AARP Magazine Feb/Mar 2012 features Speakers On Healthcare brain expert Cynthia R. Green, PhD who says, “Engaging the mind can help older brains maintain healthy functioning.” She is the author of 30 Days to Total Brain Health. Discover the 10 ways to boost brain health now, check out the AARP Article online.

In this U.S. News & World Report article, Amanda Gardner states that by 2012, an estimated 14 million Americans will be long-distance caregivers, so many that some even have new names: “seagulls” and “pigeons.” These terms refer to family members who alight for short periods of time, make a mess for local caregivers and fly out. What they don’t take into account are the pain, isolation and hassles that long-distance caregivers are dealing with on their own.

“They have unique issues,” said Polly Mazanec, lead author of a paper appearing in a recent issue of Oncology Nursing Forum. Those include financial concerns, since many people are borrowing from savings to travel at a moment’s notice or to arrange child care or pet sitting during their absence, as well as emotional issues such as guilt, worry and anxiety. “We found that long-distance caregivers were much more anxious than local caregivers, who could see what was happening [on a more frequent basis],” said Mazanec, an assistant professor of nursing at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. “Long-distance caregivers end up feeling guilty. I deal with it on a daily basis,” added Dr. Nasiya Ahmed, an assistant professor of geriatric and palliative medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Family caregiving has received a lot of attention recently, but not so much for those who have to do it at a distance. Read more about long distance caregiving and also consider the Caregivers Survival Training-recognizing and coping with the stages of caregiving- that is offered by expert Elaine Sanchez.

In August, the nation’s largest natural foods chain, Whole Foods, opened Wellness Clubs in five test markets around the country to try out a new concept: a membership program that provides lifestyle evaluations; nutrition, cooking and health classes; and 10% discounts on hundreds of healthy food items. CEO John Mackey’s philosophy appeared in a 2009 op-ed in The Wall Street Journal where he was quoted as saying: “Rather than increase government spending and control, we need to address the root causes of poor health. This begins with the realization that every American adult is responsible for his or her own health. Unfortunately many of our health-care problems are self-inflicted: two-thirds of Americans are now overweight and one-third are obese. Most of the diseases that kill us and account for about 70% of all health-care spending-heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes and obesity-are mostly preventable through proper diet, exercise, not smoking, minimal alcohol consumption and other healthy lifestyle choices.” We agree, and suggest that organizations and communities establish “wellness clubs” to prevent the health crisis plaguing America.  We know that prevention costs less than sickness.  Some of the top experts to invite to a wellness event include Biggest Loser Winner-Bill Germanakos, award-winning journalist Stephen Kiernan, caregiver-expert Elaine Sanchez, and a number of other wellness experts.

The Wall Street Journal featured an article on colleges setting up courses, scholarships and centers to welcome recovering addicts also citing the formation of the Association for Recovery in Higher Education to aid those Americans seeking treatment for substance abuse, in the 18 to 24 age range- the fastest growing demographic. During the decade ended in 2009, treatment providers say the number of students in that age range seeking help more than doubled.  The article went on to say that “Left to fend for themselves amid opportunities and pressure to partake, students often drop out or flunk out. College administrators say booze and drug usage plays a role in the 20% dropout rate of among college freshmen.”  Our own Dennis Marcellino, a celebrity musician, author and inspirational speaker, is a past member of Sly & the Family Stone (the #1 band in the world in 1970 and voted as one of the top 10 bands of all time by MSNBC), The Elvin Bishop Group and The Tokens, famous for “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” As an entertainer, he abused alcohol and drugs for 18 years (29 years ago) and not only lived to tell about it (unlike a number of his other colleagues), but he’s also developed a very successful program that leads to a permanent end to abuse and addictions.

The U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA) has designated 2011 as “The Year of the Family Caregiver,” a yearlong celebration to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the NFCSP. AoA is working in concert with national caregiver organizations and associations to mark this important achievement. AoA is also encouraging states and communities to recognize the important role family and friends play in caring for friends and loved ones, and to celebrate the impact of caregiver support services, including the NFCSP. AoA has created a new web site to assist states and communities in designing and holding NFCSP 10th Anniversary events. Here you will find materials and resources to assist in planning events and recognizing caregivers.  Our expert, Elaine Sanchez, author of Letters From Madelyn – Chronicles of a Caregiver has been described as part Erma Bombeck and part Garrison Keillor! Caregiving audiences appreciate the manner in which she deals with the grim reality of aging and illness, and proves that grace, humor and faith can transcend tragedy. Elaine’s tender, gritty and uproariously funny “one woman show,” has the audience laughing through their tears! Her two workshops: Boomer Bootcamp-designed to help families gather the information they need to make major care-giving decisions and Caregivers Survival Training-recognizing and coping with the stages of caregiving receive RAVE reviews.