The Senior Scene

(Pictured: Jason Erskine, AARP Washington’s communications director, says support and services are critical for people caring for their parents, spouses, or other loved ones.)

By Jason Erskine

Chances are, if you aren’t a family caregiver, you know someone who is. Every day, more than 820,000 Washingtonians help their parents, spouses, siblings, grandparents, neighbors and other loved ones live independently at home – where they want to be.

November is National Family Caregivers Month, a time to highlight the important work these folks do. But simply thanking them isn’t enough. Here in Washington and across the country, AARP is advocating for more support, services that are community-based or home-based, caregiver training, and more. We’re also working to connect caregivers and their loved ones with the resources and supports they need. 

Caregiving may start with driving your loved one to get groceries or going to doctor appointments. As time goes by, you may help prepare meals or handle bills, and you may find yourself taking time off from work to help. You may not think of yourself as a caregiver, but if you are helping someone with daily activities like getting dressed, managing medication and providing transportation to and from appointments, then you are a caregiver, and help is available. Check out the following resources:

Call 2-1-1.

AARP and United Way have teamed up to connect you with trained, compassionate people in your community who can help you find AARP caregiving resources and more. It’s called 2-1-1, it’s free, and you can talk to specialists who can help you find local resources for caring for your loved one, like driving to medical appointments, managing medications, or helping with finances or meals. You can also find resources that will help you navigate more specialized issues like home safety or veterans’ benefits. When you contact 2-1-1 and ask for AARP resources, you can get help for yourself, too, including support groups and counseling and employment and placement assistance. Call or visit www.aarp.org/211care

Caring for Caregivers.

Visit “Caring for Caregivers” at www.aarp.org/caregiverswa. You’ll find links to local resources and support, special events and activities for caregivers, and more.  Be sure to look for our video podcast series featuring discussions with local experts, community leaders, and caregivers just like you on a range of topics to help you along your caregiving journey.

Local Resources Guide.

If you are wondering where to turn closer to home, our state resource guide is here to help. Find local services for family caregiving, finances, legal support, health assistance, housing and care facilities, end-of-life care, and more. For more information, visit https://states.aarp.org/washington-211. A print copy is also available by calling 877-333-5885.

BenefitsCheckUp.org:

Operated by the National Council on Aging (NCOA), www.BenefitsCheckUp.org is a free tool that identifies services that can help pay for healthcare, medication, food, and utilities. For those needing long-term care or caregiver support, the platform can connect users to affordable aid and volunteer caregiver relief options. Additionally, the site assists with applications for over 50 programs, like Medicare’s Extra Help and state pharmacy plans.

No matter where you are in your caregiving journey — starting to plan; taking care of a friend or family member,  in a home, a facility, or from a distance; or managing end-of-life caregiving responsibilities — having the right resources, information, and connections can make all the difference.  Understand that you’re not alone in this journey; your role is essential, and there are tools out there to help.

Jason Erskine is AARP Washington’s communications director.

WHAT’S YOUR STORY?

As part of National Family Caregivers Month in November, Pierce County Human Services, through its Aging and Disability Resources program, is inviting the public to share personal stories about caring for loved ones and how it has affected their lives. The stories can be submitted online at https://www.cognitoforms.com/PierceCounty2/FamilyCaregiverStories

By Cyndi Bray

Cutting energy waste in the home is not only good for the environment, it can also save money. Most people wouldn’t expect it, but washing machines and dryers are some of the biggest energy wasters in homes. One study estimated the nation’s residential laundry carbon dioxide emissions at 179 million metric tons per year. That’s equal to the total annual energy use of more than 21 million homes. 

While high-efficiency machines use less water and electricity than other models, more can be done to reduce the environmental impact of doing laundry, especially when it comes to cumbersome items like bed sheets.

The first step is to know your machines. Most people never take the time to read the owner’s manual for their washer and dryer, which could lead to missed maintenance and not fully understanding what the various cycles and settings mean.

It’s also important to check the care labels on garments, towels, and sheets. The fabric care instructions sewn into the items list the harshest conditions they can tolerate. Many people will be surprised to learn that laundry advice passed down from parents and grandparents may conflict with manufacturer recommendations.

These tips can also help save time, energy, water, and even money when doing laundry:

• Give your dryer a clean slate. Check and empty the lint trap before each load. A full lint trap reduces efficiency and becomes a fire hazard. A clogged lint trap prevents the dryer from being able to exhaust hot air, causing it to overheat.
• Washing in cold water eliminates the need to use energy to heat the water, and it is also gentler on fabrics so they will last longer. Heating water uses the most energy where the washer is concerned. These days, most laundry detergents clean well in cold water, and there are also options specific for washing on cold.
• Combine loads. When you wash everything in cold water, you could eliminate the need for separate loads, so you may be able to wash fewer loads. Don’t be afraid to mix your clothes in with your sheets. (If you’re washing a new colorful item, be sure to keep it away from whites and light colors.)
• When washing and drying sheets, use Wad-Free for Bed Sheets, which prevents them from tangling, twisting, and balling-up in the washing machine and the dryer, so they come out cleaner and dry up to 75 percent faster. The savings are significant. 
• Keep dryers on low. Even though it will take longer for items to dry using a low heat setting, you will still use less energy than a medium or high setting, and again all your items will last longer without exposure to heat. Drying loads one after the other can also help by retaining the heat in the dryer for the next load.

And instead of chemical fabric softeners or dryer sheets that end up in landfills, opt for reusable wool dryer balls with a few drops of essential oils on them to add scent to laundry and reduce static.

Cyndi Bray is the inventor and founder of Wad-Free (wadfree.com) laundry products.

(Pictured: Italy, with its stunning views and favorable cost of living, is a highly rated foreign home for U.S. retirees.)

Retirees contemplating a change in surroundings might consider one of five countries for expats. 

Luxury cruise specialist Panache Cruises has named its top-five locations for retirees seeking a new life outside of the states. Life expectancy, safety, healthcare, and amenities in each country were analyzed to provide retirees with the most comfortable experience and post-job life. 

Italy offers a well-rounded transport infrastructure for residents, spanning buses, trains, and air travel with senior discounts, helping it secure the top spot in Panache’s opinion. 

With a reputation as one of the safest countries in the world, experts rank Canada at the number two spot. 

Retirees hoping to spend their post-work years surrounded by sunshine and sandy beaches should consider New Zealand, at the number three spot. American expats would be joining 60,000 retirees already living there. 

Also included in the top five are Greece and Monaco, both renowned for their quality of life and top healthcare facilities. 

James Cole, founder and managing director of Panache Cruises, said:many retirees choose to travel once they have finished working, to explore areas of the world they have never seen before. And those “looking to settle permanently in another country should consider important factors before jetting off. Researching how to obtain citizenship is an obvious starting point. and each country will have its own unique set of requirements. However, living in most countries part-time is usually easily attainable.”

As a general rule, Cole said, “you can stay in many of the world’s top destinations for 90 days on a standard tourist visa. Many other countries offer retirees 180-day visitation visas, which will allow you to spend six months of every year away from the U.S.”.

Here’s more of what Panache says about its top five: 

Italy 

Expats here can be assured to experience a fuller and longer retirement. Italy offers pleasure which can be experienced at a leisurely rate, with stunning views, beaches, food and wine all on offer. Cost-of-living is also favorable, especially within the southern areas of the country.

Canada 

With a reputation for being one of the safest countries in the world, American retirees moving to Canada can expect a quiet and peaceful life. Home to some of the best landscapes and views the world has to offer, the country is the perfect spot for wildlife-watching expats. Canada offers free healthcare to its citizens and permanent residents. The quality of life offered for expats makes it such a good option for retirees. Most visitors can stay for up to six months, but emigrating can be complex. 

New Zealand

This stunning country welcomes expats and retirees from all over the world. New Zealand has a reputation for peaceful, laid-back lifestyles for all. The universal public healthcare system is also rated highly against others around the world. New Zealand is the perfect destination for outdoor-loving retirees, with an abundance of hiking, sailing, and walking.

Monaco

Thanks to its tax-haven status, there is a thriving expat community here, with retirees from across the world. They experience a luxurious lifestyle, stunning Mediterranean coastline, and cultural attractions. As of 2022, Monaco had the oldest population in the world, with 36 percent over the age of 65. These numbers are assisted by the healthcare and safe environment in the country, making it even more favorable for American retirees. Recreational activities include golf, tennis, swimming, and sailing. Moving to Monaco isn’t cheap, though, given that a deposit of 500,000 Euros must be made in a local bank account before applying to become a resident. 

Greece

This sunshine-filled Mediterranean country has long been a hotspot for travelers and retirees alike. The Greek islands offer expats a life of blue skies and sandy beaches. The affordable cost of living, warm hospitality, and stunning scenery are part of what makes the country so attractive for retirees. With an average over 250 sunny days per year, Greece is the perfect spot for sun-seekers.