Q – I’m a professional caregiver for a senior with alzheimers, and I can’t help but notice the new elder care technologies that are constantly being mentioned in the media these days. The most recent one that I’ve seen is the Memo, an assistive robot for seniors with Alzheimer’s. I love my job, and have no intention of retiring anytime soon; but I just can’t help but worry that over the next decade or two I might be without a job because of these innovative technologies.
A – In my opinion, robots will never be able to replace people entirely, because of that personal touch we have that allows us to really deliver something special to the people that we care for. That being said, the Memo robot for seniors with Alzheimer’s, seems like it can do a lot and could likely be a reliable way for seniors to take some respite, while knowing their loved one is in good hands. This particular device delivers medication reminders, helps seniors find things that they’ve misplaced, and even provides companionship by playing games and engaging seniors socially. Some people may choose to use robotic technology on a permanent basis for a caregiver, but there will always be those that prefer the human interaction!
Not all sports are accommodating to seniors who are no longer in the same shape they were when they were 20. With this in mind, baby boomers and seniors have been establishing their own games that still offer a level of physical activity, and a fun experience that’s accessible to people of all ages. Pickleball is the latest trend; it’s a game that’s been played in community centers and senior centers across the US. The new senior sport uses a paddle, similar to ping pong, and a wiffle ball; the court is similar to that used for tennis but is smaller in size. Here are the basic rules of pickleball for other seniors who want to give it a try!
1. Serve – like in tennis, the serve comes first! Players start at the right of the court and then switch sides each time it’s their turn to serve
2. What makes a good serve – the serve has to make it diagonally across the court, and also land past the volley line.
3. The volley – like in tennis or ping pong, if the serve is good both players volley (hit) the ball back and forth over the net until one player makes the ball hit the net or puts it out of bounds
4. How to score a point – only the serving player can score a point, and to win the game players must have 11 points and have a lead of at least 2 points
Not all seniors feel as though with age comes wisdom, but after years of life, seniors can share their experience and wisdom in the communities that they live in and give something back. Since finding volunteer opportunities can be a challenge, the Minnesota Senior Corps was created to help connect seniors with rewarding chances to give back in their communities; there are even branches of the organization that operate in 50 states.
The Minnesota Senior Corps is always looking for new volunteers who want to participate in the Foster Grandparents Program where seniors work with children who have special needs, helping them by acting as tutors or mentors or strictly providing companionship; or the Senior Companionship program where older adults help others with tasks of daily living that are too challenging due to physical limitations or other health issues. The Retired Senior and Volunteer Program also works to place older adults in volunteer positions that match their interests and the time commitment they can make; with opportunities in hospitals, schools and police stations.
Seniors don’t need to be little and frail like the stereotypes dictate; they can be strong and empowered so they can physically defend themselves in the time of a crisis. Some seniors are already beginning to take control, not allowing themselves to be victims while defending themselves against robbers, muggers and ferocious animals. Take a page from their book and empower yourself with creative self defense tips:
1. Use what you have – a form of martial arts using canes has become popular and even if seniors don’t have specific training (which will be available across the US in nursing homes and senior centers) they can use their cane in self-defense
2. Remain fit – physically strong seniors have a better chance of fending off attackers, so all older adults should work out with cardiovascular activity, weight training, balance and flexibility activities
3. Take regular self-defense classes – knowing the points to hit on an attacker are crucial for surviving an attack. Self defense classes can teach these areas and also help seniors make sure that they remain safe and free from injury even when defending themselves.
The senior care industry has grown leaps and bounds, and it won’t be too long until technological innovations like robots will be able to keep seniors in their homes for longer periods of time by filling in the gaps of what they can’t accomplish on their own.
Here are some great innovations that can change the senior care industry as we know it:
1. Human washing machine – made by the Sanyo Electric Company, it’s a clamshell-shaped assisted care bath. It releases body wash and shampoo, and creates suds to make the wash process happen automatically
2. Robot mobility suit – currently In the planning stages, this pant-shaped innovation will have the goal of helping immobile seniors get around without assistance
3. The Wakamaru device – this is a mobile speaking robot that’s 3-foot high that can help caregivers who also work out of the home to keep an eye on their loved ones at home
4. Cleaning robots – these might still be a ways off, but robots and other technological devices can help with housework and chores that make it challenging for seniors to live at home and keep up with the responsibilities
5. Transferring robots – since some seniors struggle with getting in and out of bed, or in and out of the tub, Japan has created a prototype robot that services this exact purpose
Following in the wake of the Minnesota Senior Federation which gave seniors a voice, a new advocacy organization called Mature Voices Minnesota is filing incorporation papers so that they can begin representing local seniors to the Legislature. It plans to address some of the big issues that concern today’s seniors, like universal health care, Medicare, drug costs, housing, property taxes, transportation and long-term care.
Unlike its predecessor, Mature Voices Minnesota, it’s not going to be so focused on membership and services; it will be more flexible, and will not ask for dues from those seniors in need of support. Contributions and grants will be relied upon to fund the organization, and they pride themselves, even before their launch on having no age restrictions or formal memberships; so the support and advocacy is available to everyone. The focus here is upon truly giving a voice to senior issues, whether they’re brought up by young grandchildren or seniors suffering through inadequate living stands in long-term care homes.
Unlike previous organization, a major focus of Mature Voices Minnesota will be upon addressing issues that the aging baby boomer population will face as their senior years approach; so the focus won’t be limited to those that are seniors today, it will secure a place for them in the future.
Stay tuned Minnesota Seniors, because as soon as this organization launches, they’ll be ready to listen and give you a voice.
One of the most frustrating things is being tired and unable to sleep, and this is a reality that many seniors deal with throughout older adulthood. Instead of taking pills which seniors can quickly develop a tolerance to, some are suggesting that seniors give guided imagery a try to help them relax, distress, and figuratively travel away from the realities of life. Here are some tips for trying guided imagery at home that can help provide for a good night’s sleep!
1. Get comfortable: either lie down, recline in a chair or sit up cross-legged; whichever way you can feel the most comfortable and relaxed
2. Practice deep breathing – take deep breaths right from the diaphragm and just focus on the breath
3. Start to envision yourself somewhere relaxing – picture yourself doing something that relaxes you most, like lying on a beach, floating in a pool of water, having a hot bath with a glass of wine, or sitting by a cozy fire with a great book
4. Involve all of your senses – when picturing your surroundings, use all of your senses; think about how your surroundings smell, look and feel
5. Let yourself relax – once you’re away from the stress of reality, allow yourself to stay there as long as you’d like. Once you’re ready to go back to the real world, count back from 10 and either tell yourself it’s time to wake up, or allow yourself to sleep into a deep sleep if you’re trying guided imagery for insomnia
The state of Minnesota has been working to lower health care costs by exposing them. More often than not, health care decisions are made based on convenience since those in need of treatment or medical attention just don’t have the access to the resources that they need to shop around. It just seems natural to visit a specialist for a test at the closest hospital, but if seniors knew that they could save money (potentially hundreds or thousands of dollars) by venturing a little further from home for a more routine procedure like a colonoscopy, it would probably be worthwhile. And, once seniors are choosing to receive medical care where the services are offered with a lower price tag based on the information that’s available to them, price tags will be driven down.
This is Minnesota’s plan to lower statewide healthcare costs, and from this came the announcement that a web comparison tool would be available to residents, allowing them to compare insurance charges for common medical procedures at hospitals and clinics through the state. Currently, 103 common medical procedures are outlined for comparison with 110 providers around the state. Since the prices included on the web tool are what insurance providers pay for the services, they can’t be used as an exact rate estimate for seniors browsing the costs for medical procedures, but it can give them a basic idea of where the best price is offered.
Tell us, with access to pricing information for medical procedures, would you shop around or stick close to home for the convenience?
Gardening is a great pastime enjoyed by people of all ages, but it is a hobby that often older adults take on during retirement once they have more time to really nurture the items that they’ve planted and enjoy the experience. The benefits of gardening can affect the overall health in Minnesota seniors in the following ways:
1. Exercise – gardening is a low impact cardiovascular workout that has benefits to the heart. More strenuous gardening, like hauling rocks can equate to 600 calories an hour, but lighter activities have their benefits too! Gardening is said to work all the major muscle groups and can increase flexibility, balance and strength.
2. Nutrition – if you plant a garden with fresh fruits and vegetables, you will take pride in what you created and will be more likely to maintain a healthy well-balanced diet with your produce straight from the garden, which once planted, is also budget friendly!
3. Stress reduction – gardening helps reduce stress, even just from allowing you to be out in nature. The colors and smells are stimulating and stress relieving, and the activities can help you take your mind off of the things that are on your mind. Horticulture therapy is a common practice, and it can even help those who are sick recover faster!
National Grandparents’ Day is on September 13th, so if you haven’t already started thinking about what to get your Grandma or Grandpa to help celebrate this special occasion and show them how much you care, you’d better hit the Minnesota stores and start shopping or come up with some crafty gift ideas. It can be hard to know what to give a grandparent who seemingly has everything they need, and while grandparents love virtually anything that comes from a grandchild, coming up with ideas is still a challenge so here are some for this year’s Grandparents’ Day:
1. Framed photo of grandchildren – put a nice photo of the grandchildren or great grandchildren into a frame, or purchase a collage frame and display photos of the whole family so seniors constantly have memories of those that mean the most to them
2. Something handmade – grandparents will appreciate anything handmade by their grandchildren or great grandchildren. Whether it’s a picture drawn in crayon, a painted ceramic knick-knack, or a homemade card, your grandparents will appreciate the effort!
3. A gift with personalized message – take advantage of the custom products available at many photo centers – make them a blanket with an inspirational message, or a shopping bag with a photo or handprints of the grandchildren or great grandchildren
4. Things that can make life easier – it doesn’t have to be a big ticket item, but gadgets or other home items that can make Grandma or Grandpa’s life easier will always be appreciated. Buy a rack that they can hang their keys, a special memo pad or some other neat gadget for seniors
5. A book to share – for those with young grandchildren or great grandchildren, buy a book that they can read together, like an anthology of fairy tales. It creates an opportunity to bond, and that’s the best part!
This Grandparents’ Day, don’t just rely upon gifts to tell your loved ones how much you appreciate them; make sure that you give them your time too!
Q – I’m a professional caregiver for a senior with alzheimers, and I can’t help but notice the new elder care technologies that are constantly being mentioned in the media these days. The most recent one that I’ve seen is the Memo, an assistive robot for seniors with Alzheimer’s. I love my job, and have no intention of retiring anytime soon; but I just can’t help but worry that over the next decade or two I might be without a job because of these innovative technologies.
