Senior Lifestyles Radio

GETTING IT RIGHT
by Michael TS Lindenmayer
In our show, we talked about the power of getting it right.  What do we mean by getting it right?  We are talking about right sizing your life.

PILING UP = MOUNTAINS OF WORK
We live a pile it up lifestyle.  We buy till we are buried under belongings.  We add annexes to our homes or take out additional storage units just to keep all  our stuff close at hand.  And as we enter the third chapter of our lives and eventually into older age, this accumulation of stuff goes from being a source of moderate joy to a heavy burden to carry around and potentially a whopping messy legacy for our children to clean up when we have gone to the great beyond.

THE MEASURE OF THINGS
We understand that different things have a different value to you. And so we ask you to use these four simple terms to determine what the things around you are

1. Sacred
2. Useful
3. Noise
4. Sentimental

It is essential you be honest with yourself when deciding what stays and what goes. The sacred usually include irreplaceable photos, unique heirlooms and art work. The useful means you put it to use in the last 3 months.

And noise means it is no longer of use, or is one of those crazy gadgets you bought late at night which you never used.  It has no place. Ditch it.

Sentimental.  This is where the struggle emerges.  We get so attached to things. And some things are simply noise nor are they truly sacred. And so as you emerge along, a wise elder will slowly relieve his or herself of these items.

The best tip we have for you:
Be a good gate keeper.  Stand guard to your house, wallet + lifestyle and keep out the noise.  Say yes to a quality of life and dump that quantity of life habit.

For more useful hints and tips on simplifying life check out:
http://zenhabits.net/2009/08/how-to-live-a-better-life-with-less/

MEDICARE MAPS
by Michael TS Lindenmayer

You almost need a map to navigate Medicare.  Each year there are changes. And it is important to take the time, effort and energy required to understand these changes and how they effect you.

On this week´s show, Brook Alcala of the Area Agency on Aging helped present us an overview and here below we find some useful links she suggests as you further educate youself on this meaningful and very important topic.

Useful Websites for Medicare Beneficiaries

Medicare Frequently Asked Questions

http://www.mymedicarecommunity.org/index.php

• Site states it is for professionals only; click on “guest” and you will have access to answers for frequently asked questions.

Medicare

http://www.medicare.gov/Default.asp

Official Medicare site. Review Medicare plans.

Area Agency on Aging

http://www.areaagencyonaging.org/

• Local aging specialist, providing information on issues on aging and/or disability, including Medicare and Medicaid.

Social Security

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps6z/i1020/main.html

Apply for extra help paying for drug plan premiums and lowering co-pays

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/

Find out more information about Medicare and Medicaid

Medicare Interactive

http://www.medicareinteractive.org/page2.php?topic+counselor&page+Index

Answer questions about your Medicare in a user-friendly site

Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program

http://www.mmapinc.org/index.html
This site takes you to an easy-to-read listing of most of your questions with clear, concise answers. This site also lists a MMAP location near you.

FALLS MATTERS:
by Michael TS Lindenmayer

Falls are a major source of serious injuries for elders.   Yet, most Elders and Caregivers are under-prepared and under-educated on the options they have to help dramatically reduce their risk of falling.

Our guest this week, Dr. Kim Bell, who is a physical therapist and a vestibular specialist, helped guide us through some of the main things to consider and provided us with some excellent links that we hope prove useful to our readers and listeners.

TOP THREE TIPS TO AVOID TRIPS
The top three things to be mindful are:

1. Medication Management
2. Mobility + Balance
3. Home + Environment

Medicine Management
Be certain to take the time to review the full slate of drugs, herbal supplements and vitamins you are taking with your doctor.  As we live longer and with a wider range of chronic illness, we are faced with managing a full variety of medicines.  With so many medicines, there is the possibility for adverse side effects, some of which can influence your balance.

Mobility + Balance
The old adage applies here:  use it or lose it.  Caregivers and care receivers alike must do their best to keep limber and active.  The earlier you start a regular exercise and flexibility regime, the better.  As we age, we lose muscle mass.  We must build and maintain it to keep a solid system of balance.

Home + Environment
The first note is to clear the clutter.  As we age, we often downsize our space, yet we continue with the habit of lugging around our belongings.  And when we arrive at a smaller space, this can pile things up and make it difficult to move about and ultimately lead to a high risk for fall.

The second note is for care receivers.  As you welcome your elder into your home, make sure the pathways are clear, that any throw rugs are securely fastened and that things are within easy reach for the elders.   In addition, make sure there is good lighting and a clear path to the bathroom.

The third and extremely important point is to be attuned to the bathroom and shower environment.  Here is an article which outlines solutions and options for making the bathroom and shower a safe and secure place.
http://elderbrief.wordpress.com/2009/11/23/a-raised-seat-to-keep-you-on-your-feet/

For additional resources, Dr. Kim Bell suggests checking out these sites:

www.stopfalls.org

www.vestibular.org

www.drugdigest.org (“Check Interactions”)

www.gentiva.com (“Safe Strides”)

Dr. Bell Bio:

Dr. Kim Bell was appointed Director of Gentiva Safe Strides in San Diego in August of 2007.  Dr. Bell earned both her Masters Degree and Doctorate in Physical Therapy from University of Maryland, Baltimore.  Since then, she has earned a certification as a Vestibular Specialist.

The Gentiva Safe Strides program serves the residents of San Diego County with dizziness, disequilibrium, balance dysfunction and falls.  The program is designed for older adults who are homebound and in need of physical therapy services in the privacy and comfort of their own residence. (www.gentiva.com, www.vestibular.org)

Dr. Kim Bell has been an active member of the San Diego Fall Prevention Task Force (SDFPTF) since February 2006.  Dr. Bell was elected as Chair of the SDFPTF in January of 2008, and re-elected for another term in January of 2009.  The FPTF is a partnership between Aging & Independence Services of San Diego and private agencies who work with older adults.

In 2008, with a grant from the Archstone Foundation, the Task Force conducted a Needs Assessment in San Diego by conducting key informant interviews with healthcare providers and focus groups with older adults.

Dr. Bell led the Task Force in developing fall prevention resources for the community, including a Fall Prevention Toolkit and an online Resource Guide (www.sandiegofallprevention.org).  These resources are available in English and Spanish.

The Task Force also hosted a CEU event in October 2008, which included talks by a trauma surgeon, primary care doctor, home modifications expert, pharmacist and Dr. Bell as the physical therapist.

In 2009, the Task Force is hosting a Speakers Bureau training and a Walkability audit of older adult communities.

As the Chair of the Task Force, Dr. Bell has spoken on the topics of balance, fall prevention, dizziness and vertigo over 100 times throughout the county of San Diego.

Dr. Bell has been re-elected for her third consecutive year as Chair of the San Diego County Fall Prevention Task Force for 2010.

Listen to this episode by the clicking the play button below:

COURAGEOUS CONVERSATIONS:  NAVIGATING STORMY SEAS!
by Michael Lindenmayer

THE UNTOUCHABLE TOPICS
We are taught early on to face our fears, roll with the punches and when possible forge ahead, even when times are tough.  Yet, we somehow shut down and clam up when it comes to certain topics around aging and caregiving.  These happen because our lips get zipped by some powerful feelings.  The top untouchable topics are:

1. FAILING OUR LOVED ONES BECAUSE WE ARE UNDERSKILLED
2. LOSS OF INDEPENDENCE
3. TRAPPED BY DUTIES
4. ANGER AT SIBLINGS OVER COMMITMENT LEVELS
5. BURN-OUT GUILT

THE BENEFITS OF COURAGEOUS CONVERSATIONS
The upside of a courageous conversation is clarity of purpose, an appreciation of commitments and an understanding about the different needs involved in both senior living and caregiving.

THE KEY PRINCIPLES OF A COURAGEOUS CONVERSATION

• RESPECT
• PATIENCE
• PERSISTENCE
• ENDURANCE

Listen to this episode by the clicking the play button below:

THE BIG D
by Michael TS Lindenmayer

In our show we faced down the daunting big D, aka death.  For so many of us this is an incredibly difficult topic and calls on us to have a courageous conversation with our loved ones.

LEAVE A POSITIVE LEGACY
As we discussed, it is key to plan ahead so that when it is our time to depart the here and now, we leave a positive legacy. And that legacy starts with giving family members peace of mind, the ability to grieve and importantly the gift to celebrate your life.

This is done by having a plan in place. This eliminates the big questions marks, reduces the often major financial impact of an unplanned funeral and gets rid of the stress which arrives at a highly emotional time.

Our guest Jo Letwaitis of The Senior Site provided some great tips and sites to help us think  through the issues.

End of Life Wishes
www.fivewishes.org

Funeral Trusts
www.funeraltrusts.com

Elder Care Law
www.naela.org

Listen to this episode by the clicking the play button below:

Join us as we introduce the dynamic of caring for our elders, and how those relationships are affected.

On today’s inaugural show, we introduce the dynamic between elders and those who love and care for them. You’ll learn what this show is about, and how we approach the topics that keep you and yours healthy, wealthy, and wise.

Listen to this episode by the clicking the play button below:

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009 is the debut show of Senior Lifestyles Radio.  Join hosts David Krock and Michael Lindenmayer as they explore topics of interest for seniors over the age of 60.

In southwest Michigan, tune in to 94.9FM WSJM or catch the live stream worldwide on www.WSJM.com.