Resources For Aging Well

Once you understand that depression isnt something your loved one can easily manage without help, it may be more possible for you to offer support and care. Here are some ways you can help:Express your concern. Acknowledge the persons pain without implying that you know how they feel. Listen if they want to talk, but dont try to draw the person out and dont ask intrusive questions. Being withdrawn is often part of the illness. Dont take it personally.Ask how you can help. Your loved one may not have specific suggestions of things that you can do, but they will know that youre willing to be supportive. Offer hope. Remind the individual that depression is treatable, and that they will likely get better. If your loved one is undergoing treatment, gently remind them that it takes time for treatment to work.Give positive reinforcement. Depressed people often feel worthless, and they dwell on their faults and shortcomings. Remind your loved one of their strengths and competencies and how much they mean to you.Keep your sense of humor. Youre likely to feel frustrated and even angry at times. Thats OK but try not to vent in front of the person and dont take your anger out on them. Use humor to diffuse tension and to lighten the atmosphere, but dont make jokes at your loved ones expense.Encourage healthy behavior and activities. Invite your loved one to join you in doing activities or visiting family or mutual friends. But dont push and dont expect too much too soon. Also, gently remind the individual of the benefits of exercise and a healthy diet.The pandemic and mental healthAbout 20% of U.S. adults reported a decline in mental health due to the pandemic. This includes 53% who said that they were very restless and 52% who said that they sat around and did nothing recently due to exhaustion. Caregivers, especially parents of young children who were unable to attend in-person school, reported unusually high levels of stress and anxiety.Next steps:If you think you or a loved one may have symptoms of depression or anxiety, talk to your doctor. It can be as simple as saying that you havent been yourself lately and youd like to talk about it. Counseling (psychotherapy) and medications are common treatments.In older adults with mild depression, psychotherapy can be just as effective as medications. For moderate to severe depression, a combination of psychotherapy and medications is usually best.Mental health apps can be cost effective, portable ways to learn and strengthen your coping skills. Free mental health apps that may be helpful include COVID Coach, Breathe2Relax, Happify, Mindfulness Coach, MindShiftCBT, SuperBetter and Insight Timer. Still, keep in mind that apps should not serve as a substitute for therapy.If you think you may hurt yourself or attempt suicide, call 911 or your local emergency number. If youre feeling suicidal, but you arent immediately thinking of hurting yourself, call a suicide hotline or reach out to a friend or loved one, someone in your faith community, or a health care provider.  For more information:  https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/emotional-health/mayo-clinic-explores-supporting-someone-with-depression/?mc_id=us&utm_source=pes&utm_medium=e&utm_content=engagement&utm_campaign=

Intergenerational programming is one of the most rewarding and positive experiences for all who are involved. Elders love seeing and interacting with the children, and younger generations can learn valuable life lessons from our Elders. In traditional settings, these interactions would take place in family gatherings where relatives visit the Elders, and they would see their grandchildren and great grandchildren which allows them to remain as an integral part of family and overall community. Meaningful interaction and socialization contribute immensely to well-being and positive mental health in older adults. Long-term care communities strive to maintain the important connection between the generations through unique opportunities with activities and programs. Summer camps or school service volunteer programs occur in nursing homes so that Elders can enjoy socializing with children and participate in group activities together. More specific interventions such as art and music therapy groups, where Elders can pair up with a junior volunteer or a child to build relationships and participate in artmaking and music playing, are some of the popular non-pharmaceutical interventions that bring myriads of benefits such as decrease in physical pain, depression, and loneliness, as well as an increase in confidence and self-esteem. Social integration between Elders and younger generations promotes overall strength and unity in our communities.              While it has been difficult to navigate through the pandemic to maintain these intergenerational opportunities due to limited visitation, utilizing technology for video communication allows connections between the Elders and younger generations. Many virtual communication and activity options are explored constantly, ensuring these valuable relationships continue to thrive.  Editors Note: This article was submitted by San Baek, the Director of Resident Life at Shalom Park Nursing Home. San may be reached at 303-680-5000 or by email at San.Baek@shalompark.net.

Searching for a senior living community can be overwhelming. With 700 senior living options in Colorado, you may be wondering where to even begin!  But did you know there are local experts that specialize in helping families find appropriate senior living options?  You may worry that using an expert will be expensive. The good news is that placement agents generally do not charge a fee as they are most often compensated by the community you select. What to look for in a local professional placement agent? An agent who meets with you and/or your loved one in-person  Assesses your care needs, budget, location, and social needs Vets the appropriate communities for their quality of care  Is willing to walk beside you through the entire process The benefits of using a local placement agent: A local agent narrows down your best options They alleviate the chore of making dozens of phone calls to communities that may not fit your needs A local agent tours the communities with you and helps ask the right questions They act as a neutral party during the decision making A local agent can also connect you with vital resources to help with a smooth transition We understand that organizing the search for senior living can take a considerable amount of time and research. A local GDPRA agent will walk beside you through this journey, narrow your search and help you find the appropriate senior living community. The Greater Denver Placement and Referral Alliance (GDPRA) was created in 2018 to educate the public about professional placement agents. GDPRA agents provide hands-on assistance for your unique situation while adhering to best practices and a code of ethics. Working with a local GDPRA agent offers you peace of mind with the knowledge that you are working with a true professional.  If you would like to work with a local GDPRA placement agent, please contact denver@npralliance.org or call 720-961-9799.

Does your agency utilize an existing VA benefit called Aid & Attendance?  Some agencies offer help to Veterans but its mostly just gathering paperwork necessary for the A&A... and thats it!  Care typically doesnt start until the VA pays the client, which can take months with agencies unfamiliar with the process.  If you call an agency and they dont know anything about the A&A benefit OR they do offer it and/or it takes longer than 2-4 weeks to START care move on!  Instead, try and find an agency that understands the complexity of the A&A, can start care within 2-4 weeks and has no hidden costs to get started. Do you have experienced VA Accredited Agents within your office to help with this process?  Some agencies will outsource this critical step to local Attorneys or Financial Planners that may have accreditation, but the A&A benefit is just one of many products they offer. Find an agency that has VA Accredited Agents on their team that are dedicated and focused only on capturing the A&A benefit and offer no other products or services.Are there any upfront costs?  Again, some agencies work through an Attorney or a Financial Planner that technically can help you with this process; however, they have creative ways of collecting payment for other services so they can get paid up to an estimated $500 or more.  Instead, try and find a Veteran-dedicated agency that offers this at NO COST OR RISK for those who apply.   How long will it take before I can start care?  Most agencies dont start care immediately simply because they dont have the funds available to absorb the cost of labor for weeks or even months waiting on the VA to begin payment.  So, they will process the paperwork and make you wait until the VA releases the funds.  Try and find an agency that starts care within 2-4 weeks with no costs upfront and that offers a complete Veterans Program   Editors Note: This article was submitted by Steve Lee, Founder of Free Home Care for Vets, a non-medical home care agency dedicated to Veterans, Spouses and their Widows/ers.  He can be reached at 303-376-3488 or by email at: steve@curantishealth.com to learn more.