Sunday, February 14 is Valentine’s Day. It is usually the day when couples celebrate their love for each other, usually with cards, gifts, flowers and candy. Some might even plan a night out. However, since last year, many of those typical plans have been altered due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For many senior citizens who may feel lonely or isolated on this special day, here are some ways to wish them a happy Valentine’s Day.

For older adults living by themselves, nothing beats the old-fashioned telephone call — more personal than an email or a text message. Children are excited to tell their grandparents good news — an A on a test, their game-winning goal or their performance in the school concert. Their parents also like to talk to them just to make sure they are alright and if they need anything. Hearing a caring, familiar voice on the other line makes all the difference.

For children who are into arts and crafts, they can make a collage of photos showing them with their “nana” and/or “papa” on a poster board. They can take red, white and pink construction paper, cut out heart shapes and glue them to the poster board. If you have a tech-savvy senior, you may want to send them a digital frame filled with photos and videos of their favorite memories that will always be on display. (Please see the previous blog on using technology to stay in touch with seniors.)

Older adults living in assisted living facilities or nursing homes might be pleased to receive a visit from their families. However, New York State Health Law has required these facilities to implement social distancing protocols. Before visiting a loved one, be sure to check the facility’s COVID-19 visitation policy.

In order to help residents combat loneliness on Valentine’s Day, groups such as the Cupid Crew have sent cards with personalized messages as part of its Wish of a Lifetime program from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). Volunteers would normally come to deliver the cards to the residents, but, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization has adapted to allow those who wish to send a card to either download, print and mail it themselves, or send the card via email.

McPeak’s Assisted Living provides outstanding service based on the belief that it is a community responsibility to preserve the health, safety, comfort and general welfare of the elderly and infirm, who may be suffering from loneliness, anxiety or lack of attention. We also provide particular attention to residents with cognitive impairments, such as Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. With our affordable prices and excellent standard of care, we have the facilities to accommodate your loved one’s needs and allow them to live to the fullest. For more information, please call us at (631) 475-0445 or visit our contact page.

As the COVID-19 vaccines are currently being rolled out to the general public, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is making sure that the nation’s most vulnerable population — senior citizens — are vaccinated first. The CDC says that those who are 85 years old or older are at the highest risk to develop severe COVID-19-related illnesses or death, including being placed in intensive care on a ventilator.

As the CDC points out, the higher the age range, the greater the possibility of hospitalization or death. Those who are 65-74 years old are five times more likely to be hospitalized and 90 times more likely to die from the virus than those between 18 and 29 years old. For older people between the ages of 75 to 84, they are eight times more likely to wind up in the hospital and they are 220 times more likely to die from COVID-19 than their younger counterparts.

The CDC estimates that 3 million nursing home and assisted living facility residents will require a vaccination due to their living in closed quarters, as well as their age and their health. Most states are rolling out plans that make sure the oldest are vaccinated before the second half of 2021. Those who receive the “frontrunner” vaccines from Moderna, AstraZeneca and Pfizer will have to get a second dose a few weeks later.

According to the Pew Research Center, 55% of those between 50 and 64 years old and 63% of those 65 and older said they were “very” or “somewhat” concerned about getting a serious case of COVID-19. When asked if they would be vaccinated, 60% of the 50-64 age group and 75% of those 65 and older said they would.

Moncef Slaoui, a chief scientific adviser to Operation Warp Speed, is worried that not everyone will want to take the vaccine. Dr. Slaoui said the vaccines will be “useless” if no one decides to get the shot.

McPeak’s Assisted Living provides care for your loved ones while ensuring they maintain a happy, healthy, and fulfilling lifestyle, right here in Suffolk County, Long Island, near downtown Patchogue. We offer art and music classes for our residents, as well as fun games and activities to keep them active. In addition, our facility adheres to strict CDC and New York State Department of Health guidelines and infection control protocols. Since June 2020, McPeak’s has been free of the COVID-19 virus.

We provide particular attention to residents with cognitive impairments, such as Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. With our affordable prices and excellent standard of care, we have the facilities to accommodate your loved one’s needs and allow them to live life to the fullest. For more information, please call us at (631) 475-0445 or visit our contact page.

RESOURCES:

https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2020/coronavirus-vaccine-distribution.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/older-adults.html#:~:text=The%20risk%20for%20severe%20illness,older%20adults%20at%20highest%20risk.&text=need%20to%20know-,Risk%20for%20severe%20illness%20with%20COVID%2D19%20increases%20with%20age,increase%20risk%20for%20severe%20illness

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/17/us/coronavirus-vaccines-nursing-homes.html

https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2020/12/03/intent-to-get-a-covid-19-vaccine-rises-to-60-as-confidence-in-research-and-development-process-increases/

Today’s preschoolers and kindergartners are taught, as they grow older, to “make new friends and keep the old.” But for senior citizens, some feel that it is too late in life for them to meet new people. They realize they start to lose touch with their neighbors or co-workers once they retire or move away to be closer to their loved ones. Contrary to what they think, there is still time to expand their social circle.

A recent article from Senior News pointed out that, while it is important for older people to stay close with family, they should also make an effort to make new friends. The article goes on to say that, according to researchers in North America, building up a network of friends reduces the chance of a stroke and heart disease.

The National Institute on Aging also found that seniors who meet other people, whether through social activities or local programs, show signs of improved cognition. Those who are more socially active tend to live longer lives, improve their mood and feel that their lives are meaningful. The agency also found that such interaction keeps the brain fully functional and reduces feelings of isolation and loneliness. The Senior News article also stated that seniors, who have friends close by, feel secure in that they have someone to count on in the event of an emergency.

These new friends also provide a benefit to seniors. The researchers cited by Senior News show that having these people come into seniors’ lives can have a positive influence by encouraging them to eat healthy foods or quit smoking.

The article suggests ways to make new friends. This includes finding people who have the same interests as you; it could be movies, sports or politics. Another suggestion is to join a club, such as a senior league softball team, or attend a lecture that features an interesting topic. Someone who attends these events or joins an organization will soon meet another senior who shares the same interests, resulting in friendship.

McPeak’s Assisted Living provides care for your loved ones while ensuring they maintain a happy, healthy, and fulfilling lifestyle, right here in Suffolk County, Long Island, near downtown Patchogue. We offer art and music classes for our residents, as well as fun games and activities to keep them active. You can look forward to the company of others with mutual interests and the positive joys of making new friends. You’ll always have someone to talk to, someone who cares.

We provide particular attention to residents with cognitive impairments, such as Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. With our affordable prices and excellent standard of care, we have the facilities to accommodate your loved one’s needs and allow them to live life to the fullest. For more information, please call us at (631) 475-0445 or visit our contact page.

Studies have shown that pets can help improve the overall health of older adults. Senior pet owners who were surveyed for these studies said their physical health improved, and they felt happier and not as stressed out since owning a pet.

The University of Michigan’s National Poll on Healthy Aging found that 68% of senior pet owners (ages 50-80) have a dog, 48% own a cat and 16% keep a small pet (bird, fish, hamster) at home. When asked about the health benefits of owning a pet, 79% of those surveyed said they felt less stress, 73% said their pets provide them with a sense of purpose, 65% said they were able to connect with other people and 64% said their pets made them feel more physically active. The latter was mostly true among dog owners.

An article from The Gerontologist, a publication of the Gerontological Society of America, found that, not only did dog owners engage in 150 minutes of physical activity per week — as recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — but they were able to improve their walking behavior. In addition, they were more likely to put in 30 minutes of walking than younger non-dog owners and walk at a much faster pace. As a result, dog owners lost weight and made less frequent trips to the doctor.

But it is not just their physical health where seniors see improvement. According to the Michigan poll, 72% of pet owners who live alone and/or have poor physical health said pets help them take their minds off their loneliness and/or symptoms associated with mental or physical illness. Science reported that pet owners who stare into their dog’s eyes for at least five minutes experience an elevation of oxytocin, a hormone found in the brain which improves a person’s mood.

Another surprising result from the Poll on Aging is that 62% of senior pet owners found that their daily routines are more structured because of their animals. By getting into a routine, owners found a greater sense of purpose in their lives and, because they are more mentally acute, they lower their risk of cognitive decline.

McPeak’s Assisted Living provides care for your loved ones while ensuring they maintain a happy, healthy, and fulfilling lifestyle, right here in Suffolk County, Long Island, near downtown Patchogue. McPeak’s offers a variety of services for its residents, including a full-time recreational program with pet-assisted therapy. With our affordable prices and excellent standard of care, we have the facilities to accommodate your loved one’s needs and allow them to live to the fullest. For more information, please call us at (631) 475-0445 or visit our contact page.

RESOURCES:

https://academic.oup.com/gerontologist/article/57/5/930/2632039

https://www.healthyagingpoll.org/report/how-pets-contribute-healthy-aging

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/5-reasons-seniors-should-consider-getting-a-pet-2019-04-03

https://science.sciencemag.org/content/348/6232/333

In addition to turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie, there is another item on this year’s Thanksgiving menu: social distancing. With the holiday fast approaching, it is important to consider what this means for your family when it comes to protecting you and your loved ones against COVID-19, especially with senior family members who may be in attendance.

Here are some tips to help create a safe Thanksgiving for senior family members:

• Be vigilant while conducting a guest list to limit risk.

While creating a guest list, keep in mind the risk level regarding the spread of COVID-19, especially when older relatives are coming. Consider having guests tested for the virus 24-48 hours prior to Thanksgiving.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends taking into consideration the levels of COVID-19 infections in your community, the infection levels in the areas your guests are traveling from and whether or not they have been social distancing prior to the event.

• Keep it clean.

It is crucial to deep clean surfaces before, during, and after the event. The last thing you want is a senior guest being afraid to move around for fear of touching a surface and contracting the virus. An attainable approach to this task is focusing on common surfaces such as doorknobs, countertops, and faucets. In addition to regular cleaning, set up a private sanitizing station in an easy-to-reach location, for senior guest use only. Setting up additional sanitizing stations for all guests also serves as a friendly reminder for younger guests to keep their hands clean for the safety of their elders.

• Designate a separate bathroom for seniors. 

If availability permits, designating one bathroom specifically for senior family members is a great way to lower the risk of cross-contamination of virus particles. This may be especially helpful in eliminating the stress of sharing a common space with younger family members who may be less careful and concerned with contracting and spreading the virus.

• Carefully choose and explain your serving style.

Consider a buffet style serving that each guest approaches one at a time. Senior family members should either serve themselves first or have a family member carefully make them a plate to eliminate their contact with cross contamination.

Mutual understanding and respect of the rules and precautions are vital to any social gathering, especially one during a pandemic that puts seniors at high risk. It is normal to be anxious during the holidays, especially during these difficult times, and this anxiety may be heightened for senior family members. This is why it is so important to create a safe environment for them to gather with their loved ones and give thanks. However you plan to spend your Thanksgiving, make sure it is safe and enjoyable!

McPeak’s Assisted Living provides care for your loved ones while ensuring they maintain a happy, healthy, and fulfilling lifestyle, right here in Suffolk County, Long Island, near downtown Patchogue. With our affordable prices and excellent standard of care, we have the facilities to accommodate yourloved one’s needs and allow them to live to the fullest. For more information, please call us at (631) 475-0445 or visit our contact page.

When senior citizens were younger, they probably didn’t take getting a good night’s sleep so seriously. Whether it was pulling an all-nighter when they were in college or working 12 to 16 hours a day inside a factory or behind a desk, they could get by on a few hours of shut-eye. But studies have shown that a lack of sleep can affect both your mental and physical health.

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) recommends that adults, especially older adults, need between seven and nine hours of sleep each night. However, seniors may have a difficult time falling asleep, either because they are sick or in pain. Seniors who do not get enough rest during the night may experience certain ailments the following day, including irritability, forgetfulness, depression and more falls or accidents.

There are other health problems that are brought on by poor sleep habits. These include cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity.

In addition to getting seven to nine hours of sleep a night, the NIA offers these tips that will make you restful and relaxed throughout the night:

• Avoid taking naps of 30 minutes or more. Although you may feel tired during the day, you might not be able to fall asleep later that night.
• Set the same bedtime schedule — when you go to bed and when you get up — every day. That also includes Saturdays and Sundays.
• Find a routine to get you ready for bed, whether it’s a warm bath, reading a book or listening to soothing, calming music.
• If you exercise, try avoiding doing it within three hours of bedtime. Although you may feel physically tired, your heart rate and temperature may be raised, making it harder to fall asleep.
• Avoid eating heavy meals before going to sleep. That may result in stomach issues that could keep you awake. Also, stay away from caffeine late in the day (that includes coffee, tea, soda and chocolate). Be careful of taking certain medications as well, as those can keep you awake. Avoid alcohol, as that will actually keep you awake.
• Turn off all electronic devices before going to bed. These serve as distractions and will prevent you from getting an uninterrupted night’s sleep.
• Set your bedroom to a comfortable temperature and lower the lighting in the room as you prepare for bedtime.

McPeak’s Assisted Living provides care for your loved ones while ensuring they maintain a happy, healthy, and fulfilling lifestyle, right here in Suffolk County, Long Island, near downtown Patchogue. With our affordable prices and excellent standard of care, we have the facilities to accommodate your loved one’s needs and allow them to live to the fullest. For more information, please call us at (631) 475-0445 or visit our contact page.

The sights of jack o’lanterns, kids in costumes and homes decorated as haunted houses remind us that Halloween is coming soon. Senior citizens get a kick out of the festivities as much as the children do when the day approaches. In celebration of the spookiest day of the year, here are some activities that seniors can enjoy:

• Wear your favorite costume — One of the fun things about Halloween is the opportunity to dress up as a famous TV character or movie monster. These costumes can be purchased at outlet stores, which means there is no need to spend a lot of money, especially on something that is going to be worn only once a year. In addition, they can get together with their friends and have a costume party.
• Watch an old-time scary movie — Today’s horror films rely on gore and gratuitous violence to provide scares, but they don’t compare to the originals. Seniors will fall back in time as they watch these monster movies they grew up with, such as Dracula, Frankenstein, The Wolf Man and The Mummy, and see the actors who were the legends of horror back in the day, including Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff and Lon Chaney, Jr.
• Listen to a spooky story — Nothing gives a chill than listening to a tale of terror. Thanks to today’s technology, senior citizens can download audiobooks from Kindle or their local library and choose a scary story from their favorite author. It may be a good idea to stick to the classics from writers such as Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker, or Edgar Allen Poe. They can also stream old-time radio stations on the Internet and hear spooky shows like Lights Out!
• Decorate pumpkins — For those who aren’t into frights and screams, seniors can put their artistic skills to good use and give pumpkins a special look. They can paint funny or scary faces on their pumpkins and use other crafts to give it a special look. They can use spare parts from a Mr. Potato Head and place the ears, nose and eyeglasses. For hair, they can utilize colored yarn and glue to give the pumpkin an almost-human look.

For the families, if they have a loved one in an assisted living facility and they are unable to visit due to time constraints or distance, they can send a Halloween card to their loved one as a way of saying “We are thinking about you.” Children can create a Halloween-themed collage with “I love you” in the middle.

McPeak’s Assisted Living provides care for your loved ones while ensuring they maintain a happy, healthy, and fulfilling lifestyle, right here in Suffolk County, Long Island, near downtown Patchogue. With our affordable prices and excellent standard of care, we have the facilities to accommodate your love one’s needs and allow them to live to the fullest. For more information, please call us at (631) 475-0445 or visit our contact page.