The best way to eliminate elder abuse is to prevent it from ever happening. Yet, when it does occur, the cycle can be difficult to break as the elderly are often silent in their suffering. Seniors may be physically unable to respond to abuse or afraid of the consequences if they speak up and our society often turns a deaf ear to such cries for help. Thus, preventing abuse and neglect becomes even more difficult, but no less imperative.How can a family member, friend, or neighbor identify such neglect? After all, how can you tell that someone is threatening to chastise or deprive someone unless you see it happen? Without seeing it happen, how can you tell that someone is inflicting mental pain, anguish, or distress on an elder person through verbal or nonverbal acts, e.g. humiliating, intimidating, or threatening?Not attending to the elder; ignoring verbal/nonverbal calls for helpLack of attention to the elder's need for affectionFailure to provide necessary psychological care to the senior, such as therapy or medications for depressionElders can:Plan their financial future with trusted family members, thus helping to eliminate unwanted theft and fraud.Avoid social isolation which can make you vulnerable to abuse.Speak your mind if you think you are not receiving proper care, either in a facility or at home.Know who you can contact if you think you have been abused.Family Members can:Pay attention to warning signs of possible abuse.Review bank accounts for irregular activity.Call and visit frequently. Make sure your loved one feels comfortable enough to contact you in case of an emergency.Make certain your loved one is eating and sleeping properly and is properly medicated.Caregivers can:Stay healthy and get regular medical care.Seek counseling or spiritual guidance for signs of depressions stress, or burnout.Know your local resources for elder abuse, and contact them. Become familiar with the procedures for reported and acting on an elder abuse situation.Find support groups to help with the stress and to assist with education of other caregivers.All-in-all, communicating with our elders is the solution to almost all potential issues mental or physical. Calling mom, dad, auntie, and uncle to say hello and I love you not only lets our loved ones know they are loved, but it reminds them that they are not forgotten. It opens the door for communicating their needs and thoughts.Editors Note: Deb Harrison and Judson Haims are owners of Visiting Angels locations in Grand Junction, Garfield, and Eagle Counties. They may be contacted at: Grand Junction (970) 254-8888 and Eagle/Garfield County (970)328-5526.

Currently, women make up a larger percentage of the active force, are serving in all branches of the military, and are eligible for assignment in most military occupational specialties except for direct combat roles. The number of women serving in the military has increased and has significantly impacted the services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Projections show that women now comprise a higher percentage of the veteran population, and these numbers will most likely increase as time goes by. The biggest concern for most women veterans is the lack of women in counseling positions who are available to address their concerns and fears. The most frequently asked questions from women veterans, along with the answers, can now be found on the Center for Women Veterans website www1.va.gov/womenvet/. These 25 questions are the ones we hear most often, said the Director of the Center for Women Veterans. Too many women veterans don't know they are eligible for the full range of VA benefits and too many are unaware of special programs designed just for them. BENEFITS & SERVICES FOR WOMEN VETERANS As a woman veteran, you may be entitled to one or more of the following benefits.Sexual Trauma and Assault Counseling Disability Compensation for service related disabilities Disability Pension for non-service related disabilities Education Assistance Programs Work-Study Allowance Vocational Rehabilitation & Counseling Insurance Home Loan Benefits Medical Inpatient and Outpatient care Substance Abuse treatment and counseling Nursing Home care Burial Benefits Burial in a VA National Cemetery Employment AssistanceSurvivors' Benefit ProgramsFor more information on the above, please contact the Grand Junction V.A. Medical Center at 970-242-0731. Editors Note: This article was submitted by the Colorado state veterans Home in Rifle. They can be reached at 970-625-0842

To learn more about The Retreat at Palisade, CLICK HERE.1. Active Games and SportsThese give you the chance to get some exercise, improve your hand-eye coordination, and gain a sense of control over the physical world. All of that can be very satisfying, especially if you get to overcome obstacles or compete with other people in a friendly way.Consider examples like:GolfMiniature golfPoolShuffleboardBocceTennisBadmintonPickle ballCroquetBall tossingFrisbee tossingVolleyball (including with a beach ball or balloon)HorseshoesLawn bowlingIndoor bowlingWii BowlingCurling2. Dancing, Karaoke, and Other Performance ArtsDancing to music can connect your body to exciting and healing rhythms. Singing popular songs (even badly) in front of other people can help you enjoy the humor in your efforts and avoid taking yourself too seriously. And performing in other wayssuch as acting in a skit or trying a stand-up comedy routine can remind you of how fun it is to tell stories in new or creative ways.Take a chance and try things like:Line, ballroom, salsa, or swing dancingSeniors' or all-ages karaokeActing in a playTelling jokes to an audienceReading books to groups of young kidsWriting and acting out skitsParticipating in comedic improvStarting a seniors' dance troupe3. Parties and Other Social GatheringsSocializing can be a powerful way to inject more fun into your life. That's particularly true if you get to reminisce about old times or talk about the other things that interest you. In fact, a good conversation may elevate your mood and outlook more than anything else on this list, especially if you keep things jovial.So don't shy away from attending other people's parties or joining clubs. Also, consider planning some of your own events. You can plan parties around all kinds of themes such as:Casino nightMurder mysteryTrivia nightMexican fiestaUgly sweaters nightThe 1920s, 50s, 60s, etc.Masquerade ballArabian nightsMardi GrasPiratesHawaiian luauJungle bashThe OscarsFormal teaSecret Santa4. Traditional Games and PuzzlesBoard games and card games provide great ways to socialize and benefit from the joyful challenges of friendly competition. And puzzles can help sharpen your mind and give you a sense of progress and accomplishment.Consider options like:UnoScrabblePictionaryYahtzeeBingoCheckersChinese checkersDominoesMonopolyChessBackgammonCribbageGo FishPokerBridgeMahjongCanastaRummySolitaireCrazy EightsCrossword puzzlesJigsaw puzzlesWord search puzzles5. Animal InteractionsJust like people, animals want and need to have fun. So playing with them can be mutually beneficial.Besides, it's often easy to find animals to interact with even if you don't have any pets. For example, many animal shelters welcome seniors who want to givedogs, cats, or other critters some quality attention.6. Gardening, Bird-watching, and Other Outdoor PastimesAs long as the weather is decent, being outside can do wonders for your mood. After all, the natural world is full of pleasurable sights, sounds, smells, and other sensory delights. They let you feel like an explorer or like you're connected to something larger than yourself.Consider diversions such as:GardeningBird-watchingWalkingHikingPicnicsBoat ridesMetal detectingKite flyingNature photography7. Arts and CraftsThese kinds of creative recreational pursuits are great for people of all ages, and they often make terrific elderly activities.Ideas like these can reignite a person's vitality and sense of what's possible:PaintingSketching/drawingCeramicsMosaicsWoodcraftPolymer clay modelingPapercraftBeadingKnittingCrochetingEmbroideryQuilt makingCard makingJewelry making8. Active LearningLearning is always more fun when it's something you choose to do for its own sake. Whole new avenues of possibility reveal themselves.So follow your curiosity and impulses. Learning something new is beneficial at any age. As examples, consider learning how to:Sing or play a musical instrumentSpeak a foreign languageUse computers more effectivelyWrite codeDesign websitesTake professional-quality photosWrite great storiesCook exotic mealsDecipher hieroglyphsPerform magic tricks9. Outings and excursionsMany great options exist, especially when you gather a small group of people to share the experiences. You may not be a kid, but that doesn't mean you can't go on field trips for some laughter, excitement, exploration, and social bonding.Consider excursions to places or events like:Theme parksCarnivalsCounty fairsComedy clubsHands-on science museumsAdult arcadesConcertsSporting eventsTheatrical performancesArt showsWineriesBeer festivalsWhy Play Is ImportantScientific studies continue to show that enjoyable activities can have several major benefits. For example, they have the power to help:Improve how your brain works. Do you want to maintain your memory and optimize your ability to learn new things? Engaging in play on a regular basis can enhance your creativity and mental sharpness.Heal, establish, or maintain relationships. A lot of seniors are lonely. In fact, on average, seniors without spouses or partners spend about10 hours alone each day. But having fun can enable older adults to make new friends or improve existing relationships.Things like laughter and friendly competition are known to increase harmony, trust, empathy, and intimacy among people who experience them together.Improve your mental and emotional well-being. Do you like the way you feel when you have a brighter outlook on life and your sense of time recedes into the background? Engaging in activities you enjoy can expand your optimism, multiply your moments of joy, and reduce your stress. It can even help prevent depression.Extend your life and improve your physical vitality. Who doesn't want to feel younger or more energetic? Creating plenty of fun moments in your life can be a good way to boost your immune system, reduce your risk of illness, and minimize your perception of any pain you might already have.Play should be a major part of life for everyone. We can all probably use many more joyful experiences. It's who we are, no matter our age.

Myth: A reverse mortgage is like a home equity loan.FACT: A home equity loan requires monthly payments. A reverse mortgage loan does not require payments. You must remain current on property taxes, homeowners insurance and HOA dues.Myth: I could get forced out of my home.FACT: FHA/HUD reverse mortgages specifically state that you cannot be forced out of your home. This loan requires; the home be your primary residence, keep up the maintenance/repair of your home, pay your property taxes and homeowners insurance when due along with HOA dues.Myth: The bank will assume ownership of my home if I get a reverse mortgage.Fact: You retain title to the property. The reverse mortgage lender is providing a loan to you. You are responsible to pay property taxes, insurance, HOA dues and home maintenance.Myth: A reverse mortgage loan requires monthly payments.Fact: No payments are required on a reverse mortgage. However, you must remain current on property taxes, homeowners insurance and HOA dues and maintain the home.Myth: I cannot obtain a reverse mortgage if I have an existing first or second mortgage.Fact: If you have a mortgage, home equity line of credit/loan, or a tax lien, you still may qualify for a reverse mortgage. The proceeds obtained from a reverse mortgage pay off such debts. Many owners specifically obtain a reverse mortgage to eliminate their existing loans and payments.Myth: My heirs will not inherit my home.Fact: If you pass away, the heirs either pay the balance due and keep the home or they sell the home and use the proceeds to pay off the loan. Any remaining equity after the loan is paid is theirs.Myth: Medicare and Social Security will be affected by a reverse mortgage.Fact: Reverse Mortgage loan proceeds or payments received are not considered income and do not affect Medicare or Social Security. Please note, a reverse mortgage may affect eligibility for other programs such as Medicaid. You need to consult a representative of Medicaid or an attorney to determine your situation.Editors Note: This article was submitted by Dana Dziagwa (jogwa). NMLS # 257303. She is a reverse mortgage broker and can be reached on her cell phone at 303-921-1238. or Email at danad@aslanhlc.com.