Assisted Living

Falls are the leading cause of injuries in people 65 years and older. Most fractures are caused by falls in the elderly including 95% of hip fractures. As we age our muscles and bones lose their strength. Eye problems such as sensitivity to light, glare and decreased depth perception can cause more frequent falling. Certain medications, balance and reflex issues and numbness in one or both legs contribute to the statistics of one in three older Americans falling every year.

One of the main benefits of residing in an assisted living facility is when a medical emergency takes place. No one wants to think of this possibility, not the senior nor his family. Medical emergencies tend to occur at the least opportune times. As long as the senior is living at home independently either by themselves or with their spouse, the family is at the mercy of the senior’s judgment. Falling is unfortunately too common with senior citizens who often have problems with balance and or walking. 

Yes, falls are common in assisted living centers but that is not a testament to the lack of supervision rather the opposite. Usually a resident in an assisted living facility will generally have more health problems than seniors who are still living at home. They tend to have more constraints with walking and also may have memory problems. It is of utmost importance for the family of a new resident to inform the facility if their loved one has fallen at home. If they have fallen once chances are in all probability it will happen again.

Let’s go through two different circumstances, one where the senior citizen is living independently at home and the other scenario is if he or she resides in a respected assisted living facility. What often happens with either situation is that the injured party is reluctant to have an ambulance called. 

Let’s theorize that an elderly man in his nineties falls in his home in the middle of the night or even at 10:30 PM. Thankfully he has not blacked out but has fallen hard on his face. His nose is all bloody and it takes his wife some time to get the bleeding under control.  At the time of the accident the senior couple must make a quick judgment call. To call or not to call an ambulance, that is the question. This couple was just getting ready to go to bed and the husband fell out of the stair lift chair trying to remove his sweater before buckling himself. When asked by his devoted wife if she should call emergency services he adamantly refused. What should be done at such a time? The wife knows deep down that the right thing to do would be to call an ambulance. On the other hand, she trusts her husband since he is of sound mind and she does not want  to upset him.

True to Life Story

This is exactly what happened in real life to my father last week. I was out of town and could not be called but even if I was around there is no guarantee that I would have been called since my father knows we would surely take him to the hospital via ambulance. Now who could blame a man way into his nineties for hesitating to spend the night in the hospital instead of his own bed? It means a whole night of sleep down the drain with feeling ragged and tired the next day.

Plus there is always a chance that he could be admitted to the hospital and not knowing the visitation rules these days because of COVID-19, he could be stuck all alone. Being up to date on the latest news stories and hearing personal horror stories from friends and relatives who could blame my father for wanting to stay away from that dreaded place called the hospital?

How would this storyline play out for a resident of an assisted living center?

Once a senior agrees to live in an assisted living center or is sent there by their family to protect his or her own safety, he or she will begin to feel more confident about calling for help. Whether it is with the emergency buttons present in the room and bathroom or any other way that each facility protects its residents, the stigma of calling an ambulance tends to lessen. Hearing and seeing an ambulance approach the facility occasionally usually will mitigate the fear of ambulances and emergency rooms. For instance, if an acquaintance of the senior in the facility falls and is taken to the emergency room and comes back in a relatively short time, this will give a newer resident the assurance that the injured party did the responsible thing by pressing the emergency button. It does not have to be that serious of a fall to press an emergency button. Sometimes the resident is not necessarily injured but is having trouble getting up off the floor. This is reason enough to call for help. The trained staff of any quality assisted care facility will be both gentle and strong in picking up the resident from the fall and reassuring him or her that they will be fine. They will then be checked up on more often until they fully recuperate. No one would want their loved one to curtail as much physical activity that they can handle because of fear of falling. Discussions among the residents about their falls can lead to a bonding that increases trust both in their fellow residents and staff. Therefore, there is less of a chance of a resident succumbing to serious injury and dying. They will learn that it pays to be cautious and not throw caution to the wind.

What happens if the senior does not go to the emergency room right after falling?

Continuing with our real life story, upon our return home from our trip we went to visit my father and were upset to see that his face was black and blue in several areas. He also seemed a bit lethargic at times even though he was alert. We did not know what to do since it was already over a week since the injury occurred yet who knows what could be going on inside his head? He did visit an ear nose and throat doctor the next day to check on the nose bleed. This doctor did not alarm them but did mention that although unlikely, there could be bleeding on the brain. In fact a relative of his recently fell and they did not detect the bleeding on the brain until two weeks later and that was too late to release him from the coma he is presently in. For some unknown reason the doctor my father visited did not give him a prescription for a CT scan so no further testing was done at that time.

My husband and I decided that it was wise to take my father for a CT scan of the brain. This is not as easy as it sounds as we soon found out. Since he did not get a prescription from the doctor who saw him, his regular doctor would not agree to write one.  We finally did get a doctor to write the prescription , however, the CT facility had to wait for approval or denial from his insurance company. Even though we offered to pay out of pocket, the radiology facility notified us that until there is a denial or acceptance from the insurance company nothing further could be done. Thankfully we were informed that same day of the insurance company’s approval and were able to take my father to the radiology facility to get the CAT scan eliminating the need for that dreaded wait in the emergency room.

Final Words

All are in agreement about the hassle, and difficulty of the waiting that going to the emergency room entails. With head and fall injuries it’s imperative to get the senior emergency care as quickly as possible. If the fall happens during the day, you might be lucky and be able to take your elderly parent to his own physician. However, in all likelihood the doctor will end up sending the injured party for testing outside the doctor’s office. This will entail two trips for the elderly person to endure which is no easy feat. That’s why it is worthwhile to go to your local emergency room immediately where the patient will get examined and tested in one location.

If the senior is repeatedly falling and injuring themselves it is time to get outside help in the home. There are some incentives through different medical programs to reduce the cost of part time or full time help for those in need. Ultimately for the safety and well being of a senior citizen it is prudent to move them into an assisted living facility. There the senior will have twenty-four hour on call help if they require it. Hopefully they will not need frequent trips to the emergency room but if necessary the help is readily available.

In the post coronavirus economic era senior citizens are seeking any avenue to support themselves and keep their home. Having a home brings the eldery a sense of independence and comfort that they don’t want to give up. However, with inflation on the rise it’s becoming harder and more difficult for some seniors to keep their homes. An older individual that won’t sell their home can support themselves through a reverse mortgage. This means that the bank slowly takes the principal ownership back of the home as monthly payouts are given to the home’s owner. Many elderly people who live by themselves will apply for a reverse mortgage loan without the knowledge of friends and family. Before they know it the house is in control of the bank with no option of return.

As people advance into their golden years it’s true that they would like to keep their home and remain independent but at the same time it can be quite a burden. The onus of basic house cleaning, meals, laundry, and anything else that comes with upkeeping a home falls upon them, and it’s no easy feat. Often families will try to pitch in by having a cleaning girl or aide to assist with daily chores but with the current spread of the flu no one is certain that the help will show up.

That’s why many seniors are choosing to sell their homes and move into an independent or assisted living center depending on their daily and health needs. Residents of independent living centers can lead a normal life in a beautiful apartment with all of their daily needs taken care of. Assisted living centers are there to provide assistance for those with disabilities who can no longer care for themselves. It is often the right choice for families that simply cannot provide the care needed for an older parent who requires various levels of personal and medical care. Both options often result in the resident selling their home and providing them with a worry free lifestyle and an elder community that they can be a part of. The money made from selling the house can be placed into a bank account that will earn them interest and is there to use if necessary.

What If Seniors Can’t Afford Moving Into Assisted Living Center?

Not always is it the case that eligible residents for assisted living centers are able to sell their homes to finance the monthly fee. Usually they need to rely on Medicare to pay for assisted living and are limited when choosing a facility. More often than not It’s the private pay assisted living centers that offer the nicest location and best care. 

According to Genworth Financial, the average median cost for an assisted living center in the State of Maryland is $5,000 a month. As per covering the expense for a private pay facility there are options for local Marylanders to gain financial assistance. Residents who are eligible for financial assistance include veterans, those who are eligible through the Maryland Home and Community Based Options Waiver, and seniors with long-term care insurance. In order to understand how each of these individuals can potentially finance a private pay assisted living facility we will explain each option below.

Military Assistance For Assisted Living: The United States Government has many programs to financially assist military veterans and their families. One of those programs that can assist war veterans with paying for assisted living care is called the VA Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits. It provides financial assistance for veterans and their survivors that can subsidize the monthly cost of a private pay assisted living facility, giving them access to the comfort and care they need. 

In order to be eligible for the benefit program, you or your spouse had to have active service of at least 90 days in the United States military, and/or, require assistance to perform daily activities, spend a large portion of the day in bed because of illness, or have limited eyesight. In addition, veterans that are nursing home bound with a physical or mental disability are also eligible for financial assistance through the VA Aid and Attendance or Housebound benefits program. Another important thing to keep in mind is that eligible benefactors need to be 65 years or older, or be totally disabled. One caveat for spouse eligibility is that they have to have been married to their spouse during the 90 days of active service. Keep in mind that the program is intended to subsidize the cost and make the option of becoming a resident of a private pay assisted living facility more affordable.

Maryland Medicaid Waiver For Older Adults: This program is now referred to as Home and Community Based Options Waiver and is run by the State of Maryland. The general idea of the program is to provide services and assistance to older adults, allowing them to live in the comfort of their own home. At the same time, if the individual is no longer capable of living at home, the program also includes financial assistance for assisted living and medical day care. 

Part of being eligible for the program requires a review of your assets by The State of Maryland. Not everyone is comfortable having all their assets reviewed by the state and will choose to opt out of the program. Other eligibility requirements include for the individual to require nursing care, and monthly income may not exceed 300% of Supplemental Security Income (SSI). In addition, any assets of a spouse are reviewed to determine the individual eligibility of the one who is applying for the waiver. For more information on this program feel free to reach out to Maryland Access Point (MAP) or call them directly at 410-887-2594. 

Long Term Care Insurance: Just like any other insurance policy, long term care insurance is a policy that is limited to a number of years and is paid annually. According to SmartAsset, it makes most sense to take out a long term care insurance plan between the ages of 55 and 62 to keep monthly premiums within a reasonable cost. As the individual gets older and becomes more likely to need long term care, premiums will begin to increase significantly.

If the individual requires long term care such as a private pay assisted living facility, insurance benefits will typically pay for 3 to 5 years of care. Before purchasing any long term insurance package, review it with a financial advisor to see if it makes sense for you. Keep in mind, as with any insurance policy you don’t want the annual premiums to exceed the actual cost of 3 to 5 years at a local assisted living facility. Though senior care is expensive it needs to be thought out in regards to whether or not to purchase a long term care insurance plan.

Final Words

There are advantages of choosing a private pay assisted living facility for your loved one that they may not get in a Medicaid paid facility. Some of those perks include personal care in a service-rich, safe, and homelike environment. The ultimate goal is for the resident to be happy and independent while having access to all the services they need. At the same time they will have access to a supporting staff that is available to them in greater numbers, giving them the proper attention they need. It’s also important that the residents have daily activities to look forward to. There is a full week of activities that keep the residents’ minds sharp by interacting with fun tasks and cognitive therapies. The social aspect is most important as they see other people and get to speak to one another.

In regard to going with a private pay assisted living facility there are options for veterans and their spouses to subsidize the monthly cost of living there. One can reach out to their local VA office and someone will help navigate you through the process. For those living in Maryland there is the Maryland Medicaid Waiver For Older Adults that can potentially pay for your stay at a local assisted living facility. Just keep in mind that there will be a thorough review of your financial assets to determine your eligibility. As for long term care insurance, you need to speak to your insurance company and see how many years of care they would cover at a private pay facility. Keep in mind that generally they will cover around three to five years but each insurance plan can vary. 

No one wants to come on to outside care and seniors should keep their independence for as long as possible. But if there comes a time that they should require round the clock assistance in their daily lives there are options on the table to subsidize the cost of the choicest facility. Family members should do their homework and lay out all the options on the table, along with monthly costs so their loved ones can make a level headed decision on where they would like to live.

Sometimes I long for the good old days when the only time you could talk on the phone was when you were at home or by putting a coin in a telephone booth. There was no such thing as an answering machine and if someone was not home you just waited till later to call them back. There are endless technological inventions, and the new ones are never ending but how can seniors deal with the stress and fear of these creations?

Hal Blackstein is a retired accountant in his seventies. He prides himself on trying to keep up with the latest technology, be it the most up to date smart phone with WhatsApp to the latest in-house technological advances. However, unfortunately Hal is not always a happy camper. His age shows when his electronic toys take a turn for the worse. This makes him very nervous and weighs down his patience. On the one hand, he enjoys his innovative toys but becomes quite agitated when they fail him.

On the other hand, young people seem to understand that yes, the internet can go down and that’s part of the fun of technology, trying to figure out how to get it working again or even better knowing exactly what’s wrong 99 percent of the time and fixing it fairly easily on your own. Ask any toddler and they would probably know a lot already about iPhones and such digital entities. Enlightened seniors may have learned how to use their high-tech machinery but not necessarily how to adjust it if something goes wrong. I remember an old story of someone who called in the computer geek to fix their computer only to find out embarrassingly that the plug was pulled unknowingly. Let’s look at some of the marvelous scientific everyday advances from the eyes of a senior citizen such as Hal.

Car Transmission Gears

Let’s begin with something Hal cannot absolutely live without. His means of transportation, his Honda Accord 2020. Hal researched the car thoroughly by watching various YouTube clippings and reviews. His Honda rides amazingly going up to 80 mph effortlessly. The ride is smooth and sporty. No complaints there. The gear buttons on the right side of the driver’s seat are Hal’s only questionable devices on his Honda. Sometimes Hal will forget the order of the buttons and press the reverse when he wants to press drive and he has had this vehicle for over a year. Thank goodness, he is careful enough to keep his foot on the break until he figures it out.

The Phones

Asking my young married nieces and nephews if they have a landline gets a good laugh from them. Most of them only have their cell phones as their main line. Why pay extra for a landline when it is not necessary? Hal rarely answers the house phone since it is generally not for him; he gets his calls on his cell but gets impatient when a phone extension is missing from its cradle. As an experienced accountant, he craves law and order in his home. As far as Hal’s smart phone, he seems to have it down pat, he always gets the same and latest Samsung android which he knows thoroughly, and the only glitch is if the internet in the house goes down.

The Internet

How is a senior citizen supposed to stay sane when the electric upkeep of the house is all dependent on an outside force called the internet? Here are some illustrations of the equipment in Hal’s home that are totally dependent on the internet functioning.

Sensi Thermostat: It may be a hard story to believe but read on anyway. As the fall weather began cooling down Hal finally decided to shut off his central air and turn on the heat. Both his heating and cooling systems are connected to the same thermostat. He was happy to see that when he turned on the heat it was working properly and there was no need to call his local gas company, Home Serve. That is until his wife mentioned an interesting phenomenon that was happening in the living room where they were relaxing. “Hal”, she motioned. “Do you feel the air conditioning coming from the vent?” “That’s impossible,” claimed Hal. “The heat and the air conditioner cannot work at the same time”.

As they strolled around the house checking the central air vents, they became convinced that yes, the heating and air conditioning were working simultaneously! Even after the repairman so called fixed the system, after he left the vents were still shooting out cold air. It took another visit from the owner to finally figure out that the wires somehow got crossed.

Automatic Doorbell: Hal was really excited to have his new doorbell installed and connected to his internet. Now, when he is away from home, he can answer the doorbell and see who is there. “What fun”, he envisioned. Yes, it is truly amazing (when it works). Often, he can only see who is there minutes later after the person has left, there seems to be a delay in the transmission. Another frustrating appliance for Hal to contend with.

I Robot Vacuum Cleaner: Hal spent a whole morning which consisted of hours of frustrating calls to the help center for his new robotic vacuum to get connected to his smartphone. After two hours of unsuccessful connection to his phone he ultimately was able to connect the vacuum to his iPad, not exactly what he had in mind. Hal really wanted to be able to turn on the vacuum when he was away from home. Now, in order to do that he would have to lug his iPad with him, not exactly what he had in mind.

I think you get the idea of what being connected to the internet entails for a senior citizen. Young people probably would laugh their heads off at how archaic Hal is compared to the millennial generation. Many people connect to their entire home remotely whether in the house or away from the house from Wi-Fi stoves (which he does have), lights, heating, and any electrical devices.

Younger engineers and technicians should hesitate before installing Wi-Fi devices in a senior’s place of residence. It is true that in theory it would be so helpful for seniors to have their home apparatuses connected to Wi-Fi. For example, you wake up in the middle of the night remembering that you neglected to turn off your oven before leaving your kitchen. No need to descend your stairs and go into your dark kitchen to turn off the oven, just grab your smartphone, turn off the oven and you’re ready to roll into your soft blanket. Or if your cozy quilt is keeping you so warm that you want to lower the thermostat. Seize your smart device and open your sensi app and presto your heat is lowered.

There are some senior citizens who do adapt nicely to their smartphones and learn how to use the apps as well. Each elder is unique with their own talents and shortcomings. It is up to the family to determine how sophisticated their home can be transformed and whether it pays to install all those up-to-date accessories. No one would want to be an accessory to a senior’s mishap. For example, instead of shutting off the oven, a senior can mistakenly make it higher, or instead of lowering the thermostat they raise it. There are many complications that we all have experienced in relation to smart products. They are only as intelligent as their owners because no matter how much technology is taking over our lives, we still need the brains behind the equipment.

Final Words

The age of technology is a powerful one. Most people would not want to go back to a world pre-Wi-Fi and internet. In a moment a document can be sent across the globe and a business deal closed within minutes. Bank transfers help save time and money by getting the funds where they are needed asap.

Seniors, however, are having trouble catching on to this computerization. Even those who love the idea of these high-tech gadgets still may panic when they disappoint them, unlike their younger counterparts whose expertise in cyberspace knows few bounds. It would be prudent to have the senior’s devices hooked up to a neighbor or relative’s smartphone in addition to their own to prepare for an eventual breakdown of one of the systems. One phone call to a relative or neighbor can solve a problem for the senior in minutes instead of the senior struggling to get it right. It also pays to build- up a trusting relationship with the senior before there is trouble. This way, he or she will not feel embarrassed to call on a younger family member to resolve a pressing issue.

We have only given a few examples of the different technological advances in home functions. As of this writing there are always new, exciting, and innovative developments coming each day for us to learn about. Let’s try to include our senior citizens as much as possible in these educational experiences.

The Baby Boomer generation has officially become today’s seniors. We thought it would never happen. As the post-World War II generation, we thought we would stay young forever. The truth is seniors have never been more active than today. Many seniors are still working, traveling, and driving.

Where in the past, their children would threaten or actually take away the car keys fearing the safety of their aging parents and the people on the road, many seniors are still driving into their eighties and even nineties.

Advantages of Senior Drivers

Let’s compare senior drivers to young drivers of today. A current study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has researched that drivers seventy and older were less likely to be involved in a fatal car accident than their counterparts ages thirty-five to fifty-four. Their grandchildren and kids their age have a whole new way of driving. Although texting is illegal in most states, it is unfortunately not that unusual to hear of an accident that resulted because of texting or using a cell phone. Even speaking on the cell phone while driving can reduce the driver’s concentration on the road. The younger generation suffers from FOMO and does not want to miss any WhatsApp, text, or even old-fashioned email. I don’t know for sure but would not be surprised if they were even watching a movie while driving (of course only at red lights).

Older drivers have years of driving experience under their belts and compared to the younger drivers are less probable to speed, drink and drive and usually will try not to drive in inclement weather. There are many safety improvements on the roads such as traffic patterns, roundabouts (have led to the reduction of overall car accidents by 37%, injuries by 75% and fatalities by a whopping 90%) and clearer signs such blinking stop signs and turning signals.

Self Driving Cars

Seniors such as Clara, dream of the day when she will not have to call upon her children or a taxi to take her to her next doctor’s appointment. Although she is in relatively good health, arthritis and glare sensitivity have caused her to stop driving. The great hype of the Google car, several years ago has given Clara new hope that someday hopefully in the near future she will be able to “drive” again. Signaling her Google vehicle with her I phone to her door, popping in and telling it where to go would be a dream come true for someone who values their independence above all. This innovative vehicle seemed to hold such promise for seniors like Clara. But then the statistics came in and the story of how a Uber Self Driving Car killed an innocent bystander. Since this type of vehicle is still only a computer, it makes judgements according to its computer software. For example, let’s imagine that the car is coasting and discovers that there are pedestrians on either side of the road with not enough space between them to avoid hitting them. For some strange reason, the car “thinks” it has enough room to maneuver but “realizes” too late that it does not. It will then pick the group of people that has less people to hurt, but someone will inevitably get hit. So unfortunately, Clara will have to wait and still call on others to drive her to her destinations. There are fortunately many other models that do a lot of the driving, but the driver must still be in the driver’s seat so far.

City Transformers

In 1984, the same year of George Orwell’s famous prophetic book, a new toy was introduced by Hasbro called the Transformer. These amazing toys could transform from vehicles to people and vice versa. This new concept branched out into many variations of transforming toys. The City Transformer car brought back memories of these wonderful innovative toys.

Introduced by the pioneering country of Israel, these new cars are being purchased by a lifesaving organization, called United Hatzalah which has introduced the concept of ambulance motorcycles to wiz through traffic saving many lives. How will this new City Transformer help them save lives? This electric car can shrink in size and not only fit into otherwise too small parking spaces but has a patent-registered mechanism that can shrink the wheelbase down to just thirty-nine inches allowing it to maneuver through traffic. The cabin of this car stays the same and only the wheelbase gets narrow.

Eventually when these electric cars will be sold to the general public, they will be a boost for seniors as well. Since reaction time and flexibility are sometimes decreased in seniors, the fact that they can stay farther away from other vehicles on the road will lessen their chance of nicking another car. Seniors don’t need large vehicles and there is room in the rear for their groceries or other paraphernalia. In some models two people can sit one behind the other so even a couple can buy such a car. The fact that it is electric is a great bonus since the senior will avoid having to go to the gas station for gas. Most seniors do not take longer trips so there will be plenty of electric charge for them as well.

Senior Drivers and Assisted Living Facilities

Many seniors are realizing that they can get the best of both worlds by moving to independent living or assisted living facilities. Today, many of these residences resemble the best of five-star hotels. Some are brand new or kept up in the latest fashions and have so many things to do on the grounds. The food is delicious and can also be accommodated to individual needs. However, a senior in good health and mobility will still want to have their car on premises so they can travel whenever they wish. Many days will find them right on the premises but psychologically they do not yet want to part with their trusty car.

When looking for a senior living facility, such an individual should check out beforehand the allowance and convenience in owning a vehicle. The majority of residential care facilities do provide parking for the residents however, there might very well be an additional charge for renting or buying a parking spot. If driving their own car is a priority, then the senior in question should make sure to look for a facility that allows them to bring a vehicle and provide a parking spot as well. Some facilities have ample underground parking which is accessed with an elevator or staircase. If the senior would like to park their car nearer to their home or room that is something that must be discussed prior to signing any contract. It’s possible that a facility that is being considered might require having driving skills reassessed prior to allowing the senior to bring their car.

How Can Senior Drivers Stay Safe?

Brenda Vrkljan, a rehab specialist in Hamilton, Ontario has helped to establish, Candrive a program that assesses the driving skills of older drivers. This program puts video cameras in older drivers’ vehicles to record any unsafe mishaps such as not stopping properly and timely, failing to look into the rearview mirror before changing lanes and destructive activities such as trying to reach for a coffee cup. Later, the driver is asked to view his video to see for themselves just what his or her shortcomings are. “Since driving involves complex maneuvers, most people outlive their driving ability”, says Vrkljan. Ontario drivers over eighty must have their licenses renewed every two years, take a vision test and some other assessments. Cities such as New York, on the other hand do not have any stringent rules for senior drivers only a vision test every eight years to renew their license.

Final Thoughts

There are many senior drivers who are careful and cognizant of the road. Unlike their younger equivalents they usually do not use their smartphones while driving. Most keep their cars in good shape and check their tires regularly. Some seniors are able to drive well into their eighties and even their nineties depending on if they are in shape physically and mentally including no visual or dexterity issues. Many are relieved to see new types of vehicles on the horizon such as the Google car, City Transformer, and electric self-driving vehicles. Whether the senior is living at home or in an independent or assisted living facility they will value the independence that their own car gives them. We must, however, make sure that they are still capable of responsible driving. According to Dr. Louise Aronson, comments such as, “I only drive short distances”, “I only go to the grocery store”, “I stay off any highways and don’t drive at night”, can be red flags hinting that it is time to stop driving altogether. Dr. Aaronson is of the philosophy, “Use it or lose it”. If seniors are driving less and less, they will lose their driving skills. Each person needs to be assessed individually to keep them safe on the road while keeping their independence at least as much as possible.

Memory Loss – Dementia – Alzheimer’s Disease

No one wants to be welcomed to the tragic world of senior memory and brain function decline. Especially if it is happening to your very own parent who raised you and made you who you are today. Sometimes it’s gradual and sometimes it comes all of a sudden, maybe the results of a physical injury or post-surgical complication. Whichever way it happens, it’s always shocking for a child to watch his or her active and intelligent parent slowly disappear. It’s almost like death because the mind has died to a certain extent.

My first encounter with someone who just sat in his chair all day staring out the window was actually a movie entitled, Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates. Ten years before this story begins, the father of the two poor children, Rafi, was hurt in an accident and has never been the same. He looked much older than he was (after all he was still the father of Gretel aged 12 and Hans, aged 15). If Rafi would recover, he would be able to reveal the secret of a large sum of money that he buried before his accident. Through divine intervention, Hans meets the renowned surgeon, Dr. Boekman who agrees to perform a risky operation to relieve the pressure on the father’s brain. The results are miraculous with a wonderful, happy ending to the story.

I could never get that father out of my mind. His eyes still haunt me to this very day. Haunting eyes are the way some patients with brain function decline are described. Yes, sometimes there is a light in their eyes when they seem to recognize someone or when listening to a familiar melody from the past. But it’s generally just a flicker of recognition that soon passes until the next time that same person enters the room and is not recognized by their parents.

It’s sometimes confusing to understand the differences between Dementia and Alzheimer’s and no matter how many times it’s explained they seem to be used simultaneously to explain memory loss.

Alzheimer’s

According to google, Alzheimer’s is defined as a progressive disease that destroys memory and curtails vital mental functions. As brain cell connections to the cells and the cells themselves die, memory and mental facilities are destroyed. The main symptoms are memory loss and confusion.

Dementia

Dementia is defined as the condition resulting from Alzheimer’s or any other brain injury.

What is the Difference Between Alzheimer’s and Dementia?

Alzheimer’s is the disease and dementia is the symptom. If the decline in mental ability is severe enough from Alzheimer’s to interfere with daily life then it is labeled dementia. So, Alzheimer’s is the specific disease which destroys the brain cells, not dementia.

Examples of Alzheimer Patients (names have been changed)

1) Charles Lehman was a tall, good looking successful businessman and philanthropist. He was the last person his friends would have labeled for memory loss disease. He was always in a good mood cheering on his friends if they were depressed or going through hard times. His wife was just as beautiful and talented as he was, and they were considered the ideal couple.

For the last five years of his life, Charley was in a memory care facility sleeping, sitting, and eating. His children were satisfied with his care, and he also had private aide in addition to the institutional staff. However, his children felt that the tranquilizers that he was being given were making him sleep an awful lot. But what was the staff to do when he became too aggressive? When he died, it was sad to remember his vibrant life before this dreaded disease wasted him away physically, emotionally, and spiritually but it was a relief for his family to know he was a place where he would be again cognitive and more alive than he was when he was living.

2) Babs Burns was the quintessential grandma. Her home was an example for her children and grandchildren to follow and learn from. Her kitchen was so immaculate that even when she baked and cooked, it was cleared of any clutter and utensils washed immediately. Her cakes and cookies were legendary, with her precise way of cutting and decorating them, each piece the identical size as the next.

According to her loved ones, Babs’ deterioration came quickly. Some of her friends did not catch on right away when they came to visit because her mind still understood that the best was not to talk at all. She realized at that point that she did not know if what came out of her mouth made sense to herself or to those around her. It must have taken immense self-control for such a gregarious and intelligent human being to keep silent. Her friends kept visiting and speaking among themselves and Babs appeared to be listening. Her close relatives don’t really know how much she understood and even when watching TV all she did was smile. She ultimately died of some kind of infection from a bedsore but to her family she had died long before that final day.

Ways of Addressing a Family Member’s Memory Loss

Whether you are the prime caregiver of your parents or there is a hired aide, it is very important to realize that the Alzheimer patient was an important person in the past. The patient could have been the CEO of a major corporation or a world-renowned performer or lawyer. One method of enriching a patient is called Person-centered care. The caregiver should be educated about the person’s life history and prior interests. Instead of the caregiver concerning themselves about the outcome of various activities such as crafts, cooking or painting, the caregiver should concentrate on how actively the patient is participating. Focus on the positive activities that the person is still capable of whether it is a simple walk down the block or playing a simple game of cards. Even if the patient does not get the point of the game as long as he or she is showing some interest even in the colors on the cards by pointing to them or even laughing you will know that these are signs of interest on the patient’s part. Refusing to join the game or activity, walking away, or falling asleep are signs that the person with dementia is not interested.

There are times when although the short-term memory has faded, long term memories can remain intact. A woman who was an expert cookie baker might have a spark of long-term memory when she is presented with a batch of cookie dough especially if it was the same recipe that she had used in the past.

Another memory arouser is nature and gardens. Many men and women enjoyed gardening in their earlier lives. Garuth Chalfont, a garden designer, has developed gardens specifically for memory care facilities. Vegetable plants and fruit trees line the path where the patients can pick the fruits and vegetables that they would like to eat. The garden paths are constructed wide enough for wheelchairs to easily be wheeled up and down. A patient who was a gardener in the past might even be able to pick up some tools to plant seeds or even just pick out weeds. Yes, the patient may remember how to differentiate between weeds and the actual plants.

What if your loved one was an avid music lover? Maybe he or she actually excelled playing a musical instrument. Music is a wonderful example of stirring up long term memory in certain patients. In fact, science has proven that the part of the brain that identifies music is often the last to go. Songs recalled from childhood or religious groups are wonderful memory tools for the Alzheimer patient. According to Oliver Sacks and Dan Cohen, music is the window to memory. Dr. Sacks noted a very interesting example of a nursing home resident in his nineties who was in an advanced state of Alzheimer’s. Amazingly in his mostly unresponsive state the patient was able to answer, Cab Calloway when asked who his favorite singer was. In fact, people who have even lost their ability to speak can still have their musical memory.

Final Words

It is devastating to watch the deterioration of the mind of a parent or loved one. Memory loss is a sad realization that your parents are not there for you anymore. You can no longer ask their advice or converse with them in an intelligent way. Now it’s only you who are giving. There are times when you hopefully see sparks of life in long ago activities that stimulate long term memory when short term memory fades to the point that your loved one does not recognize who you are. There are certain tasks and activities such as cooking, music and nature appreciation that may reawaken talents and hobbies way back there in the senior’s mind. Activities can be set up and altered according to each person’s specific past talents and personal narratives such as old songs that trigger unusual responses from the unresponsive. The rest of us lucky ones who still have our parents with sound minds even if their bodies have deteriorated should appreciate all the more that we still have someone we can talk to.

It’s been a few months already since my elderly grandfather has received the Pfizer vaccine and he is again rejoining us at family gatherings. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic he and his wife were locked down pretty much until they both received the Pfizer vaccine. It was kind of a difficult time for the family as we knew they could really use our assistance. But naturally like many other elderly couples they refused any contact as they were afraid of contracting the COVID-19 virus. It was not uncommon for my grandfather to fall and should have been seen by a doctor but he was afraid to go out and didn’t get checked out. Sometimes the family didn’t even know about whether or not he fell. It was a time where seniors were simply afraid to have contact with pretty much anyone even if it meant sacrificing medical attention. 

Looks like we are on the other side of that at least for the time being but it’s not clear how families should handle the elderly in a public setting. We can’t just tell them not to go out as it’s necessary for their social wellbeing to be around family. Young government officials around the world can easily enforce a lockdown but they are not in touch with the social implications it can have on people of all ages. The CDC has documented on their website that if you are fully vaccinated you can resume activities that you did prior to the pandemic. If that is the case for at least the time being then how can caregivers deny the elderly the right to attend family events?

Should The Elderly Who Are Vaccinated Wear a Mask or Not?

This question has nothing to do with your political affiliation or what your stance is on mask wearing. It’s about keeping your parents or grandparents safe and not getting your information from a news network that will not provide clarity on this topic. Best thing would be to reach out to their geriatric doctor and to follow their advice on mask wearing. It also depends on if you will have to fight with them to wear a mask. If they are adamant  against mask wearing it’s not worth the fight. Elderly who are independent will be a lot harder to convince and all you will get out of this fight is a lot of frustration. Neither you nor the one in your care will enjoy this family event if you hover over them like a hawk making sure that they’re wearing a mask. As a caregiver, when you decide to take them out it’s because you have assessed the situation and deemed it safe. At this point the mask is not going to make or break it because there is a good chance that a family member is going to come over and give them a hug or a kiss. 

So we are indeed taking out our elderly parents because they are vaccinated and protected against contracting the COVID-19 virus. True, there are those who were vaccinated and still contracted the coronavirus but at least most of them were not hospitalized and recovered in a reasonable period of time. Since that’s the case, it’s safe to assume that with the vaccine the caregiver has determined that a family event is safe for an elderly parent with or without a mask. Doing scare tactics about contracting the virus will only get them upset at you and be very unproductive in a public setting. Discuss with them what the CDC recommends for those who are vaccinated and let them decide on what they want to do in regards to wearing a mask. This way there are no surprises for them or their caregiver and they can enjoy seeing the family. It’s a momentous occasion for everyone and you want them to take in the positive atmosphere as it’s very good for their social and psychological health to see people that love them once again.

Make Sure Your Elderly Parent Is Well Rested Prior To The Event

Caregivers need to be aware that when an elderly parent goes out to an event it takes a lot of effort and strength on their part and they should be well rested. Keep in mind that they have not done this in a long time and it could be easy for them to tire rather quickly. That’s why it’s important for them to take the time to be fully rested prior to the event. Always inquire on how they are feeling and if they are ready to leave. You want to have multiple time options for them leaving the event. They might want to leave early and you might want to stay late. Prepare your options in advance and let them know the eligible times to travel home. If they do get another ride without you, be clear to the driver as to what they are capable of doing and what they are not. Let the driver know where they prefer sitting in front or the back. Do they need help getting out of the car and into their home? Is there room in the trunk for a walker or rollator? These are all things that should be communicated to the driver prior to being certified by you, the caregiver as a travel option for an elderly parent.  

What About Traveling Amid The New Delta Variant?

In an article published by the Washington Post, Amber D’Souza, professor of epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, seems to say that it’s still ok to consider taking those trips. However, after completing the read of the article one does not get a clear direction on whether or not they can travel abroad. Then the author directs you to the CDC website where they give you a heat map for travel recommendations based on COVID-19 risk assessment. But when you see that one of the only countries is China with a level 1 risk assessment (risk of getting COVID-19 is low) you kind of question the whole map in general. 

We all have lots of uncertainties about what we can do and what we can’t do. Besides the pandemic wreaking havoc on people and economies all around the world, people have a lack of clarity or direction when it comes to things like traveling abroad with really no solid answers. The question you have as a caregiver that needs to be answered is, will this trip be good for your loved one or not? Most people can answer that question because there is often a lot that goes into traveling by plane with the elderly and with risk of contracting the new delta variant plus wearing a mask while flying, you should be well equipped to answer that question at hand. 

So there is no one answer for all. Some elderly may find it difficult to fly while others may not. Perhaps it’s the caregiver who has the anxiety when flying with an elderly parent or maybe they just don’t like flying in general. These are all things to think about prior to deciding whether or not to book that vacation for a parent or loved one. No one can tell you what to do, you’re vaccinated and the risk of contracting any type of coronavirus is rather low. Weigh out the pros and the cons and make the decision yourself.

Final Thoughts  

Unfortunately, our society has gotten used to having things delivered to them on a silver platter. People expect to know what they will be getting into and to have clarity on the issue of traveling during a pandemic. Well, it’s clear that no one is giving a straightforward answer as even the biggest media outlets like the Washington Post are wishy washy. In all truth they would be silly to say a simple yes or no. Even the greatest doctors are perplexed by coronavirus and whom it chooses to harm the most. In the beginning we were told that it only affects people that are 60+ only to find out a few months later that men in their 30’s are at risk too. Then with the recent spread of the delta variant it is quite apparent that it affects children too. 

All of this information can be quite overwhelming for caregivers especially with elders with compromised immune systems. However as mature and grown adults we have to take in as much reliable information as we can and make a risk assessment for the individual in our care and be confident with our decision. There is no one size fits all which is why you as a caregiver are in the driver’s seat. A good idea would be to discuss with your elderly parent the risks involved and let them be part of the decision. Maybe they are not comfortable taking the risk of traveling by air. Perhaps they will recommend a short car ride to a cabin in the Smoky Mountains. It’s always best to have your loved one in on the decision and it also takes a burden of responsibility off your shoulders. Stay safe and I wish you the best of luck!

Some seniors are lucky enough to be able to afford outside cleaning help at least once a week. Our knees and arms are not what they once were and all that bending and stretching can cause us a basket of aches and pains that we do not need added to the burden of aging. Or should we give in to our aging so easily?

Canadian researchers have discovered that routine housework by seniors has a direct correlation to increased brain fitness in older people. Scientists have acknowledged that any type of physical exercise improves cognitive health as well as physical fitness. Of course, we do know instinctively that exercises such as low impact aerobics and brisk walking are too valuable to curtail. However, scientists are finding that certain household tasks when performed conscientiously are just as effective for seniors’ mental and physical health.

Take for example my friend Sharon. She was forced to begin taking charge of her own housework when COVID-19 struck. Although some of her friends allowed no one into their home except their housekeepers with masks, she refused to let in even a housekeeper. At first, she let the household chores slacken until she and her husband decided to take charge of the situation as they realized they were isolated for the long haul. Here are just some of the activities they began taking care of by themselves. As she did her various chores, Sharon was happy to realize that each activity was an exercise in itself.

Changing the Linen in the Bedroom

The bedroom is the place where the type of bedding varies from family to family. Some folks use just a quilt and wash it ever so often. Others use a flat sheet under the quilt to protect it. Still others use a quilt and a duvet cover which gives the bed a finished look and at the same time protects the quilt or blanket. Sharon uses duvet covers which affords her of some extra bending and stretches. First, she must remove all the linen from the bed. Here are some of the exercises that she accomplishes.

Pulling

First comes the fitted sheet which must be pulled off the mattress. Next comes the duvet cover that’s pulled off the quilt. The pillowcase is the last which is pulled off the pillow.

Walking & Carrying

After placing the linen in her laundry basket, Sharon must lift the basket and carry it down the two flights of stairs to the basement laundry room. After washing, drying, and shaking out the linen she must carry it back upstairs.

Stretching

As Sharon replaces the clean linen, she realizes that she is doing a lot of stretching and the first time she did this she flexed muscles that she realized she hadn’t used in a long time. In fact, when she mentioned to her sister-in-law that she was washing, drying, and replacing her linen by herself her sister-in-law was baffled at Sharon’s positive tone of voice. Her sister-in-law could not understand how Sharon was not complaining. “Why should I?” Sharon asked. “I’m getting some easy exercise without leaving the house.”

Pantry and Cabinet Organization

As many of us know, organizing our cabinets takes some deep thinking. Unless you are a perfectionist who has got your cabinets organized on the first try, the rest of us are eternal organizers. Life can always be improved and that includes the most important room in the house, the kitchen.

Bending & Lifting

For most households, only a shelf or the most two is at arm’s length for the homeowner. One or two shelves will be higher and the rest lower which will require a substantial amount of bending, lifting, and stretching to the high shelves and the rear of the cabinets. Those regular food cans are just the right weight as gym weights giving the organizer a chance to actually lift weights.

Brain Activity

Reorganizing forces the brain to think and re access a current situation. For example, how can the pantry be rearranged so that I can find something more easily? In which way should I separate the food items? Should all the baking items be on one shelf? If they aren’t used so often, should they be placed on the bottom shelf? Maybe the cans should be placed in the middle shelf since they are heavier to lift? Or maybe I should put them higher up so I will get a workout when I remove them from the cabinet? How old are my spices? I need to check the expiration dates, but there are none. Then I should label the spices from now on with the date purchased so I will be able to tell if they are fresh or not. There are many cognitive queries that a woman must ask herself while organizing her pantry.

Checking out the higher dish cabinets can be an adventure in itself. “Oh my gosh, where did I get that candy dish? I never use it, but I seem to remember it having sentimental value. Yes, I remember it was my grandmother’s.” Sorting through old stuff that is never used anymore can be an intense intellectual activity in itself.

Looking through Old Papers & Photos

This would be more of a mental health pumper than a physical one unless you are the type of person that accumulates large amounts of mail and other paper paraphernalia. In that case, lugging a bag of trash out of the house could constitute some intense physical activity. However, here we will limit this subject to the cognitive aspect.

For optimal mental health the brain must constantly be forming new neural connections. Thinking through what papers are significant to keep, be it recent mail or just plain old papers can be mind boggling to some. An old bill that wasn’t paid could get your mind sharpened to a new way of arranging and paying them. What about those piles of old bills that were paid? Are they still necessary or can they be disposed of immediately?

Photos are a topic that is almost too sensitive to touch on. Who wants to throw away old photos? In this age of computers, there are ways to keep these precious memories without physically taking up space in the home. Photo scanning has become quite popular, and most people have a scanner on their printer that they might not know about. Learning to scan photos is in itself a wonderful mind sharpener. Won’t this put any person in a better mood cleaning up so much clutter? Seniors who attain good moods live longer and healthier.

Cleaning Out the Clothes Closet

This topic is probably the most complicated since deep down we seniors know that we are not wearing those high heeled shoes or tight dresses that are taking up space in our closets. Many of these items are in pristine condition and could be given to vintage clothing stores which are the big rage among the young. But how can we part with these precious items that have brought such joy to us on happy occasions such as dinners or family weddings? These thoughts are all great ways to exercise the mind although hard on the heartstrings.

Final Thoughts

Even for a senior living in an assisted living facility it is vital for he or she to be exercising both their bodies and brains. There are many ways to do this even while living in limited space. Daily reorganization of key parts of the home will help keep the mind and body in full swing.

For those seniors who can live independently at home there is nothing as satisfying as getting the house to sparkle. The more often an older person changes and washes the linen the more their arms and legs will be working. Even though the back might hurt at first, as one becomes more adept and increases muscle usage the pain should lessen. There are correct ways to move around and a session or two with a physical therapist might be all that is needed.

Cognitive brain activity is essential for keeping seniors sharp and aware. Reading is always effective, but it does take a lot of concentration. The activities we have suggested are only a beginning to a lifelong journey of fulfillment and must be done only as long as the senior is enjoying the activity. If the person finds that it is just too much, he or she should be sure to ask for help instead of quitting. Often some instruction by a competent friend, neighbor or even grandchild in the clearing up of clutter would be so helpful. Learning to scan photos and documents is a great activity for a senior to learn since they will be able to look at them much easier when they are on the computer.

Taking responsibility for household duties induces seniors to get up and get moving. A static lifestyle results in decreased cognitive and physical well-being. We are aware that there are many seniors who will have limited physical activity but as long as the mind is working there is hope. I know seniors who can hardly lift a foot can but manage to wash their floor. We must do the best we can to keep our bodies and brains stimulated and the rest is not in our hands.

Janet could not take it anymore. Not another day, not another hour and not another minute. She could barely get into her mother’s home without tripping over all the garbage and newspapers in open cardboard boxes. Janet discussed the problem with her out of town brother, Sidney who diagnosed the situation as Senior Squalor Syndrome. It was shocking for Janet to hear that her mom’s situation had a name and was actually a serious emotional condition. “It couldn’t be true,” said Janet to herself. “The mom I knew from growing up was so organized and meticulous. My paper lunch bags were folded so neatly you could measure the creases with a ruler.”

Land’s End defines squall as a strong wind. According to the dictionary, squall is a sudden gust of fierce wind which brings storms of snow sleet and rain. We can see even from these simple definitions how powerful and harmful a condition such as senior squalor is and how seriously it has to be taken.

Causes For Senior Squalor Syndrome

Janet, like many other devoted and loving daughters, had difficulty facing the fact that her mom, who suffered from this malice could no longer live alone. There are various reasons for senior hoarding. The physical arthropathy of the frontal lobe of the brain which takes care of executive functioning is one of the main causes for this condition. Executive functioning means the ability to task manage and plan for both the long term and short-term future. Miscommunication between the frontal lobes of the brain weakens seniors’ ability to concentrate on normal routine everyday tasks. It’s just too plain difficult for the senior to even clear and clean up their house properly and complete daily routine tasks.

A second cause for senior hoarding is the social isolation of the person for long periods of time without external stimulation. This condition has become aggravated this past year of the Covid pandemic with lonely seniors becoming completely isolated from family. Shock and disbelief are the emotions that junior members of the families have expressed upon entering the home of their beloved parent or grandparent for the first time in over a year.

An additional tragic consequence of senior squalor syndrome is that the helpful family members may not be able to simply clean up. The main test to find out if your loved one is a true hoarder is to offer to clean up. Whether it’s the smelly garbage or the old newspapers, the true hoarder will give any and every reason that he thinks is rational to hang on to an object. If the family member realizes that the senior is giving irrational reasons for keeping the stuff, then the senior is in major trouble and needs immediate help.

Removing the Senior to a Safe Place

The most effective strategy for treating senior squalor syndrome is to remove the senior from his house and transfer him into a supervised assisted living facility. Your senior will undoubtedly protest to you for separating him from his beloved belongings. Your senior must be supervised since in most cases hoarding is a sign of the inability to take care of himself and in some cases, dementia.

It is no longer possible for a senior living in squalor to maintain sanitary and safe standards of living while living alone. The question is where should this senior squalor be moved to? If your parent or loved one is lucid enough to make the ultimate decision, then present him with the option of moving into an assisted living facility. Professional senior care counselors do not recommend a senior hoarder moving into their children’s home since unfortunately the problem will not be resolved. Living with a senior hoarder is extremely trying since as his objects accumulate in his room, he will need more room for his possessions, and they will end up spreading out into common family areas. Do not expect your drawing boundaries to work long term as this problem will end up causing general family discord.

Medication For Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Before attempting a permanent move, it would be effective to insist that your senior have a complete checkup at the doctor. Some seniors were reluctant during COVID-19 to leave their homes even for a doctor’s visit unless it was by ambulance to the emergency room. Who could blame them? They could have already experienced being isolated at the doctor’s office without any relatives allowed in with them. That is really scary for anyone, especially a senior who is either physically or mentally handicapped.

Now that we are returning to normal, some doctors will allow a relative or aid to accompany the person to the examination room. It’s imperative to ask when making the appointment if the doctor’s office policy allows for someone to accompany the senior to the examination room. (I almost kept an appointment with an orthopedic doctor for my father’s bruised ankle until finding out that no one would be allowed to come in with him. He would be whisked away in a wheelchair without any family support. Luckily, we found an alternative doctor with no such rules.)

At the checkup with the physician, the senior will be examined for the distinct possibility of dementia or any other new psychological developments. Experienced senior care professionals have realized that medication for disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorders are unlikely to work especially if the senior continues living alone. Who will know if he takes his medication?

Getting the Senior to Agree to Move to an Assisted Living Facility

It is very difficult for any of us to pick ourselves up and move unless we are young and adventurous. Not only don’t seniors like change, but it is also harmful for their memory and routine. However, it’s similar to being taken to the hospital for an infection. We are all aware that a person can contract infections while in the hospital. However, if someone is sick with fever and the oral antibiotics are not effective in clearing it up, the patient on the insistence of his physician will have to be admitted to the hospital to be monitored and given intravenous medications. The same holds true for a senior whose life is endangered living in their own home.

The first step is for the child or relative to check out various assisted living facilities closer to their home. It would be foolish to choose an institution only for its ratings and comforts if it is far from your home just the same way it would make no sense to put your parents or loved one in an establishment that is inferior but close to home. After visiting several facilities and assessing their value and relevance to your senior, the next step is to bring him or her for a visit to the premises. Making an appointment in advance is a must and the administrator or whoever oversees admissions will be able to sell the facility to your senior much more easily than you. These professionals are trained to speak to a senior on their level and know exactly which advantages to stress and to assure them about fears that may be felt about moving and the specific facility itself. If planned correctly, the tour could be quite detailed and pleasant, and you may be surprised at the turnaround of your parent’s opinion.

If this gentle persuasion is not successful, you will have to be more forceful and give them a different choice. Suggest, “Come for a month and see how you like it” and assure the senior that no one is giving away their home to someone else.

Hopefully the facility’s representative will be successful in convincing the senior to join the facility. With inviting recreational activities and delicious meals your senior may be convinced. Even if he or she is not, it is imperative to get him into the assisted living facility someway.

Final Words

Senior squalor must be addressed asap. It’s an emergency! Fires are often caused by hoarders since their belongings become the fuel for the fire that might not have developed otherwise into something major. Here is an actual true-to-life story that happened in Maryland. Not only was the home of the senior hoarder destroyed but the next-door neighbor’s house as well. There was no way for the firemen to get into the senior’s house because of all the garbage and debris blocking the entrance and after failing to do so they were forced to break down the wall attached to the neighbor’s house to get into the senior’s home. If your senior is lucid and agreeable for you to clean their house and purge the garbage and accumulated memorabilia that’s one thing but if they refuse, get them out of there as soon as possible and into an assisted living facility preferable close to your home. Remember this is a matter of life and death. Who would want it on their conscience that their parents died because they were left by themselves in their own home? Dignity is one thing, but safety is another.

Do you feel left out because you don’t have WhatsApp? Or just plain dumb because you can’t find that video that your friend just recommended to you on YouTube? Maybe you don’t even know how to spell it, is it Utube or YouTube?

Welcome to the twenty-first century which has already been going on for twenty-one years. Where were we seniors when this happened? Maybe we were just waiting for the internet to be over, and it was all a bad dream. Have you missed your close relative’s funeral because you don’t subscribe to What’s App? That’s exactly what happened to me a few weeks ago when I found out too late that my close cousin’s mom passed away. The funeral was on a Sunday, and I could have easily attended, but how could I go when I knew zero about it? Do you feel lonely because you are getting fewer and fewer phone calls from your grandchildren? Guess what? I found out about my new grandson via text just like all the other friends and relatives. As the old saying goes, “if you can’t beat them join them”.

The primary challenge for seniors is to have a meaningful day. Getting up in the morning can be tough if there is nothing specific on the agenda. This can adversely affect a senior’s health by causing mood swings, depression, early aging, and even premature death. The wisest thing for seniors is to overcome their technology fear thinking it couldn’t possibly be something they could tackle this late in the game. Once the fear is overcome, seniors can connect to family and friends via Facebook, Zoom, WhatsApp, email, and texting.

Before the nineteenth century the average life expectancy of a person was between the ages of thirty and forty. In just two centuries the life expectancy of a human being has jumped by 225%, according to Google. This means the average life span is now seventy-nine years.

This so-called, “Silver Tsunami” is bound to slam into our healthcare system by overloading our nursing homes, assisted living facilities and hospitals. We can just look back on the past year and see what happened to our hospitals when they became overloaded with patients, many of whom were senior citizens. In addition, we experienced the terrible forcing of these patients back into the nursing homes because the hospitals couldn’t handle the congestion. Instead of looking at the increase in life expectancy in a financially negative way, let’s see how we can help seniors cope in the age of technology and age productively.

The longer life expectancy is great news for seniors even though it will be a challenge for the health care system. Assisted and independent living facilities catering exclusively to seniors are amazing systems and opportunities for seniors to flourish.

One of the ways that the younger generation can feel needed is to incorporate the use of technology for seniors. The younger people, whether it is grandchildren or volunteers need to figure out how to get senior citizens educated in using the latest technology be it, computers, tablets, smartphones, or smartwatches. Along with the knowledge of how to use these devices is app education. Every day new apps are being invented and many of them are safety features that are a must for every senior’s smartphone.

The one matter that hospitals, banks, and stores have in common is that they are equipped with some type of security system. Without proper protection against intruders, these facilities are at risk for theft or worse. Similarly, we must bolster the security of our loved ones who are living alone.

Smartphone Doorbells

For example, if a senior is living alone there are safe apps for turning on and off the lights, reminders to shut the stove and let’s not forget about the ring doorbell. As most of us are familiar with this amazing invention we should make sure that seniors become acquainted with it as well. This will mean peace of mind for children and grandchildren knowing that their parents or grandparents will only open the door if the person on their phone screen is familiar to them. Some of these bell systems also have video recordings so that loved ones can check to see who tried to get into the homes. If the senior is at a doctor’s appointment it would be so nice for them to see that one of their grandchildren was ringing the bell and even though the senior was not there to answer the door, at least they are aware that their grandchild came to visit.

Medical Alert Pendants

A medical alert pendant is a wonderful addition to the security of a loved one but challenging to get them to wear it. You can have it connected to various phone numbers including ambulance companies and family members or neighbors. All the person has to do is to push a button and the emergency numbers will be called. So even if a elderly person falls in the bathroom or tub (it is waterproof) the call will be made. As long as they are still conscious no matter what happens to them, they can easily press the button.

When my mother-in-law rented an apartment alone in Florida for the winter, my husband flew down with her to set her up safely. He purchased the latest medical alert pendant, giving her full instructions on its use and advising her to always wear it. When he finally went again to pick her up at the end of the winter, he was shocked to find it back in the box and not on her neck. “I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself, see nothing happened to me”, she claimed. So much for the medical pendant.

Meal Apps

A senior living at home is not always in the mood of cooking a meal for themselves. I’m sure it has happened that you, as a senior, will have a bowl of cereal for supper instead of a home cooked meal. Children are busy during the week and may not be able to bring over a hot cooked meal. Sometimes, they will be kind enough to load the freezer, however you may not feel like preparing in advance and taking out a frozen meal. Even if you do have a microwave, you might just not be tempted to even use that little effort. There are many programs which offer readymade meals that are delivered to one’s home with the push of a button. For example, Blue Apron is a company which puts all the ingredients for a meal in a box and delivers it straight to your door which makes it much easier to put together a delicious hot fresh meal. Or restaurants have specific apps that will bring the food to you in a ten-minute notice. Society must learn to incorporate technology into seniors’ lives to keep them sustained and healthy.

Are Seniors Eager to Join the Digital Society?

Surprisingly seniors are willing to join the digital society, but some have trouble learning this new language. They are well aware of how being connected can benefit both their emotional and physical wellbeing. Researchers conducted in-depth interviews with adults ages 65 to 93 to understand their social networks and how they related to the use of technology in an increasingly global world. Especially, this past year of social distancing and isolation, it was imperative that all people learn about micro communications such as Zoom and Facebook. Instant photos and videos from loved ones via WhatsApp reduce the loneliness in what has been a very long day.

Final Words

Just a couple of years ago, technology would have been an expectation for seniors but as of this past year it is a necessity. What would any of us have done without our smart phone and computers? Most of the communication between people has been virtual and we must be so thankful that G D and our scientists had the foresight to invent all these apps for our devices. Schools were able to function, religious clergymen were able to give lectures and support to their constituents and doctors were able to treat their patients remotely. Of course, pictures and videos do not replace human contact, but it certainly was better than none. This pandemic truly forced our senior citizens to learn new technologies.

Next time you visit or get a visit from a loved one ask if they would like to have help setting up a Facebook or Instagram account. Young ones must be patient and not get annoyed while educating their loved ones on social media etiquette. Seniors should be taught what information can be shared and how often sharing should occur. You may be surprised at how adept your grandmother will become at communicating with her smartphone, with pictures, videos and inspiring with knowledge that only a mature person knows. It’s also nice for a grandchild to be able to teach their grandparent instead of it always being the other way around. It will give the grandchild new confidence and a new purpose in life.