Living Senior for October 2019

living

S E N I O R

Grandparent advice Medicare information Health tips

A publication of

SOUTHERN LAKES NEWSPAPERS LLC

Fall 2019

Let them know you care Offer companionship. Spending 3. time with younger generations can motivate seniors to stay active and

Become pen pals. Seniors may have limited mobility or opportunities to get out of the house. Receiving mail is one way to connect with the outside world.

Regularly send letters to a grandparent or other senior, sharing tales of daily life and key moments that will bring them joy.

Chances are they’ll return the favor with a letter of their own.

their own. This can include picking up groceries or prescriptions or taking them to appointments. Simple work around the house, like doing laundry or light clean-up, also can be a big help.

5 ways to show grandparents and other 1. seniors how much they’re appreciated Grandparents and seniors can share wisdom and a lifetime of experience with the young people in their lives. Expressing gratitude for such lessons is a great way to show the seniors in your life, whether it’s a grandparent, mentor or family friend, how much they’re appreciated.

anything else families can customize to their needs.

Some seniors live alone, while others may be living with their adult children and grandchildren, offering care and support to help make the household function. Whether grandparents, aunts and uncles or older friends live close by or elsewhere, there are many ways for their loved ones to show them how much they’re appreciated.

Explore technology together. Younger 2. generations can introduce seniors to available technology that can bring them closer. This may include digital assistants that enable them to share videos, tablets to send email or access social media, mobile phones for calling and texting, and

engaged. Have games and activities at the ready or simply provide a listening ear.

Shop and run errands. Help aging 4. loved ones perform the tasks that they may not be able to tackle on

Start a hobby together. Develop a 5. hobby that seniors and young people can enjoy together. Watching classic

movies, painting ceramics, going to sporting events, or gardening are just a few of the many hobbies that seniors can enjoy with their young loved ones.

There are many ways to bridge the generation gap and spend meaningful time with aging loved ones.

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LIVING SENIOR • FALL 2019

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Intergenerational play is beneficial to everyone along for the fun. Be sure to carve out playtime for your family, particularly when visiting with older relatives.

Why children should spend more time with their

s t n e r a p d n a r g Play is important for everyone, no matter their age – and when grandparents, parents and children play together, that’s where the real benefits of unstructured fun are discovered.

“Play time with adults of different ages is not just a chance for families to bond, these interactions with positive role models can help children develop a range of important social, language and problem-solving skills,” says Dr. Amanda Gummer, child psychologist and an expert contributor to TheGeniusofPlay.org.

Adults benefit from play time too. As one grows older, the free unstructured fun enjoyed in childhood is often replaced with structured activities like sports, card games and solving crosswords.

Time spent with youngsters can keep adults young and give them a chance to relive more carefree days.

According to The Genius of Play, a national initiative whose mission is to raise awareness about the importance of play and help parents make play a critical part of raising their kids, here are three reasons why intergenerational play is good for young children: • Unstructured play tends to be collaborative, encouraging

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cooperation and honesty; • Spending time with older adults helps children understand how aging works, and later accept their own aging; and • Grandparents are storytellers and their wisdom and experience

living S E N I O R

See GRANDPARENTS, Page 4 A publication of Southern Lakes Newspapers LLC 1102 Ann St., Delavan, WI 53115

(262) 728-3411

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(Continued from page 3)

can open children’s horizons further, as well as ignite imagination and creativity.

When it comes to adults, intergenerational play is beneficial in the following ways: • Children bring innocence, joy and laughter to any situation, helping adults reduce stress; • Active, busy play time can keep an older adult vital and healthy. Indeed, those that play with children burn more calories, experience fewer falls and become less reliant on walking aids, according to studies; and • Play time is good for an aging adult’s mental and emotional health. Games can help seniors maintain cognitive skills and retain memory, and the quality time with children can prevent feelings of loneliness and boost positivity.

Whether you’re young, old or somewhere in between, these three tips from The Genius of Play can help you make the most of the time together: • Share your favorite games with your grandchildren. From hide-and-seek to hulahoops, introducing them to the games you played years ago is a great way to connect and make new memories; • Give children an opportunity to express themselves by letting them share their ideas for what they want to play with

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• Grandparents

you – they’ll be more enthusiastic about participating if they get to call the shots sometimes. In today’s tech-savvy world, grandchildren might want to play with a toy that uses augmented reality or teaches coding skills. This can be a great way to engage with them on their level and learn more about their favorite activities; and

• Let your grandchildren win and lose the game sometimes. This is a great chance to boost self-esteem while learning about good sportsmanship.

For more play ideas, expert advice and resources for families, visit TheGeniusOfPlay.org.

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Furry friends help seniors feel less lonely Many older adults experience feelings of loneliness and isolation as they age, but pets can provide the companionship and love seniors desire. A new survey conducted by Home Instead Inc., franchisor of the Home Instead Senior Care Network, found regular interaction with animals can help to reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness in older adults.

The most frequently cited benefits of pet ownership are company, comfort, unconditional love, entertainment and improved mood. In fact, 86 percent of pet owners agree they would be lonelier and less happy without their pet, and 58 percent agree that they would not be as physically healthy without their pet.

The companionship and love provided by a pet can be especially meaningful for those most at risk for isolation. Home Instead found that pet owners who live alone are significantly more likely to report increased benefits of pet ownership.

Owning a pet can also be an important factor for seniors deciding where they will live as they age. According to the survey, 82 percent of older adults say they will not consider moving to a senior living community without their pet.

While interaction with animals has been shown to improve mental and physical wellbeing in older adults, research from Home Instead confirms that seniors don’t need to own pets to experience the benefits. Those who regularly interact with, but don’t own, pets report feeling better just spending time with animals owned by family, friends and neighbors.

There are many ways seniors can interact with animals without taking on the responsibility of pet ownership. Here are a few ideas:

Help out

Volunteer at a rescue organization or animal shelter. Many rescue organizations and animal shelters could use an extra hand. Seniors can help provide care for animals, including feeding, watering, restocking supplies, washing dishes, walking dogs, cleaning cages and enclosures or socializing with the animals.

Volunteers experience the benefits of interacting with pets, and they can provide some care to an animal in need.

Introduce yourself

Get to know your neighbors’ pets. Seniors who regularly walk their neighborhoods will likely see pet owners walking their dogs.

Asking to join them for a walk might lead to new friendships with neighbors and dogs.

Connect with a therapy animal

Pet Partners therapy teams, made up of a pet owner and his or her registered animal, go into many locations where seniors are living or being treated, such as hospitals, hospice centers and care communities.

Visit a pet store

Some pet stores sell small animals, such as guinea pigs, hamsters, chinchillas, gerbils, mice, rats, certain geckos, bearded dragons, snakes, and specific types of frogs, birds and fish. Visiting can provide a pet fix!

To help older adults determine what type of pet interaction is right for them, the Home Instead Senior Care network is offering free information and tips to help seniors incorporate animals into their lives.

To learn more about how older adults can bring animals into their lives, visit PetsandSeniors.com or contact your local Home Instead Senior Care office or www. homeinstead.com.

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With so many options available, finding the right animal interaction for each individual should be as easy as a walk in the dog park.

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LIVING SENIOR • FALL 2019

Tips for coping with an

empty nest

Many people find it rewarding to start a family and raise children. Watching kids grow through the years and sharing in their experiences can bring life to a household.

Mothers spend 18 years or more devoted to their children, and often their identities are defined as “Mom” above all else.

As a result, it can be difficult to think ahead to life without kids in the home, especially when children are toddlers or school-aged. But children will someday grow up and move out, and the emotions that resonate when that day comes can be overwhelming.

Many parents feel a sense of sadness and loss when their last child leaves the family home. Referred to as “empty nest syndrome,” these feelings are not officially labeled as a clinical mental health issue,

but they are very real for many people.

While parents encourage their children to become independent and branch out in their own lives, not every parent can cope with an empty nest. The parenting and family resource Verywell F amily states that mothers with empty nest syndrome experience a deep void in their lives that oftentimes makes them feel a little lost.

Moms who are feeling the pangs of sadness due to an empty nest can employ some strategies to alleviate these feelings.

Keep friends close

Use this opportunity to spend more time with close friends and put yourself first.

Schedule all of those activities you may have temporarily put on hold while caring for children through the years.

Make time for travel

New experiences can broaden anyone’s horizons. Travel as a couple or with a group of friends. Put the focus on fun and then share the experiences later on with your adult children.

Redefine yourself

The experts at Psychology Today suggest finding new roles and interests to explore, or spend more time exploring existing hobbies. For example, if you’ve thought about doing community theater, do so now that you have some free time. Or maybe you’ve always had a goal of going back to school? Now may be the time to make that happen.

See EMPTY NEST, Page 8

Reconnecting with your spouse is one way to combat feelings of loss that can stem from a suddenly empty nest.

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LIVING SENIOR • FALL 2019

7

• Empy nest

(Continued from page 7)

Reconnect with your partner

Recall the years before you had children when it was only the two of you and devote time to making more memories as a couple. Plan date nights, go to sporting events, attend a summer concert, or pursue other shared interests.

Change things up at home

Turn children’s rooms into spaces you can use for your own interests. One can be a crafting room or a home office. Another may be a home theater. No longer labeling those rooms as the kids’ spaces can help the transition.

Empty nest syndrome is real, but there are many ways to move past the mixed emotions synonymous with this phenomenon.

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Medicare Open Enrollment – How to save money next year

Medicare Open Enrollment is about to kick off. For most people already enrolled in Medicare, the annual Open Enrollment period (Oct. 15 through Dec. 7) is the only opportunity to make changes to your existing Medicare coverage.

Even if you are happy with your Medicare coverage, you should take the time to explore your options. There may be a plan that is better suited to your health and financial needs that could save you hundreds of dollars in the upcoming year.

During Medicare Open Enrollment, Medicare beneficiaries can switch Part D prescription drug plans; switch Medicare Advantage plans, which offer health (and often drug) coverage through private insurers; switch from Original Medicare, administered by the federal government, to Medicare Advantage; or switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original

Medicare. All changes made to coverage during Open Enrollment take effect on Jan. 1, 2020.

Dan Klein, president and CEO of the Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation, an independent charitable organization dedicated to helping people afford out-ofpocket costs for prescribed medications, offers the following tips for navigating Medicare Open Enrollment.

Do your homework

Take the time to shop around and understand the benefits and costs of each plan so you can find the coverage that works best for you. Changes to your health status, doctors or other healthcare providers, prescription drugs or budget may mean that your current plan is no longer the most costeffective choice for you.

Insurance companies can also make

annual changes to their plans that might affect the drugs covered, provider networks and your out-of-pocket costs.

Stay in-network

Before selecting a Medicare Advantage plan, it’s smart to check that your preferred doctors, hospitals and pharmacies are in the plan’s provider network. If you visit a doctor, hospital or pharmacy that is outside of the network, you will likely have to pay more.

If your insurance company has changed your plan’s provider network for next year, you may want to use Open Enrollment to switch to a plan that will include your current doctors, hospitals and pharmacies in-network to lower your medical costs. Note: With Original Medicare you can go to any doctor that accepts Medicare patients

See MEDICARE, Page 11

By taking the time to re-evaluate your existing coverage and learn about all the options, you may be able to save significantly on your healthcare costs next year.

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(Continued from page 9)

Make sure meds are covered

Medicare Part D helps cover the cost of prescription drugs. Many Medicare Advantage plans provide prescription drug coverage as well. It’s important to ensure that your plan

covers the medications you need and that the plan’s network of pharmacies makes it convenient for you to access your drugs.

Switching prescription drug coverage, or even adding it for the first time, can help make the critical medical treatments you need less expensive.

Assess the plan’s fit

Annually, there may be changes to your Medicare plan that affect your outof-pocket costs. Out-of-pocket costs are your expenses for medical care that aren’t reimbursed by insurance.

When selecting a plan, you should consider what you will be responsible for paying under the plan, including the deductible, out-of-pocket limit, co-pays and co-insurance. Also, if you are enrolled in Original Medicare and do not already have supplemental coverage, now may be a good time to consider purchasing a Medigap plan.

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If you have limited income and resources, you may qualify for a federal Medicare Low Income Subsidy – also known as Extra Help – to help pay for your prescription drug costs. You may also be eligible for a patient assistance program that provides people with financial assistance to cover out-of-pocket costs for their medical treatments. You can learn more at (BPT) PANFoundation.org.

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Avoid medication errors with these tips Prescription medications are a necessity for many people. The American Academy of Family Physicians says that, each week, four out of five adults in the United States will use prescription medications, over-thecounter drugs and/or various supplements.

Approximately one-third of adults take five or more medications at the same time.

The potential for adverse drug events is elevated when people are taking multiple medications at one time. For example, mixing pills has the potential to cause serious injury or even death.

Doctors, patients and pharmacies must work together to ensure that medication is taken safely. One of the best ways to prevent errors with medications is for patients to take an active role in their health care management.

• Know your dose. Children are at an especially high risk for medication errors because they require different doses than adults, offers the Mayo Clinic. Adults of different weights who share medications can run into trouble as well. It is key to follow the dosing instructions, as even a minor error in regard to dosage can potentially cause

a big problem.

• Follow up with your doctor. Certain medications can cause side effects that only can be noticed by lab testing, such as an impact to the liver. Doctors also may be under an obligation to follow up with patients taking psychological drugs to ensure the efficacy of treatment. Make sure you keep all follow-up appointments.

• Maintain a current list of meds. It is up to patients to share information with prescribing doctors regarding any and all products being taken to avoid harmful interactions. Using the same pharmacy for all prescriptions also is helpful.

• Be honest about height and weight.

Medication labeling and package inserts typically use metric units to correlate dose to a person’s physical attributes. Individuals should know their information in metric measurements and be honest with themselves about what they weigh.

• Use medications correctly. It is important not to chew non-chewable pills or cut pills unless the pharmacist or doctor has said it is safe to do so.

Accurate dosing also requires using the

right spoon or syringe, not silverware.

Store certain types of medications, such as eye drops and ear drops, separately so they’re not mistaken for one another.

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How to pay for

senior living

Shopping. Cooking. Cleaning. The burdens of living alone were taking a toll on Joyce, who at 89 was the oldest resident in her apartment building. Though she’d spent a lifetime saving money, Joyce wasn’t sure what she could afford. Her daughter Sandy knew it was time to talk about senior living.

“It took some convincing to help her understand this was what she had saved for,” said Sandy. “With the sale of her house and retirement savings, she could live comfortably in independent senior living.

Plus, she would be around people her age, have plenty of activities and three nice meals a day.”

Joyce’s senior living journey isn’t unique.

Most people are either not prepared for the potential costs of senior living, or think they’re not prepared. A survey of 2,000

Americans 18 to over 51 for Brookdale Senior Living revealed 65% aren’t saving money to pay for senior living, and 21% said they won’t be able to pay for it or don’t know how they’ll pay for it. Only half said they have a plan in place.

Mary Sue Patchett, Brookdale’s executive vice president of community and field operations, recommends avoiding sticker shock by assessing current expenses. You may find that freeing yourself of expenses tied to living in a house – mortgage, food, transportation, utilities, home maintenance and more – and incorporating these into one payment for a senior living community is more cost-effective than expected.

Patchett recommends seeking a flexible pricing structure at a senior living community, as one size does not fit all.

Making a choice that fits your situation means you won’t be paying for unnecessary services.

Sandy found two locations that fit her mom’s needs and compared costs of living alone to the cost of senior living. They landed on a Brookdale community near Sandy’s home.

“Adult children must understand their parent’s misgivings and help them decide what’s best,” said Sandy. “Considering my mom’s age, senior living was a smart move.

The cost is comparable to living alone and provides peace of mind for everyone. We know she is eating, socializing and safe.”

How do people pay for senior living, and how can you keep costs affordable?

See SENIOR LIVING, Page 15

Now is a good time to assess your situation and talk with your spouse or family about your needs and desires down the road.

Planning ahead lets you tour communities and decide what services and amenities you want and need.

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LIVING SENIOR • FALL 2019

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Alzheimer’s & dementia The 10 warning signs you need to know

Recognizing and taking steps to address the warning signs of Alzheimer’s and other dementias can be extremely challenging – especially in the early stages. It’s easy and common to dismiss cognitive changes in oneself or a family member as “normal aging.”

“Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging,” says Dr. Keith Fargo, director, scientific programs and outreach at the Alzheimer’s Association. “With normal aging, you may forget where you parked your car – that happens to all of us. But if you get in your car and get lost coming home – that’s not normal.”

To help families identify signs early on, the Alzheimer’s Association offers 10 Warning Signs and Symptoms, a list of some common signs that can be early symptoms of Alzheimer’s or other dementias:

Disruptive memory loss. Forgetting 1. recently learned information, asking the same questions over and over and increasingly relying on memory aids.

Challenges in solving problems.

2.

Changes in one’s ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers,

such as having trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills.

Difficulty completing familiar tasks.

3.

Difficulty completing daily tasks, such as organizing a grocery list or remembering the rules of a favorite game.

It’s important to talk to your doctor to understand what is driving cognitive changes so you can better manage the condition — whatever the diagnosis.

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New problems with words in speaking Withdrawal from work or social 6.

9. or writing. Trouble following or joining activities. Changes in the ability to a conversation or a struggle with vocabulary. hold or follow a conversation can result in a For example, calling a “watch” a “handclock.”

withdrawal from hobbies or social activities.

7.

Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps. Putting things in unusual Confusion with time or place. Losing places and being unable to go back over track of dates, seasons and the passage one’s steps to find them again. of time.

4.

Decreased or poor judgment. Changes Trouble understanding visual images 8. in judgment or decision-making when 5. and spatial relationships. Vision dealing with such matters as money and problems, which may lead to difficulty with balance or trouble reading.

grooming.

Changes in mood and personality.

10.

Mood and personality changes, such as confusion, suspicion, depression,

fearfulness and anxiety.

To learn more about Alzheimer’s disease and to find resources, visit alz.org, the website of the Alzheimer’s Association or call its 24/7, free helpline at 800-2723900.

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LIVING SENIOR • FALL 2019

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Ready to hit the open the road?

Questions older drivers can ask themselves to see if it’s still safe to drive Men and women know that adjustments must be made as they get older. Athletes nearing their golden years may not be able to push themselves as hard at the gym as they once did.

Professionals nearing retirement age might not be able to pull long hours at the office like they used to.

But aging affects more than just work and play. As men and women age, their ability to perform everyday tasks, including driving, may diminish as well.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notes that, as people age, certain changes they experience can affect their ability to safely operate an automobile. Changes in eyesight, physical fitness and reflexes may require aging drivers to reassess their skills behind the wheel. The NHTSA notes that drivers can ask themselves the following questions as they try to assess their driving abilities.

Various remedies can address age-related driving issues, and drivers should discuss them with their doctors the moment they feel as though their skills behind the wheel are starting to diminish.

How is my eyesight?

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The American Optometric Association notes that vision changes naturally occur as a person ages. Such changes do not necessarily mean drivers have to give up the keys to their vehicles.

In fact, they may just require more routine eye examinations. The NHTSA says having trouble reading signs easily, recognizing someone from across the street, seeing streets signs and pedestrians, and handling headlight glare are common signs of age-related eye problems.

Can I control my vehicle?

Age-related loss of strength,

• Senior living

coordination and flexibility can make it hard for aging men and women to control their vehicles. Some signs that drivers might be having trouble controlling their vehicles include trouble looking over shoulders to change lanes, difficulty moving foot from the gas pedal to the brake pedal and difficulty turning the steering wheel. Pain in the knees, legs or ankles also can make it difficult for drivers to control their vehicles.

Are my loved ones concerned about my driving?

Aging drivers may feel offended when

family members question their ability to drive. However, the NHTSA notes that sometimes other people notice things about a person’s driving that the person does not. The concern expressed by loved ones should not be taken lightly.

Do I drive with passengers?

Drivers who routinely drive with passengers, especially young children, carry extra responsibility. As a result, such drivers owe it to themselves and their passengers to honestly assess their driving abilities.

(METRO CREATIVE)

(Continued from page 13)

Current assets and income are what most people use to pay for senior living, just as they would pay for expenses staying in their current home: savings, pension or retirement plan funds, social security and annuities. Like Joyce, one big source of funds comes from the sale of their current home.

Long-term care insurance is a possible source for those with chronic disability or illness, if they have a policy. Rules regarding benefits and eligibility vary per state and policy.

Veterans’ benefits, through the Veterans Aid and Attendance Pension, can help veterans and spouses offset costs of longterm care and/or assisted living at some communities.

Selling or cashing out a life insurance policy may be one route for those who no longer need life insurance. There are many

options, so you should shop around. Consult your tax, financial and legal advisors to determine the implications of this option.

Medicaid options may provide some assistance for assisted living, depending on where you live and if you qualify. Do not confuse Medicaid with Medicare, which does not cover assisted living costs.

Family support is another source to consider for help with the cost of assisted living. In many families, children or other family members contribute to the cost of senior living. It’s best to discuss possible support with family before the need arises.

By selecting a senior living community that provides just the amount of care you need, you can keep costs low. Many communities offer options from apartments with kitchens and guest rooms to just a bedroom and bath.

Opting for a roommate can save a lot. Senior living communities offering independent and assisted living or other care services on one campus helps couples stay together, even when they need different levels of care, and make it easier to move from one area to another if needs change.

Forty-eight hours after Joyce moved to Brookdale, she was thrilled with her decision. Sandy immediately noticed a change in her mom. She met a group of ladies she refers to as “the girls” and quickly found her purpose as the community librarian. She’s happier than she was in her apartment, and according to Sandy, that makes it worth every penny.

For information about Brookdale Senior Living, visit brookdale.com/en/where-tobegin/financial-considerations.html.

(BPT)

LIVING SENIOR • FALL 2019

15

Come E�perience

RidgeStone!

Elkhorn & Delavan Locations

Locally & Family Owned RidgeStone Terrace Residential Care Apartment Complex

16

LIVING SENIOR • FALL 2019

Community Based Residential & Memory Care • State-of-the-art paging system • Wander Guard System • IN2L Dignity through Technology • Individual & private rooms with bathrooms & showers • Outdoor gardens

291 W. Evergreen Pkwy • Elkhorn 262.743.2960

233 W. Evergreen Pkwy • Elkhorn 262.743.1082

Community Based Residential Facility

RidgeStone Assisted Living Communities

at RidgeStone

• Providing each resident with up to 28 hours of continuing care services per week in an apartment setting • One and two bedroom apartments are available • Residents choose services and amenities as needed

RidgeStone Village

Locally & Family Owned www.ridgestonevillage.com

The Gardens

RidgeStone Court Residential Care Apartment Complex

• State-of-the-art paging system • Wander Guard System • IN2L Dignity through technology • Individual & private rooms with bathrooms • Outdoor gardens

• Providing each resident with up to 28 hours of continuing care services per week in an apartment setting • One and two bedroom apartments are available • Residents choose services and amenities as needed

1025 S. Second Street • Delavan 262.728.2848

1025 S. Second Street • Delavan 262.728.2960 256107