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5 Benefits of Telehealth Therapy for Aging Adults

Telehealth has become more prominent since the changes that 2020 brought. With in-person care becoming a risk at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, more people needed healthcare access in a different way, including for mental health services. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 14% of people ages 60 and up have been diagnosed with a mental illness. To answer this call, telehealth care came to the forefront, and it offered some surprising advantages.  

1. Ease of Access

A major benefit that telehealthcare has provided since further implementation is allowing people access to services they may not have been able to get in-person. Whether part of an underserved group or area, or experiencing mobility challenges that make getting to appointments difficult, people who need accessible care options can find them through telehealth services. Many barriers to care are removed when you can see a treatment provider right in the comfort of your own home.

Furthermore, telehealth access is associated with fewer cancellations and delays, allowing you to save time and see your therapist without worrying about transportation, weather, or other challenges that may impact your care. 

2. Cost-Effective

Time is money as they say, and time is priceless. With teletherapy as an option, you save both money and time. Hiring drivers, taking public transportation, or driving your own car can come at a cost. Extra help may also come at a cost that you can save by opting for virtual care.

Less transport time equals more opportunity to do what you love, whether spending time with loved ones, watching your favorite show, or engaging in a new hobby. 

3. Care Monitoring

Focusing on our mental health is important, but some days we can relapse or struggle more than normal. Addiction among the elderly rose during the pandemic, and it can be beneficial to have a therapist who is able to monitor your progress during times that may be especially trying. 

Aftercare improves recovery success, and connection to a therapist also helps provide support and information when needed. 

4. Comfort and Health

Being human means living with some risk of contagious illness. As a collective, we became acutely aware of this during the height of the pandemic. Being able to enjoy therapy from home means that you can avoid such risks to your health, and depending upon how you feel, you can still join therapy even if you are feeling a little under the weather, without passing on an illness to anyone else. 

It can be difficult for some to share intimate details of their lives with a therapist. If there is a feeling of a lack of privacy, people may withhold information that could affect their healing journey. Depending on your living situation, therapy from home may provide a more private counseling experience. 

The familiarity of home can also provide physical comfort. You can even bring your furry friend along for therapy sessions! 

5. Connection

Though friendships and connections can be made at any age, the older we get, the more goodbyes we may say. A recent Pew Research study found that adults in the U.S. are more likely to live alone than adults anywhere else in the world, with about 27% of Americans age 60 or over living alone. This can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation. These feelings can be painful and, at their most intense, can distract us from being present in our lives.

Telehealth groups can connect us with others on a virtual scale. For people who may find difficulty when going out or be unable to do so, it offers companionship and connection. There are support groups where people may share common interests and goals while working on recovery and healing. Your therapist is also a connection that can help lend an ear during difficult times. Remote contact can be quicker and easier, where at times you can text or call a therapist as well as do video chats. Telehealth therapy and groups can help bridge gaps that were previously inaccessible in healthcare. 

Conclusion

More and more seniors are turning to online therapy due to its extensive benefits and ease of access. It’s now simpler than ever before to find a therapist who can meet all of your therapy needs. There are a number of online therapy options that are available, and many therapists now offer telehealth options if you go through insurance. 

You do not have to struggle alone. Effective therapy tools are at your fingertips. For further information and resources, see the Senior Coalition blog today!

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5 Moving Tips for Seniors

5 Moving Tips for Seniors

Moving home is challenging and stressful for anyone, but it can be even more difficult for older adults. If you’ve been living in your family home for a long time and have accumulated a lot of possessions, the logistics of downsizing or moving may feel overwhelming. Consider these tips from The Senior Coalition to make the process go more smoothly.

1. Start Packing Early

Whether you’re downsizing or going to become one of the 4.5% of older adults who live in a nursing home or other long-term care setting, you’re unlikely to need all the household items you’ve acquired over time. Start packing early so you can go through all your possessions at your own pace and figure out what you’d like to keep.

2. Hire a Senior Moving Manager

Traditional moving companies are good at helping families move quickly but may lack the experience and empathy required to work with older adults who are struggling with the practicalities of moving, especially if the move involves downsizing. A senior moving professional can help take some of the stress out of moving while still leaving control over major decisions in the senior’s hands.

3. Give Gifts Rather Than Throw Stuff Away

Getting rid of sentimental possessions can be hard for some people, especially those who tend to be nostalgic. Some individuals find it easier to get rid of old possessions if they take photographs of them to preserve the good memories associated with the item. Others may find giving away valuable items to loved ones, or donating useful items to charity, is more palatable than throwing them away.

4. Rekey the Locks in Your New Home

It’s important to feel safe and secure in the new house. Hiring a locksmith to rekey your locks, or change the locks if required, is an important step. The average cost to rekey a door is between $50 and $150, but prices can vary depending on where you live. Whatever the price, it’s worth it for the peace of mind and increased security it offers. Start with a quick search on a platform like Angi: locksmith near me or similar.

5. Plan Something Special to Help Yourself Settle In

Even if you go to great lengths to make moving home less stressful, there’s still that feeling of “What next?” when you’ve completed the move. Pack an overnight bag so there’s no need to worry about unpacking boxes that first night, and plan something you’ll enjoy so you can relax and get used to the new surroundings. That could be watching a favorite movie, inviting some friends over to play bridge, or giving your grandchildren a video tour to share the excitement. Whatever you do, try to make that first night an enjoyable one.

Bonus: Look Forward to the Next Chapter of Your Life

There will always be mixed emotions about moving home, but for many seniors, it’s an important step that helps them live healthy, happy, and independent lives. Focus on the positives and it’ll be easier to take that step and enjoy all the benefits your new home has to offer.

For more advice and resources in navigating life after retirement, explore The Senior Coalition website and blog today!

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Tips for Moving on from the Loss of a Loved One

image of house for sale sign

Tips for Moving on from the Loss of a Loved One

Losing a loved one is an upsetting and difficult experience. While everyone deals with grief differently, in time you will be ready to start living your own life once again. Many people find that the best way to do this is to make a fresh start in a new place. The Senior Coalition offers the following tips for moving on from your loss.

A Fresh Location

Downsizing to a new home offers you the opportunity to make a fresh start. Simplifying your life in this way gives you a fresh perspective, allowing you to focus on your future. Relocating can also help you positively embrace your “new normal.” According to Richard Dama, MA, LPC, “accepting and embracing your new ‘normal’ might help you reconcile your losses.”

How to Downsize

The key to successfully downsizing is to identify your own needs. One of the key parts of positively moving forward is taking care of your complete self. This means your mental and emotional well being as well as your physical health. For example, while your old, large home was great when you were with your loved one, now that you are alone, you may find yourself isolated or struggling to maintain the property. Therefore, selling your home and downsizing may be the right choice for you.

Before you start looking for your new home, work out what you can afford by taking annual income and monthly expenses into account. Getting an affordable rate on your mortgage will be important, so keep in mind you may need to do some credit repair work before applying for a loan. If time is of the essence, there are other ways to qualify for a lower home interest loan rate. Paying for points on your mortgage, for example, requires you to pay a fee to your loan provider when you close on your home in exchange for a reduced payment. If this is an option you’re considering, use a calculator to show you what your possible monthly savings may be.

You should also take the time to find realtors that you are comfortable with, but don’t just go with the first person that you meet. Instead, talk to a few, taking the time to find someone that you feel comfortable with. It is also never too early to contact your realtor. Establishing a good relationship with your realtor, where your goals are clearly outlined, will only benefit you. Due to the pandemic, you may want to look into alternatives to viewing properties personally. Check with your realtor to see if they offer live virtual tours; some realtors offer 3D walkthroughs which will allow you to view a home from many different angles.

Downsizing Doesn’t Mean Forgetting

For many people deciding what to do with your loved one’s belongings is a difficult task. Don’t rush into the “go through” process; you may make decisions that you later regret. Many experts agree that you should wait six months before making any big decisions. Only you will know when the time is right for you.

As you sort through your loved one’s belongings, consider giving items to charity or to close friends and family. They may be glad to have something to remember your loved one by. However much, or little, you go through, remember the most important things are the memories that you shared together. You can’t give these away, and they will stay with you forever, wherever you choose to continue your life.

Decluttering is also an opportunity for you to set aside treasured items for friends and family to have after you pass. When the time comes your family and friends will find it comforting that you thought of them. It will also ease some of the stress that comes with the loss of a dearly loved one.

Losing a loved one is a difficult and emotional process. Allow yourself the space to grieve, practice plenty of self-care, and in time, you will be ready to move on and start living your life again. Moving on doesn’t mean forgetting your loved one; instead, it is simply the opportunity to create new memories to sit alongside your old ones.

Image Source: Pixabay

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4 Ways to Add Purpose to Your Retiremen

4 Ways to Add Purpose to Your Retiremen

Are you bored of retirement? While some older adults adore their new life of leisure, some of us struggle with nothing to do. However, just because you’ve retired doesn’t mean you can’t be productive.

Now, you don’t have to go back to work full-time to fight retirement malaise. Older adults have no shortage of opportunities to stay active, engaged, and involved. The key is simply putting yourself out there.

Here are four powerful ways older adults can find purpose in retirement and networking tips for getting started.

How to: Become a Mentor

You have years of experience under your belt. Why not use it to give the next generation a leg up? Retirees make excellent mentors because they have both time and experience to share. Mentorship is also a great way to form cross-generational connections.

Professional associations and membership organizations in your field are the best place to look for mentorship opportunities. Retirees can also get involved as an alumnus at their alma mater. Alumni associations are great networking opportunities whether you’re looking to give back or launch an encore career.

How to: Start a Business

Speaking of encore careers: Some retirees opt to launch a small business once they finally have the time and financial stability that entrepreneurship requires.

However, even small businesses and solopreneurs have to wade through legal complexities in order to bring their business idea to life. That includes registering an LLC or other business entity, applying for licenses and permits, and filing for state and federal tax IDs. It may also include naming a registered agent to file your paperwork and receive important business documents. Designating a registered agent service like Zenbusiness for this role can simplify the process.

 

Luckily, networking can help here too. Local small business development centers, SCORE offices, and chambers of commerce exist to serve the needs of business owners and connect entrepreneurs with the expertise they need to launch and grow a business.

How to: Start Volunteering

Do you feel like your career lacked purpose? Many retirees relish the ability to do meaningful work now that they have spare time. Volunteering is an easy way to make an impact, but how do you find organizations in need?

Start with websites dedicated to connecting community members with local volunteer opportunities. VolunteerMatch and United Way are among the most well-known, but volunteers can also check with national organizations like Habitat for Humanity and Feeding America.

When retirees volunteer, they do more than serve one organization. Volunteering also deepens community connections and opens doors to new opportunities like running for local office or joining a nonprofit’s Board of Directors.

How to: Launch a Charity

Want to do more than volunteer for a few hours per week? Retirees who are passionate about a cause often consider starting a charity.

Before going through the rigorous process of forming a nonprofit organization, research other organizations that share your mission. Can you support the cause as a consultant, launch a chapter of a national nonprofit, or seek fiscal sponsorship for a project? Even if you ultimately decide to start an independent 501(c)(3), networking with nonprofits strengthens a budding charity’s reputation and reach. New nonprofits should join their state’s association of nonprofits, build community presence by hosting and attending events, and tap into board members’ networks.

A life of leisure is enough to keep some retirees content, but for the rest of us, retirement isn’t a time to kick back — it’s a chance to do more. Whether you want to share your skills or build something bigger than yourself, there’s a way to bring purpose back to your retirement. Use these ideas to start networking and get busy once again.

The Senior Coalition is dedicated to working with healthcare professionals to improve care for Kings and Tulare County seniors. Submit this form or call 559-977-6812 to learn more.

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7 Cheap, Simple Ways to Stay Healthy as You Age

Photo via Pexels

7 Cheap, Simple Ways to Stay Healthy as You Age

If you’re on a budget, it’s easy to feel like staying healthy as a senior just isn’t achievable. However, health is not a matter of spending lots of money on supplements, superfoods, and exercise machines. It’s about simple and accessible choices, most of which can be undertaken without spending any money at all.

Find Your Best Health Plan

Having the right health plan not only prepares you in the event of an emergency or diagnosis, but it can also help you maintain your health on a daily basis. Depending on your needs, you may discover that you need a better plan than your current one to fulfill those needs. For example, if Original Medicare isn’t offering enough benefits, you can choose a Medicare Advantage plan. This plan combines the benefits of Medicare Parts A and B, plus adds in coverage for dental care, fitness programs, and other benefits. You can find such plans through a provider like UnitedHealthcare. Be aware that plans can change each year, so it’s important to stay up-to-date on your plan to keep getting the best care possible.

Go Walking

Walking is one of the most accessible forms of exercise out there, and perhaps one of the best for older adults. Indeed, benefits for seniors include improved heart health, lower blood sugar, better mood, and more chances to meet up and talk to people. Walk as little or as much as you can, but do it regularly (daily if possible).

Take Up At-Home Exercise

Walking is great for your health, but you do need more for a well-rounded exercise routine. Specifically, you need to work out your muscles, flexibility, and balance. Luckily, these areas are very easy to work on at home, either through online yoga videos or simple exercise routines.

Take Care of Your Home

Believe it or not, the air inside your home isn’t nearly as clean as you may believe. If you don’t open your windows and air things out on a regular basis, you’re pretty much recycling the dust, allergens, and irritants that pets, cleaning products, and other things can introduce to our homes. So, throw open those windows once or twice a week (weather permitting) and let the fresh air in, and spend a few bucks every month to change out your HVAC filters. It’s also incredibly important to keep your eyes peeled for signs of mold, as this could signify a major problem. If you allow this issue to continue, the cost of cleaning your home could quickly skyrocket.

Sign Up for Social Activities

Loneliness isn’t just unpleasant, it’s bad for your health. In fact, research seems to indicate that it may be a bigger health riskthan obesity or smoking. As you grow older, opportunities for socializing may not happen as organically, so you need to actively look for them. There is a wide range of free and cheap social activities you could sign up for: book clubs, walking groups, bridge teams, crafty workshops, language classes, etc. Just pick something you’re interested in and go find other people to share that passion with!

Learn to Batch Cook

Cooking for yourself when you are older can be a chore. You are not always going to feel like making a hot, nutritious meal from scratch, and you may sometimes resort to unhealthy and convenient foods or skipping meals altogether. This is one of the common causes of the issue that is senior hunger.

One easy solution is to cook a few times a week, making big batch meals that can be easily chilled or frozen. Soups, stews, casseroles, curries, pasta sauces – the possibilities are varied and exciting. Bon Appetit has an excellent collection of batch-friendly recipes on their website, such as slow-roasted chicken and overnight oats.

Try Meditation

The benefits of meditation for seniors are well-proven. A regular meditation practice can boost memory, prevent cognitive decline, improve digestion, reduce stress, and much more. It can also help you manage the unpleasant feelings of growing older by grounding you in the present instead of worrying about the future.

Best of all, it can be totally free – check out the Insight Timerapp if you have a smartphone, or alternatively just look up “guided meditation” online and try a few different videos out.

As you grow older, various factors conspire to make it harder for you to take care of your health. Your body changes, your lifestyle becomes more sedentary, you don’t have kids anymore to set a good example for – the list goes on. But just because it’s challenging to take control of your health doesn’t mean it’s not worth doing. The more you take care of your mind and body as a senior, the more you will be able to enjoy the next few decades as fully as you deserve.

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