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Guest Blog: Tips For Preventing Falls Among The Elderly

Falls among seniors are more common than you think.

According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 36 million older adults suffer a fall each year.

Our muscles lose strength, and our balance and coordination decline as we get older. As our senior loved ones are already at a certain age, they are now more prone to falls, and it could only get worse as they get on in years.

However, we can take steps to keep our seniors from suffering falls. Here are some tips on how to prevent falls among the elderly.

Declutter

Make sure your parent’s or grandparent’s space is clutter-free. You can’t have random stuff lying all over the place, becoming a tripping hazard for seniors. The floors that your elderly loved one walks on should always be clear, with nothing to step, slip, and trip on.

Put Up Grab Bars & Handrails In Strategic Spots

Seniors can use additional support when walking around the house. So, it would be great if the hallways, bathrooms, and stairways are fitted with handrails and grab bars.

Add More Lights

Our seniors typically have poor eyesight, which can only get worse under poor lighting conditions. By installing additional lights (and brighter ones at that), seniors will have a better chance of seeing and avoiding tripping and slipping hazards as they go about the house.

Use Only Non-Slip Mats & Rugs

All the mats and rugs in the house should be the non-slip type or secured to the floor.

Get Them To Exercise Regularly

Regular exercise is crucial to keeping the muscles, bones, and sense of balance of our seniors strong. Walking, lifting light weights, climbing stairs, or doing something as simple as standing on one leg for a minute or two can already help them stay as fit as possible. The fitter they are, the lower their risk of suffering a fall.

Tell Them To Be More Careful

Sometimes, seniors fall because they try to move too fast when walking across the room or getting out of bed. Tell them they need to be more careful when doing so and always move at a more comfortable pace.

Falls don’t have to be synonymous with getting older. By taking the necessary precautions, our seniors stand a better chance of avoiding them.

About the Author

Melissa Andrews is the Content Marketing Strategist for Paradise Living Centers, an assisted living center for seniors with locations in Paradise Valley and Phoenix, Arizona. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking and going on hiking trips with her siblings and cousins.

By Jim|2023-11-20T17:13:32-05:00December 2nd, 2023|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off

How to Maintain Mental Wellness in Your Senior Years

Introduction

Aging is a characteristic piece of life, and as we become older, maintaining excellent mental health turns out to be increasingly crucial. While actual health frequently takes the spotlight, mental wellness is similarly fundamental in ensuring a top-notch life during one’s senior years. In this article, we will investigate the critical techniques to maintain mental wellness in your old years, taking inspiration from mental health influencers who have prepared for positive aging.

The Meaning of Mental Wellness in Seniors

Mental wellness incorporates close-to-home, mental, and social prosperity. It involves managing pressure, maintaining connections, and making decisions that upgrade your satisfaction. In your senior years, mental wellness is especially critical because of multiple factors:

Emotional Resilience

The capacity to deal with life’s difficulties and return quickly from misfortune is essential for seniors. Excellent mental health empowers profound flexibility, helping seniors adapt to health issues, misfortune, and other life-altering events.

Cognitive Function

Mental wellness is intently attached to mental capability. Staying mentally dynamic through exercises like reading, riddles, and learning new abilities can assist seniors with preserving their mental capacities and memory.

Quality of Life

Seniors with significant mental health are bound to partake in a top-notch life. They can remain socially connected, seek after their interests, and continue to lead fulfilling lives.

Physical Health

Mental and actual health intertwine. Seniors with solid mental wellness are bound to participate in healthy behavior, like activity, a reasonable eating routine, and normal healthcare visits.

Methodologies for Maintaining Mental Wellness

Stay Truly Active

Normal activity is a valuable asset for maintaining mental wellness. It discharges endorphins, which can support the mind-set and lessen the gamble of sorrow. Exercises like walking, swimming, or yoga can assist with keeping both body and mind in top shape. Mental health influencers frequently stress the association between actual work and profound prosperity.

Maintain Social Connections

Loneliness and social segregation can harm mental health. Seniors ought to effectively search out friendly interactions with family, companions, and, surprisingly, new acquaintances. Mental health influencers frequently energize the significance of maintaining solid informal organizations.

Pursue lasting Learning

Engaging in continuous learning is a successful method for keeping the mind sharp and advancing mental wellness. Whether it’s picking up another side interest, learning an instrument, or taking courses, intellectual pursuits can give a feeling of achievement and motivation.

Manage Stress

Stress is a piece of life, yet persistent pressure can negatively affect mental health. Practicing pressure-the-board strategies like reflection, profound breathing, and mindfulness can assist seniors with staying quiet and centered. Mental health influencers frequently share their encounters with pressure-decrease plans.

Seek Proficient Support

Assuming seniors are experiencing symptoms of despair, uneasiness, or other mental health issues, looking for proficient help is fundamental. Mental health influencers frequently destigmatize treatment and counseling, emphasizing that seeking support is a bold move toward better mental health.

Stay Positive

Maintaining an uplifting perspective on life can fundamentally influence mental wellness. Practicing appreciation, focusing on the present, and embracing a feeling of direction can assist seniors with finding euphoria and satisfaction in their senior years. Mental health influencers frequently share inspirational and positive messages to inspire their supporters.

Manage Constant Illness

Seniors frequently must adapt to persistent health conditions. Managing these circumstances successfully is pivotal for mental wellness. Adhering to treatment plans, staying informed, and seeking support gatherings can all add to better close-to-home prosperity.

Engage in Imaginative Expression

Innovative articulation, like artistry, writing, or music, can be a helpful source for seniors. It permits them to articulate their thoughts, process their feelings, and find satisfaction in their imaginative undertakings. Mental health influencers frequently utilize innovative articulation as a method for sharing their stories and inspiring others.

Volunteer and Give Back

Volunteering isn’t just a method for giving back to the local area but also a valuable chance to feel a feeling of direction and achievement. Helping others can support confidence and mental prosperity. Numerous mental health influencers find satisfaction in their backing work and volunteering endeavors.

Embrace Technology

Innovation can assist seniors with staying associated with friends and family, accessing mental health assets, and participating in mentally stimulating exercises. Utilizing cell phones, tablets, and PCs can open up a universe of chances for seniors to remain mentally dynamic and socially locked in.

Inspirational Mental Health Influencers

Mental health influencers have made considerable commitments to the talk on profound prosperity in seniors and individuals, everything being equal. Their stories and support endeavors act as an inspiration for seniors looking to maintain their mental wellness. The following are a couple of influential figures who have made ready:

Patricia Edgar

Patricia Edgar, a promoter for senior mental wellness, has spoken enthusiastically about the significance of staying dynamic and socially associated and participating in meaningful exercises in one’s senior years. Her backing has inspired numerous seniors to lead dynamic and fulfilling lives.

John Grohol

As the organizer behind Psych Focal, John Grohol has been a vocal defender of mental health mindfulness. His work underlines the significance of seeking proficient help and reducing the shame surrounding mental health issues.

Wendy Sue Swanson

Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson, a pediatrician, has utilized her foundation to urge a comprehensive way to deal with mental wellness, highlighting the association between physical and psychological health. She advocates for standard activity, nourishment, and a solid interpersonal organization.

Rudy Caseres

Rudy Caseres has become a prominent promoter of mental health mindfulness, especially within the senior local area. His endeavors have urged seniors to look for treatment, decrease the shame surrounding mental health, and participate in open discussions about their close-to-home prosperity.

Conclusion

Maintaining mental wellness in your senior years isn’t just imaginable but fundamental for a fulfilling and meaningful life. The systems examined, inspired by mental health influencers, offer a guide for promoting close-to-home prosperity in seniors. Staying genuinely dynamic, nurturing social associations, embracing deep-rooted learning, and managing pressure are almighty tools to improve mental health and make a positive aging encounter. The excursion to mental wellness in your senior years is an ongoing cycle; one loaded up with open doors for development, association, and a significant feeling of satisfaction.

By Jim|2023-11-02T12:32:30-05:00November 2nd, 2023|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off

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.

By Jim|2023-08-25T18:55:33-05:00September 1st, 2023|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off

Guest Blog: 5 Signs of Mental Health Issues for Seniors

When you’ve started to notice changes in an elderly relative, you may wonder if a mental health issue is the cause. While it is important a mental health professional diagnoses these issues, some signs exist indicating that the time has come to make an appointment.

Depression
Depression can occur for a host of reasons. Elderly individuals may be suffering from the loss of a loved one, or they may feel alienated, isolated or otherwise separated from their friends or from their interests outside of the house. Individuals who seem filled with sadness and negative emotions or who are hinting about emotional turmoil may need outpatient or inpatient treatment for depression.

Anxiety Issues/Bipolar Disorder
You may also notice that your loved ones are having heightened periods of elevation followed by periods of deep sadness. They could be suffering from bipolar disorder. Serious anxieties could begin to manifest at this age too. For example, you may notice that your elderly relatives always seem to be thinking about their own death or about expected loss of other loved ones.

Memory Loss
As people age, you may think that it is a normal occurrence for them to forget information that they would have once remembered. However, these early slips could be signs of a more serious problem that is coming into fruition. Your loved ones might now be forgetting about certain dates or social events, but these struggles could turn into failures to take medication or complete other necessary medical tasks.

Personal Care
If you notice that your loved ones are not taking care of themselves as they used to, this situation could also be a sign of mental health issues. For example, you may have noticed that your relatives are no longer brushing their teeth or bathing on a regular basis. Seeking professional help can uncover the root of the issue so that a plan of treatment can be devised.

Social Withdrawal
Your loved ones might also seem to not want to participate in social activities anymore. Whether they are constantly declining invites to attend family functions or they do not want to participate in community activities any longer, these decisions could be signs that a mental health issue is present.

As your loved ones age, you may be the lookout for physical health issues. While addressing these problems is imperative, so is watching for signs of mental health struggles. May is mental health awareness month, get involved to help bring awareness to this important cause!

By Jim|2023-07-31T12:46:32-05:00August 16th, 2023|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off

Navigating the Financial Decisions Seniors Face After Becoming Widowed – And How Caregivers Can Help

Experiencing the loss of a spouse is a major change for anyone to deal with, but for seniors who have shared their life with one person for years, losing a spouse often brings about unexpected consequences. Besides dealing with grief, there are also financial issues to confront.

Seniors who are going through this loss often feel overwhelmed by the decisions they need to make and how those decisions will impact their future. This is where adult children or other caregivers can make a big difference by helping your loved one make sense of it all, so they can move forward with a solid financial plan.

Read on for some more thoughts from International Rehabilitation Consultants.

Knowing When and How to Help

As a caregiver of someone in this position, one thing you may be concerned about is whether your senior loved one should continue managing their own finances. Next Avenue points out that it’s important to address this concern openly before making any decisions. If you both feel like it’s a good idea for you to help, you will want to have your loved one sign a durable power of attorney, which will give you legal authority to access and manage accounts.

In some cases, your loved one may be able to manage their own accounts with a little assistance. Tech-savvy seniors should look into online banking, or as Bankrate recommends, consider trying apps that help, such as SilverBills or Ready, Set, Bank.

If your loved one wants to set up a nonprofit in their spouse’s memory and honor, you can help walk them through the process. Visit Zenbusiness to learn about legal requirements you need to tend to set up a nonprofit.

Health and Safety Concerns

Besides helping with the mundane financial tasks, you can also help by looking over your loved one’s financial statements to make sure their health needs are being met. This is especially important if your loved one is living alone because health and safety could become a concern.

One specific area to discuss is healthcare coverage. You can start by asking what kind of Medicare plan they have or if they get insurance through retirement benefits, either their own or through their spouse. This is a crucial question, as the death of a spouse may change your loved one’s eligibility for employer retirement benefits.

If your loved one has Medicare, you may want to look into whether a Medicare Advantage plan would be right for their financial situation. These plans are sold through popular companies like Aetna, and many seniors like the expanded benefits they provide, such as dental and vision care and prescription drug coverage.

Taking the Next Steps

Once you’ve looked at your loved one’s overall financial outlook, the next major question is “Where do we go from here?” Depending on your loved one’s income and savings, they may not need to make major changes. However, some seniors who become widowed are dealt a financial blow as a result of losing their spouse’s income.

In this case, it’s a good idea to seek advice from a financial advisor so that you don’t rush into decisions that could prove detrimental in the long term. For example, there are some tax implications of becoming widowed, including the decision to make early withdrawals from retirement savings. Doing this may seem like a good option for replacing a spouse’s lost income, but your loved one may lose out by having to pay additional taxes and penalties.

Another major consideration is whether your loved one will continue living at home. This is a personal decision, and finances are only part of the equation. If your loved one decides to sell their home, this is another issue where you want to do your research and consult with an expert, such as an attorney, who can guide you in the legal aspects of selling as a widow or widower.

By Jim|2023-06-30T10:36:49-05:00July 3rd, 2023|Dr. Mauk's Boomer Blog, News Posts|Comments Off

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