Posted by Kyle Taylor on Fri, Apr 15, 2011 @ 01:15 PM
Recent research published in Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association found that senior citizens living in a setting where they interact with neighbors and count on them for help have a 53% better chance of surviving a stroke.
The biggest reason for the higher survival is that there are people around to call for help for the individual. When someone is suffering from a stroke, they aren't always able to tell.
"Social isolation is unhealthy on many levels, and there is a lot of literature showing that increased social support improves not just stroke, but many other health outcomes in seniors," said Cari Jo Clark, Sc.D., lead author of the study and assistant professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.
Where to find a 'neighborhhood'
Seniors or their families looking for a neighborhood such as this need look no further than assisted living or independent living. While not a "traditional" neighborhood, it will definitely increase a seniors survival rate of stroke.
Assisted Living & Independent Living not only have other residents to to interact with, but numerous staff members employed just to do so. Most assisted living & independent living communities have specific training for staff in recognizing stroke early. Thus making the survival rate even better.
5 Warning Signs of Stroke
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body.
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination.
- Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.
If your loved one is at risk of stroke or has a history of stroke and you want them to have better survival chances, the one easy step you should take is to consider assisted living or independent living.
What do you think? I'd love to hear from you, especially if you have personal experience in this area. Please leave a comment.
If you like what you have read, please connect via social media.
Posted by Kyle Taylor on Tue, Mar 22, 2011 @ 05:39 PM
I came across a news article on the "Grandma Scam". Apparently, this is the #1 scam that con artists pull on senior citizens. They target seniors who live alone in their own home.
The Scam
The con calls up a senior citizen and claims to be a loved one,
typically a grandson. The "grandson" tells "grandma" that he was traveling in Mexico and was falsely arrested. He now needs a few thousand dollars to pay for bail. Of course "grandma" won't let her "grandson" rot in a foreign prison cell. So the con asks grandma to wire the money to him. Grandma walks down to her local Western Union, wires the money out of the country and the scam is complete.
Prevention #1 - Education.
If you have an elderly friend of family member who lives in their own home alone, be sure to tell them about this. Once they know it is common, it will be a lot easier to spot.
Prevention #2 - Verify.
It shouldn't be too hard to call the "grandson's" parents to ask if he is traveling. This will most certainly put an end to the con.
Prevention #3 - Unlisted phone numbers.
By removing the phone number from directory service, it is much less likely that a con artist will be able to contact your loved one in the first place.
Other Possibilities:
Most people that would believe this con are more frail mentally. This may be a sign of other needs. Many times all of these needs can be met in a Retirement Community or an Assisted Living Community. One of the intangible benefits of these living arrangements is most have their own internal phone system making it impossible for con artists to contact them directly. I have got to assume that residents of Assisted Living and Independent Living Communities are much less likely to fall prey to scams.
What do you think? I'd love to hear from you, especially if you have personal experience in this area. Please leave a comment.
If you like what you have read, please connect via social media.
Posted by Kyle Taylor on Thu, Mar 17, 2011 @ 01:16 PM
I recently came across a fascinating article on ageism at msnbc.com. As I read this national article, I began to wonder if ageism is a problem in Utah.
CULTURE
In Utah, I feel we have a very service-oriented culture. Look at all the Cub & Boy Scouts as well as church and youth groups. I know that when I was younger in these organizations, I was taught to respect my elders. I know that many are taught at a young age to not be ageist, but does it occur as we grow-up?
MEDIA INFLUENCES
Obviously, in Utah, we are not isolated from outside influences of the media. Even though we have our culture and values, is it possible that the national & international media influence our views? Of course it is.
FALL OUT
Whether or not you agree that ageism exists in Utah, the fact of the
matter is as people age, they are viewed differently. One of the biggest changes that I have seen is in a persons responsibilities. In young adulthood, we start taking on responsibilities. These responsibilities increase as we get married, start a career and raise a family. As we age, we are "relieved" of responsibilities. We retire, maybe a spouse passes away and children grow up. And now most seniors are left with a gaping hole to fill.
SOLUTION
I love what I have seen at some Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Communities where they encourage residents with responsibilities. These responsibilities match abilities and vary from person to person. But it helps give them a reason to get up in the morning and participate in life.
Ageism may or may not happen to you or your loved ones, but there are ways to help cope with change.
What do you think? I'd love to hear from you, especially if you have personal experience in this area. Please leave a comment.
If you like what you have read, please connect via social media.
Posted by Kyle Taylor on Tue, Mar 08, 2011 @ 04:31 PM
As I approach 40, I notice more and more that I can't do some things as easily as I once did. Lately, I have been telling my kids that, "I'm too old for that." But then I saw this...
So, if she can do this, am I really too old?
My Resolution
I know the new year has passed, but this experience has lead me to a new resolution - that I am NEVER too old. Being too old I have realized is an excuse. I may be too lazy; too fat; too out of shape; too boring; too simple minded, but never too old.
Old age is inevitable, but the other conditions aren't. I can't choose if I will get older, but I can choose if I will eat right; if I will exercise; if I will socialize; if I will laugh or if I will challenge my brain.
I worked with a man who taught me a valuable lesson. At the time, I would guess he was in his 70s. One day, I asked him his age. He responded, "I am just as old as you think I am." At first I thought he was dodging the question, but as I thought about it, I noticed the wisdom in that answer. I have noticed that once someone knows how old you are, they put you in a box. If they know you are 25, you are placed in the box of how all 25 year-olds should act. Whereas my co-workers answer provided him the flexibility to be perceived as he dictated, not as his birth certificate dictated.
Where ever you are in life, never say you are too old.
What do you think? I'd love to hear from you, especially if you have personal experience in this area. Please leave a comment.
If you like what you have read, please connect via social media.
Posted by Kyle Taylor on Tue, Feb 22, 2011 @ 02:16 PM
Music has the ability to reach into our souls. It encourages mental stimulation, is an emotional outlet and can energize. Think back through your life and ask yourself these four questions:
- What role has music played in my life?
- How does music affect me today?
- What is my favorite type of music?
- Would I be willing to explore different types of music?
We are going to explore the effect music has on us physically and emotionally and how we can use music to improve our daily lives. Here are 15 Effects Music Has on Today's Senior Citizen:
- Physical Workout - Play music with stronger rhythms. If you play this type of music too long or too loudly you can exhaust yourself.
- Anger - Use strong music to release anger or quiet music to calm anger.
- Hyperactivity - Play quiet music that is melodically pleasing
and slower in rhythm and pacing.
- Depression and Fear - To help with feelings of rejection and negativity, play music that will induce sleep.
- Boredom - Music to arouse new enthusiasm such as big band or jazz.
- Strength and courage - Powerful music increases blood flow, muscular energy and metabolism.
- Relaxation - Play quiet, perhaps nostalgic music.
- Love and Devotion - Play music that arouses understanding and fills relationships with joy.
- Clear thinking and mental power - Use music that is clear melodically and rhythmically.
- Waking-Up - Play beautiful, quiet pieces to bring you from sleep slowly.
- Planning your Day - Play background music that is joyous, transparent and clear, and not heavily orchestrated.
- Meals - Happy music that is light and airy. Music that is pleasing to the ear heightens a person's ability to taste, which promotes good digestion.
- Insomnia - Play quiet music that includes flutes, harps or strings. Music may replace sleeping aids!
- Home - Music can calm your home and treat stress, worry and high-strung states.
- Humor - A song that makes people chuckle can help them unwind.
Music is the universal language. Great benefit comes from hearing, playing and singing music.
What do you think? I'd love to hear from you, especially if you have personal experience in this area. Please leave a comment.
If you like what you have read, please connect via social media.
Photo Credit: Theoddnote
Posted by Kyle Taylor on Fri, Feb 18, 2011 @ 05:08 PM
I read online today that the hippocampus - the part of our brain that stores memories starts to deteriorate on us around the age of 60. Now, some researchers have found that walking can help restore the hippocampus and in turn, improve memory!
I thought that was great. I was waiting to read the part where it talked about the new drug that is super expensive and has all kinds of side effects. How wonderful that there is a that has no side effects that almost every single person can take and it's FREE!!!
So that got me thinking... why don't more senior citizens take this wonder drug? In my years of working with senior citizens, I have gathered some theories on that topic.
Reason #1 - Knowledge
Simply stated, many senior citizens don't know that the simple act of walking is a wonder drug. This is not to say they are stupid by any means. This research and more like it is relatively new. When today's senior citizen was younger they walked out of necessity and this helped keep them healthy. Now they are older, there typically isn't the same necessity, so they don't walk as much.
Reason #2 - Accessibility
Most senior citizens I have met simply don't have proper access to a safe area to walk. Factors that contribute to this include:
- Climate. If a senior lives in Arizona, they aren't going to be walking outside too much during the summer. Same if they live in North Dakota during the winter.
- Clutter. Many seniors have a difficult time with clutter and as such their home becomes difficult to navigate and the interior space is held at a premium.
- Obstacles. Most of the seniors I have met live in older homes. I have yet to find an older home that doesn't have at least a few stairs leading into and out of the home. Even a few stairs can be enough to keep many seniors inside. Other obstacles include curbs on sidewalks, cracks in asphalt and cement etc.
- Fall Hazards. This list could go on for ever, but the some of the more common fall hazards that I have witnessed include: snow and ice; wet, slippery leaves in autumn; throw rugs and many more.
Reason #3 - Encouragement
When seniors are living at home alone, they may get a visit or a phone call from a neighbor or loved one here and there, but what encouragement are they receiving to exercise? Maybe family mentions it on a call, but are they there to follow-up? Maybe a neighbor talks to them about it when they visit, but they go home and no one checks to see if it is happening. In short, a senior may know it is good exercise to walk and they may have a great place to walk, but without proper encouragement, they are not likely to actually do it.
Is there a solution to help educate & encourage seniors while providing a safe environment to walk?
For many people it is discouraging and frustrating that their loved one won't or isn't able to walk and receive the memory benefits. But there are a number of people who don't experience this frustration. These are people that have chosen assisted living or independent living for their loved ones. Most retirement communities focus on these three areas:
- They provide educational classes for their residents to inform them of new trends and discoveries to have a healthier life.
- They provide a safe environment, free of fall hazards for their residents to get their exercise.
- They provide motivation from both staff and resident friends. I don't have any research to back this up, but I would wager that residents living in retirement communities exercise much more than seniors living alone in their own homes.
So next time you are talking with an aging loved one and they complain about their memory, encourage them to walk more. And if they have some of the listed obstacles, you may want to consider assisted living.
What do you think? I'd love to hear from you, especially if you have personal experience in this area. Please leave a comment.
If you like what you have read, please connect via social media.
Posted by Kevin Taylor on Wed, Feb 02, 2011 @ 05:00 PM
Recent reports from the State of Utah Department of Health reveal that residents in long-term care, including Assisted Living in Utah, are more likely to receive influenza immunizations that seniors living on their own. This is great news for a few reasons.
Healthier
First, residents in Assisted Living increase their chances of avoiding the flu by getting properly vaccinated. This is a great thing, as influenza often turns more serious when the affected person has other immunity issues, as is often the case with seniors. Keeping seniors healthy up front is much better than fighting increasingly difficult diseases to bring them back to health.
More Frail
Second, the residents in Assisted Living tend to be more frail than seniors who continue to live on their own. The senior population starts at 65 years of age, not a very old group, while Assisted Living tends to server those aged 75 and better more frequently. In a way this study is making a comparison similar to saying that there are more mothers in their 40s having children than mothers over the age of 18 in general. It is truly amazing! (And, there is no study about older mothers, that was only created to show how the groups compare.)
Convenience
Third, with a more frail population in Assisted Living, they are also a group who would typically not get out to get flu shots if these were not brought to them. This is a benefit of Assisted Living: many crucial services are brought in–house to make them more accessible.
Seniors living alone need to make the trip to the drug store or their doctor to get a flu shot. Seniors living in Assisted Living need only make their way to a library or other common area of the building where the flu shots have come to them. If this level of convenience could somehow be available to seniors in their own homes it is likely that they would also get flu shots at the same, higher rate as seniors in Assisted Living.
So, what does this mean? Well, like the title of this blog says, seniors in Assisted Living are often healthier than their peers. This influenza vaccine example is only one way that can occur.
Photo by Flickr Dave
Posted by Kyle Taylor on Mon, Jan 10, 2011 @ 11:49 AM
Gae Duersch, one of our great residents at Golden Living in Orem, was featured in an article in the Provo Daily Hearld.
Gae is one of the nicest people you would ever hope to meet. Not only is she nice, but she has served our country in a way most people don't even know about.
Gae Duersch
Click Above to Read the Entire Article.
Photo Credit: CRAIG DILGER/Daily Herald
Posted by Kyle Taylor on Wed, Jan 05, 2011 @ 02:29 PM
As we embark on a new year, I thought I would share some thoughts on Healthy Aging. New Year's Resolutions aren't always what we hope they would be, so hopefully some of these thoughts will put them in proper perspective.
"The secret of getting ahead is getting started."
-- Anonymous
"The only sure way to keep your New Year's Resolutions is to keep them in a safe-deposit box."
-- Anonymous
"The secret of genius is to carry the spirit of the child into old age 
which means never losing your enthusiasm."
-- Aldous Huxley
Happy New Year! And best of luck in becoming the best you!
What do you think? I'd love to hear from you, especially if you have personal experience in this area. Please leave a comment.
If you like what you have read, please connect via social media.
Posted by Kevin Taylor on Fri, Dec 31, 2010 @ 04:24 PM
10… 9… 8… 7…
This may be active independent living at Le Chateau at Brickyard Plaza, but you still didn't expect the residents to stay up until midnight, did you?
At Le Chateaut at Brickyard Plaza, the residents celebrate the New Year twleve hours earlier than most, at noon. However, to paraphrase a popular song "It's twelve o'clock somewhere."
The residents enjoy having their own New Year's countdown, then toasting the new year with sparkling cider. You are welcome to join with these residents in their celebration by playing the video.
6… 5… 4… 3…
Another celebration at Heritage Place had their independent residents making their own noisemakers the day before the party, then using those to welcome the new year. Heritage Place also included a slide show review of the past year, highlighting favorite memories and activities during their celebration.
Heritage Place also pulls in a New Year's tradition that pomegranate juice brings good luck for the new year, by toasting with pomegranate juice mixed with ginger ale. I (personally) didn't even know that I should be drinking pomegranate juice to make my new year luckier.
2… 1…
These celebrations may not be Dick Clark's Rockin' New Year's Eve, but then -- having watched that recently -- that may not be such a bad thing. The residents get to welcome the new with their friends without having the commercial breaks, or the headache on New Year's Day. And if they want to watch Dick Clark later, they are free to do that as well.
Auld Lang Syne
Happy New Year from Retirement Living Group! We hope that your celebrations are as fun and safe as ours have been. Share with us some favorite memories from this or previous New Year's celebrations. We'd love to know.