Be afraid to be afraid! A recent study found that seniors' fear of falling may actually be the cause of their falls. A self-'fall'filling prophecy, if you will. From Health Day.
To be, or not to be, organic. My husband is constantly buying organic food that I find ridiculous. Organic vegetables, sure! Organic cereal, really? Not to mention that organic usually means more expensive. Find out what to splurge on and when it's ok to (gasp) not buy organic! From Time.
Increase your cognitive functions by....drinking wine? Yes please! Over a seven year study seniors that consumed wine at a moderate level (what a moderate level is was not provided in the article, hmmm) at least four times a week performed better than non-drinkers on cognitive function tests. From Senior Journal.
What not to splurge on in your golden years. Vacations, nice dinners, relaxation are all things I look forward to when I reach retirement age. Poverty, not so much. Here's how to avoid the poor house. From The Wall Street Journal.
Are you ready to know if Mom/Dad/you will develop Alzheimer's. You better be if you take this test. It has 100% accuracy for those that are currently suffering significant memory loss. This is both fascinating and frightening for me. From Denver Post.
The signs that a senior loved one needs help can be subtle: spoiled food in the refrigerator, dust on the furniture, spills on floors and carpets, and piles of late bills or old newspapers. The failure to tune into those signs can lead to not-so-subtle problems such as falls and health issues that threaten an older adult's ability to remain at home.
"Focusing on what is going on in a senior's life as well as encouraging that individual to be open to the need for elder-care assistance is the first step toward ensuring that a loved one is safe," said Paul Hogan, Co-founder and Chairman of the Home Instead Senior Care® network.
Here are other signs to watch for:
Look over the grocery list. Has your loved one's declining health prompted her to purchase more convenience and junk foods, and neglect proper nutrition? Is she losing weight?
Look up at fans and ceilings. Has the inability to lift her arms and climb stepstools prevented your loved one from cleaning soot and grime from high places?
Look down at frayed carpets, throw rugs, objects and furniture, which could be creating tripping hazards. Does Dad's bad knee put him at greater risk on cracked sidewalks and with broken stair rails?
Look below bathroom and kitchen sinks. Is poor eyesight making it difficult for your elderly relative to read medication labels and to properly store cleaning materials? Is he forgetting to refill medications and to take them on schedule? Check the refill date against the number of pills in the bottle to help determine if your loved one is taking medication regularly. Or call the pharmacy.
Look at your senior's appearance. Is clothing dirty and unkempt, and is your loved one neglecting personal hygiene?
Tap into community resources to learn how to assist your parents if they are starting to need more help at home. Geriatric care managers and Area Agencies on Aging are good places to start. Or go to the family caregiver education series topic signs of aging at http://www.caregiverstress.com/.
From Home Instead Senior Care's Caring Connections - a monthly email newsletter. To sign for the Caring Connections newsletter, please visit our website at www.homeinstead.com/341 and scroll down to the bottom.
New Job? What do you do with your old 401K? Don't know whether to keep your money with your last company's retirement program, roll it over into the new company's program, or invest it on your own. Well, here's your answer (sort of). From The Wall Street Journal.
Mom, Dad - Are you protecting me from my inheritance??? Feel uncomfortable asking this question? Heck, I got the heebie jeebies writing it! The reason to discuss this issue today rather than 1/1/11 - estate tax goes back into effect in 2011 with a much lower exemption than in the past. Here's some tips on broaching the topic. Or maybe you just want to forward them this article - that's what I'm doing! From U.S. News & World Report.
Not surprising - some of these tips are similar to what Home Instead Senior Care recommends to adult children having difficulties discussing care options with their aging parents. To read more about these conversation starting tips click here.
Where should you live when you finally retire? Do you want a diverse population? Looking for a part-time job to supplement your income (become a CAREGiver!)? Where can you stretch your nest egg the longest? Here are the top 10 places to "reinvent your life" while in your retirement years. From U.S. News & World Report.
Obesity - it's not an age thing. A new study shows that weight peaks just before the golden years. So get your Mom and Dad moving. My Mom and I take some aerobics classes together at the Y. If you find something you both enjoy it makes it that much easier to continue doing. From Senior Journal.
Comedy night. Improv classes can help those suffering from memory loss. Even without the benefits wouldn't it be great to see your loved ones perform improv? Find out if any of your family members are the next Larry David! From The New York Times.
As General Manager of Home Instead Senior Care I have gained a lot of insight on what issues are pertinent to today's seniors. The most rewarding part of my job is when a senior opens up and really begins to share their tales and adventures - I always find them fascinating and sometimes even a little surprising.
Home Instead Senior Care is the #1 trusted source of non-medical home care in Saratoga, Washington, and Warren Counties. HISC is also the very proud sponsor of the "Be a Santa to a Senior" program during the Holidays.
I joined Home Instead after a three and a half year sabatical in Maui, Hi. While in paradise I learned to scuba dive, spent a lot of time with the whales, and met my husband!
Prior to Maui I worked in Public Relations at Dan Klores Communications in New York City.
I am a graduate from the University of Maryland. I was fortunate enough to attend when Maryland won the NCAA championship, explaining my love for college hoops. Go Terps!
