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Dealing with NH Elder Abuse

Date: October 7, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
7 Ways to Handle Anxiety During Covid-19

Pearl Robinson was a victim of elder abuse. Sadly, she was not alive when justice was served. Robinson and other seniors are the reason our government is taking NH elder abuse seriously.

Dealing with NH Elder Abuse

Pearl Robinson’s Story

 

Before she passed away, Robinson gave Paula Stevenson authority over her money. Stevenson was able to write checks and pay Robinson’s bills. Stevenson eventually become Robinson’s power of attorney.

But Stevenson betrayed Robinson. She stole more than $130,000 from the senior. Stevenson ended up being given a suspended NH State Prison sentence of 1.5 to 3 years in exchange for paying back $132,397 to Robinson’s estate.

Dealing with NH Elder Abuse

 

This is just one of many cases of NH elder abuse. This is a state that has to be especially vigilant because our senior population is growing more and more. Elder abuse can be physical, emotional, financial, or neglect.

We’ve talked about senior financial exploitation before.

So to tackle this problem, the Elder Abuse and Exploitation Unit was created. Since it’s creation, nine cases have led to indictments. 7 were money related.

The biggest problem is how to build a case without a victim’s testimony. Many seniors are not capable of saying what’s happening. They many have some cognitive impairments and aren’t able to say what they need to.

This is the same reason that people choose seniors to abuse.

Luckily, the more awareness that’s out there about elder abuse, the more seniors will be safe. We as a community can help one another by keeping an eye out.

Read more here.

Northern NH is Age Friendly Soon

Date: September 23, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
Northern NH is Age Friendly Soon

9 northern NH towns want to be more senior friendly. They are working together so that NH is age friendly according AARP’s Network of Age-Friendly Communities.

Northern NH is Age Friendly Soon

NH is Age Friendly Soon

 

To do this, they are working on creating better changes to housing, transportation, health services, and employment.

It’s the first time that rural towns in NH have joined together as a single resource—sharing and planning entirely for the purpose of being age friendly.

The planning network includes the Mount Washington Valley towns of Albany, Bartlett, Chatham, Conway, Eaton, Freedom, Jackson, Madison, and Tamworth.

How They Will Become Age Friendly

 

The idea is to create livable communities that promote wellbeing, economic growth, and happier, healthier people of all ages.

They will do this through walkable streets, affordable housing, transportation options, and more.

These plans will be put into action in 3 phases over the next 5 years. This includes designing outdoor spaces and buildings. Creating access to leisure and cultural activities, so that seniors can be social. More opportunities for older residents to work and volunteer.

Read more here.

What Age Does Your Self-Esteem Peak?

Date: September 15, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
What Age Does Your Self-Esteem Peak?

Have you ever really thought about yourself? For example, when your likes became your likes? When did your personality come into being? When did you actually start to like yourself? What age does your self-esteem peak?

What Age Does Your Self-Esteem Peak?

What Age Does Your Self-Esteem Peak?

 

Having a good amount of self-esteem is key to being happy. You need to be able to know that you are good and worthy to be happy. Having a good self-esteem makes it easier when people try to bring you down.

When you were younger, you probably struggled with your self-esteem. We all did. As you get older, your self-esteem probably fluctuated. When does it hit its high?

According to Psychological Bulletin, your self-esteem is at its best when you are 60.

The Study

 

The authors of the study looked through more 300 previously published studies about self-esteem. They defined it as “a person’s subjective evaluation of his or her worth as a person.”

Throughout your life it goes up, with the exception of puberty, and is at it’s best when you hit 60. It stays strong for the whole decade, and then starts to decline.

So basically, you spend most of your life learning to love yourself and get to reap the rewards when you hit 60 and a bit beyond.

Read more here.

Londonderry Senior Wins Bowling Championship

Date: September 15, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
Londonderry Senior Wins Bowling Championship

Phil Smalley is a bowling all star. The Londonderry senior won the U.S. Bowling Congress Senior Championships.

Londonderry Senior Wins Bowling Championship

Londonderry Senior Wins Bowling Championship

 

Smalley, 89, bowls at Merrimack Ten Pin 3 days a week. He is part of the Strike Force team, the senior league, and goes with friends. The Marine Corps veteran entered the finals with a score 1,390.

Smalley says confidence was the key.

Smalley used to bowl earlier in his life, but life got in the way. It was only recently that he came back.

“I’d been out bowling for 50 years. My wife passed away four years ago, so I came back into bowling.”

He was 1 of 3 New Englanders who qualified for this year’s national tournament.

Read more here.

9 Easy Tests to See If You’re Fit

Date: September 2, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
10 Best Senior Athletes Around the World

We all know how important it is to stay fit while we age. But what does being fit mean? Do you define it by how often you work out? How far you can run? Is it how much you weigh? Here are nine easy tests to see if you’re fit.

9 Easy Tests to See If You're Fit

9 Easy Tests to See If You’re Fit

 

There are five things that show you are in good shape: muscle strength, heart strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination.

Make sure to talk to your doctor before trying any of these exercises.

1. Stand Up

Rise from a chair without using your hands. This is a test of balance, coordination, and muscle strength.

2. Take a Walk

Walk somewhat quickly for three blocks to test your cardiovascular ability. This is to make sure you are engaging your muscles properly.

Try to pretend you are floating rather than pounding the pavement. This will make you walk smoother.

3. Pulse Your Arms

Hold your arms straight out to the side, palms up at shoulder height and pulse them an inch upwards 25 times.

Do three more sets of 25 pulses, but change the direction your palms are facing. Try facing down, facing forward, and backward.

This is a test of your muscle strength.

4. Stay on Your Toes

Balance on your toes for 30 seconds without touching your heels to the ground. This is a test of balance.

5. Balance on One Foot

Stand on your left foot and clap your hands 30 times, then switch feet and repeat.

Another test of balance.

6. Rise Up Without Using Your Hands

Lay down on your back on the floor and then get up to a standing position without using your hands.

This is a test of muscle strength and coordination.

7. Do Yard Work

Rake leaves or shovel snow for 20 minutes. This is a test of cardio and muscle strength.

8. Hold a Plank

Hold yourself in an upper push-up position. This is known as the plank position, for 30 seconds.

This is a test of muscle strength.

9. Bounce Your Knees

Get down on all fours with your palms on the floor directly below your shoulders, and your knees on the floor directly below your hips.

Keeping your upper body stationary, lift your knees, so they are hovering off the ground. Bounce them upward an inch and back down to the hovering start position for 45 seconds without stopping.

This is a test of cardio and muscle strength.

How to Score Yourself

 

If you can do 1 to 3 exercises, you should prioritize your workout efforts.

If you can do 4-6 exercises, good job, but you can do better.

If you can handle 7-9 exercises, you are the best!

Read more here.

Storytelling May Reduce Delirium

Date: September 2, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
9 Activities Seniors with Limited Mobility Can Do

Many seniors, especially when they are hospitalized, are at risk for developing delirium. This risk increases when there is any cognitive, functional, visual, or hearing impairments. Delirium has been a problem for a long time, but a study suggests that storytelling may reduce delirium.

Storytelling May Reduce Delirium

Dangers of Delirium

 

We’ve talked about the dangers of delirium before. It’s a constant struggle for patients and doctors alike.

But a study from the University of Alabama at Birmingham says that storytelling and poetry can help reduce delirium. This type of art based experiences are designed to help with healing.

There’s no proven medication to help prevent delirium, the only real option is preventative. This means making sure a senior’s mental and physical well-being is good before hospitalization.

Storytelling May Reduce Delirium

 

The study evaluated the association between a bedside storytelling told by artists in residence and changes in the levels of cognitive dysfunction in hospitalized seniors.

The study had 50 patients that were 65 or older. It was done in the UAV ACE unit at UAB Highlands Hospital in 2016. 2 artists in residences who were part of UAB’s Insitute for Arts in Medicine, visited patients once for 15 minutes. Each visit involved storytelling or poetry.

Patients were asked if they would like to hear a story or poem and could choose what kind. The visit was designed to be interactive. The patients were able to reflect on the tale and share stories about their own lives.

The experience of delirium screening scores and patient satisfaction was evaluated and found that storytelling/poetry was tied to lower delirium scores at discharge. The result remains large after adjusting for age, baseline cognitive impairment, and general well-being.

Arts in Medicine

 

Arts in medicine programs have become popular in patient centered approaches. The goal is to improve health related quality of life for patients in hospitals. This type of programming has showed that different ways of healing is just as effective as traditional healing ideas.

Read more here.

New House Bill to Protect Seniors

Date: May 27, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
How to Care for Seniors During Covid-19

There is a new house bill to protect seniors coming into play. It would help quicken the process for the elderly and disabled to acquire relief from financial exploiters. Often seniors are the target for scams and abuse due to being alone, or possibly because they might be easy to confuse.

New House Bill to Protect Seniors

What the New Bill to Protect Seniors Does

 

The bill, called HB 1807, uses New Hampshire’s existing domestic violence protective order process as the blueprint. Any vulnerable adult can submit a petition to a judge asking for immediate relief from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Under the current domestic violence order, it’s difficult for seniors to get help because they don’t always fit the profile. That’s why this new bill is coming into play. It can take months in court before any relief is given from financial exploitation. Plus, there are the legal fees which can easily get expensive.

Petitions for these type of cases can be hard to write without legal help. There’s not a user friendly form like there is for domestic violence victims. This new bill to protect seniors hopes to fix that.

It’s Not a Perfect Bill

 

There are some complaints about how the bill is written up. Some say it’s not broad enough for different types of exploitations due to how someone can file for petition.

For example, a lot of times the guardians are the ones that are abusing the senior. So if someone else, like a doctor for example, can’t file a petition, it could take a long time before anything gets done.

To that criticism, some are afraid if they open up the range too much, it could lead abusers to use the system to cause more harm.

Read more here.

How to Pick the Right Place to Age

Date: May 27, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
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There is a certain time with aging that feels like a turning point. This is when you are retiring from your career job and life is starting to slow down. Many people are wondering where the right place to age is. Is it in the home that they currently live in or is it somewhere else?

How to Pick the Right Place to Age

Aging in the Right Place

 

The term “aging is the right place” is gaining popularity among experts that advise older adults. The idea is to take a close look at where you want to retire, what the place might offer, and what type of community you need.

For example, maybe you have been in the city and want a place on the water. So you choose a state with beaches or a place near a lake.

Another example could be more community related. Like when you stay where you are, because you have established a large community that can care for you.

Being Willing to Move

 

Many older people are not willing to move, even if their current location is not the best one for them. According to Rodney Harrell, director of livability thought leadership at the AARP Public Policy Institute says,

“People are not considering those home and community features that they are going to need,’’ he said. “They are focusing on their needs today, not needs over time.”

This means things like transportation, access to health care, personal safety, and social networks. Older people like consistency, they don’t like things to change. Hopefully this will change with the latest generation of older adults.

There are other factors that can cause an unwillingness to move. The biggest being have to care for aging parents.

You can read more about aging in the right place here.

Elderly People Grow as Many New Brain Cells as the Young

Date: April 29, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
Elderly People Grow as Many New Brains Cells as the Young

For decades it was thought that adult brains weren’t able to form new brain cells. A new study suggests that the elderly can grow as many new cells as teenagers. This suggests that the elderly are more cognitively and emotionally stable than previously thought.

Elderly People Grow as Many New Brains Cells as the Young

The Study

 

The study, done by Columbia University, found that older people continued to produce neurons in the hippocampus at a similar rate as young people. The hippocampus is the part of the brain that holds memory, emotion, and cognition.

Researchers examined the brains of 28 previously healthy people that died suddenly between the ages of 14 and 79.

New Brain Cells

 

The ability to generate new hippocampal cells, also known as neurogenesis, declines in age in rats and primates. The declining production of neurons and parts of the brain shrinking were thought to happen in humans as well. This supposedly explained why younger people could learn and pick up skills so quickly.

What Might Cause Cognitive Decline

 

Researchers did find that there were fewer blood vessels and connections between cells in the older brains. This could be linked to compromised cognitive and emotional resilience in the elderly.

Columbia is hoping the findings will help develop new treatments for brain conditions like Alzheimer’s Disease.

Read more here.

New Diet May Prevent Dementia

Date: April 22, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
Another Reason the Mediterranean Diet is Good For You

We all know that our diet affects our health, but what if a new diet style could possibly help prevent dementia? Meals from the Mediterranean have been linked to stronger bones, a healthier heart, and reducing the risk of diabetes and high blood pressure. Now we may be able to add lowering your risk for dementia to the list.

New Diet May Prevent Dementia

New Research

 

New research presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International conference in London found that healthy older adults who ate the Mediterranean or other similar diets lowered their risk of dementia by a third. Lead author Claire McEvoy, from the University of California, said:

“Eating a healthy plant-based diet is associated with better cognitive function and around 30% to 35% lower risk of cognitive impairment during aging.”

The Study

 

The study was done with a national representative older population, that way they would be relevant to the general public. The study had 6,000 older Americans participant with an average of 68. After adjusting for age, gender, race, low educational attainment, lifestyle, and heath issues, researchers found that those who follow the Mediterranean diet had a 30% to 35% lower risk of cognitive impairment.

What is a Mediterranean Diet

 

This diet consists of plant base cooking, each meal focusing on fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans and seeds, with a few nuts, and a heavy emphasis on extra virgin olive oil. There are no refined sugars, flours, and fats other than things like butter. You can eat them but it’s extremely rare.

Meat also makes a rare appearance, used only to really flavor a dish. Instead the focus is more on eggs, dairy, and poultry in much smaller portions compared to western diets. Fish though, are key part of the diet.

You can read more here.