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Hearing Loss in the Elderly

aadmin — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 18:44:27 +0000

Hearing loss is defined as the diminishment or loss of hearing in one or both ears. This loss may occur gradually over a long period of time or may happen suddenly. Hearing loss is a problem that commonly affects the elderly. Studies have shown that one third of Americans between the ages of 65 and 74 struggle with hearing loss. For those 75 and older, hearing loss affects at least half of the elderly population.

Types of Hearing Loss in the Elderly

The type of hearing loss that most commonly affects the elderly is called presbycusis. This hearing loss is caused by changes to the inner ear, auditory nerve, middle ear, or outer ear that occur gradually as a person ages. In addition to aging, other risk factors for presbycusis include hereditary factors, exposure to loud noise, head injury, certain infections and illnesses, some prescription drugs, circulation problems, and high blood pressure.

Another condition that affects the hearing of the elderly is tinnitus. People with tinnitus hear a ringing or buzzing sound in one or both ears. This sound may be loud or soft and may come and go. Tinnitus is not a disease, but rather a symptom of another problem. It may be the result of a minor problem, such as lodged ear wax, or the sign of a more serious condition.

Signs of Hearing Loss

While determining whether or not you have hearing loss may seem as simple as asking yourself whether or not you can hear, it is actually more complex than that. The human body and brain is incredibly proficient at adapting to overcome challenges. Especially when the hearing loss occurs gradually, it is easy to grow accustomed to not hearing as well and fail to realize that there is a problem at all. Whether evaluating yourself or an elderly relative for hearing loss, here are the signs you should look for:

Difficulty hearing when having a conversation on the telephone (due to the lack of visual references, such as facial expressions and lip movements, to help fill in the gaps)
Difficulty hearing others speaking in a crowded, loud setting, such as a busy restaurant
Needing to increase the volume levels on electronic devices (television, radio, mp3 player, etc.) or having others complain that you have the volume set too high
Feeling as though other people mumble frequently when they are speaking to you
Struggling to understand when women and children speak to you (due to their higher pitch frequencies, they are often harder to hear)
Feeling as though you are unable to keep up in a group conversation

Treatment Options

If you are concerned about hearing loss, it is always important to seek appropriate medical treatment. Left untreated, hearing loss may continue to progress, as well as lead to other health problems. There are many solutions to help with hearing loss, including hearing aids, medication, and surgery. The earlier you seek treatment, the better chance you will have to treat and manage your hearing loss.

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What is a hospice?

aadmin — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 09:08:20 +0000

Hospice care is a phrase that often evokes a myriad of emotions including fear, sadness and even denial. But, in the end, good hospice care should be thought of as gentle, peaceful, supportive and reliving.

The definition of hospice is care given to a terminally ill patient so his or her final days can be lived out in dignity and comfort. It is actually more of a concept of care than one particular style or prescription. Hospice care, which is usually given when a person has less than 6 months to live, can be given in a person's home, hospital or special hospice residence.

A team of people work together to provide medical care that keeps the patient comfortable for as long as possible as well as address both practical support and emotional support for the whole family as they walk through the final journey. Since it is holistic, hospice affects everyone around the patient, not just the patient.

Client

For the patient, nurses and home health aids work to keep him or her comfortable in several ways. They administer prescription pain medications, monitor vital signs like breathing and heart rate, and make adjustments in the surrounding atmosphere as needed. Since care is simply comfort rather than cure, the nursing can be less invasive than a regular hospital stay. Sometimes hospice nurses see a patient begin to feel better once he is away from the hospital atmosphere because he can just relax and concentrate on his loved ones.

In addition, hospice services provide in-home medical equipment like special beds, bathroom aids and other needed machinery. Skilled technicians set them up, demonstrate how to use them and maybe most importantly, remain on-call for any questions or problems. These in-home options can make a world of difference.

Part of the hospice team usually involves folks who can provide spiritual guidance or counseling. These services can give great comfort to the patient.

Caregiver

For the main caregiver, hospice lets them put down the caregiver mantel for a while and just be a loved one. Sometimes the person helping the loved one has worked so hard, they have not had time to process what is happening and may not be able to formulate the things they want to say. Hospice care gives him or her breathing room.

Plus, the spiritual and emotional work being done is also for the caregiver, not just the patient. Hospice volunteers are trained to help everyone in the room. Because the patient is able to get away from the hospital and still be relatively comfortable, the caregiver often experiences less stress and fear in those last days.

Hospice is usually covered by private insurance or Medicaid. Someone on the team can help the caregiver understand the financial ramifications as well as other paperwork around illness and death.

So, when your family reaches that place no one wants to think about, consider hospice care. Hospice doesn't prolong life, it just makes the days left better and more manageable.

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Today's elderly veterans facing affordable housing shortage

aadmin — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 10:47:09 +0000

Yesterday was June 6, 2013, the 69th anniversary of D-Day, commemorating the landing of Allied troops on the beaches of Normandy in World War Two. The landings, primarily involving British, Canadian, and American troops, featured more than 150,000 soldiers storming the French coast in an attempt to break the German front lines.

And although the attack was ultimately successful, an estimated 12,000 Allied troops died during the bloody assault, and nearly 70 years later, millions of people across North America are remembering the sacrifice made by World War Two veterans of the United States and Canada.

Today, there are about 110,000 veterans of World War Two in Canada, with an average age of 88 years old. And while these veterans have been treated well by their country since their service, more work needs to be done, according to Andrea Siew, Director, Service Bureau with The Royal Canadian Legion.

“Affordable and independent housing is the single largest issue facing World War Two veterans,” Siew told RetirementHomes.com. “Maybe they can't stay in their family home any longer, and many of them need assisted living communities in the areas where their network is,” Siew said.

According to Siew, 10 years ago, the Royal Canadian Legion started building affordable housing apartments for lower-income veterans, and since then, about seven thousand veterans have been housed in the residences, which are located across Canada.

In the United States, as a result of the country’s larger population, there are significantly more veterans of World War Two, at roughly 1.2 million, but many of the issues and challenges facing aging veterans are the same in both countries.

“The challenge for veterans securing permanent and sustainable lasting housing are around affordability, around having appropriate access to healthcare services, appropriate access to other case management and support living skilled and life support assistance while living in that housing,” Tim Cantwell Jr, president of Cantwell-Anderson Inc., a real estate developer based in Pasadena, California, told AARP in a 2012 interview.

According to Cantwell, one pervasive myth surrounding veterans is the level of financial support they receive from the government.
“The pension that people might think that a veteran has...it's likely to be something on the order of 900 a month, or less,” Cantwell said.

“And that shocks most people, because there's a notion that as a veteran, they're being taken care of by the federal government.”

For a comprehensive directory of senior housing options, including affordable housing, visit RetirementHo

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Bomb-sniffing dog moves to local retirement home

aadmin — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:10:15 +0000

It looks like a typical retirement party: friends and colleagues gather to toast their departing peer, while enjoying snacks and hearing speeches. But Stryker, the retiree and guest of honor, isn’t a Baby Boomer; he is turning nine years old this spring and he’s a Labrador dog.

As reported by The Seattle Times, Stryker retired last week after seven years working for airplane manufacturer Boeing, where he sniffed out suspected bombs, luggage, and abandoned bags.

At his retirement party, Stryker’s speech, which was written by two of his trainers, read as follows: “To my K-9 buddies and trainers: Treasure this -- it goes by too fast. And to the rest of you, treasure us. We keep you safe and we do even if it means putting ourselves in danger.”

Bu for Stryker, retirement may be just the beginning. First, the typical life expectancy for Labradors is around 12 years, and for now, Stryker will be starting an encore career with his move to a local Seattle retirement home to be a companion to local seniors.

And although Stryker’s retirement is being overshadowed by the pope’s resignation, the plucky dog is likely to make plenty of new friends as he embarks on a new career.

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Designing your community to turn tours into Move-ins. Are you selling a cruise ship or prison?

aadmin — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 19:16:39 +0000

Do you remember the Love Boat? With Julie, Captain Stubing, Gopher, Doc & Isaac.

The theme song said it all” Exciting and New” come aboard, we're expecting you……

From the moment the passengers saw the ship they were greeted and welcomed as if the entire purpose of the cruise ship was to make the passengers in a wonderful exciting new experience, and they delivered. The passengers were greeted by kind, friendly staff that could meet their every need from housekeeping, food, activities, entertainment and even health.

On the flip side, a prison has the same services that are provided to the cruisers but the staff is not there to serve the prisoners every whim. They go out of their way to make the prisoners feel uncomfortable and trapped.

There are two differences between the experiences above. One is physical and the other is attitude.

The attitude change from positive to negative is critical, in essence letting the person feel desired and wanted and that you will move mountains to make this the best experience possible. The physical differences start from the street of the property and flow into the building and the various purpose built spaces.

Every effort needs to be made to have the architecture, landscaping, interior, signage and lighting welcome and encourage what Lance Sectretan calls “soul space”. Space that touches your soul and allows you to relax and enjoy.Most folks can’t put their finger on what creates soul space. You just know when it happens and it becomes magnetic. People are drawn to it. It has its own positive energy.

Some Key items to help you reach “Soul Space” are the following:

· Great Street signage that is well lit and easy to see in any direction announcing the building prior to making a turn.

· Landscaping – this is often overlooked, great landscaping translates into care of the environment, creativity and life.

· Covered entrance to shield from the weather coming in and out of the home.

· No interior barriers between you and the Staff when being greeted. When there are slider glass windows or buzzers this gives the impression that those on the inside are trapped once they enter, or that their clientele (like a gas station in a bad neighborhood) can’t be trusted.

· Nice music and smells – sounds simple but it’s rarely done well. Fresh Flowers are a plus!

· Protocol for how visitors are to be greeted and handled when marketing is gone, on a break or after hours. Everyone should know this and be able to put it into practice, just as all Disney workers at Disney World are Cast members and should always be aware of the part the play in the greater scheme to bring magic to those visiting Disney.

· Restrooms with open access vs. locked and some clunky key you have to ask permission for like you did from the teacher when you were in grade school. This not only embarrasses folks it says that you treat residents lower than staff and visitors.

· Activities out and about. A restaurant with few cars rarely gets more. Smaller packed spaces are always better than perceived empty dead spaces.

· Models, Models, Models – North American’s cannot visualize! That’s why we have car showrooms and more stores than you would ever think possible.

· Design techniques include providing spaces that are intergenerational and purpose built vs. general use. When you design for too much flexibility a space loses its personality. Spaces should have their own unique personality and purpose. Having several of these allows a prospect to find something that fits them vs. feeling like they are in a waiting room or a hotel lobby.

From the attitude Standpoint you need to understand where the prospective resident and their family are coming from and then address each issue. Transforming these negatives to positives all has to deal with the language you use but more than that. Actions speak louder than words.

Sell: Freedom, Safety, independence, Wellness, no burden on others, Fun, adventure, trust

Sell against: Boredom, Fear, Burden, sickness, dependence, and distrust

Guilt plays a large role in the decision making process - Don’t be embarrassed by your memory care program, celebrate it and how it improves the quality of life of the residents.

Fear: 24/7 someone is there, interior are designed specifically with non-invasive tools to get assistance 10 times quicker that if you were alone by yourself.
Independence: Everything from the bathroom designs to the handrail design and the low profile shower entries are designed to allow you to be independent.
Boredom: Purpose Built spaces such as, pub, art room, craft room, café or tea house, green house, laundry room, game room, library and bistro all provide opportunities to gather with friends and family and enjoy your favorite teams championship game, play weekly cards with the gals, take up water color like you always wanted to or just have a cup of coffee and surf the internet –
Distrust: Did I leave the stove on? Did I remember to take the blood pressure pill this morning? Questioning yourself on every little item is no way to live. Think of it like living with a personal assistant and chef! When you don’t have to worry about the little stuff it frees you up to be you and have fun. Your energy is not wasted on items that someone else can handle. From a design standpoint have a dining experience that anyone would want to eat at is critical with choices and multiple venues. Again think cruise ship design.
Individuality: At the resident doors if they are set back from the corridor walls and have an accent color, wall sconce and place for the resident to decorate there is a feeling conveyed that this is their home and they are not a guest in a hotel that is not allowed to display their individual personalities.

If folks did not care about this we would all have the same style home and interiors but we do care and we may not always be able to explain it but we express what we value in our interior spaces. We convey our own personal style. Women more than men and this are why interiors are as critical as the majority of seniors you are marketing too are women.

I would challenge you to look at every aspect of your home and see where you are a prison or a cruise ship. Better yet, ask families and residents. Happy Cruising!

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Six personal finance steps to take in December

aadmin — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 14:58:07 +0000

The year 2012 is coming to a close, and millions of North Americans are spending their time shopping for the holidays or heading out on year-end vacations, but before you head into vacation mode, don’t forget these six personal finance steps you should consider taking before December 31, courtesy of U.S. News and World Report.

1/ Max out your 401(k) contributions – If there still is room to do so, consider putting additional funds into your retirement savings plan. The maximum contribution for someone 50 and over is $22,500.

2/ Contribute to an IRA – As with 401(k) plans, there is a maximum contribution, but it’s $6,000 if you are 50 or over.

3/ Contribute to your child’s education – There are tax benefits to contributing to your child’s 529 college savings account, so consider putting some funds here before the year is over.

4/ Dump poor investments – If you have under-performing investments, sell them in December and get the tax benefits of the proceeds.

5/ Give to charity- Not only is giving to charity in the spirit of the season, but it can lower your tax bracket as well.

6/ Put money into your mortgage- Many mortgages allow borrowers to contribute an additional amount of money every year into their home, so put some extra savings there if you can.

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Want to live to 100? Sleep more

aadmin — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 12:54:20 +0000

Studies have shown that adequate sleep is associated with a long list of benefits like better heart health and brainpower. And now there’s yet another reason to get your zzz’s.

For the seventh annual 100@100 survey, researchers from UnitedHealthcare asked centenarians about their ‘secrets of aging success’.

They then polled baby boomers in their early 50s to see if they are embracing the same lifestyle habits that might help them reach their 100th birthday.

How did they measure up? Many boomers are indeed making healthy choices that could improve longevity, according to the poll. There are, however, a few exceptions — and a significant one has to do with sleep.

More than 70 per cent of centenarians report getting eight or more hours of sleep each night, the survey showed. This compares with only 38 per cent of boomers saying they get the same amount of rest.

Another area where boomers could use some improvement is in their eating habits. In addition to getting more sleep, more centenarians (80 per cent) say they regularly consume a balanced meal. Only 68 per cent of boomers could make the same claim.
Other centenarian secrets for successful aging

Besides getting a good night’s sleep and maintaining a healthy diet, the poll revealed other factors that may contribute to long life.

“Some people have the perception that the oldest members of our society sit alone in a nursing home all day, but this year’s UnitedHealthcare 100@100 survey findings suggest that getting older doesn’t necessarily mean becoming less socially active,” Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer at UnitedHealthcare, said in a news release.

The survey also found that both centenarians and boomers believe that lifestyle choices have a greater impact on longevity than heredity.

Membership in Centenarian Club on the rise

As of late 2010, the U.S. had an estimated 72,000 centenarians, according to the Census Bureau. By the year 2050, that number — with the aging of the baby boomer generation — is expected to reach more than 600,000.

In Canada, between 2006 and 2011, the number of centenarians rose by a record 25.7 per cent from 4635 to 5825 people, according to the latest census. These numbers are in keeping with a trend we’ve seen for the past 40 years: centenarians continue to be one of the fastest growing demographic groups in Canada.

And don’t expect that trend to change any time soon — the number of centenarians is expected to nearly double in the next 10 years, and will reach an estimated 17,600 by 2031. And when the oldest of boomers reach 100 in 2046, we can expect to see about 35,400 centenarians living in this country. By 2061 — when the youngest boomers approach this milestone — experts predict that number will swell to over 78,000.

Women, who generally have longer life expectancies than men, currently make up the majority of centenarians.

Sleep better: 10 basic tips

Set a schedule and stick to it. Go to bed at a set time each night and get up at the same time each morning. Disrupting this routine may interrupt your inner ‘circadian clock’ and lead to insomnia. While ‘sleeping in’ on weekends may seem like a treat, it can make it harder to wake up early on Monday morning because it re-sets your sleep cycles for a later awakening.

Watch what you eat. The general rule is: Don’t eat for at least 2-3 hours before your regular bedtime. Eating too much can make you less comfortable when settling down for bed. It is best to avoid a heavy meal and spicy foods too close to bedtime.

Watch what you drink. Avoid drinks that contain caffeine, which acts as a stimulant. This includes coffee, chocolate, soft drinks, and non-herbal teas. Alcohol tends to keep people in lighter stages of sleep, robbing them of deep and REM sleep. (Smokers also tend to sleep lightly and often wake up early because of nicotine withdrawal.)

Get regular exercise. Try to exercise 20 to 30 minutes a day. Keep in mind, however, that while daily exercise often helps people sleep, a workout too close to bedtime may actually interfere with sleep. In addition to making us more alert, our body temperature rises during exercise, and takes as much as 6 hours to begin to drop. Since a cooler body temperature is associated with the onset of sleep, it is better to finish your exercise at least 5 to 6 hours before going to bed.

Establish relaxing rituals. Leave the day’s stresses behind with a warm bath, reading or another relaxing activity. Avoid arousing activities before bedtime like working, paying bills, engaging in competitive games or family problem solving.

Make your room sleep-friendly. Select your mattress, pillow and bed linens carefully for maximum comfort. Maintain a sleep-friendly temperature in the bedroom, usually between 18-21°C (65-70 degrees F). (Extreme temperatures may disrupt sleep or prevent you from falling asleep.) You may also wish to consider using blackout curtains, eyeshades, earplugs, ‘white noise,’ humidifiers, fans and other devices. Install soft lighting in your bedroom and bath. And when reading in bed, consider using a book light.

Try deep breathing. If you have trouble falling to sleep, try this relaxation exercise: take deep, slow abdominal breaths, and if possible, inhale through your nose. Even if your mind is a muddle of thoughts, try to focus on the flow of your breathing, inhaling and exhaling slowly. Count your breaths, and when you get to 10, start over again.

Don’t just lie there. Generally it takes about 20-30 minutes to fall asleep. If you still can’t get to sleep, don’t just lie in bed. Instead try reading, watching television, or listening to calming music until you feel tired. The anxiety of being unable to fall asleep can actually contribute to your sleeplessness.

Rise with the sun. If possible, wake up with the sun, or use very bright lights in the morning. Sunlight helps the body’s internal biological clock reset itself each day. Sleep experts recommend exposure to an hour of morning sunlight for people having problems falling asleep.

Finally, see a doctor if your sleeping problems continue. If you have trouble falling asleep night after night, or if you always feel tired the next day, then you may have a sleep disorder and should see a physician. Most sleep disorders can be treated effectively.

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How Seniors Make a Latin Quilt

aadmin — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:32:05 +0000

Hypertension, diabetes and obesity are common problems among older adults. Medical science can help through drug therapy, diet regimes and adapted exercise. But, a growing key geriatric treatment is to engage seniors in socializing through recreation.

In Milwaukee, the United Community Center is an oasis for retired Latins to get acquainted and communicate in their common language, and share in sewing and knitting.

The Senior Center is designed for wellness because many who use it are separated from family members. At the Senior Center, they can make new friend and participate in activities that help keep them functioning with a sense of well-being.

Language is a vital part of life. Environs that permits recreation to occur in the native tongue is optimal, compared to one that forces users to struggle in an unfamiliar linguistic setting.

Ana Machado, the center's coordinator told JS Online: "The goal is to keep people active and improve their well-being so that they can remain independent and maintain a good quality of life."

Center daily hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Saturday and Sundays, it's open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch is served at 11 a.m.

Recreation through hobbies and social interaction is important for Assisted Living and Continuing Care Communities.

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Seniors Catch Big Action in Colorado Fishing Derby

aadmin — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 17:54:03 +0000

A fishing derby is a long-time tradition that involves a field of contestants competing for prizes for the biggest fish in the contest, or the most fish caught. It can offer a big pot for the winner and a series of prizes for runners-up. In some cities, there is a lot of media exposure for a fishing derby, with many spectators.

Colorado's Loveland Fishing Club took the fishing derby concept to nearby seniors and it was a smashing success. One hundred senior citizens from several assisted living and continuing care facilities participated in the inaugural September derby.

"This hasn’t been done in this area and I think it’s going to grow,” said president of the Loveland Fishing Club Ray Park, to the Loveland Connection. “It has been very well accepted by the senior citizens. I have had numerous thank-yous for the opportunity to get out,” he told the media source.

Seniors were equipped with fishing licenses, poles, and bait. The Colorado Division of Wildlife stocked the pond with 800 fish the night before the event. Participants enjoyed themselves though no big catches were had.

Still it was fun to be outdoors - gone fishin'.

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Pastor Teaches Religious Tolerance in Michigan Retirement Community

aadmin — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 13:02:23 +0000

"In the practice of tolerance, one's enemy is the best teacher." The Dalai Lama

However, in recent times, religious intolerance has received a lot of media attention, an ironical twist on the "love your neighbour" aspirations of all the great religions. Florida pastor Terry Jones's burning of the Quran earlier this year brought attention to the fears and apprehension some people have of other faiths.

Rebecca Ebb-Speese, chaplain of the MapleCreek Lutheran retirement community in Grand Rapids, MI, helps community members understand the Quran and elevate community members' understanding. Pastor Becky, as residents of MapleCreek know her, launched her mission with the humble act of placing the Quran on her desk. A staff member from Kosovo saw the Quran and Ebb-Speece's interfaith mission began. A news release and radio interview raised community awareness.

“It’s opened their minds,” Ebb-Speese told mlive.com. “It’s opened up communication across the board, and there’s still a long way to go, but I think we’ve made some really good strides,” she told the media source.

Religious persecution goes counter to the American embrace of freedom of worship. Early Americans fled England to practice their faiths without fear.

Pastor Becky's determination comes at a needed time. Her classes emphasize the shared roots of different faiths, including those of Christianity and Islam. MapleCreek is a residence of the Lutheran Social Services of Michigan and offers Independent Living and Assisted Living and other retirement care.

The pastor is planning a Sept. 11 memorial this year.

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