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September 29, 2016
Today’s seniors have more options for health care, housing and leisure time than ever before. Look inside for tips and strategies to make the best of your golden years. A SPECIAL SECTION BY
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September 29, 2016
Downsizing a
home:
Simple steps to keep in mind By Carolyn Gensler It’s important for seniors to realize the many steps required in downsizing to a smaller home. First, you have to make sure your home is ready to sell and there is no deferred maintenance to cause your home to fail an inspection. That includes making sure holes in walls and doors have been repaired, furnaces and hot water heaters meet code, worn floors and carpets have been refinished or replaced. Second, the expense before selling can be a deterrent and hardship for many seniors. So spread out the cost of keeping your home saleable. And think about what “stuff” you can do without if you’re moving to a smaller place. Times have changed and the children don’t always want the china, antiques and knickknacks that seniors have loved. Another crisis happens when one partner is suddenly diagnosed with a terminal illness or is unable to maneuver in the current two-story home. Emotions and stress are at an alltime high and dealing with the illness and moving is extremely difficult. The best recommendation is for seniors to attend educational events, get legal documents in order, downsize while they are able to do so and plan to enjoy the later years. Whether you decide to live with children or find a home in a senior community, an apartment or a resort-style senior complex, make that choice for yourself. Don’t leave it to your children because you are no longer able to make decisions. Many people don’t realize Senior Real Estate Specialists exist to help seniors prepare for these difficult decisions. Denver has four senior coalitions comprised of professionals who provide services to seniors. If you’d like to hear about options for seniors, Carolyn Gensler of Re/Max Professionals and Erica Starich of Senior Move Coordinators are presenting free educational programs on Choices for Seniors and Downsizing. For more information, call 303-8859989. Carolyn Gensler is a Senior Real Estate Specialist with Re/Max Professionals.
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Home changes to be safe as a senior By Brandpoint What homeowner, young or old, isn’t interested in affordable and functional home improvements that can be enjoyed for years to come? For seniors 65 and older, well-thought-out additions or upgrades are necessary for continued comfort and safety. Aging in place, or modifying your home to better accommodate changing needs, can be a major undertaking. Building entrance and access ramps, widening entrances and doorways, adding a first-floor bedroom and bath, and other structural accommodations can be costly. But many other options that add both convenience and safety don’t require major expenditures. Installing grab bars in baths and bedrooms to help with standing and balance, switching to lever-handled doorknobs, lowering electrical switches and raising electrical outlets are among the most frequently completed non-budget-busting projects, according to the 2015 “Aging in Place Survey Report” from HomeAdvisor. Replacing slippery tile or vinyl flooring with slipresistant surfaces is also a must as falls are among the leading cause of injury to seniors. Adequate lighting Adequate lighting is an important health and safety consideration for seniors, since vision changes rapidly in our later years. Universal Design guidelines call for increasing both task lighting and general room illumination as we age.
Enjoy easy-on-the-eyes balanced natural light and passive ventilation with Energy Star-qualified solar powered fresh air skylights. They close automatically in case of rain and carry a 10-year warranty against leaks. Research published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology suggests that natural light may be better for aging eyes than artificial light. The health benefits of natural light are well documented, from boosting your body’s ability to produce vitamin D to helping improve mood and fight seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Natural light also enhances virtually any decor, while helping reduce dependence on artificial light and lowering electricity bills. Increased ventilation Indoor air quality, according to an EPA study, can be worse than the air outside your home, and many people spend as much as 90 percent of their time indoors. Poor indoor air quality has been linked to respiratory problems, eye irritation, headaches and even depression. Adding skylights is one of
the easiest, most cost-effective ways to achieve balanced, glare-free natural light, as well as passive ventilation, in virtually any space. Energy Starqualified, solar-powered, fresh air skylights, like those from Velux America, bring homeowners the health and functional benefits of enhanced natural light and fresh air at an affordable price. Further enhance the energy efficiency and aesthetic appeal of skylights by adding solarpowered blinds in designer colors and patterns. The skylights, which close automatically in case of rain, and blinds, are operated by a programmable remote control. Both products, plus the installation costs, are eligible for a 30 percent federal tax credit. Learn more at www. whyskylights.com. Home monitoring and security Other options that address functionality and living safely,
independently and comfortably include home automation systems and Smart Home technologies, security systems, in-home health and activity monitoring to detect falls, and cell phone apps that control thermostats, lighting and other systems in the home. Additional resources are available at the HomeAdvisor “Aging in Place” site. When is the best time to plan for a long life as a senior? Marty Bell, executive director of the National Aging in Place Council, sums it up nicely in the 2015 report: “Too many of us wait until we reach a health or financial crisis to plan for getting older. We plan our careers, we plan to send our children to college, we plan our vacations, but we don’t plan to age. And yet the evidence is there that those who do accept they are going to get older, and make plans in advance, have a considerably better later life.”
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September 29, 2016
Helping others can lead to a longer life By Kent Mulkey Health care and senior living professionals have long observed that those who live with purpose, gratitude and a giving heart seem to have a spring in their step, a smile on their face, and perhaps even a few more birthdays. There is no scientific proof to support this longevity trifecta, of course, but a study conducted by Dr. Eric Kim, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health research fellow, and researcher Sara Konrath suggests having a purpose in life may, indeed, lead to a longer, healthier one. The pair studied more than 7,000 Americans over age 50 and found those who did volunteer work “spent 38 percent fewer nights in the hospital” and took better care of themselves than nonvolunteers. Other studies showed volunteers also enjoyed better health, more stamina and lower stress levels. That’s good news for older adults who, now retired, have time to explore more altruistic experiences, ones they may not have had time to pursue while working and raising a family. At Covenant Village of Colorado, a senior living community in Westminster, residents and staff logged more than 8,000 volunteer hours last year. Some served as ushers at Arvada Center or used their professional background to assist at the Inner City Health Center, tutor students in reading, or verify the electrical work at a Habitat for Humanity construction site. The intangible benefits alone—such as pride, satisfaction and accomplishment—are worthwhile reasons to volunteer. Those who devote a considerable amount of time, about 100 hours per year, are most likely to exhibit positive health benefits, according to the Corporation for National and Community Service. For seniors, that means more: Physical benefits: In addition to fewer nights in the hospital, those who volunteer experience
Volunteering is one way for seniors to stay active and healthy. Shutterstock image fewer chronic conditions, too. People who volunteer after a heart attack were less likely to experience familiar post-illness effects of depression and despair. Emotional benefits: Volunteering builds empathy, strengthens social bonds and makes you feel more productive. Those who volunteer experience less isolation, which can contribute to depression. Shared wisdom: Younger generations benefit from the wealth of experience and knowledge older adults have acquired throughout their lifetime. Sharing that wisdom and expanding social circles provides older adults with a sense of purpose. Spiritual purpose: For many, serving is part of a lifelong journey, one that brings personal satisfaction and fulfils a spiritual purpose. Finally, a study by Argentum, formerly the Assisted Living Federation of America, found that people age 75 or older who were active physically,
mentally and socially were most likely to live past age 90. Researchers also found that active seniors lived an average of 5.4 years longer than their inactive peers. Perhaps there’s some truth to that longevity trifecta, after all. Kent Mulkey is executive director at Covenant Village of Colorado, a faith-based, not-for-profit continuing care retirement community in Westminster and administered by Covenant Retirement Communities, the nation’s fifth largest not-forprofit senior living provider.
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September 29, 2016
Shutterstock image
Be savvy: map out senior living choices By Andrew Granger When mapping out plans for our lives we always have a Plan A, what we really want to happen and assume will happen. If we’re savvy, we also make a Plan B, a viable alternative that would be just as acceptable. Then there is Plan C, notorious for its last-minute scramble and only reserved for when things get desperate. Apply this to senior living choices. Most people, when considering their future care options, acknowledge Plan A is to stay at home. In reality, however, home is not always the safest or the most convenient option. Loneliness, the inability to drive, needing a bit of assistance with daily life, and the high expense of in-home care are all reasons to start thinking about Plan B. Plan B is your reliable, viable back-up plan when you find living at home is no longer the best option — or your care needs exceed what you, a spouse or your adult children can help with. Plan B is researching and choos-
Why Wait? Get
ing a good senior living community that is to your liking, before it’s too late and you have to rely upon the dubious Plan C. To get started on a Plan B, think about your future and ask some important questions. Do yourself a favor and give the answers a lot of thought. How is my health? What is the likelihood that I will require assistance? Is my house situated so I can get around easily? Is my family nearby and available to help? Can I or do I want to live with my family? As I continue to age, how will my requirements change? What can my finances support? Research and personal visits to different types of communities are a must. Good sources for communities are the internet, phonebooks and local senior publications and organizations. Compile a list and start touring. As you visit, be sure to ask questions that will define the quality of your life in that community. Services,
resident impressions and level of care provided are important factors. Take good notes and take home all the printed information the community can provide. Involve your family and loved ones and their opinions. This decision can be as much emotional as it is pragmatic. Be sure to keep your top choices for the various levels of care you might need and a letter of instruction in a place where your family can find it. This prevents leaving your spouse or your children to deal with choosing emergency options of Plan C because your wishes were not made known. Most people do not regret moving to a senior living community — the quality of life, opportunities and peace of mind that people experience make them wonder why moving was never Plan A in the first place. Andrew Granger is community relations director with Ralston Creek Senior Living in Arvada.
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September 29, 2016
How to choose the right residential care facility
C
hoosing a residential care facility may seem like an overwhelming task, but asking the right questions and knowing what you should be looking for in a facility can make it more manageable. Because residential care is available in a variety of settings, it’s important to understand the needs of the person with dementia so you can choose the best care.
The first step, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, is understanding what kind of care facilities can provide. And the second step is to ask the right questions.
TYPES OF FACILITIES RETIREMENT HOUSING: This can be appropriate for individuals in the early stage of Alzheimer’s who can still care for themselves independently. There is limited supervision, social activities, transportation and other amenities.
ASSISTED LIVING: This bridges the gap between living independently and in a nursing home. It typically offers a combination of housing, meals, supportive services and health care.
MEMORY CARE UNITS:
NURSING HOMES:
These are designed to meet the These provide around-the-clock care specific needs of individuals with Alzheimer’s and long-term medical treatment. Most nursing disease and other dementias. They take many homes have services and staff to address issues such as forms and exist within various types of residential care, nutrition, care planning, recreation, spirituality and medical care. They including assisted living facilities, and may or may have different staff-to-resident ratios and staff members have not be secured units. Because laws vary by various levels of experience and training. They state, it’s important to ask specific are usually regulated by the federal CONTINUING questions about the care government and licensed by provided. the state. CARE RETIREMENT
COMMUNITIES:
These provide different levels of care — independent, assisted living and nursing home — based on individual needs. A resident can move through the levels of care if needed. Shutterstock images
QUESTIONS TO ASK Factors to consider include staff, the facility, the programs and type of treatment provided. For a full list of questions, go to www.alz.org or call the Alzheimer’s Association’s 24/7 Helpline number, 1-800-2723900.
Source: The Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org, 24/7 Helpline number 1-800-272-3900.
MAKE A VISIT Plan to visit several facilities. Make an appointment for the first visit, but then also make one or two unannounced visits. Look around and talk to staff, residents and their families. Visit at different times of the day, including meal times. Ask to see the latest survey/inspection report and, in some states, the Special Care Unit Disclosure form, all of which facilities are required to provide. Ask questions about cost and insurance considerations.
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September 29, 2016
Do you suffer from a longevity disconnect?
By Brandpoint
T
hey say that age is just a number. For the 10,000 who reach retirement age every day, however, that number may come with a multitude of questions about whether they have done enough to prepare for retirement. The good news is that Americans today are living longer than previous generations. But too many of us don’t realize that this boost in lifespan means we need to fund a retirement that could last for 20 or 30 years. This is what’s known as the longevity disconnect. Calculating how much you need to save for retirement is even more difficult if you don’t realize how long retirement can be. What concerns Americans the most? One of the biggest worries Americans have when it comes to retirement is outliving their money, according to a plan participant survey by Prudential Retirement. A substantial 71 percent of survey respondents fear they may not have sufficient income for their retirement years. Only one in five are highly confident they will have enough to last a lifetime. “Today we have more financial information, education and planning tools available to us than ever before,” says Christine Marcks, president of Prudential Retirement. “But despite the steady drumbeat of headlines about retirement planning, we’re still not getting it right.” Why are people having a hard time saving for retirement? Why are they actually saving less when they need to save more?
Blame our brains
The answer to those questions may surprise you. Research shows the reason could lie in how our brains are wired to respond to the environment. Humans are conditioned to focus on survival in the here and now. Yet, our contemporary life demands that we plan for multiple scenarios and contingencies, often with effects that could shape our lives far into the future. Behavioral researchers have found that people actually perceive their future selves as strangers, and many find it difficult to understand the financial needs that “stranger” will have in his or her lifetime. That’s one reason why saving for many years ahead is difficult for us. This and further research from Pru-
Shutterstock images dential shows us there are five inherent behavioral biases that make us our own worst enemies when it comes to saving for retirement.
1 Not being aware of increasing life spans (longevity disconnect) 2 Putting off difficult or time-consuming tasks (procrastination) 3 Thinking that bad things only happen to other people (optimism bias) 4 Making decisions
based on what other people are doing (herd mentality)
5 Putting today’s wants
ahead of tomorrow’s needs (instant gratification)
Smart planning For older Americans approaching retirement, the greatest advice comes from the people who know best: those already in retirement. Many retirees agree that, if they had to do it again, they would take advantage of everything available through
their employers. Other advice includes maximizing contributions to your workplace-based retirement plan or IRA, and taking advantage of IRS-allowed catchup contributions if you’re 50 or older. Retirees also suggest that those approaching retirement assess all the ways they spend money today, and avoid impulse purchases or peer pressure. Careful planning now can help you to achieve your goals of a secure and fulfilling retirement and make it last a lifetime.
Molly Brown House gives glimpse of famous figure
T
he life of Margaret Brown spanned one of the greatest periods of change in American history. From her birth in a Mississippi river town to elegant Newport, Rhode Island, from the Colorado mines to the stages of New York and Paris, she had a starring role as a progressive reformer and a strong voice for human rights. Molly continues on Page 25
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September 29, 2016
Molly Continued from Page 24
Margaret, who was never known as “Molly” during her lifetime, first achieved fame after her husband J.J. Brown, a self-taught mining engineer, struck gold in Colorado’s mines in the 1890s. After the family moved to Denver in 1894, Margaret’s egalitarian spirit led her to the most pressing issues of her day. The Molly Brown House Museum was designed and built in 1889 by William Lang in Denver’s fashionable Capitol Hill neighborhood. Margaret and J.J. Brown purchased the home in 1894 and it was in Margaret “Molly” Brown’s possession until her death in 1932. In 1970, Historic Denver, Inc. was organized to save the home from potential destruction.
Aided by historic photographs taken during Mrs. Brown’s occupancy, Historic Denver has authentically restored the home to the opulence of turn-of-thecentury Denver and Mrs. Brown’s lavish lifestyle. The mission of Historic Denver’s Molly Brown House Museum is to accurately portray the story of Margaret Tobin Brown within the context of her lifetime through ongoing research, artifact collection, preservation and educational programming in order to inspire courage, conviction and pro-active change in her spirit. Come visit: Hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Sunday, noon – 4 p.m. Closed all major holidays. Admission (prices are subject to change): Adults $8; Seniors, 65 and older, $6; Children 6-12, $4. For additional information, call 303832-4092 or visit www.mollybrown.org.
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