Older and Loving It: Getting Started with Senior FItness

Fitness for seniors is a very important and frequently overlooked part of their daily life. Many think exercising is only for young, healthy people, but senior citizens can also benefit from increasing their overall level of fitness. Staying fit helps to prevent injury and illness, along with improving quality of life. Many seniors are hesitant to start a fitness program thinking they are too old and that it may be too dangerous for them to begin. On today?s show, we will be discussing how to get started with a fitness program. Often times, the most difficult aspect is getting start. We are very fortunate to have as a special guest, Rebecca Capodilupo from Boxborough, Massachusetts, a personal trainer and group exercise instructor for Seniors.

Older and Loving It – Long Term Care and Asset Planning

Many seniors, at some point, will need to move into a long term care facility. Long-term care can be very expensive and, depending on which area of the country you live, costs can vary from $10,000 to $15,000 per month. Many Americans are surprised to learn that Medicare and most health insurance plans, including Medigap policies, do not cover long-term care. For many, they will be called upon to pay for their own care. To discuss planning for long term care options and to maximize financial resources are two experts with issues affecting seniors: Cathleen Summers is an Elder Law Attorney and Dori Senerchia, a Financial Advisor and Certified Long Term Care Specialist.

Learn the Numbers about Alzheimer’s Disease

“Take Time Learn the Numbers” is the title of the new information campaign of the Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. The information presented can be daunting – 5.4 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s in the United States. It is the 6th leading cause of death and costs the nation $183 billion annually. Since 2000, death rates among other diseases have fallen while the death rate from Alzheimer’s has risen 66% and every 69 seconds someone is diagnosed with the disease. But important research is happening. There are specialist and researchers dedicated to finding answers and clinical trials going on which focus on detection, prevention and treatment. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, getting your legal and life planning is imperative. Making sure that you have updated Wills, Durable Power of Attorney and Health Care Directives in place is imperative. Learn more about Alzheimer’s disease, where you can get support, how you can participate in clinical trials and how you can help contribute to/raise money to support the efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association go to www.alz.org/MANH. Learn the Numbers!!

Aging in Place

As seniors age, most want to stay in their own home. The comfort and familiarity of their surroundings and the desire to maintain independence keeps seniors in their own home. Many want single level living or to build an in-law apartment but there are more simple things that can be done to help you stay longer in your current home. Unfortunately, most traditional homes are designed to meet the needs of young adults, and often modifications are required to tailor the home to meet the needs of an aging population. This episode features special guest Bill Dickinson, a Concord, Massachusetts Architect to discuss what can be done to your existing home to allow you to age in place.

Pets for Seniors

Owning a pet can be very enjoyable and rewarding for a senior. They can offer love and companionship, are great listeners, and excellent snugglers. For seniors, pets may also present some special challenges. Pets do come with additional work and responsibility, which can bring its own stress. However, for most people, the benefits of having a pet outweigh the drawbacks. Whether you currently own a pet or are a potential pet owner, you should take into consideration such things as financial requirements, your activity level and physical limitations to care for a pet, your living spacing, and who will take care of your pet should something happen to you. To discuss these issues are two guest pet lovers, Cathleen Summers, an Elder Law Attorney, and Geoff Stern, a professional dog trainer.

Older…and Loving It

Exciting article in the Acton Beacon about our Acton Cable Access show called “Older…and Loving It”. Check it out at http://ping.fm/kf8Cq

Chelmsford Council on Aging

Wonderful group of seniors at my morning presentation at the Chelmsford Council on Aging. Spoke to them about Asset Protection and MassHealth. Thank you for having me!

Check out our new cable show – “Older…and Loving It” airing on Acton Cable Access TV. If you are in the Town of Acton, check out channels 8 (Comcast) or 45 (Verizon) at 7:30 AM and 5:30 PM. This month we are discussing pets for seniors – how to pick them, care for them, train, etc., and how to provide for them should you become ill, disabled or upon your death. We will link it to this site (as soon as we figure out how!!) Let us know what you think.

Want to give a (belated) shout out to the Infusion Nurses Society and Sandree Kronn for inviting me to speak on “Legal Ramifications in Infusion Practice” at their Infusion Therapy conference in Washington, D.C. on November 21st. What a great crowd. Over 800 participants – whew!!

Check out our article in the Fifty Plus Advocate entitled “Who Was Suppose to be Watching Grandma?” For family caregivers the added stress of the holidays with decorating, shopping, parties and keeping up with all the family traditions is an overwhelming quest. Feelings of isolation, depression and sadness come with this added stress. There are millions of Americans who are caring for elderly, frail loved ones.. (http://ping.fm/G0V60)