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5 Things That Can Help You Live 14 Years Longer

Date: July 22, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
24 Shortcuts to Living Healthier Until Old Age

We all want to live longer and healthier, right? Well, a new study shows that small lifestyle changes can increase your lifespan. Here are 5 things that can help you live 14 years longer.

5 Things That Can Help You Live 14 Years Longer

The Study

 

The study published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation, looked at different lifestyle factors that raise life expectancy. They looked at things like regular physical activity, not smoking, moderate drinking, and a healthy weight and diet.

Although the US is one of the world’s wealthiest nations, it ranks 53rd in the world for life expectancy at birth.

Researchers at Harvard University studied data from 123,219 patients over a 34 year period in the Nurses’ Health Study and 28 years of the Professionals Follow up Study.

5 Things That Can Help You Live 14 Years Longer

 

The researchers of the study focused on 5 things:

1. Never Smoke or Stop Smoking

 

2. 30 Minutes of Moderate Exercise Daily

 

3. Having a Normal Body Mass Index

 

4. Healthy Diet

 

5. Drinking a Moderate Level of Alcohol

 

Researchers found that 50 year old women who did all 5 low risk factors lived an average age of 93. 1 year to 14 years longer than women who didn’t adopt these changes. Men at 50 who adopted these changes lived to 87.6. 12.2 years longer than those who didn’t.

Read more here.

The Rising Cost of Keeping Seniors in Jail

Date: July 22, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
South Korea is Dealing With an Elderly Crime Wave

At least 1/3 of the US prison population will be over 50 by 2030 according to the Osborne Association. The association is a New York based advocacy group that works for justice involving people and their families. They cited figures showing that even as states are working to reduce prison populations, the number of seniors in jail are growing.

The Rising Cost of Keeping Seniors in Jail

Seniors in Jail

 

The number of older adults in jail is projected to grow 4,400 percent in the 50 year period between 1980 and 2030. It’s estimated that  400,000 seniors will be incarcerated.

According to statistics quoted by the researchers, adults over 50 make up just 3% of the total incarcerated population in 1993. That’s around 26,300 people.

Osborne Association Report

 

The association advocates for improved conditions in prisons and jails, better discharge planning, and expanded compassionate release of the elderly and infirm.

“Justice isn’t served by keeping elderly people locked up as their bodies and minds fail them and they grow infirm and die,” says Elizabeth Gaynes, who is president and CEO of the of the association.

The report is titled “The High Cost of Low Risk: The Crisis of America’s Aging Prison Population.” According to the report, there are 2 reasons why there is an increase in prison populations. The first is extreme sentences doled out during the tough on crime era. The second is the limited mechanisms for compassionate release. These reasons have driven what is now a costly and inhumane crisis that the system can’t handle.

The medical cost of caring for the growing senior population behind bars is also growing. This will add strains on the already resource limited corrections systems.

According to the data analyzed by the American Civil Liberties Union, it costs twice as much to incarcerate someone over 50. In some cases, it could cost up to 5 times more when medical costs are added.

Around half of the older prison population have some sort of mental illness or cognitive impairment. Some prisons are creating makeshift hospice wings and opening nursing wards for people with serious cognitive degeneration.

What’s even harder for inmates with cognitive decline may not remember why they are incarcerated. They may not even be able to follow the rules. This could be seen as disobedience and then they get punished. They could even be sent to solitary confinement.

Decareration

 

Research by the Pew Center on the States show that incarcerated people over 50 pose little public safety risk. They also have the lowest repeating offense rate than any other inmate demographic.

The association wants the system to look at the idea of justice differently. They want to try incarcerating less and even releasing some of the older inmates. Many of the older prisoners were arrested in their teens.

There is bipartisan support for decarceration for nonviolent offenders. The need for a new approach is underlined by the cost of housing elderly inmates. It’s now estimated to cost $16 billion a year.

The Osborne Association is trying to work out some policy idea that will work for everyone.

Read more here.

3 Ways to Pick the Perfect Walking Cane

Date: July 15, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
There Isn't Enough Help for Seniors

Walking canes are so helpful and can keep you mobile and independent. With something being so key, you want to make sure you pick the right one for you. There are 3 ways to find the perfect walking cane.

3 Ways to Pick the Perfect Walking Cane

 

3 Ways to Pick the Perfect Walking Cane

 

These are basic aspects of canes so that you can figure out what works for you. Hopefully this makes your choosing easier.

1. Consider the Different Types of Canes

You need to know what kind of support you need. Depending on what you need, that will decide what kind of cane you get.

There are straight canes that are single point canes that incorporate a rounded crook handle or L-shaped handle. They are usually made of lightweight aluminum or wood. Most of the aluminum models are adjustable in height and even fold up.

Offset handle canes are also single point straight canes. These come with a swan neck curve in the upper part of the shaft that puts the user’s weight directly over the cane tip for more stability. These are made of aluminum, are adjustable, and come with a flat soft grip handle.

A third type of cane are quad canes, also known as broad based canes. These are good for people who need a lot of weight bearing and support. They come with four separate tips, there are a some with three tips, at the base. They have an offset flat handle and can remain standing on their own.

2. The Fit of the Cane

Once you know your type of cane, you need to make sure it fits properly. You should stand up with your arms hanging straight down at your side. The top of the cane should line up with the crease in your wrist, so your arm is slightly bent at the elbow when you grip the cane.

The cane should have a rubber tip at the bottom so you don’t slip. A worn or torn tip is dangerous, so be aware of the state of the rubber tip. You can usually get new ones at the pharmacy.

Make sure the grip is comfortable and sturdy.

3. Where to Get Canes and How Much They Should Cost

You can get canes at drug stores, medical supply stores, and online at places like Amazon. They usually cost around $10 to $50. Medicare cover canes with a written prescription.

Read more here.

9 Signs that You Should Fire Your Doctor

Date: July 15, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
Could House Calls Be Making a Comeback?

Doctors are such an important aspect of your care. They help with your health, pain management, and your medications. If you feel like your doctor isn’t the right fit for you, you may be right. Here are 9 signs that you should fire your doctor.

9 Signs that You Should Fire Your Doctor

9 Signs that You Should Fire Your Doctor

 

It can be hard to stand up to a doctor. They can be intimidating. But, if they aren’t helping you, then you need to find someone else ASAP.

1. You Don’t Feel Heard

Your doctor should always listen to your concerns. If there seems to be a communication problem, that may not be fixable.

You will know when it’s a problem. For example, if you wait a long time to see your doctor and they only offer a few minutes of their time, that’s a problem. If they are ignoring your concerns, that’s a problem.

You deserve someone who values yourself and your time.

2. You Have a Serious Personality Conflict

Sometimes, you just don’t like your doctor. That’s not something to be ashamed of. We can’t get along with everyone.

If you don’t like them, then you can’t trust them. You need to trust them to care for you, make proper decisions, and possibly operate on you.

3. Your Doctor is Too Stretched Out

Your doctor may be the best in the world, but if you can’g get an appointment with them within decent time, what’s the point? You need someone who sees you as more of a priority.

4. Your Doctor’s Approach Isn’t Helping You

It never hurts to have a second opinion if a treatment doesn’t seem to be working. You should try going outside of your doctor’s practice to get an unbiased opinion.

You do this just to make sure you are going in the right direction.

5. Your Doctor Doesn’t Educate You

Even though information is just an internet search away, it doesn’t always work with medical info. You can get bad sources or sources that don’t tell the truth.

Your doctor should be a good source of info, so you don’t have to find more elsewhere. You need to know everything when it comes to your health.

6. You Can’t Be Honest With Your Doctor

Your doctor needs all the info you can give them, so they can make a proper decision when it comes to your care.

If you can’t be honest with them, then you will probably not keep your appointments. Trust is key when it comes to your relationship with your doctor.

7. Your Doctor is Too Aggressive

You should be wary of how quickly your doctor jumps to extreme treatment options. You should look for a doctor who is both conservative and a little aggressive.

If you go to your doctor for back pain, and they want to do surgery, that’s a red flag.

8. Your Doctor Won’t Work With Other Specialists

Care coordination is of the utmost importance, especially with your primary care physician (PCP). All your doctors should be communicating at some sort of level.

Usually your PCP acts as the “hub” of information, especially in tough cases.

If your doctor won’t talk to your other doctors, it’s time to find a new one.

9. You Feel Bullied

If your doctor is pressuring you to undergo a treatment or take a medication you’re not comfortable with and is not open to second opinions, that’s not a good sign.

There are usually more options and your doctor should be open to it.

Read more here.

Food Safety for Seniors

Date: July 15, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
Food Safety for Seniors

As we age, our bodies don’t work as well as they used to. The changes in our organs and body systems make us more vulnerable to foodborne illness and food poisoning. So, it’s important to take food safety for seniors seriously.

Food Safety for Seniors

Food Safety for Seniors

 

Our stomach and intestinal tract can hold onto foods for longer time than it should. The liver and kidneys can’t get rid of toxins as easy as it used to.

By 65, many people have been diagnosed with one or more chronic conditions. This can include diabetes, arthritis, cancer, or cardiovascular disease.

They also will be at taking at least one medication. The side effects of some medications can weaken the immune system, which can increase the chance to get food poisoning.

How to Avoid Food Poisoning

 

You need to be careful with the preparation, cooking, and eating of food.

When you cook at home be aware of some foods that can contain bad bacteria. Food like uncooked fresh fruits and vegetables are one example.

Another is animal products. This can include raw milk, soft cheeses made with raw milk, raw or undercooked eggs, raw meat, raw poultry, raw fish, raw shellfish and their juices, lunch meat, and deli type salads.

When you prep food, it can look fine, but be filled with things that are bad for you. Make sure to never taste food to see if it’s safe to eat.

Make sure to clean, separate, cook, and chill the food to make sure it’s safe.

Eating out doesn’t allow you as much control as prepping food at home can. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about how your food was prepped if you are unsure of it’s safety.

You can also let them know you don’t want any food that has raw meat, poultry, seafood, sprouts, or eggs.

You can read more specific information here.

8 Challenges of Aging

Date: July 8, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
8 Challenges of Aging

People are living longer than ever and this brings about it’s own problems. Many countries are facing a crisis of not enough caregivers for their elderly population. Individuals also have their own set of problems as they live longer. Here are the 8 challenges of aging.

8 Challenges of Aging

The 8 Challenges of Aging

 

Here are some of the top challenges of aging.

1. Engagement and Purpose

Ageism and outdated social norms have created isolated older populations. This is happening in both rural and urban places.

Getting seniors engaged is so important to the health of seniors and the communities.

We need to create new ways to tap into their wisdom and opportunities for lifelong learning and fun.

2. Financial Wellness

People are living longer and models of work and retirement have not kept up. We need to come up with ways to help people have enough money to live.

Maybe even have later life employment opportunities. We also need to prevent scams and fraud.

3. Mobility and Movement

Remaining safe and mobile is key to having a good life. Homes and communities are not always designed for that. There needs to be products, programs, and services that help people get stronger, more balance, and more fit.

4. Daily Living and Lifestyle

Most people want to age in their home, though 1/3 of people over 65 need help with one activity of daily living. Things like eating, bathing, and dressing.

There need to be more programs that help people stay in their home and keep their independence. We also need to encourage them to pursue their passions and ability to thrive. Just like Seniors Helping Seniors NH!

5. Caregiving

Care for older adults is often done by both informal and formal caregivers. Family caregivers are often juggling other family, work responsibilities, and living.

We need to give them better support, training resources, and tools to help them take care of themselves and their loved ones.

6. Care Coordination

We need to smooth out the health care system to make life easier for seniors and their families. So much money is spent on managing chronic conditions.

We should come up with new tools and care models to support care transitions, clinical collaboration, medication management, population health management, and remote care delivery.

7. Brain Health

Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the US. It’s projected to cost 1.1 trillion dollars by 2050.

While there remains to be no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, we can make better tools and services. If we increase awareness then we can get tools for early diagnosis.

8. End of Life

It’s inevitable, but we can make it easier to prepare for it. We need to help families navigate these twisty mazes of end of life preparations.

Read more here.

10 Ways to Avoid Identity Theft

Date: July 8, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
Be Wary of Scams involving the Coronavirus

It seems like seniors are always getting taken advantage of these days. Seniors are vulnerable because they may be alone, trusting, or have some cognitive impairments. It’s sad that people take advantage of seniors, but here are 10 ways to avoid identity theft.

10 Ways to Avoid Identity Theft

10 Ways to Avoid Identity Theft

 

Around 17 million people are victims of identity theft every year. This happens when someone gets your information via Social Security number, bank, or credit card number.

1. Guard Your Personal Information

This may seem obvious, but don’t ever give your Social Security number, credit card number, and checking or savings account numbers to anyone. The only time you should do this is if you know and trust the other person.

Also don’t carry your Social Security card on you and don’t carry around your Medicare card unless you’re going to the doctor.

2. Get Off Mailing Lists

A great way to put a stop to preapproved credit card offers is to get off mailing lists. These are a gold mine for identity thieves.

Ways to get off these lists is going to optoutprescreen.com or calling 888-567-8688. They will ask for your Social Security number and date of birth.

You can stop junk mail at dmachoice.org and reduce telemarketing calls at donotcall.gov.

3. Use Strong Passwords

Never use passwords that are easy to hack, like 1234 or 0000. Make your computer passwords more than 8 characters long, with uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols like # and %.

Also use different passwords for different accounts. If you have a hard time remembering them all, try a password manager service.

4. Be Wary of Unknown Emails

Don’t click on links in emails from strangers, or those to claim to be from the Social Security Administration, IRS, other government agencies, your bank, phone, or credit card company that are warning of a “problem.”

Clicking the link can cause identity stealing malware to be installed on your computer. You should install antivirus software and automatic security updates and weekly scans.

5. Secure Your Mail

Empty your home mailbox quickly or buy a locked mailbox, so that identity thieves can’t get access to it.

You should also mail any payments from the mail office instead of your home mailbox.

6. Get Safer Credit Cards

If you don’t have one already, get an EMV chip credit card from your credit card provider. They are much more difficult for thieves to hack than the magnetic strip cards.

7. Shred Unneeded Documents

Buy a crosscut paper shredder so you can get rid of unneeded records, receipts, statements, preapproved credit offers, or other papers you throw out that has your financial or personal information.

8. Monitor Your Accounts

Review your monthly bank and credit card statements carefully. See if your bank or credit card issuer offers free alerts that will warn you of suspicious activity as soon as it’s noticed.

If they do, you should sign up for them.

9. Watch Your Credit

Check your credit report at any safe site to do so. You can also receive one free report a year from each of the 3 major credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

Think about spacing out your requests so you can get a free copy every few months.

10. Set Up Security Freezes

If you don’t plan to apply for any new credit cards, loans, insurance, or utility services, freeze your credit reports. This way no one can open new accounts in your name.

Rules vary by state, but the $5 to $20 fee is waived if you’re 65 or older or if you show proof of past ID theft.

You can set up freezes at any and all three credit bureaus at equifax.com, experian.com, and transunion.com.

Read more here.

How Heat Waves Affect Your Body

Date: July 8, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
How Heat Waves Affect Your Body

It’s been hot lately, huh? This is the weather when we are thankful for ACs. It’s important to remember seniors in this kind of heat. Heat related illnesses and deaths happen more often than you think. Here is how heat waves affect your body.

How Heat Waves Affect Your Body

How Heat Waves Affect Your Body

 

Professor Glen Kenny from the University of Ottawa has been studying how heat effects seniors. The study found that if seniors are exposed to temperatures of over 110 degrees for just for a few hours, they are not able to restore their “heat balance.”

This is because the body produces less sweat as we age. Sweating is one of the main ways we get rid of excess heat.

That’s why humidity can affect people more than dry heat. The more moisture in air, the less sweat can evaporate from the skin.

Seniors also don’t react as quickly as we would expect. They may not feel like they are hot until it’s too late. They also might not feel thirsty and suddenly become dehydrated.

Water is the key to maintaining the right volume of blood in the body. When the volume decreases, blood pressure decreases, and then people can pass out and injure themselves. It also puts extra stress on the heart.

Then there is heat exhaustion, that can go so far as becoming heat stroke. People who are older or in poor health are prone to heat stroke. During heatwaves, many seniors end up in the emergency room due to heat related sickness.

Read more here.

Judy Raises Almost 8K for the Alzheimer’s Association

Date: July 1, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
Judy Raises Almost 8K for the Alzheimer's Association

As you probably know, Judy Loubier is passionate about ending Alzheimer’s. Her latest way to help promote Alzheimer’s research was to be part of the Alzheimer’s Association’s fundraiser. The Longest Day Ever is the Alzheimer’s Association fundraiser for research. Judy rowed 25,000 meters to fundraise.

Judy Raises Almost 8K for the Alzheimer's Association

Judy Raises Almost 8K for the Alzheimer’s Association

 

The point of “The Longest Day” is to spend the longest day of the year, June 21st, doing something you love. All over the country, teams signed up for different beloved activities. For Judy and her friends, that activity was rowing.

They had actually manage to surpass their original fundraising goal of $5,000 and almost made it to $8,000.

Judy especially liked rowing for this fundraiser because there is no cure for Alzheimer’s. All you can really do is stay active, social, and learn new skills or language to keep your brain active.

Rowing has all those components.

The first half of the day, they rowed singles. The second half was dedicated to doubles. They chose 25,000 meters because it was hard.

“It needed to be hard enough because Alzheimer’s is hard,” Judy said. It’s hard on the patient, caregivers, and loved ones. “It had to have meaning.”

They named their team the Clarity Crew: Rowing to Remember.

Judy’s Connection with This Disease

 

For those who don’t know, Judy’s mom was diagnosed with vascular dementia after a stroke in 2012. Her aunt also has Alzheimer’s.

The struggle that both her mother and father gave her the idea for Seniors Helping Seniors NH. SHS NH has helped hundreds of clients and around 60 to 70% of them had some form of dementia.

Judy’s rowing mates also had family members affected by Alzheimer’s.

You can hear the whole SHS NH origin story here on Judy’s Caring for Seniors radio segment.

Read more about Judy’s fundraising in the Nashua Telegraph here.

Did You Know Judy Wrote a Book About Senior Care?

Date: July 1, 2018
Author: Erynn
Categories: Stories & Tips
Did You Know Judy Wrote a Book About Senior Care?

Yes, Judy Loubier wrote a book about senior care! Why We Care is all about finding the right at home senior care for your loved one.

Did You Know Judy Wrote a Book About Senior Care?

Seniors Helping Seniors NH’s Origin Story

 

Seniors Helping Seniors NH came to be because Judy’s parents needed to be care for and they wanted to stay home. She was working in NH while her parents were in Florida.

You can hear all about the SHS NH origin story here.

Did You Know Judy Wrote a Book About Senior Care?

 

The book Why We Care—Choosing the Right Home Care Agency is co-authored by 8 writers, including Judy. It was published by the Institute of Dignity and Grace, a nonprofit that helps fund home care for seniors who exhausted all their financial resources.

The nonprofit was founded by 2 authors in the book, Nicole Perretti and Steve Weiss.

The book is split into 8 sections by each home care agency owner. The sections include case summaries of families and caregivers finding solutions for different problems. For example, caring for medically fragile seniors who live alone. Or couples who are dealing with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.

How to Best Use This Book

 

Judy says the best way to use this book is to skim the headings and read the summaries that sound similar to your situation. You will find direction and pointers.

“I’ve been through this journey now with a few hundred different families, and every case is different, but shared knowledge makes it easier. My hope is that people find I’m a resource, even if they’re never going to use our services.”

You can buy the book on Amazon for $17.99 or our site for $5.99. Feel free to get a copy, and maybe Judy will sign it!

You can read the rest of Judy’s interview in the Union Leader here.