Dear Readers,
I would like to make you aware of a little known fact regarding one particularly dangerous risk associated with growing old: anorexia — or, more specifically, as it is known: “the anorexia of aging.” The fact that you are witnessing your aging mom or dad slimming down more than usual might simply be due to normal metabolic and behavioral changes that come with getting older. But sometimes, it’s something more. 
Maryellen McKeon
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS
Welcome to the “Dear Maryellen” Blog – Long Island’s Senior Living Conversation. To read entries and responses, simply scroll down the page. To read more of a response, click the red “more” button. Follow the prompts to leave a reply. To post your own question, use the form in the right column here and click the “Submit to Maryellen” button.
January • 9 • 2012
Dear Maryellen…
My dad is in his mid-eighties, sharp as a tack. We don’t see him dealing with memory problems except the normal forgetfulness that comes with age. (Who isn’t these days, right?!) But before mom died, she suffered two strokes, and I was wondering if there were any diet changes dad can make to help him avoid the same? -Lorraine, Babylon, NY
Dear Lorraine,
A lot of study has been conducted in this area, and many great ideas come immediately to mind. Strokes are the third leading cause of death in the United States, and even when death does not occur, the effects left behind by a stroke can be devastating to patient and loved ones. But, since strokes are related in great part to high cholesterol and hypertension, there are actions we can take every day that can often decrease the risk — changes in diet included. Let’s take a quick peak.
December • 13 • 2011
Dear Readers,
After welcoming the holiday season with Thanksgiving (both literally and emotionally), it gives me great pleasure to write this entry and to wish all of my faithful and thoughtful readers the happiest, healthiest and most hopeful time — for you and all of your loved ones.
I thank you for another year of challenging Senior Living questions. They have provided me with an invaluable forum for sharing information I believe is touching families… and there is no greater privilege that we are given during this lifetime than to reach out and touch other lives. Not just those immediately around us, which is easy enough to do, but to dare to extend out of our comfort zone and impact a stranger in need. Again, not just by writing a check or clicking a box on a charitable Web site (both of which acts are still wonderfully giving), but, in addition, to physically meet and speak with another person, especially during a time when our connections are becoming so overwhelmingly digital; and thus, virtual.
December • 2 • 2011
Dear Readers,
Here’s another impromptu entry regarding a great new Web site I came across on Alzheimer’s disease that takes the issue to a whole new perspective: early-stage diagnosis. It’s called EarlySymptomsAlzheimers.com. The site is being launched by pharmaceutical giant Roche to commemorate Alzheimer’s Day, and, to my knowledge, it’s the first available Web site fully dedicated to early-stage (prodromal) Alzheimer’s disease. It’s definitely worth a look.
November • 18 • 2011
Dear Maryellen,
My mother died from complications of a stroke just last year. Dad lives with us now, and I am terrified that the same may happen to him, and that we’ll have to put him in long-term care or something. What do you know that can maybe help us prevent this from happening? Any suggestions at all would be welcomed. Thanks! – Isaac
Dear Isaac,
I appreciate your concern. I can hear it in your words, but strokes often come completely out of the blue, perplexing clinical professionals even to this day, despite all that has been learned. With so many variables and unknowns at play, complete prevention is a high bar to reach. But every day we understand a little bit more about indicating factors that can be better managed — such as blood pressure and other cardiovascular issues — as well as how certain changes in lifestyle can help. Here’s a gem I recently came upon. Does your dad get enough exercise?
It sounds basic, I know, Isaac, but so many conditions can be regulated and often avoided altogether if we just got off the couch more often and put our bodies through some moderate to heavy exercise — being careful and conscious, of course, to safety and our physical limitations.
November • 15 • 2011
Dear Maryellen,
Mom is going on 82, and her mind is still pretty sharp. But she has been showing signs of a slipping memory. What’s the latest thinking out there when it comes to seniors and memory loss? Anything I can help her do? – Jessica
Dear Jessica,
At 82, memory loss is a common thing, part of the normal aging process. You can expect your mom will continue dealing with her memory slipping here and there. But, yes, studies are going on all the time to discover ways for fending off this natural functional erosion of the mind, as well as the more serious kinds of memory problems, such as those related with Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive issues. Here’s a brief look at what I’ve been reading lately.
