Making healthy food choices is a smart thing to do — no matter how old you are! Your body changes through your 60s, 70s, 80s, and beyond. Food provides nutrients you need as you age. Use these tips to choose foods and beverages for better health at each stage of life.

1. Drink plenty of liquids

With age, you may lose some of your sense of thirst. Drink water often. Low-fat or fat-free milk or 100% juice also helps you stay hydrated. Limit beverages that have lots of added sugars or salt. Learn which liquids are healthier choices.

2. Make eating a social event

Meals are more enjoyable when you eat with others. Invite a friend to join you or take part in a potluck at least twice a week. A senior center or place of worship may offer meals that are shared with others. There are many ways to make mealtimes pleasing.

3. Plan healthy meals

Find trusted nutrition information from ChooseMyPlate.gov and the National Institute on Aging. Get advice on what to eat, how much to eat, and which foods to choose, all based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Find sensible, flexible ways to choose and prepare tasty meals so you can eat foods you need.

4. Know how much to eat

Learn to recognize how much to eat so you can control portion size. When eating out, pack part of your meal to eat later. One restaurant dish might be enough for two meals or more.

5. Include a variety of different colored, flavored, and textured vegetables. Most vegetables are a low-calorie source of nutrients. Vegetables are also a good source of fiber.

6. Eat for your teeth and gums

Many people find that their teeth and gums change as they age. People with dental problems sometimes find it hard to chew fruits, vegetables, or meats. Don’t miss out on needed nutrients! Eating softer foods can help. Try cooked or canned foods like unsweetened fruit, low-sodium soups, or canned tuna.

7. Use herbs and spices

Foods may seem to lose their flavor as you age. If favorite dishes taste different, it may not be the cook! Maybe your sense of smell, sense of taste, or both have changed. Medicines may also change how foods taste. Add flavor to your meals with herbs and spices.

8. Keep food safe

Don’t take a chance with your health. A food-related illness can be life threatening for an older person. Throw out food that might not be safe. Avoid certain foods that are always risky for an older person, such as unpasteurized dairy foods. Other foods can be harmful to you when they are raw or undercooked, such as eggs, sprouts, fish, shellfish, meat, or poultry.

9. Read the Nutrition Facts label

Make the right choices when buying food. Pay attention to important nutrients to know as well as calories, fats, sodium, and the rest of the Nutrition Facts label. Ask your doctor if there are ingredients and nutrients you might need to limit or to increase.

10. Ask your doctor about vitamins or supplements

Food is the best way to get nutrients you need. Should you take vitamins or other pills or powders with herbs and minerals? These are called dietary supplements. Your doctor will know if you need them. More may not be better. Some can interfere with your medicines or affect your medical conditions.

by Carol Leish

By gaining knowledge of what’s available within Ventura County to deal with senior fraud, you will be more empowered to stop it. By using various tools, you’ll be better able to protect yourselves.

According to, Carey Aldava, Manager of Ventura County Adult Protective Services Program, “Reports received on fraud have not substantially increased in our county due to the pandemic. Perhaps this is because many agencies that serve seniors and adults with disabilities in the community have not fully reopened to offer services, creating less of an opportunity to encounter victims of scams and fraud.

“Regarding percentages countywide from 2015-2020, we (Adult Protective Services), confirmed 1,928 reports of financial abuse against elders (31% of all financial abuse cases). Of these cases, 57% were scams. So far, in 2021, we have confirmed 237 reports of financial abuse against elders (37% of all financial abuse cases), with 60% being related to scams.”

“Tools to deal with others,” according to Aldava, include: 1) Shredding all receipts with your credit card number on it; 2) Getting involved in the community and not isolating yourself; 3) Telling solicitors to provide their information in writing; 4) Obtaining a salesperson’s name, business identity, telephone number, street address, mailing address, and business license number before transacting business; 5) Signing up for the ‘Do Not Call Registry’ at: 888-382-1222.; 6) Using direct deposit for benefit checks; and, 7) Never giving your credit card, banking, social security, Medicare, or other personal information over the phone unless you initiated the call.”

Debbie Deem, a retired victim’s specialist for the FBI, runs a monthly meeting (Financial Abuse Specialist Team: FAST), that deals with issues related to various topics, such as: elder abuse; financial exploitation; and, phone fraud. She said, “We have a wide variety of people, which includes, bankers, lawyers, Ombudsman, and the Area Agency on Aging offering us resources and advice at our meetings.

“Ventura County Adult Protective Services,” according to Dean, “has a 24 Hr. Abuse Hotline: (805) 654-3200. The Adult Protective Services agency helps elder adults (65 years and older) and dependent adults (18-64 who are disabled), when these adults are unable to meet their own needs, or are victims of abuse, neglect or exploitation. The County Adult Protective Services agency investigate reports of abuse of elder and dependent adults. Look at: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/.”

In regards to the Federal Trade Commission’s Do Not Call Registry, Dean said, “look at: https://www.donotcall.gov/ and go to, ‘more information-answers basic questions. Or, call: 1-888-382-1222. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and AARP have great info on fraud crimes at: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/scam-alerts/; also: https/www.consumrer-ftc.gov/blog2020/10/how-spot-avoid-and-report-imposter-scams.”

“Regarding getting help, support and resources and help in where to report fraud,” according to Dean, call the National Elder Fraud Hotline (age 60 or older) at: 1-833-372-8311. And, for more information, got to: https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/stop-elder-fraud/providing-help-restoring-hope.

“And, if you are concerned about being a victim , you can call the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Fraud Hotline in Ventura (Headquarters) at: (805) 654-2145; in Ojai at: (805) 477-7050; in Camarillo at: (805) 388-5175; or, in Fillmore at: (805) 477-7020.”

Thus, with knowledge, you will gain power and restore your hope in being better able to cope with/avoid the possibilities of senior fraud.

by Jennifer Bell

Living in an independent senior living community and looking for some adventure? Now is a great time to get out and see the country. The U.S is widely diverse and has so many great destinations for seniors to visit.

1. Alaska

Alaska is like no other place in the US. From glaciers to the untamed wilderness, Alaska has it all. The best part is you can experience the best sights on an Alaskan cruise. Cruises allow you to enjoy the creature comforts of a hotel with views of glaciers, waterfalls, stunning coastline, and whales. For those that stay inland, there are 17 national parks for nature hiking and tours.

2. Sedona, Arizona

A bit further south than Alaska, you can find yourself in Sedona, Arizona, just a two-hour drive from Phoenix. Sedona has a great mild climate and is a great place to visit for any lifestyle. You can sightsee the amazing red rocks or relax at one of the spas or resorts. Its location offers excellent wilderness opportunities like hot air balloon rides, star gazing, and Jeep tours.

3. Key West, Florida

Want a taste of the Caribbean without leaving the country? Then Key West should be on your list. There are plenty of sights to see for the inner history buff, like the Hemmingway home and the Southernmost Point of the Continental US. There’s also plenty of opportunities to relax, and take in the sunsets too.

4. Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe is one of the oldest state capitals in the US. It boasts opportunities in and out of the city, from unique museums to golf. In this walkable city, you can experience a variety of art galleries and museums. The mild climate, much like Sedona’s, is one of the main benefits of the city. Live music and Turquoise are also big here and support the local economy.

5. U.S National Parks

Seniors have access to a lifetime pass to the U.S national parks for just $80 or $20 annually. This will grant you access to unique locations like The Grand Canyon and Yellowstone, to name a few. A big plus is that traveling companions get in free with you, up to three adults.

6. Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

Williamsburg and the surrounding areas like Jamestown are a must-see for any history fan. The living museum of Colonial Williamsburg transports you back in time to see how the colonists lived. The museum is staffed with historical characters to immerse you in the setting. The area is excellent for shopping and relaxing, among other things like golf are all nearby.

7. Hawaii

Hawaii is a beautiful tropical state full of opportunities for active seniors. From volcanoes and natural formations, there are a lot of opportunities to get out and explore. Historical landmarks like pearl harbor and the USS Arizona are also popular tourist attractions. If you want a fun, relaxing option, there are plenty of beachfront resorts for you to relax and put your feet up at.

Jennifer Bell is a freelance writer, blogger, dog-enthusiast, and avid beachgoer operating out of Southern New Jersey.

With live music filling the air, attendees sampled chili from six competitors.

On Friday afternoon, July 16, residents and staff of Aegis Living Ventura, a local assisted living and memory care community, gathered with partners, friends, and family members for a chili cook-off to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Association and their Longest Day initiative.

The Longest Day is a yearly fundraiser for the Alzheimer’s Association, centered on the summer solstice and longest day of the year on June 20. Supporters from around the globe ban together to raise funds at events like the chili cook-off. Proceeds from the Aegis Living event went directly to support the Association’s California Central Coast Chapter.

“Today was a proud moment for our community,” shared Sam EL-Rabaa, Aegis Living Ventura’s general manager. “To see the outpouring of support for the Alzheimer’ Association from our community partners, families, residents, and public was so uplifting, but the best part was seeing how much residents were enjoying themselves.”

With live music filling the air, attendees sampled chili from six competitors: Ventura Post Acute, Coastal View Health Care, Assisted Home Health and Hospice, Mission Home Health and Hospice, Oakhurst Hospice, and Aegis Living. Each competitor decorated their own table and tent, and many residents got into the spirit, wearing festive costumes and dancing to the music.

“We had a great turnout today,” said Denise Tyner, chili competitor from Ventura Post Acute. “We’re proud to be associated with this event and the attention it brings to the Alzheimer’s Association.”

Assisted Home Health and Hospice took home the “Best Chili” trophy, with Aegis Living’s Mary Sawyer snagging the “Best Presentation” award thanks to her creative table décor.

The event was a rousing success. The initial fundraising goal of $500 was almost doubled by the end of the day, with nearly $1,000 raised for the Alzheimer’s Association. Plans are already underway to make the chili cook-off into an annual event.

“Today was amazing,” said Sawyer. “It was a day of celebrating not just the fact that we are getting back to normal, but also celebrating those residents living with Alzheimer’s and offering support to our families.”

All in attendance, especially Aegis Living residents, couldn’t have been happier to be out and about, and for such a great cause.

A caregiver, sometimes referred to as a caretaker, refers to anyone who provides care for another person. Millions of people living in the United States take care of a friend or family member with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. Sometimes caregivers live with the person or nearby, other times they live far away. For many families, caring for a person with dementia isn’t just one person’s job, but the role of many people who share tasks and responsibilities. No matter what kind of caregiver you are, taking care of another person can be overwhelming at times. These tips and suggestions may help with everyday care and tasks.

Early on in Alzheimer’s and related dementias, people experience changes in thinking, remembering, and reasoning in a way that affects daily life and activities. Eventually, people with these diseases will need more help with simple, everyday tasks. This may include bathing, grooming, and dressing. It may be upsetting to the person to need help with such personal activities. Here are a few tips to consider early on and as the disease progresses:

Try to keep a routine, such as bathing, dressing, and eating at the same time each day.

Help the person write down to-do lists, appointments, and events in a notebook or calendar.

Plan activities that the person enjoys and try to do them at the same time each day.

Consider a system or reminders for helping those who must take medications regularly.

When dressing or bathing, allow the person to do as much as possible.

Buy loose-fitting, comfortable, easy-to-use clothing, such as clothes with elastic waistbands, fabric fasteners, or large zipper pulls instead of shoelaces, buttons, or buckles.

Use a sturdy shower chair to support a person who is unsteady and to prevent falls. You can buy shower chairs at drug stores and medical supply stores.

Be gentle and respectful. Tell the person what you are going to do, step by step while you help them bathe or get dressed.

Serve meals in a consistent, familiar place and give the person enough time to eat.

Communication can be hard for people with Alzheimer’s and related dementias because they have trouble remembering things. They also can become agitated and anxious, even angry. In some forms of dementia, language abilities are affected such that people have trouble finding the right words or have difficulty speaking. You may feel frustrated or impatient, but it is important to understand that the disease is causing the change in communication skills. To help make communication easier, you can:

Reassure the person. Speak calmly. Listen to his or her concerns and frustrations. Try to show that you understand if the person is angry or fearful.

Allow the person to keep as much control in his or her life as possible.

Respect the person’s personal space.

Build quiet times into the day, along with activities.

Keep well-loved objects and photographs around the house to help the person feel more secure.

Remind the person who you are if he or she doesn’t remember, but try not to say, “Don’t you remember?”

Encourage a two-way conversation for as long as possible.

Try distracting the person with an activity, such as a familiar book or photo album, if you are having trouble communicating with words.

Share any symptoms you have

A symptom is evidence of a disease or disorder in the body. Examples of symptoms include pain, fever, a lump or bump, unexplained weight loss or gain, or having a hard time sleeping.

Be clear and concise when describing your symptoms. Your description helps the doctor identify the problem. A physical exam and medical tests provide valuable information, but your symptoms point the doctor in the right direction.

Your doctor will ask when your symptoms started, what time of day they happen, how long they last (seconds? days?), how often they occur, if they seem to be getting worse or better, and if they keep you from going out or doing your usual activities.

Take the time to make some notes about your symptoms before you call or visit the doctor. Worrying about your symptoms is not a sign of weakness. Being honest about what you are experiencing doesn’t mean that you are complaining. The doctor needs to know how you feel.

To provide the best care, your doctor must understand you as a person and know what your life is like. The doctor may ask about where you live, what you eat, how you sleep, what you do each day, what activities you enjoy, what your sex life is like, and if you smoke or drink. Be open and honest with your doctor. It will help him or her to understand your medical conditions fully and recommend the best treatment choices for you.

Your health has a big impact on other parts of your life. Your doctor may ask you how your life is going. This isn’t being impolite or nosy. Information about what’s happening in your life may be useful medically. Let the doctor know about any major changes or stresses in your life, such as a divorce or the death of a loved one. You don’t have to go into detail; you may want to say something like: “It might be helpful for you to know that my sister passed away since my last visit with you,” or “I recently had to sell my home and move in with my daughter.”

The coronavirus pandemic and physical distancing requirements can also bring about feelings of loneliness and social isolation. These feelings are associated with higher risk for depression, anxiety, and heart disease. It is important to let your doctor know when these feelings occur and how often.

You may have some concerns or wishes about your care if you become seriously ill. If you have questions about what choices you have, ask your doctor. You can specify your desires through legal documents called advance directives. In general, the best time to talk with your doctor about these issues is while you are still relatively healthy. Medicare and private health insurance may cover these discussions with your doctor. One way to bring up the subject is to say: “I’m worried about what would happen in the hospital if I were very sick and not likely to get better. Can you tell me what generally happens in that case?

People with Alzheimer’s disease may take medicines to treat the disease itself, mood or behavior changes, and other medical conditions. Caregivers can ensure that medicines are taken safely and correctly. Here are some tips to help you manage medications for someone with Alzheimer’s disease.

Know each medicine (prescription and over-the-counter) the person with Alzheimer’s disease takes. Ask the doctor or pharmacist:

Why is this medicine being used?
What positive effects should I look for, and when?
How long will the person need to take it?
How much should he or she take each day?
When does the person need to take the medicine?
What if the person misses a dose?
What are the side effects, and what can I do about them?
Can this medicine cause problems if taken with other medicines?
Managing medications is easier if you have a complete list of them. The list should show the name of the medicine, the doctor who prescribed it, how much the person with Alzheimer’s takes, and how often. Visit Tracking Your Medications: Worksheet for a template. Keep the list in a safe place at home, and make a copy to keep in your purse or wallet. Bring it with you when you visit the person’s doctor or pharmacist.

People with Alzheimer’s should be monitored when they start taking a new drug. Follow the doctor’s instructions and report any unusual symptoms right away. Also, let the doctor know before adding or changing any medications.

Use Medicines Safely
People with Alzheimer’s disease often need help taking their medicine. If the person lives alone, you may need to call and remind him or her or leave notes around the home. A pillbox allows you to put pills for each day in one place. Some pillboxes come with alarms that remind a person to take the medicine.

As Alzheimer’s gets worse, you will need to keep track of the person’s medicines. You also will need to make sure the person takes the medicines or give the medicines to him or her.

Some people with Alzheimer’s take medicines to treat behavior problems such as restlessness, anxiety, depression, trouble sleeping, and aggression. Experts agree that medicines to treat behavior problems should be used only after other strategies that don’t use medicine have been tried. Talk with the person’s doctor about which medicines are safest and most effective. With these types of medicines, it is important to:

Use the lowest dose possible
Watch for side effects such as confusion and falls
Allow the medicine a few weeks to take effect
It is recommended that people with Alzheimer’s should not take anticholinergic drugs. These drugs are used to treat many medical problems such as sleeping problems, stomach cramps, incontinence, asthma, motion sickness, and muscle spasms. Side effects, such as confusion, can be serious for a person with Alzheimer’s. These drugs should not be given to a person with Alzheimer’s disease. You might talk with the person’s doctor about other options. Examples of these drugs include:

Keep all medications locked up.
Check that the label on each prescription bottle has the drug name and dose, patient’s name, dosage frequency, and expiration date.
Call the doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about any medicine.
Medicines to Treat Alzheimer’s Disease
There are five medicines available to treat Alzheimer’s disease. It’s important to understand that none of these medicines can cure or stop the disease. What they can do, for some people, is help slow down certain problems, such as memory loss. Slowing down memory loss can allow many people with Alzheimer’s disease to be more comfortable and independent for a longer time.

by Richard J. Hodes, M.D., Director, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health

The FDA’s approval of the Biogen-Eisai drug, aducanumab, marks a milestone achievement in Alzheimer’s disease research. This drug is the first approved treatment shown to slow progression of this disease. It is also a reflection of the years of research and momentum we see in Alzheimer’s research more broadly.

FDA approved aducanumab to treat patients with Alzheimer’s using the Accelerated Approval pathway, under which the agency “approves a drug for a serious or life-threatening illness that may provide meaningful therapeutic benefit over existing treatments when the drug is shown to have an effect on a surrogate endpoint that is reasonably likely to predict a clinical benefit to patients and there remains some uncertainty about the drug’s clinical benefit.” FDA further stated that “at the end of the day, we followed our usual course of action when making regulatory decisions in situations where the data are not straightforward.”

The FDA also stated that “approval is based on a surrogate or intermediate clinical endpoint (in this case reduction of amyloid plaque in the brain).” Additionally, “drug companies are required to conduct post-approval studies to verify the anticipated clinical benefit. These studies are known as phase 4 confirmatory trials. If the confirmatory trial does not verify the drug’s anticipated clinical benefit, FDA has regulatory procedures in place that could lead to removing the drug from the market.”

NIA thanks the many individuals who have participated in the clinical trials that have led us to this point. Advancements like this underscore the enormous importance of participating in clinical trials, today and in the future.

While the NIH provided no direct support for the drug development of aducanumab, our years of funding have been integral to this and other promising therapeutic approaches to treating Alzheimer’s disease. For example, NIA supported basic science investigations behind the discovery of immunotherapies like aducanumab, as well as translational research for next-generation immunotherapies. Additionally, the selection of participants for aducanumab clinical trials hinged on amyloid PET imaging, a technology that would not exist today without the publicly funded research supported by the NIA.

Today’s announcement is indeed significant, yet the work does not end here. Bolstered by significant investments in this research in recent years, NIA will continue to press forward with its robust and diverse research portfolio in the area of therapy development, building on the advancements we have achieved thus far. We will continue to evolve our understanding about Alzheimer’s and to develop more ways to detect, treat, and prevent this disease. We’re closer than ever to living in a world in which this condition may not take the enormous toll it does today.

by Alzheimer’s DiseaseCognitive HealthDementiasHealth Care ResearchMental & Emotional Health

About 14% of older adults with dementia filled prescriptions for multiple medications that target the central nervous system (CNS), or the brain and spinal cord, according to a recent study. The use of multiple medications, called polypharmacy, can increase the risk of serious side effects. Taking combinations of CNS-active drugs can lead to an increased risk of falling, breathing issues, and heart problems. In addition, some CNS-active drugs can affect thinking and memory — a side effect that is especially troubling in people with dementia. The NIA-supported study, led by researchers at the University of Michigan, was published in JAMA on March 9.Nurse giving an older adult medications.

Medications affecting the CNS are used to treat depression and other mental health conditions, prevent seizures, and reduce pain. Older adults who have dementia sometimes have behavioral and psychological symptoms, such as agitation or delusions. Health care providers may prescribe CNS-active drugs to treat those symptoms, but evidence of the drugs’ effectiveness for the symptoms is limited.

To better understand how many people with dementia received a combination of these drugs, researchers looked at Medicare claims data on more than 1 million adults ages 77 to 88 who had dementia. The researchers analyzed the number and timing of prescriptions filled to estimate the number of people who likely took combinations of the drugs.

The researchers found that 13.9% of these adults filled prescriptions for three or more CNS-active drugs for more than 30 days in a row. More than half of those adults had the drugs for more than 180 days. The researchers also found that people who were prescribed a combination of CNS-active drugs had higher rates of insomnia, mental health conditions, and pain not associated with cancer and seizure disorders. However, the researchers could not, based on the claims data, determine whether the drugs were prescribed to treat those conditions.

The researchers identified some limitations of their study that could point to areas for further investigation. The study may have overestimated the number of people who actually took the drugs because it counted prescriptions filled. The study did not look at the reasons the drugs were prescribed or their dosages. It also did not determine whether the adults who took a combination of CNS-active drugs had health problems that the drugs could cause, such as falls.

This study is the first to examine the number of adults with dementia who live in the community — not in nursing homes — and take a combination of CNS-active drugs. As the number of adults living with dementia increases, better understanding how these drugs are used, their effects, and associated risks could help health care providers and dementia patients make safer, well-informed care decisions.

This research was supported by NIA grant R01AG056407.