Make ‘Aging in Place’ a Priority in Georgia
According to the Administration on Aging, in 2013, more than 4 million people over the age of 65 lived below the poverty level. And, another 2.5 million older adults were classified as “near-poor.”
Not having the financial means to retrofit your home as you age accounts for a large number of seniors giving up on their dream of aging in their homes and moving to assisted living facilities. And, given the increase in the number of older Americans, which is expected to account for more than 20% of all Americans by the year 2030, housing for seniors has become a hot button issue.
The National Association of Home Builders predicts that the ‘aging in place’ remodeling market will reach $20 to $25 billion this year. But, the older adults that live in poverty simply cannot afford to be a part of this phenomenon. And, in the state of Georgia, the problem is even worse. According to the Atlanta Community Food Bank, 1 in 9 senior citizens in Georgia are living in poverty.
Juanita is one such person. She is a lifelong proponent of helping others. Her volunteerism has included being the first African American woman to start a local chapter of Camp Fire Girls in Atlanta. She has also worked over the years to get at-risk youth off the streets and into constructive activities. However, at 80 years old, Juanita suffered with a heart condition and other related illnesses. In 2012, she found herself in the unfamiliar positon of needing help; not giving it.
Juanita had lived in her home for 46 years but when her daughter died in 2011 she lost the one person that helped her remain in her home. Her daughter helped to care for her and keep her home in good condition. Therefore, when Juanita found deterioration and damage to her house she had no means to tackle the needed repairs. For a house built in 1960 that had never undergone any sort of renovation, much would need to be done to make the house suitable for Juanita to continue comfortably and safely aging in place. Fortunately for Juanita, Rebuilding Together Atlanta, with the financial and volunteer support of CBRE, stepped in to make needed repairs to her home at no cost thus enabling Juanita to remain in her house.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development American Housing Survey reports that 81% of older people in the U.S. own their homes. But, the same report states their median income was just $34,500 in 2013 and almost 45% of older Americans spent more than 25% of their income on housing costs. And, despite these expenditures, many of these older homes are in disrepair.
We all want seniors to have quality of life and to live in warmth, safety and independence. Like Juanita, they deserve it after their own lifetime of service to others. It’s time for Atlanta and the state of Georgia to partner with community-minded organizations to create an environment that encourages aging in place and provides the means to that end. With the combined efforts of the government, community and nonprofit organizations, and businesses we can realize that vision. One house, one senior citizen at a time.
By Camille Kesler, Executive Director, Rebuilding Together Atlanta
HIV and STDs on Rise for Seniors
Single Seniors Take Heed; the Subject Nobody Wants to Talk About
Get ready for some more statistics, because in 2013 (the last year reported) people aged 50+ made up 21% of the total new HIV diagnoses. In the same report, the CDC found that people 50 and older accounted for 27% of the total new AIDS diagnoses, and 37% of the total AIDS related deaths.
The major concern with older adults contracting HIV is that they are far less likely to be tested than their younger, sexually active counterparts. Delayed diagnosis results in treatment starting at a much later phase of the disease’s course. Older people also have a much stronger stigma against HIV and STDs in general, further preventing them from receiving treatment or even more importantly, disclosing their status.
There are a few other unique factors that have led to the rise in STDs and HIV in older adults.
- Post-menopausal women are no longer afraid of pregnancy so safe sex becomes less of a concern. STDs are usually not associated with their peer group.
- Sexual education in the United States is already pretty dismal, but baby boomers had little to no access to it when they were in school. It has existed in lesser forms since the 1960s, but mired in controversy, teaching STD prevention has really only been mandatory since the 1980s.
- Doctors often misdiagnose early symptoms of HIV—tiredness, weakness, and foggy memory—as normal signs of aging. As we know, catching HIV in its early stages is immensely important.
- Again, because of the stigma of HIV, older adults are far less likely to ask their doctors for an HIV test. Doctors rarely push the issue because they’re either uncomfortable with the topic or may not think the patient is sexually active.
- For post-menopausal women, the natural dryness and thinning of vaginal tissue may increase their susceptibility to infection.
Even beyond HIV, less dangerous STDs among seniors are on the rise as well. For the first time since 2006, the CDC has reported a rise in STD cases across the board so it’s not a problem exclusive to older adults, but there are measures that seniors should be taking, i.e. wearing condoms! The 2010 National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior found that condoms were only used in about 6% of sexual encounters between adults 61+.
Besides wearing condoms, seniors need to take advantage of Medicare’s free STD checkup and get past the stigma when speaking to their doctor. Medicare reported that only 5% of those insured through Medicare took advantage of the STD check. As with younger adults, knowing your status allows you to receive treatment quickly and contain possible outbreaks, which can spread throughout independent living centers, assisted living facilities, or retirement communities.
Max Gottlieb is the content manager of Senior Planning in Phoenix, Arizona. Senior Planning offers free aid to seniors, the disabled, and veterans who are looking for benefits or care options.
Mattress Cleaning Tips to Keep your Home and Workplace Bug Free
Irritating allergy causing bed bugs is a common problem. Some use bed bugs spray to keep it away, but it only keeps the mites away from the surface. Insect spay can only temporarily eliminate the bug and leaves such unpleasant smell. Specialty bugs spray can also get rid of bugs but for a short period of time. Mites goes within the mattress, killing those on the surface will do no good because some will certainly surface and attack your skin again. Proper cleaning must be done with this. You can find a lot of professionals that do mattress cleaning in Edinburgh. They have the knowledge on what to do to completely eliminate the bugs away.
Because of the cold weather, mattress cleaning is needed. Bugs make the mattress their home and human skin as their food. Having a cold climate, things tend to moistened and that includes the mattress. Moist attracts bugs and fungus can grow that are dangerous to our skin.
And because mattresses are usually made of foam, fabric, and spring, it can easily accumulate dusts. Those who do mattress cleaning know the suitable and appropriate way of cleaning it. Ordinary vacuum cleaners cannot suck up all the dirt and germs in the bed. Like with bug sprays, it can only remove the surface bugs/dirt leaving the core un-cleaned.
Hiring a professional to do the cleaning will make your mattress clean and bug free. They have specialty solutions that are harmful to mites but gentle to human skin. It is safe for you to lie down on it because it does not have foul odor and is safe for the skin. There are eco-friendly cleansers; most cleaners use this instead of chemically produced cleansers. They will see to it that every part of the mattress including the core is free from mites, fungus, and dusts.
However, dust and mites might build up again and this is inevitable unless you regularly hire a professional cleaner. Mattress cleaning is essential to keep the germs and mites from building up. With proper and regular cleaning, these harmful substances can be eliminated. You can sleep tight without exasperating mites nibbling your skin.
articlecity.com
There are many innovative smartphone apps out there, but perhaps one of the most popular is Uber. For those who are unfamiliar with this app, Uber immediately connects you to an Uber driver who takes you to your destination within minutes. Talk about convenience! U
ber for Elders
Even though the use of this app is most popular among young Millennials, Uber use among seniors has steadily increased over the past few years according to an article published in Forbes (written by an Uber driver himself).
A Great Option for Seniors
You may have heard the stereotype that seniors simply refuse to adapt to new technology, but this doesn’t seem to be the case as Uber is becoming viral among members of this age group. Although it may seem odd, Uber is an affordable option for seniors to regain their independence, especially for those who no longer feel comfortable behind the wheel. Seniors typically rely on family members or neighbors to drive them places, but this may not be an option for many since 22 percent of baby boomers are expected to become elder orphans with limited access to transportation. Already seniors who are unable to drive miss 15 percent of medical appointments. Luckily with Uber, all seniors have the opportunity to get a ride, whether it’s to a grocery store, doctor’s appointment or a get-together with friends or family. According to one Uber driver, seniors make up 40 percent of her clients, one of whom was a 93-year-old man who said, “I can go wherever I want – the road is endless with Uber.
The Benefits (And Some Drawbacks) of Uber
There are several reasons why Uber has increased in popularity among Millennials and seniors alike including:
- Ease of Use. It may not seem like it when you first download the app, but Uber is extremely easy to use once you get used to it. If you don’t have a tech-savvy helper nearby, here are the simple steps to use Uber once the app is downloaded from the iPhone App Store or Google Play for Android smartphones:
-
- Tap the screen to set where the Uber driver will pick you up.
- Request the ride.
- Enter your destination.
- Once Uber picks you up, you’ll see the route the Uber driver will follow.
- Uber is considered to be highly affordable, no matter what kind of budget you’re on. The cost of an Uber ride depends on the time and distance of the ride.
Helpful Features. Features included in the app are Fare Estimation so you can get an idea of how much your trip will cost and a Split Fare option allows you to easily split the fare if you’re sharing the ride with a friend.
Despite these benefits, below are two of the biggest reasons why seniors are hesitant to use this app:
- Safety Concerns. Three of the top concerns of Uber use among seniors are safety, legality and background checks of Uber drivers, but Uber is working to make it more accessible and safe for seniors (see below).
- Technological Unfamiliarity. Even though Uber is easy to use, it can be difficult for seniors who never grew up with cell phones to transition into the tech-crazed society we live in.
These are all legitimate concerns, but they may disappear in the near future. Uber recently participated in the White House Conference on Aging where they announced that Uber will begin a trial program for senior outreach. This community-based program includes free tutorials and rides at previously determined senior centers and retirement communities.
Watch the video below to get a better idea of how Uber is increasing mobility options for the 26 million older adults who rely on others for mobility.
Author: Meghan Orner
Medical Guardian
https://www.facebook.com/MedicalGuardian
https://twitter.com/MedicalGuardian
How to Avoid Telephone Scams
Scammers convince their targets to fall for their pitches by controlling a person’s emotions. Most scammers hone their pitches well before they contact you. They’ve learned what works to convince people to hand over their money, and they’ll use those skills to target you. Can you pierce through the veil of a scammer’s lies to avoid becoming a victim? Let’s find out.
Someone calls to tell you that you’ve been selected by the U.S. Government Treasury Claims Department in Washington, D.C., to receive $8,600. According to government records, you pay your bills on time, have no criminal record, haven’t filed for bankruptcy in the last six months, and are a loyal U.S. citizen. Because of this good record, you are among 1,000 citizens selected by the government to receive this money. All you have to do when you receive it is to use it for a good purpose such as paying your bills or taxes, fund your education, or start a business. In order to claim the money, you must first provide proof of your identity by telling the caller your name, address, employment status, marriage status, and age. Once you offer this information, the caller asks for your account information for the bank in which you would like the funds transferred. Do you provide it?
In this example, a scammer I preying on the emotion of hope to sucker a target into coughing up personal information. With it, the scammer can not only clean out someone’s bank account, the fraudster can also steal the victim’s identity.
The best way to avoid telephone scams is to refrain from answering the phone when you don’t know who is calling. When the phone rings, unless you recognize the number, don’t answer it. If the call is important, the caller will leave a message and you can return the call if it’s someone you want or need to talk to. If the caller doesn’t leave a message, then it’s unlikely you would have wanted to talk to that person anyway.
Though a caller may not leave a message, you might still be able to find out who dialed your telephone number. Many people who receive calls from scammers report that contact to various websites. All you have to do find out if the caller is a scammer is to type his or her telephone number into your favorite search engine. Based on the results of your search, if you find out that the number is from a scammer, add that number to your contact list as a Do Not Answer. The next time that phone number calls your phone, you’ll know immediately it’s from a scammer.
Remember, to avoid telephone scammers, never answer the phone unless you know who is calling. If you pick up the phone anyway, never give your personal information to an unsolicited caller. The safety of your personal information is in your hands, so choose your telephone conversations wisely.
Author Rod Spurgeon at http://www.ownyourdefense.net
Better Ways to Help a Senior as a Caregiver
As I was talking to this particular client, I realized that it wasn’t exactly the advice the caregiver was giving that made her mother upset. It was the way she was giving that advice or help.
Once we discussed this, we were able to start discussing some better ways to approach giving help or advice.
Some of the approach we came up with were:
Suggestions vs. Commands
My client often gave advice by saying, “Don’t do it that way. Do it this way.” This immediately made her mother feel defensive, so she retaliated.
A better way to approach it is by saying, “You could do it this way.” or “The other day, I did it this way, and it helped.”
These suggestions will not make mother feel as though she is being given an order. They make her feel like she is getting ideas on how to do things better.
More Talking
One of the concerns my client had was she doesn’t really talk with her mother anymore. All she really does is tell her what to do and how to do things. This lack of communication could be wearing on their relationship, which makes it sensitive when she does approach her mother with something that needs to be done.
By taking time to engage in conversations with her mother, she is able to not only build a stronger relationship with her, but can help her make better decisions. As her mother discusses what she has to do, she usually comes up with ideas with the help of her daughter.
Waiting to Be Needed
Another problem my client brought up was that her mother always seemed to push back when she tried to help. Even when she took her arm to help across an even part of the ground, her mother shook her arm free from her.
It’s good to understand that many elderly people do not want to feel as though they are completely dependent on others. They want to be able to do as much as they can independently, and then ask for assistance if they can’t do something.
It’s best to back off and just be there in case your help is needed, instead of imposing your help. This is what my client came up with as we were talking. After she did this, she found that it was much easier to help her mother when she needed it.
If you find yourself in the same situation as my client, you may want to try these tips. If they don’t seem to help, consider booking an appointment with me – personal consultant Kendall Van Blarcom. I am a senior helping seniors and their caregivers. I can help you have a better relationship with your aging parent, so you can both enjoy the time you spend together.
Kendall Van Blarcom
www.kvanb.com
Smart Traveling for Senior Citizens
One of the real joys of retirement and enjoying your senior years may come in the form of travel. Travel is broadening and many senior citizens save for a lifetime to enjoy a lifestyle of travel once they have retired. The image of becoming a world traveler in their senior years is one of those dreams that has kept them going when life was tough in their working years. Smart Traveling for Senior Citizens
If traveling is the kind of retirement fun that you have in mind, it pays to plan ahead so you can travel smart. Being prepared for a long trip is a great idea for everyone. This way your dream vacation won’t turn into a travel nightmare.
A big part of smart traveling is to know in advance what you are going to need for the trip. It may be even more important to know what you are NOT going to need. By packing light, you make the chore of pulling large pieces of luggage through the airport less difficult. If you are going to be staying in several places on the trip, packing light means less repacking as well.
It will take experience to know what will work for you in a travel situation when it comes to packing for a trip. You may wish to build a special travel wardrobe of garments that wear well under stress, don’t wrinkle and can be rinsed out and used again on the road thus extending their usefulness and cutting down on excess clothing. Another way you can cut down on the bulk is to not take very much with you that can be bought when you get there. By not taking a lot of toiletries, you cut down on the problems with airport security and the chance of toiletries leaking in your bags.
Smart traveling for senior citizens also means having your prescriptions all up to date and well documented. You should get good copies of all prescription drugs, eyeglass prescriptions and other documents that you may need to get refills on the road should you lose or run through your prescriptions. Alert your local pharmacy about your trip so if they need to consult with another pharmacy while you are away it won’t cause a problem for you to get an emergency refill. Also file copies of all of your travel documents with a loved one so even if you lose everything, you can still get your documents sent to you or by email or fax. These kinds of precautions eliminate panic in the event of a problem while traveling.
Make sure your itinerary and copies of your passport and credit card numbers are kept in secure places and on file with a loved one. Go through your wallet and think about the cards and important documents you have and how you would handle having those cards cancelled and replaced should you lose your wallet or purse. By keeping those important numbers where you can get to them quickly, you can move fast to cancel credit cards and get replacements immediately from your hotel should you get robbed or lose your valuables while traveling.
By thinking ahead about every possible situation and planning how to respond, you can eliminate the chance that your dream vacation could be cancelled or put on hold. This way when things go wrong, you can easily shift to plan A-B-C or D to stay on track with your travel plans.
Benefits of Senior Exercise
Regular exercising will also help you maintain your independence and enhance your mobility. Take a look at the short-term benefits below and you’re realize that the bottom line about sticking to an exercise program is that it makes you feel better and enjoy life longer! What could be simpler than that?
Short-term Benefits of Exercise
- Increased metabolism. Exercising helps you burn more calories per day – both while you’re exercising and when you’re at rest. This creates a favorable balance between the calories you eat and those you expend.
- Increased bone density. With strength training often comes an increase in bone density (or at least prevention of bone loss), which helps in the prevention of osteoporosis and can prevent falls and broken bones.
- Increased cardiovascular fitness. When you exercise regularly, you strengthen your heart muscles which helps your heart function more effectively.
- Increased muscle strength, flexibility and endurance. Theses help you perform day-to-day tasks without straining your muscles and can reduce the chance for injury. You’ll also reduce the pain and stiffness that come with arthritis.
- Decreased severity of menopause and diabetes symptoms.
- Increased energy and ability to cope with stress.
- Better sleep. You’ll fall asleep more quickly and sleep more soundly through the night.
Long-term Benefits of Exercise
- Reduced risk of coronary artery disease and high blood pressure.
- Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.
- Reduced risk of some types of cancer.
- Long-term weight management – and possibly even weight loss. As you increase your muscle mass, you burn more calories. You may also change your body composition, which decreases the ratio of body fat to muscle, bone, vital tissue and organs.
- Decreased depression and anxiety.
- A stronger immune system that more easily and effectively fights infection and sickness, and helps you recover from illness more quickly.
- Increased mobility, flexibility and balance. These will reduce the risk of falling and lessen arthritis pain. When you increase your coordination through regular exercise, many of your daily chores and activities can also be easier to perform.
- Better digestive function – with better waste elimination and functioning of your gastro-intestinal tract
Many people who exercise regularly also report that they feel better, have more self-confidence and experience greater contentment with life. And exercise is a great way to meet people and stay connected – just join a class or plan exercise activities with your friends.
According to some studies, older people who exercise may even increase their intelligence – and exercise definitely helps our minds become more alert! Recent research shows that regular exercise can help prevent Alzheimer’s disease and dementia because it keeps the brain active and enhances regular brain functioning. Exercise also benefits patients of Alzheimer’s by improving memory and circulation.
NOTE: Always talk with your doctor before beginning an exercise program. Every type of exercise is not appropriate for all people, especially if you have high blood pressure, heart disease or diabetes. And it’s important that you start slowly with any physical activity.
Managing Caregiver Stress
According to the Huffington Post, 33 percent of folks who provided care for a loved one at home had feelings of depression, stress, anger or anxiety in 2013-14, but in 2008-09, just 16 percent of caregivers reported those same feelings.
Recognizing how negative side effects may manifest themselves is important for identifying caregiver stress. There are also a number of ways to prevent or lower unhappiness or anxiety, which is important for providing the best possible elder care for loved ones who need it most.
Potential Influences
One reason that folks taking care of an older family member might not recognize the risk of chronic stress in their lives is that they may not consider themselves caregivers. The Mayo Clinic reported that family members providing support and care for an elderly parent may overlook the seriousness of the work they do. Identifying as a caregiver is an important step in treating any related stress.
There are a number of factors associated with caregiver stress, according to the Mayo Clinic, and these may increase a person’s likelihood of developing more serious anxiety or depression. For example, living with the person you are caring for can make it difficult to mentally balance the responsibility with the rest of your daily life, especially if you are caring for someone who is very sick. This can also lead to social isolation, which may exacerbate feelings of sadness or stress. Other complicating factors include previous depression, financial concerns or prolonged hours of providing care.
Being a caregiver is difficult work, and it is important to not only recognize and respect the responsibility, but also be able to identify what the stress can do to a person.
Possible Symptoms
The stress associated with being a caregiver can have long-term negative consequences on health in the long-run. Anxiety can be very detrimental to the heart, and the sadness or stress related to being a caregiver may lead to poor sleep and diet, which can further health problems.
In the short-term, caregivers that are feeling stressed, angry or depressed may exhibit any number of symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic, these may include feeling overly concerned or uneasy, feeling fatigued, weight gain or irritability.
Stress can also work in the opposite way and cause insomnia or weight loss, and can also cause physical discomfort like headaches or bodily pain. Stressed caregivers may also have feelings of apathy or even abuse alcohol and drugs.
Remedies
As a caregiver, identifying stress or anxiety is important in mitigating it. Even if symptoms are benign or generalized, it is still critical to take steps to mitigate stress as a way of avoiding resentment or burnout and maximizing the quality of care a loved one receives.
Maintaining a healthy diet and exercising are important for the body to remain in balance, but the Mayo Clinic reported that avoiding caregiver stress often requires more calculated measures.
Asking for help is key for caregivers, who can often take on more work than they need to. Bringing in a friend or family member will limit feelings of isolation as well as give you a break as the primary caregiver, and support in anything from cooking and cleaning to helping with transportation and medical appointments can go a long way.
Outside of friends and family, there are a number of resources and support groups designed to connect caregivers with one another. This way best practices and remedies can be shared, and caregivers can find a community with similar needs and problems.
By Tim Watt
Sunrise Senior Living