Smoothie POWER

Smoothie power-Easy to make smoothies are a terrific way to incorporate needed vegetables, fruits, proteins, vitamins, and minerals into your diet. By using a blender to puree these ingredients, the first part of the digestion process has already been completed, so its easier for your body to absorb all the nutrients.

Smoothie power comes into play as we age, and our digestion slows down. We may find ourselves eating less and choosing the easy options on our plate rather than the healthy options. Easy to make smoothies are a terrific way to incorporate needed vegetables, fruits, proteins, vitamins, and minerals into your diet. By using a blender to puree these ingredients, the first part of the digestion process has already been completed, so its easier for your body to absorb all the nutrients. Look for foods rich in antioxidants, Omega-3s, and Vitamin E. Antioxidants which are found in many fruits, vegetables, legumes, tea and dark chocolate help rid the body of free radicals, which break down and impair high functioning brain cells.

Omega-3s and Vitamin E, which can be found in certain nuts, seeds, and whole grains, as well as there prospective oils, are also highly anti-inflammatory and help support brain health.

Smoothies can be customized for those with food sensitivities. For example, it’s easy to make a smoothie Gluten and Dairy free. Finally, smoothies are great because you don’t need to have fresh fruits on hand because “flash frozen” fruits retain all their nutrients and are both convenient and economical. Please encourage your family, professional caregivers and senior communities to prepare and offer healthy smoothies.


The following smoothie recipe is just one of many smoothie recipes that incorporate brain-healthy ingredients.

Chocolate Antioxidant Smoothie I Prep time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

-1 cup any milk
   (Almond, Hemp, Cow, etc)

-1 Ripe Banana (frozen or fresh)

-2 tbsp Cocoa Powder, preferably organic

-1/2 tsp Vanilla

-1 tbsp Ground Flax Seed

-Pinch or Sea Salt

-1-2 tbsp Raw Honey or Agave

-8 Ice Cubes if not using frozen
   bananas

Put all ingredients in the high-speed blender and process until smooth.

Drink and enjoy!

Article Provided by:
Home Care Assistance
503-305-6055
www.HomeCareAssistance.com/Portland


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The need for care

In this country, 10,000 people turn 65 every day. The need for care increases every single day. We are faced with a significant amount of need for care in our families’ futures.

In this country, 10,000 people turn 65 every day. The need for care increases every single day. We are faced with a significant amount of need for care in our families’ futures. I’ve been trying to wrap my head around how we will manage. As a member of the “sandwich” generation, I am looking towards a future where I will have to find the resources to not only care for my children but for my parents at the same time. Being a part of a “sandwich generation” doesn’t mean that this is the only generation that has had to care for both their elders and their children. For the last couple of decades, most families in the US have both parents working away from the home so there is no one to care for our elders at home. Thankfully, I am a nurse and the Director of the Home Care Services team at Mary’s Woods so I have a small chance of finding a way to make it work for my family. I am concerned about the other parents and children who will be blindsided by the fact that their parents will need care before they are done raising their kids. How will they pay for it? What if they too are caregivers in their occupations? Are they making the cost of living that would support this scenario? In most states and in most caregiver roles, the answers are bleak.

There is some hope. We are starting to see our future and the challenges ahead. Change is hopefully on the horizon thanks to advocates such as Ai-Jen Poo, author of The Age of Dignity and co-founder of Caring Across Generations https://caringacross.org/. Ai-Jen is finding new ways to help our elders and disabled age with dignity. She is featured in the ‘Care’ Documentary that was released earlier this year. This documentary reveals the care options for families, elders and caregivers in our current situation and what options we have as we approach a “care crisis”.

Other initiatives such as standardized caregiver training programs are also being developed and tested as I write. These types of programs help caregivers get the tools they need to provide excellent care and validate caregiving as an honorable and crucial profession. This last year in Oregon, many in-home care agencies partnered with Clackamas Community College to develop a comprehensive caregiver training program which piloted in July 2017 and is currently being offered through Clackamas Community College.

Educating and being engaged is the only way these challenges will be remedied. To get involved and make a difference here are some websites that you can visit:

https://caringacross.or/
http://www.leadingageoregon.org/
http://caredocumentary.com/
http://www.clackamas.edu/

Article Provided by: Megan Thompson
Mary’s Woods In- Home Care
503-697-6434
www.Homecare.MarysWoods.org


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Strength

 

“You never know how strong you are, until being strong is your only choice.” ~ Bob Marley

Life will present us with challenges, sometimes the challenge can be much more than we thought we were ready for. Take a moment to breathe, refocus, prioritize, and just put one foot in front of the other. Eventually, you will be in the middle of the stream and have no choice but to continue. Once on the other side- you know you could do it again if needed. Feel the fear and do it anyway!

The importance of fitness as we age

Research has shown that regular physical activity improves quality of life for older adults and decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease and many other illnesses and disabilities.

It is a challenge to continue moving and stay active no matter what stage of life we are in. How important is it to you to pick the weeds in your garden or pick up the napkin you just dropped? For many of us, keeping up with those small tasks is enough to push us to exercise in one way or another. In my experience, there is always a way. It`s all about your willingness to accomplish your very own routine that works around your schedule. There are many great ways that we can accomplish being active in our later years. Exercise is perhaps the best-demonstrated way to maintain good health, fitness, and independence. Research has shown that regular physical activity improves quality of life for older adults and decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease and many other illnesses and disabilities. There are four main types of exercise and physical activity to focus on: Endurance, Strength, Balance, and Flexibility. Each activity is different and have their own benefits for doing them each day.

Endurance, or aerobic activities, increase your breathing and heart rate. They keep your heart, lungs, and circulatory system healthy, and improve your overall fitness. Building endurance helps you attain the ability to do your brisk walking or jogging, yard work or gardening, even dancing.
Strength exercises make your muscles stronger. Even small increases in strength can make a big difference in your ability to stay independent and carry out everyday activities, such as climbing stairs and carrying groceries. You can lift weights, use resistance bands, or your own body weight.

Balance exercises can help prevent falls, a common problem in older adults. Many lower-body strength exercises also will improve your balance. Standing counter exercises for balance, Water aerobics, Tai Chi.

Flexibility exercises stretch your muscles and can help your body stay limber. Being flexible gives you more range of movement for other exercises as well as for your everyday activities. Shoulder & upper arm stretches, calf stretches, or even yoga help stretch our muscles, and give us freedom.

Stay as active as you can,  find what is comfortable, and make it something you enjoy! If someone were to say exercising is your gardening routine and that was your highlight of your day, how would you feel about exercise?

Article Provided by: Brook Lynne Phelts,
Patriots Landing
877-964-4900
www.PatriotsLanding.com


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Retirement lifestyle: What community is right for you?

Today’s Retirement Communities are more like cruise ships than nursing homes! Retirement lifestyle is full of fun, food, adventure, and entertainment day after day. The funny thing is that it also reflects what doctors’ advise- socializing, good food, rest, exercise, and reducing your stress.

Today’s Retirement Communities are more like cruise ships than nursing homes! Retirement lifestyle is full of fun, food, adventure, and entertainment day after day. The funny thing is that it also reflects what doctors’ advise- socializing, good food, rest, exercise, and reducing your stress. Hmmm!
Who would have guessed! Many residents’ health indexes improve.

Retirement Communities offer a new lifestyle by breaking free from the clinical institutional structure of a nursing home and moving toward life on a cruise ship!  The retirement lifestyle includes Activity Programs which are a key part of the recipe of “living it up.” So how do you evaluate an Activity Program for quality? 

What to look for:

  • Number of people-The size of the community can impact the quality of the Activity Program. You need enough people to have a robust schedule of events.
  • Number of events– How many events are available every day? Are there Blank Days? For example, many communities don’t have anything happening on the weekends.
  • Are there activities inside the community as well as outside the community? Are there day trips with destinations like public gardens, museums, theatres, baseball stadiums, casinos?
  • Are there options for people with less physicality or very physically fit? Are there options for people with no cognitive loss or some cognitive changes in their brains?
  • Is there diversity in the type of activities? Are there activities for Heart (Socials and Support groups), Mind (Adult Learning Opportunities), Body (Exercise Programs), Spirit (Religious and Spiritual gatherings)?
  • Is there recognition of cultural and ethnic differences?
  • Are there activities that your family or friend can share in?
  • Do the Residents inform the plan? Or is this the same program that was developed five years ago?
  •  Is there evaluation? Do Residents get a chance to evaluate the quality of the Activity Program?

As the industry advances, so do the expectations. In addition to entertainment events and parties, self-development has become an added component: exercise programs, classes, etc… This is a thrust of moving participants from observation (on the sidelines) to involvement (on the court). Today, an even higher standard of participation is sought after by seniors. Leaders in the industry talk about engagement. Engagement is being involved and sharing your passion. Aliveness is a measure of joy, contentment, and participation in day to day life with others. It’s all about living life your way.

Article Provided by:
Garden Court Retirement Community
425-438-9080
www.GardenCourtRetirement.com


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Living a purposeful and meaningful life

For the first time, younger seniors are considering a move earlier in order to afford a retirement with meaning and purpose. A Life Plan Community offers a meaningful life designed to meet this new trend.

Living a purposeful and meaningful life is starting to appeal to aging consumers, as they encounter a new vernacular as they explore the next chapter of living options. While living actively, baby boomers often desire lifestyles different from those of their parents. For the first time, younger seniors are considering a move earlier in order to afford a retirement with meaning and purpose. A Life Plan Community offers a meaningful life designed to meet this new trend.

A Life Plan Community, formerly known as a CCRC, is registered as an age-restricted community, which provides active living through multiple living and care needs, while integrated into the community through social accountability. A Life Plan Community offers all levels of living, from independent cottage and apartment living, to living with assistance and long-term care. In 2015, the NameStorm task force determined that the senior housing industry needed to shift the vernacular from CCRC to Life Plan Community in order to place a stronger emphasis on healthy and active living. 

Contract options vary. A Life Care contract typically means an upfront buy-in, in addition to monthly rent, where seniors are guaranteed all levels of living options including health care in a skilled nursing neighborhood.  Type B or modified month-to-month type rental agreements are offered at a Life Plan Community.  In addition, a Type C contract means fee-for-service.

Many benefits come with a Life Plan Community, but with society living longer; often the care needs of one spouse determine the living options for the couple. A Life Plan Community addresses these needs and provides options for both.

Living options at a Life Plan Community include:

  • Independent Living: Available in a variety of floor plans and prices ranges, includes apartment or cottage style living with access to wellness programs and enrichment throughout the community.
  • Assisted Living: Private one bedroom or studio apartments are located in a licensed area of the community and provide around the clock care for aging adults who need additional assistance with their activities of daily living.  Meal preparation, medication reminders, bath-aid, and socialization are some of the amenities.
  • Skilled Nursing Care/Long Term Care: An acute care facility-licensing requirements are much more stringent offering nursing care, rehabilitation therapy, and long-term living care. Rehabilitation, hospice, and pain management to name a few.

Adults 62 years and older find vibrancy, meaning, and engagement when their lives are enriched by cognitive stimulation, physical exercise, and healthy eating. To find a Life Plan Community near you visit: www.leadingage.org

Article Provided by:
Crista Senior Living
206-546-7565
www.cristwood.org


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What is a Senior Care Advisor?

A Senior Care Advisor is your expert in the challenges of aging. It is someone who can sit down and learn everything about your situation to best guide you.

Every industry has experts that can be used to educate and guide you along the best path. A quality expert is going to help avoid common pitfalls and mistakes, as well as maximize your time and money. The process of aging and finding Long Term Care is no exception. Those in this role have traditionally been called Placement Agents, but that does not give justice to the services they provide in today’s world. To truly be a Senior Care Advisor one must be an expert in the vast scope of aging challenges that people could face. One nationally accredited certification in this field is called Certified Senior Advisor, C.S.A. Those who choose to take that next step in education can obtain this title and show they have studied the wide range of issues that could arise as someone ages. An advisor should also research licensing, inspections reports, and any state violations of every facility to ensure they are only recommending the highest quality options for any given situation.

A Senior Care Advisor is your expert in the challenges of aging. It is someone who can sit down and learn everything about your situation to best guide you. Some examples of information an advisor should ask are:

Medical/Health Information,  Geographic Needs, Financial Requirements, Veteran Status, Long-Term Care Insurance, Mobility Concerns, Cognitive Abilities, Personal Care Needs, Meal Preferences, Socialization/Hobbies, and/or Estate Planning.

An advisor really must have a clear understanding of everything that is going on before they can start looking at next steps. This process can be equated to assembling a puzzle. You give an advisor an idea of what the end result should look like, hand them all of the pieces needed for assembly, and let them go about piecing everything together. A quality advisor will know all of the options and help navigate this confusing industry to find the perfect solutions for your needs. Keep in mind an advisor is not making decisions on your behalf; this is why it’s crucial you find an advisor you connect with and trust.

Given all the wonderful things an advisor does, it is amazing that they provide this all as a free service to families. The advisor is compensated by the long-term care facilities; because of this compensation model an advisor should not be a sales person pushing one particular solution. Their goal should be to provide the highest quality options and present them so you can make the best decisions possible. Given that they have already visited hundreds of these long-term care options, you do not have to start from the beginning. They can quickly recommend the best options and you only have to visit a handful of places. This gives you the ability to focus time and energy on your loved ones. So if you find yourself in need of guidance in these areas, find a quality Senior Care Advisor for help.

Article Provided by:
Dedicated Care Solutions
425-737-3865
www.DedicatedCareSolutions.com


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Get the best medicare coverage at the best price for YOU

In order to achieve the selection of an optimal plan for you, it is often helpful to seek the services of a licensed broker who specializes in Medicare.

The fact that there are an abundance of insurance plans available is only beneficial if you’re able to determine your unique needs and compare those needs against benefits contained within multiple and varied insurance plans.  In order to achieve the selection of an optimal plan for you, it is often helpful to seek the services of a licensed broker who specializes in Medicare.

While a representative from a specific insurance company may be licensed to sell you a particular plan, keep in mind that if they only represent one company they only understand and believe in that one product. Local health insurance general agencies have licensed brokers who are trained experts and certified to represent a multitude of plans in your area.  Seeking the advice of a trained broker who specializes in Medicare plans allows you to relate your needs and circumstances to someone who knows what types of plans are available in your area and can professionally recommend appropriate coverage to suit your specific situation.

Remember, that one of the most important things to discover before making your selection is which insurance plans your doctor accepts.
A plan may not serve your specific needs if your doctor does not accept it, and doctors are not required to accept every plan.

In addition, by securing a plan through a broker you are in turn getting an advocate, meaning that if insurance issues or circumstances should arise that require assistance, your broker is able to help with the resolution of your issue. Enrolling directly with a plan leaves you, and you alone, to communicate with the plan’s customer service department and all of the answering system queues that often go along with that.

No matter how you make your Medicare coverage selection, it is often useful to review your plan options annually as plan benefits can change from year to year and what worked for you one year may not in the next.  If you’re already on Medicare, you may want to mark your calendar now to remember to review your plan options sometime in early October. Typically, the Annual Medicare Open Enrollment Period, where you can make a plan change without penalty, is October 15th – December 7th.

Article Provided by: Lance Ghiorso,
Connexion Insurance Solutions
866-448-0160
www.MedicareConnexion.com 


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The benefits of in-home care

in-home caregivers can assist with all types of daily living activities, including meal preparation, medication reminders, light housekeeping, personal care (showering, toileting, dressing, etc.) and transportation, like to doctor appointments or grocery shopping.

Sometimes in-home care is the way to go, especially when things start to look like this..

Dear In-home care Company,

My 82-year-old mother was recently hospitalized after a fall in her home. She fractured her right hip and spent a week in the hospital. She is now ready to be released and her doctor has recommended she receive assistance in the home. 

My siblings and I can help care for mom somewhat, but we all work or live far away, therefore daytime is when we need help the most. She would like to stay in her home so we’re thinking of hiring help to care for her.

Since she is recovering from a hip fracture, she is not mobile and needs help with day-to-day tasks. I worry about her being able to get around and feed herself while we are gone.

We are new to homecare, so we have lots of questions. How do I know we can trust the person caring for her?

And the cost is of major concern to us. Does my insurance cover this? Medicare?

Any help leading me in the right direction would be appreciated!

Sincerely, Molly

“Dear Molly,

We are so sorry to hear about your mother. Finding care for an aging parent can be a daunting and overwhelming task. But you have many good questions regarding care for her and have come to the right place for help!

First, if your mother currently lives in her own home, keeping her there will allow her to remain comfortable, safe, and she won’t have to deal with the difficult task of moving. And, the cost of having a caregiver come into her home is often much cheaper than moving into an assisted living facility, even if for short term.

Secondly, in-home caregivers can assist with all types of daily living activities, including meal preparation, medication reminders, light housekeeping, personal care (showering, toileting, dressing, etc.) and transportation, like to doctor appointments or grocery shopping.

In-home care agencies understand the importance of making mom and your family feel secure when bringing a caregiver into her home. Homecare companies follow all the state-required background checks, fingerprinting and drug testing for each caregiver.

Lastly, finances are always a contributing factor when looking for homecare. Medicare and Medicaid does not cover non-medical, in-home care services. Most agencies are private pay or accept long-term care insurance.

We hope this helps you find the right fit for mom.

Sincerely, Homecare Company

Article Provided by:
Visiting Angels
www.VisitingAngels.com


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Myth Busters: The Realities of CCRC

A study by Age Wave uncovered five myths that may be misconstruing the perception of CCRCs among the age 50-plus population. Knowing the facts can help you look at CCRCs in a new light.

Seniors have more choices for retirement than ever, particularly in Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs), which provide at least three levels of care such as independent living, assisted living, Alzheimer’s and dementia care  in one location, while featuring luxury accommodations, daily activities and numerous amenities.

Yet many seniors still believe retiring at home is best. Why? A study by Age Wave uncovered five myths that may be misconstruing the perception of CCRCs among the age 50-plus population. Knowing the facts can help you look at CCRCs in a new light.

Myth: Your current home will be the best place to live.

Reality: It’s hard to anticipate your future health needs. The continuum of care in a CCRC assures that as health changes arise you can stay in the same community near friends and familiar surroundings. Plus, without home maintenance and chores, you’ll have more freedom and time.

Myth: To stay active socially, it’s best to remain at home.

Reality: You may have much more opportunity to do just that in a CCRC. With entertainment spaces and a full activity calendar, there’s ample opportunity to pursue interests, maintain enduring friendships and even make new ones. Most CCRCs are also near restaurants, shopping and local attractions.

Myth: It will be less expensive to stay in your current home.

Reality: Your mortgage may be paid, but monthly expenses could cost more than anticipated as health needs change. Rental CCRCs charge a monthly fee based on level of care and often include meals, transportation, housekeeping and social activities. A Life Care CCRC charges a monthly fee and an upfront entry fee giving you the possible added benefit of guaranteed care, even if your financial resources are eventually exhausted due to no fault of your own.

Myth: It’s easy to get the care you might need at home.

Reality: Long-term care at home can actually be difficult and costly. Factors to consider include caregivers, medical supplies, nutrition and risk of isolation. CCRCs allow easy transitions from one care level to the next, offering peace of mind and more predictable healthcare costs.

Myth: There are only old people who are sick and dying in CCRCs.

Reality: Anyone older than age 62 may be eligible to live in a CCRC if they meet financial and medical qualifications. CCRCs also encourage independence for as long as possible, without restrictions on driving, traveling and shopping as long as you’re able.

Article Provided by:
Hillside McMinnville
844-441-8929
https://www.brookdale.com/en/communities/hillside.html


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