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Dementia Rates Decline Sharply Among Senior Citizens

11/30/2016

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A new study finds that the prevalence of dementia has fallen sharply in recent years, most likely as a result of Americans’ rising educational levels and better heart health, which are both closely related to brain health.

Dementia rates in people over age 65 fell from 11.6 percent in 2000 to 8.8 percent in 2012, a decline of 24 percent, according to a study of more than 21,000 people across the country published Monday in JAMA Internal Medicine.

“It’s definitely good news,” said Dr. Kenneth Langa, a professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan and a coauthor of the new study. “Even without a cure for Alzheimer’s disease or a new medication, there are things that we can do socially and medically and behaviorally that can significantly reduce the risk.”

The decline in dementia rates translates to about one million fewer Americans suffering from the condition, said John Haaga, director of behavioral and social research at the National Institute on Aging, part of the National Institutes of Health, which funded the new study.

Dementia is a general term for a loss of memory or other mental abilities that’s severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s disease, which is believed to be caused by a buildup of plaques and tangles in the brain, is the most common type of dementia. Vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia and occurs after a stroke.

The new research confirms the results of several other studies that also have found steady declines in dementia rates in the United States and Europe. The new research provides some of the strongest evidence yet for a decline in dementia rates because of its broad scope and diverse ranges of incomes and ethnic groups, Haaga said. The average age of participants in the study, called the Health and Retirement Study, was 75.

The study, which began in 1992, focuses on people over age 50, collecting data every two years. Researchers conduct detailed interviews with participants about their health, income, cognitive ability and life circumstances. The interviews also include physical tests, body measurements and blood and saliva samples.

While advocates for people with dementia welcomed the news, they noted that Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of memory loss remain a serious burden for the nation and the world.  Up to five million Americans today suffer from dementia, a number that is expected to triple by 2050, as people live longer and the elderly population increases.

The number of Americans over age 65 is expected to nearly double by 2050, reaching 84 million, according to the U.S. Census. So even if the percentage of elderly people who develop dementia is smaller than previously estimated, the total number of Americans suffering from the condition will continue to increase, said Keith Fargo, director of scientific programs and outreach, medical and scientific relations at the Alzheimer’s Association.

“Alzheimer’s is going to remain the public health crisis of our time, even with modestly reduced rates,” Fargo said.

Although researchers can’t definitively explain why dementia rates are decreasing, Langa said doctors may be doing a better job controlling high blood pressure and diabetes, which can both boost the risk of age-related memory problems. High blood pressure and diabetes both increase the risk of strokes, which kill brain cells, increasing the risk of vascular dementia.

“We’ve been saying now for several years that what’s good for your heart is good for your head,” Fargo said. “There are several things you can do to reduce your risk for dementia.”
Authors of the study found that senior citizens today are better educated than even half a generation ago. The population studied in 2012 stayed in school 13 years, while the seniors studied in 2000 had about 12 years of education, according to the study.

That’s significant, because many studies have found a strong link between higher educational levels and lower risk of disease, including dementia, Lang said. The reasons are likely to be complex. People with more education tend to earn more money and have better access to health care. They’re less likely to smoke, more likely to exercise and less likely to be overweight. People with more education also may live in safer neighborhoods and have less stress.

People who are better educated may have more intellectually stimulating jobs and hobbies that help exercise their brains, Lang said.

It’s also possible that people with more education can better compensate for memory problems as they age, finding ways to work around their impairments, according to an accompanying editorial by Ozioma Okonkwo and Dr. Sanjay Asthana of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.

Yet Americans shouldn’t expect dementia rates to continue falling indefinitely, Haaga said.

Although educational levels increased sharply after the World War II, those gains have leveled off, Haaga said. People in their 20s today are no more likely to have graduated from college compared to people in their 60s.

“We have widening inequality in health outcomes in the U.S.,” Haaga said. “For people without much education, we’ve had very little improvement in health. The benefits really have gone to those with better educations.”

KHN’s coverage related to aging & improving care of older adults is supported by The John A. Hartford Foundation, and coverage of end-of-life and serious illness issues is supported by The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
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New drug limits and then repairs brain damage in stroke

11/28/2016

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Researchers at The University of Manchester have discovered that a potential new drug reduces the number of brain cells destroyed by stroke and then helps to repair the damage.

A reduction in blood flow to the brain caused by stroke is a major cause of death and disability, and there are few effective treatments.

A team of scientists at The University of Manchester has now found that a potential new stroke drug not only works in rodents by limiting the death of existing brain cells but also by promoting the birth of new neurons (so-called neurogenesis).

This finding provides further support for the development of this anti-inflammatory drug, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra in short), as a new treatment for stroke. The drug is already licensed for use in humans for some conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis. Several early stage clinical trials in stroke with IL-1Ra have already been completed in Manchester, though it is not yet licensed for this condition.

In the research, published in the biomedical journal Brain, Behavior and Immunity, the researchers show that in rodents with a stroke there is not only reduced brain damage early on after the stroke, but several days later increased numbers of new neurons, when treated with the anti-inflammatory drug IL-1Ra.

Previous attempts to find a drug to prevent brain damage after stroke have proved unsuccessful and this new research offers the possibility of a new treatment.

Importantly, the use of IL-1Ra might be better than other failed drugs in stroke as it not only limits the initial damage to brain cells, but also helps the brain repair itself long-term through the generation of new brain cells.

These new cells are thought to help restore function to areas of the brain damaged by the stroke. Earlier work by the same group showed that treatment with IL-1Ra does indeed help rodents regain motor skills that were initially lost after a stroke. Early stage clinical trials in stroke patients also suggest that IL-1Ra could be beneficial.
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The current research is led by Professor Stuart Allan, who commented: "The results lend further strong support to the use of IL-1Ra in the treatment of stroke, however further large trials are necessary."

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Reducing Loneliness in Elders around the Holidays

11/23/2016

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BY CAROL BRADLEY BURSACK
It's very human to feel that holidays should be happy times, with generations of traditions coming to the forefront. After all, we say we celebrate holidays. Doesn't that mean happiness? The reality, however, is that many people can feel isolated and lonely during this sometimes forced "season of good will."

Elders can have an especially hard time with the holiday season. While aging and maturity can bring the wisdom of years for many people, there are inevitable losses that come to even the most healthy individuals. Many of these losses are emotional and social in nature. Spouses become ill or die. Other aging relatives and friends become seriously ill, or die. Neighborhoods change, often leaving even those well enough to remain in their own homes feeling friendless and isolated. The holidays can bring this isolation and a feeling of loneliness to a head.

You, the adult child of a parent who may seem depressed during the holidays, can do much to help. Yes, you are busy and stressed yourself. However, by simplifying the holiday season all around and concentrating on what really matters – people – you can offer your parent help through what can be, for some, a time of discouragement.

12 Tips to enhance your elders' holidays
  1. Listen and understand when they want to talk, even if the talk is negative. They are likely mourning many of the losses mentioned above. Don't imply they are whining or that they should snap out of it. They can't. Your empathy is vital here. Try to put yourself into their place.
  2. Remind them how important they are as a part of your own celebration and that of the entire family. Be especially careful not to act like what you do for them is a duty. This can be tough, as your tired body language can show through. However, again, put yourself in their place. They may feel useless and burdensome. Remind them they are loved.
  3. Holiday cards often bring bad news, and diminish in quantity. I used to sit with my mom when she opened her cards, because nine out of ten cards brought news of illness or death. She was very aware, too, of the people she didn't hear from. That was one reason I helped her write her own cards. She needed this connection with life-long friends.
  4. Help them see that you are trying to simplify the holidays in order to bring back the real meaning of our celebrations. Let them know you are trying to ignore the hype that has increased over the years. Remind them that they taught you that it's people who count, and thank them for that.
  5. If your parent is in an assisted living facility or nursing home, check with the local kindergarten or day care centers to see if they can bring children to visit the elders. The freshness of the small children's presence can help lighten a day for an elder in physical or emotional pain.
  6. If your elders' are in a facility, help the facility find programs featuring children. If possible, take the elders out to school programs, especially if they feature grandchildren.
  7. Check with your parents' spiritual home. Visitors, such as those in the Stephen Ministry, which is a program many Christian churches offer, can visit your parent or parents at home or in a facility. These people undergo considerable training that provides them with tools to listen compassionately and creatively. This can go a long way toward helping with depression over the holidays.
  8. Decorate their home or room in stages, presenting cherished ornaments for Christmas or a menorah for Chanukah at intervals so there is something to look forward to. By the way, electric menorahs are available if your parents live in a facility where real flames can't be used. Check with their rabbi for help.
  9. Bring traditional baked goods or treats regularly for your elders and their friends to share.
  10. Call your elders' friends and see if they can come to a party. One year, I was able to use a small conference room at the nursing home for a New Year's Eve party for my parents and their friends.
  11. Make their dinner table special. Whether your parents are at home or in a facility, try to make the table festive with some appropriate colors and themes.
  12. Spend time with them. This is the most important thing you can do. Look at holiday photos or videos with them and leave them photos in a handy place so they can walk down memory lane when they are alone. Play music. Listen to them reminisce.
Your time is precious to you. You likely have a spouse, children and others who need you. However, your time is the most valuable gift you can give your elders during this holiday. Do what you can without stressing yourself beyond your limits. Your being somewhat relaxed is also important to your elders. Remember that you won't reach perfection and you won't please everyone all of the time. Your best efforts will be good enough.
 

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Dementia rates falling in the U.S.

11/21/2016

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Dementia is a generic term for a range of neurological disorders affecting millions of Americans every year. As the disease is more common in older age and the aging population is expected to increase in most countries, dementia has been predicted to increase exponentially. However, new research reports a decline in the prevalence of dementia in the United States.

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a variety of conditions and symptoms that occur when nerve cells die or no longer function properly. The malfunctioning of these neurons leads to memory loss, impaired reasoning and cognition, and sometimes personality changes.

Patients are diagnosed with the disorder when such impairment becomes severe and interferes with a person's ability to carry out daily tasks. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for 60-80 percent of cases.

Ultimately, Alzheimer's disease is fatal, ranking as the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S.

According to the Alzheimer's Association, 1 in 3 American seniors die with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia.

It is estimated that 5.2 million Americans aged 65 or over live with Alzheimer's, and the numbers are expected to escalate. As the so-called baby boom generation has started to reach age 65 and over, by 2050, the number of seniors with Alzheimer's disease is expected to triple to a staggering 13.8 million.

The rapidly expanding nature of dementia has earned its nickname as "The Silent Epidemic."

However, some recent studies have suggested that the risk of developing dementia may have declined in the past 25 years, particularly in high-income countries. New research seems to support this optimistic view.


Has the risk of developing dementia decreased over the years?

At least three European studies have suggested dementia risk may be decreasing in older adults, with authors hypothesizing that the change is due to changes in education, decline in vascular risk factors, and overall decrease in stroke incidence.

In the U.S., one study noted a 20 percent decrease in dementia per decade between 1977-2008, but only in adults with at least a high school education.

New research compares the prevalence of dementia in the U.S. in 2000 and 2012.

The new study was led by Dr. Kenneth M. Langa, Ph.D., of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. The results were published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine.

Researchers used data from a large, nationally representative group of American adults who participated in the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). In total, the study looked at over 21,000 adults aged 65 and over. The HRS gathered data from 10,546 adults in 2000 and from 10,511 adults in 2012.

The HRS used cognitive measures and appropriate methods for classifying answers self-reported by the participants themselves or by a designated proxy.

Participants in the HRS had an average of 75 years in 2000 and 74.8 years in 2012. Of the cohort studied in 2000, 58.4 percent were female, compared with 56.3 percent in 2012.

The analysis used logistic regression to identify and account for socioeconomic and health variables.


Study finds significant fall in dementia in U.S.

The new study supports previous studies suggesting dementia rates may be dropping.

The analysis found that dementia prevalence among participants aged 65 and older decreased from 11.6 percent in 2000 to 8.8 percent in 2012.

This corresponds to an absolute decrease of 2.8 percent and a relative decrease of 24 percent.

Researchers also found an inverse association between time spent in education and the risk of developing dementia.
More years of education was correlated with a lower risk of dementia, with adults in the 2012 group having, on average, 1 more year of education, compared with adults in the 2000 group.

The average number of years spent in education increased from 11.8 years in 2000 to 12.7 years in 2012.

Education may have influenced the declining trend in dementia either by having a direct effect on the brain, improving brain power and cognitive function, or indirectly, through an association with positive health behavior, such as exercising or having a healthy diet.

Education may also be associated with more cognitively complex activities and better access to health care, the authors note.

The decrease in dementia prevalence occurred despite the increases in cardiovascular disease risk factors, such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. Researchers suggest improvements in treatments for cardiovascular risk factors may have had a positive effect on dementia risk.
 
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6 Simple Ways For Older People To Deal With Chronic Pain

11/18/2016

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Chronic pain is an unfortunate reality for many elderly people. As we age, our bodies become more fragile. Osteoarthritic, musculoskeletal, neuropathic, and chronic joint pain are all common and difficult to treat.
These issues make everyday activities incredibly challenging, often causing sufferers to withdraw into a sedentary lifestyle. While these issues cannot be completely cured, taking steps deal with chronic pain can slow the aging process and prevent these health issues from getting worse.
The guidelines below are six simple no-brainer steps that will help any senior citizen deal with chronic pain easily.
1. Maintaining an Active Lifestyle
Living a sedentary lifestyle is one of the primary causes of chronic pain. Our bodies need to stay in motion to keep fit. Simple tasks like getting up from a chair or walking around can become incredibly challenging, as our muscles can degrade to a point where they can no longer support our bodies.
So as soon as mobility starts to become an issue, or you discover that your body fat scale reading is getting higher than it should be, then it’s very important that you get as much daily activity you can.
2. Taking Medication
When prescribed by a doctor, medication can be incredibly effective at treating the symptoms of chronic pain. Anti-inflammatory drugs can treat the muscular issues that cause pain, and aspirin can treat the effects. If these medications are not powerful enough, many doctors prescribe opiate medications to improve the patient’s quality of life.
Unfortunately, opiates have many side effects. If used incorrectly, they can quickly turn into a drug problem. If the pain is reversible, opiates can be used to manage the symptoms while the sufferer receives treatment.
For long term treatment, it’s often recommended that patients take Palmitoylethanolamide. Also known as PEA, this drug is a naturally occurring substance that is responsible for a large number of biological functions. It’s proven itself to be a highly effective treatment for chronic pain, without any of the addictive qualities or negative side effects found with opiates.
3. TENS Therapy
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, abbreviated as TENS, is a popular treatment for chronic pain caused by muscular issues. A TENS unit is a small electrical device with two electrodes. A low voltage current passes through the skin and into the muscle tissue, creating impulses that are detected by the central nervous system.
The current stimulates the nerves, reducing the pain to a manageable level. There are no side effects, making this a popular alternative to addictive medications.
4. Chiropractic Care & Massage Therapy
Inflammation and muscle tension can, over time, cause your joints to shift out of their natural positions. Over time, your bones and joints can shift. This permanently reduces mobility and increases pain levels. Chiropractors can manually reposition bones into their correct places, reducing the effects of chronic pain.
Massage therapists attack this problem from a different angle, forcing tense or imbalanced muscles to relax. In serious cases, these treatments are only temporarily effective. But regular appointments can drastically improve comfort levels.
5. Assisted Living
Chronic pain can get to a point where basic self-care is simply not possible. Nutrition and hygiene are essential to slowing the aging process. Elderly patients should have a live-in caretaker or relocate to a group home so that all of their basic needs are met.
When chronic pain results in mobility issues, maintaining a social life is an impossible task. Assisted living can address the physical problems, but a group home addresses the mental health consequences of an isolated lifestyle.
6. Reduce Stress
For people who suffer from chronic pain, stress can be a major problem. Our body reacts to stress with increased blood pressure and muscle tension. This amplifies the pain, creating a cycle that is hard to break. Fortunately, the treatment is easy. Simple things like spending time in the sun, visiting with loved ones, or even a phone call to a friend can reduce stress and provide the body with a chance to relax.
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You have options and keeping your loved one at home, where they want to be, might be the best one.

11/17/2016

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Caregiving runs through my veins. I’ve cared for my mom, my sister and my dad, all through the last days of their lives. I know the stress, the agony, the helplessness and the emptiness. And I know the value of peace of mind and support, knowing my family members are cared for.
 
With more than 40 million Americans preparing to care for an elder in the United States, I know I’m neither unique nor alone. The prospect of caring for an aging loved one can be daunting and caregiving can quickly become your most important role. Luckily, a helping hand exists in virtually every community across the country.
 
For me, caregiving is not only personal, it’s professional. As the President and CEO of Meals on Wheels America, caregiving is at the heart our mission. Our network of more than 5,000 community-based organizations across the country makes sure our aging or ailing loved ones and neighbors can live independently at home for as long as they choose. It’s not only a practical option - it saves families, the healthcare system and taxpayers a substantial amount of money.
 
And Meals on Wheels isn’t just about the nutritious meals that get hand-delivered each day. Millions of American families sleep better at night and can continue their daily routines and responsibilities because they know that Meals on Wheels is keeping a watchful eye over their loved ones. When other competing responsibilities make it impossible or difficult for us to be there, Meals on Wheels can make sure our parents, grandparents and others important in our lives are cared for, and that someone is there to raise a red flag if something doesn’t seem just right.
 
Meals on Wheels can also be an appropriate solution during care transitions - when a patient moves from one healthcare provider or setting to another. More than 2.5 million seniors are readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of being discharged, typically because the care they receive upon return is insufficient. Meals on Wheels can provide the nutritious meal and daily check-in from a caring volunteer that is critical to getting them back on their feet.
 
Depending on where your loved one is on the continuum of need, keeping them at home, where they want to be, can make sense with the right support. Just because mom or dad has hung up their car keys for good and can’t drive to the grocery store anymore doesn’t mean they’re incapable of caring for themselves. Malnutrition knows no economic bounds and Meals on Wheels is a simple, affordable solution.
 
No matter what care path is right for you and your loved one, reach out for the help and resources that are readily available in your community. That peace of mind can make all the difference.

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Do Exercise and Physical Activity Protect the Brain?

11/16/2016

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Exercise and other types of physical activity many benefits. Studies show that they are good for our hearts, waistlines, and ability to carry out everyday activities. Epidemiological studies and some intervention studies suggest that physical exercise may also play a role in reducing risk for Alzheimer’s disease and age-related cognitive decline. 
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Animal studies point to why this might be so. Exercise increases both the number of small blood vessels that supply blood to the brain and the number of connections between nerve cells in older rats and mice. In addition, researchers have found that exercise raises the level of a nerve growth factor (a protein key to brain health) in an area of the brain that is important to memory and learning.

Researchers have also shown that exercise can stimulate the human brain’s ability to maintain old network connections and make new ones that are vital to healthy cognition. In a year-long study, 65 older people exercised daily, doing either an aerobic exercise program of walking for 40 minutes or a nonaerobic program of stretching and toning exercises. At the end of the trial, the walking group showed improved connectivity in the part of the brain engaged in daydreaming, envisioning the future, and recalling the past. The walking group also improved on execu­tive function, the ability to plan and organize tasks such as cooking a meal.

Several other clinical trials are exploring further the effect of physical activity on the risk of Alzheimer’s and cognitive decline. Other NIA-supported research is examining whether exercise can delay the development of Alzheimer’s disease in people with MCI. Findings from these and other clinical trials will show more definitively whether exercise helps protect our brains from cognitive impairment.

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Most Elderly Smokers Don't Use Anti-Smoking Meds After Heart Attack

11/14/2016

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SUNDAY, Nov. 13, 2016 (HealthDay News) -- Many elderly smokers who've had a heart attack fail to fill prescriptions for medications designed to help them quit smoking, a new study finds.

"These findings come as no surprise for geriatricians and health care professionals who face on a daily basis the challenges of recognizing and managing the complexity of caring for older adults," said Dr. Gisele Wolf-Klein, who reviewed the new findings. She directs geriatric education at Northwell Health in Great Neck, N.Y.

She noted that elderly patients face many challenges, such as "multiple medical conditions, which often include depression and forgetfulness."

That can make it tough for them to initiate and stick with a quit-smoking regimen such as medications, lozenges or patches, Wolf-Klein said.

The new study was led by Dr. Neha Pagidipati of Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C. It was scheduled for presentation Sunday at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association, in New Orleans.

The study included nearly 2,400 heart attack survivors older than 65 who were either current or recent smokers and were treated at 377 U.S. hospitals. During their hospital stay, the patients were advised by health staff to quit smoking.

Nearly all of them received prescriptions for smoking-cessation medications before being discharged from the hospital.

But, the study found that only about one in 10 actually filled a prescription for the smoking-cessation medications bupropion (Wellbutrin) or varenicline (Chantix) within 90 days of leaving the hospital.

That rate barely budged over time: Only 13 percent filled a prescription within one year after leaving the hospital, the study found.

The older the patient, the less likely they were to fill the prescription, the researchers noted. And, men and minorities were less apt to try the anti-smoking aids than women or white patients.

Wolf-Klein agreed, but said there are reasons patients fail to take advantage of smoking-cessation aids.
 
"Older adults are particularly concerned with taking too many medications, both because of the increasing and often unsurmountable monthly costs of their prescribed drug regimen, and because of the difficulty of remembering when to take them," she pointed out.

Too often, patients are simply handed the medications without much explanation, she added. "Before 'buying into' the new market of smoking-cessation medication, older adults will need strong scientific data to persuade them -- and their caregivers -- of the longevity and quality of life benefits of giving up one of their last pleasurable habits," she said.

Dr. Satjit Bhusri is a cardiologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. He agreed that "we clearly have a long way to go in continued long-term counseling" for elderly heart patients who smoke.

"We need to enhance our smoking-cessation counseling outside of the hospital by providing additional assistance and education to our patients," Bhusri said. "The importance of not smoking after a heart attack is crucial to recovery and prevention of future heart attacks."

Experts note that studies presented at medical meetings are typically considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal.

More information
The American Cancer Society offers a guide to quit smoking.

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Bingo? Pass. Bring on Senior Speed-Dating and Wine-Tasting.

11/11/2016

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NOTHING about Mather’s-More Than a Cafe looks as if it’s aimed at people over 50. But the Chicago cafe, which could easily be mistaken for a large Starbucks, is much more than that, serving as a community hub, mostly for older people, with dozens of classes on topics like flower arranging, Egyptian history and digital safety.

In her six years as a member, Pat Knazze, 66, has taken line dancing and piano lessons and participated in over 50 seminars via Skype, including architecture classes that helped her qualify as a neighborhood docent.

As she ages, Ms. Knazze has also found another expected benefit: a caring group of neighbors who serve as a kind of substitute family.

“We’re social beings,” said Ms. Knazze, who is divorced. “And the cafe is a kind and loving group. I have multiple families that nurture me.” The Mather’s Cafe manager even attended Ms. Knazze’s mother’s funeral.

To appeal to baby boomers like Ms. Knazze, many community senior centers are getting up-to-date makeovers. There are about 11,500 senior centers in the United States, according to the National Council on Aging. They are increasingly offering everything from top-flight gyms to speed-dating sessions, wine tastings and Apple support groups.

Many are also shedding their names so that they can evolve beyond being seen as just places to play bingo. The senior center in Rochester, Minn., has become 125 Live, which just opened in a sleek, modernistic building with a teaching kitchen, big lap pool, pottery studio and a gym. Another in Minnesota is now Lakeville Heritage Center; it has yoga, Pilates and Zumba classes — and a motorcycle club.

“We have to move away from hot meals and bingo,” says Jim Firman, the chief executive of the National Council on Aging. “So there’s a lot of exciting innovation going on. The laggards will catch up or go away.”

Mather’s three Chicago cafes helped kick-start the transformation in 2000. They were inspired by Robert Putnam‘s best-selling book, “Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community.” He talked about how people’s health and happiness were declining along with a sense of community, said Mary Leary, chief executive of the Evanston, Ill.--based nonprofit Mather LifeWays.

“So the cafes were conceived as a way to connect with others,” said Ms. Leary. “And it all starts with a cup of coffee.” Indeed, a bottomless cup of coffee costs only 95 cents at Mather’s Cafe, which also offers breakfast and lunch.

Mather’s Cafes take a holistic approach to aging, she said. Classes, aimed at 50-plus adults, include wellness, lifelong learning, fitness and entertainment. There are also telephone topics programs, such as chair yoga or eating well, for people who can’t attend. Innovative classes are devoted to edgier subjects like sexual identity and virtual reality. Fees are donation-only.

“We see aging on a spectrum,” Ms. Leary said. “Let’s help people stay active so they can age in place and connect with others.”

To spread its message, Mather holds workshops for other organizations. So far, people from 138 cities have attended and more than 40 other cafes have popped up, Ms. Leary said.

Like Mather’s Cafes, many senior centers are usually funded privately or by communities, so fees are typically nominal.

More a luxury club than a senior center, The Summit in Grand Prairie, Tex., charges $55 a year for adult residents 65 and older. The sunny 60,000-square-foot building has perks like an infinity edge pool, underwater treadmill and a hot tub. There is also a 100-seat movie theater, banquet rooms with full kitchens and an outdoor cafe with a grill.

“This is really an active adult facility,” said Amanda Alms, general manager of The Summit. “The city wanted to create a facility that was unlike any other.” Members have benefited by becoming more fit, finding artistic niches and making lifelong friends, she said.

For Wilfred Sanchez, 69, The Summit has become his home away from home. A Vietnam veteran who was exposed to Agent Orange, Mr. Sanchez has post-traumatic stress disorder and nerve diseases. So he uses The Summit’s pool for exercises like running laps or the underwater treadmill.

“PTSD makes me not want to go anyplace,” said Mr. Sanchez, who is also a retired information technology instructor. “But I don’t let it stop me.” Mr. Sanchez and his wife also visit the center to go to the movies, eat lunch and socialize with other veterans. “I’m so thankful,” he said.

Mr. Firman of the National Council on Aging says his goal is to transform the typical senior center into more of a longevity hub.

“There’s an evolution going on and a revolution as baby boomers age,” Mr. Firman said. “So we’re developing richer programming. We’re given the gift of longevity, so we have to spend it wisely.”

Many people are overwhelmed by the challenges of living longer, Mr. Firman said. “Health is complicated,” he said. “Finances are complicated. And there’s no playbook.”

The Senior Center in Charlottesville, Va., now includes a lifelong learning program on how to design a good life. The center also offers lots of ways to socialize, including singles gatherings, travel partner matches and three bands that members can join. There are also fitness classes, hiking programs and pickleball.

Peter Thompson, the center’s executive director, lamented the word “senior” in the name, though. “It’s a barrier,” Mr. Thompson said. “People don’t want to acknowledge that that’s them.”

The goal, he added, is creating centers that help people feel ageless. So a new center including features like a mind-body studio aimed at active adults is being planned.

Hansie Haier, 65, goes to the senior center often to socialize. She takes line dancing, yoga and tai chi. Ms. Haier, who is single, also teaches a weekly writing group there.

“The center helped me find my purpose,” said Ms. Haier, a retired psychiatric nurse who now writes short stories. “I’m constantly learning new ways of living. A good center helps keep the brain functioning. That’s really important.”

Isolation is a potential risk for millions of aging adults, said Shannon Guzman, a senior policy research analyst at the AARP Public Policy Institute. But new forms of social engagement are emerging in the digital world. Selfhelp Community Services’ Virtual Senior Center in New York helps homebound older adults keep in touch via computer: They can attend group museum tours, Shakespeare discussions or even take laughter yoga.

“We’re building an online community,” said David Dring, executive director of Selfhelp Innovations. “Seniors can create these cyberclassrooms.” They can also create ongoing virtual friendships.
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Ms. Knazze says she feels deeply fulfilled and cared for at Mather’s Cafe. “Now,” she said, “I want to share that with others.”
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How Knowing When to Call in Professional Help is Key

11/10/2016

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Even though we would like to think we can, it’s impossible to handle all of life’s nuisances on our own. In fact, many of history’s most successful people attributed their successes to knowing when to seek the help of others. This goes for all areas of life whether it be business, education or dealing with a problem. For me, dealing with a major problem is where I finally learned this significant life lesson.
Trying to always handle things myself, I came to a road block when a huge problem arose within my family. After recently putting my grandmother in a nursing home, she made us aware that things really weren’t going so well. She was complaining to us that the food seemed to be making her sick. My family and I shrugged her complaints off for a while and just thought she was being dramatic and trying to get taken out of the home. However, as time went on, we realized that she was right. She looked worse than ever, seemed a lot thinner and didn’t have much energy. The staff started to give her more medications to help her stomach which ended up having a whole host of negative side effects.
Eventually, we decided to experiment by cooking meals and delivering them to her on our visits. Within a week of eating our food, she started to feel and look about a thousand times better than she had before. We even started speaking to some of the other nursing home residents who complained of stomach issues as well. Once we had figured out that it was the food making her sick, we really didn’t know what else to do.
Realizing that we needed the help of a professional, we did our research and stumbled upon a group of lawyers who specialized in nursing home and elder abuse. Giving them a quick call to explain our situation, they took immediate action and guided us through the process to get my grandmother out of there and told us how to take legal action against the nursing home. It didn’t take long before we had my grandmother in a shiny new facility with delicious and health giving food that we could afford to pay for with the settlement that we got from the case.
This whole situation was a huge lesson for me and my family in knowing when to call in professional help. We couldn’t have done it on our own and had the same fantastic results. And, for all of you out there with a loved one in a nursing home or some other elder care facility, make sure to watch out for signs that something could be going wrong. You can check out some of the warning signs that nursing home abuse is going on here to help you better evaluate if you should take action.
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So, how else should you determine if you should call in professional help in any situation?

• There are legal implications involved
• The task involves a physical aspect that you are not capable of
• There is prior education needed that you do not have
• There is a natural skill required that you don’t possess 
• You don’t completely understand all of the implications 
• You need to make a decision that will drastically affect your life or someone else’s life

If you want what’s best for you and those closest to you, don’t try to do it all. Sometimes, calling in a professional is the best way to find success. 

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