Dr. Mauk’s Boomer Blog
Each week, Dr. Kristen Mauk shares thoughts relevant to Baby Boomers that are aimed to educate and amuse.
Dr. Kristen L. Mauk, PhD, DNP, RN, CRRN, GCNS-BC, GNP-BC, FAAN
Pets Provide Significant Health Benefits
Pets Provide Significant Health Benefits By Rachel Blankmeyer, DVM
Some of our closest companions, especially as we age, are our four-legged friends. The human-animal bond provides many benefits to people who may otherwise be isolated due to emotional, behavioral, or physical problems. Research shows several health benefits of pet ownership for older adults, including lower blood pressure, triglycerides, and cholesterol levels. A study by Friedmann & Thomas in 1995 showed that pet ownership actually resulted in increased survival rates after a heart attack. Other studies have shown that pets may provide social support similar to that of a family member for older adults. Consider additional general health benefits such as weight control and stress reduction, and pet ownership seems like a win-win situation!
You may have heard of the Alzheimer’s patient study performed by Edwards & Beck in 2002, where persons with Alzheimer’s disease observed a facility fish tank and demonstrated improved relaxation, alertness, and eating habits. This is a huge deal for patients dealing with dementia because at least 50% experience weight loss, increasing the mortality rate and progression of disease. Stroke survivors may also specifically benefit from animal companionship through improved communication, dexterity, mobility and balance. As a veterinarian, I may be biased, but the facts don’t lie: animals help all of us have a more active daily life, and can enrich our lives emotionally! So, consider the cost-benefit ratio:
Adopting your new forever friend from your local shelter…$35
Pet food for one month…$10
Years of companionship and improved health…priceless.
How to Prepare for Senior Living
As Americans age, they must face the prospect of what to do when maintaining their independence is no longer recommended or feasible. The following resources from Senior Care Central will help you and your family figure out how best to make decisions about retirement communities, assisted living facilities, and nursing homes.
How Do I Know When to Make a Change?
Sometimes it is difficult to know when it’s time to change your living arrangements or those of an aging loved one. Check out these sources for help in knowing when the time is right.
- Consumer Affairs lists 17 signs that it may be time to consider assisted living.
- If you’re still unsure about moving into senior care, perhaps aging in place is an option, at least for a little while.
How Do I Know a Facility is a Good One?
Once you are certain a senior care option is necessary, you have to choose the location. However, there are so many facilities in operation that it can be difficult to tell which one is best for you or your loved one. Utilize these tools to make sure you’ve made the best choice.
- There are several websites that rate retirement communities, so be sure to take these reviews into consideration.
- However, many people are more comfortable with consumer reviews, so don’t neglect this source of information.
- It also doesn’t hurt to check out what government inspection procedures are and to make sure the facility you’re considering has few if any citations against it.
How Do I Pay for Long-Term Senior Care?
It is hard enough figuring out senior care without even considering the costs associated with it, but sooner or later, the price of assisted living must be taken into consideration. Fortunately, there are many ways to make the cost affordable.
- Today’s low VA home loan rates make refinancing — and using the proceeds to pay for care — an attractive option.
- Understand what Medicare and Medicaid do and do not provide in terms of assistance.
- Look into the benefits of Long-Term Care Insurance (LTC).
It may not be pleasant as you investigate options for senior living, but it will likely be necessary. The process can be confusing and stressful, but the resources discussed in this article will make the process a little easier to understand and navigate.
Guest Blog: Android Apps For Especially Designed For Boomers
The Boomer generation is widely considered the wealthiest and most active generation in history. The Baby Boomer generation is widely considered the richest and most active generation in history. The boom began after World War II with post-war optimism, continued unabated through the civil rights movement, youth rebellion of the 1960s, women’s liberation of the 1970s, and was sustained throughout the explosion of computer technology that has dominated the 1980s and 1990s.
The Very Best Mobile Apps for Baby Boomers are touch screen phone apps designed for seniors, people with vision problems or memory issues, or people who are just plain old fashioned. Here are some of the best new Android apps available for older adults who want to keep in touch, stay active, and remain independent.
1- Booming With Laughter
Laughter is more than just an app for senior LOLs. It’s a fun way to keep in touch with family and friends. It’s free, easy to use, and it makes sending messages simple for seniors who want to keep up on the latest news while having some laughs along the way. It’s the equivalent of a photo booth for your phone; users can take photos, add special effects and instantly share them with others in the app community. What makes Laughter such appealing entertainment is that it comes packed with hundreds of funny visual bits like memes, cartoons, jokes, and animations.
2- In-1 Band Saw and Scroll Saw
This powerful double app functions as a band saw to cut wood, plastic, aluminum, and steel. With a 20-inch capacity of the material, this saw delivers the power of a commercial band saw in the convenience of a scroll saw design. In addition, it features cam-lock blade clamps, adjustable table angles for bevel cutting, and guide bearings into which the upper wheel fits with steel ball bearings.
3- 3D Bowling Game
This is an exciting 3D bowling game with realistic graphics ux design and challenging gameplay. It delivers a high-quality bowling experience complete with online leaderboards so users can compete against others from around the world. This fast-paced game also comes with ten-pin bowling, candlepin, five-pin bowling, duckpins, giant killer, coin collector, and other challenges to keep players coming back for more.
4- The New Retirement
This app helps Baby Boomers and others plan for the future. It explores and discusses everything about retirement and provides more than 20 general guidelines to help ensure a worry-free life after work ends. In addition, the app explains tax situations, estate planning, health care decisions, and many other things related to retirement living. It also has information on retirement communities, retirement gifts for family members, and more.
5- AARP Tax-Aide 2011
This app helps users with personal tax preparation. It’s free, easy to use, and provides direct access to AARP counselors who the IRS qualified to represent taxpayers at the nation’s most considerable Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site network. It’s an excellent tool for seniors looking to file their taxes without the worry and stress of going through the process alone.
6- Twitter
This app is a social networking site that lets people share thoughts and feelings with friends, family members, and others. It’s a great way to keep up with the latest news while staying connected to loved ones who are miles away.
Brain Wave Control 1.0
This game uses brain wave control to move the character on screen by collecting stone pieces. It has three mini-games and a global high scores table.
7- Boomerang
This app allows you to watch your favorite videos, read the latest news and weather reports, tweet to friends on Twitter, write notes, check email, update your Facebook status–all without having to leave the comfort of your couch or swivel your desk chair. More than 10 million users have downloaded this app to their smartphones and tablets, which means it’s bound to become a favorite among Boomers as well.
The Very Best Of the 50s & 60s
This music app features some of the very best songs from the 1950s and 1960s decades. You’ll find classics like “Unchained Melody” by the Righteous Brothers, “Respect” by Aretha Franklin, and “I Got You Babe” by Sonny & Cher. It’s a great way to relive the golden years of music from an era that will never be forgotten.
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND for Boomers:
1- The majority of the apps featured in this post are free. If you don’t mind ads, then many of them come packed with no cost to you.
2- People should always read the user reviews before downloading an app. This will help you better understand what the program is about and how it runs on different platforms. It will also give you an idea of the quality level and any complaints other users may have had.
3- It’s essential to look for updates because these can change app functions and improve their performance levels. Updates are handy if you have an older version of a program installed on your device.
Lastly, Several different android apps are specially designed for Boomers. 7 of them have been mentioned in this post, but there are plenty more where those came from. If you’re an active Baby Boomer who wants to be able to do things on the go, then these types of Android programs will help keep boredom at bay and make your life a whole lot easier.
Guest Blog: Multigenerational Living
Ever heard of multigenerational living? It’s a hot topic these days because many seniors are looking for ways to remain independent longer. As more people enter their advanced years, they and their families are faced with difficult decisions of how to provide the best care possible. For seniors hoping to keep their independence, living with family is the next best option to aging at home. Even if your house isn’t big enough to handle more people living in it, there are companies who remodel homes specifically for seniors moving in.
As noted in NYU Professor Eric Klinenberg’s “Aging alone in America,” 33% of American seniors make the decision to remain out of care facilities. With medical progress and healthier living, remaining out of a care home has become more practical than it once was. Among the rest of the world’s population, living with the elderly is more common, but as Americans, we tend to stay separated from our parents once we move out. With the economic downturn of 2008, however, young adults are staying in their parents’ homes longer and older people are moving back in with their children. Seems like we’re becoming more European every day!
Since elder care facilities commonly drain assets, there are obvious cost benefits to bringing your parents to you. Even more importantly than saving money, living at home helps seniors stay healthy by maintaining a routine. Things we take for granted like housekeeping, cooking, or yard work are types of physical and mental exercise that people do not receive in assisted living centers. After years of retirement it’s easy to lose one’s routine. If someone completely loses their routine they can develop what is called aging atrophy, which means increased dependence on those around them. Doing small chores helps combat aging atrophy. Plus, they can perform the cleaning duties or home upkeep you might not have time to do yourself.
Lastly, living in a multigenerational setting allows seniors to maintain control over their environment. At facilities, there is contact with nurses, other residents, and even other residents’ families that cause exposure to illness. Keeping a clean environment at home without strangers around can help ward off sickness. If your loved one begins to require too much care to remain healthy at home, however, you should look into home-health services or other living options. Aging is often associated with making major decisions, but keeping parents close can help reduce stress.
Jacob Edward is the manager of both Prime Medical Alert and Senior Planning in Phoenix, Arizona. Prime Medical Alert allows seniors to stay in their homes longer and sells equipment throughout the country. In his spare time, Jacob enjoys dining out and supporting his alma mater Arizona State’s Sun Devil sports teams. Jacob lives in Tempe, Arizona.
Simple Ways to Find Purpose as you Age
Having a purpose in life impacts its quality regardless of our age. A recently published study on Purpose of Life (PIL) in older adults found that people with purpose experienced fewer disability problems and chronic conditions. PIL is defined as a life with goals, direction, and meaning. People with a high PIL were found to be resilient, healthy and with social support, faith, and good knowledge of health-related matters. Here are some simple ways of keeping these factors in your life as you age.
1. Join an Age-Friendly Gym
Find a gym that has programs for elders. If you don’t know many fitness centers that offer such programs, use an online tool like this facility locator on the International Council of Active Aging website. The map shows the available options in a city by name, number, address, and allowed gender. Next to the name of the center, there are icons to show what type of services they offer. Besides fitness centers, you can use the tool to find other services as well, including recreation centers, retirement living facilities, YMCA, community services, etc. Here are 5 places you can visit to stay in shape and find new friends.
2. Become a Volunteer
Consider becoming one of the many elderly who volunteer. Some popular forms of volunteering include fundraising, teaching, mentoring, and preparing/distributing food. Retired individuals are a good fit for volunteering programs because they come from a variety of businesses and sectors. For instance, your input can be valuable for a fundraiser if you have spent your career in marketing and have a strong connection in the community that takes years to develop. Sites like Volunteer Match list opportunities in a variety of areas and for people of different age groups.
You can also offer your services as a mentor to young people in general or in your field of expertise. For food related jobs, check at your local food banks and at any local food service companies. Volunteering can offer both physical and mental benefits. When choosing a form of volunteering, make sure that it engages you, so you don’t find the work to be tedious and boring.
3. Visit Your Favorite Places
Start signing off the places you have on your travel bucket list. Hit the road, take the plane, rail, or ship. Don’t allow a limited budget to come in your way – look for discounts. A variety of discounts are available, including airfare, dining, clothing, grocery, and entertainment discounts. Here is a list of some of these discounts. Go through them to plan your trip for less. If your travel appliance have gone out of shape, use a home warranty to fix or replace them for free.
4. Learn Something New
Join a class at your library or senior center to stay mentally agile and find people who share the same interests. Check courses at your community college as well. Take a driving course if you feel like your driving skills need a little sharpening. Continue the process of learning.
Guest Blog: Selecting comfortable clothing for boomers
Introduction:
As we age, it’s especially important to dress comfortably. Your clothing should allow you to move freely and be easy to get in and out of—no matter what your day has in store.
The clothing you choose should be comfortable and appropriate:
You should always dress for the occasion, but when you’re older, it’s especially important to choose clothing that makes you feel good. You want to be confident in what you wear and comfortable with how people perceive your appearance. You should always dress appropriately be it your formal dresses or casual ones!
While comfort is key for everyone as we age, it’s especially important for boomers who may have mobility issues or other physical limitations that make dressing difficult. If an item isn’t comfortable enough to wear on its own merits (i.e., without being treated as a “fashion statement”), then it probably won’t look great on anyone no matter how expensive or well-designed it might be!
Look for clothes with easy access to pockets and zippers:
- Zippers are easier to use than buttons, so it’s best to look for clothing that has them.
- Pockets are important for boomers because they can hold their phones or keys, which makes it easier for them to get around without having to carry a purse or bag all the time.
- Pockets can be placed in convenient locations on the body; pockets on shirts (like those used by men) tend to be higher up on the chest area near their shoulder blades while women’s shirts usually have lower pockets located closer towards their waistline so they don’t interfere with their skirts/dresses when sitting down at desks or tables during lunchtime meetings at work!
Pick clothing that is easy to put on:
For those who have difficulty dressing, look for clothing that is easy to put on. Pockets, zippers and hooks are all good options. Consider clothing with a button-down front as well as snaps or Velcro closures. This makes it easier for you to reach the buttons or fasteners without assistance from someone else.
If you’re concerned about keeping your shirt tucked in throughout the day and don’t want to wear suspenders (which can be uncomfortable), try a belt clip instead of suspenders! The belt clip attaches directly onto your pants so there’s no need for an extra strap around your waistline–it simply sits on top of them when worn under jackets/coats etc., but still keeps everything looking neat when worn alone too!
Pair slacks with ankle boots or flats:
Ankle strap boots are more comfortable than heels and flats, whereas, flats are more comfortable than heels.
Heels are not always the best choice for people who have to stand or walk a lot during their day. If you’re going to be on your feet all day in one of these shoes, make sure that you have some cushioning on the sole of your foot so that it doesn’t hurt too much after a while (and make sure not to wear socks with them).
Choose soft fabrics, such as cotton or fleece:
Soft fabrics, such as cotton and fleece, are ideal for summer clothing. They’re also great for winter wear because they keep you warm without making you sweat.
If you have allergies or are sensitive to wool, cotton is a good fabric choice because it doesn’t irritate your skin like other materials do.
Choose stretchy, flexible fabrics:
Stretchy fabrics are more comfortable because they allow you to move freely, and they’re more forgiving of body shape changes. They’re also less likely to cause pain or discomfort as you age, as well as more likely to be breathable and allow for better circulation.
If you want a specific example of this principle in action, look at yoga pants! They’re designed with stretchy materials so that they’ll be comfortable even when you bend down into all kinds of different poses during your workout.
Wear socks that provide extra cushioning and support:
It’s a good idea to wear socks that provide extra cushioning and support under your feet. Wearing socks that are too tight can cause blisters on the top of your foot, while wearing socks that are too loose can cause your feet to slide around in your shoes.
When shopping for new footwear, try on different sizes until you find ones that feel right for your foot size and shape by measuring from heel to toe before purchasing them (you should be able to cover this distance easily without taking off or putting on shoes).
Lastly, make sure that any athletic-style sneakers shoes have room at the back of their tongues so they don’t rub against sensitive areas like Achilles tendons when walking around all day long!
Wear loose-fitting clothes that allow you to move freely in them:
Loose-fitting clothes are more comfortable, easier to put on and take off, and don’t restrict movement. They also allow for extra layers to be added or removed as needed.
Dress in layers so you can adjust as needed throughout the day:
Layering is a great way to stay comfortable throughout the day. You can add or remove layers as needed, which means you can adjust your clothing to keep warm or cool, dry or dry.
If you have a long day of activities planned and don’t want to have to change into different clothes at each stop along the way, then layering is a good option for you. It helps keep your clothing clean too!
Consider a sleeveless dress shirt or top:
Sleeveless dresses and shirts are an alternative to traditional button-front shirts. They are easier to put on, especially for people with limited dexterity and strength in their hands. And unlike regular buttons, there’s no risk of losing a sleeve!
Sleeveless tops can be worn alone or layered over other clothing items like sweaters or jackets. This makes it easier to dress for cooler temperatures throughout the year–a significant benefit for boomers who may experience temperature fluctuations due to medical conditions such as diabetes or arthritis.
The right bra:
The right bra can help you look great and feel good. It will be comfortable and provide the support you need. A good fitting bra will also help prevent back pain, shoulder problems and other issues that can be caused by wearing an ill-fitting bra. If your breasts are sagging, it’s important for them to be supported so they don’t bounce around when walking or running.
You should replace your bras every six months or so depending on how often they’re worn (the more they’re used, the sooner they’ll wear out).
Conclusion
There are many ways to dress comfortably as we age. By paying attention to the details and choosing clothing that fits well, you can look good while feeling great while also maintaining your independence. If you have mobility problems, look for easy-on/off clothing with elastic waists or cuffs, zippers or hooks that allow for quick dressing without assistance. If you’re looking for something special but don’t want to worry about getting dressed in the morning, consider a sleeveless top or dress shirt instead of button-down shirts with buttons!