Author: Meghan Parsons

Trends in senior fitness

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So what’s hot with senior fitness this year? It’s all about embracing the future of digital technology while also harkening back to the basics and approaching exercise with a mind-body lens focused on overall wellness.

Senior fitness is critical! When the entire Baby Boomer generation finishes aging into the 65+ age bracket around 2030, they’ll comprise 20% of the U.S. population – wow! Where expert recommendations for older adults used to focus on resting and avoiding exertion, recent decades of scientific and social research has found that staying active and regular exercise play important roles in healthy aging, fall prevention, and fighting age-related diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia.

So what’s hot with senior fitness this year? It’s all about embracing the future of digital technology while also harkening back to the basics and approaching exercise with a mind-body lens focused on overall wellness. Check out the 6 latest senior fitness trends:

Wearable Fitness Technology

Popular with younger generations too, wearable fitness technology has exploded in the past few years. From FitBits to BellaBeats, wearable fitness technology typically looks like a sleek bracelet or pendant which you wear to track personal health stats like steps taken in a day, heart rate, etc. Synced to an app you access on your smartphone or computer, you can also track your diet and nutrition, calories burned, and even your sleep quality.

Commercial Fitness Programs
As boomers age into retirement and the largest generation by numbers so does their disposable income and ability to pay for exercise classes and trainers. Gyms and fitness centers are picking up on this trend and offering more and more senior classes than ever before. At the same time, the renowned Silver Sneakers premier fitness program is still going strong, offering no-cost, unrestricted access to 13,000 participating gyms across the U.S. for senior citizens.

Outdoor Exercise

Blame it on climate change, or simply the fact that southern city populations are growing at exponential rates (hello, Florida!), but getting outdoors is trending big time with the 65+ crowd – from outdoor yoga to hiking, and most recently spreading all across the world, senior wellness playgrounds. Why hit the gym when you can play outside on a customized playground engineered for older generations? Senior playgrounds might include stationary bicycles, face to face leg presses, low balance beams, games like boule or horseshoes, walking paths, and more.

Functional Fitness

This industry term, “functional fitness,” has been thrown around for a handful of years now, but as more and more Boomers hit the gym, it’s practicality remains quite popular. Functional fitness simply means exercising and strength training for the daily activities you need to complete. Examples include building up forearm and back strength for lifting groceries or caring for a spouse, focusing on leg strength and agility for climbing stairs and rising from a chair successfully. Functional fitness routines focus and prioritize cardio, strength and resistance training that makes sense for older adults who, for example, might not be looking to run marathons, but want to stay healthy and strong enough to mow the lawn, lift bags of mulch, and prepare their annual vegetable garden.

Exercising to Fight Pain

As more and more research emerges about natural pain treatments, i.e. for osteoarthritis or acute back pain, exercise is being positioned as a go-to pain solution recommended even before pharmacological methods are taken. For example, at the beginning of 2017, the American College of Physicians issued updated recommendations for clinicians treating patients complaining of acute and chronic back pain. In addition to exercise (which helps stretch tense muscles and boost blood flow to fight painful inflammation), the ACP recommended patients try heat therapy, yoga, acupuncture, and massage before taking over-the-counter NSAIDs or prescription pain killers.

Senior Yoga

A rise in mind-body exercises which embrace meditation, relaxation and deep breathing in addition to movement, stretching, and poses is bring mindfulness to the forefront of senior fitness. With a focus on self-actualization and peace, senior yoga is proving to not only help build muscles and bone density but combat stress and anxiety, and stimulate positive cognitive function to fight memory loss and dementia.

Addressing Foot Pain

Did you know that over 80% of older adults complain of at least one incidence of foot pain, though few actually report seeing their doctor about it? This is changing, for the better. Foot pain can not only impair mobility and cause dangerous falls, but it can also prevent seniors from staying active and getting the exercise they need. Addressing the underlying causes and treating foot pain is on trend when it comes to embracing an active and fit lifestyle. Over the counter aids like orthotic inserts for plantar fasciitis or arch supports for high arches might be recommended by your doctor, while proper foot care to prevent skin breakdown and stretch foot muscles can be as simple as washing, drying and moisturizing feet nightly.

Article Provided by: 
Joe Flemming, Vive Health
vivehealth@gmail.com

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The Highest Aim of a Captain

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“If the highest aim of a captain were to preserve his ship, he would keep it in port forever.” ~Thomas Aquinas

What do you want more of- time, prosperity, respect, balance? There is always a risk of something going wrong; a bad hire, a market that flounders, a product that flops, a market failure. But there is also the chance that we hire the employee that ads extra wind to our sails, a product or market that helps create increase awareness or marketing campaigns that brings increased business. Feel the fear and do it anyway, nothing comes from staying in port, ships were built to sail.

 

There’s an app for that

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You find yourself lacking energy, over run by your to-do list and needing a moment to breathe. Thankfully, however, there is an app for almost anything we can imagine.

Apps are for people that have ever thought, I just don’t have enough time in the day? When you provide care for someone, this is a question that is often at the top of mind. The hours of the day just simply run out and there is still more to do on the ever running list of things to do. You find yourself lacking energy, over run by your to-do list and needing a moment to breathe. Thankfully, however, there is an app for almost anything we can imagine.

Staying Connected

When you’re in a time crunch – there is an for app that, check out these tools that are helpful in coordinating tasks, receiving support, staying connected and planning outings. Lotsa Helping Hands, CaregivingApp Caregiver and Senior Care Manager are a few apps that can help you do just that. These apps allow you to: coordinate help, schedule meal deliveries and rides to appointments, and connect with your support network. They allow for families to communicate in a central location regarding updates, save time on communicating unmet needs, and leave uplifting messages for each other.
Additional features for caregivers that may be handy when monitoring a loved one’s health are the ability to schedule medication reminders and monitor vital signs (blood pressure, blood sugars, and weights). Several apps include this feature as a part of the application so there is no further need for additional apps.

Relaxation

While caregiving has many rewards, the burnout and stress of caring for someone can leave one needing to stop and take a moment for themselves. Several apps offer relaxation techniques that are often helpful in lowering stress levels and inspiring a sense of renewal. Many of these apps focus on activities that produce relaxation responses from the brain. Apps such as The Mindfulness App, Meditation Studio, and Relax Sounds are three examples of apps like this. They offer one more tool a caregiver can add to their tool box and they support learning about techniques that reduce stress.
For information regarding additional resources, email or call the author directly with the specific type of resource you are interested in learning about.

Article Provided by: Amy Osborn,
The Hampton and Ashley Inn
A Koelsch Community
360-480-5939
www.koelschseniorcommunities.com

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Why should I use a Referral Agency?

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The time saved by the family seeking help from a referral agency is better used to get the senior integrated into their new environment and to get the whole family back on track.

Benefits of a Referral Agency.

People tend to fall into two broad categories when it comes to big decisions or difficult tasks… the first camp is those who are determined to take care of it themselves, just wade right in and see what happens; the second camp are those who look for input from those who may have been there before or at least have seen how things turned out.

Neither one is right or wrong, just different.  For example: there are two families needing to find suitable housing for an elderly parent who has specific needs and definite preferences to be addressed, referral agencies are well-equipped to be of help to both camps.

For the “do-it-myselfer”, the referral agency can help by giving information on what the senior housing industry looks like, what major things to look for, and avoid, and to provide some explanation of terminology.  This family is then better prepared to go out and find options for their elder.

For the “I-could-use-some-help” types, the referral agency is a trove of information and experience regarding the whole issue of helping seniors move along on their journey.  The agency gathers pertinent information regarding care needs, likes, dislikes, geographic preferences and financial parameters.  With this information the agency provides the senior and/or family with options, tours the options with the family, answers their questions and provides a sounding board to allow them to make an informed decision.

The best parts about actively taking a referral agency’s help are: (1) they know the options, (2) they know the providers and (3) they take on the leg-work.  The time saved by the family seeking help from a referral agency is better used to get the senior integrated into their new environment and to get the whole family back on track.  Oh, and the best part, (4) the referral agency helps you for free.  The agency is compensated for their assistance by the provider the family selects from the options they were given.  Whether you opt to do it on your own or enlist the help of a referral agency, the monthly fees you pay to the care provider are the same.

Article Provided by:
CHOICE Advisory Services
503-353-7870
www.choiceadvisory.com

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Alzheimer’s Association­­— We’re here for you day or night

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The Alzheimer’s Association serves the estimated 62,000 Oregonians living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias as well as their loved ones and caregivers.

The Alzheimer’s Association serves the estimated 62,000 Oregonians living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias as well as their loved ones and caregivers. We offer free early-stage engagement programs, support groups, community classes and other dementia resources. If you or a loved one need resources or support, call our 24/7 Helpline at 1-800-272-3900.

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregiver Center (alz.org/care)

You are not alone. Whether you need information about early-stage, middle-stage, or late-stage caregiving, the Alzheimer’s Association is here to help. Obtain day-to-day help, support, and even learn how to plan for the future. Don’t forget to check out the Community Resource Finder (communityresourcefinder.org) and Care Team Calendar.

Alzheimer’s Navigator (ALZHEIMERSNAVIGATOR.ORG)

When facing Alzheimer’s disease there is much to consider. Alzheimer’s Navigator helps guide caregivers to answers by creating a personalized action plan and linking to information, support, and local resources.

Community Education And Support groups  (Alz.org/Oregon)

We provide statewide educational opportunities for anyone interested in learning more about Alzheimer’s disease including family and professional caregivers, people with memory loss, and the general public. Our support groups create a safe, confidential environment and a chance for participants to develop informal mutual support and social relationships.

We have phone support groups and in-person groups geared towards caregivers and individuals with Alzheimer’s or other dementias.

E-learning (elearning.alz.org)

The Alzheimer’s Association offers a number of Alzheimer’s and dementia courses available online, 24 hours a day.

“I Have Alzheimer’s” (alz.org/IHaveAlz)

Receiving a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s is never easy — it’s life changing. This website was created with input from individuals living with the disease. It’s easy to navigate and helps answer many questions including:

-How do others respond to their diagnosis?

– What should I expect as the disease progresses?

– How should I plan for my future?

-How do I live day to day?

-What resources are available through the Alzheimer’s Association?

“I Have Alzheimer’s”  (alz.org/IHaveAlz)

TrialMatch is a free, easy-to-use clinical studies matching service that connects individuals with Alzheimer’s, caregivers, healthy volunteers, and physicians with current studies. When you join a clinical trial, you have an opportunity to participate in vital research that could improve the lives of millions.

Article Provided by:
Alzheimer’s Association Oregon Chapter
503-416-0201, 800-272-3900
www.alz.org/oregon

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Home Health Care vs In-home Care

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Home health care and in-home care can work with a patient/client as separate entities or together in a collaboration that meets each patient’s individual needs. Even though they provide different services they serve the same goal of meeting you where you are, at home.

There are many people who don’t know the difference between home health and in-home care. In reality, there are many differences. Home health is specifically designed to assist patients that are ill with a chronic condition like heart failure, recovery from a surgery, or another acute health condition. Home health allows patients to discharge earlier from the hospital, assists with faster recovery, and reduces hospital admissions. Home health consists of physicians, nurses, home health aides, certified nursing assistants, physical, speech and occupational therapists. They provide a variety of services from catheter care, injections, IV transfusions, tracheotomy care, post-op rehab, diabetes management, etc.  Home health visits are typically scheduled a few times a week with different disciplines of the home health team.  Home health is billed to Medicare or other insurance.

In-home care is a form of care that allows people to age in place at home by offering a variety of services including homemaker and custodial services, companionship, transportation to appointments, bathing and grooming and in some cases (if the in-home care agency is licensed at the comprehensive level) provide medication management under the delegation of a RN.  In-home care agencies typically employ registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, caregivers and care managers.

This type of service helps prevent negative outcomes for people by reducing the likelihood of falls, and malnutrition, and may enable them to stay in their home versus moving to a higher level of care.  In-home care visits are one-to-one care that can fulfill up to 24 hours of service per day depending on client needs/requests. In home care is almost always private pay, however, for qualified individuals they may be able to bill to insurance.

Home health care and in-home care can work with a patient/client as separate entities or together in a collaboration that meets each patient’s individual needs. Even though they provide different services they serve the same goal of meeting you where you are, at home.

Article Provided by:
Mary’s Woods Home Care Services
503-697-6434
www.MarysWoods.org

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Avoid the hospital: Why choose in-home care?

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In-home caregivers can help our aging loved one and bridge the gap between the hospital and home and can meet the needs of our clients.

In-home care is an option whether you’re a senior, a child, or in the middle of your working career….if you find yourself in the hospital then you want to get better, get out, and you don’t want to go back! 

Preventing re-hospitalization is nothing new for in-home care agencies. The in-home care industry has been held accountable since its inception because it has always been in the best interest of the client, the family, the referral source and the agency to have a smooth and seamless transition home. In-home care organizations who have had more experience in safely managing care for seniors once they transition home have an opportunity to lead this effort when coordinating with upstream service providers like hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. More simply put, risk of returning to the hospital is lowered when you have a trained caregiver to be on the lookout for symptoms and other clues that may signal a health problem related to a patient’s hospital stay. Once identified, detailed monitoring helps ensure reporting so that appropriate nursing intervention and health problems are dealt with proactively and the patient gets the care he or she needs without going back to the hospital.

So how do  licensed in-home care
agencies help reducea client’s risk
of hospitalization re-admittance?

It is  done by carefully following a prescribed service plan that:

1. Reduces the risk of falls and injuries by completing a home safety assessment.

2. Keeps our clients healthy by managing the medication requirements.

3. Prepares healthy meals to assist in healing facilitated by proper nutrition.

4. Supports the exercise program as prescribed by home health

5. Offers companionship to remain engaged and connected.

6. Communicates with the family on progress and concerns so that care can be proactively managed.

In-home caregivers can help our aging loved one and bridge the gap between the hospital and home and can meet the needs of our clients.  All of this healthcare collaboration is good news for our clients because for the first time the healthcare industry is aligned with the best interest of our aging population.  When that happens we all win.

Article Provided by:
Home Matters Caregiving 
503-352-5634
www.HomeMatterCaregiving.com

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Caring for a loved one with memory loss: Are you ready to time travel?

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When caring for or visiting with a loved one with memory loss, try to meet them where they are. If he is in the war in 1940, be fighting right alongside him in 1940.

When caring for someone with memory loss, we must keep things in mind. Family and friends have special ways of reminiscing. There are shared memories which bubble to the surface with inside jokes and memories about each other that remain unspoken because of that shared history. We will never know what tales a loved one would share about us with a stranger.

Louise, a resident at the Cottages, was excited to have a visitor. She had donned her favorite scarf and made sure her nail polish matched. As she sat across from the beautiful younger woman, she caught a hint of familiarity as she noticed a silver elephant pendant sparkling on her necklace. Louise perked up, “My daughter Sarah loves to collect elephant figures and jewelry. She started gathering them when she was just three years old after she saw one at the zoo and her eyes lit up with such joy because it very carefully took a peanut from her outstretched hand. Every time I see an elephant I think of her and I see that look on her little face…”

This could go one of two ways…

Scenario 1

Holding Louise’s warm hands, Sarah felt simultaneously touched by the story and hurt that her mother didn’t recognize her. “Mom, it is me- Sarah- your daughter!” Flustered, Louise tried to gather herself as she wiped the tear from her eye, trying to regain her composure. She felt humiliation, suspicion, and confusion- my daughter? How is this her- how did she grow up so quickly? This is impossible. She is just three years old. This grown woman can’t be her, but there is something familiar about her so maybe she is right… “Oh, uh, yes, of… of course, dear. I knew that…”

Scenario 2:

Although Sarah felt disappointed that her mother didn’t recognize her, she decided to put her own feelings aside and instead assume the role of “Friendly Stranger” which her mother had assigned to her. She said “Tell me more about your daughter.” Louise lit up, her eyes sparkling like they did when she was younger “She is three years old and she has the most beautiful curly golden hair. Everyone says I should cut it, but I just couldn’t bear it so it has grown down to here…” Sarah listened intently, soaking up every word as she realized that she had never known exactly what she was like as a three year old, nor how her mother felt about her at the time. She felt like she was spying on the woman her mother was when Sarah was a young child- a woman that she as an adult had never known.

This Means…

When caring for or visiting with a loved one with memory loss, try to meet them where they are. If he is in the war in 1940, be fighting right alongside him in 1940. If she thinks she needs to get home to her young children, ask her about her children and find out more about them even if those “young children” she’s describing are yourself or your parents.

Typically, when two people are talking, one is remembering a moment from the past. However, when one of those people has memory loss they are living a moment from the past. If you go on that journey with them, you become a time traveler.

Article Provided by:
CarePartners Senior Living
www.CarePartnersLiving.com

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Aging: What are the warning signs?

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Don’t wait until something tragic happens. Go to a doctor to review medications and change of conditions. Build a safety net of attentive family and friends.

In today’s world, seniors are living longer, families are dispersed all over the country, and we all want to keep our independence. However, with phone relationships, we usually don’t get the whole picture. Adult children can struggle to come to terms with their parent’s aging process; and seniors of this generation often do not ask for help easily.

What are the warning signals?

First, what are the leading indicators that change may be on the way?  Death of a spouse, loss of one’s health, or family/friends moving away can be precursors to change.

Second, pause for a minute and determine what describes your senior? 
How would you describe their normal baseline? Are they normally organized, happy, groomed?  Quiet, hesitant, apprehensive? Messy, clumsy, disheveled? Confident, a conversationalist, assertive? Being any one of these things doesn’t indicate much, but if their behavior varies from the norm this may indicate a change of condition and/or suggest a downward trend.

With careful observation, research and discussion, note any changes in the three different dimensions- physical emotional, and cognitive. 

Physical warning signals include:  Unexplained weight loss, bruises or injuries, multiple falls, or changes in appearance.  Seniors’ skin can get very thin and is more susceptible to tearing.
Some medications can increase the potential for bruising.

Noted emotional changes include:  Fear of being alone; stops calling friends, not participating in things they enjoyed; not going to church; not coming to family dinners; not going out with friends for lunch; or wearing pajamas and slippers all day long. 

Some examples of Cognitive indicators: Unpaid bills, mountains of unopened mail, loss of money or questionable financial decisions, pets poorly cared for, vehicle is accumulating dents, food and medications are beyond pull dates, changes in sleep patterns such as increased sleep or any wakefulness.

Actions to take:

Don’t wait until something tragic happens. Go to a doctor to review medications and change of conditions. Build a safety net of attentive family and friends. Consider bringing care into the home or moving to a safer living situation. Be strong.

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

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3 Steps to lock in the best long-term care and save money

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It is easy to quickly find yourself sitting on top of a pile of bills. What is decided and disseminated while you are navigating housing and care options can ensure an outcome that will either save or cost you money.

For almost all, this is the first time you are navigating through the senior housing or in-home care process. Seniors often find themselves looking for housing options after a life changing event such as a serious fall, diagnosis of disease, or significant decline in health needs. It is easy to quickly find yourself sitting on top of a pile of bills. What is decided and disseminated while you are navigating housing and care options can ensure an outcome that will either save or cost you money.

Here are 3 steps to help you navigate the best long-term care solutions for you and keep you from spending excess funds.

Be Prepared, Educated, and Seek Guidance:

You are going to be faced with a large amount of information all at once. If you are at a hospital or skilled nursing facility, your social worker or discharge planner is the first step in preparing you for what’s to come next. You may be referred to agencies or consultants who specialize in educating and navigating you through this process. Trust their lead and contact an advisor who you connect with. If you are navigating this process alone, reach out to a Senior Living Advisor who can prepare you with the next steps and offer guidance along the way.

Think Long Term:

You will always hope for the best and everyone wants to return home, but it’s important to think about your long-term needs and be open to other possibilities. Be honest with yourself, social worker, and Senior Care Advisor in terms of your care needs and understand your situation can change at any moment and asking for help is not giving up independence, but ensuring you are heard. The more understanding around your current and potential future care needs, the more appropriate placement can be made the first time, saving you money.

Chart Your Own Course:

You may need to start the process of placement or care planning before leaving the hospital. This occurs especially if placement or care has been discussed, but it is unclear what is available. Because clients don’t know what they don’t know and hope for the best, they often make a mistake on what they plan on their own. Utilizing an agency that empowers you to Chart Your Own Course gives you the freedom and confidence to make the right choice for you and your loved ones while understanding the consequences and benefits of each decision you can make.

Article Provided by:
CayCare Elder Care & Senior Living Advisors
844-582-7767
www.CayCare.com