Young at Heart
S U P P L E M E N T T O T H E A L P E N A N E W S • W E D N E S D A Y, O C T O B E R 1 1 , 2 0 2 3
Show me your moves
Square dancing allows older folks to move and have fun By MICHAEL GONZALEZ News Staff Writer
ALPENA — Katie and Glenn Taylor, founders of square dance classes with the Association of Lifelong Learners, teach the dance form to all interested in learning. There are no age restrictions, yet older people seem to come to their lessons more often than other age groups. According to Katie Taylor, some remember having fun learning the techniques of square dancing in elementary school and want to get back into it. Others just want to move and socialize with other people. She said square dancing is almost like a game when you try to coordinate your own movement with what the caller is telling everyone what to do. “This is fun because it’s a game,” Katie Taylor said. “It’s like Simon Says … because you have to do instant recall and you have to remember the little steps.” One of the recurring dancers for the Taylors is Sherryl Kelly, who just got into square dancing in
January. Kelly was in a severe car crash 12 years ago. For the first month after the crash, she was in a coma and woke up only to realize she couldn’t do any normal functions, such as talking or walking. After many years of physical therapy and healing, she can do all of those things now, but she still has pains in her arms and legs. Because of those injuries, it’s hard to move well all the time, but, as soon as Kelly saw the posters for square dancing last year, she came to the lessons. “I love it,” Kelly said. “I like meeting other people and I have met some wonderful friends. Katie picks me up and we drive for 20 minutes to the (Presque Isle) clubhouse for a square dance with more people. And those 20 minutes mean a lot to me.” The clubhouse meetups are for everyone around Northeast Michigan who wants to square dance with others. Katie Taylor mentioned that the oldest gentleman who participates and has a good time is 93 years old. The last time she went out to visit the clubhouse,
News Photo by Mike Gonzalez Glenn Taylor, far left, and Katie Taylor, far right, practice square dancing moves with peers at the M. Briggs Center last week. ____________________________________________ 2 - Young at Heart ~ Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Kelly gave Katie Taylor flowers as a form of appreciation. Kelly especially likes square dancing because it’s a good way to connect the brain with your body. “It’s great for connection with the brain, movement, and the thought process,” Kelly said. “You have to kind of think ahead and know what the call is and then do your moves. That’s a brain exercise.” Another fun aspect she enjoys are the mess-ups that happen when a square gets uncoordinated. Square dancing involves eight people in a square, two people in a pair. Dancers not only need to know the moves that are instantly called, but some moves have people switch partners, so it gets tricky to remember who you’re partnered up with at the moment. “We laugh, and somebody else gets goofed up, and we wonder who was my partner,” Kelly said. “One’s over here and one’s over there. We just say, ‘OK, let’s just find somebody and get back into square.’”
Can couples move into assisted living facilities together? The decision to move into an assisted living facility requires careful consideration, and that decision may necessitate even greater deliberation for couples. The organization SeniorLiving.org, which is devoted to empowering older adults to age with ease, notes that many assisted living facilities offer living arrangements for spouses who do not necessarily require the same level of care and attention as their partners. Though each facility is different, and some may not allow couples to live together when one person requires significant help with day-to-day living, many provide apartment-style living in which housing units are equipped
with safety features, such as handrails and wheelchair accessibility, that can make daily living safer for aging individuals with physical challenges without making life difficult for their partners with no such issues. In addition, SeniorLiving.org notes that, at most assisted living facilities, residents will only pay for the services required, meaning couples will not have to pay for services such as medication management and activities of daily living assistance for the spouse who does not require such help. Such flexibility can make life easier and more affordable for couples who choose to move into assisted living facilities together.
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Signs it could be time to move to an assisted living facility Assisted living facilities provide a vital service to families across the globe. In fact, more than 800,000 people in the United States are currently living in assisted living facilities, according to a 2023 report from Zippia, an online recruitment service that gathers information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and its own internal data. The decision to move oneself or an aging relative into an assisted living facility is complicated. Though such facilities typically offer an excellent standard of care, it can still be bittersweet for an individual to leave his or her home. It also can be difficult to identify when is the best time to make such a transition. Though each individual case is unique, the following are some indicators that the time might be right to move oneself or an aging loved one into an assisted living facility. • Emotional challenges: The National Council on Aging notes that certain emotional challenges may indicate the time is right for an in-
dividual to move into an assisted living facility. The NCOA encourages individuals making such a decision independent of others to ask themselves if they are experiencing feelings of loneliness or depression. Assisted living facilities can provide much-needed social interaction that seniors may not be getting at home. If feelings of loneliness or depression are present, then the time might be right to make the move to an assisted living facility. • Physical challenges: Many individuals move into assisted living facilities because the physical challenges of daily life have become too significant to handle alone. The NCOA notes that individuals who are feeling overwhelmed by tasks such as buying groceries, cooking and cleaning may benefit from moving into assisted living facilities that handle such tasks for them. • Issues with hygiene: The presence of additional challenges related to hygiene also may suggest a move to an assisted living facility
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may be beneficial. Staff at assisted living facilities can help adults who are struggling to bathe, dress themselves or use a restroom on their own. Family members can look for signs that a loved one’s personal hygiene has taken a turn for the worse. Issues with hygiene can be a byproduct of depression, and poor hygiene also can increase risk for infection and illness. • Injuries: The NCOA notes that falls or near-falls are another potential sign that a person can benefit from moving to an assisted living facility. Falls can hurt anyone, but they can be especially damaging to aging adults. For example, the National Institutes of Health report that falls may result in loss of independence, chronic pain and reduced quality
of life. Assisted living facilities are often equipped with features to reduce risk of falls, such as grab bars in showers and bathrooms and even along corridor walls. In addition, assisted living facilties may be housed in single-story buildings or equipped with elevators, which means residents won’t be forced to navigate potentially dangerous staircases at any point during the day. Staff also can respond quickly if residents experience a fall, providing much-needed assistance that seniors living alone or with an aging spouse may not get at home. Various signs may indicate that the time is right for individuals to move into an assisted living facility so they can more safely navigate daily life.
Are You a Medicare Rookie? Pros Can Help You Find Right Plan (StatePoint) Roughly 4.4 million Americans will reach the age of 65 in 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. While age is just a number in some respects, this particular birthday marks the time when Americans become eligible for the federal Medicare health insurance program. And if you’ll be hitting this milestone soon, you’re in good company, as athlete, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Earvin “Magic” Johnson will be doing the same. “I’ve been a rookie a few times in my life, but this time, I’m new to Medicare,” says Johnson. Medicare is the government health insurance program for Americans 65 and older, and those under 65 with certain disabilities, providing hospital coverage (Part A) and physician visits (Part B) to those who qualify. During this year’s Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which takes place between Oct. 15-Dec. 7, 2023, rookies and pros alike can hone their health insurance selection game plan with a little coaching. That’s why Magic Johnson got these tips from Cigna Healthcare, which serves millions of Medicare customers nationwide:
1. Don’t delay. Medicare has a seven-month window around your 65th birthday called the Initial Enrollment Period. Enrolling outside this window could result in higher premiums on Medicare Part B for the rest of your life. However, if you’re still working, you may be able to keep your current plan, depending on the size of your company, and switch to Medicare without penalty when you retire. If you’re not working and you’ve already filed for Social Security, you’ll be automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B when you turn 65. 2. Know what’s covered. Medicare Parts A and B are sometimes called Original Medicare and cover hospital and physician expenses. To cover things like dental, vision, hearing and pharmacy, you may opt for a Medicare Advantage plan (also known as Part C), which covers everything that Medicare does and provides additional benefits, including, in many cases, prescription drugs (also known as Part D). Assessing your budget, health needs, doctor preferences and lifestyle will be important in making the best choice for you.
3. Read the fine print. Before signing up for a particular plan, make sure that your favorite health care providers are in its network. While you may be able to go out of network for care, be prepared to pay more if you do. You’ll also want to factor in all the associated costs of a given plan, including monthly premiums, co-pays and deductibles, as well as the prices and rules around the prescription drugs you take. 4. Get help. Turn to resources and platforms that can help ensure you understand the plan you’re enrolling in. Call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) 24/7. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. Or, visit the Medicare Plan Finder website at Medicare.gov/plan-compare. For local assistance, refer to the State Health In-
surance Assistance Program at www. shiptacenter.org. You can also contact individual Medicare plans, including Cigna at CignaMedicareInformation. com. 5. Use your benefits. For optimal health, make full use of your plan’s benefits. In particular, be sure to get the wellness checks and preventive screenings needed for your age and health status. If your plan offers extra perks, such as fitness or nutrition programs, take advantage of them. “If you find out that the plan you signed up for last year is not the right fit, lean into the experts about what works best for you and make changes during AEP to set yourself up for a winning year,” says Johnson.
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How to handle selling a home when moving into an assisted living facility Families must make a number of important decisions when an aging relative decides the time is right to move into an assisted living facility. Such facilities help older individuals who are having troubling living independently. In addition to finding the right facility for a loved one, many families have to decide what to do with their aging loved one’s home. Aging individuals with companions such as a spouse or a live-in partner may not need to sell their house if that person will not be moving to the assisted living facility with them. However, many partners choose to move as well, and family members may need to sell their current home in order to pay for their loved one to stay at an assisted living facility. The senior care experts at Caring.com note that selling a home when a loved one decides to move into an assisted living facility can present some emotional aspects that will not necessarily be present when selling one’s own home. In
recognition of that and some additional difficulties associated with this unique situation, Caring.com offers the following tips to help families navigate the process as smoothly as possible. • Consider assigning someone power of attorney. Individuals move into assisted living facilities for a number of reasons, so not everyone will do so because of diminishing cognitive abilities. However, Caring.com notes that selling the home of a loved one diagnosed with dementia can present unique challenges, as only a homeowner can transfer a home to a new owner. In such instances, someone may need to step in and assume power of attorney. Contact an elder law attorney to facilitate that process, if necessary. Such professionals also can provide insight into laws that can help families determine if it’s best to sell the home or hold onto it if proceeds from a potential sale are not needed to pay for a facility. Arrange for power of attorney or
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even a guardianship prior to putting a home on the market. • Discuss the situation and the sale. Aging individuals should be given ample time to process the idea of selling their homes before moving into an assisted living facility. Homeowners make untold sacrifices to buy and maintain their homes, so the decision to sell could elicit a range of emotions that aging individuals have a right to process before a “For Sale” sign is erected in the front yard. Caring. com recommends maintaining an open and honest dialogue about what can be achieved by selling the home and how their quality of life will benefit from moving to the assisted living facility. Keith Wallace, William Pfeifer & Theodore Johnson
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• Sort through belongings. Caring.com notes the significance of allowing aging relatives to take special items with them into the assisted living facility. It will be impossible to take a lifetime’s worth of possessions into such a facility, but sort through belongings with your aging family member and do everything possible to ensure that especially meaningful items can make the move. Remaining items can be donated, sold, given to younger loved ones, or discarded. • Make sure all relevant parties remain in the loop. If one person accepts power of attorney or a similar level of responsibility, that person should ensure all interested parties remain in the loop about the sale process. Aging adults without diminished mental faculties should be routinely updated on the sale process. Keeping all interested parties in the loop reduces the risk of objections or other problems when the sale is set to go through. Selling a home before moving into an assisted living facility presents some unique challenges that families can tackle together to ensure the process goes smoothly.
Choose to Move: 5 Ways to Help Manage Osteoarthritis
(StatePoint) Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and affects over 32.5 million U.S. adults. OA is a degenerative joint disease that causes pain and stiffness and can lead to limited function. OA of the knee is the most common type, affecting more than 12 million Americans ages 65 and older. The signs and symptoms of OA can vary, but commonly include joint stiffness, pain during activity, and cracking or creaking noises around the joint. “Although there is no treatment that can reverse OA, physical therapy can help individuals manage the symptoms conservatively through appropriate and individualized exercise programs and other treatments provided by physical therapists,” said Rachel Prusynski, PT, DPT, PhD, a spokesperson for the American Physical Therapy Association. “Physical therapy may also help to prevent a worsening of OA and the need for invasive procedures and prescribed pain medications.” Backed by research. Many studies have shown that physical therapy is effective in helping manage OA. Now, a new report released by the American Physical Therapy Association provides another reason to choose physical therapy for OA of the knee over commonly used steroid injections — the overall value that physical therapy delivers to patients and the health care system. In addition to saving health care dollars, physical therapy helps patients
increase mobility, balance, strength and flexibility, ultimately contributing to better health and lowering the risk of conditions that could require additional health care services down the road. People with OA should increase their physical activity routines more gradually than those without OA and should avoid high-impact exercises (think jumping or pounding movements on the joints). Prusynski suggests five ways to manage OA symptoms through movement: • Regular physical activity can help maintain and improve movement and function, and reduce joint pain for people with OA. Physical therapists can prescribe a tailored, individual physical activity plan, which in addition to helping with OA symptoms, can also boost heart health and facilitate weight loss. • Muscle strength training with exercises primarily aimed at the large muscle groups around the knee and hip joints. Muscle strengthening
exercises include lifting weights or working with resistance bands. • Low-impact aerobics activities put less stress on the joints and include brisk walking, cycling, swimming, water aerobics, light gardening, certain group exercise classes and dancing. • Balance exercises like walking backward, standing on one foot and tai chi are important for those who are at risk of falling or who have trouble walking. Having OA can increase your risk of falling, so it’s important to build your balance and strength. • Flexibility exercises like stretching and yoga are important for people with arthritis to reduce muscle tension and strain. Yoga can be
modified for those with arthritis. Some people with OA have joint stiffness that makes daily tasks difficult. Doing daily flexibility exercises helps maintain your range of motion so you can keep doing everyday things like household tasks, hobbies and visiting with friends and family. Physical therapists are movement experts who improve quality of life through hands-on care and remote telehealth visits, patient education, and prescribed movement. They are important members of your health care team and often work closely with other health care providers, including your primary care physician. To learn more and find a physical therapist near you, visit ChoosePT.com.
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