Columbia Aged Care

Aged Care Matters discusses the importance of finding the time for a daily walk.  

As in any other stage of life exercise is paramount to remaining fit and healthy. However depending on your level of fitness it is always wise to check with your doctor before embarking on any new exercise program.

It may be that what you are considering may not be suitable or recommended by your doctor. If there is no medical reason to prevent you from exercising, why not take a daily brisk walk. This will certainly go a long way to helping you achieve your fitness goals. Try and find somewhere interesting to walk so your enthusiasm for this activity does not wane over time. See if you can find a companion to go with you on these walks. Not only will your fitness be improved but also your personal relationships will be enhanced. Someone who perhaps you barely know as a neighbour in time may turn out to be a very close and trusted friend.

Why not join a walking group if there is one in your community. This too will provide opportunities to meet new people and may also prove a means to broadening your friendship base. Not only will it get you out of the house but as a bonus you will get to see more of your surrounding district whilst you work on maintaining a fit and healthy lifestyle.

It is often difficult to know who exactly is allowed to visit a nursing home and the procedures that go with this visit. Aged Care Crisis will help make your visit easier by offering easy to follow visting tips.

As you make plans to visit someone living in a nursing home, remember that the facility is that person’s home, and you should show the same sort of respect you showed when the resident lived outside the facility.

Call and ask what time is convenient for you to pay a visit. A resident may feel more energetic or sociable at certain times of the day.  Or he/she may simply have other plans.  In addition, he/she will have that visit to look forward to, which extends the pleasure. Most facilities have very liberal visiting hours lasting 10 to 12 hours during the day. Be sure to check on these hours before you visit so you don’t interrupt meals, bath-times or other regularly scheduled events.

Some nursing homes encourage visitors to join residents at mealtimes.  If you decide to do so, you should expect to pay for your meal. One word of caution about visiting: there is a tendency to “promise a rose garden” and be unable to deliver. Do not promise to visit and not come.  If you cannot keep an appointment, call in advance and immediately suggest an alternate time. When you and your friend or relative are planning your visiting times together, look over your schedule carefully and realistically. Decide how much time you can spend each week or month.  Realistic planning avoids disappointment for the resident and feelings of guilt or anger for you.

Who Should Visit?
Anyone who was important to the resident outside the facility should visit him/her in the nursing home, children included.  Young children rarely react negatively to aging or sick individuals. On the other hand, teenagers and older children may need some time to adjust. Staff members, particularly social workers, can be helpful in aiding this process.

Planning for the Visit
Some people feel that they don’t know what to do during a visit to a nursing home.  In this case, simply ask yourself what activities you enjoyed with this person outside the nursing home.  Did you listen to music together?  Did you play cards?  Did you watch old movies? There is no reason you can’t continue to share these same activities in the facility.  And there are many other activities that you can try to help make visits rich and interesting:

• One idea which is always very therapeutic is to bring the family pet to the nursing home.  The benefits to the elderly of contact with animals are widely acknowledged.  Seeing the family pet would be especially uplifting.  Be sure to contact the administrator in advance to make arrangements.
• If you videotape family events—school ceremonies, little league games, school plays, and the like—make arrangements to show the videos to the resident if he/she cannot attend these events. This will give him/her a better sense of contact with family and the outside world. Showing the resident family photographs will serve the same purpose.
• Or why not treat the new resident (female) to a manicure or fix her hair? This sort of physical contact is very important to the nursing home resident.  And your acknowledgement of her concerns about her physical appearance will mean a great deal as well.
   
• Elderly people often have difficulty in writing letters. You can have a very productive visit by taking dictation from the resident.  And the resident will most certainly receive mail in return, which he/she will cherish more than you can imagine.
• If the resident is a fan of games, bring along your checkers or chess set, scrabble board, or deck of cards

And when you’re at a loss for ideas, check with the facility’s activity director.  He will likely provide you with a whole list of ideas and possibly materials with which to work. A special note—conjugal visits also are important.  Two people who have lived together for years are entitled to private visits without intrusion. For any home that is certified for Medicaid and/or Medicare, the Residents’ Bill of Rights protects the right of conjugal visits unless otherwise ordered by a physician.

The Visit
When people come to visit you, they come to the door and knock or ring the bell.  A resident room in a nursing home is an individual’s home.  Knock before entering and ask permission to enter.  If the resident is unable to respond, then announce yourself before walking in.

Greetings usually involve some sort of physical contact.  You shake hands or hug or kiss. Touching tells us that we are accepted, human, and desirable.  Staff members try, of course, to provide affection, buy they can never fill the shoes of the family and friends of the resident.

Once in the room, make some form of physical contact unless it is absolutely inappropriate. There are some instances in which you may think visiting is pointless.  Visiting is never pointless. Even if a resident is comatose, you should continue visiting.  No one knows exactly what senses remain in a comatose person; however, we do know that hearing is the last sense to disappear.

Visit, announce yourself, and touch the comatose person as you always have.  Then you can sit by the bedside and hold the resident’s hand, stroke the forehead or whatever is comfortable for you.  You can even talk quietly, since the resident may hear exactly what you are saying.

Visits Outside the Nursing Home
Many residents are able to leave the facility for a meal, a day, a weekend, or a vacation.  And these sorts of outings mean a great deal to them. Visits outside the nursing home reinforce the fact that the resident is still a vital part of family and community. In addition, it may reinforce the benefits the nursing home affords.

The difficulty of bathrooms and steps that are not designed for handicapped people will become readily apparent. If you are considering taking a resident out of the nursing home, plan first with the resident. Then be sure to tell a staff member, so he can have medicines and special equipment ready. 

It is wise to give a week’s notice if any special arrangements need to be made. Visiting should be pleasant and enjoyable for family, friends, and the nursing home resident. Plan ahead, involve the resident, and above all: don’t let his/her “nursing home resident” status interfere in the wonderful relationship you have always enjoyed.

Flu season is upon us.  The Pharmacy Guild of Australia suggests it is time for seniors to roll up their sleeves.

Senior citizens are urged to get their flu shot in the next fortnight, ahead of fears of a major influenza outbreak in Australia. With the highest incidence of influenza occurring in people aged 65 to 69, The Pharmacy Guild ofAustralia warns that some people risk serious illness or even death if they are not vaccinated.

Acting President of the Pharmacy Guild, Patrick Reid, says the flu is a serious health problem that requires preventative measures. “People often make light of their illness by saying ‘it’s just a cold’ but influenza is a highly infectious,respiratory illness that can be particularly dangerous to the elderly." Common flu symptoms included fever, body aches, headache, fatigue, loss of appetite, a cough, and a dry or sore throat. There is very little that can be done if you get the flu, except to rest and take medication for relief.

“Your local pharmacist can help with the provision of pain relief medication, decongestants and coughmedicines.” Mr Reid says vaccination is the most effective protection against influenza infection and is strongly recommended for all adults over 65 years of age. “Anyone who wishes to avoid the flu this season and hasn’t already been vaccinated should see their GP. The vaccine is free to older Australians aged 65 years and over, but your doctor may charge a consultation fee.”

For further information on how you can best prepare for the upcoming cold-and-flu season, ask your local pharmacist.

Care Giver Stress have provided ten tips to ensure a senior's home is hazard free.

Each year, many older Australians are injured in and around their homes - often from hazards that are easily overlooked, but easy to prevent. By spotting these dangers and taking simple steps to correct them, many senior injuries can be prevented, and family caregivers can have extra peace of mind.

Below is a list of the top 10 safety issues commonly witnessed by Home Instead Senior Care professional caregivers in thousands of senior homes:

Top 10 safety issues

1. Loose area rugs/tripping hazards

2. No "life alert" or other pendant emergency-alert system

3. Spoiled food in the refrigerator

4. Lack of safety bar in bathtub/shower

5. Shower within tub/ No walk-in shower

6. Lots of clutter/furniture make mobility difficult

7. Steep steps

8. Low supply of food

9. Poor lighting

10. No telephone near the bed

Family caregivers should walk through their relative's home to make sure none of these hazards are present, and work with the senior to make he or she feels safe, depending depend on the type of physical limitations this person has and how severe they are.

Acquiring the necessary assistance, such as non-medical home care and safety-proofing your loved one's home, will put all family members at ease.

Home Instead Senior Care say that cooking for seniors shouldn't be boring. They have provided some tips to help seniors spice up their cooking, as well three easy recipe ideas.

According to Rachael Ray, host of the hit cooking show 30-Minute Meals, toning down the flavour in seniors' food is not only unnecessary, but undesirable.

"There's no excuse for making food dull, lifeless and boring," Ray said. "Seniors want good flavor. Cook to impress; cook to be excited, or, at the very least, cook to share." Ray says that while adult children often assume their senior loved ones need bland food for their digestive health, foods from these older adults' earlier years actually can offer many important benefits.

"Food helps seniors reconnect with the past," Ray said. "As its nostalgia factor ties all of us to where we're from, it can be a wonderful tool for seniors who have trouble with short-term memory loss, dementia and other illnesses that remove them from the world." Food also allows seniors to "travel" via no more than a trip to the grocery store. Whether your senior is from Russia, Germany, France, Ireland - wherever - serving food native to those places can take them back to things that help make them feel good, whole, happy and excited about living. Ray, who was raised in a multi-generational Sicilian restaurant family, said she was lucky to share food with many generations.

"There's something really intimate about many generations sharing delicious food together," she said. According to a group of family caregivers surveyed in a Harris Interactive poll conducted for Home Instead Senior Care, nearly 44 percent help their loved ones cook, while 59 percent assist with grocery shopping. Home Instead Senior Care often steps in to assist with meal preparation when family caregivers can't.

"We know from experience that seniors like their mealtimes to be interesting - and not just for the food, but also for the setting, companionship and conversation," said Paul Hogan, CEO of Home Instead Senior Care.

Ray and Hogan agree on the importance of involving seniors in meal preparations as much as possible. "Our CAREGivers really get to know their clients' preferences, and often help them prepare their favorite recipes," Hogan said. While having help in the kitchen can definitely influence whether or not a senior eats well, Ray advises caregivers to make meal planning and preparation a shared activity whenever possible.

"Even if they can't help you with any of the preparations, try to have them in the room with you when you're cooking," she said. "Talk to them let them smell and feel the food as it happens. It's a visceral experience that involves all the senses and makes seniors feel whole.

Really good food doesn't just fill you up - it makes you feel alive."

Four Quick and Easy Ways to Achieve Senior Meal Success
"A little creativity goes a long way toward improving on the flavor of seniors' food while staying within their dietary guidelines," said Ray, who advocates moderation rather than denial. She recommends the following ways to enhance your seniors' diets without compromising their health:

Add low-sodium, no-salt stock to a sauce to make it taste like it has been simmering all day. Likewise, cook rice in chicken or vegetable stock rather than water, and replace cream with stock when making mashed potatoes for a flavorful, low-fat alternative. 

Fresh herbs are a no-fat addition, and readily available in grocery stores to brighten the flavor of salads, dressing and sauces.

Purchase better cuts of meat for better flavor and less fat. "Seniors shouldn't sacrifice quality, even if they're on a budget," Ray said. She also warns against buying fatty instead of lean, healthy meats to save pennies, because in the end you won't - you'll have to trim. And the amount of waste, balanced against lean, clean meat evens out the expense. In the long run, a small amount of lean protein is better than a larger amount of fatty protein.

Stock up on fresh meats and vegetables when they are on sale, then divide and freeze them. "Prepared foods aren't good for seniors because they can't control the amount of salts, fats and additives in them," Ray said. "Seniors should instead invest in raw foods they can fully cook - which will taste better to them, as well."  

Three 30-Minute Meals Recipes for Seniors!
To spice up a senior's culinary life, Ray recommends the following:

Double-Dipped Spicy Chicken
Vegetable oil, for frying 1 1/2 cups flour 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/4 teaspoon allspice 1 cup buttermilk 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs 1 pound chicken breast tenderloins Salt and pepper Heat 1 1/2 inches vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium high heat. A cube of bread should brown in a 40 count when oil is ready. Set out three disposable pie tins. Mix flour with paprika, poultry seasoning, cayenne and allspice. Divide seasoned flour between two tins. Pour buttermilk into a tin. Line up tins as such: flour, buttermilk and then flour. Season chicken with salt and pepper Coat chicken in flour, then buttermilk, then a second coating of flour. Cook chicken 6 minutes on each side, until deep golden brown and firm. Drain chicken on paper bags and cool before packing up for picnic basket. Yield: 4 servings

Blue Cheese and Walnut Salad with Maple Dressing
1 (10-ounce) bag baby spinach 1/3 pound blue cheese, crumbled 1 (6-ounce) can walnut halves, toasted 1/4 cup maple syrup, warmed 1 1/2 tablespoons cider vinegar 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil Salt and pepper Place spinach on a large platter. Top with blue cheese and walnuts. Warm maple syrup in a small saucepan. Pour vinegar into a small bowl. Whisk oil into vinegar in a slow stream. Whisk maple syrup into dressing in a slow stream. Pour dressing down over the salad platter and serve. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Yield: 4 servings

Chocolate-Dipped Bananas
4 bananas 8 Popsicle sticks 3 cups good-quality chocolate bar 3 tablespoons butter, cut up Toppings: Chopped nuts Toasted coconut Cookie crumbles Colored sprinkles or chocolate jimmies Mini chocolate candies or mini semi sweet chips Granola Peel and cut the bananas in half crosswise, so that you have 8 pieces. Place peeled bananas on sticks. Line a cookie sheet with waxed paper. Place bananas on cookie sheet in the freezer, keeping them there as long as possible - at least 10 minutes. Heat chocolate bits with butter in a double boiler over low heat until the melted chocolate and the butter are incorporated. Dip the chilled bananas in chocolate and roll with your favorite topping. Chill or freeze until ready to serve. If frozen, allow time to thaw so that bananas soften before serving. Yield: 8 chocolate-dipped bananas

Here are some simple tips from Home Instead Senior Care to help encourage seniors not to give up their favourite pastimes.

Here's the kind of question that a concerned adult child of senior parents might ask when he or she sees their activity levels diminishing: "My 70-year-old parents, both in relatively good health, were really active in their younger years. But now that they're older adults, they seem to think they've gotten too old to continue many of the activities they once enjoyed - such as fishing and bowling. How do I convince them otherwise?" And now here's an answer from Home Instead Senior Care: show them it's not true!

A recent lifestyle-interest survey (conducted by Del Webb Communities for Pulte Homes) demonstrated that active recreational pursuits - even adventurous endeavors such as hiking and river rafting - have become favorite lifestyle interests for the over-55 crowd. In fact, the activities that topped the study's list were health and fitness related, including strength training and cardio workouts.

Study participants ranked swimming (55 percent), golf (49 percent), bowling (34 percent), fishing (30 percent), and canoeing/kayaking (26 percent) to be "extremely important," while hiking, climbing, rappelling and river rafting demonstrated a definite popularity increase. Walking (82 percent) and cardiovascular equipment workouts (nearly 79 percent) were two of the most frequently pursued health and fitness activities.

While not all seniors are going to be inspired to undertake an afternoon of river rafting or hiking, knowing that many do might provide some much-needed encouragement for less-active older adults to resume some of the pursuits they used to enjoy and at some point lost touch with - like bowling or fishing.

If you know a senior who might feel more confident having a doctor's physical prior to undertaking an increased activity schedule, then suggest that he or she schedule one.  If the doctor deems this older adult fit enough to pursue favorite activities, then that may be all the reassurance required.

Do any of this senior's friends or other family members enjoy similar pastimes? If so, suggest that he or she contact them to schedule an activity. In addition, neighbors, your local senior center, or place of faith are also excellent sources of companionship. Another option is to hire a companion helper. 

Home Instead Senior Care's specially trained CAREGivers are screened, bonded, insured and perfectly equipped to help keep seniors continue to live independently.  Every effort is made to match clients with CAREGivers who share similar interests, and CAREGivers enjoy spending time with clients and participating in favorite activities and hobbies.

Care Giver Stress have  offered some simple signs to help you identify if spousal caregiving is becoming too risky for you.

In sickness and in health…that was the vow you took with your spouse on your wedding day. So, you wouldn't think twice about caring for your partner now that they are in a situation where there's a growing need for your assistance. Whether it is a chronic health problem, issues with mobility or decreased cognitive function (e.g., dementia/Alzheimer's disease), your support will likely be necessary.

While this is a natural reaction in a loving situation, it is important to note that spousal caregiving often leads to significant changes in your marital relationship and it can sometimes leave the family caregiver feeling overwhelmed and stressed. This can be compounded if the caregiver is also taking over responsibilities that were once handled solely by their ailing spouse, from cooking and doing laundry, to balancing the checkbook and heading up the financial decisions.

There can also be a sense of loss, especially if your spouse suffers from dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Or, if activities that once provided pleasure and deepened a sense of connection may no longer be possible. As a caregiving spouse, you may begin to feel very isolated from friends and feel tremendous guilt about your own unmet needs.

Subsequently, you take on this "labor of love" and let your own positive health habits drop off to the side, putting your own health at risk.

In fact, the Journal of American Medical Association reports that if you are a spousal caregiver between the ages of 66 and 96, and are experiencing ongoing mental or emotional strain as a result of your caregiving duties, there's a 63% increased risk of dying over those people in the same age group who are not caring for a spouse.

The combination of loss, prolonged stress, the physical demands of caregiving and the health vulnerabilities that simply come with age place an older spousal caregiver in a danger zone.

Signs that Spousal Caregiving May Be Becoming Too Risky for You:
 Missing or delaying your own doctor appointments
 Ignoring your own health problems or symptoms
 Not eating a healthy diet for lack of time
 Overusing tobacco and alcohol when you feel stressed
 Giving up exercise habits for lack of time
 Losing sleep
 Losing connections with friends for lack of time to socialize
 Bottling up feelings of anger and frustration and then being surprised by angry, even violent, outbursts at your spouse, other family members, co-workers - even strangers
 Feeling sad, down, depressed or hopeless  Loss of energy
 Lacking interest in things that used to give you (and your spouse) pleasure
 Feeling resentful toward your spouse
 Blaming your spouse for the situation
 Feeling that people ask more of you than they should
 Feeling like caregiving has affected family relationships in a negative way
 Feeling annoyed by other family members who don't help out or who criticize your care All caregivers who experience elevated levels of stress are at an increased risk for physical and emotional issues, so it important to get support.

Sometimes even the most resourceful person needs to ask for help from other family members or outside professionals or sources, such as a friend, physician, priest, etc. The hardest part for many is knowing when to ask, since, to some, asking for help is a sign they aren't handling the situation well.

The truth…your spouse/partner will be in better hands if you, yourself, are healthy. It is important to take care of yourself, while taking care of someone else.

Here are some simple strategies to put the spring back in your caregiving step by Caring Today.

1. Have the right bite for breakfast
If you start your day on an empty stomach, you'll be in a slump before lunch. But the wrong breakfast also can sabotage your stamina.

Sweet cereals, doughnuts, white toast and other simple carbohydrates all offer a quick jolt of energy. Yet, that fast high can lead to a sudden low as your blood sugar spikes and then plummets, explains RD, assistant professor of clinical nutrition at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Lona Sandon.

For a steady supply of energy, your meals should be a mix of fiber-rich complex carbohydrates (whole grains, vegetables, fruit), protein (eggs, meat, low-fat dairy) and a little healthy fat (olive or nut oil). This will slow the absorption of carbs into your bloodstream. One good morning meal: whole-grain cereal with milk and fruit. More fiber may mean more energy, suggests a recent Welsh study. Subjects who ate high-fiber cereal every morning felt less tired than those who ate a low-fiber cereal.

2. Eat more often
A large meal will make you feel lethargic. So, what's your best bet for all-day invigoration? Eat smaller-portion meals or snacks about every four hours to keep your blood sugar—and energy—on an even keel, advises Sandon. And limit your snacks to about 200 calories so you do not overeat.

3. Fill your tank
If you're low on H2O, you'll likely feel fatigued.

"Getting the equivalent of about six to 10 cups of water a day is essential for energy," says Sandon, "since water helps us digest and metabolize our food." But you don't have to drink plain water to stay hydrated. "Juicy foods"—fruits and vegetables such as watermelon, cucumber, celery, tomatoes and apples—which are over 90 percent water, can help you meet your fluid quota. And broth-based soups, milk, 100 percent fruit juices, coffee and tea all contain large amounts of water.

Tip: If your urine is the color of pale lemonade, you're getting enough fluid. Darker, apple-juice colored urine indicates you're dehydrated.  

4. Get more of the vitality vitamin
About 30 percent of us have lower-than-optimal blood levels of vitamin C, and one of the earliest signs of this shortfall is feeling tired or listless, says nutrition researcher Carol Johnston, PhD, of Arizona State University. Her research shows that upping intake of vitamin C improves the body's ability to oxidize fat.

"The reduced ability to oxidize fat creates fatigue," Dr. Johnston explains. For extra oomph, she recommends getting about 100 milligrams of vitamin C from food (1 cup of strawberries contains 85 mg; 1 cup of orange juice has 80 mg; 1 kiwi, 70 mg; 1 mango, 57 mg). Stressed-out caregivers may benefit from extra C. According to a recent German study, people who have high blood levels of vitamin C don't show the expected mental and physical signs of stress when subjected to psychological challenges.

"For folks who want to supplement, I would recommend 250 to 500 milligrams daily," says Dr. Johnston. However, don't take vitamin-C supplements if you have a history of kidney stones or genetic anemia, such as thalassemia.

5. Rev up with exercise
When you're pooped, the last thing you want to do is jog or hit the gym. But a workout can recharge your batteries by releasing feel-good brain chemicals and pumping energizing oxygen to your brain, says Patrick O'Connor, co-director of the University of Georgia-Athens exercise psychology laboratory.

In fact, a UGA analysis of 70 studies found that sedentary people who start exercising regularly have about 20 percent more energy and feel less fatigue than couch potatoes. To help you power through the day, try a lunchtime workout. A recent British survey found that, regardless of the type, duration and intensity of the activity, people who worked out at lunchtime were less likely to experience an afternoon slump.

6. Lighten the overload
A schedule that leaves no room for R&R is guaranteed to wipe you out, says Mary Ann Bauman, MD, author of Fight Fatigue. Her advice: On weekends, pare down your to-do list to high-priority activities and ask for help, if necessary, so you don't spend all your time tending to others and doing chores that steal your stamina.

"To replenish your energy reserves, you need to take at least two hours on Saturday and again on Sunday to do something just for you—whether it's exercising, reading or gardening," says Dr. Bauman.

7. Soak up some sun
Evidence suggests that early-morning exposure to bright light increases energy and that working under sunlight-intensity artificial light in the afternoon can keep you alert and productive when you're short on sleep. "Sunlight increases your level of serotonin, a hormone that helps elevate mood and decrease fatigue," says Bruce S. Rabin, MD, medical director of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's Healthy Lifestyle Program.

Evidence is mounting that older adults are cutting everyday expenses to keep up with the economic downturn. In a report released in May by AARP titled "The Economic Slowdown's Impact on Middle-Aged and Older Americans", 59 percent of seniors 65 and older surveyed said they'd found it more difficult to pay for essential items such as food, gas and medicine.
 
Local senior-care experts warn families to be on alert to make sure seniors aren't cutting too deeply. Warning signs include skipping medications, pulling the plug on air conditioning and canceling social outings.

Omaha, NE (PRWEB) July 15, 2008
Evidence is mounting that older adults are cutting everyday expenses to keep up with the economic downturn. Local senior-care experts warn families to be on alert to make sure seniors aren't cutting too deeply. Warning signs include skipping medications, pulling the plug on air conditioning and canceling social outings.

In a report released in May by AARP titled "The Economic Slowdown's Impact on Middle-Aged and Older Americans," 59 percent of seniors 65 and older surveyed said they'd found it more difficult to pay for essential items such as food, gas and medicine. Nearly half (47 percent) said they found it more difficult to pay for utilities such as heating, cooling or phone service. Forty-six percent have reduced the number of times they eat out and 45 percent cut back spending on entertainment.1.

 "Cuts of essential items such as food and medication should be of immediate concern to seniors' families," said Paul Hogan, Co-Founder and CEO of Home Instead Senior Care.

"Other reductions in spending can lead to less obvious issues. One of the biggest problems that we see is senior isolation, which has been magnified during this troubled time in our economy with the high price of gas," Hogan added.

"When seniors' families live a distance from their loved ones, or when Boomer children are busy trying to make ends meet themselves, an older adult can get in trouble very quickly. That's why it's so important that someone look out for the well-being of seniors to ensure they are safe in their homes and eating properly, taking their medications and able to maintain their appointments and social life," Hogan said.

Falling interest rates, fixed incomes and seniors' fears of past hardships can influence how they react to the current economic slowdown, according to Sheryl Garrett, CFP®, author of Personal Finance Workbook For Dummies® and several other books on financial planning. "Some seniors may be running short on money but, for others, there's always that fear of running out because they lived through the Depression. They know how ugly it can get.

"It's important also for seniors to guard against fraud and too-good-to-be-true offers", Garrett advises. "Seniors want to get the best that they can from their investments without falling for scams or overselling tactics," she said. "Older adults also should beware of CDs and fixed annuities that can promise higher interest rates, but force seniors to lock in their money for longer time periods or otherwise put their investments at risk", Garrett noted. "Always get a second opinion", Garrett advises.

"Seniors at all income levels may be facing choices they haven't had to make in the past," Hogan said."They should know where to go for help before they put themselves or their health at risk. Area Agencies on Aging, for instance, offer both food and gas assistance, so seniors should contact their local offices if they can't make ends meet. And companies such as Home Instead Senior Care can provide transportation assistance and help around the home, and serve as a second set of eyes for seniors' families."

Families also can play an important role monitoring seniors who have decided to scale back because of the economy.Even seemingly innocent decisions, like cutting back a little on groceries or air conditioning, can have a damaging impact.1.

10 Cost-Cutting Warning Signs Following, from Home Instead Senior Care and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, are ways that a downturn in the economy could impact seniors.If you're a family caregiver, ask yourself the following questions.If you're an older adult experiencing difficulties because of the economy, contact your local Area Agency on Aging or Home Instead Senior Care office.Or, if you have a financial issue, contact the Garrett Planning Network.

1. Is your senior's home too warm in the summer and too cold in the winter?
2. Is the lawn not getting mowed nor is the sidewalk getting cleaned in inclement weather?
3. Is your loved one complaining about not being able to afford medications?
4. Are home repairs not getting made?
5. Is there a shortage of food in the house?
6. Is your senior skipping doctor's appointments?
7. Is your older adult staying home more and becoming isolated?
8. Is your senior cutting out entertainment?
9. Does your loved one eat out less?
10. Did your senior cancel a vacation?

For more information about the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, log on to www.n4a.org or contact the organization's CEO Sandy Markwood at smarkwood@n4a.org.For more information about the Garrett Planning Network, visit www.garrettplanningnetwork.com or contact Sheryl Garrett at Sheryl@garrettplanning.com.

More than half (52%) of family members presently caring for an older relative started doing so because the senior had an injury, illness or medical condition that left him or her less able to function independently. However, there are other issues, such as depression, poor nutrition, death of a spouse, isolation or loneliness that can further compromise the older relative's physical and mental health in a short period of time.

Sometimes, the older person just needs company - someone to talk to or with whom to share their day. Below, the Home Instead Senior Care Advisory Board offers 10 signs that you're older relative may need assistance or additional companionship:

1. Household bills piling up
Seniors can feel overwhelmed by the simple task of opening and responding to daily mail, as well as balancing a checkbook, particularly if eye sight is deteriorating or if this was once the responsibility of a now-deceased spouse. This can result in overdue bills, bounced checks, utilities being turned off due to lack of payment and other creditor issues.

2. Reluctance to leave the house
Rather than ask for help, seniors who are having trouble, e.g. walking, remembering directions, seeing, or hearing, will slowly pull away from their community/friends and isolate themselves. This isolation can lead to loneliness and depression, as well as malnutrition and other health concerns, if left unresolved.

3. Losing interest in preparing/eating meals
Seniors who suddenly find themselves alone (after the death of a spouse/partner), who become lonely over time or are easily overwhelmed by cooking tend not to eat properly. One sign that poor eating habits are forming is improper selection of food in the house (not well-balanced), expired or rotten food in the refrigerator or signs of excessive weight loss (clothes much looser).

An aging person may eat enough calories to get by, but may suffer nutritionally, including increasing cholesterol and lowering vitamin intake. Studies have found that poor diet can increase the risk of dementia in seniors and weaken the immune system.

4. Declining personal hygiene
Changes in appearance are the most obvious sign that some assistance is needed. These signs can range from unkempt hair and body odor, to unshaven faces and wearing clothing that is unclean, unchanged for days or inappropriate for the weather. These changes may occur because doing the laundry or getting in an out of the tub has become too physically challenging. Many who live alone also fear slipping and falling in a shower or bathtub with no one to help him or her get up.

5. Decline in driving skills
Look for evidence of parking or speeding tickets, fender-benders, dents and scratches on the senior's car as signs that driving skills may be deteriorating. Decreased ability to see, poor sense of direction, inability to merge into traffic, driving way under the speed limit and slow reaction time is a recipe for disaster with senior driving.

6. Signs of scorched pots and pans
This may be a sign of short-term memory loss or even the onset of Alzheimer's, as pots used in cooking are forgotten on the open flame of the stove and burn. Besides the danger of falls, this is probably one of the greatest safety concerns (fire) that families of older relatives face.

7. Symptoms of depression
Depression causes marked changes in behavior and one's daily routine over time. Many seniors feel isolated, like prisoners in their own home, particularly if a health condition or the deaths of close friends or a spouse keeps them from going to the places they once enjoyed. Feelings of hopelessness or despair, increased listlessness, and not wanting to get dressed can all be indications of a problem. Other signs include decreased visits with family members and friends, change in sleeping patterns (sleeping long periods or not sleeping at all) and lack of interest in usual hobbies and activities.

8. Missed doctors' appointments and social engagements
While this can be a symptom of increased forgetfulness, it is often simply a result of not having transportation and not knowing how to access transportation options on their own.

9. Unkempt house
Changes in housekeeping may occur simply because it is too difficult or tiring. This is especially troubling if a parent used to keep the house neat and orderly or if a recently-deceased spouse was responsible for these duties. From dirty laundry to dirty dishes, these everyday tasks become too much to handle on their own.

10. Losing track of medications
Missed doses and medication mistakes (overdosing and running out of pills before the next prescription can be refilled) can lead to very serious medical complications. Older people often take multiple prescriptions for various health conditions, which can be overwhelming without assistance and reminders.

It is crucial that family members keep an eye out for their older loved ones and know how and when to assist them, even if the senior doesn't reach out and ask for the help directly. Source: http://www.caregiverstress.com/extrainfo.html