The benefits of the arts are often underestimated when it comes to the role that they play in the overall quality of life of the senior population. Art activities can be learned in a community environment, at home under the guidance of a professional artist, with a musical therapist, or simply in a casual environment with the companionship of a caregiver. Here are the benefits that art can have, generally improving the quality of life for many San Jose seniors:

1. Skill doesn’t matter – seniors may feel because they have no artistic talent specifically, they cannot receive the benefits from art. However, studies have shown that regardless of specific skills levels, practicing all forms of art can benefit social abilities as well as physical and mental health

2. Culture and community through art – the establishment of art programs in various communities can have specific cultural meaning to seniors and can also help establish culture in community settings

3. Arts help younger generations look at seniors differently – studies have shown that when art comes into play in senior care residences, staff and other members of younger demographics find themselves more appreciative of seniors and it can increase the personal connection

4. Art can lead to aging in place – art can give seniors a greater sense of independence and increase functioning, allowing them to remain in their homes for increased periods of time

5. Art as expression – all forms of art help seniors express themselves in some way and it helps them demonstrate and build their own sense of identity and independence

Image: kansassampler.org

Via: Arts and Aging

Home Instead Senior Care serving elders and seniors in San Jose, Los Gatos, Santa Clara and Saratoga home care - 408-370-6360.

Q – Is there a reason that some seniors are working into their 70s, 80s and 90s when they are able to receive Social Security in their 60’s?

A – Some seniors are finding that retirement just isn’t happening when they wish it would, and for the following reasons are working later and longer:

• While the average age to claim Social Security Benefits is 63.9, many need additional income on top of it to be able to afford basic aspects of daily living, like housing and food

• Many seniors would love to retire and just focus on their family and relaxing, but based on the numbers of seniors aged 65 and older which are rising higher than ever before, this isn’t a reality for everyone. The number of older works, aged 80+ has had the most substantial increase at 67% to 500,000 Americans

• With people living longer, money doesn’t go as far as it used to, and as time goes on this might increase even more, keeping more and more seniors in the workforce longer than planned

• Government benefits, which were initially defined in 1940 certainly weren’t designed to support 30 or more years of retirement, which means seniors need a fairly substantial nest egg to make it through

Via: AARP

Image: elements4health.com

Home Instead Senior Care serving elders and seniors in San Jose, Los Gatos, Santa Clara and Saratoga home care - 408-370-6360.

Seniors have enough to worry about in retirement without having to be concerned that the place they choose to live is causing more stress. When looking at where to retire, consider the following factors which can influence your enjoyment of your older years:

1. Population and crowding – consider the population density in the area. The more populated it is, the more likely it becomes that there can be crime, petty problems between neighbors, and other factors that can influence your overall quality of life. If you’re looking for a quieter retreat where you can relax in privacy, avoid cities like Chicago (ranked the most stressful place to live) where crowding is high.

2. Employment – even in retirement, the level of unemployment in your area can affect your quality of life. You don’t need to be in the workforce for it to have an impact! Unemployment rates attest to the overall state of the economy.

3. Air quality and weather – the air quality can affect your overall health, which greatly impacts your quality of life, as well as your finances. Also choose a climate that brings you the most enjoyment.

4. Home values – with rising interest costs and decreasing home values, it can be a worry that you might lose your home in older adulthood or find it unaffordable. Low home values can also mean little equity when it comes time to sell. Choose a place to live where home values seem to be higher and holding strong.

Via: Yahoo! Real Estate

Image: money.aol.com

Home Instead Senior Care serving elders and seniors in San Jose, Los Gatos, Santa Clara and Saratoga home care - 408-370-6360.

Being mindful, for today’s seniors, means focusing on one thought and living in the moment. In such a busy world, it can be hard to learn how to focus your energy to reduce stress, improve your health, and give you a better appreciation for life.

4 Ways to Practice Mindfulness:

1. Breathe – to push away worrying thoughts or to stop your mind from wandering, simply stop and take a few deep breaths and focus only on your breathing and the environment around you. Take a few minutes to do this in situations where your mind tends to start running away on you, like in the car when stopped at a traffic light, or when you’re taking a shower

2. Focus in the morning and at night – before you fall asleep, your mind is likely to wander about your expectations for the next day, and the same thoughts might plague your mind when you wake up in the morning. Take a few minutes just to breathe

3. Turn off the autopilot – with tasks that you tend to do impatiently, like brushing your teeth or cleaning, take yourself out of autopilot mode and focus on the motions of what you’re doing, no matter how mundane the task is

4. Remind yourself to focus – a normal daily occurrence can act as a reminder that it’s time to tune back into the present. When the phone rings, or you go to put on your seatbelt, stop and focus

Via: About.com

Image: minocqua.org

Home Instead Senior Care serving elders and seniors in San Jose, Los Gatos, Santa Clara and Saratoga home care - 408-370-6360.

Whether you want to live longer or just hold onto some of your youth while you age, here are 5 ways that you can stay young:

1. Pick heart healthy foods – choose foods with strong anti-inflammatory affects that can help improve the health of your heart like fruits and vegetables, garlic, olive oil and fish. Steer clear of foods that can block the arteries like fried items or ones drenched in saturated fats

2. Drink water regularly – stay hydrated, it will help you to keep your energy level up, and help with the digestive process. Water can also help fend off hunger and prevent bad breath

3. Don’t forget your vagus – the vagus is a nerve that updates your brain about what’s happening with the rest of your body. A vagus that’s not kept healthy can result in issues with immunity and that can lead to viruses and illnesses. Try meditation, yoga and deep breathing exercises to keep the vagus healthy!

4. Take Aspirin – one terrific thing you can do for your health barely takes any effort at all. Pop an Asprin daily with half a glass of warm water and help lower inflammation throughout the body and prevent colon cancer, esophageal cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, and breast cancer.

5. Use mind maps – it’s easy to become overwhelmed and stressed out when you have a goal in front of you. Instead of making a limited To Do List, use a mind map. Put your goal in the middle of a  piece of paper and draw lines branching out from it with other ideas about how you can reach that goal. This method allows you to be more open-minded.

Via: Real Age

Image: transformaging.org

Home Instead Senior Care serving elders and seniors in San Jose, Los Gatos, Santa Clara and Saratoga home care - 408-370-6360.

For the first time in decades, San Jose seniors will find that their Social Security benefit checks have shrunk beginning next year. Although legally, Social Security benefits cannot be reduced, cost of living adjustments will not be made to Social Security Benefits over the next few years. As premiums for the Medicare Prescription Drug Program will be raised slightly, this means that Social Security benefit checks will be smaller than ever before. Although the change will be slight for most seniors, for those living on a limited and fixed income, the impact can be severe. In order to survive through this reduction, seniors can take note of the following money saving tips:

1. Set a budget: know how much money you have available to spend on a weekly basis, and keep a record of your spending so you ensure that you’re never overspending. Pay in cash, and then deposit any remaining money at the end of the week into a savings account

2. Smart shopping – create a shopping list and buy only what you need. Plan meals around items that are in season, and try out generic brand products over name brands for the savings

3. Think all unnecessary purchases over – instead of buying things you don’t need impulsively, wait 24 hours and think it over. More often than not, you will find that the temptation passes

4. Discounts – clip coupons or shop at stores that offer more discounts. Also be aware of places that offer discounts to senior citizens, like movie theaters, museums, and even grocery and retail stores

Sources:

1. MSNBC

2. Associated Content

Image: jupiterimages.com

Home Instead Senior Care serving elders and seniors in San Jose, Los Gatos, Santa Clara and Saratoga home care - 408-370-6360.

I work in a busy San Jose medical practice where we see a large number of senior caregivers that work professionally or provide care for a family member. Recently, our doctors have been receiving a lot of inquiries from these individuals about when and if a Swine Flu vaccine will become available. An interesting trend about the caregivers inquiring is that they’re less worried about protecting their own health, but more concerned with protecting themselves so they don’t pass any viruses along to their vulnerable elderly care recipients. If this sounds like you, but you haven’t wanted to ask your health care professional, here are some details about the Swine Flu vaccine to ease your mind:

• Availability – the H1N1 vaccine should be available in fall of 2009 in order to combat formal flu season. Specific dates have not yet been released as they are based on manufacturing

• Production – a Swine Flu vaccine is currently in production, and before being offered to the public, will be involved in clinical trials

• Combined vaccines – the Swine Flu vaccine will be separate from the seasonal flu vaccine. It can be administered at the same time, although since the H1N1 vaccine is likely to be available later in the season, San Jose seniors are encouraged to get the seasonal flu vaccine first

• Age for priority vaccinations – studies have shown that H1N1 is more likely to affect people aged 25 to 64, or those with compromised immune systems due to health issues. The vaccine will be available to these people initially, and older adults over 65 can receive the vaccine after

• Locations – the Swine Flu vaccine will be available in locations that aren’t just your doctor’s office. Vaccination programs will take place in offices, schools, pharmacies, and other private settings

• The 1976 vaccine – the Swine Flu pandemic of 1976 also had a vaccine developed to fight the spread of illness, however, even those vaccinated then should receive the new H1N1 vaccine as the disease is not likely the same

Via: Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Image Source: H1N1 Flu Vaccine

Home Instead Senior Care serving elders and seniors in San Jose, Los Gatos, Santa Clara and Saratoga home care - 408-370-6360.

Surviving the death of a loved one can seem impossible, especially when it’s your spouse who you have to get through anniversaries that you once celebrated together on your own. It’s not easy, but you can get through the anniversaries, and here are some tips to help:

1. Don’t do it alone – talk to someone about your fears as the day approaches, seek support from a group with other surviving spouses or bond with others who knew your loved one by sharing memories

2. Do something to acknowledge the grief – if it helps, visit the gravesite, plant a flower in honor of the life of your spouse or loved one, release a balloon in the air or do something that has significant meaning to you

3. Eat right – anxiety or feelings of depression might shift your focus away from your own health, but remember to eat properly with nutritious meals. If your emotional state makes it too much for your to prepare them while the anniversary is approaching, ask for help from a family member or friend, hire a caregiver, or use a service like Meals on Wheels

4. Exercise – exercising regularly can help you to release stress and anxiety and will improve your disposition overall

5. Do something to remember your loved one – over time as you learn to cope with the grief that comes with loss, you might be ready to celebrate their life on anniversaries. Go to a restaurant you used to frequent together, or make a new tradition by dining out with family at a new favorite spot. Take a trip you and your spouse always dreamed of taking; do something that helps you to honor the life you had with them

Via: Silent Grief

Image: giftideas-blogsome.com

Home Instead Senior Care serving elders and seniors in San Jose, Los Gatos, Santa Clara and Saratoga home care - 408-370-6360.