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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION to MESSENGER POST NEWSPAPERS for the week of AUGUST 6, 2017

FALSE
MEMORY
Watch our for brain-preserving supplements
BY MELISSA ERICKSON | MORE CONTENT NOW

A
s Americans are living longer The U.S. Government Accountability
and thriving into their 70s, Office recently reviewed hundreds of
80s and beyond, theyre also dietary supplements claiming to improve
dealing with the effects of old
memory and found that many made
age, including memory loss. misleading claims.
Some are turning to dietary supplements Medications are highly regulated. Dietary
to help preserve their minds, but theres
supplements are not. The crackdown
no evidence these brain tonics work. on supplements is happening because
Theyre more hype than hope, said Dr. theyre not subject to the same rules

MCN ILLUSTRATION
Marc Agronin, board certified geriatric (as medicines). People are looking for a
psychiatrist and vice president for miracle, but these companies are selling
behavioral health and clinical research at
something not helping someone,
Miami Jewish Health Systems, a network Agronin said.
of assisted living facilities. As people age, cognitive function tends
Theres no question with more attentionto slow down, Agronin said. While it varies
on Alzheimers, concerns about memory from person to person, memory loss is a
loss are becoming more common. Im normal part of aging.
WHAT CAN BE TREATED factors, but the longer you wait the harder
seeing more and more younger people There is a decline. There are more tip-of- they can be to treat, Agronin said.
coming in complaining about memory If memory issues are frequent and
the-tongue experiences as we get older, To maintain a healthy brain, keep a healthy
lapses, said Agronin, author of The bothersome, its worth having them
Agronin said. lifestyle.
Dementia Caregiver. checked out either by an internist,
Memory disorders are quite common, and neurologist or gerontologist. Whats good for the heart is also whats
SUPPLEMENTS ARE age is the main risk factor, Agronin said.
Medically, they can see if everything is good for the brain, Agronin said. Eat a diet
NOT MEDICINE But, that doesnt take into account the (like the Mediterranean diet) low in fat, high
good, Agronin said.
benefits of aging. in fruits and vegetables. Do things that
Manufacturers are heavily marketing Often memory loss symptoms are relatively
memory enhancers or memory pills to Other things improve. You have more benign and more treatable than commonly you enjoy that keep your mind, body and
adults looking for drugs to help combat experience. Wisdom and creativity thought, Agronin said. Some reasons a soul active, Agronin said. That can mean
the effects of aging. Some make big improve, Agronin said. person may be experiencing memory loss Sudoku or computer games, long walks or
claims that suggest their products can Memory concerns are also subjective. include depression, low thyroid, sleep vigorous exercise, learning a new language
be used as treatments for diseases What might bother one person may not disorders, substance abuse and side effects or actively baby-sitting your grandchildren.
including Parkinsons and Alzheimers. concern another. from drug interactions. Many are reversible
PAGE 2 SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION to MESSENGER POST NEWSPAPERS for the week of AUGUST 6, 2017
 PAGE 3 SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION to MESSENGER POST NEWSPAPERS for the week of AUGUST 6, 2017
WHEN MASCULINITY,
AGING CLASH
P
eople who project
an aura of toughness
and independence
manly men can face
problems as they are confronted
by the development of health
issues, loss of spouses and loved
ones, retirement and needing to
be a caregiver for ailing family
members in later life.
Who you are in the past is
embedded in you, said Kaitlyn
Barnes Langendoerfer,
doctoral student in sociology at
Case Western Reserve University,
Cleveland, and co-author of a
review that mined narrative
data from nearly 100 previously
published studies. Men have
trouble dealing with older age
because theyve followed a
masculinity script that left little
room for them to negotiate
unavoidable problems.
Studies of gender and aging
warrant more attention, she said.
As we age, society tends to
lump everyone together as
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they may feel like speaking to
As we age, society tends to lump everyone together their spouse within the home is a
safe space, Langendoerfer said.
as older adults instead of recognizing that
gender still plays an important role in our aging process. We live in a culture of extreme
diversity, the ascendance of
women and the decline of the
KAITLYN BARNES LANGENDOERFER,
CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY alpha male, said Douglas LaBier,
director of the nonprofit Center
for Progressive Development, in
Washington, D.C., which works
BY MELISSA ERICKSON | MORE CONTENT NOW
to promote psychological health
older adults instead of recognizing that adapt to changes within their household. in the workplace and in personal
a gender still plays an important role in our For example, they may need to learn to lives.
aging process, said Langendoerfer, who cook and do certain chores that their The key to better health
noted that there is a dearth of research partners may have taken care of for and better relationships is to
focused on masculinities and aging. them, Langendoerfer said. embrace equality and learn to be
The study found that men who followed Changing your way of thinking is hard, a collaborative couple, LaBier
dominant ideas of masculinity struggled but helping a spouse or loved one is easy. said. Within couples, the female
with grief a vulnerable state and partner can try and convey a
If I had to give one tip, I would suggest
caregiving, which is associated with that listening to their partner is important sense of empathy. She may say,
femininity, she said. How scary this must feel. The
and understanding that the changes that
While many men admitted that they occur in late life (such as driving cessation, world is changing under your
feet, he said.
did cry, they stated that they did not cry becoming diabetic, etc.) may conflict
in front of others because that would with their partners masculine identity. While emphasizing that the
be sissy stuff. Other men immersed Since many men in our study spoke about world is changing, a couple
themselves various types of work to self-silencing, spouses/partners should needs to work well together as
manage their depression. Loss of a encourage their partners to express their a team to avoid divorce, LaBier
spouse may also mean that men have to emotions and/or concerns to them, as said.
 PAGE 4 SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION to MESSENGER POST NEWSPAPERS for the week of AUGUST 6, 2017

WAYS TO SAVE ON PRESCRIPTION DRUGS BY MELISSA ERICKSON | MORE CONTENT NOW

Prescription drug prices are skyrocketing, especially There are also a growing number of apps and online generic drugs. Generics are required to have the same
for older Americans. A new AARP report found that tools that allow you to make drug price comparisons, active ingredient, strength, dosage form and route
prices for brand-name drugs widely used by boomers found easily with a Google search. of administration as their brand-name counterparts.
increased nearly 130 times the rate of inflation in 2015, Q: Can you ask for a discount on prescriptions? Choosing to use a generic equivalent is an easy way to
for an average increase of 15.5 percent. Thats the fourth save a lot of money.
straight year of double-digit average annual price A: Absolutely, although its worth noting that a
increases for widely used prescriptions. pharmacys willingness to give you a discount may Q: Anything to watch out for if shopping
depend on your health-care coverage. Some pharmacies online?
Prescription drug therapy is not affordable when its
are hesitant to offer discounts to Medicare and Medicaid A: Unfortunately, there are some bad actors out there, so
cost exceeds the patients entire income, said Leigh
beneficiaries due to concerns about federal laws that you should make sure that youre purchasing your drugs
Purvis, director of health services research, AARP Public
prohibit health-care providers from offering anything from a reputable source. One option is to look for online
Policy Institute, and co-author of the report. Even if
that could be seen as kickbacks. pharmacies that have been certified by LegitScript.com
patients are fortunate enough to have good health
care coverage, high prescription drug costs translate Q: What about discount clubs? or through a program called Verified Internet Pharmacy
into higher out-of-pocket costs especially for those They may have a fee to join. Is it worth it? Practice Sites (VIPPS). Both are affiliated with the National
who pay a percentage of drug costs rather than a fixed Association of Boards of Pharmacy. Another option is to
A: It really depends on your individual circumstances. look for online pharmacies that have walk-in stores in the
copayment as well as higher premiums, deductibles Discount clubs can provide some savings, particularly United States, such as CVS and Walgreens.
and other forms of cost-sharing. Purvis answered some if you take generic drugs. However, you should keep
questions about where and how to get cheaper drugs: in mind that you cant use discount club cards in Q: Anything else readers should know?
Q: Do prescription prices vary by where a combination with your health insurance. And yes, you A: Yet another savings option comes from the drug
person lives or what store theyre bought at? should definitely be mindful that the membership fee manufacturers themselves. Many brand-name drug
A: Yes, there is a great deal of variation in prescription could make such programs less of a deal. manufacturers have programs that offer their products
at greatly reduced prices or even for free for patients
drug prices. For example, one pharmacy may have a Q: Is choosing generics a good way to cut costs?
who meet their eligibility criteria. However, its always a
very different price than another pharmacy located just A: We strongly recommend that consumers take every
good idea to make sure that a generic equivalent isnt
across the street. Some states have developed websites opportunity to use less-expensive, equally effective
available before pursuing this option.
that allow you to make those types of price comparisons.
 BED
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TIME FOR

We know sleep is important tips for getting more

BY MELISSA ERICKSON | MORE CONTENT NOW

G
ood sleep is essential not only for physical health but also for our brain
health. To keep mentally sharp as we age, experts recommend getting
seven to eight hours of sleep per day, something many people dont
adhere to.
Sleep is very important. People who sleep less than six hours on average show
decreased cognitive function. Their reaction times are slower, and they have
more trouble paying attention and multitasking, said Dr. Robert S. Rosenberg,
board certified sleep medicine physician and author of The Doctors Guide to
Sleep Solutions for Stress & Anxiety.
Sleep is very important for brain health. It is during sleep that our brains
glymphatic system removes toxins such as beta amyloid that can cause
Alzheimers, Rosenberg said.
BOOMERS AND SLEEP
A recent AARP report found that 99 percent of adults older than 50 believe that
sleep is important for their brain health, but over four in 10 (43 percent) say they
dont get enough sleep. More than half (54 percent) of adults report they wake
up too early in the morning and cant get back to sleep.
As we age, our sleep patterns change.
We demonstrate less deep (slow-wave sleep) and increased amounts of lighter
stages of sleep, Rosenberg said. Dream, or REM, sleep stays about the same.
We also have more frequent brief awakenings from sleep. We may have more
trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, the former due to decreased production
of melatonin and weakening of circadian rhythms, the latter in part due to more
chronic pain and other medical conditions such as pulmonary and cardiac you are sleeping seven hours, you should only be in bed seven-and-a-half
disorders, which interfere with sleep. hours, not nine to 10 hours.
SLEEP HYGIENE A regular warm bath may be beneficial two to three hours before bedtime.
One of the key ways to get better sleep is to practice good sleep hygiene. Wearing socks to bed may be beneficial if you have cold feet.
Establish a set sleep/wake schedule and stick to it. Turn off all blue-light- Avoid difficult discussions or arguing in the evening.
emitting devices such as computers and cellphones one hour before bedtime. If you worry a lot while in bed, schedule about 15 minutes each morning
Avoid alcohol close to bedtime, and stop caffeine intake at least six hours before as your worry time specifically for intentional concentrating on the things
bedtime. Make sure your bedroom environment is comfortable and dark, you think about at night; this may make nocturnal worrying less.
Rosenberg said.
Try relaxation therapies with deep breathing and meditation, as these
Global Council on Brain Health, an independent collaborative of scientists, doctors help some to fall and stay asleep.
and academics, recently came out with new recommendations that cover a wide
range of sleep-related issues, including common factors that can disrupt sleep, Identify your most comfortable position and sleep environment by
symptoms of potential sleep disorders, and prescription medications and over- investigating how you lie most comfortably in bed (try different positions
the-counter sleep aids. Here are a few of their tips on falling and staying asleep: and pillows).
Dont stay in bed if you are not sleepy. Leave the bedroom if you are in bed Avoid long naps; if you must nap, limit to 30 minutes in the early afternoon.
awake longer than you would like to be. Find a quiet place to relax outside of the Its possible that you are getting more sleep than you think, but it is
bedroom and return to bed only once you feel sleepy. still worth consulting with your health-care provider if your life is being
Limiting your time in bed may improve the quality of sleep. For example, if negatively impacted by lack of sleep.
PAGE 6 SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION to MESSENGER POST NEWSPAPERS for the week of AUGUST 6, 2017

Study: Boomers not planning to retire at 65

For most boomers, retirement is no longer a point in time at which one immediately stops
working. Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies recently released a new report,
Baby Boomer Workers are Revolutionizing Retirement: Are They and Their Employers
Ready?, which examines the retirement vision among boomer workers and the level
of involvement among employers to facilitate their transition into retirement.
Sixty-five percent of boomer workers plan to work past age 65 or do not plan to retire.
Slightly more than half (52 percent) plan to continue working after they retire. Given
widespread savings shortfalls, it is not surprising that 62 percent of the boomer workers
who plan to work in retirement and/or past age 65 indicate that their main reason is in-
come or health benefits. What is surprising is that 34 percent plan to work for enjoyment,
including 18 percent who want to stay involved and 16 percent who enjoy what they do.
 PAGE 7 SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION to MESSENGER POST NEWSPAPERS for the week of AUGUST 6, 2017

PROSTATE
cancer New screening guidelines try to pinpoint risk

BY MELISSA ERICKSON | MORE CONTENT NOW

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T
o understand the new prostate cancer After the 2012 decision to stop screening, the be for a man of 55.
screening guidelines that recommend medical community realized that more men were The task force still recommends against the
men ages 55 to 69 talk to their being diagnosed with later-stage prostate cancer. screenings for men 70 and older, although other
doctors about being screened, a little When people began looking at statewide and organizations such as the American Urological
background is necessary. national statistics, they started finding greater Association suggest screening discussions in this
Historically, a man would discuss being screened reported rates of metastasis the disease age cohort if the person has an anticipated life
for prostate cancer with a family-care physician spreading outside the prostate, Raman said. expectancy of more than 10 years.
or urologist, but that changed in 2012 when the Once that happens, its more likely you could This provides some standardized guidelines in
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force decided that end up dying of your cancer. a reasonable and measured manner, Raman
as a nation we were over-screening for prostate The new guidelines recommend that men ages said. Rather than not screening anyone, we
cancer, said Dr. Jay Raman, chief of the Division 55 to 69 with no signs of prostate cancer have a should determine who the people are that need
of Urology at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey conversation with their doctor about the benefits screening, diagnose and potentially treat those
Medical Center. The organization said there is no and drawbacks of screening for the disease. who need it, and monitor those whose cancers
need for men to have a blood test that screens can be safely followed.
the level of PSA prostate-specific antigen in THE LATEST
the blood. The screening typically involves two parts a Raman is also pleased that the new draft
blood test to determine the level of PSA in the recommendations have been opened up for
This kind of uniform blanket statement didnt feedback from urologists and others who treat
take into account an individuals race, ethnicity body, and a rectal examination to feel for lumps,
bumps or abnormalities. prostate cancer.
or family history, Raman said.
Neither is perfect, but they complement each One big criticism of the 2012 recommendation
ABOUT THE CANCER was that it was crafted almost exclusively by
other, Raman said. Part of the challenge for
Prostate cancer is one of the most common clinicians is to figure out if the combination of physicians who do not treat prostate cancer, he
cancers that affects men, and the decision to test the exam and PSA results is concerning enough said. The current USPSTF statement appropriately
for it is complex. to go down the road to investigate for cancer. includes some prostate cancer specialists as
There are different kinds of prostate cancer. Because the prostate gets bigger as a man ages, members, which creates a reasonable balance
Some are bad and some are not as bad. Some the amount of PSA in the blood that is considered for the panel.
people will die with prostate cancer; others will normal increases with age. For instance, a PSA of The final recommendations will be out sometime
die from it, Raman said. 5 may not be an issue for a man of 70, but it may soon.

Some people will die with prostate cancer; others will die from it.
DR. JAY RAMAN, PENN STATE HEALTH MILTON S. HERSHEY MEDICAL CENTER
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