All Posts in "Lifestyles"

There are about 22,000 senior housing properties in the U.S. And there are different types of senior housing, so figuring out which one to choose can feel a bit daunting. Asking yourself two questions – “How much can I afford?” and “What level of services do I need?” – will help you narrow your range of choices so you can find the best fit for your lifestyle and budget.

You may think senior living is expensive. But a lot of people are surprised at how favorably costs compare to homeownership.

First, figure out how much it costs to stay in your own home. Even if you’ve paid off your mortgage, you still have homeowner’s expenses such as senior-related renovations and ongoing home maintenance issues, as well as expenses for utilities, taxes, groceries, dining out, entertainment, etc. And don’t forget to add up any medical or in-home healthcare expenses.

Next, take all your financial resources into account. In addition to income and your assets, this includes long-term care insurance, veterans or surviving spouse’s benefits, retirement investments or other pension benefits. Once you collect this information, you can establish a budget. Then you can eliminate any retirement housing options that don’t fit within it – making your search that much easier.

Make an objective list of current services and support you need, as well as those you anticipate needing down the road. You may not need health services now, but the reality is that 70 percent of people over the age of 65 will need some type of long-term care, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Here are some broad definitions to help you determine what level of care to look for.

  • Independent living. Offers opportunities to pursue your interests, make friends, and take care of your mind, body and spirit – all while freeing you from the burdens of homeownership. If your overall health is good and you don’t need help with activities of daily living, this could be a good fit for you.
  • Assisted living. These communities are designed to help you live more independently through personal help, transportation and home maintenance. Consider assisted living if there are mobility issues, medication management problems, or difficulties dressing, bathing or grooming.
  • Skilled nursing. Care in a licensed healthcare facility may be best if you need short-term rehabilitation services or a higher level of continuous care for health issues too complex to be dealt with at home or in an assisted living facility.
  • Life plan communities. Also known as continuing care retirement communities, this option offers a continuum of care that includes independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing. It allows you to enjoy your independent lifestyle now and gives you access to future health care at controlled costs.

Know your budget, know your needs. Once you do, you’ll be much closer to finding the senior living lifestyle that’s best for you.

Source: American Seniors Housing Association and whereyoulivematters.org

srmedia by — February 6, 2018 in Lifestyles

Nearly 90 percent of older drivers don’t make inexpensive adaptations to their vehicles that can improve safety and give them more years behind the wheel, according to new research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

Pedal extensions, seat cushions and steering wheel covers can reduce a senior driver’s crash risk. Drivers aged 65 and over are more than twice as likely as younger drivers to be killed when involved in a crash, AAA notes.

“While many seniors are considered to be safe drivers, they are also the most vulnerable,” said David Yang, executive director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, a non-profit research and educational organization. “Our research suggests that most senior drivers aren’t taking advantage of simple and inexpensive features that can greatly improve their safety and the safety of others on the road.”

Researchers focused on 12 vehicle adaptations and found that fewer than 9 percent of senior drivers reported using any of them. Some of the inexpensive devices that can be purchased and put to use in new or used vehicles are:

  • Cushions and seat pads (improves line of sight and can help alleviate back or hip pain).
  • Convex mirrors (better visibility and minimize blind spots).
  • Pedal extension (helps keep a safe distance from the steering wheel/airbag and optimizes visibility).
  • Steering wheel covers (better grip for drivers with arthritic hands).
  • Hand controls (perform all vehicle maneuvers and functions without the use of lower extremities).

Choosing the right features and working with a trained technician is imperative, AAA said. Of those drivers who have a device, almost 90 percent reported that they didn’t work with a trained professional for installation, a key recommendation by both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA).

“When an ache or pain begins hindering driving ability, many older drivers are able to continue driving safely after making a few adjustments,” says Elin Schold Davis, project coordinator of AOTA’s Older Driver Initiative. “Occupational therapy practitioners trained in driving rehabilitation are especially valuable in connecting the dots between medical challenges that can affect driving and the appropriate equipment and adaptations needed to remain safely independent in the vehicle.”

Vehicle adaptions also benefit seniors’ mental health by extending their time on the road. Previous research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety shows that seniors who have stopped driving are almost two times more likely to suffer from depression and nearly five times more likely to enter a long-term care facility than those who remain behind the wheel.

In the LongROAD study, more than 70 percent of senior drivers had experienced health conditions that impact muscles and bones such as arthritis, hip/knee replacement and joint pains. Some seniors in the study reduced their driving due to these conditions.

“It’s surprising that more seniors are not utilizing simple and inexpensive vehicle adaptations when you consider the large number who are dealing with muscle and joint conditions,” said Jake Nelson, AAA’s director of traffic safety and advocacy. “Knowledge is power when it comes to extending time behind the wheel, and AAA is committed to providing seniors with the information they need to make sound decisions.”

Older drivers can make inexpensive adaptations to their cars that can improve safety and give them more years behind the wheel, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
srmedia by — January 16, 2018 in Lifestyles

There are about 22,000 senior housing properties in the U.S. And there are different types of senior housing, so figuring out which one to choose can feel a bit daunting. Asking yourself two questions – “How much can I afford?” and “What level of services do I need?” – will help you narrow your range of choices so you can find the best fit for your lifestyle and budget.

You may think senior living is expensive. But a lot of people are surprised at how favorably costs compare to homeownership.

First, figure out how much it costs to stay in your own home. Even if you’ve paid off your mortgage, you still have homeowner’s expenses such as senior-related renovations and ongoing home maintenance issues, as well as expenses for utilities, taxes, groceries, dining out, entertainment, etc. And don’t forget to add up any medical or in-home healthcare expenses.

Next, take all your financial resources into account. In addition to income and your assets, this includes long-term care insurance, veterans or surviving spouse’s benefits, retirement investments or other pension benefits. Once you collect this information, you can establish a budget. Then you can eliminate any retirement housing options that don’t fit within it – making your search that much easier.

Make an objective list of current services and support you need, as well as those you anticipate needing down the road. You may not need health services now, but the reality is that 70 percent of people over the age of 65 will need some type of long-term care, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Here are some broad definitions to help you determine what level of care to look for.

  • Independent living. Offers opportunities to pursue your interests, make friends, and take care of your mind, body and spirit – all while freeing you from the burdens of homeownership. If your overall health is good and you don’t need help with activities of daily living, this could be a good fit for you.
  • Assisted living. These communities are designed to help you live more independently through personal help, transportation and home maintenance. Consider assisted living if there are mobility issues, medication management problems, or difficulties dressing, bathing or grooming.
  • Skilled nursing. Care in a licensed healthcare facility may be best if you need short-term rehabilitation services or a higher level of continuous care for health issues too complex to be dealt with at home or in an assisted living facility.
  • Life plan communities. Also known as continuing care retirement communities, this option offers a continuum of care that includes independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing. It allows you to enjoy your independent lifestyle now and gives you access to future health care at controlled costs.

Know your budget, know your needs. Once you do, you’ll be much closer to finding the senior living lifestyle that’s best for you.

Source: American Seniors Housing Association and whereyoulivematters.org

srmedia by — January 2, 2018 in Lifestyles

Known by the clinical community as “The Christmas Effect,” it has been well-established that many people experience increased feelings of loneliness and isolation during the holidays. In fact, one study found that among people who reported a psychiatric emergency during the holidays, the most common stressors reported were loneliness (40 percent) and being without a family (38 percent).

Those of us who serve as healthcare providers, care delivery leaders and patient advocates often have the most frequent interaction with these people and should serve as the first line of defense to help people avoid experiencing loneliness during the holidays. In fact, in a Washington Post article earlier this year, Dr. Sachin H. Jain, president of CareMore, the integrated health delivery system where I work, calls for every one of us who are involved in the healthcare delivery system to take responsibility to treat loneliness. And, as identified in new research, more people are growing older without family members around them – meaning that today more than ever, there is a significantly greater level of disconnect and loneliness during the holiday season (and year-round).

I take this responsibility seriously in my role at CareMore, and I urge you to do the same. In my 28 years of experience as a social worker focused on the senior population, I have come to recognize the importance of togetherness on a person’s health. This is why we launched CareMore’s Togetherness Program, the industry’s first clinical program to address senior loneliness.

Many in the healthcare community have asked specifically what they should be telling patients. I want to share the tips that I often give patients to help them cope during what can be a challenging time.

  • Create new traditions. If this holiday season is a person’s first without a spouse or family member, the memories of long-standing family traditions and the first season where those traditions are not possible can understandably create feelings of sadness and isolation. I encourage those who have recently lost a loved one to be purposeful about how traditions can be continued in a new way, whether through sharing a favorite holiday recipe with a local senior group, caroling with your community center or starting a new “Friendsgiving” holiday, which is what I did when I moved to a new city with no family or friends nearby.
  • Find ways to give back. The holidays are a perfect time to think outside of ourselves and give back, whether to our communities or an international cause. Many local organizations like soup kitchens, homeless shelters and community centers host special meals for the underprivileged in the community that rely on volunteers.

And for those who are less mobile, there are several organizations that offer volunteer opportunities that can be done from home. One of my favorites is Operation Christmas Child, where volunteers are simply asked to assemble boxes with supplies for children in need across the world.  AARP’s Connect2Affect programis a great tool for finding local volunteer opportunities.

  • Pick up the phone. Many people experience The Christmas Effect due to loved ones being located in other parts of the world. As the holidays approach, scheduling regular phone calls to stay connected with loved ones near and far – even if only for 10 minutes a week – helps to create new traditions and ensure people remain connected to loved ones. We had one CareMore member who wasn’t mobile enough to participate in local events or organizations, so I introduced him to a fantastic organization, called Senior Center Without Walls, that provides call-in opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals which are centered around topics like gratitude, exotic travel destinations and history. That member is now leading three of these groups, including monthly phone conversations, and says that he feels more connected than ever because of this.
  • Think local. Most local community and senior centers, as well as places of worship, have special programs around the holiday season, from crafting classes for wreaths and decorations to candlelight caroling. It just takes a few phone calls or some online research to find these opportunities (try EventBrite or Patch). Once you’ve taken the first step of signing up, I guarantee that you’ll be surprised to realize just how fun these classes can be and how many others in the class are also looking to make new friends.
  • Ask For Help. Start by reaching out to your healthcare provider to determine what special resources and activities they may be able to recommend to you. At CareMore, we are already planning our holiday programming to include local activities, such as sponsoring Meals on Wheels deliveries, collecting holiday cards that will be shipped to armed service members who are currently deployed, and hosting cultural dance demonstrations at our “Nifty After Fifty” fitness centers.

I am proud to be a part of an organization that is invested in delivering common-sense solutions to meet the medical, social and personal health needs of aging seniors inside and outside the doctor’s office – whether the need is for transportation, integrated dental care, exercise programs.

Since the launch of CareMore’s Togetherness Program in May, over 500 socially isolated seniors have begun to receive regular outreach from CareMore to connect them to community and clinical resources. Further, CareMore employees are connecting with the cause, with 130 employees electing to “adopt” a patient who is lonely by initiating and maintaining regular contact.

We are beginning to measure the results of this initiative, but early feedback suggests we are making a real difference in the lives of the patients we serve. And, through these efforts, we aim to make the holiday season a time of joy, love and togetherness. However, we all have a role to play.

 

Robin Caruso, who wrote this article, is a social worker.

Contributing Author by — December 20, 2017 in Lifestyles