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Senior Lifestyles • Summer 2021 –Page 2

What fully vaccinated seniors should know about travel When planning a trip, seniors may want to look for areas with plenty of outdoor attractions The efforts of researchers and public health officials in developing safe and successful COVID-19 vaccines was nothing short of historic. Vaccines typically take years to develop, but a combination of factors enabled researchers to make COVID-19 vaccines available to vulnerable populations by December 2020, or roughly nine months after the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic.

Researchers had already conduct-

ed years’ worth of vaccine research on human coronaviruses, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes were first identified in the mid-1960s. That research proved invaluable as pharmaceutical companies raced to produce COVID-19 vaccines.

In addition, a less linear approach to testing and vetting vaccines than was traditionally applied in past outbreaks enabled the vaccine to be rolled out more quickly, potentially saving millions of lives.

Men and women over the age of 65 were among the first groups to be given the COVID-19 vaccine. Many people within that group are retired and had looked forward to traveling, only to have those plans interrupted by the pandemic. Now that they’re fully vaccinated, seniors are setting their sights on travel once again. Though the COVID-19 vaccines have made vulnerable groups like seniors less likely to suffer severe illness from the virus, there’s still a few things adults

over 65 should know when making travel plans.

The virus Data from the CDC indicated that more than 87 million people in the United States had been fully or partially vaccinated as of April 20, 2021.

Among those, just 7,157 had become infected with COVID-19, and only 331 of those required hospitalization. That’s an encouraging figure that TRAVEL | page 8

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Senior Lifestyles • Summer 2021 –Page 3

How to help aging adults adapt to ever-changing technology The COVID-19 pandemic kept people inside, relying on technology more than ever Children, adolescents and young adults likely cannot imagine a life without modern technology. Technology may have pervaded every part of life in the 21st century, but it wasn’t so long ago that phones were still attached to walls and people had to watch their favorite shows and films exclusively on televisions instead of having the option to watch them on devices like smartphones and tablets.

The transition to life in the age of technology went smoothly for most segments of the population, but some aging adults have had a more difficult time making the adjustment. That difficulty was apparent throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, when public health agencies like the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged aging adults to limit interactions with people outside their homes. Such recommendations forced many seniors to communicate with their families exclusively over the phone or via video conferencing apps like Zoom.

If seniors have had a hard time adapting to technology, their families can try these strategies to make that transition go more smoothly.

• Go over product manuals with seniors. The senior caregiving experts

at Home Care Assistance note that older adults are less likely to learn through experimentation than they are by reading instructions in the manual. When helping seniors learn to use new devices, go over the owner’s manual with them as you set up the device. Mark important pages in the manual so seniors know where to go for quick answers if they experience any issues logging in or using certain apps.

• Look for senior-specific devices and guidebooks. Seniors make up an

enormous segment of the population, and tech companies have long since recognized that there’s a market for products designed specifically for aging men and women. When shopping for devices for seniors, look for those that have been designed to help them overcome issues that have proven problematic for aging adults in the past. Devices that feature touchscreens with large menus, easily accessible navigation tools and simplified features can help seniors as they learn to use new technology.

• Be patient. Some seniors are excited by the prospect of learning to use new technology, while others may be hesitant. Patience is essential when working with an aging loved one who’s intimidated by technology.

Take the time to explain apps and features and don’t take it for granted that seniors will know how to use a device or recognize what a device can do.

Today’s seniors may not have grown up with technology at their fingertips, but they can still learn to use devices to their advantage.

Senior Lifestyles • Summer 2021 –Page 4

A game for life

By Jamee A. Pierson Newton News There aren’t a lot of sports that people can play for a lifetime. Golf is one that spans from childhood through adult life and into the retirement age and stays enjoyable for those who play.

Gateway Recreational Golf Course in Monroe has a strong league made up of players of all ages.

Louie Kamerick, Steve Van Ryswyk and Jerry Findlow are a few that have been playing for a while and still really enjoy the game.

“We’ve been out here as a family since the course was done. We mowed yards, my brother and I, then we’d go swim and go golfing,” Van Ryswyk said.

That dates back to the late ‘60s and early ‘70s.

Through all of the years, Van Ryswyk has continued to play and have a great time with friends.

“Jerry and I and two others, we play about five days a week,” Kamerick said. “It is something to do besides stay at home.”

Golf helps seniors stay active well into retirement

“And watch TV,” Findlow added. “When you get up to where we are, you have limited activities.

And for golf you get on a cart and hit a ball. It is something to do, that we can do.”

The guys prefer playing in the morning, when it is typically a little cooler and the Iowa humidity hasn’t set in yet. On days they have league, they tee off a little later and then get to enjoy time at the clubhouse.

“And we get to grill,” Van Ryswyk said. “Plus it is outdoors. If you can play all year long, that’s great.

There have been years we’ve been able to do that.”

According to golf.com, a new a study showed golf is not only a good form of exercise, it can significantly improve the quality of life for older golfers in many different ways. Research from teams at the University of Southampton in England and the University of Southern California found golf provides numerous “strength and balance benefits” to older golfers.

“What activities, when you get to our age, are

there for you to do,” Findlow said. “If you have any health problems you aren’t going to be able to go to the gym and walk on stair masters. It is something we enjoy doing with our friends.”

Van Ryswyk also likes how you can play with friends but it is still an individual sport.

“It’s a sport that is you, you always want to do a little better, but it is your score. If you are going to do this or that, the only person that it is going to effect is you, nobody else. It is a one-on-one thing with yourself and I do kind of like that,” Van Ryswyk said. “It is a competitive sport, especially if you are hitting the ball fairly decently, right Jerry?

Like Louie. It can be as much fun as you let it be.”

And the guys are having fun. While some classified their game as up and down and others remarked it remains pretty steady, just getting out, swinging the club and socializing are the important things.

“It is something nice for a lot of people that don’t have a lot of activities,” Van Ryswyk said.

Senior Lifestyles • Summer 2021 –Page 5

Effective exercises for seniors Four exercises that can benefit seniors’ bodies and more Losing interest in an exercise regimen is a situation many fitness enthusiasts have confronted at one point or another. Overcoming a stale workout routine can be simple for young athletes, whose bodies can typically handle a wide range of physical activities. That flexibility allows younger athletes the chance to pursue any number of physical activities when their existing fitness regimens grow stale. But what about seniors who have grown tired of their workouts?

Even seniors who have lived active lifestyles since they were youngsters are likely to encounter certain physical limitations associated with aging. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the likelihoodof dealing with one or more physical limitations increases with age. CDC data indicates that 8 percent of adults between the ages of 50 and 59 have three or more physical limitations. That figure rises to 27 percent among adults age 80 and over.

Physical limitations may be a part of aging for many people, but such obstacles need not limit seniors looking to banish boredom from their workout routines. In fact, many seniors can successfully engage in a variety of exercises that benefit their bodies and are unlikely to grow stale.

• Water aerobics: Sometimes referred to as “aqua aerobics,” water aerobics may involve jogging in the water, leg lifts, arm curls, and other activities that can safely be performed in a pool. The YMCA notes that water aerobics exercises are low impact, which can make them ideal for seniors with bone and joint issues like arthritis.

• Resistance band workouts: Resistance band workouts can be especially useful for seniors who spend a lot of time at home. Resistance bands are inexpensive and don’t take up a lot of space, making them ideal for people who like to exercise at home but don’t have much space.

Resistance bands can be used to strengthen muscles in various parts of the body, including the legs, arms and back. Resistance bands can be pulled or pushed in any direction, which allows for more versatility

in a workout than weight machines and dumbbells. That versatility allows seniors to spice up their workout regimens when things get a little stale.

• Pilates: Pilates is another low-impact exercise that can be ideal for seniors with bone and joint issues. According to SilverSneakers®, a community fitness program for seniors that promotes living through physical and social engagement, Pilates can help seniors build overall strength, stability and coordination.

SilverSneakers® even notes that seniors can experience improvements in strength and stability by committing to as little as 10 to 15 minutes of daily Pilates exercises.

• Strength training: Seniors on the lookout for something more challenging than a daily walk around the neighborhood should not overlook the benefits of strength training. The CDC notes that seniors who participate in strength training can stimulate the growth of muscle and bone, thereby reducing their risk for osteoporosis and frailty. In fact, the CDC notes that people with health concerns like arthritis or heart disease often benefit the most from exercise regimens that include lifting weights a few times each week.

Physical limitations are a part of aging. But seniors need not let such limitations relegate them to repetitive, boring workouts.

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Senior Lifestyles • Summer 2021 –Page 8

Caregiver’s Questionaire Are you caring for a loved one?

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If you answered yes to two or more questions, you may benefit from adult day services. Give us a call to discuss how we may be able to help provide valuable respite from your caregiving responsibilities.

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TRAVEL | page 2 illustrates just how effective the vaccines are at preventing infection and serious illness. Recognizing that efficacy may help calm any concerns fully vaccinated seniors have about traveling.

Restrictions Though a significant portion of the eligible populations in the United States and Canada had been fully or partially vaccinated by mid-spring, overseas travel restrictions may still be in place. Some countries, such as India, continued to confront devastating waves of the virus and may not be allowing overseas visitors anytime soon.

In addition, in mid-spring the European Union was still devising a strategy to allow fully vaccinated foreign tourists to visit the continent. Proposals suggested such travel could be allowed by late June, but it’s important that seniors learn of any potential restrictions before booking trips.

Attractions When planning a trip, seniors may want to look for areas with plenty of outdoor attractions. The CDC continues to recommend that people, even those who are fully vaccinated, gather outdoors, where the virus is less likely to be transmitted. When traveling, seniors may be spending time around people who have not yet been vaccinated, and despite the efficacy of the vaccines, that might make some travelers nervous. So choosing locales with plenty of outdoor attractions can be a great way to quell any travel-related concerns seniors may have.

The remarkable achievements of researchers involved in developing COVID-19 vaccines has helped seniors return to something resembling normal life. Seniors with their eyes on travel can safely book trips after doing some research about their destination and giving careful consideration to their comfort levels.

Senior Lifestyles • Summer 2021 –Page 9

Retirement travel tips that won’t break the bank Five ideas to make travel more affordable during retirement years Retirement ushers in a new stage in life, one in which adults have ample free time to pursue their interests and hobbies. When eight or more hours per day are no longer allocated for work, those hours can be devoted to other pursuits. Retirees have the time to travel, and such exploration need not break the bank.

A 2014 MassMutual survey found that 72 percent of respondents reported feeling quite happy or extremely happy in retirement. Being able to travel when and where they desire may be a big component of this happiness. A study by Virtuoso found that travel factors significantly into the lives of today’s seniors. They spend more on travel than any other generation — an average of $11,077 a year.

Travel spending is at the highest among people between the ages of 75 and 79.

Learning how to get the most bang for your traveling buck can help retirees make travel more affordable.

• Avoid peak travel seasons. Many working families are restricted by school and work schedules, often limiting travel to summer and holiday breaks.

The hospitality industry tends to raise their prices during these times of year. Retirees can travel any time they want. Booking trips during less busy times of year for tourism is a great way to save money.

• Consider a rental agreement. Retirees who want to travel for many weeks or even months out of the year may want to think about renting their homes while they are gone. The money earned in rent can help offset the costs of travel.

• Think about alternative living situations. Seeing the country and traveling most of the time may be more doable if retirees forego the house entirely and opt for different residences. Many recreational vehicles are large enough to be full-time homes. Simply park the RV in a new spot each month for a different perspective. House boats can be an option for the marine-minded.

• Try a repositioning cruise. Cruising is a popular form of travel for seniors. Investopedia says cruise lines offer discount repositioning cruise trips when VACATION | page 10

Senior Lifestyles • Summer 2021 –Page 10

VACATION | page 9 they need to move ships from one port to another, usually during the off-season. Unlike typical cruises where a ship will return to the port of origin, a repositioning cruise stops at several ports on the way and ultimately docks in a new end destination.

• Find an inexpensive destination.

For the cost of staying at a popular fam-

ily resort for a week, you may be able to stay for double or triple the amount of time for about the same amount of money elsewhere. Weigh destinations carefully and compare costs. Think beyond the “popular” destinations around the world.

Travel is a favorite pastime for retirees. Cost-saving strategies can make travel more budget-friendly for seniors who want to spend more time exploring.

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Senior Lifestyles • Summer 2021 –Page 11

Simple ways to maintain memory as you age

Continue learning among ways to sharpen and protect minds as they age Adults confront various age-related side effects as they transition from middle age to their golden years. Skin may begin to wrinkle and hair may turn gray, but those are just the visible side effects of aging. Many additional effects are unseen, but those changes can have a profound effect on adults’ quality of life.

According to the Mayo Clinic, various parts of the body are affected by

aging. For example, the cardiovascular system changes as people grow older. Blood vessels and arteries stiffen as adults age, forcing the heart to work harder to pump blood through them.

Though many changes are linked to aging, other changes commonly associated with aging, such as a decline in memory, reasoning and other thinking skills, are not natural. The

Alzheimer’s Association® notes that dementia is not a normal part of aging. There are many different types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, and these are the result of damage to brain cells that affect a person’s ability to communicate. That damage is not inevitable, even if it’s commonly associated with aging.

The Harvard Medical School notes that fleeting memory problems ex-

perienced with aging often reflect normal changes in the structure and function of the brain. But it’s important that those changes not be mistaken for dementia, and it’s equally important that adults recognize there are many ways they can protect and sharpen their minds as they age.

• Continue learning. HMS notes that a higher level of education is associated with improved mental functioning in old age. The reasons for that are unknown, but experts theorize that advanced education compels people to remain mentally active, which in turn helps them maintain a strong memory. Even aging men and women who are still working in challenging fields can benefit from pursuing a new hobby or learning a new skill.

• Use the tools at your disposal. It may seem counterintuitive to suggest that organizational tools like planners, maps and lists can help people maintain their memories. However, HMS notes that expending mental energy on finding car keys or trying to remember what to buy at the store makes it harder to learn new and important things.

• Let all your senses play a role.

HMS reports that the more senses a person uses to learn something, the more his or her brain is involved in retaining a memory. HMS cites one study in which adults were shown a series of emotionally neutral images that were each presented along with a smell. Participants were not asked to recall what they saw, but were later shown a set of images and asked to indicate which they had previously seen. The participants had excellent recall for the odor-paired images, and researchers believe that’s because additional parts of the brain were activated when participants were asked to use more than one sense.

Memory loss is not an inevitable side effect of aging, especially for adults who take steps to maintain their memories as they age.

Senior Lifestyles • Summer 2021 –Page 12

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