Exploring the Benefits of Senior Centers When you hear the term “senior center,” what comes to mind? For some, it might conjure images of nonstop games of bingo, or quiet afternoons spent knitting. And while knitting and bingo are certainly activities you might encounter—and enjoy participating in—at a senior center, summing up the experience with these stereotypes doesn’t do credit to the depth and breadth of activities available at today’s senior centers. These vibrant community hubs are continually evolving to meet the diverse needs and interests of older adults, offering a wide range of activities, services and opportunities that cater to a modern, active lifestyle. Read more
Suicide Awareness and Prevention in Older Adults Suicide among older adults is an often overlooked, public health concern. While conversations about mental health have become a lot more common and less stigmatized than in the past, the focus is frequently on younger generations, leaving older adults by themselves in the previous mindset of mental struggles being better left unspoken. Understanding the unique challenges faced by older adults is crucial in addressing this silent crisis and ensuring that those at risk receive the support and care they need. Read more
The Importance of Immunizations for Older Adults As we age, the body undergoes numerous changes, many of which impact our immune system. One of the most significant aspects of aging is the gradual weakening of the immune system, a process known as immunosenescence. This decline in immune function increases susceptibility to infections and diseases. Older adults make up about 70 to 85 percent of seasonal flu-related deaths, and are at the highest risk of severe-to-fatal pneumonia than any other age group. Accordingly, while immunizations are important for people of every age, they are of critical importance to older adults. Read more
Balancing Your Caregiving: Prioritizing Self-Care While Supporting Your Loved One Caregiving is an inherently demanding role because it involves caring for two individuals: not only the person you provide care for, but also yourself. This dual responsibility makes the role uniquely challenging, requiring you to balance the needs of your loved one with your own well-being. When you introduce family dynamics into this equation, the... Read more
Supporting LGBTQ+ Older Adults: Tips for Caregivers As our population ages and society continually evolves, awareness of the diverse needs of different communities of older adults has increased. LGBTQ+ rights have undergone some major changes over the past few decades, and while there have been great triumphs, there have been many challenges as well, including some that are particular to older individuals. Caregivers must be aware of these specific challenges and provide holistic, inclusive support to ensure the well-being of their LGBTQ+ older loved ones. Here are key considerations and strategies for caregivers dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ older adults. Read more
Understanding the Impact of the Older Americans Act May marks a significant celebration for the nation's older adults—Older Americans Month. This yearly observance, established in 1963, is more than just a month-long recognition; it's a celebration of the invaluable contributions and wisdom of older Americans, as well as a commitment to improving their quality of life through important services. Read more
Finding the Dementia Support Programs You Need Caring for someone living with dementia is challenging on so many levels. For most of us, there are aspects to providing care that require skills, training and education we feel we just don’t have. There are aspects to disease education and managing behaviors that are difficult to know. And there is also the stress and strain of providing care -- which for many of us is something we do on top of working and having a family of our own. Read more
How Older Adults can Engage in Lifelong Learning Receiving a diploma doesn’t have to mean the end of education. Lifelong learning is a concept that upholds continuous and self-motivated personal and professional development throughout one's life, long after graduating from compulsory education. There’s no age that doesn’t benefit from a little extra knowledge, but older adults in particular should remember that it’s never too late to learn something they never knew before. Engaging in lifelong learning has many benefits for older adults, including enhancing cognitive function, improving quality of life and encouraging self-growth. Here are some ways you can engage in lifelong learning, and why it matters for older adults to keep expanding their minds no matter how many years pass! Read more
Free Online Directory Helps Caregivers in Underserved Populations Access Dementia Support Programs Best Programs for Caregiving, a newly-introduced online directory of evidence-based dementia caregiver support programs is making big strides in helping to expand both awareness and availability of top-rated programming in underserved rural and remote areas across the country. Difficult-to-access geographies are a real concern to the medical and social service organizations, and many recent initiatives have been devoted to addressing these underserved areas of the aging population. This is particularly true in the case of people living with dementia and their family and friend caregivers for a number of reasons. Read more
The Impact of Alcohol Consumption on Older Adults and How Caregivers Can Help In many cultures, alcohol consumption is so engrained in social rituals that not drinking seems much stranger to people than frequently drinking. However, alcohol is never without its risks, and this is especially true for older people. Older adults are much more vulnerable to the adverse effects of alcohol than younger people due to age-related changes to their bodies, medication interactions and other health conditions. And though reckless drinking is an issue most people associate with younger people, older adults, especially those in the 55-64 range, are more at risk of alcohol-induced deaths than any other age category, according to data from the CDC. Read more
