicates, I was one of the people helping with the conference. Briefly stated, serving in the MAIA committee as a "Blue Shirt" further enriched my experience before, during, and after the conference.

But being a committee member didn't include the ability to time travel. Consequently, I can only report on a fraction of presentations.

Check out #maiarocks on Twitter for other attendees' photos and summaries of sessions. 

See an earlier post that lists Twitter and Facebook pages for many of the 2018 MAIA presenters and sponsors.

Medicare Plan Finder

Photo by nirbhao.

Did you know that every year those who are enrolled in a Medicare Drug Plan (Part D) can compare costs for the upcoming year and SWITCH during Open Enrollment?

Open enrollment takes place every year from October 15th through December 7th.

During this time, smart consumers look at their plan's cost projections for the next calendar year and compare those costs with other plans.

$$$ Switching often saves people hundreds of dollars over a year. $$$

I have witnessed this first hand. I helped beneficiaries during three Open Enrollment periods (2011, 2012, and 2013).  I learned a great deal about Part D when I was a volunteer counselor working with SHICK (Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas, Sedgwick County EO location).

Even if you are not on Medicare Part D at this time, learn a little about the program so that you can help an aging parent and so that you can be better informed of the process before you eventually enroll.

If you have never compared plans, you can get help in a couple of ways.

Calcium Carbonate

Photo by HBarrison.

I have not had the opportunity to visit the White Cliffs of Dover, part of England's coastline. However, I have been taking 1 antacid pill daily, so I feel some affinity to this natural beauty. Why?  The chalky whiteness of the soil is due to calcium carbonate, the same ingredient in my antacid.

I have recently learned that I have osteopenia, a weakening of the bones.  I am trying to improve my bone health through diet and exercise.   Women ages 51 to 70 years old need 1,200 mg of calcium per day.  But too much calcium can cause problems, so don't exceed daily recommendations--or your doctor's prescription, which may differ.

Gut Check: Read & Follow Labels

Read the label of all medications

I am a member of the BOOMboxNetwork.com and am sharing this post on behalf of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA). I received compensation for my participation. The opinions are my own. Facts were provided by the AGA.

We are fortunate to have so many remedies available to us in the form of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and prescription medications. We also have a responsibility to learn how to take these medicines safely.

For example, many people are unaware of the dangers of taking the wrong dose of acetaminophen or an NSAID.

Members of my own extended family have suffered gastrointestinal damage by unknowingly taking too many NSAIDs.   And while a related problem has not happened in my family, a single overdose of acetaminophen can cause permanent damage to the liver.

In fact, acetaminophen overdose is the #1 cause of liver damage in the United States.

But which medicines contain these ingredients?  Here is a partial list of common medications containing acetaminophen or an NSAID:

Pills vs. Yoga, Tea and the Neti Pot

Photo by RLHyde.

When somebody gets sick in my household, there are two strategies for addressing the illness.

You can see the difference in our medicine cabinet. My husband's shelf is filled with pills, tablets and liquid OTC medicines for combating allergies, insomnia, indigestion, colds, flu, headache, etc.

My shelf stores 10 kinds of tea and a neti pot.  If I could fit my yoga mat in the cupboard, that would be another "prescription" I take for improved health.

[Note: I am not a medical professional. Please consult your doctor and pharmacist for medical advice, and do not stop taking any medications without first consulting with your physician.]

Acetaminophen Overdose Damages the Liver

Photo by jlib. 

This week, the Food and Drug Administration's deadline came due for drug makers to cap doses for acetaminophen at 350 milligrams (mg).  

The FDA also asked doctors to quit prescribing doses above 350 mg with a daily maximum of 4,000 mg (adult dose, not child). 

Too much acetaminophen can cause damage to the liver--requiring a transplant or even more tragically resulting in death. 

According to Medline Plus: 

"Acetaminophen overdose is one of the most common poisonings worldwide. People often think that this medicine is very safe. However, it may be deadly if taken in large doses." 

What Is Osteopenia?

Karen's Whole Body DXA Bone Scan 9/28/13

I recently participated in a research study where I received 5 different images of my fat, muscles and/or bones via a DXA scan.

As a participant, I signed forms that emphasized that this scan was for research purposes and not for diagnostic purposes. The print out of my scans also notes: "Image not for diagnostic use."

Nevertheless, I decided to take my DXA results as an opportunity to learn more about bone health.

If you are concerned about bone health, please consult with a board-certified medical expert.

The DXA operator was a Ph.D. in exercise physiology who has done research on bone and muscle loss. Dr. Young also reviewed my results. I had lower-than-average results for percent of body fat. That's good news.  However, I also had lower-than-average results for muscle mass and bone mass. That's not good news.

Part D Open Enrollment

Photo by StockMonkeys.com. 

Fall is just around the corner. That means that it's almost time for the annual open enrollment period for Medicare Part D, Prescription Plans.  Between October 15th and December 7th of each year, Medicare beneficiaries can compare plans. As a result, they can switch or continue with their current plan.

For more information on Open Enrollment dates and other the important events between September and January regarding Part D, see this brochure created by CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services).

Are you asking, "What is Plan D?" Here is a brief explanation. 

The above video defining Part D was produced by a private insurance company, United Healthcare. By linking to their video, I am not endorsing this insurance company or any other insurance company.  I just like their short, clear introduction to Part D. See a SHIP counselor  for free, unbiased Medicare counseling.  

From year to year, the insurance companies that administer Medicare Part D plans can change prices and policies. For example:

Polypharmacy

Photo by e-MagineArt. 

Modern medicine provides us with many life-saving prescription drugs. Medications support greater health for many. However, people taking five or more medications are at risk for polypharmacy.

Kathleen Woodruff of the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing explains the prevalence of polypharmacy with these statistics:

"Currently, 44% of men and 57% of women older than age 65 take five or more medications per week; about 12% of both men and women take 10 or more medications per week. These agents include both prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) preparations, such as vitamin and mineral supplements and herbal products."

Older adults are at a higher risk for polypharmacy for the following reasons:

• As a group, they take more medications than younger people. 
• Some have problems with vision, hearing, cognition, and fine motor skills that make adherence a challenge.
• They are likely to be seeing specialists, who may not be coordinating all prescriptions. 
• Their aging bodies metabolize medicines differently.  

Note: This blog post serves to raise awareness not to supply medical advice. If you have any questions about your medications, please consult your doctor and your pharmacist.

Part of polypharmacy includes "pill burden," a term for difficulty managing multiple medications.  This can be confusing to sort out: "When do I take this pill?" "How many do I take?" "Do I take this with or without food?"  "Do two of my pills look very similar to each other?"  "Is this prescription bottle mine or my spouse's?"  

Polypharmacy leaves people at risk for side effects and for bill burden.

Also, there is a domino effect. People taking medications often suffer side effects, which leads them to take another medication to manage those side effects. This can lead to non-adherence and to even more side effects. And to more pills. This is called a "prescribing cascade." 

Talking with Older Adults in a Crisis

Photo by The National Guard

The prevalence of news stories about Hurricane Sandy this week reminded me of a set of guidelines I composed for how to talk with older adults in a crisis.

(For general information on how to cope in a crisis, see FEMA's page on the topic.)

Before getting to the specifics, it's important to avoid Elderspeak, a form of baby talk that people too often use to address older adults.

People are usually well meaning when they modify their speech this way, but the result too often is that the older adult feels patronized.

Read this post on Elderspeak to learn more about its features, tone and harmful effects.

Nevertheless, healthy aging does often require conversationalists to make some adjustments.  I suggest starting with a normal conversation features and then adjust as you receive input about possible limitations.

Don't start with the assumption that people have limits such as bad hearing and compromised cognition.  If you guess wrong, you've already broken trust.  The American Speech Language Association (ASHA) shares these tips for communicating with older adults.

These additional guidelines were composed in 2010 for local police officers interviewing older adults after suffering from an accident or from a crime, but they might be helpful in other crisis settings.  You can remember key points through the mnemonic E.L.D.E.R. 

The Donut Hole Is Closing by 2020

Photo by Sun Brockie

Medicare Part D is a government-sponsored insurance program that subsidizes beneficiaries' prescriptions.  If you don't understand the basics, please take some time to view the Medicare Part D website.  

This program does not cover 100% of prescription costs. Beneficiaries are responsible for these expenses:

1. Monthly premium 
2. Deductible
3. Co-pays 
4. Full costs of over-the-counter drugs 
5. Full costs for drugs not covered in your plan's formulary. 
6. And if beneficiaries delay signing up for Part D, they have another cost: a permanent penalty for late enrollment, which is 1% of the premium for every month the beneficiary delays signing up for coverage when eligible. 

Of all these expenses, the co-pays give beneficiaries the most trouble. The bottom line: Medicare beneficiaries enrolled now may have to pay $4,700 out-of-pocket annually just in prescription costs, maybe a bit more if they reach catastrophic coverage.

Head-to-Toe Risks for Falls

Photo by sheilaz413

People will mention that a parent or grandparent has starting falling with frequency.  The cause for such falls can be manifold.  The older adult should see a professional for an assessment since the cause might be difficult for the individual or the caregiver to discern. If the person has fallen twice in six months, it's a problem that needs professional intervention.  

The CDC reports multiple statistics about falls, including this: "Among older adults (those 65 or older), falls are the leading cause of injury death. They are also the most common cause of nonfatal injuries and hospital admissions for trauma" (emphasis added).

One of the most effective means of fall prevention is activity, including strength-bearing exercises that help the muscles, joints, and bones work properly. Home modifications can decrease risk, too. However, falls can have causes that cannot be addressed through a fitness regime. 

Here is a list, organized head-to-to, for some of the more common causes for falls:

Age-Related Risks for Dehydration

Photo by Bergius

People of any age can experience dehydration. 

Many of these situations actually transcend age. 

However, statistically, older adults as a group can become dehydrated without even knowing it. 

Briefly, older adults as a group have more physical, mental and mobility problems with keeping hydrated.  This can cause a series of negative outcomes ranging from mild discomfort (dry mouth) to serious (i.e., renal failure or heart failure) that can lead to death.  

Edited to add: During the 2018 heat wave in Europe, an estimated 14,000 older adults in France alone perished, in part because of age-related risks for dehydration. 

The US government strives to deliver customized information to various demographic groups. Visit this page by CDC, for their tips for helping those 65+ stay hydrated.  

One age-specific risk that I learned about while pursuing my degree in gerontology: 

Did you know that the perception of thirst diminishes with age? 

Nevertheless, readers of ALL AGES can benefit from this information. 

Read on. 

Now that the weather is turning warmer, it’s a good time to review the problem of dehydration. 

In order to prevent dehydration, people need to do the following:

* drink frequently
* eat foods high in water content
* stay out of the sun and in a cool, indoor room
* adjust their water intake if their medications have a diuretic effect, and
* receive assistance if they have mobility problems that make fluid intake (and elimination) a challenge.

[Note: This information does not serve as medical advice. The intent is to merely raise awareness. If you have concerns about fluid intake and proper body function, including cognition, please see a licensed medical professional.]

Now let’s slow down and look at dehydration risk by risk.


Older adults can suffer dehydration for one or more of the following causes: physical changes, diet & medication changes, psychological changes.

Does an Aspirin a Day Keep the Cardiologist Away?

Photo by and parsecs to go

Over the last decade, I have heard several people casually mention the benefits of taking aspirin daily as a way to prevent a heart attack or stroke. The only side effect mentioned was the risk of stomach ulcers.

Note: I am not a doctor. Please consult with a licensed medical professional about the medications you are taking, even over the counter medications. 

Recently, I have found that people need to weigh the benefits against multiple risks of taking aspirin daily. My concern is that people often take aspirin on their own initiative without consulting with their physician.

Last week, two dozen of my fellow graduate students and I had the assignment to research, share, and discuss research-based articles on the topic. (The links here are more consumer friendly for the more part.) These readings warned of these risks:

· Stomach ulcers
· Abdominal bleeding
· Bleeding all along the GI tract
· Further bleeding to the brain during a hemorrhaging stroke
· Ringing in the ears
· Hearing loss
· Cataracts
· Allergic reaction
· Interactions with various prescription drugs such as steroids, anticoagulants and other NSAIDs
· Interactions with dietary supplements