“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.
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.
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,” “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.
A 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.
If you’re visiting or reconnecting with a friend or loved one who is living with dementia, you may face some communication challenges. But don’t let that keep you from connecting. Here are some suggestions to help you overcome those challenges and have engaging conversations, stay connected and maintain your relationship.
Create an inviting space to talk – Whenever possible, have conversations in a quiet space with fewer distractions and pressures. Turn off the TV or other electronics so you can both focus on each other and your conversation. Establishing and maintaining eye contact during the conversation can also help.
Set the tone – What you say and how you say it are important when communicating with anyone, but it’s especially true when you’re talking with someone living with dementia. Be brief and to the point, avoid open-ended questions, and remember that your loved one is not to blame for his or her communication challenges and they’re not trying to be difficult.
Stay in the moment – If a person living with dementia gets confused about details, roll with it and avoid correcting them. If you make small adjustments in how you communicate, you make the most of every conversation.
Read the entire article HERE for more detailed information.
This information provided courtesy of Brookdale Senior Living, excerpted from an article written by Juliet Holt Klinger, MA, Expert on Dementia Care
To be effective, medicine must be taken safely and according to prescribing guidelines. In addition, patients and health care providers should both be vigilant about the dangers of drug interactions.
Seniors take more prescription and over-the-counter drugs than any other age group. Researchers for the National Center for Biotechnology Information estimate that 25% of people ages 65 to 69 take at least five prescription drugs to treat chronic conditions. That jumps to almost 46% for those between the ages of 70 and 79.
While doctors prescribe medication to treat a range of chronic conditions from arthritis to diabetes to high blood pressure, managing medications can be difficult for multiple reasons:
Other factors can make medication management difficult. Read the entire article HERE to see eight tips may help you get your medications under control.
This information provided courtesy of Brookdale Senior Living, excerpted from an article written by Kim Elliott, RN, Expert on Healthy Aging