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LIVING SENIOR • WINTER 2021
How to choose a safe, healthy senior living community It’s understandable for anyone seeking a retirement community to have concerns about health and safety right now. Today’s unprecedented situation leaves many wondering – is it safe to live in a retirement community during a pandemic? The good news is, many Continuing Care Retirement Communities are taking extraordinary precautions to keep residents healthy, following up-to-date recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, plus local and state authorities.
Recently retired couple Stuart and Anita Smith examined the measures being taken at The Spires at Berry College – a Continuing Care Retirement Community in Rome, Georgia – before making their decision to move in. Because Stuart is a retired physician, he looked closely at their health and safety protocols. He was happy to learn that they followed recommended CDC guidelines stringently, prioritizing the well-being of their residents. “The community was up front with us about how they were handling it – using
The pandemic has many wondering if it’s safe to move into a retirement community at this time. Many of these communities have put in place additional safety measures to keep their residents healthy. STOCK PHOTO Living Senior
masks, a lot of cleaning, safe dining procedures,” explained Stuart. “I think they’ve done everything really well, including daily temperature checks and not letting people bring guests or family members to visit now. I’m very confident in their health and safety protocols.”
If you or a loved one are considering a senior living community, here are important safeguards to look for: • Mandatory social distancing in public areas – CDC officials and public health experts agree: Keeping See COMMUNITY, Page 4
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• Community
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people a minimum of six feet apart helps prevent the spread of COVID-19. • Mandatory facial coverings required in public areas – Face masks have been shown to reduce the spread of the virus, protecting both mask-wearer and anyone near that person from excessive exposure to airborne particles. • Mandatory regular COVID-19 testing for all team members, and testing for residents – Testing ensures that any infections are quickly identified so staff or residents who test positive can quarantine. • Required temperature and oxygen level checks for all residents, team members and guests – Elevated temperatures and decreased oxygen levels have been identified as common COVID-19 symptoms. • Proper hand washing encouraged throughout the day for residents, team members and guests – As with many viruses including colds and flu, frequent, thorough hand washing can reduce the spread of disease. • Frequent sanitizing of common areas throughout the day – The presence of
the virus on surfaces can be reduced by regular disinfecting. • Virtual tours encouraged – To limit visitors to a community, providing virtual online tours is essential. The Spires at Berry College follows all of these procedures to help keep all residents, staff and visitors safe. The community is also in constant contact with affiliated CCRCs nationwide to share information about improving procedures as more is learned about what works best to successfully reduce risk of illness.
Social and emotional well-being
One of the greatest challenges to retirement communities during this difficult time is the emotional and social isolation many residents are feeling. Look for locations that have amenities such as outdoor areas with walking trails, and have access to digital devices like tablets to stay in touch with friends and family. The Smiths agree that while they’ve had to remain apart from family right
now, they’re still able to socialize to some degree. “We are so comfortable and enjoying the relationships we’re forming,” said Anita. “Two couples can do ‘socially distanced’ dining together, calling back and forth across the dining room. People are finding safe ways to communicate and socialize.” “And I’m a lot more physically fit than when I came here,” adds Stuart. “We do a lot of walking.”
Safety and comfort at a CCRC
Unlike at home, where outside factors offer unknown risks, residents and families can rest easy knowing there is a team dedicated to keeping them safe and well. Contact is minimized, and there are few reasons to leave the community. For example, doctor visits are conducted on site, so there is no risk of infection sitting in waiting rooms, and groceries or medications are delivered straight to residences. Exploring a move to a retirement community? Learn more at www. RetireAtBerry.com or call 706-784-7644. (BPT)
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LIVING SENIOR • WINTER 2021
Retirement travel tips that won’t break the bank
Retirement ushers in a new stage in life, one in which adults have ample free time to pursue their interests and hobbies. When eight or more hours per day are no longer allocated for work, those hours can be devoted to other pursuits. Retirees have the time to travel, and such exploration need not break the bank. A 2014 MassMutual survey found that 72 percent of respondents reported feeling quite happy or extremely happy in retirement. Being able to travel when and where they desire may be a big component of this happiness. A study by Virtuoso found that travel factors significantly into the lives of today’s seniors. They spend more on travel than any other generation – an average of $11,077 a year. Travel spending is at the highest among people between the ages of 75 and 79. Learning how to get the most bang for your traveling buck can help retirees make travel more affordable.
Avoid peak travel seasons
Many working families are restricted by school and work schedules, often limiting travel to summer and holiday breaks. The hospitality industry tends to raise their prices during these times of year. Retirees can travel any time they want. Booking trips during less busy times of year for tourism is a great way to save money.
Consider a rental agreement
Retirees who want to travel for many weeks or even months out of the year may want to think about renting their homes while they are gone. The money earned in rent can help offset the costs of travel.
Think about alternative living situations
Seeing the country and traveling most of the time may be more doable if retirees forego the house entirely and opt for different residences. Many recreational vehicles are large enough to be full-time homes. Simply park the RV in a new spot
each month for a different perspective. House boats can be an option for the marine-minded.
Try a repositioning cruise
Cruising is a popular form of travel for seniors. Investopedia says cruise lines offer discount repositioning cruise trips when they need to move ships from one port to another, usually during the off-season. Unlike typical cruises where a ship will return to the port of origin, a repositioning cruise stops at several ports on the way and ultimately docks in a new end destination.
Find an inexpensive destination For the cost of staying at a popular family resort for a week, you may be able to stay for double or triple the amount of time for about the same amount of money elsewhere. Weigh destinations carefully and compare costs. Think beyond the “popular” destinations around the world.
(METRO CREATIVE)
Travel is a favorite pastime for retirees. Cost-saving strategies can make travel more budgetfriendly for seniors who want to spend more time exploring. STOCK PHOTO Living Senior
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How expenses can change during retirement
Work is a major component of daily life, so much so that Andrew Naber, an industrial and organizational psychologist and an associate behavioral scientist at RAND Corp., determined that the average person spends 90,000 hours at work over the course of his or her lifetime. According to a 2014 Gallup poll, the average American retires at age 62, but roughly 64 percent of professionals bid farewell to the workplace between ages 55 and 65. Retirees must make a number of adjustments once they call it a career. No such adjustment is as significant as the financial one.
Most people find their post-retirement income is considerably less than when they were working full-time. That is why financial planners often recommend saving and investing enough during working years to be able to replace 80 percent of preretirement income. Certain expenses get lower after retirement, but some will rise. Here’s a look at what to expect when the bills come due during retirement.
Food costs
Food costs may go down in retirement because shopping and preparing meals for one or two people is much less costly than feeding a family of four or more. However, dining out may increase as you have more free time to visit local eateries.
Automotive costs
According to data from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the average commuter spends 25.8 minutes behind the wheel twice a day, and the average driver puts in 13,474 miles behind the wheel each year – with people between the ages of 35 and 54 clocking close to 15,000 miles. Less time spent in the car means fewer gasoline fill-ups and longer durations between oil changes and other services. In addition, based on the Internal Revenue Service reimbursement rate of 58 cents per mile, a typical commute of 20 to 30 miles a day costs $11 to $16 a day or $55 to $80 a week. In a year, you could easily be spending $2,000 to $4,000 a year
commuting if you live within 15 miles of your job. Without commuting, that cash stays in your pocket.
Taxes
Many people can expect to be done paying federal income taxes when they are retired and no longer earning an income. If the majority of retirement savings were in Roth IRA accounts, contributions are available for withdrawal tax- and penaltyfree at any age.
Housing
Your mortgage may be paid off before or soon after retirement. That eliminates the single largest expense in many people’s budgets. If your home will not be paid off, it’s possible to downsize to reduce monthly payments.
Travel
While many other expenses can go down, travel is one expense that can shoot up during retirement. But many people are happy to bear this cost. With more time for travel, retirees may allocate more funds toward vacations and other great escapes.
Health care
Seniors often see their health care needs and costs go up after retirement. It’s important to understand what is covered by health plans, and it’s equally important to set money aside for unforeseen medical expenses. (METRO CREATIVE)
Many costs of living decrease after retirement. However, it is wise to take in the whole picture to understand how to budget for retirement. STOCK PHOTO Living Senior
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Staying fit while still at home Free online senior exercise classes available When gym closures due to COVID-19 locked most seniors out of their exercise classes and daily workout routines this spring, they quickly began combing the internet for new strategies to stay fit. Today, many older adults have turned to options like the Silver&Fit program, which offers four free public workout classes daily on Facebook Live and YouTube. The timing for the launch of the free senior exercise classes could not have been better, according to comments from participants: “Thank you for keeping us safe, healthy and sane during these tough times,” said Ethel G. “These classes have been life-saving,” Lee Ann D. commented. “These classes are perfect!” said Teri S. “Every level is available.” “Since the launch of our daily free public classes, we’ve received nearly 30,000 comments on how helpful the classes have been during the pandemic, said Jaynie Bjornaraa, PhD., MPH, PT and AVP of Digital Fitness Solutions with the Silver&Fit program. “Older adults know that their quality of life is tied to their fitness level. Those who stop exercising can become deconditioned in as little as two weeks. Silver&Fit’s free, public Facebook Live and YouTube workouts help them keep moving.” The Silver&Fit free, public workouts provide 20 free classes a week for anyone looking to stay fit at home during the pandemic. The half-hour sessions, which are tailored to adults 55 and older, include beginner, intermediate and advanced Cardio, Yoga, Strength and Bodyweight, Flexibility and Balance, and Mixed Format classes. The classes premiere Monday through Friday starting at 11 a.m. and continue at noon, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. And for those who need more flexibility in their schedules, the workout videos are available for two weeks after they premiere. Anyone can participate in the free public workouts just by following Silver&Fit on Facebook at www. facebook.com/SilverandFit or on their YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/
on Facebook Live and YouTube, Silver&Fit also offers a full, comprehensive Healthy Aging and Fitness program through many Medicare plans. Current members who are eligible for the full Silver&Fit program through their Medicare plans can also take advantage of Silver&Fit’s newly expanded online, home-based and gym-based options designed to accommodate all levels of fitness and workout preferences. Features include:
Fitness videos
The Silver&Fit online video library offers a broad collection (1,700+) of workout options, allowing members to customize their own at-home exercise routines, such as cardio, strength, yoga, dance, Tai Chi, and many others.
At-home fitness kits
For those who want to create their own workouts at home, the Silver&Fit program offers home fitness kits that may include an exercise DVD, a yoga mat, resistance band, dumbbells, or wearable fitness trackers.
Live telephone coaching
Members seeking help with fitness goals or lifestyle improvements can work with a live coach over the phone to obtain advice on fitness, nutrition, sleep, and other healthy living habits.
Access to social and community connections
Members of the Silver&Fit program can browse links to more than 120,000 social organizations ranging from painting and classic car clubs, to nature organizations. This resource encourages members to connect to others via live video or socially distanced meetings.
In-person gym access
silverandfit. All classes are taught by certified instructors with extensive experience leading workouts for older adults. “Silver&Fit has seen its class followers grow by nearly 350 percent in seven months, with more than 1.1 million views of our senior workout videos,” says Dr. Bjornaraa. In addition to the free, public daily workouts
As gyms are permitted to open, members who feel comfortable returning can use their subsidized gym benefit to get back on their fitness track. With the Silver&Fit program, seniors can choose from a nation-wide network of more than 15,000 fitness centers, YMCAs, and fitness studios. For information about whether your Medicare plan includes the Silver&Fit program, contact your health plan or 1-800-MEDICARE. Visit www.SilverandFit.com for more information about the program. (NEWSUSA)
Staying fit while staying at home is possible with online workout routines like Silver&Fit on Facebook and YouTube. STOCK PHOTO Living Senior
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VOLUNTEER SAFELY during the pandemic
The global pandemic that begin in late 2019 and continued throughout 2020 changed many aspects of life as the world knew it, and that includes volunteering. Social distancing measures and stay-at-home mandates from state and local governments discouraged people from leaving their homes, while various health organizations warned aging men and women to stay home as much as possible. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that the risk for severe illness from COVID-19 increases with age. In recognition of that threat, many retirees who were heavily involved in volunteering prior to the pandemic were forced to cease working as volunteers, which could have a negative effect on their mental health as the pandemic continues. A report from the Mayo Clinic Health System noted that adults over age 60 experienced greater life satisfaction and greater positive changes in their perceived health as a result of volunteering. Many people have continued to volunteer during the pandemic, and those that want to do so can take these steps to make sure their efforts to give back are as safe as possible.
Speak with your physician first
Anyone, but especially seniors, who wants to volunteer during the pandemic should discuss those aspirations with their physicians prior to offering their services to charitable organizations. Doctors can discuss the acute and chronic threats posed by the COVID-19 virus and examine each individual’s medical history to help potential volunteers decide if working with a local charity is safe. In addition, doctors can check patients for COVID-19 symptoms and even have them tested to make sure
they won’t be putting anyone in danger should they decide to volunteer.
Contact the organization prior to volunteering
Some organizations may not be allowing potentially at-risk volunteers to perform inperson tasks. Contact the organization you hope to work with prior to signing up to confirm your eligibility, but also to discuss the safety protocols they’ve put in place to protect the health of their volunteers.
Monitor your own health
If you’ve signed up to volunteer, it’s vital that you monitor your own health. Health officials believe the COVID-19 virus has spread so rapidly for a number of reasons, including the likelihood that many people have had the virus but shown no symptoms. Charitable organizations will no doubt assess the health of each volunteer when they
show up to work, but volunteers also should make such assessments on their own. Check your temperature each day and familiarize yourself with the symptoms of COVID-19. If you suspect you are unwell or are even slightly under the weather, contact the charity and tell them you won’t be showing up that day. Operating with an abundance of caution during the pandemic can save lives.
Consider virtual volunteering
Virtual volunteering is a safe way to give back that won’t expose volunteers or others to the COVID-19 virus. Charitable organizations need behind-the-scenes help just as much as they need volunteers with their boots on the ground. Virtual volunteers can help with fundraising efforts and event planning, but also help charities overcome the logistical challenges of operating and meeting their missions during the pandemic. (METRO CREATIVE)
Prior to volunteering during the pandemic, prospective volunteers can follow numerous steps to ensure volunteering is safe, both for them and the people they’re trying to help. STOCK PHOTO Living Senior
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Safe at home In the COVID-19 pandemic, home has been reinforced as the center of the universe for many of us. It’s evolved into our office. It’s doubled as our children’s classroom. It’s transformed into our vacation destination. And it continues to be where we eat, sleep and unwind every day. As the safest place we can be during an ongoing global health crisis, our homes have never been more central to our lives. For the oldest among us, this is only magnified, as eight out of every 10 COVID-19 deaths By Lakelyn Hogan reported in the United States CONTRIBUTOR have been people 65 and older, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Statistics like these underscore how vital practices such as social distancing and sheltering in place are for older adults. Fortunately, regardless of the pandemic, home is where most people want to be as they grow older. In fact, research conducted for Home Instead Inc., finds that 90 percent of older adults hope to age in place at home. But most can’t do so without help – 70 percent of older adults in the 65+ age group will need assistance at some point. So how can we honor the wishes of older generations in the pandemic, keep them safe, and ensure they receive the care they need? The good news is that there are more options than ever for care for aging adults. Outside of the home, options such as retirement villages and senior apartments can provide a great deal of independence, particularly for those who are unable to age within their home. For those with specialized care needs that require higher-acuity care, alternatives such as nursing homes and memory care facilities are worth considering. However, none of these alternatives can provide the flexibility and affordability of home care. Home care keeps people in the safety of their own homes and offers services that span the spectrum of assistance for older adults – from transportation and companionship to medication management and around-the-clock care. If your loved one requires specialized care – whether rehabilitating from an injury or living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias – home care allows for a range of options to match your specific needs. You can work with your provider to figure out the right fit. If you’re caring for a loved one from a distance, home care can provide peace-of-mind by simply having someone visit for a few hours, a couple times a week. Families can work with their provider to determine the appropriate level of care and stay closely connected to stay on top of changing needs. During difficult financial times, a team approach to home caregiving is an especially smart choice. Family members, friends, neighbors and providers can divide responsibilities to ensure your loved one is looked after. This is very important for anyone who feels overwhelmed by caring for a relative.
Ask for help The pandemic has never made the need for a break more apparent among family caregivers. When considering available care choices, cost is certainly a
Care options abound for aging in place
factor that rises to the top of the list for most. Unfortunately, far too many people assume resources such as Social Security and Medicare will pick up the entire tab. Beyond private pay or self-insurance, which are the most common ways people pay for care, long-term care insurance is a great option and, for those who qualify, Medicaid or Veterans Assistance could help. Before the pandemic, family caregivers were spending nearly $7,000 per year to care for an aging loved one by reducing savings for their own retirement or their kids’ education, delaying their own health care expenses and even taking loans or early withdrawals from their retirement nest eggs. COVID-19 has only exacerbated the situation. What these people are experiencing underscores the importance of planning ahead. But the truth is, only half of older adults have taken the time to do so. And the key to choosing the right approach for yourself – or a family member – is planning and discussing the alternatives before they’re even needed. Lakelyn Hogan is a medical assistant, gerontologist and caregiver advocate for Home Instead. In her role, Hogan educates professionals, families and communities on issues older adults face, and provides resources to support family caregivers and their aging loved ones. Hogan serves on Dreamweaver Foundation’s board of directors as vice-president as well as the board of directors for National Alliance for Caregiving. She is also active in the Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s. (NEWSUSA)
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‘Alexa, check on Mom’ Care Hub allows families to care for loved ones at a distance This year, more Americans are providing ongoing caregiving, with many having started their role as caregiver since the COVID-19 outbreak or providing care specifically because of the pandemic. Caregivers are looking to strike that balance between ensuring their elderly friends and family are safe and healthy while letting them maintain their independence. Yet, the need to limit contact by social distancing or self-quarantining has disrupted the ability to provide the hands-on care our loved ones deserve. For that reason, families are looking for ways to help make remote caregiving easier. There’s now an option for both the family member providing support and their loved one leveraging the simplicity of Alexa. The Care Hub helps families stay connected, no matter if they’re 3 or 3,000 miles apart. And, it’s available on Alexaenabled devices that many customers already have, like Echo Dot and Echo Show. Once set up and approved by both the family member and loved one, they both simply go about their day as normal.
The family member can get alerts and use the Alexa app to see their loved one’s recent activity at a high-level, so the aging loved one still has privacy while the person providing support has the information they need in order to know their loved one is OK. And their loved one has the added comfort of knowing they can ask for help at any time by just asking Alexa. Here’s a quick look at how the Care Hub works:
It alerts you when something’s amiss
As the person providing support, you can set up alerts to get notifications when your loved one has their first interaction of the day with Alexa, or if no activity is detected by a designated time, such as 10 a.m.
Non-intrusive visibility
The goal of creating Care Hub was to give people only a high-level view of their loved one’s activities. When you look through the activity feed of the Care Hub, it shares only the basics. If your loved one streams a movie, asks for information or listens to music, you can see they were using Alexa for Entertainment or Information, but it won’t reveal the details like what your loved one asked Alexa. And, the loved one can always view
this same information from the Care Hub in their Alexa app, too.
Convenient connection
When both parties have an Alexaenabled device and grant permission to connect via the Care Hub, staying in touch is easy. With the Care Hub, you can initiate a hands-free call over morning coffee or use the Drop In feature as a two-way intercom for a quick check in. Daily contact is effortless.
Help is just a call away
Care Hub makes it easy to access help when your loved one needs it. As part of the Care Hub set up process, they can enable Alexa Communications and select you as their emergency contact. If your loved one selected you as their emergency contact, when they simply say, “Alexa, call for help,” you’ll get a call on your Alexa-enabled device, and you’ll also get a text and push notification sent to your phone. So even if you’re out and about, you’ll know your loved one has reached out. Care Hub is free of charge and is available with the Alexa app. To learn more, visit amazon.com/carehub. (BPT)
Care Hub on Alexa offers a simple, unobtrusive way to care for loved ones remotely and stay connected at a time when many of us are not able to be with the ones we love. STOCK PHOTO Living Senior
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