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Senior Helpers in Home Elder Care of Fairfield County and Litchfield County, Connecticut, Shares The Basics of Complementary and Alternative Medicine For Seniors
Senior Helpers in Home Elder Care of Fairfield County and Litchfield County, Connecticut, Shares The Basics of Complementary and Alternative Medicine For Seniors
The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is gradually becoming more
popular, according to the National Institutes of Health's National Center for Complementary
and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). In their 2007 study, about 38% adults aged 18 and over
revealed that they use some sort of CAM, which is up over 2% since their 2002 study.
What is CAM?
Most sources classify CAM practices into several broad categories, but they are not cast in
stone. Some can be included in more than one category, such as acupuncture in mind-body
medicine as well as in energy medicine. The National Cancer Institute's Office of Cancer
Complementary and Alternative Medicine lists these broad categories and some examples of
each:
• Alternative Medical Systems: Acupuncture, Ayurveda, homeopathy, naturopathy,
traditional Chinese medicine; Tibetan medicine
• Energy Therapies: Qi gong, reiki, therapeutic touch
• Exercise Therapies: T'ai chi, yoga
• Manipulative & Body-based Methods: Chiropractic, therapeutic massage,
osteopathy, reflexology
• Mind-body Interventions: Meditation, hypnosis, biofeedback, art and music
therapies, aromatherapy
• Nutritional Therapies: Macrobiotic diet, vitamins, vegetarianism, antioxidants
• Pharmacological and Biologic Treatments: Herbs and herbal extracts, melatonin
• Spiritual Therapies: Intercessory prayer and spiritual healing
• Many seniors, because of the effects of the aging process (as well as diet, disease, and
environment) on their physiology, become more susceptible to adverse effects from
traditional medications.
• CAM treatments and therapies may provide a way for seniors on limited income and
with little or no health insurance to avoid the higher costs of traditional medical
treatment.
• Some seniors may not like visiting an impersonal doctor's office. Alternative options
may offer a more personal touch for elderly care. One-on-one treatment can offer a
psychological boost as well as a physical one.
Lack of research about CAM can be reason enough for doctors to avoid the topic. Why this lack
of evidence? Primarily because large controlled medical studies are costly and CAM therapies
and treatments tend to be underfunded.
Regardless of the reason, discussing all avenues of treatment with your doctor is crucial to
overall wellbeing. Don't wait for them to bring it up at your next office visit. Write down any
questions you have about how CAM can be integrated into your medical care, and make a point
to have the discussion with your doctor.
Precautionary Measures
As with any medical treatment, there can be risks with CAM therapies and treatments. These
general precautions can help to minimize risks:
• Select CAM practitioners with care. Find out about the practitioner's training and
experience.
• Some dietary supplements may interact with medications or other supplements, may
have side effects of their own, or may contain potentially harmful ingredients not listed
on the label.
• Tell all your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices
you use to help ensure coordinated and safe care.
• Don't stop or change your conventional treatment, including prescribed medications,
without talking to your doctor first.
Sources: NCCAM's Time to Talk campaign; Arthritis Today Nov/Dec 2010;
http://seniors.lovetoknow.com/Alternative_Medicine_for_the_Elderly; http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/61166.php;
http://www.cancer.gov/cam/health_categories.html
About Senior Helpers:
Senior Helpers provides many in-home, caregiving services for the elderly in the Brookfield,
Ridgefield, Trumbull, Southbury, New Milford, Litchfield areas. We offer extensive in-home
health care services for seniors who embrace their independence and the personal dignity that
goes with it. Our in-home care services are provided by bonded and insured caregivers all of
whom pass a national background check.
If a senior family member needs in-home care services in Fairfield County or Litchfield County,
we are an excellent choice with exemplary references. In-home care is the compassionate
choice for your elderly loved ones' continued independent living. We promise we will do our
best to make it a positive experience for them and you. For more information, please visit:
http://seniorhelpers.com/location/0904.