Aging in place is an important topic for seniors as well as baby boomers.  Simply said, aging in place is as it sounds; it’s the ability to remain in one’s home safely, functionally, and independently as long as possible.  Baby boomers make up 28% of the US population and own 48% of all homes.  Boomers, now more than ever, are looking for ways to age in place, realizing that they may need to make changes to their current homes or move into one that will allow them to do so.  An AARP survey stated that 89% of older adults said that they wanted to stay in their current homes as they aged.

In 1997, the Mature Market Institute (MMI), MetLife’s research organization was established.  MMI has expertise in gerontology as well as conducts research to share information regarding the aging population and those caring for them.  This past November, MetLife released The MetLife Aging in Place Workbook Your Home As a Care Setting.  It is a very useful tool that

• provides information on assessing care needs
• helps determine if your home needs modifications that will allow you to age in place
• provides suggestions on areas to consider when determining if needs can be met in the home
• provides resources for family caregivers
• assess the cost of remaining at home and receiving care

The MetLife Aging in Place Workbook Your Home As a Care Setting workbook is free, click here to view it. Also, for more information about MMI, click here.

Picture Source:  LivingXL.com

Caring for your feet is very important, however, people with arthritis and or back problems may have a hard time bending to clip their toenails.  This No-bend toenail clipper may do the trick.  It has a 16” handle is rust and mildew proof.  They can be purchased online at LivingXL.com for around $90.

Picture Source:  Amazon.com

Have company coming over this weekend and need to start cleaning?  Well, here’s a good cleaning tip that will help you, your back, and your joints.  Use long handled cleaning tools when possible to reduce the amount of bending and reaching you do when cleaning.

National Aging in Place week first started in 2003 when the National Aging in Place Council designated a week in the fall for families to discuss livability issues.  Today is the first day of National Aging in Place week 2010.  So you may be asking, what’s aging in place?  Simply said, aging in place is as it sounds; it’s the ability to remain in one’s home safely, functionally, and independently as long as possible.

For the older population, aging in place may mean the difference between being able to stay and age in their homes or moving out and living with family members or at a nursing home.  The aging in place concept is great for older adults but is also beneficial for all populations.  For example, wider doorways are beneficial for people in wheelchairs but also benefit someone trying to maneuver a baby stroller in the house.  Lower light switches make turning on a light easier to someone in a wheelchair and to a child.

So, why is Aging in Place important and how can it affect you?

Everyone from baby boomers to senior citizens wants to be able to live out their golden years in the comfort and security of their own homes.  Baby boomers make up 28% of the US population and own 48% of all homes.  Boomers, now more than ever, are looking for ways to age in place realizing that they may need to make changes to their current homes or move into one that will allow them to do so.  An AARP survey stated that 89% of older adults said that they wanted to stay in their current homes as they aged.

Aging in Place incorporates the concept of universal design.  The Center for Universal Design defines universal design as the:

“design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest   extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design.”

Some features of universal design include step-less entry ways into homes, wider doorways, handrails on both sides of stairs, use of grab bars in bathrooms, and lever door handles.

So, if you want to Age in Place and think you need home modifications, who do you turn to?

There are numerous professionals that may work with individuals who desire to Age in Place.  They can include:

• Builders and contractors
• Occupational therapists (OTs)
• Physical therapists (PTs)
• Realtors
• Engineers
• Social workers
• Interior designers

To learn about aging in place events click here

Source: AARP.org and The National Association of Home Builders

The following information is brought to you by The Arthritis Foundation

The Arthritis Foundation offers an entire range of exercise programs to help you get started. You can choose from all-around gentle exercises that increase joint flexibility, range of motion and muscle strength or aquatics that allow you to exercise without putting excess strain on your joints and muscles. There are also tai chi classes designed specifically for people with arthritis and a Walk with Ease program helping you take the first step toward developing a healthy walking habit. Find out more on exercise programs in your area.

How to Move and How Much to Move

When it comes to moving, the goal is to do it on a regular basis. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that adults do a minimum of 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (brisk walking, gardening) a week or 1 hour and 15 minutes each week of vigorous aerobic physical activity (jogging, aerobic dancing). Whether your activity is moderate or vigorous, keep moving.

There are many different goals for exercise. You want to keep your weight down in order to lessen impact and pressure on joints. You also want to strengthen the muscles around certain joints. And you want to increase your range of motion. So, how do you do it all? Just make sure your workout is well-rounded!

The best way to do that is to slowly incorporate aerobic fitness, muscular fitness and flexibility into your routine.

Aerobic fitness – Getting your heart pounding and your lungs filled with oxygen rewards you with improved metabolism, a better mood, more energy, increased stamina and decreased inflammation. Try aquatics, walking, swimming and cycling.

Muscular fitness – Strength training makes your joints more stable and strong muscles keep your bones positioned properly, increasing bone density and decreasing your risk for osteoporosis and fractures. Try light resistant bands or tubing.

Flexibility – Stretching decreases daily joint stiffness, improves range of motion and minimizes muscle soreness after exercise. Try yoga and tai chi and other gentle stretches.

Remember, when beginning an exercise program, you should always consult with your doctor before starting out.

Movement Tools

Now that you know how important it is to exercise and how often you should do it, here are some tools to help you stay motivated to move.

• Set your exercise goals and get moving with the Let’s Move Together movement tracker.
• Get up and go with motivational podcasts that will psych you up to move.
• Follow along at home with exercise videos you can watch online.
  • Stay flexible with tai chi, yoga and stretching.
  • Work on muscular fitness with weight-bearing exercises.

Keep an exercise log to track your progress.

The following information is brought to you by The Arthritis Foundation

Want to fight your osteoarthritis? Get off the couch! Moving is the best medicine to fight osteoarthritis pain.

Regular, moderate exercise offers a whole host of benefits to people with arthritis. Mainly, exercise reduces joint pain and stiffness, builds strong muscle around the joints, and increases flexibility and endurance. It reduces inflammation from arthritis and related conditions and lowers the risk of other chronic conditions. It also helps promote overall health and fitness by giving you more energy, helping you sleep better, controlling your weight, decreasing depression, and giving you more self-esteem. Furthermore, exercise can help stave off other health problems such as osteoporosis and heart disease.

So, it’s obviously a no-brainer. You’ve got to move. But sometimes it’s not so easy to get started. When you’re achy and sore, the last thing you want to do is exercise.

Getting Started

Starting an exercise program can seem like a daunting proposition. The important thing to remember is to start slow and make it fun. It is always good to start with flexibility exercises, which are basically stretching exercises that will improve your range of motion and help you perform daily activities. (Watch these stretching exercise videos to get started.) Once you feel comfortable you can move on to weight training and endurance exercises such as bicycling.

Videos brought to you by Arthritis Today.

You may be reluctant to exercise because you are in such pain. If this is the case you may want to start with a water exercise program. In the water, your body’s buoyancy reduces stress on your hips, knees, and spine while building strength and increasing range of motion. There are many aquatic programs and exercises that are great for people with arthritis. Try water walking, for example. Water provides 12 times the resistance of air, so you’re getting a great workout without the wear and tear on your joints.

Join us next week as we talk about How to Move and How Much to Move

June 27^th was National HIV testing day and even though we’re past that date, it’s never too late to get tested.  So, why would a site about seniors aging in place, be talking about HIV testing?

Did you know that:

According to a 2008 report released by the CDC, the number of people aged 50 years and older living with HIV/AIDS has been increasing.  In 2005 people 50 and older accounted for

• 15% of newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS cases
• 24% of people living with HIV/AIDS
• 35% of all deaths of people with AIDS
• The incidence of HIV/AIDS among people 50 and older is 12 times greater among blacks and 5 times greater among his Hispanics

The following is information obtained from National Association of people with AIDs website.

The National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA) started National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) in 1995.  Each year, on June 27, the National Association of People With AIDS (NAPWA), in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Prevention Information Network (NPIN), and other national and local entities across the country organizes National HIV Testing Day. This unique initiative sends the message to those at risk from those already living with HIV that there are powerful reasons for learning one’s HIV status.

NAPWA was one of the first AIDS organizations to advocate that people at risk of infection should seek out voluntary HIV counseling and testing. As people living with HIV/AIDS, we knew that knowledge of HIV status was essential to making informed decisions about our lives. We took this one-step further in 1995 by launching the National HIV Testing Day campaign.

National HIV Testing Day was developed in response to the growing number of HIV infections in communities of color and other heavily impacted communities. Today, CDC estimates approximately 250,000 Americans are living with HIV but unaware of their HIV status.  NAPWA believes voluntary HIV counseling and testing is a critical first step in taking control and responsibility over one’s health. NHTD promotes our message “Take the Test, Take Control” to a demographically diverse audience and numerous communities nationwide.

Sources:  aidsinfonet.org, the CDC,
National Association of people with AIDs

Picture Source:  Administration on Aging

May is Older Americans Month—a tradition dating back to 1963 to honor the legacies and ongoing contributions of older Americans and support them as they enter the next stage in life. The Aging Suite is joining in the celebration by continuing to provide our readers with helpful information about aging in place.

This year’s Older Americans Month theme is —Age Strong! Live Long! It recognizes the diversity and vitality of today’s older Americans who span three generations.  Older Americans are now living longer and are more active than ever before.   In 2006, people 65 and older made up 12% of the US population.  In 2011, Baby Boomers will start turning 65.  It’s estimated that in 2030, the older population will be twice as large as it was in 2000, growing from 35 to 71.5 million.  For people 85 and older, the US census Bureau estimates that that population will grow from 5.3 million in 2006 to 21 million by 2050.  As the population ages, they want to do so in the comfort of their homes.  An AARP survey stated that 89% of older adults said that they wanted to stay in their current homes as they aged.

So, in the spirit of Older American month, we want to continue to provide information about health conditions, aging in place topics, tips, and tools that can help you and/or a loved one age in place.  The annual commemoration of Older Americans Month is also an opportunity to recognize the contributions of older citizens.  Contact your local Area Agency on Aging by visiting http://www.eldercare.gov or calling 1-800-677-1116 to find out what you can do to strengthen services for older Americans, this month and all year round.  Also, feel free to share information with us or highlight an important older adult in your life/community who is Aging Strong and Living Long.

Follow The Aging Suite on Twitter and fan us on Facebook

Sources:

Older Americans 2008 Key Indicators of Well-Being Administration on Aging

No matter your age, incorporating some form of exercise into your day is always  a good thing.  The benefits of exercise include helping to prevent obesity, high blood pressure, and osteoporosis.  The CDC recommends that adults between the ages of 50-64 get at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week; or 75 minutes a week of vigorous intensity aerobic activity or an equal combination of moderate and vigorous intensity aerobic activity.

As we begin this New Year, The Aging Suite would like to remind people of the importance of aging in place.  Simply said, aging in place is as it sounds; it’s the ability to remain in one’s home safely, functionally, and independently as long as possible.  While we know that everyone, for various reasons ranging from financial to health reasons, cannot do this, we believe that many of us want to and can do so with help, tools, strategies, and/or modifications to their homes.  Our mission is to help people who can stay at home safely and independently do so as long as possible by providing them with information and simple and practical tips and tools.

We’ve talked about the concept of aging in place before, but let’s take another look at why this is so important.  In 2006, people 65 and older made up 12% of the US population.  In 2011, Baby Boomers will start turning 65.  It’s estimated that in 2030, the older population will be twice as large as it was in 2000, growing from 35 to 71.5 million.  For people 85 and older, the US census Bureau estimates that that population will grow from 5.3 million in 2006 to 21 million by 2050.  The population is getting older and living longer.  Not only that, but as they age, they want to do so in the comfort of their homes.  An AARP survey stated that 89% of older adults said that they wanted to stay in their current homes as they aged.

In 2004, the leading cause of death in the US for people 65 and older was heart disease, followed by cancer, strokes, chronic respiratory disease, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes mellitus, and influenza and pneumonia.  Among these conditions, heart disease, strokes, cancer, and diabetes are considered chronic diseases and are the most common and costly health conditions.  While we all know that some of these conditions cannot be controlled, other chronic conditions can be modified and/or even prevented with behavioral interventions.  That’s where we come in.

We want to help you by providing you with information about health conditions, aging in place topics, tips, and tools that can help you and/or a loved one to age in place.  We hope that we can continue to provide you with this useful and helpful information in 2010 and we hope to learn from you as well.  Please feel free to comment and share your information, tips, and tools with us.  Follow us on Twitter and fan us on Facebook

Have a great 2010!!

Source:  Older Americans 2008 Key Indicators of Well-Being