Protecting Seniors from Holiday Scams

How to Prevent & Treat Joint Pain Most of us never think about our joints until they start to hurt. As we age, we lose strength and flexibility in our tendons and ligaments. As our joints get tighter, it may become harder to move. The cartilage between our bones of the joints also starts to break down; this leads to inflammation and osteoarthritis, the most common joint disorder. Taking care of your joints can help reduce joint pain and stiffness. Five Tips to Keep Your Joints Healthy  1.      Stay at a healthy weight. Carrying extra body weight puts strain on thejoints, especially the knees. On the flip side, being underweight can lead to a lackof muscle, which helps keep your joints strong and stable. Aim for a healthy weightbased on your height and body type. 2.      Exercise every day and make sure to warm up before and cool down after.You may think it's better to limit exercise if your joints are hurting, but regularmovement and exercise is one of the best ways to prevent and help joint pain.Exercise strengthens the muscles around joints, helping to take pressure off them.If you have joint pain, stick to low-impact activities like biking, swimming,and walking. The more you move, the more likely youll keep moving without painand stiffness as you age. It's also important to stretch before and after you exercise to loweryour risk of straining joints and muscles. Just five minutes of stretching beforeexercise to warm up your joints and five minutes after to cool down will helpprevent workout injuries. 3.      Add anti-inflammatory foods to your diet. A Mediterranean diet richin fruit, vegetables, whole grains, beans, and healthy fats reduces joint pain. Addthese other anti-inflammatory foods to your grocery list:         Tomatoes         Olive oil         Green leafy vegetables, like spinach, kale, and collards         Nuts like almonds and walnuts         Fatty fish, like salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines         Fruits, like strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and oranges 4.      Make sure you're drinking enough water. Your bodys cartilage thatcushions your joints is made up of 80% water. When you get dehydrated, yourbody starts pulling water from other sources, including cartilage. This leads to jointpain and a greater risk of injury. 5.      If you smoke, it's time to quit! Smoking is a risk factor for everything, fromheart and lung problems to cancer and joint pain. Smoking increases inflammationthroughout the body. This makes it harder for your body to heal if you injure yourjoints. To quit smoking, seek support and a treatment plan from your Primary CareProvider. His or her phone number is on the back of your Viva Medicare ID card.  Contact Viva Health to find out more about Medicare Plans in the Alabama area.  Call 800-633-8472 to find out more!

Helen, a vibrant 78-year-old who thrives in the hustle and bustle of the winter holiday season, hosts gatherings and participates in longstanding family traditions. Come January, the sudden silence of her home, now void of guests and decorations, can feel overwhelming. This abrupt shift from constant social interaction to minimal contact is one of the main reasons seniors feel lonely after the holidays. This situation is, sadly, very common, says Meshelle McKendry of Right at Home of Glenwood Springs. The winter holidays bring a flurry of activity and companionship that can brighten seniors lives, whether they live alone or in a senior living community. But once the decorations are packed away and families return to their routines, a stark quiet can settle in, leaving many seniors feeling isolated. The contrast can be jarring, says McKendry. Why Post-Holiday Loneliness Occurs Social interaction drops off: During the holidays, older adults often experience an increase in social contactvisits from family and friends, holiday parties, and community events. Once the festivities end, the sudden drop in social interaction can feel particularly stark, leading to feelings of loneliness and isolation. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD): The winter months bring shorter days and longer nights, whichespecially where winters are coldcan lead to seasonal affective disorder or winter blues, exacerbating feelings of loneliness and sadness. Physical challenges: Cold weather can also limit an older adults mobility, making it difficult for them to leave home and engage with others. Reflection and remembrance: The holidays can also be a time of reflection, where older adults may reminisce about past holidays and loved ones or friends who are no longer present. Even during the holidays, notes McKendry these memories can contribute to feelings of loneliness. Coping Strategies for Seniors Compare Helens story to that of David, a retired teacher who lives in a senior community. His family lives across the country, and visits are infrequent. Although he sometimes does not see his family during the winter holidays, David has found new sources of purpose and community throughout the year. He volunteers at the local library and participates in the community garden, activities that keep him connected and engaged all year long. For older adults, maintaining a regular schedule of social contacts like that can be incredibly beneficial, says McKendry Engaging in regular activities, even simple ones like joining a book club, attending a craft workshop, or simply having a scheduled weekly phone call with family, can make a big difference. Here are more tips:         Use technology. Technology can help bridge the gap, especially for family members who live far away. Video calls, social media, and even online games can provide interactive ways to stay connected.         Schedule regular activities. Many senior centers and communities offer regular programming. If you have hobbies that you typically do independently, like reading, crafts, or gardening, consider inviting a friend to enjoy them with you.         Look for volunteer work. Volunteering can be an excellent way for seniors to feel connected and purposeful, which are key to combating loneliness. McKendry suggests people start with their personal knowledge or interests. For example, avid readers could consider volunteering at a local library.         Consider getting professional help for mental health. Be honest with yourself about your mental health. You could start by asking your primary health care provider for advice or a referral. Unchecked loneliness and isolation can ultimately affect your physical health and well-being. How Family and Friends Can Help Older Adults 1.      Make regular visits or stay in touch. Make a concerted effort to visit or communicate regularly with the senior in your life. Something as simple as a daily text or phone call can make a big difference.2.      Plan post-holiday visits. Consider scheduling a visit in January or February, which can give your older loved one something to anticipate after the holidays wind down.3.      Involve them in planning. Encourage your older loved one to help plan that post-holiday visit or other gatherings or events. Planning can help fill their hours and get them talking with you or others.4.      Watch for signs of depression. Signs of depression or severe loneliness could include changes in appetite, sleep, or general disinterest in life, says McKendry. 5.      Early intervention is key in managing these issues.6.      Talk to your older loved one about in-home caregivers. Right at Home offers companion care, in which our caregivers provide important social interaction while also helping with tasks at home or elsewhere. Understanding the reasons behind post-holiday loneliness and taking proactive steps to counteract it can help ensure that seniors feel connected, valued, and cared for all year round. By weaving a safety net of family, friends, activities, and professional support, we can help diminish the quiet that comes after the festive season and foster a year full of meaningful connections. About Right at Home of Grand Junction  We have two locations to serve Western Colorado.2777 Crossroads Blvd, Ste. 3 Grand Junction, CO 81506 ||||| 214 8th Street, Ste 215 Glenwood Springs, CO 81501 Our office of Right at Home is a locally owned and operated franchise office of Right at Home, LLC, serving the communities of Mesa, Garfield, Eagle, and Pitkin Counties.  For more information, contact Right at Home by Calling 970-697-1331  | Email: Care@gjhomecare.com | Web Address: www.gjhomecare.com

Right at Home has been proudly serving Mesa, Pitkin, Eagle, and Garfield counties for nearly a decade. Our team is committed to holistic in-home care, which emphasizes treating the whole person rather than just focusing on a specific activity of daily living. This approach integrates physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual well-being into our care plans, making it particularly beneficial for individuals seeking comprehensive support at home. Right at Home is excited to kick off 2025 with some new additions to our team! In September, our Marketing and Community Resource Coordinator, Stephanie Ruf, joined us, and her dedication to marketing and building community connections has been truly remarkable.In addition to our ongoing marketing efforts and community connections, Right at Home is pleased to announce an expansion in our Care Team. Siarra Thorning moved into a new role as the new Operations Manager for both locations. Siarra has been a Care Coordinator for Garfield and Pitkin County where she excelled in her role. Siarras new role is to ensure that both our Care team and Clients receive the best experience possible which is emulated in her daily work.  This growth has allowed us to hire two new Care Coordinators: Bethany Young and Kayla Dalley. Kayla brings experience from personal care, having worked with adults with disabilities. She has spent many years in the Grand Valley and is excited to be part of the Right at Home family. She has been pivotal to our staff growth. You can find Kayla out and about meeting clients and supporting caregivers in the homes. Bethany is based in our Glenwood Springs office. She has over 13 years of experience in medical settings, including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospitals, and home health care. She has jumped into Right at Home with the right attitude. Connecting and engaging caregivers and clients to the fullest potential.  We are very excited for the upcoming year, particularly for our participation in the Walking the Coldest Night of the Year event for Homeward Bound in February. Furthermore, Right at Home is proud to serve as a presenting sponsor once again for the 2025 Walk to End Alzheimers. Holistic home care is the perfect choice for seniors, individuals with chronic conditions, and those recovering from surgery or illness. Our compassionate professional caregivers and interdisciplinary teams are expertly trained to deliver comprehensive care that nurtures both physical and emotional well-being. At Right at Home, we prioritize this holistic approach, ensuring our clients receive exceptional support tailored to their unique needs every single day. Discover how our holistic care can profoundly impact your life or the life of your loved oneschoose a brighter, healthier future with us. Call today!   Lets Start Talking about Living!