Water also provides more options for those who are lacking in general fitness or have a prior injury that makes land based activity difficult. Finally, water based activities work the entire body, serving as a form of both strength training even as aerobic training takes place.

Swimming utilizes nearly all major muscle groups simultaneously, imparting a total body work out. Because of the inherent resistance of the water, swimming develops both muscle strength and endurance, as well as helps flexibility.

Because of its horde of effects, swimming provides almost all of the aerobic benefits of running even as it yields many of the benefits of resistance training thrown in. Because swimming does not put the strain on connective tissues that running, aerobics and some weight-training regimens do, swimming is the kind of low-impact work out that is perfect for seniors seeking to regain or maintain their fitness.

This is a sport especially gentle to those who are physically challenged. The buoyancy factor of water makes swimming the most injury-free exercise available. So it is specifically interesting to seniors, especially those with any type of joint issues. In water, a persons body weight is reduced by 90% as compared to its weight on land. For example, a 220 pound man will weigh about 22 pounds if he is standing in chin deep water.

Exercises in water can also be done more often because of the low incidence of injuries and it is more effective for exercising the entire body as any movement in water 12 times greater resistance than movement in air.

For the elderly, water fitness is safe, fills the need for exercise, increases a body’s range of motion and is a low-impact exercise.

Why Swimming is the Perfect Exercise for Seniors is a post from: Home And Family Blogs

1) Folding/Easily Transported Scooters: Your scooter wont do you much good if you have to go onto a trip and cant take it with you. Thats when this type of scooter comes into play. Usually this type of scooter can be disassembled into 3 or 4 pieces of lightweight parts making the scooter easily transportable. Able to fit into the trunk of most cars.

2) Three-Wheeled Scooters: As the name implies, this scooter has 3 wheels instead of 4. And it usually has a maximum weight capacity of 300 to 500lbs. Offering comfort and durability, three-wheel scooters can get you where you want to go indoors and outdoors.

3) Four-Wheeled Scooters: If you plan on mostly using your scooter outdoors, then a four-wheeled personal mobility scooter is probably right for you. Obviously because this type of scooter has four wheels instead of three, its much more stable. With bigger tires than three three-wheeler, its able to go as fast as 10 miles per hour.

4) Heavy Duty Electrified Personal Mobility Scooters: This type of scooter can come with three or four wheels and can support a maximum weight capacity of 500 pounds.

The type of personal mobility scooter you buy will depend upon several factors. Including weight of the user, whether the scooter will be used mostly indoors or outdoors and the amount of usage involved. Make sure you inform your salesperson of these factors. Dont get talked into buying a scooter you dont need.

Which of These 4 Personal Mobility Scooters Will You Own? is a post from: Home And Family Blogs

They aren’t interchangeable. Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia are two very different things.

Dementia is a symptom. Pain is a symptom, and many different injuries and illnesses can cause pain. When you go to the doctor because you hurt, you won’t be satisfied if the doctor diagnoses “pain” and sends you home. You want to know what is causing the pain, and how to treat it.

“Dementia” simply means the symptom of a deterioration of intellectual abilities resulting from an unspecified disease or disorder of the brain.

Alzheimer’s Disease is one disease/disorder that causes dementia. Many other illnesses or “syndromes” can also cause dementia. Parkinson’s Disease can cause dementia. A stroke can cause dementia. Even dehydration can cause dementia.

Many of the things that can cause dementia are treatable, even potentially curable.

If you have taken your elder to the doctor and received a diagnosis of “dementia” you haven’t received a diagnosis at all. Unless you know what is causing the dementia you can’t begin to treat it’s root cause.

If your physician has diagnosed “dementia” it’s time for a second opinion. You are probably dealing either with a physician who is not comfortable with the truth, or one who doesn’t know how (or doesn’t want to bother) to differentiate between all the possible causes of dementia. Either way, a skilled geriatrician or a neurologist who is comfortable with seniors would be a good place to start.

What’s The Difference Between Alzheimer’s and Dementia? is a post from: Home And Family Blogs

But the fact is that health is wealth at every stage of life. It is more crucial when one enters into the senior citizens category because there are few caretakers in those times. So, the elderly should concentrate on fitness as much as possible. There are quite a few ways in which the aged can enjoy a good physical and mental health.

1. Health Insurance- it is the first and foremost requirement of every senior citizen. A medical insurance is the greatest friend in the time of need. It can provide you and your family the financial aid in worst times of your life.
But one should be pretty careful in purchasing a health care policy. The plan that facilitates maximum benefits should be taken up.

2. Diet and Exercise- the diet of individual varies with the age along with other factors. But at an older age, a person should be extra careful in matters of eating. This is because, the antibodies or the immunity system receives a setback in this age and one becomes more prone to all sorts of illnesses. The diet therefore should be thriving in vitamins, minerals, proteins and carbohydrates. Fats should be strictly avoided as they make one susceptible to numerous diseases particularly heart problems. There must be an extra intake of calcium to support the diluting bones.
But a rich diet is not enough. Some exercises should be a part of daily routine in this age. Individuals need to be extra cautious about movements of their limbs for the natural strength and the disease fighting ability of the body keeps on retiring in older ages.

3. Those who have a family history of ailments like prostrate and colon cancer, the diseases that most likely hit men in fifties and above, should get regular medical check ups done. They must follow the doctors advice and all the injunctions and prohibitions.

4. Women are more likely to be affected by breast cancer. They also are vulnerable to other diseases due to menopause. Though the course of destiny can never be averted yet prevention should never be ignored. There are some medicines that women should take after menopause in order to minimize the risk factor.

5. Alzheimers disease and Dementia are even threatening for women. The former is a fall in certain cognitive brain functions. It is a type of dementia. Dementia impedes an individuals intellectual functioning and capability to work. These diseases mostly affect women in sixties and above that. Such women gradually become forgetful and incompetent in doing skilful work.
As soon as some of these symptoms are evident, doctor should be consulted without delay. Drugs at early stage might stop the situation from worsening.

6. Avoid stress. Stress is as harmful as any other contagious disease. Dont stoop to drugs so called stress busters. Consult a psychiatrist if conditions run out of control.

What do you need to know about seniors health is a post from: Home And Family Blogs

A manual wheel chair requires you to use your own muscles to propel yourself forward. So if you have decent to good upper body strength, these may be ideal for you. You can get manual wheel chairs that are lightweight. You can also get sports chairs and outdoor chairs too.

Here are the pros and cons of owning a manual wheel chair:

Pros:
1. More affordable.
2. Great for temporary/short term use.
3. May maintain upper body strength and endurance, as it is a self-propelled wheel chair requiring upper body ability.
4. Most common models are lightweight and fairly easy to transport.
5. May require less maintenance.

Cons:

1. If you lack upper body strength or ability, and the ability to self-propel yourself throughout the day, on a daily basis manually, then this may not be the wheel chair for you.
2. Harder to get around than in an electric wheel chair. You lose the luxury of automatic mobility the electric wheel chair offers.
3. Depending upon your condition, you may require a helper to push you around if you own a manual wheel chair.

When talking to a sales rep at a wheel chair store, its important to let him or her know your physical condition. What you will and will not be capable of.

Let him or her know if you have a nurse or someone available who can push you and if temporary, for how long you expect to be in the wheel chair. (If its not to long, you may want to look into getting a used wheel chair or even wheel chair rental.) With that information, he or she can better help you pick out the model and brand perfect for you.

What are the Pros and Cons of a Manual Wheel Chair? is a post from: Home And Family Blogs

From there, youll want to contact companies that are capable of reconditioning old used wheelchair vans with modern equipment necessary for the wheelchair user. Ideally, making sure you get warranties on parts provided to your used van along with a good service plan because sooner or later youll need it.

To make your used van more affordable, it would prove wise to talk with your insurance company about getting a good rate for your van. You can also talk with organizations that offer nonprofit grant programs, veterans associations and state departments. Simply use www.google.com to find their contact info. You can also purchase a well-conditioned van at low cost and then take it to customization shop to mold the van to fit your particular needs.

To find a suitable wheelchair van dealer, you can go to www.google.com and type in used wheelchair van + your city. (Of course, in place of your city you would insert your actual city or one a big one near you.) A decent list of websites belonging to dealers should pull up.

From there, you want to contact these dealers with a plan in mind of exactly what your needs are for purchasing a used wheelchair van. Take into consideration that if youre buying a used wheelchair van for business purposes, then you have to make sure youll comply with consumer safety laws and regulations. So be sure to tell your sales person the exact purposes of your van.

Used Wheelchair Van Buying Tips is a post from: Home And Family Blogs

Yet many of those same professionals said the program can be hard to understand and particularly confusing for patients. In fact, according to the survey, doctors and pharmacists report that 95 percent of their senior patients have difficulty understanding the Medicare Part D program and more than 50 percent of patients have trouble understanding how much their drugs will cost. If you’re confused about your coverage-or simply want to understand it better-the following tips may help.

Talk To Your Doctor

More than 41 million seniors eligible for Medicare Part D may turn to their physicians for answers-and one of the most frequently asked questions has to do with what medications are covered under each option. Physicians can now answer questions on the spot, using mobile devices or by logging on to the Internet.

Most doctors are using free software applications, such as Epocrates Rx drug and formulary reference, to quickly determine which drugs are covered by a specific health plan, whether there’s a generic or cheaper drug alternative and which plans best meet their patients’ clinical and financial needs. The software can also help doctors identify any potential drug interactions. That’s important, considering that the average 75-year-old regularly takes five prescription drugs and uses several over-the-counter medications, according to a 2004 Alliance for Aging Research report.

Check The Web

A number of government Web sites are available to help people sort through the more than 400 Medicare Part D prescription plans. Try checking a site such as www.medicare.gov or www. epocrates.com for some information about your program. Before logging on, make a list of the medications you are taking and any conditions you may have. That can make it easier to see which plan best fits your needs.

Talk To Friends And Family

In addition to checking Web sites, it’s important to talk to others about their experiences with a Medicare Part D plan. Ask your friends and family about what plan they selected, how they feel about it and what they learned. In addition, don’t hesitate to check with your pharmacist or doctor’s office staff.

Your physicians may be able to help you better understand your Medicare Part D program.

Understanding Medicare Prescription Coverage is a post from: Home And Family Blogs

Millions of Americans spend part or all of their day assisting and caring for family members or friends who need help to stay in their homes. Often, however, paid outside help is needed to supplement this care because of the caregiver’s responsibilities for children or work outside the home. Americans presently spend over $40 billion annually on home care, allowing loved ones to remain at home and “age in place.”

If you or someone you know is looking into home care for a relative, or may soon be in that position, here is some information that may help make the process more manageable:

Determining the individual’s care requirements. Will there be a need for hands-on care such as bathing, dressing and toileting? Are there cognitive issues that will require a different type of care? Are there financial restrictions? Is the individual willing to receive help? Write down the answers to these questions, along with the estimated amount of time and number of days that a caregiver will be needed. When you call a home care agency, you will want to have this information at hand. If you require help making these assessments, check with a nearby senior center. They often have social workers who can perform assessments or direct you to someone who can, such as a geriatric care manager. This is a professional who specializes in assisting older people and their families in making long-term care arrangements. They can do in-home assessments, develop care plans and monitor services.

Identifying the type of care that is required. Custodial or supportive care is usually provided by paraprofessionals–home health aides, home care aides and nursing assistants who provide hands-on care to people in their homes, nursing homes or assisted living facilities. Custodial care includes assistance with bathing, dressing and mobility, as well as transportation, light housekeeping and similar tasks.

Skilled care is usually provided by health care professionals, such as registered nurses, licensed practical nurses or therapists, under the direction of a physician. Most often, skilled care is needed after a person has been hospitalized due to a fall or other medical condition. Discharge planners and social workers assist in the coordination and arrangement of these services, which may include some care from certified nursing assistants if they are included as part of a skilled plan of care.

Contacting an agency. Every state has the authority to license and regulate its home care agency system. As a result, there are often variations in licensure requirements and regulations from state to state. The exception is Medicare-certified agencies, which must also comply with federal regulations. If care is to be covered under Medicare, it must come from a Medicare-certified agency.

Paying for care. While many older adults count on Medicare to cover their home care needs, the reality is that Medicare will only cover home care costs if an individual has a skilled need and meets specific Medicare criteria. It will not cover ongoing long-term care services. It is important to know that custodial care is not typically covered by Medicare or most private health insurance. Funding for custodial care must often come from personal resources. The local Area Agency on Aging is a good place to check for programs or services for which an individual might qualify.

One good source of information is a free booklet from the MetLife Mature Market Institute called “Understanding Home Care Agency Options.” It’s part of the “Since You Care” series of guides, created in cooperation with the National Alliance for Caregiving. It includes advice, resources and checklists.

Understanding Home Care Agency Options is a post from: Home And Family Blogs

The decision to participate is important, and careful consideration is vital to ensure a plan is chosen that best meets a customer’s needs. To get help in finding the right plan, seniors and caregivers may want to consult their local pharmacists, who are the most accessible members of the health care delivery system. Many pharmacists are specifically trained on how to explain the Medicare Part D drug benefit to their customers and can help guide seniors through the process.

“Over the last several months, we have assisted many customers to help them better understand their choices under the Medicare Part D drug benefit. We will continue our efforts to help customers work their way through the large number of choices available to them,” said Matt Leonard, Senior Vice President of Pharmacy at CVS/pharmacy. “One of the most important steps when choosing a plan is to ensure current prescription drugs are covered, and your local pharmacist is a great resource for that.”

Because health needs can change quickly, a Medicare Part D plan may be appropriate even if a customer’s costs and number of prescriptions are currently low. Once a decision has been made to enroll in a particular plan, the following facts should be taken into consideration to ensure a smooth process:

Customers who enroll in a plan after the May 15, 2006, deadline will pay higher premiums, and their next opportunity to enroll will not be until November 15, 2006.

Submit your enrollment application to the insurance plan of your choice as early in the month as possible. That way, there is enough time to mail out your new Medicare Prescription Drug Card and enter you into the system before your coverage begins on the first day of the following month.

When first utilizing your new Medicare Prescription Drug Card, order your prescription refill while you still have a few days’ supply remaining. This will ensure that you do not run out of your medication if your pharmacist needs time to research and resolve any issues pertaining to your new Medicare coverage.

Medicare Part D can greatly benefit seniors who take the time to make an informed decision. In addition to personalized assistance from a pharmacist, Medicare Information Centers are available in all CVS/pharmacy stores. The Centers explain how Medicare drug plans will work and assist customers in selecting a plan that best meets their needs.

Tips For Seniors is a post from: Home And Family Blogs

In 2005, for example, the Social Security cost of living increase was just 2.7 percent. But if you filled up your car at the gas pump, you probably noticed the 28 percent jump in gas prices. And when you paid your heating bill, you probably noticed that the price of home energy soared by double digits as well.

Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve kept raising its rate last year as well, meaning that seniors watched helplessly as their already diminished spending power was cut even further as they paid higher rates on credit card bills, car loans and adjustable rate mortgages.

The absence of a fair Social Security cost of living increase affects seniors in a very real way. Fran, a TREA Senior Citizens League (TSCL) member from New Hampshire, is typical of our members. She follows the news, knows what’s happening with her friends and detects even subtle changes in prices. She recently told us that even her beloved oranges are getting too expensive to buy at her local grocery store.

“I don’t think the politicians care about seniors at all,” she told us. “I have friends whose sole source of income is Social Security, and they struggle each month to make ends meet. Each year, it gets worse. The politicians don’t care about people like them!”

How The COLA Hurts You

The COLA is tied to changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI). While the public commonly thinks of the CPI as one index, this is not the case. There are several CPIs–each of which measures inflation rising in different rates, depending on which “market basket” the government is looking at.

However, the government calculates COLAs using one of the most slowly growing indexes-the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers. It surveys the goods and services that younger workers use. But younger workers have far different spending habits than seniors, who must spend a much greater percentage of their income on health care.

When the government calculates the COLA for an 80-year-old war veteran using the spending patterns of a 28-year-old young mother, something has gone terribly awry.

How Underpayments

Affect You

The government does track senior costs, however, and has done so since 1983-maintaining the Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers (CPI-E). If the government had used the CPI-E, seniors would have received a COLA increase of 3.1 percent last year instead of 2.7 percent. Does such a small percentage increase matter? In a single year, not much. Over time, it certainly does.

For example, if Fran retired with an average benefit of $360 in 1984, she would have received about $8,629 more over the past 21 years had the government used the CPI-E to calculate her COLA. With compound interest, that means that she would have had tens of thousands of dollars more to help with medical expenses, home energy costs, and mortgage payments–and she could have purchased as many oranges as she would have liked.

What We Can Do

Over the past three months, we’ve been hearing from hundreds of seniors across the country. And what they’ve told us has come as a surprise. Even though Medicare is dominating the headlines, the Cost Of Living Allowance is dominating their thoughts.

They want action, and their message is clear. They’re tired of partisan squabbling in Washington. Although we seniors turn out in high numbers during each election cycle, our representatives too often take our votes for granted. Only by presenting a unified message in large numbers will we influence legislators to take us with the seriousness we deserve.

The Social Security Cost Of Living Increase Is Not Keeping Up is a post from: Home And Family Blogs