Smart Senior

Senior Living: Happiness and Longevity

Longevity is in the news again, but what does it all mean. You’ve probably discovered by now that old age is catching up with you, even if you have played by all the rules. A healthy diet, exercise, plenty of rest, and social engagements have stood you in good stead, but researchers now tell us that it is not enough. The real key to longevity, they say, is “happiness.” That sounds easy enough, but is it? What if you are not a “feel good” happy kind of person. Does that mean that you can’t have a few more good years? Is it possible to learn how to be happy? Psychologist say that the odds are in our favor. Odds sounds a lot like math, but then numbers are something that we can all understand. Researchers suggest that 50% of our ability to be happy is genetically determined, 10% is governed by what is going on in our lives, and the rest is up to us. We are gifted with a 40% chance of making significant changes in our lives. Happy people enjoy the company of others and they enjoy setting “happiness goals.” Happiness is thought to encompass one’s ability to be grateful, forgiving, kind, optimistic and resilient. Big words that sound a lot like work, but we have time. Start by setting some goals. Think of goal setting as making a big to-do list. Goal setting, after all, is the best way to come up with a plan. A plan for today, a plan for the week, for the month, for the year and for a lifetime. You may think that you are too old to have goals, but give it some thought: • Goals setting is a sign that you have control over your life. • Goal setting gives structure and meaning to your life. • Goal setting stimulates your mind. Having goals serves as a reminder that you can still learn, contribute, and share. It is never too late to be a better and a happier person. Consider it a plus if it helps you live longer.

Senior Living: Smile

Electronic gadgets have made it easier to communicate, but they have robbed us of what I like to call the “human touch.” Somewhere along the line we have lost the ability to make contact with real flesh and blood people. When was the last time you smiled at a stranger? We can’t blame seniors for this, but they aren’t as helpful as they could be. Seniors are hardly ever portrayed as happy smiling individuals, which could be the reason why movies like Grumpy Old Men are so popular. When did people start losing touch? Did it happen all at once or did it happen gradually? When did being self-absorbed and aloof become the norm? Is it that people are too busy or too preoccupied to make the effort, or are they afraid that their smile won’t be returned? It could just be that they are just shy, or that a rebuff might remind them of what they have lost; small-town friendliness. Think of a smile as paying your good cheer forward. Put a smile on your face when you wake up, and keep on smiling throughout the day. Think about it; you might make a new friend or cheer up a sad soul. Experiment a little. Smile at the first 10 people you meet today and see what happens. It doesn’t have to be a big toothy smile, just a little upward curve of your lips will do. Don’t be afraid. What’s the worst that could happen? If they don’t smile back or if they give you a weird look, that’s their problem not yours. Why anyone want to walk around with an unpleasant negative frown when, with a little bit of effort, they could look pleasant and approachable. Who is the weird one now? A smile is universal. It costs nothing and it takes only a few minutes. Say hello to people that you pass on the street, in the hall at work, or to the neighbor working in his yard. Be a role model; teach your grandkids the importance of a smile.

Senior Living: Celebrate Winter

The holidays are over. The company has gone home, the tree is out at the curb, and the decorations have put away; you may be feeling a little lonely. Know that you are not alone. The long drab days of winter give most of us the heebie-jeebies. Researchers tell us that the winter blues aren’t as prevalent as once feared, but it is fine if you beg to differ. Winter can be, should be, a time to indulge your “inner child” and carve out time for yourself. Make your own sunshine. Decorating for the holidays was great fun but don’t stop there. Instead of dreading winter, decide to celebrate it. Winter is the time for homemade apple pie, chicken noodle soup, and cinnamon rolls made from scratch. The kitchen is a friendly place; try some new recipes. Do something different. Beat the “winter blues” by re-decorating your house; create a “feel good” zone. Rearrange your furniture to showcase the fireplace or the picture window in the living room. Go shopping; buy pretty table runners, tons of pillows, a new bedspread, pictures, flowers, and anything you can think of to lighten up and brighten up your home. Connect with friends. Catch up on e-mails, letter writing and phone calls. If you are stuck at home and feeling lonely, chances are your friends are too. Stop listening to the news and play soothing music instead. Make yourself a cup of tea and settle into a routine. Keep busy. Now is the time to accomplish tasks you have been putting off, or start on new or to be continued hobbies. Sign up for classes if you feel a need to get out of the house. Now is the time to take care of yourself. Exercise and make appointments for routine physical and dental examinations. Give each season its due. Winter is the time to renew your body and your spirit.

Senior Living: A Healthy Holiday

Health! The last thing you want to think about right now is your health. You are more likely dreaming of sugar plums, cookies, sweet potato casseroles, and cups of eggnog than about things that are good for you. Still, the last thing you want to do is to get sick when you have so much to do. Other than staying home and being accused of being a scrooge, what are you supposed to do? I know what you are thinking. You will be surrounded by family and friends; what could possibly go wrong? Think about it, when they say shop till you drop, they aren’t kidding. Be sure to take rest breaks and wear comfortable shoes. If your feet hurt, you hurt all over. Be careful. Falls are more common during the holidays than you might think. Icy parking lots, wobbly ladders, faulty wiring and dried out trees are all waiting to trip you up. Close contact with people at holidays gatherings increases the likelihood of being nailed by germs, germs and more germ. Get your flu shot, wash your hands often, and try to avoid people who are sick. Refrain from overindulging in food and drink, no matter how tempting. Say no to seconds or thirds to avoid heartburn, bloating, hangovers, regrets and sleepless nights. Allergies kicking up? Allergists tell us that it is probably not the tree but the ornaments that are giving you grief. Itchy eyes, sneezing and hives can be caused by mold and dust found on ornaments that have been stored in dusty attics or damp basements. Dust off those pretty little bulbs and lights and remember to wash your hands after handling them. Take care of your back. Toting heavy bags, dragging a heavy tree into the house, lifting boxes of ornaments from high shelve, and reaching high to decorate the tree can all be hard on your back. As you can see, quite a lot can go wrong, but even more can go right. With a little bit of care and a lot of good cheer, you can have a safe, happy, and healthy holiday season.

Senior Living: Dealing With Holiday Blues

If binge-watching warm fuzzy movies doesn’t do the trick, you might need to think of other “feel good” pursuits to help you navigate the holidays. You are not alone if you have mixed feeling about the holidays, but at least give yourself a chance. People smile more, give more, and interact with others more often during the holidays, and we all need that. Don’t let the holiday doldrums keep you from spreading a little joy. It’s true, family activities and community expectations can be overwhelming, but take a deep breath and take it all in. Decide if it worse to feel pressured because you have “too much” to do, or to be depressed because you are all alone and don’t have enough to do? You too can get through the holidays with your sanity intact: • Plan ahead. Be realistic about what you want to accomplish before the holidays arrive. Those hit the hardest are the classic last-minute shoppers and those who volunteer to do too much. • Take care of yourself. It isn’t good to isolate yourself but don’t shop or party until you drop either. Indulge yourself. Treat yourself to a massage or have one of those delicious hot steamed apple cider drinks only available this time of year. • Don’t over extend yourself. Parcel out your moments when it comes to how much time you can spend on decorating, shopping, baking, PTA responsibilities, sending cards or attending or hosting parties. • Take advantage of social opportunities even if you don’t feel like it. If partying isn’t your cup of tea, and it isn’t everyone’s, invite others to come to you. If you live alone volunteer to help out at your church or community center. Recognize that it may be time to let some holiday responsibilities go. You want to stay in the loop, but be realistic about what you can or cannot do. Give yourself time to smile more, give more and interact with others more.

Senior Living: Holiday Spirit

Where is your holiday spirit? Surely there is something, whether you admit it or not, that gives you a warm fuzzy feeling. What is your special something? Christmas carols, holiday decorations, tree lighting ceremonies, gingerbread houses, holiday parties, or an open invitation to shop until you drop, you name it. My special something is the countdown to Christmas movies on television. Until recently I felt a little sheepish about admitting how much I enjoyed them. I always thought of them as my “guilty little secret,” until I discovered that I was not alone. I was quite pleased when I read an article in the Wall Street Journal by Katherine Bindley on Friday, November 30, 2018. It seems my little secret is shared by millions of other fans. During the holidays, we all want to feel that certain something. It explains why audiences gravitate toward feel-good, family friendly stories about nice people finding their happily ever after. In an age when movies and television series often deal with the darker and edgier side of life, it is nice to find that “feel good” movies still have a place in our jaded culture. You might be surprised to learn how many people, now that they are out of the closet so to speak, admit to binge watching holiday themed movies. The stories are predictable but in a nice way; the characters are clean cut, educated, nice, ordinary people. They go to church and they help other people; just regular folks. Predictable yes, but in a nice way. At times stories about event planners and cookie cutter contests get a little tiresome, but then they come up with something really special like The Veteran’s Christmas or I’ll Be Home for Christmas, and I get hooked all over again. If you need something to get you in the spirit of things, make yourself a cup of hot chocolate (from scratch not from a package) and binge watch a few dozen warm fuzzy holiday movies. Unlike twenty-four a day news coverage and stories about bombings and terrorists you can truly sit back and decompress.

Senior Living: Handwashing and Health

The holidays make you remember a lot of things, like your mother nagging at you to “wash our hands,” over and over and over again. Still, statistics tell us that one in three people do not wash their hands before preparing food or after using the bathroom…what are they thinking? Besides making you feel a bit nostalgic the holidays are rife with danger. There are people everywhere. Family gatherings, parties, potlucks, buffets, sing-a-longs, shopping, you name it. It is also flu and colds season, but expectations are high and you can’t just stay home. People get sick a lot, more often than they like to admit. The natural tendency is to call it the flu, but is it? All of those little 24-hour somethings could just as easily be caused by improper food handling and improper hand washing technique. Scary isn’t it, but you can’t spend the holidays looking for ways to avoid people. The good news is that the easiest way to handle your “germ phobia” is to wash your hands, often. The next time you prepare dinner, pick up a telephone, shake hands, sneeze, turn a doorknob, or pet the dog, think about the millions of disease-causing organisms just waiting for the opportunity to “make you sick.” It sounds so simple doesn’t it, but most people do not wash their hands as often as they should: • You think you don’t have time. • You forget. • You think if your hands look clean that you are okay. • You don’t want people to think you are a germophobic. Twenty seconds. All it takes is twenty seconds. At a minimum you should wash your hands after using the bathroom, before eating and preparing food, after playing with your pets and after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose. Lather up for 20 seconds (count or hum the happy birthday song twice) to clean your fingers, wrists, back of hands and under the fingernails. Rinse, dry and you can be on your way. There you have it: Good handwashing is really the most effective disease prevention there is.

Senior Living: Holiday Fire Safety

Holiday activities and multi-tasking go hand and hand. I tried to do too many things at once and found the end result a little too disturbing for comfort. Leaving food simmering on the stove while showering and getting ready to leave the house for an appointment was one task too many. Yes, I knew better and luckily my husband was home, but what if… Tis the season. Statistic indicate that December is the peak month for home fires. Holiday activities, multi-tasking, and failure to take proper precautions can easily be disastrous. Most home fires revolve around heating, cooking and decorating. Heating: regardless of whether you have a fireplace, furnace, wood stove, or portable space heater, be sure no flammable materials are anywhere near. Chimneys and other heating equipment should be professionally inspected every year. It only takes a tiny malfunction to spell disaster. Cooking: We all cook. Cooking equipment fires are the leading cause of home fires. Always stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling or broiling food. Keep dishtowels and hot mats away from stove stops, and know where your fire extinguisher is. Decorations: Treat your holiday decorations and trees with care. Typically, shorts in electrical lights, open flames from candles, lighters or matches start tree fires. Water your tree and use nonflammable decorations. If you prefer an artificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant. Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in insulation, broken or cracked sockets before putting them up. Know if your lights are specifically designed for indoor or outdoor use. Do not leave holiday lights on unattended. Candles are not as innocuous as they seem either. If you really love using candles make sure they are in sturdy metal, glass or ceramic holders. Never leave the house with candles burning and never put lit candles on a tree. I learned my lesson about multi-tasking while cooking. I hope my near miss will make you mindful of home fire safety issues too. An ounce of prevention really does prevent a pound of trouble. Have a safe and happy holiday season.

Senior Living: Christmas Cards

Christmas Cards We are half way through November already and I have an assignment for you. Buy a pretty pad of stationery and get ready to write a letter. I’m talking about a “real letter” that you can tuck into each and every Christmas card you send. Everyone loves getting a real, hold-in-your-hand, keep it forever, letter? Christmas letters, love letters, thank you notes, and notes for no reason at all, say “I am thinking of you today.” If the task seems too daunting, it may be time to stop wasting postage and pare your list down. Send cards and letters only to those you truly care to hear from. Your letter doesn’t have to be long, but please make it personal and heartfelt (no boring mimeographed newsletters that send the same news to everyone). The art of letter writing is slowly slipping away. If people who understand the importance of this beautiful art form don’t step up to the plate, it will soon be gone forever. Remember when letters were the only way to communicate? We wrote letters to pen pals, to brothers in the military, sisters in college, cousins, new friends and old. Getting a letter in the mail was, and still is, a big deal. Are you ready to start your letter? If it has been awhile you may have to put your thinking cap on. You don’t just say something like I am baking pies today. Embellish a little; go on to say what kind of pies, how you feel about baking them, and who you are going to share them with. A good letter is like a phone call except it is more personal because it can be enjoyed over and over. Start small; a Christmas letter is a good way to start because you are limited to one or two pages, unless you want to pay extra postage. Nobody cares if your handwriting is shaky; it really is the thought that counts. Take your time and use lined paper, print or carefully form your letters the way you learned in grade school, but write from the heart. E-mails and text messages with silly letters like LOL or little smiley faces are a great way to check in on a daily basis, but a “real” letter is forever.

Senior Living: Better Bathrooms

The bathroom is the most dangerous room in the house, and it’s the room that you go into most often. Think about it; wet and slippery floors, poor lighting, cold enamel tiles, a slippery tub, and narrow doors. We spend a lot of time talking about falls and fall prevention, and for good reason. Anyone can take a fall, but for seniors the consequences are often life changing or even life ending. Unless you live in a very modern senior community where every possible safety feature has been addressed, you need to compile a list of your own. You shouldn’t have to fear for your life every time you enter your own little “chamber of horrors.” Most seniors can’t afford to do the kind of remodeling suggested by the experts, but that doesn’t mean you can’t create a “better bathroom” on your own. If you have had a fall, or a near fall, you already know that grabbing the shower curtain or a towel bar is not going to do much to save you. Grab bars you can afford. Install them everywhere. Replace all standard towel bars with grab bar-rated towel bars, and install grab bars near the commode and in the shower and bathtub. You can also afford to either remove or replace bathroom doors that swing into the room (sliding doors or pocket doors are good alternatives). Even simpler: • Remove throw rugs that can trip you up. • Apply non-slip decals in tub and shower • Use Soap-on-a-Rope or install liquid soap, shampoo and conditioner dispensers. • Lower hot water temperature settings to comfortable but not scalding temperatures. • Buy a sturdy shower seat. • Consider a raised toilet seat. • Organize your bathroom so that all toiletries are within reach. Not every little suggestion has to cost an arm and a leg, but check out the hundreds of devices and products designed to make your life easier. You can also get a professional evaluation of your bathroom if you ask your doctor to prescribe a home visit by an Occupational Therapist.