We all know to eat right, exercise, and get a good night’s sleep to stay healthy. But can flexing our creative muscles help us thrive as we age? Ongoing research looking at singing group programs, theater training, and visual arts for older adults suggest that participating in the arts may improve the health, well-being, and independence of older adults.

“Researchers are highly interested in examining if and how participating in arts activities may be linked to improving cognitive function and memory and improving self-esteem and well-being. Scientists are also interested in studying how music can be used to reduce behavioral symptoms of dementia, such as stress, aggression, agitation, and apathy, as well as promoting social interaction, which has multiple psychosocial benefits,” said Lisa Onken, Ph.D., of NIA’s Division of Behavioral and Social Research.

Dr. Johnson tested this approach, leading Community of Voices, the largest randomized clinical trial to test the impact of participating in a community choir on the health and well-being of nearly 400 culturally diverse adults, age 60 and older, from 12 senior centers in San Francisco. The centers were randomly chosen to conduct the choir program immediately (six intervention groups) or 6 months later (six control groups). Outcome measures were collected at baseline (prior to starting the intervention), 6 months (end of randomization phase), and 12 months (1 year after enrollment). Each choir met once a week in 90-minute sessions for 44 weeks and performed in several informal concerts.

At weekly rehearsals, professional choral directors from the San Francisco Community Music Center trained in the intervention led activities to promote health and well-being. Researchers assessed participants’ cognition, physical function, and psychosocial function, as well as their use and cost of healthcare services, before they started the choir program and again after 6 and 12 months.

A unique aspect of the study was its use of community partners to engage, enroll, and retain a large group of racially and ethnically diverse and low-income older adults. Participants were recruited and completed all choir activities and assessments at the senior centers, which made it more convenient for them to join and continue in the study.

Participating in the community choir showed positive results within 6 months. In particular, it reduced feelings of loneliness and increased interest in life. However, cognitive and physical outcomes and healthcare costs did not change significantly. Dr. Johnson attributed the improvements to the choir providing a meaningful, regular opportunity to meet new people, build social support, and increase a sense of belonging.

“The study showed increased interest in life because singing in the choir provided a regular, structured activity for participants,” she said. “Access to regular activities in diverse, low-income communities is vital for older adults to remain active and engaged in their community.”

Dr. Onken noted, “By examining the mechanisms through which arts participation may provide benefits to health and well-being, and by studying arts participation with scientific rigor, we hope to establish a firm basis on which to develop programs to improve the health and well-being of older people. As these studies continue, we expect the results to show us how we can implement cost-effective, community-based programs that benefit older people.”

by Ralph S. Robbins, CFP

A great deal of confusion surrounds Medicare and Medicaid. They’re often mistaken for one another, but they are two very different programs that provide health care benefits for Americans. While many people believe that participation in these programs is mutually exclusive, the truth is that some seniors do qualify to receive both Medicare and Medicaid coverage. When a Medicare beneficiary also qualifies for Medicaid, they are deemed a “dual-eligible beneficiary” and are entitled to enhanced benefits.

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for seniors age 65 and over and younger individuals who are disabled or have certain chronic illnesses. Americans pay into Medicare through payroll taxes.

Medicaid, on the other hand, is a joint federal and state means-based program that helps low-income individuals with limited resources afford health care. Unlike Medicare, Medicaid can differ widely from state to state. Both Medicare and Medicaid are administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

by Michele Teter

When a loved one is still living at home but struggling with the effects of getting older and losing their independence, hiring in-home care can be a great solution. Professional caregivers provide seniors with physical assistance, as well as help with the emotional and routine aspects of daily life.

In addition to the more tangible benefits that home care can provide with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing and dressing, seniors and their caregivers can enjoy invaluable personal benefits.

If there is one thing that becomes clear as someone ages, it’s the extensive benefits of friendship. “Far too many elderly individuals in the United States live alone, and when they have trouble getting around, lose their driving privileges, or do not have family and friends nearby, it can make them feel even more isolated,” says Kevin Watkins, co-owner of Caring Hearts of Rochester in New York. That is why companionship becomes a quintessential part of any home care services.

A professional caregiver can provide precious social interaction. This could be something as simple as conversing over coffee, going to the movies, or cooking or gardening together. In the process of doing their job, caregivers stave off loneliness and depression in older adults.

At some point, most aging adults are unable to drive safely. This blow to their independence also severely limits their ability to complete everyday tasks, such as buying groceries, going to church and visiting friends. A professional caregiver can provide safe transportation and accompany your loved one on errands, meetings, doctor’s appointments, social events, etc. Such assistance can expand a senior’s world outside of the home and help them remain active.

By providing ongoing personal care, professional caregivers are able to help aging individuals continue living safely, comfortably and socially at home. A little extra support can be all that is needed to extend an older adult’s sense of independence. This goes a long way toward improving their outlook on life and boosting self-confidence. Most aging individuals are comforted by remaining in familiar surroundings where they have spent much of their lives. In-home care can help them stay there longer than they would be able to on their own, forgoing placement in a long-term care facility.

A professional caregiver will keep an eye on your loved one and detect changes in their condition, such as refusal to eat, sudden weight loss, medication mismanagement, forgetting to turn the oven off, etc. This kind of accountability can make a significant difference in preventing accidents and avoidable health complications, particularly in situations where an older adult has a difficult time with communication and/or remembering things. These caregivers are specifically trained to read subtle cues that a senior’s mental or physical condition has changed and act quickly to remedy the situation.

Whether you live 10 minutes away or on the other side of the country, it is hard not to worry about your loved one when you cannot be nearby. In-home care provides the one-on-one, personalized care that a sole caregiver is not able to offer full time, giving you priceless respite AND peace of mind. A professional caregiver is a valuable addition to your loved one’s care team.

If you have concerns about a senior’s ability to live independently or your responsibilities as their sole caregiver, then it is a good idea to begin exploring home care companies in your area. Consider both the tangible and intangible benefits that could come from hiring a professional caregiver for your aging loved one, and take advantage of this increasingly popular method of care.

by Anne-Marie Botek

Moving is a notorious source of stress, regardless of an individual’s age or life situation. Disrupted routines, the challenge of finding a new home, and the hassle of packing and unpacking all of one’s personal belongings are just a few factors that contribute to the overwhelming amount of work that goes into a major move.

For older adults who are vacating their long-time homes to take up residence in independent living (IL) communities, these normal stressors are often compounded by feelings of anger and sadness due to a perceived loss of freedom and vitality.

While it’s common to feel nostalgic and a sense of loss when moving from a cherished home, there’s far more powerful emotions at play for older adults who are moving to senior living. Leaving their home in the community is a symbolic end to the life they worked for years to create. Things will certainly be different in independent living, but it’s important for a senior’s family members and close friends to ease this transition by reminding them that they still have their independence and there are many new opportunities and friendships awaiting them at their new home if they are open to these things.

Making sure the move itself goes smoothly can also help reduce stress to a senior. This is why you should look for highly rated moving companies Chicago, or indeed wherever they are based, before proceeding onwards. After all, the move to independent living can seem like a slippery slope for seniors. Logically, the next steps are assisted living and possibly even a nursing home. Acknowledging and accepting this reality is challenging, but the emphasis should be placed on the present rather than the hypothetical future.

A move to independent living is not the tragic ordeal that many older adults believe it to be, argues Wallace. Unlike assisted living facilities and nursing homes, IL communities don’t accept seniors who need skilled nursing care or assistance with activities of daily living. The men and women in independent living settings are still capable of maintaining a relatively active and autonomous lifestyle.

These communities are settings that offer enhanced independence for residents. The services available at IL are meant to support an elder’s ability to remain self-sufficient and take mundane responsibilities like home maintenance, transportation, meal preparation and housework off their plates. Ideally, the additional free time these services create can be used to explore community amenities, pursue social opportunities and focus on enjoying a happy and healthy retirement.

While much of the success of this transition lies with the seniors themselves, there are things that family members can do to ease the adjustment before, during and after the big move. Here are a few tips for family caregivers to keep in mind:

Acknowledge your loved one’s loss. Realize what your loved one has left behind by moving out of a home they’ve lived in for many years.

Be prepared for the move. Avoid unnecessary stress by packing well in advance of the move-out date so you’re not rushing through this delicate process.

Help them get settled in their new home. Wallace encourages relatives to assist with the unpacking and decorating of an elderly loved one’s new home.

Let them go. Knowing when to step back and let a loved one get on with their new life in independent living can be tricky—there’s no one sign that will tell you it’s time to let them figure things out on their own.

by AgingCare.com

Whether it’s due to a stroke, Parkinson’s disease, dementia, low vision or simply old age, eventually everyone reaches a point in their lives when they must rely on someone to help them with activities of daily living (ADLs). Depending on a person’s specific situation, that could mean it is time to move into a senior living community or move in with a family member. Both options involve big changes for the senior, but when an aging parent moves in with you, it can be a stressful change for both parties.

Multi-Generational Living vs. Senior Housing

Most family caregivers care deeply for their aging loved ones. We want to make sure our elders are taken care of, and if that means that Mom and/or Dad must move in with us, then so be it. Many people don’t consider assisted living or a skilled nursing home to be an option for an elder who can no longer live alone safely. In their minds, senior living communities are pricey and conjure up images of seniors watching daytime television and consuming Jell-O by the gallon. Yes, long-term care is costly, but these stereotypical notions about senior living communities are largely exaggerated and outdated.

Still, many adult children do not consider senior housing to be the best option for their elderly parents. This is when the idea of multi-generational living usually pops up. As long as you have a spare bedroom or adequate space you can re-purpose for a loved one’s quarters, it doesn’t seem like such a big change at first glance, right? Not so fast. This is a decision that should be carefully thought through and discussed at length with everyone involved. It’s important that you thoroughly research the ways in which you can help your loved one live comfortably. For example, you might choose to get a platform stairlift installed, these are ideal for disabled people and can really help make their lives much easier. Make sure you do plenty of research before your loved one moves in with you.

Of course, the extent of these changes depends on the nature of your relationship with your loved one and the level of care they require (which will increase). In addition to weighing the emotional implications of this decision, it’s important to consider the logistical details of the transition as well. Most seniors do not want to be a burden on their loved ones. They wish to adhere to their daily routines with as little assistance as possible. Some families feel it’s necessary to install stair lifts to help their older family members navigate around their home more independently if their home is spread over multiple floors. Los Angeles and Orange County stair chairs are installed by T. L. Shield to solve two-story home mobility issues, some people like to use this company whilst others might want to find some mobility aids more local to them. A stair lift is just one of the potential changes you could make to your home if you wanted to. Furthermore, as a person with your own life outside of care giving, it is unrealistic to assume you will be available 24/7 to provide a helping hand. For these reasons, adapting your home to maximize your loved one’s safety and independence is paramount.

Fortunately, manufacturers of independent living products are constantly developing items and equipment that are beneficial to both seniors and their caregivers. Products that allow seniors to safely handle activities of daily living with little or no assistance are also being redesigned to look less clinical and function more efficiently without permanent installation. Using independent living products to adapt your home will allow your aging loved one to maintain an independent and safe lifestyle, helping you feel less burdened and enabling your house to retain its normal appearance.

Bathroom Modifications to Improve Senior Safety

As we get older and our strength and balance wane, bathrooms often become the most dangerous rooms in the house. This area of the home combines moisture and hard, slick surfaces-conditions that increase the risk of falls and provide no forgiving areas for a senior to land. Simple tasks like getting on and off the toilet or stepping in and out of the shower can be very risky for older adults. Showering can be made much easier with wet rooms or larger shower spaces. You might also want to consider switching your old shower for one of the best electric shower systems. Electric showers can benefit older people as they deliver hot water instantly, meaning that if your elderly parents are more sensitive to the cold, they won’t have to wait for the shower to warm up.

Grab bars are an essential addition for helping a senior handle personal care tasks like bathing and toileting safely and independently.