Beds That Age Gracefully

The bed is probably the most important single piece of furniture for the older person. A good night's sleep is important to maintain health and regain energy loss. As the older person is more prone to illness and generally takes at least twice as long as a younger person to convalesce, the bedroom often needs to serve as a living room, and the bed itself is used much of the time for reading, eating and resting.

Ideally, the bed should be separated from the living and cooking quarters, giving privacy and a place for medicines, dentures and personal items. The bed should be so placed that it need not be made when so desired.

Consider these points when choosing a bed for an older person:

1. It should have both a headboard and a footboard extending above the mattress far enough to hold on to easily. They should be sturdy.
2. All corners should be rounded to prevent injuries.
3. The headboard should provide support for the back and head when sitting or reading in bed.
4. It should be easily gotten in and out of.
5. The bed should be easily moved with casters, one of which can be easily braked from a standing position.
6. An adjustable feature for raising and lowering the height of the mattress at both head and foot is desirable.
7. There should be enough space between mattress and head and footboards for ease in tucking sheets.
8. The bed should be placed to allow a good view if possible.
9. The bedspread should not have trailing corners to trip over. A thermal-type covering could also serve as a spread to reduce work in bedmaking.

Look for these features in a nightstand:

1. It should have ample surface and storage space for such items as lamp, tissue, radio, clock, glasses, medicines, and reading or recreational materials.
2. It should be easy to move but include a locking caster.
3. Revolving shelves for storage would be an ideal feature.
4. Surface height should be 5 to 6 inches above the top of the mattress so that items on the surface are clearly visible to a person lying down.

Grandparents and Grandkids

The bond between grandparents and their grandchildren is often precious and special. In earlier times, it was more common for extended families (several generations, cousins, in-laws, etc.) to live nearby or in the same house. Grandparents were intimately involved in helping to rear their grandkids. Parenting skills and family traditions were passed from one generation to the next.

Of course, not every part of grandparenting is always positive. Grandparents and their adult children may frequently disagree over various issues. Any close, loving relationships will have some rocky times. The important point is being able to overcome these disagreements so that the relationship grows.

Recent research provides some insights into the special relationship between grandparents, adult children, and grandchildren. In these changing times for families, new challenges are arising that require creative approaches. Families can ensure that grandparents continue as important family members if everyone remains flexible, sensitive, and sensible.

Here are some ideas to consider as you continue creating the kind of intergenerational relationships that build healthy families:

• Grandparents usually have one major asset that adult children cannot offer to young children. That asset is time. Fortunately, positive time spent with other family members is exactly what children need to thrive! Since most parents today have less family time than ever before, the role of grandparents with their grandchildren is even more important.
  
• Children who are emotionally close to their grandparents have several qualities that children without close grandparents often lack. These children are often more emotionally secure. They also have more positive feelings about older people in general and the aging process.
  
• Grandparents also benefit from close relationships with grandkids. These grandparents see the youngsters as a living link to the future. These grandparents often report a freer kind of love with grandkids, compared to the pressures they felt as parents. And, of course, many grandparents are convinced that spending time with youngsters helps keep them young!

Two modern family trends tend to undermine grandparent relationships in many families. The first trend is how families move all over the country, usually to chase jobs. Grandparents themselves are more mobile than ever as well, vacationing frequently or moving to warmer climates. One study found that about one-third of grandparents had little or no contact with their grandchildren, usually because of distance.

The second trend is the rate of divorce - not only among parents, but also among the grandparents themselves. As couples split up, and often remarry, new family groupings are formed that have very little experience with one another. Close relationships don't just happen because marriages occur; they take time and effort. It is not uncommon today for children to have several sets of grandparents, often making it harder than ever to establish close grandparent-grandchild relationships.

What can grandparents today do to nourish loving relationships with their grandkids? The key is finding a balance between too much involvement and not enough. Adult children, particularly the grandchildren's mother, usually regulate the level of involvement. If you have a strained relationship with the grandkids' mother, it will likely be more difficult to see the grandkids as often as you might like.

Another common source of disagreement is childrearing values. Many parents are concerned that Grandpa buys the kids anything they want, creating tension when the child returns to the "real world." Grandma may disagree with Mom over everything from church involvement to clothing styles for the kids. Resentments develop over who is the "favorite" grandchild, and who visits whom most frequently. Wise grandparents realize that, like it or not, parents are ultimately responsible for childrearing decisions. Knowing how far to press on issues of disagreement is important in any lasting family relationship.

Many of us have an idealized view of grandparenting - happy family visits, holidays together, and active involvement with grandkids. Reality often falls somewhat short of these dreams, for lots of reasons. The family role of grandparents is different from that of parents but is vitally important nonetheless.

Your Health

Problems with Milk?

Do you have problems after drinking milk? Problems like bloating, pain, diarrhea or gas? If so, you may have lactose intolerance.

It's not unusual for people, as they age, to lose some of their ability to digest lactose, the sugar in milk. Yet we know that foods from the milk group are important to supply the mineral calcium in our diets. You need about 2 servings from the milk group every day.

If you have lactose intolerance, here are some ways to get milk without the problems:

• Drink only a small amount of milk (2-4 oz) at a time.
  
• Drink milk with meals. This slows the rate that lactose enters the digestive tract.
  
• Add lactase enzyme to your milk, or buy lactase-treated milk. The enzyme changes the lactose sugar into two simpler sugars which are easier to digest. You can find the lactase enzyme at your pharmacy. Lactase-treated milk is available in most grocery stores.
  
• Try fermented dairy products like cheese and yogurt. These contain less lactose than milk. The fermenting process changes some of the lactose to lactic acid. Below are two delicious ways to serve yogurt.

YOGURT CRUNCH PARFAITS
Ingredients:
3/4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
2 (8 oz) cartons low-fat lemon yogurt
1/4 cup crushed breakfast cereal

Spoon 3 Tablespoons blueberries into each of four glasses. Top each with 1/2 carton lemon yogurt. Sprinkle 1 Tablespoon crushed cereal over yogurt in each glass. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts using a toasted oat cereal:
4 Servings Per Recipe
Amount Per Serving:
Calories................136
Fat ...........................1 g
Sodium..................82 mg
Vitamin A*.............4%
Vitamin C*.............4%
Calcium*..............18%
Iron*.......................2%

YOGURT POPSICLES
Ingredients:
1 (8 oz) carton low-fat fruit-flavored yogurt
Spoon 1/4 cup yogurt into small dixie cups. Cover cups with foil or plastic wrap and stick a popsicle stick down the center. Freeze. Makes a great low-fat snack or dessert for you and young grandchildren.

Nutrition Facts:
4 Servings Per Recipe
Amount Per Serving:
Calories.......................57
Fat...............................06 g
Sodium.......................33 mg
Vitamin A*...................1%
VitaminC*....................11%
Calcium.......................11%
Iron................................0%

*denotes percent Daily Value

An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Organization Committed to a Diverse Work Force

DP-CFR-071 September 1994

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating.

Gale A. Buchanan, Dean and Director