Guests after Covid?

This information was sent to us by the CDC and I thought it would be helpful for you to know.

When You Can be Around Others After You Had or Likely Had COVID-19

If you think or know you had COVID-19, and you had symptoms, you can be with others after:

• At least 10 days since symptoms first appeared and

• At least 24 hours with no fever without fever-reducing medication and

• Symptoms have improved 

"Labora est ora"

“Let work be your prayer.” (St. Benedict) In other words prayer does not necessarily consist only of a special time set aside and away from distractions, but in the realization that every moment is sacred, and every act of labor we perform is meaningful …

What do you think? This was the thought in my devotional this morning. I really like it. During my younger days when my work and my kids’ schedules were so crazy, I often got down on myself for not working harder to find prayer and study time in my day. I think this view of work, would have made me feel so much better. Here at Managed Senior Care we focus all the time on how the work you do, when done in His honor will bring him glory. How empowering if you also thought of your work as your prayer; Your own opportunity to communion with God.

Give it a shot this week. I would love to hear if it made any difference for you. I am going to practice it this week too. I’ll let you know how it goes.

B12 shots can help with Cognition in seniors

B12 shots are being prescribed to our seniors, so I thought I would share this article I just came across on the potential benefits from  Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH. You might find this helpful to share with your senior’s family or even talk about with your own doctor.

A deficiency in any vitamin can be catastrophic for health. But vitamin B12 deficiency stands out because a) it’s very common — experts have estimated that up to 20% of older adults may be low in this vitamin — and b) it’s often missed by doctors.

Geriatricians also like to pay attention to vitamin B12 because a deficiency can cause — or usually worsen — cognitive impairment or walking problems.

The most common problems related to low vitamin B12 levels include:

• Anemia. This means the red blood cell count is low. Red blood cells carry oxygen in the blood, so anemia can cause fatigue or shortness of breath. The breakdown of faulty red blood cells can also cause jaundice. (Learn more about anemia here: Anemia in the Older Adult: 10 Common Causes & What to Ask.)

• Neuropathy. This means that nerves in the body are not working well. This can cause a variety of symptoms, including tingling, numbness, burning, poor balance, and walking difficulties.

• Cognitive impairment. This means that nerve cells in the brain are not working well. This can cause memory problems, irritability, and even dementia.

How Vitamin B12 Deficiency is Diagnosed and Treated

The first step in checking for deficiency is a blood test to check the serum level of vitamin B12.

The typical initial treatment for a significant vitamin B12 deficiency involves intramuscular shots  – 1000 micrograms of the vitamin. This bypasses any absorption problems in the stomach or intestine. 

High-dose oral vitamin B12 supplements (1000-2000 micrograms per day) have also been shown to raise levels, because high doses can usually compensate for the body’s poor absorption. However, oral treatments probably take longer to work than intramuscular shots. So they’re not ideal for initially correcting a deficiency, although they’re sometimes used to maintain vitamin B12 levels. 

Read the entire article here.

Virtual FCU: Caring for a Challenging Loved One

We are pleased to share with you a free class available to you and your senior’s families that explores ways to improve communication and reduce stress.

Thursday, July 23, 2020 - 1:00 - 3:00 pm

Is the one you are caregiving for difficult? Is this due to the fact that they refuse care? Are they depressed? Or could there be other factors behind the issue? Come learn from a therapist, Julie Alicki, LMSW, CADP, who has worked with a variety of late-in-life clients and will share what tips and tricks might be helpful to you.

Registration Required!

Email: registration@aaawm.org or call: 616-222-7032. Once you are registered, you will be provided with the information for phone and online meeting access.