Human Connection is Vital

This is one of the most touching videos I have ever seen. It reminds me that we all need human connection, at each and every age.

Tips for Motivating Seniors to Exercise

Below are some tips on ways to motivate seniors to exercise:

1.  Educate– teach them that regular physical activity- including endurance, muscle strengthening, balance, and flexibility exercises are essential for healthy aging.
2. Help them set realistic goals and develop an exercise plan.
3. Create a chart, or “prescription” and make easy to understand:  type of exercise, frequency, intensity, how much time spent in each activity.  Check up with them on their progress and re-evaluate goals over time.
4. Refer seniors to community resources such as senior fitness classes at the YMCA or other such groups.
5. Help them connect to support groups on-line.

For more information please visit:

http://www.nia.nih.gov/Go4Life

Artist Michael Reagan

Have you ever been inspired by a senior who his making a difference in the world?  Here is a video on artist Michael Reagan, a man who has taken his love for art and turned his craft into fundraising for charity and donating art to the family of fallen American soldiers.

Grandparents Matter

Have you ever considered how important your grandparents were to your life? Or perhaps, on the flip side, how you are influencing your grandchildren?

There is a web-site that provides some great tips to active grandparents. Check it out at:

http://www.grandsmatter.org

Live Life to the Fullest

What’s Your Story?

Currently, I am working as a hospice volunteer coordinator.  Recently, I put together a list of items, or stories a parent or grandparent might want to write down and pass on.  It was the passing of my grandmother, that made me think of such a list.  Nene died this winter; she was 98.  She hadn’t been able to communicate much for years, and the opportunity to ask these type of questions, sadly is gone.

When I think about what is the most valuable item a person could leave for another person, I think it might be an “All About Me” journal.  This journal could be passed on for generations to come.  If you have an elderly person in your life, or someone who is on hospice, this is a terrific thing to do.

Purchase a good quality journal (acid free paper), have the person write down the answers in their own writing (printing-not cursive), or have another individual write down the answers.  If there are multiple children, find a way to make a copy of it.  Finally, attach personal photos in the journal.  Consider the best time to share it.  An individual who completes it him or herself, may want to share it with the “receiver”, or wrap it up and place it aside for a special gift for some time in the future.

*Click below, and continue on next page for my list:

98 Year Old Yoga Instructor- Still Teaching

This woman in this article below has had a very interesting and long life.  She has been a model, an actress, and once as a child she even took place in Ghandi’s Salt March.  At one time she was married, but she has no children.  She says her yoga students are her children.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/tao-98-old-poster-child-yoga-wellness-035323584.html

Centenarians

Did you know that Spain has over 100,000 individuals over 100?  They are the leading country with centenarians -after Japan.  For some tips from those over 100, on how to live a long life, read this article!

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/tips-spain-centenarians-live-100-121436581.html

Hasbro’s Robotic Pet Therapy

Modern technology has produced something very special- a new companion for the elderly who have Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.  It is a Robotic Pet and it acts similar to a live pet, but it never runs away, has to be fed, or must make an expensive trip to the vet!  These pets give these seniors a true companion and would be terrific for any activity program.  The video is short, but very sweet and shows how these pets can make a real difference to your loved one.  You can find these at Walmart.com.

http://video.foxnews.com/v/5177109640001/are-robots-the-future-of-therapy-animals/?#sp=show-clips

Absentee Voting- Your Rights

Did you know that if you are 65 or older you can vote early by mail or in person at your county voter’s registration office?  You can, and I had no idea this list existed.  I called our county office today (here in South Carolina) and they said certain individuals can vote early from Oct. 11- Nov. 7.  Wow!  Seniors, the disabled, and caretakers should take advantage of this opportunity!

Who can vote by mail

You can vote early by mail or in person if you meet one of the following qualifications:

• You’re in the military and you’re a spouse or dependent who is outside of their county of residence on Election Day, Nov 8
• You’re serving with the American Red Cross or with the United Service Organizations who are serving with the Armed Forces outside of your county of residence, or you’re a spouse or dependent who lives with them
• You’re a citizen living overseas
• You’re physically disabled

• You’re a student who’s away at school you’re a spouse or dependent who lives with them
• You’ll be away on Election Day, Nov 8, because of your job
• You’re a government employees who’s serving outside of your county on Election Day, Nov 8, or you’re a spouse or dependent who lives with them
• You’re on vacation on Election Day, Nov 8
• You’re serving on a jury on Election Day, Nov 8
• You’re admitted to the hospital for an emergency starting Nov 4 through Election Day, Nov 8
• You have a death or funeral in the family on or after Nov 5
• You’re in jail or in a pre-trial facility
• You’re a caretaker for sick or disabled people
• You’re a certified poll watcher, poll manager, or county election official working on Election Day, Nov 8
• You’re 65 or older