Discovery Commons At South Biscayne

Youve probably driven past one or more of these shiny, new-construction senior living communities that have been popping up in recent years and thought to yourself, Wow, those sure dont look like they used to.Its true; they dont. And in fact, todays senior living communities simply arent like they used to be.Theyre modern and luxurious, with amenities and designer touches, amazing food and service, and the grandeur wed expect from a high-end resort hotel. Youre almost amazed to the point where you have to remind yourself that its not a hotelits home.Indeed, so nice are these new senior communities that its easy to get caught up in all the marble and chandeliers and somehow lose track of what may be the most critical feature of all, and the question every senior and their families should be asking:Can this community give me or my loved one the ability to age in place? Aging in place is the ability for seniors to remain in their residence of choicewithout sacrificing quality of lifewell into their late or even final years. But recent data suggests millions of seniors may be going about it the wrong way.The Institute on Aging reports that some 43.5 million U.S. adults are sole caregivers for an aging parent. And while thats both noble and selfless, rising life expectancies mean todays seniors are living long enough to experience multiple, simultaneous health issues and depend even more on their relatives for care that, lets face it, they arent able to nor qualified to give.Its a Matter of Lifestyle Quality for Both Seniors & FamiliesPleasing aesthetics and all the modern luxuries convey exceptional lifestyle quality. But you mustnt be so enamored with them that you neglect to consider the future and how aging may escalate any chronic conditions or otherwise weigh on mobility or the ability to perform daily activities.Plenty of senior living communities offer only an exquisite independent senior living option, which means that the emergence of memory-related impairments or worsening health issues would likely necessitate a move to an entirely different community that offers assisted living, memory care or other specialized services.In that case, you and your family would be left to figure out the logistics, plan and execute a move to a more care-driven senior living community, one you probably wouldve considered in the first place had you foreseen the road ahead. The availability of expertise in developing personalized care plans and services like medication management may have impacted that initial decision.It Doesnt Require a Crystal Ball to Plan AheadWhen evaluating todays broad spectrum of available senior living solutions, remember the ultimate value and sustainability of a community isnt determined in the here and now. You began your search thinking of the future and whats best for you and your loved ones. Remember to keep that top of mind. Fancy chandeliers and marble countertops are nice, but knowing your loved ones have the opportunity to age in place and be properly cared for, without the added stress of moving into another senior living community and losing that day-to-day consistency, is really what your search is all about.

The benefits of assisted living are the mixing of compassionate care that helps older adults with activities of daily living, accompanied by a lifestyle filled with interactive events, wellness enrichment, and outdoor activities. This article reviews assisted living principles that will ease up your emotional toll after moving a parent.Community CareA significant advantage of assisted living with personalized care is that your aged parent may find all needs attended to within the assisted living community.A Peaceful RetirementSenior health emergencies can prove stressful for all families, whether these older adults live with them daily. When a parent moves to assisted living communities, close kin may be assured that their aged parents are in a nurturing and secure environment, eating healthy meals, interacting, and receiving daily living assistance care.Medicare, Social Security, and Guaranteed Minimum IncomeIf youre worried about finances after retirement, many safety-net programs are available in the United States to ensure that older adults will be taken care of. Many retirees may worry about having no income to tide them over on rainy days. However, with Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, retirees should have health insurance and a guaranteed minimum income to support themselves.Dining DelightsNutritious gourmet meals support overall body healthActive participation in dining with care provided when necessaryDining in a peaceful and calm environment at the same time every day lets residents have all the time they need to eat with peace of mindSenior BenefitsOne of the perks of being 50 years and over is the senior discounts youll get! As insignificant as senior discounts may seem, they can go a long way to help you save money. Many senior discounts also apply to services encouraging you to stay physically and mentally active.Discovery Commons South Biscayne Retirement CommunityAt Discovery Commons South Biscayne, we foster a sense of community and friendship. Our community features multiple customized services and programs. The nursing team predicts and sees your needs and preferences, so you can customize a personal lifestyle that works for you. In the safety of this well-respected community, you may play, live, and enjoy the twilight years of your life. Whatever your interests or preferences for leisure, you can freely make friends with peers, participate in any campus training course, or just slowly read some books in the quiet gardens by the courtyard.Amenities  Optional meal preparation- any two meals per day  Many dining options with over thirty menu options daily  Cafes and retail shops  Extended cable network, utilities  Wi-Fi access found in all common spaces  Housekeeping and linen service  Emergency medical treatment  Full concierge services  Apartment maintenance and housekeeping covered  Chartered bus transportation daily and weekly for: entertainment, excursions, shopping, and medical treatment sessions.  Aging and wellness programs  Outdoor excursions, day trips, or historical tours  Fitness classes every week, like yoga or physiotherapy  Modern, fully equipped gyms  Hurricane emergency preparedness  Hospitality to pets

Don't look now, but senior snot millennials are the fastest-growing segment of todays workforce. Here's how working longer is changing seniors lives, and why the workforce of the future is being re-engineered with seniors more prominent role in mind.It appears that the days of seniors simply riding off into the retirement sunset may well be fading, with large segments of the senior population now launching encore careers in retirement, and even more not retiring at all. For some, its financially necessary, while others simply don't want to give up the security and satisfaction they get from working, even into those later years like their 60s and 70s.How prevalent is the trend, you wonder? Well, consider this: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in 2016 that 27% of seniors ages 65-74 had full- or part-time jobs and the rate has been climbing for 20 years now! In fact, by 2026, its expected to reach 30%, and as soon as 2030, the number of working seniors 65 and older is expected to surpass the number of workers 18 and under.So by all measures, what were seeing unfold is a demographic and cultural megatrend of epic proportions.The reality is this: Having accumulated considerable knowledge and skills throughout the course of decades in the workforce, seniors value in terms of productivity, team membership, and the ability to mentor and influence younger workers is doing much to re-invigorate employers interest and investment. And because of it, plenty of companies are doing away with ageism and previously held biases that typecast senior workers as being less desirable due to lower tech-savvy, greater health risks, and diminished overall productivity (which, data suggests, is unproven if not altogether false).As the future unfolds, here are no less than 7 employment options and avenues that are more open than ever for seniors, and how those who follow something other than the traditional retirement route might go about pursuing additional career interests as their working years kick into overtime.ConsultingEmployers are coming to embrace the concept that its often bad business to simply let senior workers, who are presumably experienced and long-tenured team members, just one day walk out the door. And that paves the way for retiring seniors to stay on as consultants, working on a contract or project basis for their employer or (gasp) the competition if the grass is indeed greener over there.Phased RetirementSomething of a new concept, phased retirement is when a senior worker, in partnership with their employer, begins to dial back time and/or workload to create a longer and more controlled transition to full-on retirement. It allows contributions to continue, which benefits the company, while also allowing seniors to dip a proverbial toe into the retirement pond and see what life is like without the everyday 9-to-5.Encore CareerSome seniors who struggle to occupy their days in retirement have become entrepreneurs and started some fascinating second acts of their own. Whether opening retail shops or other small businesses, brewing craft beer or spirits, or doing trades like wood or metalworking, the choices are unique as each individual senior and limited only by the depth of their skills and their ability to kick in or raise the necessary startup cash.Sports/Interest-Based EmploymentRetirement, for many, is a long-awaited opportunity to devote more time to favorite activities and pursuing longtime interests, whether its golf or tennis, music or the arts, and so on. No surprise, then, that pursuing interest-based employment is a fine way to get more immersed in those arenas or others. Part-time jobs like these aren't hard to come by, and seniors will likely find fun and fulfillment in doing something they love, while the modest, hourly compensation provides a little, extra income on the side.TeachingVarious programs exist nationwide that aim to create teaching and mentorship opportunities between seniors and the younger generation. AARP and other service-minded organizations, as well as institutions for higher learning, are all actively looking for retirees to share knowledge and expertise on everything from machine tools and mathematics to business and foreign languages and beyond.Travel IndustryGetting paid to travel may sound too good to be true, but it turns out seniors who know where to look can enjoy their dream of exploring the US and beyond in retirement and can even earn money while doing it! Cruise lines, tour and excursion companies, and seasonally driven resort communities in popular beach and ski locales can provide interesting employment options, all while offering wonderful opportunities to head out in search of excitement and worldly adventure.Healthcare & Medical ResearchPlenty of seniors volunteer their time at local hospitals, assisting patients and visitors. But few know that there is a need in the medical trial and research space as well, where seniors are needed to help analyze and track data, as well as assist with bookkeeping and administration. Those who wish to get involved might try making contact with the research departments at area hospitals and universities, where work is being done today to uncover the medicines and treatments of tomorrow.

For more information on the author, Discovery Commons South Biscayne, CLICK HERE!Grandchildren are a great part of growing older. Its hard not to notice, however, that children today have much different childhood experiences than our own. Children are often involved with electronic devices, rather than going outside to play, as children in former generations have done. This gap between childhood activities and many more things can complicate the wonderful relationship with grandkids. Discovery Village at Palm Beach Gardens retirement communities are great places to spend time with grandchildren, and the following are ideas for enhancing your time with grandkids.Have you found that your grandchildren aren't always easy to keep entertained? There are simple ways to spend quality time together while enjoying activities and events that everyone is interested in. Going on adventures never grows old, and there are many adventurous pursuits grandparents can enjoy with grandchildren.1 Cook Together. There are recipes that can be made by the smallest of children. Keep in mind that kids are usually capable of more than we realize, especially when it comes to pursuits that we are concerned might lead to an injury, like cooking. Choose a recipe that gives the children fun ways to participate but also that you are comfortable with, as you give the little ones some freedom in the kitchen. Cooking is an activity that children of every age usually enjoy, as long as they like the menu item you're making together.2 Nature Scavenger Hunt. Going on a treasure hunt is fun for children of every age. Make what might otherwise be an ordinary walk an exciting adventure. Before starting out, prepare a list of items in nature to be collected for a nature scavenger hunt, such as a y-shaped twig, pine cone, feather, round rock, or red leaf. Pull out your creative stops and create clues that rhyme, if you want to set up a scavenger hunt in advance. Another option is to take a picture of things that start with each letter of the alphabet. These games will awaken a child's observational skills and will simply be a fun time for everyone.3 Play Board Games. Wouldn't it be great to show your grandchildren that playing board games is more fun than staring at a video screen and playing solo? There are many fun games to choose from. The secret is to find the ones that are age-appropriate for the kids and interesting to you, as well. For anyone age 7 and up, Bananagrams is a great choice; its a quick-moving word game that comes packaged in a banana container. For everyone age 12 and up, Apples to Apples is a fun card game that doesn't leave players feeling bored. Zingo is a popular game that's fun for anyone age 3 and up; its a simplified version of bingo.4 Break out the Baby Pictures. Children usually enjoy seeing pictures of their parents as babies and children growing into adulthood. Be sure to share stories with as many details from the past as you can remember. It will be fun for the grandkids to see and hear about what their parents did when they were young.5 Create a Time Capsule. If you'd like to invest some time in a project that can be fun and thought-provoking, you could create a time capsule together. There are no set rules for time capsules. It could be as simple as filling a shoebox that you put away in the attic for a future date or as involved as choosing packaging that can withstand being buried under the ground for years. Think together about who will open the time capsule someday, and what would you like to communicate to them? The items should have significance in representing your message but need not be of any monetary value. Suggestions for a time capsule include:An indicator of technology, such as a DVD. Even if it cant be played in the future, it will be an item of interest.Magazines or newspapers which reveal current fads, trends, and events.Journals that have been written in.Letters.Personal messages addressed to people who will be reading it in the future.Packaging and labels of favorite products, with price tags, if possible.Toys that are currently popular.6 Make a Dollhouse. Teach your children one of the valuable lessons of your childhood: You don't need to spend money to have fun! Use thin cardboard to make a dollhouse together, complete with small pieces of furniture. A simple approach is to use several shoeboxes stacked together and side-by-side. The cardboard tube in a package of paper towels can be cut out to make tiny table legs and chairs, and construction paper could be colored and used as wallpaper in the house. Have the children use their imagination to create the dollhouse and its contents, and refer to the Internet for ideas.

For more information on the author, Discovery Commons South Biscayne, CLICK HERE!The health of our residents is a top consideration at Discovery Village  communities in Florida. We provide foods and activities specifically for the purpose of promoting good health. Our residents are also encouraged to follow their doctors orders, and there are some symptoms that physicians almost universally agree should not be ignored. While not every ache and pain needs to be a cause for concern, the following symptoms are possible signs of serious or life-threatening conditions and should be checked out by medical professionals as soon as possible:One Chest Pain If you feel searing discomfort in your chest, including painful pressure or heaviness, you could be experiencing a heart attack. Other symptoms that may accompany chest pain are:Pain radiating down one armVomitingShortness of breathWomen tend to experience more subtle symptoms of a heart attack, such as extreme fatigue or a burning sensation in the upper abdominal area. Other symptoms include jaw pain and severe upper back pain.Many of the symptoms associated with a heart attack are also experienced when gastrointestinal reflux disease flairs up or as a result of an esophageal spasm.Two A Debilitating HeadacheIf you suddenly experience an extremely painful and severe headache, it is possible that you have a brain aneurysm. An aneurysm is a weakness in the artery wall that supplies blood to the brain. The artery becomes enlarged because of the aneurysm and applies pressure on your brain. If the artery ruptures, you could experience a stroke or could die as a result of bleeding in the brain. Immediately call 9-1-1 if you experience this kind of headache.If you routinely begin experiencing headaches and they develop suddenly, you may have problems with your eyesight, a brain tumor, or other possible health issues. See a doctor as soon as possible, though the situation is not as critically urgent as suffering from an aneurysm.Three NumbnessIf you feel weakness, tingling, or numbness in your hands or feet, it is possible that a bulging or herniated disk is pressing on a nerve, compressing it. If that is the problem, the pressure can end up causing permanent neurological damage. Consult with an orthopedist or a neurologist, who will determine the best treatment options. Symptoms sometimes clear up on their own, but the following are among treatments used, when needed:Physical therapyTaking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicationAlternating application of ice and heatCortisone injectionSurgeryFour Leg Pain Accompanied by SwellingDo not hesitate to go to an emergency room or to see your doctor if you experience swelling in your calf that is painful and tender to the touch. These symptoms are an indication of a blood clot, which can be extremely dangerous. You could die if the clot were to move from your leg and travel to your lung because the clot could prevent the needed oxygen supply from getting to your lung. Approximately 200,000 people are killed in this way, by pulmonary embolisms, every year. When these symptoms are treated quickly, the mortality rate is below 10%. Treatment includes blood thinners and close monitoring. Hours of immobility, such as on a lengthy airline flight, can make a person more susceptible to blood clots. Other symptoms of a blood clot include:Discoloration of the legsVeins being more visibleWarm area on the legShortness of breathLeg pain can also be the first sign of malignant cancer or other underlying medical conditions.Five Severe Abdominal PainIf you begin to experience sudden or severe stomach pain, it is recommended that you see a doctor as soon as possible. There are numerous possibilities as to what the problem could be, however. A possible life-threatening condition is that an aortic aneurysm could have ruptured. Other possibilities follow:The pain could be an indication of a perforated viscus or a hole in a hollow organ such as the intestine or stomach. Ulcers are usually the cause. The condition is potentially life-threatening.If blood flow to the intestines stops or slows significantly, starving tissues of oxygen, you could be suffering from intestinal ischemia. This condition is also potentially life-threatening.It is not uncommon for gallstones to be the cause of abdominal pain. Gallstones are pebble-like deposits lodged in a gallbladder duct, and they cause sharp pain, vomiting, and nausea. There are numerous treatment options available, including surgical gallbladder removal.

Discovery Commons South Biscayne provides all resident elders with an all-inclusive lifestyle. We comprehend the need to offer our residents a community that provides a premier service level of care and reasonable charges. We have developed an all-inclusive lifestyle that is both affordable and convenient. Here are the warm and fuzzies of all-inclusive retirement communities.Fun and Engaging ActivitiesPurpose-driven activities for individuals or in small groupsActivities designed to cater to residents current abilities and on different daysActivities that are noncompetitive, failure-free and age-appropriateOpportunities that match residents attention spansInhouse NursingA significant advantage of retirement communities with personalized care is that your aged parent may find all needs attended to within retirement living communities. Many retirement communities offer on-site medical consultation, fitness training, mental health therapy, or more to help with your loved ones health.Safe Retirement PremisesSenior health emergencies can prove stressful for all families, whether these older adults live with them daily. When a parent moves to the retirement community, close kin may be assured that their aged parents are in a nurturing and secure environment, eating healthy meals, interacting, and receiving daily living assistance care.Enhanced NutritionRegarding meal arrangements, healthy diets and nutrition remain essential for elders. At retirement communities, three full meals per day get prepared for older adults. In many retirement communities, residents assist in planning healthy and nourishing menus, while every resident receives a personalized menu.Socialize with PeersAt Discovery Commons South Biscayne, we offer our retirement community residents the best senior active independent living programs. Enjoy daily activities, games, outings, and scheduled wellness classes.Assistance with Daily Activities of LivingYour aged parent may constantly expect and receive close supervision from retirement community team members. The nursing team extends immediate assistance to aged parents with all activities of daily living. These include tasks like bathing, dressing, or dispensing prescribed medication.24/7 Access to Health Care ProfessionalsMany retirement communities employ a high team member-to-resident ratio, implying that your aged parent will constantly get the personalized service they need. The medical team includes registered nurses who remain on-site 24 hours daily, therapists, dietitians, or other nursing professionals who care for your aged parent.A Vibrant Social LifeIt is common for older adults to feel isolated as they grow older. Isolation in older adults may result in various issues, like declining health, declining mobility, depression, and more. With retirement communities, residents join a closely-knit, supportive network community surrounded by other peers. Patients participate in activities that foster community interaction from arts and crafts to games and sports.Benefits of Retirement CommunitiesRetirement communities with personalized care provide residents with broad-ranging living and health care services. When older adults move into retirement communities with customized care, communities offer retirement communities memory training, nursing care, or rehabilitation therapy, all accessible in retirement community quarters. When your aged parent moves into retirement communities with personalized care, they receive maintenance-free nursing care. The advantages of retirement communities include the blending of nursing care that assists older adults with daily living activities and a calendar filled with interactive events that help older adults thrive. Most aspects of their lives are affected by the move to retirement communities, so look at the benefits of retirement communities, such as reducing stress and improving quality of life. Retirement community residents may benefit from personal customized nursing care programs. We provide residents with an all-inclusive lifestyle.

Retirement may be a very emotional experience for most. However, it may seem particularly intense for a loved one with dementia. Here are 3 Fundamentals on what makes effective dementia care. Comfortable Apparel and Specialized ClothingIf your parent who moves into dementia care has a vast wardrobe, it might be hard to pick out clothes for packing. Begin by selecting clothes that they often wear at home and at night. They are likely to wear clothes they often wear and feel comfortable in. Also, if your parent struggles to dress up independently, try buying clothing for older adults with dementia to make dressing easier.Dcor That Creates Nostalgic Living SpacesMost contemporary dementia care communities use personalized designs to decorate living spaces. Such design factors how interior surroundings may positively help older adults with Alzheimers or other types of dementia. Also, close kin may help ground their aged parent by packing objects that personalize the memory care spaces. Ask your aged parent if certain belongings may familiarize spaces to orient your packing choices. For instance, furnish and decorate the living space before older adults move in to make it feel like home. Our retirement communities from Discovery Commons South Biscayne usually apply various therapies to assist older adults suffering from symptoms of dementia. These include aromatherapy, music therapy, painting therapy, or recall medicine. The close kin may assist their parent by packing objects that supplement memory care therapy. Planning a memory care packing list starts with picking things that help your parent feel at home. Creating a sense of home may mean packing belongings that invoke nostalgic sensations, like an old pillow. Alternatively, this may mean packing some belongings and evoking emotional comforts, like old photo albums. Bear old memories in mind as you load the belongings. You might locate many boxes of photos when packing. Get online services to digitize the images. Alternatively, if you opt to shift hard copies of pictures to a close kins home instead of digitizing, try to put old photos into a scrapbook for your parent to use for memory therapy.Pursuit of Personal HobbiesShifting into assisted living apartments does not imply that your parent with dementia must cease all activities they pursued from home. For instance, research recommends persisting with hobbies like arts and crafts to slow down the onset of memory issues, according to a study published in neurology. While memory care communities provide interactive opportunities for residents, families may pack belongings for their parents to keep occupied with over other times in the day. These may help parents develop better sleep habits by replacing naps with fun games. Things to Include in Personal Care Apartment PreparationsTo decide what to bring to dementia care, the challenges you are facing as the close kin of a parent with dementia demand a distinct kind of challenge. Memory care communities in Discovery Commons South Biscayne provide special events and therapies you do not find with independent living or assisted living.Hence, deciding what to bring to memory care by anticipating your parents personal needs when making your memory care packing list is necessary. You would have to talk with the communitys care manager about personal belongings that may complement memory-related games and therapy such might require music records or old photos. Beyond this, daily belongings like comfortable apparel and old images may help your parent to create a new, warm, homelike space. Every day belongings like old clothing and photos may allow your parent to make a generous, homelike space.

For more information on the author, Discovery Commons South Biscayne, CLICK HERE!Baby Boomers used to be cool. They used to be the fun-loving rebels. Well, times have changed and, while they're still cool, they are increasingly becoming known as the Sandwich Generation. Still caring for their kids and starting to care for their parents. Theres suddenly a lot more responsibilities heaped on their plate. (But they 'are still cool).The sandwich generation can hit at any time sometimes when you least expect it. Usually, before you're ready. But Boomer or not, if you're alreadyin that situation or foresee it happening in the near future, you should know right now these two versions of caring are definitely not the same thing.You may have thought raising kids was hard, but at least when dealing with kids you can be The Parent. When they're little, you have full authority. You get to choose what they wear, what they eat, what they watch on TV and who they hang out with. Of course, they grow up sooner than your think and start to voice their little opinions. Cute may give way to rebellious in their teenage years or at least more opinionated. (They'll think of it as self-confident.) But even then you still have some cards you can play to get them to do what you want taking away the car keys, the cell phone, or computer time, etc. Need I say more?But your parents? Well, they're a different story entirely. As they age, a certain role reversal begins to emerge especially if dementia is part of the picture. They become less able to take care of themselves but just like with your kids they often dont want to admit it. So what do you do?All About CaregivingBe patient. Believe me, this is easier said than done. But its the key to almost every interaction you'll have with your aging parents. Take driving, for instance. If you think they should'nt drive, you'll need to work up to taking the keys away slowly. Just like with the kids, use teachable moments when you can discuss seniors that have made the news because they had an accident. Discuss the possible dangers both to themselves and others, while touting the ease and advantages of other types of transportation and home delivery services. Get help from the family doctor if possible.Respect their points of view. Be aware and prepared that many of these changes your'e about to propose will meet with opposition. You may not agree and while you may need to use your tenuous power of veto if their choices would put them in danger (e.g. driving or living alone if they have become confused or frail). But listen to what they have to say and let them know that you understand their point of view. Compromise or make small concessions when you can so they feel as though they have a valued voice. And try to reason with them rather than bullying them to do what you want them to do.Give them space. If you become your parents caregiver in your own home, establish boundaries. Include them in family activities, dinners, etc. so they feel a part of the family. But allow them their own space and time alone as well. After all, most senior adults have lived on their own for many many years and its not easy to have to abide by someone else's rules and schedules especially when they're used to the role of The Parent.If they're ready to make a move to senior living or if you feel they should be making that move start the discussion early. Include them in touring facilities. Talk up the benefits no need to cook, drive, or do their own laundry. There are fun activities!Help Through Assisted LivingDiscovery Villages offers seniors a lifestyle they're sure to enjoy. They'll be living among others in the same stage of life. People who are interested in the same activities. Great dinner companions. Supportive friends. And of course, there are a lot of activities from exercise classes to educational programming, outings, cards, movies, and happy hour. And did we mention gourmet dining? The community offers living options ranging from independent senior apartments to assisted living and memory care all on the same beautiful campus. When your parents see all they have to offer, they may not need much convincing after all!And finally, be patient. Oh wait did I already say that? If they're upset, be patient in your reasoning with them. If you're upset, be patient in confronting them. Be patient when they move (and eat and dress) slowly. Be patient when they cant find the right words. Be patient when they tell you what to do. Its frustrating. Its exhausting. But in the end, you'll be really glad you did.

While diagnoses like dementia and Alzheimers are consistently at the forefront of the conversation, depressive disorders actually represent the #1 mental health issue among seniors. But depression and its many iterations consistently go unrecognized and untreated among seniors, a clear sign that more vigilance is needed to identify and sufficiently treat symptoms of depression before they escalate and potentially lead to more serious outcomes, such as major depressive episodes, self-destructive behaviors, and even suicide.Various lifestyle factors among seniors can act as powerful catalysts for depression, from declining physical abilities to the loss of friends and loved ones. However, the emphasis on seniors maintaining independence actually works against them in this case, making it less likely affected seniors will ask for or seek out the help they need in any sort of timely manner.Clearly, seniors and society as a whole can do better. So as we work to further the discussion about seniors and mental health, understanding these early warning signs and the many available tools and outlets for effectively dealing with mental health concerns is a crucial first step towards ensuring longer and more fulfilling lives for seniors.Early Warning SignsTheres a strong and very direct correlation between declining mental health and worsening physical health. So beyond just changes in mood, feeling sad or lonely, or deriving less joy from certain activities, paying less attention to personal grooming and appearance, changing eating or sleep patterns, or withdrawing from family or social activities should all raise concerns and not go unaddressed if noticed.Important warning signs to look for in order to identify mental health concerns in seniors include:Persistent sadnessTrouble falling asleep or sleeping too muchDecreased socializationLoss of interest in usual activitiesExcessive worryingIrritabilityFeeling worthless, helpless or hopelessChanges in appetiteCrying spellsTrouble focusing, remembering or making decisionsDeclining personal care and appearance7 Ways Seniors Can Improve Mental HealthAlthough seniors might be uniquely vulnerable, they are not helpless when it comes to combating mental health concerns. So whether its going on the offensive and taking preventive measures, or just being aggressive about soliciting help and support, using all available tools and resources is key to feeling better faster and continually cultivating an environment in which seniors are empowered and vigilant when it comes to ensuring their own mental health.Challenge the Mind: Spend time reading and/or writing, studying a foreign language or other subjects, playing an instrument, or doing puzzlesGet Physical: Take regular walks, make exercise an important part of life, and enjoy physical activities where possibleStay Connected with Friends: Stave off the ill effects of loneliness and isolation by remaining in regular contact with friends and loved ones. Technology like FaceTime and Skype make video calling simple and seamless, but theres always e-mail, sending letters or postcards, and old-fashioned phone calls, tooTake Part in Events & Activities: At senior living communities nationwide, activities programs are specially designed to offer a variety of recreation and social options, which leave seniors feeling more active, involved, and purposeful about their day-to-day livesVolunteering: Doing good for others is a great way to do good for ourselves, too. Giving time to worthy organizations from the local community helps support causes, but also makes the individual feel valued, appreciated, and more accomplished in the processCaring for a Pet: Animals offer unconditional love and companionship, and where appropriate, can keep seniors active and more engaged while leading their care. Alternatively, volunteering at a local animal shelter can have a similar effect without the full-time responsibilityGet Help: Its long past time to defeat the lingering stigmas about mental health and be proactive about asking for help. Medical professionals in both the office and residential setting are trained to recognize warning signs, but can also help expedite proper care for affected seniors.