Elder preserving

Freezing is another possibility for preserving elder-berries. Wash and sort berries, removing stems. Some people like to steam the berries for a minute to tenderize their skins. Place in freezer bags or freezing containers. Leave 1/2-inch headroom. Seal and freeze. 

Some critics have suggested that new forms of mass transportation be developed that will preserve the special advantages of this form of transit while avoiding some of its disadvantages. Eor example, many cities and companies have set up van pools for their employees. People who live close to each other are picked up in small vans and brought to and from work as a group. Other cities have experimented with dial-a-ride programs in which citizens (often elderly citizens) can call to request transportation in a mini-van from one point to another within the city. 

The effects of furosemide withdrawal on postprandial blood pressure have been assessed in 20 elderly patients (mean age 73 years) with heart failure and preserved left ventricular systolic function (ejection fraction 61%) (23). In 13 who were able to discontinue furosemide (mean dose 32 mg/day), maximum systolic blood pressure fell significantly from 25 mmHg to 11 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure from 18 to 9 mmHg over 3 months. In the continuation group (mean furosemide dose 21 mg/day), there was no change in the postprandial fall. 

Higher intakes of fruits, specifically superfruits and certain vegetables, are also associated with improved bone mineral density and reduced bone loss in both men and women. Clinical trial results indicate that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables preserves bone health. Other studies link bone health to superfruit phytochemicals such as carotenoids, flavonoids, quercetin, and vitamin C. For example, in the Framingham Osteoporosis Study conducted over four years at Tufts University, in Boston, loss of bone mineral density in hundreds of elderly women and men was inversely related to intake of dietary carotenoids—a phytochemical found in superfruits ... 

For the elderly, of equal importance to life extension and cure is improvement or preservation of their activities. Thus, the results of quality of life, disease outcomes and pharmacoeconomic studies are of even greater relevance to this special population and to third-party payers. 

Age-associated physiologic changes may cause reductions in functional reserve capacity (i.e., the ability to respond to physiologic challenges or stresses) and the ability to preserve homeostasis, thus making an elder susceptible to decompensation in a stressful... 

Heart failure can result from any disorder that affects the ability of the heart to contract (systolic function) and/or relax (diastolic dysfunction) common causes of heart failure are shown in Table 14—1 Systolic heart failure is the classic, more familiar form of the disorder, but current estimates suggest that 20% to 50% of patients with heart failure have preserved left ventricular systolic function and suffer from diastolic dysfunction. In contrast to systolic heart failure that is usually caused by previous myocardial infarction (Ml), patients with diastolic heart failure typically are elderly, female, and have hypertension and diabetes. However, systolic and diastolic dysfunction frequently coexist. The common cardiovascular diseases such as MI and hypertension can cause both systolic and diastolic dysfunction thus many patients have heart failure as a result of reduced myocardial contractility and abnormal ventricular filling. 

Frequent admission to the hospital is common in patients with DHE. Unfortunately, there are no pharmacoeconomic data associated with the only large chnical outcome trial (CHARM-Preserved) published to date. Since DHE is primarily a disease of the elderly, comor-bid conditions will create chahenges in any trial designed. At the present time, cost to the patient should be considered because adherence to an antihypertensive regimen is paramount to a beneficial outcome. 

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