Senior Expo 2018

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Technology is the future, and digital communication has opened many doors for people around the world.

Although younger generations have grown up with technology at their fingers, Baby Boomers and older adults did not. But in spite of that, studies show that growing numbers of seniors are open to the idea of technology and even seeking ways to further their use and knowledge.

According to a 2014 study by Pew Research Center, 59 percent of seniors regularly use the internet — a 6 percent increase from the previous study conducted in 2012. Today, 67 percent of adults age 65 and older say they go online.

Pew also says that, although seniors consistently have lower rates of technology adoption than the general public, four in 10 seniors now own smartphones, which is more than double the amount that did in 2013. Seniors in Australia are especially tech savvy, as DeloitteĘźs mobile consumer survey found 78 percent of Australian seniors aged 65 to 75 own a smartphone, up from 69 percent in 2016.

While stereotypes have long painted seniors as technologically inept, seniors are actually more socially and digitally engaged than ever before. Seniors use technology in many different ways. Some use mobile apps to manage medications and doctorĘźs appointments and monitor their fitness regimens.

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Some families employ 24/7 alert systems or smarthome technology to keep seniors comfortable and safe at home for as long as possible. Noninvasive, “smart� technology can analyze factors such as whether or not doors are left open, if there has been movement in a home, or whether appliances/lights are on or off. This represents a great way for families to stay informed and provide assistance even if they are not nearby.

SilverSurfers, a senior-based information website, says other tech that seniors are embracing includes online dating; audio and digital books; online shopping, which is especially valuable to seniors who have mobility issues; and social media, which can keep seniors connected to others and feeling less lonely.

A study conducted by researchers from the University of California, San Francisco found 18 percent of American seniors live alone, and 43 percent report feeling lonely on a regular basis.

Loneliness can increase death risk.

Social media and internet connectivity can be an important tool in helping seniors feel like active members of society.

Technology is no longer just for teenagers or active workers. Seniors are increasingly embracing technology and becoming a fast-growing demographic for tech usage. LP183768

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Seniors becoming more tech-savvy

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Volunteering as an older adult: How to find the right fit for your new lifestyle Many parents feel involving their children in volunteering at an early age can have a profound, long-lasting impact on their kids. But youngsters are not the only ones who can reap great rewards from volunteering, as studies show that men and women at, beyond or approaching retirement age also benefit greatly from volunteer work.

Research from the Corporation for National and Community Service found that more than 20 million older adults contributed in excess of three billion hours of community service time each year from 2011 to 2013. The reasons why older adults volunteer are varied, but in its 2014 survey the AARPʼs Experience Corps found that 97 percent of its volunteers indicated that their volunteer work with the organization gave them a sense of purpose.

Older adults who want to volunteer but have little or no history with volunteering might not know where to begin with regard to finding the right opportunity. The right fit can make all the difference for volunteers and the people they help, and the following tips might help older adults as they look for an opportunity that best utilizes their skills and experience.

• Know your schedule. Older adults who are still working but want to volunteer may have a firm grasp on their schedules, but even retirees should not overestimate how much time they have to volunteer. Before you begin to look for an opportunity, write down your commitments and daily schedule, using this list to determine how much free time you

have to volunteer.

Some opportunities require greater time commitments than others, so make sure you know just how much time you can devote to an opportunity before signing up.

• Give due consideration to your experience. Older adults who have retired or are on the cusp of retirement have a lifetime of experience they can use to help others.

Imparting wisdom learned in your professional life can provide a sense of purpose and even make you feel as though you are still actively involved in the industry where you built your professional reputation. But life experience can also prove invaluable in volunteering opportunities. Mentoring programs give volunteers the chance to help young people, and such opportunities can involve more than just offering professional advice.

• Donʼt downplay the significance of certain opportunities. Volunteering opportunities come in many variations, and each is significant in its own right.

Coaching a grandchildʼs soccer team

can have as significant an impact on the people you help as other volunteering opportunities. Volunteers offer their time because they have a passion to help others, and that help can be given in a myriad of ways.

• Leave time for the rest of your life.

Volunteering is a selfless act, and volunteers are the backbone of many successful charitable organizations. But older men and women should leave time for the rest of their lives as well. Retirement should be fulfilling but also include

time for recreation, so donʼt downplay how important hobbies are to you in an attempt to find more time to volunteer.

No retiree wants to grow resentful of his or her volunteer work because it leaves little time for other pursuits, so do your best to balance your charitable endeavors with the other things in life that matter to you.

Finding the right volunteer opportunity can make all the difference for older men and women who want to give back to their communities. LP173839

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In the not-so-distant past, extended families were the norm, with multiple generations residing on the same street if not in the same house.

Today the family unit is largely an amalgam of different situations. The rise of two-income families has pressured parents into finding childcare situations.

Quite often grandparents once again step in to offer guidance and support for youngsters. This can be a good thing for both the grandparents and the grandchildren.

Although a bevy of psychological

research focuses on parent-child relationships, new evidence points to the benefits of the grandchild-grandparent relationship as well. Close relationships between these different demographics is often a sign of strong familial ties.

A study from researchers at Boston College discovered that emotionally close ties between grandparents and adult grandchildren reduced depressive symptoms in both groups. Research at the University of Oxford among English children between the ages 11 and 16 found that close grandparent-grandchild relationships were associated with benefits including fewer emotional and behavioral problems and fewer difficulties with peers.

Adult and grandchildren alike benefit from relationships with their elders.

Grandparents can provide a connection and exposure to different ideas while providing a link to family history and knowledge regarding traditions and customs not readily available elsewhere.

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tance makes frequent visits challenging, use technology to bridge that gap. Send photos, letters and electronic communications. Tech-savvy grandparents can use Skype or Facetime to stay in touch and speak one-on-one with their grandchildren.

• Share skills with each other. Either generation can play teacher to the other.

Grandparents may have certain skills, such as baking, sewing or wood crafts, they can impart that may not be readily taught today. Children can help grandparents navigate computers, video games or sports activities.

Grandchildren can help grandparents feel younger, and grandchildren can learn new experiences from their grandparents. TF179340

Did you know?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, regular physical activity is one of the most important things older adults can do to promote their long-term health. The CDC recommends that men and women age 65 or older who are generally fit and have no limiting health conditions need at least two hours and 30 minutes of moderateintensity aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, each week. In addition, such people should perform strength-training activities that work all major muscle groups at least two days per week.

While many fit older men and women with no preexisting health conditions

are capable of these activities, those able to push themselves a little further can opt for 75 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity, such as jogging or running, combined with the same strength-training regimen. A combination of moderate- and vigorousintensity aerobic activity coupled with strength training may also provide adequate physical activity for aging men and women. Before beginning a new exercise regimen, men and women should consult with their physicians to discuss any limitations they may have and how to manage those risks while still being physically active. LP173817

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Nurturing grandparent-grandchild experiences may be easy for families where grandparents live in the same house or close by. For others, it may take some effort. The following are some ways to facilitate time spent together.

• Schedule regular family reunions or get-togethers. Host or plan multi-generation events that bring the family together and expose children to various members of their family.

• Promote one-on-one time. Have grandchildren spend time with grandparents in intimate settings. Alone time can be good for both and offers each undivided attention. A meal at a restaurant or time spent doing a puzzle or craft can be interesting to both generations involved.

• Video chat when possible. If dis-

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The health benefits of grandparent-grandchild relationships

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How to stay flexible as you age Men and women may begin to feel less flexible as they get older. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, that loss of flexibility is because muscles lose both strength and elasticity as the body ages.

A lack of flexibility can make men and women more vulnerable to certain types of injuries, including muscle strains and tears. While people might not be able to maintain the flexibility they enjoyed in their twenties, there are ways for them to combat age-related loss of flexibility. • Stretch frequently. Stretching is a great way to combat age-related loss of flexibility. Stretch major muscle groups, such as hamstrings and shoulder muscles, several times per week. When practicing static stretching, the goal is to gradually elongate the muscle being stretched before holding the elongated position, and ultimately allowing the muscle to return to resting position. As flexibility improves, elongated stretches can be held for 30 seconds. Avoid stretching muscles that are sore or injured, and discontinue a stretch if you feel pain or discomfort. • Include yoga in your exercise regimen. Practitioners of yoga typically love how this unique discipline that exercises the body while relaxing the

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mind improves their flexibility. Many yoga poses are designed to improve the strength and flexibility of muscles, and some physicians may even recommend yoga to aging patients. Yoga DVDs or streaming sessions can be great, but beginners may want to visit yoga studios or sign up for classes at their gyms so instructors can personally ensure they are doing each pose correctly. As their flexibility improves, men and women can try more difficult poses and classes if they so desire. • Get in the pool. Swimming is another activity that can help aging men and women improve their flexibility. Strength-training exercises are an important component of a well-balanced exercise regimen, but such workouts tend to focus on one or two muscle groups at a time. That means other muscle groups may be inactive and tighten up as a result. Swimming works the entire body, which helps all muscle groups stay loose and flexible.

One or two swimming sessions per week can contribute to great gains in overall flexibility, especially for men and women who remember to stretch when they get out of the pool.

Flexibility may decrease as men and women age, but there are various ways to combat the natural loss of flexibility. LP183789

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Many people face turning 50 with a little trepidation. They may miss the things they did during their youth and might feel like the hands of time are moving much too quickly. But instead of looking at aging as growing older, men and women can embrace turning 50 and the growing freedom that typically accompanies reaching this milestone.

Increased opportunities to travel is one aspect of reaching 50 that excites many men and women. Nielsen reports that, over the next five years, around 80 million Americans will fit into the 50+ age bracket. Many of these people will have extra time to devote to leisure activities.

AARP, the leading nonprofit organization for aging adults, says that of the people with AARP memberships, nearly twothirds take advantage of travel discounts and other benefits in a typical year. The following are some such travel perks.

• Age can mean discounts. The minimum age to qualify for “seniorâ€? discounts varies among companies and for different products and services, so itĘźs up to travelers to see what is available to them.

Not all companies advertise their senior discounts. Read reviews in travel forums or on travel websites to find out which brands or places offer the best deals. • More discretionary time. Even if retirement is a ways down the road, older adults may have accrued more vacation time than their younger colleagues. That time can be translated into longer or more frequent trips. • Age-based memberships. Reaching age 50 or 60 may entitle people to join groups that negotiate deals for their members. For example, the minimum membership age for AARP is 50, meaning travelers who join AARP can enjoy discounts roughly five years before

theyʟre eligible for senior discounts offered by other organizations. • Travel during off seasons. When not constrained by school schedules, men and women over 50 can travel during times of the year when prices are most affordable. This means savings and

smaller crowds. This flexibility also can translate into airline discounts, as men and women over 50 with no time constraints can choose to be standby passengers in exchange for discounted or free tickets. LP183831

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How traveling after turning 50 can be great

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Learn to downsize before a move Aging men and women often take inventory of their lives in an effort to focus on activities or lifestyle changes that can ensure happy retirements. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows there are some 76 million baby boomers — those people born between 1946 to 1964 — across the country. With the youngest of the boomers in their mid-50s and the majority having already reached retirement age, many boomers are trying to decide if itʟs time to move out of their family homes and into smaller, more manageable abodes.

Many older adults find they do not need the same amount of space as they did when they had children living at home. Retirees and those on the cusp of retirement may find that downsizing is a smart financial move that frees up more time for recreation.

However, it can be challenging to cut down on living space and then deal with figuring out how to make furniture, belongings and stored items fit in more

condensed areas. Moving can be stressful even without having to cut down on prized items. Taking an inventory of belongings can help the process go smoothly.

Before moving, men and women can go room by room, making piles of items that will be kept, donated, sold, or discarded. This can be a tedious task, but it is necessary to avoid clutter in a new home.

People downsizing can attempt to sell items they do not need via newspaper classified sections or online classified sites. Appliances and furniture in excellent shape may fetch good prices. Any extra cash can be put toward buying new items that are size-appropriate for the smaller home.

Another way to clear out clutter is to sort duplicates from the stock of items. A person may no longer need multiple sets of dishes or silverware. If the move involves switching from a king-sized to a queen-sized bed, donate or trash bed

linens that will no longer fit. Pay close attention to kitchen and bathroom items, which tend to accumulate over time but might not be discarded when clearing a home of clutter.

People moving from a detached home to a condominium or a townhouse may learn that homeownerĘźs association fees cover everything from snow removal to lawn maintenance to pool upkeep. If so, itĘźs unnecessary to bring lawn and garden supplies.

Homeowners are advised to look at the floor plan of their new dwellings and pay attention to storage space. This can make it easier to plan ahead for what may fit, what will need to be purchased

new and which storage solutions may be needed. Having a plan in place can make unpacking and settling in go smoothly. The organizing company Organize Me says that homeowners should consider how cabinets and closets will be used before moving in.

Downsizing can free up time and money. When done right, downsizing can make retirement easier and create more leisure time for retirees. EL186011

Adopting a dog or cat later in life Companion animals bring great joy to their owners. The unconditional love cats and dogs provide appeals to people of all ages. While many people associate pets with kids who canĘźt wait to welcome the first cat or dog into their homes, pets can benefit aging men and women as well.

ItĘźs not uncommon for seniors to feel lonely or depressed when they retire, their children move away or they lose a spouse or close friend or friends. The American Humane Society states that studies show pets help seniors overcome loneliness and depression by providing affection,

company and entertainment. Pets also provide much-needed mental stimulation, and many pet owners find their pets help them become more physically active as well.

Seniors who adopt pets may also feel a sense of purpose when helping animals who may not have anywhere to live. This is particularly true of older companion animals, which many young families are understandably hesitant to adopt. Mature pets might be an ideal fit for seniors.

When seniors are looking to adopt a pet, there are various reasons why older pets

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or particular animals might be the perfect fit for them. • Adult pets may already be house trained, saving seniors the trouble and effort of training them. • Seniors may find cats fit their lifestyles more than dogs, as cats are less active and do not need to be walked or played with as much as dogs. Cats also are small and easily maneuverable, meaning even seniors who have arthritis or other physical limitations can easily care for cats.

Many cats are also content to spend long periods of time sleeping on their ownersĘź

laps. • Small dogs that can be active within the house might be a good idea as well, especially for seniors with mobility issues.

TheyĘźre also easily transported to and from vet appointments.

ItĘźs important that seniors carefully weigh the benefits of adopting a pet against any limitations they may have.

Having a backup plan for care is advantageous as well. Seniors should not adopt a pet if they anticipate frequent travel or medical care that requires they be away from home for long periods of time. LP173830

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Cognitive decline is a condition that is often associated with aging, but even middle-aged people can experience memory loss or cognition issues.

The AlzheimerĘźs Association says that more than five million Americans are living with AlzheimerĘźs disease and other dementias. By 2050, that number could rise to as high as 16 million people. More than 747,000 Canadians are living with AlzheimerĘźs or another dementia, says the Canadian AlzheimerĘźs Association.

Although there is no definitive way to prevent dementia, living a long, vibrant life may be possible by encouraging some healthy habits for the brain. It is never too late or too early to begin health and lifestyle changes.

the risk of cognitive decline. Smoking can impair blood flow to the brain and cause small strokes that may damage blood vessels.

Eat healthy foods Foods that are good for the heart and blood vessels also are good for the brain. These include fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fish-based proteins, unsaturated fats, and foods containing omega-3 fatty acids.

Neurologists state that, Exercise while research on diet Becoming more active can improve and cognitive function is brain volume, reduce risk for dementia limited, diets, such as and improve thinking and memory skills. Mediterranean and The journal Neurology found that older Mediterranean-DASH people who vigorously exercise per(Dietary Approaches to formed better on cognitive tests than oth- Stop Hypertension), may Seniors can include healthy lifestyle habits, such as exercise and balanced eating, to ers of the same age, placing them at the contribute to a lower risk reduce the risk of dementia and other neurological issues. equivalent of 10 years younger. of cognitive issues.

Increased blood flow that occurs with physical activity may help generate new Consume caffeine brain-derived neurotrophic factor neurons in the hippocampus, an area of Caffeine may help boost memory per- coffee beans may improve vascular health and help repair cellular damage (BDNF), a molecule essential for repairthe brain involved with learning and formance and brain health. A Journal of due to high antioxidant levels. ing brain cells and creating connections memory.

Nutrition study found people ages 70 between them.

The Harvard Medical School says and older who consumed more caffeine Work the brain A good way to combine these lifestyle aerobic exercise may help improve brain scored better on tests of mental function Engaging in mentally stimulating factors is to take an exercise class with tissue by improving blood flow and than those who consumed less caffeine. activities can create new brain connecfriends, mixing the social, stimulation and reducing the chances of injury to the Caffeine may help improve attention tions and more backup circuits, states exercise recommendations together. brain from cholesterol buildup in blood span, cognitive function and feelings of Cognitive decline can come with vessels. well-being. Information from Psychology Dr. Joel Salinas, a neurologist at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General aging, but through healthy habits, people Today also indicates caffeine may help Hospital. Working the brain through puz- can reduce their risk of memory loss and Quit smoking in the storage of dopamine, which can zles, reading and participating in social dementia. LP183772 The AlzheimerĘźs Association indicates reduce feelings of depression and anxithat evidence shows smoking increases ety. In addition, compounds in cocoa and situations can stimulate the release of

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Eat healthy at 50 and beyond A balanced diet is an integral element of a healthy lifestyle for men, women and children alike. But while kids and young adults might be able to get away with an extra cheeseburger here or there, men and women approaching 50 have less leeway.

According to the National Institute on Aging, simply counting calories without regard for the foods being consumed is not enough for men and women 50 and older to maintain their long-term health. Rather, the NIA emphasizes the importance of choosing low-calorie foods that have a lot of the nutrients the body needs.

But counting calories can be an effective and simple way to maintain a healthy weight, provided those calories are coming from nutrient-rich foods. The NIA advises men and women over 50 adhere to the following daily calorie intake recommendations as they attempt to stay healthy into their golden years.

Women • Not physically active: 1,600 calories • Somewhat active: 1,800 calories • Active lifestyle: between 2,000 and 2,200 calories Men • Not physically active: 2,000 calories • Somewhat active: between 2,200 and 2,400 calories • Active lifestyle: between 2,400 and 2,800 calories When choosing foods to eat, the NIA recommends eating many different colors and types of vegetables and fruits. Phytochemicals are substances that occur naturally in plants, and there are thousands of these substances offering various benefits. The Produce for Better Health Foundation notes that a varied, colorful diet incorporates lots of different types of phytochemicals, which the PBH says have disease-preventing properties.

The NIA also advises that men and women over 50 make sure at least half the grains in their diets are whole grains. Numerous studies have discovered the various benefits of whole grains, which are loaded with protein, fiber, antioxidants and other nutrients. Whole grains have been shown to reduce the risk for diseases

such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some types of cancer.

Another potential hurdle men and women over 50 may encounter is a change in their sense of smell and taste. A personĘźs sense of smell may fade with age, and because smell and taste are so closely related, foods enjoyed for years may no longer tantalize the taste buds. That can be problematic, as many people instinctually add more salt to foods they find bland.

According to the U.S. Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, older adults should consume no more than 1,500 milligrams of sodium per day. That

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equates to roughly 3â „4 teaspoon of salt. Older men and women should resist the temptation to use salt to add flavor to foods, instead opting for healthy foods that they can still smell and taste. In addition, men and women should mention any loss of their sense of smell to their physicians, as such a loss may indicate the presence of ParkinsonĘźs disease or AlzheimerĘźs disease.

Maintaining a healthy diet after 50 may require some hard work and discipline. But the long-term benefits of a healthy diet make the extra effort well worth it. LP173834

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