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.

Editors Note: This week, we will be featuring part II of  guest writer, Ellen Geotz article, Senior Marketers Cannot Ignore the Internet.  Ellen  is a regular author for All Assisted Living homes.com,  a website dedicated to helping seniors and their loved ones find assisted living facilities for retirement living.  Ellen grew up on the east coast and spent 10 years working in senior homes during her 20′s and 30′s before taking a break to raise her 3 children. Now that her children are in college, Ellen uses her knowledge of senior care to help her write about all of the latest industry news.

Now that you know more about seniors’ online habits, and why they are a very valuable audience to target, there are some essential tips below you should take into account before embarking on a major marketing or advertising campaign geared towards seniors.

1) Avoid using language and imagery that would make a senior feel old, or that stereotypes their demographic as weak or incapable. Instead you should appeal to them by showing seniors engaged in social activities,  which can include interactions with friends or family. Seniors want to be independent, and want products that appeal to that desire.

2) When designing a website targeted toward Seniors, make sure and keep it simple and easy to use. Things like drop down menus or dynamic menus can be more difficult for a senior to use, as they need precision with the mouse to be accessed. Also make sure the font is not too small, and that you use enough color to make it stand out, without making it loud and busy.

3) Seniors are not afraid to pay for quality, as they have the money to spend for the right product they desire, and do not want to waste time on an inferior product. They enjoy guarantees, as they want to be confident that the product they purchase will last. This also means that if something does go wrong, a senior will expect you to provide them with excellent customer service to resolve whatever the issue may be.

4) Respect seniors, and market to them that way. No need for glitz and glamor, just present your product or service to them in an honest way. This does not mean that you cannot have fun with your marketing or advertising, but keep in mind that seniors are smart and want to be treated as an equal.

Editors Note: This week, we will be featuring a guest writer, Ellen Geotz.  Ellen  is a regular author for All Assisted Living homes.com,  a website dedicated to helping seniors and their loved ones find assisted living facilities for retirement living.  Ellen grew up on the east coast and spent 10 years working in senior homes during her 20′s and 30′s before taking a break to raise her 3 children. Now that her children are in college, Ellen uses her knowledge of senior care to help her write about all of the latest industry news.

As technology evolves, so do the ways in which marketers attract the attention of the senior demographic, to ensure that seniors aware of their product or service. Many marketing and advertising campaigns over the last couple decades have shied away from targeting seniors, as they preferred to focus on younger consumers. This is because many companies have not looked at seniors as a demographic that has enough disposable personal income to spend, when in fact, many seniors have more disposable personal income than younger demographics. Recently though, many marketers have embraced the senior demographic, and currently conduct a variety of offline promotions to grab their attention. However not many are truly diving into the online space to reach seniors. Anyone marketing to the senior demographic, can no longer afford to ignore the Internet as a channel, as the number of seniors actively using the Internet has increased dramatically over the last 5 years. In November 2004 there were only 11.3 million active seniors online as reported by Nielsen, but as of November 2009 the number had risen to 17.5 million seniors. Women are leading the way for seniors, as more of them have jumped online to become regular Internet users over the past 5 years.

Additionally, seniors are spending more time online, as Nielsen data shows that they went from roughly 52 hours per month in November 2004 to a bit more than 58 hours in 2009. What is more interesting, is where seniors are spending their time when they go online, and what activities they are doing. The clear leader in online activities for seniors was checking and using their personal email account, followed up by viewing or printing maps, and checking weather. This does not mean that seniors are not spending money online, as the 4th most visited site by people over the age of 65 in November 2009 was Amazon.com as reported by Nielsen. Ahead of visiting Amazon.com, seniors also like to use Google to search, Windows Media Player to watch videos, and Facebook to stay in touch with friends and family. Facebook is not the only social network where seniors have a profile, as eMarketer data from May 2009 shows many seniors also have a presence on MySpace and Twitter.

Visit us next week for part II of  Senior Marketers Cannot Ignore the Internet

Last Thursday was Fall Prevention Awareness Day.  This week we continue in our 2 part series on fall prevention and discuss the prevalence of falls among men and women.

Did you know that among the elderly population, falls occur more often among women who have one or more medical condition and live alone?  They are also typically taking more than one medication, which may increase the likelihood of dizziness and fainting among the group.  Risk factors for falls can be categorized in 2 ways:  those that occur inside the body, and those that occur in the environment.  Issues that occur within the body can include:

• arthritis
• muscle weakness
• hearing and vision impairments
• high/low blood pressure
• balance and postural deficits
• dizziness

Issues that are due to environmental factors can include:

• home safety hazards
• poor lighting
• loose fitting clothing
• cluttered walking paths
• placing items on stairs

In their April 2004 report, The Center for Health and Long Term Care Research, stated that research indicates that a “multidisciplinary” approach to fall prevention and risk management demonstrated the best results.  This means addressing issues that occur within the body as well as environmental factors.  This multidisciplinary approach includes a risk assessment either completed by a professional or the individual, a thorough medical evaluation by the individual’s physician and follow up interventions.

Source:  The American Geriatric Society (AGS) Fall Prevention Panel

This week’s tip of the week is actually an informative website, Eldercare Cafe. This website provides information to caregivers, family members, and friends who are involved in elder care or who want to know more about the aging process. They discuss a wide range of topics related to aging.  Previous topics have included dental care for seniors and depression in seniors.

Fall is just around the corner.  When you think of fall, you may think of the leaves changing, cooler weather, and hay rides, but this year also think about fall prevention.  Fall Prevention Awareness Day is September 23, 2010, the first day of fall.  This year 34 states are participating Falls Prevention Awareness Day.  The day is intended to promote and increase public awareness of reducing and preventing falls in older adults.  To continue to do our part in fall awareness and prevention in older adults, The Aging Suite will be featuring a two part series discuss important fall prevention information.

It’s estimated that 77% of falls occur in the home, with people tripping over items and falling on the stairs as being the top two causes of falls.  An April 2004 report by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Disability, Aging and Long Term Care Policy, and ABT Associates, Inc, stated that falls are the leading cause of injury deaths in adults 65 and older.

Falls can result in injuries such as rib, hip and wrist fractures, decreased independence with everyday activities, fear of getting around one’s home, and even having to live outside the home with relatives or in a nursing home.    There are however, some simple things you can do to decrease the likelihood of falls in your home.  Some of these things include:

• Having a health care professional check your medications
• Assessing your home for safety risks
• Getting your vision checked annually
• Exercising regularly to maintain agility

For more information on aging, check out the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) website, www.cdc.gov

To read the April 2004 report by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Disability, Aging and Long Term Care Policy, and ABT Associates, Inc, check out this link

Editors Note: This week, we will be featuring a guest writer, Alexis Bonari.  Alexis is a freelance writer and blog junkie. She is a passionate blogger on the topic of education and writes for College Scholarships.org.  In her spare time, she enjoys square-foot gardening, swimming, and avoiding her laptop.

As we age, it becomes less and less convenient to keep up with increasingly complex technological advances.  For some, it can feel like technology jumps five steps ahead in the time it takes to learn how to use one new product. Continuing to embrace technology as we age, however, has a few advantages.

1. It keeps us connected.

Aging doesn’t have to equal isolation.  Everyone is connecting to lost friends, family, and even love interests using social networking sites and other online media.  Taking advantage of the resources the Internet has to offer allows seniors to share their wisdom, make new friends, explore hobbies, and reconnect with old classmates and family members.  All this can be accomplished without leaving your house.

2. It’s good for your mind.

Learning to use technology is a challenge because it requires the user to learn a new way of thinking. Young people easily make use of cell phones, laptops, readers, and other devices because they’re familiar with the general principles that dictate their operation.  Taking the initiative to learn this new way of thinking and organization will keep your mind sharp.  In the past, seniors relied upon activities like reading or crossword puzzles for the same purpose.

3. It makes everyday tasks easier.

Learn how to use an e-reader and you have a whole library at your fingertips.  There’s even an option to increase the font size if the text appears too small.  Learn how to use a smart phone and you can be connected instantly to anyone in the world.  Technology can make everyday tasks more enjoyable and, more importantly, easier.

The ability to age in place is important to both baby boomers and seniors.  Key to aging in place is the ability to age safely and comfortably in one’s home.  Sometimes however, falls can prevent safely aging in place.

Tripping over items and falling on the stairs are the top two causes of falls in the home.  Also, as we age, we can develop arthritis and other conditions that make going up and down stairs more challenging.  This was the case for Karl Schwengel, a 79 year old retired business manager who lived in a two-story Capitol Hill townhouse.   As Karl got older, his health declined, resulting in difficulty getting up and down the 17 steps in his townhouse.  So two years ago, Karl decided to get a stair lift installed.

A survey by the National Association of Home Builders states that 79 percent of buyers 55 and older would prefer a one-story home.   However, census numbers indicate that most of the country’s homes are two or more stories.  So having to use stairs to access the home is common.  For some people in a two-story home, modifications can be made so that all necessities are on the main level.  However, this may not be an option for many people; in these cases people may have to consider the use of a stair lift or an elevator.

A stair lift that goes up one flight of stairs can cost anywhere between $3,000 to $10, 000 depending on if it’s a straight lift or if it has turns or needs further customization.  The plus to the lift is that it can be fairly reasonable to install. On the negative side,  some people consider stair lifts unattractive.  On the other hand, an elevator in the home can be more discrete but also more costly (a 3 stop elevator can cost between $20,000-$25,000).

If someone wants to age in their current home, planning ahead while you’re healthy is a crucial step in aging in place.  If you do have a two-or three story home, think ahead to what you may need to do to your home if you can’t access all floors.  Would a stair lift work for you, an elevator, or can you make modifications to the main level of your home that would allow you to live comfortably on that level if you had to?

Source:  The Washington Post

Picture Source:  ABCNews.com

Being active is an important part of aging and aging in place. Exercising improves health, strength, and reduces the likelihood of falls.  Case in point, Ernestine Shepherd, a 73 year old grandmother, who would give anyone half her age a run for their money.  Ernestine has been exercising for years and is a certified personal trainer.  She is also in the Guinness Book of World Records’ for being the oldest female bodybuilder.  She bench presses 150 pounds and runs about 80 miles a week.  All this while being 73 years young!

Ernestine wasn’t always active.  She says that 20 years ago, she never exercised. At 56 Ernestine decided to change her body when she was trying on bathing suites in a dressing room with her sister, Mildred. After that experience, she and Mildred decided to train to become the oldest living fitness competitors in the world.  They took aerobic classes and later a trainer suggested weight lifting.  Sadly, a little over a year into their training, Mildred died in 1992 of a brain aneurysm. After Mildred’s death, Ernestine stopped exercising, staying at home and suffering frompanic attacks and high blood pressure.  A friend encouraged her to leave her home and she started working out again, this time to keep her promise to her sister.

To date, Ernestine has completed 8 marathons and also wants to compete in the New York and Boston races.  So, don’t be surprised if she beats you to the finish line.  What a great role model and example of how anyone can change their life at any age.  Go Ernestine, go!

Source:  ABCNews.com

Picture Source:  Tornado Body Dryer

After Shower Safety and Privacy

Finished showering? Individuals with arthritis pain, balancing issues, or limited mobility and dexterity find it a challenge to towel dry. Contorting to reach their back and legs is frustrating, painful and a safety hazard.  Those who submit to assistance, suffer the loss of privacy and dignity.

Don’t reach for a towel or ask for an assistant. Instead, stay in your warm shower and simply activate the Tornado Body Dryer to be wrapped in a blanket of soothing, swirling, warm air that gently and completely dries you from head to toe.

– Also great for those with ultra-sensitive skin –

Benefits

*Dry the hard-to-reach areas   * Reduce chance of falling   * No more damp/smelly towels

* Reduce condensation & mildew   * Green: 70% less energy compared to towel usage * Safe to use with a wheelchair

* See www.tornadobodydryer.com FAQ’s for more info!

It  typically costs between $2 and $3,000 to buy and install a body dryer