August 24, 2009 | Posted by: Carebuzz | Financial Center | Tagged: aging parents, Bakersfield elders, Senior Retirement planning
Q. When should I start talking to my parents about their retirement plans? I don't want to feel like I'm being intrusive into personal aspects of their lives, but I want to ensure that they are planning for retirement, learn how I can help and understand what role I will play during their senior years so I can make sure they have only the best, according to their needs and wants.
A. Here are some tips for talking to your parents about retirement planning. Good luck!
1. Start early - talk to your parents about their retirement plans by the time they are 50 - earlier is okay too, but don't wait too long! However, if your parents are already retired, it's not too late to have this conversation
2. Know their retirement goals - where do your parents want to live when they retire? Do they want to remain in Bakersfield? Do they want to travel? Do they want to take on any new hobbies or continue with old ones? This will help determine their financial needs for retirement
3. How much? - you might not feel comfortable asking your parents about their finances, but it's important to know if they have saved enough to get them through their retirement, while still meeting their goals. Ensure you let them know that they can't live on their Social Security Benefits alone; according to studies, these only cover about 40% of retirement living expenses
4. Check Social Security Benefits - although seniors can't live on their Social Security Benefit alone, requesting to know how much they will receive can help with financial planning for retirement
5. Let them know early retirement might be a possibility - whether or not they hope to retire early, with the economy today, many people are forced to retire at an earlier age. Take a look at the industry that your parents work in; if they are in an industry that's really being effected, it might result in early retirement
6. Discuss health care - knowing what your parents would want with regards to their health care is perhaps the most important so you know what to do if they are not able to speak for themselves. You can also encourage them to draft a living will, but make sure you know what they'd want with regards to senior services as well as health care
Via: Senior.com
Image Source: jupiterimages.com
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August 17, 2009 | Posted by: Carebuzz | Health and Nutrition for Bakersfield Seniors, Senior Activities in Bakersfield | Tagged: Bakersfield senior lifestyle, Elderly healthy diet, Exercise benefits
Doctors are regularly preaching the benefits of nutrition and exercise to their Bakersfield patients, well, it's not a bunch of hot air, they really are onto something. For seniors, their lifestyle can make the difference between being happy and healthy in older adulthood, and suffering with age. With 4 simple methods and lifestyle changes seniors can stop the clock on aging.
1) Pick healthy habits that you can stick with - if you don't enjoy your lifestyle changes with regards to diet and exercise, you just won't stick with it. Choose physical activities that you like doing, so you're motivated to keep it up, and don't just choose foods that you know are healthy - stick with ones that taste good, agree with your cooking style, and that provide you with a well-rounded diet!
2) Stop thinking that it's too late to make healthy changes - it's never too late to start exercising and to receive benefits with regards to strength, flexibility, bone density and more. No matter what ails you, don't ever think that it's too late. Any steps you take to improve your health are helpful and positive!
3) Don't let fear hold you back - you might worry that exercise will cause injury and greater problems, but if you suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure or other common illnesses for Bakersfield seniors, then the risks that can come from NOT exercising, are actually much greater than the risk of injury when you do
4) Make small changes to your diet - making small changes to increase the fiber in your diet, or the fruits, vegetables and other nutrients, can make a huge different. Gradually replace your less healthy food choices to those that will have a more favorable impact on your body!
Sources:
Family Doctor
Image Source: pro.corbis.com
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August 14, 2009 | Posted by: Carebuzz | Bakersfield Caregiver's Corner, Common Problems and Problem Solving | Tagged: Bakersfield senior Alzheimer's, Elderly issues, Sundowning
Q. My mom was diagnosed by a Bakersfield doctor approximately 6 years ago with Alzheimer's. I have been her primary caregiver during this period, and while I have noticed a decline in her condition, I???ve found that it seems to be the worst at night. Is this normal?
A. Sundowning is a common condition that many seniors with Alzheimer's or dementia face. As your mom's caregiver, here are 6 ways to help you recognize the signs of sundowning:
1) You might notice increased agitation in the later evening that is not present during the day
2) Your loved one may appear anxious about things that don't typically bother him/her
3) During daytime hours your senior may not be confused about certain things, like names of family members or facts about their life, but at nighttime confusion increases
4) Seniors might be restless, unable to occupy themselves in the evening hours
5) At night, seniors might be more easily aggravated by simple things, frustrated with themselves and those around them
6) Seniors are likely to become less cooperative with caregivers at nighttime
Sources:
1. New York Times
2. Health Central
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August 10, 2009 | Posted by: Carebuzz | Safety Concerns in Bakersfield | Tagged: Aging issues, Bakersfield seniors, Elderly driving skills
Q. My mother is from Bakersfield and at 82, still drives herself around town to run errands and to appointments. In recent years driving with her, I've noticed some minor changes that make me worry for her safety when she's behind the wheel. Do senior's driving skills really change as they get older, or is this my imagination?
A. According to a website created by the AAA that is dedicated specifically to seniors and their driving, there are senses used in driving that do change as we age. Although the driving itself may not decline exactly, some skills can be affected when senses are no longer what they used to be.
Here is how age affects senior's driving:
• Sensing behind the wheel changes, with regards to vision and hearing. 85% to 90% of safe driving relies upon the eyes and the eyes change in a number of ways, including diminished light entering the eyes, declining focus, increased sensitivity to glare, difficulty perceiving color, diminished depth perception and narrowed peripheral vision. Hearing loss is one of the most common conditions affecting older adults, and it can affect a driver's ability to take in their surroundings
• Deciding - once the senses take in information, the brain needs to process what to do with it. In older adults, it takes longer to process information, which can decrease the reaction time needed to respond to situations on the road
• Reacting - this can be affected by a few things. While seniors might know that they need to respond, their level of physical fitness or mobility or their medications might inhibit them from physically responding when behind the wheel of a car
However, even if you are noticing some minor changes with your mom's driving, doesn't mean she has to give up her keys, which can signify a huge loss of independence. Instead encourage her to utilize some simple techniques that will provide for her safety.
Sources:
1. AAASeniors
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August 7, 2009 | Posted by: Carebuzz | Health and Nutrition for Bakersfield Seniors, Senior Activities in Bakersfield | Tagged: Aging adults, Bakersfield senior activities, Yoga
Yoga! Yoga! Are you really suggesting that I try yoga at my age? Sound familiar? That?'s probably what you vocalized or what was going through your head when a younger family member or even a doctor suggested that you try yoga in older adulthood in order to improve your flexibility, muscle tone and cardiovascular health. Sure, it may sound crazy, and it may seem like a young trend since it seems increasingly popular in the media and with young celebrities; but yoga really isn't just for the younger generations, you know!
Just look at the history of yoga. It's been around for something like 5,000 years and .K.S. Iyengar, founder of the most popular form of yoga practiced today is 90 years old, and the yogi that helped bring yoga to the United States also belongs to the boomer generation. Admittedly, there are more young people practicing yoga today, but the popularity of the activity is growing amongst older adults with 18.4 practitioners over aged 55.
Doesn't sound like such a crazy idea now, does it? Try yoga Bakersfield seniors!
Sources:
1. AARP
Image Source: pro.corbis.com
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August 3, 2009 | Posted by: Carebuzz | Health and Nutrition for Bakersfield Seniors, Senior Activities in Bakersfield | Tagged: AARP, Bakersfield activities, Senior health
Q. My mom tries her best to remain motivated so that she keeps up with a healthy, active lifestyle complete with daily physical activity, but she just can't seem to keep it up. Her Bakersfield doctor recommended finding specific activities that she seems to enjoy, and while she maintains a program with those activities for longer, she just can't seem to keep it going despite her best efforts. Can you make any suggestions?
A. Lack of motivation is one of the main reasons that Bakersfield seniors give up on their exercise programs. In order to provide an incentive to exercise, the AARP has recently introduced the Get Fit on Route 66 program which combines an exercise journal with a virtual travel experience that provides both motivation and history to keep seniors on their fitness programs.
Features of the AARP's Get Fit on Route 66 Program:
• Seniors are able to record every time they complete an activity that is physically active. This can help create a record to diagnose future medical issues, and help them reach their fitness and health related goals
• Every time 1 minute of activity is recorded in the software program, seniors are taken on a virtual journey down Route 66 Main Street US - venturing figuratively speaking away from their Bakersfield homes for road trip that starts in Chicago and ends in Santa Monica.
• Seniors are rewarded by receiving information about American history, photographs that signify stops along the journey, as well as helpful nutritional tips and motivational quotes to keep them on track
Sources:
1. AARP
2. Austin American Statesman
Image Source: pro.corbis.com
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July 31, 2009 | Posted by: Carebuzz | Common Problems and Problem Solving, Health and Nutrition for Bakersfield Seniors | Tagged: Bakersfield seniors, Elderly mother, Expressive Aphasia
My mom has suffered from expressive aphasia since a series of strokes that she's had over the past 10 years. At first, the changes were minimal; she would occasionally have some trouble forming some words or responding to something that someone said to her. However, over time, these minor changes became something much more serious as she was rendered silent by the condition. I didn't understand what she was going through at first; I thought that along with her speech, her cognitive skills were going as well. I guess you could say I thought that that when it came to my mother, the lights were off and there was nobody home. It certainly seemed that way for a while, until one day my mother, who had taken up painting, painted a photo of one of her grandchildren with a dog. One that he didn't have, but had spoken to us about wanting; and suddenly I realized there really was someone in there who was aware of everything going on around her, with no way to express herself, and our family had been treating her like she no longer existed.
I immediately made changes in my communication style with my mother - I started treating her like I always had, even if she wasn't able to answer back to me when I told her about my day or about the funny things that her young grandchildren had been up to, I knew she was in there listening. But the rest of the family didn't seem to get it, even when my mom was present in the room, they acted like she wasn???t there; my siblings just couldn't get it through their heads that my mom was still in there, even if she couldn't communicate with us.
I had done extensive research on expressive aphasia, and I tried to explain to my family that my mom's condition had affected nothing more than her ability to access language, and that by avoiding talking to her they were isolating her entirely when she was undoubtedly already feeling lost and alone. As my mother slowly learned to cope with her condition, and started to find other ways to communicate with us - the light bulb finally went off in the heads of the rest of my family, and it dawned on them, that my mom wasn't gone; she was just trapped in a body without the language skills to make her presence known.
Sources:
1. Stroke Association
2. The Aphasia Institute
3. Orange Blossom Farm
4. About
Image: pro.corbis.com
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July 27, 2009 | Posted by: Carebuzz | Health and Nutrition for Bakersfield Seniors, Senior Activities in Bakersfield | Tagged: Bakersfield senior concerns, Elderly activities, Exercise safety for aging adults
Working in the geriatric ward of a busy Bakersfield clinic, I often field questions from seniors and their families looking for solutions to all of the physical results of aging, and with knowledge of osteoporosis increasing, bone density is one area for concern. Many families have read that decreased bone density isn't final, that it can be regained with exercise; particularly resistance activities like weight lifting, and while myself, as well as the physicians that I work with do encourage these activities in order to help prevent bone density loss, I feel it's important to lay all of the facts out on the table. Recent studies have shown that while bone density is improved through regular resistance training, the improvement is only about 3% and the results only last as long as the activities are continued. The results might be minimal, but when it comes to exercise and the prevention of bone density loss and osteoporosis, every little bit helps! However, with resistance training there is also an increased chance of injury, so seniors should speak to their doctor and even a personal trainer to learn proper resistance techniques so they do not do more harm than good when trying to improve their overall health!
Sources:
1. Suite101
2. Mayo Clinic
Image Source: pro.corbis.com
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July 24, 2009 | Posted by: Carebuzz | Health and Nutrition for Bakersfield Seniors, Senior Activities in Bakersfield | Tagged: Active elders, Bakersfield senior health, Exercise journal
Q. I'm very active by nature, and so naturally, when I get together with my Bakersfield care recipient who is a gentleman in his 70s who suffers from the early stages of Alzheimer's, I try to encourage him to remain active. We've found many things that we have in common through exercise, which helps us to bridge the generational gaps, and our varied interests because we are not the same sex. We like to go for a walk in the park near his Bakersfield home to work on our endurance, and to feed the ducks; and since he used to enjoy playing baseball during his youth, we've actually started playing catch in the garden outside his home. Someone suggested to me that keeping an exercise journal will have many benefits towards his health and fitness goals; is there any truth to this, and what are they?
A. There are health and fitness benefits to keeping an exercise and nutrition journal for people of all ages, but the benefits are even more pronounced for older adults who have unique needs, and specific health concerns. Here are a few of the benefits that your elderly care recipient will receive from keeping an exercise and fitness journal:
• It allows seniors to record the exercises that work for them, and those that have caused pain, strain or other issues that they want to remember to avoid
• It allows their seniors to record their progress with regards to building endurance, since they will know when and how to increase the duration and intensity of their workout
• Recording meals can help seniors keep track of the calories they're consuming so they know when to increase or decrease their portions
• Having a journal of regular dietary habits can help doctors and nutritionists understand how seniors eat, and make changes in order to help control diabetes, high blood pressure and other conditions
• Exercise journals can help remind seniors to drink enough water everyday and take their vitamins
• Having a record of both diet and exercise habits can help doctors identify and diagnose the causes of medical problems or injuries
Sources:
1. Suite101
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July 20, 2009 | Posted by: Carebuzz | Safety Concerns in Bakersfield, Senior Activities in Bakersfield | Tagged: Aging issues, Bakersfield senior activities, Safety tips for elders
Hiking is a great cardiovascular activity for Bakersfield seniors. It has the same benefits upon their overall health, without the strain of an activity like jogging, and it allows seniors to go at their own pace. Plus, when going out to hike outdoors, there is changing scenery for added enjoyment, which can make exercise a much nicer experience than simply going for a walk on the treadmill.
However, when hiking there are some simple safety tips that seniors can implement to make sure that they aren't injured, lost out in an area far from civilization where they can't call for help. This is a risk for all individuals who go out for a hike, but naturally, with age, the chances of injury increase. So to prepare for a safe hike, here are some things that Bakersfield seniors can do:
• Never hike alone - hiking with a friend, family member or caregiver ensures that there is someone there to help in an emergency. A hiking buddy can also help a senior get up steep slopes, or provide support over uneven terrain
• Plan ahead - study maps of the hiking area, and if taking a longer trip, leave a copy of your route with someone not attending the hike. Also check to make sure that the weather conditions will be good. Even bad weather days before the hike, like rain, can cause danger as there is likely to be slippery rocks or mud that can cause falls
• Dress appropriately - seniors should have sturdy hiking shoes appropriate for gripping the terrain. The hiking shoes or boots should be properly fitted to ensure that they provide added support and stability to a senior. Dressing in layers will also help to ensure comfort, regardless of weather or temperatures
• Pack a bag - water should be packed, and drank regularly throughout a hike. Extra clothing, bug spray, sunscreen, a snack, and a first aid kit are recommended
Sources:
1. Associated Content
2. Suite 101
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July 17, 2009 | Posted by: Carebuzz | Financial Center, Health and Nutrition for Bakersfield Seniors, Senior Activities in Bakersfield | Tagged: Bakersfield older adults, Physical fitness for elders, Senior limited budget
Q. My dad is from Bakersfield and would really like to join a gym or fitness center, because he's really motivated to start improving his physical fitness after an accident that made him believe he's no longer in good physical health. He is, however, on a very limited budget. I know he could try to do physical activities outside for free, but he'd really like to make use of traditional fitness equipment as a part of his workout. Are there any places that offer discounted rates for seniors or at more affordable costs?
A. You might find that many Bakersfield fitness centers do offer discount rates for seniors, but even these can be costly on a limited budget. Instead, try Silver Sneakers, it's a fitness center specifically for seniors, so it can cater to his specific needs and he will workout in comfort with other people in his demographic. The best part about Silver Sneakers, is that provided he has Medicare or a supplement plan, he can actually get a membership to this senior's fitness center for free! A membership with Silver Sneakers gives him access to all of the amenities at a Silver Sneakers fitness center, including fitness equipment, a pool and sauna. He'll also receive advice from a Senior Fitness Advisor, and can attend classes for seniors and seminars on health education.
Sources:
1. Silver Sneakers
2. Suite101
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July 13, 2009 | Posted by: Carebuzz | Senior Activities in Bakersfield | Tagged: Bakersfield seniors, Elderly activities, Memories of my grandmother
As a child, I saw my grandparents only a few times a year, so every visit was incredibly special. Anytime I was in their home, I idolized them and wanted to mimic their activities as a way to bond with them. One of my best memories of spending time with my grandmother was watching her knit; as we'd sit there and chat she would constantly be working away, often making clothing for my dolls and my toys. I tried to memorize her technique, mesmerized by the motion of the knitting needles and the brightly colored yarn. When my grandmother caught on that I was so interested in what she was doing, she decided to teach me how to do a few stitches, and I'd sit there in anticipation waiting for her to pass the knitting needles over to me so I could make my contribution. I'm sure the second I was out of the room she would unwind my flawed rows, but she'd still remind me of the involvement I had in creating whatever it was that she had been working on. One year, she sent me home with what was left from a ball of yarn that she had finished with, and one spare knitting needle. I didn't have enough experience to knit by myself, but for years of my childhood I held on to the craft items, pulling them out once and a while to think of my grandmother and the memories that we had created together.
While the time we spent doing this art together was short-lived, it's one of my fondest childhood memories of spending time with my grandmother, and I would encourage art as an activity to bring together the generations to anyone who's struggling to bridge the gap.
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July 10, 2009 | Posted by: Carebuzz | Senior Activities in Bakersfield | Tagged: Bakersfield elders, Celebrating with family, Grandmother's birthday
Q. My grandmother's 87th birthday is coming up, and we are wondering what to do to celebrate this milestone. A big gathering isn't really for her, she would rather spend time with her closer family or friends; so what can we do to make it really special and memorable for her?
A. The pleasure of your company will be the best thing that you can give your grandma for her 87th birthday. Bring the immediate family together so she can see her legacy; including her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren if there are any. Just having you all in one place will mean so much to her. Pick an activity that you can all do together that will help to remind her of her childhood and allow the younger generations to enjoy themselves too. Just creating an opportunity for your grandmother to watch the children in the family play and interact together will really make her appreciate the time together
1. Suite 101
2. Helium
Image Source: pro.corbis.com
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June 29, 2009 | Posted by: Carebuzz | Bakersfield Elder Home Care, Health and Nutrition for Bakersfield Seniors | Tagged: Bakersfield families, caregiver stress, Elderly grandmother
It may be selfish, but there are times that I can honestly say I've had enough. I care for my elderly grandmother who is in the later stages of Alzheimer's, and I try to be everything for her; but I just can't do it all. Say what you will, maybe I'm selfish to say it's too much for me, but I've learned that it's okay to focus on me now and again. After years of providing for my own family, balancing a career, and acting as the primary caregiver for my elderly grandmother, I'm burning out. Maybe taking a step back is selfish, but I also feel like it will be doing her a favor, because I'll be better equipped to care for her.
From now on, when I feel stressed, I'm going to do something for me. If that means hiring a home caregiver who specializes in Alzheimer's to take over for a week, while I hit the spa; I'm going to do it. Sometimes caring for someone you love who has Alzheimer's is hard; my grandmother doesn't necessarily realize how much she's changing, but it can be hard not to take it personally when she doesn't recognize me or attacks me emotionally because she's in one of her moods that come with the disease. So that's it, sometimes it's got to be about me too; as much as I love my grandmother, I think it's best for both of us. If selfish is the label that applies to me, then bring it on.
Sources:
1. Health and Age
2. ProQuest
Image Source: pro.corbis.com
