Senior Sunrise

Medicare, though beneficial for many elderly Americans, is often difficult to manage. Getting familiar with Medicare Parts A and B will help you or your elderly loved one in the long run. Part A covers hospital insurance, including hospital stays, skilled nursing facilities, hospice, and home health care. If you receive benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board you automatically receive Parts A and B the first day of the month you turn 65.

Part B of the senior health insurance covers medically necessary doctor services, tests, outpatient care, home health services, durable medical equipment, and most preventative health services. Working older adults who are not receiving Social Security can still enroll in Parts A and B. People who opt out of Part B when they’re first eligible may enroll later, but will have to pay a late fee, unless they fit conditions relating to special enrollment.

Nearly five million elderly are abused in the U.S. Elderly abuse is not consigned to a particular socio-economic class; it can happen to anyone. One highly visible case is the abuse of Mickey Rooney, one of the world’s most famous actors. He testified recently before a Senate Special Committee on Aging about the abuse he suffered at the hands of his step-son for years.

He urged the committee “to stop this elderly abuse. I mean stop it. Now. Not tomorrow, not next month, but now.” Rooney was able to get a retraining order against his step-son and his attorneys were granted conservatorship over his finances. It is appalling how adult abuse continues to prevail in our society. If you suspect that an elderly person is being abused, speak up! That person may not have the ability or courage to do so, and by speaking out you could save their life.

Being a caregiver is tough work that is often underappreciated. Fortunately, there are many caregiver resources out there with valuable information that can positively impact your life, such as ideas for alleviating some of the burden. One source that I check frequently detailed the items a caregiver should pack for themselves when the person they care for has to undergo surgery. The author called it a recovery room kit.

The kit included a notepad and pen for taking down detailed notes on post-operative procedures, medication regimens, and wound care. Chocolate and energy bars were also on the list. Waiting in the hospital for long stretches of time can be exhausting, but you need to keep your energy up and stay focused. Water is another key item to have on hand. Finally, the author suggested that you keep a phone number on hand of a trustworthy person who can help you if the situation becomes overwhelming. There are many valuable caregiver resources out there that can help reduce stress if you’re willing to give them a shot.

For most people, getting a massage is a luxury. For the elderly, receiving massages can improve their health and overall quality of life. Massage therapy can be valuable for alleviating the aches and pains that go along with growing older. Massage can also encourage positive blood circulation and decrease joint inflammation.

Adding massage to senior health management isn’t a huge adjustment time-wise because typical sessions last 30 minutes to an hour. Look for geriatric massage practitioners who are specially trained to adapt their techniques for the more fragile older body. Geriatric massage practitioners are particular about where a client is placed so they don’t have to ask an elderly patient to change positions, as is typical with younger clients. Elderly massage often concentrates on the hands and feet, as the extremities often have the weakest circulation. Elderly massage can do wonders for an aging body.

When it’s time to transfer your parents or grandparents into an elderly care center, aka a senior living community, there are many important factors to consider. First and foremost is the safety and wellbeing of the relative, followed by their quality of life, enjoyment of the facility and a smooth transition. You may want to make a checklist of each area of interest before you go visit any center.

Instances of abuse of the elderly are more common than you would think, so it’s also important to carefully monitor the staff during your visit. How are they interacting with the current residents of the community? Are they pleasant to visitors? Do you believe they will provide a wholesome and secure environment for your loved one? These are all important things to consider before signing any paperwork.

It seems like everyone has an older relative that’s broken a hip. Many times seniors who suffer broken hips never return from the hospital because the injuries are so difficult to recover from. Seniors do, however, have some control over how quickly they recover from a hip injury, or whether they succumb to a hip injury in the first place. Daily exercise is one way to practice injury prevention.

The hip extension is one of several senior workout exercises can do at home to strengthen the buttocks and lower-back muscles. Those with senior health issues or past injuries should consult their physicians before beginning the exercise.

Hip Extension

1. Standing 12 to 18 inches from a table or chair with the feet slightly apart.
2. Bend forward at hips at a 45-degree angle; hold onto a table or chair for balance.
3. Slowly lift one leg straight backwards without bending your knee, pointing your toes, or bending your upper body any farther forward.
4. Hold the position for 1 second.
5. Slowly lower leg. Pause.

Having the right tools is essential for any successful workout program. For seniors, it doesn’t take much resistance to create a quality workout. Exercise for the elderly is often as simple as taking a walk around the park or doing some light yard work. Some individuals may require more vigorous activities, and finding inexpensive and versatile senior exercise equipment is relatively simple.

Look for apparatuses that can be used for a variety of exercises, such as dumbbells and stability balls. A simple set of light dumbbells is all that you need to workout your entire body. For seniors, a little light exercise everyday goes a long way.

It’s always difficult to decide the appropriate course of action when elderly individuals lose the capacity to care for themselves. We would all like to invite our parents to come live with use during their golden years, but for many of us this simply isn’t feasible. Senior homes might seem like a cold, impersonal option, but in many cases they provide the best care possible.

Still, you will want to research the facility carefully before you make the decision to employ their services. Elderly abuse is a real problem, so the quality and integrity of the staff is of the utmost importance. Talk to some of the residents and see if you can find any unbiased reviews or comments on the facility.

When a family member or close friend passes, the last thing you want to do is funeral planning—but it’s inevitable. However, many people have little if any experience in making these preparations. Of course, the deceased’s wishes should always be the outline for how you proceed.

Hopefully the person will have specified how they want their remains handled, whether that be a traditional burial or cremation. Where the actual ceremony takes place is also of great importance, as different religions and belief systems have differing parameters. In addition to the funeral itself, some sort of reception is customary.

People exercise for myriad reasons, and even if prolonged health isn’t one of your top priorities, it is certainly one of the benefits of a regular exercise program. And while exercising early in life can improve organ function, strengthen bones and maintain normal vital functions, it is important to sustain your workout routine later in life. Senior citizens typically don’t adopt a rigorous workout routine, nor do they need to. With a few simple exercises, you can get a complete workout and ensure health for years to come.

Instead of embarking on a grueling eight-mile jog, simply go for a long walk with a friend, pet or your spouse. Many people think that weightlifting can be detrimental for the elderly, but these senior citizen exercises are one of the most effective means of exercise and can improve bone density. Use some light dumbbells are even some bags of frozen vegetables—ala Sit and Be Fit—to perform multi-joint lifts, such as presses and squats.