Happy Memorial Day!
Freedom is not free, so please take a moment to remember those that paid the ultimate price. Enjoy Memorial Day!...
Read this if you are concerned about falling
Many senior concerns are imaginary or exaggerated, but fear of falling is not. Falling injuries often begin a downward cycle of health and wellbeing that leads to many other problems, even death. Ironically, the fear of falling may become as damaging as falling itself; this fear can lead to unnecessary limitations on the very activities that keep seniors mobile, fit and healthy.
According to the British Medical Journal, up to one half of all seniors have a range of problems related to the fear of falling. This is true regardless of whether or not they have a personal history of falls. They may have witnessed a fall, known someone who suffered an injury from falling or heard some grim story about the consequences of a fall. As a result, some seniors avoid activities that can actually help prevent these accidents. Anxieties about falling may lead to avoidance of healthy physical activity, increasing frailty and loss of balance. The fear of falling...
You Can Now Donate to OurSeniors.org!
If you haven’t heard the news yet, OurSeniors.org, which has been running for more than 5 years, is now a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
We are very excited about this designation as it now means we can deliver our magazine to you for free.
It also means we can accept donations that will go toward providing free resources to seniors and continuing our good work of visiting those in nursing homes who are isolated and alone.
Our mission is to be the go-to resource for seniors in Florida who need an advocate that will research the right vendors for any service. We want to make sure that seniors are not ripped off by people who take advantage of the vulnerable. That’s why we have expanded throughout the state and increased our information outlets such as our podcast, newsletter and Brunch & Learn events.
Any donation would help us tremendously as we continue to produce the magazine and provide free resources to seniors across Florida.
To...
What to ask before considering aging in place
The term, “Aging in Place,” has become a popular catchphrase for modern seniors. However, its meaning may vary widely, depending on who is using the term and for what purpose. A government agency defines aging in place as, "the ability to live in one's own home and community independently, regardless of age, income, or ability level." Generally, “aging in place” is the first preference for most seniors; a survey by the American Public Health Association indicated that 90 percent of seniors want this option. However, this does not tell us if the term, “in place” refers to their longtime home in the old neighborhood or to a totally new environment.
No matter the location, aging in place can work well only with good planning and preparation. To successfully age in place, seniors sometimes need the help of skilled professionals, as well as family members (if available) and a support network. Seniors and adults of all ages should bear this in mind...
Steps to take to help prevent falling
All seniors should make keeping their personal mobility a top priority and that means taking steps today to “stay on your feet” in the future. It is not news to seniors that falls are a major concern. Most of us know someone who has lost their balance, taken a fall and started a painful, costly, even a fatal chain of events. This may involve a broken bone, hospitalization, a long rehab period and exposure to the dangers of being bedridden or hospitalized.
Let’s not dwell on the stories and statistics we have heard many times; falls are a big problem, that’s a given. Instead, let’s think about planning ahead to avoid the problem or to deal with it effectively when it does occur. While some medical conditions increase the danger of falling for all ages, falls should not be a normal part of growing older. Taking care of your overall health may be the most important factor in fall prevention. Most...
Did You Know We Are BBB Certified?
We have been Better Business Bureau Certified since 2018 and have our certification again for this year. It is important for businesses to have this accreditation as it means we are trustworthy and provide a quality service to our customers.
We hope that you find us resourceful and useful for your needs whether it be finding interesting information, new vendors, or finding a community of like-minded people.
If you have been enjoying our services, we ask that you help us by donating to our nonprofit organization that funds the free resources for those who cannot afford it. You can donate here - any amount helps!...
These are some of the warning signs of dementia
| Written by Dr. Regina Asihene |
The term dementia simply means significant memory loss. There are several causes that lead to memory loss that is added to describe dementia:
Alzheimer's dementia—due to age
Amyloid plaques and tangled fibers build up in brain and there is a loss of connection between nerve cells
Vascular dementia—due to strokes
It is caused from damage to the vessels that supply blood to the brain
Lewy body dementia
Abnormal protein deposits in the brain, called Lewy bodies, affect brain chemistry and lead to problems with behavior, mood, movement and thinking
Frontotemporal disorders—due to degenerative damage to the brains frontal and temporal lobes
It happens in people under age 65. Symptoms might include apathy, difficulty communicating, walking or working, emotional changes and impulsive or inappropriate behaviors.
Alcohol induced dementia
Parkinson's induced dementia
Here are some of the warning signs that a person may have dementia:
Difficulty with everyday tasks
Everyone makes mistakes, but people with dementia have...
How to avoid probate by “operation of law”
| Written by Wendy Mara |
One of the goals of estate planning is to help clients avoid estate planning probate. No, everyone does not have to go through probate. And no, contrary to popular belief, a will does not avoid probate. A will is not self-executing; that is, it doesn’t transfer ownership of assets to the beneficiaries automatically. A will has to be submitted to a probate court and deemed valid before it has any authority at all. Then the probate process ensues. The court oversees the process and settles any disputes that arise. Time periods for creditors to file claims, giving notices to creditors and beneficiaries, obtaining acknowledgments, and probate litigation can create great emotional and financial costs and delay.
How do you avoid probate? Whether you can avoid probate has nothing to do with the total value of your estate or whether federal estate tax is a factor. There are no Florida estate or inheritance taxes. There are two...
A testimonial about Fitworks Perfect Posture
Fitworks Perfect Posture works to correct years of damage in a natural and methodical way. After seeing more than 5,000 clients, Gary Rumel has perfected the art of correcting musculoskeletal imbalances. With just one evaluation, he can determine where someone is affected and create a plan to fix the issue. He has seen golfers play better and help people get back to biking and running. Clients have seen a noticeable improvement after six to eight sessions with problems being completely fixed for some people.
A recent testimonial from our friend, Scott K states...
"The initial consultation was great. Gary described the opportunities with my posture and how he would put together an exercise plan. The plan would entail working on positioning joints and then strengthening specific muscle groups to hold them in place. During each session, Gary explains and demonstrates the exercise or stretch we are doing. Always explaining in detail what muscle we are working on and why. After the first...
Florida is growing. Here is what that means for you
If you can recall the Florida of the 1950s, you remember a small-population state with only three urban areas that could be called “cities.” Miami, Tampa-St Petersburg and Jacksonville have now been joined by fast-growing communities like Orlando, Ft Lauderdale, Ocala and Kissimmee. For decades, our state’s growth has seemed phenomenal, beyond reasonable expectations. Many people have predicted that this growth would slow or end, but that is not happening.
The pandemic of 2020 has actually sped this trend. From July 2019 to July 2020, Florida is estimated to have added 241,256 new residents. Some estimates project state population to reach 26 million by the year 2030. This would make the state of Florida bigger than the nation of Australia. What does this mean for the current and future senior residents of the Sunshine State?
To begin, seniors cannot complain too much about Florida’s growth without seeming hypocritical. After all, retirees and seniors account for a big part of that trend. Florida...
