Senior Citizens Archives | Howard Fensterman Charities

Straightforward Answers on to How Not to Get Scammed!

BE VIGILANT – BE AWARE!

Some say that scamming has become an epidemic. Whether you believe that or not, it is certainly on the rise and moving at an accelerated rate.

Today we begin a new series on scam artists. We will cover the basics regarding what they do, how they do it, and how you can protect yourself.

Scams can come by email, text, social media messages, or phone calls. Here are the first line of defense methods you should use to avoid getting hooked by these criminals. We call them red flags.

Things You Should Never Do!

Red Flag #1. Never Give Anyone Your Private Information

Illustration of a computer hacker asking for your password — Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay

If you get a call, an email, or a text asking you for your social security number, birthday, bank account information, credit card information, medical information, or any other personal information, don’t give it to them and hang up! Call your institution directly to confirm that your information was not compromised.

NEVER GIVE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION TO A STRANGER WHO CONTACTS YOU!

Red Flag #2. Never Agree to Send Cash or Use an App to Send Money!

If they don’t ask you for your personal information, they may contact you and request money regarding an emergency or other urgent issue. These people are sophisticated. They will sound professional and have a story to try to convince you how real the situation is. They may even already have some information about you, such as your name and address to make the story sound even more legitimate.

If you get tricked into believing them as many do, especially the elderly, they will discourage you from sending them a check, and instead, they will push you to send them money using apps such as Zelle, Venmo, Cash App or to wire them. DON’T!

What’s worse, they may tell you to bring the cash to them. Additionally, they may even tell you to have the cash ready and someone will pick it up at your house or a meeting place.

NEVER AGREE TO SENDING CASH!

Red Flag #3: You Won A Prize!

Although this category can’t be summed up in one article, we thought we’d acquaint you with the thousands of fraudulent methods scammers use to try to catch you off guard using legitimate companies and organizations to deceive you.

The scams may be from a phone call, email or text saying that you are the lucky winner of a prize drawing or that you will get a substantial discount if you send them money for the discount promotion or any variation of many other scenarios they may use.

If you didn’t enter any sweepstakes, consider the information very suspicious. If you get an email from what looks like a legitimate company but is asking you for money upfront via a rouse that you will get a discount or a prize, be wary and contact the business directly.

Screenshot of a scam from what appears to be from a ligitimate source — ©SMS

There are ways to determine if these ‘promotions’ are real just by scrutinizing them a little bit. The email shown above exploits a legitimate retailer into making you think they are the ones sending you this promotion and if you click the link and answer a few questions, you may win the Stanley tool set. You won’t!

Some folks know how to determine that this is a deception, but for the majority of you who don’t, here’s what to look for.

1. Take a look at where the email came from (circled in red). This is a dead giveaway. If it doesn’t have the company’s domain name, in this case, @acehardware.com, it is a scam.
2. Many email scams do not show up with the language noted, but Google thinks that it came from Russia and is allowing you to translate the email copy into Russian. A legitimate email would never default to a request for a language translation. More on these deceptions will be in our upcoming articles.

Red Flag #4. Scammers Use Scare Tactics -Don’t Fall For It!

Man stressed and worried — Image by Sam Williams from Pixabay

Swindlers like to elicit emotions and their favorite tactic they will use is fear. They may tell you that your electricity is going to be terminated if you don’t pay them right now, or that they are from the IRS and you better pay immediately, or from a mortgage company or bank telling you that something bad is going to happen if you don’t send them money immediately.

Scammers prey on your fear that something bad is going to happen if you don’t comply!

It gets worse and this happens to many of our elderly relatives. They may call you and pretend that they are one of your grandchildren and that they need money immediately because they are in trouble with the police. They will also ask you not to tell their parents, and now with AI at their disposal (which we will discuss in detail below), they can mimic your grandchild’s voice so that it sounds exactly like them.

DON’T FALL FOR SCARE TACTICS!

What You Should Do if You Get One of These Calls

Hang up and call the source (Electric company, bank, mortgage company, etc.) directly. In the case of a relative or grandchild calling you. Tell them you will call them right back at the number you have for them. If they say no, you know it is a scam.

Red Flag #5. Con Artists Will Request Immediate Payment- Be Vigilant to These Signs of Urgency

If the person tells you that they need the money NOW, it is a clear sign that something is definitely wrong! Legitimate companies or organizations will never tell you that.

They will work out a payment plan with you or let you consider the options and allow you to call them back later in the day or within a reasonable time period. They will never push you to send them money immediately!

DON’T FALL FOR CALLS OF URGENCY AND IMMEDIATE PAYMENT!

Red Flag #6. Note the Accent!

Many of the scamers come from overseas and many of these are from people who will have foreign accents. This doesn’t mean that every time you receive a call from a person with a foreign accent the call will be fraudulent. Some may be from legitimate telemarketers or other businesses who may want you to sell you something or donate to a real charity, but you can add this to the list of KEEPING UP YOUR GUARD if you do receive a call like this.

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU DO NOT ANSWER ANY PHONE CALLS WHERE YOU DO NOT RECOGNIZE IT!

Conclusion

Always approach unsolicited offers, emails, or calls with skepticism. Scammers often use urgency and pressure to manipulate you.

Verify the identity of the organization contacting you. Confirm their legitimacy through official websites or phone numbers, especially if they claim to be from a government agency, bank, or reputable company.

Be wary of requests for upfront payments to pay a bill, pay a charity, or to receive a prize. Legitimate organizations don’t require you to pay in a manner that sounds like a specific urgency

Never share personal information like Social Security numbers, bank account details, or credit card numbers via email, phone, or social media unless you’ve verified the recipient’s identity.

Stay informed about common frauds and the latest techniques thieves use. You can follow the Federal Trade Commission’s scam page for the latest information on avoiding scams.

Trust Your Instincts: If something doesn’t feel right or seems too good to be true, it probably is. Trust your gut feeling and exercise caution.

Share your knowledge so that others will not fall for these scams.

By following these guidelines and staying vigilant, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to fraudulent activity and protect your personal and financial information.

National Centenarian Day – How You Can Live to 100!

Granddaughter with her grandfather — Photo by Pixels -Kampus Production

You Wish You Could Live That Long – But You Can!

Joe was 95 years old when he was hit by a car while walking on the sidewalk in Queens, New York. The woman driving the car said she hit the gas instead of the brake while parking. Except for a fractured arm and being a bit stunned, Joe was ok, but he was taken to the hospital for the fracture and additional tests.

When the nurse came in, she asked Joe to take his dentures out. The senior politely replied, “I don’t have dentures”. The nurse, a bit took back didn’t believe him, so she put her fingers in his mouth to check if his teeth were genuine. To her surprise, they were. Not one tooth missing tooth.

Joe was in pretty good health for his age and was 100% cognizant of everything around him. The nursing staff asked him questions such as who is the president of the United States and what state do you live in?, All their questions were responded to without hesitation. But how did Joe did he get to be this healthy at such a grand old age?

Joe Sachs 1925 — Joe was very active when he was young. Photo: Oct. 3, 1925. Scanned 101023 – SS

Joe’s diet wasn’t anything special. He would periodically eat at fast food restaurants and have hot dogs, hamburgers, and/or pasta for dinner, as well as soda, but he never gained a lot of weight.

Joe was not a couch potato. He would go to the bus stop and commute to his senior center daily. When he would come home, he would read the NY Times almost cover to cover and make sure he did the crossword puzzles.

Additionally, Joe was active in sports in his early years. From tennis to swimming to boxing and hiking miles, he kept in shape!

In general, Joe was a typical active senior citizen. He would go to the doctor for routine checkups but was never put on much medication, as it wasn’t necessary.

The longevity of each human individual depends upon several factors, but we must include how a person’s metabolism deals with it all as in the case of Joe.

With that said, there are some basic guidelines that we can all follow that will help to keep us healthy just like Joe was when he reached his 100th birthday!

But let’s first acknowledge and celebrate National Centurions Day!

September 22 – The Day of Centenarians!

Senior Citizens — Photo by Joe Hepburn on Unsplash

September 22nd of this year celebrated National Centenarian’s Day. It is a day to honor all of those who have reached the age of 100 and beyond.

Medical technology is advancing every day. In the 19th century, it was incredibly rare for anyone to live past 100 years of age. What was once a deadly disease 100 years ago, like polio, is now virtually nonexistent due to the successful vaccine developed by Joas Polk and others who followed in his footsteps. So with that said advancements in medical technology are better than ever before and those centurions alive today are being celebrated as they should well be!

Oldest Living People in the World

Currently, the United States has the largest number of known centenarians which totaled 53,364 according to the Census of 2010. A whopping 83% are female. At this rate, there could be close to 1 million people aged 100 or older by 2050 living in the US.

The amount of centenarians in Japan is currently lower than in the US, however, that number has quadrupled in the past 10 years and is likely to surpass the US by 2050.

It is nice to say that this list of people over 100 years old is a large one, but since the list is so large, we will celebrate the most seniors. That doesn’t mean that we should ignore others. We salute them as well and wish all these centurions the best of health going forward and a long life ahead of them!

The names below have been confirmed by the Geology Research Group to be factual and valid.

Lucile Randon

This young lady from France is the oldest human being on earth, born February 4, 1904. A whopping 118 years, 235 days and still going.

Ms. Randon is a Roman Catholic nun and is currently living in a nursing home in Toulon, France.

We would say God bless her, but it looks like that has already been taken care of.

Maria Kononovich

It is believed that Maria was born on May 27, 1904, in Belarus, which would also make her 118 years young at the time of this writing, and is listed as a farm worker. Maria had two sons. One died circa 1939 and her other son passed in in 2012. Her husband died in 1988.

Maria is cognizant and physically active, at least for a 118-year-old, but a nurse does stop by to see how she’s doing.

Francisca Celsa dos Santos

A native of Brazil, Francisa was born on October 21, 1904, and still going strong, well still going we should say. She is listed as a housekeeper and clothing merchant.

Francisca’s mental capacity is wailing, but physically, she is pretty good and doesn’t take or need much medicine. She married Raimundo Celso in 1935 and had six children. Francisca and her husband stayed together until Raimundo passed in 1979. As a good family should, Francisca is being looked after by her remaining children and grandchildren.

Honorable Mention

We felt we couldn’t conclude this article without acknowledging those that have reached the centurion landmark but have not yet hit the oldest category in the list, so let us now celebrate some that for sure deserve to be acknowledged!

Harold Nelson

Hats off to Harold Nelson, a 107-year-old World War II veteran who recently received the Silver Star. First Sgt. Nelson who was in the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division was shot three times by German artillery.

He is from Denver, CO., and was given this long-awaited honorable medal at a ceremony at Fort Carson, Colorado Springs.

Phillip and Bella Maisel

A story for the history books and a heartwarming a that!17-year-old Phillip Maisel and his twin sister, Bella was holocaust 17-year-old, a teenager in Poland when the Nazis moved in. They were taken to separate concentration camps and neither thought they would ever see the other again, and most of their immediate family did not make it.

Surprisingly and happily these two holocaust survivors were reunited and celebrated their 100th birthday on August 22, 2022, where they currently live in Australia. Both have married and have families of their own.

Following a reporter’s question, Mr. Maisel acknowledged that this was a victory over the Nazi’s ‘Final Solution‘ and emphasized that after the war, he and his sister have been living a happy and fruitful life!

Norman Lear

Probably the greatest screenwriter of all time, Mr. Lear just recently celebrated his 100th birthday on television with a host of admiring stars. Norman is responsible for such popular sitcoms as All in the Family, Maude, Sanford, and Son, One Day at a Time, The Jeffersons, and Good Times.

He has five Emmys and is a member of the Television Academy Hall of Fame. We congratulate Norman Lear who, without his creativity, society has been blessed with a cultural intellectualism that has sparked countless conversations, controversy, and sometimes arguments throughout the decades, but all boils down to one common denominator – laughter!

How Can We Live That Long?

We can all take a lesson from these centenarians by looking at what they all have in common. They show no signs of cognitive difficulties or dementia before age 92. They have not suffered from old age diseases or symptoms such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease and they have never smoked or abused alcohol. They also tend to have an innate ability to deal with stress as well as living in nonindustrial and less toxic environments, and most of all, they are all WOMEN!

Want to be like them? Here’s a breakdown of what you can do to live to 100 or beyond!

Elderly couple jogging — Photo by Lucas van Oort on Unsplash

Exercise! Keeping your body and blood moving. Medical experts from all around the world would agree that exercise is one of the best ingredients for a healthy lifestyle and longer life!

Eat healthily! Foods high in antioxidants are your best bet! They help fight off those bad guys called free radicals that roam your body looking to destroy your healthy cells. Free radicals are entities that develop naturally in your body daily. You can find high-antioxidant foods in fruits and vegetables, as well as fish, especially salmon.

- Keep That Brian Functioning!
  - Those free radicals are everywhere in your body and that includes your brain! Keep reaching for foods that are high in antioxidants so that your brain cells will remain healthy.
  - Don’t be a couch potato! Find a part-time job, take some continuing education courses at your local university or senior center or volunteer at a hospital.
  - Do crossword puzzles or play other games that stimulate your mind. Do you watch game shows? Jeopardy is a good one if you like trivia. Trivia Today is a great website to join.
- Don’t smoke! Must we have to even say that? And keep alcohol drinking to a minimum.
Photo: Pixabay
- Keep your weight down. We know this one is probably the hardest to do, but obesity can lead to many diseases, with diabetes being the main culprit.
  - Try the many diet plans that are offered.
  - If they do not work, talk to your doctor and if you have extreme obesity, you might want to consider bariatric surgery, but only as a last resort.
  - Stay away from weight-gaining foods, such as processed foods, sugar, and red meat.
  - Make sure that you exercise on a routine basis.

Preparing Meat for Diner — The consumption of red meat should be done in moderation. Photo: CC G Pixhere.com

Many are also spiritual and actively involved in their religion. Centenarians are also very active throughout their entire lives even in old age. If you want to live to 100 and beyond, be sure to live a healthy and happy lifestyle.

Reduce stress and anxiety, and incorporate exercise into your daily routine, whether it’s Tai Chi, dancing, or an evening walk with a friend.

Saluting All Centurions!

This author is proud to say that his father lived a healthy lifestyle to the grand old age of 100 and the story above is about the senior who was hit by a car! That was him!

With that said, let us all give a salute to those who have made it to 100 and beyond!

Caregiving Made Easier with Technology

Photo by ronstik – yayimages.com

Technology has radically advanced in the 21st century and subsequently, we all have benefited from it in one way or another. From using smartphones to sitting in self-parking cars to admiring an F-35 stealth fighter fly in the sky, we cannot help but be fascinated by these technological advancements.

And there is one area of advancement that has surprised the expectations of even the best experts. Indeed, the medical field has progressed to the point that people are expected to live to 100. For sure, there are apps and devices available today that can help even the oldest in society and that’s where you come in. By helping your senior citizens learn how to use these devices, they can live a more convenient and comfortable life.

Advanced devices can make your life as a caregiver much easier. They can also offer greater independence and safety to the people you love.

Most of the technology available in healthcare is user-friendly and setting it up is quite simple. Discuss with the physician of your loved ones or ask other caregivers for help and suggestions. Some doctors have occupational social workers or therapists who can assist in finding the right resources.

This article entails several ways you can use today’s technology to make caregiving easier.

Independent Life

Begin with the basic things. For instance, if the person to whom you’re providing care has any physical disability, search for low-tech devices that can provide assistance, like a simple reacher to grab things easily. Even plain tools like a tin opener with easy-to-hold, thick handles can provide a lot of help to a disabled person. These low-tech tools can allow someone to carry out routine tasks which they are not able to do normally without assistance.

Purchase a location tracking system for finding things that can get misplaced. Place a small tag on whatever mostly disappears, like the wallet, glass case, keys or phone of your loved one. They can then use an application or press a button and the tag that you placed on the item will start to beep or ring.

For people who suffer from conditions like Multiple Sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease, apps on tablets and smartphones can make communication easier. There exists special hardware and software that can also be controlled simply with eye movements.

Setting Reminders

Caregivers mostly use digital watches or egg timers to remind their loved ones about taking their medicine or getting ready for their appointment with a doctor.

An app can provide you greater flexibility in scheduling routine tasks. There are many services that allow you to set automatic text messages, phone calls or emails to alert your loved ones when it’s time to take medicine, exercise or check their glucose levels. You can also add personal messages with the reminder to show them how much you care about them.

There are electronic pillboxes available now that’ll get the medicine out automatically through a timer. If your loved one has taken the medicine the advanced electronic pillbox will alert you and you can remotely monitor adherence behavior so that you have added peace of mind.

With prescription management services, custom medications can be delivered in special shipments. Pills are enclosed together according to specific doses that the person may be required to take, like all the pills that are to be taken after a meal will be packaged together while those that are to be taken at night will be enclosed in another separate package. Your loved one will only have to open the package and take the medicine without worrying about a specific dose.

Emergencies

Medical emergency systems have a pendant or a bracelet with an alarm push button. If your loved one falls or is in trouble, on pushing the button, a call will be made to an emergency service operator. The company will then notify you or send an emergency care provider to help your loved one. Some gadgets can also detect the fall and automatically alert the emergency services.

You can also place buttons in your home in case they ever forget to wear the device. You’ll be charged for the services, but compared to your loved one’s health, the expense is of no value.

Looking After the Person You Care About

Daughter with father You can install motion detectors on doors for added safety. When they are opened, an alarm will sound and you’ll be alerted when someone enters or leave. If you don’t live with your loved one, you can just check these sensors through an online monitoring system.

You can also use pressure sensors to track your loved ones. For example, placing a pressure sensor under the mattress will alert you when the person gets up so that you can check on them.

Some medical systems are equipped with GPS tracking and you can use this service to find your loved ones in case they ever leave the house without you knowing it.

The Final Word

If you really care about your loved ones and want to give them the best, you should really consider adopting the latest gadgets. These technological devices will not only make your life as a caregiver easier but will also provide more comfort to your loved ones and make their life easier and safer.

How AI Can Help in Improving Senior Health Care

In the course of Mr. Fensterman’s continued endeavors to assist our seniors and the nursing homes he is affiliated with, it is important that we keep our audience up to date on the latest technology in senior health care. And in this 21st century, medical technology is advancing at an unexpected rate.

Enter AI – Artificial Intelligence, and in health care, visions of robots diagnosing and treating patients on-site and from afar are not science fiction anymore. While advancements are consistently being made in the field of robotics, specifically, in the development of intelligent robots for elderly care, this technology is currently not affordable or practical, but prepare for that to change in the near future.

Far from a glamorous vision of a robot taking care of a patient, AI today involves a lot of computer coding that can help analyze data and recommend treatment options. According to Joseph Ferro – CTO of a health care tech company Mavens, AI has the potential to help senior individuals that live alone to better take care of themselves and live longer lives.

AI Technologies Promoting Better Senior Health Care

Robot touching computer screen — 3D rendering 3D illustration medical artificial intelligence robot working in future hospital

The number of senior individuals is projected to double from nearly 50 million today to about 100 million in the next five decades. While the population of elderly individuals is increasing, the amount of senior health care centers remains stagnant. This is where AI can help as it can ensure that seniors who live home alone are able to look after themselves without the need for a third (human) party.

Artificial intelligence algorithms can be used to help people make the necessary changes required to reduce the risk and treat obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, to mention a few. It can ‘coach’ the individual to adopt healthy habits that reduce the risk of developing diseases, or lower the severity of the symptoms of existing diseases.

What’s more, smart sensors controlled by AI algorithms can monitor vital health statistics. In case any aberration is detected in the person’s vital signs, the system can be programmed to automatically call the nearest health care professional.

Experts say that AI can perform manual tasks that are carried on by health care nurses. It can analyze the patient data and take appropriate actions. The companies that develop AI algorithms capture the inputs of various health care experts. This results in a holistic health care treatment at an affordable cost for the individual.

The traditional health care costs amount to thousands of dollars for the individuals. Also, many senior individuals have to travel to clinics or the doctor’s office for getting treatment which can be a great inconvenience to them, but new technologies are making it easier to communicate with their medical professional, and with an AI program, seniors will be provided the required health care in their own home and also at a fraction of a cost. The cost savings of the AI will greatly help in reducing the overall costs of senior health care services.

Bottom Line

When it comes to radical health care, AI is certainly an important technology. It has the potential to greatly reduce senior health care costs and make elderly care more convenient.

In the near future, great advancements are expected in the real of artificial intelligence and a lot of it is related to eldercare. Whether it’s keeping senior individuals healthy through preventive care, mobile communication, or informing medical personnel about emergencies, the impact of AI technology will be far-reaching.

Best Exercises for Seniors

As we get older, our energy decreases. This is mostly due to the mitochondria, the energy powerhouse, of our cells. With age, our cells don’t regenerate as easily and become weaker due to the dwindling number of mitochondria.

A new study has found that certain workouts can undo the severe damage caused to the mitochondria in both the young and the elderly.

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, conducted a study on the cells of sedentary men and women. One group was 30 years old or younger and the other group was older than 64. The study volunteers were randomly given different exercise programs: vigorous weight training, interval training on a stationary bike, moderate exercise on a bike and light weight lifting, and a control group that did no exercise.

The study made some surprising discoveries. All the exercise groups had improvements in fitness and blood sugar regulation. The group that did interval training had the best endurance while those that only lifted weights had more muscle mass and strength. The biggest surprise was the effect on the cells in the elderly group that did interval training. While the younger subjects of the study had activity levels change in 274 genes, the elderly group had almost 400 genes working differently. Compared to only 33 genes in the older weight lifters and 19 genes for those that moderately exercised.

All subjects that did the interval training showed an increase in health and the number of their mitochondria. This study showed that it is never too late to benefit from exercise. Interval training on a bike is quite simple, it requires pedaling very hard for four minutes, resting for three, and then repeating the sequence three more times. As endurance grows, the sequence can be repeated more times. Interval training exercises help strengthen muscles which in turn can decrease the risk of falling. Exercise is also a great mood lifter.

Other activities seniors should try is walking as much as possible. Walking 15,000 steps a day was found to decrease the risk for heart disease and help increase memory. Studies show that mixing short walks with two 30 minute walks can help you reach the 15,000 step goal. Strength training with weights can also be helpful with reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, heart disease, and even Alzheimer’s.

Five Different Types of Care Facilities for Seniors

If you have a family member that needs a higher level of care that can’t be provided at home anymore, there are many different types of options available.

Retirement Communities

Retirement communities are also known as senior housing or independent living communities. In these types of facilities, senior residents have full control of their daily living. To live in this type of housing, a senior must be able to bathe and dress themselves, be mentally alert, able to walk, and use the bathroom independently. The housing styles of these facilities can range from single family homes, townhouses, and duplexes to condominiums and high rises. Many of these facilities offer police and fire protection as well as social and recreational activities. These facilities also provide meals, laundry service, and transportation.

Assisted Living

Assisted living facilities are similar to independent living communities. These facilities are usually two to three story apartments that also provide 24 hour daily living assistance such as help with eating, bathing, and using the bathroom. These type of facilities do not offer medical services. Services included in assisted living facilities include laundry service, meals, housekeeping, social activities, medication assistance, and also include security and emergency calls.

Sheltered Housing

Sheltered housing is also known as residential care facilities or board and care homes. These types of facilities are best for seniors that need help with personal and medical issues. Most of these residences have 24 hour staff and are state licenses. Seniors at these homes must be able to dress and feed themselves and use the bathroom independently. At residential care facilities, seniors eat in a communal dining room and only need moderate supervision. Seniors can live in shared apartments, studio or one bedroom apartments with private bathrooms. Services offered can include meals, laundry service, housekeeping, and social activities.

Continuing Care Facilities

Continuing care communities are also known as multi-level care facilities, lifetime communities, CCRC’s, and active adult community homes. These type of residences are the most expensive option but provide independent living as long as possible while also providing skilled nursing care and medical treatment whenever needed. These types of communities are best for couples with different levels of independence, allowing them to remain together longer. A variety of services are offered at continuing care facilities such as banks, libraries, hair salons, common dining rooms, activity centers, gyms, and swimming pools. These communities operate like campuses, with living spaces that can include cottages, townhouses, and apartments.

Nursing Homes

Nursing homes typically cater to seniors that are in need of some medical assistance, seriously ill or incapacitated and may need 24 hour supervision and care. Certified nursing assistants (CNA’s) assist residents with daily activities of living such as bathing, dressing, and using the bathroom. Many nursing homes also provide rehab services. Nursing homes are also called skilled nursing facilities. Much of the reimbursement of nursing homes comes from private pay, Medicare/Medicaid, VA, and private insurance.

At skilled nursing facilities, the staff is made up of CAN’s, registered nurses (RN’s), licenses practical nurses (LPN’s), Doctors (MD’s & DO’s), Activities coordinators, Dietary staff, Cooks, and the Administrator. Many nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities offer medical care, pain management, feeding tubes, dialysis, memory care (Alzheimer’s), physical and respiratory therapy as well as help with daily living.

How Nurses Play an Important Role at Nursing Homes

Nurses in nursing homes have tough jobs. They need to be appreciated more. There tends to be a bias against nurses when a patient complains. If an incident occurs, people (usually outsiders) will point to the staff stating that the nurses or other professionals are not doing their jobs properly, but case histories have shown that this is not always the case.

Let’s examine the nurses’ functions at senior homes, which will help us get a better feel for what their daily responsibilities are and some of the difficult tasks they encounter when on the job.

Usually, as many of us are aware, good news and standard procedures that are not newsworthy never get top billing; subsequently, very little appreciation is shown for the staff when providing routine administrative and/or medical tasks at these homes.

Why Should Nurses be Appreciated?

It may look easy but caring for people in their old age can be quite of a challenge. They have their moods and preferences, their emotions are often heightened and meltdowns over the smallest of things can be an everyday routine; some also completely shut themselves up. They have health conditions that require constant attention and understanding in order to be handled well. Being in such an intense environment can often take a toll but a significant majority of nurses try to give their best to make the lives of the elderly and their stay at senior homes worthwhile.

Mental Illnesses

The most challenging part about senior living is dealing with mental illnesses. The life events and harshness of experiences often leaves them with a lot to deal with in old age. Additionally, the age and physical condition also take their toll. Many people fall victim to degenerative diseases in their old age. More often than not, they also face comorbid disorders and diseases which further worsen their condition. Disorders like dementia, Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s leave them completely dependent on others and unable to manage their most basic needs as well. Depression, too, is very common in old age. Nurses play a very important role as a communicator, supporter, friend and even more in giving the elderly the kind of attention they need. Their presence is often the source of happiness for many. A lot of nurses go out of their way to make sure that they are happy and comfortable.

Physical Illnesses

Physical healthcare is very important in the old age. The healthcare system itself is burdened with the problem of under-staffing due to the increasing number of people in old age; which is expected to increase further in the coming years. Attending to their medical needs, keeping everything up to date and organized, and providing instant care in case of an emergency constitutes the regular job of nurses. However, there are times where things take a turn for the worse and their condition deteriorates even further. We need to consider how emotionally and physically stressful the job of a nurse is. It is not easy to see people fighting diseases, loneliness, disorders and heartbreak.

Nurses work beyond their capacity in many places. A little appreciation can lift up their spirits and encourage them to give their best in the future too. A few black-sheep should not malign the hard, laborious and selfless efforts of the many hardworking individuals that perform their daily duties every day.

Social Interactions Helps Maintain a Healthy Mind for the Elderly

Strong Mind = Strong Body!

Seniors taking classes is a great way to keep the mind healthy

Our work and our jobs are just obligations which we need to do in order to survive. On the other hand, it is our hobbies that shape us, define our personalities and the people surrounding us. At times, the prospect of these engagements is the only thing that gets us through the day. But what happens once we retire? What happens when we reach our 70’s and 80’s and stop meeting people that we used to meet every other day?

With no work and no social hobbies, seniors begin to have too much free time on their hands, which subsequently leads to loneliness, negative thoughts and an identity of loss. It’s time we understand that more social engagements mean better senior living.

There are several ways to achieve a Strong Mind:

Make New Friends

We are not asking these seniors to forget about their old friends. As a matter of fact, it couldn’t be better if they remain in constant touch with those friends. However, in most cases, older friends are not as frequently available as they used to be. Some might be having their own health issues, some might have moved out of state or some might have just disappeared. Regardless, new and positive people in our lives are like a breeze of much needed fresh air.

Get Out of the House

The world always feels like a much better place once we are out in the open. It helps to maintain a routine to keep yourself busy. For instance, just going for a walk every morning could open the doors of adventures and an excellent source of making new friends. Just be sure to be generous with your smile.

Taking Classes

A great way to expand the mind and keep those neurons going, as well as finding new friends. Social meeting classes also gives the senior a new hobby to enjoy. Many nursing facilities offer classes in many subjects and if your elderly one is not in a home, they can take any number of interesting classes geared for their age at continuing education courses offered by many colleges and universities, as well as their local YMCA or YMHA.

Find Dining Partners

Invite people for tea or dining as frequently as possible. In fact, keeping an open invitation for tea will surely lead to pleasant surprises every now and then. Dining together provides an excellent time to talk and share your feelings with others. Research proves that being social helps lower risks of diseases.

Take Part in Social Events

No matter where you live, there is always some sort of senior group activity going around. Becoming part of knitting circles and book groups help seniors not only socializing, but also provides them some sense of purpose in their life and prevents them from succumbing to off-putting thoughts.

Tech Savvy

This advice is more for the people surrounding and taking care of the seniors rather than the seniors themselves. With technological advancement at the forefront, every single piece of equipment comes attached with it. So, why not let the seniors make use of it too? If an elder person is having trouble listening, then provide them with the latest hearing aid. Are they having trouble walking? Are they dependent on someone to push their wheelchairs? Then find one with automatic controls for them. Let technology make their life easier and positive.

Just being a senior and retiring doesn’t mean all the best things in their life have to end. If anything, this is the time to give them the most attention, care and company to spend their time with. Add in a hobby in the mix and you’ll be looking at a happy and a healthy senior.

Caring for the Hearts of Older Patients

Cardiovascular disease is one of the major causes of death around the world. This disease is more common in people who have diabetes or if the disease runs in the family. Another high risk of heart diseases comes with the age. As people age, their heart becomes more susceptible to diseases or many might have already become a patient. Either way, old patients need care and prevention not just through medication, but with the help of a proper diet and a maintained lifestyle.

Here’s how we can take care of the old people around us and save them from heart problems:

Healthy Diet:

After reaching a certain age, the elders must not be given food that has a lot of sugar, has butter, ghee, shortening or any other ingredient which might affect their cholesterol level. Vegetables, fruits and fish must remain a major part of their diet with no grains in them. All their food must be low fat.

Physical Activities:

Physical exercises must become a part of older people’s schedule. Even walking is very good for the health and heart. Elders must partake in aerobics, muscle strengthening exercises and balance improvement. All these physical activities will not only avoid the risks of heart diseases, but will also help them create better physical endurance and the ability to stay active. Many older people fall frequently because their muscles have started to weaken and they find it hard to balance their body.

Smoke and Alcohol:

Smoking is bad for health as it is but when old people do it, it becomes outright deadly. Smoking poses a danger to the lungs and might even cause a stroke. Similarly, alcohol can make conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, liver problems and mood disorders worse. Thus, it is essential that elders stay away from both.

Medications:

Alternative medications have allowed people to choose their own medicines and more often than not, they make the wrong decision. Alternative medicines might be natural but that doesn’t mean they are effective when it comes to saving lives. Also, there is no official release or research data about these alternative medicines by the FDA. Many elders, on their drive to use natural means, end up losing their health, or worse, as alternative medicines are not always trustworthy.

Avoid Stress:

Stress, shock or any extreme trauma in older people can cause high blood pressure, heart attack or even death. If elders are sleeping properly, exercising daily, taking the proper diet and maintaining a happy and healthy lifestyle, then the above-discussed conditions can be avoided. However, people who make the elders anxious, worried or stressed out might trigger a negative effect on the health.

Stay Ready:

If the elder person is a heart patient and somehow ends up suffering from a heart attack, then the caregiver must know how to give emergency treatment. If the elder person is staying with their family, then the family members must learn how to conduct emergency treatment in case of heart failure. Immediate action could help save lives.

The hearts of elderly people is very vulnerable to diseases. Thus, it is important that we take care of them.

The Importance for Seniors to Stay Fit

We all have this common misconception that too much movement and activities are just too dangerous for seniors. In all honestly, it is the opposite that puts them at jeopardy. Staying inactive for such a long period of time not only makes them a victim of many diseases, but also lowers their life expectancy.

As we begin to age, our bones become brittle and the muscles lean towards shortening; as a result, elderly people begin having trouble staying active, flexible, and simply, coordinating their movements. That is where all the exercises and physical fitness techniques come in handy.

In addition, keeping the blood flowing during exercise helps the mind stay active also. One senior that we knew well remained active his entire life, by making sure he exercised to what would equate to walking 10 or more city blocks a day, every day. Our patient lived till he was 99 years old, four months before he reached 100. In this case of course, he was totally independent and did not need the convalescence of a nursing home, but for those that are already residing in nursing homes, it cannot be more emphasised that the individual exercise everyday (of course, under a doctor’s guidance*).

Let’s discover the importance of exercising and how exercise can help people in their later years:

Flexibility

As we grow older, we begin to grow weak. Exercise is one of the most effective means of maintaining our strength. Sitting in the same spot for hours and avoiding any kind of physical exertion will not only make the seniors inactive, but will also bring several physical problems with it; one of them being atrophied muscles. Regular movements and even basic exercises, such as walking, could lead to better mobility and an active lifestyle.

Healing

David C. Niemen, a Ph.D. doctor and author, believes that the effect of physical activity on healing is so high that no medicine can even come close to replicating its effects. It was found that people who begin exercising early built up a better immune system which subsequently helped them deal with their injury faster.

Reduces Stress

It is not just physical fitness that can be achieved through exercises. In fact, it is our mental health that benefits from it too, just like most people run to get rid of their stress or play their favorite sports to release all that strain. Similarly, an elderly person too can have a positive effect on their mental health by doing exercises. Just taking a light stroll down the street on a bright sunny day can do wonders to lift their spirits.

Social Activity

Exercises are a solution to many of the senior problems and one of them includes loneliness and solitude. Joining group exercises and group activities will not only help seniors deal with all the rigidness in their bones, but will also give them an excellent opportunity to meet new people and have a positive impact on their life.

Prevents Injuries and Accidents

Most fatal injuries in seniors are caused by falling, which incidentally happens because of their bad coordination. Due to aging, muscles begin to grow weak and the only way to stay up to date with their body is through exercising. It will reduce the chances of falling and ultimately, lead to fewer risks of deadly injuries.

Better Sleep

Sleepless nights are just a side effect of growing old and the best way to deal with it is to have enough physical exertion in the daytime that will enable them to sleep peacefully at night.

Do not wait until later to get your elders in the habit of exercising. At the first sign of weakness, visit a doctor for an exercise plan and then reap the benefits.

* Disclaimer. This article is for information purposes only and as such, we highly recommend that the patient or the patient’s guardians refer to a physician for the appropriate type and amount of exercise that should be recommended for the person in question.