Senior Living - Issue #15

ISSUE #15

Staying flexible Declutter before you need to!

Getting organized

ISSUE #15 PUBLISHER Hank Vander Veen GENERAL MANAGER Drew Savage ART DIRECTOR Harold L. George DESIGNER Sharon R. Hoffman ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Chuck Higgs SALES & MARKETING Chris Castro Corey Rogers Beth Flanagan

Melody Wann

Dawn Hamilton

Charles Webber

Michelle Kendig

Jennifer Webber

Rich Matheson

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©Copyright 2016. Senior Living All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher of Senior Living is strictly prohibited. The opinions expressed in Senior Living are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of Senior Living management or owner.

Senior Living assumes no responsibility and makes no recommendation for claims made by advertisers and shall not be liable for any damages incurred.

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C O N T E N T S SENIOR DISCOUNTS.......................................... 5 GETTING ORGANIZED....................................... 6 MEDICAL UPDATE.............................................. 8 PRESCRIPTION ABUSE...................................... 10 KEEPING CREATIVE.......................................... 12 GETTING ENOUGH SLEEP................................ 13 WORLD HEALTH.............................................. 14 STAYING LIMBER............................................. 15 TRAVEL TIPS..................................................... 16

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209 SENIOR LIVING | SENIOR DISCOUNTS

Discounts available to the over50 crowd

Many people may not look forward to the day the turn 50, but cracking the half century mark can have its perks. Many retailers and businesses offer discounts to men and women over 50, and the following are just a few ways that people who have turned the big 5-0 might be able to save some money.

MOVIE TICKETS: The cost of going to the movies has skyrocketed in recent years, as today’s theaters now offer an array of amenities and, thanks to bigger screens and better technology, a better viewing experience than the theaters the over-50 crowd grew up visiting. While film lovers may need to wait until they turn 60 to cash in on discount movie tickets, many chain movie theaters offer discounted tickets to older patrons.

TRAVEL: Men and women over 50 may be able to save substantial amounts of money on travel simply by typing in their birthdays when purchasing tickets or planning trips. For example,

men and women over the age of 62 are eligible to receive a 15 percent discount on the lowest available rail fare on most Amtrak trains.

ANCESTRY: As men and women age, many begin to develop a greater interest in their heritage. Those who join AARP (membership is available to men and women who are 50 or older) can receive a 30 percent discount on an Ancestry World Explorer membership in the first year they’re members.

AUTO RENTALS: AARP members also are eligible to save up to 30 percent on base rates for vehicle rentals at Avis. The discounts are applicable at participating locations in both the United States and Canada.Hotels: Men and women over 50 may have extra time on their hands once their kids go off to college and then begin careers and families of their own. Many such adults use that extra free time to travel, which requires staying in hotels. Many hotels offer discounted

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rates to travelers over the age of 50, and such discounts may make it more affordable to book directly through hotel websites instead of using popular travel sites where rates tend to fluctuate by the minute.

DINING: Of course, many restaurants offer early bird specials for patrons who want to eat a little bit earlier than guests typically arrive for dinner. However, many chain restaurants also offer discounts to senior diners regardless of when they arrive. Such discounts are sometimes even applicable to both food and beverages.

MOBILE PHONE SERVICES: Men and women over 50 may not have grown up with smartphones in their hands, but chances are they now cannot imagine life without them. Some mobile providers offer discounts to AARP members, while others may offer senior discounts to customers whether they’re AARP members or not.

209 SENIOR LIVING | GETTING ORGANIZED

Declutter before you need to!

My last article pointed out the basic considerations when deciding to downsize. One of the largest obstacles is figuring out what to do with all that stuff!

On average roughly 34% of seniors have lived in their home 41-50 years.* That time frame spans generations of family.

You’re probably looking at not only 41-50 years of things you’ve personally accumulated but also golf clubs, ski equipment, several bikes and boxes of books from storing things your children and grandchildren have accumulated! It’s time to tell them if they want it, they need to come and get it or it gets donated. You’ll get a good idea how badly they want it!

Once you’ve declared your home a “Non Mini Storage” space you’ll have a clearer idea of what’s left to work with.

Keep in mind all the years it took to accumulate your personal belongings so take “baby steps” and give yourself time to find a new home for all of these things.

I recommend following a simple strategy and group personal property into categories:

Category one – those items you will not part with Category two – items you’d like to keep depending on the size of your new downsized residence Category three – items you’d like to give to family and friends (don’t be disappointed if they decline) Category four – items you want to sell (auction or estate sale) or donate Category five – everything else, you guessed it, gets thrown away By hiring a Senior Real Estate Specialist to assist you, it also gives you access to a list of professionals in your local area and resources including estate liquidators, disposal companies who can provide you with a dumpster, and packers and movers. By taking these steps you will have a clear plan to follow which should make the job of decluttering much easier.

Decluttering is all about being pro-active!

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding this article.

*Based from 2007 survey

by Bruce Nemovitz

Story contributed by Susan Baudler, Realtor Senior Real Estate Specialist Berkshire Hathaway Home Services- Drysdales DRE# 01894922 Email: susan@susanbaudler.com • 209-985-9969

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209 SENIOR LIVING | MEDICAL UPDATE

Fainting spells for elderly linked to blood clots

F

alls are one of the greatest risk factors for injury among the aging population.

When falls are attributed to fainting clot is located can signal a problem, spells, people may be very eager to get symptoms of a PE may vary greatly. to the source of the fall. Doctors have Shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, found that blood clots may attribute to and rapid or irregular heartbeat can all fainting in the elderly. occur, says The Mayo Clinic.

Information published in the jourResearchers are finding that, in some nal Clinical Geriatric Medicine found cases, fainting episodes also may be that the elderly are at a higher risk of indicative of a PE. Italian researchers blood clots because of their reduced revealed that, mobility. Blood among 560 clots may result CERTAIN RISK FACTORS PUT patients hospiin deep vein PEOPLE AT A HIGHER CHANCE FOR talized for a thrombosis, or DVT AND PE. THESE INCLUDE: first-time faintDVT, and could ing spell, one in lead to a pulmo• PRIOR SURGERY six had a PE. nary embolism if • CERTAIN CANCERS People who left untreated.

• CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE are experiencDVT is a • BED REST THAT CAUSES ing fainting common probBLOOD TO POOL spells should be lem involving the veins of the legs. on the radar for • SITTING FOR LONG PERIODS Blood pooling in other symptoms OF TIME the legs may of PE, advises • SMOKING cause a blood the American • BEING OVERWEIGHT clot to form in College of Chest the deep veins of Physicians. the lower leg, However, it’s important to note that impairing blood flow back to the fainting can be attributed to dehydraheart. A pulmonary embolism, or PE, tion, a drop in blood pressure and occurs when a clot dislodges from the heart-rhythm disturbances. leg veins and travels through the Use of compression stockings to bloodstream to reach the heart and move blood more efficiently, physical lungs. According to the health site activity, leg elevation, anticoagulants, Aging Care, as many as one million and pneumatic compression can help Americans suffer from blood clots prevent the formation of clots. Because every year, often resulting in hospitalPE can be life-threatening, people ization. experiencing fainting or other sympWhile swelling in the legs, cramping in the lower legs, skin color chang- toms are urged to speak with their es, and warmth of the skin where the doctors.

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CHANGES EVERYTHING

209 SENIOR LIVING | PRESCRIPTION ABUSE

Addicted seniors a serious problem

Opioid use among the older population

T

he public is quickly learning that drug abuse goes beyond the illegal substances that are purchased on the street. Abuse of drugs extends to the prescription medications sitting in many medicine cabinets.

While teenagers and young adults may be the first to be stereotyped as prescription drug abusers, seniors may have unwittingly become mixed up in one of the most misused prescription classes: opioid pain relievers.

The problem of opioid abuse has been a growing issue for years. The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates 2.1 million people in the United States suffer from substance abuse of opioid pain relievers. Older patients are increasingly and repeatedly prescribed opioids to address chronic pain from arthritis, cancer and other problems that become more apparent as people age.

Data from U.S. Medicare recipients found that, in 2011, roughly 15 percent of seniors were prescribed an opioid after being discharged from the hospital. When followed up on three months later, 42 percent were still taking the medication. Fast forward to 2015, and almost one-third of all Medicare patients were prescribed opioid painkillers by their physicians, says AARP. The Canadian Institute for Health Information says adults between the ages of 45 and 64 and seniors age 65 and older had the highest rates of hospitalizations due to opioid poisoning over the past 10 years.

AARP also indicates nearly three million Americans age 50 or older have started to take painkillers for reasons beyond what their doctors prescribed.

Experts from the Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing warn

that dependence on opioids can set in after just a few days. Discomfort and side effects can occur when the pills are stopped. Opioids can decrease pain at first, but many people find they can be less effective over time. As a result, patients need to take greater amounts.

Although many people can take opioids in small doses for short periods of time without problems, many find themselves overcome by a troubling addiction. Some doctors prefer not to use opioids as a first line of treatment for chronic pain.

Another possible risk of opioids among seniors is that the medication can cause disorientation that may lead to falls and fractures. The senior care resource A Place for Mom also says that prescription narcotics may increase risk of respiratory arrest.

What’s more, an older body may not absorb and filter medicines as effectively as younger bodies can. This means that older adults might become addicted to or have side effects from a prescription drug at a lower dose.

Seniors concerned about opioids can discuss other options with their doctors, such as nonopioid medications and alternative therapies for pain management, like massage or acupuncture. If opioids are prescribed, ask for the lowest dose and don’t exceed the time frame for taking the medicine. Only take the pills when absolutely necessary, and never mix opioids with alcohol or other substances.

Opioid abuse is a problem for all age groups, including seniors.

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Did you know?

Happy Holidays

According to a study from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, housing is the greatest expense in dollar amount and as a share of total expenditures for households in which a person 55 and older is considered the primary owner or renter of the home. Total annual household expenditures, which were culled from the BLS’ 2014 Consumer Expenditure Survey, totaled just over $49,000. These expenditures included food, housing, clothing, transportation, health care, and entertainment, among other expenses.

The BLS study found that housing accounted for nearly one-third of annual household expenditures in households headed by people age 55 and older. In households headed by people between the ages of 65 and 74, housing expenses accounted for a slightly smaller percentage of overall annual expenditures, while housing accounted for 36.5 percent of overall expenditures in households headed by men and women age 75 and older.

Such figures illustrate the need for men and women to account for housing expenses in their retirement planning.

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209 SENIOR LIVING | KEEPING CREATIVE

Creating a new hobby

B

eing retired means doing things you didn’t have time to when you were working!

Have you ever wanted to tap into your creative side? If so, we have the perfect solution for you.

Pinots Palette in Modesto invites you to come release your artistic side and spend time with friends creating a fun piece of art that you can proudly display in your home.

Painting releases fear of aging. If you’re an artist, keep creating art, for one. Even if you’ve never considered yourself an artist, now is the time to take up an artistic pursuit like painting. It is never too late, and everyone can do it. If you can hold a brush, you can paint!

With increased leisure time, older adults are increasingly becoming consumers and users of services. Organizing an art program at a school or center for the blind has several benefits over doing it at your museum, including access to an established audience and marketing network, as well as conveniences in traveling and facility maintenance. While it may be possible to find attendees who are willing to travel for your program if it is held at an art therapy studio or at a museum,

you are more likely to have a larger turnout at a place people who are blind and visually impaired visit regularly and are familiar with the course offerings. In addition, the school or center for the blind is a place where your audience feels comfortable and “at home.” This comfort level contributes to stable group attendance, increases group trust, and gives participants an opportunity to focus more completely on the art-making process.

Classes are always available for seniors in the morning or early afternoon to accommodate your active schedules. Get a few friends together, select a painting and reserve your seat in the studio.

Groups from senior centers are welcome to reserve a day and time to bring your seniors to paint and enjoy a time with friends. You may be surprised what talent is among friends!

Groups Welcome. You can also go online at pinotspalettemodesto. com We look forward to seeing you in the studio!

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209 SENIOR LIVING | GETTING ENOUGH SLEEP

Sleep loss can affect memory in seniors Poor sleep can leave people feeling groggy, disoriented, depressed, and not up for facing the day. And now there’s new evidence that insomnia can contribute to memory loss and forgetfulness among the elderly.

A study — the first of its kind — unveiled a new link between lack of sleep and memory loss. Researchers at the University of California, Berkley found that during sleep important brain waves are produced that play key roles in storing memories. These waves transfer the memories from the hippocampus to the prefrontal cortex, a portion of the brain where long-term information is stored. Sleep loss can cause the memories to remain in the hippocampus and not reach the long-term storage area, found researchers. This can contribute to forget-

fulness and difficulty remembering simple details, such as names.

Seniors are frequently plagued with deteriorated sleeping patterns that lead to shallow sleep and more awakenings, says those at the University of California. This can contribute to the prevention of memories being saved by the brain each evening.

This is not the first time sleep and brain health have been measured. A 2008 University of California, Los Angeles study discovered that people with sleep apnea showed tissue loss in brain regions that help store memories.

WebMD says imaging and behavioral studies show the role sleep plays in learning and memory and that lack of sleep can impair a person’s ability to focus and learn efficiently. Combine this with the

necessity of sleep to make those brain wave connections for memories to be stored, and the importance of deep sleep is apparent.

Another study, published in the journal Brain, conducted by doctors at Washington University in St. Louis, linked poor sleep with early onset of dementia, especially Alzheimer’s disease.

Although poor sleep does not cause Alzheimer’s, it may increase brain amyloid proteins believed to be intrinsic to the disease. When slow-wave deep sleep is disrupted, levels of amyloid can grow

and clog the brain. This is corroborated by data published in the journal Neurology. Getting deep sleep is important for reducing these proteins.

The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recognizes the difficulties elderly people may have in regard to sleep. The quality of deep sleep among older adults is often 75 percent lower than it is in younger people. Doctors can be cognizant of how sleep impacts memory and the onset of dementias and discuss insomnia treatment options with their patients.

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209 SENIOR LIVING | WORLD HEALTH live the longest. While developed countries certainly made the list, there was some offset in the numbers based on high rates of mental health issues that may lead to suicide.

Overall, the following countries ranked high in average life expectancy.

People interested in living longer may want to adopt some of their citizens’ lifestyle habits to live long lives.

Life expectancy

ranks highest in these coutries Living a long, healthy life has been made possible thanks in part to modern medicine. But the factors behind longevity are more complex than just access to quality healthcare. Genetics, lifestyle and even where a person lives can all impact the length of a person’s life.

Longevity is often studied so scientists can uncover the secrets to those

MONACO:

who seem to have unlocked the fountain of youth. Certain areas of the world boast the longest life spans, and scientists study these areas for clues.

In 2016, the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Survey studied the health of populations around the world. In the criteria, WEF ranked countries in terms of the average life expectancy — indicating where people

The second smallest country in the world boasts quite a high life expectancy, with people living an average of 89.7 years. Nearby France has the lowest obesity rates in the world, possibly helping people to live long, healthy lives.

HONG KONG: This country off the coast of China has a high longevity rate with people living an average of 84 years. Steamed food, engaging in Tai Chi and drinking tea may contribute to long life.

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JAPAN:

In this Asian nation, people live 83.6 years on average. Again, a healthy diet rich in seafood and active lifestyles may be the secret.Spain: The Spanish dine on the famed Mediterranean Diet, which is rich in fresh vegetables, fish and healthy fats. Spaniards live on average 83.1 years.

SWITZERLAND AND ITALY:

Low poverty levels make a good diet more readily available to much of the Swiss and Italian populations. Diverse topography that can push physical exertion also may help those in Switzerland and Italy live to 82.8 and 82.7 years, respectively.The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency also tracks life expectancy rates for nations around the world. The United States does not crack the top 20.

The CIA puts America at number 50 on its list, with people living an average of 78.4 years. The World Bank shows that Canadians fare better than Americans, with an average life span of 82.1 years.

209 SENIOR LIVING | STAYING LIMBER

How to stay flexible as you age

M

en and women may begin to feel less flexible as they get older. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, that loss of flexibility is because muscles lose both strength and elasticity as the body ages.

A lack of flexibility can make men and women more vulnerable to certain types of injuries,

including muscle strains and tears. While people might not be able to maintain the flexibility they enjoyed in their twenties, there are ways for them to combat age-related loss of flexibility.

STRETCH FREQUENTLY. Stretching is a great way to combat age-related loss of flexibility. Stretch major muscle groups, such as hamstrings and shoulder muscles, several times per week. When practicing static stretching, the goal is to gradually elongate the muscle being stretched before holding the elongated position, and ultimately allowing the muscle to return to resting position. As flexibility improves, elongated stretches can be held for 30 seconds. Avoid stretching muscles that are sore or injured, and discontinue a stretch if you feel pain or discomfort.

INCLUDE YOGA IN YOUR EXERCISE REGIMEN. Practitioners of yoga typically love how this unique discipline that exercises the body while relaxing the mind improves their flexibility. Many yoga poses are designed to improve the strength and flexibility of muscles, and some physicians may even recommend yoga to aging patients. Yoga DVDs or streaming sessions can be great, but beginners may want to visit yoga studios or sign up for classes at their gyms so instructors can personally ensure they are doing each pose correctly. As their flexibility improves, men and women can try more difficult poses and classes if they so desire.

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GET IN THE POOL. Swimming is another activity that can help aging men and women improve their flexibility. Strengthtraining exercises are an important component of a well-balanced exercise regimen, but such workouts tend to focus on one or two muscle groups at a time.

That means other muscle groups may be inactive and tighten up as a result. Swimming works the entire body, which helps all muscle groups stay loose and flexible. One or two swimming sessions per week can contribute to great gains in overall flexibility, especially for men and women who remember to stretch when they get out of the pool.

Flexibility may decrease as men and women age, but there are various ways to combat the natural loss of flexibility.

209 SENIOR LIVING | TRAVEL TIPS

Cruising tips and tricks A cruise can be an ideal vacation for seniors who have the time to get away.

Cruising can be an ideal vacation for people of any age, but particularly for seniors. Cruises combine all-inclusive meal packages with accommodations, breathtaking ports of call and prearranged activities, so vacationers do not have to lift a finger for days on end.

Cruising also can be a social activity, meaning singletons can meet up with other like-minded people and enjoy the cruising experience together.

Cruise Lines International Association, a global organization advocating for the cruising community, found that 25.8 million passengers expected to take a cruise in 2017, and various cruise companies invested more than $6.8 billion in new ocean vessels.

Whether a person is new to cruising or is a seasoned ocean or river traveler, there are always techniques to try to score great deals or enjoy the experience

even further. Consider these tips and tricks, courtesy of Royal Caribbean, The Cruise Critic, the Travel Channel, and other vacationing experts.

Research the ships, and not just the cruise lines. Cruise lines each offer their own amenities and are known for certain features. One cruise line may be a better match for young singles, while others may cater to families. In addition, certain ships may have their own special features such as water slides, athletic events, casinos, and more. Choose a ship that meets your needs.

Arrive the night before. There’s no need to rush to the port to board the ship. Extend the vacation a little further by arriving a night or two before and checking into a nearby hotel. Some hotels may offer free parking or shuttle service to the ship.

Choose a close port. Select a port

within driving distance to avoid airline costs and the extra hassles of coordinating luggage and travel to the port.

Book dining ahead of time. Cruise ships often have a main dining room and then specialty restaurants. If you want a particular meal, make reservations before leaving port. Certain restaurants may offer discounts or perks, such as a free bottle of wine or premiere seating.

Understand what’s included. Cruise ships have many foods and drinks that are included in the packaged price.

Certain branded items, such as specialty coffees or ice creams, may be available at an additional charge, as are premium drinks. But chances are you can find a free, similar version elsewhere on the ship.

Explore special discounts. When

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shopping for a cruise, see if there are discounts available for seniors, teachers, people in the military, or those who belong to certain clubs. Cruises often love to incentivize, so it pays to ask about discount pricing.

Make a list of activities. It can be easy to get overwhelmed by all of the offerings on a cruise ship, so much so that there’s some stress over trying to fit it all in. Recognize that you can’t see or hear it all, and prioritize what’s important to you. Make sure you have plenty of time to relax.

Book at the right time. Cruises may be more available after Labor Day when kids go back to school and the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas when others are too busy to travel.

Cruising can be an ideal vacation for travelers who are savvy enough to do their research.

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Michael Mequio, M.D.

Steven Wood, O.D. Robert Pedersen, O.D. Devinder Grewal, O.D. Robert Dupree, O.D. Jennifer Pham, O.D. Ralph Miranda, O.D.

STOCKTON

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MANTECA TRACY

SONORA

209-239-3880 Over 55 years of Vision Care

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