Massachusetts - Greater Boston

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the lives of many Americans. Older adults, in particular, likely suffered because of their increased risk of illness from the virus and the negative impact of isolation on their quality of life. The pandemic forced us to limit contact with others, and it has been found that loneliness may increase the risk of developing memory problems, like dementia. Dementia is a term describing the decline in a persons cognition and functioning over time, and it is a concern for the aging population.Some risk factors for dementia are modifiable, meaning they can be controlled to reduce ones risk. Socialization and cognitive stimulation are both factors that can help reduce dementia risk. It has been shown that those with more social interactions in their community often experience slower rates of memory decline. Currently, with the emergence of the highly contagious delta variant, there is an increased risk of COVID infection amongst vaccinated individuals, though risk of hospitalization and death are lower for the vaccinated. So, vaccinated older adults should still take protective measures, but it is possible to slowly and safely begin participating in activities that can contribute to healthy brain aging.Activities that promote socialization and stimulation include meeting with friends or family, volunteering, joining a club, attending a religious service, or learning something new like an instrument or knitting, to name a few. These community and social engagements are like exercise for the brain, and they are positively associated with healthy aging.Introducing social activities back into daily routines may be overwhelming for seniors, after living secured and secluded for so long during the pandemic. It is possible to start small, and cautiously incorporate social interactions back into their lives. This can be done by picking one meaningful activity or relationship to focus on. In fact, the quality and satisfaction of the connections you engage in are the most important factors in reducing dementia risk. Alternatively, personal activities like writing, reading, or playing digital games help stimulate the brain for healthy aging. To start, reach out to your local senior center and see what activities they offer which may be of interest to you.Another way to increase social interactions is to get involved in clinical trials. The Division of Geriatric Psychiatry at McLean treats patients experiencing memory problems. We offer research opportunities for individuals interested in gaining access to treatment interventions for memory loss and dementia as well as associated behavioral symptoms, such as anxiety and agitation. By participating, older adults can form relationships with our study clinicians and research staff, while also contributing to the advancement of treatment options for those experiencing memory problems.Editors Note: This article was submitted by Dr. Brent Forester, Chief, Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, McLean Hospital and Isabella Santangelo, Clinical Research Assistant. Contact for more information: 617-855-3267  

Our MobilityWorks@home experts are often asked, Should I get a wheelchair ramp or a lift for my home? The answer depends on factors such as the users mobility, staircase height and number of floors, to name a few. While our trained technicians can help you choose which type of mobility solution is right for your needs, the overview below discusses a few key benefits and differences that can help guide your decision.Wheelchair RampsWheelchair ramps are designed for your specific space and include pre-assembled ramps, handrails and platforms. They do require some effort to navigate, unlike vertical platform lifts, and as a result, are better suited for scooter and power wheelchair users. They can be configured for almost any site, and are both cost-effective and low maintenance depending on the amount of ramp needed. Because they come pre-assembled, installing a wheelchair ramp is typically a quick and easy process that doesnt require anchoring into concrete footings or pads. Wheelchair ramps sold through MobilityWorks@home have a built-in anti-slip surface and do not rust or warp, making them a durable mobility solution.Wheelchair Ramp BenefitsBest for low-rise environmentsIdeal for scooter or power wheelchair usersEasy installationLow maintenance750-pound weight capacityCost-effectiveVertical Platform LiftsVertical platform lifts resemble an elevator with a platform that can be raised and lowered to transport a user safely to another floor. While they are often seen in businesses, churches, and schools, they are also often used outside residential homes as a porch lift. These lifts are operated mechanically and require little effort from the user, making them an easy-to-use option for almost anyone in need of mobility assistance. They are more effective than wheelchair ramps in high-rise environments involving a large staircase or multiple levels that need to be accessed. Installing a vertical platform lift does require a concrete pad toanchor the equipment, making the installation process more complex than that of a wheelchair ramp.Vertical Platform Lift BenefitsBest for high-rise environmentsEasy to operateSuitable for almost anyone, including manual wheelchair usersWeather-protected controls and switches750-pound weight capacityRequires less space than a wheelchair rampCustomized to Your Specific NeedsThere is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to accessing your home safely and comfortably. Thats why our MobilityWorks@home technicians are trained to find the wheelchair ramp or lift that fits your home and your needs. Give us a call or contact us today so we can help you stay in the home you love.

The Federal Trade Commission reports that each year aging Americans (ages 60+) lose hundreds of millions of dollars due to scams of varying types. Many everyday activities the aging population are involved in, such as telephone calls, emails, and other online interactions are being used as an entry point for scamming activity. Proactive steps to avoid victimization         Estate planning with an elder law attorney can help put trusted loved ones in a position of authority to help protect the aging person from undue influences. Documents like Power of Attorney, Health Care Proxy, and Revocable or Irrevocable Trusts can all be valuable tools to create structure for when the aging adult is not able to make sound decisions for themselves.        A credit freeze (also known as a security freeze) does not allow a creditor to access your credit file, thus preventing someone from opening accounts in the victims name and may be an appropriate proactive step.         Review Statements from health insurance, banks, credit cards, IRA accounts, etc. should all be monitored closely for suspicious activity. Medicare Summary Notices and Explanation of Benefits should be reviewed for incorrect charges and information.        Research whether the companies, offers, or phone call regarding bills owed are legitimate. Scammers usually try to force the aging person to act now. Slow down your reaction to be sure that the call, email, or letter are in fact real.If you are a victim        Contact the bank/financial institution to let them know of a fraudulent or unauthorized charge. Ask them to give you your money back and reverse the charge.        Contact your local police department to notify them of the fraud.        Change the username and password for any affected online account and other account that you may use the same login information. Use a random password to make the account(s) less vulnerable. Use different passwords for different accounts and keep a record of your passwords in a safe place.         File a report, not only for your benefit but to possibly help prevent others from becoming a victim. A report can be made to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.  

Both your vision and your hearing are very important senses, and both cause great difficulties if they dont work effectively. Due to the way we use them, their loss affects us in different ways. Many adults get their vision checked regularly, so why do so many people ignore their ears?When you visit an optician, you look at a letter chart. If you have loss of vision, you may not be able to read the smaller letters because your eyes cant focus on them.Another way to understand vision loss is to think of how we age. Over time, the eyes gradually lose their ability to focus. If you are farsighted, you know seeing things close to you like reading become more difficult. This loss of sensitivity to nearby objects does not vary; it is uniform.Like vision, our ears often graduallylose the ability to hearhigh frequencies, both through damage and aging. However, unlike vision loss, the actual effects of this are not uniform.Speech is made up of many different frequencies and tones. If we cant hear high pitched sounds, we find it hard to understand specific letters such as f and s. This is because they contain high frequencies.In contrast to vision loss where we miss chunks of vision, the loss of hearing sensitivity affects many parts of speech that are scattered throughout a conversation, so random bits of conversation get lost.When people struggle to see, they wear glasses. These vision aids help a broad range of people. Prescription glasses require a professional to check your vision, write a prescription and orders lenses specifically addressing your individual needs.The same is true with hearing solutions. Since modern hearing aid designs are discreet, stylish and come in a range of colors. many people now find old stigmas to be silly. The life-changing, cutting-edge hearing aid technology of today offers solutions for every type of hearing loss, age and lifestyle. If you hear and see well, your entire world is brighter.Having ahearing assessment* is as easy as a vision test. Plus, at HearingLife its complimentary.Make an appointment to get started.