What a week it has been, my friends.  The hard drive on my computer crashed Wednesday afternoon.  If you have never experienced this, you are lucky.  If you have, then you can feel my pain. 

I have QuickBooks - that's how my business bookkeeping has been recorded for over seven years. You should know that I always backup QB.  For some reason, files were not backing up to the location I had intended. The files were saving to the drive that crashed.

Technology is like a double-edged sword.  There's the good side and there is the dark side.  We become more and more dependent on our computers, our phones, our tablets.  We rely on them as much as we do our automobiles.  I've had my car for ten years and it has not given me nearly the trouble my two- year-old computer did this week.

I got a new phone in October after being persuaded by my techno gurus - my husband and son.  They assured me my new "droid" would be amazing.  I got a really good deal on it.  It's 4G and has lots of great "stuff" on it - all for $99. 

When I got it home, I learned my computer operating system (Windows XP) didn't recognize it.  Now I would need to buy Windows 7 so I could get the computer and the phone to  "talk" to each other in order to download pictures and data onto the phone.  I don't remember exactly how much I paid for Windows 7 - it was the going rate, though.

My fearless team backed everything up on my computer after Christmas and loaded Windows 7.  All was well until we tried to reload my QuickBooks 2005 program.  Windows 7 didn't like the old version and wouldn't "talk" to it.   Even though QB 2005 was more program than I had ever needed,  now, I would have to buy QB 2012  for $148 so Windows 7 recognize it. 

My phone was getting more and more expensive. Of course all the extra features and internet capability required higher charges from Verizon each month.  I was becoming rather skeptical about all of this.  I began to lament the loss of my old, simpler phone.  I said to myself that I should take my own advice to my clients.  Opt for simpler, larger, easier...

I wasn't using half the phone's features and had already cancelled a couple services like the extra $5 a month for texting.  I can call someone and say what I want to by the time I try to touch these tiny little letters on the keypad of the phone all without typos. 

After this week, I am finally grateful for my expensive phone.  I told my son and my husband I see the silver lining in this experience.

Had I not bought the phone, had I not had to backup and save everything before we loaded Windows 7 onto the computer, I would have lost so much more than two weeks worth of data.   I have spent the last three days reloading and recreating.  I'm not finished yet, and I will be backing everything up in triplicate now, but it could have been so much worse.

                                                
   

                                   
 
The words change, but we still need to think about the implications of getting older in America, regarding how and where each of us chooses to live out our later years. 

Read Laurie Orlov's post from today, January 15:

Published on Aging In Place Technology Watch (http://www.ageinplacetech.com)

Home > Blogs > Laurie Orlov's blog > Age friendliness -- sounds good, where is it?

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Age friendliness -- sounds good, where is it?

Submitted by Laurie Orlov on Sat, 01/14/2012 - 14:13

• Aging in Place Tech business potential
• assisted living
• Home care

Not to be a spoilsport…but 'age-friendly cities' aren’t. US News Money ran an article this week about ‘aging in place’ – what a great idea, but…  Adding the 'but' is a correct assessment -- senior-friendly communities don’t really resonate as two words in the same sentence, although I suppose that is depending on whether you are imagining a young-aged (in either age or demeanor) senior. The AARP-sponsored state-by-state study cited underpins the issues, particularly with transportation. But what really struck me: "Of Americans over age 65, 21 percent do not drive," the report said. "This reduced mobility has a direct and often debilitating effect on older Americans' independence. More than 50 percent of non-drivers over age 65 normally do not leave home most days, partly because of a lack of transportation options." So let’s count that up, shall we? With 40 million aged 65+, 8.4 million of them are non-drivers, 4.2 million not leaving the home most days because of a lack of transportation. What are these people doing in their homes? Who sees them? How age-friendly is that?

Meanwhile, why are so many 'aging in place?'  Because they can’t sell their houses -- and when they do, it is later and later – the average move-in age for assisted living is 86, the average price for assisted living is > $39K per year, according to this 2011 John Hancock study.  A Senior Housing News article this week cited "The greatest policy challenge yet to be fully addressed is the need for some type of affordable assisted living for low-income Americans."  Yes, but – it seems like the price point of assisted living is a barrier for middle and upper income seniors as well – if you are a woman and live to age 85, you have a good chance of living another 6-8 more years. That potentially means a bank account or willing adult child contributor of $312,000, assuming there are no future price increases!  And that price presumes you are not in ‘memory care’ and that you don’t live in high cost East/West coast or in any big city locations.  Given that real estate market reports indicate a median sale price US-wide of $169K in 2011, this would seem to be an early indicator that that the assisted living average move-in age may rise again.

How to meet a serious need based on terminology and cost trends.  From my various related calls and encounters this week: heard the term ‘forever home’ versus aging in place; heard that builders believe that older adults don’t like the term aging; that senior housing complexes are communities, not facilities; that they are marketed in the context of a business, not an industry, that 55-plus housing is making a comeback among 65-year-olds; that home care (of every type) is hot, and that everything that sounds mobile and health-oriented is HOT and avoiding readmission to the hospital is HOT, HOT, HOT – especially where the government is the insurer of record.

Do you see the collision course we are on? The pending gap between the ability to pay and the need for assistance will only grow. This gap offers opportunity for service and tech businesses that can gear price points to low-income tolerance. It will also likely will result in various stop-gap government measures in a state here or a city there. Let's see more of today's senior housing businesses reach out with services and centralized hub-and-spoke offerings in which the sum of many low-cost services offered adds up to real revenue? Seniors will mostly stay in their unmodified, age-hostile homes. In lieu of assisted living, they will need home care. Home care is unlikely to offer enough hours of (reimbursed) care to fully mitigate isolation and risks – both for the low-income home care worker and the care recipient. Hope this isn't a rhetorical question, but why can’t the standard ('age friendly city') practice be a combination of home care services in partnership with nearby senior housing organizations to offer some type of remote camera-enabled monitoring care that also enables checking in the most isolated-in-place? 

Rhetorical or not - excellent question

Submitted by Dave in MI (not verified) on Sun, 01/15/2012 - 10:01.

Laurie,

Answering the 'partnership' question you pose likely implies responders' trepidation or uncertainly re: reliable revenue and margins. And the old privacy/cameras dilemma still lurks. Perhaps some private/public grant funds somewhere are poised to support an actual model or demo of how your proposed partnerships could be successfully implemented.

Dave Brooks

Last summer, Beth Giles of NW Organizing Solutions and I made a tape about organizing and downsizing "stuff."

In fact, along with Amy Schmidt of Retirement Connection, several of us taped segments on varying subjects for folks 50 and better.   We called all of these segments Your Retirement Connection. You'll see the whole crew who worked together to create this little endeavor. 

Maybe you can pick up a tip or two about organizing!   Here's the link to our segment on Your Retirement Connection as well as SeniorHomeTours.

Beth is an amazing woman; enjoy her website (below).

Beth Giles / 503-709-0791

Professional Organizer/Senior Move Manager

NW Organizing Solutions

We help families bring order to their homes

www.nworganizingsolutions.com

I hope everyone has enjoyed a nice break, great holidays, and time with family. 

And now, it's time to organize -

I need more space in my office files, and of course this is a great day to start, right?  I have some wonderful built-in file drawers in my office, all neatly organized with hanging file folders.

I decided to clear out a drawer full of recipes.  I used to teach cooking classes.  For as long as I can remember, I've clipped and saved articles from newspapers and magazines, lots and lots of articles...  I saved articles that detailed holiday projects for the kids (who are now in their 20's).  I saved LOTS of articles about herbs - how to cultivate them, cook with them, use them for household and beauty products. 

There were articles from the mid 70's in there, folks!  What a laugh to see the outdated pictures, clothing styles and hairdo's.  Brilliantly, it occurred to me that if I haven't used them in over 30 years, it is highly likely I won't use them in the next 30 years.  Agree??  Time to let go! 

I cleaned up the pantry yesterday.  Ah, how I love January - out with the old, in with the new.

Whether it be Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah, I hope it brings wonderful memories to you.

I've been busy baking and distributing cookies to my clients.  I've also been exercising a lot to try to counteract the cookies I've "tested!"

                                  

 
                                                                      


Time for a book review!
After filling up on turkey, catching up with family, and eating my share of pumpkin pie, I settled down with a book.  I bought this one several months ago and have been waiting to find just the right time to indulge my heartstrings.  I finished it within 24 hours.

I found The Leisure Seeker to be poignant, nostalgic, bittersweet, and thought provoking.  The book begins with Ella and John Robina stocking their travel trailer, a Leisure Seeker.  Against their doctors’ and their two grown children’s wishes – they are driving from their home in Detroit to California with their final destination Disneyland and the Pacific Ocean – all by way of Route 66.  A ghost of its former self, Route 66 is paved over completely and lost in many places along the way, only to resurface later.  There are predictable landmarks along the way, and this is the repeat of a journey taken years before when their children were young.

Ella and John have been married for many years.  She is dying of cancer, and he has dementia (probably Alzheimer’s).  They decide to take this trip for one last hurrah.  The book covers their journey state by state with a sense of humor as Ella makes fun of the tchotchkes and cheesy tributes to past Americana along the way.  She struggles with her pain (her “discomfort”) and tells us she is finally becoming a drug–addicted old lady as she pops her little blue pills.  She has to stay quick-witted enough to be the navigator for her husband who is amazingly still able to drive through the fog of dementia.  Remember – this is a work of fiction.  They’ve brought along their projector and when they stop to camp, most nights they watch old slides of past trips, reminiscing and reliving good memories, seeing their kids grow and change along the way.

I loved the way they bolstered each other up when things went awry – and plenty did – yet they kept pushing onward.  They call their frantic kids periodically, who in turn plead with them to return home.  John and Ella have a plan; nothing and no one is going to stop them.  They intend to maintain their independence and the life they’ve built for themselves through their years together.  In order to define their own terms, Ella and John find their own  resolution to their plight.

If you decide to read The Leisure Seeker, you won’t be able to forget it.  The message is heartfelt.  I loved “traveling” with them; I especially loved being able to revisit an era I grew up in and one that is forever gone.

This is fall in our backyard from my office window.  Love it!  Today was another bright day, though definitely cooler. 

                                                             

                                                                                Get more sleep!


                                            


Are you getting six or fewer hours of sleep each night?  Most people need seven to eight hours a night.  If you’re like me, you are not getting that much.  Give in to slumber and wake up ready to conquer your day.

Your body needs the time to repair itself during the night.  

Your brain has a better opportunity to commit new information to your memory bank and your mind is sharper when you get more sleep.

You’re less accident–prone (less risk of falling and faster on your feet) if you’ve gotten a good night’s sleep.

You can control your weight better if you get enough sleep.  Sleep deprivation changes the way your body processes and stores carbohydrates and you could actually gain unwanted weight!

Slumber party!!

My dear aunt sent this along today via email and I have no idea who penned it, but it made me chuckle, so I thought I'd pass it along to you!

                                           

EXERCISE FOR PEOPLE OVER 50

Begin by standing on a comfortable surface, where you have plenty of room at each side.

With a 5-lb potato bag in each hand, extend your arms straight out from your sides and hold them there as long as you can. Try to reach a full minute, and then relax.

Each day you'll find that you can hold this position for just a bit longer. After a couple of weeks, move up to 10-lb potato bags.

Then try 50-lb potato bags and then eventually try to get to where you can lift a 100-lb potato bag in each hand and hold your arms straight for more than a full minute.  (I'm at this level.)    
  
After you feel confident at that level, put a potato in each bag. 

My book is now available on Amazon.com!  You can order the eBook version (Kindle) or a softcover version.   I'm hopeful you'll buy my book.  If you like it, I would love a quick review!  Thanks!

Here's the link!
 
                                                                                          

To know how to grow old is the master-work of wisdom, and one of the most difficult chapters in the great art of living.                                      by Henri Frederic Amiel, Philosopher & Poet

Isn't that wonderful?  I love this - I want to get my master-work of wisdom.  I love his words, "the great art of living."


                                                                      

A very dear client of mine has Alzheimer's and watching the progression of her disease is hard for me.  It is especially difficult for her daughter, a very devoted daughter, who has become a friend of mine.  She sent this list of 10 things to me today and asked that I post it on my blog.  I couldn't be more happy to do so right now. 

Alzheimer's has touched just about everyone's life in one way or another.  Please read this list of 10 things and do everything in your power to avoid Alzheimer's.  Help yourself and your loved ones. 

Think for a minute:  It's easy to incorporate these 10 things into your lifestyle, if you don't already.  Ten simple things that could make a huge impact to your future.  If they can have such an impact, wouldn't you gladly hop to it to avoid Alzheimer's?  I would.  I do. 

                                                                       


September is World Alzheimer’s month.  Today, September 21, is Alzheimer’s Action Day.  I wore purple today and I saw lots of purple all day.  What a wonderful color to see today because it let me know others want to support the research that is necessary to end this horrible disease.  Lend your support each year either monetarily or by volunteering your time in your community.
HUGS TO EACH OF YOU WHO ALREADY DOES, AND TO THOSE OF YOU WHO WILL DO SO IN THE FUTURE.

First of all, I was impressed these folks were actually trying to figure out their new-fangled equipment, but their interaction is hilarious, dear, and something you have to see.  Click on the link to see the article that was in our paper today (The Oregonian).  Enjoy!

I've posted lots of good information lately, but I think it's time for a little serendipity, a little of that stuff that brings zest to our lives!

Safflower and Chrysanthemums - time for Fall.  The mums echoed the fluffy little spiffy frizzle on the safflowers - perfect!  I found the bowl and plate at Goodwill for a song.

                                                  

I read Laurie Orlov's blog post this morning.  She has a great blog called

Aging In Place Technology Watch

She gave me permission to share today's post with you:

What if dementia is not destiny for the oldest old?

Submitted by Laurie Orlov on Wed, 09/07/2011 - 12:48

• dementia, Alzheimer's, dementia care technologies

Something different -- a positive study of aging and cognitive decline.  Last week in the midst of worse and most worse economic news, USA Today published the results of a decade-long study through Duke, Harvard and others that tracked 1049 older adults age aged 56-102 who at the beginning of the study showed no signs of dementia.  At the end of the study, two-thirds of the participants showed at most only “slow cognitive decline,” not the level of decline typically associated with requiring assistance or medical care. Why is this interesting? Remember the often-quoted statistic that nearly 50% of seniors aged 85+ suffer from Alzheimer’s? This study undermines that estimate and therefore the domino effect of the assumptions that are derived from it.

Maybe it is time to question entrenched assumptions.  The Duke/Harvard study is a chink in the armor of Alzheimer’s fear factoids and their implications. The Alzheimer’s Association and many others, including drug manufacturers, build fund-raising and research efforts and drug business investment assuming that half of the 85+ population will suffer from dementia. More to the point, these assumptions are based on a growth rate from today’s 4 million upwards of 14 million who will have late-onset Alzheimer’s by 2050 -- presumably this can be predicted (along with prospective revenue streams) based on circumstances today.

Less fear could mean a revision in treatment.  Of course studies must be repeated and further analysis must be done to actually shake today’s near-immutable assumptions about the prospective cognitive decline of older adults. But just as there is no historical precedent to lengthening life spans, there may be no precedent beyond studies like this one for cognitive fortune-telling. From the study’s press release: "With an understanding that cognitive decline is not normal, however, poor performance can be investigated and preventable or reversible conditions, such as delirium, medication side effects, or vitamin deficiency can be properly addressed." Does that make you wonder how many warehoused seniors who are believed to have dementia – maybe don’t?

Shake off dementia forecasts – and the aging world feels different.  For the moment, leave aside other aspects of physical decline – not addressed in the study. So with less anticipated dementia – even in the face of family history -- working and entrepreneurship cycles extend; senior housing companies tighten relationships and investment in home care versus assisted living and memory units; university program offerings for late life education are expanded, providing new revenue streams. Cognitive check-ups become non-stigmatizing standard routines in physical exams of the 90+ and the oldest seniors, who are now sporting their ever-smarter phones, living longer and higher quality lives and becoming fascinated with online games. Who knows, maybe someday, getting lost won’t mean you’re losing your mind, just that you, like everyone else, needs a GPS.   

For those of you who have an ereader - such as Amazon's Kindle, my book is now available that way. 

Some of you have asked for some of the chapters in the book.  Here is the back cover!


                  

                                                                   


I have finished my book.  YEA!!!  I think I would have continued to rewrite sections of it from this day forward if I had not just put a stop to it and said "print!"  I had help from Anne McKinney, who did the graphic design on the covers.  I've gotten several compliments.  The picture you see is actually one I took in Alaska four years ago.  The back cover shows another picture of the same area in Alaska.  Notice one view is calmer than the other and suggests the information needed by us to navigate the river of aging will be varied. 

Now for a new project to keep me busy...

                                                                              



Yesterday, I had a wonderful massage.  I usually feel a little guilty getting a massage because it seems so decadent and I think I should be spending money on other things besides myself.  I don't think I'm in the minority to think this way, but I'm wrong and so are you if feel guilty, too!  Paula Schaper, LMT (licensed massage therapist), not only relieved the pain in my shoulders and neck, but educated me about the way our muscles move and are attached at various points in our body. 

Paula says, "As a Certified Geriatric Massage Therapist one of my goals is to provide healing touch for my clients.  The other is to educate them about what massage can do for their body.  Whether you are robust, age appropriate or frail, everyone and every day is unique."

We can all benefit from the various forms of massage.  Here is Paula's message to us.

PAMPERING OR PREVENTION?

Healing Touch plays a very vital role in our lives. With it humans thrive and without it at a very basic level they do not.

Going to have a day at the spa is a nice thing to do for yourself but that is not all there is to it.  Massage provides many health benefits not only to the body, but also to the mind and spirit.  

Studies have shown that people, who regularly receive massage either as a relaxation session or a therapeutic one will tend to stay healthy longer, are able to be more active and have a greater overall quality of life.  

TYPES OF MASSAGE

Whether you just want to relax or do more focused work on some areas of your body, there are several modalities of Massage that are available. Some approach Massage from an Eastern philosophy such as Thai, Shiatsu, Reflexology, Ayurvedic, Polarity, Reiki and more. And some from a Western philosophy such as Swedish, Cranial Sacral, Trigger Point, and Deep Tissue.

Whatever the modality, all provide great benefits to wellness.  Finding the modality or combination of modalities that fits you and your lifestyle best will bring you the greatest results.
WHAT MASSAGE CAN DO FOR YOU…

Increased Systemic Circulation For Faster Healing

Boosts Immune System

Reduces Stress & Fatigue

Decreases Pain

Increases Sense of Proprioception Which Creates Better Balance and Mobility

Aids To Prevent Loss Of Muscle Tone From Disuse

Decreases Symptoms Of Depression

Improves Sleep Patterns

Aids in faster and better recovery from Heart Attacks

Enhanced Sense Of Well-Being By Bringing the Body Back To Balance


Paula Schaper, LMT
Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork

                        
 

1.    I hope you don’t think I sound like a broken record.  I gave a presentation at our community center a couple weeks ago and one of the things I reminded people to be aware of, is the risk of falling.  It can happen quickly and have devastating, sometimes life–changing effects.  A person can go from living independently to needing assistance for the rest of their lives.  Let’s hope if you do fall, you are not one of those unfortunate folks.  Lessen your chances for a fall by taking a few precautions now.  If you do fall, your chances of recovering more quickly and with less damage are greater if you’ve done everything you can.

2.     Be sure any rugs you have are skid–proof.  Without  a rubber (or rubber–type) backing, you take a risk of the rug sliding out from under you if you catch a heel , toe or turn quickly.  If your rug is a family heirloom, be sure it is secured in place.  

3.    Pick up any clutter on the floor, especially around chairs and tables.  People tend to leave things where they can get to them quickly and easily, rather than putting them away.  It could be you find it harder to reach up and into higher shelves or cupboards.  Find a way to store things more accessibly but off the floor.  

4.    Is lighting adequate?  Are there dark corners or places where you live that are harder to negotiate because it is hard to discern where floor levels change?  Take the time to correct any places that need attention.  Sometimes it can be as simple as adding night-lights or keeping a small lamp on in a specific area.  Maybe providing a contrasting color or material can make it easier to see where steps are located.  If you have a problem with depth perception, contrasting material colors on counters and flooring should help.

5.    Sometimes medications interact with the body’s chemistry to create a situation where someone is dizzy or unstable.  Have your pharmacist go over your medication list and give you any advice to reduce risks.

6.    Stay in shape or get in shape!  Strengthen those muscles, practice some yoga or tai chi to maintain flexibility, balance and range of motion.  Yoga or tai chi may sound strange to you, but if you look at the moves, you will discover it is only a mastery over your muscle groups.  Most moves are simple yet do much for your body.  If you feel more confident about your ability to get where you need to go safely, you won’t be concerned about falling.  It is when you feel unstable that you begin to lose that confidence and can actually increase your risk of fall because of your hesitation.

1.     

We can get it in more than one form!  This dish is called exactly that--summer sunshine.  My mom has made it for our family since we were kids.  Talk about quick and easy--this is the one for you.  I like to remind my readers from time to time that it isn't hard to invite a few others over for dinner instead of eating alone. 

The other night I did exactly that while my mom was visiting.  My sister, my mom, and a couple friends joined us for a dinner of rotisserie chicken, salad, summer sunshine, and fresh berries.  Enjoy the pictures. 
 
                  
                      
                                          
1 Tablespoon each, olive oil and unsalted butter                  
1 Tablespoon each, olive oil and unsalted butter              
1 small onion, chopped, or sliced thinly
3 carrots, shredded
4 ears of fresh corn, removed from the cob
OR 1 pkg frozen corn
2 Tablespoons light cream
salt and pepper to taste

Heat 10-inch skillet, add oil and butter.  When hot, add onion, followed in a minute by the carrot.  Cook a few minutes and add the corn.  Cook another few minutes.  Add the cream, salt and pepper and serve!

My husband was out of town and this is what I came up with for dinner.  It was fast and easy to make, it was nutritious, and delicious! 

I bought mushroom-stuffed ravioli at Trader Joe's and added sun-dried tomatoes, some smoked red peppers (in a jar from TJ's) and fresh arugula tossed in at the last minute.  As I brought the water to a boil for the ravioli, I heated a tablespoon of olive oil and cooked a few slices of onion and sliced garlic.  I tossed in the red veggies and cooked everything for a few minutes.  After the ravioli was cooked I tossed that in, turned off the heat, and added the arugula.  I grated a little manchego cheese on top and seasoned it all with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. Dinner time!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

No, just my snowball shrub!  Isn't it beautiful?

                                            

(Money Magazine) -- Is Dad mixing up his pills? What happens the next time Mom falls?

If you have an elderly parent, chances are you've spent more than one sleepless night worrying about such things.

Sure, moving him or her to an assisted-living facility or a nursing home might help. But the average annual cost is $38,000 and $67,500, respectively, and that doesn't include the hefty emotional price: Surveys show that seniors fear nursing homes more than they do death itself.

Thankfully, the past few years have seen a boom in technical innovations that can prolong their independence and help you to be a more effective caregiver, even from afar.

They include automatic activity sensors, smart pillboxes, and communicators that share health data with you or a medical pro. These gizmos (and the monitoring services that typically come with them) can be pricey, ranging from a few hundred dollars to several thousand a year -- and neither Medicare nor most private health insurers typically cover them (though some will if they're prescribed by a doctor).

Still, because these devices can extend the time your parent is able to live safely at home, the best ones may save money and heartache in the long run, says Laurie Orlov, founder of market research firm Aging in Place Technology Watch.

"We've entered a really great new world," she says.

Navigating this new world isn't easy: There's little regulation or independent testing of many of these products. And it's hard to comparison-shop because many manufacturers don't post prices on their websites or quote them over the phone but rather direct you to salespeople.

So MONEY interviewed a dozen experts who are familiar with the latest elder-care technology -- and identified cost-effective choices for three challenges, starting with the most common.

MANAGE MEDICATIONS

The Challenge: Mixing up pills, forgetting them, or taking them at the wrong time can have dire consequences. "It's one of the primary reasons elders can no longer live alone," says Elinor Ginzler, a vice president at AARP.

The Old Fix: Those $2.99 plastic pillboxes you get at the drugstore, with a compartment for each day of the week. Many pharmacists will pre-sort meds into them. But seniors who are forgetful or have complicated drug regimens need more help, says Julie Menack, a geriatric-care manager in Oakland, Calif.

The New Fix: High-tech pillboxes that set off alarms if your parent fails to take a dose. They range from basic $17 models to $75-a-month machines that connect to a monitoring service via a phone line and send alerts if pills are missed.

Jeffrey Gornstein, the founder of comforthouse.com, a seller of household gadgets, says he's been pitched dozens of these devices, many of which have "terrible instructions or buttons that are too small."

A good pick for most people, experts say: the pie-dish-size Med-Ready 1650FL (medreadyinc.com; $218 and up, plus $16 a month).

Load prescriptions into a carousel, then program it to open internal boxes up to four times a day. Mom doesn't take a pill on schedule? The MedReady flashes and beeps. If the meds haven't been removed after 30 minutes, the device sends voice or text messages to you or another caregiver.

Since her parents got the MedReady, says Karen Ballou, 53, of Livermore, Calif., they've stopped sleeping through their scheduled pill-taking times: "It's a blessing for us as caregivers."

The Caveat: If an alarm will upset your parent, or if he or she might not swallow a pill after removing it, this isn't a good choice.

Covered by health insurance? Not by Medicare or big private insurers. Most long-term-care policies (and Medicaid in 16 states) will cover it if prescribed.

MAKE FALLS LESS DAMAGING

The Challenge: Installing grab bars and making other home modifications reduce the risk of falling but don't eliminate it. Research shows that seniors who get quick help after a tumble are about 20% less likely to need hospitalization.

The Old Fix: One of those "I've fallen and I can't get up" pendants. Many seniors are reluctant to wear the conspicuous devices because they advertise frailty. And a 2008 British study of people over the age of 90 who wore such pendants found that 80% never pushed the alert button after a fall, either because they didn't want to bother anyone or were unable to do it.

The New Fix: A wearable device that can automatically sense falls, thanks to a built-in accelerometer that measures movement and orientation. When it detects a fall, it sends an alert, typically to a monitoring service and to you. Several companies now offer such devices, which run from $30 to $60 a month, hardware included. Among them, Halo Monitoring's MyHalo (halomonitoring.com; $49 a month) was singled out for an award recently by a panel of nurses and caregiving pros assembled by a health trade publisher.

MyHalo looks like a pager and can be clipped to a belt. When it detects a fall, a base unit plugged into a phone line beeps. If your parent doesn't hit the unit's reset button, you get a voice or text message, and a Halo staffer calls your parent's home (then you if there's no answer). Can't get over there right away? Halo calls 911.

Choose this device only if you're confident your parent will wear it and keep it charged. Otherwise, says Stacey Pierce, a certified aging-in-place specialist in Charleston, S.C., you're better off installing a fall-alert system in his or her home. The latest include wireless motion-detecting sensors that can alert you if they don't pick up movement typical of your parent. For example, if Dad gets the paper and eats breakfast every morning, put sensors on the front door and the refrigerator and program the system to call or text you if they aren't opened by, say, 9 a.m.

Installing such detectors kept Karla Barham, 52, of Shreveport, La., from having to rush to her mother's apartment in a panic several times a week whenever her phone calls went unanswered. Now Barham spends her time with Mom cooking dinner or going out: "We have a much better relationship."

Top-of-the-line systems may include audio and video and run into the thousands of dollars. But you need not spend that much. Susan Estrada, an independent seller of caregiving products who has a reputation among elder-care experts for posting reliable product reviews at happyathome.me, suggests the following cost-effective system:

BeClose (beclose.com; $300 for enough hardware for a small apartment, plus $49 a month).

The Caveats: A wearable monitor is no help at times your parent doesn't have it on. Motion-detector systems work well only if you place and program them correctly -- and some parents dislike the "little daughter turning into Big Brother" aspect. (To convince them, stress that motion detectors also work as burglar alarms.)

Covered by health insurance? Usually not. But these devices are covered by some long-term-care policies (and Medicaid in 44 states) if prescribed by a health pro.

MONITOR HEALTH PROBLEMS

The Challenge: Seniors who fail to follow standard medical guidelines for chronic ailments such as diabetes and heart disease -- for example, neglecting to measure blood sugar or pressure -- get sicker and have to be hospitalized far more often than those who do.

The Old Fix: Blood-pressure gauges and other devices for home use. But there's no way to check that your parent is using them or to read results remotely.

The New Fix: "Telehealth" devices that automatically transmit data to medical pros or caregivers. A recent Department of Veterans Affairs study shows that people with chronic conditions who use the kind monitored by doctors are 20% less likely to wind up in the hospital. What's more, they're keeping more than 49,000 veterans from having to enter nursing homes, says Adam Darkins, a physician who oversees the VA's telehealth program.

One system proved effective in Medicare and VA studies: the Bosch Health Buddy (boschtelehealth.com; available only by prescription). A small video console plugs into your parent's phone line; another device -- a blood-sugar monitor, for example -- gathers data. The console reminds your parent to use the monitor and transmits the reading to his or her doctor's office. The doctor's staff keeps an eye on the info and intervenes if necessary.

"It really gives me peace of mind," says Shelley Costello, 57, of Wenatchee, Wash., whose 81-year-old mother uses the device to keep tabs on her high blood pressure.

However, most medical pros don't yet work with the Health Buddy. Your parent's doctor doesn't?

Joseph Sharit, a research professor at the University of Miami's Center on Aging, recommends this easy-to-use, reasonably priced alternative: Ideal Life (ideallifeonline.com; $200 to $450 upfront plus $8 to $50 a month). The main difference: This system doesn't automatically send health data to a doctor but to you (or someone you designate), via a smartphone alert or a website you can check.

The Caveat: Getting the data yourself won't do much good unless you know how to interpret it. Consult your parent's doctor to find what numbers are worrisome and what to do if he or she hits them.

Does Insurance Cover It? Usually, if the system is prescribed and overseen by a health pro.

Fortunately, competition to provide newer and better elder-care aids is accelerating, which promises to drive down prices, Orlov says. That's good news for older Americans -- and for caregivers who want to help their parents stay at home, worry-free, as long as possible.  

 

 

Mailing Address:
Alzheimer's Association Oregon Chapter
1650 NW Naito Pkwy
Suite 190
Portland, OR 97209
US

Contact Name: Evan Stewart
Telephone Number: (503) 416-0201

                                                                              
                                                                                 


A couple months ago, I volunteered to help with the engAGE in Community project Clackamas County has created to help the population of Clackamas County become a more age–friendly place to live.  This program encourages people to think about the physical, the service and the social environments in which they live.  As our population continues to age, will your needs be met or will you have to move somewhere else?  We will continue to hear the term “aging in place” more and more in the coming years as demographics change to reveal the older populace that will occupy a large percent of the population.  

Is there adequate transportation for people who no longer drive?  Is there adequate, affordable housing for people who wish to stay in the home they’ve known?  Are there enough services to keep someone from having to travel far for medical attention, shopping, and social encounters?  

These were just a few topics discussed.  I feel fortunate to have been included in the project as I was able to add my own insight.  I continue to believe that given the choice, most people wish to stay where they feel most at home––be it a single-family dwelling, an apartment, a retirement community, or elsewhere.  There are many ways to make that possibility a reality and we need to plan now by letting city and county officials know what we want and need.   

I think it takes some ingenuity and out–of–the–box thinking to make it happen.  It doesn’t all have to take buckets of money and lots of spending.  The first thing we need to do is gain a true understanding of what it’s like to be denied access.  Then we’ll be motivated to find the solutions to change things for all of us.  

Choose a day or an afternoon and live the life of someone with limited ability––limited physical ability––limited mobility (no driving)––limited sight and/or hearing.  Borrow a wheelchair and use it for several hours.  Give up driving on a day filled with errands and use public transportation.  Try to go somewhere and interact with local businesses after you put earplugs in your ears.  Try to simulate vision loss by smearing a pair of glasses with Vaseline or by taping a small circle of paper in the middle of each lens  or by filling in the lens with a piece of paper leaving only a small opening in the middle.  These variations simulate three types of vision impairment.  I’m not advocating you try the visual impairment exercise if you’re driving.  You may need to take a friend along to assist you with your project-–but only to keep you safe.

Take note of people’s reactions to your limitations.  Did you find it an enlightening experience?  Are they kind and patient?  Did anyone offer to help you?  How difficult was it to get around and accomplish what you needed to do?  Think about what a life change it would be if you had to make these adjustments for more than a few hours.  

I’ll bet you won’t take your ability and your good health for granted quite as much as you do now.  My experiences with clients have certainly taught me to appreciate what I can do for myself.  

Our younger generations don’t usually consider the limitations their homes and their communities would place them in if they were to be suddenly disabled.  Limitations are not only for the elderly.  Be a voice to help create the necessary changes to make it possible to live where you choose for as long as you choose.   
       

My sister and I were out and about on Friday.  I found these gorgeous lupines at one place and the stock at Trader Joe's.  Here's the bouquet I made yesterday morning.  Wish the weather was as bright as the flowers.

Enjoy!

                                                        

I took this picture on Sunday.  This peony blooms for only seven to ten days every year.  Each blossom is a work of art to me.  I've shared several with clients who are as amazed and awed as I am.  The foliage is pretty, too, so I enjoy it all summer.  I hope you're enjoying Spring! 


                                                                        

                                                                                          

                                                                                   

Did you know that hearing loss might lead to more than just the sound of silence?  More often these days, baby boomers are beginning to pay the price for all those years of listening to loud rock music.  It isn’t only loud music.  Some occupations expose employees to high levels of sound.  We live in a loud world these days.  Ever get tired of all the loud mowers and blowers outside every weekend during the summer?  The endless sound of the freeways?  The loud “background” music in so many public places?

Not being able to hear well can lead to depression and anxiety.  Hearing loss leads to isolation as it becomes too hard to communicate with others around you.  Some suffer with enough hearing loss that their responses don’t always make sense.  People have been mistakenly diagnosed with dementia when the culprit was an acute hearing loss.  

I remember telling our kids if I caught them playing their music too loud, I would schedule a hearing test with their doctor and they could pay for the office call.  Fortunately, they believed me–at least I never caught them–and I never had to invoke that particular bit of parental guidance.  .  

What can you do about your own hearing at this point in your life?  Unfortunately, you can’t do anything to correct any damage already done.  You can protect yourself from further damage by being proactive.  Ask the manager at restaurants, theaters and other public places to turn the music down.  Wear earplugs if you anticipate being around loud environmental noise.  If nothing else, cover your ears when you encounter loud sirens and other temporary noisemakers.  For more information about hearing loss and the decibel levels of loud noise, go to http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/Noise/.

It is beautiful in Oregon this time of year.  I arranged flowers and placed them a couple ways in displays.  Which do you like better?

I am putting the finishing touches on my book so I have not posted recently.  I'll do better and I'll keep you informed when my book is ready for you to read!

Meantime, enjoy the flowers.

                                              

As we do every Sunday morning, we watched Sunday Morning with Charles Osgood on CBS.  This morning had a great segment about us - the baby boomers!  I especially liked the fact it echoed what I've been writing about on my blog as well as what I'm writing in my book.  Very cool.  I know you'll find it as interesting as we did, so here is the link to today's segment .  I'd love to hear what you think after you watch it. 

I wrote you on February 17 about the 2011 Smart Home that would be featured at this year’s Home and Garden Show.  Though I found the Smart Home a disappointment regarding universal design, I did find a couple other vendors that impressed me and I’m giving you the scoop here.  

If you’re a gardener like I am, you will love The Roo - a gardening tool apron like no other.  It’s water resistant, washable and has a great big pocket that holds your harvested veggies, or your weeds, or your berries – whatever you wish.  It then opens at the bottom making it possible for you to empty it with ease.  

                                                                              

I also met Pamela Kill, a great landscape designer who owns a business called GreenGold Studio.  I liked her friendly, enthusiastic response to my comments and concerns about gardening with crunchy, creaky knees.  She’s working on an aging in place concept garden design.  I hope to work with her in the future. 


                                                 

I took the opportunity to pick early bloomers in my yard before the snow fell.  This morning, I took pictures with the snow as a backdrop.  Beautiful....

                                                 

We don't often read much about male caregivers helping their parents.  This is a great article from AARP (click on the link) I just read and I wanted to share it with you.  Have a great day and a super weekend!

For those of you who live in the Portland, Oregon area, you'll want to mark your calendar to see the 2011 Smart Home at the 2011 Portland Home & Garden show.  The show runs February 23-27 Wednesday-Friday from 11 a.m - 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. 

The show is being held at the Portland Expo Center, 2060 N. Marine Drive.

The Smart Home was designed by Paul Scardina of Paolo Design Group.  He incorporated the best green designs and universal design.  I can't wait to see it!

Here are some cookies I made for my clients yesterday - all decorated and ready to distribute. 
Such fun - who doesn't love a cookie??

                                                                               

Read this article in the most current issue of AARP online.  I love that we can do something about macular degeneration, a condition that results in loss of eyesight.  Lots of people suffer with it.  In reading the article, it would appear we can also decrease our chance of getting cataracts. 

Here's the scoop from AARP

                                                     

                                                                                                      

                                                                                   

                                          My office closet before                                             After I cleaned it

I attended a lecture today at the Wilsonville Community Center.  I got more tips on organizing and downsizing that I hadn’t thought about until today.  Our speaker was Beth Giles of Northwest Organizing Solutions.  Beth has a wonderful website that will acquaint you with all of her services.  I don’t know about you, but I like someone to lend a little moral support as I decide whether or not to keep everything I’ve ever owned.  She told us downsizing can involve more than a few emotions as we decide what to keep and what to re-purpose.  You can sign up to receive her newsletters; they offer valuable insight about organizing for a move or downsizing in general.

I was thrilled to hear her repeat what I say so often.  I feel really stressed and sometimes overwhelmed when there is lots of clutter around the house.  I begin to feel life is getting away from me.  When everything is put in its place and I can see lots of open space, I feel calmer.  I can say I even feel rejuvenated.  

When the kids were little I had a harder time getting things picked up - let’s just say there were others in the household who conspired against my well-laid plans….  It has gotten much easier now that there are only two of us at home.  I’ve been training my husband for many years now.  He has completed about 80% of his training.  I do wonder if 80% of his compliance involves the need to hear fewer of my reminders….  Of course, they’re very kind reminders….

I’ve listed a few of Beth’s motivational tips to get you started.  If you still can’t do it, give her a call.  I know she’ll have you living serenely very soon.

Downsize means to economize; rationalize.
Organize means to arrange, to make more effective.

What are the benefits of doing all of this?
1.   Save time
2.   Restore order
3.   Reduce stress
4.   Free up space
5.   Save money

First, determine the amount you need to downsize.  

Are you planning a move to smaller quarters?  Are you trying to find more storage areas?  We are not a storage area for our adult children and we don’t need to hang on to all the games and toys they once used.  What about all those crazy butter containers you’ve saved all these years – do you really need all 50 - and by the way, why can’t I ever find a lid that fits?  I think they multiply when we’re not looking.  Maybe they’re hanging out with all the socks that disappear from the dryer, never to be seen again.  

Instead of looking at the entire project, Beth says we need to break down the work into small tasks to make it more manageable and less overwhelming.

I’ve suggested to friends and clients they take a drawer or cupboard each week and organize it.  There are 52 weeks in a year.  Of course, you’ll be too busy around the holidays, but still – that’s a lot of space.  I don’t know if Beth would agree with my way of doing it.  I think she looks at the bigger picture, but if you need to start slowly, you could try one drawer a week.

Make a list of things that are most important you.

All the work you are going to do will bring you FREEDOM.  This is how Beth spells it out for us:
 
F   Focus on goals – What is important to you?  Why are you organizing or downsizing?

R   Round up – gather all like items together from all locations.

E   Evaluate – think about each item.  Do you use it?  Need it?  Love it?  What is the condition of each thing?  Does it fit the space?  Quantity:  should you add or subtract from the number of items?  What type of memories does each item have for you?

E   Edit:  Parting with your things - Determine what you want to dispose of because they aren’t in good condition or you can't use them anymore.  Sell items you wish to sell – there are many resources, EBay and Craig’s List being two resources.  Give to the community.  Could something you have that’s in good condition be useful to someone else?

D   Decide – where you’re going to store your things.  Think about the location of them, the frequency of use, and the accessibility of each item.  She gave good examples.

O   Organize and contain – contain your things.  Limit the amount of things you have, label the containers, and decide whether you are a person who needs to have open or closed containers to remind you where you’ve put items.  She said not to overfill the containers as you may want to add more things later – but don’t save too much space or you’ll find yourself back where you were with overflowing areas.

M   Maintain – Yes, you need to set aside a few minutes each day to put things away and keep things “tuned-up” so you don’t have to start over after all your hard work.  


I have to share another suggestion she had – one with lots of practicality.  Most of us have saved every
art project and gift from our children’s early years.  Beth told us she is one of 10 children.  There are now 38 grandchildren – all of whom have made their grandmother numerous gifts over the years.  Her mother kept every gift and put them in boxes.  Her solution for so many boxes?  She took pictures of each item then had the pictures made into a beautifully bound book for the coffee table.  Isn’t that great?  I’m going to do the same thing!  

If you are downsizing and moving to a smaller space, you might not have room on the walls to display all the framed photographs that once lined your long hallway.  What to do?  Beth says take a digital picture and display them in one digital frame.  Those have been popular these past few years and I think this is a great way to use one.  I’m  going to go through the many boxes of 35 mm pictures we took of the kids when they were small.  I’m going to scan them and put them in the digital frame. Think of the closet space that will open for me.

NW Organizing will have a booth at the 2011 Pacific Northwest Organizing Expo this Saturday (January 29) in Montgomery Park from 10am to 3pm.  The address is 2701 NW Vaughn St. in Portland.  Admission is free; stop by and get some advice from the experts.

 

I love to decorate and I occasionally put a few venues on my blog.  I revamp the pictures on the walls and change the accessories to reflect each season, so that means I move things around five times a year - once each season, plus Christmas.  Decorating is one of those things that keeps my mind perking along and keeps me motivated.  Write me and tell me what gives you that zest for life I’m always talking about!

Some of you enjoy seeing my holiday tabletops and have asked what I did this year.  I usually “shop” around the house for inspiration.  For Thanksgiving, I used some of the fall greenery, feathers, ceramic pumpkins, and faux pumpkins and fruit I relocated from the family room.

                                                             

A week before Christmas, I found three stems of amaryllis at Trader Joe’s on sale for $5.99.  I bought two bunches but by Christmas, I only had a few blooms left; you can see how I used them for my Christmas table setting.  I polished some small silver mint julep cups I have and put them in those.  I didn’t have a red runner, so I lined up four red placemats that I placed down the middle of the table over a white damask tablecloth.  I then sprinkled the mats with small red ornaments.  I thought it was very festive and modern!

                        

                                                                                  


I wish you all a happy, healthy 2011.  Share a hug with someone and let them know how grateful you are to have them in your life.  

I got sad news on the first day of this new year.  Another very dear client whom I’ve known for almost six years passed away quite suddenly.  She attended an early New Year’s Eve party at the retirement community where she lived.  She loved to dance and her son told me she asked the DJ to dance with her.  He was quite a good dancer and spun her around the room.  She had such a good time and floated effortlessly on the dance floor.  Everyone said she was so happy and full of life.  About an hour later, she told her private caregiver she was tired and ready to go upstairs to bed.  She took a glass of champagne to her apartment, had a sip and collapsed.  She was gone instantly.  I think that was such a lovely way to go.  Wherever she is, and knowing her, I’m sure she’s bragging to beat the band about how well she staged her final exit!

She is the seventh client I’ve had to say goodbye to in 2010.  Each person is special to me and though I hate to lose anyone, seven is too many.  In fact, I can’t recall a year when so many died.  My husband lost his father this year, too, and that yields its own sense of loss. 

It is hard to say goodbye.  Sometimes I am able to be with my clients; by being there, I hope I can help in some way.  It is a hard process for so many, yet I can’t help but notice the quiet dignity that accompanies them as they prepare to go.  Since I know them in the last chapters of their lives, I try to go to their services to get a glimpse of their earlier lives through pictures and stories.

I will miss them all and miss the honest friendship I’ve shared with them and with their families.

Here’s to a happier year – may you live well, with joy and gratitude for the things you relish in life.  Celebrate your birthdays and your milestones, surrounded by the people you love.  

For those of you who may not know, I've been writing a quarterly column for The Paper, a free publication dedicated to the seniors and boomers in the local area.  To have a look click here .

Bobby Ullman of Senior Advisory Board had this to say about clutter:  I thought it would be worth it to pass it along to you, my readers.  Good stuff!

10 Tips to Beat Clutter…in Less Than 5 Minutes.
 

It's a Secret of Adulthood: for most people, outer order contributes to inner calm. I agree, in the context of a happy life, a crowded coat closet or a messy desk shouldn't much matter. Nevertheless, I've found that getting control of clutter gives me a disproportionate boost in happiness, and other people seem to feel the same way.
Having a clutter-filled home makes me feel overwhelmed. Everywhere I look, I see little chores that should be done. No one task is particularly difficult, but together, they add up to a big headache and a big jumble. Pretty soon, it’s easier just to add to the piles than to try to attack the problem. That's another Secret of Adulthood: tidy areas tend to stay tidy, and messy areas tend to get messier.
Here are ten easy, quick tips that, if followed regularly, will help keep your clutter under control. And none of them takes more than five minutes – if that. I mostly follow these, and I'm a lot happier when I do.
1. Make your bed.
2. Get rid of the newspaper each night, even if you haven’t read it yet. Or am I the only one still reading a paper newspaper?
3. Follow the “one-minute rule” – push yourself to do any chore that takes less than one minute. Throw away the junk mail, put the peanut-butter jar back in the cabinet, close the cabinet door, put your dirty socks in the hamper, hang up your wet towel.
4. Identify a place or person to whom you can give things you no longer need – it’s much easier to get rid of unneeded stuff if you can envision someone else getting good use from them. Also, figure out a place to store those things until you hand them over. We have a special shelf for books that we’re taking to the Housing Works thrift store.
5. Be very cautious about letting yourself “store” something. Storing something means you don’t intend to use it much. Other than holiday decorations and seasonal clothes, you should strive to “store” as little as possible.
6. Beware of freebies. Never accept anything free, unless you’re thrilled with it. A mug, a tote bag, a hand-me-down toy, the lamp from your mother-in-law -- if you don’t need it, don’t take it.
7. Get rid of things if they break. When I went through our apartment, I was astonished by how many things I’d kept even though they didn’t work.
8. Don’t keep any piece of paper unless you know that you actually need it. I have a friend who, for years, carefully filed away the stubs when she paid her gas bill. “Why?” I asked, mystified. “I have no idea,” she said. Along the same lines, don’t keep anything that would quickly become dated -- like travel information. Remember the internet! If you can easily find information online, you don’t need to keep a hard copy.
9. Hang up your coat. I have a lot of trouble with this one, so now I use a hook instead of a hanger.
10. Before you go to bed, take five minutes to do an “evening tidy-up.” Don’t tackle anything ambitious, but just stack up the magazines, put your shoes away, shove the chairs into place, etc. Just a few minutes of tidying can make your house look a lot better, and it’s a calming thing to do before going to sleep. Plus it makes the morning nicer.
What are some other quick, easy tricks you've found to make your life more clutter-free? Again, I realize that this issue seems fairly trivial, but it does seem to be a source of low-grade irritation for a lot of people.

 
                                 


My mother just celebrated her 80th birthday.  We had 23 family members in attendance and it was a wonderful celebration.  It was amazing to have all the kids, grandkids, spouses, and a couple siblings together under one roof.  I decorated her cake, helped with flowers at the tables, and organized a scrapbook full of memories for her.  I feel very grateful my parents enjoy good health and can still be as independent as ever.

My mom is a realist, a matter-of-fact kind of woman.  She’s always been open and honest; you can count on her to give you an honest opinion, delivered in a thoughtful way.  It was reassuring to know that as a kid – even when she had to say something you didn’t want to hear.  I hold her opinion in high regard.  I can share anything with her and consider her, not only my mother, but one of my closest friends.

Raising four kids wasn’t easy. She was a military wife, too, and watched with tears in her eyes as Daddy left for assignments across the world that would last at least a year.  I thought she was very brave as she quietly took charge and managed to keep all of us in line, not knowing for sure when he would return.
She was there for us with snacks after school, good, home-cooked meals, and her presence at most (if not all) of our school performances.  She worked with us on our homework.  She made clothes for us, even when some of us were a little too picky….  On countless occasions, she took us to the skating rink and the swimming pool, the movie theatre, and to the park.  She also gave us a choice between watching our smart aleck mouths and tasting a bar of soap.  We didn’t have to guess how she expected us to behave.

•   She taught us to strive for good manners and good grades.  

•   She taught us honesty and integrity are important traits, and that actions speak louder than words.  

•   We were to look for dirt when cleaning, and always do our best, no matter what we were doing.  

•   She said we could never take back an unkind word no matter how sorry we were, and even though we might be forgiven, our words and actions would not be forgotten.  

•   There are consequences for everything, good and bad.  

•   If we learned from our mistakes, all would not be in vain.

•   We needed to remember to treat others like we wanted others to treat us.

•   We were not to behave in such a way that people would hate to see us coming.

•   We knew she loved each of us very much, but chose no favorites.


Happy Birthday, Momma; thanks for being an amazing woman.  I love you.

I have to share with you the beautiful bouquets I've made - everything you see is from my backyard.  I love the colors this time of year and am continuously amazed at the almost electric hue of some trees and bushes.  It makes your heart sing!

Don't forget to enjoy life - go gather and put something in a vase.  I've even been known to pick up pretty leaves in the street as I'm out for my exercise.

                                                                  

There was a long informative article in yesterday's paper about the realities of driving in old age.  I found it informative and thought you might like the link as it pertains to some of the issues I blogged about in an earlier entry.  Can't wait for that self-driving car!  Hurry up Google!  Click here to read the article in The Oregonian. 

Here it is, folks!  Did any of you see in the news that Google has been working to perfect vehicles that can drive themselves?  We won’t have to drive ourselves or commandeer a driver when we become risky behind the wheel.  Google is currently working on a project where the vehicle drives itself using artificial intelligence software.  According to the article I read, they’ve already clocked 1,000 miles without a driver though there is someone in the passenger seat who can take over should something go wrong.  They’ve totaled 140,000 miles with only a little human control.  

I know we won’t see these in the showroom any time soon, but I have great hopes we’ll see it in our lifetime.  I read somewhere recently; the day may come when it is illegal for anyone to actually drive a car!  Wow.  

The phone rings and I find myself engaged in a conversation with a fellow boomer who is grappling with decisions about the care of their aging parents.  I hear things like, “Mom gets confused taking her medicine now.”  Or, “We were out of town for a couple days and Dad reassured us he would be okay.  Dad fell.  He laid there for 20 hours because he couldn’t get up or get to the phone.”  “My sister and I live out-of-state and Mom needs to go to the doctor to have her blood pressure checked periodically.  I can’t take her as often as she needs to go.”  People look to me to help them find a solution.  I help when I can.  Sometimes, though, families need to make a decision about whether or not to consider moving their loved one out of the home.  

I’ve been doing a little research for boomers.  I don’t know if you’ve heard the term “universal design.”  “Aging in place” is another concept that has caught fire with boomers who are dealing with not only their aging parents but with the reality that they, too, will turn the same corner sooner rather than later.

Universal design is a concept where homes are built or modified with features that are suited to everyone – no matter what your age or abilities.  You can remain there for as long as you want – even if you have disabilities.  There are several websites that have information regarding this concept.  I’m guessing most people want to continue living at home rather than move to a retirement community.  They will find it less expensive to renovate or incorporate some of these designs into their present home.  The technology is already here.  Hint:  I just learned from reading online that if you are already exploring building options, look for businesses or companies that have a CAPS designation.  CAPS stands for Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist.  These are the go-to folks who can help you tailor your needs to your specific budget.  For some great information look at Baby Boomer Insights.  For all kinds of boomer insight and issues you really need to bookmark this blog by Marilynn Mobley.  I like her name, too!

Cabinets can be lowered, doorways widened, appliances reconfigured, stairs eliminated, ramps and handrails created, bathrooms modified, just to name a few.  Of course, all of this refers to the physical dwelling.  

Technologically, there are several devices out there to make life easier, too.  There are several personal emergency response systems (PERS) available that will alert caregivers when someone falls.  Some are worn as a pendant around the neck. The owner must push a button when help is needed.  The newest technology does not rely on the individual to “sound the alarm.”  These systems can tell the difference between a person lying down and an actual fall.  The SenioThe Senior List r List has a post that reviews nine of these devices .  

Smart monitors are available that learn the person’s natural movements around their home and yard and can detect a change in pattern.  If something is amiss, an alert is sent to the designated caregiver.  If Grandma doesn’t get up around her usual time in the morning, someone is alerted and she can be called or have help sent her way.  Some systems even have GPS through specified cell phones that track a senior with a busy lifestyle.  

Automated medication dispensers can be preloaded with medications by someone responsible.  If the recipient forgets a dose a call is placed to that individual first.  If there is no response, then more calls are placed down the line to whoever needs to be alerted. 

All of these devices have a monthly monitoring fee in addition to the cost of the device itself, but it would be interesting to put a pencil to it to see a comparison between these features and the monthly rent plus care points at a retirement community.

There are user-friendly computers or monitors that make it easy for loved ones to stay in touch – without the senior needing any computer experience.  Cell phones with simpler, fewer bells and whistles and larger keypads are available, too.

Did you know there is even a toilet seat that can be installed on any toilet that will make a trip to the bathroom easier?  The seat fits a standard toilet, and has a bidet-like spray of water (and a dryer on some models) that facilitate cleanup.  One’s dignity and privacy can be preserved and the need for assistance can be reduced or eliminated while hygiene is heightened.

I think all this technology is reassuring and makes me feel hopeful for the future.  Start Googling all this stuff – you’ll be amazed.  Now if we can just solve some of the biggies like a cure for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, and cancer.  We won’t live forever, but while we’re here, it will be a much more enjoyable journey for a longer time.

For those of you who haven’t gone before, do yourselves a favor and visit the Swan Island Dahlia gardens in Canby, Oregon.  The fields are in full bloom now and they are beautiful.  I often take clients here and everyone enjoys the color feast!  You can buy cut flowers, too, for $6 a bunch – what a deal! 

                                                    

                                                                                                                                                        
                                                                                                        

                                                                                   


We’ve experienced one more of life’s defining moments.  Our daughter got married.  Of course this is a very common occurrence in families.  We raise our children to be independent and to move on with their own lives.  We experience their leaving home in bits and pieces as they go off to college or to work or to live on their own.  It is always with a mixed bag of feelings, some good, some sad.  I felt the same way when we watched her marry.  She was so beautiful and her husband most handsome; we couldn’t have been more proud.  Our little girl is gone forever – realistically she has been for a long time, but this was another symbol that she is truly her own entity now.  We rejoice with her in the promise of their future, but I know we will miss that charming little girl we once sheltered.  

I haven’t written in a few weeks as it has been indescribably busy around here!  The cake was a lot of work (pictures of the fondant flowers I made in an earlier entry) but I was happy with it and with the flowers for all the bouquets.  We visited with lots of family and friends and had a great time in the preparation beforehand and then with the actual wedding.  It was a whirlwind.