-
Continuing Care
When you or your loved one is ready to move from the family home, it may be worthwhile to consider a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC). These facilities offer a range of services in one location. They provide lifetime housing, social activities, and increasing levels of care as the needs of the resident change. On one site there are facilities for independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care, making it possible to accommodate the changing needs of aging seniors. When they enter the community, seniors can live independently in a home, apartment or condominium. As they come to need more assistance with daily activities, they can move over to the assisted living or nursing care sections. This arrangement makes it possible for seniors to live in one location for the duration of their life, and it takes care of many of the decisions that older adults have to make along the way. CCRCs are the most expensive of the […]
Continue reading -
Helping Seniors Downsize
Many seniors have a plan to pay for assisted living expenses with the sale of their home. This process brings with it the challenges of moving and downsizing their household. Overwhelming and intense emotions, lots of difficult decisions and plenty of physical work makes many seniors put off something that must be done. While it is an inevitable part of moving to a new home, downsizing can be especially tough for seniors. Things they’ve accumulated over a lifetime, things with sentimental value that remind them of loved ones who are no longer here, are so hard to let go of. Our past is a big part of who we are, and often physical items hold the essence of our past. If these issues aren’t confronted, they may just become a barrier to moving. Fortunately for family members, there are some strategies you can try to ease the process, and unblock the resistance. Enlisting the help of trusted friends or family […]
Continue reading -
Technology For Seniors
The numbers of seniors using some form of technology is rapidly growing. According to a 2012 survey, more than half of older adults use the internet and cell phones. It’s an important trend because today’s technology can help seniors be engaged, connected, safe, and mentally active. Technology will play a bigger and more important role in the lives of seniors as we move into the future. Many seniors are already using tablets and iPads. These enable them to participate in activities that exercise their brains, and also to maintain their social ties. The new devices are lightweight, have easy-to-use touch screens, and are easy to see, making them ideal for senior use. Tablets can be used to view photos, access email and social media, listen to music, read, play games, and stay informed. Video and computer games are also becoming more popular with the older generation. They can improve cognition and mental agility. Game systems such as the Wii can […]
Continue reading -
Preventing Winter Falls
We are in the middle of the cold, snowy, rainy, icy season. Unless you don’t go outside at all at this time of year, you are at risk for a winter fall. We all know they can be very dangerous for seniors. Nearly 50 percent of falls for older people happen outside. And winter is an especially treacherous time of year to try to get around because of the snow and ice on the ground (depending on where you live). Here are some interesting ideas to help you prevent falls. Stay physically active. The fitter and stronger you are, the less likely you are to fall. Exercise makes you stronger and improves flexibility and balance. Wear socks over your shoes. There was a study done on people wearing socks over their shoes, and it showed that the people wearing socks on the outside slipped much less than those wearing just shoes. When walking on slippery ground, focus on changing your […]
Continue reading -
How To Have Family Conversations About Aging
As our families age, we all face changes and challenges that require us to grow and adjust to the new realities as they come. In The Dynamics of Aging Families by John W. Gibson, DSW and Bonnie Brown Hartley, Ph.D., the authors discuss how to make the changing dynamics work for the most positive outcome. In the section titled “Talking with Your Aging Parents,” the authors give several wonderful tips for families who find that it is time to have what may be a hard family conversation to have. While they may be difficult, these are necessary conversations, and we offer these helpful guidelines for getting them started and keeping them on the right track. First, be prepared and think through what you are going to discuss. It’s even better if you can talk the issues through beforehand with an objective friend or adviser. At the meeting itself share your observations, concerns, information and resources with your family. Be prepared […]
Continue reading -
How Is Depression Related To Dementia?
Researchers have done a lot of theorizing about how depression is related to dementia. A recent study (published in the journal, Neurology) finds that there is, indeed, a link between depression and dementia, and further research is needed to understand more about the cause and effect relationship between the two. The major theories on the reason depression and dementia often occur together fall into three groups. One theory says that depression is an early sign or symptom of dementia. Another theory is that when depression occurs, it damages the brain, leading to dementia. Stress and depression result in the release of cortisol. Over the course of time, cortisol can cause harm to the brain. A third theory is that depression may cause reduced brain volume which is a significant risk factor of dementia. There are some important take-aways from this research. One valuable conclusion of these findings is that people with depression symptoms should get treatment for it even if […]
Continue reading -
Caring for Aging Parents
It is typical for aging parents to maybe ask for an occasional favor, but most won’t ask their adult children for help with the house or with their daily activities, even though they may actually need it. Instead, they’re likely to adjust or adapt their needs or their activities. They might just do their tasks more slowly, they may use an adaptive device such as a reacher, or they might agree to wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace. The problem is, they may not be admitting to their “kids” that they are having trouble with some things, such as remembering when to take medication, or tripping and dropping things, or they are not eating regularly. They may see these things as none of the kids’ business or they themselves may be in denial about what’s happening. It can be that the adult children are in denial too. It can be hard to acknowledge that a parent is declining and […]
Continue reading -
Choosing A Senior Community
Many seniors prefer senior living communities over living alone. If you haven’t visited a senior living facility lately, you will be surprised to find that senior housing options have changed significantly just in the last decade. The choices today range from cozy and homey to high-end luxury more like a hotel, and they definitely do not have an institutional vibe. Most of the seniors who have moved to assisted living communities or other senior living situations are very happy with their new homes, and are glad they made the move. These are some of the reasons they prefer it to living alone. No more yard upkeep and home maintenance chores. These things can become very difficult to keep up with, especially as we age and develop physical limitations. An end to boredom. There are all kinds of activities and entertainment opportunities both within the facility and out in the wider community. Improved relationships with family members. When older adults live […]
Continue reading -
Easing Loneliness For Seniors
After last week’s article on the serious consequences of what some have called the “senior loneliness epidemic”, we have some very effective suggestions for counteracting loneliness and isolation. If you’re worried about an older friend or family member, or are yourself feeling the effects of isolation, consider these solutions. Look for a new living situation. Staying in your home after family and friends move away, can lead to social isolation. Women are more likely to live alone as they get older. Seniors who live in some kind of senior community will often say they wish they had moved sooner. In these communities social activities and social interaction are easy to access, and feelings of loneliness are much less prevalent. Solve any transportation issues. Social isolation can be caused by a lack of transportation, which can then impact one’s social life. Keep in mind that most cities have great transportation options for seniors. Contact your local agency on aging for more […]
Continue reading -
Loneliness In Later Life
Many recent studies have linked loneliness in the elderly population with declining health and earlier death. The statistics on isolation and loneliness are sobering. One study found that adults 60 or older who described themselves as lonely were 59% more likely to show a decrease in their ability to carry out daily activities. A study published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry found that elderly people who thought of themselves as lonely, regardless of whether they lived alone, were twice as likely to develop dementia than others over a three year time frame. A recent study done by Brigham Young University looked at the health records of 300,000 adults, and they found that loneliness was a strong predictor of an early death. Just as strong a predictor as alcoholism or daily smoking. And it was an even better predictor than variables such as obesity or sedentary lifestyle. The researchers in this study urged that we need to acknowledge […]
Continue reading
Caring For Aging Skin25 Feb 2016
You may notice the following changes as your skin ages. It becomes thinner and loses fat, looking less smooth than it used to. Veins and bones become more prominent through the skin. Scratches, cuts and […]
Short Term Options2 Feb 2016
Many seniors who are looking for senior housing don’t know about short term stay options that are available at many senior living communities. There are a few different reasons you or your loved one might […]