• Remaining independent in my own home.
• Maintaining good health and receiving adequate health care.
• Having enough money for everyday needs and not outliving my income.

Although seniors are definitely concerned about the need for long term care it is not high on the list of concerns. And yet, to address these concerns or wishes and maintain the quality of life wanted in their senior years, it simply takes a little pre-planning.

Unfortunately, as a rule, that is not happening.

For seniors, the need for home care or assisted living is one of the most catastrophic unexpected events that could happen to them. Why? Because the need for care typically removes any level of security an older person may have with the three major lifestyle concerns mentioned above.

With the need for long term care the older person fears:

• Losing their independence
• A decline in their health
• Depleting their assets sooner than expected.

No other late-life event can be as devastating to the lifestyle seniors are so concerned about maintaining. No wonder many seniors who lose their ability to care for themselves withdraw, become angry, and suffer from severe depression.

Ironically, many older people painstakingly scrape together $100-$200 a month to buy Medicare supplemental insurance to cover a risk which is about equal to their yearly premiums. Or, they will go without the things they need, and sacrifice food, recreation and activities in order to hold on to the last few dollars in their savings accounts.

Yet very few seniors spend money or time to plan for the event of long term care. It seems a paradox that someone would be more concerned about buying insurance for a home fire when the risk of needing home care help is 600 times more likely. Or what about the cost of insuring for an auto accident when the risk of long term care is 120 times more likely and is potentially 20 times more expense? Or why the overwhelming concern to buy Medicare supplement insurance when, without it, Medicare would still cover the bulk of their health needs after deductibles and co-pays? And please understand … I’m not recommending going without insurance coverage.  I’m simply using it as an example of how people refuse to deal with the issue of long term care.

No one knows why people beyond age 65 are not more concerned about preparing for long term care needs. Perhaps they mistakenly think the government will take care of them. Or, they are assured that family and friends will provide the care when needed. Whatever the case, without proper planning, the need for care services can result in the one of the greatest challenges in a person’s senior years.

In addition, this lack of planning will always have an adverse effect on the older person’s family. It usually results in great sacrifice or financial burden on the part of the spouse or children. Or, for those with no immediate family, long term care can be a burden to extended family members, neighbors and friends.

I would urge anyone reading this column, who are planning for retirement, or are now in their retirement years, and who has not prepared for long term care, to at least do some research, seek professional guidance, look at the options, and give this matter some careful attention.

As Benjamin Franklin so aptly put it “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Carl R. Johnson
Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®
Community Relations Director
Abiding HomeCare
Silverdale, WA

^{Sadly, there are many prejudices and stereotypes that are applied to persons based solely on their age.  This is what we call ageism, and one of the most frequent “stereotypes” is the view of later life as a period of decline and disaster. However, whether you’re a senior, or you have a loved one who is experiencing the challenges of senior life, having the right attitude can make all the difference in the world.}

^{Of course, not all fears about old age are based on prejudice or imagination.  Some fears are all too real, and we need to take account of those fears in making plans for the later years.}

^{While not a given, advancing age increases the probability of chronic illness, dementia, and death.  A quick look at life insurance rates will tell you that mortality is a realistic fear for elders.  Yet survey research suggests that older people are actually less afraid of death than younger people.}

^{So what are they afraid of?  Older people typically express fears of dependency and loss of control. In comparison, death may even seem preferable.  For example, the history of assisted suicide in Oregon suggests that very few people, even with terminal illness, actually make use of the option.  When they do, it is mostly not for reasons of pain, but because they fear dependency and loss of autonomy.}

^{Fear of dependency is also the reason behind common attitudes about nursing homes.  It is not unusual for older people to say, “I’d rather die than go into a nursing home.” Ironically, many who do enter long-term care facilities adapt to the situation and may even find more opportunities for activities, social contact, and support.  But the fear of being “put away in a nursing home” is still widespread.}

^{Another important fear among seniors is that of impoverishment – outliving one’s income or assets.  Here again, the fear is not unrealistic because poverty rates rise dramatically among those over age 80.}

^{Lastly, there is the fear of losing one’s mind, an informal way of referring to dementia or diminished mental capacity.  Unfortunately, rates of dementia do rise dramatically as people age.  However … developing dementia is not inevitable, and there are encouraging “methods” and techniques being utilized today that are quite successful.}

^{The overall picture of fears in later life was captured well by King Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes.  As Solomon is summing up his thoughts he says, “When people live to be very old, let them rejoice in every day of life.  But let them also remember there will be many dark days. Everything still to come is meaningless.}

^{Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, ‘Life is not pleasant anymore.’ Remember him before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is dim to your old eyes, and rain clouds continually darken your sky. Remember him before your legs—the guards of your house—start to tremble; and before your shoulders—the strong men—stoop. Remember him before your teeth—your few remaining servants—stop grinding; and before your eyes … see dimly. Remember him before the door to life’s opportunities is closed and the sound of work fades. Now you rise at the first chirping of the birds, but then all their sounds will grow faint. Remember him before you become fearful of falling and worry about danger in the streets; before your hair turns white like an almond tree in bloom, and you drag along without energy like a dying grasshopper, and the caper berry (i.e. an ancient aphrodisiac) no longer inspires sexual desire. Remember him before you near the grave, your everlasting home, when the mourners will weep at your funeral.” (Ecclesiastes 11:8; 12:1-5 NLT)}

^{As Solomon understood that, no matter how powerful we are, old age can bring with it a loss of power and therefore greater vulnerability.}

^{Growing older is definitely a challenge, but it’s great to know we’re not alone, and we’re not without resources to make the journey manageable.}

^{Carl R. Johnson}

^{Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®}

^{Community Relations Director}

^{Abiding HomeCare}

^{Silverdale, WA}

^{I can’t stress strongly enough that when a senior begins exhibiting “signs” of neglecting basic activities of personal care, or experiences a fall, or manifests the early stages of dementia, that is the time to take seriously making provision for family care, or hiring a home caregiver to assist the senior with those issues.}

^{However, before such assistance is needed, there are actually some marvelous innovations in technology that have been developed that can provide a level of security and confidence for seniors living at home. And although I don’t have space in this column to identify all of these products and services, I do want to highlight several of the more relevant and practical ones.}

^{The first one that is especially useful is a Personal Emergency Response System.  This “system” is typically comprised of a two-way voice console unit that connects to an existing phone line and a lightweight water-resistant activator, worn around the neck or wrist.  If assistance is needed, the senior simply presses the button and the console unit dials the Response Center which opens a two-way voice connection with a trained response operator.  Seven days a week, 24 hours a day, a trained operator will immediately respond to determine the level of help required.}

^{The second product that has great value for seniors (and especially their families) is one of the most highly sophisticated innovations on the market today – an advanced sensor system that discretely monitors the daily activities of someone living alone. This system provides the highest level of passive security available for an elderly person living alone. Family members or friends can be granted access to a secure web site so they can check the status at any time. The system recognizes and reports normal, healthy behaviors—and significant changes—during the times the senior is alone in their residence. When there are changes in behavior that indicate potential health problems or dangerous situations, the system alerts caregivers so that they can provide appropriate medical attention.}

^{The third innovation is actually a service designed to call a senior one to three times per day with either a medication reminder or a “well-being” check up.  If the call is for a medication reminder, the calls are made at prescribed times, describing the medication to be taken by name, and then notifies the caregiver if the senior doesn’t confirm the call.  For “well-being” calls, the system is automated and interactive, up to three calls per day, and is also designed to notify the caregiver if the senior doesn’t confirm the call.}

^{Although I’ve only been able to briefly describe these products and service, there is information available that gives a much more comprehensive explanation of each one.  If you would like to obtain information on any of these, please call (360) 692-6929 and a brochure will be mailed, or your questions answered.}

^{While technology has provided us with many “tools” for keeping ourselves and our loved ones safe and secure, there is nothing more valuable than the love and care we receive from family and friends. As we look ahead to this coming year, I trust that you will experience a very happy and prosperous New Year.}

^{Carl R. Johnson}

^{Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®}

^{Community Relations Director}

^{Abiding HomeCare}

^{Silverdale, WA}

The following activities are possible in a home care environment due to the ease they can be carried out and the little space, time and cost in setting them up.

Painting

For seniors who have trouble communicating due to speech impediments or dementia, painting can be a wonderful new way of expressing. They can paint out their feelings in bright shades that can depict any number of emotions or messages that they may want to convey. Displaying their creations in a prominent place in the home can instill a sense of pride in the client, which goes a long way in combating mood issues like depression. Optionally, a client can give their creations to friends or family members as gifts, which can provide them with a level of self-confidence as well.

Scrapbooking

Scrapbooking is an ideal activity to promote and maintain long-term memory. Seniors can sift through cherished photographs of their loved ones while creating the perfect page to display them upon. Looking through the photographs will trigger memories of the people depicted in them so that the seniors do not lose the ability to recognize the important people in their lives. As with the paintings, seniors can choose to give away their creations to family members as treasured heirlooms to be passed down for generations to come.

Photography

Taking up photography as a hobby can motivate the elderly to remain active and interested in their surroundings. It can encourage them to get outside and get involved in the world around them, which is very important in maintaining social skills. Further, photography can instill an interest in the outdoors in a senior as they may want to photograph local flora and fauna. The benefits of this can be two-fold as they are both interested in something and able to get fresh air and exercise in the process of pursuing that interest.

If you would like to share with us your ideas for exercising the mind whilst receiving home care please leave a comment below.

Foods that contain ‘empty calories’

Because seniors are less active than the younger population, their bodies require less food, whose calories are later turned into energy for activities. Junk foods should be avoided because of their high fat, calorie, and sugar content – also known as ‘empty calories’. Empty calories are calories that have no nutritional value.

Foods with a high sodium content

Even if they are not on a restricted sodium diet, seniors should avoid foods with a high sodium content due to the increased risk for elevated blood pressure and the host of maladies that can accompany it. Caregivers should also be aware of foods with hidden sodium content. These foods are foods that one doesn’t normally consider as ‘salty’ – such as certain types of breads.

Fried foods

Fried foods contain high levels of LDL or ‘bad cholesterol’. An elevated cholesterol level can present a host of health problems in the elderly and make them susceptible to strokes and heart attacks.

Raw or undercooked foods

This doesn’t mean to just thoroughly cook a senior’s foods. There are a number of foods that aren’t supposed to be cooked that can lead to a variety of food borne illnesses due to the presence of germs and bacteria. Some common food products where bacteria is prevalent are:

• soft cheeses such as feta, Brie, and Camembert
• egg products like cake batter, cookie dough, sauces, and eggnog
• raw fish products such as sushi
• hot dogs 
• non-pasteurized milk, milk products, and juices
• fresh vegetables and fruits that have not been thoroughly cleaned

The reason that raw or undercooked foods pose a health risk in seniors is because a reduction in stomach acid occurs as the body ages. Instead of being broken down by the stomach acid, the bacteria is able to reach the small intestine where most gastrointestinal issues occur.

It should be easier for a senior receiving home health care to eat a healthy diet due to the experience, mobility and motivation of the caregiver.