Boston

Just because many seniors live on a fixed income, doesn’t mean they can’t save money to help them prepare for their retirement future. There are many methods that seniors can implement on their own, to help them put together their retirement fund, and with a little support from their families to manage their assets and investments; family members and caregivers can help ensure that their loved ones are supported into their elder years.

How Seniors Can Save:

• Stick to a budget – seniors can outline a regular monthly budget that accounts for their typical expenses. As long as their budget is realistic, seniors can monitor their spending and have money leftover to put away for retirement.
• Look for discounts – By shopping at the places that offer senior discounts, seniors can keep additional money in their bank accounts which can be put towards retirement.
• Shop smartly – instead of selecting brand name items, seniors can stick to store brands and purchase items that are on sale. When grocery shopping, choosing fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season tends to be more economical; buying canned or frozen will also keep money in a senior’s pocket.
• Think free – for entertainment, check the newspaper for free events happening in the area.

How Families Can Help:

• Researching investments – families can help seniors research their options when it comes to investing in retirement to ensure they are making the best choice. Having a second point-of-view regarding major financial decisions is always wise.
• Offering support – encourage and support a senior in their efforts to spend less!

Source:  Associated Content   (Ever Odessa)

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.314. 9873.

For many seniors who live independently into older adulthood; making healthy eating choices can be challenging. Often, for elderly people who live at home, meal preparation is a daunting task; so they turn to convenient packaged meals, or unhealthy snacks which may be high in saturated fat and processed foods. While many of these meal options may be quick and easy, they do not satisfy the requirements of any nutritional food guides when consumed without the addition of lean meats, fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Family caregivers and other loved ones know that often seniors can be set in their ways, and are unwilling to alter their routines even for the betterment of their health. While intervening directly to improve their eating habits may not be an effective way to help a senior with healthy eating practices, families can encourage healthy eating for the elderly by making some simple changes.

1) Portion control – seniors with a love for unhealthy snacks that are sweet and salty can still indulge, but with smaller portion sizes and incorporating healthy fruits and vegetables to make up the difference in calories and portion.
2) Availability of healthy items – make sure that seniors always have a selection of their favorite fruits and vegetables, and keep them on the counter so they are convenient reminders of healthy eating.
3) Avoid temptations – if seniors tend to binge on their favorite sugary snacks; don’t keep them in the house so they can avoid temptations (especially important for diabetics)

Source:  Healthy Eating Guide for the Elderly    Author:  Mary L. Meck Higg

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.314. 9873.

As we age, our bodies begin to process vitamins and minerals less efficiently, which can result in deficiencies of necessary vitamins in seniors. Taking vitamin supplements to increase intake of calcium, vitamins B & D, iron, etc. seems to be many seniors’ answer for the lack of nutrients they’re getting, but the benefits are still up for debate. According to a study released by the Archives of Internal Medicine, vitamin supplements may not do anything when it comes to improving senior health.

Studies have proven that vitamins, minerals and nutrients derived from fruits, vegetables and whole grains do promote healthy aging, however, when these vitamins are extracted and taken as vitamin supplements, they don’t have the same affects upon preventing cancer and cardiovascular diseases as they do in their natural forms. While the belief is that there are no adverse affects from taking vitamin supplements, there is little medical data that supports there is a benefit to regular use.

Seniors looking to improve their overall health and prevent the onset of potentially fatal diseases and illnesses should not rely on vitamin supplements alone; in order to receive the 15 minerals and 13 vitamins required for healthy living, the elderly should focus on proper nutrition and receive their vitamins directly from the source.

Source: http://www.forbes.com/2009/02/17/vitamins-health-effects-lifestyle-health_0217_vitamins.html

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.314. 9873.

Healthy living for seniors starts with nutrition, and the month of March which is National Nutrition Month is the right time to educate yourself, as a caregiver or older adult on how seniors can maintain a healthy diet.

Studies show that healthy eating into your later years can prevent or reduce the likelihood of many diseases and illnesses that are relatively common in older adulthood, including osteoporosis, high blood pressure, heart disease and some forms of cancer. It’s easy for the elderly to neglect their diets as they age; they may have a reduced appetite, require less energy from food, or find they no longer get the same enjoyment from eating that they did when they were younger. Choosing a diet rich in nutrients, but low in empty calories can provide seniors with the vitamins and nutrients they require on a daily basis to keep them disease free, healthy and active.

A senior’s diet should consist of:
• Lots of fruits and vegetables (fresh, canned and frozen)
• Whole grains
• Low fat or fat-free dairy products (including milk, yogurt, cheese)
• Lean sources of protein, like lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs and nuts

Meal planning for seniors should follow guidelines set by the USDA’s Food Guide Pyramid to focus on proper nutrition, although senior food choices can still reflect the foods that they enjoy. Meals for seniors can be both nutritious and delicious.

Sources: http://nihseniorhealth.gov/eatingwellasyougetolder/howtoeatwell/01.html
http://fnic.nal.usda.gov/nal_display/index.php?info_center=4&tax_level=2&tax_subject=256&topic_id=1348

Image: pro.corbis.com

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.314. 9873.

Q1 – What is hybrid long-term care insurance?
A1- Hybrid long-term care insurance helps seniors fund their long-term care costs as they age with more flexibility and affordability than typical long-term care benefits. Seniors can invest a lump sum into their hybrid benefits in order to fund any future needs in LTC.

Q2 – How do seniors benefit from investing in hybrid long-term care insurance?
A2 – Seniors pay a lump sum amount based on what they can afford, so when it comes to funding any future long-term care costs, they don’t have to pay unaffordable rates out of pocket when staying at long-term care facilities. Unlike with LTC insurance, where seniors are forced to pay expensive monthly premiums even if long-term care or custodial is never needed; hybrid insurance sits in wait until the need for long-term care arises; and funds can be returned if they are never used.

Q3 – How are hybrid long-term care benefit amounts determined?
A3 – Seniors determine how much they want to invest into their hybrid long-term care insurance, and the benefit amount available to fund long-term care under the policy is determined based on age and health at the time it is purchased. Hybrid long-term care benefit amounts are always greater than the initial investment; for example, an $85,000 investment could turn into $120,000. Life insurance benefits also work the same way; a greater amount than initially invested could be returned to the senior’s airs at the time of death.

Q4 – How much does hybrid long-term care insurance cost?
A4 – With hybrid long-term care insurance, seniors determine how much they can afford to pay. However, typically hybrid long-term care insurance is a better investment for the elderly with a large lump sum amount of funds available; since the idea is that the amount of the policy funds all or of the majority of their long-term care needs. Typical hybrid long-term care insurance policies start around $50,000; with some insurance carries enforcing minimums and others making recommendations based on funding projected costs at long-term care facilities.

Sources: http://youandyoursblawg.blogspot.com/2008/06/hybrid-long-term-care-insurance.html
http://personalinsure.about.com/od/longtermcare/a/aa082006a_2.htm

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.314. 9873.

For many seniors, a trip to the doctor’s office for a checkup or prescription refill can be a laborious task. Physical limitations, illnesses, aches and pains and lack of access to transportation can make even a routine doctor’s visit a challenge. For these older adults, home visits by a physician can be the best way to get the medical care that they require. Many healthcare agencies around the United States specialize in home doctor’s visits for elderly patients. The staff of these house call organizations are medically trained doctors and nurses, who often have had specific expertise in geriatric care. The idea of in home doctor’s visits is to bring all the medical services a senior would typically receive at their physician’s office, without ever leaving home.

When physician’s and nurses pay house calls to seniors who are homebound, they are prepared to complete routine checkups to assess the elderly patient’s health. They are also able to write prescriptions, manage IV’s, complete lab work, administer x-rays and EKG’s and assess and monitor illnesses.

Medicare does offer coverage for in home medical care for those who receive Part A benefits. In order to receive Medicare benefits for doctor’s visits at home, seniors must be classified as homebound, due to specific limitations that relate to physical and mental capabilities. In some cases, Medicare will provide coverage for patients who are not isolated to their homes, provided their situation justifies in home care by a medical practitioner. Doctors who also specialize in providing house calls to the elderly also mention that Medicare covers services documented due to immobility, the need to assess in home caregiving and safety in the home, and other reasons that may prevent a senior from going to a medical office.

Medicare will not cover home visits by a physician for senior assistance with Activities of Daily Living or for those who are chronically ill. Those who do not qualify for coverage of home visits by a doctor should consider hiring an in home, non-medical caregiver for assistance with the Activities of Daily Living that they’re finding to be too much for them.

Sources: http://www.aahcp.org/homebound.shtml
http://www.seniorresourcesonline.com/articles.iml?category=Medicare
http://www.drshomevisits.com/services.html
http://www.housecalldoctorstexas.com/services.asp

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.314. 9873.

Q1 – Fact or fiction; seniors are at a greater risk for cancer?
A1 – As we grow old, the risk of developing cancer does increase slightly. The aging process lowers stress tolerance, which can impact the functioning of major organ systems and seniors may have weaker immune systems which puts them at a higher risk for cancer than younger generations. Statistics indicate that the elderly are at a much greater risk for certain types of cancer than younger Americans.

Q2 – Are there specific times of cancer that are more prevalent in seniors?
A2 – The number one form of cancer that elderly women are at risk for is breast cancer. Statistics show that by age 80, 1 in 10 women are likely to be exposed to breast cancer; a great increase compared to 1 in 2,212 at age 30. For every decade of life, the risk of developing breast cancer increases in women. Studies have also shown that men with diabetes are more likely to develop rectal or colon cancer. Since the risk of contracting diabetes increases with age, especially in senior men who struggle with obesity, the risk of colorectal cancer also increases with age. Other types of cancer, like cervical cancer, are actually more prevalent in younger generations; however the risk does still exist for women and seniors over the age of 40, with an increased risk for those struggling with other health problems.

Q3 – Is there any way for seniors to determine if they have risk factors that could contribute to the development of cancer?
A3 – Family history and overall health both play a major role in preventing cancer. Older adults should be aware of their relatives’ history with cancer so a physician can setup appropriate screening. Seniors can reduce their risk factors with diet and exercise; maintaining a healthy weight and keeping their immune system strong. Seniors can reduce the likelihood of cancer with knowledge and healthy living.

Sources: http://www.imaginis.com/cervical-cancer/risk_factors.asp
http://seniorhealth.about.com/od/cancer/a/br_cancer_age.htm
http://chealth.canoe.ca/channel_section_details.asp?text_id=3701&channel_id=12&relation_id=30096
http://www.springerlink.com/content/l7630l71t816g513/

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.314. 9873.

Most family caregivers don’t do what they do because they think it will be easy or fun; they provide care because of their love for a senior and concern over their health. Caregivers will have an easier time coping with the challenges, if they have an understanding of what to expect.

Physical Challenges

• Caregivers may be responsible for most or all of the light and heavy housework, which can become trying especially when combined with their own responsibilities at home

• Caregivers often need to help seniors with limited mobility, which can involve lifting and moving them. If  a caregiver is not physically strong they may injure themselves or the senior

Mental Challenges

The challenges referred to here, are those that a senior’s mental issues may present to a caregiver.
• Caregivers may have to learn new skills to manage medications

• Caregivers often need to take responsibility over a senior’s financing

• Caregivers also need to make adjustments to a home for safety, and plan activities appropriate for the senior

Financial Challenges

• Caregivers may have to take on some form of financial obligation to assist the senior, since often senior’s with health limitations have used a lot of their funds paying for medical costs

• Sometimes caregivers, like their senior, may use a great deal of their savings and financial resources to fund healthcare or other costs related to senior care

Emotional Challenges

• Caregivers may find it difficult to deal with the physical and mental changes that come with a health decline of their beloved family member

• Family caregivers can feel conflicting emotions ranging from affection, frustration, anger, sadness and guilt

• It can also be a big emotional challenge to try and convince a family member to take caregiving help; or deal with the emotions that come with having someone rely on you fully.

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.314. 9873.

Pet Adoption for Seniors – Is it right for you?

Bob’s story reveals both the joys and the heartaches of pet ownership for seniors.  On the one hand, many older adults love the companionship of a pet.  But the issues of aging can make it difficult for some seniors to do pet-care tasks.  Walking a dog, taking an animal to the vet, or purchasing necessary food and supplies are more difficult with arthritis and other changes associated with aging.

Helping seniors with their pets is a valuable service our CAREGivers provide, but one that many people don’t know about.  Our CAREGivers fulfill a variety of functions for seniors who have pets.  They exercise the animals, help with their nutritional and medical needs, and comfort seniors when their pets die.

For instance, when one client’s dog died, her favorite CAREGiver sat with her for the entire day to provide solace.  And another older adult’s pet issues have become regular entries in her Home Instead Senior Care client log (a book we keep in a senior’s home to provide an update of daily activities.)

The fact that animals are so much a part of seniors’ lives is good news, since research has demonstrated numerous connections between pet ownership and health and well-being.  For instance, the Humane Society of the United States has found that having a pet can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, reduce bone loss, improve circulation and increase levels of exercise.

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.314. 9873.

In most cases, seniors and decision-makers wait too long before addressing the need for senior care.  The result of this is that health may decline either quickly or progressively because the senior may not be taking their medications correctly, eating a well balanced diet or following the orders of their health care professionals.  The other possibility is that they will grow weak and have a fall causing them to be hospitalized.  All of these problems can be avoided if families see the signs of decline and move swiftly to ensure they have the help they need at home.

Two-thirds of seniors report obtaining care after they have what they describe as a “pivotal incident.”  A pivotal incident is commonly defined as a fall or other kind of accident.  However, in most cases the incident is actually the result of a chronic condition sucn as arthritis or dementia that should have been addressed much sooner.

In the course of dealing with chronic and persistent conditions, there is a tipping point where decision-makers decide that care has grown beyond their capacity.  The age of the senior when this tipping point is usually reached may be anywhere between 70 and 90, depending on a wide variety of individual factors.  A relatively small number of seniors, 10 percent are under 70 when they are recommended for senior home care.

Average Age Recommended for In-Home Senior Care:

Age:                          % Recommended:

50-60                        2%

60-70                        7%

70-80                        43%

80-90                        49%

90+                            0%

By working with either an independent care manager or a professional, who understands the changes that seniors go through that lead up to needing either assisted living or assistance at home, families can stay ahead of their seniors needs.  Home Instead Senior Care can conduct in home assessments to help with the process of understanding the maze of options available.

Home Care Boston providing elderly services in Cambridge, Boston, and Somerville. Call us at 617.314. 9873.