My Communicator | Fall 2022

Advocating for Others

A nursing home resident, who has advanced dementia and no supportive family, developed a new behavior in the form of talking loudly in the common area and irritating other residents and staff. To address the issue, the nursing home moved her to a secure, locked unit for “individualized attention.”

Is this really what was best for her or was it best just for the nursing home? Did they try any other less restrictive things before doing this?

This example touches on the importance of every nursing home resident having an advocate, especially when they lack the ability to advocate for themselves.

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Yep, We Do That!

Delaware County residents are often surprised at the scope of SourcePoint’s services

The Delaware County Senior Services Levy is on the ballot Nov. 8.

The current levy expires at the end of 2023. If local in-home and community aging services are to continue through 2028, we need your vote!

Keep the care going!

Learn more on page 16 and go to SaveSeniorServices.org

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Antioxidants May Lower Dementia Risk

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Do You Need Dietary

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Interview Tips for Older Job Seekers

& Retirement

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Top 10 Budgeting Tips for Older Adults

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SourcePoint is the primary resource and starting point for professional expertise, services, and programs for Delaware County adults who want to thrive after 55. SourcePoint is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Services and programs are supported in part by the local senior services levy, corporate and private donations, sponsorships, grants, the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging, and United Way of Delaware County.

2022 Board of Directors

President: Gretchen Roberts, MSN, NEA-BC, Powell

Vice President: Wren Kruse, JD, New Albany

Secretary: Alice Frazier, MD, Delaware

Treasurer: Dennis Mowrey, Delaware

Randy Bournique, Delaware Adrienne Corbett, Delaware Carlos Crawford, MS, JD, Delaware Karen Crosman, Powell Jack Fette, Lewis Center Pamela Foster, Lewis Center Liz Gitter, MSSW, Delaware Roger Lossing, CPA, JD, CFP, Lewis Center Joann Richards, MSN, Powell Richard Roell, ChFC, FFSI, RIA, MBA, Galena Carolyn Slone, Delaware Jane Taylor, Dublin Michael Tucker, JD, Delaware Roger Van Sickle, Delaware

The board typically meets the last Wednesday of each month at noon. Members of the public who wish to attend may call the executive director at 740-363-6677.

My Communicator is published quarterly and is made possible through advertisers, donors, and volunteers. About 35,000 copies of each edition are printed and distributed throughout Delaware County. My Communicator is delivered to ThisWeek and Sunday Columbus Dispatch subscribers in the county and is available for pick-up at SourcePoint and about 50 locations, such as libraries, senior living communities, health care facilities, and other nonprofit organizations. To find a nearby pick-up site, contact SourcePoint at 740-363-6677. Read My Communicator online at

advertise or submit content for consideration, contact Alison Yeager, director of communications and development, at alison@MySourcePoint.org.

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Senior Services Levy on November Ballot

Delaware County Commissioners approved a renewal of the Senior Services Levy at 1.3 mills, with an addition of 0.1 mill, to be placed on the Nov. 8 ballot.

“We are grateful to the county commissioners for their continued support of the levy,” said Fara Waugh, CEO of SourcePoint. “This funding will allow us to sustain the vital aging services we have put in place for the last 30 years and maintain our support of the growing older population in Delaware County.”

The property tax levy provides over 80% of the nonprofit organization’s funding, which supports in-home care services like care management, Meals on Wheels, personal care, emergency response systems, adult day services, medical transportation, and more. While about 65% of levy funds support critical in-home care, they also enable SourcePoint to provide older adults with insurance counseling, caregiver support, social engagement, health and wellness programs, arts and education, volunteer

Senior services levies can last no longer than five years according to Ohio law. Funding from the current senior services levy in Delaware County expires at the end of 2023. The levy on the November ballot, if approved, will provide funding from 2024 through 2028.

“Our 55-plus population is one of the fastest growing in Ohio, with the 85+ population growing even faster,” said Waugh. “The good news is that, with levy support, Delaware County has a system in place to keep pace with the population growth and address increased costs for critical supplies like food for our Meals on Wheels program. The new annual cost to property owners will be $35.10 per $100,000 of assessed property value, a modest increase of $3.50 compared to what we pay today.”

OFFICE IS HERE FOR ALL YOUR ORTHOPEDIC NEEDS

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Drs David Hoang, Jared Guth and Adam Martin

New Tricks

More SourcePointers are taking on never-before-tried hobbies—and loving them!

On a sweltering day in early August, Carol Singer was thinking of Christmas cards. Specifically, she was thinking about the cards that she would send when the holiday rolls around this year and the picture that would be on the front—one of her own creations.

“It’s a winter scene and there is a lamppost and there is snow coming down, and there’s a cardinal on the lamppost and a sign underneath it that has my last name,” Singer, pictured at right, said. “It’s probably my favorite piece. I worked hard on that.”

Singer created the 16-by-20 artwork during a painting class at SourcePoint, and she’s one of several SourcePoint members who have discovered new hobbies and sharpened new skills among the wide range of classes offered there. Painting is just one class Singer has tried since she retired as a librarian at Bowling Green State University.

“All of the arts stuff has been totally new to me,” she said. “I’d never done any painting except painting a wall since high school and never thought about it as something I would, or could, do. After I retired, I thought about what I wanted to do. The nice thing is, when you retire, you can be someone totally different. I started art classes and I’ve had a great time.”

Singer shares the feelings of enjoyment and discovery with other SourcePoint members who similarly take on new

hobbies or try classes for the first time. Joan Pearse, SourcePoint’s arts and education manager, said she’s seen many examples of people trying something new and enjoying it so much they get to where they want to volunteer and even teach a class.

“I have many volunteers who have started out in a class or group. Sometimes all someone needs is someone else to believe in their skills, to give them encouragement and a bit of direction or confidence, and a new chapter of that person’s life unfolds,” Pearse said. “It has been a wonderful experience to have members join in creative groups, then offer to become a volunteer, then teach a class or program or lead a discussion group.”

Singer said she never thought she’d be much of a painter, but the classes she’s taken have allowed her to surprise herself.

“Every class I take I learn new techniques. The New York galleries will never be knocking down my door, but I can paint things to put on my walls that I want to look at,” Singer said.

Singer also gives high marks to the Scrappy Crafters group at SourcePoint, which allows participants to stretch their creativity to turn materials into finished products.

“Someone donated more than 100 nice men’s neckties to that class, and Joan gave them to me to figure out what to do with them,” said Singer. “I had to learn different types of sewing. There are some incredibly creative people in Scrappy Crafters. It’s amazing what they do with the materials we get.”

Along with the new skills learned, Singer said there’s another benefit to taking the classes at SourcePoint.

“Working on things like that gives you a sense of purpose, and you have things to look forward to,” she said. “I think other people would really surprise themselves if they tried something new.”

Karen Hinkle could be counted among that group. A longtime flute player who retired in 2015 after 35 years as a music teacher in the Highland Schools in Morrow County, Hinkle decided to give another instrument a try.

“A good friend retired at the same time,” Hinkle said.

“She passed away from cancer and left me her guitar. I started learning on her guitar.”

Hinkle, pictured at left in pink, took lessons from Bob Claymier and said the chance to learn a new instrument came along at a good time.

“It happened when I really had nothing else to do. I had retired and my kids had moved away, so I had lots of time to practice,” she said. “I loved it. I just played all the time.”

Unlike playing the flute, where Hinkle said you play one note at a time, “all the notes are in there when you play guitar.” It opened a new world of learning music and she said it led her to learn “a lot of old rock and roll songs that I never knew before.”

Hinkle is now a member of the Blue Limestone Project, a group that plays frequently at SourcePoint.

“Those guys have played for years and I’m able to keep up with them,” Hinkle said. “We play two or three times a week. I never, ever thought I would be at this point. I thought I’d just play a little bit for myself. Marilyn (Clark, SourcePoint’s community engagement coordinator) has been a great cheerleader for us and playing with the group has given me confidence.”

Along with the fun, Hinkle has found an even deeper meaning in the music.

“After I retired, that work was gone. I had family, and suddenly that was gone. Your life gets empty very quickly, and this just filled that space for me,” she said. “Close friends have come out of this.”

Friendship is an oft-cited reason why people love the programs at SourcePoint, and if they can learn a new skill along the way, so much the better. Karan Morford admits her billiards game won’t get her on the pro circuit anytime soon, but she and her husband, Dean, have a blast in SourcePoint’s billiards group.

“Six years ago, I was out with some friends. Some of them played pool and wanted me to play, but I had never played,” Morford said. “One of my friends, Mona Reilly, said you should come and play at SourcePoint. Other than that one

time, I had never played pool, but Dean and I started to play at SourcePoint and I think I have more fun than anyone there.”

Morford said her level of enjoyment isn’t directly tied to her skill level—“I’m still not a good player, but I love it”—but is more closely linked to the friendships she has made.

“They pair you up and you may or may not know who your teammate will be. I really enjoy the camaraderie; the people are so great,” she said. “If you’re single, it’s a wonderful way to meet people and it’s just a nice place to have a fun time.”

And Morford admits she has learned a little bit about billiards along the way.

“I have gotten a little better at it; what I like about the game is the strategy,” she said. “You have to look at where your next shot going to be and what you leave for your opponent. But mainly, I love that you’ll find just about every type of person playing. I’m the gabby one.”

It’s easy to find a variety of people at SourcePoint when it offers a variety of classes.

Linda Hatmacher, pictured at left, said she likes to try new things and had to give the liquid stained glass class a try.

“I was looking through the classes being offered and this sounded really exciting to me,” Hatmacher said. “I had no idea what it was going to be like and I just fell in love with it.”

Hatmacher recommends taking the class to see what it’s all about and said you don’t necessarily have to have any artistic ability to enjoy it.

“Joan is very good at teaching the class and is open to questions and suggestions,”

Hatmacher said. “The hardest part for me was deciding what color I wanted my flowers to be.”

For Hatmacher, one benefit of trying something new is the sense of achievement when you complete a project.

“I never would have thought I could do it and didn’t even know there was such a thing as liquid stained glass,” she said. “But I liked the sound of trying something new like that.”

The satisfaction that the SourcePoint members get from taking classes and trying something new isn’t lost on Pearse, who serves as the instructor for many of the art classes.

“I love teaching. When someone understands what you are telling them and can see it right before their eyes, there is truly nothing like it,” Pearse said. “Whether it is in learning a new medium or technique in art, seeing how a photo can be stronger, or writing down their feelings creatively, it is amazing to be a part of that journey. Seeing members flourish, grow, learn, and become their best selves is amazingly awesome to experience. I am blessed to have seen this many times.”

To learn more about the programs and classes offered at SourcePoint, visit MySourcePoint.org/EC

Jeff Robinson is the feature writer for My Communicator.

Advocating

It’s often assumed that every nursing home resident has family to help them with their medical decisions, but that is not always the case. Luckily, there is a program at COAAA—the Volunteer Guardian Program—that recruits, trains, and provides ongoing support to volunteers who wish to become a legal, courtappointed guardian for a nursing home resident.

Volunteers visit their person twice a month. During visits, guardians provide nurturing attention, observe their individual’s physical and emotional condition, and monitor the care and support their person is receiving. Guardians also consult with staff providing the care, and if needed, they may review charts and notes. Volunteer guardians can give consent for medical treatment and other services. They do not manage their person’s finances.

In the case on page 1, the volunteer guardian asked for a care conference at the nursing home to get everyone together to resolve the issues in the best way possible. The Volunteer Guardian Program case manager attended, as well, to help guide the conversation of the team that was gathered.

It was resolved that the resident would return to general population of the nursing home and would be invited by staff to each activity for a trial period of time to determine if having more structure would help the challenges presented. It was further resolved that the resident would be redirected to her room if she was being disruptive and music would be played on a CD player that the nursing home was able to provide. The guardian agreed to suggest music that might be soothing for the resident so CD’s could also be acquired. The team agreed to meet again if these interventions were not effective. The guardian reported to COAAA case managers that the interventions were largely successful and that there has been no further mention of moving the person to the locked side of the facility.

VGP continually accepts referrals and can answer questions about becoming a volunteer guardian. To learn more about VGP, visit coaaa.org/vgp or reach out to Jane Moog, attorney and case manager for program volunteers, at jmoog@coaaa.org or 614-645-3883.

Certain Antioxidants May Lower Dementia Risk

Antioxidants are a type of compound found in vegetables and fruits. They help protect your cells from a certain type of damage. Eating lots of produce can help lower your risk of heart disease and other health problems. A new study found that certain antioxidants in these foods may also reduce the risk for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, harms your ability to remember, think, and make decisions. Studies have found several lifestyle factors that may help lower the risk of getting dementia. These include eating a healthy diet, being physically active, and socializing with others. Getting enough sleep and doing activities that challenge your brain may also help.

Studies of antioxidants’ effects on dementia have had mixed results. Some have found that they protect the brain. Others have not. These studies asked people to remember what types of foods they’d eaten over a long period of time.

In a new study, researchers measured antioxidant levels in blood samples from more than 7,000 people. Participants were between the ages of 45 and 90. They were part of a nationwide study tracking their health over 16 years.

Blood levels of certain antioxidants were linked with a lower risk of developing dementia. These included lutein and zeaxanthin, which are found in green, leafy vegetables. They also included beta-cryptoxanthin, which is found in some orange-colored fruits.

“Further studies are needed to test whether adding certain antioxidants to the diet can help protect the brain from dementia,” says NIH’s Dr. May Beydoun, who led the study.

Source: NIH News in Health. Read more at newsinhealth.nih.gov.

How is My Driving?

Many commercial vehicles have a decal asking, “How is my driving?” The decal includes contact information so that the public can call and report on the behavior of the vehicle’s driver. If you had this decal on your vehicle, would you welcome feedback?

As we age, we experience a steady decline in certain skills that are important for safe driving. Beginning at around age 55, there is a gradual decrease in our ability to process information, to remember, and to make judgments in traffic situations, such as determining the necessary distance and approach of oncoming traffic. Aging can affect muscle strength, endurance, flexibility, and range of motion—also skills that are needed in safe driving. It is important that you know how to judge your own “fitness” to drive. Doing so

will help you identify steps you can take to help delay or prevent changes and to ensure that you can drive safely longer.

To help you better understand how your driving can be affected by specific conditions, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has developed brochures on driving while suffering from various ailments. Access these and other brochures on their site nhtsa.gov/roadsafety/older-drivers.

Finally, a driving assessment can help you decide how safe your driving abilities are and how. Assessment tools range from evaluation by professionals to self-assessment forms. Attending a CarFit event is a fun and easy way to be proactive about staying safe on the road. CarFit can help you improve your

“fit” in your personal vehicle for safety and comfort. The program promotes conversations about safe driving and provides information on communityspecific resources that enhance safety and increase mobility. Visit car-fit.org/carfit/ videos to learn more about CarFit.

The SAFE Delaware County Coalition will provide free CarFit evaluations at SourcePoint’s Health and Wellness Expo Saturday Oct. 15, 2022, from 9 to 11:30 a.m.

For more information about mature driver safety, contact SAFE Delaware County Coalition Coordinator Jackie Bain at jbain@delawarehealth.org or call 740-203-2083.

don’t yet know for certain what,

anything, can prevent

there may be steps you can take

help

Yep, We Do That!

What’s the first thing you think of when someone mentions SourcePoint? The enrichment center? Meals on Wheels? Social gatherings?

Did anyone think of emergency response systems? Or transportation? Or supplies for your pets?

While SourcePoint is well known throughout Delaware County, there are still several things the organization offers that may come as a surprise to many. Annette Leatherman, SourcePoint’s customer service supervisor, is used to sharing information about those lesser-known services.

“We field every call that comes in to SourcePoint, and handle all the walk-ins and email requests,” Leatherman said. “Most people don’t know where to begin. They may say, ‘By chance, do you do this?’ It amazes me every day just how many people we can help, whether they have simple or more complicated requests.”

Leatherman, pictured above, said one of the most frequent requests is for transportation to and from doctor appointments. While most people are aware of the public transportation offered by Delaware County Transit, their requests are often for out-ofcounty appointments.

“We try to arrange for that. With higher gas prices it can be costly, but we try to do our best,” Leatherman said.

Renee Menssen, information and referral specialist at SourcePoint, said people are often surprised to learn SourcePoint offers emergency response systems, which she said people may know better as the “help, I’ve fallen” button.

“The nice thing about getting that from SourcePoint is there is no contract or obligation. You are not locked in for any time; it is month to month,” Menssen said. “If you’ve had a setback or procedure, you may just need it for a short time. We try to meet that need while you have that need.”

While many are familiar with the thousands of hot meals that are delivered throughout Delaware County via the Meals on Wheels program, it’s often a surprise to learn that people can receive food for their pets, as well.

“When someone knows that they can receive pet food, that eliminates them rationing their own meal,” Leatherman said. “That has been really well received in the community.”

Menssen cited another type of product that people are surprised to learn they can receive from SourcePoint.

“Incontinence products can be part of the in-home care services that people receive,” Menssen said. “And if they are signing up only for that, it’s perfectly fine. It is a huge convenience; the items are direct shipped to your home so there’s no struggle with the bulkiness of the containers or getting them in and out of your car and your cart. And it’s a little more discreet.”

Once people become aware of the extensive list of services that SourcePoint offers, Leatherman said they’re often quick to share the information with friends and family members.

“We often hear, ‘We just moved here and my neighbor said you did this,’ or ‘I bet I talked to 10 people this week and they all mentioned SourcePoint,’” Leatherman said. “That’s great to hear.”

In some cases, such as with SourcePoint’s popular New to Medicare classes, word-of-mouth can lead to requests from people outside of Delaware County.

“The Medicare classes are a very popular program that we provide, and we get a lot of requests to bring family from other counties,” Leatherman said. “Unfortunately, this is for Delaware County residents only, but we always refer others to their county’s Area Agency on Aging office. We also have informational video presentations on our website—MySourcePoint.org—and you don’t have to be a resident to watch those.”

Word-of-mouth recommendations also keep the enrichment center hopping; it’s one of the more well-known parts of SourcePoint, but Leatherman said there are still some aspects of it that come as a surprise to residents.

“People may not realize we have an exercise pool here, or regular concerts,” Leatherman said. “Or that you don’t have to have a SourcePoint community pass to enjoy lunch here.”

Menssen said those who get the most use out of the enrichment center are among the more active members and are typically the ones who know less about the in-home care services offered by SourcePoint.

“They may not know all of the things that in-home care can offer, and why,” Menssen said. “We have the ‘fun’ side of the house— the enrichment center—and the service side, and we work together. I’ve had folks who come in for in-home care and I let

them know what’s available at the enrichment center.”

One additional service that Leatherman said will soon be available is another that is frequently requested.

“We were getting a lot of asks for a Notary Public, and the person who did that for us wasn’t in the building,” Leatherman said. “I’m in the process of getting my license and we’ll be able to offer that here, too.”

Having two sides of SourcePoint to promote means there are few slow days for Leatherman and Menssen. But when you love talking about SourcePoint, you wouldn’t have it any other way.

“We have to keep on top of everything that’s going on, and I guarantee there is something we’ll talk about that you’ll be interested in or that you will want in your life,” Leatherman said.

“We always joke that the more we do at SourcePoint, the more people think we do. But if SourcePoint can’t do it, we’ll figure out who does.”

Jeff Robinson is the feature writer for My Communicator.

Making sense of Medicare.

SourcePoint’s free classes take the mystery out of Medicare and empower you to make sound insurance decisions.

Classes are held at SourcePoint and other locations throughout Delaware County, and are available online, too!

more at MySourcePoint.org/insurance

Do You Need Dietary Supplements?

Bottles of supplements line the shelves at your local supermarket. These include vitamins and minerals from A to zinc. You can also find products like probiotics, herbs, and fish oil. But are they needed for good health? And what about their risks?

“For most people, eating a nutritious variety of foods can provide all the nutrients they need,” says Carol Haggans, a registered dietitian and consultant with NIH. But some may need more than they get from their meals. Your needs can vary depending on your age, health, and what you eat.

Many misunderstand what dietary supplements are for, Haggans explains. “Some people might believe or hope that supplements can prevent or treat disease, but that’s not what they’re intended to do,” she says. “They’re intended to supplement the diet.”

Dietary supplements are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. “But they’re regulated under the umbrella of food,” says Haggans. “It’s important for people to know that they’re not regulated like medicines.”

That means companies don’t have to prove a supplement works before selling it. Companies are required to follow good manufacturing practices in making their products. But bottles still may not always contain what the label claims.

A few independent organizations conduct quality tests of supplements and give seals

of approval. But these tests only ensure that a product was properly made and contains the listed ingredients. They don’t guarantee that it works or is safe to take.

Who Needs Supplements?

Your body needs different amounts of certain nutrients at different times in your life. For example, the ability to absorb and process some nutrients decreases with age. So older adults may need more of certain vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin D, vitamin B12, and calcium.

People who avoid certain foods may also need a nutrient boost. For example, vitamin B12 is found only in animal products. “So if you follow a vegan diet, you may not get enough B12 from food,” Haggans says.

Women who are pregnant, or may become pregnant, need a certain amount of folic acid. This helps prevent a type of birth defect called neural tube defects. And infants may need more vitamin D than the amount found in breast milk.

People with chronic health conditions also may need more of some vitamins and minerals, says Dr. Patricia Haggerty, who studies nutrition and the immune system at NIH. These conditions include heart disease, diabetes, cancer, HIV/AIDS, and some autoimmune diseases.

But whether you need a supplement— and which one or ones—isn’t something to guess at, Haggerty says. “Which supplements, the dosage, and so on, are

things you should work out with your health care provider.” Blood tests often can help determine whether you have a nutrient deficiency.

Safety Concerns

If you take supplements, tell your health care providers. Some supplements can change how well medications work. Others have risks for specific groups of people. See the Ask Your Doctor box for questions to ask about supplements. You can track information about your supplements and medications using NIH’s My Dietary Supplement and Medicine Record chart on its website at ods.od.nih.gov

“It’s also important to know the total amount of nutrients you’re getting from both food and different supplements,” Haggans says. “More is not necessarily better, and natural doesn’t necessarily mean safe.”

Many nutrients can be dangerous in large amounts. These have what’s called an upper intake level. Regularly getting more than that level can lead to serious health problems. Vitamins and minerals with an upper limit include calcium, iron, zinc, and vitamins A, B6, C, and D.

Manufacturers aren’t required to keep their products below these upper limits, Haggans explains. So check the labels before you buy. And some nutrients, such as vitamin K, can interact with common medications.

Other types of dietary supplements, such as botanicals, can be even more complicated. Botanicals are also known as herbal supplements. They contain one or more parts of a plant. Examples include ginseng, echinacea, and St. John’s

wort. Botanicals can come in many forms, such as capsules, dried teas, or liquid preparations.

Botanical products can vary in their ingredients from brand to brand. So their effects in the body can vary. “They can also interact with medications and have side effects,” says Haggans.

Some botanical products may come with health claims that go too far, says Dr. Ikhlas Khan, an NIH-funded natural products researcher at the University of Mississippi. Examples include helping you “sleep better” or “lose weight.”

“If you’re looking for a cure, you shouldn’t be looking in the supplement aisle,” he says.

Boosting Your Immune System

Perhaps the most common claim for supplements is that they boost your immune system. Researchers have been studying whether any can help.

“Many nutrients, like vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, zinc, selenium, and magnesium are important for a healthy immune

Ask Your Doctor

system,” Haggerty says. But so far, getting more than the recommended amount of any nutrient doesn’t appear to boost the immune system.

Researchers are testing whether certain supplements can lessen COVID-19 symptoms. “But so far, the data are insufficient to support recommendations for or against any vitamin, mineral, or botanical product to prevent or treat COVID-19,” Haggerty says.

Scientists are also looking at supplements for other viruses. Khan and colleagues are studying a botanical extract made from a type of algae, called spirulina. Studies in mice have shown that compounds in it may increase the immune response and protect against viral infection. The team wants to test whether it can be used to protect against the flu.

But a challenge with botanical supplements is that they can vary from bottle to bottle, Khan explains. So the team must first characterize the product before they can test it in clinical trials.

You might wonder: If supplements aren’t the answer, what can you do to boost your immune system right now?

“The most important thing is to eat a nutritious variety of foods and maintain a healthy weight,” Haggerty says. Obesity can weaken your immune system.

It’s also important to get regular physical activity, enough sleep, and to minimize stress. Don’t smoke. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. Keep up with your vaccines. And wash your hands to lower your chances of getting sick.

“These are all things we can do on a daily basis to keep our immune system healthy,” Haggerty says.

Source: NIH News in Health. Read more at newsinhealth.nih.gov.

Interview Tips for Older Job Seekers

An interview can feel intimidating when you’re older, but our tips for older applicants can help you make a smart first impression

There are many bright sides to being an older job seeker. You know your strengths and weaknesses. You’re eager to learn new things. You bring a level of experience, wisdom, and dedication that can’t be matched by younger workers.

All that said, interviewing as an older applicant can feel scary, especially if you haven’t interviewed for a job in a long time (or ever). Here are nine tips to help you present yourself in the best light and make a winning impression on potential employers.

How do you interview as a mature worker?

1. Prepare for questions beforehand. While interview questions will vary from employer to employer, there are certain ones that tend to appear time and again. These include:

• “Why do you want to work for us?”

• “Why should we hire you?”

• “Why did you leave your last job?”

• “What are your short- and long-term goals?”

• “What are your biggest strengths / weaknesses?”

Think carefully about how you want to answer these questions and practice your responses—either in front of a mirror or with someone else. The more you rehearse, the more calm and selfconfident you’ll appear during your interview.

2. Let your enthusiasm shine through

During your job interview, make it clear why you were drawn to the organization. Maybe you’ve always loved working with children. Or you’re a loyal, longtime customer of the store you’re interviewing with. If it’s a charitable or service organization, you may feel a calling to help the people in your community. Speak from your heart, but avoid saying you need the job to pay your bills or supplement your retirement savings—even if it’s true.

3. Ask questions

A job interview gives potential employers the chance to evaluate your skills and talents. It’s also an opportunity for you to get to

know the company and see if it’s right for you. Do some research ahead of time by browsing their website and studying their brochures. Get a sense of what the company does and what their mission is.

At the interview, probe further by asking questions about the organization’s culture and values. This shows you’ve done your homework and are interested in making sure there’s a mutual good fit.

Examples of questions you can ask include:

• “How do managers give feedback to employees?”

• “Are there opportunities for additional education and training?”

• “How does your company reward employees for their achievements?”

4. Emphasize your ability to adapt

People age 60 and older are vulnerable to the stereotype that they’re stuck in the “old ways” of doing things. This may be especially true with younger hiring managers. You can combat this misconception by showing employers that while you have a lot of experience, you’re also open to new concepts and ideas. You embrace innovation and are always willing to learn something new.

5. Highlight any technology skills you have

Another driver of age discrimination is the idea that older adults are not technology savvy. (This, of course, is not the case.) Instead of waiting for tech-related questions from the interviewer, be proactive and address this issue right out of the gate. Look for opportunities to mention how you’ve kept up with the latest technologies, whether it’s taking a computer class or staying active on social media. If you’re skilled in specific software tools related to your field, make it known and provide examples of how you’ve used those tools in other job roles.

6. Be ready for virtual interviews

A growing number of companies are choosing to perform initial interviews using video-conferencing technology. Make sure

you’re prepared for this possibility. Find out what platform the employer uses, such as Zoom, and get familiar with it before your interview. Do a test-run to confirm that your camera is well positioned and the audio works properly. You could even do a mock interview with a friend or family member to help you get comfortable with the video interview format.

7. Keep your responses brief

As an older worker, you have a lot of great experiences and insights to share. But keep in mind that people’s attention spans these days are short, and you don’t want to risk losing your interviewer’s interest. If you tend to be talkative, make an extra effort to keep your answers to questions as concise as possible. Focus on giving the interviewer only the information they need and resist offering elaborate explanations or getting sidetracked with personal anecdotes.

Additionally, try not to oversell your experience. Interviewers are mostly concerned with recent experience that relates to the role you’re applying for. Instead of listing out everything you’ve worked on or accomplished over the years, select parts of your work history that show you’re qualified for the job at hand.

8. Dress to impress

When it comes to interviewing for older adults, appearances matter. A business suit is appropriate for most job interviews, even if the workplace dress is more casual. Always err on the side of dressing too formally.

Other tips to keep in mind:

• Shower, shave (if applicable), brush your teeth, and comb your hair before the interview.

• Keep makeup simple.

• Do not wear heavy fragrances like perfume or aftershave.

• Avoid chewing gum during the interview.

• Wear clean, pressed clothes.

• Wear clean, shined shoes (not sneakers or flip-flops).

Does age matter in an interview?

It may—but you can shift the focus elsewhere by highlighting all the value you can bring to the organization. Showing you’re passionate, proactive, and flexible can help you stand out to employers and make age a non-issue.

9. Send a thank-you note after the interview

You’ve put a lot of time and thought into preparing for your interview, and you think it paid off. But you’re not done yet!

Don’t forget to follow up afterwards with a simple note of thanks to the potential employer. Since few people tend to send a postinterview thank-you note, doing so helps set you apart from other older job applicants. It shows good manners, and it gives you an opportunity to reinforce your interest in the role and your qualifications.

Should a thank-you note be in the form of an email or a handwritten letter?

A handwritten, mailed note provides a personal touch. But since it may take a while to arrive, it’s a good idea to send a thank-you email first—no more than 24 hours after your interview.

How do I get a job when I’m older?

If you’re ready to apply these interview tips for older applicants, the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is a good place to start. SCSEP helps certain unemployed older adults age 55+ find gainful employment in a number of service areas. Should you meet the program guidelines, you’ll be matched with a part-time position that allows you to build skills and confidence while earning money. Most people who participate in SCSEP are able to use their experience to find a permanent job. Read more about SCSEP at doleta.gov/seniors

Source: National Council on Aging. Read more at ncoa.org.

Caring for Older Adults

Yours!

gift matters. When you donate

annual

You help older adults experience something new—creativity, exercise, fun, and friendship.

You help seniors live safely at home, where they want to be.

As a part of the SourcePoint community, you know our needs better than anyone. We invite you to take part in our annual campaign by making a gift that supports our mission.

to MySourcePoint.org/give or contact customer service

Welcome to SourcePoint Day

OPEN HOUSE AND LUNCH

Thursday, Dec. 15, 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

Learn about different programs and services SourcePoint offers at our mini resource fair and enjoy comradery and a delicious lunch in Cafe 55! Guided tours available all day, 9 a.m.–7:30 p.m.

Family Caregiver Month

EVENTS FOR NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVER MONTH

Tuesday, Nov. 1 through Friday, Nov. 4. National Family Caregivers Month in November is dedicated to supporting caregivers as they care for others. You are invited to participate in one or more of the activities designed to honor the caregiver and provide moments of relaxation. Register for each event you wish to participate in. Your loved one is invited too. Registration ends Oct. 18.

DINNER FOR TWO

Tuesday, Nov. 1, 4:30–5:30 p.m. delivery

Select your choices when you register, and we will deliver to your door! Boxed dinners prepared by Greater Gouda.

EXPRESSION AND RELAXATION

Wednesday, Nov. 2, 10 a.m.–noon. Attend a series of short activity segments designed to be fun, interactive, get you thinking, and relax with a bit of nature. At the same time, care receivers are welcome to attend activities designed for them with professionals available to help with personal care as needed.

LUNCH WITH LIVE MUSIC AND CHAIR MASSAGE

Friday, Nov. 3, 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

Attend a Cafe 55 lunch with musical entertainment by David and Mary, performing on the aerophone and violin. During this time, caregivers are treated to a chair massage! Registration is required to be scheduled for your chair massage. Staff, volunteers, and professional caregivers are available to assist your loved one during your massage.

You help family caregivers take better care of themselves and their loved ones.

Thank You, Sponsors!

2023 Opportunities

Communicator

adults

a great way to reach households with

family caregivers in Delaware County. It

delivered to ThisWeek and Sunday Columbus Dispatch

in Delaware County, available at about 50 locations

the county, including SourcePoint, libraries, senior living communities, health care facilities, and other nonprofit organizations, and online at MySourcePoint.org and promoted

social media and e-newsletters.

addition to advertising, SourcePoint offers sponsorships for special events, including a Retirement Ready Drive-Thru, Health & Wellness Expo, Fall Fundraiser, Veterans Day Breakfast, and unique Meals on Wheels opportunities that also include the chance to volunteer.

more information on how your business can partner with and support SourcePoint, contact Alison Yeager, director of communications and development, at 740-363-6677 or alison@MySourcePoint.org.

S E N I O R S T R O N G !

The Delaware County Senior Services Levy is on the ballot Nov. 8, 2022.

The current levy expires at the end of 2023. If local in-home and community services are to continue through 2028, the senior services levy must pass in November.

If approved, the senior services levy allows SourcePoint to:

• Provide in-home care services that help local seniors remain living safely at home, where they want to be.

• Keep pace with the rapid growth of our older population and ensure there is no waitlist for vital in-home services.

• Provide community programs that promote health and wellness, social engagement, insurance counseling, caregiver support, and more to our community.

The senior services levy requests a renewal of 1.3 mills and an addition of 0.1 mill.

The additional cost to the taxpayer is $3.50 each year per $100,000 of property valuation—less than a penny a day.

The senior services levy allows SourcePoint to sustain the vital aging services they have put in place for the last 30 years and maintain the support of the growing older population in Delaware County.

Healthy Aging at Home

When DeDee’s husband passed away, she moved to Delaware to be closer to family. Being new to the community, DeDee didn’t know anyone else: “I was feeling very lonely and separated, and grieving.” She signed up for a fitness class at SourcePoint to stay healthy and meet new friends.

As DeDee got older, she found she had other needs. She turned to SourcePoint for help, and her care consultant developed a plan to help DeDee remain living safely in her home. DeDee, who turns 95 this year, receives Meals on Wheels, homemaking services, and has an emergency response button.

When asked what these services mean to her, DeDee responds enthusiastically: “It means everything to me!”

The senior services levy helps older adults remain living safely at home, where they want to be, and helps keep older adults and caregivers healthy and supported. Services and programs provided by SourcePoint through the levy include:

Care management

Meals on Wheels

Emergency response systems

Personal care and basic nursing services

Homemaker and chore services

Medical transportation

Counseling

Caregiver support and respite

Health and wellness

Insurance counseling

more at

What is this levy for and how will money be used?

The primary purpose of the senior services levy is to fund important aging services for adults in our community. Our goal is to help older adults live safely in their own homes with independence and dignity by providing services like Meals on Wheels, personal care, medical transportation, homemaking, emergency response systems, care management, and more. We also focus on healthy aging and prevention-related services for adults 55 and older. The senior services levy enables us to keep pace with the rapid growth of our older population.

I voted for this levy in the past, so why will it be on the ballot again?

Senior services levies can last no longer than five years by state law. Funding from the current senior services operating levy in Delaware County expires at the end of 2023. The current levy was approved by voters in 2018. If in-home and community services are to continue in 2024, this levy must be on the ballot and approved by voters. If approved, senior services will continue and be managed locally through the year 2028.

How many mills do you need and how much more will this cost?

We are requesting a renewal of 1.3 mills and an addition of 0.1 mill. The additional cost to the taxpayer is $3.50 each year per $100,000 of property valuation—less than a penny a day.

Property owners can calculate their exact cost based on the value of their property by visiting the Delaware County Auditor’s website: auditor.co.delaware.oh.us.

Why do you need an increase in funding?

The population of Delaware County is growing at a phenomenal rate and the growth of our older population is growing even faster. In 2020, the population of adults 55 and older in Delaware County was 52,990. By 2025, Scripps Gerontology Center predicts a 23% increase for this population. By 2030, the population of 55 and older is projected to be 74,550, a 41% increase from 2020.

The 85-and-older population is growing even faster— it is projected to increase 70% from 2020 to 2035.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the rapid growth of our older population create problems?

No, the growth of our older population creates many advantages and opportunities. Most of our retired population is relatively healthy, financially stable, and engaged in our community. They pay property and sales taxes, but generally do not use many public services. Older adults support local businesses and provide a great deal of support to their children and grandchildren. Additionally, older adults volunteer in our schools, hospitals, and social service organizations, which provides tremendous value to our community. However, there is an increased probability of disability in the elderly population, and this group of older adults will increasingly need help as they age. The good news is we already have a coordinated system of quality services in place in Delaware County, and we simply need to keep pace as this group grows.

Are you supported entirely by tax dollars?

No, but more than 80% of funding comes from levy dollars. SourcePoint works hard to add to this budget with funding from grants, foundations, sponsorships, fees, client co-pays, and donations. SourcePoint commits to raise an additional $11.8 million in non-levy sources over the next five-year period. The fact that SourcePoint will raise these funds allows us to keep our millage request low.

SourcePoint also relies heavily on local volunteers, many of whom are older adults themselves, which keeps our levy request much lower than it would be without their time and talent.

Does this money pay for the facility on Cheshire Road?

The building at 800 Cheshire Road, Delaware is paid for and owned by our county government. The building serves as the administrative facility for SourcePoint, a health and wellness center for older adults, and is where Meals on Wheels are produced for the county. About 23% of our annual budget supports community programs, including the operation of the enrichment center.

Who is eligible for services?

You must be a resident of Delaware County age 55 or older. Eligibility is not based on income, but rather the need for services. Those whose income and personal assets prevent them from affording services privately are eligible for assistance through our senior services levy at a reduced cost or at no cost at all. Typically, due to their financial circumstances, 40% our clients pay nothing for their services.

Why do you ask clients to share the cost of their services?

As good stewards of taxpayer money, we want our service funds to stretch as far as possible. One way to accomplish this in a fair way is to employ a sliding fee scale. This scale is used to help ensure that people who have sufficient income and assets will participate in paying for some portion of the cost of their services. Even with the sliding fee scale, up to 40% of our clients do not pay for services because of their financial circumstances. The other 60% of our clients pay anywhere from 5 to 100% of the cost of their care based upon their ability to pay. This approach helps us serve those in need and keeps our tax levy requests as low as possible.

Who is your average client?

Our average client who receives in-home services is a 78-yearold widowed female who lives alone. In-home services are where SourcePoint spends most of its levy funding. SourcePoint also offers numerous community programs and services to address the various needs of residents aged 55 and older, with a focus on healthy aging and prevention-related services. Therefore, someone who participates in our health and wellness programs, insurance classes, or caregiver support may differ from the average in-home client.

What are your administrative costs?

SourcePoint’s administrative costs from 2016 through 2021 were 9.5%—an extremely low percentage for organizations of this type. By comparison, in their evaluation and oversight of nonprofit organizations, United Way recommends an administrative cost of no more than 15%. Funding does not come easily, and we are committed to keeping our administrative costs low.

What is your total budget?

In 2021, SourcePoint spent approximately $10.8 million. Current nursing home expenses can easily exceed $85,000 a year for individuals. SourcePoint provided in-home care to more than

In 1992, SourcePoint started with one goal—to help local seniors live safely at home and avoid premature nursing home care and long waitlists. Today, we do that and much more.

We are the most comprehensive aging services provider in Delaware County. We provide adults 55 and older with in-home care services like Meals on Wheels and personal care that help seniors live independently at home. We also provide hundreds of community programs throughout the county that promote health and wellness for older adults and family caregivers.

80% of our funding comes from a property tax levy and the current levy expires at the end of 2023. Because Delaware County is the fastest growing county in the state, we need to keep pace with the needs of our older population. That’s why we are seeking a renewal of 1.3 mills and an addition of 0.1 mill.

This 1.4-mill levy will allow us to sustain the vital aging services we have put in place for the last 30 years and maintain our support of the growing older population in Delaware County.

1,900 older adults in the last year. If instead, those individuals lived in a nursing home, the cost of their care alone would exceed $160 million annually. Through less expensive in-home care, averaging just $4,500 a year, we can serve many more people for a lot less money—and they remain living at home, which they prefer. It is a very efficient and effective use of local tax money.

Why should I vote for this levy?

The extent that we care for the most vulnerable among us provides a sense of security and hope for our community. When we help people remain living in their own homes, it’s not only where they want to live, but also is much less expensive for taxpayers. Continuing the senior services levy ensures the availability of a coordinated system of high-quality care when it’s needed most. The modest cost of this levy makes sense for our community.

Top 10 Budgeting Tips for Older Adults

Franklin had a problem that many people face, but few rarely talk about. He didn’t know much about money and debt management.

Until recently, this 72-year-old Cleveland resident used multiple credit cards to make his purchases—not an unusual situation. But without a solid understanding of his expenses or how he planned to cover them, Franklin often found himself between a rock and a hard place: He had to use his entire Social Security check to pay his monthly bills, which meant he had nothing left over for daily needs like food, utilities, or gas for his car.

Franklin’s inability to make ends meet spiraled into a crisis that threatened not only his financial stability, but also his health and well-being. Eventually, the stress of it all led him to his local Department on Aging, where he asked for help.

Why managing a budget is a common challenge for older adults

Seventy-two-year-old Franklin is most certainly not alone. In fact, you may even recognize him in yourself or someone you know. At a time of skyrocketing consumer costs, even the most money-savvy seniors can find it difficult to scrape by—especially when they rely on a fixed monthly income. Take these numbers, for instance.

UMass Boston’s Elder Index measures the income that older adults need to live independently. According to its interactive modeling tool, an older adult in excellent health who lives in the Washington, D.C. area and pays a mortgage needs $3,312 per month to cover basic living expenses.

Now, consider that the average monthly Social Security check was $1,658 at the end of 2021.

“Even with other sources of income, the margin between what many older adults spend versus what they take in can be razor-thin,” said Brandy Bauer, director of NCOA’s MIPPA Resource Center.

That’s why being educated on how money management works—and learning how to implement strategies for managing debt, saving more money, and stretching the dollars they have—is so important,” Bauer said.

Happily, this is now the case for Franklin. Newly armed with practical money budgeting tips he learned in a financial literacy course, he is now working toward greater economic independence and a more secure future.

Want to better manage your own money? These tips for older adults can help you do it

When you’re not working anymore, like Franklin, it’s important to make every penny count.

Using a budget calendar to track your spending can help you more easily visualize your monthly income and expenses. At the same time, there are a variety of steps you can take, strategies you can use, and resources you can tap to improve your financial well-being. Together, these can help you better weather today’s uncertainties—like when food prices rise; and enjoy tomorrow’s opportunities—like traveling to visit your grandchildren or friends.

“Even if you already have and use a budget, looking at ways to decrease your spending can be a great way to make

those pennies count,” Bauer said. “And this doesn’t always mean cutting out things you need or enjoy. There may be several areas where you can reduce your expenses or capitalize on your existing assets—which is why it’s a good practice to evaluate those kinds of opportunities at least once a year.”

Top 10 budgeting tips for all older adults to consider

1. Your out-of-pocket coverage and policies

Why

Circumstances change, and your plans and coverage may no longer be relevant. It’s easy to forget about your choices once you’ve made them, but that means you could be leaving money on the table.

How



Gather together your spending commitments: supplemental health insurance; prescription drug coverage; and life insurance and long-term care policies.



Determine whether you’re getting the best rates or have the most costeffective plan(s).



Enlist help from a knowledgeable friend, family member, or professional to evaluate alternatives before you make any changes.

2. Your Medicare health insurance

Why

You may be eligible to put $100 back into your monthly Social Security check. You could also save money on your premiums and co-pays.

How

Look into Medicare Savings Programs and learn whether you qualify.



finding the right

3. Your Medicare prescription drug coverage

Why

Depending on your income, you could save money on your Part D premiums, deductibles, and co-pays.

How

6. Your desire and ability to give back

Why

Do you have extra time on your hands? Your life and career experiences could potentially provide an extra source of income.

How

there’s a senior citizen discount. You may be pleasantly surprised!

9. Your estate

Why



Learn about Extra Help and see if you’re eligible.

 Visit NCOA’s BenefitsCheckUp at benefitscheckup.org/medicare-rx-extrahelp-application to apply for Extra Help.

4. Your property taxes

Why

Home values are rising across the country—and updated assessments can be a shock to your wallet. Many states offer a senior property tax exemption for residents who are 65 or older, which means you could save hundreds of dollars a year.

How

 Visit NCOA’s BenefitsCheckUp to learn whether this program is available in your state and how to apply.

5. Your phone service

Why

You could be paying more than you need. Depending on your income, you may be eligible for monthly discounts on your basic wireless or home telephone service through the government.

How



Read about the FCC’s Lifeline program at fcc.gov/lifeline-consumers.

 Learn about the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program at affordableconnectivity.gov

 Visit NCOA’s BenefitsCheckUp to see how you can apply.



Check into AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP opportunities in your area.



See if you can participate in the U.S. Department of Labor’s Senior Community Service Employment Program. Created in 1965, SCSEP is the nation’s oldest program to help lowincome, unemployed individuals aged 55+ find work.

7. Your home Why

Your house, if you own one, likely represents your greatest financial asset. Even though its value isn’t liquid, there may be ways for you to leverage equity so you can continue to live independently.

How

Managing your money extends to how you’d like it distributed among your heirs, if you have them, or to charities you support. If you’re in a position to leave a financial legacy in any amount, it’s a good practice to communicate your wishes ahead of time.

How

Make a will.

Appoint a health care agent.

Designate a durable power of attorney.

Use NCOA’s partnership with FreeWill to get started: freewill.com/ncoa

Always consult an attorney.

10. Your other benefits options

Why

Read about how you can use your home to stay at home. NCOA’s guide (ncoa.org/article/use-your-hometo-stay-at-home) walks you through options on how to tap your home equity, including reverse mortgages and home equity lines of credit.



Millions of older adults miss out on saving money through public and private benefits programs simply because they don’t know about them, don’t believe they’re eligible, or aren’t sure how to apply.

How

Visit NCOA’s BenefitsCheckUp to see what’s available in your area and how you can apply for money-saving benefits.



Talk to a trusted financial professional to decide whether any of these options are right for you.

8. Your senior discounts Why

Why not? From national parks to locally owned stores, public transportation agencies to private entertainment venues, a variety of entities gratefully recognize your wisdom and contributions through reduced rates and prices.

How

In most cases, simply ask whether

When it comes to money and budgeting, you’re not alone. NCOA’s Age Well Planner (ncoa.org/age-well-planner/finance) connects you to the resources, tools, and experts you need to help manage your financial well-being.

Source: National Council on Aging. Read more at ncoa.org.

Hawaiian Turkey Meatballs

This recipe is healthy and easy to make. You can make this recipe vegetarian by using plantbased meatballs. This serves well with rice or you can make it low-carb using riced cauliflower! This recipe is easy to make ahead of time and holds well until you are ready to eat. Serve with some green beans or broccoli and carrots to finish the meal!

This recipe makes four servings.

1 large orange pepper, diced

1 large red pepper, diced

1 can pineapple chunks or tidbits (do not drain juice)

1 cup chicken stock (or vegetable stock to make vegetarian)

4 teaspoons of light soy sauce

4 teaspoons of brown sugar

4 teaspoons of white vinegar

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1 tablespoon water

Turkey meatballs of choice (or plant-based meatballs to make vegetarian)

1. Wash and cut the bell peppers.

2. Add all ingredients, except meatballs, cornstarch, and water, to a pot.

3. Bring to a boil and cook until peppers are at the desired tenderness.

4. Mix water and cornstarch together to make a cornstarch slurry.

5. While liquid in the pot is boiling, stir in the cornstarch slurry.

6. If liquid is not thick enough, make some more cornstarch slurry and add.

7. As soon as the liquid is thick enough, turn off the heat.

8. Heat up meatballs separately, either in microwave or pan.

9. Add meatballs to sauce and enjoy!

Mexican Sweet Potatoes

This recipe is a healthy, easy recipe with minimal cooking involved. If you would like to add meat to this recipe, use ground turkey, beef taco meat, or chorizo if you like something a little spicier. This recipe is easy to make ahead of time and holds well until you are ready to eat.

Serve with some avocado, fresh chopped cilantro, and sour cream, if desired. Serve with Mexican rice or roasted zucchini!

This recipe makes four servings.

4 small or 2 large sweet potatoes ¼ cup frozen, canned or fresh corn ¼ cup canned low sodium kidney beans, drained and rinsed ¼ cup canned low sodium black beans, drained and rinsed 2 tablespoons of diced red or sliced green onion ¼ cup of diced green and red peppers ¼ cup chunky salsa with desired heat Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese

1. Cook sweet potatoes in a 350 degree oven for about an hour until tender.

2. If sweet potatoes are large, cut in half. If they are small, cut a slit to be able to stuff.

3. Combine all filling ingredients except for cheese.

4. Cook in a pot until ingredients are hot (or microwave ingredients to heat).

5. Stuff filling into sweet potatoes and top with cheese and enjoy!

The recipes created by SourcePoint’s chefs are served at our community cafes and for Meals on Wheels.

Join us in Cafe 55, Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Aging and Driving

‘That’s Just Part of Aging’

Long COVID symptoms are often overlooked in older adults

Nearly 18 months after getting COVID-19 and spending weeks in the hospital, Terry Bell struggles with hanging up his shirts and pants after doing the laundry.

Lifting his clothes, raising his arms, and arranging items in his closet leave Bell short of breath and often trigger severe fatigue. He walks with a cane, only short distances. He’s 50 pounds lighter than when the virus struck.

Bell, 70, is among millions of older adults who have grappled with long COVID—a population that has received little attention even though research suggests seniors are more likely to develop the poorly understood condition than younger or middle-aged adults.

Long COVID refers to ongoing or new health problems that occur at least four weeks after a COVID infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Much about the condition is baffling: There is no diagnostic test to confirm it, no standard definition of the ailment, and no way to predict who will be affected. Common symptoms, which can last months or years, include fatigue, shortness of breath, an elevated heart rate, muscle and joint pain, sleep disruptions, and problems with attention, concentration, language, and memory—a set of difficulties known as brain fog.

Ongoing inflammation or a dysfunctional immune response may be responsible, along with reservoirs of the virus that remain in the body, small blood clots, or residual damage to the heart, lungs, vascular system, brain, kidneys, or other organs.

Only now is the impact on older adults beginning to be documented. In the largest study of its kind, published recently

in the journal BMJ, researchers estimated that 32% of older adults in the U.S. who survived COVID infections had symptoms of long COVID up to four months after infection—more than double the 14% rate an earlier study found in adults ages 18 to 64. (Other studies suggest symptoms can last much longer, for a year or more.)

The BMJ study examined more than 87,000 adults 65 and older who had COVID infections in 2020, drawing on claims data from UnitedHealth Group’s Medicare Advantage plans. It included symptoms that lasted 21 days or more after an infection, a shorter period than the CDC uses in its long COVID definition. The data encompasses both older adults who were hospitalized because of COVID (27%) and those who were not (73%).

The higher rate of post-COVID symptoms in older adults is likely due to a higher incidence of chronic disease and physical vulnerability in this population—traits that have led to a greater burden of serious illness, hospitalization, and death among seniors throughout the pandemic.

“On average, older adults are less resilient. They don’t have the same ability to bounce back from serious illness,” said Dr. Ken Cohen, a co-author of the study and executive director of translational research for Optum Care. Optum Care is a network of physician practices owned by UnitedHealth Group.

Applying the study’s findings to the latest data from the CDC suggests that up to 2.5 million older adults may have been affected by long COVID. For those individuals, the consequences can be devastating: the onset of disability, the inability to work, reduced ability to carry out activities of daily life, and a lower quality of life.

But in many seniors, long COVID is difficult to recognize.

“The challenge is that nonspecific symptoms, such as fatigue, weakness, pain, confusion, and increased frailty are things we often see in seriously ill older adults. Or people may think, ‘That’s just part of aging,’” said Dr. Charles Thomas Alexander Semelka, a postdoctoral fellow in geriatric medicine at Wake Forest University.

Ann Morse, 72, of Nashville, Tennessee, was diagnosed with COVID in November 2020 and recovered at home after a trip to the emergency room and follow-up home visits from nurses every few days. She soon began having trouble with her memory, attention, and speech, as well as sleep problems and severe fatigue. Though she’s improved somewhat, several cognitive issues and fatigue persist to this day.

“What was frustrating was I would tell people my symptoms and they’d say, ‘Oh, we’re like that, too,’ as if this was about getting older,” she said. “And I’m like, but this happened to me suddenly, almost overnight.”

Bell, a singer-songwriter in Nashville, had a hard time getting adequate followup attention after spending two weeks in intensive care and an additional five weeks in a nursing home receiving rehabilitation therapy.

“I wasn’t getting answers from my regular doctors about my breathing and other issues. They said take some overthe-counter medications for your sinus and things like that,” he said. Bell said his real recovery began after he was recommended to specialists at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

James Jackson, director of long-term outcomes at Vanderbilt’s Critical Illness,

Brain Dysfunction, and Survivorship Center, runs several long COVID support groups that Morse and Bell attend and has worked with hundreds of similar patients. He estimates that about a third of those who are older have some degree of cognitive impairment.

“We know there are significant differences between younger and older brains. Younger brains are more plastic and effective at reconstituting, and our younger patients seem able to regain their cognitive functioning more quickly,” he said.

In extreme cases, COVID infections can lead to dementia. That may be because older adults who are severely ill with COVID are at high risk of developing delirium—an acute and sudden change in mental status—which is associated with the subsequent development of dementia, said Dr. Liron Sinvani, a geriatrician and an assistant professor at Northwell Health’s Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research in Manhasset, New York.

Older patients’ brains also may have been injured from oxygen deprivation or inflammation. Or disease processes that underlie dementia may already have been underway, and a COVID infection may serve as a tipping point, hastening the emergence of symptoms.

Research conducted by Sinvani and colleagues, published in March, found that 13% of COVID patients who were 65 and older and hospitalized at Northwell Health in March 2020 or April 2020 had evidence of dementia a year later.

Dr. Thomas Gut, associate chair of medicine at Staten Island University Hospital, which opened one of the first long COVID clinics in the U.S., observed that

becoming ill with COVID can push older adults with preexisting conditions such as heart failure or lung disease “over the edge” to a more severe impairment.

In older adults especially, he said, “it’s hard to attribute what’s directly related to COVID and what’s a progression of conditions they already have.”

That wasn’t true for Richard Gard, 67, who lives just outside New Haven, Connecticut,

MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME

a self-described “very healthy and fit” sailor, scuba diver, and music teacher at Yale University who contracted COVID in March 2020. He was the first COVID patient treated at Yale New Haven Hospital, where he was critically ill for 2½ weeks, including five days in intensive care and three days on a ventilator.

In the two years since, Gard has spent more than two months in the hospital, usually for symptoms that resemble a heart attack. “If I tried to walk up the stairs or 10 feet, I would almost pass out with exhaustion, and the symptoms would start—extreme chest pain radiating up my arm into my neck, trouble breathing, sweating,” he said.

Dr. Erica Spatz, director of the preventive cardiovascular health program at Yale, is one of Gard’s physicians. “The more severe the COVID infection and the older you are, the more likely it is you’ll have a cardiovascular complication after,” she said. Complications include weakening of the heart muscle, blood clots, abnormal heart rhythms, vascular system damage, and high blood pressure.

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we do everything we can to make you feel at home whenever you’re on our campus, from comfortable furniture on our iconic front porch, to seeing your favorite foods on the menu, to staff members who feel like friends and treat you like family.

Gard’s life has changed in ways he never imagined. Unable to work, he takes 22 medications and can still walk only 10 minutes on level ground. Post-traumatic stress disorder is a frequent, unwanted companion.

“A lot of times it’s been difficult to go on, but I tell myself I just have to get up and try one more time,” he told me. “Every day that I get a little bit better, I tell myself I’m adding another day or week to my life.”

Source: Kaiser Health Network. Read more at khn.org.

Humanitarianism

Resolving the ambiguities between willful neglect and what could be is to assume the welfare of others as if they are community.

The silence is broken when the unspoken is felt. Empathy consoles the distraught.

Being ordinary we share our identity. Self is inconsequential when bearing another’s burdens responsibly.

Just as the sea heaves from the distant deep, mercy races to shore and ebbs to frailty at our feet. Its harmony engulfs the universe and immerses humanity within its plasma. Nations die when tyrants divide and rule the expendable and disregard ethereal phenomena.

What balm will strengthen the people? In the ebb and flow of history, optimism has restored resolve in every cycle.

Emerson Laird is a creative writing participant at SourcePoint’s enrichment center.

Sing Me a Lullaby

Sing me a lullaby Of waves crashing on the shore Of treasure flung across the sand Of melody sung through the sea grass

Since a lullaby once more

Sing me a lullaby Of peace and tranquility

With stars scattered through the night Reflecting across the water A song of serendipity

Sing me a lullaby Of friendships lasting joy Of laugh filled afternoons Of tears shared once more A never ending lullaby

Donna Bingham is a creative writing participant at SourcePoint’s enrichment center.

SourcePoint Closed South Office at Polaris

SourcePoint’s south office at 1070 Polaris Parkway closed in September. The suite, which was leased in 2018, housed administrative offices for in-home care staff, information and referral specialists, and insurance specialists. Friday, Sept. 2 marked the last day the office was open to the public.

The lease expires in early 2023 and staff will transition back to the Cheshire Road location, as well as continue remote work opportunities, through the fall.

“SourcePoint prides itself on being good stewards of its resources, including taxpayer funding,” said Fara Waugh, CEO. “While the office space was helpful at a time we were expanding rapidly due to the growth of the older population in Delaware County, we have since found more efficient ways to address that need.”

The office suite also housed a community room for SourcePoint to host educational programs, such as New to Medicare classes and Caregiver Conversations. However, one of the organization’s strategic goals is to increase access to such programs by expanding partnerships with local businesses to reach various communities throughout the county.

“We want to expand access to valuable aging resources and programs by meeting individuals where they are,” said Waugh. “While the Cheshire Road facility is centrally located in the county and remains a key location, it is our goal to bring more programs to off-site locations in the coming years than ever before.”

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Healthy Social Media Habits

How you use it matters

Technology has changed the way we interact with each other. Social media puts other people just keystrokes away. This helps some feel like they have more social support. But for others, it can increase isolation and depression.

Researchers are investigating how social media affects mental health. They’re learning that who you meet and what you find online can mean the difference between helpful and harmful effects.

USE YOUR TIME WISELY

Logging into social media can lead you in many directions. Actively engaging and connecting with others online can help build your social supports—both online and offline. But spending many hours passively scrolling through upsetting content can send you spiraling into negative thoughts and feelings.

Increased social media use has been linked to symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. But it’s not always clear which comes first: Is more time online causing the symptoms or a result of the symptoms?

Depression or anxiety can cause you to isolate yourself. Spending more time online may be a sign that you’re withdrawing from others.

Studies have also found that some online activities can worsen your mental health. Passively watching what others are doing online can make you feel more isolated. You might feel you’re missing out or being left out. Or it can make you think that other people have better lives than you.

What you click on then affects what you see next. If you click on things that bother you, you’re likely to be shown more of those things. Repeated scrolling through disturbing content can increase your stress and anxiety.

Teens are especially at risk from the effects of social media. Studies have found links between patterns in teens’ social media use and mental health problems.

“There has been a growth in social media use, smartphone use, and teens’ lives being online over the last 10 years,” says Dr. Katherine Keyes at Columbia University. Rates of teen depression and suicide also rose over the past 10 years. Researchers have been looking at social media’s role in that increase.

Keyes’s studies have shown that digital media use alone doesn’t account for these recent rises in depression and suicide. Other factors must also play a role. More research is needed to figure out what those are.

What seems most important is how teens are using social media and how their time online is affecting their offline social networks and activities, Keyes says.

In other words, time online takes away from time you could be spending with others, being physically active, or doing a hobby. These are things that help protect your mental health.

CONNECT CAREFULLY

You can find countless different people and communities online. “Many meaningful and beneficial connections can be made online,” says Keyes. “This is

especially true for teens who have more marginalized identities. Sometimes they can find community and connectivity online that they can’t get in their day-today lives.”

But the digital world can also expose you to harmful health behaviors. Excessive drinking, substance use, and eating disorders are sometimes misleadingly shown as what everyone’s doing or wants to do.

People also see ads about tobacco use, cannabis use, and drinking online. Dr. Patricia Cavazos-Rehg at Washington University in St. Louis studies the effects of ads on teen substance use. Her research has shown that even passively viewing tobacco content online increased the likelihood of using tobacco products. Keyes found similar trends for alcohol and cannabis.

“My concern is that social media can make substance use behaviors seem normal,” Cavazos-Rehg explains. That can affect both teens and adults.

“We’ve seen a lot of messages online about ‘wine-mom’ culture that link alcohol use with ‘mommy needs a break at the end of the day,’” Keyes says. “These messages link alcohol with positive selfcare.” But using alcohol to manage stress is not a healthy coping strategy. In recent years, women have had a higher increase in alcohol use than men.

Cavazos-Rehg is researching ways to deliver information about the risks of substance use on social media. She’s also looking at how to get quality treatment information to people talking about

mental health issues and substance use online.

SEEK OUT HELP

Social media can be a tool to improve your mental health. You can search for health information, hear about others’ experiences, or find treatment options.

“We have found that social media can be very helpful for people who are feeling stigmatized about in-person recovery,” Cavazos-Rehg says. “Plus, social media can help those who are curious or ready to engage in treatment but want advice from their online peers first.”

Her team looked at what prevents people with symptoms of depression from

seeking treatment. They found that many people worry about being stigmatized. Others have trouble accessing or paying for treatment.

Her team is looking for ways to reduce those barriers through social media. They’ve created tools to identify social media posts that may indicate someone needs treatment for an eating disorder. They also created a treatment app for teens with eating disorders. The team is working to reach teens in need of treatment through online ads as well.

“There is a lot of support for recovery and for mental health that individuals can get off of social media,” says Cavazos-Rehg. “But there’s often misinformation that can

spread as well.” Find tips for evaluating online health information at go.usa.gov/ xSv9n and go.usa.gov/xSv9P

Remember, you don’t need to struggle with mental health problems alone. “There’s a common misconception that we can handle our mental health problems on our own, and that they’re not severe enough to warrant medical care,” Cavazos-Rehg says. “But that’s a misconception.” Don’t hesitate to reach out to a health care provider or mental health professional.

Source: National Institutes of Health. Read more at newsinhealth.nih.gov.

Medication Safety: How Alice’s Story Can Help Protect Older Adults

This cautionary tale details the last six weeks of Alice Brennan’s life and is offered in an attempt to spare others the pain and anguish of medication harm; a deadly pill to swallow.

A smile, a laugh, a joke, or a jaunty dance step are what her cadre of friends and family remember about the feisty, 88-year-old Alice. Her tragic and preventable death from medication error still haunts those who loved her.

Be careful what you ask for

On July 3, a sunny start to the Fourth of July weekend, Alice woke with a nagging ache and stiffness in her neck and shoulders. She had been looking forward to a full weekend of picnics, and this pain was definitely going to throw a monkey wrench in her festive plans. A quick call to her primary care physician’s office let her know that the office was closed for the holiday, so she dressed and drove to the nearby hospital emergency department. As she was examined by an emergency medicine physician, she asked to be given something to deal with the pain.

Alice’s simple request put her on a swift and fatal collision course with dangerous medications for older patients.

Alice left the emergency department with a prescription for the muscle relaxant, Flexeril. After getting it filled at her neighborhood pharmacy, she went home, took a hot shower, and started to feel better. The ache was bearable, and since she didn’t think she needed the Flexeril, she put it in her medicine cabinet and went on with her weekend plans.

Four days later, Alice had an appointment with her neurologist. A few years earlier, she had experienced a transient ischemic attack, or mini-stroke, and dutifully followed up annually for a neurology well check. Accompanied by her daughter, she brought her current medication list with her, which contained medication for hypertension, a blood thinner, and eye drops. The only new medication on the list was the newly prescribed muscle relaxant.

Medication

When the neurologist checked the list, he was alarmed to see that Flexeril had been added. “Dear God, who would prescribe Flexeril to an 88-year-old woman?” were his exact words. He then proceeded to explain that as we age, our bodies absorb medication differently and do not break down medications in the same way they did when we were younger. Some medications may require lower dosages and some, like Flexeril, can be very dangerous and should be avoided. He advised Alice to never take the drug and properly dispose of it when she returned home. Alice followed his advice and never took even one pill.

Alice’s dramatic decline from receiving the wrong medication

A week later, Alice experienced some swelling and stiffness in her right knee. Frustrated by this new physical infirmity, Alice and her daughter went to her primary care physician, where she was told that she was most likely experiencing symptoms of gout. She was referred to an orthopedic specialist who admitted her to the community hospital where a series of tests were performed. The diagnosis was indeed gout.

She was placed under the care of a hospitalist and remained in the hospital for five days. Upon the recommendation of the hospitalist, Alice was transferred to a rehabilitation facility for physical therapy. Approaching the physical therapy regimen with her typical gusto, Alice delighted in socializing with her fellow patients, enjoyed going table to table in the dining room during meals, and anxiously awaited returning home to enjoy the remainder of summer sitting on her porch with friends and family.

Ten days after admission to the rehabilitation facility, her daughter found Alice, the once vibrant jokester, sitting hunched over in a wheelchair near the nurse’s station. Nauseated, lethargic, and with a gray pallor, Alice was in the throes of violent hallucinations. When asked if her mother had been given someone else’s medication, the nurse brought out Alice’s chart and there, in terrifying black and white, was the word Flexeril.

How is it possible that Alice was given Flexeril three times a day in both the hospital and rehabilitation facility? The answer is frustratingly common.

Once she was prescribed the drug in the emergency department, the medication, unfortunately, became a permanent part of her electronic medical record. It was erroneously assumed Flexeril was a medication she should be given when hospitalized.

Medication safety could have prevented Alice’s tragic death

Tragically, Alice never recovered from the inappropriate prescribing of Flexeril. In addition to the terrifying hallucinations, she developed adverse reactions that included urinary tract infections, unsteady gait, and depressed appetite that resulted in dehydration and malnutrition. Her fragile state left her subject to the ravages of multiple healthcare-acquired infections, including MRSA, C-difficile, and Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus.

Six weeks after seeking treatment for gout, Alice Brennan suffered a painful, agonizing, and preventable death caused by a medication error.

What you can do: How medication safety can protect you and your loved ones

Alice’s lasting legacy will be the steps you take to protect yourself and those you love. Medication safety begins with you.

• Understand what medications you are taking, including any possible side effects.

• Ask questions to ensure the medication prescribed is safe for you.

• Ask if there are non-pharmaceutical alternatives to medication, such as physical therapy.

• Bring any medication side effects to the immediate attention of your physician or pharmacist.

• Bring your current medication list with you to the hospital, and if hospitalized, always check the medications you are given before taking them.

Be careful what you ask for. Less is more when taking medication.

For more about The Alice Story, visit teamalice.org.

Source: National Council on Aging. Read more at ncoa.org.

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