2025 Golden Years by hearstctmediagroup

HEALTH promoting cognitive

Maintaining physical health as a body ages is an important consideration, and often one of the first things that comes to mind when people think about being healthy Yet physical health is only one component of a healthy lifestyle; individuals also must pay attention to what they do to promote cognitive health.

Physical Activity

It is important to stay physically active, not only for the body but also for the brain. Harvard Health says research shows when animals exercise regularly the number of tiny blood vessels that bring oxygen-rich blood to the brain increase. More oxygen can reach an area of the brain that is responsible for thought and help improve brain function. Exercise also lowers blood pressure, cholesterol levels and blood sugar, all of which can be beneficial to the brain.

Engage in Relaxing Activities

People who are depressed, sleep-deprived or anxious tend to score poorly on cognitive function tests. While this may not be an indicator of cognitive decline, it is important to engage in behaviors that promote happiness and restfulness for mental health. Meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises, and activities that help a person smile and laugh can be good for the brain.

Participate in Stimulating Activities

Stimulating activities, like word games, gardening, dancing, or playing a musical instrument can help maintain cognitive function and enhance memory says Healthline Doing things that require mental effort can help stimulate and maintain cognitive function and also may improve emotional well-being.

emPTY PT nesTer THE MODERN

The rewards of parenting are bittersweet. Raising children successfully means they will one day leave home and embark on lives of their own.

Once the proverbial chicks leave the nest, individuals may be left with a lot of empty home and a lot of time to fill. EMPTY

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were 22.5 million empty nesters in the country in 2020, with most having become empty nesters between the ages of 40 and 60. Statistics Canada says roughly one-third of adults between the ages of 20 and 34 lived with their parents in 2023 Although some parents whose children have reached adulthood still provide financial assistance to their grown children due to high costs of living, many empty nesters in their fifties have greater financial resources and much more time to fill their days with activities unrelated to parenting But how does one spend those hours when they had been filled with parenting-related obligations and activities for so long?

The following are five unique ways empty nesters can stay busy and socially engaged as they seek to avoid empty nest syndrome.

1. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

After all those years of putting children first, now is the time to make yourself the priority Explore all the ways to engage in self-care. Maybe you were thinking about signing up for a monthly massage package at a nearby wellness clinic but procrastinated because of the added expense? Or you may have wanted to splurge on a facial or new hair treatment? Now is the time to make those appointments.

2. PRIORITIZE HOBBIES

Identify rewarding hobbies that might have been pushed to the back burner for years. If you always wanted to learn a new language,

why not immerse yourself in it and the associated culture by spending a month or more in a country where that language is spoken? Now can be a great time to pick up new hobbies as well Aim for activities that are social in nature, like the ever popular pickleball.

3. TRAVEL FAR & WIDE

Travel is a popular pastime among empty nesters and retirees. When you no longer have to coordinate travel around school schedules and holidays you can take advantage of great deals on off-peak travel and really see the country or even the world.

4. INDULGE YOUR SOCIAL LIFE

If parenting made it hard to attend certain social functions, now you’ll have the time to engage with friends more regularly You can reach out to old friends and start a weekly walking group, join a book club, sign up for a fitness class together, or even do a monthly wine and dine meet-up at new restaurants in the area.

5. ADOPT A PET

When children were still at home you likely lavished attention on them each day. You can redirect some of that affection to a pet who needs a good home. Visit a nearby animal shelter and pick out a pup or kitten looking for a good home. n

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and two-thirds struggle to find information to support their loved one's needs according to

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Retirement is often characterized as a carefree time in life when adults who spent years in the workforce get to enjoy the fruits of their labors But upon retiring, many retirees find themselves fighting boredom. A recent study from Indeed found that, as of March 2022, 3.2 percent of workers who retired a year earlier had already reentered the

IDENTIFY NEW (OR OLD) INTERESTS

Many retirees discover new passions in retirement, while others turn back the clock and revisit favorite hobbies from their youth. A good way to begin cultivating a new hobby is to jot down a list of activities you always found interesting but never had the time to learn or became too busy to fully invest in Some seniors hit the links for the first time in retirement, while others return to school to study subjects, they find interesting but did not engage with during their college years. The options are endless and jotting down a list of new or old interests is a great way to get the ball rolling.

CONSIDER LOCALLY BASED RESOURCES

Community parks departments and libraries may offer an array of free or affordable opportunities for seniors to engage with a new hobby. Parks departments may offer anything from

workforce No two retirees are the same, and a host of variables, boredom among them, likely compelled recently retired professionals to go back to work. Retirees who like the freedom of not working but are confronting a good bit of boredom can consider these tips to cultivate a new hobby that can help them pass the time in a rewarding and engaging way.

EMBRACE NEW PASSIONS

Virtual resources like online courses and book clubs conducted over Zoom with fellow readers across the nation and possibly even the globe are a great way to cultivate a new hobby in retirement. Virtual resources can be especially beneficial for seniors with mobility issues.

cross country skiing tutorials to agebased hiking excursions, while libraries may offer weekly crafting sessions or wellness programs to local residents. In addition to providing fun ways to discover and cultivate a new hobby, programs offered through parks departments and local libraries are great ways to meet fellow retirees.

PUT YOUR EXPERIENCE TO USE

Retirees with years in their field don’t have to go back to work to make use of

their professional expertise. Contact local youth organizations or outreach programs sponsored by churches, libraries or local law enforcement agencies and offer to share your expertise with young people. Such opportunities allow retirees to continue to engage with their professions and help a younger generation of aspiring professionals gain valuable insight into fields they’re interested in.

THERE’S NO SHORTAGE OF WAYS FOR SENIORS TO OVERCOME

RETIREMENT BOREDOM AND CULTIVATE REWARDING HOBBIES n

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INFORMATION & RESOURCES FOR ALZHEIMER'S CARE

Alzheimer's is a complex and multifaceted condition. To help, a new AI-powered app Elevmi, offers immediate personalized support to caregivers. Elevmi can help caregivers ﬁnd answers related to Alzheimer's caregiving at a moment's notice, record observations prepare for doctors' visits, and more.

Elevmi: Free Personalized AI Support for Caregivers, By Caregivers

Caregivers often become the go-to resource for their loved ones. Now, they have an assistant on their journey: "Elle", the app's conversational AI. Elle answers Alzheimer's care-related questions, provides information about managing symptoms, preparing for doctors' visits and more, and offers reminders, all based on trusted sources like the National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health. Developed with input from over 300 caregivers, Elle's features are designed to deliver meaningful, practical support to help users manage their loved one's condition and their own well-being.

"CAREGIVERS

ARE OFTEN

THE BACKBONE OF ALZHEIMER'S CARE, balancing an immense load of responsibilities with little support. With Elevmi, we wanted to provide caregivers with a helpful, easy-touse resource to help manage being a caregiver, including access to accurate, up-to-date information on the condition."

Sanket Shah, President of Otsuka Precision Health, Inc., App Developer

GET STARTED WITH ELEVMI

Elevmi is designed to be easy to use and accessible for Alzheimer's disease caregivers. Here's how you can get started for free:

■ Download the app: Elevmi is available on iOS® and Android™ devices. Simply visit the App Store or Google Play and search for Elevmi.

■ Create an account: Set up an account by entering your email address and creating a secure password

■ Explore the features: Once logged in, use Elevmi's conversational AI, Elle, to ask questions, get personalized care tips, and prepare for doctor visits.

■ Stay informed: Access expert-backed resources about Alzheimer's disease including information on symptom management and care strategies. TO DOWNLOAD AND LEARN MORE, VISIT WWW.ELEVMI.COM n

With Elevmi, caregivers can stay up to date with knowledge about Alzheimer's disease. Elevmi helps caregivers understand disease progression, symptom management, and care tips that can make a meaningful difference in their daily routines.

Elevmi Provides Caregivers with Information that May Help Them

■ Anticipate changes in behavior, such as increased agitation during the evening (sundowning), difficulty with daily routines, or changes in communication abilities.

■ Understand medical recommendations by explaining the purpose of cognitive assessments, the potential implications of medication adjustments, or the importance of physical and occupational therapies.

■ Prepare for upcoming doctor visits by allowing caregivers to track observations of their loved one over time, craft effective, meaningful questions for healthcare providers on condition management, and conduct structured check-ins to provide helpful updates on a loved one's needs.

■ Access resources with information on how to manage symptoms like wandering, difficulty sleeping and changes in appetite, all tailored to their loved one's unique condition based on the questions a caregiver asks.

■ Help support their own mental health with features such as stress management techniques, mindfulness exercises, and reminders to take breaks and care for themselves.

Elevmi helps the individual receiving care but also prioritizes the mental and emotional health of caregivers. "You need a support system You need to take care of yourself It's a long difficult journey at times, said Deanna, a primary caregiver and member of the Elevmi design committee.