Category: Aging & Caregiving

The Art of Goodbye: Planning Final Arrangements

Thinking, discussing, and acting ahead of time will help reduce the social discomfort associated with death and dying.

The consumer is faced with complex personal decisions while making final arrangements. Final arrangements might include a religious ritual, service, tribute, funeral, and/or burial. This 7-page fact sheet, part of a new series entitled The Art of Goodbye series, is designed to help in the development of a final arrangements plan using a coordinated approach. This document discusses the Funeral Rule, determinants, funeral providers, types of final arrangements, tissue or organ donation, body donation, preplanning, and prepaying. Written by Lynda Spence, and published by the UF Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, July 2016.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1466

Prevencion de Caidas: Estilos de vida y riesgo de caidas

Elderly person receiving assistance from a caregiver with everyday tasks. UF/IFAS Marisol Amador

Hay muchos factores que pueden contribuir a las razones por las que usted se cae, pero algunos de éstos, los puede cambiar. A continuación le ofrecemos algunos cambios sencillos que puede hacer para reducir el riesgo de caerse.
This 2-page fact sheet is a major revision of the Spanish version of FCS2230/FY736:Fall Prevention: Lifestyle Factors and Fall Risk. Written by Linda B. Bobroff, and published by the UF Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, revised April 2016.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy860

Vida Saludable: Fuentes de informacion sobre la diabetes

Hand held electronic diabetes monitoring devices. Metabolic diseases, blood sugar. Image used in the 2012 Annual Research Report.

Muchos recursos sobre la diabetes se encuentra en línea.
This 2-page fact sheet provides a list of resources with information on diabetes. Written by Linda B. Bobroff and Paulina Wittkowsky, and published by the UF Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, revised August 2015.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy083

Healthy Eating: Meals Without Cooking

A bowl of freshly prepared mango salsa. Photo taken 10-01-15.

This 2-page fact sheet is a major revision featuring a fun word search and a delicious recipe that requires no cooking. Written by Linda B. Bobroff, and published by the UF Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, revised July 2016.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1215

Healthy Eating: Fluids

A man examines a glass of water in the sunlight.More than one-half of an adult’s body weight is water. Water brings nutrients to the cells in our bodies and removes waste. Our bodies cannot function if they do not receive enough water. This 2-page fact sheet is a major revision that addresses the importance of water to physical functions, effects of dehydration, risk factors for dehydration in older adults, and fluid intake suggestions. Written by Linda B. Bobroff, and published by the UF Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, revised June 2016.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy070

Fall Prevention: Home Safety Inventory

Sun center apartment.Most falls occur in the home, so it is wise to take time to do a home safety inventory. This 2-page fact sheet is a major revision that can be used to identify problem areas in your home. Written by Linda B. Bobroff, and published by the UF Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, revised July 2016.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy735

Diabetes-Related Websites

Laptop computer. Portable electronics, technology, computing. UF/IFAS Photo: Thomas Wright.

Managing diabetes requires learning about your disease, making positive lifestyle choices, and being a partner with your health care team. Finding and using current and reliable sources of health information on the Internet also helps you make choices that support your health while avoiding potentially harmful products and practices. This 1-page fact sheet is a major revision that provides links to government, educational, and recognized professional websites on diabetes. Written by Linda B. Bobroff and Nancy J. Gal, and published by the UF Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences. Revised May 2016.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1103

Healthy Living: Taking Care from Head to Toe

Elderly person receiving assistance from a caregiver with everyday tasks. UF/IFAS Marisol Amador

If you have diabetes, pay special attention to your skin, eyes, teeth, gums, and feet. These areas are at high risk for complications. This 3-page fact sheet is a major revision that gives helpful information on ways to take care of these areas to reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications. Written by Linda B. Bobroff, and published by the UF Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, revised May 2016.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy886

Pureed Foods: Texture Testing with the Slump Test

Figure 6. A) puréed canned beets with water separation; B) puréed canned beets with the addition of a small amount of puréed kidney beans and showing no water separation (cylinder filled to 2” marking).
For individuals with dysphagia, the texture of puréed foods is extremely important. If the puréed foods are either too thick or too thin, it can make it more difficult to swallow. The slump test is a quick, easy, and inexpensive way to assess the texture of foods. This four-page fact sheet describes the slump test, how to perform a slump test, and how the slump test can be used to evaluate the texture of puréed foods. Written by Wendy J. Dahl, and published by the Food Science and Human Nutrition Department.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fs276

Consejos para pleanear contra desastres para gente mayor

Through its Hurricane Preparedness for Hotels and Motels Program, the Florida Energy Extension Service helps the tourist industry keep guests safe during lightning storms.FY1462 is the Spanish language version of FY620, Disaster Planning Tips for Older Adults. This 4-page publication offers an abundance of information pertaining to water storage and use, food, first aid, important papers, electronics, medical needs, stress reduction, and evacuation which can help older adults plan for natural disasters and other emergencies. Written by Carolyn Wilken, Linda B. Bobroff, and Emily Minton, and published by the Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences, May 2003.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1462

Seguridad Alimentaria: Crucigrama de alimentos do alto riesgo

caesar salad Algunos alimentos pueden causar más enfermedades alimentarias que otros. La leche ó jugos no pasteurizados no son seguros para consumir. Alimentos que no han sido cocinados, como lo son los huevos crudos ó a medio cocinar son particularmente riesgosos.
This 2-page fact sheet is the Spanish language version of Food Safety: High-Risk Foods Crossword. Written by Jennifer Hillan and Linda B. Bobroff, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, June 2015. (Photo Credit: Catherine Yeulet/iStock/Thinkstock)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy1170

Vida Saludable: Examinando el nivel de glucosa en la sangre

Figure 1. A blood glucose meter (or glucometer) uses a tiny drop of blood to test your blood glucose level.Examinar el nivel de glucosa en su sangre es una parte importante en el manejo de la diabetes. El conocer los valores de glucosa en su sangre le indica que tan eficiente está funcionando su plan de cuidado y si debe hacer algún cambio. ¡Continúe leyendo para aprender más!
This 4-page fact sheet is the Spanish language version of Healthy Living: Checking Blood Glucose. Written by Jennifer Hillan and Linda B. Bobroff, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, January 2015. (Photo: iStock/Thinkstock.com)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy908

Healthy Eating: Nutrition and Diabetes

Figure 1. Whole grain breads are a great source of dietary fiber, as well as many vitamins and minerals needed for good health.A healthy diet, along with exercise and medication, can help control diabetes and reduce the risk of complications. A healthy lifestyle also helps reduce the chances of developing diabetes for those who are at high risk. For a healthy diet, follow these tips. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Linda B. Bobroff, Jennifer Hillan, and Emily Minton, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, February 2015. (Photo:iStock/Thinkstock.com)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy685

Alimentacion Saludable: Nutricion y diabetes

Figure 1. Whole grain breads are a great source of dietary fiber, as well as many vitamins and minerals needed for good health.Una dieta saludable, junto con ejercicio y medicinas, pueden ayudar a controlar la diabetes y reducir el riesgo de complicaciones. Un estilo de vida saludable también ayuda a personas con alto riesgo de diabetes a reducir las probabilidades de padecer de esta enfermedad. Para una dieta saludable, siga estos consejos. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Linda B. Bobroff, Jennifer Hillan, y Emily Minton, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, February 2015.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy665

Healthy Living: Checking Blood Glucose

Figure 1. A blood glucose meter (or glucometer) uses a tiny drop of blood to test your blood glucose level.Checking your blood glucose levels is an important part of managing diabetes. Your blood glucose values let you know how well your care plan is working and if you need to make any changes. This 3-page fact sheet was written by Jennifer Hillan and Linda B. Bobroff, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, February 2015.(Photo iStock/Thinkstock.com)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy868

Healthy Living for Elders: Use Your Medicines Safely!

Figure 1. Fill all of your prescriptions at one pharmacy to avoid potential drug-drug interactions.Medicines can help us feel better and improve our health, but if we do not use them correctly, they can make us feel worse or even cause major health problems. To use your medicines safely, keep the following tips in mind. This 4-page large print fact sheet was written by Paulina Wittkowsky, Linda B. Bobroff, and Emily Minton, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, November 2014. (Photo: Thinkstock.com)
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy667

Elder Nutrition

Figure 1. By 2050 in the United States, the over-65 popluation will more than double and the over-85 population will quadruple. Good nutrition is important throughout life, starting even before we are born. However, at certain stages in life, such as infancy, pregnancy, and in older age, the importance of having good eating habits is especially critical. This 8-page fact sheet focuses on how aging affects nutrition and diet and choices that older adults can make to improve or maintain their health and well-being as they age.was written by Linda B. Bobroff and Martie Gillen, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, April 2014.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy628

Healthy Living: Diabetes Warning Signs

Figure 1. Extreme fatigue can be a sign of high blood glucose (sugar). If you checked one or more of the warning signs, get your blood checked to see if you have diabetes or prediabetes.Could you have diabetes and not know it? It is possible. More than one-fourth of the people who have diabetes don’t know they have the disease! Treating and managing diabetes greatly decreases the risk of diabetes-related health problems. Review the list of warning signs below and check any that you have experienced. This 2-page fact sheet was written by Linda B. Bobroff, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, July 2014.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy084

Healthy Living: Food Can Affect Your Medicines

Figure 1. Be sure to ask your doctor if you can drink alcohol while taking certain medications.Do the foods you eat affect the way your medicines work? It’s very possible. Certain foods can affect the way prescription and over-the-counter medicines work by delaying, decreasing, or enhancing how much of the drug is absorbed by the body. This can cause unwanted and harmful side effects. Follow the information in this 2-page fact sheet to reduce your risk of common food and drug interactions. Written by Paulina Wittkowsky and Linda B. Bobroff, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, May 2014.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy676

Food Safety: High Risk Foods Crossword

Figure 1. Homemade salad dressing made with raw eggs is NOT safe to eat.Some foods are more likely to cause foodborne illness than others. Unpasteurized milk or juices are not safe to consume. Uncooked foods that are made with raw or undercooked eggs are especially risky. This 2-page fact sheet was written by Linda B. Bobroff and Jennifer Hillan, and published by the UF Department of Family Youth and Community Sciences, February 2014.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fy927