Run Your Own Race

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“Don’t be preoccupied with what the competition may be doing. Just like a marathon, some people start fast and fade or start slowly and pick up the pace later. Keep focused on what you’re doing, and you won’t have to worry about over- or underestimating your peers. Besides, great teammates root for their co-workers, knowing that there’s plenty of opportunity to go around if people pull together to grow the business.”
~ Marty Fukuda, entrepreneur

This is a good reminder for me. In high school and college sports, I excelled in team sports, but struggled more individually. I needed the comparison to others for motivation. As I have “matured”, I often remind myself that we are all at different points in our race.
~ Amy

Fall Prevention and Risk Factors

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As we age, our bodies go through many changes that we must constantly adjust to in order to continue to remain active, independent individuals. Being educated and prepared for life’s changes can help us avoid common pitfalls. Obvious things such as changes in eyesight or hearing, sends us to our doctors to seek corrective measures.
Unfortunately, many times there are changes that are quite subtle, that often go unnoticed, and can lead to serious consequences. Things such as loss of balance, delayed reflexes, and blood pressure fluctuations often go unnoticed. “One of the most dangerous situations affecting our seniors are… falls. Look at a few of these statistics.

  • Falls in the 70 and over age group are more common than cancer and strokes.
  • 30% of seniors over age 70 will have multiple falls, resulting in injury.
  • 10% will suffer serious injury from a fall, such as a fractured hip, neck, or brain trauma.
  • 90% of hip fractures result from a fall.

Falls are also very preventable! The first goal in preventing falls is to take inventory of your risk factors, and understand when you are at greatest risk. Then by taking some corrective measures, your risk of falling can be lowered significantly so that you can continue to live a happy independent, injury free life. So here are some things to consider as you evaluate your risk factors.

  • Assess your home environment for trip hazards, have a friend help you. Look for loose fitting shoes, electrical cords, carpets, and furniture that could be trip hazards, and clear your walkways.
  • Take inventory of your medical conditions ie blood pressure medications, steroid use, or diseases that affect your balance and make adjustments. Change positions more slowly to prevent dizziness if you take blood pressure meds.
  • If you are a diabetic, or have decreases sensation to your legs, talk to your doctor about therapy or assistive devices.
  • Eat foods and exercise to promote healthy strong bones. Calcium rich foods like milk, yogurt, almonds and green vegetables should be part of your diet. Exercise such as walking or swimming help strengthen our bones and improve our balance.

In summary, many changes affect our bodies as we age. Understanding these changes, and taking preventative measures before issues arise, can help us continue to live productive, independent lives. Take inventory of your home, and your health and make choices to prevent falls.
Article provided by: Robert Estrada, RN
Sweet Bye N Bye Inc
503-990-6679
www.SweetByeNBye.com

Imitation vs. Innovation

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“Imitation is a kind of artless flattery.”
~ Eustace Budgell Colton, 1714

“Imitation is the sincerest of flattery.”
~ Charles Caleb Colton, 1820

When I was in high school, my grandfather shared with me- “those that copy others, do so because they lack innovation or the confidence to carry it through”. I am thankful for my family whose support has always increased my confidence, and I am proud to have built Retirement Connection by focusing on innovative ideas without having to imitate the hard work of others. It was not easy to start a business in 2008 in a down economy, but now it makes it all more precious to do so with our integrity intact.
~ Amy

Environment

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“Understand that you will be like those with whom you surround yourself. Your environment is stronger than you are.”
~ Chinese Proverb

What do you want? Do your choices support your wants and goals? If not-make a change today. Call a good influence and schedule time to meet. Be around those that are kinder, smarter, more patient, more flexible. Surround yourself with examples that you want to emulate.
~ Amy

Oregon Eldercare Support Foundation

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Oregon Eldercare Support Foundation (OESF), formerly Oregon Health Care Foundation, is a nonprofit, charitable organization established in 2000.

Oregon Eldercare Support Foundation (OESF), formerly Oregon Health Care Foundation, is a nonprofit, charitable organization established in 2000. The mission of OESF is: to provide educational opportunities for current & future employees working in long term care communities; to offer programs that enrich the lives of seniors, and to enhance the public understanding and appreciation of the long term care profession.

Scholarship Program

OESF Scholarship Program is designed to help build careers & provide professional development opportunities for those who work or seek to work in the long term care profession. Scholarships are awarded twice annually in the Spring and Fall.

Each year OESF awards scholarships for general studies, in addition to scholarships for specialized study, these scholarships are often made possible through the named scholarship program.   Organizations donate large sums of money on an annual basis, typically at least $5000, and then award the scholarship based on criteria they have created. Generations, Pinnacle Quality Insight and Margaret Murphy Carley all have created named scholarship programs.

Generally, scholarship awards support professional development through certification, licensure, undergraduate or graduate degree study that will enhance a recipient’s career in long term care.

Learn more about the application process & criteria.

Senior Wish Program

The Senior Wish Program was created to help fulfill the personal life wishes of Oregon’s senior citizens residing in long term care communities, such as retirement, assisted living, residential care, & nursing/rehabilitation communities.

  • Employees & volunteers at long term care communities in Oregon work with local businesses, & community groups to make senior wishes a reality.
  • OESF provides hands on training sessions for long term care professionals on how to successfully implement the Senior Wish Program, distributes an informational How-To Guide about the program, chronicles & promotes Senior Wish initiatives conducted by long term care communities.

An example of a Senior Wish: Win’s Deep Sea Fishing Dreams Come True- Win, an Assisted Living resident had always had a wish to go deep sea fishing in hopes to catch a big fish. One of Win’s favorite hobbies is fishing and he has fished many a river, lake and stream but never in the big blue ocean. Win was joined by Marquis friends and family aboard the Tacklebuster, a 50 ft. charter boat from Tradewinds Charters in Depoe Bay. Win says, “Words can’t explain how great the fishing trip was, it was marvelous. The best day of my life”.

Read more about wishes that came true.

Help Support OESF Programs

OESF is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) charitable organization that accepts contributions to help fund the Senior Wish Program and scholarships statewide. They accept many forms of donations, including but not limited to; monetary donations, in-kind gifts, matching gifts, planned gifts, named scholarship opportunities, & many other options. The majority of donations go directly to the foundation, with little funds spent on administrative support. The OESF board of directors volunteers their time & dedication to support the mission.  Learn more about ways you can contribute.

Article provided by:
Oregon Eldercare Support Foundation
503-210-4053

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Fall prevention and risk factors

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As we age, our bodies go through many changes that we must constantly adjust. Being educated and prepared for life’s changes helps us avoid common pitfalls.

As we age, our bodies go through many changes that we must constantly adjust to in order to continue to remain active, independent individuals. Being educated and prepared for life’s changes can help us avoid common pitfalls. Obvious things such as changes in eyesight or hearing, sends us to our doctors to seek corrective measures.

Unfortunately, many times there are changes that are quite subtle, that often go unnoticed, and can lead to serious consequences. Things such as loss of balance, delayed reflexes, and blood pressure fluctuations often go unnoticed. “One of the most dangerous situations affecting our seniors are… falls. Look at a few of these statistics.

  • Falls in the 70 and over age group are more common than cancer and strokes.
  • 30% of seniors over age 70 will have multiple falls, resulting in injury.
  • 10% will suffer serious injury from a fall, such as a fractured hip, neck, or brain trauma.
  • 90% of hip fractures result from a fall.

Falls are also very preventable! The first goal in preventing falls is to take inventory of your risk factors, and understand when you are at greatest risk. Then by taking some corrective measures, your risk of falling can be lowered significantly so that you can continue to live a happy independent, injury free life. So here are some things to consider as you evaluate your risk factors.

  • Assess your home environment for trip hazards, have a friend help you. Look for loose fitting shoes, electrical cords, carpets, and furniture that could be trip hazards, and clear your walkways.
  • Take inventory of your medical conditions ie blood pressure medications, steroid use, or diseases that affect your balance and make adjustments. Change positions more slowly to prevent dizziness if you take blood pressure meds.
  • If you are a diabetic, or have decreases sensation to your legs, talk to your doctor about therapy or assistive devices.
  • Eat foods and exercise to promote healthy strong bones. Calcium rich foods like milk, yogurt, almonds and green vegetables should be part of your diet. Exercise such as walking or swimming help strengthen our bones and improve our balance.

In summary, many changes affect our bodies as we age. Understanding these changes, and taking preventative measures before issues arise, can help us continue to live productive, independent lives. Take inventory of your home, and your health and make choices to prevent falls.

Article provided by: Robert Estrada, RN
Sweet Bye N Bye Inc
503-990-6679

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LetsShareHousing.com READY * SET * SHARE!

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There is a movement on the rise where like-minded homeowners and home seekers are matching themselves to create community through shared housing.

What’s new and affordable in the realm of housing for folks 50 and up? There is a movement on the rise where like-minded homeowners and home seekers are matching themselves to create community through shared housing. The homeowner might be an empty nester, someone who is underemployed or on a fixed income looking to increase their earnings by renting rooms in their home. The home seeker could be looking at how they might be able to retire and live affordably.

Financial concerns are generally what inspire people to explore shared housing in the first place, but what are some of the other benefits? The social factor is a huge one. How about grabbing a housemate for a hike, going to a movie or working in the garden? Studies show that our health and sense of well being, especially as we age, are impacted profoundly by isolation. Staying engaged is critical.

Safety is another benefit of shared housing. Just knowing there is someone there to leave the porch light on and greet you can offer that sense of security. As time goes by should some health challenge or injury occur, there is always someone at hand to respond to an emergency.
Okay, so maybe this shared housing thing does have possibility. Once you decide to give it a try, how do you go about finding reliable, responsible, trustworthy housemates? That is the million dollar question. Lots of folks go to CraigsList but since they don’t do any screening, how do you know who you are inviting into your life? And how do you get yourself sorted out to make space for someone if you are the homeowner or downsize your stuff if you are the home seeker? Where do you learn to manage those inevitable differences of opinions skillfully? People have all sorts of questions and concerns, and rightfully so. What if there was an organization that helped you through the maze?

Ever since I can remember, Americans have been all about having their own home, own car, own lawn mower, etc. The idea of sharing with someone who is not family is often out of our comfort zone. With the rapid decline of our middle class and the recent downturn of the economy, we have no choice but to look toward new affordable models for housing solutions. Welcome to the age of the shared economy!

LetsShareHousing.com will support you through the process of home sharing from consideration, to preparation and execution. We offer education, face to face meet-ups and assistance with navigating the website. We believe that sharing housing is a brilliant solution to a growing need to connect and thrive affordably. Come join us in our vision of cultivating community, home by home.

Article provided by:
Michele J. Fiasca
Adult Placement Network
503-659-2029

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Assisted living resources

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The following suggestions can help you get started in your search for a safe, comfortable and appropriate assisted living community:

Licensing requirements for assisted living facilities vary by state and can be known by as many as 26 different names including: residential care, board and care, congregate care, and personal care. A complete list of each state’s terminology and state regulations can be found online.

Choosing A Community

A good match between a community and a resident’s needs depends as much on the philosophy and services as it does on the quality of care.

The following suggestions can help you get started in your search for a safe, comfortable and appropriate assisted living community:

  • What are your future needs and how will the community meet those needs?
  • Is the community close to family and friends? Are there any shopping centers or other businesses nearby (within walking distance)?
  • Visit each community more than once, sometimes unannounced.
  • Visit at meal times, sample the food, and observe the quality.
  • Observe interactions among residents and staff and ask questions.
  • Ask about social, recreational, and spiritual activities.
  • Ask about the type and frequency of staff trainings.
  • Review state licensing reports.

These steps should also be considered:

  • Contact your state’s long-term care ombudsman to see if any complaints have recently been filed against the assisted living community you are interested in. In many states, the ombudsman checks on conditions at assisted living units and nursing homes.
  • If the assisted living community is connected to a nursing home, ask for information about it, too. (Information on nursing homes can be found on the Medicare website.

Source

Due to the large number of Adult Foster Homes, not all are listed in this guide.  These links provide a complete list:

By Retirement Connection staff

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Longevity and how to survive it

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For the seniors who live to an average of 85, this means managing at least one chronic condition to remain healthy and enjoy life.

When I was young and I heard about a person turning one hundred, it was a wow factor. Now, the estimated number of centenarians living in the United States is as high as 72,000. American seniors, in the main, have a longevity longer than their ancestors ever did. Statistics suggest that seniors can expect to live another 19 to 20 years after retirement. For the seniors who live to an average of 85, this means managing at least one chronic condition to remain healthy and enjoy life.

Arthritis—51 percent of seniors experience the pain of arthritis and this in turn can lead to people being more sedentary. Being inactive can actually increase the pain of arthritis and lead to other chronic conditions. It is therefore important to develop an exercise plan with a healthcare professional that is right for you. Along with other treatments, a personalized exercise plan can help maintain a good quality of life and a life that is worth living.

Heart disease-—The leading killer of adults in the US, according to Heart Foundation Statistics, 125,000 people over the age of 65 die of a heart attack each year. Again an emphasis is put on exercise for maintaining heart health, just 20 minutes a day of exercise can lessen the risk of a heart attack. Healthy eating is the key factor in maintaining heart heath and most people are surprised at how little time it takes to prepare healthy meals. 100’s of healthy meals can be prepared in less than 20 minutes and it can take longer than that to get a fast food meal that severally increases most people’s risk of a heart attack. For recipes that can be prepared in 20 minutes or less that cost no more than $3 to prepare, visit www.hearthealthyonline.com.

Diabetes—Approximately 20 percent of people aged 65 years or older have diabetes, and just about half of those people don’t even know that they have it! Another 20 percent of people over the age of 65 have impaired glucose tolerance. As age increases, the sense of taste and smell may diminish. Food may lose some of its appeal at older age and cold and sweet taste buds are often all that we have left. This can lead to people preferring to eat a dessert rather than a healthy meal. As a result, many seniors are nutritionally compromised.

Eating tips for seniors-

  • Eat 5-6 small meals per day.
  • Choose fruit instead of fruit juice. Juice tends to exacerbate hyperglycemia.
  • Eat fresh fruit, or buy fruits canned in their own juices or in water.
  • Eat adequate amounts of protein.
  • Frozen vegetables can be used as needed, and they keep well.
  • Share meals with friends or family whenever possible.
  • Eat a variety of foods.
  • Try new recipes.
  • Make extra and freeze leftovers for
    future use.
  • Use foods with stronger flavors and seasonings if the sense of taste has diminished.
  • Focus on using herbs and spices instead
    of adding salt.
  • Make foods look attractive.
  • Increase fiber to treat and prevent constipation.
  • Drink plenty of liquids.
  • Keep active; it stimulates the appetite.

Article provided by: Cathy Parkinson,
United Methodist Retirement
503-585-6511

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