Senior Guide 15

JUST FOR A special supplement to the Progress-Index

Live your

best life TIPS FOR HEALTHIER AGING

IN BRIEF

Resources to help older smokers quit

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

For older adults who are thinking about quitting smoking, the National Institute on Aging is offering a new web service with videos, worksheets, interactive features, strategies, quizzes and more.

“Most older adults know that smoking is harmful, and many have tried unsuccessfully to quit, often a number of times.

But stopping smoking is a difficult goal that still eludes many older smokers,” said Erik Augustson, program director of the Tobacco Control Research Branch at the National Cancer Institute. “This new topic, which offers a mix of tips and tools geared to the needs and experiences of older smokers, is an important, easy-to-use resource that can benefit those trying to quit for the first time as well as those who

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have tried before.”

For more information, visit nihseniorhealth.gov/quittingsmoking/ quittingwhenyoureolder/01.html

Help for Meals on Wheels EatStreet and the Meals On Wheels Association of America recently announced their “Serve Up A Smile” program to help communities across America fight senior isolation and hunger. A growing number of Americans are ordering delivery and takeout food online.

EatStreet, an online and mobile food ordering startup, now promises to do more than facilitate these orders. As diners order food through EatStreet’s website and app, EatStreet will support Meals On Wheels with a minimum annual donation of $50,000.

Housing concerns for seniors America’s older population is in the

midst of unprecedented growth, but the country is not prepared to meet the housing needs of this aging group, according to a report by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies and AARP Foundation. According to “Housing America’s Older Adults — Meeting the Needs of An Aging Population,” the number of adults in the U.S. 50 and older is expected to grow to 132 million by 2030, an increase of more than 70 percent since 2000.

But housing that is affordable, physically accessible, well-located and coordinated with support and services is in too short supply. “Recognizing the implications of this profound demographic shift and taking immediate steps to address these issues is vital to our national standard of living,” says Chris Herbert, acting managing director of the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies.

By Melissa Erickson

s the U.S. population ages, more seniors are experiencing head trauma, hip fractures and even death from accidental falls. Simple workouts and regular exercise may hold the best protection against falls in older people.

The simple training exercise of catching a weighted medicine ball can improve balance and may help prevent falls in the elderly, according to research at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

In another study, published in the Cochrane Library, a repository for independent healthcare information, researchers found that exercises that include some balance and strength training for seniors effectively reduced falls.

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The effects of falls Falls are the leading cause of injury death among those 65 or older. In 2009, more than 20,000 older adults died from fall injuries, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2010, more than 2 million older adults

build muscles and increase stability in older adults,” says Dr. Tony Hampton of the Advocate Medical Group in the Chicago suburbs. “Seniors should consider gardening and other activities that keep the body limber and in motion as a prevention against falls. Exercises such as yoga or tai chi can be especially helpful.”

Keeping in

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SHAPE

Other safeguards

Exercise is the best way to prevent falls

were treated in emergency rooms for nonfatal falls, and more than 600,000 of these patients were hospitalized, the CDC reported.

Falls are not only traumatic for seniors and their families, they are costly. In 2010, the direct medical cost of falls was almost $30 billion, according to the CDC. Leading a sedentary and inactive lifestyle weakens the body and makes falling more likely, health experts say. When people stop exercising as they get older it

leads to poor muscle tone, decreased bone mass, and loss of balance and flexibility.

Working to build muscle, stamina and balance can go a long way to keep seniors on their feet.

Older adults may also be on medications with side effects that may cause them to lose their balance, or they just might not be able to see things as well as they once did, leading to trips and falls.

“Lifting weights, or doing any exercise that uses body weight for resistance, can

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Beyond physical conditioning, there are dozens of other ways to prevent falls.

“Ask your doctor to review your medications to identify medicines that may cause side effects or interactions such as dizziness or drowsiness,” Hampton said. “It’s also important to have an annual eye exam to make sure your eyeglass prescription is up to date.”

The CDC also recommends making homes safer by reducing trip hazards, adding grab bars inside and outside the tub or shower and next to the toilet, adding railings on both sides of stairways and improving lighting.

Also, Hampton said, “Seniors should always check with their doctor before beginning a regular exercise program.”

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The June edition will focus on the summer season! | Sunday, April 26, 2015

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HOME CARE

AGINGINPLACE Options for at-home care

By Melissa Erickson

At-home options

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Aging in place, defined as the ability to stay in one’s home or current living situation in the years ahead, is the preference of about 90 percent of people who say they intend to continue living in their current home for the next five to 10 years, according to a survey by the National Council on Aging. Of this group, 85 percent are confident in their ability to do so without making any significant modifications to their home.

The options for home care are home health care and private duty care. They have two different purposes. Home health care is a temporary service that brings nurses and therapists into the home to provide treatment. It’s intended for people who are recovering from illness, injury or surgery with the goal of helping them get better and

Living in your own home can be a challenge when you need help caring for yourself. For a growing number of aging and ailing Americans, living at home is made possible by having someone come to the home to provide care. Aging at home offers seniors financial, physical and social benefits. “We always make an effort to keep people in their homes when it’s appropriate. It’s less expensive, provides more freedom and keeps people from being exposed to infections in institutional settings,” said Dr. Eric Weil, director of the program that manages high-risk Medicare patients at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital.

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regaining their independence. Home health care is covered by Medicare.

Private duty care provides the kind of long-term, day-to-day help that some people need to remain in their homes. Care can be available for a few hours a day or around the clock if needed. Medicare does not pay for private duty care, but some long-term care insurance policies do.

Planning ahead is key to aging at home but can be hard because you never know how your needs might change, said Vicky Cahan, spokeswoman for the National Institute on Aging (nia.nih.gov), which offers a helpful tip sheet on the subject.

The first step is to think about the kinds of help you might want in the near future.

You can get almost any type of help you want in your home — often for a cost.

Services available The National Institute on Aging offers the following tips on services available to help you age at home: Personal care: Is bathing, washing your hair or dressing getting harder to do?

Maybe a relative or friend could help. Or you could hire a trained aide for a short time each day.

Homemaking: Do you need help with chores like house cleaning, yard work, grocery shopping or laundry?

Some grocery stores and drug stores will take your order over the phone and bring the items to your home. There are cleaning services you can hire, or maybe someone you know has a housekeeper to suggest. Some housekeepers will help with laundry. Some dry cleaners will pick up and deliver your clothes.

skinsavvy TAKING CARE OF YOUR CHANGING SKIN

By Melissa Erickson

Dry skin

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Dry, flaky skin is one of the most common skin complaints of older adults. It affects about 75 percent of people older than 65, according to MedScape, a site for medical news and reference materials.

In an older person, the skin’s outer level, the epidermis, does not recover as rapidly from injury.

“The skin is also prone to xerosis (dry skin) as the uppermost layers of the skin aren’t as capable of retaining water,” Derick said.

Other skin issues related to aging include rashes from medications, rashes from chronic illnesses, complications from decreased mobility or

t’s just another normal part of aging. As you grow older your skin changes, and in many ways not for the better. While you may have to say goodbye to the dewy, unblemished skin of your younger years, there are ways to deal with these normal skin changes to help you look and feel your best.

Mature skin is physiologically different from young skin and needs to be treated in a specialized manner, said dermatologist Amy J. Derick, a clinical instructor of dermatology at Northwestern University in Chicago.

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bedsores, complications from appliances and more, Derick said.

Bruising and bedsores Aging causes changes at every level of the skin. In the skin’s inner layer, collagen, which helps keep skin plump and protects against injury, decreases over time, Derick said.

“This collagen provides support for other structures such as blood vessels.

Decreased support leads to increased likelihood of capillary breakage — leading to bruising or iron deposition in the skin,” she said.

Even minor bumps can cause extensive bruising in seniors, as the blood vessels become more fragile as

we age. If bruising occurs, apply a cold compress to reduce the flow of blood to the area and reduce the size of the bruise. Since some medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen) can cause bruising, think about using alternatives.

Bedsores or pressure sores occur when a person lies in the same position for long periods, resulting in an open wound on the skin. If a family member is confined to a bed or wheelchair, make sure to help them shift position regularly. Also, be sure the mattress isn’t too hard. An alternative is a gel mattress.

Age spots and skin tags are also common in older adults. Both “are usually benign, but you would want to make sure that you have your skin examined by a board-certified dermatologist prior to confirm the diagnosis,” Derick said. “There are several procedures that are used to remove brown spots and skin tags, but these procedures are often considered cosmetic by insurance.”

| Sunday, April 26, 2015

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SENIOR HEALTH

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

L

ALLIZAL.MILLER/FLICKR

oneliness is unhealthy.

Research shows that loneliness in older people increases their risk of high blood pressure, dementia, depression and even death.

“Social engagement is such an important part of life and impacts our mental, emotional and physical health,” said Jennifer Mellet, chief senior living officer at A Place for Mom, a senior care referral service based in Seattle.

Mellet answered the following questions about loneliness and the elderly.

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loneliness

Ways to help seniors stay connected in their community Q: How common is loneliness in seniors? maintain social connections and a healthy sense of A: According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 11 million – independence. or about 28 percent of people aged 65 or older – lived Promote a sense of purpose. Seniors with a sense alone in 2010. As people get older, their likelihood of of purpose or hobbies that really interest them are living alone only increases. In addition, AARP reports less likely to succumb to the negative effects of social that more and more adults do not have children, which isolation. Besides providing a sense of purpose, many means fewer family members to provide company and hobbies and interests are inherently social in nature. … care as those adults become seniors. Concern about Encouraging seniors to remain active in their hobbies loneliness, isolation and inactivity are consistently men- and interests, and providing them opportunities to voltioned by families as concerns when speaking about unteer can help them maintain their sense of purpose their aging loved ones. and keep them from becoming isolated and lonely.

Q: What negative effects or health conditions can Give a senior a pet to nurture. Assuming the senior loneliness lead to? is capable of caring for a pet, nurturing A: When you socialize with others and caring for an animal companion you are actively engaging your mind can be quite beneficial for seniors. Pet Seniors with a owners remain engaged socially, have less to make conversation, to think about the people around you and the topics sense of purpose depression, suffer less loneliness, feel more at hand. You’re also acknowledging or hobbies that secure, have more motivation for construcyour feelings about the people and the tive use of time and require less medication really interest environment around you. Physically than non-pet owners. Even tending a them are less you’re engaged as well, such as walking garden can satisfy our nurturing drive, so to the location of the gathering, benlikely to succumb giving a senior a plant or gardening supefitting from the warmth of hugs and as a gift can be beneficial, too. to the negative plies handshakes and likely sharing a meal Stay in touch and visit as often as you effects of social can. Maintaining open lines of communior cup of coffee. When a senior misses isolation. out on all of this, they can suffer cognication with our loved ones can help ward tively, emotionally and physically. Often off loneliness for seniors. Visiting seniors depression can set in, a loss of appetite in your family gives you a chance to evalmay occur, and lack of desire for any uate their health, safety and well-being physical activity. and determine if they may need additional assistance.

Q: Any statistics on the impact of loneliness?

Reach out to friends, families and neighbors. ...

A: Senior isolation increases the risk of mortalTrusted neighbors, friends and families within a block ity. According to a 2012 study in the Proceedings of radius or so should be introduced to the senior, if the National Academy of Sciences, both isolation possible, and informed about any particular issues the and loneliness are associated with a higher risk of senior may have, and asked to keep a friendly eye out mortality in adults 52 and older. One of the reasons in case anything seems amiss. people who live alone or lack social contacts may be at Encourage healthy eating. Seniors who live alone an increased mortality risk is because there is less of a may be at a greater risk of getting poor nutrition. network of confidantes to prompt medical attention Consider getting food delivered by an online growhen a health issue arises. cery service, or by an organization such as Meals on Q: What are some tips for families to help seniors Wheels, which can provide not just nutritious food beat loneliness? but social contact. Also, encourage seniors to share a A: Make transportation available. Lack of adequate meal with others whenever possible, whether it’s with a transportation is a primary cause of social isolation. … church group, the local senior center, or a friendly café Offer- ing rides to older loved ones and helping them or diner. Dining with others encourages social interacto learn to use public transportation and is also likely to help promote better nutrition, tion will help them which are both crucial for seniors.

By Melissa Erickson More Content Now

ooking for the latest breakthrough in healthcare? Want to connect with a caregiver or just have a good laugh? Here are a few of the best senior blogs that are updated frequently, easy to navigate and generally fun to read.

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readup GREAT RESOURCE BLOGS FOR SENIORS, CAREGIVERS

The Dementia Queen thedementiaqueen.com

Dedicated to dementia care, this blog by occupational and geriatric therapist Sue Paul posts helpful and often humorous tips from 20 years of working with Alzheimer’s patients.

The site is organized into tips and resources geared toward promoting independence and decreasing caregiver burden. Dementia is not a part of normal aging, Paul says.

AARP blog.aarp.org

AARP tries to be everything for everyone with a massive blog directory that covers almost any topic of interest to seniors. Find out who’s zooming

who on the Scam Alert, find out what’s happening in 11 Things We Didn’t Know Last Week, and read stories of people who made their mark in big and small ways on Legacy. There’s tips on travel, politics and technology, health, caregiving and the best liveable communities.

Savvy Senior savvysenior.org

Written by senior advocate Jim Miller, Savvy Senior is devoted to older adults and their families who support them. In addition to senior resources and information, the blog responds to readers’ questions and posts a frequently updated Senior Newswire with

stories on senior issues that will hit home, such as “Five Things to do After Medicare Enrollment.”

A Place for Mom Senior Living Blog aplaceformom.com/blog/

Specializing in helping seniors and families find assisted living communities and care, A Place for Mom’s Senior Living Blog brings together featured articles on healthy aging, retirement and finance, and caregiving along with inspirational stories and up-to-the-minute senior trends. A recent featured article was titled “Four Lifestyle Choices That Could Save Your Brain from Alzheimer’s.”

The Care Company thecareco.com/blog/

The solution center for America’s millions of unpaid family caregivers, The Care Company examines elder care and end-of-life issues with skill and grace. Blogger Cindy Laverty aims to empower caregivers to be knowledgeable, confident, strong, compassionate and healthy.

Naked at Our Age betterthanieverexpected.blogspot.com

Straight talk about sex after 60, Naked at Our Age presents senior news, views and events, reader questions, expert tips and product reviews of interest to boomers, seniors and elders.

The 70 Something Blog 70-something.com/the_70something_ blog/

This is blogger Judy Kugel’s personal take on life as a septuagenarian. Both courageous and generous, the blog features postings on her exercise habits, parenting issues, social media posts, family, friends and hobbies. It will leave you thinking, smiling and returning to see what she writes next.

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