Category Archives: Senior Living

A safe space to share updates and receive support

Due to the rapid spread of COVID-19 and the risk to the aging population and people with existing health conditions, Americans are being asked to practice sheltering at home and social distancing. Unfortunately, some individuals are taking advantage of this situation by targeting the elderly and vulnerable with scams using fear and concerns about the coronavirus.

Many of the scams targeting the elderly are being perpetuated via social media and users are advised by social media experts to be wary of promotions for health care products and treatments for the coronavirus.

Using a safe and secure social media network is a safe way to stay in touch with family and friends and to avoid social isolation without being subject to fraudulent schemes. CaringBridge helps its users to maintain social connections, feel connected within their community, coordinate care and receive encouragement around a health journey while at home. Because the nonprofit CaringBridge will never accept advertising or share its user lists with any outside parties, unlike many other social media platforms, users can be assured that using the site is safe and they will not be targeted by scams.

Here are a few things you can do to support someone who may need additional support right now:

Stay Connected. Social distancing does not equal social isolation.

Start a CaringBridge site for a family member or friend who needs support. You can choose from a variety of privacy options to keep information as secure as you prefer.

Video Chat through services like FaceTime, Google Hangout or Skype.

Pick up the phone.

Start group chats with family, friends, coworkers, or church groups through text or chat groups like Facebook Messenger.

Offer assistance with emergency errands. Helping others with meals and errands should not stop due to social distancing. Use the CaringBridge Planner to coordinate doorstep delivery of:

Grocery and household essentials.

Over the counter or prescription medications.

To-go meal orders from local restaurant.

If you’re a long-distance caregiver, find out if your loved one has access to grocery delivery services. If so, set it up for them and find out their essential needs.

“As a nonprofit organization with a mission of building bridges of care and communication around a health journey, we want to remind the public that no one should go through a health journey alone, and that strength comes from community and connection,” said Liwanag Ojala, CEO of CaringBridge.

CaringBridge offers free personal websites allowing communities to rally around people on health journeys. The platform gives patients and caregivers a free, private, and secure place with no advertising or selling of information; serving as a safe channel of communication beyond social media to update friends and family, ask for help and get support and encouragement.

About CaringBridge

CaringBridge is a nonprofit social network that helps people connect with friends and family during a health journey. CaringBridge has made it simple and safe to offer or ask for support when it’s needed most. With more than 300,000 active daily users—CaringBridge offers simple tools for patients and their caregivers to share health updates and rally their community’s support. A health journey of any kind—diagnosis, injury, medical or behavioral illness, pregnancy complications or other experiences—is difficult to endure alone. Learn more at www.CaringBridge.org.

Alzheimer’s Disease Biomarkers Neuroscience

Stress-induced changes in protein connections in the brain contribute to the cognitive decline seen in Alzheimer’s disease. In mice, this malfunctioning protein network and its associated cognitive decline were reversed by an experimental drug, according to a recent study supported in part by NIA. The findings suggest a new way to look at how Alzheimer’s develops in the brain by focusing on protein networks.

Brain illustration scientists at New York’s Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Weill Cornell Medical College used laboratory, mouse and brain-tissue studies to examine the epichaperome — a dysregulated network of proteins that affects how cells communicate and accelerates the course of disease. A previous study revealed the workings of the epichaperome in cancer; this new study looked at Alzheimer’s disease.

Various stressors — such as genetic risk factors, vascular injury and diabetes — can damage brain circuitry in Alzheimer’s. According to the study, these stressors seem to interact with proteins and contribute to toxic changes that begin in the hippocampus, a brain region involved in learning and memory. The researchers explored how these protein networks stop working properly and can be restored.

Like faulty wires in a circuit board that lead to network failure, epichaperomes seem to remodel cellular processes that, in turn, “rewire” protein connections supporting normal brain function. The resulting imbalance in brain circuitry — which the authors call “protein connectivity-based dysfunction” — underlies synaptic failure and other neurodegenerative processes. The researchers studied a cellular model of Alzheimer’s and a mouse model of the protein tau, as well as human brain tissue, which showed significantly more epichaperomes in individuals who had Alzheimer’s than in cognitively healthy people.

The research team treated young and old mice bred to have Alzheimer’s with an epichaperome inhibitor they developed, called PU-AD, three times per week for three to four months. The treated mice performed better on memory and learning tests than untreated mice, had less tau (a protein seen in Alzheimer’s) and survived longer. What’s more, their brains looked like those of normal mice. PU-AD inhibited the faulty protein networks created by epichaperomes by correcting how the proteins connected and promoting nerve-cell survival, the authors explained.

“Our results point to a common [Alzheimer’s disease] mechanism, which we have demonstrated to be targetable and potentially druggable,” the authors wrote. They added that further studies of protein network connectivity may lead to new insights about the biology of Alzheimer’s and a possible new biomarker for disease onset.

PU-AD, developed with support through NIA’s Alzheimer’s Translational Research Program, has received an investigational drug status from the Food and Drug Administration and has begun safety testing in humans by the biotech company Samus Therapeutics.

AARP helping during the coronavirus outbreak

Find local volunteer groups to help with chores.

As the largest interest group dedicated to assist Americans 50 and older, AARP is quickly rolling out a number of initiatives to help during the coronavirus outbreak.

One initiative we would like to share from AARP Innovations Labs is helping facilitate the national “mutual aid” group movement through an online platform called AARP Community Connections (https://aarpcommunityconnections.org). It allows users to organize and find local volunteer groups to help pick up groceries, provide financial assistance or lend emotional support to neighbors, friends and loved ones.

Across the country, these mutual aid groups are helping communities stay connected at a time when people must practice social distancing to stay safe.

AARP Community Connections includes multiple resources to help those who are feeling isolated, depressed, overwhelmed or anxious. Users are able to:

Request a call from an AARP volunteer, or a trained counselor

Easily create an account with Savo, joinsavo.com, to make connecting with their families easier

Join “The Mighty,” a safe, supportive online community for people facing health challenges and their caregivers

Social isolation was a common problem even before the coronavirus pandemic: A study, published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine and supported by AARP Foundation, reported 43 percent of adults age 60 or older said they had felt lonely. And, while social isolation and loneliness are serious health issues by themselves, they can also exacerbate existing health problems, such as lung disease, heart disease and diabetes. AARP Community Connections helps people reach out to volunteers in their community who are willing to help their neighbors with their unique needs.

AARP Community Connections is live and completely free to use, and AARP membership is not required.

A 5-Step Coronavirus Survival Plan for Seniors

Washing your hands often is very important.

by Chris Orestis President of LifeCare Xchange

As the Coronavirus continues to spread across the globe, and now is becoming more widespread by the day in the United States, it is critical that the most vulnerable population being impacted understands how to be better prepared.

Seniors have been the hardest hit by the Coronavirus with the tragic death of 8 residents in a nursing home in Washington State, and a much higher mortality rate among seniors registered so far globally. In fact, the CDC now confirms a 14.8% mortality rate for people 80 and older, but only 1.3% for people in their 50’s, 0.4% for people in their 40’s, and 0.2% for people in their 30’s and younger.

As of Sunday, March 8, 2020, the U.S. had recorded 527 cases across 33 states with 21 fatalities. Globally, as of the same date, 109.837 cases have been recorded with 3,805 fatalities and 60,963 full recoveries. These numbers will change daily, and here are two good resources to track how the virus is progressing in the U.S. and Globally.

Mortality with Coronavirus is linked to the strength of a person’s respiratory system. Seniors are particularly vulnerable to respiratory conditions. In the case of Coronavirus, the air sacs of the lung will fill up with fluids cutting off vital oxygen to the organs which can induce failure and possible death. Adding to the danger facing seniors, is the contagious nature of the virus and the threat of it spreading in a confined population such as in a nursing home or senior living community.

Fortunately, the Senior Care industry has taken action to combat these dangers and is working closely with the CDC, the World Health Organization, and CMS to receive daily information updates, coordinate best practices to safeguard residents (and staff), and monitor for any new outbreaks.

Seniors and their families should stay in close contact as this virus progresses, and here are 5 tips to better handle the Coronavirus situation:

5 Step Retirement Genius Coronavirus Survival Plan

Make every attempt to cough or sneeze into a tissue, and then securely dispose of the tissue. If a tissue is not available, use your inner sleeve of your elbow.

Continuously wash your hands with warm water and soap, or alcohol-based cleansers. Avoid touching your face and in particular your eyes, nose and mouth unless you have washed your hands and not come into contact with any possible contamination.

Clean and disinfect surfaces such as electronic devices (cell phone, TV remote), and items that receive regular contact from hands such as doorknobs and handles.

The CDC has specifically warned that seniors (age 60 and above) and/or those with underlying health conditions should avoid travel and gathering in areas with crowds and communal activity such as eating or higher probability of person-to-person contact where any reported cases of Coronavirus have been found. Avoiding activities such as “traveling by airplane, going to movie theaters, attending family events, shopping at crowded malls, and going to religious services”, as well as avoiding cruise ships at this time is prudent.

If you are exhibiting flu like symptoms or any respiratory difficulties, you should stay at home and avoid coming into contact with others. It is best to consult your doctor, and a Telemedicine consultation from home is an option that many patients can use to seek care and get prescriptions.

People should also be very careful about overreacting and from where they get information. The best source for information is medical professionals such as your doctor, and organizations like the Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

People should be especially careful of fake news that is spreading across social media platforms, misinformation from political figures, possible scammers looking to prey on frightened seniors, and dismiss foolish rumors such as people should be avoiding Chinese food and restaurants or you can become infected by Corona beer (completely false!).

Smart hygiene, managing social interaction, keep open lines of communication among family members, being well informed, avoiding unnecessary travel or crowds, and not being duped by bad actors are all smart strategies to get through the Coronavirus Pandemic.

AARP Tax Aide Services suspended at VCAAA

The AARP Foundation announced that they will be suspending tax preparation services at the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging (VCAAA) effective March 16 due to the threat of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Ventura County.

AARP Foundation Tax Aide volunteers began the annual partnership with the VCAAA on February 3, offering free tax preparation services to anyone of low to moderate income, with services especially suited to those 50 and older. Thursday’s health emergency declaration in Ventura County prompted several businesses and organizations to stop or limit services in an effort to combat the spread of COVID-19.

The VCAAA office, however, and all VCAAA services continue to operate as usual, with the exception of Senior Nutrition Program classes and in-person counseling. Clients who visit the office will be asked to keep a six-foot distance between themselves and others, but the VCAAA wants to emphasize that assistance is available for Ventura County residents in need of services and resources.

The VCAAA office is located at 646 County Square Drive in Ventura. For more information, call (805) 477-7300 or visit www.vcaaa.org.

The AARP Foundation operates the AARP Tax-Aide program under a cooperative agreement with the IRS. To help you complete your tax forms, AARP’s trained and IRS-certified volunteers will see personal information that you give them about you and your finances. This information is strictly confidential. We will not share your information with anyone except as necessary to accurately file your tax returns or as otherwise required by law. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide has more than 5,000 locations in neighborhood libraries, malls, banks, community centers and senior centers. There’s no fee and no sales pitch for other services and AARP membership is not required.

The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, an agency of the County of Ventura, is the principal agency in Ventura County charged with the responsibility to promote the development and implementation of a comprehensive coordinated system of care that enables older individuals, people with disabilities, and their caregivers to live in a community-based setting and to advocate for the needs of those 60 years of age and older in the county, providing leadership and promoting citizen involvement in the planning process as well as in the delivery of services.

Five things people can do to help seniors cope with Coronavirus quarantines

No more visiting with family for a while.

by Melissa Negrin-Wiener, partner at Genser Cona Elder Law

The CDC recommends that high-risk individuals avoid crowds and social gatherings and that they should stay home as much as possible. While there is no question that this is of the utmost importance, when dealing with our senior population, there is so much more that must be taken into consideration. In the wake of COVID-19, we are seeing closures of senior centers as well as cancelations of social groups, book clubs, bingo games, etc.

In addition, it is recommended that seniors do not visit with family and friends as people could be infected with COVID-19 and not even know, while still spreading the virus to others. This has hit the elderly hard and exacerbated feelings of loneliness, detachment, sadness and depression.

Technology is going to be key in protecting the mental health of our seniors. Family members and friends need to make it their business to engage in texting, FaceTime, Skype, video conferencing and even just basic telephone calls. Letters and cards from loved ones will also serve to help deal with feelings of loneliness.

We should also make sure that our aging loved ones have things to keep their brains working. Perhaps they enjoy reading, words games or puzzles, or books on tape. We need to ensure that they have what they need to keep their minds active.

They also need exercise. Almost every gym has created online workouts including chair yoga and chair exercises for seniors. There are also e-books, television subscriptions and online virtual museum tours. Another suggestion is to install cameras so that we can keep a closer eye on our seniors who are alone. It is more important than ever to put these things in place. Facebook groups have been amazing.

Younger individuals have offered to go food shopping for seniors and bring them other things they may need. However, we still need to practice social distancing and either leave things by the front door or remain far away from the person we are delivering to.

As for me, I stood on my parents driveway and tossed the supermarket items to them at the front door. We have to do what we have to do to keep our aging loved ones safe and happy even if that includes postponing gatherings and family events and parties. It is safer for all involved.

Stand on one-foot exercise

You can do this exercise while watching TV. For an added challenge, you can modify the exercise to improve your balance.

Stand on one foot behind a sturdy chair, holding on for balance.
Hold position for up to 10 seconds.
Repeat 10-15 times.
Repeat 10-15 times with other leg.
Repeat 10-15 more times with each leg.

As you progress in your exercise routine, try adding the following challenges to help your balance even more:
Start by holding on to a sturdy chair with both hands for support.
When you are able, try holding on to the chair with only one hand.
With time, hold on with only one finger, then with no hands at all.
If you are really steady on your feet, try doing the balance exercises with your eyes closed.

National Council on Aging

It is clear that older adults are at the highest risk for complications and death from COVID-19. Community-based organizations and charitable nonprofit organizations that offer vital services to older adults are struggling under increased demand and changes to their work environments forced by the outbreak.

Congress can save lives by acting quickly on legislation already under consideration.

Tell Congress this national emergency demands more support and protections for older adults and the organizations that support them.

Contact your Representatives and Senators today and tell them to add these four things to any COVID-19 relief bills:

Give additional resources to Older Americans Act programs and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program so more older adults have food, in-home services, and caregiver support.

Make it easier to use Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services so vulnerable older adults can get the care they need at home.

Make essential health care and prescription drugs more affordable for low-income Medicare beneficiaries by increasing premium assistance and cost sharing.

Help nonprofit charitable organizations maintain operations by providing additional support.

Coronavirus: What older adults need to know

by Kathleen Cameron, BSPharm, MPH

The situation around the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is changing rapidly, and NCOA is taking proactive steps to share the best information we have to protect the public’s health, especially among older adults. Now is the time to stay informed and follow basic tips to protect yourself and those around you.

The CDC has identified older adults and people who have severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung, or kidney disease at higher risk for more serious COVID-19 illness. According to the CDC, early data suggest older people are twice as likely to have serious COVID-19 illness.

This is likely because as people age, their immune systems change, making it harder for their body to fight off diseases and infection, and because many older adults are also more likely to have underlying health conditions that make it harder to cope with and recover from illness. Age increases the risk that the respiratory system or lungs will shut down when an older person has COVID-19 disease.

That’s why the CDC is recommending that people at higher risk take the following actions:

Stay at home as much as possible.
Make sure you have access to several weeks of medications, food, and supplies in case you need to stay home for prolonged periods of time.
When you go out in public, keep away from others who are sick, limit close contact, and wash your hands often.
Avoid crowds.

Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said that people with serious chronic conditions, especially the elderly, should think twice about traveling or going to crowded places. He advised that these individuals take the simple steps of “not putting yourself in a situation—whatever that might be—that might increase the risk given your situation.”

The CDC is urging individuals to stay calm and Share Facts, Not Fear. Among the CDC’s advice are these common-sense tips:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

How to Support Older Adults

People of all ages can support older adults during this time. Many older adults depend on services and supports provided in their homes or in the community to maintain their health and independence. The CDC recommends that family members, neighbors, and caregivers:

Know what medications your loved one is taking and see if you can help them have extra on hand.
Monitor food and other medical supplies (oxygen, incontinence, dialysis, wound care) needed and create a back-up plan.
Stock up on non-perishable food items to have on hand in your home to minimize trips to stores.
If you care for a loved one living in a care facility, monitor the situation, ask about the health of the other residents frequently, and know the protocol if there is an outbreak.

Beware of Scams

Unfortunately, scammers are taking advantage of fears surrounding the coronavirus. The Federal Trade Commission has identified several of them and is offering tips to protect yourself and others. These include watching for emails claiming to be from the CDC saying they have information about the virus and ignoring online offers for vaccinations. There currently are no vaccines, pills, potions, lotions, lozenges, or other prescription or over-the-counter products available to treat or cure COVID-19 online or in stores.

Follow Flu Tips to Stay Safe From Coronavirus

Senior News Line
by Matilda Charles

We can’t turn on the news now without hearing about the new virus that’s sweeping the world. Coronavirus, now called COVID-19, is a serious virus that came out of China. At this point the virus has spread to more than 30 countries and there have been over 2,800 deaths.

Protecting ourselves from COVID-19 is much like how we avoid the seasonal winter flu that’s now in high numbers in every state. Guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is mostly common sense, but every step is important:

* Wash your hands frequently. Use warm water and soap and wash for a minimum of 20 seconds. Try singing “Happy Birthday” to mark the time.

* Keep your hands away from your face, even if you’ve just washed your hands.

* Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and then throw away the tissue.

* Disinfect surfaces in your environment frequently, such as countertops and doorknobs.

* When you go out, take a pack of antiseptic wipes to wet down grocery cart handles. If you don’t have those, put hand sanitizer on your palms and wet the cart handle.

* Never share cups or plates or anything else with those who are sick.

* If you have to be out in public, keep your distance. Stay at least 6 feet away from others. For now, avoid shaking hands.

* If you feel sick, don’t rush to the doctor. Call first and explain your symptoms. If they want you to come in, there might be a special entrance for you to use to keep from spreading germs to others.

Stay healthy this winter. Get enough sleep, eat well and keep your stress down. All of those affect your immune system. And if you haven’t had a flu shot, get one now.

What Makes Us Happy?

What makes us happy as we get older? Below are the results of an informal poll of seniors at the local coffee shop.

* Having enough income. It turns out that many who are living only on Social Security can have enough to make it through the month if they made wise decisions before retiring. Paying off the mortgage is a big one.

* Being listened to, or at least not being disregarded. There’s something about aging that seems to make us melt into the background, and if we have opinions or comments, people don’t always listen. Medical staff seem to rank very high on this list of people who really aren’t listening. Being heard is important.

* Freedom. This comes in many forms. It might mean continuing to drive; it might mean watching only what we want on television.

* Having a social life. For some of us that might mean being part of a group that meets regularly. For others it might mean talking to friends on the phone daily.

* Laughing. Finding something amusing every day ranked high on the list of what makes us happy. Sometimes it was reading the next page of a joke-a-day calendar. Sometimes it was talking to a friend who had a great, skewed view of the world.

* Having a reason to get up every day. Whether it’s a hobby, a good book or a social gathering, having a reason to look forward to the next day was key.

And what does it mean if we’re happy? A study monitored 3,000 seniors over the course of eight years to see how happiness impacted physical function. Researchers found that happy people decline more slowly. Conversely, unhappy people were three times more likely to develop health problems.

Where do you fall on the happiness spectrum?

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