A Family Caregiver

A Baby Boomer Caring For Elderly Parents - A Study For Successful Aging in Place

A baby boomer caring for elderly parents is a study for successful aging for the baby boomer. Recent surveys have found that 40 percent of baby boomers have at least one aging parent they are providing care for them. The study goes on to reveal that the remaining 60 percent are concerned about providing care for their aging parents in the future.

As we are living longer and healthier lives, our parents are too. Many are now faced with caring for their own growing family and their aging parents. Baby boomers should see this as having the ability to learn about aging and plan for their own future.

Baby boomers have made it loud and clear that they want to successfully age in place. They want to live out their lives independent, in the comfort of their community and home.

As a baby boomer caring for elderly parents, it is important to learn what to do and what not to do for successful aging in place. Many are getting first hand experience, as they are actively caring for elderly parents at home.

Successful aging in place requires preparation and planning. The baby boomer should come to understand the importance of planning ahead. Many will be faced with assisting their aging parents with getting organized and getting the proper legal, financial and advanced directive paperwork in order.

It is important to designate a health care and a financial power of attorney. An advanced directive is a written document that honors your wishes regarding healthcare treatment when you are no longer able to express your wishes to your family or health care provider. Anyone over the age of 18 years old should have an advanced directive, yet many never take the time or feel comfortable discussing these matters until a crisis occurs.

It is also important to organize the legal paperwork and get it in order. Developing wills and protecting assets is important to many families. Consider speaking with an elder care law attorney to learn the options that are available to you and your parents. An elder care law attorney can assist you with Medicare and Medicaid regulations as well as asset management planning.

As the aging baby boomer encourages and tries to assist their parent to prepare, they should consider doing this for themselves. Preparing and planning for the future cannot start early enough.

Successful aging in place also means having a home environment that is safe, comfortable and accessible. Making changes to the present home environment to accommodate our future needs can be done over time. Having a home that is not accessible or accommodating to our changing needs will prevent successful aging in place. Many boomers are already experiencing this situation with their own aging parents.

Successful aging requires planning for how to pay for future care. The cost of health care is on the rise and many aging seniors are on a fixed budget. Having a long term care policy with home health care included is a positive. Many are finding that they did not take out a cost of living rider and are now unable to afford the home health care to meet their present needs.

The reverse mortgage has been found to be an alternative to financing home health care and home modifications to allow the aging parent to remain in their home.

A baby boomer caring for elderly parents should take heed and investigate the financial options available to them to begin to plan for their own future health care needs.

Successful aging in place is being aware of the resources available to them to assist their parents. There is advanced technology, such as medication reminder systems, personal emergency response systems and brain fitness programs to keep senior drivers fit for driving to name a few. Yet, even though these products are available, and many are open to using anything that would assist them to remain at home, the majority of baby boomers have not even taken the time to investigate the products available to them. Taking advantage of this available and advanced technology now will only make the future "new and improved versions" available for the aging baby boomer.

A baby boomer caring for elderly parents should take the opportunity to learn and prepare and plan for their own successful aging in place.

Cargiver Needed? Top 6 Reasons a Family Caregiver Contract Makes Sense

In the past, when a family caregiver needed to provide increased amount of time and care, to keep the aging senior at home, it was expected that they would do so in spite of any financial or emotional sacrifice. Aging baby boomers are changing that expectation and many are doing it out of necessity.

A family caregiver contract is a legal contract in which a family member is paid to care for the aging senior member of the family. Once an unspeakable or even unthinkable topic, there is a growing interest in the family caregiver contract.

As the aging population is living longer, baby boomers are facing caring for aging parents. Many are providing this care as they plan for their own retirement. Elder law estate attorneys are reporting an increase in interest in a formalized family agreement.

With the recent economy and new regulations regarding the qualifications for Medicaid, families are exploring creative solutions to providing care for the aging senior in their life. Caring for an aging parent can involve time, emotional and financial sacrifices. Providing care can involve many years of commitment and dedication. Families are exploring options so that they can provide the quality care the aging senior deserves. Many do not want to suffer the financial consequences or losses of providing that care, even though there may be tax consequences to the income they receive.

The top 6 reasons a family caregiver contract makes sense when a caregiver is needed:

* The first and foremost important aspect is that the aging senior will be provided care by a familiar person, not a stranger. Many aging seniors find comfort in having a trusted and caring family member provide support and care for them as they age.

* With the Medicaid guidelines changing, and the "look back" period extended to 5 years (soon to be 7 years), families are trying to investigate ways to save what they perceive as their inheritance. Money paid by the aging senior to a son or daughter for services they provide is not perceived as a "gift" by the system when applying for Medicaid or other public services. It is important to note here that an agreement must be put into place before services are provided. You cannot go back and collect money for care provided after the fact. The system when considering assets for Medicaid will view that money given as a gift.

* A formalized contract drawn up by an elder law attorney can help ease the tension and resentment that occurs between siblings and other extended family members. The attorney can act as a buffer between family members and make the tracking of the aging senior's finances available to all involved. A contract clearly will determine who is getting paid, how much and for what services. An elder law attorney's involvement can reduce the family arguments and tension between family members with clear cut rules and expectations they set forth in the agreement.

* A fourth benefit of having a written agreement is the prevention of the caregiver and the aging seniors finances becoming entangled, which is so often the case with many family members that provide care. It becomes difficult to determine who paid for what. Over time, family caregivers become resentful and even angry at the financial loss. Having an agreement in place can prevent that from becoming a problem.

* Many aging seniors are finding the present housing market downturn has affected their ability to sell their house, or for what it was worth. This has caused many aging seniors to rethink their options of moving into a retirement community. Utilizing a family caregiver agreement, they are paying their younger family members to provide care in their home. This can be considered a form of family long term care insurance. The family provides care, receives a modest reimbursement for their services and the aging seniors benefit from remaining in familiar surroundings and receiving quality care.

* This is a win -win proposition for both parties. With a written agreement, the caregiver can identify what they can and cannot do. The aging senior can express what expectations they have about the care. It is all clearly stated and in writing so there are no surprises or unrealistic expectations.When a family caregiver needed a breather or break from their duties, without a formalized agreement, many had no back up plan. They felt too guilty or ashamed that they wanted, needed or even deserved a break.

A family caregiver contract should address those issues and be part of the agreement. A family caregiver agreement may not sound appealing but for some families is does make sense.

Caregivers and Eldercare - Are You Stressed Out - What Do I Do?

Care givers are stressed out providing eldercare for their family member. There is a cure that is sure to help stress relief, renew your energy and your spirits. This has been a survival technique that has successfully worked for me and I feel that I should share it.

There are several parts of this "care giver stress cure": alone time, reflection, positive thinking and stress relief techniques. I know what you are thinking, "Who has time for all of that?"

Since discovering the benefits of this simple little method, I have found a way to incorporate this into my everyday life. The first step is to allow yourself to reclaim your alone time. It will give you a sense of freedom and control over your life.

I have become selfish about my alone time. I get up in the early hours of the morning, before everyone else. It is quiet, calm and peaceful. If it is warm outside, I sneak out to the garden to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. When it is cold, I bundle up with blankets and a hot cup of tea and I start my morning just enjoying the silence.

Solitude and silence has taught me to learn to live in the moment. In those stolen precious moments, I have learned that to worry about the future and think about the past is not productive. It was and still is something that I struggle with everyday.

It is difficult for me to depend on others for help. People, even family members, disappoint and frustrate when they do not meet my expectations. Positive thinking has helped me get through these moments of anger and rage. I have learned that I must change my expectations and how I respond. It was a hard and difficult lesson for me.

I have a positive affirmation, a mantra, if you will. "For every problem I encounter, there is a solution and I WILL find it." All care givers that provide eldercare for the aging senior in their life will have periods of being stressed out. Overcome the stress and feel energized and rejuvenated. Reclaim some alone time everyday and allow yourself to experience the power of positive thinking.

I have come to realize that I have no control over anybody or anything that occurs in my life. The only thing that I have control over is how I respond to the problems and issues that present themselves to me.

Solitude and reflection in those early morning hours has led me to the power of positive thinking. Did you know that positive or negative attitudes are contagious? Well, they are!

It is often said that your thoughts will become your reality, so make them good and positive thoughts.

As a care give, many become resentful that their time is not their own. Everyone has expectations that you will do something for them. Many care givers begin to feel frustrated and angry with everyone around them. I understand that feeling.

So as I sit in the still of the morning, I reclaim my life and those moments as my alone time. I am alone with my thoughts. It has given me a new perspective on how I handle things. I will only allow myself to think positive thoughts. I choose to take time and see how I can turn every situation into a positive. Trust me, when you are dealing with a crisis situation it is a challenge.

With those moments of positive thinking, I find that there is a lot to be grateful for in my life. Just when you think that your situation is terrible and overwhelming, give a thought to those that have it so much worse than you could ever imagine. Yes, I have learned that even in the darkest hours of life, there are things for which we can be grateful.

In those moments of solitude and silence, I have discovered many things about myself. Some of it is positive. I have also found that I am human and have many shortcomings. In spite of myself, I have come to realize that I cannot do it all. I need others to help me get through some of the rough times.

What the Baby Boomer Generation Should Know About Dementia - Alzheimers and Memory Loss

As the baby boomer generation retires, many are concerned about dementia, Alzheimer's and memory loss. Modern technology and scientific advancements in health care are helping individuals live longer and healthier lives than any previous generation. The statistics of past generations indicate that 10 percent of individuals over the age of 65 years of age develop memory problems. By the age of 85 years of age, the percentage of memory problems increases to 50 percent.

Baby boomers are a generation that expects to grow old gracefully, physically and mentally. They expect to remain youthful and full of vitality as they age. Boomers do not want to know or experience the ill effects of aging, such as mental decline. This has been a driving force resulting in the research and studies done on the cognitive (thought) processes of the brain.

Although there is still much research to be done, there are some very promising findings being reported. Science now confirms that memory loss is not a normal part of aging. Proper nutrition, physical exercise and challenging the brain frequently are linked to brain fitness.

The causes of memory loss can occur gradually over time. The symptoms are not the average forgetfulness we all experience. As a society that is inundated with audio and visual stimulation everyday forgetfulness is a result of multitasking and stimulation over load.

It is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of early memory loss, as intervention can prevent or delay the process.

What the Baby Boomer Generation Should Know about Dementia, Alzheimer's and Causes of Memory Loss

Some causes of loss of memory for the aging population can be due to alcohol abuse, use of illicit drugs, smoking and poor nutrition. There are many health related medical conditions and prescription medications that can have a negative effect on the aging brain. Many of these conditions and the effects they have on the memory can be treated with early intervention.

The aging baby boomer generation can be proactive in preventing memory loss from occurring. Studies show that physical activity such as aerobic exercise helps brain fitness. A study, done on a group of individuals over the age of 55 years old, used brain imaging on individuals that were active versus a sedentary group of the same age. Over a period of 6 months the physically active group exercised 3 hours a week. Both groups had brain imaging studies done prior to the start of the study. At the end of 6 months, the results were astonishing. Several areas of the brain showed an increase in the brain volume of the physically active participants.

The increase in brain volume occurred in the areas of the brain responsible for memory and thought process. Scientists are not sure why this increase in brain volume occurred, but it is thought that an increase in blood supply and connections between the neurons of the brain. Research scientists now feel that an active life style can prevent or delay dementias and Alzheimer's.

Baby boomers are a generation of ground breakers. They have pushed themselves to the limit and have tried new and different things. This is an important trait to continue to possess as they move into their retirement years. The brain can continue to form new connections between the neurons. This improves the ability to communicate, store and retrieve memory.

Being open to experiencing some new and different often is a key to maintaining a good memory and brain fitness. If you do crossword puzzles or Sudoku and become proficient at that task, you are no longer challenging your brain to continue to form new connections. Take a proactive approach and get out of your comfort zone. Your memory and mind will be glad that you did.

Traveling, meeting new people, dancing and even learning to use the computer are ways to keep the brain growing and firing up those neurons! Consider a brain fitness program.

A brain fitness program should test your abilities in a variety of different categories and identify your strengths and weaknesses. A good program will then build an individualized program based on your initial results. It will assist you to build your weak areas and continue to maintain or improve upon your strengths. A brain fitness program should also be able to give you feed back on a regular basis as to where you have improved and what changes your have made. Research shows that developing new connections occur and the brain can be revitalized by participating in a brain fitness program just 20 minutes three times a week.

The baby boomer generation should know that dementia; Alzheimer's and causes of memory loss can be prevented or delayed by taking a proactive approach to their health. Physical activity, trying something new and challenging can not only be fun but help your brain remember the good times you have!

Eldercare and Caregiver Burnout can be Avoided

by Learning to Manage Your "Caring".

Family members are always happy to assist their aging loved ones. As the care giving experience begins, many family members choose to care for their aging loved one themselves. The caregivers are enthusiastic and energized. Caregivers experience personal rewards caring for their aging loved one.

Eldercare for an aging loved one can be unpredictable and intermittent. What once used to entail a few weeks or months now often extends for years. Recent studies show that the average duration providing caregiving is 4.3 years; and 29% of caregivers have provided care for longer than 5 years.

As your aging loved ones needs change, so do the responsibilities of the caregiver. As a consequence, the increase demand on the caregiver creates chronic stress.

Many caregivers believe that "caring" is giving attention, worrying about their aging loved one, avoiding saying "no" to any request and a feeling of always having to be available at a moments notice. Most caregivers contribute to caregiver burnout by not setting limits and boundaries, and avoiding the telltale signs of chronic stress.

Many caregivers believe that if they are not available to do everything for their loved one they will be perceived as uncaring. Caregivers often create a dependency between their aging loved one and themselves. This dependency is a bond that the caregiver eventually becomes to resent. Anger, depression, guilt all contribute to chronic stress.

More on Eldercare and Caregiver Burnout ...

The most important thing a caregiver can do is to make themselves a priority. Experiencing the physical and mental deterioration of your aging loved one and feeling helpless and overwhelmed creates a scenario for a spiral into the caregiver becoming a patient.

The first step to avoiding caregiver burnout is to be aware of the signs of chronic stress.

The next step is to acknowledge those signs and take the necessary actions to explore options for remedies.

Signs of caregiver burnout are...

* Difficulty with sleep, falling asleep, staying asleep

* Feelings of fatigue, lack of energy (physical and mental) even if you had a good nights sleep

* Easily becomes angered or unusually irritable

* Difficulty focusing or making decisions

* Feelings of anxiety, frustration, guilt, depression or grief

* Feeling of hopelessness

* Lack feelings of joy or moments of happiness or enjoyment

* Neglected your own health and personal care

* Have a chronic health condition

These are just a few of the signs of chronic stress and caregiver burnout. If you have experienced any of these for a period of longer than 2 weeks, or if your caregiving has interfered with you having any type of normal life, you should seek help.

It is important that you do not ignore the signs of chronic stress or caregiver burnout. Significant health consequences could occur from ignoring those signs.

There is good news about avoiding caregiver burnout. There is clear and effective treatment for chronic stress.

Take time to consult with your physician to get the proper care for yourself.

You must take care of yourself before you can help take care of others.

Stress relieving strategies that work involve rewiring your emotional responses to situations and to assist you in getting back to a more balanced life. Simply put, take the

negative energy or thoughts and replace it with positive ones. This take thought and practice, but over time can be an effective method for changing your perceptions and feelings.

Other strategies to utilize:

* Acknowledge that you are making a difference in someone else's life. You are valuable and useful

* Determine what is ultimately important and your goal for caring for your loved one

* Prioritize and create a routine

* Acknowledge you and your loved one have limitations. Forgive yourself and those around you for those limitations

* Do not hesitate to request assistance from others. It will make you a healthier and happier caregiver

* Research community resources

* Make yourself a priority

* Learn to take time and relax, and have some fun along the way

* Take a break when necessary-and be aware of when you feel a need to take a break

* Use relaxation techniques

* Stay connected to family, and friends. Take time to enjoy activities with others

* Talk out your feelings with others - Join a support group - Have a family meeting - Seek professional help or talk with your spiritual counselor

Eldercare and caregiver burnout is avoidable. Being aware of the signs of chronic stress and taking action to overcome the challenges of caregiving will lead to a healthier, happier quality of life for everyone.

Use Wii Games As A Brain Fitness Program

to Promote Healthy Aging

Nintendo Wii games are like using a brain fitness program to promote healthy aging. You flex your mental muscles as well as improve physical fitness at the same time.

Studies show that in 2008, 26 percent of aging individuals over the age of 50 played video games. This is an increase of 9 percent from 1999, according to release of data from the Entertainment Software Association.

Seniors centers all over the country are teaching aging seniors how to play the bowling, golf, tennis and boxing games. Many centers have college students or to teach the aging senior how to play the games. The aging seniors are not only improving their physical fitness status, but they are flexing their mental muscles, socializing and having fun. All these are components of a good brain fitness program.

More Wii Games: Brain Fitness Program to Healthy Aging ...

Nintendo Wii games are now being used by hospitals and rehabilitation facilities because many of the games actually use the same movements that would be used in traditional physical therapy. Wii gives pleasure to those aging seniors as they do many activities they were not able to do when they were younger.

Many aging seniors have lost the ability to pick up a bowling bowl, run on the tennis court, or tolerate the length of time a good golf game takes. Loosing the ability to participate in these activities limits the life of an aging senior. The Wii has changed that.

There are many aging seniors that take participating in the Wii programs very seriously. All over the country, there are now Nintendo Wii leagues for bowling, tennis, golf and the mind academy. These activities improve the quality of life and healthy aging for many seniors.

Physical fitness is a major element to healthy brain fitness. The challenging element to the Wii program is the more you exercise, the more challenging some of the programs become. This is important to a brain fitness program, as your brain loves to be challenged. The increase challenges can strengthen the connections of the brain to increase response time and improve memory.

The Nintendo Wii games will also flex your mental muscles in many other ways to promote brain fitness. Socialization and connecting with others is important to brain health and concentration.

Healthy aging and a brain fitness program along with the Wii promotes the development of new skills, and helps aging seniors learn from their mistakes. The best part of using the Wii as part of a healthy aging program is the laughter and excitement you see in the faces of the participants. The environment is electric as the aging seniors enjoy familiar interests in a new format. For many seniors it feels like old times again. The Wii games have brought back feelings of being young again as the participants flex their mental muscles and improve their physical fitness. The Wii is improving the quality of life of many aging seniors.

Safe Medication and Aging

Six Challenges to Overcome Mediation Errors

There are many challenges we face with aging and taking medications. These obstacles can be overcome by caregivers.

* Vision: Impaired vision can cause difficulty reading the labels on medications. Ask the pharmacist to provide labels in large print. For over the counter medications, caregivers can make large print labels to place on those bottles. Using a magnifying glass for reading may also be helpful.

* Hearing: Hearing difficulties can affect the information your aging loved one hears and interprets what is being said. It is important that you have the doctors and other healthcare professionals to speak louder or write things instructions down. Caregivers may also assist their aging loved one by going with them and taking notes

* Swallowing: As we age, some may experience difficulties with swallowing some pills and capsules. When a doctor prescribes a medication, ask if it comes in an alternative form. If it does not, ask if it can be crushed. Many medications cannot be crushed, so the doctor may have to order an alternative medication

* Memory: Everyone has lapses in memory. For the aging, which are more likely to be forgetful, forgetting a medication can have serious consequences. It is important that a medication system be put into place. Medication systems can range from simple low tech pill boxes to high tech containers that alert your aging loved one that it is time for a dose and has a system in place to alert the caregiver if a dose has been missed.

More Challenges with Safe Medication

and How Caregivers Can Overcome Them

* Dexterity: As we age the ability to open bottles, the difficulty of breaking a pill or giving eye drops to ourselves can become a challenge. Ask the pharmacist to provide easy to open bottle tops for your prescription medications. If a medication is to be cut in half, ask the pharmacist to do that for you when they are filling the prescription. There are easy to use inexpensive pill cutters available. Your pharmacist can recommend one that will suit your needs.

* Scheduling The greatest challenge with aging and safe medication is the schedulingof the medications themselves. Caregivers can overcome this obstacle in several ways. The medication systems as discussed above can help. It is important to plan for medications around your aging adult's daily schedule. Plan a schedule to take medications around meal times or bedtime. These activities can be cues that it is time to take medications. Your doctor or your pharmacist can assist with developing a plan to best suit your needs.

These are the six most common challenges that caregivers face when dealing with your aging loved one and medications. Being proactive and developing ongoing assessment of the medication system will increase the assurance of safe medication for the elderly.

Medication Safety

Important Helpful Information You Need to Know

Home health care is an important part of aging in place or living in your own home environment all of your life.

Medication safety and compliance is the number one concern with an aging loved one and home health care. We all have trouble remembering to take our pills. For the aging, they take multiple medications simultaneously. Aging individuals are prone to forgetfulness, so non-compliance is major concern.

The caregiver can help

If you are a caregiver, there are some steps you can take to improve your loved one's medication safety. Home health care and medication safety requires education of your aging loved one. It is important to stress taking medications at the proper time to treat their medical condition and avoid complications.

- It is important to make your loved one aware that taking over the counter medications, such as sleeping aids or allergy medicine may be dangerous. It is important to stress that these medications may cause an adverse reaction with their present medication regime.

- It is also important to advise your aging loved one to call the doctor or the pharmacist if they missed a dose or two of a medication. Do not assume that you should return to your original schedule.

- Always talk to your doctor before making any change in your medication routine. It is important that your loved one understand that just because they feel better or they are not experiencing the results they want as quickly as anticipated, they should not increase or decrease a medication.

More Home Health Care and Medication Safety ...

The next step is to put a medication system in place. There are multiple medication reminder systems out there to investigate. Depending on your aging loved one's function and medication regime there are simple written charts to more advanced technologies.

Simple methods are to use a pill box and place it where your loved one can see it. Some need cues or reminders, such as post it notes or pills strategically placed in the bathroom next to a toothbrush. This will be a gentle reminder to your aging loved one to take your pills.

- If there is more than one caregiver dispensing medications for your loved one, it is important to provide a chart that has the name of the medication, time of day that it is to be taken and any special instructions. Provide a sign off or check list for everyone that provides the medications.

- Some of the advanced technologies are so user friendly, from watches that will beep to remind you to take you pills to more advanced systems that will alert you to take your pills, dispense the correct pills, at the right time to your loved one. Some of these systems even notify the caregiver if a dose is missed.

- These advanced medication reminder systems offer peace of mind and comfort for the caregiver even from a long distance.

Home health care and medication safety is an ongoing concern for our aging loved one. Review of the medication system and its effectiveness is an ongoing process. Be aware of any signs of unusual symptoms so that your loved one can be assessed before the problem advances. Make home health care and medication safety a priority for the aging adult you are caring for.

Seven Steps to Improving Medication Safety

Research shows that eldercare caregivers manage medications for their aging loved ones. Studies have shown that caregivers are more knowledgeable about the medications, side effects and possible interactions than their aging loved ones.

This eldercare guide to medications and aging is to provide tips to overcome the challenges of medication safety.

Aging adults encounter many challenges when taking medications. Addressing these issues early can lead to better results and improved health.

Medications such as prescriptions, over the counter medications, herbal/alternative medicines and social drugs (ex -alcohol) when not taken appropriately can lead to devastating consequences.

The changes that occur as one age's make your loved one more susceptible to adverse medication responses. Research has shown that adverse medication responses are preventable. According to Brown University in a long-term Care Quality Letter (1995) "Any symptom in an elderly patient should be considered a drug side effect until proved otherwise".

More Eldercare Guide to Medications and Aging ...

* To avoid adverse medication responses, it is important to read the label every time you take a medication. Ask your pharmacist and doctor's questions about the possible side effects. Make your doctors, dentist and other health specialists aware of the medications and over the counter drugs you take.

* It is important to follow the directions carefully because they influence the way a medication works and how it affects your aging loved ones body.

* It is important not to miss doses or take extra medications. A medication system should be in place to assist your loved one to track their medications and medication compliance.

* It is important to make your loved one aware that if they miss a dose, do not double up on the next does.

* If your aging loved one is unsure about whether or not they took a medication, do not take that medication. It is important to call your doctor and discuss what occurred and ask for guidance.

* Taking too much or too little of a medication may cause an adverse medication response. Older bodies metabolize slowly. Drugs may take longer to start working and stay in the body longer.

* To prevent adverse medication reactions, pay attention to how you are feeling, note any changes, and report them. Ask the doctor when you should notice any improvement and when you should report your progress to your doctor

* The eldercare guide to medication and your aging loved one begins with a medication system in place. A system that alerts your loved one to take their medications on time and dispenses the proper medications and cues your aging loved one to take with food or juice. Take time to investigate a system that will suit you and your loved ones needs.

The eldercare guide to medication and your aging loved one ends with communication and education of the medications and the measures you need to take to avoid an adverse medication reaction.

Can Hospice Make End of Life Issues Easier?

As an aging senior, or the care giver of a medically declining loved one, dealing with end of life issues is the most difficult subject to discuss. End of life planning can actually address the quality of life and provide care at your request. You may decide where you spend your final days, supported by your loved ones, in a supportive, caring environment in your home with hospice services.

For some end stages of life can creep up on us slowly and for others it is a rapid and downward spiral into physical or mental decline. End of life planning can start before you are ill to a time when the doctor tells you that there are no other options that would support a quality of life.

This organization assists the aging adult and their loved ones through the end stages of life and is there to support, comfort and guide you as you deal with end of life issues. Hospice encourages the aging adult to be involved in the decision making process. Hospice also involves the family and supports and educates them through the challenges they face during to end stages of life.

End of life planning makes dealing with end of life issues easier because it opens the line of communication between the aging adult and their families. Aging adults that have made plans for hospice feel in control over their care and experience less depression than those individuals that are receiving care in a hospital or nursing home. End of life planning also gives the aging adult control as they go through the end stages of life.

Caregivers also benefit from end of life planning. Dealing with end of life issues is made easier through hospice for them. Caregivers, along with the hospice staff, develop an individualized approach that promotes quality of life and maintaining their loved one's dignity as they progress through the end stages of life. Hospice helps the family to assure that their loved one's wishes are carried out. This gives the family comfort and decreases the stress and anxiety in this difficult time.

End of life planning makes dealing with end of life issues easier when you are prepared. Facing the end stages of life is one of the most difficult times we face. Losing a loved one is never easy. Communicating, shared decision making and providing comfort to each other physically, emotionally and spiritually can be the most rewarding gift you can give your loved one and yourself. Hospice is able to help.

Palliative Care Needs to Be Understood

The question "What is Palliative Care?" needs to be answered and understood by those who want to age in place. Quality of life means something different to every individual. With advanced medical technologies people are living longer, many with multiple chronic conditions. Palliative care addresses life prolonging measures, end of life issues and quality of life as we age in place.

There is a point in our lives when the medical treatment we are receiving is no longer a benefit to our body or our condition. This is a time when each person must choose the path that is right for them based on their values and wishes.

Knowing the answer to what is palliative care addresses the point where medical treatment is no longer a benefit from three different perspectives.

1. Life prolonging measures, there is a point when our bodies are no longer able to tolerate or respond well to a recommended treatment. Some doctors recommend more aggressive therapies. In order to assist the body and make the individual more comfortable, doctors may recommend certain measures to assist the individual to continue to prolong treatment. An example may be a gastrostomy (feeding) tube placed in the stomach with a drainage bag for decompression. This means a person can drink for pleasure and everything drains into a bag to prevent nausea and vomiting.

2. Quality of life medical conditions get to a certain level where the medical intervention cannot cure the condition, but can maintain the condition at a certain level that provides a level of quality of life that is acceptable to the aging adult.

3. End of life issues, this is the level of palliative care where the individual makes the determination that their quality of life is not where they want it to be and is no longer tolerable for them. This is a time where hospice may be introduced and the process of comfort care is started.

Addressing life prolonging measures, end of life issues, and quality of life are topics that many avoid discussing. It is uncomfortable, emotional and painful for many to address. It is also difficult for many to realize and accept that the medical interventions are not only failing, but robbing them of their quality of life. Many individuals are truly frustrated and angry at their physicians. The issues of side effects and the affect the medical interventions would have on their quality of life were never addressed at length or in detail. Many would not have had the treatment if they had known before hand that they would be robbed of their quality of life.

Planning ahead with advanced directives and health care power of attorney should be the first step to opening the lines of communication to age in place. Consider discussing goals of quality of life and end of life issues. Be aware, even with these discussions, emotions will get in the way and decisions will never come easy.

Palliative care, in addressing life prolonging measures, end of life issues and quality of life can support, educate and assist you and your loved ones in making the right decisions. An individualized plan of care based on the physical, emotional, spiritual needs and the values of your loved one is developed. Knowing what is palliative care can assist you and your loved one to successfully age in place if that is their wish.

Many Senior Citizens and Baby Boomers Agree That

“Happiness is Pets”

Many Senior Citizens and the baby boomer generation will exclaim that "Happiness is Pets"!

There is a good reason for that statement. Aging pet owners experience physical and emotional health benefits from having a pet that they may not even be aware they are experiencing.

Here are just a few of the health benefits of having a pet:

Reduces stress and anxiety -- pet owners, even without research studies will tell you how great they feel when they are greeted and spend time with their loving pet. Pets show unconditional love. Our pets are there for us when we need them, even when others in our life can't be there for us. We can talk to our pets, share our innermost thoughts and feelings and not worry about rejection. The mere act of petting releases naturally occurring chemicals into our bodies that calm and soothe our nerves.

Lowers blood pressure -- the same chemicals that are released when we pet our faithful companions are also the ones responsible for helping lower your blood pressure. In fact, one study found that pet owners on medication for high blood pressure, were less likely to experience spikes in the blood pressure and heart rate, than those that did not have a pet at home. Maintaining a steady and healthy blood pressure and pulse decreases your risk for a heart attack or stroke. Research has also shown that those individuals that experienced a heart attack had a longer survival rate if they had a faithful and loving pet they had bonded with when they returned home.

Improve your mood--pets become part of the family. They provide companionship and help to alleviate loneliness and depression. It is hard to be in a bad mood when you have a pet. Every time you enter your home, or even a room, your loving companion will greet you. Even if it is just to look up and acknowledge you are there! They keep you company and keep you active. Having a pet means taking care of your friend. That may mean anything from walking, feeding or even just cleaning out the litter box. What ever the activity, the animals in your life, make you take an interest in living. Even if it is just caring for them. Pets never hesitate to show their love or appreciation of the care you give them. Some show it more enthusiastically than others.

More of why "Happiness is Pets" to Senior citizens and the baby boomer group

Promotes heart health--having pets decreases stress, anxiety and depression. A pet in your life also promotes physical activity and emotional well being. The companionship of a pet promotes emotional and psychological stability. There is a link between the chemicals released when enjoying your pet and the lowering of cholesterol and triglycerides. Studies show there is a link between pet owners and a decrease in heart disease versus non pet owners.

Enhances your immune system-- pet owners experience decreased stress, improved mood and emotional well being. This causes an increase in your ability to fight off or prevent illness. Research studies show that pet owners are less likely to make a visit to their doctor or health care professional for the less serious sicknesses they may experience. The study did not address if the aging seniors with pets were sick less often or just did not see the need to seek medical attention for their minor illnesses. There are insurance companies that now include asking if you have a pet for their clients over seventy five years of age as part of their pre screening process. Surprisingly, if the answer is "yes", the insurance company looks more favorably on the senior with a pet than one that does not have a pet.

Provide balance in life-- pets offer intangible benefits to our lives. They offer social interaction, even if it is just between the aging senior and the pet. If a senior is walking a pet, it is not unusual for someone to interact with the aging senior to ask about their furry companion. They offer relief from loneliness and promote physical activity as well as mental stimulation.

There may be skeptics out there that believe that pets do not make you feel better. Science now confirms that having a pet enhances the physical and emotional well being of the owners. It is easy to understand why many senior citizens exclaim "Happiness is Pets!"

What Can the Benefits of Pet Therapy Do to Make Aging With Grace More Likely?

Aging with grace can be accomplished with the benefits of pet therapy! The benefits are even better than taking medication. Survey conducted of aging individuals that are pet owners reveals that that they feel that their health has benefitted from having a pet in their life. Science can now verify that this information is correct.

A study done by the Waltham Center for Pet Nutrition along with Food and Drug Administration revealed that individuals that have pets experience less stress when faced with a trauma or an adverse situation than non pet owners.

A survey conducted of senior citizens, conducted by The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, also confirms that seniors feel having a in their life adds balance in their life. Eighty eight percent of the senior citizens polled felt that pets improved their home life either physically or emotionally.

Having a pet in your life has health benefits that are better than medications. The results of a study preformed on stock brokers with high blood pressure were nothing short of astounding. Although the blood pressure medications the stock brokers were taking was able to control their blood pressure. The day to day stress of the job caused intermittent spikes in their blood pressure and pulses throughout the day. The stock brokers that adopted a pet (a cat or a dog) experienced lower blood pressure and heart rates than their counterparts that did not have or adopt a pet. Needless to say, when the results from the study were released, there were a lot more stock brokers that became pet owners!

Aging with Grace: The Benefits of Pet Therapy Better than Medication

Having a pet in your life enhances your immunity and feelings of well being. Pets are there for you when you need them. They love you unconditionally. They keep your secrets and comfort you when you are feeling down. The companionship and comfort a pet gives far outweighs any medicine you can take for depression or anxiety.

Pets help the aging senior to focus on something positive instead of the negative physical and emotional preoccupation that can come with aging.

An aging senior interacting with a pet can trigger memories and allow those experiencing memory loss to connect to experiences from their past. There is no medication that can do that for any aging senior.

Playing and spending time with our pets causes an increase in certain chemicals in our body that promote a sense of calmness and well being. These chemicals are also responsible for decreasing plague build up in the arteries. That means just by spending quality time with your faithful animal companion, you are benefiting your heart, your blood pressure and your emotional well being. What pill does that for you?

A study done on individuals that suffered a heart attack found that those individuals that had pets had a longer survival rate than those that did not have any pet at home. Animals live day to day, moment by moment. They do not worry about the past or the future. Animals live in the here and now. Some feel that this sense of living life in the moment becomes a part of a pet owner, as a result of having a pet.

Individuals that have a faithful and loving animal companion at home have been found to make less frequent visits to their health care professional for less serious health issues. Studies show that aging seniors with pets save money on their health care bills because they make fewer trips to the doctor or other health care providers.

Aging pet owners experience less loneliness and social isolation. A pet often becomes an indispensable part of the family. Although there is a responsibility that comes from caring for a pet, many find that the benefits of having a pet far outweighs the responsibility of caring for the pet in their life

Pet provide us with a very special bond that not only enriches our lives but enhances our physical and emotional well being. The benefits of pet therapy as we are aging with grace is experiencing and realizing the faithful pets in our lives give us something that no medication can give us: and the side effects we enjoy are better health!

Crafts For the Elderly Can Be Fun Gift Ideas For Senior Citizens

Combing crafts for the elderly, as a family project, can create fun gift ideas for senior citizens. Developing an ongoing family project will allow the aging senior to experience a new activity and relieve boredom and stress.

Spending time with your aging senior is probably the most precious gift you can give them. Here are a few ideas that would make great gifts and also have the benefit of getting to know each other on a more intimate level.

Consider asking your senior citizen to get out all the old photos and important mementos that they have saved over the years. It may be old letters, special cards, things that have some significance or meaning to them. The senior citizen may want to ask extended family members to do the same.

Ask them to take the pictures and start a journal. Write down what they remember about the individuals in the pictures, maybe it will spark a memory of a time long forgotten. If you have a senior that has difficulty writing, get them a recorder to tape the information. You may ask if they would be interested in taking a creative writing class there they can learn how to write about their life or their memories. You can then take their writing and create a special bound book for them.

If you have a senior that has started with mental decline, you may be surprised how much they will be able to share about the past, even if they cannot remember what they had for breakfast.

Everyone wants to feel as of they have made a small difference in the lives of their loved ones. Showing interest in their past will spark fond memories and create a wealth of knowledge for your future generations.

More Crafts for the Elderly are Some Fun Gift Ideas for Senior Citizens...

There are several opportunities you can use the photos, the journal and the sparked memories. Depending on your interest and commitment level and the abilities of the senior citizen there are many avenues you can take with all this new found information.

For example, The National Public Radio has established a nonprofit organization, called StoryCorps®. This project is one of the largest oral history projects of its kind. This was a system developed just for those who wish to record and save stories from their lives. Each conversation is recorded on a free CD to share with others and your story is preserved at the Library of Congress. The best part is, it is free! The senior citizens in your life will be excited and honored to preserve some of their history for future generations.

Consider creating a photo family tree for the senior citizen. Is the aging senior interested in genealogy? Do they have an old family bible or written history of past generations? If not, consider starting a genealogy project and use some of the pictures to create a photo family tree. Of course some of this research can be done online. The USGenWeb Project is run by volunteers to assure that there is free genealogy websites for genealogical research in every county and every state of the United States. This Project is non-commercial and fully committed to free genealogy access for everyone. It is a great way to spend time with the senior in your life and learn about the past family history.

Another project you may use with all the pictures is to purchase a portable DVD player, one that can play DVD+R/RW. Then take the photos and scan them to make them digital photographs. Turn the pictures into a slide show, with captions, titles or even audio of the pictures. Burn the pictures into a DVD.

It is important that you provide step by step instructions, in large print, on how to use the DVD player for the technologically challenged senior citizen.

Scrapbooking is another alternative for utilizing and preserving the pictures and other mementos. This a is project that will give the senior citizen in your life the opportunity to create their story about their life with their personal touch. You can provide the supplies and classes so that they can learn this new found activity.

No matter what avenue you take in providing crafts for the elderly make them fun. You can get creative with gift ideas for senior citizens, but don't forget to make it special and meaningful. When the project is done, don't forget, no mater how old one gets to be, there is still joy and excitement in opening a present. Celebrate the finished project with a party or "unveiling." And don't forget to wrap the finished project!

Activities For Senior Citizens - How Hobbies and the Mind Body Connection Work!

Hobbies have a mind body connection, they are important activities for senior citizens and are an important part of healthy aging. Active seniors are proof that you can enjoy better health and have fun doing it.

Research studies have shown that leisure time and physical activity promote a healthier lifestyle. Our bodies are meant to be active and move. Many, as they age, tend to become increasingly inactive, preferring to watch TV to help pass the time away. Finding fun activities for senior citizens can change that.

Some good activities for senior citizens

Active seniors are involved and participate in what life has to offer. Hobbies give an individual a reason to get out and share with others. Whether it is painting, building model airplanes or playing cards the benefits of a hobby can be an increase your chances for improved physical, social and emotional well being.

It is important to have regular leisure time physical activity. Anything that promotes moving and being active will benefit you as you age. The health benefits of staying active are a delay or prevention of a chronic disease such as: heart disease, diabetes, some cancers and arthritis. Physical activity also promotes brain fitness. This can help delay or prevent dementia or Alzheimer's.

Participating in a variety of hobbies helps many cope with the stressors of life. How you react and respond to different situations in life affects your health. Stress and anxiety can lead to poor health. Active seniors are involved and lead a more balanced life.

Hobbies allow active seniors to socialize, find companionship and camaraderie. Making connections with others that have the same interests can often open an individual to new found friendships.

Many individuals that participate in similar hobbies find themselves with other individuals that have similar situations and experiences in life. As we age, we experience losses that affect our emotional health. Active seniors that are involved in hobbies have a pool of other individuals that they can draw emotional support and comfort. There are times when they can also learn from shared experiences. Sharing our feelings with others is a way to connect with others as well as relieve the stress and anxiety we may be feeling.

More Hobbies and the Mind Body Connection: How Active Seniors are Having Fun and Enjoying Better

Health ...

Hobbies as activities for senior citizens are a way to calm their minds and relax. It is a way to belong, have something to look forward to doing.

For many, their hobbies are a tool that releases stress and helps bring their emotions back into balance again. It is a time when we get an attitude adjustment and feel right with the world again.

Leisure time physical activity is important to healthy aging. Moving our bodies and using our minds affect how we age. The mind body connection benefits of participating in hobbies are improved mental clarity, enhanced immune system, improved self esteem and self confidence.

Hobbies are a way to have fun, enjoy and stay regularly involved in leisure time physical activity. Consistency and regular involvement is the key to maintaining healthy aging.

Having a variety of hobbies during the week can keep an individual busy, interested and involved. Participating in a hobby with a group can be motivating. Knowing that the expectations of others are anticipating your participation in the day's activity may give one the boost to go when they feel down. Even to know that you have others that depend on you to be there, may give you an extra boost to participate when you don't feel like it. Feeling a sense of commitment to others, a sense of belonging is important to healthy aging.

Hobbies give many a sense of connection to others, when there are no other connections in an individual's life. Connections to others, a sense of belonging, a sense of community gives many active seniors the reason to participate in life to their fullest ability.

Hobbies are a way for many to stay physically and mentally stimulated. Trying new things, meeting new people and sharing your knowledge, experience and sometimes your creative side with others can keep an active senior challenged mentally, as well as, physically.

Hobbies are a safe way to get out and meet people with like minded interests. It is a great ice breaker to meeting new people and a way to stay active, no matter how old you get to be.

Any activity that gets an aging senior moving and involved with others is a step towards healthy aging. It is important to get busy and stay active. Take up dancing, gardening; join a walking club or travel.

Hobbies have a mind body connection. Active seniors are having fun and enjoying better health as they regularly participate in things they enjoy. It is never too late to start enjoying yourself now. Take time to find your own activities for senior citizens to help your loved ones and yourselves.

Are Senior Citizens Driving Safely?

Remember when you couldn't wait until you were old enough to drive. Getting a driver's license gave us an opportunity to experience a new freedom we did not have before. For those of us with two parents working, driving meant taking ourselves and our siblings to after school activities and work. Driving took us to a level of independence that we had not experienced before. In an aging society of drivers, those very same feelings exist in many today. Driving gives us a sense of independence and freedom, the ability to go out and socialize, go to work or to church. Safety issues are a concern as many move into the golden years. The life expectancy of seniors is increasing. There are more active senior citizens out on the road today than ever before. Since we all age differently, many aging adults, can drive into their seventies and eighties. As we age, the risks for having a serious car accident that requires hospitalization rises. Statistics show that fatal car accidents rise after the age of seventy.

If you know an aging adult driver who is experiencing difficulty with driving, it is important to carefully monitor the situation. This article can help you determine whether you should take steps to encourage the senior to stop driving.

Some key risk factors that affect our aging society are:

Vision declines affecting depth perception and ability to judge speed of oncoming traffic. Night vision becomes a problem as our eyes loose the ability to process light. By age 60, you need three times the amount of light that you did at age 20 in order to drive safely after nightfall. We also become more sensitive to bright light and glare. Signs and road markings can be difficult to see.

With age, flexibility may decrease as response time increases. A full range of motion is crucial on the road. Turning your head both ways to see oncoming traffic, moving both hands and feet can be difficult for those with chronic conditions such a rheumatoid arthritis, or Parkinson's disease, heart disease and diabetes.

Older adults in an aging society will often need to begin to take medications. Certain medications, as well as a combination of medications and alcohol, can increase driving risk. Be aware and careful about medication side-effects and interactions between medications. It is important to talk to your pharmacist to be aware of interactions that could affect your driving safely. Some medications cause drowsiness.

Aging affects our quality of sleep, resulting in daytime sleepiness. Falling asleep at the wheel is a major concern for those that dose off during the day.

The beginning of dementia or mental impairment can make driving more dangerous. A decreased mental capacity or decrease tolerance to stressful driving situations such as complex and confusing intersections may cause delayed reactions to sudden or confusing situations on the road. An aging brain and body does not have the same response time as we did when we were younger.

Look for warning signs

There are multiple warning signs that an aging adult is becoming or is an unsafe driver. Some of them are small, but if there are multiple concerns it may be time to talk about your concerns with the aging driver. Warning signs of an unsafe driver include

* Abrupt lane changes, braking, or acceleration.

* Increase in the dents and scrapes on the car or on fences, mailboxes, garage doors, curbs, etc

* Trouble reading signs or navigating directions to get somewhere

* Range-of-motion issues (looking over the shoulder, moving the hands or feet, etc.)

* Becoming anxious or fearful while driving or feeling exhausted after driving

* Experiencing more conflict on the road: other drivers honking; frustration or anger at other drivers. Oblivious to the frustration of other drivers towards them

* Getting lost more often

* Trouble paying attention to signals, road signs, pavement markings, or pedestrians

* Slow reaction to changes in the driving environment

* Increased traffic tickets or "warnings" by traffic or law enforcement officers

* Forgetting to put on a safety belt

If you are concerned about an aging adult driver, closely monitor their driving before deciding whether they need a refresher coarse on their driving skills or approaching them to give up their driver's license altogether. Ongoing and open communication is important to addressing the issue of driving. Studies conducted by Harvard and MIT show that while most drivers preferred to discuss the issue with their spouse, doctor or adult children (in that order), this is not the case for everyone. The right person may not necessarily be the most forceful or outspoken one, but rather someone whose judgment and empathy are especially trusted by the driver.

Talk with other family members, your doctor, and close friends to determine the best person for "the conversation." Remember driving signifies independence, freedom and being self sufficient to active senior citizens. Realize you may meet with resistance and the aging driver may become defensive. Emotion may get in the way of a rational conversation. Express your concerns and give specific reasons for those concerns.

The goal is to get the aging driver be part of the decision making process

You may begin by asking your loved one to make some concessions because of your concerns.

* Taking a driver refresher course

* Not driving at night

* Suggest they not drive on busy thoroughfares or during rush hour

* Taking shorter trips

* Not driving under adverse weather conditions

* Encourage a visit to their primary care physician or pharmacist to go over medications that may affect driving skills. Your physician may be able to recommend a Driver Rehabilitation Specialist. This individual can assess driving safety by an office exam and driving test and make recommendations regarding special equipment or techniques that can improve the driver's safety. Consider ways to decrease the need to drive. Check out alternatives to shopping by car, including: Arrange for home deliveries of groceries and other goods, and try to arrange for home visits by clergy, medical and personal care providers, and government service providers.

* Use financial services that don't require bank visits, like automatic bill paying, direct deposit, and bank-by-phone or on-line banking services.

Fears of those living in an aging society

Fear of isolation and decrease in socializing is a real concern for the aging driver. It is important to keep spirits high as the aging driver makes the adjustments to becoming a non driver. Be in tune to their need for fun, volunteering, work and religious activities. Create a transportation plan that can make it easier for the aging driver to give up driving. You can create a list of friends and family that are willing to drive, contact the church and the local Area Agency on Aging in regards to transportation programs in the area.

Some seniors may adjust better if they can keep their own car, but have others drive them. Their own car may feel more comfortable and familiar, and the sense of loss from not driving may be lessened. Remember, baby boomers have grown up walking out the door and being able to go where they want to go. We need to keep the aging adult driver and those on the road with them safe.

A Brain Fitness Program to Determine

If Senior Citizens Are Safe Drivers

Are senior citizens safe drivers? A brain fitness program that is being tested may determine just that. A brain exercise program has just been determined to possibly be the next big breakthrough in automotive safety.

Research studies have shown that a brain fitness program may decrease risky driving habits and improves the response time for braking and stopping the vehicle. As the population ages, there will be more and more senior citizens driving than ever before.

It is presently known that as driver's age, especially as they move into their 70s and beyond, a number of problems with response time, planning and concentration can get in the way of safe driving. It is the goal of a brain fitness program to determine, "Are senior citizens safe drivers?"

The goal of the brain exercise program is to see if there is an increase in response time, better planning executed and more concentration by the senior drivers.

More on a brain fitness program that may determine "Are senior citizens safe drivers?"

Medications that aging individuals are prescribed are a major problem that affect their thinking (cognitive) abilities. As we age, we are more likely to take multiple medications. These multiple medications can lead to impaired driving ability in the senior citizen driver.

How does a brain fitness program improve a senior citizen driver to make them safe? Brain fitness exercises can help senior drivers avoid or delay cognitive decline and assist those aging drivers to maintain an independent life style as long as possible.

A brain fitness program that encouraged an increase response time, visual attention, memory, the ability to measure the processing of speed and the ability to react to unexpected situations was studied. Past brain fitness program research shows that not only do brain fitness exercises improve all of the above, but the studies have shown that the brain training has sustained those improved results beyond a 5 year period.

Start a brain exercise program today. There is increasing amounts of evidence that specific thinking skills that are used for driving can be trained. The results are better driving skills. It is never too late to start a brain fitness program. The benefits may have lasting results that will assure a better quality of life.