My Communicator | Summer 2025

Vol. 33, No. 3 | Summer 2025

Honey, Sweetie, Dearie The Perils of Elderspeak SEE ELDERSPEAK ON PAGE 8

CAREGIVING

WHAT ELSE IS INSIDE?

Millions of Kids Are Caregivers for Elders High school senior Joshua Yang understands sacrifice. When he was midway through 10th grade, his mom survived a terrible car crash. But her body developed tremors, and she lost mobility.

After countless appointments, doctors diagnosed her with Parkinson’s disease, saying it was likely triggered by brain injuries sustained in the wreck.

At 15, Yang, an aspiring baseball player and member of his school’s debate team, took on a new role: his mother’s caregiver.

Researchers estimate that Yang, now 18, counted among at least 5.4 million U.S. children who provide care to an adult in their home. See CAREGIVERS on page 4.

The 8 Best Superfoods for Seniors Grandparents, Car Seats, and Safety Too Good to Be True? It Probably Is When They Don’t Recognize You Anymore SourcePoint 2024 Annual Report Excerpt Long-Distance Caregiving Alzheimer’s Association Launches App Money-Saving Benefits in Retirement

...and more!

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SUMMER CONTENT 01 Millions of Kids are Caregivers for Elders Caregiving

03 SourcePoint Board Recruiting New Members

SourcePoint 800 Cheshire Road, Delaware 740-363-6677 | MySourcePoint.org EIN 31-1354284

In Our Community

06 Get the Facts on Healthy Aging Health & Wellness

08 Honey, Sweetie, Dearie Feature

10 The 8 Best Superfoods for Seniors Nutrition

12 Grandparents, Car Seats, and Safety Safety

13 Too Good to Be True? It Probably Is. Fraud Prevention

14 When They Don’t Recognize You Anymore Transitions in Aging

16 From the Source

SourcePoint News, Programs, and Resources

18 SourcePoint Insurance Team Named OSHIIP Partner of the Year In Our Community

19 Is Healthy Aging Your Goal? A Healthy Mouth Should Be, Too Health & Wellness

20 SourcePoint 2024 Annual Report Excerpt In Our Community

22 Long-Distance Caregiving Caregiving

23 Sudoku

Fun & Games

24 Circumstance: Precarious; The Lock with No Key; Untitled; Six-Word Thoughts About Aging Creative Writing

25 Get the Facts on Falls Prevention Transitions in Aging

26 Adventure Key to Happiness for Older Adults Travel

27 Alzheimer’s Association Launches App Technology

28 Money-Saving Benefits in Retirement Finance

30 Mental Illness and Older Adults: What to Know Health & Wellness

SourcePoint is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that provides professional expertise, services, and programs for Delaware County adults who want to thrive after 55, as well as family caregivers. Services and programs are supported by the local senior services levy, private and corporate donations, grants, and the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging.

2025 Board of Directors President: Pamela Foster, Orange Township Vice President: Cheri Thompson, Delaware Secretary: Annie Horstman, MD, Delaware Treasurer: Dennis Mowrey, Delaware Randy Bournique, Delaware Bill Brown, Delaware Adrienne Corbett, Delaware Todd Everingham, MBA, Dublin Ron Fantozzi, Columbus Beth Fligner, JD, Dublin Alice Frazier, MD, Delaware Liz Gitter, MSSW, Delaware Wren Kruse, JD, New Albany Beth Long-Higgins, MDiv, Delaware Michael Tucker, JD, Delaware Roger Van Sickle, Delaware Jodie Wegmiller, BSN, MBA, Delaware The board typically meets the last Wednesday at noon for six months out of the year. Members of the public who wish to attend may call the chief executive officer at 740-363-6677.

My Communicator is published quarterly and is made possible through advertisers, donors, and volunteers. About 5,000 copies of each edition are printed and distributed throughout Delaware County. My Communicator is available for pick-up at SourcePoint and 50 other locations, such as libraries, senior living communities, health care facilities, and other nonprofit organizations. To find a nearby pickup site, contact SourcePoint at 740-363-6677. Read My Communicator online at MySourcePoint.org/publications.

To advertise or submit educational content for consideration, contact Chief Advancement Officer Alison Yeager at alison@MySourcePoint.org.

The appearance of advertising does not represent an endorsement by SourcePoint. We reserve the right to refuse any advertising that conflicts with our mission.

Summer 2025

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IN OUR COMMUNITY

SourcePoint Board Recruiting New Members SourcePoint’s board of directors seeks candidates to serve on the organization’s governing board for terms beginning in 2026. The nonprofit organization provides professional expertise, services, and programs to help Delaware County adults live well after 55. SourcePoint provides in-home care services and community programs that benefit the health and wellness of adults aged 55 and better, as well as family caregivers.

SourcePoint’s volunteer board of directors is responsible for planning, policy development, resource development, financial oversight, evaluating the performance of the chief executive officer, and ensuring that the organization is addressing its mission of service. The board meets six times annually, and board members are expected to participate in at least two board committees and attend key events. It is expected that board members will support and participate in fundraising activities.

The board typically meets at the organization’s Cheshire Road headquarters at noon on the last Wednesday of the month.

Hybrid meetings with a virtual option remain available in 2026.

The board is seeking a diverse mix of community members, and adults of any age are encouraged to apply. Those interested in serving and providing board leadership for a dynamic nonprofit organization that serves a rapidly growing older population should complete an application, available online at MySourcePoint.org/board or by calling 740-363-6677. The application deadline is Monday, July 14, 2025.

For more information about joining the board of directors, please contact Alison Yeager, chief advancement officer, at 740-3636677 or alison@MySourcePoint.org.

Did you know SourcePoint helps Delaware County residents live well after 55?

We provide programs and services for adults ages 55 and better:

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS IN-HOME CARE SERVICES CAREGIVER SUPPORT

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SourcePoint is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that proudly serves all of Delaware County.

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1/22/2025 10:28:05 AM

4

Caregivers From page 1

As state officials eye federal Medicaid funding cuts that could drastically reduce home care services for those who are disabled or have chronic health conditions, many predict that number will rise.

That’s bad news for kids: Studies show that when young people take on care for adults with medical conditions, their health and academic outcomes decline.

At the same time, their loved ones receive untrained care.

“It all fell to me,” said Yang, whose sisters were 9 and 10 at the time of their mom’s accident, and whose stepdad worked nights. His grades fell and he quit afterschool activities, he said, unable to spare the time.

Early on, Yang found reprieve from a personal care nurse who gave them supplies, such as adult diapers, and advice on items to purchase, such as a chair for the shower. And for about a year, Yang was able to work for a personal care agency and earn $1,000 a month caring for his mom — money that went toward her medication and family needs.

But at the beginning of 11th grade, a change to his mom’s insurance ended her personal care benefit, sending him into a runaround with his county’s Medicaid office in Minnesota. “For a solid month I was on my phone, on hold, in the back of the class, waiting for the ‘hello,’” he said.

“I’d be in third period, saying, ‘Mr. Stepan, can I step out?’”

A report published in May by the U.S. Government Accountability Office reminded states that National Family Caregiver Support Program grants can be used to assist caregivers under 18.

However, the future of those grants remains unclear: They are funded through the Older Americans Act, which is awaiting

Summer 2025 reauthorization; and the Administration for Community Living, which oversees the grants, was nearly halved in April as part of the reorganization of the Department of Health and Human Services under President Donald Trump.

Additionally, if Congress approves proposed cuts to Medicaid, one of the first casualties likely will be states’ home- and community-based service programs that provide critical financial relief to family caregivers, said Andrew Olenski, an economist at Lehigh University specializing in long-term health care.

Such programs, which differ by state but are paid for with federal dollars, are designed to ensure that Medicaid-eligible people in need of long-term care can continue living at home by covering inhome personal and nursing care. In 2021, they served almost 5% of all Medicaid participants, costing about $158 billion.

By law, Medicaid is required to cover necessary long-term care in a nursing home setting but not all home or community care programs. So, if states are forced to make cuts, those programs are vulnerable to being scaled back or eliminated.

If an aide who makes daily home visits, for example, is no longer an option, family caregivers could step in, Olenski said. But he pointed out that not all patients have adult children to care for them, and not all adult children can afford to step away from the workforce. And that could put more pressure on any kids at home.

“These things tend to roll downhill,” Olenski said.

Some studies show benefits to young people who step into caregiving roles, such as more self-confidence and improved family relationships.

Yang said he feels more on top of things than his peers: “I have friends worrying about how to land a job interview, while I’ve already applied to seven or eight other jobs.”

But for many, the cost is steep. Young caregivers report more depression, anxiety, and stress than their peers. Their physical health tends to be worse, too, related to diet and lack of attention to their own care. And caregiving often becomes a significant drag on their education: A large study found that 15- to 18-year-old caregivers spent, on average, 42 fewer minutes per day on educational activities and 31 fewer minutes in class than their peers.

Schools in several states are taking notice.

In Colorado, a statewide survey recently included its first question about caregiving and found that more than 12% of high schoolers provide care for someone in their home who is chronically ill, elderly, or disabled.

Rhode Island’s education department now requires every middle and high school to craft a policy to support caregiving students after a study published in 2023 found 29% of middle and high school students report caring for a younger or older family member for part of the day, and 7% said the role takes up most of their day. Rates were higher for Hispanic, Asian, and Black students than their white peers.

The results floored Lindsey Tavares, principal of Apprenticeship Exploration School, a charter high school in Cranston.

Just under half her students identified as 740-363-6677 | MySourcePoint.org

Summer 2025

5

caregivers, she said. That awareness has changed conversations when students’ grades slip or the kids stop showing up on time or at all.

“We know now that this is a question we should be asking directly,” she said.

Students have shared stories of staying home to care for an ill sibling when a parent needs to work, missing school to translate doctors’ appointments, or working nights to pitch in financially, she said. Tavares and her team see it as their job to find an approach to help students persist. That might look like connecting the student to resources outside the school, offering mental health support, or working with a teacher to keep a student caught up.

“We can’t always solve their problem,” Tavares said. “But we can be really realistic about how we can get that student to finish high school.”

Rhode Island officials believe their state is the first to officially support caregiving students — work they’re doing in partnership with the Florida-based American Association for Caregiving Youth. In 2006, the association formed the Caregiving Youth Project, which works with schools to provide eligible students with peer group support, medical care training, overnight summer camp, and specialists tuned in to each student’s specific needs. This school year, more than 700 middle and high school students took part.

“For kids, it’s important for them to know they’re not alone,” said Julia Belkowitz, a pediatrician and an associate professor at the University of Miami who has studied student caregivers. “And for the rest of us, it’s important, as we consider policies, to know who’s really doing this work.”

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In St. Paul, Joshua Yang had hoped to study civil engineering at the University of Minnesota, but decided instead to attend community college in the fall, where his schedule will make it simpler to continue living at home and caring for his mom.

But he sees some respite on the horizon as his sisters, now 12 and 13, prepare to take on a greater share of the caregiving.

They’re “actual people” now with personalities and a sense of responsibility, he said with a laugh.

“It’s like, we all know that we’re the most meaningful people in our mom’s life, so let’s all help out,” he said.

Source: KFF Health News. Read more at kffhealthnews.org.

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Summer 2025

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Get the Facts on Healthy Aging Nearly 58 million Americans are 65 and older, with projections estimating that the population of older adults will grow to 88.8 million in 2060.

On average, a 65-year-old can expect to live another 18.9 years.

For most of us, good health ensures independence, security, and productivity as we age. Yet millions of older adults are living with such challenges as chronic diseases, falls, physical inactivity, oral health concerns, and behavioral health issues—all of which can severely impact quality of life.

Chronic diseases Older adults are disproportionately affected by chronic conditions, such as diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease. About 93% have at least one chronic condition, and nearly 80% of have two or more.

The leading causes of death among older adults in the U.S. are heart disease, cancer, COVID-19, stroke, chronic lower respiratory diseases, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes.

Chronic diseases can limit a person’s ability to perform daily activities, cause them to lose their independence, and result in the need for institutional care, in-home caregivers, or other longterm services and supports.

It is estimated that 27% of the U.S. adult population has multiple chronic conditions, which cost the American health care system over $1 trillion each year. Yet less than 3% of U.S. health care dollars is spent on prevention to improve overall health.

Falls One out of four older adults falls each year.

3 million adults 65+ are treated in emergency departments for unintentional fall injuries each year.

As a result of falls, every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room; every 19 minutes, an older adult dies.

Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries among older adults, causing hip fractures, head trauma, and death.

Older adults are hospitalized for fall-related injuries five times more often than for injuries from other causes.

The death rate from older adult falls is increasing; the age-adjusted death rate rose from 55.3 per 100,000 older adults in 2012 to 78.0 per 100,000 older adults in 2021.

The nation spends $50 billion a year treating older adults for the effects of falls, 75% of which is paid for by Medicare and Medicaid. If falls rates are not reduced, direct treatment costs are projected to reach $101 billion by 2030.

Fear of falling can lead older adults to limit their activities, which can result in more falls, further physical decline, depression, and social isolation.

Physical activity Regular exercise can help older adults stay independent and prevent many health problems that come with age. According to the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, older adults should do two types of physical activities each week to improve their health—aerobic and muscle-strengthening.

These guidelines recommend that older adults engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week and muscle strengthening activities on two or more days a week.

In 2019 only 23.1% of adults age 65+ met the physical activity guidelines outlined above.

Oral health Oral health is important for overall health and well-being, but in 2022, 36.3% of older adults had not seen a dentist in the last year.

Older adults with diabetes, heart disease, and in poor health were less likely to have had a dental visit in the past year.

About 13.2% of older adults have complete tooth loss.

One in five adults age 65+ has untreated dental cavities.

Poor oral health can negatively impact nutrition and proper management of chronic conditions.

Read more about oral health on page 19.

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Summer 2025

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Behavioral health One in four older adults experiences a behavioral health problem such as depression, anxiety, or substance abuse.

These problems can complicate the treatment of other medical conditions, reduce quality of life, increase use of health care services, and lead to premature death.

People age 85+ have the highest rates of suicide compared to any other age group. Men die by suicide four times more often than women.

Deaths caused by excessive alcohol use are on the rise; in 2020, over 11,000 adults age 65+ died from alcohol-induced causes.

Depression and other behavioral health problems are not a normal part of aging and can be treated. Despite the availability of effective interventions, 66% of older adults are not receiving the care they need.

4 Things To Know About

Depression & Older Adults

1 2 3 4

Infectious disease prevention As of August 2024, 76.3% of all deaths from COVID-19 were among those age 65+, and 70-85% of seasonal flu-related deaths occur in adults age 65+, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

While lifesaving vaccines are available, research shows COVID vaccine uptake has slowed among older adults.

New research shows that older adults may be at a higher risk of Long COVID, a post-COVID condition in which virus symptoms persist, return or develop. According to the National Institutes of Health, possible risk factors include older age and preexisting health conditions.

Source: National Council on Aging. Read more at ncoa.org.

Depression is a common problem among older adults, but it is not a normal part of aging. It can affect the way you feel, act, and think.

Depression can be treated.

It’s important to seek help early on.

Signs and symptoms of depression vary.

For some older adults with depression, sadness may not be their main symptom.

Friends and family can help offer support.

They can help watch for symptoms and encourage treatment.

Living a healthy lifestyle can help reduce feelings of depression.

This may include eating a balanced diet and being physically active.

To learn more, visit www.nia.nih.gov/depression.

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Elderspeak From page 1

A prime example of elderspeak: Cindy Smith was visiting her father in his assisted living apartment in Roseville, California. An aide who was trying to induce him to do something — Smith no longer remembers exactly what — said, “Let me help you, sweetheart.”

“He just gave her The Look — under his bushy eyebrows — and said, ‘What, are we getting married?’” recalled Smith, who had a good laugh, she said. Her father was then 92, a retired county planner and a World War II veteran; macular degeneration had reduced the quality of his vision, and he used a walker to get around, but he remained cognitively sharp.

“He wouldn’t normally get too frosty with people,” Smith said.

“But he did have the sense that he was a grown-up and he wasn’t always treated like one.”

People understand almost intuitively what “elderspeak” means.

“It’s communication to older adults that sounds like baby talk,” said Clarissa Shaw, a dementia care researcher at the University of Iowa College of Nursing and a co-author of a recent article that helps researchers document its use.

“It arises from an ageist assumption of frailty, incompetence, and dependence.”

Its elements include inappropriate endearments. “Elderspeak can be controlling, kind of bossy, so to soften that message there’s ‘honey,’ ‘dearie,’ ‘sweetie,’” said Kristine Williams, a nurse gerontologist at the University of Kansas School of Nursing and another co-author of the article.

“We have negative stereotypes of older adults, so we change the way we talk.”

Or caregivers may resort to plural pronouns: Are we ready to take our bath? There, the implication “is that the person’s not able to act as an individual,” Williams said. “Hopefully, I’m not taking the bath with you.”

Sometimes, elderspeakers employ a louder volume, shorter sentences, or simple words intoned slowly. Or they may adopt an exaggerated, singsong vocal quality more suited to preschoolers, along with words like “potty” or “jammies.”

Summer 2025 With what are known as tag questions — It’s time for you to eat lunch now, right? — “You’re asking them a question but you’re not letting them respond,” Williams explained. “You’re telling them how to respond.”

Studies in nursing homes show how commonplace such speech is. When Williams, Shaw, and their team analyzed video recordings of 80 interactions between staff and residents with dementia, they found that 84% involved some form of elderspeak.

“Most of elderspeak is well intended. People are trying to show they care,” Williams said.

“They don’t realize the negative messages that come through.”

For example, among nursing home residents with dementia, studies have found a relationship between exposure to elderspeak and behaviors collectively known as resistance to care.

“People can turn away or cry or say no,” Williams explained.

“They may clench their mouths shut when you’re trying to feed them.” Sometimes, they push caregivers away or strike them.

She and her team developed a training program called CHAT, for Changing Talk: three hourlong sessions that include videos of communication between staff members and patients, intended to reduce elderspeak.

It worked. Before the training, in 13 nursing homes in Kansas and Missouri, almost 35% of the time spent in interactions consisted of elderspeak; that share dropped to about 20% afterward.

Furthermore, resistant behaviors accounted for almost 36% of the time spent in encounters; after training, that proportion fell to about 20%.

A study conducted in a Midwestern hospital, again among patients with dementia, found the same sort of decline in resistance behavior.

What’s more, CHAT training in nursing homes was associated with lower use of antipsychotic drugs. Though the results did not reach statistical significance, due in part to the small sample size, the research team deemed them “clinically significant.”

“Many of these medications have a black box warning from the FDA,” Williams said of the drugs. “It’s risky to use them in frail, older adults” because of their side effects.

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Summer 2025 Now, Williams, Shaw, and their colleagues have streamlined the CHAT training and adapted it for online use. They are examining its effects in about 200 nursing homes nationwide.

Even without formal training programs, individuals and institutions can combat elderspeak. Kathleen Carmody, owner of Senior Matters Home Health Care and Consulting in Columbus, Ohio, cautions her aides to address clients as Mr. or Mrs. or Ms., “unless or until they say, ‘Please call me Betty.’”

In long-term care, however, families and residents may worry that correcting the way staff members speak could create antagonism.

A few years ago, Carol Fahy was fuming about the way aides at an assisted living facility in suburban Cleveland treated her mother, who was blind and had become increasingly dependent in her 80s.

Calling her “sweetie” and “honey babe,” the staff “would hover and coo, and they put her hair up in two pigtails on top of her head, like you would with a toddler,” said Fahy, a psychologist in Kaneohe, Hawaii.

Although she recognized the aides’ agreeable intentions, “there’s a falseness about it,” she said. “It doesn’t make someone feel good. It’s actually alienating.”

Fahy considered discussing her objections with the aides, but “I didn’t want them to retaliate.”

Eventually, for several reasons, she moved her mother to another facility.

Yet objecting to elderspeak need not become adversarial, Shaw said. Residents and patients — and people who encounter elderspeak elsewhere, because it’s hardly limited to health care settings — can politely explain how they prefer to be spoken to and what they want to be called.

Cultural differences also come into play. Felipe Agudelo, who teaches health communications at Boston University, pointed out that in certain contexts a diminutive or term of endearment

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9 “doesn’t come from underestimating your intellectual ability. It’s a term of affection.”

He emigrated from Colombia, where his 80-year-old mother takes no offense when a doctor or health care worker asks her to “tómese la pastillita” (take this little pill) or “mueva la manito” (move the little hand).

That’s customary, and “she feels she’s talking to someone who cares,” Agudelo said.

“Come to a place of negotiation,” he advised. “It doesn’t have to be challenging. The patient has the right to say, ‘I don’t like your talking to me that way.’”

In return, the worker “should acknowledge that the recipient may not come from the same cultural background,” he said. That person can respond, “This is the way I usually talk, but I can change it.”

Lisa Greim, 65, a retired writer in Arvada, Colorado, pushed back against elderspeak recently when she enrolled in Medicare drug coverage.

Suddenly, she recounted in an email, a mail-order pharmacy began calling almost daily because she hadn’t filled a prescription as expected.

These “gently condescending” callers, apparently reading from a script, all said, “It’s hard to remember to take our meds, isn’t it?” — as if they were swallowing pills together with Greim.

Annoyed by their presumption, and their follow-up question about how frequently she forgot her medications, Greim informed them that having stocked up earlier, she had a sufficient supply, thanks. She would reorder when she needed more.

Then, “I asked them to stop calling,” she said. “And they did.”

Source: KFF Health News. Read more at kffhealthnews.org.

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Summer 2025

NUTRITION

The 8 Best Superfoods for Seniors One of the secrets to aging well starts with the foods we put on our plate every day.

A balanced diet, filled with superfoods, can help us maintain healthy cognitive function and strong bones as we age, and even prevent chronic disease. Superfoods should be a staple of any healthy meal plan for older adults.

What is a superfood?

Superfoods are not a distinct food category on their own. Rather, this heroic-sounding name simply describes whole, minimally processed foods that are nutrient dense. Generally, superfoods contain healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other compounds found to promote good health and prevent illness and disease. While most are plantbased, certain fish and dairy products may also be considered superfoods.

Which superfoods promote healthy aging?

There are many foods that are considered superfoods. But here are some rockstars known to contribute to healthy aging.

1. Dark leafy greens Dark-colored leafy greens like kale and spinach are rich in carotenoids, which have been shown to protect the eyes against oxidative damage. Spinach is also loaded with vitamins A and C, which help protect the heart and moderate blood pressure levels. Vitamin K is another leafygreen nutrient, found to play a major role in preventing osteoporosis. Leafy greens are delicious in a salad, in a sandwich, or sautéed with a splash of healthy oil (like olive oil).

When it comes to leafy greens, it’s important to watch out for interactions with any drugs you’re taking:

Spinach, kale, collard greens, broccoli, and other leafy greens can make bloodclotting medications less effective.

Green leafy veggies are rich in vitamin K, which interacts with the common blood-thinning drug warfarin (brand name Coumadin). Speak with your doctor before adding more leafy greens to your diet.

2. Cruciferous vegetables This veggie family includes broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and turnips— all of which are great sources of fiber, vitamins, and cancer-preventing phytochemicals. Cruciferous vegetables are tasty and extremely versatile.

Toss them in soups, pasta dishes, and casseroles; steam them; or stir-fry them with seasoning and some olive oil.

3. Blueberries Blueberries are rich in anthocyanins, a class of water-soluble flavonoids found in many colorful fruits and vegetables.

In a recent study, researchers linked anthocyanins with improved cognitive performance in people with high levels of inflammation.

Blueberries also contain antioxidants, compounds that help protect our cells against free-radical damage and reduce the risk for heart disease and cancer.

These flavorful, versatile berries can be added to smoothies and desserts, sprinkled over cereal, and of course, eaten all by themselves!

4. Nuts and seeds From almonds and pecans to hazelnuts and pistachios, nuts are packed with antioxidants, fiber, and plant protein.

They also contain monounsaturated fats, which are thought to help lower heart disease risk.

As long as you have no known allergies, nuts make a delicious standalone snack. They can also be blended into pestos or used as a scrumptious salad topper.

Seeds are another satisfying superfood.

A 2022 study found that the nutrients in chia seeds can help prevent cancer, GI tract-related diseases, and cardiovascular disease. Chia seeds may also aid in controlling type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Other tasty seed options include hemp seed and flax seed, which are also high in inflammationfighting omega-3 fatty acids.

Something to keep in mind about nuts and seeds: They are high in fat and calories, so it’s best to limit consumption to a small handful each day.

5. Eggs Eggs have been a source of dietary controversy over the years due to cholesterol found in the yolk. However, skipping the yolk could deprive you of key nutrients such as vitamin B12, vitamin D, and selenium. Egg yolks also contain choline, a nutrient and neurotransmitter responsible for regulating mood and memory.

Unless otherwise instructed by your doctor, you can consume up to three eggs per day. Since eggs are high in protein, this 740-363-6677 | MySourcePoint.org

Summer 2025 superfood is an ideal choice for a hearty breakfast—scrambled, poached, hardboiled, or sunny side up.

6. Salmon Fatty fish (e.g., salmon, herring, mackerel, trout, and tuna steak) is an excellent source of protein—a nutrient vital to maintaining muscle mass in older adults.

It’s also loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, which can help reduce the risk of heart disease. A great way to enjoy a fresh fish filet is to lightly season it, bake it, and serve with a side of cruciferous vegetables.

7. Plain Greek yogurt When it comes to protein, Greek yogurt delivers. Just one cup has 17 grams of protein, as well as 20% of the daily recommended intake of calcium. Why else is Greek yogurt considered one of the best superfoods? It contains probiotics, which help us maintain gut health. Probiotics have been shown to aid in digestion, boost immune function, and even prevent infection.

11 Assistance Program (SNAP), you or the person you care for may be able to get monthly financial help to make superfoods and other groceries more affordable.

Many older adults who qualify for SNAP assistance don’t take advantage of these benefits, which can be life changing. Take Carol G., age 70, for instance. She lives alone on a limited income, and once all her bills are paid, there is little left for food.

After applying for SNAP, Carol was awarded $139 in monthly benefits, and no longer struggles to eat well. “I’m so grateful,” she told NCOA. “Before SNAP I was not able to buy fresh fruits and vegetables. Now I can make healthier food choices and live a healthier life.”

The average SNAP benefit for a one-person senior household is $188 per month, or $2,256 per year.3 NCOA can help you or your family member learn more about SNAP and how to apply for this food assistance program. Just go to BenefitsCheckUp.org and enter in your ZIP code. We’ll tell you about all the programs that can help you stretch your budget and save for other needs, like your utilities, health care, and prescriptions.

Source: National council on Aging. Read more at ncoa.org.

Plain, unsweetened Greek yogurt is highly versatile. It can be topped with granola and berries or even be substituted for sour cream in certain recipes. Look for yogurt made with whole milk or reducedfat milk with no added sugar.

8. Avocados Avocado is a nutritional powerhouse, loaded with nourishing fats, antioxidants, and other nutrients that support headto-toe health. This creamy-textured fruit is delicious in guacamole or spread on toast. If you or an older adult you care for doesn’t like the taste of avocado, consider blending it into a fruit smoothie for a subtle nutritional boost.

Stocking up on superfoods is easier with SNAP Eating healthfully can be costly, especially at a time when grocery prices are rising.

But through the Supplemental Nutrition

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Summer 2025

SAFETY

Grandparents, Car Seats, and Safety Recent studies indicate that 66% of grandparents take an active role as a caretaker for their grandchildren. If you are one of those grandparents, then you may be responsible at times for correctly installing and using child restraints.

Child passenger safety technicians (CPSTs) urge parents and grandparents to schedule an appointment to review the correct installation and use of each car seat. It is important to understand what the right seat is for a child’s height, weight, and age. Often for convenience, a child is graduated to a booster seat before they are mature enough to maintain correct posture without a harness. In addition, a child who is not tall enough to ride in a seat belt without a booster seat is at great risk for injury. Children under 13 should not be allowed to ride

in the front seat as a “treat.” It is important to understand why the back seat is recommended for so long. Two thirds of car seats checked by CPSTs have some form of misuse. Common errors include a loose installation, incorrect harness fit, and just using the incorrect child restraint.

Car seat safety can be complicated, but the Delaware Public Health District can help by scheduling you a free car seat check appointment with a certified child passenger safety technician. Visit delawarehealth.org/carseat-safety or call 740-209-2079 to schedule.

For more information on how to continue to drive safely as you age, contact SAFE Delaware County Coalition Coordinator Jackie Bain at jbain@delawarehealth.org or call 740-203-2083.

740-363-6677 | MySourcePoint.org

Summer 2025

13

FRAUD PREVENTION

Too Good to Be True? It Probably Is. In this constantly changing and evolving world, the way we conduct normal business is a lot different from just 10 years ago. Activities that used to require in-person meetings are completed with a couple of clicks or the push of a digit on your phone.

Along with these advancements, unfortunately, comes risks. According to the FBI, $4.8 billion was lost to American citizens over 60 years of age last year because of scams and scammers.

And that is just the money calculated from REPORTED complaints. Could we ever really know how much was lost in unreported scams?

Trusting and polite, our seniors are often targeted by this specific type of criminal. From the scammer’s point of view, it’s an easy plan for some quick and fast cash. Seniors are more likely to be financially secure, own their home, and have good credit—all traits that the scammers find attractive. In addition, seniors are less likely to report the fraud for a multitude of reasons. Seniors may not even realize they have been victimized—especially if the crime and fraud involves emails or contact from predators online. Seniors can also feel embarrassed they were defrauded and be concerned about reporting the scam (or even talking about it to a loved one).

This alone identifies the senior population as vulnerable and easy targets for our criminal predators.

There are many different types of scams specifically targeting seniors, and we even had an advertisement in the last edition of My Communicator that discusses some of the most popular ones.

Most recently, we have seen sweetheart (romance) scams, fake family emergency scams, missed jury duty scams, missed tollfee scams, and fake property sales and transfer scams. Ninetynine percent of the time, these scams are completed through electronic devices like text messages on cell phones, emails with hyper-links to different websites, and direct phone calls.

Let’s review those tell-tale warning signs that you should be aware of and what to do should you suspect that you’ve been a target of a scammer. Number one piece of advice: tell somebody!

Number two piece of advice: don’t give out any personal information to someone you don’t know either in person or through electronic devices.

Always be suspicious of any call, email, or text that from a person or organization that you don’t know. Government agencies—like Social Security, Medicare, the IRS, and your local county agencies —rarely contact you by phone to request additional personal information or payments. If you get a call from an agency like this, they will not be upset with you if you wish to hang up and

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call back on the nationally publicized phone number for them. To be safe, always initiate contact yourself through the agency’s website (which should end in .gov) or their publicized phone number. Don’t ever give your personal banking information online or over the phone to someone you don’t know.

Always be wary of anything that is “urgent.”

Scammers will more than likely try to create a sense of emergency or a sense of extremely serious consequences if you don’t do what is requested. For example, if you don’t send money an arrest warrant will be issued because you missed jury duty (this is a scam---hang up if you get one these calls). Scammers don’t want to give you time to verify the the situation or call back them back. Continuing on this front, be leery of statements like “you must sign up today, or you’ll lose coverage” or “your account will be frozen if you don’t act immediately.” Don’t allow yourself to be pressured into giving out personal information or sending funds just because the person on the other end of the phone makes you feel like the clock is ticking. Legitimate offers will still be available if you hang up and do some homework.

Another common trait of these scams is that they request unusual payment methods like gift cards, wire transfers, or even cryptocurrency. The reason they want you to use these forms of payment are because they are difficult to trace or get refunds from. To be safe, never use these types of payment methods unless you have thoroughly researched the company or agency and verified the legitimacy of their request.

In general, just always trust your gut instincts. You didn’t make it this far in life by being swindled and you can fight this type of crime by just using extra caution. If something sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. Communication is a necessary and valuable tool. Unfortunately, there always seems to be someone out there who finds a way to exploit it. There are many ways to report your suspicions of a scam, but the easiest way is to call law enforcement. You can also call our office anytime and ask to speak with a victim advocate or even me! And, we can help you try to figure out if you experienced was a scam. Together we can look out for each other and fight against these thieves.

Melissa A. Schiffel is the Delaware County Prosecuting Attorney.

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Summer 2025

TRANSITIONS IN AGING

When They Don’t Recognize You Anymore It happened more than a decade ago, but the moment remains with her.

Sara Stewart was talking at the dining room table with her mother, Barbara Cole, 86 at the time, in Bar Harbor, Maine. Stewart, then 59, a lawyer, was making one of her extended visits from out of state.

Two or three years earlier, Cole had begun showing troubling signs of dementia, probably from a series of small strokes. “I didn’t want to yank her out of her home,” Stewart said.

So with a squadron of helpers — a housekeeper, regular family visitors, a watchful neighbor, and a meal delivery service — Cole remained in the house she and her late husband had built 30-odd years earlier.

She was managing, and she usually seemed cheerful and chatty. But this conversation in 2014 took a different turn.

“She said to me: ‘Now, where is it we know each other from? Was it from school?’” her daughter and firstborn recalled. “I felt like I’d been kicked.”

Stewart remembers thinking, “In the natural course of things, you were supposed to die before me. But you were never supposed to forget who I am.” Later, alone, she wept.

People with advancing dementia do regularly fail to recognize beloved spouses, partners, children, and siblings.

By the time Stewart and her youngest brother moved Cole into a memorycare facility a year later, she had almost completely lost the ability to remember their names or their relationship to her.

“It’s pretty universal at the later stages” of the disease, said Alison Lynn, director

of social work at the Penn Memory Center, who has led support groups for dementia caregivers for a decade.

She has heard many variations of this account, a moment described with grief, anger, frustration, relief, or some combination thereof.

These caregivers “see a lot of losses, reverse milestones, and this is one of those benchmarks, a fundamental shift” in a close relationship, she said. “It can throw people into an existential crisis.”

It’s hard to determine what people with dementia — a category that includes Alzheimer’s disease and many other cognitive disorders — know or feel. “We don’t have a way of asking the person or looking at an MRI,” Lynn noted. “It’s all deductive.”

But researchers are starting to investigate how family members respond when a loved one no longer appears to know them.

A qualitative study recently published in the journal Dementia analyzed in-depth interviews with adult children caring for mothers with dementia who, at least once, did not recognize them.

“It’s very destabilizing,” said Kristie Wood, a clinical research psychologist at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and co-author of the study.

“Recognition affirms identity, and when it’s gone, people feel like they’ve lost part of themselves.”

Although they understood that nonrecognition was not rejection but a symptom of their mothers’ disease, she

added, some adult children nevertheless blamed themselves.

“They questioned their role. ‘Was I not important enough to remember?’” Wood said. They might withdraw or visit less often.

Pauline Boss, the family therapist who developed the theory of “ambiguous loss” decades ago, points out that it can involve physical absence — as when a soldier is missing in action — or psychological absence, including nonrecognition because of dementia.

Society has no way to acknowledge the transition when “a person is physically present but psychologically absent,” Boss said. There is “no death certificate, no ritual where friends and neighbors come sit with you and comfort you.”

“People feel guilty if they grieve for someone who’s still alive,” she continued.

“But while it’s not the same as a verified death, it is a real loss and it just keeps coming.”

Nonrecognition takes different forms.

Some relatives report that while a loved one with dementia can no longer retrieve a name or an exact relationship, they still seem happy to see them.

“She stopped knowing who I was in the narrative sense, that I was her daughter Janet,” Janet Keller, 69, an actress in Port Townsend, Washington, said in an email about her late mother, diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. “But she always knew that I was someone she liked and wanted to laugh with and hold hands with.”

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Summer 2025 It comforts caregivers to still feel a sense of connection. But one of the respondents in the Dementia study reported that her mother felt like a stranger and that the relationship no longer provided any emotional reward.

“I might as well be visiting the mailman,” she told the interviewer.

Larry Levine, 67, a retired health care administrator in Rockville, Maryland, watched his husband’s ability to recognize him shift unpredictably.

He and Arthur Windreich, a couple for 43 years, had married when Washington, D.C., legalized same-sex marriage in 2010. The following year, Windreich received a diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s.

Levine became his caregiver until his death at 70, in late 2023.

“His condition sort of zigzagged,” Levine said.

Windreich had moved into a memory-care unit. “One day, he’d call me ‘the nice man who comes to visit’,” Levine said. “The next day he’d call me by name.”

Even in his final years when, like many dementia patients, Windreich became largely nonverbal, “there was some acknowledgment,” his husband said.

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15 “Sometimes you could see it in his eyes, this sparkle instead of the blank expression he usually wore.”

At other times, however, “there was no affect at all.” Levine often left the facility in tears.

He sought help from his therapist and his sisters, and recently joined a support group for LGBTQ+ dementia caregivers even though his husband has died.

Support groups, in person or online, “are medicine for the caregiver,” Boss said. “It’s important not to stay isolated.”

Lynn encourages participants in her groups to also find personal rituals to mark the loss of recognition and other reverse milestones.

“Maybe they light a candle. Maybe they say a prayer,” she said.

Someone who would sit shiva, part of the Jewish mourning ritual, might gather a small group of friends or family to reminisce and share stories, even though the loved one with dementia hasn’t died.

“To have someone else participate can be very validating,” Lynn said. “It says, ‘I see the pain you’re going through.’”

Once in a while, the fog of dementia seems to lift briefly.

Researchers at Penn and elsewhere have pointed to a startling phenomenon called “paradoxical lucidity.” Someone with severe dementia, after being noncommunicative for months or years, suddenly regains alertness and may come up with a name, say a few appropriate words, crack a joke, make eye contact, or sing along with a radio.

Though common, these episodes generally last only seconds and don’t mark a real change in the person’s decline. Efforts to recreate the experiences tend to fail.

“It’s a blip,” Lynn said. But caregivers often respond with shock and joy; some interpret the episode as evidence that despite deepening dementia, they are not truly forgotten.

Stewart encountered such a blip a few months before her mother died. She was in her mother’s apartment when a nurse asked her to come down the hall.

“As I left the room, my mother called out my name,” she said. Though Cole usually seemed pleased to see her, “she hadn’t used my name for as long as I could remember.”

It didn’t happen again, but that didn’t matter. “It was wonderful,” Stewart said.

Source: KFF Health News. Read more at kffhealthnews.org.

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Summer 2025

FROM THE SOURCE The latest news, programs, and resources available at SourcePoint.

Fitness & Wellness

Transitions in Aging

TAI CHI: WU ONLINE Tuesdays with Mimi, 11–11:45 a.m.

Beginner-advanced. A powerful, graceful and ancient movement art easily adapted for anyone. Harvard University calls it “the perfect activity for the rest of your life.”

Fee: $10 for a one-time per week series.

WALK WITH EASE RETURNS Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, July 14 through Aug. 22, 9–10 a.m.

The Arthritis Foundation’s Walk With Ease Program is a community-based physical activity and self-management education program. While walking is the central activity, Walk With Ease is a multi-component program that also includes health education, stretching and strengthening exercises, and motivational strategies. The program includes a guidebook and a walking schedule to get you safely moving toward better health.

YOGA: RESTORATIVE Thursdays with Michelle W., 3–4 p.m.

A beginner level practice to relax, restore, and rejuvenate the body and mind. Slow poses that focus on breathing, mellow movements, and long holds. Restorative is more about relaxation than building strength. Members must be able to get up and down from the floor. Fee: $40 for the series.

The Arts STEP-BY-STEP ACRYLIC PAINTING: MONARCH NEW! Tuesdays, July 22 and 29, 5:30–7:30 p.m.

Painter Linda Williams will guide you step-by-step in creating a beautiful monarch butterfly using acrylic paint on a 16x20 canvas. If you want your piece to look just like the sample, this class is for you. Fee: $32 for two-week series.

WOODCARVING: BEGINNING “STYLIZED WHALE” NEW! Thursdays, Aug. 7, 14, 21, and 28, 9:30–11:30 a.m.

Join woodcarver Steve Schmidt as he shares the basics of woodcarving and safety tips. Learn the stop-cut, push-cut, and pull-cut using our tools. Create a stylized whale. Wood blank included. Bring cut-resistant gloves. Use our tools for this first class or bring your own. Fee: $30 for four-week series.

DEMO: WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH YOUR CRICUT NEW! Friday, Sept. 19, 1–3 p.m.

Join Lora Davenport and Diann Smith as they demonstrate several Cricut techniques and help you become more familiar with the machine. Learn how to make pop-up cards, advance cards, stickers, cutouts, vinyl letterings for signs, and quilling paper. Fee: $5.

GRANDPARENTS AS PARENTS MONTHLY MEETUP Fourth Friday of every month, 11 a.m.‒noon.

Join this casual group of older adults, holding space for other grandparents acting as second-time parents. This group aims to support one another through shared life experience as well as help individuals get connected with resources in their communities.

LEARN MORE ABOUT VOLUNTEERING AT SOURCEPOINT Wednesday, Aug. 6, 11 a.m.–noon.

Are you curious about the exciting opportunities available for volunteering at SourcePoint? Are you wondering what it’s like to be a SourcePoint volunteer, but aren’t sure if it would be a good fit for you? Join our volunteer engagement specialist for this no-pressure informational session to learn more about all the amazing things volunteers do for our organization.

DRIVER SAFETY: ODOT PROFESSIONAL ON ROUNDABOUTS Thursday, Aug. 7, 1–2:30 p.m.

The Delaware County SAFE Coalition, Ohio Department of Transportation, and Age-Friendly Delaware County come together to present guidance on driving roundabouts safely and defensively.

Register for these programs and more at

MySourcePoint.org/EC

740-363-6677 | MySourcePoint.org

Summer 2025

17

Learning

Social Connections

SOCRATES CAFE Fourth Wednesdays, July 23, Aug. 27, Sept. 24, 1–3 p.m.

Socrates Cafes foster thinking and dialoging about thoughtprovoking questions. They touch essential life and living issues. Members share their perspectives and insights of richly rewarding information. Join the new Socrates Cafe for lively, energizing dialogues to enrich facets of your life led by experienced facilitators.

MUSIC FESTIVAL Wednesday, July 30, 5–7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 28, 5–7:30 p.m.

In July, Enjoy the music of Mark Sparrow and the Elderly Brothers and ice cream (that you can purchase) from Sticky Fingers. In Aug., our bands will be QHC Brass and Of Sound Minds. Please feel free to bring in your own dinner and beverage of your choice.

HUNGRY, HUNGRY HUMMINGBIRDS NEW! Monday, July 28, 11 a.m.–noon at Delaware Dam, Elm Grove Shelter, 3920 U.S. Hwy 23 N., Delaware.

Hummingbirds are beautiful creatures that you can find flitting from flower to flower all summer long. Join Delaware Lake USACE volunteer, Jennifer, to learn about these beautiful birds, what flowers are best to plant to attract them, and tips/tricks for your hummingbird feeders. Park near the Elm Grove Shelter where you will be meeting.

LIVE ON CHESHIRE: HITS THE ROAD RETURNS Various Days/Evenings, July 1 thru Aug. 31.

Did you know that the musicians who perform at LIVE on Cheshire, providing magical evenings for us, do so as volunteers? During these two months, we’ll be heading out to different establishments to enjoy their talents. The day, time, and location will vary, so be sure to register to stay apprised of what is happening each week. Food and beverage on your own.

TECHNOLOGY 1:1 ASSISTANCE Mondays, Aug. 4, 11, 18, 25 and Sept. 8, 15, 22, 29, 10 a.m.–12:45 p.m. by appointment.

Jarren Ringle provides guidance on technology in a 45-minute time slot. Do you have questions regarding a cell phone, PC, laptop, or tablet? Share your device and your questions at registration. Limit: two sessions per month.

RECYCLED FLOWERPOT NEW! Monday, Aug. 25, 11 a.m.–noon.

Garden Recycling: Have a green thumb? Maybe not so much, but still interested in gardening? Join Delaware Lake USACE volunteer, Jennifer, to learn some tips and tricks on garden recycling. Learn about which plants are native to our area and make a planter from recycled plastic bottles. Native seeds will be included. Fee: $5.

NAMI: HEARTS+MINDS RETURNS Wednesdays, Sept. 3, 10, 17, 24, Oct. 1, 10–11:30 a.m.

A FREE wellness program to educate and empower you to better manage your health‒mentally and physically. This NAMI, or National Alliance on Mental Illness, presentation will provide information and tools that can help you plan and achieve recovery goals and better overall health. Improve symptoms by learning how body systems interact and by effectively managing the physical effects of mental illness, using strategies that improve long-term health.

MySourcePoint.org | 740-363-6677

Trips DINE ON A COVERED BRIDGE NEW! Thursday, Sept. 11; estimated timing: 10 a.m. bus departure, 3 p.m. return.

Set out on a covered bridge sightseeing and culinary adventure! Enjoy a seasoned guide who will navigate the pastoral countryside on a tour of the seven covered bridges of Union County. This scenic driving tour includes expansive views of the big Darby Plains Scenic Byway. Then, participate in a truly unique experience of dining on the picturesque Pottersburg Bridge, built in 1873, complete with delicious cuisine, folk music, storytelling, and a setting sure to celebrate a slower era. Activity Level 1. Registration through Aug. 7. Fee: $85 for members; $105 for non-members.

CHRISTMAS IN THE SMOKIES Dec. 8-11 (4 days/3 nights).

Please refer to the trip brochure for details. Travel arrangements made by Prime Tours. Registration and a deposit of $100 per person is due to Prime Tours to secure reservation with the balance due by Sept. 12.

Fee: $1,499 per person based on double occupancy. Other rate info available in flyer.

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Summer 2025

IN OUR COMMUNITY

SourcePoint Insurance Team Named OSHIIP Partner of the Year SourcePoint’s insurance team, along with their dedicated Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) volunteers, has been named OSHIIP’s 2025 Partner of the Year. This prestigious recognition highlights their outstanding partnership with the Ohio Department of Insurance and their exceptional commitment to serving Medicare beneficiaries in Delaware County.

Through one-on-one counseling and community outreach, SourcePoint’s insurance team empowers older adults with unbiased, reliable information to help them make informed decisions about their health insurance coverage. In 2024 alone, the team conducted hundreds of appointments, helping individuals

understand their Medicare options, avoid unnecessary costs, and gain peace of mind. SourcePoint’s insurance team is led by staff members Charlotte, Jill, and Lisa and supported by a team of volunteers.

SourcePoint remains committed to helping older adults thrive after 55, and its insurance services continue to be a vital resource for residents navigating the complexities of Medicare.

“We are incredibly proud of our insurance team and volunteers,” said Laura Smith, Interim Community Programs Administrator. “This award is a testament to their expertise, compassion, and unwavering dedication to the people we serve.”

For more information about SourcePoint’s Medicare education and counseling services, visit MySourcePoint.org/insurance.

Making Sense of MEDICARE SourcePoint’s free, unbiased classes take the mystery out of Medicare and empower you to make sound insurance decisions.

Classes are held at SourcePoint and other locations throughout Delaware County.

Learn more and register for free at

MySourcePoint.org/insurance Questions? Call 740-363-6677.

740-363-6677 | MySourcePoint.org

Summer 2025

19 HEALTH & WELLNESS

Is Healthy Aging Your Goal?

A Healthy Mouth Should Be, Too We know that a healthy mouth is not only important for basic comfort and appearance, but also for better health, nutrition, and social and psychological well-being.

In the aging process, tooth loss, gum disease, and other dental problems have historically been considered inevitable outcomes.

But like many aspects of what people might consider “normal” aging, both tooth loss and poor oral health can be prevented.

Prevention and patient education strategies—both for individuals and communities—are critical in oral health for older adults.

Older adults with poor oral health are at increased risk for aspiration pneumonia, poorly controlled diabetes, endocarditis, and inadequate nutrition, among other health problems. Many medications commonly used by older adults also cause dry mouth, leading to tooth decay as well as impaired swallowing, speech, and taste. To maintain oral health, older adults need adequate daily oral hygiene and routine preventive visits with the dental team.

The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) recently launched an oral health initiative to strengthen the understanding, awareness, and importance of appropriate oral care and the impact that all members of the health care and caregiver teams — including dentistry, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, social work, occupational and physical therapy, and other professions — may have on ensuring good oral care for older adults. Family members and friends can contribute as well.

As part of this initiative, GSA developed two publications: Oral Health: An Essential Element of Healthy Aging, which provides evidence supporting the crucial links between oral health, other conditions, functional abilities, and healthy aging; and a white paper, Interprofessional Solutions for Improving Oral Health in Older Adults: Addressing Access Barriers, Creating Oral Health Champions — that makes six specific recommendations aimed at raising people’s quality of life as they age.

We also developed a webpage that features helpful resources related to oral health and older adults. All our materials are free to access at geron.org/resources/oral-health.

Source: National Council on Aging. Read more at ncoa.org.

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Summer 2025

SourcePoint

2024 ANNUAL REPORT EXCERPT 2,026 individuals received in-home care 82% of in-home care clients did not have emergency or unplanned care in 2024

3,727 individuals visited the enrichment center 91% of enrichment center participants reported at least 21 healthy days per month

91% of previous in-home care clients agree services helped them stay at home

247,129 Meals on Wheels were produced 9,279 pounds of pet food was donated for clients’ beloved pets

1,143 insurance clients saved an average of $771 each, with total savings of $881,698

476 caregivers participated in free support groups and workshops

2,668 community programs were offered in 2024

SourcePoint’s mission is to help our community set a course to live well after 55.

Our vision is of a community where every person 55 and over is empowered to live life to the fullest.

Our values include respect, compassion, interdependence, excellence, stewardship, and advocacy.

740-363-6677 | MySourcePoint.org

Summer 2025

21

SourcePoint

2024 ANNUAL REPORT EXCERPT Dear Friends,

848

volunteers dedicated

66,733

hours of service, which is valued at Local musicians donate 1,900 hours of talent annually.

$1,904,560

of contributed labor.

At SourcePoint, we are dedicated to empowering older adults to live well after 55. As we reflect on 2024, we celebrate the incredible impact of our programs, the generosity of our supporters, and the unwavering commitment of our staff, donors, and volunteers.

Last year, we focused on enhancing the quality and efficiency of our services, ensuring that every resource is used wisely to support older adults and caregivers in Delaware County.

The numbers in this report tell a story of resilience, care, and innovation. From in-home care services that help older adults remain independent to the enriching community programs we offer, every effort reflects our mission to enhance quality of life.

Through responsible stewardship and continuous improvement, we are committed to sustaining these essential services and maximizing their impact.

The “Do For Others” group made 674 quilts and 100 hats.

Thank you for being a part of this journey. Your support makes a meaningful difference, and together, we are building a community where every person 55 and older can live life to the fullest.

With gratitude, Fara Waugh, LISW-S Chief Executive Officer

AGING IS NOT SOMETHING TO HIDE OR DOWNPLAY—IT’S A TESTAMENT TO OUR EXPERIENCES, RESILIENCE, AND CONTRIBUTIONS. WHEN WE EMBRACE OUR AGE WITH CONFIDENCE, WE CHALLENGE STEREOTYPES AND RESHAPE THE CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO GROW OLDER. —FARA WAUGH, CEO

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Summer 2025

CAREGIVING

Long-Distance Caregiving Many people live far away from their family or friends who need help. If you don’t live nearby, you can still provide support and assistance as a long-distance caregiver. This article provides information and resources if you find yourself in a long-distance caregiving role.

What tasks can a long-distance caregiver help with?

Long-distance caregivers take on different roles. From a distance, you may be able to: • Assist with finances, money management, insurance claims, or paying bills.

• Arrange for care management or in-home care by hiring formal caregivers such as home health aides.

• Order medical equipment, medicines, and other supplies the person needs.

• Serve as an information coordinator by researching information about relevant health conditions and medicines, navigating changing needs, and overseeing insurance benefits.

• Help with advance care planning, such as choosing a health care proxy and preparing a living will.

• Help find, organize, and update important paperwork and records.

• Research long-term care options, such as an assisted living facility or nursing home.

You will probably be coordinating these tasks with family, friends, or other caregivers who live nearby.

Staying connected from far away When you don’t live close by, it may take more effort to find out what’s going on and stay up to date with an older person’s needs.

Here are some strategies and technologies that long-distance caregivers can use to stay connected: • Create a list of important phone numbers and email addresses. Keep it in a shared document or spreadsheet online and update it regularly.

• Set up a shared calendar online or in a smartphone app to coordinate with other caregivers.

• With permission, attend the person’s telehealth visits.

Telehealth visits are remote appointments with health care

providers often done with videoconferencing.

•

•

•

Making the most of a short visit with an aging parent or relative Talk to the person ahead of time and find out what they would like to do during your visit. Also check with the primary caregiver, if appropriate, to learn what they need. You may be able to handle some of their caregiving responsibilities while you are in town. These conversations can help you set clear-cut and realistic goals for the visit. Decide on your top priorities — that may mean reserving other tasks for a future visit.

Because there’s a lot to do during a short visit, it’s easy to overlook simply spending time with the person and doing things together. Try to make time for activities unrelated to being a caregiver, such as watching a movie, playing a game, enjoying music, or taking a drive. Finding time to enjoy something simple and relaxing together is good for everyone.

Supporting the person doing day-to-day caregiving In many cases, one person takes on most of the everyday responsibilities of caring for an older person. It tends to be a spouse or the child or sibling who lives closest. If you are not the primary caregiver, you can still play an important role in supporting that person.

Here are some ways you can help, even if you don’t live nearby: • Ask what you can do that would be most helpful.

• Stay in regular contact with the primary caregiver by phone or email. Just listening may not sound like much, but it can mean a lot.

• Travel to stay with the older person for a few days so the primary caregiver can take a vacation or have some time off.

740-363-6677 | MySourcePoint.org

Summer 2025 • Arrange for regular respite care in the form of a volunteer, an in-home aide, or an adult day care program.

In time, the older person may have to move to a residential (live-in) facility, such as assisted living or a nursing home. If that happens, the primary caregiver will need your support. You can work together to select a facility and coordinate the move. The primary caregiver may need extra support while adjusting to the person’s absence and to living alone at home.

23 FUN & GAMES

Sudoku EASY

Source: National Institute on Aging. Read more at nia.nih.gov.

HARD

See Sudoku Solutions on page 31.

MySourcePoint.org | 740-363-6677

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Summer 2025

CREATIVE WRITING

Circumstance: Precarious Precarious, hmm that seems to be what I am, well maybe it’s the way it’s spelled. I mean I’m pre-distracted, so why not precarious. Wait, maybe I need to consult Mr. Webster. Precarious he says is uncertain or depending on the will of another. I guess I am since me, myself and I often wrestle over what to do.

Dave Richards is a creative writing participant at SourcePoint.

The Lock with No Key The lock with no key Where here no key is needed Our hearts lie open Locks to keep things out Are mocked by the love within Dissolving all walls

Six-Word Thoughts About Aging Aging memories flood. Life was nonsensical.

Now you know, then you didn’t.

Truth lies between this and that.

What you thought, not what was.

Illness strikes friends, left and right.

Don’t tell, cancer will disappear—not.

Chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, scans, biopsies, cancers.

Pancreatic, breast, ovarian, cancers. Life-sucking disease.

Lonely is the age of death.

Odd feeling being oldest generation now.

Mentors die; your turn to mentor.

No more driving, world grows small.

Call a friend, save the day.

Count what gained, not what lost.

Choose gratitude each day, not regret.

Dependable eyes: reading, quilting, writing, piano.

My cataracts grow slowly. Lucky me.

One room, packed with memories, books, Crafts enough to do until dead.

Don’t wait until funeral—go home!

Don’t want help—just you, listening.

Robin Knowles Wallace is a creative writing participant at SourcePoint.

With all walls now gone our lives can be made complete And our selves grown whole Tony Marconi is a creative writing participant at SourcePoint.

Untitled She was angry and somewhat confused Her eyes flashed and she was not amused She said, “Sit down and write!”

“I will just not tonight.”

Wow! Muse has a very short fuse!

Donna Bingham is a creative writing participant at SourcePoint.

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Summer 2025

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TRANSITIONS IN AGING

Get the Facts on Falls Prevention Most of us know someone who has experienced a fall, or we have fallen ourselves. Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries for older Americans. But through practical lifestyle adjustments, evidence-based falls prevention programs, and clinical-community partnerships, the number of falls among older adults can be substantially reduced.

THE CHALLENGES OF FALLS FOR OLDER ADULTS According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other falls research:

FALLS RISK FACTORS Get to know these common risk factors for falls, take the Falls Free CheckUp to check your falls risk, and talk with a health care provider about how to reduce your risk for falls.

• Falling once doubles the risk of falling again.

• People with vision loss have almost twice the risk of falls as adults without vision impairment.

• Fourteen million, or 1 in 4 Americans age 65+, falls each year.

• People with hearing loss are nearly three times as likely to fall compared to those with normal hearing, but wearing a hearing aid reduces the risk of falling by 50%.

• Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries among older adults.

• Lower body weakness and difficulties with walking and balance increase someone’s risk for falls.

• In 2021, falls caused 38,000 deaths among those age 65+, and emergency departments reported 3 million visits due to older adult falls.

• Certain medications can have side effects and interactions, such as dizziness and fatigue, that increase the risk of falls.

• The cost of treating injuries caused by falls among older adults is projected to increase to over $101 billion by 2030.

• Chronic conditions such as diabetes and arthritis can increase the risk of falls due to neuropathy, pain, and other symptoms that can affect walking and balance.

• Among older adults who fall, over half receive care in a hospital; the estimated annual average cost per inpatient visit for falls injuries is $18,658 and $1,112 per emergency department visit.

• Hazards in the home, inlcuding clutter, poor lighting, and lack of supports such as grab bars, can cause falls. Home modifications can address these hazards to reduce falls risk in the home.

• Based on data from 2020, the total health care cost of nonfatal older adult falls is $80 billion per year, up from $50 billion in 2015. Sixty-seven percent of fall-related costs are paid for

by Medicare, 4% by Medicaid, and 29% is paid privately/outof-pocket by older adults and families.

Falls, with or without injury, also carry a heavy quality of life impact. A growing number of older adults fear falling and, as a result, limit their activities and social engagements. This can result in further physical decline, depression, social isolation, and feelings of helplessness.

Source: National Council on Aging. Read more at ncoa.org.

How We Can Help

Home Safety Checks

Your home should be a safe haven, and SourcePoint can provide a free inspection of your home and suggestions on how to make it safer.

MySourcePoint.org | 740-363-6677

Falls Prevention Programs

Health & Wellness Programs

SourcePoint offers free, proven classes At SourcePoint’s enrichment center, adults to address falls, including A Matter of ages 55 and better can participate in a Balance, Falls-Free Zone, Health in Action, variety of endurance, flexibility, strength, and Aging Mastery. and balance activities.

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Summer 2025

TRAVEL

Adventure Key to Happiness for Older Adults Road Scholar, the not-for-profit world leader in educational travel for older adults, released a new report indicating that adventure is a key contributor to the happiness and health of aging adults.

Based on a survey of 300 adults aged 50 to 98, Road Scholar’s findings reveal that 94% of older adults who embrace adventurous activities – whether through travel, lifelong learning or stepping outside their comfort zones – report higher levels of wellbeing.

In addition to the report, the organization has announced a new national observance on its 50th anniversary June 8th, “Age Adventurously Day,” kicking off with a contest offering one lucky winner a travel voucher, among other prizes.

“Our Age Adventurously Report findings reinforce what we’ve always believed — adventure enriches both health and happiness, and our desire for new experiences only grows with age,” said James Moses, CEO of Road Scholar. “As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we’re proud to launch Age Adventurously Day, proving adventure is not bound by age, but rather fueled by curiosity. We encourage everyone to spend June 8th doing something adventurous – whether that be trying out a new sport, tasting an exotic food, or exploring a new destination.”

Road Scholar’s Age Adventurously Report offers compelling insights into the connection between aging, adventure and wellbeing. Compared to previous generations, today’s older adults are more adventurous than ever before.

Here’s a look at a few standout findings: Educational Experiences Spark Interest in Distant Destinations and Frequent Travel: Road Scholar’s survey results indicate that older adults who engage in educational travel are more likely to explore distant destinations and travel more often compared to their peers. Thirtytwo percent of participants surveyed reported that the majority of their travel is international. Road Scholar participants also tend to travel more frequently with 45% of those polled taking 4-8 trips annually, compared to 26% of those not involved with the organization.

Adventure Adds to Health and Happiness: Nearly 100% of older adults surveyed agreed that being adventurous contributes to their health, happiness and wellbeing. In fact, Road Scholar participants above the age of 50 who actively embrace new experiences indicated feeling just as happy as they were in their 20s, 30s or 40s – scoring an average of 3.2 on a 5-point scale ranking happiness from “not happier” to “extremely happier.”

About Road Scholar: Notfor-profit Road Scholar is the world leader in educational experiences for older adults, serving 90,000 lifelong learners annually. Founded as “Elderhostel” in 1975, Road Scholar is celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2025 with a Great Global Giveaway, among other special projects. Road Scholar programs combine travel and education to provide experiential learning opportunities featuring an extraordinary range of topics, formats, activity levels, and locations—on all seven continents and throughout the United States. Alongside renowned experts, participants experience in-depth and behind-the-scenes learning opportunities by land and by sea on educational travel adventures designed for curious adventurers over 50. For more information, see press kit at roadscholar. org/presskit.

Adventurousness Across Generations: When asked if their generation was more adventurous in older adulthood than their parents’ generation, 75% of Gen Xers agreed and 89% of Boomers and Silent Gen concurred – showing that older adults have evolved to be more adventurous.

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Summer 2025

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TECHNOLOGY

Alzheimer’s Association Launches App The Alzheimer’s Association has launched a new, free app to help those in the early stages of the disease and their loved ones navigate a dementia diagnosis.

Getting started is easy • Download the app. Find My ALZ Journey in the Apple or Google Play stores.

The My ALZ Journey app was designed for newly diagnosed, early-stage individuals and their care partners to help navigate their diagnosis and journey with Alzheimer’s or other dementia, connect with education, planning tools, interactive activities, and local community resources. It is available in the Apple and Google Play stores.

• Customize your experience by answering a few questions, including your location and age at diagnosis, to tailor the app to your needs.

A diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but My ALZ Journey can help navigate a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or another dementia. Once an individual downloads the app and submits their information, it helps create a personalized plan and connect directly with their local Alzheimer’s Association chapter to learn about support groups, events, resources, and programs.

For the first time, the number of people living with Alzheimer’s disease in the U.S. is more than 7 million. That includes 236,200 in Ohio, according to the 2025 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report. Deaths due to Alzheimer’s more than doubled (142%) between 2000 and 2022, while deaths from the leading cause of mortality (heart disease) decreased by 2.1%.

My ALZ Journey provides step-by-step support, tailored tools, and trusted information to make early-stage planning easier. The app helps individuals impacted by Alzheimer’s or another dementia stay informed, engaged, and connected to local resources. It also fosters connection, combats stigma, and empowers individuals living with dementia and their care partners to make decisions with confidence.

To learn more about Alzheimer’s or other dementia and to access free support and resources, visit alz.org/centralohio or call the Central Ohio Chapter at 614-457-6003 or the 24/7 helpline at 800-272-3900.

• Explore information on different topics and commonly asked questions. Access trusted resources, tools, and support anytime, anywhere.

What’s in the app?

My ALZ Journey offers information and activities that apply to all types of dementia. Use the app to explore: • Personalized resources — Content based on who you are (whether you are living with the disease or are a care partner), your age at diagnosis, and your location.

• Step-by-step help — Guidance for adjusting to a diagnosis, staying independent, and planning for the future.

• Local support — Connections to your local Alzheimer’s Association chapter and nearby programs.

Programs at SourcePoint Care Consultations

First Thursday and third Tuesday of each month, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. by appointment

Early Stage Support Group

• Tools and activities — Planning tools, helpful checklists, and creative ways to stay engaged.

First and third Mondays, July and August, 10:15-11:45 a.m.

• Information based on real experiences — Developed with input from people living with dementia and their care partners to reflect real life.

Tuesdays, Aug. 5 and Sept. 2, 10-11 a.m.

The Empowered Caregiver

Register for these classes and more at

MySourcePoint.org/EC

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Summer 2025

FINANCES

Money-Saving Benefits in Retirement What does retirement look like? For some people, it’s leisurely mornings, golf outings, and bucket-list vacations. But for older adults without enough retirement savings, the picture isn’t quite as rosy. A recent survey

by Clever found that 54% of older adults regret they didn’t better manage their money before retiring. Similarly, 54% of retirees say they exited the workforce too soon.

Importantly, not all of them retired by choice. When the pandemic sent the economy into recession, America’s Great Retirement followed. Spurred by job loss, caregiving needs, burnout, medical issues, and fear of exposure to COVID-19, many workers retired sooner than planned.

These early retirements were in stark contrast to what happened in prior economic downturns, when older adults delayed retirement to replenish their depleted savings.

Regardless of their reasons for retiring early, many older Americans now face economic uncertainty during what is supposed to be an enjoyable time of life.

Consider these eye-opening retirement statistics: • Retirees only have a median of $142,500 in savings (four times less than the $572,000 experts recommend for starting retirement).

• An alarming 25% of older adults who’ve officially left the workforce have nothing in savings at all.

• Social Security is the major source of income for most Americans age 65 and older. However, the average monthly

benefit of $1,782 in 2023 only replaces about 37% of past earnings for retirees who worked most of their adult lives.

• During retirement, older adults outspend their annual income by more than $4,000 on average.

The bottom line? Most older adults don’t have enough money put aside for retirement—and many face a real risk of outliving their savings.

The shortfall each month requires many people to depend on savings accounts or investments to fill the gaps. A large portion of seniors also go into debt just to keep up with day-to-day living costs.

In fact, Clever found that 2 of 3 retirees carries non-mortgage debt into their retirement years.

What can older adults do to lessen financial stress during retirement?

Adults facing financial instability in retirement need to leverage any moneysaving tips they can. One important way to do this is through benefit programs that help low-income older adults pay for healthcare, prescriptions, food, housing, and more. Here are some programs to consider: Medicare Help: Are you having trouble affording your healthcare expenses?

You may qualify for Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs), which were created for Medicare recipients with limited incomes who don’t qualify for full Medicaid. These programs help older adults cover both Medicare premiums and out-of-pocket costs (e.g., deductibles). Four Medicare Savings Programs are available, each with

its own income and resource criteria. If you’re a Medicare beneficiary with limited income and assets, you may qualify for Medicare Extra Help. This program offers additional financial assistance with prescription drug costs.

Energy Assistance: If you’re worried about heating your home in the chilly winter— or keeping it cool and comfortable in the summer, you may be able to get a helping hand. The federally funded Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides grants to states, territories, the District of Columbia, and tribes to help eligible older adults pay their home heating and cooling costs. Every state has unique eligibility requirements and application processes. Another option for energy assistance is the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). This initiative helps eligible older adults lower their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient—even if they rent or live in a multi-family complex.

Wireless or Home Phone Bill Assistance: Your phone helps you stay connected to your family, friends, and community— but those monthly bills can really add up! Through the Lifeline phone discount program, older adults can receive monthly discounts on basic wireless or home telephone service. These savings may be in the form of free wireless minutes or a lower monthly phone bill. You may qualify for this program if you have limited income or if you’re currently enrolled in programs like Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Housing Assistance: Retirees who haven’t yet paid off their mortgage—or who face high and increasing rents—often face challenges staying in their home as 740-363-6677 | MySourcePoint.org

Summer 2025

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they age. There are a host of programs available from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to help eligible older adults manage their housing needs. The type of assistance provided varies, but you may be able to get help remaining in your current home or finding an apartment or retirement community. HUD also sponsors counseling agencies to advise older adults on issues such as foreclosures, evictions, and credit issues.

Food Assistance: Do you feel like you’re able to purchase less and less on the same grocery budget each week? You’re not alone. With rising grocery prices, retirees on a fixed income are really feeling the squeeze. Fortunately, there are several food assistance programs that can offer relief for eligible households that are struggling to afford food. The most

common is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP (formerly known as food stamps). SNAP benefits are pre-loaded onto an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, which can be used to buy eligible food in most retail stores that sell food (e.g., Walmart) as well as farmers markets. Wondering if SNAP is even worth applying for? You should know the average monthly benefit for a one-person senior household is $188.

succeed as a mature worker. All you have to do is tell us about your goals, describe your current employment situation, and the Job Skills CheckUp will create a personalized plan to help you find job openings, build a professional network, prepare for job interviews, and more.

Source: National Council on Aging. Read more at ncoa.org.

Part-time (or full-time) jobs: A growing number of older adults are either returning to the workforce or seeking employment for the first time. There are several paths to employment for older adults. These include online job boards, newspaper ads, job fairs, and networking. NCOA recently launched its new employment tool, Job Skills CheckUp, to help older adults get tips on how to

We Love Our Volunteers!

Join the winning team that keeps Delaware County older adults thriving!

We welcome new applicants to apply for rewarding volunteer opportunities, including: Meals on Wheels Cafe 55 Assistant Enrichment Center Medical Transportation

Fitness or Pool Attendants

Go to MySourcePoint.org/volunteer or call 740-363-6677 MySourcePoint.org | 740-363-6677

Activity Partner

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Summer 2025

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Mental Illness and Older Adults: What to Know We all know good mental health is an important part of our quality of life. But barriers still exist when it comes to getting support and treatment for mental illness.

How common is mental illness?

One in five Americans will experience it in their lifetime. And nearly 15% of adults age 50 and older have some type of mental health disorder. Given the nation’s large aging population, the number of older adults with mental health disorders is expected to double by the year 2030.

Despite being so widespread, mental illness remains seriously underdiagnosed and undertreated in older people. In fact, two-thirds of older adults with mental health problems do not receive the treatment they need.

Why is there a lack of mental health support for older adults?

If mental illness is such a pressing issue in older Americans, why do so many people remain undiagnosed and untreated? Part of the problem may be negative stereotypes about aging—the idea that it’s “normal” for people to grow lonelier or more unhappy as they age. But, in fact, feelings of depression or excessive anxiety are not a normal part of growing older. They’re signs of treatable medical conditions, just like diabetes or hypertension.

There is also a social stigma (negative beliefs and misconceptions) surrounding mental health issues today. Lack of awareness and education about mental health can lead to discrimination against people with mental health problems, making them less likely to seek help and treatment.

Lastly, some older adults face practical barriers when it comes to getting mental health services. Living in a rural area or lacking transportation to and from provider visits can make it difficult for many people to get the care they need.

Why is mental health an issue in older adults?

Older adults face a higher risk for mental health problems due to a number of reasons. These include: • Loss of a loved one • Loneliness and/or social isolation

• Changes brought on by retirement • Certain medications • Alcohol use or abuse • Stress of caregiving What is the most common mental health problem for older adults?

Anxiety and depression are among the most common mental health disorders affecting older adults.

Anxiety: Symptoms and treatment Severe anxiety that disrupts your daily functioning can lead to a lower quality of life and even physical health problems. Between 3% and 14% of older adults meet the criteria for an anxiety disorder.

Symptoms of anxiety in older adults include: • Feelings of excessive nervousness or fear • Compulsive, repeated safety checks • Avoiding social situations • Avoiding routine activities • Physical signs like shallow breathing, sweating, trembling, chest pains, headaches, gastrointestinal problems Common anxiety disorders include: • Panic disorder: Characterized by panic attacks or sudden feelings of terror that strike repeatedly • Obsessive-compulsive disorder: Suffering from repetitive, unwanted thoughts or rituals • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Nightmares, depression, and other persistent symptoms after a traumatic event • Phobias: Extreme fear of something that poses little real danger • Generalized anxiety disorder: Chronic, exaggerated worry about everyday activities Anxiety is highly treatable through therapy, medication, or a combination of both. Treatment varies for each person.

• Chronic illness or disability 740-363-6677 | MySourcePoint.org

Summer 2025 Depression: Symptoms and treatment Depression is a mood disorder defined by feelings of intense sadness and despair that last for weeks or even months at a time.

One study found that 27% of older adults met the criteria for a diagnosis of major depression.

Common symptoms of depression include: • Loss of pleasure in everyday activities • Poor sleep • Rapid weight gain or loss • Low energy • Lack of ability to focus Depression can severely limit one’s quality of life and ability to take care of themselves. It can also lead to physical health problems, such as slower recovery from physical illness. In addition, depressed people are at a greater risk for suicidal thoughts and actions.

Like anxiety, depression is a very treatable disorder, with medication and psychotherapy—or a mix of the two—being the main avenues of treatment.

Take a mental health screening If you’re experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression, you’re not alone; mental health disorders affect millions of older Americans. Help is available, and healing is possible. The earlier you identify and treat your symptoms, the faster you’ll be able to feel better.

31 about your personal mental health. While this tool is not the same as an official diagnosis, it can help you start a conversation with your health care provider or loved ones.

If you or someone you know is in crisis and would like to talk to a trained counselor, dial or text 988 from your phone to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. This service is free, confidential, and available to anyone in the U.S. 24/7.

Getting affordable mental health care with Medicare Worrying about health insurance costs should never be a barrier to mental health treatment for older adults. Medicare helps cover a wide range of mental health services, including screening for mental illness; lab tests ordered by your doctor; and visits with a doctor, psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, or clinical social worker. Medicare Part D helps cover the drugs you may need to treat a mental health condition. To learn more about mental health coverage under Medicare, contact your plan provider.

“Mental health is just as vital as physical health, especially as we age,” explained Amanda Krisher, MSW, LCSW, Associate Director of Behavioral Health for NCOA’s Center for Healthy Aging. “Too often, older adults dismiss feelings of anxiety, depression, or loneliness as just ‘part of getting older,’ but they’re not. If you’re struggling, getting the right support can make all the difference.

You deserve peace and joy at every stage of life.”

Source: National Council on Aging. Read more at ncoa.org.

Start by taking an online screening from Mental Health America.

This is a free, anonymous, and 100% confidential way to learn

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