Menopause, which occurs when a woman’s menstrual cycle stops after a 12-month period, can happen when a person reaches 40 or 50 years of age. On average, women in the United States experience menopause at 52 years of age. However, it’s possible for women to have premature menopause, or menopause that occurs before the age of 40, if they have had their uterus and/or ovaries surgically removed, have autoimmune disorders, or a history of smoking, among others.

What are menopause symptoms?

Though menopause is a natural part of biological aging, many women are not aware of how it is diagnosed or of its symptoms. According to Bonafide’s “State of Menopause Study,” 29% of women “never sought information about menopause before they experienced it.” 34% of women who took part in this study are experiencing menopause symptoms but are currently undiagnosed, while 20% of women have experienced menopause symptoms for more than a year before being formally diagnosed. 

During perimenopause, or the period preceding menopause, women will typically experience some, many, or all of following menopause signs and symptoms: 

What is monkeypox?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), monkeypox is caused by the monkeypox virus. Monkeypox is transmitted from animals, such as rodents, squirrels, and primates, to humans. Cases are most commonly seen in central and west Africa, especially in places near tropical rainforests.
  

Who are at risk of contracting monkeypox?

• Immunucompromised individuals or people with severe diseases
• Pregnant and breastfeeding women
• Older individuals
• Children eight years and younger
• People who eat improperly or inadequately cooked meat and other animal products of monkeypox-infected animals
• Those who live in or near tropical rainforests that house monkeypox-infected animals
• Those who may be exposed to or live near infected animals
• Health workers who are treating people infected with monkeypox
• Household members of people infected with monkeypox
  
  

How can human-to-human monkeypox transmission occur?

Monkeypox can be transmitted via close physical contact with monkeypox-infected humans via respiratory secretions, skin lesions, and even respiratory droplets by means of prolonged face-to-face contact.

What are the signs and symptoms of monkeypox?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that monkeypox symptoms resemble that of a milder case of smallpox. However, the difference is that those who have monkeypox have swollen lymph nodes.

Monkeypox symptoms include fever, headache, muscle and back pain, rashes, swollen lymph nodes, chills, and exhaustion. It usually takes 7 to 14 days for monkeypox symptoms to apear from the time of infection. 

How long does monkeypox last? 

Typically, monkeypox lasts for two to four weeks. 

Is there a vaccine for monkeypox?

Currently, the CDC, recommends Jynneos — a two-dose vaccined that has been approved by the FDA since 2019. It helps prevent monkeypox in people 18 and older. ACAM2000 is another vaccine option for monkeypox prevention. However, it is known to have serious side effects, including vomiting, shortness of breath, diarrhea, and constipation.

Aside from getting vaccinated, how can you prevent yourself from getting sick with monkeypox?

The CDC recommends the following steps to take to avoid becoming ill from monkeypox:

• Isolate a monkeypox patient from immunocompromised individuals or anyone who could be at risk of contracting the virus.
• If you are caring for a monkeypox patient, wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and practice good hand hygiene. 
• Wear PPE  when washing soiled materials such as bedding, towels, and clothes of a monkeypox patient.
• Avoid contact with animals who could be carriers of the virus.

Our population is undeniably aging. According to an Urban Institute study, the number of Americans ages 65 and older will reach 80 million by 2040 — this means that 1 in 5 people will be 65 years and older and that older adults who are 85 years and older will nearly quadruple between 2000 and 2040.

And as the nation ages, there is a great need for caregivers. And the majority of primary caregivers are family members, who are oftentimes juggling full-time work with caregiving tasks. One of the 40.4 million caregivers in the US — 9 out of 10 of which are family members providing care to older loved ones — is Karla, who is caring for her 83-year-old mother.

“Being the primary caregiver for my mom is what I personally wanted to do, especially since my dad passed away in 2018. We’ve always been a tight-knit family and I’m more than happy to be able to care for my mom in this capacity,” Karla remarked. 

Karla describes herself as someone who simply wants to be on top of things. She enjoys caring for her mother while working for an advertising company and caring for her teenage daughter. However, she admits that it is a huge responsibility.

“I’m very fortunate because I’m able to work from home; it’s easier for me to be there for my mom when she needs me. But I must admit that it can be very stressful at times. Sometimes, you’d crave for a bit of me-time but you just have too much to do. And when I’m stressed, exhausted, or even sick, I know I’m not going to be able to give the care that my mom needs and quite frankly deserves,” she shared. 

For individuals like Karla who prefer to keep their older loved ones at home and care for them but need some time for themselves to rest, relax, or tend to other tasks, respite care can help. Respite care provides a short-term break for primary caregivers by assigning or transferring caregiving tasks to another caregiver. Respite care can be done in a person’s home or at a respite care facility.

Even before Covid-19 wreaked havoc around the world, the aging population has been battling these two pressing health risks. And the global pandemic has worsened the situation for a significant number of older individuals in the United States. “Older individuals have felt the blow of the physical distancing guidelines and lockdowns that were implemented especially in 2020,” shared Bryan Estranero, PSS Home Care’s Business Development Manager. “Aside from helping older individuals with activities of daily living (ADLs), home health aides (HHAs) can also help the elderly with loneliness. They provide the mental, emotional, and social support that they need to live healthier and happier lives at home. This is exactly what happened with one of our clients and our hardworking HHA, Joseph,” remarked Bryan.

The American population is aging. According to the Census bureau, by 2060, the number of Americans ages 65 and older will nearly double — from 52 million in 2018 to a whopping 95 million by 2060. 

In New York, older individuals with ages 65 and older, make up about 13% of the population. NYC Health reports that New Yorkers are living longer and the number of older individuals in the city is expected to exceed 1.4 million by 2040 — a growth of 41% from 2010. 

As more Americans age, the need for regular home care assistance is all the more highlighted. However, the aging population is battling a crisis that leaves them vulnerable and waiting for assistance — a shortage of home care workers.

“Before our latest client reached out to us, she has been awaiting home care assistance for close to two months,” remarked Bryan Estranero, PSS Home Care’s Business Development Manager. “For the past several weeks, she’s been living alone with no home care help. Some helpful neighbors helped her with groceries and lawnwork, but she hasn’t been able to do other activities such as bathing, doctor’s appointments, and running errands.” 

The shortage of home health aides is a major blow to the lives of older individuals all over the country. In order to keep living independent and fulfilled lives at the comfort of their homes, older adults need to have the assistance that they require — such as cooking meals or going to doctor’s appointments. 

“The shortage of home care workers couldn’t have come at a worse possible time — the pandemic is making the lives of older individuals even more challenging than ever. Home health aides provide critical support; they provide assistance with older individuals’ daily needs and help keep them protected against Covid-19,” remarked Bryan. 

The short supply of home care workers might prompt older individuals or their loved ones to opt for nursing homes instead of at-home care. Unfortunately, reports have shown concerns in nursing home environments that include extreme weight loss, dehydration, untreated bedsores, inadequate hygiene, and mental and physical decline. 

These kinds of environments put older individuals at risk for elder abuse. In a report, 92.2 per 1,000 older adults ages 60 and older in New York City experienced abuse.