The Denver Post Senior Solutions | February 2024

SENIOR SOLUTIONS

Thenumberof Americansaged 65orolderisat anall-timehigh. Roughlyoneineight citizensispartofthis demographic,the Administrationon Agingreports.

AsBabyBoomers continuetomoveinto retirement,thesenumbers arepredictedtorisefrom about13%ofthetotal populationtonearly20%by 2023.

Atthesametime,life expectancyrateshavebeen atornearall-timehighs.

Creditgoestohealthier lifestylechoicesandamazing advancesinmedicineand healthcare.

CRITICALFACTORS

TheCentersforDisease ControlandPrevention reportsthatmedical breakthroughsplayedthe largestroleinrisinglife expectancybeforethe COVID-19pandemic.In pastyears,seniorswere moresusceptibletochronic disease,infectionandother previouslyfatalmaladies. Vaccinationsagainst dangerousviruseshaveled todeclinesindeathrates worldwide.

Researchershavealso learnedmoreabouthow theroleofheartdisease, lackofphysicalexerciseand poordietcanshortenlife

SENIORLIVING |LONGEVITY

LivingLonger

expectancy.Healthierliving andotherprescriptiveaids havealsohelpedtransform theso-called“golden years”intoalonger,more productiveperiodoftime. Finally,afocusonsafety hasplayedarole,with criticalimprovementstoour food,water,workplaceand highways.

DON’TBEAVERAGE

Meetingandthen workingtobeattheaverage lifeexpectancytakesfocus anddiscipline.Seniorswho consumeadietthat’slowin processedfoods,excesssalt

andfattymeatsarepartof thisgrowingcontingency ofhealthy,activepeople intheir80sandbeyond. Researchershavelearned thatremaininghighlysocial playsapart,aswell.That maymeanspendingtime withfamilyandfriends, joiningahobbygroupor participatingincommunity events.Thesepersonal choicesalsocontributeto youremotionalwell-being andoverallhealth.

WHATTOWATCHFOR

Americanshavegenerally beenlivingmuchlonger,but

theJournaloftheAmerican Medical Association notesthatstrugglesmay remainonapersonallevel. Depressionandloneliness areparticularlywidespread amongseniors,andnagging issueslikearthritismay impactourabilitytotake partinsomedailyactivities. Ifyou’reeatingahealthier diet,haverenewedyour focusonsocialactivities andexerciseregularlybut feelyourqualityoflifeis stilllacking,reachoutto someone.Family,friends, counselorsandmedical professionalscanprovide thesupportyouneed.

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SENIORLIVING |HOUSING

ChoosingARetirementCommunity

Retirementcommunities havelongbeenassociated withrockingchairsand sleepyshuffleboard tournaments—but notanymore.

They’vemadeengaging newupgradesasseniorsbegan livinglonger,healthierlives. Here’saguideforchoosinga retirementcommunitythatfits yourlifestyle.

PRICEANDAMENITIES

Beginyourresearchby focusingonwhat’soffered andhowmuchitwillcost.If excitingoptionsfortennis, swimmingorpickleballare offered,thecommunitymight bemoreattractive—butitalso mightbemoreexpensive.Look forhairsalons,exerciseclasses,

libraries,gardensandmusic rooms,aswellaslaundryand conciergeservices.Ifthey’re noton-site,lookaroundto makesurethey’renearby.If theirindividualpricingdoesn’t meetyourcomfortlevel,keep looking.Thereareoftenplenty ofoptionssinceretirement optionsaresuchafast-growing portionofoureconomy.

COMMUNITYINVOLVEMENT

Thebest-runretirement communitieshelpcreate andnurtureawidersocial circlethroughplannedgroup activities.Remainingsocial isacriticalpartofgood mentalhealthforseniors, andit’skeytolonger,more activelives.Makesureyour potentialcommunityoffersits residentslotsofopportunities

tointeractwithoneanother inanopen,encouraging environment.You’llbuildnew friendshipsthroughactivities likeartsandcrafts,board gamesanddancing.Askabout sponsoredgroupoutingswhere transportationisprovidedto localpointsofinterest.

LIFESTYLECONSIDERATIONS

Askaboutdiningservices ifyourideaofretirementis leavingthekitchen.Some communitiesmaylimitor restrictoutsidevisitors,so carefullyreadtheirpolicyif youplanonspendingextended timewithfriendsandfamily. Manymoveintoretirement withatreasuredpet,butsome communitiesdon’tallowthem. Feelingsafeisalsoalargepart ofgeneralwell-being,somake

surethatallpropermeasures areinplace,includingample lighting,securitycameras, emergencysystemsandplans, andastructuredcheck-inarea forvisitors.

LOCATIONMATTERS

Finally,thecommunity shouldbeclosetoneeded healthcare,includingpreferred doctors,ahospitalandother neededserviceproviders. Funnearbyactivitieslike golf,swimming,shopping, libraries,churchesandpublic transportationroundoutthe experience.Atthesametime, beawarethatproximityto sportsfacilities,highwaysand schoolswillalsopotentiallylead tonoiseandtrafficissues.

ChefsforSeniorscustomerstalkaboutwhythey enjoytheservice!

KathrynJens,76,andherhusbandAlan Hayden,71,lovetotravel,andtheyeatwell ontheirexcursions.It’shardtogobackto cookingoncethey’rehome.

“Wegoawayontripsandweeatgourmet food,”Jenssaid.“Ithought,ifthereisone thingthatwouldmakeourlifebetterit wouldbeachef.”

Shefoundthecostofapersonalcheftobe prohibitiveuntilcomingacrossanarticle aboutChefsforSeniors.Jenscontacted localfranchiseownerDarrenRabieand nowhasachefcomeineveryotherweek.

“I’vebeenravingaboutittoallmy

friends,”Jenssaid.“Thisistheperfect solutionforme.It’stotallyaffordable.We payforgroceriesand$165fortheservice whichismuchbetterthanthethousandsof dollarsyouwouldhavetopayeachmonth forapersonalchef.”

ChefsforSeniorstakesthehassleoutof mealplanningandpreparation.Clientscan pickfrommorethan175mealoptions, whichcanbecustomizedtomeetspecial dietaryneeds.Thechefgoesgrocery shoppingonthedayofservice,buying onlywhat’sneeded,eliminatingfood waste.Theycookintheclient’shomeand preparebetween10and14servingsin aroundtwohours.Thechefsusetheirown equipment.Thefoodispackedincontainers providedbyChefsforSeniorsandstored intherefrigeratororfreezerwithreheating instructions.Thechefcleansup,packsup, andisontheirway.

KathyBerthiaumesaidshewaslookingfor somevarietyforherselfandherhusband, bothintheir70s.“I’mnotreallyacook myselfandIdon’treallyenjoyit,”she said.“Nowwehaveachefcomeinoncea week.There’ssuchavariety.Wecanhavea differentproteineverynight.”

Shesaidtheylookforwardtotheirchef’s arrival.He’sbeencomingforalittlemore

thanamonthandisalreadylearningtheir tastes.“Ifamealhasavegetablethatyou’re notcrazyabout,he’llmakeadjustments,” Berthiaumesaid.“Itgetsverytailored andpersonal.”

Sheavoidsgluten,sothechefuses gluten-freepastaandflourinanyrecipes hepreparesforthem.“It’sareallygood resourcetohavethatmorepeopleneedto knowabout,”shesaid.

PamTroutpreferstocookforcompany.But shesaidshehasrunoutofideasforjusther andherhusbandwhoarebothintheir70s.

“Iloveit,”Troutsaid.“Theybringallthe food,theycookit,andcleanup.”Shesays she’s“bigonvegetables”andlower-fat meals.

Shealsosaidshehaslupus,which sometimessapsherdesiretoeat,muchless cook.Theservice,Troutsaid,makessure herhusbandgetsfedduringthoseperiods. “It’sconvenientandenjoyableatthesame time,”shesaid.“Ican’taskforanything morethanthat.”

ThesesentimentsareechoedonGoogle. Thisserviceisgreat.ChefSheliawas phenomenal!Shecooked12mealsin 2hours!Thefoodisgreattastingevenafter itisfrozen.Thebestthingeverbecause

Ididn’thavetocookorpreparethemeals! Sheleftmykitchenbetterthanwhenshe enteredit!!!IhighlyrecommendChefsfor Seniors!—ChristeneWaddle Beingseniorswhodailyeatalotornotso much,wehavereallyenjoyedChefBen andthehome-cookedmeals.Weuseone packagetofeedbothofus,neitherbeing veryhungry.Somegiveusleftovers.This isagreatconcepttohelpseniorseatwhat theywant,makingiteasierforthemtoeat. Thankyou,ChefsforSeniorsofDenver.

—JudySursely

Isignedmyparentsup,andtheyhavebeen lovingthefood!Everythingiscookedright athomeusingfreshingredients.

—DarrenMekkawy

Forthoseconcernedaboutvisitorsin thehome,restassuredthatthechefsare ServSafecertified,undergothorough backgroundchecks,andarefullyinsured. Tolearnmore,visitourwebsiteat chefsforseniors.comorcontactusat (720)445-8232.

GetMorefromYourSavings

Thehopeistoretire withalargeenough nesteggthatwecan liveaworry-freelife. Ideally,therewould beaninheritanceto leaveasalegacy.

Stretchingyour retirementdollarscan bedifficult,however, particularlyforanyone whohastiedthesefunds intothesometimes volatilestockmarket. Everyfinancialdecision iscritical.Here’showto maketherightones.

ANNUITIES

Annuitiesarean increasinglypopular optioninretirement planningbecausethey offeraguaranteed incomestreamwithout regardtostockmarket fluctuations.Inanera whenWallStreethas beensounpredictable, thiscanbeparticularly comfortingforretirees. Theseareessentially insuranceproductsthat aresoldwithfixedor variableoptions.You purchasetheannuity andthenseeareturn oninvestmentoveran agreed-uponperiod oftime.Aslongasthe issuingcompanyremains financiallysecure,your

annuityisguaranteed. Thedownsideof annuitiesisthatyour fundsarelockedinto theinvestment:Youwill incurastiffpenalty for earlywithdrawal.

SECONDCAREER

Anincreasingnumber ofretiredseniorsare startinganexciting secondcareer,exploring adifferentinterestwhile makingextracash. Thesejobsareusually part-timeandmaybe inafieldrelatedtoyour maincareer.Seniorsmay alsochoosetodelveinto somethingentirelynew thathasalwaysbeenof

interest.Ineithercase, havingthisadditional incomemakesiteasier toavoiddippinginto savingsduringearly retirement.You’llalso stayengagedandactive —twocriticalelements increatingahealthier, longerlife.

SEEKOUTADVICE

Don’tbeafraidto seekoutprofessional adviceonmoney managementand investmentsifyouwant togetthemostoutof yourretirementsavings. Getrecommendations fromfamily,friends andneighborswho’ve

workedwithfinancial advisorsinthearea.

Doyourownresearch intopotentialadvisors, checkingtheirreputation andcertifications.Be waryofanyonewho pressuresyouintobuying aparticularproduct. Thebestfinancial advisorsindividualize aplaninordertomeet eachclient’sownneeds. Don’tletahard-selling approachleadtoacritical mistake.Instead,keep looking.Thereneedsto bealeveloftrustinthis relationship,since re-evaluationsmayneed tobemadealongtheway.

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SENIORLIVING |NUTRITION

WhyVitamins AreImportant

Ourbodiesnaturally developdifferent needsastheyage. Unfortunately,one studyfoundthatas manyasathirdof seniorslackedsome basicnutritional requirements— particularlywithcritical vitaminsBandD.

Focusingonspecificfoods canoftenaddresstheseissues, leadingtobetteroverall health.Butsupplementsmay berequired,particularlyif deficiencieslinger.Justbe suretoconsultyourphysician beforestartingorincreasing vitaminsupplements.

FOCUSONDIET

Everythingweeatimpacts howwefeelandhowwellour bodiesfunction.Ifeatinga healthydiet,asprescribed, manyseniorswillnaturally absorbthevitaminsrequired forgoodhealth.Fruit,whole grainandvegetablesare packedwithvariousneeded vitamins.Grains,forinstance, areagreatsourceofB vitamins.Focusonconsuming adietthatbalancesproteins, carbohydratesandhealthy fats,andthetypicalsenior willbeingoodshape.

CHANGINGNEEDS

Asweage,however,our stomachsbeginproducing lessacid,andthat can reducetheabilitytoabsorb importantnutrientsincluding ironandvitaminsB6andB12. Adultswhoare50andolder shouldpaycloseattention totheirlevels,eveniftheir dietremainsthesame.Atthe sametime,seniorsmaylose moremineralslikecalcium

thantheyabsorb.Bonescan breakmoreeasily,especially withpost-menopausalwomen.

COMBATINGDISEASE

Inadditiontothesehealth benefits,vitamin-packed dietscanlowertheriskof certaindiseases.Forinstance, theAlzheimer’sAssociation reportsthatvitaminEis thoughttobeapreventative, particularlyincombination withvitaminsCandB12 andfolate.Cold-waterfish, vegetables,dark-skinnedfruit andnutsaretheassociation’s recommendedfoods.

SUPPLEMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS

Therecommendeddaily allowanceforvitamins hasbeensetbytheFood andNutritionBoardof theNationalAcademyof Sciences,andcanbefound rightonthelabelsoffood products.They’realsopartof thelabelingforsupplements. Butsomeseniors—and particularlywomen— mayhaveotherneedsnot specificallyoutlinedinthese generalguidelines.Talktoa doctor,nutritionistorother healthcareprofessionalabout yourdiet.Testingmayalso beappropriate.They’llmake theirrecommendations basedonyourindividualdiet, healthcondition,weightand otherfactors.

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SENIORLIVING |GETMOVING

BecomingMoreActive

We’velearnedthat oneofthemost importantfactors inlivinglongerand feelingbetterishow oftenwegetmoving.

Talktoyourdoctor aboutbecomingmore active,particularlyif youaredealingwith chronichealthissueslike diabetes,heartdisease orobesity.Medical professionalscanguide youtowardexercisesand everydayactivitiesthatare suitedtopersonalgoals butalsotakeintoaccount anyindividualchallenges youmayface.Here’show togetgoing.

BEGINSLOWLY

Onceyou’vediscussed thingswithyourdoctor andsetanappropriate plan,takeiteasyduring yourinitialexercises.This iscriticallyimportantif youhaven’tbeenactive recently,astheriskof injuryisgreater.Start withsmall,achievable goals.Thatmeanstwoor threehoursofmoderate activityperweek.Pay closeattentiontohow yourmusclesand respiratorysystemreact asyoumovethroughthis newregimen.Beprepared

tomovethingsaroundif it’sinitiallydifficulttofit regularexerciseintoyour weeklyschedule.Slowly addmoremiles,time orrepswhileallowing yourselfplentyoftimeto adjustandrecover.

EVERYDAY EXERCISES

Inreality,anyactivity thatraisesyourheartrate isanetpositive.Thiscan beofparticularcomfort sinceyoudon’thaveto joinagymorhealthclub, liftweightsorrunona treadmillinordertoget

intherecommended amountofexercise. Everydayactivitieslike walkingatarapidpace, dancing,playingoutside withyourgrandchildren, doingchoresaround thehouseandweekly lawnworkareactually aformofexercise.You cantakeupyogaorbegin balancingexercisesfrom thecomfortofhome.

TAKINGTIME

Thirtyminutesof moderateexerciseis recommendedperday, accordingtotheCenters forDiseaseControl

andPrevention.This includeswalkingbriskly. Morevigorousactivities likehiking,runningor joggingshouldtakeup about75minutesofeach week.Health.gov recommendations includedoingmusclestrengtheningexercises atleasttwiceaweek.If youdon’thaveaccess toresistancebandsor weights,usewaterbottles orotherhouseholditems. Ifyoubegintofeelchest pains,shortnessofbreath oranyothernaggingpain, immediatelytakeabreak andconsultyourdoctor.

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SENIORLIVING |MONEY

SmartFinancialPlanning

Aswemoveinto ourlate60s,most Americanswillfind themselvesona fixedincome.

Retirementcanbe enjoyableandrewarding, aslongasyouremain healthyandhaveenough savingstocoverexpenses. You’llwanttomakesure you’rereadythrough smartfinancialplanning. Thisbecomesevenmore importantifamedical issuearisesandyou’re notadequatelyprepared toabsorbthefinancial implications.

CREATINGASTRATEGY

Therecanbe catastrophicimpactsif youweretooutliveyour nesteggorencounter anunexpectedsituation. Preparingforthese circumstancescan bedifficultwhilealso ensuringthatyoucan continuetolivelifeto thefullestinretirement. That’swhyit’simportant tocreate astrategyahead oftimesothatyou’re ready.Thatmaymean movinginvestmentsinto lower-riskmutualfunds orbondssincehigherriskproductspresent morenear-termriskfor olderinvestors.Consider diversifyingyour investmentssincethere isalsoconsiderablerisk associatedwithfocusing onanysinglesegment. Simplyshiftslightly

towardnew,butstill safeinvestments.Ifyou aren’tconfidentthatyou canpulloffthisdelicate balancingact,getintouch withareputablefinancial advisor.They’llhelpyou developapersonalplan thatworkswithinyour plansandgoals.

KEEPWORKING

Forsome,retiringat 62oreven65simply doesn’tmakegood immediatefinancial sense.Othersmay considerstayingonthe jobtoaddressworries abouthavingenoughin theirnestegg.Thereare alsotargetedfinancial incentivesgivenbysome pensionplansandSocial Securityforthosewho continuetowork.Your decisionmightalsobe impactedbysharply risinginterestrates, changesatworkorcosts associatedwithinflation. Ifyoudecidetostay on,besuretocontinue makingcontributionsto yourretirementplan.

OTHERBENEFITS

Thereareproperty taxreliefprograms forolderAmericans thatareadministrated byfederalandstate governmentagencies.In themeantime,energy assistanceprograms mayalsohelpyousave moneyeachbilling cycle.Contactlocal representativestofind outmoreaboutoptions

andeligibility.Seniorsshould alsotakeadvantageofspecial discountsavailablethrough retailers,grocersandeven

nationalparks.Youmayalso considerdownsizingtoacondo orapartmentinordertosaveon monthlyrentandutilitycosts.

EachdayatTheGalleryatBroomfieldbringswithitanewopportunityforjoy-filled living.Fromcountlesssocialgatheringstocompassionatecare,invigoratingwellness programstofinedining,TheGalleryoffersjoyineverymoment.

Here,wecatertoyourspecificneedssoyoucanfocusonthethingsthatbringyou joy.Asaresidentyou’llenjoyawidevarietyofservicesandamenities.

ComediscoverallthewaysTheGalleryprovidesyouwithcomfort,convenience, andchoice.

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UnderstandingStrokes

Around70%of strokevictimsare65 andolder,according toseveralstudies.

Insomecases,thisrisk isbeyondtheircontrol. Butforothers,ahandful ofkeylifestylechanges canhaveahugeimpact.

FAMILYHISTORY

TheCentersforDisease ControlandPrevention listsgeneticsandcertain conditionslikeheart diseaseandsicklecell arepredispositionsfor stroke.Theseissuestend toruninfamilies,soit’s importanttoknowtheir historyandanyspecific issuestheydealtwith. Thisinformationwillhelp medicalprofessionals developamore individualizedhealth maintenanceplan.

Geneticsmay predisposeyoutoastroke, alongwithcertainhealth conditionslikeheart diseaseandsickle-cell disease,accordingto theCentersforDisease ControlandPrevention. Knowingthisinformation willplayavitalrole inhowyourdoctor approachesanyplanto maintainyourhealth.

TAKECHARGE

Highbloodpressure isanotherprincipalrisk factorforstroke,whichis whytheU.S.Department ofHealthandHuman Servicesdescribes keepingitinnormalrange asapreventivemeasure. Monitorcholesteroland bloodsugarlevels,quit smoking(orneverstart), andstayonaregular checkupschedule. Theseroutinetestscan helpdetermineyour immediatestrokerisks. Doctorsmayalsoorder specifictests,including acarotidultrasound thatidentifiescholesterolrelatedplaquebuildups intheneckarea.Thisisa

keyissueleading tostrokes.

DIETARYISSUES

Dependingonyour levelofdailyactivity andbodymassindex, nutritionalexperts recommendnomorethan 1,500to2,000caloriesa day.Reducesaltintake toahalfteaspoonorless perday.Stayawayfrom saturatedfats,while insteadconsuming4 to5cupsoffruitand vegetableseachday.Limit dailyalcohol intaketoone glassorless.

KNOWTHESIGNS

Therearespecific signalsthatindicate

stroke,sobeonthe lookoutwithfriends, familyandyourself.The NationalInstituteson Agingnotesthatthese signsincludenumbness orweaknessinthearm, legorhead—particularly onjustoneside—as wellasasuddeninability tospeakcoherently, thefastonsetofvision problemsinoneor botheyes,andasevere headachethathappens forunknownreasons. Familiarizeyourselfwith thesesymptomsandbe preparedtocall9-1-1 immediately.Actingfastis criticallyimportant.

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