Many adults expect to feel a sense of loss, or even depression, as they enter old age. But rather than experiencing unhappiness about the effects of aging, many seniors report an increased sense of peace and contentment. Instead of feeling limited, they feel liberated.
It's well established that how we think affects how we feel. For example, simply smiling can actually make a person happier. Older adults can use this approach to focus on positive emotions and suppress negative emotions, to enhance their overall emotional well-being. By directing their intellectual resources toward their emotional goals, seniors can improve their present emotional state.
Enjoying the "golden years"
Rather than longing for the "good old days," seniors are enjoying their golden years. According to a study conducted by ExtendHealth, a Medicare exchange provider, only 3 percent of 471 retirees surveyed said they miss their jobs, and only 2 percent said they have too much free time.
The fact that older adults often see their lives in a positive light provides a great opportunity for those who work with seniors. Caregivers and professionals can often provide resources that support seniors' connections to their families, friends, community and social networks and thus enhance their emotional well-being.
In addition, because seniors often make decisions on more emotional than intellectual levels, it's important to make positive emotional connections with them. Caregivers and professionals can benefit by presenting their services as positive enhancements to older adults' lives.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Effects of Summer Heat on Elderly
Summer for most is a season that holds great enjoyment, with the anticipation of picnics, vacations and outdoor events. But for older adults, summer can threaten overall health and wellness. Elderly individuals are much more vulnerable to illnesses related to sun and heat exposure. Dehydration, sunburn, heat exhaustion and heat stroke are just a few hazards of warm weather months.
Why are older adults at greater risk for heat related illnesses? There are a number of factors that contribute to this:
* Lack of hydration - some older adults with health conditions must adhere to fluid restrictions, thus increasing the risk of not drinking enough liquids. Additionally, some older adults refrain from drinking adequate amounts of water because it is a hardship for them to make frequent trips to the bathroom.
* As adults age, their skin becomes increasingly more fragile, which makes overexposure while in the sun a threat.
* Older adults who hesitate to turn on their air conditioning for fear of running up the electric bill may ultimately be suffering in unventilated, hot environments.
* As individuals age, their bodies don't adjust as well to temperature changes.
* Some prescription medications can impede the body's ability to perspire when needed.
Below are some tips to make sure that the older adult you love and care for remains safe and healthy throughout the summer:
* Take regular cool showers or baths.
* Drink plenty of non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated beverages every day. Ask your primary care physician about necessary fluid restrictions.
* Assure adequate resting time.
* Wear lightweight clothing - discourage sweaters and heavy layers.
* Provide a well ventilated, air-conditioned environment when necessary.
* Use sun block and sun screen while outdoors. Don't forget about a hat to shade the top of the head or thinning hair.
* Offer assistance with strenuous activities such as gardening, mowing and walking to destinations.
* Check in with your loved-one regularly.
Summer for most is a season that holds great enjoyment, with the anticipation of picnics, vacations and outdoor events. But for older adults, summer can threaten overall health and wellness. Elderly individuals are much more vulnerable to illnesses related to sun and heat exposure. Dehydration, sunburn, heat exhaustion and heat stroke are just a few hazards of warm weather months.
Why are older adults at greater risk for heat related illnesses? There are a number of factors that contribute to this:
* Lack of hydration - some older adults with health conditions must adhere to fluid restrictions, thus increasing the risk of not drinking enough liquids. Additionally, some older adults refrain from drinking adequate amounts of water because it is a hardship for them to make frequent trips to the bathroom.
* As adults age, their skin becomes increasingly more fragile, which makes overexposure while in the sun a threat.
* Older adults who hesitate to turn on their air conditioning for fear of running up the electric bill may ultimately be suffering in unventilated, hot environments.
* As individuals age, their bodies don't adjust as well to temperature changes.
* Some prescription medications can impede the body's ability to perspire when needed.
Below are some tips to make sure that the older adult you love and care for remains safe and healthy throughout the summer:
* Take regular cool showers or baths.
* Drink plenty of non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated beverages every day. Ask your primary care physician about necessary fluid restrictions.
* Assure adequate resting time.
* Wear lightweight clothing - discourage sweaters and heavy layers.
* Provide a well ventilated, air-conditioned environment when necessary.
* Use sun block and sun screen while outdoors. Don't forget about a hat to shade the top of the head or thinning hair.
* Offer assistance with strenuous activities such as gardening, mowing and walking to destinations.
* Check in with your loved-one regularly.
Geriatric care managers can provide the much needed peace of mind for family members who are not able to check in regularly with their aging loved-ones by acting as the eyes and ears for family members. They can identify risk factors and implement strategies to reduce the risk of a crisis. For more information or to make a referral, call 612-396-5473
Friday, April 30, 2010
Free Spring Shredding Event
Where: The Colony at Eden Prairie
When: Tuesday May 4, 2010
Time: 1-3 p.m.
All shredding will be done immediately on-site. Bring all of your papers documents and any mail you want to shred.
Refreshments will be Served.
Sponsored by:
Along Life's Path
Mary Kay Cosmetics
Neil Kingsbeck, Funeral Preplanner
Seversen, Sheldon Elder Care Attorneys
St. Joseph Sent Me
Twin Cities Senior Relocation and Transition Specialists
Liz Rosenberg, Massage Therapist
When: Tuesday May 4, 2010
Time: 1-3 p.m.
All shredding will be done immediately on-site. Bring all of your papers documents and any mail you want to shred.
Refreshments will be Served.
Sponsored by:
Along Life's Path
Mary Kay Cosmetics
Neil Kingsbeck, Funeral Preplanner
Seversen, Sheldon Elder Care Attorneys
St. Joseph Sent Me
Twin Cities Senior Relocation and Transition Specialists
Liz Rosenberg, Massage Therapist
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Starting the Conversation with Your Parents
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Here are some tips to help you start a difficult conversation with your Mom or Dad. This may be about nursing home placement, funeral pre-planning or just obtaining health care at home:
1. Acknowledge the difficulty of the situation
Changing roles
Difficult subject
2. Look at the facts- be gentle and sensitive(if there is resistance back up and create a safe space before proceeding)
3. Ask questions- be curious- look for ways to have the senior control the conversation
4. Identify the outcome you are both looking for-the future you want to create. Be open to their thoughts and thinking outside the box.
5. Inquire into what would help the senior create the next stage of their life as the Best part of their life.
6. Develop concrete action items that don't overwhelm.
Remember, it takes courage, compassion and generosity to make a good conversation and a willingness to change your mind.
Provided by the Society of Certified Senior Advisors. http://www.csa.com
Monday, December 21, 2009
Happy Holidays
Happy Holidays to all my clients, colleagues and business associates. I wish you all the best in the coming year.
Watch Out for Illegal Insurance Practices
It is illegal for anyone to do the following:
• Pressure you into buying a Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance) policy, or lie
to or mislead you to switch from one company or policy to another.
• Sell you a second Medigap policy when they know that you already have one,unless you tell the insurance company in writing that you plan to cancel your existing
Medigap policy.
• Sell you a Medigap policy if they know you have Medicaid, except in certain situations.
• Sell you a Medigap policy if they know you are in a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO, PPO or private Fee-for-Service Plan) (unless your coverage under the
Medicare Advantage Plan will end before the effective date of the Medigap policy).
• Claim that a Medigap policy is part of the Medicare program or any other Federal program. Medigap is private health insurance.
• Claim that a Medicare Advantage Plan is a Medigap policy.
• Sell you a Medigap policy that can’t legally be sold in your state. Check with your
State Insurance Department to make sure that the Medigap policy you are interested
in can be sold in your state.
• Misuse the names, letters or symbols of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), Social Security Administration (SSA), Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services (CMS), or any of their various programs like Medicare. (For example, they can’t suggest the Medigap policy has been approved or recommended by the Federal government.)
• Sell you a Medicare Advantage Plan when you want to stay in Original Medicare and buy a Medigap policy. A Medicare Advantage Plan isn’t the same as Original Medicare. If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan you will be disenrolled from Original Medicare and can’t use a Medigap policy.
If you believe that a Federal law has been broken, call the Inspector General’s hotline at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477). TTY users should call 1-800-377-4950. Your State Insurance Department can help you with other insurance-related problems.
This information is provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors® (SCSA) www.csa.us and comes from Choosing a Medigap Policy 2009 at www.medicare.gov.
• Pressure you into buying a Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance) policy, or lie
to or mislead you to switch from one company or policy to another.
• Sell you a second Medigap policy when they know that you already have one,unless you tell the insurance company in writing that you plan to cancel your existing
Medigap policy.
• Sell you a Medigap policy if they know you have Medicaid, except in certain situations.
• Sell you a Medigap policy if they know you are in a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO, PPO or private Fee-for-Service Plan) (unless your coverage under the
Medicare Advantage Plan will end before the effective date of the Medigap policy).
• Claim that a Medigap policy is part of the Medicare program or any other Federal program. Medigap is private health insurance.
• Claim that a Medicare Advantage Plan is a Medigap policy.
• Sell you a Medigap policy that can’t legally be sold in your state. Check with your
State Insurance Department to make sure that the Medigap policy you are interested
in can be sold in your state.
• Misuse the names, letters or symbols of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), Social Security Administration (SSA), Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services (CMS), or any of their various programs like Medicare. (For example, they can’t suggest the Medigap policy has been approved or recommended by the Federal government.)
• Sell you a Medicare Advantage Plan when you want to stay in Original Medicare and buy a Medigap policy. A Medicare Advantage Plan isn’t the same as Original Medicare. If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan you will be disenrolled from Original Medicare and can’t use a Medigap policy.
If you believe that a Federal law has been broken, call the Inspector General’s hotline at 1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477). TTY users should call 1-800-377-4950. Your State Insurance Department can help you with other insurance-related problems.
This information is provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors® (SCSA) www.csa.us and comes from Choosing a Medigap Policy 2009 at www.medicare.gov.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
New Resources Available for the Twin Cities Area Seniors and Their Families
Twin Cities area seniors now have a new resource to help them age successfully. Barbara Grimm, CSA, with Along Life’s Path, recently completed a comprehensive course through the Society of Certified Senior Advisors (SCSA) and earned the designation of Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®. SCSA in an international organization that has trained more than 20,000 professionals to meet the changing needs of a growing senior population.
The explosion in growth of the senior population is one of the most important demographic developments of the 21st century. Two-thirds of the people who have lived past the age of 65 are alive today. In the
This demographic shift requires an educated response in how professionals work with senior and the challenges and opportunities they face. Barbara Grimm said: “With more people living longer, we are already beginning to see changes in how seniors function in our society, from retirees who choose to start a second or third career, to various forms of alternative senior housing and new approaches to diet, exercise and overall health care for seniors”.
As a CSA, Barbara Grimm will participate in continuing education that emphasizes ethical selling and business practices and volunteer service specific to seniors.
Barbara Grimm is a Daily Money Manager for Seniors. For a free in-home consultation, call 612/385-6446 or email
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