Carol MarakBiggest Senior Concerns
Health and financial security is a prime concern to seniors. In a survey sponsored by the National Council on Aging, found that financial security (71% of seniors) comes ahead of staying involved with family and friends (68%) but women are even more vulnerable than men to financial matters. The study names other worrisome factors like health care and prescription drug costs. The other two are being a burden to family and losing independence. Individuals who help a loved one will risk losing their financial security because they quit their job or work part-time to become a caregiver. They forfeit contributing
Continue readingIs it Possible to Prepare for the Future?
Most seniors have not saved enough money for retirement much less compiled a carefully thought out plan for the future. In total, more than 40% of households headed by people aged 55 through 70 lack sufficient resources to maintain a living standard in retirement, a Wall Street Journal analysis concluded. That is around 15 million American households. According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, Americans aged 60 through 69 had about $2 trillion in debt in 2017, an 11% increase per capita from 2004, according to New York Federal Reserve data adjusted for inflation. They had $168 billion
Continue readingWhy Seniors Isolate
There's a growing concern that seniors in retirement are not actively involved and it puts them at risk for chronic conditions. Social isolation and loneliness among older adults are linked to depressive symptoms, poor cognitive functioning, disrupted sleep, lack of physical activity, and impaired mental health-all of which have implications for increased mortality. Other risks include a weakened immune system, increased use of emergency services, early admittance to a nursing home, and frequent falls. In 2018, an academic researcher asked 550 seniors in a Facebook group who frequently discuss feeling isolated, "What are your reasons for being socially inactive? Is
Continue readingHow Faith Communities Can Help Isolated Seniors
This past week, I spent time attending presentations and workshops at the 2019 Aging in America Conference that was held in New Orleans. I had the privilege speaking on behalf of the growing demographic, solo agers. Those of us who live alone with no nearby support. The focus of the presentation was, Communion in Community, and more directed how faith organizations take on the needs of the isolated and lonely. I met many impressive faith leaders who are forming fantastic programs that help the older adults who have minimal support from the community. These fragile, and lonely folks want to
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Guest BloggerThe Tiny House Trend
Is It Ideal For Seniors? Over the last seven years, we have shared our expertise on the downsizing process with boomers and seniors through conferences, blogs and other online resources. We have offered ideas and insight on making a successful transition into a healthier and more manageable living environment, and our eight-step checklist to downsizing successfully and profitably. When talking about downsizing, we have explored a variety of options. From condominiums and senior retirement communities, to recreational vehicles (RVs) and even boats, we have discussed the pros and cons of each. Another downsizing option that has been trending in the
Continue readingThe Care Needs of Older Adults
The older segment living without the support of grown children, a spouse or partner continues to rise. Having few to depend on, other than a handful of friends, in many cases, the population has little to no personal support if and when illness strikes. Local medical and healthcare organizations are more aware of the segment's needs and address the older adult's functional declines to better facilitate maintenance of the aging process. And we need more ways to assess the patient's lifestyle. For instance, the medical paperwork asks for marital status, age, illnesses, diseases, and symptoms. What it does not ask,
Continue readingSocial Connections Enhance Mid-life
The vast majority of women in the United States have children. However, in 2017, the fertility rate measuring the number of births was 60.2 for every 1,000 women of childbearing age. The total fertility rate - which estimates how many children women will have based on current patterns - is down to 1.8, below the replacement level in developed countries of 2.1. As women decide to have less or no children at all is not a bad thing but can have a negative effect in their older years. The Wall Street Journal recently noted that family caregivers, "long the backbone
Continue readingAging without Family for Support
In the aging process, an older person can adapt and handle the physical and mental challenges of decline if they have some form of nearby support. But not every older American has access to a family member or a friend to give occasional help. Aging without Family for Support There's an unseen group of seniors that the health care industry has recently noticed. It's the community-dwelling aged who are socially and/or physically isolated, without an available known family member or designated caregiver. They've been in plain sight for years but since boomers are entering the 60 plus population, the demographic will
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Kimberly Johnson6 Ways for Seniors to Beat Depression
According to the latest estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 300 million people worldwide live with depression. These estimates make depression the leading cause of ill health and disability at a global scale. The number of people with depression increased by more than 18% between 2005 and 2015. 6 Ways for Seniors to Beat Depression Below world statistics on depression, as reported by the WHO. Depression In Older Adults Depression around the world according to regions, as specified in the infographic: Region Percentage African region 9% Eastern Mediterranean region 16% European region 12% South-East Asia region 27% Region
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