Vital Body
It goes without saying, nutrition is important to everyone’s health. But for seniors, it’s especially crucial, and often more complicated. As we age, your body needs more of certain nutrients, metabolism slows and requires fewer calories, palate and digestion may change, medications may affect taste, chronic conditions can affect appetite and may require dietary restrictions. Perhaps is why many seniors show signs of malnutrition. In fact, senior malnutrition costs the United States $51.3 billion a year according to the Alliance on Aging Research.
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There’s a saying that life is not about the destination, it’s the journey. In senior living, it’s about both. To end up in the best destination — a community that fits your wants and needs, you need careful planning along the journey. In making the decision that it’s time for senior living, you’ve taken an important first step. Next stop, setting your expectations as you begin your search. Here’s what to look for in a senior living community.
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There are many factors to consider when sorting through care and housing options for older adults. Lifestyle preferences, socialization, transportation, physical limitations, daily routines—to name a few—can all impact the best choice for your loved one. And though cost is always part of the decision, comparing the various ancillary costs of “aging in place” (or remaining at home) with the inclusive pricing of community living is a complicated process. So, let's break it down...
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Aging in place is a phrase popular in the senior care industry, but it’s one seniors and their families don’t necessarily understand. In the simplest of terms, it refers to a senior remaining in their own home as they grow old. While it’s a solution many people say they prefer, most are unaware of just all that it entails.
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Well-balanced meals contribute to a healthier life at any age. That’s no secret. What isn’t as well known, however, is just how much nutritional needs change after the age of 60. As metabolism slows, older adults require fewer calories each day. Because the body begins to process nutrients differently, the need for more vitamins and minerals might change, too.
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Caring for an aging parent on your own can be both rewarding and all-consuming. Making medical decisions, managing financial matters, and tending to daily care often become increasingly stressful and exhausting as time goes on.
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According to the CDC, one in four Americans aged 65 and older falls each year. In fact, every 11 seconds an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall, making it the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal trauma-related hospital admissions among this group. What’s even more alarming? Falling once doubles your chances of falling again. But just because falls are common among older adults doesn’t mean it has to happen to you, particularly if you follow these tips for fall prevention at home.
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According to AARP, nearly 90 percent of seniors want to stay in their own home as they age. However, issues with limited mobility, vision, hearing, balance and even cognitive impairments can raise safety concerns in the home environment. To help keep yourself or your loved one safe consider these home safety tips for seniors.
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It’s a fact of life that those who once cared for us will likely someday need to be taken care of themselves. More than 65 million people provide care for a family member, often an aging parent. Caregivers spend an average of 20 hours a week at the effort, according to the same report by Caregiver Action Network.
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Americans can out-plan just about anyone when we set our minds to it. In fact, NASA plans to land an astronaut on Mars in about 15 years, and preparations are already well under way. Food, fuel, and mental stimulation: Everything is being planned in meticulous detail for the 140-million-mile journey through space.
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The decision to move to a senior living community is like choosing a college. But unlike college, you might live at a senior living community for a decade. This chapter should be one of promise and hope for a vibrant future. Finding the right community for your needs can imbue you with a new sense of hope and a plan for the next stage of your life. You have many good choices, but the key lies in choosing the right community for you.
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There is no denying that the prospect of your loved one developing dementia is overwhelming. Dementia removes a person’s memories and even has the potential of changing personality and habits in unexpected ways.
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A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s can be scary and overwhelming for families. And if you have a parent or loved one who has Alzheimer’s, the reality is that you and other family members and friends will be making decisions related to the necessary care your loved one’s needs...
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With so many conflicting senior nutrition tips out there, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. One source tells you bread is forbidden, and then your doctor tells you to eat more whole grains. Eggs have been good, bad, and somewhere in between. And then there are all the restrictive diets—no carbs, no gluten, no animal products.
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No matter who you are, moving into any type of new home is understandably daunting and emotional, not to mention a type of living you’ve never tried before. Adjusting from the full independence of a private home to an assisted living community may make this shift even more stressful for most people making this transition. Knowing what kind of place your family is looking for, what to bring, what will be provided, and the ways you can support your loved one in this move will make all the difference.
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Friends can make life more meaningful at any age. Having a close circle of friends impacts your well-being in ways you might not be aware of—especially as you grow older. From influencing health choices to lending a sympathetic ear during difficult times, senior friendships play a role in determining how long and how well we live.
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The statistics on falls among seniors are startling: one in three older adults experiences a fall every year. Falls are the leading cause of injuries, both fatal and non-fatal, among seniors. Once an older adult experiences a fall, they are two to three times more likely to fall again. For the senior and their loved ones, the dangers associated with falling are downright frightening.
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A question we hear repeatedly from families during tax season is whether or not senior care expenses qualify for a tax deduction. Sometimes the senior pays the entire cost of care on their own, and other times adult children pitch in to help. While we aren’t tax advisors, we did want to take time to share a few resources that might help you find the answers you need.
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Have you heard of the Blue Zones? These are places in the world where people live to the age of 100 at ten times the rate of the average population. They live longer and healthier lives.
What secrets do they know that helps them age well?
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Driving plays an important role in maintaining independence. Most of us enjoy the freedom that comes from knowing we can hop in to our car and head out to do some shopping or meet friends for lunch. As we grow older, however, we all experience age-related changes that can make driving a little more difficult.
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For many adult children, talking with an aging parent about moving to senior living is one of the most difficult conversations they will ever have. Finding the courage to start the conversation can be a struggle. But delaying such an important discussion often means families aren’t prepared if or when a crisis occurs.
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Making the holiday season meaningful and bright for your family when a loved one has dementia might feel a little daunting. The disease can create many challenges that can make a change in schedule more difficult. The key to planning for a happy holiday is to focus on what your loved one can do rather than on the losses created by dementia.
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It isn’t uncommon for a senior to want to age at home instead of moving to a senior community. For some it is due to sentimental reasons: they don’t want to give up the house they raised a family in and all the memories attached to it. For others it is due to financial concerns. They believe it is less expensive to age at home because their mortgage is paid off. .
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No family member likes to think the worst will happen to a senior loved one. But health emergencies, natural disasters, accidents, and other unexpected events can occur without warning. If you are an adult child involved in the care of a parent, having a plan in place in case of an emergency is vital.
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Deciding which assisted living community to move to is a big decision to make under even the best of circumstances. Doing so amidst a crisis can force you to hurry a process that should be slow and deliberate. Unfortunately, many families delay even talking about senior care until an emergency arises. Then a quick decision is often the only option.
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If you're involved in the daily care of an aging parent or another senior loved one, there may come a day when you can no longer meet their needs at home. It is an unfortunate reality many families find themselves in. As a family, you might decide that an assisted living community is the best option for the senior and for you.
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Admitting a parent is showing signs of what may be dementia can be difficult. It is natural for loved ones to worry about their senior loved one's feelings and about protecting their dignity. These are a few of the reasons families often deny there is a problem until the disease has progressed to the point where it can’t be ignored.
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They say moving is right up there with divorce and taxes on the list of stressful life events. But the truth is, it doesn't have to be.
With the right kind of planning and a good checklist, preparing for a move to a senior living community may be easier than you think!
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Senior living can be whatever you want—from a quiet chance to reflect or give back to your community to a challenging adventure full of globetrotting. Most older adults, regardless of health or other retirement goals, say they want to travel in retirement. In 2015, AARP found that Baby Boomers planned to take four to five trips the following year.
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Most Americans kickstart their day with a burst of energy from a good strong cup of coffee. And afternoon tea is a classic pick-me-up as energy fades later in the day. There are so many conflicting reports about the risks and benefits of caffeine that it can be confusing to understand the impact of caffeine on memory, digestion, and health.
