A possible solution in dealing with those suffering from cognitive decline in New York

BY LAURA BRANCATO

It’s an unfortunate reality that the number of individuals living with cognitive impairment is rising.

Advanced age is the greatest risk factor for cognitive impairment. With most Baby Boomers over 60 years of age, the number of people living with cognitive impairment is expected to jump dramatically.

An estimated 5.1 million Americans aged 65 years or older may currently have Alzheimer’s disease. This number may rise to 13.2 million by 2050.

While this is sobering news, there are tools from the social services and legal perspectives to address the multitude of challenges that arise with cognitive impairment.

In the legal world, specific steps should be taken in every estate plan, no matter how large or small the estate, to address future care directives. This ensures that individual wishes are carried out whatever the future holds, with special care given to the potential for diminished cognitive function.

For those suffering from cognitive decline, guardianship can play a critical role in managing a person’s affairs to ensure appropriate care.

By law, guardianship must be considered as a last resort. If proper estate planning has been done during wellness, the plan should never be exposed to guardianship. For those who have failed to plan or whose plans are outdated or ineffective, guardianship is an essential mechanism to provide the necessary support for those unable to care for themselves or their affairs.

Guardianship is a legal process through the county Supreme Court that gives the guardian a great deal of control over the financial and medical needs of a loved one suffering from incapacity.

Through guardianship, social services can be accessed and other mechanisms of daily support can be investigated to create a robust plan of support.

Each person and situation is unique, but guardianship may be considered for someone exhibiting behaviors that signal an inability to self-care or a failure to appreciate the dangers that exist if certain things aren’t managed in an effective way.

Behaviors may include not bathing or dressing, disregarding medical needs including making doctor appointments and filling prescriptions and the inability to handle financial matters or pay bills. If someone knows to ask for help, it’s a different matter.

Guardianship should only be considered after having thoroughly investigated every other avenue and ideally would be created in concert with legal counsel experienced in elder law or litigation.

In New York, guardianships may not be limited to elderly individuals and can, in limited circumstances, apply to people who have mental health disabilities, substance use disorder, traumatic brain injury, sudden medical trauma or other conditions that affect functional capacity. Temporary guardianships can be sought if someone is expected to regain capacity.

One of the best alternatives to guardianship is a well-thought-out plan for financial and caregiver support.

Clients who are open and honest with family members tend to avoid later litigation over their estate plans. Litigation often stems from lack of information or misinformation among family members.

Under the best of circumstances, it is difficult to see a loved one in decline. Taking the steps to make sure they will get the care that respects the decisions they made when well helps to ease that journey for all involved.

When we sleep our skin's recovery process begins. This is why your nightly skin beauty routine is so important to maintain the health and youthfulness of your complexion. Now is the time to use those costly yet vital serums with concentrations of retinol, growth factors, peptides and humectants to work for us while we dream.

Now’s the time to pull out that home beauty device and use it with your active serums to boost the penetration of the ingredients for better results. The A, B, C’s

1. Start with a ‘double’ cleanse: Facial wipes are ok but I prefer a rinse of cleanser that dis- solves makeup and cuts through oil without drying. C-cleanser foam by Noon smells refreshing and leaves skin clean. Step 2, toner is a must at night and you will notice that cotton pad turns tan after swiping it in every nook of your face.

2. Hyalauronic acid serums can be a game changer in plumping lines and wrinkles as it draws moisture from the atmosphere deep within your skin. A universal booster to your night time routine. Blue Youth serum is a favorite because it combines the frming efect of Tripeptide-28 along with minerals and three forms of H.A. (hyaluronic acid).

3. Retinol, retinol, and more retinol-The gold standard for 25 years proven to build new collagen, elastin and frmness. Brightens pigment, tightens pores, reduces lines and pores-some of the benefts of this wonder ingredient. Ret-Bright night oil uses a ‘time-release’ delivery and reduces the chance of dryness associated with retinol serums. This oil also has Bakuchoil- the twin ingredient with no side efects for a double frming efect.This ingredient is vegan, gentle yet very efective.

4. Drive those products deep within: Device time! LED, ultrasound energy, microcurrent all aid in delivering active ingredients to deeper skin levels for better results. LED supports healthy collagen production and is anti-infammatory in reducing redness, while ultrasound plumps and frms the skin. Favorite: Time Master Pro-has all the LED options Red, Green, Blue as well as 4 levels of ultrasound strength. The strongest energy level for home use comes with a charger and large tube of collagen peptide gel that conducts the ultrasound energy for maximum benefts.

Wake up to frmer, more youthful skin while enjoying a good night's sleep! Not bad for multi-tasking

The early years of midlife are a hectic time for many people. Around the time many people reach their late 30s and early 40s, they're balancing the responsibilities of a career and a family. But as people enter their 50s, some of those responsibilities tend to be less significant, leaving more time for recreational pursuits.

Hobbies and other pursuits outside of work are often more fun when enjoyed with friends. People over 50 undoubtedly recognize that it's not always so easy to make new friends, even though it's undeniably beneficial to have supportive relationships into your golden years. A 2017 study from researchers at Michigan State University found that valuing friendships was a stronger predictor of health and happiness among older adults than valuing family. Those results align with an earlier Australian study that found Australians age 70 or older tended to live significantly longer if they had more strong friendships.

Making friends after 50 might not be as simple as it was during your school days, but these strategies can help men and women in midlife build new friendships.

· Identify your interests. Fiftysomethings who have spent the last couple of decades building a career and raising a family can give some serious thought to their interests outside of work or passions they hope to pursue now that they have more time to commit to such pursuits. The more interested you are in a given activity, the more likely you are to stick with it. And the longer you stick with something, the more likely you are to meet like-minded individuals (i.e., future friends) willing to make similar commitments.

· Utilize social media. In years past, men and women over 50 may not have had any readily available tools to reach out and connect with new people. Social media has made it much easier to build such connections. Even the most obscure passions likely have a social media group of locals devoted to them, and these groups can be great ways to meet new people. A local runner's club may have its own social media accounts, and local governments and community groups often share information about sports leagues and other groups via social media.

· Sign up for group outings. Communities often sponsor group outings to museums, the theater, sporting events, and other day trips. Signing up for a bus trip to a local museum presents a great opportunity to meet people who share your interests, providing the potential to build lasting friendships built on a foundation of shared interests.

· Broaden your horizons. Just because you're in your 50s doesn't mean your friends have to be. Don't hesitate to invite younger or older acquaintances and colleagues over for dinner or on weekend excursions. Friends come in all shapes, sizes and ages, so you could be missing out if you're not willing to extend a hand in friendship to people of different ages and backgrounds.

Making friends after 50 can be challenging. However, various strategies can help men and women over 50 connect with new people.

Investing is often portrayed as something people need not worry about after retirement. The theory that people should avoid risk as they approach and reach retirement age makes sense, as the unknown of investing can expose aging individuals to losses that compromise their ability to live comfortably on fixed incomes.

Though conventional wisdom regarding financial risk and aging still makes sense, the effects of inflation over the last year-plus have highlighted how important it can be for seniors to keep growing their money even after they retire. Fortunately, various strategies can help seniors grow their money without exposing them to considerable risk.

· Look into high-yield savings accounts. Interest on savings accounts was once a great way for individuals to grow their money. But interest rates on standard, no-minimumbalance accounts are now so low that the growth in interest is negligible. However, individuals with sizable savings, such as seniors, can explore high-yield savings accounts. Highyield savings accounts offer much higher interest rates than standard accounts. The rules governing eligibility to open such accounts differ between financial institutions, but many mandate that account holders have high minimum balances, typically in the neighborhood of $250,000. So long as account holders maintain that minimum balance, they can accrue penalty-free interest without exposing their money to the risks of the market.

· Consider other exclusive bank accounts. High-yield savings accounts are not the only way seniors’ banks may be able to help grow their money without necessarily taking on market-related risk. Products such as Chase Private Client CheckingSM offer exclusive perks, including a dedicated client advisor who can work with seniors as they navigate life changes, including retirement.

· Consider low-risk investments. Risk aversion is not the same thing as risk avoidance. It’s wise for seniors to be averse to risk, but they can still consider low-risk investments like short-term bonds as a means to growing their money in retirement. Low-risk investments can be vulnerable to inflation, not unlike money sitting in a savings account. However, certain short-term bonds, such as Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities, are designed to mirror inflation, which makes them an option worthy of consideration for seniors who have been concerned by the ways inflation has affected their financial status in recent years. According to the Department of the Treasury, the principal of a TIPS can go up or down over its term. When the bond reaches maturity, if the principal is higher than the original amount, bond holders get the increased amount. If the principal is lower at maturity, bond holders still get the original amount. Seniors looking to grow their money after retirement can consider a host of options that can make them less vulnerable to inflation.

The value of hobbies is undeniable. A 2014 study published in the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology found that employees who engaged in creative hobbies outside of work were more creative on work projects and had a better attitude on the job, while a separate study published in Psychosomatic Medicine in 2009 reported that individuals who engaged in enjoyable leisure activities had lower blood pressure and a smaller waist circumference.

The myriad benefts of hobbies is good news for seniors, many of whom have ample time for leisure activities. Whether seniors are retired or still working but free from the responsibilities of parenting, the following are some fun and engaging hobbies to fll that free time.

· Cooking: Years spent hustling and bustling through the daily grind of personal and professional obligations might have forced individuals to embrace cooking that emphasized convenience over culinary skill. Now that there's more time to embrace one's inner Emeril, seniors can look to cooking classes or take the selftaught route and purchase a new cookbook flled with delicious recipes. A well-cooked homemade meal can provide a sense of accomplishment and afords seniors an opportunity to control the ingredients in the foods they eat, which can be important for individuals with health-related dietary restrictions.

· Writing: Many successful individuals have penned their memoirs after long, notable careers and lives. While individuals needn't follow suit with the goal of making their memoirs public, writing can be a great way for seniors to document their own lives and the lives of their families. Interest in genealogy has risen considerably in recent years, as easily accessible websites like Ancestry.com and 23andMe.com have made it easier than ever for individuals to learn where they came from. Seniors can contextualize the information provided by genealogy websites by writing about their personal experiences and sharing what they know about the lives of their parents, siblings, grandparents, and other family members.

· Gardening: Seniors looking for hobbies that get them out in the great outdoors need look no further than their own backyards. Gardening can beneft the body in myriad ways. According to the Mayo Clinic Health System, gardening can burn as many calories as working out in the gym. In addition, the MCHS notes that individuals who grow their own fruits and vegetables are more likely to include those foods in their own diets, thus saving them money at the grocery store and also increasing their intake of nutrient-rich foods.

· Swimming: Swimming is an ideal exercise for seniors, as it's low-impact but still a great way to utilize the entire body. A 2007 study published in the journal Quality of Life Research found that water-based exercise improves older adults' quality of life and decreases disability. A separate study published in 2008 in The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness found that water-based exercise can improve or help to maintain bone health in post-menopausal women.

These are just a few of the many hobbies seniors can pursue as they look for positive and fun ways to spend their free time.

Travel was once a key component of the picture working professionals created of their ideal retirements. While the COVID-19 pandemic put many retirement travel plans on hold in recent years, jetting of to distant locales is once again on retirees' radars.

A 2022 survey from AARP found that individuals 50 and over were poised to not only get back on the road, but also spend signifcantly more money on travel. Prior to the pandemic, Americans 50 and over spent $7,314 annually on travel, according to data from AARP. By spring 2022, individuals in that same age bracket indicated a readiness to spend $8,369 on travel.

Eagerness to get back on the road, in the air or on the high seas could make it easy to overlook some principles of safe travel. However, such an oversight could lead to complications that could make it hard to enjoy time away from home. The following tips can reduce the likelihood that seniors encounter trouble while traveling.

· Determine if any health issues are afecting your desired destinations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a website devoted to travel vaccines (cdc.gov/travel/ page/travel-vaccines), and that page can be an invaluable resource for individuals planning a vacation. What's more, the CDC even provides a specifc list of destinations and the latest travel health notices for each of those nations. That list, accessible at cdc.gov/travel/destinations/ list can help seniors determine if there are any health-related safety issues in countries they hope to visit.

· Speak to your physician. A pre-trip consultation with a physician can uncover any issues that might arise while you're away. Such issues may be easily managed for domestic travelers who are not planning to visit any especially remote locations, but they will not necessarily be as easily navigated when traveling overseas. Physicians can recommend certain vaccinations or measures to ensure your health while away. In addition, a pre-trip doctor visit is a great time to refll prescriptions that you will need while you're away.

· Take fnancial precautions as well. Of course, not all travel-related concerns are medical. Finances also require some pre-trip attention. Infation has caused a sharp spike in the price of various commodities since the start of 2022, so travelers should study up on the cost of food and attractions at their destination to ensure they have enough money to enjoy themselves. Baggage costs have risen signifcantly in recent years, so seniors traveling on a budget may want to pack less and do laundry while traveling in an efort to save money. In addition, the unpredictable nature of travel since the onset of the pandemic has underscored the utility of travel insurance. Seniors can look into travel insurance that could reimburse them in the case of delays or cancellations.

· Privately share your itinerary. Prior to departing, share your itinerary with friends and family. Avoid sharing the itinerary on social media platforms, which can make you a target for criminals at home and at your destination. The itinerary should include where you're staying, the dates you're visiting certain locations and the dates of activities you'll be engaging in on your trip.

Seniors rediscovering the joy of traveling can take various measures to make their trips more safe.

Many adults nearing retirement age count down the days until they can bid adieu to the daily tasks of commuting and working so they can enjoy much more time for recreation, travel or whatever is they aspire to do.

As enticing as unending free time may seem, some retirees find it is not ideal to be entirely free from the responsibility of working. As current seniors can attest, inflation can drive up the costs of living, meaning that seniors who were once able to afford a certain retirement lifestyle may no longer enjoy that hard-earned luxury. Others may miss the daily opportunities to socialize that working provides, or the way problemsolving on the job stimulates the brain. But even retirees who miss working may not be ready to return to the workforce full-time. That can make part-time employment an ideal fit for mature workers.

Here’s a look at some part-time positions that could be a good fit for older adults reentering the workforce.

Retail sales associate

Working in retail opens seniors up to a wide array of responsibilities and scenarios. Jobs may include greeting customers, making sales, putting out inventory, and helping customers select merchandise. Being personable and having good customer service skills are necessary traits to have when working in retail. Many stores offer part-time employees flexible hours so schedules can be customized.

Consultant

Retirees who loved their job but wanted to spend less time doing it can return as consultants. According to The Balance: Money, individuals often find they earn more per hour working as consultants than they did as full-time staff members. Consulting is a way to share expertise and experience without making a full-time commitment.

Customer service representative

A customer service representative is tasked with helping customers solve problems and ensuring customer satisfaction. He or she may work ain a traditional office or store location, or answer calls and resolve issues from home.

School positions

Retirees may want to consider jobs working in schools or in related capacities. Driving a school bus is an option if people are willing to undergo the proper training and licensing to operate this type of vehicle. Seniors also may consider working as lunchroom aides or lunch service providers, crossing guards, substitute teachers, and paraprofessionals. School employees will only work a few hours during the day. They’ll also enjoy many holidays off as well as summer vacations.

Receptionist

Receptionists greet patients or customers in office settings. According to AARP, they are the welcoming faces of organizations. Answering phones and light clerical work also may be required of receptionists. Those who want to work offpeak hours can think about working nights and weekends in hospitals or skilled nursing facilities.

Seniors have many different options if they decide they want to return to the workforce in a part-time capacity.

People are living longer, a reality that can be traced to a number of factors, including advancements in medicine and greater dissemination of information regarding preventive health care. According to data from the United Nations Population Division, the average life expectancy in the United States is 81.65 for women and 76.61 for men. Canada has even higher life expectancies, at 84.74 for women and 81.15 for men.

As people live longer, some may outlive their significant others and ultimately find themselves once again interested in sharing experiences with a special someone. Seniors ready to re-enter the dating pool may find that things are quite different from what they experienced as naïve teenagers or young adults. Dating used to be about hanging out with friends and meeting people at shared events, such as school dances or work parties or even while enjoying a night out with friends. Nowadays, dating often begins in cyberspace. This can be confusing and anxiety-inducing for adults who didn't grow up with technology guiding their every move.

According to a report in The Atlantic, more than one-third of baby boomers are not currently married, and this generation has had higher rates of separation and divorce and lower rates of marriage than the generations that preceded them. Many boomers have years ahead of them to devote to new relationships. Here's what they may want to know before navigating twentyfirst century dating waters.

· You're not in this alone. While online dating may be portrayed as a young person's game, plenty of older adults are now finding connections online. In fact, many different dating apps are geared toward the senior set, including SeniorMatch, eHarmony, Singles50, OKCupid, and Silver Singles, among others.

· You have more time for fun. As a senior, you may have more time to devote to recreation and leisure. This can be a great opportunity to get out and meet someone who shares your passions and interests.

· Online dating has its advantages. While online dating apps and websites may have certain things working against them, particularly if their algorithms for pairing people are not finetuned, they also can be helpful. Online dating can expand social circles beyond local neighborhoods or even states, provinces or countries. You're casting your net over a much larger body of water. Furthermore, dating app profiles typically spell out exactly what another person is seeking, which can save seniors from having to revisit awkward dating moments from years past.

Seniors may have to navigate new waters in modern dating. But with a good mindset and a little persistence, it is possible for seniors to find a special someone in cyberspace.

The benefts of spending time in the great outdoors are signifcant. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, spending time outdoors may improve mental health and help to reduce stress, and the vitamin D the body absorbs while outside can have a positive efect on blood cells and the immune system.

Seniors can beneft from the great outdoors as much as anyone. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, which strengthens bones. That's especially benefcial for seniors, as the National Council on Aging notes that bone density often decreases after age 50, which can increase the risk of fractures. That's especially so in women over the age of 50, as a 2021 report from Amgen, Inc., indicated women can lose up to 20 percent of their bone density within fve to seven years of menopause.

Spending time in the great outdoors also provides a social beneft, encouraging individuals from all walks of life, including seniors, to get out of their homes and spend time with other people.

With so much to gain from spending time outside, seniors can consider these three outdoor exercises as they seek to maintain or improve their overall health.

1. Walking: Walking is free and efective. In fact, WebMD notes that a brisk 30-minute walk can improve blood fow, contribute to a stronger heart, strengthen bones, and even help people sleep better at night. In addition, a 2022 study published in the journal JAMA Neurology found that people between the ages of 40 and 79 who walked about 9,800 steps per day were 51 percent less likely to develop dementia than people who didn't walk much at all.

2. Cycling: Riding a bike is both fun and a great form of outdoor exercise. Though many studies regarding the health efects of cycling have looked at the value of riding a bike to work, a scenario that does not apply to retirees, the results of such studies still ofer insight into just how valuable it can be to ride a bike. For example, a 2020 study published in the journal The Lancet found that people who cycled to work were 24 percent less likely to die of heart disease and 11 percent less likely to develop cancer. Seniors, whether they are still working or retired, can incorporate cycling into their daily routines and enjoy all the fun and health benefts that riding a bike provides.

3. Hiking: Hiking is a bit more strenuous than walking, particularly when individuals choose to traverse steep and/or rocky terrain. WebMD notes that hiking after age 60 can help people reduce their risk of falls and fractures; lower their risk for a host of ailments, including coronary heart disease, colon cancer and diabetes; reduce blood pressure, even in adults who have already been diagnosed with hypertension; and maintain healthy bones and joints. Hiking is not a one-size-fts-all activity, so seniors, especially those who would characterize themselves as novice hikers, are urged to speak with their physicians prior to hiking trails that are not fat.

Seniors can consider these three fun activities and others as they answer the call of the great outdoors. Walking, cycling and hiking ofer a great reason to get out of the house and reap the health-related benefts of spending time outside.

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The things you love doing are more than just passions. They’re what make you “you.” This is why at The Bristal, our expert team members dedicate their time, attention, and energy to creating customized social activities that ensure each resident continues being the unique person they are. And, in the process, create the one-of-a-kind community we are, too.

See for yourself. Explore all of our locations in the tri-state area. thebristal.com