Wellness Networks: The Senior Organization Influence on Health

Life is meant to be lived live well in a Meridian Senior Living managed community.Choosing to live in a companion style-apartment in senior living is a great option for many residents. As we age, increasing opportunities to socialize and interact with peers and friends can help people live a higher quality, more fulfilled life. In the past months, weve seen the toll isolation can have on all demographics, but especially seniors. Having a roommate and an immediate social connection makes joining a community easier and less intimidating.Five main benefits to companion living in a senior living community: Facilitates TransitionTransitioning to a long-term community can be exciting; however, for some seniors, those first weeks can be daunting too, as they navigate their new environment and find their way. Residents new to senior living may benefit from learning the ins and outs from their companions experience. Seniors will be more likely to participate in activities and eat meals when they have a companion to join them.  Improves Sense of BelongingLiving with a companion can support a greater sense of belonging and higher self-worth levels. Studies show that when seniors engage with others, they benefit from increased self-esteem out of those relationships. When you have social connections, you can benefit from a support system and gain more purpose in your activities.  Reduces Health RisksHaving a companion can provide social support to reduce loneliness and the associated health risks. Studies show that 25% of adults over 65 are socially isolated which can increase risk of depression, heart failure, stroke, and dementia.  Increases Cognitive FunctionRecent NIH research shows a positive correlation between levels of social engagement and cognitive function among older adults. Companions can encourage participation in social oriented activities such as chess, bridge, board games, and crafts, which can result in improved concentration, working memory, and executive reasoning skills. Reduces CostChoosing a companion room can be a cost-effective option with a decreased monthly rent compared with a private room.With all these benefits in mind, companion living could be a fit for you or your loved one. Want to learn more about companion living? Contact us today to learn more!

With a new year, comes new cybercrimes. While technology is our friend in helping us keep connected with our loved ones, there are some sobering threats that can make it our foe. Unfortunately, internet-based crime is increasing at an alarming rate with a 64% increase in email threats year-over-year in 2020 with older people being impacted the most. Cybercriminals and spammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and more new users of technology such as seniors are falling victim to their attacks. The statistics are staggering. According to the FBI 2020 Internet Crime Report, there was a 27% year-over-year increase in cyber fraud losses totaling $1.8 billion, as reported by individuals over 50 years old. Moreover, it appears that these cybercriminals specifically target senior citizens not only because are they are less aware of technology scams, but also, they are perceived to have larger financial assets than other groups.Anytime you use a computer, smartphone, or tablet, you can fall prey to your identity and financial information being stolen and used for nefarious purposes. The good news is that there are five simple ways you can protect yourself from these attacks.We Suggest you Do NotOpen emails that look too good to be trueTypical attempts to get you to open an email include subject lines that you have won a prize or a free offer. Phishing threatsDo not click on banking or account links in an email, particularly if the email asks for updated credit card information. Cybercriminals can disguise emails to look like they are coming from legitimate organizations or people you know but clicking on these links and submitting your personal, financial, or login information may fall into the wrong hands. Always contact the financial institution directly, do not use the link in the email, to check to see if the request is valid. Almost every time it is not. Respond to emails that are an unusual plea for helpA common scam is when an individual poses as a known contact and states that they have been mugged while vacationing abroad and need you to send money ASAP. If you are concerned, call the person directly and dont respond to the email or phone call. Interact with unknown individuals or sourcesThat includes opening emails, downloading files, or interacting on social media. Only download files from a trusted source as files can be malware which can steal personal data and damage your device. Moreover, some fraudsters have been known to impersonate a potential love interest online to gain your trust and then ask for your bank information. Submit payment in response to threats of arrest from an authority figure. Common scams are when criminals pose as an IRS agent and demand payment to avoid persecution. The IRS does not email communications of this type to citizens. Just ignore these scams.As we navigate the current ever-changing cyber environment, it is possible to learn and connect safely with just a little knowledge. So now you know these five ways to protect yourself, enjoy technology today!

Falling temperatures mean illnesses such as the common cold, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, known as RSV, are starting to spread. Combined with the still-present COVID-19 virus, these illnesses can lead to hospitalization for older adults, especially in those already diagnosed with heart and lung conditions or who are otherwise immunocompromised. This means its time to think about how these people will protect their health this winter. Getting the flu shot is one of the best ways to do so.It is important for vulnerable seniors to receive their flu shot as soon as possible.Ive seen patients for more than 20 years and have heard a variety of concerns about the flu vaccine. The most common worry Ive encountered is that the shot will give you the flu. While there can be mild side effects from the flu shot such as fever, aches or fatigue, the vaccine itself will not give you the flu. In fact, adults who get the flu shot are much less likely to get the flu.Although no vaccine prevents illness 100% of the time, if you are vaccinated and still get the flu, you are much more likely to have a mild case of the illness. Last years data showed that the flu vaccination significantly reduced flu-related hospitalization among adults.Of course, you should talk with your personal primary care doctor about how the vaccine fits into your care plan. If you are over 60 years old and on Medicare, ArchWell Health providers are available to answer questions about the flu shot and other health concerns specific to older adults.If you are a senior with a respiratory or heart condition such as COPD, asthma or a heart condition, or are actively receiving cancer treatments that make you immunocompromised, your doctor may also suggest you receive the RSV vaccine. For the first time, the RSV vaccine is available to older adults to protect them against this viral illness that can lead to pneumonia and hospitalization.Many local pharmacies make it easy and affordable to get your yearly vaccines and may offer the latest COVID-19 booster.Keeping our communities healthy this winter is a communal effort. Getting the annual flu shot and other important vaccines is a great way to protect yourself and your loved ones.