Exercise for the mind is as important as exercise for the body, and many people would be surprised to learn that both are interconnected. Seniors who lead a well-rounded healthy lifestyle will find that not only can it improve their quality of life and their lifespan, but it will also positively impact their minds. A recent study conducted by the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill demonstrated that older adults who incorporate regular exercise into their lives have increased blood flow to the brain and more small blood vessels present.

By increasing blood circulation in the brain through exercise seniors will have stronger cognitive skills, including memory, recall, problem-solving capacities and more. Since many older adults perceive this as a major weakness of aging that is to be feared, a simple lifestyle change, to adapt a more active routine, can greatly improve well-being.

When seniors are ready to get active, they should start slowly; starting by speaking with their regular physician, and slowly increasing duration and frequency of exercise as their endurance increases. As little as three hours a week can have its benefits, incorporating cardiovascular, stretching, strength and balance activities.

So what are you waiting for? Get out there and get active!

Living Up To a Legacy

Last year over the holidays, my grandmother passed away. We had always been in each other’s lives, but I didn’t realize how special our relationship really had been until she was gone. After her death, I was more motivated than ever to chase my dreams, always hearing her voice cheering me on in the back of my mind. When I made a mistake, I imagined her playful swatting the back of my head and calling me “silly girl” just like she did when I was a child. As strange as it seems, it was these moments that I missed the most, but since there was no way to get them back, I continued to move forward and do her memory proud.

My grandmother was a strong woman, and this was one of the traits she instilled in me. With her vision in mind, I knew I could successfully do anything that I set out to do and could overcome any obstacles set in my way. Last year, before her death, my life was in shambles. Today, with her legacy urging me forward, I’ve got myself back on track; I’m successfully establishing myself in a job I love, I’m in a fulfilling relationship, and for once I’m looking forward to the future; and while at times I still look to the past, now it’s only to honor the memory of my beloved grandmother.

Dr. Jake Harwood, Professor for the Department of Communications at the University of Arizona, teaches us how to better communicate with our aging parents and relatives living in Arizona. He says that we, families of elders, often fail to look at seniors for who they are; we don’t attribute them the same continued value that we use to judge other people, which tends to be based on work and family commitments.

We should be learning about who seniors are by looking towards their volunteering and involvement in the community, political activism, financial contributions to good causes and families, and the other support that they provide to those they love including assistance with grandchildren.

Unfortunately, instead of looking towards the continued value of seniors, society tends to look at them in two different ways; they may be stereotyped as useless or cognitively impaired; or they may be treated with higher levels of respect due to their age. According to Dr. Harwood, this can happen, but it doesn’t make it right.

Seniors may be treated like children, because their declining skills make others perceive them that way, since they require increased levels of care and assistance. Individuals may think that seniors are unable to understand when spoken to normally, and while special concessions may be required to address hearing related challenges, people should avoid using patronizing forms of speech like baby talk.

On the other end of the spectrum, seniors may be treated like fountains of knowledge and wisdom. While it may seem like people may enjoy being treated with high levels of respect, communication can ultimately bridge on contempt.

In order to maintain appropriate and healthy relationships with the seniors in your lives, get to know them for who they are and allow your interactions to follow accordingly.

Families can find it challenging to keep in touch after the holidays. They return to the hustle and bustle of their busy lives and go back to worrying about their financial responsibilities. The internet is making it possible for seniors and their families to remain in communication year-round, regardless of time and cost.

Greater Phoenix Senior Living & Central Phoenix Senior Living helps elders and seniors. Call us! 623-583-5868, 480-991-3959 or 602-265-8228.

• Email – many seniors are getting online and using email as a major form of communication. Seniors may prefer this method to talking on the phone if they experience hearing problems, and it’s a great way to remain in touch with family and friends in a different time zone. While it may be hard to find a time where multiple people are available to have a phone conversation, with email communication keeps coming.

• Photo Sharing – traditionally, families had to rely on standard mail to share photos with those that live far away. Since digital cameras have become so popular, there has been an uprising of online photo sharing applications that make it convenient and inexpensive. Families can upload photos and have an email sent to their loved ones to let them know that they have new ones available; then seniors or other loved ones can log on, leave their comments and enjoy!

• Podcasts – Podcasts allow people to make their own personalized recordings online which can then be downloaded by their audience. For those looking to keep in touch with families, podcasts combine the convenience of email with live voices; since messages can be left for loved ones to listen to later on.

• Online calling – Skype is one very popular online application that allows users to chat live and privately, using the microphones on their computers. Both people looking to converse need to arrange a time in advance to chat, because then the benefit is that the service is free, unlike long distance calling.
Are You Making the Most of Staying in Touch?

It’s easy to make excuses about why it’s too hard to keep in touch with your loved ones after the holidays. New online applications, however, make it easy and convenient to stay connected to those important people in your lives, regardless of the physical distances between you. Complete this questionnaire to learn if you’re making the most of staying in touch.

• If costs are an issue when it comes to staying in touch, you are aware that there are other online options available for free

• Your parents and other older relatives have computers and are familiar with using the internet

• It’s hard to connect over the phone when you lead busy lives, but to let your senior know you care, you send them regular emails so they can read and get back to you at their convenience, and yours!

• To leave verbal messages, you create online podcasts, using websites Mypodcast.com or Podomatic.com which seniors can download to hear the voices of you and your family

• You no longer send pictures through snail mail; instead you upload them to photo sharing programs like Flickr, Yahoo! Photos or Facebook. Your relatives can see what’s happening in your life much faster, and there are no costs involved

• To avoid long distance charges, you use your computer microphone and chat on online applications like Skype

• You find that since these methods are convenient and cost effective, you are more motivated to stay in touch

Different Types of Clinical Trials

• Information gathering -  related to experimental treatment, therapies, or treatment methods
• Screening trials – test methods to detect diseases in advance, before they have even occurred
• Diagnostic trials – designed to find new tests that will identify diseases
• Prevention trials – try to find ways to reduce the risk of contracting diseases and other medical conditions
• Quality of life trials – aim to alleviate symptoms and increase the well-being of individuals with chronic diseases and other serious medical conditions

General Benefits

• Treatment may be received for free, or at a lower cost to standard medical treatment
• Seniors may receive additional monetary compensation
• Methods may be effective, and could increase overall quality of life

General Risks

• Side affects may occur from the treatment
• Some programs require that you pay
• Your quality of life may change, at least during the course of the study

Before Joining a Clinical Trial

• Submit an application and attend a screening if requested
• Pick up the document outlining risks, benefits, rights and responsibilities
• Speak with a medical professional to determine if it will be safe based on your health status
• Make sure you understand all information provided
• Understand that you may get experimental treatment
• Ensure arrangements can be made to meet all responsibilities of the trial – attending appointments, completing questionnaires, taking medications and maintaining a specific diet
• Understand any costs involved

Source: http://seniors-health-edicare.suite101.com/article.cfm/clinical_trials_for_seniors

We know that it’s not easy to make the change from child to caregiver; long-established roles are reversed and heads may butt in a fight for power. Caregivers may know what they need to do and step in, but the parent who requires the care may have a more difficult time accepting that their child is responsible for their well-being.

We often hear that one of the biggest challenges is finding a way to maintain the parent-child relationship once the new care-care recipient relationship is formed.

So what can family caregivers do to make sure that they don’t lose the valued relationship with an aging parent or relative?

• Make time to converse about the senior’s emotions and fears, without bringing care elements into the discussion. Listen to them and provide feedback from the perspective of their child, and not as a caregiver
• Create opportunities to complete activities together that you both enjoy. You can go to the zoo, take a walk, or do a craft activity. During these periods, do not talk about care related issues.
• Reminisce about times spent together in the past, including childhood memories, in order to reinforce the bond
• Make sure you remain approachable, so your loved one will talk to you about any improvements or adjustments they would like to see made to their care
• Make it clear when it’s time to talk about care issues, so they don’t infiltrate the time you enjoy spending together
• Understand that the relationships are not mutually exclusive, care and family bonding time will overlap

Greater Phoenix Senior Living & Central Phoenix Senior Living helps elders and seniors in Phoenix live full and active lives in the Phoenix area. Call us today at 623-583-5868, 480-991-3959 or 602-265-8228.

Seniors always need to be on guard to avoid scammers looking to prey upon the vulnerable. Have the senior in your life complete the following exercise to learn if they are exercising due caution when it comes to consumer protection.

• They never give out their credit card, banking information or SSN unless it is to a verified, legitimate source

• Mail is picked up immediately when dropped in an unlocked mail box to avoid identity theft

• Banking and financial statements are carefully reviewed to ensure no suspicious charges appear

• They are aware that telemarketers who phone are not friends, they are calling to make a sale

• They consult professionals, like accountants and lawyers before making investment decisions

• Contractors hired for home repair are checked with the Better Business Bureau or through independent reference checks

• They know you should never have to pay money in order to receive a prize that’s been won

• They seek a second opinion anytime a serious and costly medical decision needs to be made

Even if the senior in your life ticks all the boxes above, unfortunately, scams may still occur. If someone you love has fallen victim to fraud, contact the Administration on Aging or the AARP for resources relating to fraud justice and coping methods.

Sources:            : http://www.safeseniors.org/protecting_seniors_from_fraud.htm
                            http://www.dca.ca.gov/consumer/seniors/senior_scam.shtml
                            http://www.usa.gov/Topics/Seniors/Consumer.shtml

Q1 – What is geriatric dentistry?
A1 – Geriatric dentistry refers to oral health care as it relates to older adults, addressing specific issues, utilizing specialized knowledge, applying technical skills and considering related attitudes. Most dentists should have knowledge of geriatric dentistry, however, there are some practices that specialize in dealing with seniors.

Q2 – Why do so many seniors wear dentures?
A2 – Tooth loss can occur due to periodontal disease, tooth decay or injury; sometimes it can also be easier for seniors to care for dentures over natural teeth when they have dexterity problems. More dentists today are focusing on maintenance of natural teeth over use of dentures when possible.

Q3 – Are their specific dental problems that older adults are prone to?
A3 – Due to improper oral care, medical conditions and the natural aging process seniors may experience cavities, tooth sensitivity, dry mouth, or gum disease.

Q4 – What can seniors do to take good care of their teeth?
A4 – Oral care for seniors is just like with everyone else; brushing and flossing should occur daily, even if assistance from a caregiver is needed. Fluoride can often decrease tooth decay.

Q5 – Are discounts available to seniors needing dental work?
A5 – There are specific practices that can treat seniors for little to no cost, and dental insurance plans that offer discounts to seniors.

Q6 – How can I find a discounted dental program in my area?
A6 – Your local Area Agency on Aging may be able to point you in the right direction, or contact the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Sources: http://www.colgate.com/app/Colgate/US/OC/Information/OralHealthAtAnyAge/Seniors/Seniors/OralHealthforSeniors.cvsp
http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/guide/spec/freedental.htm
http://www.massdental.org/lasting-impressions.aspx?id=1162

Greater Phoenix Senior Living & Central Phoenix Senior Living helps elders and seniors in Phoenix live full and active lives in the Phoenix area. Call us today at 623-583-5868, 480-991-3959 or 602-265-8228.

Let us help you keep mom and dad at home!

Sometimes older people refuse to eat. They may lose weight and become weaker and less able to go about daily activities. Older people often lose some ability to taste foods, thus nothing much taste good. They may complain that food is tasteless and needs some zip. 

They may forget and think they have already eaten, so they may need to be reminded and encouraged to eat. If your older family member is not eating enough try these tips: provide small meals 5 to 6 times a day, instead of 3 larger meals; encourage nutritious snacks like fruits and juices throughout the day; and present foods attractively, keeping in mind the person’s likes and dislikes.

Sometimes a decline in eating has little to do with the food. Instead, it may be because the social activities that used to go along with eating are no longer present. In short, eating may not be as much “fun” anymore. If your elderly family member lives alone, you might take time to visit with them while they eat. The social contact can encourage eating and improve digestion.

A lack of appetite and a decreased ability to enjoy food can also be the result of depression. If other formerly enjoyable activities are no longer fun, you might want to consult with your physician or a mental health professional to rule out depression as a cause.

Encourage drinking water and other fluids throughout the day to aid digestion and prevent constipation. However, it may be wise to have them drink less toward the end of day to reduce the number of times they need to get up at night.

For family members who have difficulty preparing food for themselves or who can’t get out, food can often be brought to them. Services such as “meals on wheels” also provide some social contact and a chance for conversation.

These programs may be either privately or publicly run. If not free, usually only a small fee is charged.  Group meal programs are also available in some communities, providing hot meals and social activity. These group-dining sites are federally funded and spread throughout each state. Located in senior citizen centers, senior apartment complexes, or churches, they help provide nutrition and encourage involvement with others.

Did you know that exercising your body actually helps your brain? A new study showed the effects of senior exercise can help brain functioning in humans and animals.

Researchers found a relationship between physical activity, exercise, and later cognitive function and decreased occurrence of dementia, based upon a wide-ranging review of existing studies. The evidence suggests that the benefits may last several decades.

Studies of persons over age 65 found that those who exercised for at least 15-30 minutes at a time three times a week were less likely to develop Alzheimer’s Disease, even if they were genetically predisposed to the disease.

The exercise doesn’t have to be strenuous. One study of 62- to 70-year-olds who continued to work and retirees who moderately exercised, showed they had higher sustained levels of cerebral blood flow and superior performance on general measures of cognition as compared to the group of inactive retirees.

The review covered 40 years of research.