Shopping. Cooking. Cleaning. The burdens of living alone were taking a toll on Joyce who, at 89, was the oldest resident in her apartment building. Though she’d spent a lifetime saving money, Joyce wasn’t sure what she could afford. Her daughter Sandy knew it was time to talk about senior living.
“It took some convincing to help her understand this was what she had saved for,” said Sandy. “With the sale of her house and retirement savings, she could live comfortably in independent senior living. Plus, she would be around people her age, have plenty of activities and three nice meals a day.”
Joyce’s senior living journey isn’t unique. Most people are either not prepared for the potential costs of senior living, or think they’re not prepared. A survey of 2,000 Americans 18 to over 51 for Brookdale Senior Living revealed 65% aren’t saving money to pay for senior living, and 21% said they won’t be able to pay for it or don’t know how they’ll pay for it. Only half said they have a plan in place.
Mary Sue Patchett, Brookdale’s executive vice president of community and field operations, recommends avoiding sticker shock by assessing current expenses. You may find that freeing yourself of expenses tied to living in a house – mortgage, food, transportation, utilities, home maintenance and more – and incorporating these into one payment for a senior living community is more cost-effective than expected.
Patchett recommends seeking a flexible pricing structure at a senior living community, as one size does not fit all. Making a choice that fits your situation means you won’t be paying for unnecessary services. Sandy found two locations that fit her mom’s needs and compared costs of living alone to the cost of senior living. They landed on a Brookdale community near Sandy’s home.
“Adult children must understand their parent’s misgivings and help them decide what’s best,” said Sandy. “Considering my mom’s age, senior living was a smart move. The cost is comparable to living alone and provides peace of mind for everyone. We know she is eating, socializing and safe.”
How do people pay for senior living, and how can you keep costs affordable?
Current assets and income are what most people use to pay for senior living, just as they would pay for expenses staying in their current home: savings, pension or retirement plan funds, social security and annuities. Like Joyce, one big source of funds comes from the sale of their current home.
Long-term care insurance is a possible source for those with chronic disability or illness, if they have a policy. Rules regarding benefits and eligibility vary per state and policy. Veterans’ benefits, through the Veterans Aid and Attendance Pension, can help veterans and spouses offset costs of long-term care and/or assisted living at some communities.
Selling or cashing out a life insurance policy may be one route for those who no longer need life insurance. There are many options, so you should shop around. Consult your tax, financial and legal advisers to determine the implications of this option.
Medicaid options may provide some assistance for assisted living, depending on where you live and if you qualify. Do not confuse Medicaid with Medicare, which does not cover assisted living costs.
Family support is another source to consider for help with the cost of assisted living. In many families, children or other family members contribute to the cost of senior living. It’s best to discuss possible support with family before the need arises.
By selecting a senior living community that provides just the amount of care you need, you can keep costs low. Many communities offer options from apartments with kitchens and guest rooms to just a bedroom and bath. Opting for a roommate can save a lot. Senior living communities offering independent and assisted living or other care services on one campus helps couples stay together, even when they need different levels of care, and make it easier to move from one area to another if needs change.
Now is a good time to assess your situation and talk with your spouse or family about your needs and desires down the road. Planning ahead lets you tour communities and decide what services and amenities you want and need.
Within forty-eight hours of Joyce moving into her new senior living home, she was thrilled with her decision. And Sandy immediately noticed a change in her mom. She met a group of ladies she refers to as “the girls” and quickly found her purpose as the community librarian. She’s happier than she was in her apartment, and according to Sandy, and that’s priceless.
While you may routinely hear about medical errors, it’s less common to hear about a misdiagnosis.
Inaccurate or delayed medical diagnosis is a medical error many people rarely talk about.Yet research released by the Society to Improve Diagnosis in Medicine (SIDM) shows it remains the most common, costly and catastrophic of all medical errors.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine and CRICO Strategies found that 34% of malpractice cases resulting in death or permanent disability stem from an inaccurate or delayed diagnosis, making it the No. 1 cause of serious harm among medical errors.
This happens, in large part, because making and communicating a medical diagnosis is a complex and imperfect science. There are more than 10,000 known diseases and more than 5,000 laboratory tests, but only a limited number of symptoms to provide the clues necessary to make an accurate diagnosis.
However, there is a new sense of momentum in the healthcare community to raise awareness and reduce inaccurate and delayed diagnoses, including more funding from the federal government.
Even as researchers and experts continue to explore how best to address this costly, dangerous and sometimes deadly issue, it is important for patients to be aware of it. Everyone has a role to play in improving the diagnostic process, including physicians, nurses, radiologists, laboratory scientists, health system leaders and, perhaps most especially, patients.
It’s critically important that patients share information with their medical providers and know the right questions to ask in order to decrease the likelihood of misdiagnosis.
To help patients have conversations with their physicians about their diagnoses, SIDM’s patient toolkit offers a questions checklist, including these seven questions to ask:
1. What is my diagnosis? What else could it be?
2. Why do you think this is my diagnosis? From test results? From my physical exam?
3. Can you give me written information about my diagnosis? A pamphlet? A website?
4. Can you explain the test or treatment you want me to have?
5. What are the risks to the test or treatment you want me to have? What happens if I do nothing?
6. When do I need to follow up with you?
7. What should I do if my symptoms worsen or change, or if I don’t respond to treatment?
In addition to these questions, always ask when test results will be ready. Get a copy for your records and call your doctor’s office if you do not receive your test results.
By Harrison Youmans, MD, Sports Medicine Specialist at Orlando Health Orthopedic Institute
If you have osteoarthritis (OA), you are familiar with the pain, stiffness and swelling this chronic disease can bring, most often in hands, hips and knees. But, while there is currently no cure, there are a variety of ways to address your symptoms that can help enhance mobility and decrease discomfort and pain.
The disease occurs in joints when cartilage—the tissue that covers the ends of the bones inside the joints—is damaged, causing the bones to rub together. This creates pain, swelling and stiffness. In addition to this damage, bone spurs can grow at the end of the joints and bits can break off, causing additional pain.
Joint overuse from repetitive movement, increasing age, previous injuries and being obese can increase the risk of OA. Those who have family members with OA also are more likely to develop OA.
OA is a disease that develops over time and, at its most severe, can make it difficult to do daily tasks or work. OA is also often associated with other diseases such as depression, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Minimize Symptoms of OA
Although OA doesn’t go away, there are steps you can take to reduce its impact on your life. These 10 tips can help minimize your symptoms and keep you as pain-free and active as possible.
photo credit: Orlando Health
Be active. It may seem counter-intuitive to move when you’re stiff and sore, but that’s exactly what the CDC recommends—150 minutes per week of moderate exercise that has moderate or low impact, such as swimming, biking or walking, or attending a physical activity program at a park district or community center. The lower the impact, the better, so pool exercise is best. Physical activity can reduce pain and stiffness.
Understand OA. Become educated on arthritis and how it may affect your life. The CDC recommends several educational programs that can help.
Lose weight. Obesity and being overweight put extra pressure on your joints. Every pound of excess weight puts 4 pounds of pressure on your knees. If you lose 10 pounds, you rid your knees of 40 pounds of pressure with every step, which can ease joint discomfort.
Stretch. Gentle and slow stretching improves flexibility and can decrease stiffness and pain. The Arthritis Foundation suggests yoga and tai chi as ways to manage stiffness.
Use medication. Pain and anti-inflammatory medicines, both over-the-counter and prescription, can help ease pain and improve movement. Medicines like aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen can reduce inflammation. If you’re currently taking other medicines, or you have other health concerns, talk with your doctor about possible drug interactions before taking new medicines.
Go to physical and/or occupational therapy. Learn exercises to improve your flexibility and range of motion, and self-treatments that ease pain. Assistive devices also can help you manage daily living (jar openers, canes, steering wheel grips, etc.).
Get a massage. A gentle massage on the joints can increase blood flow. If your joints are painful, consider seeing a massage therapist who specializes in treating those with arthritis.
Use heat and ice. A warm bath or a cold compress can help relieve joint pain. Alternating heat and cold may bring additional relief.
Eat for joint health. Some foods fight inflammation, so eating them can help you feel better. Beans, flax seeds, omega-3 fatty acids (i.e. tuna and salmon), walnuts and green leafy vegetables are some that are particularly noted.
Consider joint surgery. Knees and hips that have been severely damaged by OA can be repaired or replaced surgically. New treatments include custom-designed implants to replace lost cartilage.
Studies show Americans have a 50 percent chance of developing OA. This makes it important to understand the disease and know different ways to treat its symptoms.
Originally published by Orlando Health; reprinted with permission.
If you’re exploring special education as your occupation, you may want to review the Online Schools Report which ranks the Best Online Special Education Degrees. Yes, a degree earned online.
OSR, the new student resource site, based their ranking strictly on data, prioritizing the school’s ability to deliver an online education comparable to an on-campus degree.
Every child deserves an education that best suits their needs. It takes a talented and compassionate teacher to help students whose disabilities hinder their education. The field has only improved since 1997’s Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Special Education teachers are now developing Individual Education Plans for every student covered by IDEA. It’s a demanding profession, but based on the numbers, these are the programs to get you there.
OSR recently went through a complete revamp. Part of the upgrade includes a new and improved methodology. OSR uses six data points to determine the best programs in a given field. Three data points focus on the quality of the school, and three focus on the quality of the individual program under consideration. The introduction of program-specific data helps OSR dive deeper into each program and quantify how that program has helped its graduates.
Enhancing Online Education
Online education is getting bigger and better—and giving traditional college campuses a run for their money. Leading education researchers have predicted that online education will surpass traditional learning within a decade! Online Schools Report will aim to ensure that these programs are held to the same standard as traditional education, while exploring the unique benefits online programs can offer.
Here are all the schools with the Best Online Special Education Degrees:
Creating fun, wholesome life experiences and making memorable moments for your child is an important part of being a parent; but planning and enjoying a day out with your child with autism or sensory disorders can have unique challenges. Whether you want to take him/her to the park, to a restaurant or to a birthday party, these everyday experiences can be difficult for a child with special needs for many reasons.
Fortunately, many establishments recognize that not all children are alike and have prioritized inclusion to help all children have positive experiences. Here are some tips to plan ahead to help your child with special needs feel whole throughout their day.
Therapies to Improve Everyday Activities
Physical Therapy
Children with autism can have gross motor challenges which make meeting developmental milestones such as crawling, walking, and jumping difficult. Highly-trained physical therapists can help your child learn how to safely navigate their natural environment and can dramatically change their day-to-day experiences and increase their quality of life.
If your child has problems with balance or is toe walking, physical therapists can work on their fine motor deficits, so they don’t get tired or sore after walking for a few hours. These play-based exercises will not only correct your child’s gait but entertain them at the same time.
Occupational Therapy
Children with autism spectrum disorder commonly exhibit sensory difficulties and challenges that affect the activities of their daily lives such as dressing, bathing, and functional play skills. Occupational therapy can help promote self-regulation skills to further improve attention for them to interact appropriately in their community and in new environments.
photo credit: CDC
Food and Feeding Therapy
Children on the autism spectrum commonly experience feeding difficulties, such as an extreme or limited variety of foods they’ll eat, aversions to certain textures and tastes and other preferences that can make meal times very challenging. Feeding therapy can aid in advancing age appropriate food intake and variety for healthy growth and proper nutrition.
If your child is averse to eating certain foods, it can make it difficult to find foods they’re happy to eat when you’re out and about. Professionals can help expand your child’s food repertoire and make meal times easier when you’re on the road or at a restaurant.
Speech and Language Therapy
Children with sensory disorders or children on the autism spectrum commonly have communication deficits affecting their ability to communicate and interact with their family and environment. A speech therapy team can work to increase your child’s functional communication skills through a total communication approach. A team of specialists may utilize pictures, Augmentative and Alternative communication (AAC), as well as verbal communication to help your child learn to communicate more fluidly.
Tips to Prepare Your Child
Children on the autism spectrum or those with sensory disorders can struggle whenever their schedule changes. Talk with your child about their upcoming day out and get him/her ready by sharing what can be expected.
Make a Photobook of Activities to Enjoy Together
Print photos from the internet and staple pages together for an easy resource your child can look through before going out. You can take advantage of walk-through social stories available on sites like YouTube or make your own. These visual guides walk children through activities and environments to showcase what to expect once they get there.
Look at a Map Together and Plan the Day
Ask your child what places you should visit, what they’d like to do and plan the day’s schedule.
photo credit: Landscape Structures
Prepare a Well-Stocked Bag
Be sure to add sunblock, a hat, sunglasses, noise-cancelling headphones, a change of clothes, snacks and any other medical or support items your child may need.
Set Expectations With the Adults Joining You
Go over the plan with your partner, grandparents or any family members joining you on the trip. Be clear about what they can expect — from how long you may stay out and what activities you’ll enjoy, to how they can support you and your child, and whether you’ll need to do separate activities during your event.
Be thoughtful about what your child needs to create wonderful, happy memories. Focus on what works best for you to customize your experience, and to support both your child and the entire family.
As many seniors and retirees today will attest, you’re never too old to go to college. Lifelong learning has become increasingly popular in recent years as baby boomers have reached the age of retirement. For some, the purpose in going back to school is to finish their studies and accomplish a degree. But for many more, it’s simply for fun and an opportunity to gain knowledge, discover new interests and keep their minds and bodies fit.
With the rising costs of college, you may see it as an unlikely endeavor. Not to mention, if you’re still in the workforce, how would you find time for the commute and classes let alone time to study? Fortunately, today there are many ways to overcome these obstacles.
Contemplating a Return to College
If you’d like to go to college, first, consider your purpose and what you hope to accomplish. Do you want to earn your degree? Are you primarily interested in broadening your knowledge? Are you in search of new interests and socializing opportunities? Your answer might be one or all of these. But knowing your purpose will give you direction.
Once you’ve determined what you hope to achieve, visit nearby colleges or explore the websites of colleges in the city or state where you’d like to settle for retirement, and see what they have to offer.
Non-traditional college credit
If earning your degree is important, today, more and more accredited colleges offer a variety of options for earning nontraditional course credit. Look into this first to save time and money.
At some colleges you can earn Self-Acquired Competency (SAC) credits. These may have different names at various institutions. But such credits are available for a wide range of skills and life experiences. This requires compiling a portfolio for faculty evaluation. Your portfolio will include on-the-job training, work and volunteer experience, workshops, seminars and more. If you served in the military, you may be eligible for Military Service Credit for education you gained through schools, experience or service.
You can also earn credits by examination. Some of these include:
Credits for College-Level Examination Programs (CLEP)
Advanced Placement Examinations (AP)
Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES)
Credit by examination can also save time and money if you have knowledge in a particular area or if you study and test well. But be sure to check with your institution before enrolling since credit may not be awarded following admission.
Another possibility for credits is if you’ve completed any noncollegiate or in-company sponsored programs or courses. Find out if those programs or courses are any of the thousands reviewed by the American Council on Education (ACE). If so, ask your academic institution if they award credits based on ACE recommendations.
photo credit: Getty
Correspondence and online courses
Independent study programs offer a couple options. Online courses can be taken in the convenience of your home. These usually require attendance (at your computer) at specific times. Correspondence courses are a good option also because there are no schedules. They usually allow six to eighteen months for completion with extensions up to one year. Evening and weekend courses as well as accelerated programs also offer some flexibility.
Some colleges offer independent study options too. Before enrolling, make sure credits are transferable and the institution is fully accredited. Examples of colleges with these programs include:
Indiana University’s School of Continuing Studies, Independent Study Program
Eastern Michigan University, Distance Education Program
Ohio University Lifelong Learning Programs, External Student Program
University of Colorado at Boulder Independent Learning Program
Upper Iowa University, External Degree Program
The University of Texas at Austin Continuing and Extended Education, Distance Education Center
How to pay for tuition and books
There are many options for financing your education. The Federal Pell Grant is available regardless of your age and is awarded based on financial need. The maximum award amount for the 2017-2018 school year, for example, was $5,920.
Several other options include:
The Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The Federal Work Study Program
The Federal Perkins Loan
Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan
Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan
Many scholarships are also available for seniors. So ask the academic institutions you’re considering what they offer.
If you’re still in the work force, ask your employer if it offers reimbursement for college courses. If the classes pertain to your job, your employer may cover the costs!
Finally, don’t forget the American Opportunity Tax Credit, which modifies the HOPE Credit, a tax credit available for eligible taxpayers, totaling up to a maximum of $2,500. There’s also the Lifetime Learning tax credit. Certain requirements and restrictions apply.
If you aren’t interested in pursuing a degree, but just want the opportunity to attend courses, many colleges also offer special rates to seniors to audit a class.
Here are some other resources for financial assistance:
Visit Fast Web for information on colleges and scholarship searches.
For federal grants and loans, request your Student Guide by calling (800) 433-3243 or visit https://studentaid.ed.gov/resources.
Visit the U.S. Department of Education for information on tax credits.
Coordinating multiple responsibilities
Like many older Americans, you may still be working. But with a little planning and finesse, you can develop workable solutions that’ll free-up time for your studies.
Start by making a list of all your responsibilities, then cross off anything unnecessary. Where else can you save time? Perhaps you could, for instance, do housecleaning every ten to fourteen days rather than weekly. And skip cleaning anything that isn’t in dire need until the next time. Straighten up only the main rooms on a daily basis. Others can wait.
Make a pact to limit volunteering your time until you’ve reached your educational goals. If ‘no’ isn’t in your vocabulary, create reminder cards. Then put them by the phone and in your purse, so you’ll be prepared to say ‘no’ at all times.
Discuss the importance of furthering your education with your partner. Ask which responsibilities your partner is willing to take over until you’ve accomplished your goals.
Ask your employer if you can take shorter lunch breaks and leave earlier. Another possibility is for your employer to allow you fewer but longer workdays for an extra day off to study each week.
According to Sari Solden, in her book Women with Attention Deficit Disorder, “Almost all women find that life today is complex, upsetting or frustrating, but they are still able to meet most of [life’s] demands reasonably well… For women with untreated Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), however, the demands of daily life can be crippling. It cripples their self-esteem, their families, their lives, their work and their relationships.”
ADD, also known as Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), affects between three and five percent of the population. However, adult ADD, especially as it appears in women, often goes unrecognized. [Symptoms outlined below.]
CHARACTERISTICS OF ADD IN WOMEN
The symptoms of ADD are many. Some are more commonly seen in women and opposite the more recognized symptoms seen in men. This makes detection unlikely and diagnosis difficult. Each person’s experience with ADD is unique. While there are a multitude of characteristics, most women with the disorder don’t have every symptom. Instead, each woman has a mixture severe enough to impair some areas of life.
Mental vs. physical disorganization
Disorganization is common and often a serious problem for women struggling with ADD. They may be unable to organize their homes, offices or lives. To outsiders, the disorganization isn’t always visible. That’s because women who lead professional lives may have assistants, secretaries and cleaning services to assist them. Some women with ADD have a partner who compensates for their organizational dysfunction as well.
Other women with ADD find clutter and disorganization an incredible distraction. These distractions, coupled with the responsibilities of everyday life, lead to mental disorganization. The disorganized brain struggles to store, weed out and organize in a logical fashion. For these women, being tidy and organized equals survival.
Hyperactivity vs. hypoactivity
Women with ADD can be at either end of the spectrum, either hyperactive or hypoactive (underactive). Hyperactive women may go at full speed until they crash from the overload.
Family life can also suffer with a hyperactive mother. She may be unable to sit and play games or read to her children unless she finds the activities stimulating.
Many women with ADD are at the other extreme. They’re hypoactive, unable to muster the energy to do much of anything. These women are often unable to keep up with life’s many demands. Maintaining a home, participating in family activities, staying in touch with friends, even holding down a job can be a major challenge.
Inattention vs. hyperfocusing
The problem is women with ADD struggle with the inability to regulate attention. So it doesn’t mean they can never maintain attention. Rather, the ability to focus for most women with ADD is based on interest and whether the activity is stimulating. Many women daydreamed through school when they were younger. Yet the subjects or activities they found fun, interesting or exciting didn’t pose such a problem. Adult life for these women is often the same.
Hyperfocusing, the opposite of inattention, also poses problems and can coexist with symptoms of inattention. While it may be difficult to focus on some things, a woman may hyperfocus on that which interests her and be unable to shift her attention. Hyperfocusing can last for hours, days and longer and makes it difficult to break for important matters. Meals are forgotten. Family members may carry on conversations and not be heard. Hyperfocusing puts a strain on the family. If a hyperfocused woman does manage to break away from what she’s engrossed in, she may wander aimlessly and forget what she’s doing.
Impatience and impulsivity
Standing in lines, sitting in waiting rooms and being placed on hold for lengthy waits drives some women with ADD to the brink. So they may avoid these situations altogether. These women may be impatient either visibly or internally or act impulsively. Minor nuisances can cause major agitation. Other women with this disorder are able to maintain their composure yet still feel anxious and annoyed.
Women with ADD may also be impatient about life and events. A woman may plan her whole education or life in one day and need for it to happen immediately. She goes into things full swing rather than step-by-step. This can result in a change of heart after much investment of time or money or feeling spread too thin with too many goals to achieve.
Impulsiveness is seen when women with the disorder act or speak without thinking. This often leads to trouble by spending impulsively or jumping into relationships and even marriage. Some struggle socially and interrupt conversations or blurt things out they later regret.
photo credit: CDC
Mood
Mood swings, being overemotional or easily frustrated is another problem. For some women, having ADD is like being on an emotional roller coaster. Extreme shifts in mood sometimes lead to a misdiagnosis of bipolar disorder, though the two can coexist.
Women with ADD are frustrated by the slightest aggravations. A simple mistake seems a major ordeal and may result in anger, storming off and dropping a task altogether. If interrupted in the midst of something, a woman may become irritable and annoyed.
Depression, although not a symptom of ADD, often coexists or is a result of the debilitating disorder. Depression in the ADD woman may stem from lack of self worth because she’s unable to hold down a job or adequately care for her family. It may also result from not achieving up to her potential because of attention problems in school or an inability to stick with anything. It also sometimes comes from feeling overwhelmed. This feeling can dominate the life of a woman with this disorder.
THE CAUSE OF ADD
Research indicates ADD is a neurobiological disorder with a strong genetic link. According to the nonprofit organization Children and Adults with Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD), complications during pregnancy, labor and delivery, exposure to nicotine or alcohol during fetal development, or a number of other environmental factors may also play a role in the development of ADD.
MISDIAGNOSIS
Studies show the incidence of ADD in men and women is nearly identical, says Kathleen Nadeau, Ph.D., co-author of Understanding Women with AD/HD. There are several common reasons women with ADD often don’t receive the diagnosis.
Doctors often diagnose the depression that accompanies ADD, but miss the ADD itself. Women, more often than men, have coexisting anxiety and depression which must be treated as well.
Also, women who are more hyperactive, hypertalkative and impulsive are sometimes misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Many doctors still look for signs of ADD more typical of boys. Many doctors fail to understand that ADD symptoms in females often don’t appear until puberty or later because of hormonal fluctuations. When girls enter puberty, during PMS and as estrogen levels drop in perimenopause and menopause, the symptoms of ADD often worsen.
In addition, girls tend to try harder in school, so their ADD patterns are often masked or overlooked by teachers.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Several treatments are available for ADD. The most effective is prescription medication. There’s a multitude of stimulant and nonstimulant medications available for treatment.
Behavioral therapy is also beneficial both for coming to terms with the lifelong disorder and to relieve negative coping behaviors. Coaching is also useful for learning new skills and strategies for structuring life. Because ADD is neurobiological, therapy and coaching work best in conjunction with medication.
Several ineffective treatments are being marketed as well. Treatments that are suspect, according to CHADD, include dietary plans such as the Feingold Diet, vitamin and mineral supplements, antimotion-sickness medication, Candida yeast, EEG Biofeedback, Applied Kinesiology also known as Neural Organization Technique, and Optometric Vision Training, to name a few. Often, excessive claims are made about these treatments, citing a few favorable responses or studies that don’t hold up to scrutiny.
photo credit: CDC
WHERE TO FIND HELP
An accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment is essential. Finding a qualified provider isn’t always easy because adult ADD, especially as it affects women, isn’t always recognized. Before seeking a diagnosis, read some recommended books (see below) for a better understanding of the disorder and the diagnosis and treatment process. Also, compile a list of questions to ask your provider to ensure he/she has a clear understanding of the disorder and appropriate treatments. If you don’t feel comfortable with a physician’s responses, seek help elsewhere.
Symptoms of ADD
Some of the symptoms commonly seen in women, partially taken from Attention Deficit Disorder in Adults by Dr. Lynn Weiss, are as follows:
● Difficulty completing tasks or following through on plans
● Difficulty shifting attention
● Excessively shifting from one activity to another
● Difficulty concentrating on reading
● Impatience
● Frequent preoccupation in thoughts and not hearing when spoken to
● Difficulty sitting still or excessive fidgeting
● Sudden and unexpected mood swings
● Interrupting in conversations, speaking without considering consequences
● Hot tempered
● Need for high stimulus
● Forgetfulness
● Low tolerance for frustration
● Tendency toward substance abuse
RESOURCES ON ADD Books
Women with Attention Deficit Disorder: Embrace Your Differences and Transform Your Life (2012) by Sari Solden, MS, MFCC
Help for Women with ADHD: My Simple Strategies for Conquering Chaos (2017) by Joan Wilder
Journeys Through ADDulthood: Discover a New Sense of Identity and Meaning While Living with Attention Deficit Disorder (2004) by Sari Solden, MS, MFCC
Driven to Distraction: Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder (2011) by Edward M. Hallowell, M.D. and John J. Ratey, M.D.
Delivered from Distraction : Getting the Most out of Life with Attention Deficit Disorder (2009) by Edward M. Hallowell, M.D. and John J. Ratey, M.D.
Attention Deficit Disorder in Adults 4th edition: A Different Way of Thinking (2005) by Lynn Weiss, Ph.D.
The New Attention Deficit Disorder in Adults Workbook (2012) by Lynn Weiss, Ph. D.
You Mean I’m Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy?! The Classic Self-Help Book for Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (2009) by Kate Kelly and Peggy Ramundo
The Queen of Distraction: How Women with ADHD Can Conquer Chaos, Find Focus, and Get More Done (2014) by Terry Matlen M.S.W.
Traveling with children requires planning, preparation and plenty of patience. When your child has special needs, the groundwork can become even more intense. Give yourself and your child a generous dose of grace, along with these tips, tricks and products to help ease family travels and, thus, allow for more bonding moments on the go.
Starting off with a comfortable space is the first place to begin for both short and long car rides. As adults, we can get irritable when uncomfortable; children are no different. Ensuring the seat is accommodating no matter one’s disability is the foundation for an enjoyable stent in a vehicle. Keeping your child’s specific disability in mind, here are a few general options:
RideSafer Travel Vest
The RideSafer Travel Vest is a car seat solution for many disabilities. Created by a father, firefighter, paramedic and child passenger safety technician (CPST), the RideSafer vest allows children to sit comfortably in the vehicle without any extra seats by bringing the seat belt to the correct level for little ones. This vest solves a wide range of issues, whether the child has a physical or behavioral condition. The vest is padded and made from soft fabric allowing it to be comfortable and flexible around casts or other devices that may need extra pelvic room. The vest feels weighted, like a comforting hug, for those with sensory disabilities. It comes with a tether to help children with poor motor control to sit and stay seated properly. The RideSafer Delight has a “Houdini-proof” buckle to keep even the most advanced escape artists from fleeing. As if those features weren’t enough, it is compact to save room in your vehicle while easily transferring to any form of transportation –perfect for traveling!
The vest is approved for ages three and beyond with a weight limit of 80 pounds. It has been crash tested and meets or exceeds all of the standard requirements. This link is a crash test video of a conventional booster seat and the video below is the RideSafer crash test demo. The vest retails for $159.
Churchill Backless Booster
Made by Merritt Manufacturing, the Churchill Backless Booster seat allows for proper head control with a Velcro and head cap system. For proper pelvic alignment, users can upgrade to a hip inflection wedge or stay-put pommel. The torso is supported with a full vest and Velcro system in combination with the vehicle’s seat belt. This seating system is for forward-facing occupants weighing up to 175 pounds, making this a good option for bigger kiddos. While it comes standard with many features, there are upgrade options to make this seat even more customizable and, therefore, more comfortable for your youngster.
Pricing ranges are based on features selected but start at $895.95. Check out this link for an informative tutorial.
Churchill Backless Booster
Tumble Forms 2 Carrie Seating System
This seat is not solely a car seat but can also be used as a multipurpose seat to assist with daily living routines. The Tumble Forms 2 Carrie Seating system comes with the car seat, tray and footrest. The seat is seamless in a smooth foam making it easily cleanable for messes of any kind. The included tray is perfect to use for snacks, creative activities or to rest electronic devices. The tether strap can be used in vehicles, airplanes or while at home sitting on a couch or in a chair. The headrest and footrest are adjustable for maximum comfort.
Because this seating system is so versatile and easily manageable, it comes with a higher price tag at $1,850.95. An activity base and soft cover are available for additional costs.
Tumble Forms 2 Carrie Seating System
Bellt Alert Covers
Born from a mother’s desire to keep her deaf child safe, Nat created Bellt Alert Covers. These covers not only attach to seat belts but pretty much anything that has a strap. Have you ever wondered what might happen in an emergency situation where you were unable to tell medical personnel about your child’s disability? These personalized covers notify anyone who may assist in an emergency with the information they need to know! They can be tailored to convey any special need.
The covers are $16 and take 2-4 weeks for delivery due to high demand.
photo credit: Bellt Alert Covers are customizable
Car Seat Key
How many times have you hurt your finger or broken a nail trying to unbuckle your child’s car seat? For me, it’s been too many times to count! I am thankful for the peace of mind of safety that comes with the difficulty, but do get frustrated at how hard buckles can be to undo when in a rush. The Car Seat Key is a simple solution. This nifty U-shaped utensil comes on a keychain so it is handy. The key is placed on top of the buckle release button and pressed down with slight pressure, releasing the harness.
It retails for $14.99 on their official website. However, if you are an Amazon junkie and Prime member (like me), you get free shipping and an extra 20% off. Who doesn’t love a good deal and saving money?!
BuckleRoo Seat Belt Buckle Guard
Children typically don’t understand that the rules placed on them are meant to keep them safe and out of harm’s way. Admit that we, as adults and caregivers, can be that way too. Rules were meant to be broken, right? In all seriousness, though, being restrained can be especially difficult for children who are autistic or have ADHD. The BuckleRoo ensures safety for the entire trip. Simply slide the BuckleRoo onto the buckle and latch the belt. When you’ve reached your destination, use a car key to insert into the slender slot and push down. The belt is released from the buckle. Don’t have a car key handy? That’s okay! The BuckleRoo comes with an emergency key attached so your darling doesn’t get stuck.
For children that want a soothing sensory item during car rides, try the SentioCHEWS wearable sensory chews.These chews are made from a pliable material that is FDA approved and free of latex, BPA and metal. They were designed to hold up to aggressive chewing. Each pendant has a rubber feel and comes with a paracord lanyard breakaway necklace. There are four pendant designs to choose from in either red or blue. They can be purchased individually, in a double pack or four pack.
The chews are $9.03 individually and make for the perfect item to place in a travel kit to help calm and comfort your anxious cargo.
More Travel Tips…
If you’ll be traveling for an extended period of time, there are some things you can do to ease the journey for everyone involved.
Travel at night when possible. This will require a little more planning and effort on your behalf but nighttime travel allows the other passengers to spend a good amount of the trip sleeping which will reduce fussing and the need for extra stops.
Take a test drive. Before hitting the road for a long trip, try a day trip first. This is the perfect opportunity to prepare for any possible hiccups or gaps in planning.
Let your child assist in trip planning. Yes, really! Not only will this give him/her a sense of ownership and responsibility for the drive, but you’ll be sneaking in fun learning through map reading and life-skills like packing essentials.
If you have a hyperactive child, plan stops that allow your munchkin to move and release some of that energy. This could be a grassy area at a rest stop, a park or a restaurant with a play area.
Help your child visualize the progression of the trip. Thanks to Traveling Mom, taking a few minutes to create this simple DIY project could potentially end the dreaded, “Are we there yet?” String ribbon, yarn or wire from one side of the inside roof to the other side (think from window to window). Draw or print a picture of a car for your child to color and decorate. Punch two holes into the top of the car and string it onto the ribbon. As you drive along the road, move the car along the ribbon to coincide with your drive. Everyone in the car will be able to visually see how much distance is remaining. You could also mark the ribbon with any planned stops along the way for even more visual markers.
No matter how much you plan and prepare, there are bound to be unexpected bumps in the road. Remember to breathe through them because you will get through it. After all, the most important thing is you’re together making priceless memories and strengthening your relationship.
For dogs, a huge part of remaining physically and mentally sound involves exercise and lots of it. Just like people, right? When the weather goes wild, so can an understimulated, bored, pent up dog. Yup, just like people too! Inclement weather often causes major issues with getting enough activity to keep a service dog focused, relaxed and happy. That’s why people with disabilities that rely on service dogs should learn about indoor energy burners and some easy alternatives anyone can use.
Service dog trainers and handlers everywhere know that top performance from a canine partner requires careful balancing of work, play and learning. Any deficits in a dog’s care can cause an avalanche of issues with a dog’s training or work, especially if the lapse involves nutrition, rest or exercise. Exercise in particular, experts say, has the biggest ripple effect on a dog’s behavior. “A tired dog is a happy dog,” canine behaviorists often joke. However, a lack of activity is no laughing matter, as it can disrupt even the most well-trained dog’s ability to focus and function.
Unfortunately for dog lovers everywhere, though, Mother Nature doesn’t consider your service dog’s exercise needs. Endless rain, gray skies and chilly temperatures often make going outside to exercise your service dog a real challenge. When inclement weather continues for days or even weeks on end during rainy season, it can get increasingly more difficult to meet your service dog’s need for a solid workout. Fortunately, though, there are tons of easy ways to exercise a dog indoors, some of which you may not have considered.
photo credit: Anything Pawsable
Use Your Dog’s Natural Play Style to Exercise Indoors
To discover ideas that might work for you and your dog, begin by examining your dog’s play style. Different breeds tend towards distinct categories of play, but every dog remains an individual. As an example, lots of herding dogs play chase games. Many bully breed dogs, however, prefer body slamming and full contact wrestling. What types of games and activities does your service partner enjoy?
Many play styles readily adapt to indoor activities. Pups who enjoy tugging, contact and wrestling games, or softer / solo play types entertain easily indoors. Think creatively and use items lying around the house. Maybe dining room chairs magically morph part of a maze or a blanket becomes a hideout for a chase game.
Full Body Motions Burn Lots of Energy (and Yeah, a Bit of Equipment Helps)
For dogs with more active play styles or those with higher energy, working on jumps, send outs or highly physical tricks offer plenty of opportunities to burn energy. Select activities that require your dog to use large muscle groups repeatedly. Some skills to teach that don’t require much space include high jumping through a hoop (adults dogs only), jumping rope, sitting pretty / begging, army crawling and standing on hind legs and turning in a circle (adult dogs only).
You’ll get the best results from full-body movements requiring balance and strength. Don’t expect perfection from the start. These tricks are like everything else in dog training — they take time and practice to master.
Consider buying a dog-safe exercise ball and learning some of the drills and activities designed to build power and stability while also increasing your service dog’s body awareness. Many of the stability-based movement drills for dogs require only the space for the ball (or disc, etc.) itself, plus room for the handler to sit or stand close by. If you really want to dig into this type of canine conditioning, then FitPaws USA sets the industry standard, especially for working and performance dogs.
photo credit: FitPaws
Finally, don’t rule out treadmill training for your service dog. Especially for those critters who can just go and go and go, nothing beats a treadmill for quality indoor exercise. Dog treadmills exist, but they’re pricey. Human treadmills can work; make sure any human treadmill you use is long enough for your dog to take a full stride and has safety shut offs. Introduce the treadmill slowly and keep things upbeat and positive. Never tie your dog to the treadmill or leave a dog to workout alone.
Brain Games Offer a Great Workout
After exhausting more active options, enhance your service dog’s indoor exercise routine with plenty of mental stimulation. Scientists say mental stimulation is more fatiguing than physical, so bring on the problem-solving. Work on some tricky task training behavior chains like retrieves or message delivery. For dogs who are clicker trained, bad weather is a great time to break out shaping games, like the Box Game.
If you’ve never played the Box Game with your service dog, there’s no time like the present to introduce this wild and wacky free shaping exercise. The Box Game is specifically designed to build creativity and analytical thinking skills. It also aids dogs in learning to enjoy trying and offering new behaviors without getting “stuck” on defaulting to known skills.
Additionally, this simple and fun dog training exercise improves the dog’s focus, frustration tolerance and decision-making ability. Service dogs routinely utilize all of the skills taught with the Box Game. For many trainers around the world, the Box Game is a reliable favorite for engaging a dog’s mind and body in equal amounts. To play, you’ll need a box big enough for your dog to get in, a clicker, high value treats and an excited dog. Many dogs get quite inventive while playing the Box Game, so be prepared for your partner to offer unique solutions you never thought possible!
Puzzle Toys and Scent Work Can Help With Your Service Dog Tasks
You can easily harness a dog’s food drive or powerful scenting abilities outside of free shaping exercises. Play indoor hide and seek or start learning some nose games. Both activities can help with task training, especially for delivery, messenger or odor alert tasks. Stuff puzzle toys like KONGs or Tricky Treat balls. For an extra challenge, use one of the various puzzle toy recipes available online and freeze the toy before handing it to your dog. Peanut butter or mixes of kibble and canned food always work well. You can also stuff a toy with cheese and nuke it for a few seconds in the microwave. Let it cool before giving it to your service dog.
photo credit: Omega Paw
Use maze bowls or snuffle mats at mealtimes. It’s easy to make your own snuffle mat, but purchasing fully made snuffle mats is also an option. To increase the challenge offered by a maze bowl, use several smaller bowls instead of one large one. Pour water over your service dog’s kibble and freeze the bowl before serving.
If you have several KONGs or food dispensing toys, prepare several all at once so your dog can work for their entire meal. If special toys aren’t in your budget (or even if they are), two liter soda bottles, gallon jugs and PVC pipe with holes in it make great alternatives. Repurpose simple household items like empty paper towel rolls and small cardboard boxes. Anything you can safely hide kibble in that requires your dog to work to access it is fair game.
Chews and Other Forms of Enrichment
Puzzling through an entire meal’s worth of kibble is a great way to give your service dog a great mental workout. Once feeding time is over, don’t forget about bones and long-lasting chews. Stock up before inclement weather strikes. That way, you’ll not only have a handy source of entertainment, but you’ll also save yourself a trip out in the elements to purchase them.
Raw bones, Himalayan chews and smoked natural bones supply the safest past times for most dogs. Most vets advise avoiding rawhide for safety and health reasons, but if you opt to give your service dog rawhide, try to ensure the chew was made in the United States. If you do a bit of searching locally or purchase online, rawhide alternatives are easy to find.
If you need some additional entertainment or exercise options for your service dog, there’s an excellent group on Facebook called “Canine Enrichment” that’s dedicated to creative ways to work a dog’s mind. Their library of enrichment and mental stimulation ideas is second to none.
photo credit: Amazon
Originally published by Anything Pawsable, United States Service Dog Registry; reprinted with permission. | Feature photo credit: Dogspring Training
In order to obtain Social Security Disability benefits, you must qualify under the specific guidelines the Social Security Administration has put forth.
The good news is that the process has improved over time and you can more easily navigate through it to better understand your qualifications even before you apply.
The Social Security Administration requires you to meet the specific qualifications and requirements under law, not necessarily if you believe you are disabled or even if your doctor labels you as disabled.
The following are the five things the Social Security Administration takes to determine if you should receive Social Security Disability Insurance.
1: Are You Working While Applying for Social Security Disability?
Social Security Disability is meant specifically for those people who are unable to work. It provides payments to those who are otherwise unable to fulfill their work duties due to their disability.
Therefore, if you are currently working and earning enough to support yourself, you will probably not qualify for disability. The SSA does not consider those who are able to work as “disabled.”
Though the income threshold may change from year to year, in 2019, if you earn more than $1,220 a month, you cannot qualify for disability. If you earn less than this, you may qualify under the program and can move on to the next step.
photo credit: CDC
2: How Severe Is Your Disabling Condition?
In order to qualify for Social Security Disability, your condition must be severe enough to restrict you from working. It must “interfere with basic work related activities,” according to the SSA.
Disabled individuals are usually unable to work, or they are unable to complete the tasks they normally would have prior to their disability. If your condition is severe and you are unable to do your job, the Social Security Administration may label you as disabled, and you may qualify for disability.
3: Is Your Condition Recognized By The Social Security Administration?
You may find it a bit shocking but, the fact is, not all medical conditions qualify for disability insurance, even if they seem severe enough to you. The Social Security Administration has a Listing of Impairments resource that lists all of the major body systems that the Administration recognizes as being disabling.
If your condition is listed in the SSA’s Listing of Impairments, then you can get disability benefits. You will, however, need to meet the specific requirements of the condition required by the SSA. For example, you may need to have the symptoms listed or the limitations of your condition outlined by your doctor.
If your condition falls under one of the disabling conditions which automatically qualify for disability, you do not have to go on to the fourth or fifth step.
The Social Security Administration then determines if your case is a “compassionate allowance” case, in which certain cases are qualified as soon as diagnosis is confirmed or if your case is a quick disability determination case, where a computer program screens the information provided and makes a decision of its accuracy.
4: Are You Able To Do The Work You Used To Do?
If your condition does not fall under one of the Listing of Impairments specifically, you need to work through the final two steps to get disability benefits.
In this case, you need to show that the condition you have is severe enough to limit your ability to work. The Social Security Administration is trying to determine if you qualify for disability insurance based on your ability to work.
If your condition is severe enough that it interferes with your ability to do the type of work you did previously, then you can move on. If not, then you are not disabled in the eyes of the SSA.
photo credit: CDC
5: Can You Do Other Work?
The final qualification for receiving Social Security Disability Insurance is to document your ability to do other types of work. If you are unable to do the work you used to do, the Administration wants to learn if you can do any other type of work, such as with changes made to the way you work.
In this area, the Administration looks at a variety of factors to determine if you may qualify including:
Your medical condition
Your age
Your education
The type of past work experience you have
Any type of transferable skills that could follow you to a new position
If you are able to do other types of work, taking these things into consideration, you may not qualify for disability.
Speak with a Lawyer
Qualifying for Social Security Disability can be a long process. The process can feel very limiting especially to someone who simply cannot go to work. It is recommended that you get additional advice from a Social Security lawyer to determine if you qualify or help you to fight a denial you may have received.
If you meet the criteria listed in the criteria above, you will likely receive the disability benefits you need.
