http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/economy-lab/frances-woolley/do-employers-care-about-a-universitys-reputation/article2313152/
One possible take-away from this finding is that a person with an English-sounding name can choose any undergraduate institution and do just fine. The fictitious resumes in the study, however, also listed four to six years of high quality, relevant, work experience. My alternative take-away is that employers focus on the last thing on a person’s resume, and place more weight on a person’s most recent work experience than his undergraduate education.
For resumes submitted under non-European names, such as Maya Kumar and Ali Saeed, the choice of university seems to matter more. Resumes listing degrees from research intensive universities such as University of Waterloo and Queen’s were significantly more likely to generate call-backs than degrees from more teaching-oriented institutions. Interestingly, resumes listing a degree from University of Waterloo, Queen’s and University of Toronto had similar call-back rates whether they were submitted under an English-sounding name or a non-European one.
------------------
D - some decent universities will not allow you to take your grad studies at the same place as your undergrad. Ergo, one should not enter one's 'dream school' directly from high school if one plans to pursue grad studies.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
a comparison of provincial U funding - grant vs loan
http://trusu.ca/section/252
D - expect more pressure on education funding. Health care will devour an increasing amount of the budget.
We won't be seeing a 6%/year decade deal from the Harper gov't.
We've done little to plan for this increase in health care costs, even as tax revenue decreases as Boomers retire.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
how to eke out more per-student funding
Defund the Catholic school system. At least here in Ontario.
Then Ontario could be just a bit above-average, instead of middle of the pack.
By halving the lobby group's claims, I figure that'd save c. $100M /yr in Ontario.
In case you didn't notice, we are in a funding crunch.
We are also on the receiving end of a United Nations reprimand for favouring Catholics over all other denominations and religions.
nurses, generation and retention factors
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-01/w-rsi011712.php
D - we in Canada are facing a health funding crunch. Off-loading some doctor work to nurses is a no-brainer. But then we need to have those nurses still around...
Note the distinct generational differences. Not sure if this is a function of generational perspectives, or just an aspect of shifting age values.
Key findings of the survey include:
Six independent variables had an important influence on the nurses' intentions to continue nursing and between them these accounted for 21% of the variations in these intentions.
Being committed to healing and nursing was the only independent variable identified in the youngest Generation Y age group.
Two independent variables were identified in the Generation X nurses: being committed to healing and nursing and the quality of their relationship with their supervisor.
Five independent variables were identified in the oldest Baby Boomer group: being committed to healing and nursing, work-family conflict, being allowed to decide how and when to carry out tasks, how well they got on with colleagues and the importance of working.
The only factor tested that did not prove a significant influence in any of the age groups was flexible working arrangements.
---------------------------------
D - Harper is capping health care transfers, and the provinces are whining.
They say Harper ignored the increasing cost of the aged.
Elders increase in health care costs 2-3x by 65-85x.
D - well, we DID get a break that we could have used to buttress against the coming 'age epidemic'. But we squandered it, like the grasshopper and not the ant in Aesop's fable.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2012/01/16/pol-premiers-monday.html
D - 6% to 2016-17. Then not so much, likely.
We could have invested that in more assisted living, more permanent care facilities- anything to reduce the clogging up of critical care beds.
More all-night clinic to relive the strain on emergency admittance.
Anything.
We didn't.
And now we get what we deserve for this lack of discipline.
D - we in Canada are facing a health funding crunch. Off-loading some doctor work to nurses is a no-brainer. But then we need to have those nurses still around...
Note the distinct generational differences. Not sure if this is a function of generational perspectives, or just an aspect of shifting age values.
Key findings of the survey include:
Six independent variables had an important influence on the nurses' intentions to continue nursing and between them these accounted for 21% of the variations in these intentions.
Being committed to healing and nursing was the only independent variable identified in the youngest Generation Y age group.
Two independent variables were identified in the Generation X nurses: being committed to healing and nursing and the quality of their relationship with their supervisor.
Five independent variables were identified in the oldest Baby Boomer group: being committed to healing and nursing, work-family conflict, being allowed to decide how and when to carry out tasks, how well they got on with colleagues and the importance of working.
The only factor tested that did not prove a significant influence in any of the age groups was flexible working arrangements.
---------------------------------
D - Harper is capping health care transfers, and the provinces are whining.
They say Harper ignored the increasing cost of the aged.
Elders increase in health care costs 2-3x by 65-85x.
D - well, we DID get a break that we could have used to buttress against the coming 'age epidemic'. But we squandered it, like the grasshopper and not the ant in Aesop's fable.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2012/01/16/pol-premiers-monday.html
D - 6% to 2016-17. Then not so much, likely.
We could have invested that in more assisted living, more permanent care facilities- anything to reduce the clogging up of critical care beds.
More all-night clinic to relive the strain on emergency admittance.
Anything.
We didn't.
And now we get what we deserve for this lack of discipline.
Monday, January 16, 2012
what is a U degree worth, anyway? BC study.
A_NEW_WORLD_LANGUAGE
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012
what is a U degree worth, anyway? BC study.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/economy-lab/daily-mix/is-a-university-degree-still-key-to-finding-a-good-job/article2297501/
But I completely disagree with those that suggest university education as a panacea for labour market challenges. I have heard economists infer that if we could flip a switch and transform people from high school graduates to university graduates it would dramatically improve their income and employment outcomes.
The reality is more nuanced.
Take the example of British Columbia. According to Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey, from 2000 to 2010 the province saw a very impressive 79 per cent increase in the number of adults with a university degree. The overall provincial population grew by 16 per cent in the same period.
The percentage of adults with a university degree in British Columbia grew 40 per cent faster than the country as a whole. There were 257,000 more people with a university degree in 2010 compared to 2000.
Despite this rapid increase in university educated people in B.C., the average weekly wage for all workers increased by the second slowest rate among the 10 provinces in Canada over the same period.
Conversely, the provinces of Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador...
----------------
D - well, you get the idea.
My objection U stats is that there is money to be made. All those students offering their tuition fees (and forget all the mandatory fees - should be tallied in the base line amount! Just like air plane tickets...) means there is a profit motive. The educational institutions have a vested interest in fleecing the students. And fleece they do. Here are a coupla common examples of misleading advertising by post- secondary educational institutions that I've seen in K-W region this past decade:
1) a local college talking about the successful placement rate for a certain diploma program. First of all, with a 90% washout rate by graduatoin, this means there is only a 10% chance that a student will be in this elect. Furthermore, including a sales job at, say, Futureshop as 'working in the computer industry' is misleading.
2) a local university talking about the income benefits of a degree compared to not having one. First of all, you need to adjust for those years not in the workplace. And don't think that you will automatically take 4 years to get a 4 year degree! I tried to take statsII as early as possible at Windsor, but could never get into it early. Ergo, one fail later and I would need to stay and entire extra year in order to graduate with a degree of 4 instead of 3 years. You see how that went...
Also, the draconian terms on student loan repayment need to be considered. You can't kick that debt if times are tough when you graduate for SEVEN years (FIVE with special circumstances). There is the cost of the debt, plus the interest on it. Graduating right now would involve a double-edged sword scenario. The very low interest rates mean you can rapidly pay down the debt's principal with a decent job. However, the nasty recession means finding that job is highly problematic.
D - I'm not sure why the gov't is not required to collect and publish such stats in detail and in an accessible format and location. Ontario is a patchwork of dozen(s) of entities when it comes to access to information requests. Contrast this with some states that have a single website location for such things. Transparency is required!
Are you listening, Harper and McGuinty?
D.
POSTED BY DINO SNIDER AT 9:00 AM 0 COMMENTS
what is a U degree worth, anyway? BC study.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/economy-lab/daily-mix/is-a-university-degree-still-key-to-finding-a-good-job/article2297501/
PO
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012
what is a U degree worth, anyway? BC study.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/economy-lab/daily-mix/is-a-university-degree-still-key-to-finding-a-good-job/article2297501/
But I completely disagree with those that suggest university education as a panacea for labour market challenges. I have heard economists infer that if we could flip a switch and transform people from high school graduates to university graduates it would dramatically improve their income and employment outcomes.
The reality is more nuanced.
Take the example of British Columbia. According to Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey, from 2000 to 2010 the province saw a very impressive 79 per cent increase in the number of adults with a university degree. The overall provincial population grew by 16 per cent in the same period.
The percentage of adults with a university degree in British Columbia grew 40 per cent faster than the country as a whole. There were 257,000 more people with a university degree in 2010 compared to 2000.
Despite this rapid increase in university educated people in B.C., the average weekly wage for all workers increased by the second slowest rate among the 10 provinces in Canada over the same period.
Conversely, the provinces of Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador...
----------------
D - well, you get the idea.
My objection U stats is that there is money to be made. All those students offering their tuition fees (and forget all the mandatory fees - should be tallied in the base line amount! Just like air plane tickets...) means there is a profit motive. The educational institutions have a vested interest in fleecing the students. And fleece they do. Here are a coupla common examples of misleading advertising by post- secondary educational institutions that I've seen in K-W region this past decade:
1) a local college talking about the successful placement rate for a certain diploma program. First of all, with a 90% washout rate by graduatoin, this means there is only a 10% chance that a student will be in this elect. Furthermore, including a sales job at, say, Futureshop as 'working in the computer industry' is misleading.
2) a local university talking about the income benefits of a degree compared to not having one. First of all, you need to adjust for those years not in the workplace. And don't think that you will automatically take 4 years to get a 4 year degree! I tried to take statsII as early as possible at Windsor, but could never get into it early. Ergo, one fail later and I would need to stay and entire extra year in order to graduate with a degree of 4 instead of 3 years. You see how that went...
Also, the draconian terms on student loan repayment need to be considered. You can't kick that debt if times are tough when you graduate for SEVEN years (FIVE with special circumstances). There is the cost of the debt, plus the interest on it. Graduating right now would involve a double-edged sword scenario. The very low interest rates mean you can rapidly pay down the debt's principal with a decent job. However, the nasty recession means finding that job is highly problematic.
D - I'm not sure why the gov't is not required to collect and publish such stats in detail and in an accessible format and location. Ontario is a patchwork of dozen(s) of entities when it comes to access to information requests. Contrast this with some states that have a single website location for such things. Transparency is required!
Are you listening, Harper and McGuinty?
D.
POSTED BY DINO SNIDER AT 9:00 AM 0 COMMENTS
what is a U degree worth, anyway? BC study.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/economy-lab/daily-mix/is-a-university-degree-still-key-to-finding-a-good-job/article2297501/
PO
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
harper's age credit now causing deficit problems
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/flahertys-tax-credits-cost-ottawa-billions/article2296695/
Some of the changes that received little attention at the time are having a growing impact on federal revenues, the report shows.
For instance, two Conservative top-ups to the Age Credit have increased the annual cost of the deduction by 25 per cent, from $1.8-billion in 2006 to $2.26-billion in 2011. The tax credit for seniors used to apply to incomes of $57,377 or less. Now it can be claimed by seniors with incomes of up to $76,541.
----------
D - once again, this is a policy that is nominally anti-poverty. However it is primarily used by the middle class. A policy that the middle-class can use is only slightly more progressive than a universal one that exempts nobody.
For example, the LICO line - the 'relative poverty' line- is roughly $14,000 for a single person. I would not suggest trying to live in Toronto on that.
The Cdn. national average income is c. $25-30,000, depending on whether you include part-time jobs with full-time ones.
A progressive policy instead could have done the following:
1) Increase the deduction to 25% but
2) only for HALF the usual cap, so 76,541/2 so um c. $38,000.
Notice even this policy includes middle-middle class.
A very progressive policy would be the introduce income-tax bracket style tiers.
E.g.
1) 10% to $76, 541,
2) 20% to $38, 000, and
3) 30% to $17,000, which approximates the LICO Low Income Cutoff Line.
Watch CARP carefully. They blur the line between impoverished, poor and middle class seniors. The policy alternative above that I have proposed is, in theory, an anti-poverty one. But the NDP likes to generous with everyone - Merry Christmas, ho ho ho!
But that isn't socialist. It is just plain fiscally irresponsible.
The policy I have outlined would be pretty much revenue-neutral and would disproportionately benefit those few remaining impoverished seniors in Canada.
My heart does go out to them. I was impoverished for most of my young adulthood. But it is one thing for a young fit guy and quite another for somebody at the other end - the end of the line. A little extra compassion can be justified then.
-------------------
CARP diem! Seize that CARP! <:
D - I received a colourful flyer in my Globe and Mail weekend edition last week.
It advertised the Zoomer mag that CARP issues.
First of all, I'm pretty sure that vibrant and dynamic are synonyms.
There is a pitch for a free copy of Zoomer mag, and a reduced CARP membership fee with a subscription. I'm sure the converse is also true.
Inside there are three references to hot retiree sex - "great sex at any age", "how to get your sex life back on track" and "turn back the clock". One might assume they are lobbying to have Viagra included in the drug plans of provinces. After all, being Boomers, they are ENTITLED - period.
D - plus apparently their editors don't understand the difference between single and double quotation marks and their usage. Perhaps somebody ought to purchase them a copy of "Eats, Shoot and Leaves". (Yes, I know that period ought to be inside the second quotation mark. I don't like it there. Style...)
D - I'm really glad to hear they are concerned about age discrimination. Well, at least for retirees.
http://raisethehammer.org/article/609/stay_in_your_lane (see image chart)
D - And what do we see in this chart? That 20 and 75 year-old drivers are at about the same risk for car accidents. BUT. One of those groups can rent a car and one cannot. I really need some youth group and an ambitious lawyer to challenge the car rental companies on that one.
So, as you can see, CARP is not 'against (age-related) discrimination. They are against discrimination if the subject is OLD. That means that CARP is age-ist. They are ageists. (Agist?) Etymology, they are ageists espousing ageisms. Etymologically there are oldists espousing oldism. Oldist: "FOR old". And nobody else.
Not anti-poverty. And not more broadly (and ethically) anti-ageism. Oldist.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
the "long goodbye". Alzheimers and health care
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/new-health/health-news/canadians-missing-out-on-early-alzheimers-diagnosis-study-finds/article2290607/
Mary Schulz, national education director of the Alzheimer Society, said that early diagnosis is helpful on several levels. Drugs can slow symptoms of the degenerative brain illness, although they don’t work for everyone. More importantly, people with Alzheimer’s and their families can plan for future care – financially, legally and practically.
Yet a new survey shows that many Canadians who experience symptoms like memory loss, disorientation and personality changes – typical warning signs of dementia – wait a long time before seeking medical help.
------------
D - half waited a year, and a few even waited 2 years.
D - the first time I was consciously exposed to Alzheimers was in a West Wing episode called the Long Goodbye.
Plot
C. J. Cregg goes home to Dayton—and finds herself in the middle of an achingly sad family crisis—in this poignant change-of-pace episode. She's making the trip to speak at her 20th high-school reunion, but when she arrives at her father's house, she discovers that his new wife (her old English teacher) has left him. That is troublesome enough, but the fact that her father has Alzheimer's makes it almost unbearably heartbreaking. C.J. does find a soulmate at Dayton's airport, though, a classmate named Marco, who was a punk rocker in high school and now repairs watches.
http://www.squidoo.com/the-long-goodbye
D - why it is called The Long Goodbye:
Alzheimer's is truly "The Long Goodbye". You watch your loved one slip away a little more each day until there is finally nothing left of the person you spent so many years with, whether it was a spouse or parent. You are forced to be a witness to the deterioration of an intelligent and vital human being. By the end, and yes, Alzheimer's is a terminal disease, the person you knew has long since ceased to exist. Alzheimer's Disease is a cruel insult to anyone who suffers its indignity, leaving many "victims" almost lifeless, yet unable to die with the dignity and peace they deserve. As the disease progresses it is important to treasure every connection that you still can spark, because even when the disease progresses to the point where the patient can't speak, or even recognize you, they can still feel your love.
D - nobody wants to go out that way. From what I've read, one can maintain brain fitness by using that brain. Cross-word puzzles. Learn a musical instrument. Pick up a new language. (I learn a language a year for kicks. And can, self-taught, play Coldplay "The Scientist" now.)
Now I'd like to add a caveat now. I hope you are sitting down. You are gonna die. In fact, we are all gonna die. Of something. The trick is to rig the odds so you die of something more instead of less palatable. A nice, fast, painless death. Or at least quick - dying with your boots on, so to speak. Or quietly, in bed.
Like the Chris Rock lyrics to "No Sex in the Champagne Room" go:
Here's a horoscope for everyone:
Aquarius: You're gonna die
Capricorn: You're gonna die
Gemini: You're gonna die TWICE
Leo: You're gonna die
Scorpio: You're gonna die f****g.
D - Dementia and associated conditions tie up both intensive care beds and permanent retirement facility spots. And nobody, neither that old person (typically) or the taxpayer who funds a (poorly laid out) health care system wants that.
So, with these cold calculations, we juggle the odds. Just live past cancer long enough, and likely a cardiovascular failure will eventually get you. The trick is to make sure it's a heart attack and not your brain dribbling out your ears.
Check out sciencedaily - the ONLY science site for me - it is sooo good. Sure, old folks forget where they put their keys and fish for a name longer. But they can maintain high level functioning (particularly with planning) and have a # of effective coping strategies.
So nobody wants to die (after an excruciatingly slow and inexorable mental decline) of dementia or Alzheimers. BTW, fast-onset dementia is about as lethal as breaking a hip for old folks. Still takes years, though.
So what to do? Juggle the odds. Take my above advice to stave off dementia. Don't wait once you manifest symptoms -they'll only get worse, and faster, without medication.
Regarding cancer (another unpleasant- and very expensive way to go), well, we ALL already know. Fruits 'n vegis. Don't smoke. Drink moderately (I use targeted anti-oxidants for the liver.) Watch those sun burns and funny looking moles. All strictly duh-stupid stuff that you gotta do NOW to plan for LATER. Don't say I didn't tell you so.
As an aside, at 40 you should get tested for glaucoma if you drive. It's easy to treat early on, and can stealthily reduce your peripheral vision, impairing your driving.
To prevent Alzheimers (other than genetic-based early onset form):
Maintaining a healthy heart and avoiding high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and high cholesterol can decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s. Watch your weight, avoid tobacco and excess alcohol, stay socially connected, and exercise both your body and mind.
D - all that stuff you've been ignoring when your doctor says it. Basically, a lifestyle that evades obesity and metabolic syndrome.
WHO
The World Health Organization criteria (1999) require presence of one of:
Diabetes mellitus,
Impaired glucose tolerance,
Impaired fasting glucose or
Insulin resistance;
AND two of the following:
Blood pressure: ≥ 140/90 mmHg
Dyslipidemia: triglycerides (TG): ≥ 1.695 mmol/L and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ≤ 0.9 mmol/L (male), ≤ 1.0 mmol/L (female)
Central obesity: waist:hip ratio > 0.90 (male); > 0.85 (female), or body mass index > 30 kg/m2
Microalbuminuria: urinary albumin excretion ratio ≥ 20 µg/min or albumin:creatinine ratio ≥ 30 mg/g
http://helpguide.org/elder/alzheimers_disease_symptoms_stages.htm
D - here is a useful 'senior moment' vs 'dementia symptom' chart.
D - well that is about all you need to know about ageing well. Now onto...
GOVERNMENT POLICY. Morbid stuff, but gov't should be tailoring food and culture policy to result in a "good death" and not a very slow unpleasant and EXPENSIVE 1.
This includes a policy of cultural engagement and increasing the value of lifelong learning - and not just formal education either.
Our federal gov's seems incapable of reining in the food industry. Take their abject failure on salt reduction.
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/nutrition/sodium/strateg/index-eng.php
Yup- a non-binding 'consensual' industry initiative. I've seen industry use too many such moves to just hedge for time, with no intention of meaningful change.
http://www.canadaandtheworld.com/highsaltcontent.html
Those who eat a bowl of Kellogg’s All Bran for breakfast may think they are doing something that’s good for their body. In the United States that might be true; in Canada, not so much.
According to World Action on Salt and Health (WASH) the All Bran cereal “contains 2.15g of salt per 100g in Canada, but only 0.65g of salt per 100g just over the border in the United States, less than a third of the Canadian level.”
D- we are laying the foundation for a continuing epidemic of strokes.
http://www.heartandstroke.com/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=ikIQLcMWJtE&b=3485819&ct=11514719
It is estimated that one in seven deaths from stroke and one in 11 deaths from coronary heart disease could be prevented if Canadians reduced their sodium intake by 1,840 mg per day (roughly ¾ tsp).[i]
On average, Canadians consume too much sodium. Our levels well exceed what is recommended by international agencies and Health Canada. The average Canadian consumes about 3,400 mg of sodium a day, the vast majority of which is contained in processed foods.
D - not to mention, diabetes.
http://www.ices.on.ca/webpage.cfm?site_id=1&org_id=117&morg_id=0&gsec_id=3086&item_id=4085&utility_link_id=3086
“Given this linear growth in the prevalence of diabetes, more than ten per cent of the adult population of Ontario will be diagnosed with diabetes before 2010,” said Dr. Lipscombe.
“If similar trends are occurring throughout the developed world, then the magnitude of the emerging diabetes epidemic is far greater than we anticipated.”
D - so why don't we have a 'food sin tax'? Here's a wacky idea. Base the following on one portion size- 1 meal serving - or 1 snack - with actual standards about what constitutes a portion size. (I recall comparing 2 salad dressings - the no-name had HALF the suggested portion size...). Let's assume most folks eat 3 meals of 1 serving apiece per day. So 100% of your daily limit distributed over 3 meals is 33% per meal. Any indicator of salt, sugar or saturated fat that exceeds 33% results in a 1 cent 'food sin tax'. Take, for example, the cheap no-name oriental noodles I like to warm up at work. The daily sodium is 43%. Ergo, a 10 cent sin tax. Suddenly these 'cheap' junky meals begin to reflect the very real health care costs incurred by them. Though that same packet suggests it contains TWO servings. I was shocked to realize I had just eaten 86% of my daily sodium in the side dish to my sandwich! Eek.
D - my bro-in-law suggested a carrot v.s. stick approach. At your annual doctor medical checkup, if you are in your BMI, you get a $1000 tax break. After all, the economics still work out for gov't spending. I quite like this too, though it it ignores that there are unhealthy thin and healthy fat people.
Though I am plenty concerned about what I've referred to as "the fat-fu**-ification of society". For the record, I'm 5' 10", 175 pounds and can bang out 50 perfect pushups, as well as run across town if I felt so inclined. At age 40.
Mary Schulz, national education director of the Alzheimer Society, said that early diagnosis is helpful on several levels. Drugs can slow symptoms of the degenerative brain illness, although they don’t work for everyone. More importantly, people with Alzheimer’s and their families can plan for future care – financially, legally and practically.
Yet a new survey shows that many Canadians who experience symptoms like memory loss, disorientation and personality changes – typical warning signs of dementia – wait a long time before seeking medical help.
------------
D - half waited a year, and a few even waited 2 years.
D - the first time I was consciously exposed to Alzheimers was in a West Wing episode called the Long Goodbye.
Plot
C. J. Cregg goes home to Dayton—and finds herself in the middle of an achingly sad family crisis—in this poignant change-of-pace episode. She's making the trip to speak at her 20th high-school reunion, but when she arrives at her father's house, she discovers that his new wife (her old English teacher) has left him. That is troublesome enough, but the fact that her father has Alzheimer's makes it almost unbearably heartbreaking. C.J. does find a soulmate at Dayton's airport, though, a classmate named Marco, who was a punk rocker in high school and now repairs watches.
http://www.squidoo.com/the-long-goodbye
D - why it is called The Long Goodbye:
Alzheimer's is truly "The Long Goodbye". You watch your loved one slip away a little more each day until there is finally nothing left of the person you spent so many years with, whether it was a spouse or parent. You are forced to be a witness to the deterioration of an intelligent and vital human being. By the end, and yes, Alzheimer's is a terminal disease, the person you knew has long since ceased to exist. Alzheimer's Disease is a cruel insult to anyone who suffers its indignity, leaving many "victims" almost lifeless, yet unable to die with the dignity and peace they deserve. As the disease progresses it is important to treasure every connection that you still can spark, because even when the disease progresses to the point where the patient can't speak, or even recognize you, they can still feel your love.
D - nobody wants to go out that way. From what I've read, one can maintain brain fitness by using that brain. Cross-word puzzles. Learn a musical instrument. Pick up a new language. (I learn a language a year for kicks. And can, self-taught, play Coldplay "The Scientist" now.)
Now I'd like to add a caveat now. I hope you are sitting down. You are gonna die. In fact, we are all gonna die. Of something. The trick is to rig the odds so you die of something more instead of less palatable. A nice, fast, painless death. Or at least quick - dying with your boots on, so to speak. Or quietly, in bed.
Like the Chris Rock lyrics to "No Sex in the Champagne Room" go:
Here's a horoscope for everyone:
Aquarius: You're gonna die
Capricorn: You're gonna die
Gemini: You're gonna die TWICE
Leo: You're gonna die
Scorpio: You're gonna die f****g.
D - Dementia and associated conditions tie up both intensive care beds and permanent retirement facility spots. And nobody, neither that old person (typically) or the taxpayer who funds a (poorly laid out) health care system wants that.
So, with these cold calculations, we juggle the odds. Just live past cancer long enough, and likely a cardiovascular failure will eventually get you. The trick is to make sure it's a heart attack and not your brain dribbling out your ears.
Check out sciencedaily - the ONLY science site for me - it is sooo good. Sure, old folks forget where they put their keys and fish for a name longer. But they can maintain high level functioning (particularly with planning) and have a # of effective coping strategies.
So nobody wants to die (after an excruciatingly slow and inexorable mental decline) of dementia or Alzheimers. BTW, fast-onset dementia is about as lethal as breaking a hip for old folks. Still takes years, though.
So what to do? Juggle the odds. Take my above advice to stave off dementia. Don't wait once you manifest symptoms -they'll only get worse, and faster, without medication.
Regarding cancer (another unpleasant- and very expensive way to go), well, we ALL already know. Fruits 'n vegis. Don't smoke. Drink moderately (I use targeted anti-oxidants for the liver.) Watch those sun burns and funny looking moles. All strictly duh-stupid stuff that you gotta do NOW to plan for LATER. Don't say I didn't tell you so.
As an aside, at 40 you should get tested for glaucoma if you drive. It's easy to treat early on, and can stealthily reduce your peripheral vision, impairing your driving.
To prevent Alzheimers (other than genetic-based early onset form):
Maintaining a healthy heart and avoiding high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and high cholesterol can decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s. Watch your weight, avoid tobacco and excess alcohol, stay socially connected, and exercise both your body and mind.
D - all that stuff you've been ignoring when your doctor says it. Basically, a lifestyle that evades obesity and metabolic syndrome.
WHO
The World Health Organization criteria (1999) require presence of one of:
Diabetes mellitus,
Impaired glucose tolerance,
Impaired fasting glucose or
Insulin resistance;
AND two of the following:
Blood pressure: ≥ 140/90 mmHg
Dyslipidemia: triglycerides (TG): ≥ 1.695 mmol/L and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ≤ 0.9 mmol/L (male), ≤ 1.0 mmol/L (female)
Central obesity: waist:hip ratio > 0.90 (male); > 0.85 (female), or body mass index > 30 kg/m2
Microalbuminuria: urinary albumin excretion ratio ≥ 20 µg/min or albumin:creatinine ratio ≥ 30 mg/g
http://helpguide.org/elder/alzheimers_disease_symptoms_stages.htm
D - here is a useful 'senior moment' vs 'dementia symptom' chart.
D - well that is about all you need to know about ageing well. Now onto...
GOVERNMENT POLICY. Morbid stuff, but gov't should be tailoring food and culture policy to result in a "good death" and not a very slow unpleasant and EXPENSIVE 1.
This includes a policy of cultural engagement and increasing the value of lifelong learning - and not just formal education either.
Our federal gov's seems incapable of reining in the food industry. Take their abject failure on salt reduction.
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/nutrition/sodium/strateg/index-eng.php
Yup- a non-binding 'consensual' industry initiative. I've seen industry use too many such moves to just hedge for time, with no intention of meaningful change.
http://www.canadaandtheworld.com/highsaltcontent.html
Those who eat a bowl of Kellogg’s All Bran for breakfast may think they are doing something that’s good for their body. In the United States that might be true; in Canada, not so much.
According to World Action on Salt and Health (WASH) the All Bran cereal “contains 2.15g of salt per 100g in Canada, but only 0.65g of salt per 100g just over the border in the United States, less than a third of the Canadian level.”
D- we are laying the foundation for a continuing epidemic of strokes.
http://www.heartandstroke.com/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=ikIQLcMWJtE&b=3485819&ct=11514719
It is estimated that one in seven deaths from stroke and one in 11 deaths from coronary heart disease could be prevented if Canadians reduced their sodium intake by 1,840 mg per day (roughly ¾ tsp).[i]
On average, Canadians consume too much sodium. Our levels well exceed what is recommended by international agencies and Health Canada. The average Canadian consumes about 3,400 mg of sodium a day, the vast majority of which is contained in processed foods.
D - not to mention, diabetes.
http://www.ices.on.ca/webpage.cfm?site_id=1&org_id=117&morg_id=0&gsec_id=3086&item_id=4085&utility_link_id=3086
“Given this linear growth in the prevalence of diabetes, more than ten per cent of the adult population of Ontario will be diagnosed with diabetes before 2010,” said Dr. Lipscombe.
“If similar trends are occurring throughout the developed world, then the magnitude of the emerging diabetes epidemic is far greater than we anticipated.”
D - so why don't we have a 'food sin tax'? Here's a wacky idea. Base the following on one portion size- 1 meal serving - or 1 snack - with actual standards about what constitutes a portion size. (I recall comparing 2 salad dressings - the no-name had HALF the suggested portion size...). Let's assume most folks eat 3 meals of 1 serving apiece per day. So 100% of your daily limit distributed over 3 meals is 33% per meal. Any indicator of salt, sugar or saturated fat that exceeds 33% results in a 1 cent 'food sin tax'. Take, for example, the cheap no-name oriental noodles I like to warm up at work. The daily sodium is 43%. Ergo, a 10 cent sin tax. Suddenly these 'cheap' junky meals begin to reflect the very real health care costs incurred by them. Though that same packet suggests it contains TWO servings. I was shocked to realize I had just eaten 86% of my daily sodium in the side dish to my sandwich! Eek.
D - my bro-in-law suggested a carrot v.s. stick approach. At your annual doctor medical checkup, if you are in your BMI, you get a $1000 tax break. After all, the economics still work out for gov't spending. I quite like this too, though it it ignores that there are unhealthy thin and healthy fat people.
Though I am plenty concerned about what I've referred to as "the fat-fu**-ification of society". For the record, I'm 5' 10", 175 pounds and can bang out 50 perfect pushups, as well as run across town if I felt so inclined. At age 40.
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