Staying active and engaged with life as you grow older can help you stay both mentally and physically fit. People who stay connected are less likely to develop illnesses ranging from diabetes to hypertension. In fact, health experts have identified isolation as a health risk for seniors. If you are an adult child or caregiver for a central Ohio senior, there are steps you can take to make it easier for older adults you care for to stay active.

Helping a Senior Loved One Stay Active and Engaged

Here are some suggestions to consider:

1. Brain games: Engaging in new hobbies and playing interactive games can give your brain the equivalent of an aerobic workout. AARP’s online game center provides older adults with a platform for safe gaming at no cost. Working crossword puzzles and word searches are another option.
2. Reading: Staying up-to-date with current events by reading the newspaper is another way to keep your brain fit. It also helps to read books and magazines. Your local library is a good source for free books for your senior’s eReader or tablet device.
3. Walking: Most communities have groups of older adults who walk at local malls or wellness centers together. Joining one can provide your senior with an opportunity to socialize while working on their physical fitness. If you aren’t sure how to find one near your older family member, contact the senior center nearest them. They are usually aware of programs and resources for older adults in the communities they serve.
4. Silver Sneakers: Many Medicare health plans offer members free memberships in Silver Sneakers. This will entitle them to participate in a variety of wellness activities at local senior centers, YMCA organizations, fitness centers and more at no cost.
5. Stretching exercises: Staying flexible and strong can help older adults prevent falls. Programs that utilize stretching and toning exercises while building core strength, such as Chair Yoga and Pilates, are good ones for seniors to participate in.
6. Socialize: Staying connected and engaged with friends and family helps to prevent depression in seniors. You can support their emotional well-being by encouraging them to volunteer with a local non-profit, join the senior center and to take life enrichment classes such as painting or pottery.
7. Computer literacy: One final suggestion is to show them how to connect with friends and family by email or through social networks such as Facebook. Skype or another video chat service can help. It might take a few sessions of tutoring if they aren’t comfortable with computers or tablets, but the idea that seniors aren’t able to master technology is false. Older adults are the fastest growing demographic on Facebook and have been for several years now.

We hope this information gives you a few ideas for helping the senior you love stay active and engaged! Need more information on keeping your senior loved one active and engaged? Contact us today at 614.345.9500.

Keeping your joints healthy is an important part of successful aging. While most of us know there is no cure for arthritis, what most of us aren’t sure of is if there are proactive steps that will help keep joints in good condition. Here are few recommendations:

1. Maintain a healthy weight. Every extra pound you carry around puts four times more stress on your joints, especially your knees.
2. Practice good ergonomics at the computer. Keep your monitor at eye level. Make sure your keyboard is at a height that allows your wrists to relax while you are typing.
3. Make sure you are getting enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet.During central Ohio winters, you may need to talk with your primary care physician to see if they recommend any supplements.
4. Aquatic exercise is a great way to get an aerobic workout while keeping your joints safe. Most YMCA organizations host a variety of water fitness classes on a regular basis.
5. Try to balance fashion with function in footwear. Wearing high heels only for short periods of time can take pressure off of your back, neck and knees. Opt to wear lower heels with good arch support the majority of the time, especially when you will be doing a lot of walking.
6. Avoid lifting overly heavy loads. When you do lift or carry heavy objects, use your strongest muscles and joints to carry the load. For example, lift from your knees instead of bending over and picking something up off the ground with your fingers and back.
7. When you are carrying anything that weighs more than a few pounds, hold it close to your body. It creates less stress on the joints.
8. If you are a smoker, kicking the habit can help improve joint health. Smoking is linked to lower bone mass, which can cause osteoporosis.
9. Practice range of motion exercises. You can find a variety of videos to make that easier online. As is true with all new forms of exercise, talk with your physician to get their approval first.
10. Exercises like walking, Pilates and Tai Chi can help improve strength and bone health. Many area senior centers and fitness centers offer these programs.
11. Eat a well-balanced diet. Not only will it prevent the weight gain that is hard on joints, but it also helps keep your bones healthy. When you don’t get enough of the right nutrients in your daily diet, your body pulls them from your bones. That can lead to osteoporosis and joint problems.

If you want to learn more about joint health and osteoarthritis, The Arthritis Foundation can be a good source of information. Among other resources, they developed the Walk With Ease program to help older adults learn how to safely and effectively use walking to maintain joint health and decrease the pain of osteoarthritis.

There are many myths associated with aging. They range from the belief that seniors can’t use technology to the idea that growing older means your health will decline. We decided to help bust some of the more popular myths about aging.

Aging Mythbusters

Myth: Older people are crabby

Fact: A study led by Arthur Stone, of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at Stony Brook University, proved just the opposite is true. They found that worry and stress affect people less as they grow older, with age 50 being the tipping point. Happiness begins to increase at age 50 and keeps improving for another twenty to twenty-five years.

Myth: Aging brings poor health

Fact: We know now that lifestyle factors largely determine how well someone will age. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables and protein is important. Exercise that incorporates strength, balance, flexibility and endurance can also help promote health aging. Not smoking is critical. Drinking alcohol in moderation also plays a role.

Myth: Old dogs can’t learn new tricks

Fact:  While seniors may learn differently than younger adults, they are able to continue learning new things their entire lives. It is well-documented that doing so can help prevent or delay the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and other related forms of dementia. Learning a new language, tackling technologies like Facebook or a blog, or picking up a musical instrument are all good examples that have brain health benefits.

Myth: You will feel old by the time you are 60

Fact: A 2009 survey Growing Old in America showed just how false this myth is. Their research found that 60% of people over the age of 65 felt 10 to 20 years younger than their actual age!

Myth: Old people don’t have much to do

Fact: The baby boomer generation has rewritten what we think is possible during aging. From starting their own small businesses to volunteering their time at local non-profits, they are active and engaged with life. In fact, a study by Dane Stangler of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation showed that Americans between the ages of 55 and 64 started new businesses in greater numbers than those aged 20 to 34 every year since 1996.

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Dear Kara,

One of the biggest struggles I’ve had since growing “older” is maintaining my energy level. I just can’t do everything I want to in a day. Now that I’m retired and finally have time to pursue my hobbies, I’m just too tired most days.

I think getting more exercise might help. But I’m not sure what types of exercise might be best. I’m really hoping to overcome this feeling of being tired all of the time!

Do you have any advice?

Alison in Columbus, Ohio

Dear Alison:

Great question! And it sounds like you already know that exercise may be the answer. We are fortunate to have many options for older adults in the Columbus area to participate in.

If you are looking for exercise programs that also help you get out into the community and connect with other seniors, here are a few suggestions:

• Many local fitness clubs have programs just for seniors. They range from water aerobics to Pilates.
• Check with your insurance provider to see if you are eligible for a Silver Sneakers membership. If you are, these classes take place at YMCAs and other fitness clubs all over the Columbus area.
• Local senior centers and churches also offer senior wellness activities. Most are free or have a minimal fee. Classes typically include Body Recall, Chair Yoga, and stretching.
• Some area shopping malls also have groups of seniors that walk early in the morning before the stores open. Call the mall nearest you to see if there are any opportunities for you there.

When the weather is bad or if you prefer to exercise in the privacy of your own home, here are a few forms of exercise to consider:

• Purchase a Wii gaming system. In addition to Wii Fit, you can also enjoy of variety of programs that get your heart pumping such as golf, tennis and dancing. An added bonus is it will provide you with a fun activity to do when the grandkids visit!
• Exercise DVDs are another good avenue for getting fit. You can practice Tai Chi, Yoga, Low-Impact Aerobics, Pilates and more in the privacy of your own living room.

• Don’t overlook using household chores to get a little extra cardio in. Turn on your favorite music and get moving while you clean!

I hope these suggestions help you find a fitness program you will enjoy and that will help you increase your energy level, Alison. Best of luck to you!

Kara Beamish, Director of Rehab

The current generation of seniors is known for staying in their homes for many decades. When it is time to move on to a new chapter in life, helping them downsize can be a real challenge for their adult children. In fact, seniors and their families often cite this as a reason for putting off a move.

5 Tips for Downsizing a Senior Loved One’s Home

1. Create a Familiar Environment: While it might be tempting to buy new furniture and accessories for your loved one’s new apartment, what might help ease the transition is to create an environment that feels like home. That likely means bringing some of their favorite items from home.
2. Make a Plan: Ask one of the staff members at the assisted living community your loved one is moving to for a copy of the floor plan for their new apartment. Be sure it lists the dimensions for each room. Knowing those sizes will allow you to measure each piece of furniture and determine if and where it will fit.
3. Most Used Items: If your loved one is moving from a large home, try to determine which furniture and belongings they use most and which items have sentimental value. This might make it easier to figure out what should make the move with them and what will need to be given to family members or donated to charity.
4. Start the Process: Once you have a general idea on what household items will be making the move and what won’t be, start your downsizing efforts in the least frequently used rooms in the house. Label boxes so you can sort items in each room according to their final destination: Family, Charity, New Apartment, and Trash.

One final tip is, unless an emergency is the reason for their move, try to give yourselves time to work through this process. It will likely be emotional for your loved one to go through all of their belongings. Give them time to talk and share memories along the way!

Navigating a move to an assisted living community or another type of retirement living can be difficult. Contact professionals to get the best advice possible for your situation. The MacIntosh Community will be happy to speak with you and help you along the way.