What to Expect: Five Stages of Aging

two men at home laughing. By Monkey Business Images. The series “What to Expect When Your Parents Are Aging” begins with the stages of aging: foreknowledge better equips us for the road ahead.In her series, “What to Expect When Your Parents Are Aging,” Seniors Guide writer Terri L. Jones looks first at the stages of aging. After all, foreknowledge better equips us for the road ahead.

Until my 50s, my parents were relatively healthy and active, and so were my aunts and uncles. One of my grandmothers actually lived alone (with her cats) into her 90s.

However, as if overnight, the older generation of my family turned a devastating corner. My father was diagnosed with vascular dementia, and an aunt and uncle went to live in a nursing home, where they both lived out their days. My mother succumbed to her COPD. I was blindsided.

I don’t think I am the only one who wasn’t prepared for the dominos to fall for my family members – nor is my family the only one to be surprised. By knowing what to expect as your loved ones age – and understanding that others are going through the same challenges – you can better manage what’s ahead, practically and emotionally. You’re not alone on this stressful, yet important journey.

Part 1: The Stages of Aging

No two people age exactly the same. Some older people will experience a crisis situation and decline quickly, whereas others will age gradually and almost imperceptibly over many years. However, most people go through fairly predictable transitions as they get older. As a potential caregiver, it’s essential that you’re aware of the stages of aging. By knowing what may be ahead, you can be better prepared.

Read the entire article HERE for more detailed information.

This information provided courtesy of  Seniors guide By Terri L. Jones.

Veteran Benefits for Assisted Living: What You Need to Know

If you served as a member of the United States Armed Services, you may be entitled to certain benefits that could make getting older a little easier.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers some funding programs that can help offset the costs of specific kinds of care later in life. For some people, this benefit can be a real help when weighing how to pay for assisted living or other long-term care options.

Read the entire article HERE for more detailed information.
This information provided courtesy of by

A Positive Attitude About Aging May Help Reverse Memory Loss

woman thinking positively about aging and cognition

When it comes to avoiding age-related memory loss, your outlook about getting older might make a difference.

In a new study published in JAMA Network Open, people with mild cognitive impairment were 30 percent more likely to recover lost memory function when they had a positive attitude about aging than when they had negative feelings about getting older.

“I think there is an assumption that people who develop mild cognitive impairment are inevitably going to get worse,” says study coauthor Becca Levy, PhD, a professor of epidemiology and psychology at Yale School of Public Health in New Haven, Connecticut. “Half the people who develop mild cognitive impairment improve and regain normal cognition.”

The new study set out to explore why some people with mild cognitive impairment improve, while others do not.

Read the entire article HERE for more detailed information.

This information provided courtesy of EVERYDAY HEALTH By Lisa Rapaport.

Keeping Your Balance

About eight million Americans have balance problems and one in three Americans over age 65 will fall every year. Injuries from falls, like a fractured hip, can change a senior’s life in ways senior fear most—isolation and loss of independence. For seniors and caregivers, understanding balance disorders and fall prevention along with knowing when to get help can go a long way toward avoiding falls and the devastating consequences that may come with it.

“A balance disorder is a disturbance that causes you to feel unsteady, lightheaded or as if you or the room is spinning. Balance disorders can be due to a disturbance in the inner ear, but they can also be caused by visual problems, skeletal problems or nerve problems,” says Lawrence Meiteles, MD, medical director of The Balance Center at Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco, New York.

Read the entire article HERE for more detailed information.

This information provided courtesy of Parent Giving.

Get Social – with Music

“Music is very spiritual; it has the power to bring people together.” Edgar Winter

Music is good for the soul and a path to wellness. Engaging with music can reduce anxiety, blood pressure and pain, as well as age-related cognitive decline. Music stirs emotions that can improve sleep quality and is a powerful regulator of mood.

Read the entire article HERE for more detailed information.

This information provided courtesy of Senior Planet, excerpted from an article written by David Biederman. 

55+ Communities: Information About Active Adult Retirement Living

Today’s 55+ communities offer more advantages to active adults and seniors than ever before. They are also easy to find. In fact, chances are good that you currently live near an age-qualified retirement living community. But, even if you don’t, it’s fun to contemplate the many exciting locations and lifestyle opportunities that such communities are known for. They frequently offer a no-fuss style of living that’s ideal for vital adults who want to keep experiencing some of life’s greatest joys.

Can you imagine living in a community that feels like a private resort? That’s what many people—retirees and non-retirees alike—get to enjoy on a daily basis. They have access to great social and recreational opportunities. They have fewer home maintenance responsibilities. And they frequently live in homes with high-quality features that are optimized for their distinctive lifestyles and practical needs.

Read the entire article HERE for more detailed information.

This information provided courtesy of Great Senior Living.

How to Get Power of Attorney for a Parent (Without Overstepping)

As we age, some of us eventually lose the ability to handle our own affairs. That’s why you’re smart to find out how to get power of attorney (POA) for a parent who is sick, disabled, or experiencing mental decline. But even if your parent is in good health right now, it’s wise to plan ahead for potential challenges. You simply never know when an injury or illness may take away your mom or dad’s capacity to manage finances or make important decisions about medical care. In fact, the best time to start considering power of attorney is before a parent requires any caregiving.

Broadly speaking, you get power of attorney for a parent by having him or her name you as the agent in a POA document that he or she has signed while sound of mind. However, the process is rarely as simple as it seems, especially when it comes to ensuring that your power of attorney will be recognized by third parties. Things can also become more complicated if you’re trying to get power of attorney for a sick parent who is already suffering from dementia or another terminal illness or incurable condition that affects his or her ability to communicate or make reasoned decisions.

Read the entire article HERE for more detailed information.

This information provided courtesy of Great Senior Living.

Sundowners Syndrome: Facts, Misconceptions, & Tips for Care

Sundowners syndrome,” “sundowning,” and other similar terms are commonly used in hospitals and long-term care environments when older patients become confused or agitated in the late afternoon, evening, or nighttime. But did you know that the whole concept of sundowning is somewhat controversial? This topic makes some caregivers and medical professionals uncomfortable for exactly that reason. They believe that opportunities for better care and treatment of patients with dementia may get missed due to this concept being too casually used to explain problematic behavior.

That’s why it’s essential to understand what sundowning is—and what it’s not. When you know how and why terminology like “sundown syndrome” gets applied (or misapplied) to various behaviors, you can take steps to improve the quality of life for the person you care about. This article will help clarify some of the popular misconceptions you may have encountered.

Read the entire article HERE for more detailed information.

This information provided courtesy of Great Senior Living.

Americans Are Moving for Retirement: Find Out Where

retiree moving different stateA recent study on moving patterns for retirees in the United States found that hundreds of thousands of Americans who retire each year are choosing to move somewhere other than where they currently live. That’s especially true in the past year, as 30 percent more people moved for retirement in 2020 than did the year before, a continuation of a trend in place since 2012. Roughly one-fourth of those chose to move away from cities and metropolitan areas, and about 40 percent moved to a different state. Florida has long been the number one destination for Americans leaving their state for retirement, although Virginia was the most popular destination in 2020.

Read the entire article HERE for more detailed information.