Author: AmberJohn13

Healthy Habits for Seniors to try in the New Year

Posted on by AmberJohn13

As we waltz into 2025, it’s the perfect moment for our fabulous seniors to strut their stuff and embrace a lively, healthy lifestyle! Aging like fine wine means picking up habits that jazz up your physical, mental, and emotional vibes. With a sprinkle of simple routines, you can boost your quality of life and savor those golden years like a boss!

Healthy Habits for Seniors

Stay Active with Regular Exercise – Get moving, folks! Exercise is your ticket to aging like a champ. It pumps up your heart health, strengthens your muscles, and keeps you flexible and balanced—so you can dodge those pesky falls! In 2025, try: strutting your stuff on walks, flowing through yoga or Tai Chi, pumping iron, or making waves with swimming.

Eat a Nutrient-Dense Diet – Fuel your fabulousness with a diet that’s as vibrant as you are! In 2025, munch on whole, nutrient-packed goodies. Think fruits & veggies, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats to keep your energy levels soaring!

Prioritize Mental Health – Your brain deserves love too! Make time for activities that melt away stress and sharpen those brain cells: dive into mindfulness, tackle brain games, socialize, or pick up a fun new hobby!

Adequate Sleep – Snooze time is prime time! Quality sleep is your superhero for restoration. Keep a sleep schedule, create a cozy nest for snoozing, and limit screen time to catch those Z’s!

Stay Hydrated – Keep that hydration game strong! Seniors might not feel thirsty, but chugging water and sipping herbal teas is essential. Load up on fruits and veggies with high water content too!

Regular Health Check-Ups – Prevention is the name of the game! Regular check- ups help catch health hiccups early and keep chronic conditions in check. Don’t forget to visit your doctor, manage those conditions, and stay up-to-date on vaccinations!

Practice Good Posture and Ergonomics – Stand tall and sit pretty! Good posture is your friend in preventing muscle strain and falls. Adjust those chairs, stay active, and stretch it out!

Cultivate Positive Relationships – Love and connection fuel happiness! In 2025, make it a mission to stay in touch with loved ones, join community groups, and spark new friendships!

Embrace Healthy Aging in 2025! With these vibrant habits in your daily mix, you can enhance your life and bask in the joy of aging gracefully. Remember, it’s never too late to kickstart new habits that lead to a healthier, happier you. Prioritize your health and well-being, and get ready to thrive as you enjoy all the delightful moments that come with this beautiful journey!

READ OUR WINTER 2025 NEWSLETTER FOR MORE GREAT TIPS FOR SENIORS!

Fall Prevention

Posted on by AmberJohn13

Fall Prevention for SeniorsMany falls occur at home, where we spend a significant amount of our time and often mov around without being mindful of our safety. There are numerous modifications you ca implement in your home to help prevent falls and enhance your safety. Here are som suggestions organized by room:

Bathrooms

Install grab bars near toilets & on both the inside and outside of your tub & shower. Use nonskid mats, strips, or carpet on all surfaces that may become wet.
Ensure there’s a light left on in the bathroom at night or use a night light that activates automatically in the dark.

Bedrooms

Position night lights and light switches conveniently close to your bed. Keep a flashlight nearby in case of a power outage.
Place a landline or a fully charged phone near your bed.

Kitchen

StorKite frequently used pots, pans, and utensils in easily accessible locations. Clean up spills immediately to prevent slipping.
Consider preparing food while seated to avoid fatigue or loss of balance.

Outdoor Spaces

Ensure any steps leading to your front door are intact and even.
Apply non-slip materials to outdoor stairways.
Keep your lawn, deck, or porch clear of debris, such as fallen branches.
Consider installing a grab bar near the front door for stability while locking/unlocking it. Turn on your porch light at night and ensure it’s on if you leave during the day but will return after dark.

Other Considerations

Keep electrical cords along walls and out of walkways.
Arrange furniture and objects so that they don’t obstruct your path.
Make sure sofas and chairs are at the right height for easy entry and exit.
Store items you use frequently at waist level or within easy reach.
Avoid standing on chairs or tables to reach high items; instead, use a “reach stick” or ask for assistance. If using a step stool, ensure it’s stable and has a handrail.
Ensure secure handrails are present on both sides of stairs and always hold onto them when ascending or descending, even if you’re carrying something. Make sure nothing blocks your view of the steps.
Provide good lighting, with switches located at the top and bottom of stairs and at each end of long hallways. Consider using motion-activated lights that plug into outlets and turn on automatically as you pass by, illuminating stairwells and pathways.
Maintain tidiness in walking areas. Avoid leaving books, papers, clothes, or shoes on the floor or stairs.
Ensure that all carpets are securely anchored to the
floor to prevent slipping.
Avoid using throw rugs or small area rugs.
Be mindful of your pets to prevent tripping; know
where your cat or dog is while you’re standing or walking.

– National Center for Injury Prevention and Control

READ OUR FALL 2024 NEWSLETTER FOR MORE GREAT TIPS FOR SENIORS!

What is Dementia?

Posted on by AmberJohn13

Dementia is an umbrella term for conditions that impair a person’s ability to think, reason and remember to levels that interfere with daily life. Although the risk of dementia rises a great deal after age 65, it is not an inevitable part of aging. It’s important to know it’s a disease; it’s not just normal aging or getting old. Dementia can be caused by several different diseases, including Alzheimer’s. At the core of any dementia, brain cells die. In the early stages, a person initially can compensate, by using labeled pillboxes, for example, or keeping notes, and often still can function. But gradually — often over years — the person begins to have trouble doing things for themselves.

Alzheimer’s disease is by far the most common form, causing 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. But there are other forms, each with different causes and sometimes strikingly different symptoms. These include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia and frontotemporal dementia. Some people can suffer from a combination of two or more of these, a condition known as mixed dementia. What these illnesses have in common is that they result from a progressive destruction of brain cells, affecting thinking, memory and behavior in various ways.

Dementia is not the same as mild cognitive impairment, or MCI, an early stage of memory and cognitive loss not serious enough to impair a person’s daily activities. Some people with MCI — 10 to 15 percent — will progress to full-blown dementia each year. Others will not.

With Alzheimer’s, people “have trouble remembering the answers to questions, so they end up asking them again and again and again. Other times, patients with Alzheimer’s can have false memories. For example, someone could have watched a TV show about going on a trip to Europe, then tell their family they went on this wonderful trip to Europe.

Dementia in its various forms can impair judgment, affect mood and personality, prompt odd behavior and distort how a person perceives what he or she sees. Occasionally forgetting a name or misplacing a set of keys is normal as we age. The deficits associated with dementia are greater, and more devastating, since they seriously affect how a person lives and functions.

What causes dementia?
Dementia occurs when neurons, or nerve cells, in the brain quit working. They lose their connection to other brain cells and eventually die. We all lose neurons as we age, but the loss is much greater in dementia. Some risk factors for dementia, such as age and genetics, are impossible to change. But there are other factors that you can act upon — including diet and exercise, hearing loss and social isolation.

How is dementia diagnosed?
There is no single diagnostic test to say whether a person has dementia. So doctors use a variety of tests and tools to learn what’s going on with the patient, look for signs of disease and, most importantly, rule out other treatable conditions that may be causing the cognitive problems. Brain scans may be used, as well as other tests — on blood and spinal fluid — to detect changes within the brain and identify the presence of certain substances associated with dementia. Paper-and-pencil or computer-based tests of memory and thinking are also often used to help make a dementia diagnosis.

Reducing risk for dementia
Researchers say there are things you can do to reduce your risk, along with avoiding head injuries and maintaining hearing. These include stopping smoking, eating a healthy Mediterranean-style diet and exercising, controlling diabetes and managing heart disease risks, such as high cholesterol and hypertension.

Staying Active During Winter

Posted on by AmberJohn13

For many of us, winter can seem like never-ending gloom, with little sunshine and rainy, cold weather. And although it is nice to hunker down by a warm fire with a good book or a favorite television show, we still need to move our bodies. I know you may be thinking… it’s far too cold to exercise, right? Or is it?

For seniors, staying active during the winter months can go a long way toward staying healthy. But “active” doesn’t have to mean running a marathon — or even heading into the cold for a walk or jog. Simple exercise several times a day is enough to keep muscles and joints in shape. Fear of getting hurt is actually what causes many seniors to stay in – and be more inactive – during the winter months, but, in reality, it is really a ‘move-it-or-lose-it’ scenario.

It is suggested that seniors try and squeeze in exercise at least once a day, though more often is optimal. A lot of people, when they get older, think they can’t do something, and they stop moving forever. I say, if it feels good, go for it. If it hurts, pay attention to those signals your body is giving you. When you don’t move, your body will stiffen up, so it is important to keep moving — even if you do only tiny things every day. Start the day by stretching, whether standing or in a chair, to get the blood flowing to your heart and lungs and loosen those joints and muscles that have tightened up from lying in bed all night.

If weakness or balance is an issue, using a chair for support or try chair yoga or chair cardio classes that can be found at the local gym, or on YouTube. You can find any type of exercise videos on YouTube these days that can be pulled up on a smart TV – and many streaming services offer an exercise channel or programming, as well. Balance issues or fear of falling, that is still no excuse. Sit in a chair and move your arms, stomp your feet, bend your knees or do jumping jacks sitting down. The important thing is to keep your muscles moving.

Even arthritis pain can be stemmed by small movements. Almost all of us will experience arthritis pain at some point. Keeping our joints moving will help with that. It can be as simple as opening and closing our fingers to make a fist or making circles with our wrists to ease the pain in our hands, or flexing elbows, knees and ankles several times a day.

For those seniors who are not homebound, consider joining a walking club at the local mall or an indoor track or find a water aerobics class at a gym or community center. Water aerobics are a great way to stay active – whether in summer or winter – because seniors are in a warm pool where the resistance of the water helps joints and muscles move freely, but without the low impact of jumping around on a floor.

But keeping your body active is not enough. We need to keep our mind active as well to stay healthy.  Socialization is an important piece of staying healthy and active. We all saw what isolation did to our mental health during COVID. Depression can set in when we stay to ourselves, but it can have an even bigger impact on a senior’s memory if they don’t keep their mind working, so if they can get out and join a club or exercise class at a senior center, it will do a lot for your overall health.

And while we have all heard the mantra to “check with your doctor before beginning any exercise program,” it is even more important to “listen to your body.” If you have heart or lung or a mobility issue, an individual should talk to their doctor to learn their limitations, but limitations don’t mean you should stop moving. Exercise doesn’t have to be crazy or strenuous to be beneficial. As long as you know your body and don’t push yourself too hard, movement will always make you feel better.

If you think you’re too old to do something, you are probably not. A lot is mental attitude: ‘I can do this, I am strong enough, age is just a number!

Source: Cleveland.com

Good Times!

Posted on by AmberJohn13

Once a month we hold an event for our Caregivers to recognize and thank them for all their hard work. This last month our theme was VIP and we celebrated our “Caregiver Stars” who have been with HomeLife for over 5 years! We enjoyed movie themed snacks with some fun movies playing in the background, we even took some pictures with a special guest…

Congratulations to our awesome Caregiver Marian E. who won the “Movie” gift basket. The prize basket included a $25 AMC card, blanket, and treats.

We are already planning our next event! We would love to see our clients too! So, tell your Caregiver that you want to come on by with them and grab a treat and a chance to win a prize as well!

Happy March!

Posted on by AmberJohn13

Since last month was all about love, it made me think… what comes to mind when I think of March? The first thing I thought of was happiness. I mean, how could one not be happy when winter is almost behind us, all the beautiful spring colors are popping, and the weather is warming up!

Which leads us into one of our favorite times of the year… Daylight Savings. Now I know this semi-annual ritual can be a bit of a nuisance (springing forward costs us an hour of sleep) and it affects people one way or the other. But the silver lining is we get more daylight which gives us more time for outdoor activities, and we could all use some Vitamin D.

Below are some reminders and tips to help prepare for the transition on March 13th. While the loss of an hour’s sleep Saturday night can affect everyone differently it hits older adults a little harder than most. Sleep problems already are a struggle for many older people, and an additional disruption to their schedules can be more than a little inconvenience. With a little thought and preparation, you can handle the time change with little disruption.

Sleep patterns: These are a concern for all of us, but if naps are taken during the day, make sure there are some changes to this schedule. Over napping to make up for the short overnight just prolongs the adjustment time and any accompanying disorientation.

Driving: Nobody is safe behind the wheel when they’re sleepy. Some studies have looked at whether traffic accidents, and in particular fatal accidents, increase significantly following the start of Daylight Savings Time. Whether a cause-and-effect relationship is there, or if other factors play a role, it’s always a good idea to check our own readiness – and that of those in our care – before we take to the roads.

Meal times: It can be a struggle to convince yourself to take a meal when they’re not hungry. But skipping the breakfast or lunch routine even for a day or two can encourage other eating decisions throughout the day that are less favorable. Even if you decide to go with lighter fare for the first couple of meals, maintain the regular pattern as closely as possible.

Medication times: Taking prescribed medicines and performing other doctor-directed activities at the appropriate times throughout the day is an important part of any health and wellness care plan. Some directives, like taking a specific medication at meal times, may be easy enough to adjust, but many older adults rely on electronic medical reminders throughout the day. Make sure the time is adjusted appropriately on this equipment to avoid getting off schedule.

Timers: Speaking of timers, in modern homes, many more devices have built-in clocks than ever before. Things like phones and television tuners often update automatically, but others like light timers, cook timers, coffee makers, video recorders may not. It is important to double check all devices around the home.

Battery check: The American Red Cross and other safety officials also remind us that the semiannual time change is a good time to test and replace the batteries in smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and other safety equipment.

Easy Vegetable Soup

Posted on by AmberJohn13

When it comes to fall cuisine, hearty soups and stews are the best. This soup is packed with all the ingredients you crave on a chilly autumn day. The best thing about this soup is you can add any veggies that you like! My go-to ingredients are spinach, celery, potatoes, zucchini, and corn.

Recipe

4 C. chicken broth                                                                                    1 (28oz) can diced tomato

1 small onion                                                                                               1 Tbsp olive oil

1 clove garlic                                                                                               1 C. carrots

1 C. green beans                                                                                       1 C frozen corn

1 C. frozen peas                                                                                        1 can white kidney beans

1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce                                                              ½ lemon

½ tsp salt and pepper                                                                             Handful basil and parsley

.

Measure the broth into a large microwave-safe bowl. Add the diced tomatoes. Microwave on high for 6 minutes. Meanwhile, put a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the oil. Roughly chop the carrot matchsticks. Add to the oil. Stir and cover. Chop the green beans into 1-inch pieces and add to the carrots. Stir and cover. Peel and chop the onion. Add it to the pot. Peel and mince the garlic. Add it to the pot along with the salt and pepper. Drain the beans and add to the pot. Add the peas and corn to the pot. Cover.

When the microwave finishes, add the hot broth mixture to the pot. Cover pot and increase heat to high. When it boils, reduce heat to a moderate simmer, stirring occasionally until carrots and green beans are tender (about 2-3 minutes).

Meanwhile, roughly chop the basil, parsley or cilantro. Juice the half of a lemon. Remove the soup from the heat. Stir in the lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce. Ladle into bowls and garnish with chopped herbs.

Thanksgiving Day Tips for Seniors and Their Families

Posted on by AmberJohn13

Thanksgiving is a great occasion to get together with family members, young and old. It’s one of the most enjoyable holidays of the year, but it can also bring its share of challenges. With some advance planning, it can be a very special time for you and your loved ones.

Holidays and other events that change the daily routine may be tiring for your Senior loved one, so make sure he or she has a little extra help, arranging for a Caregiver to help your loved one get dressed and ready to go to the event help put them at ease.

Preparation

There are many ways you can prepare to make the home safe and comfortable for a senior friendly gathering. Hazards that could lead to trips or falls should be removed. Arrange for a special seat at the end of the table with extra room as walkers and canes can make getting up and down from the dinner table difficult.

Helping Out

Seniors should never feel left out of the equation, especially when it comes to holidays. There are ways they can help in the kitchen without getting in the way or hurt, and they will be thrilled to be able to contribute. Something as simple as picking the menu, a no bake side dish, setting the table or helping with dessert are great ways to get involved.

Connecting

Connecting with family is key. During the meal, try to bridge generation gaps by asking each other to share something, such as their proudest moment, the first president they remember, or a fun story from the past that left a lasting impression. Give thanks! This is the best time of year to consider the people and things you appreciate in life. Studies have shown that gratitude can have a positive impact on your health! It can relieve depression, lower blood pressure, improve immune function, and even facilitate more efficient sleep.

8 Autumn Health and Home Safety Tips for Seniors

Posted on by AmberJohn13

Regions around the country are starting to experience their first tastes of the cooler temperatures and shorter days fall has in store for them. Don’t miss this quick essential checklist for seniors looking to safeguard their health and safety this season.

 

Get a Flu Vaccine

Last year’s flu was a brutal one killing upwards of 80,000 people in the U.S. according to the Centers for Disease Control and hospitalizing close to 900,000. While older adults and children are more susceptible to flu complications, researchers found that even young adults were severely affected during last year’s flu season. It is critical that everyone get the flu shot sooner rather than later. Seniors may also want to check with their doctor about the pneumonia vaccines available to them and whether they should get them or not.

Organize Your Medicine Cabinet

Autumn is a great time to get your medicine cabinet organized and stock up on flu prevention essentials like hand sanitizer, antiseptic wipes, Kleenex, and over-the-counter supplements you may use to boost your immune system like vitamin C or zinc. Discard old prescriptions you are not using, especially antibiotics. You may be inclined to take an antibiotic if you are feeling ill, but you could possibly be helping your body build up a bacterial resistance when really you have a virus at work. Always talk to your doctor first.

Cold proof Your Home

As the temperatures outside drop, you may be noticing more drafts in your home. Windows and doors that don’t properly shut or seal could be letting cold drafts in through your home that can make you cold as well as increase your vulnerability for getting sick. Address any visible drafts you can find, rearrange furniture to block cooler air coming in from windows. Get out your favorite throw-blanket to have handy.

Check Batteries

Everyone, especially seniors who utilize wood stoves, fireplaces, and space heaters, should check their carbon monoxide and smoke detector batteries this fall. Plan on testing the alarms on these detectors every month to make sure they are working properly as well. If you are a senior who has trouble affording high heating bills during the winter, don’t risk your health safety. Talk to your local Council on Aging or utility company to find out if there are heating assistance resources available for older adults in your area.

Protect Against Falls

It’s not just inclement icy weather that can put seniors at a higher risk for falling during cold weather months. Factors like increased joint pain or difficulty exercising because of cooler weather can also make seniors with chronic conditions like arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease more likely to experience a fall inside their home.

Make Sure You Can See

Ensuring your visibility this fall is a three-fold operation. One, make sure you have gotten your annual vision checkup done so that you know you are seeing correctly or have the prescription aids to do so. This will lower your risk of falling or having a driving accident. Two, test the lighting throughout your home and replace bulbs that are dimming or simply aren’t bright enough. Three, don’t forget that clocks fall back an hour in early November which means that your evenings get quite a bit darker. You may want to plan outings and travel accordingly.

Plan for Solitude

Even with holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, the fall and winter months can still leave many seniors on their own, especially when freezing temperatures or bad weather make it difficult to get out and about. For seniors, fall may be the perfect time to learn how to use technology to maintain contact with the outside world and stay connected with friends and family. This may include learning to live video chat with Skype or Facetime, or simply joining social media platforms like Facebook.

Prep for Bad Weather

Are you ready for bad weather? In addition to coats, scarves, hats, gloves, and boots, you’ll want to make sure that you have backup supplies of water, food, prescription medicines, and first aid items both in your home and in your car. Don’t forget battery-operated flashlights and candles that will come in handy in a pinch if your power is knocked out in a snowstorm. It may also be a good idea to have an action plan in place with your family or care network so people know how to get a hold of you or check on you should you live alone when nasty winter weather strikes.

Source: seniordirectory            

Fall Prevention

Posted on by AmberJohn13

“Each year more than one in four adults aged 65 and older will fall. This represents 29 million falls,3 million emergency room visits and 800,000 hospitalizations”

Falls and accidents seldom “just happen.” The more you take care of your overall health and well-being, the more likely you’ll be to lower your chances of falling. Here are a few hints:

  • Talk with your doctor and plan an exercise program that is right for you. Regular exercise helps keep you strong and improves muscle tone. It also helps keep your joints, tendons, and ligaments flexible.
  • Have your vision and hearing tested often. Even small changes in sight and hearing can make you less stable.
  • Find out about the possible side effects of medicines you take. Some medicines may affect your coordination and/or balance.
  • Limit the amount of alcohol you drink. Even a small amount can affect your balance and reflexes.
  • Always stand up slowly after eating, lying down, or resting. Getting up too quickly can cause your blood pressure to drop, which can make you feel faint.
  • Don’t let your home get too cold or too hot… it can cause you to become lightheaded or dizzy.
  • Using a cane, walking stick, or walker can help you feel steadier when you walk. This is very important when you’re walking in areas you don’t know well or in places where the walkways are uneven.
  • Wear rubber-soled, low-heeled shoes that fully support your feet. Wearing only socks or shoes with smooth soles on stairs or waxed floors can be unsafe.
  • Hold handrails when using the stairs. If you must carry something while going up or down, hold it in one hand and use the handrail with the other.
Source: National Institute on Aging

MAKE YOUR HOME SAFE

You can help prevent falls by making changes to unsafe areas in your home with these home safety tips.

In stairways, hallways, and pathways:

  • Make sure there is good lighting with light switches at the top and bottom of the stairs.
  • Keep areas where you walk tidy.
  • Check that all carpets are pressed firmly to the floor, so they won’t slip. Put no-slip strips on tile and wooden floors. You can buy these strips at the hardware store.
  • Have handrails on both sides of all stairs from top to bottom, and be sure they’re tightly fastened.

In bathrooms and powder rooms:

  • Mount grab bars near toilets and on both the inside and outside of your tub and shower.
  • Place non-skid mats, strips, or carpet on all surfaces that may get wet.
  • Keep night lights on.
  • In your bedroom: Put night lights and light switches close to your bed.
  • Keep your telephone near your bed.

In other living areas:

  • Keep electric cords and telephone wires near walls and away from walking paths.
  • Tack down all carpets and area rugs firmly to the floor.
  • Arrange your furniture (i.e. low coffee tables) and other objects so they are not in your way when you walk.
  • Make sure your sofas and chairs are a good height for you, so that you can get into and out of them easily.

Autumn: The Cooling Off Season

Posted on by AmberJohn13

Sandwiched between blazing summer and chilly winter, Autumn is known as the “cooling off season.”  Night-time arrives earlier, temperatures begin to drop, and most noticeably our surrounding landscapes turn to beautiful hues of orange, yellow and red.

The best part of welcoming Autumn is the variety of sights, smells, flavors, and activities.  As we age, one of the most important things we can do for our health is to remain active with both our mind and bodies. Take this time to try new things.

Have you heard the buzz about Hygge (pronounced HOO-gah)? It’s the Danish word for “cozy” and it is a popular lifestyle trend that involves friends coming together by firelight or candlelight to delight in the warmth of camaraderie and activeness such as games, reading, knitting, or simply enjoying a cup of tea with friends.  Hygge pastimes are a creative way to keep you social and active.

Another great way to take in the fall season is to take a walk and enjoy the crisp air and beautiful colors. If it’s too strenuous on your own, ask your caregiver to accompany you, invite a friend, neighbor or grandchild.

We hope  you enjoy a happy, healthy and fun fall season!

5 Natural Ways to Improve Oxygen Levels

Posted on by AmberJohn13

The feeling of being out of breath (dyspnea) is a sensation that is well known to those who suffer from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Although it is common for those experiencing shortness of breath to use oxygen therapy (oxygen tanks) to cope, the downsides can include fatigue, headaches, and dry or bloody noses. Further, when depending on oxygen tanks as a primary oxygen supplement, there exists a severe risk: the body can learn to actively suppress its natural respiratory system. Following is a list of 5 natural ways to improve your oxygen levels that should help in reducing your dependence on tanks.

Change Your Diet: Antioxidants allow the body to use oxygen more efficiently increasing oxygen intake in digestion. When looking to boost antioxidant intake, the foods to focus on are blueberries, cranberries, red kidney beans, artichoke hearts, strawberries, plums and blackberries, most of which can be consumed in various juices and smoothies. Another critical protein to consider are essential fatty acids like Vitamin F, which work to increase the amount of oxygen the hemoglobin in the bloodstream can carry. These acids can be found in soybeans, walnuts and flaxseeds.

Get Active: Exercise is key to a healthy life. Through aerobic exercise, such as simple walking, the body is able to better utilize oxygen while removing waste through the lymphatic system. As recommended by the American Heart Association, 30 minutes a day of regular walking has greater effects on the circulatory system than spending an hour or more in the gym 2 to 3 times a week. Aside from the physical health benefits, walking has been shown to improve mood, confidence, and reduce stress.

Change Your Breathing: Exercising your lungs regularly is crucial to maintaining ones respiratory health. However, what is often an impediment to one’s breathing is the method in which they breathe. It’s recently been discovered that sick people breathe using the upper chest and inhale more air, which causes reduced oxygen levels in the body. In contrast, the correct method to proper breathing, is slow, from the diaphragm, and through the nose, rather than the mouth.

Cleanse the Air: Often the triggers of flare-ups in those with COPD is poor air quality. Because of this, it is imperative to maintain the purest quality of air possible within the home and workplace. There are a number of air purifiers on the market that can filter the worst of our environmental pollutants. Another helpful “low-tech” tool in reducing pollution in the air and purifying oxygen is a beeswax candle. Unlike traditional candles, beeswax candles do not emit smoke. Instead they produce negative ions that help in the removal of air pollution.

Hydrate: The human body is roughly 60 percent water, so it cannot be understated how critical water is to how the body functions: allowing body cells to grow, lubricating our joints and regulating body temperature. When looking to get the full benefits of oxygenation, drink filtered water. Restructured or ionized water is micro-clustered with smaller groupings of water molecules. This provides high levels of hydration and oxygenation at the cellular level. Keep in mind that caffeinated beverages, alcohol and high sodium foods all dehydrate the body, so keep water with you during the day and get in the habit of drinking it throughout the day. Health professionals recommend 8 8-oz. glasses of water a day.

http://seniordirectory.com/articles/info/5-natural-ways-to-improve-your-oxygen-levels

How to Cultivate New Friends as You Age

Posted on by AmberJohn13

As baby boomers age, more and more folks will reach their 80s, 90s—and beyond. They will not only lose friends but face the daunting task of making new friends at an advanced age.

Even in your 90s, the notion of being a sole survivor can seem surprising. Perhaps that’s why 91-year-old Lucille Simmons of Lakeland, Fla., halts, midsentence, as she traces the multiple losses of friends and family members. She has not only lost her two closest friends, but a granddaughter, a daughter and her husband of 68 years. “There’s only one living sibling—and I’m having dinner with him tonight,” said Simmons.

Five years ago, Simmons left her native Hamilton, Ohio, to move in with her son and his wife. She had to learn how to make friends all over again. Simmons takes classes and plays games at her community. She also putters around her community on a golf cart (which she won in a raffle) inviting folks to ride along with her. She spends quality time with relatives (whom she regards as friends) and non-family friends.

Friendship in old age plays a critical role in health and well-being, according to recent findings from the Stanford Center on Longevity’s Sightlines Project. Socially isolated individuals face health risks comparable to those of smokers, and their mortality risk is twice that of obese individuals, the study notes.

Baby boomers are more disengaged with their neighbors and even their loved ones than any other generation, said Dr. Laura Carstensen, who is director of the Stanford Center on Longevity and herself a boomer, in her 60s. “If we’re disengaged, it’s going to be harder to make new friends,” she said. Carstensen said that going back to school can be one of the most successful ways for an older person to make a new friend.

Genuine friendships at any age typically require repeated contact, said Dr. Andrea Bonior, author of “The Friendship Fix: The Complete Guide to Choosing, Losing and Keeping Up with Your Friends.” She advises older folks to join group exercise classes or knitting or book clubs.

She also suggests that seniors get involved in “altruistic behavior” like volunteering in a soup kitchen or an animal shelter or tutoring English as a second language.

“Friendships don’t happen in a vacuum,” she said. “You don’t meet someone at Starbucks and suddenly become best friends.”

Perhaps few understand the need for friendship in older years better than Carstensen, who, besides directing the Stanford Center on Longevity, is author of “A Long Bright Future: Happiness, Health and Financial Security in an Age of Increased Longevity.”

Carstensen said that going back to school can be one of the most successful ways for an older person to make a new friend.

Bonior recommends that seniors embrace social media. These social media connections can help older people strike up new friendships with nieces, nephews and even grandchildren, said Alan Wolfelt, an author, educator and founder of the Center for Loss and Life Transition.

“It’s important to create support systems that don’t isolate you with your own generation.”

Many older folks count their children as their best friends — and Carstensen said this can be a big positive on several levels.

“I don’t think it matters who your friends are,” she said. “It’s the quality of the relationship that matters most.”

By Bruce Horovitz

https://khn.org/news/feel-like-the-last-friend-standing-heres-how-to-cultivate-new-buds-as-you-age/

Advice from a Caregiver on Stress Reduction Strategies

Posted on by AmberJohn13

Lisa Bailey is a kindergarten teacher and caregiver to children and her husband who is undergoing cancer treatment. She shares her top coping strategies in this article for living a balanced life as a caregiver. You may find some of these strategies helpful in your own journey.

  • Make all choices from a solid base of integrity. I try to make medical and personal choices from the base of my Christian faith, which helps free me from second-guessing myself.
  • Be clear about today’s reality. Don’t imagine things are worse than they are.  Enjoy the good parts of today and don’t let worries for tomorrow take over your emotions and thoughts.
  • Talk honestly to family and friends. Honest, frequent communication with close family and friends about caregiving concerns is much easier than trying to play catch-up later.
  • Learn the medical lingo. It will help you as a caregiver and a medical advocate to learn as much as you can about your loved one’s medical situation. The Internet is a helpful resource but be cautious about which websites can be trusted. Ask questions of the doctors and nurses. Check the accuracy of your information if you are at all troubled or in doubt.
  • Be aware that pain, stress and medications may release the patient from their social “filter” and they may say some difficult things at times. Listen and be compassionate as best you can.
  • Control what you can control. Lots of articles about stress-management advise letting go of control; I have found that being in control of some areas of my life has greatly reduced my stress.
  • Let go of what you cannot control. For me this means leaning on my faith; for others it may be working with meditation or other techniques that will focus and center you.
  • Get help with house work and yard work—paid or unpaid.  Help with household chores has helped me prioritize my most important tasks.
  • Prepare meals in advance and freeze them.  I do bulk cooking and freeze pre-prepared meals.
  • Plan your work; then work your plan.  Keep bills and insurance paperwork organized and pay bills on time. Be proactive about taking care of tasks and errands.  Don’t let things pile up.
  • Nest.  Everyone needs a comfy place to relax and rest. Make a comfortable nest for your loved one and for yourself by having a comfy chair with afghans, pillows, fresh flowers, candles, books and great music to your nest.
  • Journal for yourself. There are so many ways to re-center yourself, but none works as well for me as journaling.  Even if you have never kept a journal, try starting one to help you clarify feelings, manage your stress and plan the work you need to do as caregiver.
  • Find joy in living life, whatever the circumstances. Whether illness or infirmity limit the scope of you and your charge’s activities—remember to bring meaning to your lives through activities you both enjoy: a good meal, movies and shows, music, reading aloud, playing card or board games, and trying new activities that may be creative and enriching.
  • Keep a vision for the future.  None of us comes here to stay; we know that.  But we also know that we can “grow until we go,” and we should.  We make plans for our future.
  • Give. While I have learned through my husband’s illness to receive the gifts of help, encouragement, prayer and love from other people, giving to others in return keeps us feeling emotionally and spiritually full and is always worth the effort.
  • Release yourself from expectations for perfection. As humans, we all experience “feet of clay” when we do not have infinite energy, wisdom or capabilities to manage our lives. This is normal. Get through each day as best you can, and don’t dwell on mistakes.
  • Take good care of yourself. Eat good food, remember to exercise, rest and learn to say no to outside demands.  See your doctor and dentist for checkups. Get away from the house regularly—and not just to run errands, but to do an activity you enjoy to renew your spirit.

https://caregiver.com/articles/stress-reduction-strategies/

Trim Your Electric Bill with These Energy-Saving Tips

Posted on by AmberJohn13

As of the summer of 2018, the average US household spends $183 a month on their electric bill alone, and prices are steadily rising, according to the US Department of Energy.

The first step to demystifying your electricity bill, and hopefully reducing it, is to take stock of where you use the most energy. You can find a professional energy auditor to help you assess your home’s energy use, potentially for free, through your electric company or the Department of Energy’s website: www.energy.gov/ energysaver/heat-and-cool/home-energy-audits. If you follow their efficiency upgrade recommendations, you could reduce up to 30% off your energy bill.

Here are their top tips:

Heating/Cooling

Heating and cooling take up the largest chunk of your monthly energy bill, but these tips can save you money while staying comfortable.

  • Clean your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) unit every 30 days to keep the system running efficiently.
  • Keep the blinds open in the winter and closed in the summer to minimize the need for running the air conditioner.
  • Using a ceiling or floor fan instead of your air conditioner can help to keep temperatures and costs lower in the summer.
  • Seal leaks, doors and windows. Weather-stripping and sealing leaks can reduce energy use by 15% to 30% a year, estimates the Department of Energy.
  • Buy a programmable thermostat. For as little as $20, you can automatically set your thermostat back 7°-10°F for 8 hours a day. Doing so can save up to 10% on your heating and cooling costs

Water Heaters

Water heaters are typically large energy consumers. The Department of Energy suggests lowering the temperature on your water heater from the standard 140°F to 120°F. This can reduce water heating costs by 4%-22% annually, without any noticeable difference in water temperature.

Lighting

One of the simplest and most cost-effective ways of saving money is to use LED bulbs, which last as much as 50 times longer and are 90% more efficient than traditional bulbs. Replacing your five most used lights with Energy Star approved LED bulbs can save you $75 per year.

Appliances

Washing your clothes in cold water can substantially cut costs, since about 90% of the electricity used by washing machines is used to heat the water. The average household can save up to $40 per year using this tip. Also consider air drying your clothes when possible. Dryers are the most energy-hungry appliance in the average home. A typical dryer can consume as much energy per year as an energy efficient refrigerator, washing machine, and dishwasher combined.

When it comes time to replace your old appliances, consider an Energy Star efficient unit. While it might cost more for the initial investment, an Energy Star certified refrigerator will yield an average savings of $270 in energy costs over five years.

Energy Vampires

A typical American home has 40 products that are constantly drawing power, even if they’re not in use. Energy vampires like your phone charger, computer, television and coffeemaker, are responsible for 10% of your electricity use and can cost the average household $100 a year, according to the Department of Energy. Use a “smart” power strip and keep everything plugged into this single source, making it easy to turn off everything at once when these appliances are not in use. Smart power strips also automatically cut power to devices that are in standby mode.

Discounts

It is also worth contacting your utility company about potential senior and low-income discount programs, energy-efficiency rebates and off-peak rates which can provide up to 30% discounts on standard rates.

Contributor for The Senior’s Choice

Greetings from Scheduling!

Posted on by AmberJohn13

We would like to welcome our new Scheduling Assistant, Darlene MacDonald.  Darlene has been a fabulous addition to our team.  She has a kind heart and cheerful spirit that our caregivers and clients enjoy.  Darlene was a caregiver with HomeLife for many years prior to becoming a scheduling assistant.  Her caregiving experience has contributed to a well-rounded understanding of client needs and the importance of caregiver placement.

We would like to thank our clients and caregivers for communicating with us regarding their schedules.  We enjoy getting to know everyone and the feedback we receive.  We have many caregivers working around the clock to care for our clients and we appreciate every one of them!

 

Wendy Carrasco, Scheduling Director

News from the Home Care Aide Team

Posted on by AmberJohn13

Summer greetings from the Home Care Aide team! In June 2019 our department celebrated the retirement of our Hiring Recruiter, Angela Spinelli.  She will be greatly missed, but we wish her all the best with her retirement.  We are excited to announce that her position has been filled by Racheal Gonzalez.  Racheal is doing a wonderful job as our new recruiter and is continuing to hire fantastic caregivers.

Each month we offer training classes on topics such as dementia,  Alzheimer’s and how to improve personal care skills. We would like to invite our clients’ loved ones to attend these trainings as well. If you’re interested, please contact our office for more information.  We would be honored to have you join us.

Our training department welcomes another new addition to the team, Simon! Simon is a patient care simulator and is used to provide our caregivers with quality, hands-on training.  We pride ourselves on employing well trained caregivers and Simon has been a great addition to our program.

This year HomeLife Senior Care donated a brand new patient care simulator, Rescue Randy, to the East Contra Costa Fire Portection District Association.  We are grateful to have been able to give back to our wonderful community.

 

Kara Escobedo, Home Care Aide Director

Our Caregiver of the Quarter Winner is Kelli Mayer!

Posted on by AmberJohn13

We wish to congratulate our caregiver of the quarter, Kelli Mayer!  She has been an outstanding caregiver by providing our clients with dependable and reliable care.  Kelli has a strong work ethic and an empathetic heart.  Right from the start we knew she would be a good fit with HomeLife.  Her availability is flexible, and she works around the needs of our clients.

Here is what Kelli’s supervisor shared:

“Kelli has demonstrated an outstanding work ethic and overall exceeds expectations.  HomeLife Senior Care prides itself on our mission statement, which is comprised of values such as integrity and respect.  Kelli holds true to these values, which is part of what makes her such an amazing employee. We know that our clients and staff can depend on her.”

It’s caregivers like Kelli that make what we do possible.  She’s a role model and we are proud to have her on our team!

Hospice Care Might Benefit Your Loved One Sooner Than You Think

Posted on by AmberJohn13

Promoting independence and “successful aging” is a laudable goal for many. But it’s not the reality for people caring for anyone diagnosed with a terminal illness or a relative who struggles to manage day to day as a result of debilitating health conditions and growing frailty. Most people would prefer to talk about wellness rather than illness, so we tend to avoid planning for advanced illness and ultimately death. One valuable, often overlooked, and generous Medicare benefit for those caring for a family member or friend is hospice care.

Medicare coverage for hospice

Since 1983, Medicare has paid for most hospice care received in the United States. Other payers of hospice care include Medicaid (in most states), the Department of Veterans Affairs and most private insurance plans. Typically, no one is turned away from receiving hospice. Private contributions and donations are used to help cover the cost of care for those who have no other ways to pay for this service.

Beneficiaries are eligible for hospice care when they are entitled to Medicare Part A and are certified by a physician as having a life expectancy of six months or less if the illness runs its normal course. However, living longer than six months doesn’t mean the patient loses the benefit. After the initial certification period, each beneficiary receives an unlimited number of additional 60-day periods.

Although cancer patients used to make up the vast majority of hospice recipients, that is no long the case. An increasing number of people diagnosed with late-stage Alzheimer’s disease, non-Alzheimer’s dementia, heart disease, stroke, Parkinson’s and other conditions benefit from hospice.

Hospice is underutilized

People often wait too long before seeking hospice care. In the United States, the average length of hospice care is less than 60 days with 30 percent of those who elect hospice care dying in seven days or fewer. It seems that misinformation about the benefit coupled with our general discomfort talking about end of life prevents Medicare beneficiaries and their family from taking advantage of the valuable benefit.

What services are provided?

An interdisciplinary team of health and social service professionals joined by volunteers work together to provide the following:

  • Comfort care for pain and symptom management
  • Maintenance care for existing chronic conditions such as diabetes or emphysema
  • Support for emotional, social, psychological and spiritual needs and issues related to dying
  • Needed drugs, medical supplies and equipment
  • Mentoring for the individual, his or her family, and friends on best practices in patient care
  • Services like speech and physical therapy, which can be accessed when needed
  • If receiving hospice at home, payment for short-term inpatient care is available when symptoms become too much to manage or when caregivers need a respite break to take care of themselves
  • Grief counseling is available and can take the form of a support group, one-to-one therapeutic counseling, spiritual counseling, phone check-in calls and educational materials to surviving family and friends.

Those receiving care are allowed to keep their regular physician or nurse practitioner to oversee their care or to receive care from the doctor associated with the hospice organization.

Hospice is offered by both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations and can take place:

  • At the home of the patient, a family member, or friend
  • At a stand-alone hospice center
  • In a hospital
  • In a skilled nursing facility or other assisted care residence

Pursuing the Medicare benefit and accepting help from hospice can feel like a major change in how the person receiving care and their family considers the remaining time they have together. Caring for someone with serious illness and at the end of life is a daunting task, both mentally and physically. Having a dedicated, skilled and caring team of professionals to help can allow you to focus more on quality time with the person and less on the care and maintenance of the disease. Accepting help can make a difference in everyone’s well-being.

By Leah Eskenazi, Family Caregiver Alliance, for PBS.org

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/hospice-care-might-benefit-loved-one-sooner-think

Our Brains Need Exercise, Too

Posted on by AmberJohn13

Although life expectancy has more than doubled since 1900, our “mindspan”—how long we stay cognitively healthy—hasn’t kept pace. Forgetfulness, slower processing and feeling less sharp plague most of us as we age. One in five people develops mild cognitive impairment, a decline in thinking skills beyond normal aging, which may or may not advance to dementia. After 65, your odds of developing Alzheimer’s disease are one in 10. It doesn’t have to be that way, mounting research suggests.

“The very term ‘age-related memory loss’ may be a misnomer,” says neurologist Dr. Richard Isaacson, an Alzheimer’s specialist at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York.

Time and genetics alone don’t erode brain functions. How we spend our lives managing the modifiable risk factors that affect our genes is highly significant for our brain health, researchers say.

Brain health: Stop thinking there’s nothing you can do. “Awareness of the steps to improve cognitive brain function is at least a generation behind that of heart health,” says cognitive neuroscientist Sandra Bond Chapman, director of the Center for Brain Health at the University of Texas at Dallas.

In a review of public awareness studies by PLOS One, a nonprofit, peer-reviewed, online scientific journal, nearly half of the respondents mistakenly believed Alzheimer’s disease is a normal process of aging that you can’t do anything about. In reality, a third or more of dementia cases can be delayed or prevented by lifestyle factors, according to a 2017 report sponsored by the Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention and Care.

Use brain health to motivate your health habits. Advances in neuroimaging kicked off this new era of brain health by allowing scientists to see inside the brain. What’s become clear: All aspects of physical and emotional health affect cognitive ability. That’s powerful motivation the next time you’re tempted to skip a workout or not opt for a healthy meal, do nothing about stress or loneliness, or avoid treatment for conditions like depression, anxiety, diabetes and sleep apnea. Effects of all of these choices, and many others, travel north.

Resist too much habit and routine. Hallmarks of brain-stimulating activities that improve cognitive abilities, according to a 2017 report by the Global Council on Brain Health (GCBH) are novelty, high engagement, mental challenge and enjoyableness. If you like crosswords, fine, but push beyond to new games and challenges. Good examples from the GCBH: Tai chi, researching genealogy, picking up an old hobby you dropped, making art and community volunteering. When activities include a social component, so much the better.

Be aggressive about blood pressure. In 2018 researchers at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C., showed for the first time that lowering blood pressure to below 120 can significantly reduce the risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Work your brain harder, but not by multitasking. Your brain grooves on doing— but only one thing at a time. Multitasking stresses it. Researchers say one better alternative is a cognitive exercise called “strategic attention.” The Strategic Memory Advanced Reasoning Training program at the University of Texas at Dallas, advises this: Every day, pick two substantial tasks requiring fairly deep thinking. They might be tracking and analyzing your household budget, planning a vacation, writing a memo or following a complex new recipe. Then carve out two 30-minute sessions to focus without interruption.

Turn off email alerts. Shut the door. No quick scrolls through your news feed that will take you off your task. It takes up to 20 minutes to refocus after a disruption. Over time, you’ll find that you’ll achieve much more, and much more quickly, with improved attention.

Do (the right kind of) nothing. It’s not all about activity. The brain needs two kinds of downtime to function optimally: Rest and sleep. Rest means taking breaks from active thinking. Try taking five minutes, five times a day, to sit still and do nothing. Other routes to mental R&R include mindfulness, meditation and yoga nidra (also known as iRest and sleep yoga). Not least, there’s sleep itself. Our awareness of how important it is to the brain grew with the discovery of the body’s glymphatic system—a kind of internal trash-hauling system—less than a decade ago. The system’s pace increases by over 60 percent during sleep, a possible link to why getting more sleep is linked with a reduced dementia risk. Alzheimer’s prevention experts recommend eight to nine hours a night.

By Paula Spencer Scott, for Nextavenue

https://www.nextavenue.org/you-affect-brain-health/

The Benefits of a Therapy Pet for Seniors

Posted on by AmberJohn13

For many older adults, mobility limitations, health issues and low energy can keep them from the social engagement they once enjoyed. Especially in seniors who live alone, social isolation can lead to loneliness, depression and poor physical health. Pet therapy has been shown to benefit seniors by improving depression and anxiety symptoms, increasing self-care, and even improving heart-health. It turns out giving and receiving unconditional love is literally good for your heart.

Proven Benefits of Pet Companionship

The Pets for the Elderly Foundation, a nationwide charity committed to connecting seniors with therapy animals, has collected research on pet therapy for seniors. These studies discuss the physiological and psychological impact of animals on seniors’ quality of life. Here are their findings:

Physical Benefits

Heart Health—Frequent interaction with a pet can lower blood pressure and cholesterol, decreasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Improved Activity—Walking, grooming or playing with a pet increases the frequency of physical activity and exercise, which in turn has countless health benefits.

Healthy Behavior—Those who own a pet tend to take better care of themselves. Caring for a pet helps to develop a routine, encouraging owners to eat regularly or complete chores and other tasks.

Social & Emotional Benefits

Increased Interaction—Walking a dog gets senior owners out of the house and increases their opportunities to socialize with neighbors.

Decreased Loneliness—Pets provide companionship, giving isolated seniors a source for affection, conversation and activity.

Stress Relief—Being with a pet increases levels of serotonin, the “feel good” hormone that relieves stress. It also provides physical contact, which helps to calm anxiety.

Better Self-Esteem —For seniors discouraged by their age, appearance or limited abilities, pets are welcome company, reminding seniors that they are still capable of being loved and needed.

Sense of Purpose—The company of an animal provides a reason to get up in the morning. Pets combat depression symptoms by eliminating feelings of worthlessness or helplessness. Knowing that they are loved and needed enhances seniors’ mental health.

Things to Consider Before Getting a Pet

If you think your loved one would benefit from owning a pet, ask yourself these questions to help you make a wise decision:

What is the best choice for a pet? If your loved one has trouble walking or is more limited in their ability to provide constant attention to a pet, a cat might be a better choice than a dog.

Is my loved one an experienced pet owner? Taking on the responsibilities of owning a pet could be overwhelming for a senior who has never had one before.

Are finances an issue? Consider your loved one’s financial situation. Animal care can be expensive, and if your loved one is on a fixed income, owning a pet could cause financial burdens. Assess the costs before you commit.

Choose the right pet. Do your research to find a pet whose age, size, personality and energy level fit well with your loved one’s.

Could I adopt an animal in need? Older animals in shelters have a lower adoption rate than puppies or kittens and have a greater risk of being euthanized. Adopting an adult, healthy pet for your loved one can eliminates the stress of training, match your loved one’s energy level and save the life of a loving animal.

By Caren Parnes, for The Senior’s Choice

Lowering Your Tax Burden on Retirement Savings

Posted on by AmberJohn13

You worked hard to put money away for retirement, so it is important that you understand the various strategies available to you to make sure you maximize that savings by minimizing taxes and avoiding penalties. Here are several tips to maximize your retirement savings:

Avoid early withdrawal penalties. Over and above the income tax due on your withdrawals, you must wait until age 59 ½ before tapping your retirement savings to avoid the 10% early withdrawal penalty. However, you can take penalty-free 401(k) withdrawals beginning at age 55 if you leave the job associated with that 401(k) account at age 55 or later.

Roll over your 401(k) when changing jobs. If you withdraw money from your 401(k) when you change jobs, 20 percent will be withheld for income tax, as well as paying a penalty for early withdrawals. The mechanism to avoid these costs is to roll over your 401(k) into either a new 401(k) or an IRA.

Mixing your types of retirement accounts. If you qualify for a Roth IRA, these accounts have a variety of benefits a traditional IRA does not, including more flexibility on penalty-free withdrawals and no required minimum distributions. However the biggest difference between the two types of accounts is how they are taxed. IRAs are tax-deferred, so they provide you with an immediate tax benefit, but you must pay taxes when you withdraw the money during retirement. Roth IRA accounts require paying taxes when you deposit the savings, but that means you don’t pay taxes on them during retirement. Diversifying your money in a traditional IRA as well as a Roth IRA will allow you to moderate your tax burden during retirement. Also, if you expect to be in a higher tax bracket during retirement, maximizing your retirement funds in a Roth account will allow you to lock in today’s low tax rate.

Understanding minimum distribution. You are required to withdraw money from your traditional 401(k) and IRA after age 70 1/2. If you miss a required withdrawal, you must pay a 50 percent penalty on the amount that should have been withdrawn. Make sure you mark your calendar for that cutoff date and make arrangements with your financial institution to remind you automatically about your required distribution.

Understanding the rules on your first distribution. Your first required minimum distribution is due by April 1 of the year after you turn 70 ½. All subsequent distributions must be taken by Dec. 31 each year. If you delay your first distribution until the same tax year as your second distribution, you will be required to take both distributions in the same tax year, which could result in an unusually high tax bill.

Start withdrawals in your 60s. While you must begin traditional retirement account withdrawals at age 70 ½, you can lower your tax burden by take smaller distributions starting at age 59 ½, which can spread the tax bill over more years, potentially allowing you to stay in a lower tax bracket and reducing your lifetime tax bill. Check with your financial advisor to find out if this option would make sense for you.

Calculate your tax burden with added Social Security or Pension Benefits. If you’re going to be receiving Social Security benefits or regular payouts from a pension, it’s important to incorporate them when planning your withdrawal strategy. Even if you’re receiving a relatively small amount each month from these sources, the extra income may increase your tax burden.

Keep tax-preferred investments outside retirement accounts. Investments that generate long-term capital gains receive preferential tax treatment when held outside of a retirement account. However, if you put them in a retirement account, you will pay your typically higher regular income tax rate when you withdraw the money from the account. In contrast, you can lower your tax bill by holding more highly taxed investments, including Treasury inflation-protected securities, corporate and government bonds and funds that generate short-term capital gains, inside retirement accounts.

By Caren Parnes, for the Senior’s Choice

Our Caregiver of the Season Winner is Tayler Butler!

Posted on by AmberJohn13

We wish to congratulate our Caregiver of the Season, Tayler Bulter!

Tayler has been a caregiver with HomeLife Senior Care since October of 2018, and she excelled right from the start! Tayler’s empathetic and caring heart shows through the dedication and compassion she gives to her clients.  She fully commits herself to her clients by adjusting her schedule to suit their needs.  Tayler now works with a regular client and goes into their home mornings and evenings.  She consistently has a smile on her face, even during tough situations. She is dependable, which is admired by our staff and clients.

I personally had the opportunity to oversee Tayler with her regular client.  Right away, it was clear to me she was a natural!  She was calm, gentle, and had a peaceful way of helping her client.  Her client referred to her as an “angel.”

Our staff knows they can rely on Tayler and thoroughly enjoy working with her.  Her communication skills are exceptional, which is admirable.  Above all, Tayler demonstrates a strong work ethic. We know Tayler will continue to excel as a caregiver because she puts her whole heart into it!

Thank you, Tayler, for all that you do!  It is greatly appreciated!

 — Kara Wasserman, Home Care Aide Director

Healthy Caregiving During the Holidays

Posted on by AmberJohn13

Many caregivers are perpetually tired from the demands that result from caring for their loved one. Just the thought of your normal routine plus decorating the house, attending special events, shop­ping for gifts, and preparing special food for the holidays can be overwhelming.

But what if you had more control over the events, expectations, and relationships that often make holiday times so stressful? This could make a huge difference in the way you and your loved one experience the season. It requires exercising some choices you may not be accustomed to. Here are some suggestions to help make this holiday season a joyous, healthful and manageable one for you and your loved one.

Set realistic expectations for yourself and your loved one

Take control of the holidays by deciding what you and your loved one want. How many events, if any, can you both attend or host without overdoing it? Who are the people you most want to be with? What contributions are you capable of making in terms of food, drink and gifts? These are basic questions that most caregivers don’t ask themselves. Instead of making decisions that are in their best interest, many wait for others to tell them where to go, what to bring, and so on. This year, give yourself permission to say ‘no’ to unwanted demands.

Let others know when you need help

Caregivers typically try to do everything themselves. But during the holidays there are often family and friends around who are eager to help. If you want help, such as time away for relaxation or an extra hand or two in the kitchen, don’t be afraid to ask. Not only does this help you, but it can be very stimulating and enjoyable for your loved one to have others to interact with and share in his or her care.

Express your emotions with family and friends

The holidays can trigger emotions ranging from joy to depression in caregivers. A strong sense of loss may work its way into your life during the holidays. It might involve coming to grips with the permanent loss of your loved one’s mental or physical abilities. Or perhaps you have a strong feeling that this may be your loved one’s last holiday. Maybe it is the loss of your own freedom with caregiver responsibilities that hits hardest during the holidays. Regardless, talk with others about how you feel. By expressing your feelings with others you can lighten your emotional burden.

Take time out for yourself

Everyone seems extra busy during the holidays but for caregivers this can literally mean no rest from morning to night. Start with the essentials: Get adequate sleep, eat well and take time on most days for some physical activity. If possible, get out of the house for brief periods to maintain perspective. Consider shopping online or by catalogue for many of your gifts this holiday season. Then use the extra time and energy you would have spent fighting traffic and standing in check-out lines on taking better care of yourself.

Practice rituals that you and your loved one find meaningful

Rituals are important ways to add meaning to your holidays. Yet it’s very easy for the busyness of the holidays to squeeze out any real meaning in the season. Practice rituals that you and your loved one find meaningful, even if no one else is there to share it. This might involve a favorite holiday meal, listening to a song together, visiting a place with special memories for you both, etc. It can also involve family and friends. And don’t be afraid to create new rituals as old ones may have painful memories attached to them.

Celebrate what you and your loved one have right now

Caregiving often involves the loss of things you want to hold onto, which can create a sense of helplessness and anxiety. When we experience these emotions, it signals that we are probably either mourning the past or worried about the future. But there is little we can do about either—we can only address what’s happening in the present moment. Celebrate what you and your loved one share right now, even though it’s not what you might ultimately prefer. Try to let go of what was or what could be and make the most of what you have.

It really boils down to making choices. You only have a limited amount of time, energy and resources available. The question is: How are you and your loved one going to spend these? With a little planning and clear communication with friends or family on your intentions, it’s possible to care for your loved one, take care of yourself, and still take joy in celebrating the holidays.

By Gary Gilles, LCPC

Contributor, mentalhealth.net

https://www.mentalhelp.net/blogs/healthy-caregiving-during-the-holidays/

15 Myths About the Flu Vaccine

Posted on by AmberJohn13

Flu season is here. And along with the coughing, fevers and aches, you can expect a lot of unreliable or downright wrong information about the flu vaccine. Many people underestimate the health risks from flu. Flu and pneumonia combined consistently rank among the top 10 causes of death in the U.S., according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Thousands of Americans die from flu-related complications in a typical year. The flu season typically lasts from October to April.

Getting a shot isn’t a perfect defense against flu. Some years the strains used to make vaccines aren’t a good match for the type of flu that eventually strikes. But vaccination remains the most reliable way to reduce the risk for illness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older gets vaccinated against flu every year, with rare exceptions, such as those with life-threatening allergies to flu vaccine ingredients or potentially those with a history of Guillain-Barré syndrome.

Following is a list of common misconceptions about the flu vaccine and the corresponding facts. If you have specific questions about vaccination, consult your doctor or other health professional.

Myth #1: You don’t need the flu vaccine this year if you got it last year. Fact: You need a new flu shot each year because the circulating strains change and immunity from the vaccine fades.

Myth #2: The flu shot is the only option available. Fact: You have several flu vaccine options, such as the shot, including egg-free versions, and a nasal spray.

Myth #3: The flu vaccine can give you the flu. Fact: The flu shot can’t give you the flu because the virus it contains has been inactivated or severely weakened.

Myth #4: The flu shot doesn’t work for me because last time I got it, I got the flu anyway. Fact: The flu shot cannot offer 100 percent protection against the flu, but it reduces your risk of getting it. Many people mistake symptoms from colds and other illnesses for the flu.

Myth #5: Pharmaceutical companies make a massive profit off flu vaccines. Fact: They’re a tiny source of profit and are made by only a handful of companies.

Myth #6: Flu vaccines don’t work for children. Fact: Flu vaccines effectively reduce the risk of flu for children ages 6 months and up.

Myth #7: Flu vaccines cause heart problems and strokes. Fact: Flu shots reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular events.

Myth #8: The flu vaccine weakens your body’s immune response. Fact: The flu vaccine prepares your immune system to fight influenza by stimulating antibody production.

Myth #9: The flu vaccine causes nerve disorders such as Guillain-Barré syndrome. Fact: Only the 1976 swine flu vaccine was linked to Guillain-Barré syndrome, and influenza is more likely to cause the nerve disorder than the flu vaccine; the CDC says those with the Guillain-Barré should consult a doctor before getting the flu shot.

Myth #10: People don’t die from the flu unless they have another underlying condition already. Fact: Otherwise healthy people do die from the flu. The elderly and young children are most vulnerable.

Myth #11: People with egg allergies can’t get vaccinated against flu.

Fact: People with egg allergies can get a flu shot but should consult their doctor or allergist on options if their allergy is severe.

Myth #12: I can protect myself from the flu by eating right and washing my hands regularly. Fact: A good diet and good hygiene are healthful habits that reduce the risk of illness but cannot prevent the flu on their own.

Myth #13: If I do get the flu, I’ll just stay home so I’m not infecting others. Fact: You can transmit the flu without showing symptoms.

Myth #14: The “stomach flu” is the flu. Fact: The stomach flu refers to a variety of gastrointestinal illnesses unrelated to influenza.

Myth #15: If you haven’t gotten a flu shot by November, there’s no point in getting one. Fact: Getting the flu shot any time during flu season will reduce your risk of getting the flu.

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2014/10/10/354627818/32-myths-about-the-flu-vaccine-you-dont-need-to-fear