Author: Aging Wisdom
October 15–December 7 is Medicare’s annual “open enrollment” period. This is when you can switch plans. Are you getting a lot of mail about the cost savings of Medicare Advantage (MA)? The initial outlay may seem less than your current plan. And if you have “original Medicare,” plus a supplemental plan for the 20% Medicare doesn’t cover, andprescription coverage, bundling it all together is tempting. …
The King County Library System (KCLS) has another wonderful line-up of authors for their Fall Pioneers in Aging online author series.
We hope you’ll register to attend each author in the series and join them for more lively learning! Aging Wisdom, along with our many of our friends, is proud to help KCLS by co-sponsoring these enriching author conversations (click here for a downloadable flyer): …
Fall PIONEERS IN AGING virtual author series at KCLSRead More »
If you are like 68% of grandparents, you live too far away for regular interactions with your grandchildren. No reading bedtime stories or soothing little tears. No ticklefests or hands-on projects. These casual yet meaningful activities just aren’t an option.
Video visiting helps. But according to Kerry Byrne of The Long-Distance Grandparent, you can count on only about a minute of video engagement for every year of your grandchild’s age. …
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” ~ Margaret Mead
Nineteen years ago Lisa Mayfield launched Aging Wisdom as a solo practitioner in geriatric care management (AKA Aging Life Care).
Aging Wisdom was started with the vision of helping individuals and families navigate unexpected health and cognitive changes and crises, as well as to help guide families to common ground when they might not agree on the best approach to supporting an older loved one in their care.
Our objective has always been to help others age well, care well, and live well. Much has happened in those 19 years and this early vision continues to guide our work today as a team of fourteen amazing women and growing! …
A vast majority of older adults (77%) say they want to remain in their own homes as they age. Of course! Home is comfortable: We know where everything is—in the house, and also in the neighborhood and town. Friends, doctors, grocery store. We know how to get around quickly and easily. Plus, the emotional benefits of memories, identity, and history are baked into the walls of a home. …
Washington state primaries are just around the corner. Today, July 15, 2022, marks the start of the 18-day voting period (through Election Day, Tuesday, August 2). Ballots have been mailed and Accessible Voting Units (AVUs) are available at voting centers.
Whenever an opportunity to vote is on the horizon, our team often fields questions from family members and other supports about voting when the person in our mutual care is living with a cognitive impairment. …
Especially for older adults living alone, the ability to summon help in the event of an emergency—such as a fall—is a very real concern. With a cell phone in your purse or pocket, it’s easy to feel well set. Think again. The bathroom is where most falls occur. Do you take your cell phone in when you are using the toilet? Or taking a shower? And what if you hit your head and are unconscious? With a brain bleed, minutes count!
But who wants to wear one of those telltale pendants? Fortunately, with the advent of smartwatches, there are stylish options that do not carry such stigma. …
Three out of five (61%) of adults over 60 feel they have more stuff than they need. And yet many of us find it emotionally painful to cull our belongings.
While the physical labor of “right-sizing” is daunting, perhaps more powerful—and surprising—is the emotional challenge. For instance, you may feel that letting go of grandmother’s wedding dress is like putting her in the trash. Or that if you discard your high school debate trophy, it’s like that part of you has died. Or that giving away the fabric you bought to make a quilt “one day” is like abandoning your inner artist. It’s human nature to imbue belongings with meaning, and it’s those heartstrings that give us pause.
Some tips to help you let go …
According to the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), an estimated 5 million older Americans are victims of elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation annually. Perceptions about elder abuse are usually wrong. That’s disheartening because the way we think about elder mistreatment effects our ability to recognize the signs of abuse and our sense of urgency and commitment about stopping it. Let’s look at the most common myths and learn the facts. …
Do you find yourself more easily distracted these days? There is good reason: Concentration is about keeping what’s useful top of mind while at the same time suppressing thoughts that distract from your primary objective. As we age, the “executive” center of the brain becomes less able to sort out distractions. It’s a filtering process that requires heavy brainpower. Many people worry that lapses in concentration are an early sign of Alzheimer’s. Not necessarily. While memory and focus are related, they are not the same thing. …