Falling and Fun or Support Your Local Tree Trimmer

Here are a couple more posts about my husband. He is an amazing man.

I'm sure you know that older people fall more than younger ones and it is not a good thing! And the ways people find to fall? Holy cow! It is astounding what humans will do. Some fall because they are doing something a little daring or are not paying attention to the cracks in the sidewalk. There are rugs and cords and door jams and steps. I bet every reader could add to the list.

I fell walking on the golf course a couple of years ago and my neighbor did the same thing last month. We both fell because we stepped in holes covered by long grass. I only sprained my ankle but my neighbor broke himself in several places. Yesterday my husband began telling me about a man that fell out of a deer blind in a tree. Actually, that accident happens many times each year. I should have changed the subject as soon as I saw where it was going.

See, here is the thing...my husband and I quarrel about him getting up in trees. He is 75 and in very good health but still, I just don't think he should trim the tree while balancing on a branch. I never did. There are people that make a living climbing tree and cutting off branches. I want them to trim our trees. I am all for supporting the officially bonded tree trimmer in my neighborhood.

Yesterday we took up that very old conversation right where we left off the last time. "Why would you do that?" I keep asking.

He always stands as near to the edge as he can get!
Falling never crosses his mind.

That's when I saw it in my husbands eyes. This man/child I live with, the one that brings stray cats home and can make a bird land on his hand, loves to climb trees! He is having fun doing what he did when he was ten. My husband is proving to himself that he still can clamor around in trees and he is enjoying every minute of it. 

I don't know how this will turn out, I really don't. I am not his mother but still I feel responsible somehow. I will let you know when we actually hire a person to trim our trees. Keep your fingers crossed for him...and me. When we go back to Oregon there are trees waiting to be climbed.

Have a wonderful weekend.

b+

Note:  Here is a little statistic for you.

Men are more likely than women to die from a fall. After taking age into account, the fall death rate in 2010 was 40% higher for men than for women.

AARP: Healthy Living Trivia Sweepstakes, Prizes and Learning

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For more information:

AARP

Yesterday I received a letter from a Melissa Summers, a Community Manager and Content Creator for B2B and Consumer Facing Brands.  She is promoting an AARP sponsored website called Healthy Living Sweepstakes.  The website is all about healthy lifestyle awareness and learning while playing a game of trivia.  The hook is a $20 credit toward a pedometer/radio or a 3-day vacation at a resort. 

Hi Barbara, 

I'm writing on behalf of AARP to let you know about their ongoing Healthy Living Sweepstakes. You can read more about it here: http://aarp.promo.eprize.com/health/#.UE9YL1Ew-7t.  

As a non-profit organization with more than 37 million members, the AARP advocates a healthy lifestyle as part of its overall mission to support independence, choice and control in the lives of Americans 50 years old and older. Because your (extensive) content focuses on many aspects of living well after retirement and you recently shared some thoughts about the AARP remaining relevant (Is AARP Losing It's Grip on Seniors?) we thought you and your readers might be interested in hearing from AARP.... 

Screen Shot of Web Page

I need you to know that I have been inspired to begin walking 30+ minutes a day and am losing weight at about 2 lbs. a week. This letter came at just the right time. I was interested!

I went to the website and gave the trivia game a try. Darn, I did not know all the answers and I did not win. But it was fun! I like this sort of thing because I can play and learn at the same time. You get more chances to win if you answer a lot of questions. Three questions will get you in so it just depends on how much time you want to spend.  Each question will give you a hint for the answer with a link to information about the question. That was interesting for me. Honestly, I need to pay attention to obesity and BMI (body mass index) and arthritis, etc. Even if I don't want to.

So, if you just want to play around with the chance that you might win something cool, this trivia game may be for you.

Have fun.

b

Related Links: 
Book Review: The 17 Day Plan to Stop Aging by Dr. Mike Moreno (Barbara Torris, Blog Critics)
Did the Invitation Get Lost in the Mail?  (Retire in Style Blog)
AARP And Me (Retire in Style Blog)
AARP: The 48 yr. Old Guy is Passing...For Now! (guest post on Retire In Style Blog)

What to Look for in a Skilled Nursing Facility

If you have a medical condition that requires frequent care, moving into a skilled nursing facility might be the best option for you. This type of setting can provide you with the medical supervision you need on a regular basis. You won’t have to worry about forgetting to take medications or falling if you have trouble getting around by yourself. You’ll always have someone there to make sure that you get the best care possible. When you visit facilities that you’re interested in, it’s important to look for certain things before making your final decision.

Look at how the skilled nursing facility is set up. Many have a central nursing station and dining area, as well as shared bedrooms and bathrooms. If you prefer a more personal setting with a cozier environment, look for facilities that offer private rooms and bathrooms. Some facilities are also designed for smaller groups instead of one large group. These typically have smaller communal areas and private kitchens or dining areas.

Make sure the facilities you visit are kept clean. Rooms, communal areas and dining areas should not have strong odors, such as urine. Keep in mind that overpowering smells from air fresheners and other deodorizing products could be masking these scents. Furniture and surface areas should not be covered in dirt, dust or other debris. Bedroom and bathroom linens should be cleaned regularly.

Find out as much as possible about the staff at the skilled nursing facilities you visit. Ask about the turnover rate since a lower rate generally indicates more satisfied employees who do their jobs well. You’ll want to look for employees that make you feel welcome and comfortable. Find out how many employees are around on weekends, evenings and weekdays. If you have a condition that requires special care, such as stroke rehabilitation, make sure the facility offers what you need.

Ask about the meals that are served. If you are on a special diet, check if the facility can accommodate your dietary needs. All meals should be nutritious and well-balanced. They should also be cooked under safe conditions in a sanitary environment.

Observe or talk to the residents at the skilled nursing facilities. They should seem alert and happy. Ask them if they enjoy the activities that the facility offers. You can also ask visiting family members for their opinions on the care that their loved ones receive.

About the Author:

Mr. Farrell, who holds a Master’s degree in social work, with a concentration in gerontology and administration from Boston College, is a licensed Nursing Home Administrator. He is widely published and nationally recognized as an educator in the skilled nursing facility industry.

Headline (paraphrase): "OLD PEOPLE STILL ABLE TO LEARN!" Successful Aging Survey.

Cover of Successful Aging

Grandmother and Grandson...both still learning and growing!

They said "You are not old...you are just very, very wise!"

I am all about aging successfully. When I talk about "success" in this context, I am not talking about the absence of health problems or financial success. Successful aging, in my world, happens in the 6 inches between you ears. So when I came across an article telling us that indeed, old people are aging successfully, I thought it was wonderful. The story, Researchers: Seniors can Learn New Skills Despite Growing Age in Top News out of the UK was a review of a talk given by Dilip Jeste, MD.


Article on Top News UK (2010):
Dilip Jeste, MD, Director of the Institute for Research on Aging, University of California, San Diego presented to the Royal College of Psychiatrists Congress in Edinburgh last year in a talk about what has to be one of his favorite topics...successful aging. He pointed out that what younger people see as a failed mental ability in older people is not what it looks like at all:

...the reality that elderly people are sluggish in reacting compared to younger people, is extensively observed as a shortcoming. But, that's not the case all the time.

Dilip said, "The elderly brain is less dopamine-dependent, making people less impulsive and controlled by emotion. Older people also less likely to respond thoughtlessly to negative emotional stimuli because their brains have slowed down compared to younger people”. 

The Royal College of Psychiatrists Congress in Edinburgh was told that this in real meaning, is wisdom. 

This short piece whetted my appetite for more information. I went on to find the following information.

Article on Medscape News, 2005
In the interview on Medscape Jeste talked about a survey his group had completed using 6000 women that belonged to the Women's Health Initiative, a study involving women that has been ongoing for around 13 years. Most of the women interviewed for the article  called Secrets of Successful Aging: An Expert Interview With Dilip Jeste, MD were over 60.  I read every word of the article several times and I wanted to stand and applaud. I took a great deal of hope from Dr. Jeste 's words because he was stating what I have been experiencing out here in retirement/aging land. This is what I took from the article:

• There is not much information on aging successfully. Most articles focus as all those negative maladies.  
• Because of all the negative information promoted in most material, research writers and the new media have not focused on aging successfully.
• People that see themselves as aging successfully do so because they are able to remain mentally active.
• Illness does not affect their perception.
• Not everyone is resilient and can recover from changes in their lives.  However, this is not necessarily because of good genes.  Good attitude and healthy life choices account for 50% of a persons ability to adapt to changes related to aging.
• Studies have shown that the brain of old people continues to grown and develop.  Those that put  their minds to good use age more successfully.
• It turns out that exercise is good for the mind as well as our emotional well being.

Did you already know this or at least thought it was possible?  I actually have believed this for a long time.  I would encourage you to go to both articles, follow all the links and research. Tell me what you think. Are we aging successfully? I think the answer has to be a resounding "yes"!

b

Note:  Dr. Dilip V. Jeste was chosen as the president-elect of the American Psychiatric Association, the largest psychiatric organization in the world. January 2011


Link:  Quotes on Aging: Cicero's Essay on Aging (104-42 B.C.) (Retire In Style Blog)
Staying Fit with Exercise  (New York Times)

Technorati Tags: success, research

Eating Your Way to Healthy Eyes

I was delighted when I received an offer to publish a guest post from a person in the business of helping people improve their vision.  I hope you enjoy and use the information she has been willing share. Here is what Maggie Thistleton had to say.

Healthy eyes enjoying the view!

We’re told all the time that we should eat healthy: it’s good for maintaining a healthy weight, it’s good for the heart, and it’s also good for overall well-being. But what many don’t realize is that eating well can protect your vision. Several foods are rich in vitamins in minerals that have been medically proven to promote good eyesight.

Vitamin A

Foods that are rich in Vitamin A have a number of health benefits. Vitamin A acts as an immune system booster, while at the same time helps with eye function. Vitamin A also aids in protecting the surface of the eye against eye infections by reinforcing the membrane layer of the outer eye. Beta carotene, the compound that makes carrots orange, is converted to Vitamin A automatically by your body.

Foods rich in Vitamin A:

• Cantaloupe
• Squash
• Eggs
• Liver
• Carrots
• Spinach

Lutein

Lutein is similar to Vitamin A in that it is an antioxidant that is vital for good eye health. Diets low in lutein have been directly linked to the increased risk of the development of cataracts and macular degeneration. The best way to get lutein is through diet, and green leafy vegetables are packed with it.

Foods rich in lutein:

• Kale
• Spinach
• Turnip and collard greens
• Broccoli
• Brussel sprouts

Finding tasty recipes for these foods can be tough, but there are several eye-healthy recipes over at the Eye Health Guide. To get you started, here are my favorite recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Taking care of your eyes has never been so delicious!

Breakfast

Oatmeal has always been a favorite of mine. It’s warm, filling, and just good for you. There are several ways to spice it up, and one of my favorites is Blueberry Pie oatmeal. Blueberries are high in antioxidants, which are good for eye and overall health.

Blueberry Pie Oatmeal    

• ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• ½ cup water
• ½ cup milk
• ½ cup fresh blueberries
• 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts
• ¼ cup crushed graham cracker 

Combine oats, water, and milk in a small pot and cook on medium heat until oats are thick and cooked through. When oats are almost cooked, stir in blueberries. Remove from heat and serve, topped with walnuts and graham crackers. 

Lunch

I’m a carb lover, so I love finding ways to sneak them in. Whole wheat pasta lets me do just that, and I love experimenting with different toppings. This easy pasta recipe leaves me filling full and satisfied, and I get to have my carbs!

Quick and Healthy Pasta

Whole wheat pasta

• 2 cups frozen spinach, thawed
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 small can fire roasted tomatoes
• Spaghetti sauce
• Parmesan cheese

Cook pasta according to package directions. While the pasta is cooking, sauté spinach and garlic over low-medium heat. Once spinach is warm, add fire roasted tomatoes and simmer. Drain pasta and set aside.
To serve, lay down a later of pasta, a layer of the spinach mixture, a layer of sauce, then top with Parmesan cheese. 

Dinner

Nothing makes me feel satisfied like a filling, but healthy, dinner. Asian food is one of my favorites, and this Shrimp and Scallion Stir-Fry does not disappoint! If you don’t like to eat sea food, easily substitute grilled chicken for shrimp for an equally healthy meal.

Shrimp and Scallion Stir Fry

• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 bunches scallions, cut into 1 ½ inch pieces
•  2 tbsp lemon juice
• Cooked white rice, for serving

In a large skillet or wok, add vegetable oil and set to high heat. Add shrimp, and cook until pink. Add garlic, red pepper flakes, and scallions and cook for one minute, then add lemon juice and 2 tbsp water and let simmer for one minute. Season if desired and serve over rice.

There are more healthy recipes here, which include things from breakfast to dinner, even snacks and vegan recipes. With all the work of collecting recipes already done for you, there’s no excuse not to start cooking healthy!

Author Bio:

Maggie is a writer for Reading Glasses Shopper where she helps her customers find the best reading glasses. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, traveling, and shopping.

Links:

Why a Hand Held e-reader?No. 1 Gift for Mother Kindle for the Vision Impaired

What are Boomer demanding? BEAUTY!

Image by Always at Home via Flickr

Beauty in Chinese Meat Market

What are boomer demanding?  Well, it turns out that function is not enough...in this age where our basic needs are met, we are demanding beauty and lots of it!

I have know all my life that beautiful things actually have a  emotional impact on my mind and I could actually feel a physical response. Yesterday I found an article written by Patrick Roden PhD  on a website called Aging In Place.  The name of the article was "The Aesthetic of Aging in Place Design:  Turning Obstacles into Beauty"  He put his finger on what this blog is all about and as a result the words resonated with me like no others. I thought you might be interested in what he had to say.

In his article Dr. Roden talked about that emotional impact I mentioned above...

Author Virginia Postrel notes that aesthetics is the way we communicate through the senses. It is the art of creating reactions without words, through the look and feel of people, places, and things. In other words, aesthetics shows rather than tells, delights rather than instructs. The effects are immediate, perceptual, and emotional.  

So whether we wake in the bedroom in our own home or a room in an assisted living facility, the beauty that surrounds us actually has a emotional uplifting effect on our mind.  Roden's idea that we can turn obstacles into beauty made me envision wheel chairs with rhinestones and bath tub grab bars with a zebra designs!  When my own mother required a wheel chair, her response was Can I have one in Red? Even the walker beside the bed could be a wonderful addition to the beauty of any room.  The beauty we surround ourselves with is not a frivolous want but in fact a emotional need.

A Pond worth floating on!

As a youngster my family fished.  I am not a fisherman but I do love the beauty of sparkling water and the sound of shore birds.  My father heard me say many time that the reservoir set in a dry desolate valley didn't meet my aesthetic requirements.  But now I realize that my beauty was not his...each of us has a different aesthetic and sees beauty in a different way.  Color, design and function as related to beauty are not ruled by a set of parameters but are instead guided by each individuals emotional reaction to those things.  So when we talk about the aging person and the setting in which they spend their days, it seems to me that their emotional well-being may depend on their aesthetic needs being addressed.

Roden's final paragraph even talked about a physical reaction to beauty and how manufacturers of products to overcome obstacles are going to have to address not only function but aesthetics:

Inexpensive beauty!

In order for age-friendly product developers to compete and survive in the booming mature market place they need to design not only for function, but to delight the senses with non-stigmatizing design. They must understand that we buy on deep biological emotion.

I have written about hearing aids (Cool Hearing Aids) that not only work but LOOK very cool.  I have talked about small spaces becoming sanctuaries of beauty when we need to downsize.  Roden pointed out that since we are so affluent, we can afford to go beyond function and require that the obstacle become a thing of beauty...even when the object serves a not so beautiful function!

So heads up all you manufacturers fulfilling the needs of the aging boomers...if you are going to produce walkers for handicapped individuals, build assisted living facilities or craft golf clubs for seniors, the product had better work and be absolutely gorgeous or we will looks somewhere else!  If you are the person that helps with a seniors care, you need to demand the elements of beauty they need.  If you are like me and make your own decisions, take some time each and every day to enjoy the beauty around you.  It is requited!!!


b

Related articles

• Vivian Diller, Ph.D.: Narrowing the Generational Beauty Gap: What Baby Boomers and Millennials Have In Common (huffingtonpost.com)
• Baby boomers prepare to recalculate future (mysanantonio.com)
• Seniors embrace aging in place (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• VIRGINIA POSTREL: Abundance and Economic Resilience. Americans have a lot of stuff - so much, in... (pajamasmedia.com)

PREVENT FATAL FIRES...I discovered candlelight without danger!

This article in the Oregonian got my attention yesterday.  The headline read, "Deadly fire...." and told about an accident at a assisted living facility in Tigard, OR during the month of December.  It began...

Death is no stranger to assisted living facilities.

Susan K. Friedrich died Dec. 21 after suffering second- and third-degree burns to nearly half her body. Caregivers at the Park Place assisted living facility in Tigard allowed a lit candle on Friedrich's coffee table next to her recliner, even though Friedrich's health issues rendered her immobile....The evening of Dec. 20 was peaceful at Park Place. Friedrich, as was her custom, bedded down in her recliner in front of the television. Someone, it's not clear who, lit a candle on the coffee table....It was a Christmas candle and Friedrich liked the Christmas tree smell. Oregon Live

     I could only think Old people like beautiful things too!  So when the lady living in a Sunset Management Company assisted living facility here in the Portland Metro area asked to have a scented candle lit beside her chair, I could almost understand why the aid granted her wish.  After a word of caution about extinguishing the candle, the aid left.  A few hours later the candle ignited the room and Susan K Friedrich had been fatally injured because a scented candle was left unattended.  What a terrible shame.
   

SCENTSY WARMER...MY NEXT PURCHASE!

THE SOLUTION

MY SCENTSY WARMER 

Full-Size Scentsy Warmers make a statement in any room. With so many styles, colors and finishes to choose from, you are sure to find the perfect accent to complement your decorating style. One could be the inspiration for your next room makeover!

Plug-in Warmer

      After looking at and trying several different types of scented candle solution that could be used safely,  I have come to love one product in particular.  It is a pottery light put out by a company called Sentsy.   These beautiful scented wax warmers are a lovely additions to any decor.  The containers are lit from within with a 25 watt light bulb and the cord has an easy switch to turn the light on/off.  A  dish designed to hold  the wax is placed over the opening on the top of the light.  The plug-in model has a small indentation in the top where the wax can be added and it runs on a regular night light bulb. There is a switch on the front of this plug-in light. You just put a small piece of the scented wax in the dish, turn on the light and the wax melts slowly as a lovely aroma fills the room. 
The website states that the Scentsy Bars (wax) are specially designed wickless candles, perfectly suited for all Scentsy Warmers. With convenient break-apart sections, you can divide one bar into different warmers or mix and match scents.    When you are ready to turn the light off, you just flip the switch and the wax solidifies again for reuse at a later time.  The wax lasts a very long time.  The scents range from floral to sea breeze...some are stronger and some are very light.  They can even be combined to create the scent that you prefer.  My personal favorite is this month's scent call Clarify.
     I own two of their products...one is a beautiful ceramic piece that sits on my mantle and the other is a plug-in that I move from room to room. They have even come out with warmers and scents for men.  Not only are they good at home or in assisted living facilities but I think they would be wonderful in veterinary clinics, offices, coffee rooms, real estate open houses or even that smelly bathroom at work.  And what about gas stations? Don't you think they should put them in their bathrooms.  YUCK!
     I do not sell these but boy am I good customer.  My consultant, Mary Grace (click to visit her website), went into business this winter...right after her 70th birthday.  She has had wonderful success selling to the snow birds in her RV Resort.  These people want the joy of candles without the mess or danger.  She sells on her website and is at home in Great Falls, MT now where she will be holding open houses throughout the summer.  You can find more information on her website if you live in the area.
     Can you imagine...beautiful AND safe!  What a perfect combination.
     I just thought you would want to know.

b

You might also be interested in Trader Joe's dripless candles

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• Helping Seniors Stay Safe and Independent (homesecuritysource.com)