My Communicator | Spring 2025

CAREGIVING

Money-Saving Tips for Family Caregivers

It takes more than love and commitment to care for an aging parent or family member. Any family caregiver can tell you that it also takes money. At first, you might not notice the incidental costs of the gasoline that gets you to and from their doctor appointments or the prescriptions you’re paying for. But as their needs intensify, so does the cost of caring for them.

An AARP study found that the average family caregiver spends over $7,200 a year to provide care. The costs are even higher for those caring for someone with dementia, approaching $9,000 per year. Where is all that money going?

See SAVING on page 4.

SPRING CONTENT

800 Cheshire Road, Delaware 740-363-6677 | MySourcePoint.org EIN 31-1354284

SourcePoint is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that provides professional expertise, services, and programs for Delaware County adults who want to thrive after 55, as well as family caregivers. Services and programs are supported by the local senior services levy, private and corporate donations, grants, and the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging.

2025 Board of Directors

President: Pamela Foster, Orange Township

Vice President: Cheri Thompson, Delaware

Secretary: Annie Horstman, MD, Delaware

Treasurer: Dennis Mowrey, Delaware

Randy Bournique, Delaware

Bill Brown, Delaware

Adrienne Corbett, Delaware

Todd Everingham, MBA, Dublin

Ron Fantozzi, Columbus

Beth Fligner, JD, Dublin

Alice Frazier, MD, Delaware

Liz Gitter, MSSW, Delaware

Wren Kruse, JD, New Albany

Beth Long-Higgins, MDiv, Delaware

Michael Tucker, JD, Delaware

Roger Van Sickle, Delaware

Jodie Wegmiller, BSN, MBA, Delaware

The board typically meets the last Wednesday at noon for six months out of the year. Members of the public who wish to attend may call the chief executive officer at 740-363-6677.

My Communicator is published quarterly and is made possible through advertisers, donors, and volunteers. About 5,000 copies of each edition are printed and distributed throughout Delaware County. My Communicator is available for pick-up at SourcePoint and 50 other locations, such as libraries, senior living communities, health care facilities, and other nonprofit organizations. To find a nearby pickup site, contact SourcePoint at 740-363-6677. Read My Communicator online at MySourcePoint.org/publications

To advertise or submit educational content for consideration, contact Chief Advancement Officer Alison Yeager at alison@MySourcePoint.org.

The appearance of advertising does not represent an endorsement by SourcePoint. We reserve the right to refuse any advertising that conflicts with our mission.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

10 Signs of Alzheimer’s: Early Detection Matters

Recognizing the early signs of Alzheimer’s disease is crucial for timely intervention and management. The National Council on Aging outlines 10 key warning signs to watch for:

1. Memory loss disrupting daily life: Frequently forgetting recent events, important dates, or repeatedly asking the same questions.

2. Challenges in planning or solving problems: Difficulty following familiar recipes, managing bills, or concentrating on tasks.

3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks: Struggling with routine activities like driving to known locations or remembering rules of favorite games.

4. Confusion with time or place: Losing track of dates, seasons, or forgetting where they are and how they arrived there.

5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships: Problems with balance, reading, judging distances, or determining color contrast, which can affect driving.

6. New problems with words in speaking or writing: Difficulty

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

joining conversations, repeating themselves, or struggling with vocabulary.

7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps: Placing items in unusual spots and being unable to find them, sometimes accusing others of stealing.

8. Decreased or poor judgment: Making poor decisions, especially with finances, or neglecting personal grooming.

9. Withdrawal from work or social activities: Avoiding social engagements, hobbies, or projects due to changes in their ability to hold or follow conversations.

10. Changes in mood and personality: Becoming confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, or anxious, especially in unfamiliar situations.

Early detection of these signs allows for better planning, access to treatments, and improved quality of life for individuals and their families. If you notice these symptoms in yourself or a loved one, it’s essential to consult a health care professional for a comprehensive evaluation.

Saving

From page 1

Common expenses incurred by family caregivers include:

• Housing (rent, mortgage, assisted living, home modifications)

• Food

• Clothing

• Transportation

• Healthcare

• Therapists

• Respite care

• Medical supplies and equipment

If your caregiving responsibilities are starting to tap your savings account, here’s good news: there are a lot of ways to save money while you take care of an older adult. And since time is money (especially for family caregivers), let’s dive right into them.

Ways family caregivers can save money PRESCRIPTION SAVINGS

Half of Americans over age 65 take at least four prescriptions daily. Depending on the drugs and the copay for each one, these costs can add up fast. Most people know to opt for a generic version of a prescription whenever possible, but even some generics are pricey.

What you may not know is that different pharmacies charge different copay amounts for the same medication. If the person you care for is on Medicare, review their plan to check the prices at their preferred pharmacy first. Then compare them to prices at discount pharmacies like Costco, Walmart, and Amazon.

Some of the biggest savings can be found by using apps that offer discount pricing on prescriptions. Check out GoodRx, Single Care, and Cost Plus Drugs to see if they offer lower prices or coupons for the prescriptions your family uses.

CAREGIVING SUPPLIES

Incontinence products, bed pads, wound care, gloves—these caregiving staples also take a bite out of the budget every month. Keeping an eye out for sales and coupons is one way to save money on these supplies. But who has the time?

Since you know you’ll be needing them every month, consider setting up an auto-ship account with an online retailer. Since they buy in bulk, they often pass the savings on to you. And many offer additional savings when you set up an auto-ship account. This will also save you the time of shopping for them in a store. And you’re less likely to run out. Check out the savings at carewell.com, a great source for affordable caregiving supplies.

appointments. Opt for virtual visits whenever possible to save yourself the cost of gasoline and parking fees. If the person you care for has a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan, try to stick with health care providers who are in their MA plan’s network to make the most of their health insurance coverage.

UTILITIES

DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT (DME)

This is equipment that’s used more than once, and often for several years. Think wheelchairs, walkers, commodes, shower chairs. Medicare covers a portion of the costs when you buy or rent these from a supplier that “takes assignment” from Medicare. And you’ll need your doctor to prescribe some of them if you want Medicare to cover their portion of the cost. But there are other, less expensive ways to get your hands on some of these items. Purchase them used at a thrift store. Search your local FreeCycle or Buy Nothing groups on social media. Some nonprofit organizations offer a DME lending library, where you can borrow a piece of equipment for free and return it when it’s no longer needed.

DOCTOR VISITS

Many physicians offer a choice for in-person or virtual visits for certain

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) can help people with limited income pay their energy bills. To qualify for LIHEAP, your income must be under the established limit for your household size. If you’re currently receiving benefits from other government programs including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you may be eligible for LIHEAP automatically.

For information on where and how to apply, contact the National Energy Assistance Referral program at 1-866-6746327 or energyassistance@ncat.org

TAXES

Most of the tax breaks for family caregivers require you to be able to claim the person you’re caring for as a dependent. This means they’re a relative who lives with you, they have a gross income of less than $4,700, and they receive more than half of their financial support from you. If you’re lucky enough to have siblings who contribute to the support of a family member, they may need to sign a Multiple Support Declaration to determine who can claim the parent as a dependent.

If you can claim the family member you care for as a dependent, you can probably

take advantage of the following tax benefits:

• You can claim the Credit for Other Dependents tax credit of up to $500 whether your dependent loved one is on Medicaid or not.

• You can deduct unreimbursed medical expenses for your dependents if the expenses exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income. This includes costs like home health care, adult day care, and necessary home modifications.

• You may file as Head of Household if you meet certain requirements, like paying for more than half of the household expenses. This offers a higher standard deduction. For the 2023 tax year, it was $20,800.

The Child and Dependent Care Credit is an outlier. To claim this credit, the person you care for does not have to be your dependent. But they must have lived with you for at least six months and be physically or mentally unable to care for themselves. This tax credit reimburses you for money you pay for your family member’s care while you work. This could be care provided by an adult day care center or a paid in-home caregiver. In 2023, you could claim up to $3,000 in caregiving costs for one qualifying person and up to $6,000 for two or more. More details on this tax credit are available on the IRS website.

MILITARY BASE

COMMISSARY AND POST EXCHANGE (PX)

If the family member you care for served in the military, you may be able to shop for supplies, groceries, and medical equipment at the nearest military base. Prices at the military commissary (grocery store) and

PX (department store) can be lower than civilian grocery stores, pharmacies, and even big box stores. Contact the base to ask if you need to bring your family member with you, or if you just need to bring their military ID for shopping privileges.

RESPITE CARE

No family caregiver can be expected to provide all the care for an aging loved one, all the time. It takes too great a toll on our physical and mental health. Luckily, there are ways you can save money on respite care for your loved one when you need a well-deserved break.

Some state Medicaid programs pay for respite care services.

Some Medicare Advantage plans include respite care as a supplemental benefit.

Beginning in July 2024, folks caring for a family member who has dementia and is enrolled in Medicare will be able to access a $2,500 respite care benefit through the Medicare GUIDE program.

Your state may offer respite care vouchers or stipends.

You may be able to find a volunteer caregiver via the National Volunteer Caregiving Network.

GOVERNMENT BENEFITS

Many federal, state, and local programs are designed specifically to provide financial assistance to older adults who need support. Some of these benefits may sound familiar to you. Other benefits may come as a big—and welcome—surprise.

NCOA’s BenefitsCheckUp® is a free, online tool that connects millions of older adults with benefits programs that can help pay for health

care, medicine, food, utilities, and more. You can explore a variety of savings opportunities for yourself, or for someone you know.

MEDICAID

Each state runs its own Medicaid program, which helps cover medical costs, including long-term care, for some people with limited income and resources. Eligibility requirements and benefits vary from state to state, so check with your state’s Medicaid program to see if your family member qualifies for benefits. If they don’t, they would have to spend down almost all of their savings on health care in order to qualify. Some state Medicaid programs even pay family caregivers to provide care.

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (VA)

The VA is a federal agency that provides a wide range of benefits and services to U.S. military veterans. Through the VA, older veterans may have access to a pension, disability compensation, health care, home loans, insurance, and burial benefits. The VA has specialized programs to address the unique needs of aging veterans, such as geriatric care, extended care and long-term care services, vision rehabilitation, and family caregiver compensation.

If you’re caring for a veteran who has service-connected disabilities, and they live in your home, the VA’s Temporary Residence Adaptation grant can cover modifications like adding ramps and grab bars, widening doorways, installing accessible bathroom fixtures, and more.

MEDICARE PREMIUMS

Did you know that low-income seniors may qualify for help paying some of their Medicare premiums with one of four federal programs?

See CAREGIVER on page 6.

Caregiver

From page 5

The Medicare Savings Programs can pay Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B premiums. In certain cases, they can also cover out-of-pocket expenses like deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance. While these are Medicare programs, you’ll need to contact your state’s Medicaid office to find out if your loved one is eligible.

SHOE ALLOWANCE

If the family member you care for has diabetes, Medicare will help pay for therapeutic shoes prescribed by their treating physician. This allowance covers

80% of the cost of one pair of custom shoes or extra depth shoes, plus two to three additional pairs of inserts, annually. For more information about this benefit, call the phone number on their insurance card.

SUBSIDIZED HOUSING

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers a subsidy for senior housing assistance. Section 202 Supportive Housing is for use exclusively by low-income adults over age 62 who make less than 50% of the Area Median Income. The properties tend to be accessible apartment complexes that provide support like cleaning, cooking, and transportation.

The application process can be lengthy. For information and help finding Section 202 homes, contact your local HUD agency.

Hopefully, you can use several of these— and other money saving strategies—that can help reduce caregiving costs. If you found this article helpful, share it with other family caregivers who need help reining in their care expenses.

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

How To Assess Aging?

Medical advances are helping people around the world live longer. But longer life is linked to a gradual loss of physical abilities. Strength, balance, and walking skills may weaken. It’s been unclear how each of these features decline with age.

To learn more, an NIH-supported research team assessed these abilities in 40 healthy people. Half were between ages 50 and 64. The rest were ages 65 or older. Each participant underwent a series of tests in a motion analysis lab.

The researchers found that walking patterns were not much different with age. Sex differences were seen in strength but not other measures. Grip strength was 30% higher in men than in women, and knee strength was 27% higher in men. But in both sexes, strength declined at similar rates over time. Grip strength in the dominant hand dropped by nearly 4% per decade of age. Knee strength declined by about 1% per decade.

Balance showed the greatest decrease with age, especially the ability to stand on one leg for at least 30 seconds. Single-leg

Home safety

standing time on the non-dominant leg dropped by 21% per decade of age. On the dominant leg, it dropped by 17% per decade. When standing on both feet, people who were older tended to move or sway more.

The findings suggest that how long a person can stand on only a non-dominant leg may be an easy and reliable way to assess health in aging populations.

“Changes in balance are note-worthy. If you have poor balance, you’re at risk of falling,” explains Dr. Kenton Kaufman of the Mayo Clinic. “Falls are a severe health risk with serious consequences.”

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

Relationships

From page 1

It was around seven years ago when Sharon Maggard decided she needed to do something.

Her husband had passed away nearly two years earlier and it was time, she said, to “focus on moving forward.” That included visits to SourcePoint for exercise and, eventually, volunteering.

“I decided to volunteer, first as a pool attendant and then with Meals on Wheels,” Sharon said.

As the time Sharon spent at SourcePoint increased, so did the opportunities to meet new people and develop friendships. She started the Wine About It group, a monthly gathering at local wineries, and served as a concierge up until last fall. Today, she is part of a tight-knit group of five – whom she affectionately calls her “ya yas” – that became acquainted at SourcePoint and now gather frequently for dining, dancing, and card games. When they aren’t together, they stay in touch and look after one another.

Roy’s cousin – who happened to be a neighbor of Kay’s –encouraged him to try the Mind Aerobics class. He met Kay, their relationship developed and grew, and today they’ve been married for 13 years.

“I was a widow for 16 years, and it had never crossed my mind that I’d want to meet anybody,” Kay said.

The Campbells are now mainstays at SourcePoint, where Kay volunteers in the gift shop and Roy volunteers as a fitness attendant and serves as the coordinator of the Dining Out Group.

“We have met so many friends here, and everyone comes in the gift shop,” Kay said. “It’s just a great place to volunteer.”

Kim and Harold Dursik are another married couple who, though they didn’t meet at SourcePoint, can credit its numerous activities and programs for many of their close friendships. One of their closest friends is Judy Brink, whom Marilyn said is a great example of the impact SourcePoint can have on people’s lives.

“We never would have met without SourcePoint,” Maggard said.

Marilyn Clark, SourcePoint’s community engagement coordinator, isn’t a bit surprised to hear new stories about special relationships that started at SourcePoint, which she said has a gift for connecting members both old and new.

“I guesstimate that 80 percent of those who first come to SourcePoint for a tour are newly retired and/or transplants looking for purpose,” Marilyn said. “They are seeking new friend groups to replace the ones they left behind and to find a new rhythm in their lives. I sincerely enjoy hearing their stories, learning their interests, and connecting them with our programs and people. For me, I look at it as we are giving you a blank canvas. SourcePoint has all the colorful paints and painting tools; it’s up to you what you create.”

For Roy and Kay Campbell, the blank canvas came in the form of SourcePoint’s popular Mind Aerobics class. Kay was a SourcePoint member who enjoyed taking exercise classes and attending lectures. Roy was a widower and a regular SourcePoint attendee.

“I started coming for the Silver Sneakers exercise program and then started going to the senior Dining Out Group after my wife passed,” he said.

“A few years ago, I gave a tour to Judy; she was new to the area and feeling outside her comfort zone,” Marilyn said. “She attended one of our LIVE on Cheshire events where I acquainted her with Harold, a very outgoing member. Harold introduced Judy to Kim and they made an instant connection. The three friends soon grew into a group of eight people who often dine together at Cafe 55, attend LIVE on Cheshire, and meet outside SourcePoint for other activities.”

“We call Judy the queen of the lunch table,” Kim said. “So many of those friends I met through her.”

The Dursiks, who’ve been married for 49 years, started coming to SourcePoint before the pandemic, mainly for the workout room, Kim said.

“I’m very much into exercise, and Harold’s very involved in guitar,” Kim said. “We started coming back to SourcePoint two years ago, and Harold is the sound guy for the Thursday night

music. I take exercise classes, line dancing classes, and water aerobics, and we go to LIVE on Cheshire.”

Harold also started a motorcycle group at SourcePoint named “Ride after 55.” The group members meet monthly to plan where they’d like to ride and usually travel a couple of hours one way during their outings.

Marilyn, who’s seen so many friendships develop and grow at SourcePoint, draws a parallel between retirement age and early childhood.

“Remember when you were in kindergarten and everybody was your friend, when everything was infinitely possible?” she said. “Somewhere along the way, we lose our confidence and worry more about judgment and other life pressures. Then we retire. At SourcePoint, we provide the space to embrace our five-yearold selves. There are no strangers here.”

Kay said SourcePoint’s full slate of activities and classes, not to mention the cafe and various outings, helps foster those relationships.

“Working in the gift shop, I meet a lot of first timers to SourcePoint who are taking a tour,” Kay said. “I tell them to eat lunch and sign up for one class. That gives you a reason to come back. Sign up for a class and make one friend. Then join two classes. You will make so many friends, and we have great instructors and educators in these classes.”

“And we just had our taxes done here,” said Kim, adding one more to the broad list of SourcePoint offerings.

Those who know what a special place SourcePoint is want to spread the word among other 55-and-older residents in Delaware County, particularly those who are new to the area or who move here to be close to their grandchildren.

“We’re working with staff here to do an event at our condo development,” Kay said. “So many people don’t know about SourcePoint and they’re looking for something to do since they moved here. And for a lot of people this may be the only social contact they have.”

“Being here is a way of getting to communicate with other people and not being home alone,” Sharon added.

“SourcePoint gives you a place to go and something to look forward to,” Roy said.

Class topics run the gamut from downsizing to arts and crafts and even belly dancing.

“We went to a class on transportation without driving,” Kay said. “It tells you about the buses and where they go and how to get an Uber.”

Thanks to your support, SourcePoint goes the extra mile for the older adults we serve!

And it gives you a reason to not sit home on what Kay affectionately calls your “dupa,” a Polish word for rear end.

“Once you sit, you don’t want to get up and it becomes a routine,” Kay said. “It may be hard to take that first step, but you’ve got to get your dupa up and out.”

While she doesn’t guarantee that a visit to SourcePoint will lead to finding your spouse, Kay said anything is possible.

“You never know what will happen.”

Jeff Robinson is a feature writer for My Communicator.

Meals on Wheels is more than just a meal—it’s also a friendly visit and a well-being check.

You are part of that! Continue your support of local Meals on Wheels with a gift today at MySourcePoint.org/give

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Build Social Bonds to Protect Health

From an early age, we learn that nutritious foods and physical activity can help us stay healthy. Growing evidence now suggests that social connections may also be key to good health. Socially connected people tend to live longer. They’re at lower risk for serious health problems. Social bonds are also linked to our mental health, eating habits, and much more.

Despite the links between our social ties and health, there’s been a troubling increase in social disconnection around the world. About 1 in 3 adults nationwide report feeling lonely. About 1 in 4 say they lack social and emotional support.

SOCIAL BONDS

Many factors can contribute to a person feeling lonely. These include the quality of your personal relationships, your community, and society in general. Your personal health, life stage, and personality can also have an impact.

People who are socially isolated or feel lonely are more likely to have heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, depression, or anxiety. They’re also at increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia, and for early death.

Recently, the COVID-19 pandemic affected our relationships and feelings of isolation. But the breakdown of social bonds was growing long before the pandemic. Over the past few decades, fewer people have been joining community groups or faith-based organizations. There’s also been a rise in single-person households. Digital technologies have made it easier to connect with others. But they can also expose us to harms like bullying.

Scientists are working to better understand the links between social bonds and our health. And they’re looking for ways to counteract the effects of loneliness and social isolation.

“Humans are a social species. We are highly dependent on others from birth,” says Dr. Elizabeth Necka, an NIH expert on social and behavioral science. “So feeling socially isolated can make you feel as though you’re in a very stressful situation. And stress has been associated with chronic inflammation, which can have effects on cardiovascular health.” Long-lasting inflammation has also been linked to cancer and other health problems. And our ability to biologically respond to stressors weakens with age.

WHO’S AT RISK?

Everyone feels lonely now and then. But certain factors can raise the likelihood of persistent loneliness or social isolation. These include living alone, having trouble walking or moving, or having problems with vision or hearing. Other risk factors include financial struggles and mental health issues. Living in a rural, unsafe, or hard to reach neighborhood also raises your risk. So do major life changes like retirement or the death of a loved one.

Necka notes that there’s a difference between social isolation and loneliness, but the two are related. Social isolation means you have few connections or contacts with others. Loneliness has to do with how you feel about being alone, or your perception.

“Some people can be objectively socially isolated but not feel lonely. They may enjoy the solitude,” Necka explains. “Others can be surrounded by people and yet feel very lonely because those relationships aren’t satisfying to them.”

Both loneliness and social isolation can be harmful to health. Even people who feel OK about being socially isolated are at increased risk for poorer health.

Many studies have found that older adults are especially likely to feel lonely or socially isolated. But a recent analysis of more than 128,000 people from over 20 countries reports that young adults are also vulnerable. “Over the course of the adult lifespan, we found that loneliness is higher in young adulthood and older adulthood. It dips during mid-life,” says psychologist Dr. Eileen Graham at Northwestern University.

Graham and others have found that “generativity”—the urge to nurture younger people—can play a protective role. “People who are high in generativity are more socially resilient,” Graham says. “They feel they’re contributing to society, and they’re teaching new generations. It promotes well-being.” And it may help buffer against the harms of social isolation and loneliness.

“There’s an interesting thing that happens in late life,” Necka adds. “People tend to focus more on relationships that are

high quality and on the positive and meaningful impacts of those relationships. There’s less focus on relationships that are a bit more casual. Research suggests that tendency in late life actually can be protective for older adults.”

COUPLING UP

“Marital status, or intimate relationships, are also an important feature of our social networks,” says Dr. David Sbarra, a psychologist and researcher at the University of Arizona. Married people tend to live longer and have other health benefits compared to the unmarried. But the quality of the relationship, whether supportive or fraught, can have an impact. “In a high-quality relationship, your needs are taken under consideration, and you perceive that your partner cares for you,” Sbarra says. “This perceived responsiveness, or empathy, is key to intimacy.”

Sbarra’s team has found that divorce and separation are linked with changes to structures deep within cells called

telomeres, which are associated with aging. Such changes are linked to health problems, including cancer and shorter life.

The team is now using brain imaging and smartphone apps to assess the quality of couples’ relationships. They’re studying whether repetitive negative thoughts in one partner leads to stress and health problems for both.

NEW CONNECTIONS

“If you’re feeling lonely or socially disconnected, it can feel intimidating to try to form new connections,” Necka says. “High-quality connections are best. But even brief interactions can make a difference. It can be a first step.”

For example, you might go to the grocery store at the same time every week and see the same clerk. You can smile and strike up a brief conversation. Or you notice that someone at your regular bus stop always wears purple. You could chat about favorite colors. Over time, you might feel more comfortable connecting with others in different ways.

“If you see someone in your community, maybe an older adult who lives alone or a single parent, check in and ask what they might need. Let them know that you’re available,” Graham adds. “Offer to bring them dinner, play cards, or other things. We can reach out and help each other connect.”

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

Connect With Others

Learn something new. Join a group interested in a hobby, such as knitting, hiking, birdwatching, painting, or wood carving.

Volunteer. Consider helping out at a school, library, museum, hospital, or animal shelter.

Stay in touch with family, friends, and neighbors. Connect in person, online, or by phone.

Share your knowledge. Teach a favorite pastime or skill, like chess or baking, to a new generation.

Take the stage. Take part in a local theater troupe, sing in a community choral group, or play in a local band or orchestra.

Help others. Run errands for people with limited mobility or access to transportation.

Get moving. Take a class in yoga, tai chi, or other physical activity.

Be more active in your local community. Take part in community or senior center events. Join a faith-based organization that aligns with your beliefs.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Risk and Future Burden of Dementia

Dementia affects more than 6 million Americans and accounts for more than 100,000 deaths each year. Knowing people’s lifetime risk of dementia can lead to improved prevention efforts. It can also inform public health planning by generating projections of future cases.

Previous estimates of lifetime dementia risk in the United States are 11-14% for men and 19-23% for women. But these are based on older data in which dementia wasn’t reliably documented and early-stage cases were often missed. These data were also typically limited to non-Hispanic white populations.

A research team led by Drs. Josef Coresh at New York University Grossman School of Medicine and Michael Fang at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health generated updated estimates of lifetime dementia risk across different subsets of the population. They also projected the number of people who would be newly diagnosed with dementia in the U.S. between 2020 and 2060. Results appeared in Nature Medicine on Jan. 13, 2025.

The team analyzed data on more than 15,000 people from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. All the people studied were free of dementia at age 55. More than a quarter were Black, and more than half were women. About 31% had at least one copy of the apolipoprotein E4 (APOEε4) gene variant, a major risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.

The team primarily relied on in-person evaluations. For participants who didn’t come in person, they used phone-based cognitive assessments. They also examined hospital records and death certificates for dementia diagnoses.

The researchers estimated a lifetime risk of dementia of 42% after age 55, more than double previous estimates. The dementia risk was 4% by age 75 and 20% by age 85, with the majority of the risk occurring after 85. Certain groups had greater risks than others. For example, women had a higher lifetime risk due to survival to older ages, 48% versus 35% in men. People with two APOEε4 copies had a lifetime risk of almost 60%, versus 48% for those with one copy and 39% for those with none.

The team applied their lifetime risk estimates to future population projections from the U.S. Census. They projected that the number of new dementia cases in the U.S. will double over the next four decades, from about 514,000 in 2020 to about 1 million in 2060.

The study suggests that the lifetime risk of dementia may be much higher than previously thought. This highlights an urgent need for policies that promote healthy aging. Interventions targeted toward high-risk individuals could help reduce the societal burdens of dementia.

“The pending population boom in dementia cases poses significant challenges for health policymakers, in particular, who must refocus their efforts on strategies to minimize dementia risk and the severity of dementia cases, as well as plans to provide more health care services for those with dementia,” Coresh says.

Source: National Institute on Aging. Read more at nia.nih.gov.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Depression and Sleep

Depression and sleep disturbances often coexist, each exacerbating the other. Addressing sleep issues can play a pivotal role in alleviating depressive symptoms. The National Council on Aging offers 10 actionable strategies to enhance sleep quality for individuals dealing with depression:

1. Limit caffeine and alcohol: Caffeine can disrupt sleep if consumed too close to bedtime. While alcohol might initially induce drowsiness, it can lead to fragmented sleep later in the night.

2. Increase physical activity: Engaging in regular exercise can improve sleep quality by reducing stress and anxiety. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily, but avoid vigorous workouts close to bedtime, as they might be stimulating.

3. Get sunlight exposure: Natural sunlight helps regulate the body’s internal clock and boosts mood through vitamin D production. Spending time outdoors during the day can support better sleep at night.

4. Manage stress effectively: Techniques such as journaling, meditation, yoga, or talking to a trusted friend can help alleviate stress, making it easier to fall and stay asleep.

5. Maintain a consistent sleep schedule: Going to bed and waking up at the same time daily reinforces the body’s natural sleep-wake cycle, leading to better sleep quality.

6. Reduce screen time before bed: The blue light emitted by electronic devices can interfere with melatonin production, a hormone that regulates sleep. It’s recommended to avoid screens at least 30 minutes before bedtime.

7. Establish a calming bedtime routine: Engage in relaxing activities, such as taking a warm bath or listening to soothing music, to signal to your body that it’s time to wind down.

8. Create a sleep-friendly environment: Ensure your bedroom is cool, dark, and quiet. Consider using earplugs, white-noise machines, or blackout curtains to minimize disturbances.

9. Invest in a comfortable mattress: A proper mattress can impact sleep quality by providing support, reducing pressure points, and promoting better spinal alignment.

10. Consult a sleep specialist: If sleep problems persist, seek guidance from a health care professional or sleep specialist to address potential underlying issues. Implementing these strategies can lead to improved sleep, which in turn may help alleviate some depressive symptoms. It’s essential to approach sleep and mental health holistically, recognizing the interconnectedness of the two.

5 Tips for Creating Healthy Meal Plans

Following a balanced diet meal plan at home can help nourish your mind, body, and spirit— and keep your bank account looking healthier, too. With a little planning and a spark of inspiration, you can be on your way to enjoying delicious meals that are good for you, too.

Here are 5 tips to help you create meal plans filled with healthy foods that you and your family are sure to enjoy.

1. Review healthy eating guidelines A good place to start is always with your health care professional, who can help you set diet and nutrition goals and benchmarks. “A registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) can work with you to create an eating plan that’s tailored to your needs,” says Gretchen Tanbonliong, Associate Director for Health & Wellness at NCOA and an RDN herself. When it comes to meeting nutrition requirements, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach.”

And while there are dietary imperatives that apply for most age groups—like enjoying nutrient-dense foods and limiting added sugar—there are special considerations for older adults, too.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025, recommends that older adults pay special attention to protein intake, since about half of women and a third of men 71 and older don’t eat enough of it. And some older adults may need to eat more foods fortified with Vitamin B12, or take a supplement, since aging can reduce

absorption of this vital nutrient.

2. Gather inspiration As you create your healthy meal plan, you may want to rekindle your culinary creativity. Search your favorite websites and cookbooks for recipes that will add variety and excitement to your menus. You’ll find recipes for every taste, cultural tradition, and cooking style.

Breakfast on your healthy meal plan could be a bowl of bran flakes cereal, topped with Vitamin C-rich blueberries and lowfat milk. But it could also be eggs over kale and sweet potato grits. Or, for those days when you’re in a hurry to get to the pickleball court, overnight no-cook banana oatmeal.

3. Choose foods that do double-duty Join the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in embracing food as “preventative medicine to encourage health and well-being.” Healthy eating at home should be nutritious and delicious.

Pack your meals with anti-inflammatory foods like legumes and apricots, which experts say can offer protection against type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other conditions. Add flavonoid-rich berries to help boost memory. Fill your salad bowl with leafy greens, a nutritional powerhouse, and sprinkle them with slivered almonds, which are filled with phytonutrients that support gut health.

4. Always be prepared Don’t let a missing ingredient sabotage your healthy meal plan or trigger a dinner delivery impulse buy. A well-stocked

pantry, refrigerator, and freezer can help you stay the course and keep your meals budget friendly. The American Heart Association suggests having these items on hand:

• “Dinner builder” items: canned or dried beans, such as kidney, pinto, black, butter and navy; canned or pouched tuna, salmon and chicken; spaghetti sauce

• Canned vegetables: for easy side dishes and adding to soups and sauce

• Whole grains: brown rice, oats, couscous, bulgur and quinoa; wholegrain pastas, breads and tortillas (store extra bread and tortillas in the freezer); whole-grain flour or cornmeal for baking

• Cooking oils: non-tropical vegetable oils, such as olive, canola and corn

• Nuts, seeds and nut butters: for stir-fries and garnishes (and satisfying snacks)

• Broths: fat-free, low-sodium chicken, vegetable and beef—for making soups

• Dried herbs and spices: keep a variety on hand and buy or create salt-free seasoning blends

• Proteins: Unbreaded fish fillets, skinless chicken breasts, extra-lean or lean meats; tofu

• Dairy products: low-fat and fat-free milk, yogurt, and cheese

• Soft margarine: made with nonhydrogenated vegetable oil and containing no trans-fat

• Frozen vegetables and fruits: choose a wide variety (lots of colors) without salty sauces and sugary syrups

Tailor the list to meet your tastes, healthy eating guidelines, and budget. And remember, you can shop for these staples using your Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. If you’re wondering whether you’re eligible for SNAP, visit NCOA’s BenefitsCheckup. org to find out and get help applying for the food assistance benefit.

5. Consult other healthy eating meal plans

When you’re ready to create your own food plan, get a head start by reviewing templates from trusted sources. This can help save you time and speed you toward your goal of healthy eating at home.

The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) meal plan, developed by researchers for the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), is flexible and heart-healthy. You can

download or order a printed copy of a healthy meal plan for a week. These menus are based on 2,000 calories a day but can be tailored to other daily calorie levels and nutritional needs.

A typical DASH day may start with whole grain cereal, fruit, and fat-free yogurt. For lunch, you may choose from a range of sandwich choices, including tuna salad, barbecue beef, and chicken breast. A healthy dinner meal plan might include zucchini lasagna, or roast beef with a lightened-up version of a stuffed baked potato, with fat-free sour cream, reducedfat cheddar cheese, and chopped scallions as toppings. Daily snacks include items like almonds, dried apricots, graham crackers, and peanut butter.

The USDA’s MyPlate offers a 2-week sample healthy meal plan and a customized grocery list. The National

Institute on Aging (NIA) offers meal planning tips and sample menus.

Oldways, a food and nutrition nonprofit, puts its focus on healthful diets based on diverse cuisines. You can build your own plan for healthy eating at home by choosing recipes from Mediterranean, African Heritage, Latin American, Asian Heritage, and Vegetarian & Vegan diets.

Following a balanced diet meal plan can help you reap the benefits of healthy eating and give you more time to enjoy your leisure activities.

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

FROM THE SOURCE

The latest news, programs, and resources available at SourcePoint.

Fitness & Wellness

BALANCE BOOST ONLINE

Mondays with Dyan or Austin, 1–1:45 p.m.

Thursdays with Dyan, 11‒11:45 a.m.

Participate from home in a beginner-advanced strength training class to improve balance. The National Institute of Health recommends strength training for older adults to prevent falls.

Fee: $15 for a two‒time per week series.

CHAIR DANCING

Wednesdays with Dyan, 1:15‒2 p.m.

Two left feet? Mobility issues? Poor balance? No problem. This fun and fantastic chair dance class will get your heart pumping and your toes tapping! It’s a full-body workout to improve strength and cardio endurance, balance and flexibility, coordination and boogie power!

Fee: $40 for a one-time per week series.

TAI CHI FOR ARTHRITIS AND FALLS PREVENTION NEW!

Thursdays with Mimi, April 10 through July 24, noon–1 p.m.

Beginners and/or those who use walking aids. This class is an easy, enjoyable, and safe approach for people with arthritis to increase strength and balance, improve overall well-being, promote relaxation, and soothe the mind. If you have joint discomfort or uncertainty when walking, Tai Chi for Arthritis will bolster your fitness confidence. This program is provided free of charge through the Delaware Public Health District and Injury Prevention grant.

YOGA: MOVE INTO MEDITATION NEW!

Wednesday, April 9, May 14, and June 11, 2:15–3:15 p.m.

This once-a-month class is a combination of guided movement and meditation. You will be introduced to a theme, a mudra (hand gesture), and breathing practice. A yoga posture sequence will follow to prepare your body for meditation. The class will conclude with journaling to help you integrate the experience. In addition to your yoga mat please bring a journal/notebook and pen.

Fee: $30 for a one-time per month series.

Transitions in Aging

AARP SMART DRIVER™ COURSE

Wednesday, April 16, 8:30–11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. (Lunch on your own.)

By taking our enhanced course, you’ll learn: evidence-based safe driving strategies; new traffic laws and rules of the road; and how to deal with aggressive drivers. Refresh your driving skills today and save money!* For more information visit aarp.org/drive.

*Upon completion you may be eligible to receive an auto insurance discount. Other restrictions may apply. Consult your agent for details.

Fee: $20 for AARP members | $25 for non-members. Pre-register and pay at the class (cash or check).

Questions, contact Jackie Bain at 740-203-2083 or jbain@ delawarehealth.org.

A MATTER OF BALANCE

Tuesdays, April 1–May 27, 2:30–4:30 p.m. at Community Library, 44 Burrer Dr., Sunbury. (No class April 22.)

Have you fallen in the past? Have you limited your activity for fear of falling? Do you want to improve balance, flexibility, and strength? A Matter of Balance is a free, award-winning program that teaches practical strategies to reduce your fear of falling and increase your activity level. In this series, you’ll learn to view falls as controllable, set realistic goals for yourself, reduce risk factors, and exercise to increase strength and balance.

FALLS FREE ZONE

Thursday, April 3, 1–3 p.m. at Community Library, 44 Burrer Dr., Sunbury.

Falls are the number one cause of injury and death among older adults. However, falls are often preventable. The FallsFree Zone workshop provides information to help prevent falls. Topics include Exercise, Medication Management, Vision, Hearing, Home Hazards, and Community Safety.

Register for these programs and more at MySourcePoint.org/EC

Learning

GETTING OLDER: BOOK REVIEW AND DISCUSSION NEW!

Wednesdays, May 7, 14, 21 and June 4, 2–3:30 p.m.

Author, philosophy professor, and retired mental health therapist/chemical addictions counselor, Bob Bailor, shares his book, Getting Older, in this four-week program. You will receive his book at the first session so that you can read it during the next three weeks. At the weekly in-person sessions, Bob will lead discussions on how the book sees aging with the opportunity to share your own experiences, insights and questions. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to discuss “getting older.”

Fee: $40 includes the book and four sessions.

WILDFLOWER WALK WITH MASTER GARDENERS

Friday, April 4, 1:30–2:30 p.m. at Shale Hollow Park, 6320

Artesian Run, Lewis Center.

Meet at the Shale Hollow Park at the nature center. Walk with a Master Gardener. Search for wildflowers growing near the short, dirt-packed trail in this Delaware County Preservation Park. The trail is uneven. In the case of severe weather, the hike will be canceled.

The Arts

BEGINNING SONGWRITING NEW!

Thursdays, April 10, 24, May 8, 22, June 12, 26, 1–3 p.m.

Experienced musician and songwriter, Dick Plunk, will be take you on a songwriting journey. If you have never written a song or are new to it, this class is for you. Songwriting basics will be covered and concepts in songwriting will be shared through the use of songs from popular radio play. In addition, you will use the concepts presented to write your own songs. Fee: $36 for six-week series.

ACRYLIC PAINTING: CARDINAL RETURNING

Monday, April 7 and 14, 1–3 p.m.

Back by popular demand, artist and instructor Anne Vasser will lead you in painting with acrylics on an 8x10 canvas. Learn to paint a cardinal on a branch. Fee: $25.

OPEN STUDIO

Wednesday, April 30, 10 a.m.–noon.

Enjoy time with others in a creative environment as you finish a piece from a class or bring your own project to work on.

Social Connections

KARAOKE! CINCO DE MAYO KARAOKE PARTY

Monday, May 5, 5:30–7:30 p.m.

Grab the mic and have some fun on Cinco De Mayo! When everyone starts singing with you, you’ll know you have chosen a good song. Feel free to bring your own dinner and beverage of choice.

WE SALUTE YOU LUNCHEON

Friday, May 23, 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

Our spring quarter luncheon celebrates U.S. veterans. The talented kitchen staff will create a special menu to enjoy with friends. Also, stop by our photo booth to get some pics with your besties. If you are a veteran, please wear a hat or some other accessory so we can be sure to honor your service. For Delaware County Residents ages 55 and better, lunch is available on a donation basis upon completion of proper paperwork. For non-residents and those younger than 55, lunch is $8. This event is sponsored by Capri Gardens Rehabilitation and Nursing Care.

Trips

HIKING AT BLACKHAND GORGE NEW!

Monday, June 16; estimated timing: 8:30 a.m. bus departure, 5:15 p.m. return.

Blackhand Gorge is a 775-acre preserve the prime feature of which is a narrow, east-west gorge cut by the Licking River through the famous Black Hand sandstone formation. The preserve is rich in natural as well as early Ohio history. Each registrant determines their amount of walking/hiking. Lunch included after our hike. Then, explore Great Circle Earthworks. This trip includes an ice cream stop. Activity Level 3. Registration through May 27. Fee: $70 for members; $90 for non-members.

TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME NEW!

July 21-24, 2025 (4 days/3 nights).

Please refer to the trip brochure for details. Travel arrangements made by Prime Tours. Registration and a deposit of $100 per person is due to Prime Tours to secure reservation with the balance due by May 16. Fee: $1,150 per person based on double occupancy.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

For Seniors with Hoarding Disorder, a Support Group Helps Confront Stigma and Isolation

A dozen people seated around folding tables clap heartily for a beaming woman: She’s donated two 13-gallon garbage bags full of clothes, including several Christmas sweaters and a couple of pantsuits, to a Presbyterian church.

A closet cleanout might not seem a significant accomplishment. But as the people in this Sunday-night class can attest, getting rid of stuff is agonizing for those with hoarding disorder.

People with the diagnosis accumulate an excessive volume of things, such as household goods, craft supplies, even pets. In extreme cases, their homes become so crammed that moving between rooms is possible only via narrow pathways.

These unsafe conditions can also lead to strained relationships.

“I’ve had a few relatives and friends that have condemned me, and it doesn’t help,” said Bernadette, a Pennsylvania woman in her early 70s who has struggled with hoarding since retiring and no longer allows guests in her home.

People who hoard are often stigmatized as lazy or dirty. NPR, Spotlight PA, and KFF Health News agreed to use only the first names of people with hoarding disorder interviewed for this article because they fear personal and professional repercussions if their condition is made public.

As baby boomers age into the group most affected by hoarding disorder, the psychiatric condition is a growing public health concern. Effective treatments are scarce. And because hoarding can require

expensive interventions that drain municipal resources, more funding and expertise is needed to support those with the diagnosis before the issue grows into a crisis.

For Bernadette, the 16week course is helping her turn over a new leaf.

The program doubles as a support group and is provided through Fight the Blight. The Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, organization started offering the course at a local Masonic temple after founder Matt Williams realized the area lacked hoarding-specific mental health services.

Fight the Blight uses a curriculum based on cognitive behavioral therapy to help participants build awareness of what fuels their hoarding. People learn to be more thoughtful about what they purchase and save, and they create strategies so that decluttering doesn’t become overwhelming.

Perhaps more importantly, attendees say they’ve formed a community knitted together through the shared experience of a psychiatric illness that comes with high rates of social isolation and depression.

“You get friendship,” said Sanford, a classmate of Bernadette’s.

After a lifetime of judgment, these friendships have become an integral part of the changes that might help participants eventually clear out the clutter.

Clutter Catches Up to Baby Boomers

Studies have estimated that hoarding disorder affects around 2.5% of the general population — a higher rate than schizophrenia.

The mental illness was previously considered a subtype of obsessivecompulsive disorder, but in 2013 it was given its own diagnostic criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the DSM-5.

The biological and environmental factors that may drive hoarding are not well understood. Symptoms usually appear during the teenage years and tend to be more severe among older adults with the disorder. That’s partly because they have had more time to acquire things, said Kiara Timpano, a University of Miami psychology professor.

“All of a sudden you have to downsize this huge home with all the stuff and so it puts pressures on individuals,” she said. In Bernadette’s case, her clutter includes a collection of VHS tapes, and spices in her kitchen that she said date back to the Clinton administration.

But it’s more than just having decades to stockpile possessions; the urge to accumulate strengthens with age, according to Catherine Ayers, a psychiatry professor at the University of CaliforniaSan Diego.

Researchers are working to discern why. Ayers and Timpano theorize that agerelated cognitive changes — particularly in the frontal lobe, which regulates impulsivity and problem-solving — might exacerbate the disorder.

“It is the only mental health disorder, besides dementia, that increases in prevalence and severity with age,” Ayers said.

As the U.S. population ages, hoarding presents a growing public health concern: Some 1 in 5 U.S. residents are baby boomers, all of whom will be 65 or older by 2030.

This population shift will require the federal government to address hoarding disorder, among other age-related issues that it has not previously prioritized, according to a July report by the Democratic staff of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, chaired then by former Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.).

Health Hazards of Hoarding

Clutter creates physical risks. A cramped and disorderly home is especially dangerous for older adults because the risk of falling and breaking a bone increases with age. And having too many things in one space can be a fire hazard.

Last year, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation wrote to the Senate committee’s leadership that “hoarding conditions are among the most dangerous conditions the fire service can encounter.”

The group also said that cluttered homes delay emergency care and increase the likelihood of a first responder being injured on a call.

The Bucks County Board of Commissioners in Pennsylvania told Casey that hoardingrelated mold and insects can spread to adjacent households, endangering the health of neighbors.

Due to these safety concerns, it might be tempting for a family member or public health agency to quickly empty someone’s home in one fell swoop.

That can backfire, Timpano said, as it fails to address people’s underlying issues and can be traumatic.

“It can really disrupt the trust and make it even less likely that the individual is willing to seek help in the future,” she said.

It’s more effective, Timpano said, to help people build internal motivation to change and help them identify goals to manage their hoarding.

For example, at the Fight the Blight class, a woman named Diane told the group she wanted a cleaner home so she could invite people over and not feel embarrassed.

Sanford said he is learning to keep his documents and record collection more organized.

Bernadette wants to declutter her bedroom so she can start sleeping in it again. Also, she’s glad she cleared enough space on the first floor for her cat to play.

“Because now he’s got all this room,” she said, “he goes after his tail like a crazy person.”

Ultimately, the home of someone with hoarding disorder might always be a bit cluttered, and that’s OK. The goal of treatment is to make the space healthy and safe, Timpano said, not to earn Marie Kondo’s approval.

Housing advocates argue that under the Fair Housing Act, tenants with the diagnosis are entitled to reasonable accommodation. This might include allowing someone time to declutter a home and seek therapy before forcing them to leave their home.

But as outlined in the Senate aging committee’s report, a lack of resources limits efforts to carry out these accommodations.

Hoarding is difficult to treat. In a 2018 study led by Ayers, the UCSD psychiatrist, researchers found that people coping with hoarding need to be highly motivated and often require substantial support to remain engaged with their therapy.

The challenge of sticking with a treatment plan is exacerbated by a shortage of clinicians with necessary expertise, said Janet Spinelli, the co-chair of Rhode Island’s hoarding task force.

Could Changes to Federal Policy Help?

Casey, the former Pennsylvania senator, advocated for more education and technical assistance for hoarding disorder.

Lack of Treatment Leaves Few Options

A 2020 study found that hoarding correlates with homelessness, and those with the disorder are more likely to be evicted.

In September, he called for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to develop training, assistance, and guidance for communities and clinicians. He also said the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services should explore ways to cover evidencebased treatments and services for hoarding.

This might include increased Medicare funding for mobile crisis services to go to people’s homes, which is one way to connect someone to therapy, Spinelli said. See HOARDING on page 23.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Exploring Mental Health Stigma

Ms. Kim and her husband Sae moved to the United States from Korea many years ago. Together, they planted new roots, raised a family, and looked forward to the continued adventures they would share well into their lives.

They were happy. And then, in December 2020, Sae unexpectedly died of COVID.

Ms. Kim, 71, was shattered. She had relied on Sae for everything, including his English language skills and his confident ability to navigate American culture. Now, when she most needed comfort from her children, grandchildren, and church community, pandemic precautions kept all three at a distance. Her grief quickly spiraled into despair.

self-esteem to workplace discrimination, people we know and love deal with the impacts of mental health stigma every day. Like Ms. Kim, they feel ashamed. They are isolated. They don’t have access to employment, health care, and other opportunities.

Are you among them? If so, you’re not alone. And it’s time to change the conversation.

What is mental health stigma?

First, let’s define what “stigma” means. Stigma, in its most basic sense, is a prejudice or bias. It happens when people don’t understand the reasons behind someone else’s situation, health condition, or even beliefs. Many times, stigma comes out of fear.

When Ms. Kim returned to the Hanul Family Alliance senior center—where she and Sae had been regulars—staff were alarmed by the depths of her depression. But they worried about suggesting grief counseling, too.

Why?

“Given the mental health stigma among Korean and KoreanAmerican seniors, we did not want to risk the relationship we had built with her over the years,” a center employee explained. “We had to approach it carefully.”

Understanding mental health stigma

Here and around the world, many types of mental disorders are common, including anxiety and depression. Nearly 58 million U.S. adults (one in five) lives with at least one mental illness, and sometimes more than one. Globally, as many as 970 million people do.

Yet discrimination against mental illness and the people who have it has existed for thousands of years. As the psychiatrist and researcher Wulf Rössler wrote, “there is no country, society, or culture where people with mental illness have the same societal value as people without mental illness.”

Today, this ongoing and widely-held stigma prevents far too many people from getting the help they need and deserve. By some estimates, as many as 83% of those who could benefit from treatment don’t seek it out. And the result? From low

“It’s human nature to point fingers when we see something we’re afraid of or don’t fully understand,” said Kathleen Cameron, former Senior Director of NCOA’s Center for Healthy Aging. “We may blame someone who lives with obesity for eating too much junk food. We might shame someone who’s unhoused for being lazy and unwilling to work.”

These shame-and-blame games can make us feel more in control of our own fate. We won’t gain weight if we don’t visit the drivethrough. We won’t lose our housing as long as we keep our job. But, as Cameron explained, stigma clouds the many factors that contribute to complex issues like obesity and homelessness. That gets in the way of meaningful discussion and solutions. And people who feel embarrassed by their situation are less likely to reach out for help and support.

The same is true for mental illness and the stigma around it, which takes several forms:

• Public stigma. Public stigma is a shared prejudice. It happens when a group of people holds negative opinions about mental illness and those who experience it.

• Self-stigma. Self-stigma is prejudice directed inward. It happens when you take to heart other people’s negative opinions about mental illness and feel ashamed by it.

• Cultural stigma. This stigma is a little bit of both. It happens when your community’s dominant beliefs cause you to view mental illness negatively in yourself and others.

• Structural stigma. Structural stigma is built into society. It happens when workplace or government policies deny people with mental illness from equal opportunities.

Each type of mental health stigma can lead to discrimination, exclusion, and social isolation.

What’s the impact of mental health stigma?

Mental health stigma is harmful to people and society. And the harm can be hard to overcome.

“If you have a mental illness personally, and people see and treat you differently for long enough, you begin to think they’re right,” Cameron said. “If you don’t have a mental illness yourself, but you’re around enough public, cultural, and structural stigma, you begin to believe the stereotypes about people who do.”

These attitudes can become more deeply rooted over time.

“Think about it,” Cameron continued. “There’s a reason why discrimination against people with mental illness has been around for ages. Society has made it normal.”

In other words, mental health stigma is a vicious cycle with multiple impacts:

• Emotional effects. These include feelings of shame, sadness, hopelessness, and worthlessness. Stigma also may make you angry.

• Psychological effects. These include low self-esteem, being unwilling to ask for help, and believing your illness defines you. Stigma can make existing symptoms worse.

• Social effects. These include feeling isolated from friends and family, being bullied in person and online, and having difficulty maintaining relationships with others.

• Economic effects. These include having fewer work or career advancement options, unequal health insurance coverage, and lost wages due to unfair sick leave policies.

“I do believe that attitudes about mental illness are changing as more and more people are educated and recognize that mental illnesses are similar to other conditions that have a biological basis,” Cameron said.

What causes mental health stigma?

Mental health stigma boils down to misunderstanding. Maybe we don’t have personal experience with mental illness. Maybe the information we have about it is limited. That’s why it’s important to know and recognize the main causes of stigma, including:

• Lack of education and awareness

Mental illness isn’t just one thing. It doesn’t affect just one type of person. It doesn’t even show up the same way in

different people. And, unlike many physical illnesses that are openly talked about or easy to see, mental illnesses can be hidden. That’s why they can be difficult to know about or understand—even for mental health care providers themselves.

“Misinformation and ignorance about mental illness is common,” Cameron said. “Without better public education and awareness, though, assumptions about mental health continue.”

Ignorance doesn’t have to be deliberate to be harmful. When we don’t know the facts about mental health conditions, we are more likely to buy into the stereotypes. We may even contribute to them ourselves.

• Media representation

Think about a movie you’ve seen that includes a character who lives with mental illness. How did that character behave? What did they look like? Where did they live?

Hollywood tends to embrace damaging stereotypes about mental illness. Movies often show people who live with these conditions as violent, reclusive, or dysfunctional. They are the “crazed ax murderer” or the “psychotic loner” or the “compulsive drug abuser.” Intentionally or not, this encourages viewers to think negatively about mental illness in other people and in themselves.

Awareness is growing when it comes to more accurate portrayals of mental health issues in movies and TV shows. And some shows, such as The Chi (Showtime) and Wolf Pack (Paramount+), show examples of mental health tools and community support. Yet a study found 72% of onscreen characters who had mental health conditions were portrayed as violent.

Today’s news outlets and social media platforms don’t help, either. Rössler, the psychologist, found that readers give much more attention to headlines and stories about crimes committed by people with mental illness than by those without.

“Plus, anyone with an opinion can comment on these stories when posted online,” said Cameron. “Often, those comments stir up more fear and outrage about mental illness.”

• Historical attitudes

Prejudice against mental illness is hardly new. “It probably dates back to prehistoric times, and we just don’t have a written record of it,” Cameron said.

See STIGMA on page 22.

Stigma

From page 21

“But we do have plenty of evidence starting with ancient cultures around the world.”

Many of these cultures believed that people with mental illness were possessed by demons or were being punished by a deity. And society punished them, too: throwing patients into prison, torturing them, and kicking them out of their families and communities.

Much later in America, in the 1970s, government-run psychiatric hospitals developed a bad reputation for treating patients poorly. These hospitals didn’t have enough money or staff to care for residents properly. And in some cases, staff were just plain abusive.

Finally, doctors and the general public alike didn’t understand many mental illnesses—including what caused them and how to treat them. Many patients endured drastic treatments, like shock therapy and lobotomy, often without their permission.

“When mental health stigma runs this deep and for so long, it’s no wonder it continues today,” Cameron observed. “History has shaped our attitudes without us even really knowing it—because the stigma has always just been there.”

Understanding mental health stigma in older adults

This brings us back to Ms. Kim.

Public stigma could have made her feel embarrassed by her depression. And cultural stigma could have prevented her from seeking help. Fortunately, staff at Hanul Family Alliance are wellinformed, sensitive, and knew how to address these stigmas. Ms. Kim overcame them and now participates in the grief counseling she needed and deserves.

“As we get older, we can face additional mental health stigmas and stereotypes, too,” Cameron pointed out. “It’s important to raise awareness about this so that we can break down negative attitudes and barriers to care.”

It’s true that we are more likely to experience certain losses the older we get. The death of a friend or partner, changes to our health, and even retirement can lead to grief. But mental illness is not a normal part of aging. Still, incorrect assumptions about depression in older adults leave many people to suffer in silence.

Other barriers exist to mental health care, too. If you live in a rural area, don’t have reliable transportation, or your insurance

doesn’t cover it, you are less likely to get treatment. If you or someone you know face these kinds of barriers, virtual counseling may help.

Overcoming mental health stigma

Despite these challenges, there are practical steps you can take to address mental health stigma:

1. Speak up. Share your personal experiences with mental illness. Stand up for others when they experience stigma. Explain that mental health is as important as physical health.

2. Speak out. Call out movie directors and media outlets when they use mental illness to sell tickets and get “clicks.” Remind people that the words they use can hurt—or help. Praise movies and media that portray a more positive perspective on mental health.

3. Speak truth. Address prejudice and stereotypes by learning the facts about mental health and sharing those facts with others.

It’s also important to talk to your doctor and be honest about any mental health struggles you may have. Advocating for yourself, and educating your health care provider, helps remove the stigmas around mental illness for everyone.

The bottom line

Mental health stigmas can be hard to overcome. And no wonder: human beings have stereotyped mental illness, and the people who experience it, for most of recorded history. Over time, these public, personal, and institutional prejudices become normal. We don’t see them or recognize them because they’ve always been there.

As we age, we encounter additional stigmas around mental health that can stand in the way of getting care. We deserve better. We must understand barriers to treatment and work together to break them down.

Let’s change the conversation about mental health stigma. Talk to your doctor, your family, and your friends, about the issue today.

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

Hoarding

From page 19

Another strategy would involve allowing Medicaid and Medicare to reimburse community health workers who assist patients with light cleaning and organizing; research has found that many who hoard struggle with categorization tasks.

Williams, of Fight the Blight, agrees that in addition to more mental health support, taxpayer-funded services are needed to help people address their clutter.

When someone in the group reaches a point of wanting to declutter their home, Fight the Blight helps them start the process of cleaning, removing, and organizing.

The service is free to those earning less than 150% of the federal poverty level. People making above that threshold can pay for assistance on a sliding scale; the cost varies also depending on the size of a property and severity of the hoarding.

Also, Spinelli thinks Medicaid and Medicare should fund more peer-support specialists for hoarding disorder. These mental health workers draw on their own life experiences to help people with similar diagnoses. For example, peer counselors could lead classes like Fight the Blight’s.

Bernadette and Sanford say courses like the one they enrolled in should be available all over the U.S.

To those just starting to address their own hoarding, Sanford advises patience and persistence.

“Even if it’s a little job here, a little job there,” he said, “that all adds up.”

Source: KFF Health News. Read more at kffhealthnews.org.

The Library Guy

I always thought that if I never married, I’d either be a librarian or a truck stop waitress. My parents taught me to work, save my money, and have a plan. For that matter, they suggested, have a back-up plan. So, I did.

The romantic side of me imagined that librarians read all day, occasionally frowning over their spectacles at loud patrons and sighing at overdue books. What a thrill, I thought, to spend one’s career surrounded by stacks of literature, losing oneself in a remote locale, an adventurous endeavor, or an alternate persona in a bygone era. And if I got to learn something along the way, that was just the icing on the cake. After a long day of travelling the world via the written page, my librarian persona would kick off her sensible shoes and greet her adoring cat. Then she’d pour herself a glass of wine, release her hair from the ridiculously tight bun fastened at the nape of her neck, and shake out her tresses.

Alas, I was always a little too loud and fun-loving to be a librarian. Hence, my alter ego as a truck stop waitress. This likely stems from a well-loved sitcom I watched about a waitress in a greasy spoon and the hysterical antics that she and the other waitresses got up to. The feral side of my nature wondered what it was like to just be a dumb blonde, and craved a simple life where I didn’t have to

comprehend anything beyond the daily lunch specials. All the ‘regulars’ would be happy to see me and though I’d still have to wear sensible shoes, I’d never be too self-conscious to shout ‘Kiss My Grits’ to poorly tipping customers.

I carried these stereotypes in my head well into my married, parenting life until the year we moved from Chicago to a small town in Ohio. One afternoon while my daughter and I were walking down Main Street, she waived to a well-dressed, smolderingly masculine Italian man on the street. He smiled and waved back, “Hi kid.”

I stared at my daughter. “It’s the library guy,” she said. “He comes to my school. He’s really funny.” The library GUY? I had a momentary brain freeze. I glanced at his loafers, which appeared to be anything but sensible. He didn’t have any tresses to shake out, nor did he look like a cat person.

I soon discovered that library guy had a 5-syllable, Italian surname that sounded like it was straight from a Francis Ford Coppola movie. It rolled off the tongue in melodic fashion and gave me great

delight in telling my friends that ‘I know a guy.’ He had a giant dog, a penchant for baseball, and love for three-dollar screwdrivers – the drink, not the tool. He was known by nearly all the school children in town, laughed and chatted with library patrons, and was one of the town’s most eligible bachelors.

Even though I was married and had no need for Plan B, meeting library guy dissolved my romantic notion of a librarian as a bespectacled, feminine marm with sensible shoes. The cat and the wine glass also flew the coop.

On special occasions our small town library served donuts and coffee, and gradually the gap between my librarian and truck stop personas shrank. I never did hear library guy yell out, “Kiss My Grits,” to a patron with overdue books, but at this point, nothing would surprise me.

Wendy Bauder is a creative writing participant at SourcePoint’s enrichment center.

TRANSITIONS IN AGING

Leaving Your Legacy

Thinking about the future isn’t always easy, and estate planning is rarely a topic of casual conversation. Yet taking the time now to talk with your loved ones about your plans can provide clarity, peace of mind, and a lasting sense of connection for your family.

When we hear the term estate planning, we often think of legal documents and financial decisions. But planning for the future is about more than just assets—it’s about the values, traditions, and impact you want to leave behind.

What Does Legacy Mean to You?

Your legacy is more than a financial inheritance. It’s the imprint you leave on the world—the kindness you’ve shared, the lessons you’ve taught, and the causes you’ve supported. The way you live your life and the care you show for others shape what you pass on to future generations.

Without intentional planning and open communication, wellmeaning choices can sometimes be misunderstood. A little preparation now can ensure that your wishes are clear and that your legacy is one of harmony and purpose. Follow these three steps to ensure that you are remembered the way you want to be:

Reflect on How You Want to Be Remembered

Consider these questions to help articulate your vision:

• What values or lessons do you hope to pass down?

• What do you want future generations to remember about you?

• What qualities do you want people to associate with your name?

Align Your Plans with Your Values

After reflecting on your legacy, review your estate planning documents to ensure they reflect your wishes. If fairness, generosity, or inclusion are important to you, make sure your plans uphold these values in a way that will be understood by your loved ones.

Have Open Conversations with Family

No plan is complete without clear communication. Talking with your loved ones about your will, charitable giving, and personal wishes can help prevent misunderstandings. Sharing the reasons behind your decisions fosters trust and ensures that your family understands your intentions.

By starting these conversations today, you create a legacy built on thoughtfulness and love. Your planning not only secures your wishes but also strengthens the bonds that matter most.

Share the Good News

More than half of people who leave charitable gifts in their wills do not notify the organization of their gifts. This leaves the charity at risk for not receiving the gift you intended. If you have listed SourcePoint as a beneficiary and not yet notified us, please let us know. We are happy to honor your wishes regarding anonymity.

The Top 5 Financial Scams Targeting Older Adults

Financial scams are everywhere these days and no one is immune. And sometimes it leaves older adults with no way to recoup their losses. Worldwide, people age 60 and over lost a combined $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023 alone. Behind that shocking figure?

More than 100,000 very real people who have been robbed of their savings and financial security.

“We all need to work together to make sure our seniors, their caregivers, families, and friends know the signs to look for that a criminal is after your money,” said FBI Criminal Investigative Division Assistant Director Michael Nordwall.

NCOA is here to help. When it comes to stopping online scammers, knowledge is power. Below, we cover the most common scams targeting older adults. We’ll also tell you what to do if you or someone you know encounters one.

WHY DO FINANCIAL SCAMMERS TARGET SENIORS?

Fraudsters and con artists tend to go after older adults because they believe this population has plenty of money in the bank. But it’s not just wealthy older Americans who are targeted. Older adults with low income are also at risk for fraud.

Plus, many people are embarrassed to report financial scams. And they can be tough to prosecute. Criminals therefore consider them “low-risk.” However, these scams can be especially devastating for older adults whose ability to recover their losses is limited.

HOW COMMON ARE FINANCIAL SCAMS TARGETING OLDER ADULTS?

In 2023, 536 people filed complaints with the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging Fraud Hotline. That brings the total number of registered complaints to nearly 12,300 since 2013.

THE FIVE SCAMS THAT TOP THE LIST OF COMPLAINTS FOR SENIORS:

1. The grandparent scam. The grandparent scam is so effective because it exploits people’s emotions. First, a caller gains trust by tricking their target into volunteering information, like a grandchild’s name. They may say something like, “Hi Gram, do you know who this is?” Then, with that name at the ready, they impersonate the grandchild.

In this scam, fake grandchildren ask for help with car repairs, late rent, a medical emergency, or even to post bond. They pretend to be in distress. They may even beg the grandparent not to tell anyone.

In other versions of this scam, a caller claims to be an arresting police officer, doctor, or lawyer trying to help the grandchild. They prey upon emotions to pressure victims into sending money as quickly as possible. And who among us wouldn’t readily help a cherished relative in desperate financial need? These scams are even harder to identify and resist thanks to artificial intelligence (AI). Today, con artists can clone real voices of real relatives and use them to commit fraud.

People who run grandparent scams often ask to be paid through gift cards or wire transfers. These don’t always require identification to collect, which means victims have no way ever to recover their money. Some victims report that scammers showed up at their homes, posing as “couriers” to pick up the money.

2. Financial services scam. These cons work because they appear to come from a legitimate source: a bank, a mortgage company, or a debt collection agency. Scammers call, text, or send email messages that look and sound perfectly legitimate. They may claim that a checking or savings account has been compromised and ask for personal information, such as a password or Social Security number, to “secure” it. They may promise better rates or terms on a home loan. Or they may threaten arrest for unpaid medical bills— which may or may not exist.

Each of these types of claims is a lie. But scammers know how to be convincing. They can easily fake the information on Caller ID. They know how to make email addresses and links look real. And they often will use threatening language to scare their victims into volunteering sensitive information or sending money. Usually, the people committing this type of fraud will demand immediate payment through a peer-to-peer (P2P) platform.

3. Tech support scams. These scams prey upon the doubts and discomforts that many people have around computers. In fact, when it comes to fraud committed against older adults, tech support scams top the list. How do they work? Typically, a person’s computer or phone screen will freeze or go blank. A pop-up message will appear with a phone number to dial for

help. When the user calls it, the scammer on the other end will ask for permission to log on to the device remotely. This fake “tech support” representative also may demand a fee to repair the “issue.”

4. Government impersonation scams. In government impersonation scams (also known as government imposter scams), callers pretend to be from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Social Security Administration, or Medicare. They threaten to arrest or deport the person who picks up the phone if they don’t pay their “unpaid taxes”. Or, they may threaten to cut off Social Security or Medicare benefits unless the person provides personal details. This information can then be used to commit identity theft.

Government imposters may demand prepaid debit cards, cash, or wire transfers as payment. Using special technology, they often “spoof” the actual phone number of a government agency or call from the same ZIP code (202 for Washington, D.C., for example). This can trick some people into thinking the caller is from a valid source.

5. Romance scams. As more people turn to online dating, con artists are seizing the opportunity. Romance scammers create fake social media profiles and use them to gain trust and steal money. In some cases, these scammers may be (or pretend to be) overseas. They may ask their victims to pay for visas, medical emergencies, and travel expenses to come to the U.S. Romance scams (also called sweetheart scams) can drag out for a long time. As a result, victims often lose a lot of money. The FTC found that in 2023 alone, more than 64,000 people reported a romance scam, with losses totaling $1.1 billion.

OTHER POPULAR SCAMS TARGETING OLDER ADULTS

Sweepstakes and lottery scams. The sweepstakes scam is familiar to many of us. Here, bad actors call with good news:

the person answering the phone has won the lottery or a prize of some kind. In order to claim their winnings, that person must send money, cash, or gift cards up front—sometimes amounting to thousands of dollars. Supposedly, this money covers “taxes” and “processing fees”. Scammers may impersonate wellknown sweepstakes organizations (like Publishers Clearing House) to build trust among their targets. Of course, no prize is ever delivered. Sometimes, fraudsters convince people to send even more money by telling them their winnings will arrive soon. Many continue to call people for months and even years after defrauding them out of an initial sum of money.

Robocalls and phone scams. One common robocall is the “Can you hear me?” call. When the person who answers says “yes,” the scammer records their voice and hangs up. The criminal then has a voice signature to authorize unwanted charges on items like stolen credit cards. Robocalls use automated technology to dial large numbers of households from anywhere in the world. While there are legal uses for this technology, robocalls can also be used to carry out a variety of phone scams. These include false claims about expiring car or electronics warranties. Just like government impersonation calls, scammers often spoof the number they’re calling from to make it seem like they’re from a trusted organization. Yet another popular phone scam is the “impending lawsuit” scam. In this case, someone receives an urgent, frightening call from a person pretending to be from a government or law enforcement agency (like the IRS or the police). They are told if they don’t pay

a fine by a certain deadline, they will be sued or arrested for some made-up offense.

Business imposter scams. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has found that at a business imposter scam takes a heavy financial toll on consumers age 60 and older. These criminals pretend to be from a business or charity, which makes them seem trustworthy. Like government imposters, business imposter scammers can fake their caller ID to make it seem like a legitimate communication. These fraudsters will try to convince someone to send money or a gift card or share personal information.

Investment scams. This type of scam involves the illegal or alleged sale of financial instruments that typically offer low risk and guaranteed returns. The use of cryptocurrency (digital assets, such as Bitcoin) is common in investment scams. Cryptocurrency-related investment fraud cost adults age 60 and over $716 million in reported losses in 2023.

Medicare

and

health

insurance scams. Every U.S. citizen or permanent resident age 65 and over qualifies for Medicare. This makes the program a prime tool for fraud. In Medicare scams, con artists pose as Medicare representatives in order to convince older adults to share their personal information. Scammers might also provide bogus services at makeshift mobile clinics, then bill Medicare and pocket the money. Medicare scams often follow the latest trends in medical research, such as genetic testing.

See SCAMS on page 28.

Scams

From page 27

Internet and email fraud. Some older adults come to technology late, and their learning curve is therefore steep. That makes them easier targets for internet and email scams. These scams include pop-up windows that look like anti-virus software; in reality, these windows install computer viruses when clicked on. These viruses can expose personal information or even disable the computer until a person pays a lot of money to have it fixed. (Sometimes this is called “ransomware.”) Internet firewalls, built-in virus protection, and other safety precautions can help prevent this type of fraud. However, users must know about these tools—and it can be hard to keep up with the latest ones. Another scam, called a “phishing” scam, uses emails and text messages that seem

SCAMS SCAMS SCAMS TARGETING

SENIORS

legitimate. They appear to come from a well-known bank, credit card company, or online store. These messages may request personal data, such as a log-in or Social Security number, to verify an account; or they may ask the recipient to update their credit card info. Scammers use this information to steal money or additional personal details.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU THINK YOU’VE BEEN SCAMMED

Scams are specifically designed to catch us off guard, and they can happen to anyone. There’s nothing to be ashamed of if you think it’s happened to you. Keep important phone numbers handy, including the local police, your bank, and Adult Protective Services.

“It’s a heartbreaking fact that scams have wiped out people’s retirement savings,” said Lois Greisman, Associate Director,

Division of Marketing Practices at the FTC. “If a business, government agency, or even a grandchild in need contacts you, it’s critical to check who you’re really dealing with. Never panic or react quickly. Contact them at a number you know is real to verify.”

To obtain the contact information for Adult Protective Services in your area, call the Eldercare Locator, a government sponsored national resource line, at 1-800-677-1116 or visit their website.

You can also report scams online to the FTC. Sharing your experience can help prevent it from happening to someone else.

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

Your Phone Could Save Your Eyesight

At age 50 Sara was unexpectedly diagnosed with glaucoma. She had gone for an eye check-up as she was accompanying her 75-year-old mother to a routine doctor’s visit when the ophthalmologist delivered the news—her own eye disease had been progressing, undetected. She had no symptoms, no warning.

Since then, Sara has visited the ophthalmologist twice a year to monitor her eye pressure. However, the long gaps between check-ups leave her feeling anxious—what if her condition worsens between visits? She wishes she could track her eye health more regularly. If she feels this uncertainty now, she worries about how much harder it will be as she ages. Her mother faces the same struggle.

The Prevalence and Challenge of Glaucoma

treatment regimens—such as determining which eye drop to use, when to apply it, and the risk of losing track of small bottles—often leads to poor adherence, especially among older adults who may be prescribed multiple medications. Studies show a nonadherence rate of 30.3% for glaucoma eye drop medications.

The challenge is further compounded when patients take multiple medications for various eye conditions, increasing the chances of missed doses or improper application. Factors such as forgetfulness about timing, confusion about the regimen, and physical difficulties—like arthritis, which can make handling eye drop bottles difficult—contribute to inconsistent medication use.

Home Monitoring Digital Health Tools

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world— about 90% of people in developing countries are unaware they have the disease. Even in the United States, about half of the people with glaucoma don’t know they have it. Glaucoma is hereditary, and many people don’t realize they have it until significant vision loss occurs. Because it progresses slowly and without symptoms in the early stages, it is often called the “silent thief of sight.”

People with a family history of glaucoma are at a much higher risk, yet many remain undiagnosed for years because they don’t experience noticeable symptoms until irreversible damage has already been done. In more severe cases of glaucoma, such as angle-closure glaucoma, a sudden, dramatic increase in eye pressure can occur. This is a medical emergency, and symptoms include eye pain, headaches, seeing halos around lights, dilated pupils and vision loss.

Could digital health tools offer a solution for Sara, her mother, and other older adults to detect and manage glaucoma?

Potential Ways Digital Health Can Help

To prevent the progression of early stage glaucoma, diligent at-home monitoring and consistent medication adherence are crucial. While glaucoma damage is irreversible, eye drop medications are commonly used to slow its progression by lowering intraocular pressure (IOP). However, the complexity of

For older adults at risk of glaucoma, at-home monitoring offers a valuable way to track symptoms and detect changes early, significantly aiding in condition management. Although glaucoma requires professional diagnosis and treatment, incorporating self-checks and lifestyle adjustments can be beneficial, thanks to recent technological advancements.

Exciting new research suggests that in the future, smartphones can measure eye pressure. This pioneering smartphone-based method uses sound waves to overcome the limitations of current devices, which are influenced by corneal thickness (CCT). It works by sending sound waves at a specific angle toward the eye and measuring how much sound is reflected. This test can be done using a smartphone, which many older adults already own, and more will in the future. Unlike other methods, this one is simple, comfortable, and doesn’t touch the eye—making it more accessible. Plus, the thickness of the eye’s surface won’t affect results, making it more accurate than current methods. Ongoing research exploring how eye shape affects sound reflection could further refine this method’s accuracy, paving the way for convenient at-home glaucoma detection using smartphones.

In addition to promising future smartphone-based monitoring apps, devices like the iCare Home tonometer already allow patients to track daily eye pressure fluctuations, helping identify unusual trends to share with ophthalmologists.

See EYESIGHT on page 30.

Eyesight

From page 27

Nevertheless, the device’s high cost—around $2,000—may limit accessibility for many older adults, highlighting the need for more affordable home monitoring solutions. Because eye pressure fluctuates throughout the day, taking consistent measurements can help detect unusual trends, which can then be promptly reported to ophthalmologists for further evaluation.

Digital health tools, such as at-home IOP monitors and medication reminder apps, can help patients by streamlining their care routines and enhancing adherence.

Many older adults face barriers to routine eye exams due to mobility, transportation, or financial issues. At-home monitoring—like self-assessing vision, tracking peripheral sight, and using a home tonometer—helps detect changes early and enables timely intervention.

Regular eye exams remain the most effective defense against vision loss, yet studies show that a-third of glaucoma patients discontinue routine eye check-ups within 10 years. Telehealth with remote IOP monitoring can further enhance care by combining medical supervision with proactive self-monitoring.

Medication Adherence Using Digital Health Methods

Effective management of glaucoma heavily relies upon strict adherence to prescribed medication regimens, particularly the use of eye drops to lower intraocular pressure. However, for many patients, especially older adults, adherence presents significant challenges. Older adults can face complex treatment schedules in glaucoma management. Taking multiple medications for various health conditions can exacerbate the likelihood of missed doses or improper application of eye drops. Factors such as forgetfulness about dosage timing or medication location, unclear understanding of the regimen, and physical challenges like arthritis, contribute to inconsistent medication adherence. Additionally, the asymptomatic nature of early stage glaucoma may lead patients to underestimate the necessity of strict adherence, as they do not immediately perceive its benefits.

Digital health technologies provide innovative solutions to enhance adherence to glaucoma medication regimens. Apps like EyeDropAlarm play a crucial role by sending timely reminders to help patients stay on track. Unlike generic medication reminder apps, EyeDropAlarm is tailored to older adults, featuring a quick setup process and an intuitive, user-friendly design. Users can effortlessly select their prescribed eye drops from the app’s

comprehensive database, eliminating the need for manual entry. The alerts are crafted to clearly indicate which eye to treat and include the bottle cap color, simplifying the management of complex regimens.

In addition to smartphone apps, emerging research explores digital sensor technology that verifies eye drop usage in realtime and relays data to providers. Devices like e-Novelia not only confirm medication administration but also deliver reminders, assist with proper eye drop techniques, provide treatment information, and help locate misplaced eye drop bottles— particularly beneficial for older patients prone to forgetfulness. By integrating these digital health solutions, patients with glaucoma can experience improved medication adherence and disease progression monitoring. However, it’s important for the implementation of such technologies to be accompanied by proper education and support from healthcare providers to maximize their effectiveness.

With 86% of adults ages 50 and older owning a smartphone, it makes sense to use it to keep your vision healthy.

Source: American Society on Aging. Read more at generations. asaging.org.

Barber Celebrates 100th Birthday

A Delaware woman who turned 100 was honored with a surprise birthday party hosted by her euchre group at SourcePoint.

Virginia “Ginny” Barber, 100, was “shocked” by the surprise party Wednesday afternoon when she was dropped off at SourcePoint, where she plays euchre on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Barber’s friends gave her gifts, cards, and sweets before their regular game.

“This is really, really cute,” Barber said. “What a surprise. It really is.”

Barber said she was born and raised in Delaware and said the town is very different now than it was when she was growing up.

“It was population 10,000 when I was growing up, 13,000 when college was in session,” Barber said. “There was no industry in Delaware then. There were no tall smokestacks.”

Barber moved to California with her parents after she graduated during World War II.

“My dad got a job out there because the war was on,” Barber recalled. “I worked for the Alameda Naval Air Station in California. I had to go to school for six weeks before I could be hired on. I never studied so hard in my life. The class was the same one they teach at the Naval Academy.”

Barber returned to Delaware in 1946 after she married her husband, Howard, who had served in the United States Marine Corps. Howard was an estimator at Worley Plumbing Supply for 40 years and a tin craftsman. He passed away in 2009.

“I was never going to come back. I don’t like Delaware weather, and I don’t like the winters,” Barber said as she laughed. “I was happy in California with sunshine every day.”

Barber joked that living to be 100 occurred by “accident.”

“I don’t know how it happened,” she said. “It just happened, and I’m really shocked. I didn’t give this any thought before hand.”

The party was organized by Linda Johnston, a friend of Barber’s and a fellow euchre player.

“She’s pretty good (at euchre)!” Johnston said Wednesday. “I think turning 100 is something to celebrate. She’s a delight.”

In attendance at the party was Jim Loeffler, 93, who has been friends with Barber since 1955. Loeffler said they used to travel together with their spouses.

“I think (her 100th birthday) is great,” Loeffler said, joking that he hopes he makes it to 100, as well. “Her husband and my wife died pretty much at the same time. We used to travel a lot together. She’s been a good friend.”

Loeffler said they regularly play cards together, and he admitted Barber usually wins.

“She always finishes ahead of me,” Loeffler said. “I like to take chances and play on the edge, so she usually winds up winning more games than I do.”

Looking back, Barber said her advice is to “enjoy every day because time flies.”

“I never would have dreamed this would have happened this fast,” she added.

Source: Glenn Battishill. Originally published by the Delaware Gazette on Feb. 22, 2025.

Sudoku Solutions

Wednesday, June 4 | 10 a.m.‒1 p.m.

Delaware County Fairgrounds, Agricultural Center

Delaware County’s premiere health expo for adults ages 55 and better! 55+ exhibitors offering free health screenings and wellness resources.

Wheels for Meals

Charity Car Show

Saturday, June 7 | 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

800 Cheshire Road, Delaware

Featuring:

All Makes and Models (Registration $10*)

City of Delaware Fire Department

Delaware County Humane Society

Food Trucks

Music and Entertainment Games for the Kids, and More!

*All proceeds support SourcePoint’s Meals on Wheels program. Save the date!