Archive for category: Commentary

Returning to your daily routine after becoming injured can be quite a struggle, especially if you are among the 10% of the population who have acquired major injuries as a result of an automobile accident. It is important to give yourself adequate time to heal while getting the proper amount of rest. Pain should be used as a signal that your body is being overworked, so if something feels uncomfortable, refrain from said task until you’ve had some injury recovery time.

Key Takeaways:

• Always be sure to take the proper time to relax so that your body can heal at its own pace.
• Approximately 10% of those who are in car accidents have what are considered major injuries.
• Do not push your body to complete tasks that you find uncomfortable following your injury.

“You can take some effective steps to make sure that you get back on your feet as quickly as possible and feel healthy again.”

Finding a way to accommodate your future family vacation can be quite a daunting task, even though it is supposed to be a relaxing getaway. Some find it helpful to hire a trip adviser so that you can receive suggestions and reservations to places that accurately fit your family’s needs and interests. These multigenerational travel tips come in handy quite a bit if you are trying to find activities that are conforming to both older and younger demographics.

Key Takeaways:

• It is important to offer activities for all family members, and to allow individuals to opt out if they choose to do so.
• Since vacation sites tend to be crowded and overpriced during school holidays, go ahead and pull the kids out of school when you go on vacation.
• Find a way to budget and pay for the trip that works for your particular family.

“According to the U.S. Census, by 2020 there will be 80 million grandparents in the U.S., accounting for one in-every-3 adults.”

Read more: https://www.aplaceformom.com/blog/multigenerational-travel-tips-for-seniors/

A recent journal of Gerontology article revealed medical research that showed that seniors who led more active lifestyles, including light physical activity, such as housework and dog-walking, had more gray matter. This is good news, as the brain’s grey matter has the reins to a lot of what goes on in the human body, including mobility, speech, sensing, thinking and feeling. Oftentimes, however the volume of this crucial neurological matter shrinks with age, long before cognitive impairment becomes obvious.

Participants of the study wore a device to measure their physical activity and filled out self-reports as well. MRIs showed the grey matter of participants. Controlling for various demographic differences, it was still obvious that those participants with the most active lifestyles had the least grey matter atrophy.

Key Takeaways:

• Participation in lifestyle physical activity is good for the brain and may help decrease the loss of gray matter as people age.
• To more accurately measure the levels of participant’s physical activity, they were required to continuously wear an accelerometer for up to 10 days.
• Questionnaires can sometimes provide unreliable data on physical activity because subjects can tend to over-estimate or under-estimate their levels of activity.

“The volume of gray matter is a measure of brain health, but the amount of gray matter in the brain often begins to decrease in late adulthood, even before symptoms of cognitive dysfunction appear.”

Read more: https://thirdage.com/everyday-activities-are-associated-with-more-gray-matter-in-the-brains-of-older-adults/

Fortunately, aging isn’t what it used to be. Assumptions and stereotypes are going by the wayside daily, freeing more people to look and feel the way they want to at any age. Good. But some of the stereotypes, which hide in plain sight, are so normalized we can miss them. So, they persist, like weeds.

A few that may need some chopping still, is firstly, the assumption that growing older means you must cut your hair. Hair does have issues as it ages. But, if yours is still the thickness and luster and length you love, do not feel impelled to give it up due to an arbitrary social more.

Another more worth dispelling is that skin-showing should stop around the age of, oh, thirty. Keep showing off your skin if you like. Wrinkles are not a crime, nor is cellulite, or any other bugbear that makes women cover up. Moreover, there are creams for all of it. More things you should not do, just because you are inching up the age ladder? Do not stop learning. Do not stop going as fast as you want, or can. Don’t start dressing drab, or avoiding eye liner and lipstick. Be as madly fabulous as you want, for as long as you can.

Key Takeaways:

• Invest in quality skin care products to keep your skin moist, so you look good in shorts and sleeveless tops.
• Stay active by walking or doing any kind of exercise that is within your range of ability.
• Keep your mind active by learning new things; online courses are a good option.

“While it’s true that as we age our hair can lose pigment, become thinner, or change texture, that doesn’t mean we should lop it all off.”

Read more: https://thirdage.com/6-rules-you-should-break-about-getting-older/

The road to financial security is never straight and the possible entanglements when it comes to families is even less straight. For example, what to do if you are attempting to ready your finances for your own retirement right around the time that mom, or dad, needs to look into elder care? Will you be able to afford a facility, if it comes to that, while still putting money into your own plans?

Consider using your parents home, if possible. It may be viable to use the equity. See if your parents have pension income, or a 401K. Check out their social security options and medicaid options. If they can discuss their fiscal options with you than let them. Be as open as you can. As much as the topic is troubling, not dealing with it is far worse. Also, don’t forget the need for power of attorneys. Beyond accessing your loved one’s bills and payment needs, it may also behoove you to put yourself forward to their financial advisers and accountants, should there be such entities.

Key Takeaways:

• Sometimes pensions can either contribute to, or entirely cover, the ultimate costs of assisted living.
• Home equity that has accumulated overtime can often help pay for assisted living fees.
• Those who do not have adequate savings for care may be eligible for Medicaid services.

“You have options – you just have to do your research. Read more about what to do when you want to retire but a parent needs assisted living.”

Read more: https://www.aplaceformom.com/blog/1-29-16-retire-when-a-parent-needs-assisted-living/

If your parent needs assisted living, considering getting help from professional caregivers Gilbert, AZ and the surrounding communities depend on for quality care. Contact us today at 480-498-2324 to learn more!