Golden Geauga 2023

Police Offer Advice to Seniors on How to Avoid Scams

By Brian Doering Brian@karlovecmeDia com

When it comes to fraud, everyone is fair game, especially adults 60 and over who are rigorously targeted by unknown scam artists.

In an effort to raise awareness and help older adults not become victims, the South Russell Police Department held its “Scams Targeting Seniors” event April 17 inside South Russell Village Hall to teach citizens how to spot a scam before it takes over their lives.

“We are pleased to offer this program to not only seniors, but anyone that might benefit from its content,” South Russell Police Chief Michael Rizzo said. “Our goal is to educate the public and prevent citizens from becoming victims of a variety of common scams.”

As a growing population, older adults are racking up billions in losses due to fraud scams. Seniors are often targeted because they tend to be trusting and polite, usually have financial savings, own a home and have good credit — all of which make them attractive to scammers, according to fbi.gov.

The website also states seniors might be less inclined to report fraud because they don’t know how to or may be too ashamed of being scammed.

“Unfortunately, it happens way too often. Today’s scammers are heavily armed with personal information obtained from the internet,” Rizzo said. “They provide their victims with so much convincing information, it makes it difficult to identify if the caller is legitimate.”

Each year, older Americans fall victim to some type of financial fraud, including lottery and sweepstakes scams, romance-related scams and the “grandparent” scam.

“A common scam is the ‘grandparent scam’ where the caller convinces the victim their grandchild is in trouble with law enforcement. The caller will have an accomplice speak with the grandparent crying and pleading with the victim to help them by paying ‘fines or a bond’ in order for them to be released from custody,” Rizzo said. “Due to the sense of urgency and the difficulty in identifying a grandchild due to the illusion of their compromised emotional state, the victims end up sending various amounts of cash to these scammers.”

If doesn’t make sense or if you are confused as to why someone is asking you to pay for anything over the phone, hang up, Rizzo said.

“Seniors are less likely to terminate a phone call when a person is behaving in an aggressive manner. It’s okay to hang up,” he

a ‘Hey, we can help you fix your computer’ or something along those lines and then the next thing you know, they’re into your computer and they’re stealing your information,” Zippay said.

Over the past five years, 79% of seniors have encountered phone or internet scams, 50% in identity theft, 27% in credit card theft, 25% have been taken advantage of by in-home caregivers and 20% have mistaken charity requests for bills, according to the presentation.

In addition to those scams, 72% of seniors have experienced not being able to say “no” to a relative when it comes to loans or gifts and 57% have provided financial support for non-disabled adult children.

Zippay said there are extra steps some-

one should take if their identity has been stolen or compromised.

“There is a form the government puts out known as an Identity Theft Affidavit,” Zippay said. “We would have you fill this out and it gets forwarded to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. This is their way of sort of restoring your identity.”

Zippay also noted he recently read about a huge increase in scams targeting 18-to-24year-olds.

“I was reading about the student relief ef-

forts, a lot of the college reimbursement and student loan forgiveness programs are also scams,” Zippay said. “I feel like there was a window in our 30s and 40s where we kind of learned about scams and we knew about it. These younger groups coming in are just completely naive and have no idea, so they are becoming a target.”

South Russell Mayor Bill Koons asked Zippay about how bank tellers handle situations when someone is trying to withdraw

See Scams • Page 4

‘Aging Unbound’ Explores

Diverse Aging Experiences

Ohio has more than 2.8 million residents age 60 or older, who account for nearly one-quarter of our total population.

Older Ohioans are a key source of our state’s strength, drawing on lifetimes of experiences, successes, difficulties, and resilience. Ohio is rich in this respect. Join us in celebrating Older Americans Month in May.

The 2023 theme for Older Americans Month, established by the U.S. Administration for Community Living, is Aging Unbound, which offers an opportunity to explore diverse aging experiences and discuss how communities can combat stereotypes. Join us in promoting flexible thinking about aging – and how we all benefit when older adults remain engaged, independent, and included.

For Older Americans Month 2023, we are celebrating the many ways older adults contribute to, support, and benefit from their communities. We also acknowledge the many programs, advocates, and providers who help them do so.

While aging your way will look different for each person, here are common things everyone can consider:

Plan: Think about what you will need and want in the future, from home and community-based services to community activities

that interest you. Explore the benefits available to you. Learn about your rights as a longterm care consumer.

Engage: Remain involved and contribute to your community through recreation, work, volunteer, or civic participation opportunities.

Be safe at home: Make home improvements and modifications, use assistive technologies, access caregiver resources, and customize supports to help you better age in place.

Stay healthy: Learn about and adopt lifestyle choices that enable you to be healthier, such as eating right, managing chronic health conditions, maintaining brain health, and preventing falls.

Connect: Engage in social activities and relationships to combat social isolation and stay connected to your community.

Diverse communities are strong communities. Ensuring that older adults remain involved and included in our communities for as long as possible benefits everyone. Learn about Ohio’s strategies to help all Ohioans live longer, healthier lives, with dignity and autonomy.

Follow #OlderAmericansMonth on social media for the latest from ACL and the Ohio Department of Aging.

Technology and Resource Fair for Seniors

The Geauga County Department on Aging and vendors invite Geauga County citizens, 60 years of age or above, to join in from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 19 at West Geauga Senior Center, 8090 Cedar Road, Chesterland, for the Technology and Resource Fair.

The Geauga County Department on Aging wants to help connect you to the tech world as a way to live better and age better. Come learn, explore, and connect! There will be hands on education and how to use recent technology, i.e. smart phones, apps, Bluetooth connectivity. Learn how technology can help you age, and educational materials that guide you to helpful resources. Try a virtual experience where technology and medicine integrate.

This is a free event, which includes speaker series, vendor tables, individualized technology help, and a lunch (turkey wrap, chips, cookie, and beverage). Space is limited, so you must make a reservation by calling the West Geauga Senior Center at 440-279-2163.

Scams

from page 3 money up to $1,000.

“There has been a lot of additional training for bank tellers and for store clerks,” Zippay said. “A lot of what we’re seeing is the scratch-off of gift cards.”

He said store clerks are supposed to be trained on what to look for if a senior comes in or anybody comes in to buy gift cards.

“Bank tellers have a responsibility to their customers to be able to recognize if they’re being scammed to an extent. They should be able to stop them,” Zippay said.

He also shared multiple examples of scams, including one involving a rental house advertised on Craigslist.

“It was a house in Kensington, somebody in Jamaica or Nigeria or somewhere on the other side of the world took the photos of the house for sale in Kensington and they

created a Craigslist ad using photos from the real estate website Zillow,” Zippay said. “We got people that were interested in the house and they were calling this number and they would talk to somebody over in Jamaica and they would ask for a deposit in order for them to rent the house.”

Zippay explained the key is to talk about these things and share them with people in the community.

“We get calls all of the time and the first thing I’ll do is open up a Google search and put in, ‘is there a scam going around about X, Y and Z?’ and sure enough, thanks to the internet, all of this information comes up,” Zippay said.

Rizzo said what he looks forward to most are the success stories the department hears after giving the presentation to seniors.

“I’ve taken several calls over the years from very proud seniors that were able to recognize a scammer based on what they learned from our presentations,” Rizzo said.

Physical Therapy First: Creating Awareness

Dr aDam m cramer, pt, Dpt

Physical therapy is the field of medicine that is devoted to restoring and improving human movement. Doctors of Physical Therapy hold doctorate level degrees who are experts in physics, kinesiology (study of human movement), exercise and functional independence. Doctors of Physical Therapy achieve correct posture and spinal alignment by reducing pain, im prove muscle func tion by using physical interventions such as strength training, dry needling, massage and stretching in or der to restore painfree movement which is crucial to improving your quality of life.

Nobody wants surgery, so then why do in dividuals consult with a orthopedic surgeon? Surgery is a surgeon’s specialty. That’s what they are trained to do. Sure, they will offer costly imaging, ineffective injections and tell you to “rest and see how it feels.” The problem with this common conservative approach is that it actually does nothing to help correct the underlying issue that’s contributing to your symptoms when you need it the most. Then, in 4 weeks of “letting it rest” it’s worse! Even if they offer to go to their own physical therapy office, these physical therapists only get post-operative patients, they will treat you in a group with other patients, you will get lost and they are not equipped to help you avoid surgery. So then when your symptoms are worse in 4 weeks, of course, the only option left is surgery!

Avoiding surgery takes a independent Doctor of Physical Therapy who’s only focus is helping people avoid surgery, providing one-on-one care and taking the time to do it right, teaching patients how to effectively controlled their symptoms and returning to normal symptom-free mobility.

NO REFERRAL NEEDED! A doctor of physical therapy can perform a physical therapy evaluation and treatment without a physician referral in the state of Ohio through direct access. Physical therapy is a covered service by all insurance policies up to 100% making it a very affordable alternative to costly surgeries.

In many cases, physical therapy has been shown to be just as effective as surgery when treating a wide variety of conditions from low back pain, shoulder issues and knee arthritis. So if your truly wanting to avoid surgery, think Physical Therapy First! Consult with a licensed independent Doctor of Physical Therapy to avoid surgery and keep moving forward!

Dr. Adam M Cramer, PT, DPT is a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy and the owner of MyoFit Clinic in Ashtabula, Chardon & Middlefield, Ohio.

Cramer

Ohman Family Living Touches Hundreds of Lives a Day

Owners Recall Meeting Challenges of Pandemic

By ann Wishart ann@karlovecmeDia com

Construction of Ohman Family Living at Holly’s main skilled nursing facility in Newbury Township was nearly complete in January 2020 when George Ohman Jr. heard about the onslaught of COVID-19 in Northeast Ohio.

By October 2020, Ohman Family Living at Holly had its first few cases of COVID-19 and George and his brother, Anderson Ohman, were struggling to find beds for patients while two other buildings on the Fairmount Road campus were underway, George said during a Geauga Economic Leadership program April 20 at the Newbury location.

“The (Ohio) Department of Health was unbelievable,” he said. “They literally gave us permission to open within 24 hours.”

The inspections, rather than taking days, were carried out virtually.

“They surveyed using Facetime. We walked around with a camera,” he recalled.

From inspection to approval usually takes about 90 days, but the government made provisions as COVID-19 closed in on the region.

“We opened up the next day with a COVID unit for nine people. They gave us

approval over the phone. We asked for (a con firmation) email,” George said.

The 92-bed skilled nursing facility was completed in December 2020 and when Geauga cases surged, Holly was able to help with hospital overflow.

“We spent the next couple of years in the throes of the pandemic. Just this year, it’s lightening up,” he said.

About once a year, the department of health does a survey of each of Ohman’s three facilities and the last one at Holly was in February 2023.

“They came in at 7 p.m. and turned the place upside down. There are hundreds of regulations they go through. We have to be compliant,” George said, adding they survey nursing practices, diet, safety, staff, resi dents, families and more.

“The inspectors are usually here for four days,” he said. “It’s intense.”

There are about 15,000 nursing facilities in the U.S. and they are all familiar with the unannounced visits, as well as annual audits by Medicaid and other types of reporting and inspections, Anderson said.

“We are the first or second most regulated industry in the U.S., primarily because of the federal and state funds we receive. We

are under a microscope constantly. It makes growing (the business) difficult, as well,” he said. “This takes up a tremendous amount of staffing time and energy.”

When asked what advice he would give someone thinking about going into the nursing home business, he responded, “Make sure you have plenty of cash.”

Ohman Family Business

The brothers are the second generation of Ohmans in the family business. Their father, George Ohman Sr., started with nine beds in a house near Middlefield.

He and their mother, Joan, then bought the 40-bed facility on Fairmount Road in Newbury.

“It was only half full and not in great operating condition,” Anderson said, but George Sr. was not discouraged because there was huge room for improvement.

He moved the office out of the basement into the living area, put down new carpet and renovated the building.

“The place filled up in four to five months,” he said. “(George Sr.) got to know the residents and their family members. Holly Hill was really the onset of what was going to happen next.”

The family moved into the converted barn and the children helped with landscaping and other chores to keep it going, some gradually moving into management positions as they got older.

Early in the 1970s, the Ohmans bought the nursing home on state Route 608 in Middlefield Village, renaming it Briar, and acquired the nursing home in Huntsburg Township that became Ohman Family Living

at Blossom — all small facilities destined to grow, Anderson said.

The family grew, as well, but the third generation hadn’t been raised in the culture like George and Anderson, so to keep the family business in the family, a clear structure was needed as the next generation came of age.

“Six or seven years ago, we sat down as the leadership team,” George said.

They worked through the process of establishing the business mission statement and core values.

“We put it down on paper: We are called to serve those entrusted to us. We believe in the supremacy of love and a sense of commitment, in striving for excellence and in the importance of home,” he said.

All three facilities have grown “in bits and pieces” until Ohman Family Living had nearly 250 skilled nursing beds, 90 assisted-living and memory care units and 15 to 20 independent living units.

In 2010, the brothers acquired the family business and family members moved into management positions.

Touching Lives

The operation doesn’t exist in a bubble.

George estimates the three Ohman Family Living facilities affect as many as 1,000 lives a day, counting residents, staff, vendors and families.

“Not the least of these is the hospital system,” he said.

A shortage of qualified workers has been a problem for Ohman and they have had to make adjustments to fully staff the operation

See Ohman • Page 7

ANN WISHART/KMG

Anderson, right, and George Ohman Jr. recently talked about the Ohman Family Living history and future during a Geauga Economic Leadership event at Ohman Family Living at Holly on Fairmount Road in Newbury Township. One of three Ohman facilities, Holly encompasses skilled nursing, assisted living and memory care on its rebuilt campus there.

Potti and Marc F. Burr Funeral Homes are There for You

By ann Wishart ann@karlovecmeDia com

Homelike and peaceful describes the Potti and Marc F. Burr Funeral Home in Painesville.

Built in the 1830s, the facility contains the main office of owner Marc F. “Burrly” Burr, 42, Char don native and life-long resident.

Burrly graduated from Char don High School in 1999 where he played offensive tackle on the football team that was runner-up at the state championship game in 1998.

He also played for Allegheny College in Meadville, Pa., where he earned a degree in theater arts and returned to Geauga County to pursue a career in the funeral business, Burrly said.

Ohio requires a four-year degree for a funeral home license.

Burrly worked for some years in the family business in Chardon before striking out on his own, acquiring the Potti Funeral Home business in December 2018.

His background in stage design helped him update the three funeral homes he

Ohman

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since the pandemic.

“We’ve spent the better part of the last two years focused on staffing,” Anderson said. “We are fully staffed, but not necessarily with our employees.”

Ohman contracts with employment agencies to fill some positions and constantly recruits new workers.

Always alert for additional opportunities, the business recently expanded to include a home healthcare operation.

Hospitals are discharging patients as quickly as possible and many need nursing care for days or weeks before they can go home.

“The average stay in the skilled nursing area is probably 10 to 12 days,” Anderson

bought from Robert Potti – one at 1009 Mentor Avenue in Painesville, one at 538 Fifth Street in Fairport Harbor and a third at 2726 Hubbard Road in Madison.

Burrly shares the facilities of the DeJohn Funeral Home in Chardon where he operates a full service funeral home.

“I’m invested in the Chardon community and I’m invested in all these communities, as well,” Burrly said.

Some of the families he serves can have far-reaching connections.

While he was growing up in the 1980s, it seemed to him that most of his acquaintances put down roots in Northeast Ohio, but the demographic has changed and many families are scattered around the country.

That means grandparents can be retired in Florida, parents may still live in the area and their children may have gone to college or sought careers on one coast or the other, so he keeps families in need of his services in the loop via email and texting, Burrly said.

He also helps arrange transportation of a loved one’s remains and offers a wide va-

said adding daily therapy is usually covered by Medicare or insurance, but when the patient’s stay at an Ohman facility runs out, they may go home without sufficient support to be safe.

That’s why the Ohmans have decided to fill that gap.

“Home health operations have really exploded the last two to two-and-a-half years,” Anderson said. “Baby-boomers are aging. We see our census increasing. What’s available today compared to 15 to 20 years ago is really fantastic. Independent living is on the rise.”

The Ohmans bought and renovated several homes across state Route 608 from Briar in Middlefield for individuals who can still live alone but need some assistance.

It is a legacy George and Anderson want to hand down to their children and grandchildren.

“The third generation (of Ohmans) is

riety of services to ensure the funeral runs smoothly.

His website provides a full range of options from ordering flowers to choosing burial services and a list of prices to make decisions as easy as possible.

There are more opportunities for growth of his business, Burrly said. Sitting in his Painesville office, he points out a neighboring building previously occupied by the Knights of Columbus that he purchased in July 2022, and converted to Events on the Avenue. He now offers an event space for between five and 125 people for funeral luncheons, birthday parties, first communions, as well as many other events. Events on the Avenue is available to clients of the Potti & Marc F. Burr Funeral Homes, but is also available to the general public.

“When people walk out of here, I want them thinking, ‘Marc took care of everything,’” he said. “It’s not a high-volume type of funeral home. It’s more of a niche. I do everything for you.”

With only one other full-time employee, Burrly said he is very involved in every detail and works with each family very closely.

“They know I’m going to be there,” he said.

smarter than we are,” George said, crediting them for helping to grow the business and being forward-thinking.

“You’ve got to have a desire for what you want to do,” Anderson said. “If you are doing it just to make money, it’s not going to last. A 40-hour workweek does not work in this business.”

Having family support during the pan-

Learning for a Lifetime

The Geauga County Department on Aging in conjunction with Kent State University Geauga Campus invite you to join in for their annual “Learning for a Lifetime:” on Wednesday, August 9 at the Kent State Geauga Campus in Burton. Seniors will choose from a class list to make their own schedule.

This year’s selection of classes covers a wide spectrum of interests and provides you with a unique opportunity to challenge and invigorate yourself in areas that interest you. There are three sessions, with each session consisting of 6 different classes to attend that day. The three sessions begin at 9:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Lunch is included during the learning day. The cost for the whole day is only $10 per senior.

For more information or for a class list and a registration form, call the Department on Aging at 440-279-2130.

demic was vital.

“We’ve had our ups and downs — a lot of downs in the last several years,” George said, adding, however, they have supported each other through some very challenging times. “We have prayed and worked through them.” He said. “These are the furnaces of life. Having somebody along-side of you is a real plus.”

Burr

Tips to Help Seniors Travel Safely

Travel was once a key component of the picture working professionals created of their ideal retirements. While the COVID-19 pandemic put many retirement travel plans on hold in recent years, jetting off to distant locales is once again on retirees’ radars.

A 2022 survey from AARP found that individuals 50 and over were poised to not only get back on the road, but also spend significantly more money on travel. Prior to the pandemic, Americans 50 and over spent $7,314 annually on travel, according to data from AARP. By spring 2022, individuals in that same age bracket indicated a readiness to spend $8,369 on travel.

Eagerness to get back on the road, in the air or on the high seas could make it easy to overlook some principles of safe travel. However, such an oversight could lead to complications that could make it hard to enjoy time away from home. The following tips can reduce the likelihood that seniors encounter trouble while traveling.

• Determine if any health issues are affecting your desired destinations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a website devoted to travel vaccines (cdc.gov/ travel/page/travel-vaccines), and that page can be an invaluable resource for individuals planning a vacation. What’s more, the CDC even provides a specific list of destinations and the latest travel health notices for each of those nations. That list, accessible at cdc. gov/travel/destinations/list can help seniors determine if there are any health-related safety issues in countries they hope to visit.

• Speak to your physician. A pre-trip con-

sultation with a physician can uncover any issues that might arise while you’re away. Such issues may be easily managed for domestic travelers who are not planning to visit any especially remote locations, but they will not necessarily be as easily navigated when traveling overseas. Physicians can recommend certain vaccinations or measures to ensure your health while away. In addition, a pre-trip doctor visit is a great time to refill prescriptions that you will need while you’re away.

• Take financial precautions as well. Of course, not all travel-related concerns are medical. Finances also require some pre-trip attention. Inflation has caused a sharp spike in the price of various commodities since the start of 2022, so travelers should study up on the cost of food and attractions at their destination to ensure they have enough money to enjoy themselves. Baggage costs have risen significantly in recent years, so seniors traveling on a budget may want to pack less and do laundry while traveling in an effort to save money. In addition, the unpredictable nature of travel since the onset of the pandemic has underscored the utility of travel insurance. Seniors can look into travel insurance that could reimburse them in the case of delays or cancellations.

• Privately share your itinerary. Prior to departing, share your itinerary with friends and family. Avoid sharing the itinerary on social media platforms, which can make you a target for criminals at home and at your destination. The itinerary should include where you’re staying, the dates you’re visiting certain locations and the dates of activities you’ll be engaging in on your trip.

A Wide Variety of Senior Activities Offered by Geauga YMCA

Geauga County seniors have a wealth of activities to choose from at the YMCA in Munson Township.

From pickle ball to book club, water volleyball to trips to Toronto, fitness programs to health screenings, the Y offers a well-rounded variety for its active older adults, said Diane Gorom, AOA coordinator.

And, if a resident is 55 or older, joining the Y is not going to be a burden.

“Your Geauga YMCA membership may be completely free if your Medicare Supplement or Advantage Plan includes Silver Sneakers, Optum Renew (United Healthcare through AARP) or Silver & Fit,” Gorom said. “Your eligibility can be checked by the Y Front Desk.”

To keep the AOA’s in shape physically, the Y offers many classes.

They include strength, balance and cardio classes as well as TaijiFit, meditation and different levels of Yoga all geared toward the older age group, she said.

The Y’s spacious pool accommodates many groups looking for fun or fitness.

“AOA classes include water aerobics, aquacise, AquaTone, and aqua arthritis classes. There is even a water volleyball group,” Gorom said, adding the well-equipped fitness center is always busy wellness consultants help members understand how to use the equipment and what’s right for them personally.

Pickleball is played from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The gym has 4 courts and players pay $1 when they arrive to play. Free Pickleball

classes are taught during most months. Currently, Pickleball is only open to members, she said.

For seniors living alone Social Solos group enjoys monthly activities and meet other people who are in a similar situation.

There is an AOA Book Club, monthly lunch outings, parties, potlucks, and bus trips.

“Our bus trips for 2023 include day trips to Pittsburgh, Put-In-Bay, a historical tour of downtown Cleveland, and a train trip to enjoy the fall foliage in Pennsylvania. In August, there is a multi-day trip to Toronto and Niagara-On-Lake and in December, an overnight to Oglebay in West Virginia,” Gorom said. “These trips are a great way to experience new things and meet new people.”

Seniors never stop learning so the AOA program brings in many different types of speakers for free presentations.

Some examples include the Chardon Heinens Wellness Group that speaks on nutrition.

“Heinens always brings healthy snacks and has interesting information to share. June’s topic is on the benefits of the plantbased diet” she said.

University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center will bring medical professionals such as podiatrists, pharmacists, cardiac care nurses, orthopedic specialists, and physical therapists to talk about health concerns.

UH Geauga Medical Center also partners with the AOA Coordinator to put on the Geauga YMCA yearly Senior Health and Wellness Fair the first Monday in October.

“There are more than 30 local vendors

that come to provide screenings and share important information geared to the AOA,” Gorom said. “It is free and this year will be held on Oct. 2 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the

Geauga YMCA gymnasium.”

Anyone with questions may contact Gorom at dgorom@clevelandymca.org or call 440-285-7543.

Financial Strategies that can help Seniors Grow their Money

Investing is often portrayed as something people need not worry about after retirement. The theory that people should avoid risk as they approach and reach retirement age makes sense, as the unknown of investing can expose aging individuals to losses that compromise their ability to live comfortably on fixed incomes.

Though conventional wisdom regarding financial risk and aging still makes sense, the effects of inflation over the last year-plus have highlighted how important it can be for seniors to keep growing their money even after they retire. Fortunately, various strategies can help seniors grow their money without exposing them to considerable risk.

• Look into high-yield savings accounts. Interest on savings accounts was once a great way for individuals to grow their money. But interest rates on standard, no-minimum-balance accounts are now so low that the growth in interest is negligible. However, individuals with sizable savings, such as seniors, can explore high-yield savings accounts. High-yield savings accounts offer much higher interest rates than standard accounts. The rules governing eligibility to open such accounts dif-

mandate that account holders have high minimum balances, typically in the neighborhood of $250,000. So long as account holders maintain that minimum balance, they can accrue penalty-free interest without exposing their money to the risks of the market.

• Consider other exclusive bank accounts. High-yield savings accounts are not

help grow their money without necessarily taking on market-related risk.

• Consider low-risk investments. Risk aver-

sion is not the same thing as risk avoidance. It’s wise for seniors to be averse to risk, but they can still consider low-risk investments like short-term bonds as a means to growing their money in retirement. Low-risk investments can be vulnerable to inflation, not unlike money sitting in a savings account. However, certain short-term bonds, such as Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities, are designed to mirror inflation, which makes them an option worthy of consideration for seniors who have been concerned by the ways inflation has affected their financial status in recent years. According to the Department of the Treasury, the principal of a TIPS can go up or down over its term. When the bond reaches maturity, if the principal is higher than the original amount, bond holders get the increased amount. If the principal is lower at maturity, bond holders still get the original amount.

Seniors looking to grow their money after retirement can consider a host of options that can make them less vulnerable to inflation.

Lowering Blood Sugar may Reduce Alzheimer’s Risk

metrocreative

Aging is associated with certain ailments, some of which concern seniors more than others. One of the conditions many older adults worry about is dementia, particularly in the form of Alzheimer’s disease. Though there’s no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, recent research suggests reducing blood sugar may be associated with a lower risk.

Doctors and researchers have determined a link between high blood sugar levels and the formation of dementia, which includes a loss of memory and thinking skills that afflicts millions of older people. A 2013 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that, even when diabetes was not evident, there is a correlation between sugar and dementia. A blood sugar level above normal levels (depending on activity level and weight, among other factors) can contribute to an elevated risk of developing dementia. Furthermore, a longitudinal study published in 2018 in the journal Diabetologia, which followed 5,189 people over 10 years, found those with high blood sugar had a faster rate of cognitive decline than those with normal blood sugar — whether or not those blood sugar levels classified the people as being diabetic.

The link could be due to an enzyme that breaks down insulin. Insulin-degrading enzyme, a product of insulin that breaks down both insulin and amyloid proteins in the

brain, which are the same proteins that can lead to Alzheimer’s disease, is a factor in the connection to dementia. Melissa Schilling, a professor at New York University, reviewed studies and found that people who have type 1 diabetes and don’t produce enough insulin can’t break down the amyloid proteins naturally. Furthermore, those who take insulin to treat diabetes can end up with a surplus of insulin in the body. The insulin-degrading enzyme gets used up trying to break the surplus down. This doesn’t leave enough enzyme to tackle amyloid brain clumping proteins. These same scenarios can occur in people if their blood sugar levels are elevated, even if they don’t have diabetes yet.

Data published by Harvard Health Publishing indicates “any incremental increase in blood sugar was associated with an increased risk of dementia.” Individuals who have elevated blood sugar levels, or roughly 100 mg/ dL or higher after a fast, can tame sugar levels by exercising, losing weight and shifting away from highly refined grains. Individuals also may want to favor a Mediterranean style of eating, which focuses on fish, olive oil, fruits, vegetables, and beans over a processed carbohydrate- and sugar-laden diet.

High blood sugar is another factor linked to the formation of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Making lifestyle changes can keep seniors healthy throughout their golden years.