Exercise for Seniors – Yoga
Are you looking for a low impact exercise option for seniors? Yoga is a great choice. It is a moderate cardiovascular, full-body workout that strengthens, tones, and increases flexibility.
Yoga’s goals range from improving
health to achieving spiritual tranquility. It typically involves breath control, simple meditation, and bodily postures.
Yoga can be good for seniors in a number of ways:
• Relieving stress
• Developing core strength
• Lengthening and strengthening muscles
• Alleviating pain
• Enhancing flexibility
There are a number of simple positions that you can do to benefit your health. The basic sitting position, Sukhasana, where you sit on the floor, cross-legged helps focus awareness on breathing and the body. It also strengthens the lower back and opens the hips and groin. The Dog and Cat positions, which are positions where you are on your hands and knees, increase flexibility of the spine. The Mountain posture, which is a standing position, improves posture, balance, and self-awareness. The Forward Bend extension stretches the legs and spines, rests the heart and neck, and relaxes mind and body.
These are just a few of many simple yoga postures you can do to increase flexibility, relieve stress, and develop strength. So, put on some comfortable clothes and practice yoga for health.
More Clues Have Been Found into the Genetics of Alzheimer’s
Recent research by the International Genomics of Alzheimer’s Project (IGAP) has provided more information about the genetics of Alzheimer’s disease.
IGAP is a research group of scientists from four university research groups that has a shared database that includes genetic information from more than 40,000 patients. The University of Pennsylvania, one of the member universities, recently released research that raises the known genetic markers of Alzheimer’s from five to 10. While it’s not a cure, this information gives further insight into why certain individuals may be more predisposed to Alzheimer’s disease.
Further studies have brought to light important themes in Alzheimer’s research. One confirms a previous theory that focuses on the metabolism of cholesterol as correlative to Alzheimer’s. Another is looking into the validity of “innate immunity”–the theory that Alzheimer’s could be the body attacking itself because it sees a threat to the immune system.
With 5.2 million Americans currently living with Alzheimer’s, this research is an important step in figuring out the causes and genetic connections. Read more about the research.
Department of Defense Program Funding for Alzheimer’s Research
Congress has passed a $15 million investment in the Department of Defense’s Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC) that will be spent to create an Alzheimer’s Research Grant. The program will provide grants for research exploring causes, complications, and possible treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.
Research Grant Program
The funding is being used to create a peer-reviewed research grant program which includes research in traumatic brain injury, post traumatic stress disorder and other research areas. The funding will be particularly focused towards those in the military, but will benefit the general population as well. It is believed that moderate and severe head trauma, head injury, and traumatic brain injury are associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Vice president of public policy for the Alzheimer’s Association, Robert Egge, said, “We urgently need research that will provide us with a greater understanding of Alzheimer’s as well as its impact on current and future military populations. This program is a great step toward achieving that understanding and the progress it will unlock.” An estimated 5.4 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease. That number could climb to over 16 million by 2050 if no treatment is identified.
Mickey Rooney Speaks to Congress about Elder Abuse
In March, Mickey Rooney went before the Senate Special Committee on Aging to relate the story of the elder abuse that he suffered.
It is important for seniors to be empowered regarding their care. Whether they seek independent or assisted living, seniors need to feel comfortable and maintain as much independence as possible. Finding a facility that protects your privacy and dignity is essential. Let Encore help you find the right place for your senior living needs.
Memory Building Activities – Trivia
In order to improve your memory, it is a good idea to do any number of activities that help stimulate your mind. One helpful and fun activity is to play trivia games.
What to Play
Trivia games are great because they get you to think back to things you remember and use that knowledge for fun. The game can be on any topic you like. Here are some suggestions:
• History
• Sports
• Movies
• Science
• Famous people or places
You can always purchase trivia games such as Trivial Pursuit, Scene It?, or Outburst. You can also play trivia games online at websites like Fun Trivia or along with contestants on television, like Jeopardy.
If you have a large group of people, you can come up with your own trivia questions. Each person submits questions and answers and then the “host” asks each of the questions in turn. You can take turn being the host to give everyone a chance to win.
Trivia is a great way to recall information from your memory that you haven’t tapped in to for a while, and you might learn something new too!
Understand Your Medicare Statements
The AARP offers “decoders” to help seniors figure out their Medicare Summary Notices (MSN). The decoders handle Medicare Part A, which includes coverage for hospitals, etc, and Medicare Part B, which includes coverage for physician’s services. The tools break down the patient’s Medicare Summary Notice and show how many benefit days they’ve used, what services they’ve received, and which facility the services were rendered at. This tool will help empower seniors to keep track of their medical history and care.
The decoder includes detailed information about each line item on your MSN. Details include pop-ups about:
• How to change your name or address
• Private Medicare administrative contractors who deal with your claims
• Claims made by doctors and other health care professionals
• Understanding billing codes
• Understanding payment columns
If you find your Medicare Summary Notices confusing, which let’s face it, many of us do, then the AARP tool is a great resource to help you understand exactly what you’re seeing on your statement. And remember, MSNs are not bills, just informative statements for you to keep for your records.
Memory Building Activities – Jigsaw Puzzles
In order to improve memory, it is important to stimulate the mind. There are a number of activities that you can do to help build memory improvement. One excellent and inexpensive mind building activity is jigsaw puzzles.
The best way to exercise your mind while doing a jigsaw puzzle is to do it “blind.” That means that you don’t refer back to the picture on the box while you are trying to construct the puzzle.
Start by looking at the image on the box extensively before you begin assembling. This will help you commit to memory where certain things may appear on the puzzle. After you’ve mixed up all the pieces, try to build the puzzle without looking at the full image. You can always work with someone else to build as well.
Puzzles can be a great way to activate memory in your mind and put them to a good use. Besides, they’re a lot of fun to do.
How the Healthcare Bill Will Affect Seniors
The new healthcare bill is complicated and can be confusing. There are a number of ways that seniors will be affected by the new healthcare bill. Here are some specifics to help you figure it all out.
Medicare Advantage Plans
Under the healthcare bill, Medicare Advantage plans run by private insurers will be cut by $132 billion over 10 years. These plans often offer extra benefits that seniors do not get from traditional Medicare. These cuts will not affect traditional Medicare benefits.
Traditional Medicare
The healthcare reform bill will add to the prescription-drug benefits. The current system is as follows: After a senior spends $2,700 on drugs in a year, they do not get coverage again until they spend at least $6,154 on drugs, when coverage then kicks in again.
Under the new plan, people who are in this range will get $250 of government help. The percentage will gradually increase to narrow the gap. By 2020, the government will pay 75 percent of the costs between $2,700 and $6,154.
Medicare Payment Advisory Board
The bill also establishes an Independent Payment Advisory Board, made up of 15 members, that will submit legislative proposals to congress and the president in order to reduce per capita Medicare spending, if spending grows too rapidly. The board is limited by the bill and blocked from proposing any legislation that would ration care, raise taxes, or change benefits.
It is important that seniors know how their Medicare insurance may be affected by the healthcare reform bill. Still confused? Learn more about the new healthcare coverage.
Memory Building Activities – Matching Pairs
Improving your memory takes exercise. Some activities train you to get better at committing information to long term memories. Seniors can really benefit from memory building activities. One great activity is matching pairs.
Pair Matching
Many young children have spent hours playing the game “Memory”. And, those were hours well spent. Memory helps children learn to commit short term memory items into longer memories. It can help seniors in the same way.
Matching pairs can be played with a deck of cards or with specialized “memory” cards. If you are playing with a traditional deck of cards, remove half of the cards to be left with only two of each value (e.g., two kings, not four).
Place cards face down. Turn one card over at a time and then turn it back over. Continue to do this until you come across a card you’ve already seen. Then, try to find the card’s match by remembering its location. As you match pairs, remove them from the table until you’ve matched them all. Once you get familiar with the playing the game, try to time yourself to see if you can increase your speed.
Matching pairs is a great way to stretch your memory muscle. If you’re looking for other ways to build your memory, consider story telling.
Inflation and Your Retirement Plan
“Inflation is when you pay fifteen dollars for a ten-dollar haircut you used to get for five dollars when you had hair.”
-Sam Ewing
When you are planning for retirement, inflation can profoundly effect your quality of life. When you are on a fixed income, increases in consumer prices can greatly cut into your nest egg. Planning ahead is the best thing you can do.
All-Inclusive Facilities
One way to ensure that your money is doing the most it possibly can is living in all-inclusive senior living facility. All-inclusive facilities help you deal with the costs of inflation because they incorporate the costs of daily living into your regular fees. When the price of milk increases, it doesn’t affect you when milk is provided in your daily meal plan.
Depending on the facility, all-inclusive care can include a number of options, including:
- Meals
- Utilities such as cable, internet, and phone
- Furnished apartments
- Nurse and other staff visits
- Memory Care
- Medication management
- Hygiene and grooming assistance
- Mobility assistance
- Housekeeping
- Laundry services or facilities
- Access to physical or occupational therapy
- Access to community services, such as beauticians and massage therapists
- Access to community parks for recreation
- Shuttle services to local venues
- Planned day trips
- Arts and Crafts activities
Many all-inclusive care facilities offer payment plans and accept insurance to help you deal with the costs associated with daily living.
What You Get at Encore Senior Living
Encore is an all-inclusive pricing senior living facility that includes the following:
- All utilities
- Cable television
- Chef-prepared meals
- Individually-controlled heating and air conditioning
- Scheduled transportation
- In-room emergency security
- Housekeeping services
- Planned activities and outings
- Apartment maintenance
Fixed Pricing
Facilities with fixed pricing are another great way to prepare for the flux in costs due to inflation. Fixed pricing means you will pay the same price for your living arrangements throughout the lifetime of your stay at the facility. So, no matter how costs go up in the world around you, you are guaranteed to pay the same rate.
What You Get at Encore Senior Living
Encore Senior Living offers lifetime fixed pricing for Memory Care. You get to be part of the Rediscovery™ Program and 24-hour supervision, accommodation, and prepared meals.
Find a location near you to find out more about Encore’s all-inclusive and lifetime fixed pricing.
Encore in the News
- Downsizing for seniors going mainstream
- Seniors and Depression
- For retirees, the decision to move can be a lifesaver
- Planning for Retirement
- Exercise for Seniors – Swimming
Senior News
- Alzheimer's Association Welcomes President Nicolas Sarkozy to International Conference
Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association is the world's leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's. For more information, visit www.alz.org. Learn more about Alzheimer's Association International Conference.Contact: Alzheimer's Association
Media line: 312.335.4078
E-mail: media@alz.org - International Study of Genetic Alzheimer's Disease Gives Clues to Presymptomatic Detection and Progression of the Disease
Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association is the world's leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's. For more information, visit www.alz.org. Learn more about Alzheimer's Association International Conference.Contact: Alzheimer's Association
Media line: 312.335.4078
E-mail: media@alz.org - International Survey Reveals Attitudes Towards Alzheimer's Diagnosis and Treatment
Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association is the world's leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's. For more information, visit www.alz.org. Learn more about Alzheimer's Association International Conference.Contact: Alzheimer's Association
Media line: 312.335.4078
E-mail: media@alz.org - Late Breaking Research Results from the Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2011
Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association is the world's leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's. For more information, visit www.alz.org. Learn more about Alzheimer's Association International Conference.Contact: Alzheimer's Association
Media line: 312.335.4078
E-mail: media@alz.org - Research Advances from the Alzheimer's Association International Conference 2011
Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association is the world's leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's. For more information, visit www.alz.org. Learn more about Alzheimer's Association International Conference.Contact: Alzheimer's Association
Media line: 312.335.4078
E-mail: media@alz.org
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