Successful Aging Spring 2024

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BROUGHT TO YOUBY: YOU B

Brittany Anas, Judith Graham, Sarah Huber,Ross Maak, Pam Moore

Darren Thornberry,Amy Harris VanVranken, Kristen M. White, Rhema Zlaten

EDITOR

Ben Haney

PAGE

Greg Stone

ADVERTISINGSALES

Julie Casper,PeteChristiansen, Ruth Garfield, Thais Hafer,KeithKratochvil, Abbie Lance, JeriMartinez, Dale Sekuler,Francine Wahlgren

ADVERTISING COORDINATOR

Jeanine Fritz

PUBLISHER

Jill Stravolemos

Wellness, aging in place, navigating levels of care

By Rhema Zlaten for Successful Aging

When loved ones age, conversations around their care often shift with no warning. Navigating the needs of unique aging peopleand their uniquesituations can be tricky.Professionals in the senior care industry offer awealth of understanding of thesteps it takes to ensure thatliving in independent, assisted or longterm care scenarios happens in a balanced way.

Holly Turner is the senior living administrator at Good Samaritan Society LovelandVillage. She facilitates conversations with families as they consider all options for their aging loved ones. Some possibilities include bringing services into the home, havingsomebody moveinto the current home or even an assisted living scenario.

“Every assisted living situation is different,”Turner said. “You need to look at the resident and what situation they would fit into. Somecommunities are more social, and theyhave

more activities going on. Some communities are focused more on dementiaand havemore secure memory care. For some communities, it is afinancialissue as well. Some communities accept Medicaid.”

When families decide assisted living is on the table, the Good Samaritan Society locations in Fort Collinsand Loveland offer many flexible options, from independent senior living to comprehensivenursing and memory care.

“Wehave atransition team built into the community that helps residents navigate their wants and needs,”Turner said. “Our nurses havea list of criteria. They conductaninterview and read the resident’smedical history They get the doctor’sorders. It is prettyinvolved with how they come up with the level of care. Aclient may need to bump up or down in service depending on their needs.”

Evon Schones is the wellness manager at Good Samaritan Society Loveland Village. When peoplemove in,especially in the senior living andassisted

spaces, she reaches out to try to

Wellness class. (Photo courtesy: Good Samaritan Society).

encourage them to join in on the many wellness classes and fitness offerings.

Schones coordinates with onstaff physical therapists to help tailor specific wellness plans to each individual. Residents can choose from classesfocusing on balance, drumming, strength training, cardio and yoga.

“I always prefer people getting into classes instead of working out on their own because that social piece is so important about living well,”Schones said “With everything that we offer, as far as our constant activities and wellness programming, we just get alot of facetime with our residents. That is where the beauty is.”

Community living at the Good Samaritan Society in Loveland and Fort Collins focuseson body,mind and spiritual health. Loveland-based activities manager Erin Andre encourages residents to pursue their interests and hobbies in addition to their physical well-being.

“When aresident moves in, we

talk to them about their interests and abilities, and then we develop acare plan for whatevermeets those interests and needs,” Andre said.

Awellness plan encompasses residents’ physical, spiritual, vocational, social, emotional, mental, financial and environmental needs. An example of programming thatfits the wellness planisthe bi-monthly happy hour show.It’salive music event featuringstaff and community performers thatsees 115to 120 residents in attendance each time. Events such as these make space for community and friendship connectionstoform.

“Whenapersonisengaged in ameaningfulway andhas social connections, they feel likethey are parts of something;that they are valued and havepurpose,” Andre said. “It is part of their well-being.”

Andre described oneolder womanwho came to the Loveland Good SamaritanSociety location two years ago on hospice care with an adult failure to thrive diagnosis. She came into their environment non-mobile and noncommunicative. Through proper nutrition and social support, she started to thrive.

“It took alittle while, but now she is out and about daily,mainly goingtothe music stuff and engaging with folksdaily,” Andre said. “One thingI try to remind people is there’sa lot of life in congregate settings. Peoplethink I don’twant to end up in anursing home. But there’salot of life that is lived in these environments. It is providing all of the social support, not just keeping thembusy or occupied, but helping them engage meaningfully;that theystill have apurpose.”

A Good Samaritan Society resident works on acomputer (Photo courtesy: Good SamaritanSociety).

AGING

How to keep your skin healthy as youage HEALTHY

By Darren Thornberry for Successful Aging

Areported 1in5 Coloradans will develop skin cancerbyage 70. People of all ages must be proactive to maintain healthy skin while enjoying the abundant sunshine that we love in Colorado. In this edition, Dr.Sarah Bair of Crossroads Dermatology in Longmont generously shares her expertiseto help our readers take great careof their skin.

Dr. Bair, what is themost recent data you have about skin cancer affecting Americans?

Dr. Sarah Bair: Over the past five years in the U.S., the rateof melanomaofthe skin –the most severe type of skin cancer –has steadily risen. Today, 22.5 out of every 100,000Americans are diagnosedwith melanoma.In Colorado, our active outdoor lifestyles make us particularly susceptible to excessive UV exposure, which can lead toskin cancer.The sun’sintensity at higher elevations also contributes to the increased risk ofskin cancer for Coloradans. This is evidenced by statisticsshowing that several of Colorado’scentral mountain counties haveaskin cancer diagnosis rate greater than 30 out of every 100,000 people. Boulder County, too, sees asignificantly higher than average

Dr.Sarah Bair of Crossroads Dermatology

skin cancer rate, with28.5people per 100,000 diagnosedeach year.

What’s the minimum spf and type of sunblock you recommend for outdoor activities?

SB: Irecommend SPF 30+daily whether you plan to be outdoors or not. Even driving in the car or sitting by awindowcan cause sun damage, and adaily-use sunscreen of SPF30orgreater is agreat defense. If participating in activities like hiking, swimming, gardening, golfingorany other

activity with prolonged time outdoors in the sun, Irecommend SPF 50 sport or higher.Sport sunscreens are rated to be more resistant to sweat and water.I always encourage my patients to cover up as much asthey can. I encourage long sleeves and widebrimmed hats when able, and don’tforget toprotect your eyes withsunglasses.

What kindofspecial treatment does aging skin need to be healthy?

SB: The good news is that people’sskindoesn’tneed

anything special to be healthy However,itdoes need to be cleanedand moisturized regularly and, of course, protected from too much sun. Skin is also areflection of our inner health: Ahealthy diet, avoiding processed sugars, and staying hydrated is reflected in healthy skin.

What are your top three skin care tips for seniors?

SB: 1. Choose amild soap or non-soap cleanser.2.Moisturize your skin regularly year-round, but especially in the winter months. 3. Wear SPF 30 or greater sunscreen daily

Are there skin cancer signs that seniors should look out for?

SA: Watch for new moles or growths; changes in the size, shapeorcolor of existing moles; itching, bleedingor persistent sores; and rashes that don’tgoaway with overthe-countertreatments. Any of these conditions should prompt evaluation by aprofessional.

Rough or scaly skin anywhere on the body,but commonly seen in seniorsonthe face, scalp and temples, might indicate a precancerous change andshould be evaluated by aprofessional.

Final thoughts on skin care for our readers?

SB: An annual skin check is a great way to ensure yourskinis healthy,protected and cancerfree. During thisvisit, thedoctor will examine your skin, including your scalp, face, ears, neck,chest, legs, etc. The doctor may use a special magnifyingglass called adermatoscope to look closely at any suspicious spots. This up-closeand thorough look at your skin is critical in finding any suspicious spots thatcould be cancerous.Early detection of skin cancer is importantbecause skin cancer is usually very treatable when caught early

Crossroads Dermatology, 2350 17th Ave., #100, Longmont;303.848.8334; crossroadsdermatology.com

Our Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) offers apersonalized approach to restoringyourhormonalbalance.

Pinpointimbalances &personalized hormonereplacement usingthe latest in bio-identicalhormones.

Good Hair Vibes Only is passionate aboutkeeping up with the latest trends as well as working with customers so that they walk out with ahairstylethat fitstheirpersonality and lifestyle. (Photo courtesy: Good Hair Vibes Only).

HEALTHYAGING

Updos and Classy Trims

How to age with your hair

By Amy Harris Van Vranken for Successful Aging

AtGood Hair Vibes Only, owner Mitch Camp knows that getting older doesn’tmean giving up on having great hair! Good Hair Vibes Only is passionate about keeping up withthe latest trends as well as working with customers so that they walk out with a hairstyle that fits theirpersonality and lifestyle. “A lot of it is based on what their lifestyle is,”says Mitch. “work, play,sports, how

active they are andwhatthey do socially.”

Good Hair Vibes Only is all about taking the time to get to know their customersand understanding their needs. “They are amazing people,”says Mitch. “They becomebest friends, part of the family.The best part is getting to know them.” In additionto your lifestyle, Good Hair Vibes Only will workwith yourbudget to plan your hairstyle around how much you want to spend on upkeep, products and tools. How much timeyou wanttospend on

maintainingyour style orcolor is another factor.They are happy to do atraditional shampoo and set to achieve aclassic hairstyle of soft, short curls, butin the Boulder/Longmont area,more natural-looking hairstyles, like those achieved by blow-drying and irons, are becoming more popular now.Good Hair Vibes Only also doesalot ofeasy-upkeep short pixie cuts and very longhairstyles. Perms are another option. Half of Good Hair Vibes Only’scustomers are men, and most arewearing shorter hair these days.

Hair color is another exciting option to explore. Deep, rich colors such asreds and mahoganies are trending now Post-COVID,a lot of people are wanting to go back to their natural color,gray or white. Good Hair Vibes Onlycan walk you through how to updateyour color or get back to your naturalcolor –whether that means growing it out until the oldcolor canbecut off, or going through amore gradual step-by-step process. Money is one of the biggest factors in deciding what you wanttodowith color,

especially on afixed income. Everything is more expensive these days, and hair color is no exception. Again, GoodHair Vibes Only is there to findoptions that work within your budget.

In February,Mitch had the opportunity to attend the Bonner Bros International Beauty Show in Miami, where he brushed up on all the latest beauty trends for men and women. The three-day show is one of the largest events in the industry,featuring classes and hands-on workshops in all the newest techniques and trends, as well as the opportunitytolearn about new products andtools.

Good Hair Vibes Only is excited about putting that knowledge to work for BoulderCounty area customers.

Bringing in photos as inspiration as well as “trying on” hairstyles using virtual makeover tools are ways to consider trying out adifferent cut and style.

“Consultation is where you break ground,”says Mitch. If acustomer has aphysical limitation, such as not being able to lift theirarms as easily as they once did to style their hair,Good Hair Vibes Only will take the time to work with them to find an easy-maintenance

style that looks great. If someone has an especially sensitive concern about their hair,Good Hair Vibes Only can set up aprivate consultation.Manypeoplelost up to 70% of their hairthrough COVID.Wigs are one option if you’re experiencing hairloss. Mitch can alsosuggest acut you might feel comfortablewith,as well as products that lift hairand create volume.

Agood haircut takes anyone’s week up anotch. “Gettingyour hair done, feeling better about yourself, makes aworld of difference,”says Mitch.

Agood haircut takes anyone’sweek up anotch. (Photo courtesy: Good Hair Vibes Only).

Howtoavoid pitfalls and maintain control when estateplanning

Ashley A. Geary –Jorgensen, Brownell& Pepin, P.C.

By Sarah Huber for SuccessfulAging

Seniors can both take control of their personal life choices andavoid negative financial consequences for their loved ones by partnering with alaw firmthatspecializes in estate planning and elder law “It is never too early to finda firmthat can help you maintain controlover yourlife by ensuring that you have the necessary plans in place to protect your medical and financial affairs,”said Ashley A. Geary,shareholderwith Jorgensen,Brownell &Pepin, P.C.

Geary,who will present at the Successful Aging expo on May 11 on “Serving as aFiduciary, Medical or Financial Agent: Roles, Responsibilities, Pitfalls,” urged seniors to consider legally establishing certainindividuals to serve as their fiduciary,medical and financial agents. “Lifeis unpredictable,”she said. “It is therefore important to execute estate planning documents, such as powers of attorney,to ensure that our wishes are met shouldwe become incapacitated –thatis, should we be unableto independently make medical or

financial decisions.”

Afiduciary “has an ethical and legal duty to act in the other party’sbest interest,”said Geary.Medical and financial agents are types of fiduciaries who are appointed to manage the medical or financial affairs of an individual undera power of attorney

While people of all ages appoint fiduciaries, “this is even more important for seniors who, due to age, may lose their ability to make informed decisions or for those who simply wish to authorize athird party to manage their medical or financial affairs,” she explained.

An elder law attorney can help steer seniors and their fiduciaries away from legal pitfalls. Forexample, afinancial agent must not comingle personal assets with the principal’sassets and must keep adequate records of expenditures. As for medical pitfalls, it is essential for seniors who want their wishes to be carried out should they not be able to communicate to prepare advancedirectives, or legal documents that provide

instructions for medical treatment. “It is strongly recommended that seniors have powers of attorney in place to ensure continuity in medical care and the management of their finances should an emergency arise,” said Geary.

Jorgensen, Brownell &Pepin, with locations throughout Denver, Broomfield, Longmontand Loveland, offers awiderange of experience in elder law, probate and estateplanning. Elder law attorneys at the firm work tounderstand the unique needs of clients before guiding them through the challenges of aging,estate and long-term care planning. “We understand that planningfor the future can be daunting and sometimes challenging for clients,”Geary said. “It is therefore our goal to make it as easy as possible for clients to navigate their unique legal journey.By educating our clients about the law and providingdiligent representation, we ensure the best possible result in each case.”

It is important to executeestate planningdocuments, such as powers of attorney,toensurethat our wishesare met should we become incapacitated –that is, should we be unabletoindependently make medical or financial decisions. (Photo: Scott Graham /Unsplash).

Aging and Your Feet

Stepstokeeppace with yourselfwith age

By Pam Moore for Successful Aging

With age comes experience, wisdom… and aches and pains. Foot pain can interfere with everythingfrom putting on shoes to your pickleball game. Thegoodnews is that resources like PTI Orthotics & FootResource Lab can get you out of pain and back into your favorite activities.

Commonsources of foot pain forolder adults include metatarsalgia, plantar fasciitis and bunions, says Aaron Anderson, Board CertifiedPedorthist and Owner andFounder of PTI. Metatarsalgia, characterized by paininthe ball of the foot,often

results from excessive pressure or overuse. Plantar fasciitis, which usually results in heel pain that’s worse in the morning or after prolonged standing, is due to tissue inflammation. And bunions, thepainful,bony bumps that emerge at thebase of your big toe, can either be genetic or the result of wearing tight shoes.

“With proper foot care, supportive footwear and timely treatment, youcan manage the foot issues that often come with aging,”says Anderson. He suggests shoes with plenty of cushioning, arch support and awide toe box as well as aregular stretching and strengthening routine.

At PTI’sLongmont or Boulder offices, your care will be tailored to meet your needs. After an initial

Foot and Ankle Diagram (Courtesy: Nino Liverani/Unsplash).

With proper foot care, supportive footwear,and timelytreatment, you can manage the foot issues that often comewithaging (Photo: Shutterstock)

evaluation of your foot anatomy, gait mechanics, and specific concerns, their team cancreate custom orthotics, provide footwear recommendations, modify your current footwearand provide education and rehabilitationto strengthen your muscles, improve your mobility and promote overall foot health, says Anderson.

Foot pain can slow you down, but with askilled, compassionate care provider on your side, it

doesn’thave to stop you.

“I understand how scary it is to be told that you need surgery and want to explorenon-surgical options,”says Anderson.“I approach an individual’ssituation with empathy and understanding, taking the time to listen to clients’ concerns, empathize with their challenges andtailor solutions to meet their individual circumstances.”

Combatting Loneliness in Older Adults

Family Features

The bonds found in friendships and other relationships are an important factor in health and wellness –even science says so.

According to the American Psychological Association, forming and maintaining social connections at any age is one of the most reliable predictors of ahealthy,happy and long life. Studies show having strong and

supportive friendships can fend off depression and anxiety,lower blood pressure and heart ratesin stressful situations and change the way people perceive daunting tasks.

However,statistics show approximately halfof U.S. adults lack companionship and feel socially disconnected, according to the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community. In fact, 12% don’t have anyone they consider a

close friend, per the Survey Center on American Life.This “epidemicofloneliness,”as coined by U.S. Surgeon General Dr.Vivek Murthy,can take asevere toll on mental and physical health.

As peopleage, the risks of isolation increase. With America’s olderpopulation growing rapidly –the 65 and older population reached more than 55 million in 2020 –discussing how older adults can combat loneliness is relevant to public health and

individual well-being. Considervolunteering, which is one of the best and most rewarding ways to combat loneliness.

VOLUNTEERING COMBATS LONELINESS

Peopleoften volunteer to find asense of purpose, learn new skills, improve their communities or establish new routines after retiring or becoming empty nesters. For many, making friends through volunteer work

is awelcome bonus. The act of volunteeringprovides proven benefits for older adults.

Forming connections can make all the differenceina person’s volunteer experience and sense of well-being. People who meet through volunteer work inherently share acommon interest and something to bond over.

These friendships can carry over outsideofvolunteer work and lead to bonding over other hobbies and interests.

CONNECTION-FOCUSED VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

In addition to making friendswith fellow volunteers, many older adults also form relationships with the people they’re serving, especiallyifthose recipientsare their peers.

For example,AmeriCorps Seniors is the national service and volunteerism program in the federal agency of AmeriCorps that connects adults aged 55 and up to local serviceopportunities that match their interests. Its Senior CompanionProgram pairs volunteers with other older adults or those with disabilities who need companionship or assistance.Volunteers may help with tasks such as payingbills, shoppingorgetting companions to appointments. In somecases, volunteers may also provide supportand respite for family members caring for loved ones with chronic illnesses

“Weoften think of volunteering as ‘giving back,’but we’ve seen

firsthand that it often becomes so much morethan that,” said Atalaya Sergi, director of AmeriCorps Seniors. “By spending afew hourseach week with another older adultinneed of support, our volunteersare not only giving back to others, but they’readding meaning to their

Meet FriendsWho Connected Through Service

Ray Maestas felt unfulfilled post-retirement and began volunteering with the AmeriCorpsSeniorsSenior Companion Program. He was connected with Bob Finnerty,a man with blindnesslooking for assistance afew days each week. They quickly struckuparoutine of errands, reading andconversation that’s since becomea friendship they both cherish.

“The Senior Companion Program has provided an avenue to enrich the livesofnot only the participantsbut the people who are volunteering,”Maestas said. “Bob and Ihave gotten to the point where he’savery important part of mylife.”

Finnerty echoed those sentimentsand shared his ownappreciation for Maestas’ friendship.

“I’ve always relished my independence and Ifeel Ray is not just a person who reads for me –he’safriend,” Finnertysaid.

In thelast few years, Maestas moved andnow serves with a differentchapter of the Senior Companion Program. He and Finnerty keep in touch. Maestas said they talk about everythird day

own lives and establishing new connections. They’re helping to fight the loneliness epidemicone visit at atime.”

Growing older can come with challenges, but some of those can be minimized with apositive mindset and commitment to remaining connected and engaged

–whether with friends, relatives or fellow community members. Fostering relationshipsisakey ingredient to ahealthierand more fulfilling life.

For more informationand to findvolunteer opportunities near you, visit AmeriCorps.gov/ YourMoment.

Local nonprofit helps to aid seniors,cultivate relationships

By Ross Maak for Successful Aging

For many seniors in our community and aroundthe nation, one of the highest priorities is independence.

This includes the ability to live comfortably in their homes for as long as possible–orwhat has become known as “agingin place.”

That’swhere services provided by nonprofitslike Cultivate step in. Staff and volunteers with Cultivate are focused on providing valuable services to seniors in their own homes. However,there’s another aspect to Cultivate’s program that makes it unique–socialization.

“Both clients and volunteers

benefit from the socialization with one another,and family members enjoy peace of mind, knowing that theirloved ones are receiving much needed services from caring members of the community,” said CarlyMarquis, director of volunteers at Cultivate.

“Byproviding these services at no cost, Cultivate helps seniors remain independent, yet connected,within their communities. Beyond the direct services, Cultivate volunteers provide something even more transformational –reprieve from isolation.”

That said, thestandard services provided are the backbone of what Cultivateoffers, and many of the services are the difference between asenior being able to live

at home and the needtomove into independent or assistedliving.

“Our volunteers support our senior neighbors through programs such as ridestomedical appointments for military veterans and their seniorfamilymembers, grocery shopping and delivery, minor home repairs, friendly check-in calls, snow shoveling and yard cleanup,”Marquis said. “Each of these services allows seniors to age in place in our communities and retain their independence.”

Cultivate celebrated 50 years in 2022, which means the organization has 52 years of experience and dedication to finding, training and organizing volunteers to help seniors during their later years.

“Staying connected to the meaningful things in life is important,”Marquis said. “At Cultivate,our focus is to empower seniors to become closer to their communities. Seniors without access to basic needs and services have been growing year after year Cultivate is aleader in providing

programsand services that allow seniors to remain engaged andtake control of health, mobility and home services.

“Weoften have clients who become volunteers or vice versa, which creates arich community of service and connection.”

In the meantime, Marquis has one important piece of advice for seniors: Get involved.

“There are so many volunteer opportunities availableinthe community,” she continued.

“Volunteer opportunities can provide community,aswell as make an impact. There are opportunities that canfitalmost every schedule, andnow we are seeing arise in virtual volunteer opportunities for those whomay have limited ability to leave their homes.”

For moreinformation, to donate or volunteer,contact Cultivate at 303.443.1933; visittheiroffice at 6325 Gunpark Drive, #F, Boulder,CO80301 or go online to cultivate.ngo.

Forover50years,Cultivate hasdedicated itself to helping seniorsflourishthrough active engagement with their communities. Ourvolunteerssupport ourseniorneighbors throughprogramssuchasmedical ridesfor military veterans andtheir senior family members; groceryshoppingand delivery;minor home repairs; friendly phonecalls;snow shovelingand yard cleanup.

SayThat Again

Using hearing aids can be frustrating for olderadults, butnecessary

By Judith Graham KFF Health News

Itwas an every-other-day routine,full of frustration. Every time my husband called his father,who was 94 when he died in 2022, he’d wait for his dad to find his hearing aids and put them in before they started talking.

Even then, my father-in-law could barely hear what my husband was saying. “What?” he’d ask over and over.

Then, therewere the problems my father-in-law had replacing the devices’ batteries. And the times he’d end up in the hospital,unable to understand what people were saying because his hearing aids didn’tseem to be functioning. And the times he’d drop one of the devices and be unable to findit. How many older adultshave problems of this kind?

There’snogood data about this topic, according to Nicholas Reed, an assistant professor of epidemiology at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health who studies hearing loss.

He did aliteraturesearch when I posed the question and came up empty

Reed co-authored the most definitive study to date of hearing issues in older Americans, published in JAMA Open Networklast year.Previous studies excluded people 80 and older. But data becameavailablewhen a2021 survey by the National Health and Aging Trends Study included hearing assessments conducted at people’shomes.

The results,based on a nationally representative sample of 2,803 people 71 and older,are eye-opening. Hearingproblems become pervasive with advancing age, exceeding 90%inpeople 85 and older,compared with53% of 71- to 74-year-olds. Also,hearing worsens over time, with more people experiencing moderate or severedeficits once they reach or exceed age 80, compared with people in their 70s.

However,only 29% of those with hearing loss used hearing aids. Multiple studies have documented barriers that inhibit use. Such devices, whichMedicare doesn’tcover,are pricey,from

nearly $1,000 for agood overthe-counter set (OTC hearing aids became available in 2022) to more than $6,000 for some prescription models. In some communities, hearing evaluation services are difficult to find. Also, people often associate hearing aids with being old and feel self-conscious about wearing them. And theytend to underestimate hearing problems that develop gradually

Barbara Weinstein, aprofessor of audiology at the City University of New York Graduate Center and author of the textbook “Geriatric Audiology,” added another concern to this list when Ireached out to her: usability

“Hearing aids aren’treally designed for the population that most needs to use them,”she told me. “The movetomake devices smaller and more sophisticated technologically isn’trightfor many peoplewho are older.”

That’sproblematic because hearing loss raises the risk of cognitive decline, dementia, falls, depression and social isolation.

What advice do specialists in hearing health have for older adults who have ahard time using

their hearingaids? Here are some thoughts they shared.

CONSIDER LARGER, CUSTOMIZED DEVICES

Many older people,especially those with arthritis, poor fine motor skills, compromised vision, and some degree of cognitive impairment, have ahard time manipulatingsmall hearing aids and usingthem properly.

Lindsay Creed, associate director of audiology practices at the American Speech-LanguageHearing Association, said about half of her older clients have “some sort of dexterity issue, whether numbness or reduced movementortremor or alack of coordination.”Shekinah Mast, owner of Mast Audiology Services in Seaford, Delaware, estimates nearly half of her clients have vision issues.

For clients with dexterity challenges, Creed often recommends “behind-the-ear hearing aids,”with aloop over the ear,and customized molds that fit snugly in the ear. Customized earpieces are larger than standardized models.

“The more dexterity challenges you have, the better you’ll do with alarger device and with lots of practice picking it up, orienting it, and putting it in your ear,” said Marquitta Merkison, associate director of audiology practices at ASHA.

For older people with vision issues, Mast sometimes orders hearing aids in different colors for different ears. Also, she’ll help clients set up stands at home for storing devices, chargers, and accessoriessothey can readily find them each time they need them.

OPT FOR EASEOFUSE

Instead of buying devices that require replacing tiny batteries, select adevice that can be charged overnight and operate for at least aday before being recharged, recommended Thomas Powers, aconsultant to the Hearing Industries Association.These are now widely available.

People who are comfortable using asmartphone should consider using aphoneapp to change volume and other device settings. Dave Fabry,chief hearing health officer at Starkey,a major hearing aid manufacturer,said he

has patients in their 80s and 90s “who’ve found that being able to hold aphone and use larger visible controls is easier than manipulating the hearing aid.” If that’stoo difficult, try a remote control. GN ReSound, another major manufacturer, has designed one with two large buttons that activate the volume control and programming for its hearing aids, said Megan Quilter, the company’slead audiologist for research and development.

CHECK OUTACCESSORIES

Say you’rehaving trouble hearing other people in restaurants. You can askthe person across the table to clip amicrophone to his shirt or put the mike in the center of the table. (The hearing aids will need to be programmed to allow the sound to be streamed to your ears.)

Another low-tech option: a hearing aid clip that connects to apiece of clothing to prevent a device from falling to the floor if it becomes dislodged from the ear.

WEAR YOUR HEARINGAIDS ALL DAY

“The No. 1thing Ihear from

EYE HEALTH

Improving EyeHealth

Dr. Diane Siegel, a comprehensive ophthalmologist at the EyeCare Center of Northern Colorado,said that taking care of yoursystemic health is acritical part of taking care of your eyes and that full eye exams are important especially as you get older.“Havinga healthy lifestyle, including healthy diet and regular physical activity and not smoking, will be beneficial for the health of your eyes. In addition, we recommend that adults have abaseline comprehensive eye exam by the time they turn 40. This is often when age-related eye changes often begin to occur.People who are 65 and older should get an eye exam every one to two years. Those with chronic conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure or afamily history of eye diseases may need to go earlier

older adults is they think they don’tneed to put on their hearing aids when they’re at home in a quiet environment,”saidErika Shakespeare, who owns Audiology and Hearing Aid Associates in La Grande, Oregon.

That’sbased on a misunderstanding. Our brains need regular,not occasional, stimulation from our environments to optimize hearing, Shakespeare explained. This includes noises in seemingly quiet environments, such as the whoosh of afan, the creak of afloor,orthe wind’swail outside awindow

“If the only time you wear hearing aids is whenyou think you need them, yourbrain doesn’t know how to process allthose sounds,”she told me. Herrule of thumb: “Wear hearing aids all your waking hours.”

CONSULTA HEARING PROFESSIONAL

Everyone’sneeds are different, so it’sa good idea to seek out an audiologist or hearing specialist who, for afee, can provide guidance.

“Most older peopleare not going to know what they need”

and what options existwithout professional assistance, said Virginia Ramachandran, thehead of audiology at Oticon, amajor hearing aid manufacturer,and a past president of theAmerican Academy of Audiology. Her advice to older adults: Be “really open”about your challenges.

If you can’t afford hearingaids, ask ahearing professional foran appointment to go over features you should look for in over-thecounter devices. Makeitclear you want the appointment to be about your needs, notasales pitch, Reed said. Audiologypractices don’troutinely offer this kindof service, but there’sgoodreason to ask since Medicare started covering once-a-year audiologist consultations last year.

KFF Health News is anational newsroom that produces indepth journalism about health issues and is oneofthe core operating programs at KFF –an independent source of health policyresearch, polling, and journalism. Learnmoreabout KFF by visitingkff.org/about-us

the POSSIBILITIES SAYHELLO to

Dr. Diane Siegel, Eye CareCenter of NorthernColorado

and more often.”

“Other commonsense tips to protect your eyesight include protecting your eyes from UV light with sunglasses and hat while outside. In addition, Ialways recommend using protective eyewear to prevent injuries, particularly duringhigher risk activities, such as home repair, garden work and certainsports. If you have specific concerns about your eyes, Iencourageyou to schedule an appointment for a thorough eye evaluation.”

Senior

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Aholistic approach to health

By Kristen M. White for Aging at Altitude

Like so many things, the approach to all things health –including exercise, dietand mental health –often changes with age. Experts knowhow important it is to keep active, both physically and mentally,asyou get older, which is perhaps why holistic health practices appeal to seniors.

Whether it’sdaily stretching, meditation,herbal remedies, yoga orother activities, there are ahost ofways to keep yourbody and mind strongand healthy through the years. As they hit their 50s, 60sand beyond, many people realize that finding enjoyment in their health activities is of top importance, so honinginon those favorites can make abig difference.

“The best activity is onethat asenior wants to do,” said Tracy Lippard,MD, aKaiser Permanenteinternal medicine doctor.“Enjoymentand consistency are key.Having a combinationofphysical activities

that involve aerobics, like walking, swimming or dancing, andresistancetraining such as theuse of resistance bands, hand weights ormachines at the gym, as well balance and flexibility such as TaiChi or yoga, is the best approach.

“Importantly,the social aspect of many physical activities provides added health benefits in addition to ensuring you stay consistentwith your scheduled exercise dates.”

Jennifer Klaas, Senior Program DirectorofHealth and Wellness at the YMCAofNorthern Colorado,agreedwith the social aspect ofhealth and wellness, notingthat people over 50 often really enjoy working outina community setting.

“They’ll be joined by friends in whatever activity they choose,” Klaas said.“Activities that can easily bedone in agroup setting feel likeabonding or social experience. Physical activities for older adults are excellent ways to continuea level of independence andprovideafoundation for cardiovascular health, bone

Yoga class at alocal Boulder County YMCA. (Photo courtesy: YMCA of Northern Colorado).

density strengthening and joint health. These activities also improve overall mental health as well.”

The physical/mental connection is very important as people age. It’ssomething that’sbeen studied at the Integrative Physiology of Aging Laboratory at the CU Boulder Integrative Physiology Department.There, experts research the efficacy of interventions, both lifestyle and pharmacological (including natural compounds) for reversing adverse changes in cardiovascular function that are seen withage.

“Wetend to see reductions in cognitive function with aging,” said Dr.Daniel Craighead, Research Assistant Professor “Webelieve that some of this is due to decreased health of the blood vessels in the brain with aging. Therefore, we believe that interventions that can improve cardiovascular health (like aerobic exercise) can have positive impacts on brain blood vessels and improve cognitive function or at least slow the decline.”

As many older people know full well, physical activitycan get harder with age as stamina and flexibility decrease. There are experts to help with those issues too.

The Stretch Lab is aone-onone assisted stretching studio. Owners Trey and Andrea Schott said understanding why someone walks through their door for help is very important, whether it’sfor mobility and flexibility, pain, recovery after workoutsor stiffness fromolder age.

The team at the Stretch Lab helps customize aplan for clients to help them meet whatever their goals are. For people aged 50 and up, flexibility is often abiggie.

“When your flexibilitydecreases as you age, it affects your muscle

strength, balance and more,”said Andrea Schott.“We workwith people to have better mobility and they’re often surprised at how much it carries over into their daily lives. Maybe it’s getting on the floor to play with the grandkidsorpullingupaleg to put on asock, we can help improve on that.”

Schott again noted the physical/ mental connection, adding, “When you’re stifforhave an injury,you stop moving. Life stops moving. And that affectsour mentalstate. So helping people improve their mobility through the stretching process means they’re living their life to the fullest.”

Kaiser Permanente believes in a whole-person approach to health and wellness, offering acupuncture

and chiropractic options at several offices, as well as mindfulnessbased stress reduction and cognitive behavioral therapy for improving sleep.

At the YMCA, there are alot of activitiespopular with the 50+ crowd,including pickleball, racquetball, yoga,water aerobics, walking, cycling and more.

Senior woman strikes asliced backhand volley during pickleball. (Photo courtesy: Jo Crebbin /Shutterstock).

Traveland adventure for active agers

By Brittany Anas for Successful Aging

Retirement offers aunique opportunity to get out and see the world without worrying about how many PTOdays you have in the bank.

“Welive in such afascinating world, and [seniors] have worked hard to get to this point,”says Teri Beaver,a Longmont-based franchisee with Expedia Cruises. “Now they don’twant to miss a thing.”

In fact, Beaver said, she’sseeing

LEFT:Europe is ahuge draw,and thereare three main ways seniors choose to travelthere:Ocean cruise, river cruise or guidedtours.

some seniors embark on world cruises that last anywhere from 100 to almost 300 days, renting out their homes while they’re off at sea to help offsettheir travel costs.

Whether you’re looking to take atrip close to home or are looking for an adventure abroad, vacation is calling. Ahead, Beaver shares sometop trip ideasfor seniors,ranging from active adventures to getaways centered on relaxation, and she also relays some top travel safety tipsthat she shares with her clients.

DESTINATIONS

POPULAR WITHSENIORS

Europe is ahuge draw, and there are three main ways seniors choose to travel there:Ocean cruise, rivercruise and guided tours (or acombination of all three), Beaver says.

“The beauty of an ocean cruise is you get to see manycountries in one vacation, only unpacking once,”she says. “On ariver cruise, you get to experience the iconic landmarks of these countries moreintimately when these small riverboats dock right in the city center.And with a guided tour,you’re able to see the parts of the countrythat are inaccessible by water.”

Alaska is anearby favorite, especiallythe Alaska cruise tours, she says. Travelers on these trips are treated to abeautiful cruise to see glaciersand the coastline, but they also get an additional guided tour via trainand coach inland to see the breathtaking Denali NationalParkorKatmai Peninsula

The engineering marvel of the Panama Canalisalso atop draw for seniors, as is aluxury train tour right here in Colorado and neighboring Utah.

Of course, she says, destinations like Asia, Australia, or the South Pacificare also high on traveler’sbucket lists.

ADVENTUROUS GETAWAYS

Expedition travel has become attractive to seniors because there are severalguided, safe ways to explore the parts of the globe that have simply been unreachable to mainstream travelers until recently, Beaver says.

“Seniors are now able to visit places like the Galapagos, Arctic Circle, Greenland, Iceland, and

Using atravel agent can make your trip seamless,asitgives you one person to contact, no matter how many segments composeyour vacation.

Safe travel tips

departure, getting some of that investment money back will help when you decide to rebook,”she says.

“They can help you select the bestway totravel,guide you throughout your planning, and even answer questions or solve problems mid-trip,”Beaver says.

Here aresome safety tips she provides to herclients before they embarkontrips.

Purchasetravel insurance

Younever know what will happen between booking and travel, and you need to protect your investment, she says.

“If you have an illness or death in the family,oreven if a flight delay causes you to miss a

Antarcticatoexperience the world like naturalists, marine biologists, or geologists would,” she says. After aday of exploring, travelers can still enjoy luxury accommodationsthey’ve become accustomedtoonpast trips.

LEARNING-FOCUSED TRIPS

Several travelpartners have an education focus, Beaver says, and some even partner with universities and organizations like National Geographic and Smithsonian

For many trips, the learning begins long before thetripdoes, with suggestedvideos and book titles, and then continues on the trip withgroup talks and daily activities.

“Travelers can learn everything from nature to culture by visiting wildlife reserves or UNESCO sights, as well as pursuitslike cooking, wellness, fishing, scuba, climbing, wine and beer tasting, and more,” she says.

R&R-SEEKERS

Cruises are great forrelaxation, no matter where they go, Beaver says.

She also recommendsallinclusive resortsand spa vacations, which are available in

Even if you do make your departure, you need to protect yourself, especially since many medical policies (including Medicare) do not cover illnesses or injuries that happen outside the United States.

Choose reputable guides

Make sure any exploring is done with areputablehost or guide so that you can relax, knowing you will not be in foreseeable dangerous situations, and so that you can learn as much as you can from local experts, Beaver says.

Prepare an emergency contact list

It’sagreat idea to have a passport with you, even if it’s not required, and have access to acopy or photo of it in an additional location, as well as an emergency contact list with phone numbers for your family, travel agent, travel insurance, medicalprofessionals, and banking institution, Beaver says.

Buy atravel-safe clutch

This may be apouch to wear under clothing, or it may mean atravel-safe purse with lockable zippers, cabledhandles, slashfree sides, and at least asection that is RFID protected, Beaver suggests.

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