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NASA Tech Could Prevent Falls

Date: October 27, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
American Seniors are Dying From Falls

NASA scientists may have created tech that can help seniors. What was first a way to help astronauts get balance after long flights in zero gravity, is now tech could prevent falls.

NASA Tech Could Prevent Falls

NASA Tech Could Prevent Falls

 

It’s an iShoe insole that has sensors that read how well a person is balancing. It can gather information for doctors before they fall.

Erez Lieberman, a graduate student, developed it while working as an intern. He says that there will be a lot of warnings before a fall will happen. Like how high cholesterol is and elevated blood pressure points to a coming heart attack.

The National Osteoporosis Foundation guesses that around 300,000 people suffer hip fractures every year. 24% of hip fracture patients 50 and older die within a year of the fracture.

It has 6 sensors and isn’t an instant alarm, though it will set out a signal that the wearer fell. It’s more a data recorder that you can bring to a doctor.

Lieberman says that the iShoe insole will cost around $100. Though it will be a while before it hits the market. More testing has to be done.

Read more here.

5 Things Grandparents Should Bring Up to Parents

Date: October 27, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
10 Easy Ways to Reduce Stress in Seniors

There is no greater joy of being a grandparent than spending time with your grandkids. If you spend a lot of time with your grandkids, there may be a variety of things you want to bring up to their parents. You should be careful though.

5 Things Grandparents Should Bring Up to Parents

5 Things Grandparents Should Bring Up to Parents

 

It’s usually best to let the parents do the parenting. It can be tempting to share your decades of experience raising kids . But, each parent/child relationship is different.

Though, there are 5 things you should bring up to parents.

1. Respect

You need to set boundaries with your grandchild to make sure they respect you. If the child repeatedly ignores those boundaries, you should bring it up to the parents.

Let them do the punishing, but don’t be afraid to say, “That’s not how you talk to me.”

2. Developmental Concerns

You may notice something about your grandchild that the parents haven’t. If there are any speech delays, motor function problems, or lack of social skills, you should bring it up.

There’s nothing wrong with sharing your concern. Just make sure you do it respectfully.

3. Safety

It’s important to bring up any safety concerns to the parents. See how far they want to go with things like crossing the street or wearing a helmet.

See if you can set your own safety rules at your house if you don’t agree with what the parents want. Then you can say, “Everyone wears a helmet at Granny’s,” and that sort of thing.

4. Food

Everyone wants their kids to grow up happy and healthy, but you can’t control what they eat outside of your home. Feel free to serve all the veggies you want at your home, just make sure that the parents are okay with it.

If you really are concerned about your grandchild’s health, you should bring it up to the parents. Again, just be respectful.

5. The Important Stuff

You need to talk to the parents immediately if you notice any physical or sexual abuse, neglect, substance abuse by a parent, or any harm that could come to your grandchild.

Safety is the priority. If you have to, call your local police department or Child Protective Services.

Read more here.

Top 18 Countries to Live in When You’re Old

Date: October 22, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
Top 18 Countries to Live in When You're Old

The entire world’s elderly population has been growing rapidly. By 2050, there will be 2 billion seniors living on the planet. It’s important to be in a place that will be comfortable for you as you age. Here are the top 18 countries to live in when you’re old.

Top 18 Countries to Live in When You're Old

Top 18 Countries to Live in When You’re Old

 

In August, a team of researchers and policy experts from the US and Singapore, ranked 28 countries on a scale called the Aging Society Index. It gives countries a score out of 100 based on different factors that show how well elderly are supported. Here are the top 18.

1. Norway— Score of 65

2. Sweden—Score of 62

3, United States—Score of 60

4. Netherlands—Score of 60

5. Japan—Score of 59

6. Ireland—Score of 58

7. Denmark—Score of 58

8. Germany—Score of 55

9. Finland—Score of 53

10. Spain—Score of 52

11. United Kingdom—Score of 50

12. Austria—Score of 43

13. Belgium—Score of 37

14. Italy—Score of 35

15. Slovenia—Score of 33

16. Estonia—Score of 31

17. Poland—Score of 31

18. Hungary—Score of 23

How These Countries Were Ranked

 

The team worked with 18 of the 35 countries that are part of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The index scores are based on 5 factors that represent different parts of a person’s life.

Productivity and Engagement

How many opportunities are there for seniors to contribute to society? This was calculated by retirement age, employment over 65, volunteer hours over 65, and informal educational opportunities.

Well-Being

This is a measure of quality of life. This was calculated by life expectancy and surveys reporting life satisfaction over 50.

Equality

How fair is life to the elderly? This is calculated by the Gini index that looks at poverty risk, food security, education opportunities for both young and old.

Cohesion

How socially supported are elderly people? This is based on financial transactions between older and younger groups, the number of older people living with younger people, and surveys regarding younger people’s feelings towards older generations.

Security

A measure of the physical and financial security given to older people. This is based off income, pension wealth, physical safety, and external government debt.

The team asked a group of 14 specialists including geriatricians, sociologists, and economists to weigh each of the categories based on their importance.

Read more about the rankings here.

How Seniors Are Driving Safer and Longer

Date: October 22, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
How Seniors Are Driving Safer and Longer

We all love to drive. More than 75% of adults carry a driver’s license. This includes 40 million people who are 65 and older. Studies show that giving up driving increases a person’s mortality risk. It also increases the chances that seniors will end up in a nursing community. The question is, how can we make sure that seniors are driving safer and longer?

How Seniors Are Driving Safer and Longer

Transportation is a Problem

 

The problem is that the average American man outlives his ability to drive by 6 years, and the American woman by 10 years.

It’s not surprising that many seniors don’t want to give up driving. It’s been shown that seniors will always say 10 years in the future when asked when they should stop driving. It doesn’t matter what age they are.

This isn’t to say that older adults can’t drive. In fact, 3.5 million Americans 85 and older still have a driver’s license.

Though, we can’t all hope for great genes that will allow us do that. So, the problem is that seniors don’t have a way to get around after their license is taken. Many seniors live in areas that offer few other transportation alternatives.

How Seniors Are Driving Safer and Longer

 

It may be surprising, but seniors don’t have the highest crash rates. That title belongs to early drivers, AKA teenagers. In fact, seniors can be the safest drivers sometimes. They don’t text, they wear seat belts, and obey speed limits.

Really the stereotype of older drivers being bad drivers comes from agism.

There is a new long term study called LongROAD that’s hoping to keep seniors on the road longer. The 5 to 10 year project is coordinated by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

The study is following 3,000 seniors who submitted their full medical and driving records. They also allowed a tracking device to be installed in their cars.

Over time, the trip logs should give researchers insight on how well seniors drive. It will give them answers to questions like: What time of day do crashes occur, at what speeds, and on what types of roads? What medications were the drivers taking at the time?

What you can do for yourself though is exercise. Studies have found that cardiovascular exercise can slow cognitive decline and that strength and flexibility programs can improve your performance on aspects of driving like neck rotation and response speed.

You can also see a driver rehabilitation specialist, which is like an occupational therapist on wheels. They will put you through a variety of tests to see if you are still able to drive. Though these services are few and far between.

There is also the hope of better public transportation and self driving cars.

You can read more here.

5 Ways to Lower Health Care Costs in America

Date: October 15, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
How to Protect Yourself from Pharmacists' Mistakes

It’s no secret that staying heathy in America is expensive. It effects everyone, but especially seniors. With a limited budget, getting sick could mean financial ruin. Here are 5 ways to lower health costs in America.

5 Ways to Lower Health Care Costs in America

5 Ways to Lower Health Care Costs in America

 

Experts are working together to figure out how to lower health care costs. Health care spending will grow an average of 5.5% every year through 2026.

At the West Health summit, experts came together to come up with a few different plans to challenge rising health care costs.

1. Give Patients and Health Care Consumers More Info

Different panelists talked about differences in price for the same medical treatment within the same city. Some places can be more expensive than others.

Patients don’t know about the different prices because they aren’t given information.

This doesn’t happen in other countries. Countries like France and Australia, there aren’t any price walls.

In America, we need to stop being afraid of talking about costs.

2. Give Patients and Health Care Patients More Power

Many people feel powerless when it comes to the system. You need to show the system you have power with who you give your money to. Look for high value plans and providers and others will follow.

3. Lower the Number of Medical Tests for Patients

There is a study showing that more than 1 million Medicare patients are getting 1 of 26 tests or treatments that were seen as having no benefits. Some could even cause harm.

42% of patients got unnecessary tests in a year.

4. Increase Competition Among Providers

Since practices have been merging, consumers have a limited amount of options. Because of this, prices increase up to 25%.

Plus, the 4 largest health insurers have 76% of the fully-funded market nationally. The largest 2 insurers have more than 70% of the market in half of the nation’s metro areas.

5. Let Medicare Negotiate Prescription Drug Costs for People

People want Medicare to negotiate prescription drugs costs for Americans 65 and older.

Read more here.

Breaking Bones is One the Rise

Date: October 15, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
10 Common Health Issues for Seniors

People over the age of 50 aren’t checking on their bones as much as they should. This means there are fewer treatments for osteoporosis. If people don’t learn more about osteoporosis, breaking bones will be on the rise.

Breaking Bones is One the Rise

Breaking Bones is One the Rise

 

A lot of people are at risk of breaking bones, and doctors aren’t talking about the pros and cons of bone preserving drugs.

One serious change has already happened. There’s been a reversal in a 15-year decline of hip fractures among postmenopausal women. The study showed a decrease in hip fractures in women 65 and older on Medicare to 730 for every 100,000 in 2015. This is compared to 931 for every 100,000 in 2002.

But in 2012, the rate suddenly leveled off. If the pattern of decline continues, around 11,464 fewer women would have broken their hips between 2012 and 2015.

Bone Medication

 

Bone medication has shown that it helps reduce the chance of a second hip fracture.

Though one study of 22,598 people found that those who used the drug went from an already bad 15% of breaking a bone in 2004, to an even worse 30% in 2013.

Even though there are proper medications out there, people are choosing not to take them or are not getting them prescribed to them.

Breaking Hips is Expensive

 

Depending on how a hip fracture is treated, it can get pricey fast. The average medical costs for the first six months can range from $34,509 to $54,054.

Every year more than 300,000 people over 65 are hospitalized due to a fractured hip. Three-quarters of these patients are women.

It’s not just a money costs that come a fractured hip. Around 20% to 30% of patients die within a year after having a fracture. Those who do survive are never able to get around the same way again.

How to Help Your Bones

 

There is one suitable bone medication called Fosamax that came out in 1995. It’s a bisphosphonate that slows or prevents the loss of bone density. This makes stronger bones.

It’s now available as a generic called Alendronate.

People are afraid to take it, though. There has been overly aggressive marketing, and doctors were overprescribing it. Reports began to appear to link the continued use of bisphosphonates with two uncommon bone problems.

One being a very rare fracture of the femur, and the other is an even more unusual condition called osteonecrosis of the jaw. Fear of these two conditions caused a 50% decline in taking these medications.

The best thing you can do though is to take medication when needed, a good intake of calcium and vitamin D, and trying not to fall.

Read more here.

7 Ways to Find Love Later in Life

Date: October 15, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
You Need to Laugh More, for Your Health

Loneliness sneaks up on people who are in the later parts of their lives. It makes sense. Friends may have passed away or moved to be closer to their families. It’s easy to feel alone. Here are 7 ways to find love later in life, and maybe you can feel a little less lonely.

7 Ways to Find Love Later in Life

7 Ways to Find Love Later in Life

 

Loneliness can damage your health in surprising ways. It can be hard to start over finding friends after not needing to for so long. Try these 7 tips to make it easier.

1. Change Your Mindset

Without realizing it, we become set in our ways. These old ways can get in your way when trying to make new connections.

Hopefully, because you are older, you are more confident in yourself. You have no shame about the things you like. By following those likes, you may find new friends.

2. Realize No One is Perfect

You may have accepted your flaws, but what about others? It’s easy to have subconscious expectations of what you are looking in another person.

These standards may make finding new love especially hard.

You don’t want people to expect you to be perfect, right?

3. Don’t Let Others Define You

When you were younger, it was easy to let other people sway you. Whether that was what you wore, what you liked, and even who you talked to. It’s a hard part of growing up.

As mentioned before, hopefully, you are more confident now that you are older.

When trying to find new love, whether romantic or friendship, remember to stay true to yourself.

4. Embrace Faults

Faults don’t always equal a bad thing. Instead, they could just be an odd quirk. Other people’s quirks can make your life a lot more interesting than if they were perfect.

5. Love Differences

There is nothing wrong with people being different from you. People who have different opinions may infuriate you sometimes, but you never know, they may teach you something.

6. See Your Goals

Staying positive will help you find a community. If you can picture making a new friend or new romance, then it’s more likely it will happen.

Send good vibes out into the world.

7. Stay Open

You never know what is going to happen. If you have a closed mind, then you narrow your chances at new opportunities.

Read more here.

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.

7 Ways to Help with Broken Heart Syndrome

Date: October 7, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
"Rational" Suicide is on the Rise Among Seniors

We’ve all heard about Broken Heart Syndrome, right? Some people think it’s just a way to exaggerate someone’s grief. But that’s not the case. This syndrome is real and has claimed widows who lost their partner after 50 years of marriage.

7 Ways to Help with Broken Heart Syndrome

Broken Heart Syndrome is Real

 

There’s been reports of partners dying within hours of each other, even when they are healthy.

Grief can suppress the immune system and let something like a cold become more deadly. It can also be the result of takotsubo cardiomyopathy, which is where Broken Heart Syndrome comes from. The stress can cause part of the heart to enlarge and fail to pump.

There’s even a term, psychoneuroimmunology, that describes how psychological trauma affects your immunity.

7 Ways to Help with Broken Heart Syndrome

 

The best way to combat this problem is to be there for the person grieving. Here are seven ways to do it.

1. It’s Okay to Cry

Shoving down grief can cause clinical depression. Crying has a bad rep for being a negative action. But really, it shows how important that person was to you.

It’s normal to be sad after the loss of a loved one.

2. Help Them Find a Professional

It’s always good to have a neutral party tell you it’s okay to grieve. That everything you are going through is normal. Then have someone who knows what to do to get back on your feet.

3. Give Them a Book

Some people may not be comfortable with talking about their grief. If you want to be there for them without hovering, try getting a book about grieving.

This way, they can tackle their grief on their own time.

4. Remind Them that They Have Others Who Love Them

It can be easy for someone who is grieving to feel alone. Without being overbearing, it’s good to remind people that they have a lot of loved ones around them.

Whether that’s friends, kids, siblings, or even grandchildren.

5. Encourage Them to Talk About Their Spouse

Too many people tell others who are grieving to move on. You mean well, but it’s not about forgetting. Instead, healing happens by remembering your spouse.

This way, you process your emotions and then can go forward.

So encourage talking about the person who passed away. Share happy memories.

6. Remind Them to Stay Healthy

It’s easy when being overwhelmed by grief and forget about personal health. Healthy eating, staying hydrated, and getting good sleep are key to a good immune system.

Tell them there is nothing wrong with asking their doctor for some temporary help.

7. Help Them Do Things that Brought Them Comfort Before

Did they like to read, take long baths, listen to music? Encourage the person grieving to do these things again. Tell them it’s okay to make time for themselves.

Read more here.

Is Telemedicine the Future of Treating Seniors?

Date: October 7, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
Is Telemedicine the Future of Treating Seniors?

Telemedicine is always developing. It’s going to start impacting all aspects of healthcare. BDO USA, LLP, released a report that showed how executives, clinical leaders, and clinicians plan to invest time and money into different areas of care by 2020. Telemedicine is going to be the future of treating seniors.

Is Telemedicine the Future of Treating Seniors?

Is Telemedicine the Future of Treating Seniors?

 

Technology will be able to change the way seniors are treated for illness. This will work for both as needed and preventative medicine.

This is sort of thinking is based on the fact that the aging population is increasing greatly with each passing year. This is causing people to wonder how everyone will be able to not only get treatment but afford it as well.

What Technology Will Help the Most?

 

It’s been said that a variety of innovative tech will be helpful. One particular field is digital health. This includes wearables, sensors, robotics, driverless cars, and telemedicine tools.

This type of tech could give seniors more independence, as well. They can stay home longer, have lower health costs, and have better access to doctors.

The other part that will help seniors is getting better data faster and robotics. The idea is that this combo will improve individual healthcare.

It should also lessen some of the little things that caregivers usually do.

An example of this would be taking vitals. If technology can advance enough, while you are taking at vitals at home, a doctor will be able to see it. Then, they can decide if it’s worth checking out, or if it’s just abnormality.

The Future for Seniors

 

If everything goes as these people expect it to, telemedicine can help with chronic care management, interventions, home monitoring, remote counseling, and online therapy.

This will also be incredibly helpful for any seniors who live in rural areas or don’t have access to transportation.

Read more here.