Feb 28, 2019
For people who grew up with rotary phones, encyclopedia sets and the Sears Roebuck catalog, today’s technology can be disorienting. Many adults – not just seniors – turn up their noses at social media and the ubiquity of phones.
While technology can be mindless, anti-social and all-consuming, it also confers plenty of benefits on those who use it to improve their lives. In fact, there are numerous technological advancements that can make life easier for seniors.
Here are six of them:
1. Video Chatting
If the grandkids can’t make it across the country to visit grandma with their new baby, at least they can show their faces using the consumer-friendly technology of video chatting. Skype and Facetime are the best known of the video chatting services, all of which allow video and audio connections between users no matter the distance. It’s not a gimmick; it’s a great advancement of particular value to the elderly who aren’t as mobile.
2. High-Tech Hearing Aids
The sound is better and the aesthetics are solved with today’s hearing aids, which can be made so small, thanks to the miniaturization of the electronics, that they’re essentially unnoticeable. Add wireless transmission and you have crystal clear sound. Hearing is easier than ever for today’s seniors.
3. Personal Emergency Response Systems
No more yelling that you’ve fallen and can’t get up, like a widely-mocked late night TV commercial. Today’s emergency response systems can be worn inconspicuously on the wrist or on a belt, and alerted with the touch of a button, sending out the exact location of the wearer. Best of all, it’s mobile, so grandpa has backup no matter where he goes.
4. Tablets and E-Readers
To read a book, seniors with vision issues used to have to travel to the library and take out a large print book, if there was one on the shelves that they wanted to read. Today, they can download books to their tablet or e-reader and adjust the font size to their liking. Although there is a cost, many libraries now lend e-books for free.
5. Medication Management Systems
These systems remind their owners to take their medications, dispense the proper doses, calculate and report missed doses, store health information and contact pharmacies for refills. Many of them are even HIPPA-compliant. Thanks to the online connectivity of the systems, family members of seniors who have trouble keeping track of their prescriptions no longer have to worry.
6. Smart Watches & Activity Trackers
Technology makes it easier to ensure you stay active as you age. Most smart watches and activity trackers will track your steps, calories burned during exercise and even your resting and active heart rates. Some higher-end models, such as the Apple Watch, can even help detect irregular heartbeats, which can alert users to a possible heart situation that needs addressed. You can share your daily progress with friends, and even test your loved ones with activity challenges to see who can meet and exceed their fitness goals.
Technology doesn’t have to be silly and time-wasting. There are plenty of products specifically designed for a better life.
Nye Health Services offers seven communities in Eastern Nebraska and Wyoming, structured to meet the needs of their residents from independent living to skilled nursing care. A family-owned company with a rich history of connecting with the people they serve, Nye Health Services is open for visits anytime. Call 402.753.1400 to schedule an appointment at locations in Fremont, Lincoln, South Sioux City, Norfolk, or Jackson Hole, or visit NyeHealthServices.com for more information.
Feb 12, 2019
Throughout history, elders have been revered for their life experience, wisdom and connection to forbearers. In today’s fast-paced, “just Google it” world, we don’t always value our seniors, particularly when they become frail.
We still love our family members though, and want to provide the best for them within the confines of our own daily lives. So how do we demonstrate our love and gratitude for all they have done for us, particularly when they live in a senior community and not with us?
Well, the short answer is: the same way we show anyone love. We express it verbally and non-verbally. We do things for them and with them. We sacrifice on their behalf. Here are some specific suggestions.
1. Visit!
For a senior who is living away from old friends and family, there is no present like our presence. Every visit we make tells them that at that moment, there is nowhere else we would rather be than with them. Just make sure you’re fully present when you visit.
2. Help Them with Small Tasks
Life is a struggle for some seniors, but you can help ease the burden. Check their mail and make sure their bills are being paid. Pick up around their living quarters if they are unable to do so. Brush their hair or apply moisturizer on their skin. Making their life easier is a sure demonstration of love.
3. Reach Their Heart Through Their Stomach
Does the senior in your life miss particular ethnic or regional food of their early days? Cook them the things that remind them of home that may not be on a meal plan menu. Nothing says love like a home-cooked meal.
4. Get Involved in Their Lives
Listen to your loved one and show interest in their stories and their opinions. Learn about their daily activities and meet their friends. In short, show them you value being a part of their family even if you don’t live with them.
5. Don’t Forget to Tell Them You Love Them
Showing is better than telling, certainly. Visiting, helping, sharing meals, and sharing in their lives are great ways to show someone we love them. But it’s nice to say it too. Saying “I love you” is a great way to end a visit – until your next one real soon.
Nye Health Services offers seven communities in Eastern Nebraska and Wyoming, structured to meet the needs of their residents from independent living to skilled nursing care. A family-owned company with a rich history of connecting with the people they serve, Nye Health Services is open for visits anytime. Call
402.753.1400 to schedule an appointment at locations in Fremont, Lincoln, South Sioux City, Norfolk, or Jackson Hole, or visit
NyeHealthServices.com for more information.
Jan 29, 2019
“You don’t stop laughing when you grow old, you grow old when you stop laughing.” –George Bernard Shaw. Study after study has shown the power of a positive attitude and positive thinking, is no more powerful than as we age. Maintaining a positive attitude about aging leads to a longer and better life.
6 Amazing Ways a Positive Attitude Improves Aging
Here are six ways a positive attitude has been shown to improve our lives and mental health.
1. We Live Longer
Research shows that a positive attitude towards growing older leads to a longer life. One study found people with positive attitudes toward aging lived seven-and-a-half years longer, all other things being equal.
That’s double the impact of exercising regularly or maintaining a healthy weight. The better your view of aging is, the healthier you will be as you age.
2. We Age Slower
Optimistic people have better mobility as they age and are more likely to be able to perform their activities of daily living. The aging process for older people who do not have negative attitudes about aging is a lot smoother as well. Studies show staying positive about aging limits the physical signs of aging. Studies also suggest that a positive attitude about aging can even protect against cognitive decline and reverse memory loss.
3. We Age Better
Lots of research has found that we walk faster, think sharper, and remain more physically fit the more positive our outlook is. It’s like we’re all little engines that could – we think we can, we think we can. And then we can!
Positive emotions can go a long way when it comes to older adults living happier, healthier, and more physically active.
4. We Are Much Healthier
It’s incredible how much our outlook on life affects our health and ability to live a healthy lifestyle. Numerous studies have found that people with a positive mindset have less coronary disease. In fact, in one study, even people who had a family history of heart disease but a thumbs-up outlook were one-third less likely to have a heart attack.
Similar findings have involved a wide range of maladies like strokes and even brain tumors. Other studies reveal lower cholesterol, greater ability to fight off the common cold, and other benefits, just from keeping a smile on our face.
5. We Are Less Stressed
The more we look forward to getting older, the stronger our immune system is. Being positive about aging also increases our ability to ward off the physical and emotional toll of stressful situations.
Research shows a positive attitude better protects us against the inflammatory damage of stress, compared to people with a negative outlook. We’re also less likely to suffer negative emotions in response to a stressful event if we start with a positive outlook.
6. We Bounce Back from Adversity Faster
Being positive isn’t a guarantee that only good things will happen to us. People with positive attitudes fall and break their hips, get hit by cars, and suffer cancer diagnoses just like everyone else. However, research has found that people who feel good about aging were significantly better at bouncing back from severe disability than those who don’t.
The evidence is pretty clear. Whether you think your later years are going to be great or miserable, you’re likely to be right. So, why not think positively about your life ahead and enjoy all the benefits?
Ways to Improve Positive Thinking
Erase negative thoughts and improve your quality of life by following these helpful tips to improve positive thinking.
- Start a gratitude journal
- Speak positive affirmations out loud to yourself
- Practice meditation
- Stay connected and communicate with other positive thinkers
It pays off to think like an optimist. Always remember, positivity is a choice. While it may not always be easy, the more you practice positive thoughts and actions, the easier it will become. Building a proper foundation for an overall positive life can impact your physical, mental, and emotional health in ways you would never have imagined possible.
Tips for Caregivers: Supporting Positive Aging
As a caregiver for an older adult, your role extends beyond just meeting their physical needs; you also play a crucial part in nurturing their emotional well-being and supporting their overall quality of life. Here are some practical tips to help you foster a positive attitude in the seniors under your care:
- Encourage Independence
- Promote Social Connections
- Listen with Empathy
- Focus on Positivity
- Celebrate Milestones
- Provide Opportunities for Learning and Growth
- Practice Patience and Flexibility
- Offer Physical Comfort
- Seek Support for Yourself
- Lead by Example
By implementing these tips and strategies, you can play a vital role in promoting a positive attitude and enhancing the overall quality of life for the older adults under your care.
6 Ways to Improve your Quality of Life as you Age
Additional Reading: The Power of Positive Thinking – Johns Hopkins
Nye Health Services
Nye Health Services offers seven communities in Eastern Nebraska and Wyoming, structured to meet the needs of their residents from independent living to skilled nursing care. A family-owned company with a rich history of connecting with the people they serve, Nye Health Services is open for visits anytime. Call 402.753.1400 to schedule an appointment at locations in Fremont, Lincoln, South Sioux City, Norfolk, or Jackson Hole, or visit NyeHealthServices.com for more information.
Jan 15, 2019
Just because you’re a senior doesn’t mean you don’t have things in life you want to achieve or improve. People who never stop learning and never stop achieving live longer and better.
So, this New Year, let’s think about some resolutions that would benefit many seniors – maybe even you.
1. Cross Off Something from Your Bucket List
Is there something you would regret not doing if you knew your life was about to end? Do it! George H. W. Bush skydived at 90 because – he could. Whatever you think is holding you back, ask yourself this: will it be less true next year, in three years or in five years? Unless the answer is yes, go for it now.
2. Eat Healthy
You hear people say things like this: “I’m 75. I’m not going to live longer if I cut back on sugar now.” Of course, that isn’t true. You can live longer, and better, by eating a diet high in vegetables, fruit, whole grains, lean meats, and healthy fats, and by skipping all the processed food, especially the big killer – sugar.
While you’re at it, reduce the calories. As we age and slow down, we need less fuel. Take these steps and you might just discover how much better you feel.
3. Be More Physically Active
Physical activity isn’t as important for people in later life – it’s more important! Keeping the muscles working, the heart pumping and the joints lubed is critical as we age because our bodies are naturally losing strength. We need to stretch more too so our bodies remain flexible. Consider yoga, stretching, tai-chi or Pilates.
4. Stay Mentally Active
Like your body, your mind needs a daily workout or it will become weak. Studies show that brain exercise pays off for seniors. Reading, brain teasers, crossword puzzles, math problems, and Sudoku are great mind benders. Socializing is also great for mental stimulation and health. So, if you don’t have a robust social life, join a club or discussion group. Senior communities are great for these kinds of gatherings.
5. Volunteer More
You know what feels great? Helping others, and it’s amazing how the benefits actually rebound to you. Research shows people who volunteer live longer and happier lives and often report they get more back than they give. Moreover, volunteering is often a social activity, something retirees need.
6. Write Your Family History
Do you have grandchildren or great-grandchildren? How much of their family heritage do they know about? Think about the gift you could give to them by writing down everything you know, going back as far as you can. Something you remember about a great grandparent would take a great-grandchild back seven generations.
Nye Health Services offers seven communities in Eastern Nebraska and Wyoming, structured to meet the needs of their residents from independent living to skilled nursing care. A family-owned company with a rich history of connecting with the people they serve, Nye Health Services is open for visits anytime. Call 402.753.1400 to schedule an appointment at locations in Fremont, Lincoln, South Sioux City, Norfolk, or Jackson Hole, or visit NyeHealthServices.com for more information.
Jan 3, 2019
Bringing children to a retirement community can be an inspiring, enjoyable proposition for everyone involved. It is also fraught with trials that can ruin the experience. Bring joy to children and elders alike by planning your visit and preparing for challenges ahead.
Consider these 6 tips for visiting a continuum of care community with your children:
1. Talk to Your Children
A senior community is probably unlike anything your children have seen before, filled with seniors, some of whom may be physically compromised or intellectually diminished. Explain to your children what they are going to see. If the person whom you are visiting has memory issues, make sure your children understand that they may not be recognized, or may be called by the wrong name.
Consider getting a book out of the library that teaches children about visiting relatives in a nursing home. They include: A Little Something by Susan V. Bosak; Sunshine Home by Eve Bunting; My Grandma’s in a Nursing Home by Judy Delton.
2. Prepare to Be the Center of Attention
Older adults light up around children, even other people’s. Your children may be thrust into the spotlight, with people they have never met fussing over them. For some kids, this can be overwhelming and frightening. Let them know in advance that there is no danger in that, and run interference for your children if you detect that they are being overwhelmed.
3. Bring Toys and Games
The opposite is possible, too: your children can find themselves with nothing to do. Make sure you have activities to keep them occupied – games, toys, etc. A bored child can lead to acting out that undermines the good tidings you meant to spread.
4. Show Off Your Kids’ Talents
Nothing excites seniors more than children singing, dancing, playing musical instruments or otherwise attempting to entertain. Encourage your child to perform their talents for the residents and watch their faces light up.
5. Plan Activities for Everyone
Think ahead about activities that would be enjoyable for the person you’re visiting and your children alike, and bring any supplies that might be necessary. This will help build a bond between your children and their elderly relative and facilitate an enjoyable experience for everyone.
Some activity ideas include:
- Help decorate their room for the holiday;
- Help put up and decorate their Christmas tree;
- Sing holiday songs;
- Play Go Fish! or a board game, particularly one that harkens to the resident’s childhood;
- Arrange for the children to interview their elder and record the answers; and
- Have the children teach their elder how to use technology.
6. Keep Coming Back
A single visit is a valuable experience for the kids that will brighten their relative’s day, but continued visits are even more meaningful. They allow for a true relationship to develop or flourish, provide ongoing joy to the loved one and memories for the children to cherish the rest of their lives.
Nye Health Services offers seven communities in Eastern Nebraska and Wyoming, structured to meet the needs of their residents from independent living to skilled nursing care. A family-owned company with a rich history of connecting with the people they serve, Nye Health Services is open for visits anytime. Call 402.753.1400 to schedule an appointment at locations in Fremont, Lincoln, South Sioux City, Norfolk, or Jackson Hole, or visit NyeHealthServices.com for more information.
Nov 28, 2018
Deciding where you, your parents or other family members will live out their lives when they are in need of healthcare services, is a momentous decision, often made in haste during a health crisis.
During these times, it is important to be armed with the information you need to make the best decision possible.
Below are seven key criteria for determining which assisted living or skilled nursing facility is right for you or a loved one.
1. Check the Star Rating
The federal government’s Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services created a Five-Star Quality Rating System to help families compare health care providers. Facilities are rated based on health inspections, staffing and quality measures. Look for a facility that has a four-star or five-star rating. NursingHomeRating.org also employs a five-star rating system, as you can see here.
2. Seek Recommendations
An objective review is important, but you also need to think about whether a healthcare provider is right for your particular circumstances. In that case, it can be helpful to seek opinions from both experts and everyday consumers like you. Talk to your friends who may have experienced similar circumstances. Then examine the online reviews of facilities from individual consumers and organizations that specialize in senior living communities. For example, here is the review from Senior Advice of Gateway Vista, a continuum of care community in Lincoln, Nebraska.
3. Research the Company Online
Online recommendations and reviews can be eye-opening, and while they only tell part of the story, they can help you understand the real-life experiences of other families, patients and residents. Research the organization on Google, their website and other online review sites, such as SeniorAdvice.com. Consider both the good and bad information – they will provide ideas of things to look for and questions to ask if and when you visit.
4. Review the Organizational Values and History
Is the organization you’re looking into family-owned or does it report to a corporate board elsewhere? Is its mission to maximize the health and well-being of its residents or to generate profits for shareholders? Is it a place where employees love to work and remain for years or is there constant turnover of staff? Are the people in charge innovators in the field going back decades or are they fairly new to it? Answers to questions like these will go a long way towards determining whether this is the healthcare provider for you.
5. Check Their Credentials
It’s easy to determine whether a provider is recognized for excellence by the American Health Care Association and the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services.
6. Get a Sense of How It Feels There
You want to walk onto the campus and feel like you’re home. You want to see staff and residents smiling and celebrating life. You may feel down when you need assistance with daily activities or rehab for an injury, but you want the people around you to pick you up with their spirit.
7. Make Sure There is Easy Access to Healthcare Partners
Most continuum of care communities have a wide range of healthcare providers on site, but how about the physicians, therapists and specialists you may need while living there? Determine in advance whether those providers are right down the road or two towns over where they might be difficult to access. That can make a world of difference for you or your loved one.
Nye Health Services offers seven communities in Eastern Nebraska and one in Wyoming, structured to meet the needs of their residents from independent living to skilled nursing care. A family-owned company with a rich history of connecting with the people they serve, Nye Health Services is open for visits anytime. Call 402.753.1400 to schedule an appointment at locations in Fremont, Lincoln, South Sioux City, Norfolk, or Jackson Hole, or visit https://nyehealthservices.com for more information.
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