LNT Retirement Assisted Living-061825 by Shaw Media

Retirement & Assisted Living

Pathway to Naturally Better Hearing

· Comprehensive

· Fitting and programming of

· Tinnitus assessments and Tinnitus Retraining Therapy

· Unbundled, transparent hearing aid prices · Routine hearing aid maintenance · Hearing aid repairs, batteries and supplies

One of the primary lessons learned during the COVID19 pandemic was how challenging social isolation can be. Social isolation often goes overlooked, but it’s a key contributor to poor mental health. Experts state that it is increasingly important for adults to maintain an active social life as they age. There are many beneﬁts that come from staying engaged and socializing with others. The following is a look at seven ways socialization beneﬁts seniors.

1.Regular social interactions can help older adults avoid depression, anxiety and feelings of isolation, according to Integracare, a senior living company.

2.Social engagement can help reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia because socializing helps to keep the mind sharp through new experiences.

3.Socialization often revolves around an activity that gets seniors up and moving. While being seden-

tary is alright on occasion, consistently sitting or laying around can lead to high cholesterol, weight gain and high blood pressure. A 2019 study published in The Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences determined that older adults who interacted with people beyond their usual social circle of family and close friends were more likely to have higher levels of physical activity, greater positive moods and fewer negative feelings.

4.Regular social interaction may compel seniors to embrace healthier eating habits. Social events expose seniors to diﬀerent types of food, which can help them get the nutrients they need to live healthy.

5.Regular socialization can help seniors feel they are needed and have a sense of purpose, which can boost self-esteem. Engaging with others often means contributing to a community, and that can be satisfying.

6.Getting out and interacting with others can serve as an informal wellness check, potentially alerting family and friends to issues that may need attention.

7.Getting outside and interacting with others can open seniors up to new hobbies. Whether that is par-

ticipating in a new sport or joining a club, there are mental and physical advantages to engaging socially.

Socialization is an important factor in seniors’ overall wellness, and one that should be discussed along with diet, exercise and illness management. FP255823

Activities for seniors with limited mobility

Children, adolescents, young adults, and even men and women in middle age may not face too many physical hurdles when they try to exercise, but seniors are not always so lucky. Aging men and women with mobility issues may wonder if they can reap the rewards of physical activity, and thankfully there are many ways to exercise even if getting up and going isn’t as easy as it might have been in years past. Sometimes referred to as “aerobic exercise” or simply “cardio,” cardiovascular exercise is an umbrella term that encompasses a wide range of physical activities that raise the heart rate and improve endurance. Seniors with mobility issues can look to various forms of cardio for inspiration as they seek to be more physically active without compromising their overall health.

• Walk your way to a healthier you. Walking is a form of car-

diovascular exercise that is ideal for older adults with mobility issues because it need not be physically demanding and it’s safe to walk just about anywhere. Walk ing in a place such as a local park can be par ticularly good for older adults because they can take periodic breaks on benches if aches, pains or stiﬀness is aﬀecting their ability to keep moving.

promotes heart health, strengthens the lungs, helps to burn calories, and builds muscle, among other beneﬁts. And many seniors ﬁnd swimming is just as fun in their golden years as it was in their youth, which means aging adults might not face problems with motivation when the time comes to get in the pool.

provide many of the beneﬁts of cycling without as great a risk for accident or injury. A portable pedal exerciser can be carried to a park, where seniors can still spend time in the great outdoors, which is one of the most appealing reasons to get on a bike and go.

• Take beginner yoga or tai chi. HelpGuide.org notes that gentle yoga or tai chi can help to improve ﬂexibility and reduce stress and anxiety. Though yoga and tai chi can provide as much demanding physical activity as individuals allow, beginner classes in each discipline don’t require much movement but do provide enough for seniors hoping to be less sedentary.

• Take up swimming. Swimming might be tailor-made for seniors with mobility issues because it’s a great workout and exercising in water tends to be less taxing on muscles and joints. The Cleveland Clinic notes that swimming

• Use an exercise bike or portable pedal exerciser. Cycling is a wonderful exercise but one that seniors with mobility issues may feel is no longer possible. If doctors advise against riding a traditional bike, an exercise bike or portable pedal exerciser can

Even seniors with mobility issues can ﬁnd safe and eﬀective ways to be more physically active. Prior to beginning a new exercise regimen, seniors with mobility issues are urged to discuss activities with their physicians.

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Can couples move into assisted living facilities together?

The decision to move into an assisted living facility requires careful consideration, and that decision may necessitate even greater deliberation for couples. The organization SeniorLiving.org, which is devoted to empowering older adults to age with ease, notes that many assisted living facilities offer living arrangements for spouses who do not necessarily require the same level of care and attention as their partners. Though each facility is different, and some may not allow couples to live together when one person requires significant help with day-to-day living, many provide apartment-style living in which housing units are equipped with safety features, such as handrails and wheelchair accessibility, that can make daily living safer for aging individuals with physical challenges without making life difficult for their partners with no such issues. In addition, Se-

niorLiving.org notes that, at most assisted living facilities, residents will only pay for the services required, meaning couples will not have to pay

for services such as medication management and activities of daily living assistance for the spouse who does not require such help. Such ﬂexi-

bility can make life easier and more aﬀordable for couples who choose to move into assisted living facilities together.

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Planning for long-term care

According to the National Institute on Aging, long-term care (LTC) involves a variety of services that accommodate a person’s health or personal care needs when they can no longer perform everyday tasks on their own. LTC can help people with chronic illnesses, disabilities or other conditions. LTC can be expensive, but planning for such needs can help families avoid ﬁnancial strain and stress, and also provide peace of mind.

TYPES OF CARE

One of the initial steps when planning for LTC is to identify the available options. LTC is multi-faceted and can come in a variety of forms. LTC can involve in-home care, with a care provider coming into an individual’s home to oﬀer services like housekeeping and assistance with personal care. In addition, LTC can take place in nursing homes or assisted living facilities. Adult

daycare facilities also may be considered part of LTC.

PAYMENT OPTIONS

It’s important that families recognize that traditional health insurance does not cover the costs associated with LTC. In addition, Medicare cannot be used for LTC in most cases in the United States. It is essential to earmark funds or ﬁnd alternatives to cover these costs.

According to Medicare.gov, some insurance companies will enable people to use life insurance policies to pay for LTC. Long-term care insurance also merits consideration. This insurance may cover LTC facilities or even home care and medical equipment. Families can explore all their options and ﬁnd a policy that aligns with their needs and budgets.

Additional ﬁnancial tools to consider are a Health Savings Account (HSA) or a Flexible Spending Account (FSA),

DID YOU KNOW?

Just like with your muscles, the neurons that help us hear are “use it or lose it!” You will get better benefit from your hearing aids if you get them sooner. This way, your brain won’t forget how to process sounds.

Treating you hearing loss has correlations with positive brain functions including memory health and attention.

Untreated hearing loss is correlated with higher rates of depression , anxiety, social isolation and withdrawal, cognitive decline, and overall lower quality of life.

which allow for tax-advantaged savings speciﬁcally for health care expenses. Those with limited income can be eligible for Medicaid in the U.S., which can pay for nursing home care. However, it is important to research which homes accept Medicaid as a form of payment.

FURTHER ESTATE PLANNING

People can work with licensed professionals to solidify long-term care and ﬁnancial plans. An estate attorney can help create a durable

power of attorney and a living will to ensure that health care and ﬁnancial decisions are managed according to a person’s wishes if he or she becomes unable to do so. An irrevocable trust also could be beneﬁcial in managing assets and potentially shielding families from LTC costs.

Families should discuss health care wishes and other ﬁnancial plans as they pertain to long-term care. Early planning can help families navigate caring for aging individuals. TF24B428

‘Simply the Finest’ at Liberty Village

Liberty Village of Peru is a premier retirement community campus offering every level of care needed through the senior years. At Liberty Village, we take great care to balance the independence our senior’s desire with the support they need. Liberty Village offers “Simply the Finest” in retirement lifestyles. Our community includes elegant and affordable Villa homes, Liberty Estates independent living retirement apartments, Hawthorne Inn Assisted Living, Manor Court skilled nursing care, Bounce Back rehabilitation and Memory

Lane Fitness for the Mind our Alzheimer’s/dementia neighborhood.

Liberty Village of Peru is proud to have been a part of the Illinois Valley for 25 years. We remain under the same local ownership and continue to support our staﬀ in providing “Simply the Finest” in retirement living. Located at the corner of 31st Street and Becker Drive in Peru, stop in for a campus tour. Call us at (815) 224-2200 or visit us online at www.libertyvillageofperu.com or follow us on our Facebook page, Liberty Village of Peru.

Signs a loved one might need assisted living

Assisted living facilities provide an invaluable service. When a medical condition, developments associated with aging or another variable affects an individual’s ability to live independently, assisted living facilities can ensure such men and women get the help they need to live as fully and actively as possible.

It’s not always easy to identify when an individual may need to move into an assisted living facility. Some individuals choose to do so on their own, but families often make such decisions together. As families work to determine if a loved one should move into an assisted living facility, they can look for various signs that suggest the time is right to do so. According to the Elder Care Alliance, signs that an individual may beneﬁt from assisted living include:

• Requiring routine reminders to take medication

• Noticeable changes in weight, including weight loss or gain

• Loss of mobility or increase in falls

• Signs that household maintenance is being neglected

• Diﬃculty with daily tasks like grooming and meal preparation

• Increased isolation

• Loss of interest in hobbies

It’s important for families to recognize that some of the signs noted above might suggest the presence of a condition or disease that would not, if treated successfully, compromise an individual’s ability to live independently. For example, the SilverSneakers program oﬀered through Tivity Health notes that weight gain among seniors may be attributable to slower metabolism, a less active lifestyle or menopause for women. Each of those conditions can be addressed without requiring a relocation to an assisted living facility. Family members are urged to discuss anything that seems to be aﬀecting a loved one’s ability to live independently with that person’s

PUTNAM COUNTY COMMUNITY CENTER

health care team before they consider if a person needs to move into an assisted living facility. It’s equally important to ask a loved one’s health care team which type of facility they think might be most beneﬁcial if, in fact, they think it’s in an individual’s best interest to relocate. No two facilities are the same, and the Elder Care Alliance notes many

specialize in speciﬁc types of care, such as tending to individuals with cognitive issues like dementia or physical issues like limited mobility. Assisted living facilities help millions of individuals every day. Families can work together to decide if a loved one can beneﬁt from moving into such a facility.

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Greenﬁeld Retirement Home

We are a nonproﬁt organization dedicated to providing older adults a family atmosphere where they receive loving, personalized care to maximize their quality of life and independence.

Greenﬁeld is owned and operated by the Adeline E. Prouty Trust who has been providing services at 508 Park Ave. East in Princeton Illinois since 1911.

Our licensed sheltered care living option lets you enjoy your independence and oﬀers help when you need it. Our team of professionals helps with activities of daily living, managing medications, social and recreational activities, personalized care and home cooked meals. Enjoy our family atmosphere while still having the comfort of your own private room.

The apartments at Greenfield offer an independent lifestyle without the responsibilities of maintenance and yard work. You have the choice of a variety of services and amenities to enrich your life. If you want to make the most of your retirement, Greenfield apartments have what you need. Spend your time doing the things you love and leave the rest to us.

SHELTERED CARE

INDEPENDENT LIVING

Retired and bored?

retirement a reality

Scores of people view retirement as a time in their lives when they aren’t beholden to schedules and can finally indulge in hobbies and interests they’d been dreaming about while sitting in meetings or commuting to the office. Although retirement often is billed as a time to enjoy life, research suggests a different scenario plays out all too often. According to a recent study commissioned by The Oddfellows, one of the oldest friendly societies in the United Kingdom, 39 percent of retirees have experienced feelings such as loneliness, boredom and a reduced sense of identity and purpose shortly after the retirement glow wears off. Staying active and engaged during retirement may take some creative effort, especially for those who were used

to the regimented schedule of

But the following are some ways to maintain your active engagement with the world after calling it a career.

• Take that trip According to AARP, travel is one of the most popular things to do during retirement. Odds are there are places retirees have always wanted to visit, and the world is just waiting. Taking a tour or being part of a travel group can simplify travel planning by leaving the organizing to someone else. Travelers just enjoy the ride.

• Get moving physically. The National Council on Aging says regularly engaging in physical activity a person enjoys can help prevent bone loss, boost immunity, improve mood, and even prevent chronic illnesses. Team sport participation is a top choice for seniors looking to stay active because sports provide physical exercise and also an opportunity to socialize with friends or teammates.

• Maintain a consistent schedule. Some people thrive when they know what is coming next. If you need a routine

in order to be happy, establish a consistent schedule that works. For example, people can wake up at the same time each morning and eat lunch during at the same time they did while working. Upon retiring, incorporate a daily plan for exercise if physical activity is not part of your traditional routine.

• Try something new It is never too late to try a new activity, class, sport, or hobby. Challenging yourself can stimulate the mind and provide a pathway to new relationships. Individuals can even consider going back to college. According to Kiplinger, New Jersey residents age 65 and older can take regularly scheduled courses tuition-free at the state’s public colleges and universities, provided classroom space permits. There are similar programs in other states across the country.

• Pick up a new language. Learning a new language is a beneﬁcial tool for seniors who are looking to maintain cognitive abilities. The National Institutes of Health says bilingualism has been linked