It's Macular Degeneration Awareness Week (24 – 30 May 2010). Are you at risk? If you have a family history of MD, you smoke or you're over 50, you may be at risk of developing MD, the leading cause of blindness in Australia. Jennifer Pinkerton investigates - http://www.blackmores.com.au/learning-centre/article/macular-degeneration-md-are-you-at-risk

It's a frightening fact that one in seven Aussies over the age of 50 is affected by macular degeneration (MD). Essentially MD is progressive damage caused to the macula – the central part of the retina, which is the light sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. General physical health can affect our chances of developing MD. Good natural fat burner exercise, healthy living including, no smoking and nutritious food, is something we can all be doing to protect our eyesight.


As macular health declines, so does central vision, affecting your ability to read, recognise faces, drive and see colours clearly.

"It's odd really because so many suffer from it – millions in fact – yet many people have no idea what part of the body MD affects and rarely think to get their macula tested by an optometrist," says Ita Buttrose, whose father lost his vision to the condition whilst in his mid-eighties.

 Did you know there are strength training classes for frail older people, with ages of participants up to 90?  Also 90 years does not mean you will be frail, there are 90 year olds who hike mountain trails.

Did you know that the Osteoporosis Association of Australia recommends strength and balance training for osteoporosis sufferers, not wrapping yourself in cottonwool?

Did you know the heart foundation of Australia, encourages fitness activities and walking programs?

There is some exercise to suit everyone’s needs.   The sooner we get involves the more gains we can make.

I can hardly express the joy I feel that these days I only need wear a heart rate monitor watch when I exercise and take reasonable care, to not, overexert. It is only just over three years ago when I used to set off alarm bells on a finger pulse oximeter and I was spending half a day or more once or twice a week, in emergency departments due to my pulse dropping below 40 and my becoming feint.   I could not walk across an oval without being severely out of breath.

Today I strap my Polar wearlink, heart rate, monitor strap, on around my chest, to count the calories I burn when I work out and not because of any medical concern and I will be walk jogging around the footy oval. Unless the football players are in training if they are, I will postpone the session. I plan to record my time, so asses my fitness improvement since I last measured myself over the distance.

You are never too old to get out and get yourself fit.  I was facing a death sentence back three years ago if I had continued to lead my sedentary lifestyle; I would have died young, along with the rest of my sedentary family.  I already had congestive cardiac disease and COAD faulty heart valves, scared lungs, and I could work down to ratchet knees, feet and so forth.  If you want a list of excuses for being inactive well I had them.

Of course I didn’t just jump up and begin by enrolling in a Michelle Bridges 12 week body transformation  program nor begin with full body workouts ~ all things in moderation and when you are up to the,. I started in a swimming pool, playing rather than swimming even, moving as I felt I wanted to in the water, doing a few  exercises, remembered from my past, in the water, also eating portion controlled and healthier and starting my getting myself under the 100 kilo mark as one of my first major, get myself fit, healthy achievements.

Only after I was finding the water work easier and the trimmed back eating working and rewarding me with some weight loss did I add walking (initially painful to do), then as that got easier, I added a lot of walking to my get fit program.

The sorts of exercise I do now, is only because of the three years of fitness build up and health recovery that has taken place before this.  I do not recommend an un prepared senior head out on a mountain hike if they are not up to it.   Just think positive though and know you can be active and think healthy and fit, that even if the alarm bells are ringing, you still can, doctor agreeing, work towards a fitter and longer life ahead. It is never too late to fight for fitness.

There is an amazing amount of thermal pools open for the gray nomad tourist traveller and Reg and I continue to spread the going jock amongst us nomads that for every hour in a thermal pool we become one year younger.  We joke about leaving home as young seniors and returning home as teenagers.

In Australia with many of our thermal pools free to use, their benefits, are often undervalued, where in other countries these pools are prized and are often turned into expensive treatment spas and incredible claims are made of curative benefits.

It is interesting too that some thermal pools are actually dangerous places where radon gas makes use of the pool too dangerous.

All the well know thermal pools in Australia are safe if you follow the guidelines, these include not submerging your face in the water remembering that certain types of organisms, can breed in the warm water.

Some of the therapeutic powers attributed to soaking in thermal pools are the healing of Various skin diseases * Rheumatism * eliminating muscle spasms * Gout * Neuralgia * Arthritis * Colitis * For improving circulation * good for opening skin pores and the best treatment for acne.

Thermal pools in Australia are a wonderful social meeting place where nomads gather to talk about their journey to the area and their travel plans from the area, exchange information about camps and road conditions.

Reg and my favourite thermal pools are at Mataranka, Northern territory, Moree NSW and at Nanga Bay Resort, in Western Australia.

 

Like many people, I try to avoid refined carbohydrates and artificial food substitutes and keep to healthy natural foods, yet somehow my defences went down and I had regularly been purchasing a low calorie, cordial for my husband Reg to encourage him to drink more water.  I myself am happy to drink plain water or if I want flavoured I add a squeeze of lemon or limejuice.

Anyhow, Reg has had a lot of skin rashes and pimples on scalp and I suggested he cut out the artificially sweetened cordial and sure enough, for the first time in ages Reg is free once more from skin irritations and our home and caravan has no more artificially sweetened products in it.

Aspartame has brought more complaints to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) than any other additive-ever. It is responsible for a full 75 percent of the complaints the agency gets. From 10,000 consumer complaints, the FDA compiled a list of 92 symptoms. Skin irritations being one of the least dangerous ones and is a reasonably common one.  I was very slow in waking up to what was causing Reg so much skin irritation.

If you are interested, take a look at the long list of side effects to Aspartame and other chemical artificial sweeteners, see the link above.

I am at least glad I had this timely reminder that fresh and natural is best. 

 

When travelling with special requirements, such as oxygen or mobility aids, it may be wise to make your arrangements through a travel agent. This would provide you with assistance in the event of any problems such as schedule changes.

You can view a wide range of  mobility products  and compare the function and price of each item at mobility compare .

When making your reservation, be sure to tell the agent the type of accommodation you require, and to what extent. If travelling with a wheelchair or scooter, let the agent know what type you use (manual, electric, wet cell, dry cell) and explain how much assistance you will need with boarding and disembarking.

Regardless of how you choose to travel, it is important that you take steps to ensure that your trip is a safe and enjoyable one.

Remember to:

• Discuss the proposed trip with your doctor.
• Get prescriptions for adequate amounts of required medications and fill them before you leave.
• Get extra prescriptions for oxygen to make it easier to get oxygen en route.
• Get instructions from your doctor for what to do if you develop a medical problem.
• Get a summary of your medical history from your doctor.
• Carry an up-to-date, detailed list of your medications.
• Confirm all reservations 24 to 48 hours in advance.
• Review your itinerary and confirm that any special services you may need will be available on each leg of your trip.
• Get confirmation of all services in writing.

Know your rights

It is also helpful to know your rights as a traveller with special needs.

In 1986, US Congress passed the Air Carrier Access Act, requiring the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to develop new regulations, which ensure that persons with disabilities will be treated without discrimination in a way consistent with the safe carriage of all passengers.

These regulations explain the responsibilities of the traveller and all domestic carriers, airport operators, and contractors involved in the airline industry who meet certain requirements, (such as passenger capacity).

Please note that foreign airlines are not required to comply with these regulations, although U.S. carriers on international flights must.

Australia has similar laws protecting the rights of disabled people who wish to travel. Nican is a national information service providing information on recreation, tourism, sport and the arts for people with disabilities. 

Under the Caravan category of this website is a review of a caravan designed for wheelchair access.

 

Those of us who have the most fun in life do not wait until everything is 100% perfect before venturing out the door on a new adventure.

Australia has an increasing population of senior retirees who tour our country every year. Few of us have perfect health, most of us, learn all we can to manage chronic health conditions and try not to dwell on them, focusing instead on the positive aspects of the life they are able to achieve.

Today I am blogging about RA, or Rheumatoid arthritis, and providing some helpful links for those whose lives are affected, by this condition.

Those who regularly read this gone bush blog know that Reg returned home from our 2009 tour, ill with Whooping Cough that set of a rheumatic type condition.  He has improved enormously though he is far from totally recovered and as with rheumatoid arthritis, he still has fluctuating days, sometimes he is better and sometimes he has a setback. Overall however he is improving and we have chosen to continue our touring lifestyle regardless of a continuing chronic and often painful condition. Life is still something to plan for and enjoy even when we are not 100% well. This is the philosophy of most gray nomads, we are not unique in acting this way.

Humour helps; I tell Reg I can always enlist other caravaners to help push him up the caravan steps if he cannot manage them. Positive mental attitude is another great tool, I bought Reg a pair of joggers, J.  Might as well, think positive.

Great nutrition is necessary; to be the best we can be at any age.

Remain positive and hopeful if you or a loved one has Rheumatoid Arthritis RA.  These web sites, below, help teach how to:-
Learn how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Learn how to deal with the pain. If these and other aspects of RA, interest you, then check out these links. rheumatoid arthritis information.

Healthinsite Rheumatoid_Arthritis

 

Doesn't that sound like a fantastic treat for the gray nomad?

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/1hr-Swedish-Massage_W0QQitemZ300392360835QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Mosaic?hash=item45f0c7ab83

You could bid on a charity auction for a 1hr Swedish Massage and help a worth cause as all proceeds go to the Hope From Ashes charity to assist those rebuilding their lives after the Toodyay Fires of December 2009

Swedish relaxation massage 60 mins  (value $80) PERTH WA expires 31/03/2010 Do you feel stressed and need to relax; have poor circulation or sore, tired and aching muscles? Swedish relaxation massage uses light to moderate pressure. Gentle stimulation of the soft tissue is designed to relax the muscles, improve circulation and to soothe the nervous system.  Tailored to you and designed to put you into a state of relaxation, this is the perfect introduction for people who are new to the massage experience.

Hope from Ashes

The Hope From Ashes auction will run online starting on the date of the benefit concert with new items being put up daily over the next week.  This online auction will raise awareness and funds and give people the opportunity to contribute and help Toodyay people who are rebuilding after the fire.

We have tried to gather together a range of diverse and high quality items and services that in some way reflect the diversity and creativity of the Toodyay community. In finding a gift for yourself you will be giving to the Toodyay community and we hope the excitement and high energy of the auction will be uplifting and inspiring in its way.

The auction has the Hope From Ashes flavour celebrating and demonstrating the generosity, positivity and support that has flowed so readily for and within the Toodyay community.

As well as people from Perth many local Toodyay businesses and individuals have also contributed to the auction, some although deeply affected by the fires through loss of home or workplace. Artworks, craft items, trips away, fantastic meals and even life coaching sessions, massages, motoring items, clothing and collectors plates are just a few of the amazing items we can offer you. The list grows every day so “no napping” or you may miss a fabulous item…which is just what you need!

We hope you will enjoy the items on offer and we hope you have fun whilst you bid big as we pull together to raise much needed funds for the survivors of the Toodyay Bushfires.

If you would like more information about the auction please contact Bruce or Linda Sharman by completing the website contact and writing DONATION at the beginning of your message.

If you wish to make a donation in person, please use the following Bendigo Bank details. Thank you.
Hope from Ashes
BSB: 633 000
Account: 139 064 364

My husband Reg is becoming a lot fitter; having fully recovered from the Whooping cough and the complications and set back it caused himJ. He recently passed a series of medical checkups with flying colours and was fit enough to put together a set of six assemble yourself furniture. The assembly required hours of bending and stretching, down on the floor and up again work, something he would not have been able to do a few weeks ago.

Reg had been on anti inflammatory for the severe rheumatic condition and arthritis flair up that followed the whooping cough set back and he had to go off these due to side effects and he changed over to aspirin in the mornings to get some relief and get moving for the day.  Then when he had to have an aesthetic for these tests, he had to go off the aspirin a week before the procedure so I suggested he get back on to the diet supplements  of glucosamine  and anti inflammatory fish oil capsules and he has been making a huge effort and moving a little more every day.

It is so easy to come to a stop moving, when it hurts to move, ( I have been there myself), but that just compounds the problem, ‘if you don’t use it you lose it’, is what Arthritis Australia, advises and both Reg and I do our best to keep mobile even when we have arthritis flair ups. 

I am amazed at how well Reg has .recovered, he has not needed to go back on to the anti-inflammatory or aspirin and just takes his natural therapies, I mentioned above, as they do seem to help, (helps both of us) and they are safe to use, long term.

J, I am VERY HAPPY this morning, so very happy my man has recovered so well and DELIGHTED with my new look lounge room and ‘clean (writing and drawing, mediums’ creative studioJ.