Dr. Mauk’s Boomer Blog

Each week, Dr. Mauk shares thoughts relevant to Baby Boomers that are aimed to educate and amuse.

Guest blog: Giving Condolences to Relatives

3D word Why with question mark.

Guest Blog: Suzie Kolber

Giving Condolences to Relatives: When You Don’t Know What to Say

Many people feel uncomfortable in expressing condolences to a relative when that person loses someone. They don’t know what to say and are often afraid of saying the wrong thing. Here are some tips to help you the next time you are in that situation.

Be Sincere

Don’t try to come up with the “right words.” Instead, just focus on being sincere. Even a simple “I’m sorry for your loss” has great meaning when it comes from the heart. If you are close to the grieving person, you can offer more words of encouragement but don’t feel that you must. If they are a distant relative, just a short note is plenty to show your condolences.

Write It Down

Another worry for many people is that they will call or stop by at the wrong time. Since dealing with all of the issues surrounding a person’s death can leave the person overwhelmed and busy, a written note or email may be more appropriate at this time. You can wait until later to make a visit or phone call. In fact, it may be more timely then when they don’t have as much support.

Offer to Help

If you are in a position and at a close distance to help, feel free to extend the offer. Instead of a generic “let me know if I can help,” it is often appreciated if you give tangible suggestions. Since the person is probably feeling overwhelmed, he or she may not know what is needed. Here are some ideas on ways you could offer to help.

  • Stopping by the grocery to pick up food
  • Bringing over a dish
  • Taking pets for a walk
  • Taking the kids out for a few hours
  • Checking on the house if the person will be gone
  • Inviting the person to a support group
  • Inviting the person for lunch

Your offers of help don’t have to just be for the first few days after the loved one’s death. Many times, support is needed for several weeks or even months while the person is still grieving the loss. In fact, your support may be even more appreciated then.

What Not to Do

There are some things you should avoid in your wish to offer condolences to a family member. The main thing to know is to respect the other person’s beliefs. They may have different convictions and ideas about death, especially if they are of a different religion or background than you. If you are not sure of their beliefs, try to avoid comments and expressions that include that sentiment.

Don’t be upset if you don’t hear back from the person right away. It may take some time for them to get back to you in response to your offers of help and condolences. Know that they appreciate any concern you express even if they don’t respond.

Supporting family members through a loss of a loved one can be difficult, but don’t be afraid to reach out. Any sincere expression will be appreciated if given in the right attitude.

Suzie Kolber is a writer at http://obituarieshelp.org/words_of_condolences_hub.html . The site is a complete guide for someone seeking help for sympathy messages, condolence letters and funeral planning resources.

By |2023-01-30T17:05:24-05:00February 9th, 2023|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off on Guest blog: Giving Condolences to Relatives

Guest Blog: 5 Benefits For Therapy Dogs For Seniors

No matter the age, a dog will always remain the best friend of a man.

As a child, adult, or an old person, dogs are loyal and truthful to their friendship with humans for years.

Hence, dogs are the chosen ones who help senior citizens with their daily lives. Dogs are perfect for training and harder not to love. These dog qualities have made them the perfect animal that works as a therapist for a human.

Find yourself or anyone else struggling in their old age. You can get them a therapy dog that will make their survival much more manageable.

Here are 5 benefits that prove how therapy dogs work their magic in the lives of senior people.

Improves Mental Health

A man needs love. A man is born to receive and give love. And a dog fills this void perfectly.

A dog loves a man unconditionally as long as the man loves him back. The world of a dog revolves around his best man, and if you train a dog enough to also take care of you, then they turn into impeccable therapists, as well.

So if you have someone who eagerly waits for you till you come back home, licks your face in the morning, and stays with you for the rest of the day, then you have someone to love and support for the most of your life, and this is what you need to heal your mental health.

This results in remarkable improvement in depressions, anxiety, and other mental disorders that a human suffers from.

Most senior people get themselves a dog in the later years of their life, which they do to stay sane and happy.

Increases Ability To Socialize More

Therapy dogs encourage people to interact better.

When people don’t feel lonely, they feel better about themselves. This is how they are enabled to communicate better with others.

Therapy dogs support and teach seniors by urging them to go out more often. So when you go out to take your pooch for a walk, there are high chances you get to interact with other pet owners who would like to speak with you about your experiences with a dog.

Some might stop for the cute little furry friend you have and ask you things about them. Hence giving you the chance to talk with and who knows, even make friends with other people.

Boosts Self-esteem

With the unconditional love you receive from a dog, you will feel worthy of yourself. This is what makes a man feel better about themselves. It further improves a man’s self-esteem, who will now go out as a happy and confident person.

Improved self-esteem significantly improves the quality of life and mental health, as well. And a therapy dog can help you achieve all of this. They are trained to love and take care of you in ways where you feel relieved and supported.

All you need is someone to stick to you through the worst, and pups do that without judgments.

Gives A Meaning And Purpose In Life

Taking care of a furry companion is not only fun but therapeutic. Having something meaningful to do adds a purpose to your life. And taking care of a dog and feeding them good dog food is just the purpose you should consider in later stages of life.

Not only will it structure and refine your schedule, but it will also keep you busy for most of the day to keep you away from boredom and loneliness. Because boredom and loneliness make a man succumb to the darkest part of life and leave them with nothing but harmful thoughts.

Alleviates Symptoms Of Dementia

Therapy dogs have proven to improve the mental health of the man to such an extent that they also help alleviate the symptoms of dementia. These include improving a man’s cognitive skills, giving them a reason to become a better version of themselves, and significantly improving their memory.

Dementia is a chronic disorder that can’t be reversed but can indeed be stopped from progressing. Thus, petting a dog at the right time is the best you can do for the disease and prevent it from worsening.

Apart from the medications, having a dog is of great help against dementia.

Last Thoughts

Therapy dogs are trained to help a senior person live a quality life. They help, support, care, and love a person without expecting anything in return. Also, who can avoid beautiful creatures like dogs? They are angels that blessed the world and were sent down to rescue humans.

Now that more people are becoming aware of the benefits of having a therapy dog, many people have become livelier and cheerful as adults. This trend probably wouldn’t come to a halt, so why not get a dog for yourself, too?

If you want to know more about dog’s love and care, visit Dog Food Desire.

 

By |2023-01-30T17:05:09-05:00February 7th, 2023|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off on Guest Blog: 5 Benefits For Therapy Dogs For Seniors

Guest Blog: Telehealth for Seniors: 7 Things You Need to Know

Telehealth is changing the way we visit the doctor, and how seniors experience long-term care. COVID-19 has made telehealth a necessity for seniors, both for regular doctor visits, and for those in long-term care. Patients are more likely to suffer from diabetes as they age, and studies have also shown that patients with underlying diabetes complications are at an especially high risk for contracting COVID-19.

By communicating with medical professionals over a video-conferencing tool – like Skype or Zoom – seniors and long-term care staff can avoid unnecessary trips that might expose patients to COVID-19. And although it’s still early days, many studies indicate that telehealth is good for both doctors and patients, even for complex issues like wound care.

Why have I heard so much about telehealth and telemedicine lately?

The 2020 CARES Act expanded Medicare coverage of telemedicine, in part to address the concerns of patients who  It’s one of the measures taken to prevent unnecessary exposure to COVID-19.

Telehealth and telemedicine — What’s the difference?

These terms are often used interchangeably. Telehealth is the umbrella term, and telemedicine refers specifically to treatment provided remotely.

Can telehealth deliver the same level of wound care as an in-person doctor visits?

Multiple studies indicate that patients receive the same level of care using telemedicine. This is especially true of patients who add telehealth applications to their pre-existing doctor-patient relationships.

Do I need special equipment?

Everything you need is right there on your smartphone or desktop. In general, you need access to a secure internet connection and audio-visual communication. And in some cases, audio or text alone will suffice.

Who pays for my telehealth appointment?

Medicare covers telemedicine in the event of an established patient-doctor relationship. The CARES Act also has an amendment that allows Medicare to waive this requirement. Many private insurance plans cover telemedicine as well. And in good news all-around, advanced wound care can significantly lower the overall cost of care.

Is telehealth new?

Telehealth isn’t new, just recently expanded. You’ve probably used it without realizing it, via an online portal that your doctor office. It’s also been in use for years in rural areas, where many residents live too far from doctors to receive adequate health care from in-person doctor visits alone.

What are the advantages of telehealth?

Aside from wound care, telehealth can provide easier access to a wide spectrum of health services. Seniors in long-term care shouldn’t have to sacrifice their mental health needs in order to avoid exposure to COVID-19, and telehealth is helping more seniors access mental health professionals. Remote monitoring is advantageous to patients who need regular health monitoring, including those recovering from a stroke. Telehealth can also provide handy reminders to take medication.

 

 

By |2023-01-30T17:04:32-05:00February 5th, 2023|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off on Guest Blog: Telehealth for Seniors: 7 Things You Need to Know

5 Ways Seniors Can Make Exercising Fun


By: Eric Daw

Lets be honest, exercising is not always fun.  It can create discomfort, make you sweaty, and take you away from some other pleasurable pastimes or methods of relaxation. However, research clearly shows that those who are active on a regular basis have better weight management, are more relaxed, have higher energy and typically experience a better quality of life.  For seniors, exercise is especially crucial since it has positive effects on memory, mood, balance, posture, strength and pretty much any issue involved in healthy aging.  For those that find it difficult to start or stick with an exercise program, here are 5 ways seniors can make exercising more fun. Be sure to check with your doctor before starting any exercise regimen.

1. Find what you like to do. Do you enjoy playing golf, tennis or swimming? Have you considered taking long walks or gardening as pleasurable activities? Well if you enjoy any of the above activities, that is good news. All of these can be considered as some form of exercise.  Exercise doesn’t always have to mean going to the gym. Experts tell us that we can accumulate the positive effects of exercise throughout the day by doing such activities.

2. Make it social. For people who enjoy socializing, you can incorporate exercise to add to the experience.  Mall walking or group exercise programs have allowed people to interact and get in better shape in the process; just make sure you do as much exercising as you do talking.

3. Add music. Line dancing or Zumba, which are popular forms of exercising for seniors, use music to keep rhythm and add to the fun of the dance class. In these exercise classes, music helps weight management, muscle tone, balance and coordination. Whether you incorporate music during group exercise or during a long walk; music can give us energy, relax us and enhance exercise.

4. Add variety. Our minds and bodies typically love variety.  Physically, variety is good for our bodies because it allows the use of different muscles, preventing wear and tear on joints.  The body is also stimulated more when you do different exercises, which gives more health benefits from the activity.  For our minds, variety is good for the brain. When you do different activities it can prevent you from becoming bored of the same exercises continually.

5. Attach a reward. If achieving results is important for you, attaching fitness rewards can make exercising more fun.  Some examples of fitness rewards could be having a low calorie dessert if you’ve finished exercising that day, getting a pedicure, going shopping, or having a massage after exercising.  Positive reinforcement encourages us to exercise while knowing that if we do it, there is something good coming at the end.

About the Author: Eric Daw is an active aging specialist and the owner of Omni Fitt. Omni Fitt is dedicated to the wellbeing, health and quality of life of people aged 65 and over. Eric motivates and empowers the older adult population to take responsibility for their independence, health, and fitness through motivating and positive coaching experiences.

 

 

 

By |2023-01-30T17:03:59-05:00February 3rd, 2023|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off on 5 Ways Seniors Can Make Exercising Fun

Guest Blog: 5 Pain Management Tips for Elders Dealing with Knee Pain

Knee pain is a common ailment for older adults. Unfortunately, the swelling and stiffness that lead to this condition can stop patients from performing daily routines. Here are five pain management tips for elders with knee pain.

An inactive lifestyle can contribute to pain and inflammation in the knee. On the other hand, regular exercise can help keep the muscles that support the knee joint strong and flexible. Try doing low-impact activities such as walking, swimming, or biking. Always increase the intensity of your workout gradually. Stop if your knees hurt.

Ice Packs and Heat Therapy

Applying ice packs to the affected area can reduce swelling and inflammation. Use an ice pack for 10-15 minutes every 2-3 hours for the first 2-3 days. Then reduce the frequency and duration of use over time. Apply heat to the knee using a heating pad. You can also apply a warm, moist towel to the knee several times daily to reduce pain and stiffness.

Medication

Over-the-counter medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen can help reduce inflammation and pain. However, these medications should be given under a physician’s prescription. Talk to your doctor about the best treatment option for you.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Weight gain can increase the pressure on the knee joint and lead to pain and discomfort. Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise can help relieve this pressure and keep the knee joint healthy. See your doctor to help you develop a weight-loss plan tailored to your needs and goals.

Massage Therapy

Massaging the knee joints can also help improve the flexibility and mobility of the knee and promote healing. This is especially useful for individuals recovering from injury or surgery. A physical therapist will apply gentle pressure to specific body areas to promote relaxation and encourage blood flow. Studies have proven that massage therapy can help reduce pain and improve joint function in people with arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.

Knee Joint Pain Remedies

If you are experiencing knee pain, many remedies are available to help ease and improve your mobility. Below are some tips to help improve your overall health and reduce knee pain.

Rest

Rest sore joints as much as possible. Avoid activities that cause pain when your knee is painful or swollen. This can help reduce inflammation and relieve some of the pain. Rest for at least a few days to allow your knee joint to heal. In the meantime, try to keep the knee in as straight of a line as possible.

Acupuncture

This is a clinically tested procedure involving inserting fine, sterile needles into the skin at specific points that correspond to different body systems. Regular acupuncture sessions can reduce pain and improve the range of motion.

Compression Bandage

Compression bandages are also known as elastic knee bands. Wearing a compression bandage can help reduce swelling in your knee and improve mobility. The bandage also provides support to help keep the joints stable and prevent further injury.

Stretches

Stretching can also help to improve flexibility and reduce pain. One stretch that is particularly effective for knee pain relief is the quadriceps stretch. It involves straightening one leg and bending the other at the knee so that the shin is parallel to the ground. Keep your back straight as you hold the stretch for 20-30 seconds, and repeat with the other leg.

Aromatherapy

Massaging oils such as eucalyptus into the knee joint can also relieve pain and stiffness. Essential oils containing cinnamon, sesame, orange and ginger can help reduce pain caused by osteoarthritis. They may also improve flexibility and functionality in the knees.

When to Seek Medical Advice?

If the pain persists for more than one week or worsens over time, you should make an appointment with your doctor so they can help diagnose and treat your pain. You may also want to visit your doctor if you experience redness, swelling, muscle weakness, or when you can’t put weight on your knee. Your doctor will examine your knee for mobility, flexibility and general functionality. MRI/CT or X-rays scan can help identify injuries or deformities. Occasionally, your doctor may need a small amount of joint fluid for testing.

Knee pain can cause discomfort and prevent you from doing daily routines. Thankfully, the above tips can help you overcome pain and discomfort in your knees.

 

 

By |2023-01-31T14:33:38-05:00January 31st, 2023|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off on Guest Blog: 5 Pain Management Tips for Elders Dealing with Knee Pain
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