All Things Aging

Golden Girl in her golden age

2012-01-18T11:13:00.000-05:00

By now you have likely heard much about Betty White’s 90th birthday celebration. She celebrated with a start studded television special. Jokes were cracked, clips shown, well-wishing video messages were played, and through it all Betty smiled graciously.

This American television icon has been in the business for over 70 years. From her commercials, to the Mary Tyler Moore Show, to Golden Girls, Hot in Cleveland, numerous other shows and guest spots, a Super Bowl Snickers ad, sharing a shower with Hugh Jackman, getting a lap dance on Ellen, hosting Saturday Night Live, and so much more, we have seen Betty White take on just about everything. The tributes were funny and heartfelt and the special was good clean fun.

To prove she’s not done yet, the birthday special was followed by Betty’s new series, Off Their Rockers, a show about older people punking younger people. I decided to watch the show just to see what Betty had decided to devote her efforts to. To sum things up (since this isn’t a television show review site) there were some funny bits and some bits that fell flat. The sketches between the punking were forced. That said, I liked the show because it didn’t try to make anyone look bad and it didn’t hurt anyone like a lot of these formulaic shows do.

What I really ended up reflecting on was Betty herself. She is well known and well loved. She is the friend next door we want to have. She has remained so for more than 70 years because she has found a way to remain relevant. She has changed with the times, but not in a way that abandons who she is or what she values doing. She’s got this aging thing figured out! No, I don’t really know her, but this is my take on her.

Near the end of her birthday special Betty commented that she was fortunate to have spent so many years doing what she loves with people she loves and getting away with it. To me, that is a great statement about her life. It caused me to reflect on my life, its path, and where the road leads in my future. I want to be 90 and saying the same thing she did. Easier said than done? I don’t know…what do you think? Are you on your path of bliss? How are you staying relevant as you age? Do you think you will be able to look back and see a joyous journey? If not, what is the one small step you can take to move in that direction?

It may be overused right now, but Betty, you are an inspiration. Thank you for being a friend.

Kristin Huff

Senior Projects Director

In addition to being the Center's Senior Projects Director, Kristin Huff teaches courses for the Center's new Project Management Certificate for Human Services Professionals.

The masterpiece of age

2012-01-05T11:02:00.000-05:00

Over the holiday break, I watched a movie on Netflix called “The Cats of Mirikitani” produced by Linda Hattendorf. I’m a cat lover and was drawn to the film for that reason, but the story told is much more than feline fancy.

In 2001, Linda took an interest in the art produced by an elderly homeless man living on the streets in her neighborhood in Soho, New York. Much of his work included cats and when she expressed to him how she admired the pictures, he offered to draw a special one for her.

When the winter weather turned worse, Linda offered the old man blankets and warm food and drinks, but he was very stoic and self-sufficient. When the 9/11 attacks occurred and covered their city in ashes, Linda found the old man alone and coughing in his usual spot on the street which had been abandoned after the disaster. She introduced herself and invited him into the shelter of her little apartment where she lived with her cat. Normally the old gentleman refused any assistance but on that day, he agreed and followed Linda home. Little did either of them realize that their relationship would be a special and lasting one.

Ms. Hattendorf patiently provided care and support for her elderly guest in her home. She learned that his name was Jimmy Tsutomu Mirikitani. He told her that he had been born in America and moved to Japan with his mother’s family when he was three years old. He was trained as a master artist in Japan and returned to the U.S. at the age of 18 years.

Linda respected Jimmy’s artistic talent and more importantly, she valued his dignity as a human being. Despite his refusal to pursue Social Security or any other form of assistance within the system, Linda diligently sought out resources to help him become self-supporting and independent so he would not have to return to the streets. She listened to his sad stories about his entire family being wiped out by the bomb dropped on Hiroshima and continued to obtain art supplies that he went through voraciously, depicting the scenes from his memories.

As the months went by, Linda researched from the information Jimmy shared about being born in Sacramento, California. She wrote letters to find documentation of his true identity as an American citizen. She made calls to locate Jimmy’s sister whom he lost track of in World War II when they were all enslaved in the internment camps. Eventually he was able to reunite with his sister, her family and several cousins.

Linda also got Jimmy connected with a nearby senior center residential facility where he started giving art lessons to the residents and where he eventually moved into his own apartment. Over the course of time Jimmy no longer looked haggard and slumped over but walked with intent and had a confidence in his tone and behavior. Jimmy’s art reverted from angry colors that included war scenes and sad images of the internment camp to more peaceful imagery. His faith in himself and in other people that had been so deeply wounded and suppressed was restored to him.

In 2002, Linda took Jimmy to the 60 year reunion at the Tule Lake internment camp where he and 18,800 other Americans of Japanese ancestry were held without cause as prisoners by the government. The reunion visit and ceremonies there helped Jimmy to make peace with the past and honor those he had loved, lost, or left behind. It was a gift of healing and it allowed him to move forward with his life.

Sometimes it can be extremely difficult to work with and care for older adults, especially when they refuse to cooperate or accept much assistance. Rather than get frustrated or give up on someone who resists our efforts, it is important to remember that it not simply the years that make people grumpy or difficult to deal with. We each have the layers of a variety of experiences built over time. By exercising patience and showing respect to our elders, we can uncover the masterpiece within them; and in so doing we add fresh strokes of color to the canvas of our own character.

Do you have a story of renewed hope to share?

Tamara Wolske, MS
Academic Program Director

When blue is your aging loved one’s Christmas color

2011-12-14T14:37:00.001-05:00

For most of us, the holidays are a time for friends, family, parties, joy and reflection on past, present and future. However, sometimes for older individuals, the holidays can be a difficult time. During this time many older adults acutely feel the loss of loved ones, the passing of time, or sadness at the distance between themselves and family living far away. Often the holiday traditions of the past are no longer observed for many reasons. This can make the holiday season feel somewhat devoid of meaning.

It is normal for people, aging or not, to sometimes feel subdued and sad in the face of change. People can usually carry on with regular activities and and these feelings are generally temporary. However, friends or family members may notice “the blues” in a senior that lasts longer than normal. This may be more than simple sadness. It may be a serious case of depression.

According to the Geriatric Mental Health Foundation (GMHF), some major factors contributing to holiday depression for seniors are financial limitations, loss of independence, being alone or separated from loved ones, loss of mobility (inability to get to religious services), and failing eyesight (inability to read or write holiday correspondence).

Recognizing depression in older persons is not always easy. They often have difficulty expressing how they feel. Additionally, the current aging generation came of age in a time when depression was not recognized as a biological illness, and was often stigmatized. Today’s seniors don’t want to be labeled difficult or bothersome.

When clinically depressed, an older individual may lose the will to live, have no interest in regular activities, have diminished self-esteem, have dimished appetite, suffer sleep disruptions, or a number of other symptoms. Untreated depression can lead to aggravated illness, loss of independence, or premature death.

Treatment is key for depression in aging individual. If you notice a senior in your life who fits this description perhaps you can help. There are a variety of treatments available, both through medication and psychotherapy (talk therapy). Part of your role is to help them understand that depression is treatable and that treatment can lead to a better life. Please talk with your loved one’s physician to explore these options.

In addition, the GMHF suggests these things that you can do:

Acknowledge the feelings and listen to the senior
Mention the difficulty of holidays and ask if there is something they would like to do that you can help facilitate (go to church, take a drive to see festive lights, etc.)
Find out if there are activities with which the person might become involved. Many assisted living and nursing home facilities offer special activities such as wrapping parties, cookie baking, concerts, etc.

Depression is not an inevitable part of growing older. Openly communicate your concerns to your loved one. Offer to contact a clergy member or physician. Most of all, let them know they are important to you at this time of year, as always.

Note: If you need help finding mental health assistance for your friend or loved one, The American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry has a network of members--experts in the treatment of late-life mental illness--across the country who are affiliated with universities, hospitals, nursing homes or related facilities. If you would like a referral to one of these doctors, contact AAGP's Foundation at (301) 654-7850.

Kristin Huff

Senior Projects Director

In addition to being the Center's Senior Projects Director, Kristin Huff will teach courses for the Center's new Project Management Certificate for Human Services Professionals.

Ethnogeriatrics on the rise

2011-12-07T13:40:00.001-05:00

We hear a lot about the immigration debate, but seldom do we hear about the elders in our nation’s ethnic communities. Students in my Aging In Place course recently read articles about the future of aging, including one focused on ways in which culturally diverse communities are developing long-term care facilities, and other long-term care facilities in communities with very large ethnic populations (e.g., East Indian, Slavic, Hispanic) are assigning floors in some facilities to specific cultural groups.

The readings elicited a great deal of discussion among students, with some feeling these culturally specific settings were exclusionary and did not foster inter-cultural communication and community. Other students felt, after some reflection, it made sense to want to be near others who share your cultural views, dress, foods, spiritual and cultural practices, holidays, etc. Even how care is provided during old age and at death is culturally specific.

Rosenfeld and Popko (2010) state, while aging in place in the past has been largely confined to homogenous neighborhoods where neighbors were of similar income, status, and lifestyles, “by 2025…the quest for community could also involve the search for culturally sensitive communities. By this we mean places where residents share a common culture, language, and belief system.” These authors note this change, along with increasing diversity among elders, will lead to the continued growth of “ethnogeriatrics.”

Rosenfeld and Popko mention the desire of Vietnamese elders to live near Vietnamese groceries and churches; India Home in New York is providing culturally sensitive day care services, with activities from Bollywood movies to Indian vegetarian meals. Muslims in Toledo, Ohio are raising funds to build a nursing home and Chinese Americans are served at Aegis Gardens in Fremont, CA. Around the world, in Japan, India, and other countries where family care of the old was the norm, we are seeing a rise in acceptance of specialized housing and community planning for elders.

So, what do you think? As the population of diverse elders grows with the larger aging demographic, is ethnogeriatrics the answer? How can we prepare ourselves and our communities to address the culturally diverse needs of older adults? It would be great to hear your ideas.

Sharon Baggett, PhD

Associate Professor

Dr. Baggett teaches gerontology courses in CAC's undergraduate and graduate Aging Studies programs and is extensively involved in program evaluation and issues related to planning for livable communities for people of all ages.

Bringing smiles to seniors, one flower at a time

2011-12-02T04:40:00.001-05:00

Do you ever hear a little voice inside your head? You know, the one that puts thoughts and ideas in your mind? Have you ever acted upon one of these suggestions and seen the results? A couple of years ago while I was driving down Main Street in Zionsville, I heard this voice inside my head. I was driving along, singing to the radio and minding my own business when I heard this voice interrupt my thoughts. I dismissed it and kept traveling down the road just going along with life.

Another day, while traveling down the road I heard it again. This time I sort of listened, but wondered what is was asking of me. I thought that this voice had the wrong person. But in my mind I kept hearing this voice tell me what I was supposed to do. The more I tried to ignore it, the stronger the voice became. I kept thinking to myself, “Please don’t ask me to do this.”

The question the voice was asking: “What do you think Nana’s (a local flower shop) does with the flowers they can’t sell?”

I had never thought about what florists do with the leftover flowers. So one Saturday my mother-in-law and I went in and asked. They said the staff would take home the flowers they couldn’t sell. I asked if they would be willing to donate them to our local nursing home. Right away they said yes -- and I didn’t even have to beg!

I began picking up the extra flowers once a week and delivered them to the residents at Zionsville Meadows, a long-term care facility. When I gave the residents the flowers, their faces lit up with beautiful smiles. I was able to communicate with them in a way that was new and exciting to me.

As the weeks went on, my daughter began helping me. Then a friend and her children joined us. The older adults loved seeing the kids and their spirits were truly uplifted by the flowers and the companionship. These seniors were becoming my friends. I looked forward to seeing them as much as they wanted to see me. Many of them have no one who visits with them so they always looked forward to and enjoyed our visits. Truthfully, I think I received more out of it then they did.

Looking back, listening to that voice and responding to it changed my life for the better. It gave me the realization that our elders need help in many ways, both big and small. Since I’m no longer able to deliver flowers to the nursing home, I recruited other members from my church to take on the task. They truly love being able to brighten the days of these older adults as well.

So the next time you hear that voice in your head, take a moment to consider what is being asked of you. Who knows, you just might make a difference in someone else’s life. And you just might make a difference in you own life too.

Katrina Kappel

Katrina, on the left in the picture above, is a graduate assistant at the University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community, as well as a student in CAC's aging studies program.

Free webinar on physical activity for those with chronic disease

2011-11-30T13:12:00.001-05:00

On Thursday, December 15, the University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community will host a free webinar to discuss "The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines and Additional Recommendations for Individuals with Chronic Health Conditions." CAC Associate Professor Constance McCloy PT, EdD will be the presenter for this session.

The webinar, which will take place from 1:00-2:00pm EST, is sponsored by CAC and is offered through the American Society on Aging.

The content will address the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, particularly as they relate to adults and older adults. Additional information will be provided regarding physical activity recommendations for older individuals who have the following health challenges: history of falls, knee osteoarthritis, osteoporosis.

Participants in this webinar will:

Learn the history of how the 2008 Guidelines were established;
Through case study examples, integrate the evidence supporting participation in specific amounts and types of physical activity associated with preventing chronic conditions such as coronary heart disease, stroke, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, certain types of cancer; also evidence re: prevention of falls, hip fracture and osteoporosis, loss of functional mobility, and depression;
Comprehend application of physical activity recommendations for individuals with common health-related challenges such as knee osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and history of falls.

Dr. McCloy has been a practicing physical therapist for more than 30 years. Dr. McCloy’s research has included the implementation and evaluation of the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP) in Indiana and the identification and prevention of sports-related injuries in nationally-competing senior athletes.

One hour of CEU credit is available from the following:

National Academy of Certified Care Managers
National Board of Certified Counselors
California Association of Drug and Alcohol Counselors (with reciprocity with other states)
Association of Social Work Boards
California Board of Behavioral Sciences (with reciprocity with other states)
California Board of Registered Nursing (with reciprocity with other states)
American Occupational Therapy Association

To register for this free learning event, please click here.

Thankful for aging

2011-11-23T10:24:00.001-05:00

One quick Google search turns up a number of reflections worth reading about giving thanks for aging:

I Am Thankful for Aging Gracefully -- "There is nothing miserable about getting older as long as you are still living. Oh, I don’t mean just breathing and still on top of the earth. I mean living — participating in life, taking part, being a part of life, and enjoying it."

Seven Things to be Thankful for as You Age -- Did they leave anything off of this list?

What Older Adults Are Thankful for this Year -- Laughter. Large print books. Health. Medicines for those not so healthy.

Thankful Thursday: Age -- "With aging, I am thankful for realizing that life is not about me."

Women over 50: Thankful for the Gifts of Age -- The gift of perspective tops the list.

Happy Thanksgiving to you from the University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community. We are thankful that you choose to spend time with us here on this blog.

'Tis the season to remember seniors in need

2011-11-21T14:09:00.001-05:00

If you're like most people, you've already given some thought to holiday shopping this year. Maybe you've picked up or made a few gifts. Or if you're one of those organized types, you might even have gifts wrapped, waiting in your closet to be given to loved ones. Home Instead Senior Care is asking again this year for shoppers to remember older adults in need this holiday season.

The Home Instead Senior Care "Be a Santa to a Senior" is underway at locations across the country. Shoppers select a paper ornament from a tree in the store or community location. The tag lists the first name, age and wish of a senior who might not receive a holiday gift this year. The giver purchases the requested items at any location, then returns the unwrapped gift and ornament tag to an employee at the host store.

Volunteers collect, wrap, and deliver the gifts to the seniors.

Commonly requested items include:

grocery and restaurant gift certificates
snacks and candy
crossword puzzles and magazines
hats, gloves, slippers and sweaters
blankets
personal care items

The "Be a Santa to a Senior" program began in 2004. Individual franchises partner with organizations in their communities to identify seniors in need.

Can you help make an older adult's ho-ho-holidays this year?

In it for the long haul

2011-11-15T08:00:00.000-05:00

I am currently training for a half marathon in January 2012. I never thought running 13.1 miles would be something I would do, let alone willingly sign up for. I set this goal last spring while recovering from ACL reconstruction surgery on my knee. It seemed like a good idea at the time…

Last month I ran a marathon-length relay with three friends. That means I only ran 6.6 miles total, and those were in 2.2 mile legs. I was the slowest team member, but it was manageable. Training is going fine, but I still think about 13.1 miles with something akin to dread. This sure wouldn’t have been a big deal when I was 25 – sigh.

Then I saw the article "World's oldest marathon runner completes Toronto race at age 100." That’s right, Fauja Singh from east London ran 26.2 miles and finished in eight hours, 25 minutes and 18 seconds – ahead of five other competitors! Holy Cow! I am 30-something with aches and pains when I run! How is this guy doing it?

Singh attributes his success to ginger curry, cups of tea and "being happy." His nickname is the "Turbaned Tornado" – the title of his biography, published last year, which he unfortunately has not been able to read because he is illiterate.

In 2004 he replaced soccer star David Beckham and boxing legend Muhammad Ali as the poster boy for Adidas's "Impossible is nothing" advertising campaign. He now hopes his next project will be participating in the torch relay for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Seeing this article was inspiring.

We all know that exercise is good for you. Staying physically active helps keep your heart healthy and your muscles strong, and in cancer patients it has even been shown to ward off relapse.

A study published in January 2010 in the Archives of Internal Medicine, confirms that logging time at the gym not only helps maintain good health but may even prevent the onset of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, osteoarthritis and dementia. Exercise is also linked to helping people with chronic pain manage that pain effectively with fewer medical interventions.

Did you know, the exercise guidelines for older adults aren't much different from any other age group? According to the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, elders should do regular cardio exercise to keep your heart and body healthy, aiming for about 2.5 hours a week (or about 30 minutes, 5 days a week) of moderate intensity activities like walking, cycling, swimming, jogging or any other cardio activity you enjoy. These activities not only offer physical benefits, but mental as well.

No, I haven’t revealed any magic bullets or drawn a map to the fountain of youth. But reading about Mr. Singh made me more determined to stick with my running routine, even when I get discouraged, or when it feels like my bones and muscles have turned to mush, which was in turn processed into goo…painful goo.

How have your exercise routines changed as you have gotten older? What keeps you motivated? Is there anything you find yourself doing or not doing now that you used to? How do you get past the aches and pains? What do you think is the perfect exercise for aging? And most importantly, just how am I going to do 13.1 miles?!?

Kristin Huff

Senior Projects Director

End-of-life arrangements are a gift

2011-11-09T08:00:00.000-05:00

The end of one’s life is not something many people like to focus on, however it is a topic I would encourage everyone, no matter their age, to think about. Having recently suffered the loss of my aunt, the issue arranging one’s final wishes, or the lack thereof, was brought to my attention.

It wasn’t until just weeks before my aunt’s passing that my mom discovered that her sister did not have a will, and thankfully was able to encourage her to meet with a lawyer to draw up a legal document. My aunt was in a position where she knew that she was quickly losing her battle with cancer and had time to make some arrangements, however others aren’t given that time. Whether it be from a heart attack or stroke, car accident, or some other unforeseen occurrence, the end can come quite suddenly and unexpectedly.

While it may not be the happiest thing in the world, it is far easier for your loved ones to be able to focus on grieving and not be burdened with making decisions for you, agonizing over whether this is how you would have wanted things to be. Even if you aren’t sure about all the details, decisions about what funeral home and/or church you would like services held at, what kind of services, cremation vs. burial, burial plots or final resting place can be of tremendous help to your family.

Don’t forget to both document and inform a trusted relative of various passwords, banks and account numbers, location of keys (to safe deposit boxes), safe combinations, etc. Whether a loved one has passed on or are suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s, someone else knowing these things can ensure that all assets and valuables are taken care of because all the information about where keys go, and where important documents are leaves this earth with us. One suggestion is to put all these items in a safe, and giving a family member (or two) the combination to use in the event that you pass away or are incapacitated.

The number of details that go into closing out a life, coupled with the emotional the end of life presents, making these arrangements can seem like a daunting task. You may be wondering where to begin or what questions you should be thinking about. I would encourage you to check out the websites below to help get you started. And once you’ve put your affairs in order, remember to occasionally review the documents to ensure they still reflect your wishes and that all assets are bequeathed to living family members and friends. Not only will this relieve some of the burden on your loved ones, but it will also ensure that your final wishes are granted.

Kristen Lesniak

CAC Graduate Assistant

Kristen Lesniak is graduate student in the Masters of Arts in Teaching Program at the University of Indianapolis. She is studying to become a high school Chemistry teacher. She is currently a Graduate Assistant at the Center for Aging & Community where she is working on the Healthcare Associated Infection Initiative.

Project management for human services professionals

2011-11-07T13:42:00.000-05:00

Are you a social worker, volunteer coordinator, elder care provider, counselor, substance abuse specialist, nonprofit employee who is finding yourself more and more in need of project management skills?

Beginning in January 2012, the University of Indianapolis will offer a Graduate Certificate in Project Management for Human Services Professionals. This certificate, offered in a completely online format, is designed for professionals from the human service sector who have a bachelor's degree or higher in any discipline.

The three required courses (9 credit hours) are offered through the University’s Center for Aging & Community and must be taken in sequential order. The current cost per credit hour is $425*. Program content is focused on project management skills applicable for any human services environment, not just those who work in aging services.

Students who complete the certificate will be equipped to effectively plan, monitor and execute projects. In addition, they will gain practical project management skills they can immediately put into practice in their everyday work. The coursework will ensure students can successfully manage complex projects while assessing the strengths of others, balancing needs of various stakeholders, and completing projects on time and on budget. These skills and experiences will help students deliver the best possible product and emphasize their versatility as employees.

Students who begin the certificate program in January 2012 can expect to finish the program by the end of 2012.

For more information about the Graduate Certificate in Project Management for Human Services Professionals, please visit http://cac.uindy.edu, call (317) 791-5930 or e-mail cac@uindy.edu.

*Note: This is a correction from a previously published figure.

Music feels good at any age

2011-11-02T12:01:00.001-04:00

The experts I work with at the UIndy Center for Aging & Community tell me that healthy aging at all stages of life includes pursuing activities and hobbies that you’re interested in and that make you feel good.

Though not necessarily prompted by age, I recently rejoined the Indianapolis Municipal Band after an absence of about four years -- and it feels great to be back. As I sit in my 4th Horn chair in the middle of the group, I look around and see an interesting mix of musicians.

There’s a healthy amount of gray and white hair. Then I glance to the trombone section and see what can’t be more than a 13-year-old boy. And there is every age in between, from high school to those in the middle of life, like me. I never thought much about it before, but remarkably, we all play nicely together, figuratively and literally. Our music also comes in all ages, from classical compositions to works from modern composers; from swing to contemporary Broadway. It is no secret that music is a tonic that transcends human divisions and brings together unlikely partners. In this band, there is no generation gap. It is a perfect intergenerational activity, where all ages work together toward a common goal.

The band is currently preparing a concert to honor United States Veterans. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2010 American Community Survey, approximately 66% of living veterans are 55 years old or older. As a concert band musician, one of the most touching experiences for me is seeing the gratitude and emotion displayed by older veterans as they rise proudly to be remembered, honored and applauded by the crowd during their military group’s anthem in the Armed Forces medley. In the case of aging veterans who attend concerts, this qualifies as pursuing an activity that makes you feel good and contributes to healthy aging.

This year, the Indianapolis Municipal Band is privileged to feature as guest conductor, Col. Michael J. Colburn, current director of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band.

Veterans deserve and are appreciative of the tribute we will perform. If you know a veteran who might have trouble getting out, I encourage you to bring them to a free concert on Sunday, November 6 at 3pm in the Great Hall of the Indiana State Museum.You might just make their day.

Lidia Dubicki
CAC Project Assistant

Festival events look at aging and the body, mind and spirit

2011-11-01T12:06:00.000-04:00

The University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community is participating as a presenter or sponsor in three different events for the annual Spirit & Place Festival which will take place across Indianapolis from November 4-13. Join us for the following activities:

Being Fit in Body, Mind & Spirit
Wednesday, November 9, 10am-1pm
North United Methodist Church
3808 N. Meridian
Free. Optional lunch - $6

*Interactive sessions will help participants will discover ways to remain physically active, intellectually alert, and socially engaged.

The Mind & Aging
Wednesday, November 9, 7:30-10pm
Butler University -- Atherton Center
4600 Sunset Lane
Free.

*Dr. Bruce Miller will examine the brain and aging, with a specific focus on dementia and the fascinating physical and chemical changes that cause this disorder.

Almost Heaven
Thursday, November 10, 7pm
Friday, November 11, 8pm
Saturday, November 12, 8pm
Sunday, November 13, 2pm
Indy Fringe Theater
719 E. St. Clair St.
$10 adult. $7 children & students. $5 age 65+

*This heartwarming, and often funny, play written by an Indianapolis native, offers insight into the difficulties that aging has on a person and their loved ones.

The Spirit & Place Festival is a distinctive event in Indianapolis and the nation. As a signature civic engagement project of IUPUI, Spirit & Place brings together cultural, religious, and community institutions to create “never-seen-before” programs—and often "never-seen-again"—which prompt citizens to think and act differently on behalf of their communities. Its mission is to be a catalyst for civic engagement and enduring change.

Senior hunger summit to take place November 2

2011-10-31T09:56:00.003-04:00

The Elders At the Table (EAT) Coalition announced today that it willhold a summit addressing the issue of senior hunger in Indiana on Wednesday, November 2.

According to the AARP, there has been a 115 percent increase in thenumber of older Americans facing hunger in the last four years. Pride, an inability to connect with communityresources, and a lack of access to transportation are just some of the factorsthat are putting seniors at risk for hunger and poor nutrition.

Other reasons why more seniors are going hungry include living alone,health issues, and depleted savings. Financial constraints alone are not always a cause of senior hunger andpoor nutrition. A recent Meals on WheelsAssociation of America study found that nationwide, only 38 percent of seniorsat risk of hunger have incomes below the federal poverty line.

Indiana has acutely felt the pain of senor hunger, with the Meals onWheels Association of America ranking the Hoosier state 12^th in thenation with the most “food insecure” seniors. “Food insecure” is defined as older individuals who find themselvesunsure when they might have their next meal or might have access to food. Currently, an estimated 745,000 Hoosieradults over the age of 60 are considered potentially food insecure.

“Seniors suffer hunger in silence,” said Susan Ellis, director of theEAT Coalition. “That’s why we arebringing businesses, academics, not-for-profit organizations and citizenstogether for a spirited dialogue, so we can collectively identify innovativesolutions to this very challenging problem.”

The Nov. 2 summit willfeature keynote remarks by BobBlancato, executive director of the National Association of Nutrition and AgingServices Programs. Founded in 1977, theNANASP is recognized as a leading organization that advocates forcommunity-based senior nutrition initiatives. The summit also will include a panel discussion led by coalition memberOrion Bell, president and CEO of CICOA Aging & In Home Solutions. During the summit, EAT plans to recognizeindividuals, businesses and organizations who have demonstrated exemplaryefforts in assisting older adults. Thecategories are: Friend in Government, Business,Advocates and Outreach.

The Central Indiana Senior Fund and AARP Indiana are serving as summit’slead sponsors.

The cost to attend the summit is $20. Reservation information can be found on the EAT website.

What: IndianaSenior Hunger Summit

When: Wednesday, November 2, 2011

8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Where: Indianapolis Marriott East

7202 East 21st Street

Founded in 2007, the EATCoalition consists of 26 not-for-profit organizations and food serviceproviders who are dedicated to curbing senior hunger in central Indiana. EAT is an initiative of the Central IndianaSenior Fund, a fund of the Central Indiana Community Foundation. For more information on EAT and its coalitionmembers, or to register for the summit, please visit www.eatcoalition.org.

UIndy OT volunteers help seniors get CarFit

2011-10-25T07:45:00.000-04:00

Faculty and graduate students from UIndy’s School of Occupational Therapy volunteered their time recently to show older drivers how to stay safer on the road.

The group performed CarFit checks at the annual Fall Health Festival hosted by Senior Promise, a Franciscan St. Francis Health program that offers services to people 50 and older.

CarFit is a national education program that helps older adults assess how well their personal vehicles fit their aging bodies. The basic checklist looks at 12 key areas, including the positioning of the seat, steering wheel and mirrors.

UIndy Assistant Professor Jennifer Radloff is one of only three people in Indiana certified to coordinate CarFit events, and she is the only certified instructor, authorized to train other coordinators. She introduced CarFit at the university's health festival last year, with the help of 2008 UIndy grad Tori Simons, now an occupational therapist with St. Francis.

The connection between occupational therapists and older adults is a natural one. Students enrolled in the UIndy Master's of Occupational Therapy program can also achieve the Certificate in Gerontology as part of their studies. Earning both their master's of OT and a certificate in gerontology helps students become better prepared to work with seniors and makes them more marketable on the job front.

For more information on the graduate certificate in gerontology, visit the CAC website or contact Stephanie Fritz.

Seasons turn, families change, some things will always stay the same

2011-10-19T15:09:00.001-04:00

On March 18, 2011 at 5pm, I was riding with my mother to dinner in Florida to celebrate finishing my first week-long OT clinical experience for school. The drive ended quickly after my mother received a phone call. My mother was quiet and she didn’t have to utter a word.I knew my Papaw was gone.

A horrible feeling came over me -- I no longer had any grandparents present in my life. I’m sure many of you have experienced this emotion before. Do you remember the feeling? I hear stories now of people twice my age that have a grandparent they can still visit. At 25 I only wish I could hear those once trying and now memorable stories again and again that Papaw probably told me a hundred times.

Last summer my mom said to me, “I kind of feel like an orphan.” A heartbreaking statement, although, one that does contain truth.

No matter how old you are, it’s a comforting feeling knowing your parents are nearby.

My grandmother passed away two years ago from Parkinson ’s disease and dementia. My grandfather followed her almost a year and a half later of a heart attack. I do feel comforted now however that he is back with his best friend and his heart is no longer broken. I have never met any two that demonstrated the love that those two did. The devotion that my grandfather showed during my grandmother’s time at the skilled nursing facility is something that has nurtured my love for the elderly population.

My family worked hard this summer dealing with the physical and emotional ups and downs of preparing my grandparents' house to sell. It has been quite the journey, and now we are about to embark on another one this fall. My Mamaw and Papaw were cremated, and although they were supposed to be taken to their resting places right after the ceremonies, my mom and aunt wanted to keep their ashes a little bit longer. Now that they are both gone, my family decided the most fitting time for a final goodbye was this October. That was my grandmother’s favorite time of year.

I come from a family of teachers and my Mamaw loved the start of school, the changing of the leaves, and the beautiful, crisp fall days. It was very sad to lose these wonderful people in my life -- the individuals responsible for the strength and love my family enjoys.

Yet, I know that losing loved ones is much like the leaves of the seasons changing. Winter brings cold and loss. Spring brings growth and new life. Then we wait for those beautiful fall colors to show before we start the whole cycle over again. We must appreciate the beauty when it is here. Then, in time, we move on and start the next season with the ones we love.

Sara Walton

CAC Graduate Assistant

Sara is pursuing her master's degree in occupational therapy and a graduate certificate in gerontology.

Successful Aging: A View from Alaska Native Elders

2011-10-17T10:30:00.000-04:00

Scholars over the years have defined “successful aging” in a variety of ways. Some say that successful aging implies lack of disease and disability. (1) Others report that successful aging is more of a “state of being…a process of continuous adaptation.”(2 p. 2694) More recently, researchers reported that successful aging is associated with having some sense of control over one’s life, good health, and feelings of well-being.(3)

Successful aging can also be defined in cultural and societal terms. For example, Western society seems to focus on many negative aspects of aging, such as chronic illness, wrinkles and loss of independence. Therefore, successful aging would mean avoiding wrinkles, staying in control and independent, and avoiding chronic disease.

According to Jordan Lewis, Native Alaskan elders view aging quite differently. Dr. Lewis interviewed 26 older adults (aged 61-93) from Aleut, Athabascan and Yup’ik Eskimo tribes who live in Bristol Bay, Alaska. His interviewees reported that “successful aging can be defined as becoming an Elder, that is, achieving a respected role in one’s community…”(4 p. 5)

“Eldership” included these elements: 1. emotional well-being; 2. community engagement; 3. spirituality; and 4. physical health.

Emotional well-being included having a positive attitude, even in the face of hardships. To these Elders, emotional well-being was fed by making good life choices (e.g., choosing to abstain from alcohol and drugs), having a relationship with a “higher power,”having goals to focus on, raising a family, and serving as role models.

Community engagement was a very important part of “successful aging” and being deemed an “Elder.” Community involvement included serving on Elder councils, providing wisdom based upon experience. In addition, Elders felt it was their responsibility to pass down their knowledge of Native traditions to the young people in the community.

The Elders interviewed also reported that spirituality or religion (mostly Russian Orthodox) guided choices for healthy living and successful aging. Elders stated that their spirituality contributed to their emotional well-being (it reduced worries) and some reported that they prayed for family and community all day. For many, Western religion was interwoven with traditional Native beliefs.

Interestingly, Elders strongly felt that attitude (being positive) was associated with attaining good physical health. Healthy lifestyle activities that foster successful aging included eating a traditional diet (high in fish and other local resources), being as active as possible (fishing, participating in community projects), and abstaining from alcohol and illegal drugs. Elders also felt it was still possible to age positively even when one had an illness or disability.

This Alaskan community values its elders, and supports those activities that bring about “successful aging." Elderhood in Bristol Bay is a traditional model of “successful aging” that has many benefits. Perhaps it is time for all of us to take a look at this model and try it on for size.

Constance McCloy, EdD, PT
Associate Professor

References:

(1) Rowe JW, Kahn RL. Human aging: Unusual and successful. Science. 1987;237:143-149.

(2) Faber et al. Successful aging in the oldest old. Arch Int Med. 2001; 161:2694-2700.

(3) Knappe S, Pinquart M. Tracing criteria of successful aging: health locus of control and well-being in older patients with internal diseases. Psychology, Health and Medicine. 2009; 14:201-212.

(4) Lewis JP. Successful aging through the eyes of Alaska Native Elders. What it means to be an Elder in Bristol Bay, AK. The Gerontologist. 2011:1-8.

What I learned at Panera about aging courageously

2011-10-07T09:53:00.001-04:00

Most Friday mornings you can find me at my local Panera Bread store. Sometimes I'm here with friends -- "therapy," we call it. Other times, like today, it's just me and my laptop, trying to finish off a few work items before the weekend arrives.

My usual spot is in a booth on the side of the restaurant behind the kitchen. It's quiet and out of the way. But today, all those booths were taken, so I found myself at a table in the main section of the restaurant, a bagel's toss away from another group of regulars.

This group consists of between 8-10 older men, all white-haired (if they have hair). They're here every Friday, too. I usually nod hello on my way to the soda machine, but other than that, have never paid them much attention.

But today, I'm sitting across from them, which gave me a chance to witness a small but sweet act of courage.
Today, another older gentleman stopped at the regulars' table.
"I just wanted to ask you if I could join you sometime," said the newcomer, whose appearance fit right in with the rest of the group.

The ringleader looked up and said, "That depends, what do you drink? Because we can't have any decaf guys here."
They all had a good laugh and the outsider assured them he counted on his coffee to give him a morning kick in the pants.

"What's your name?" one of the crew asked.

"Bill. I just moved from Michigan. I'm living with my daughter."

The group told Bill they are all members of a church down the road. They asked if he goes to church. Bill laughed.

"You know what I used to do for a living? I was a Lutheran minister." The other fellows are Methodist, not Lutheran, but they figured he would do.
"Do you like the Colts, Bill?" It was like watching an initiation ceremony.

"Well, they're one of my two favorite teams. I've been a Detroit Lions fan for a long time," Bill said. "But I love Purdue," he offered, as if trying to save what might have been a deal-breaker. That seemed to appease the gang and they offered Bill a seat at the table. He declined, saying that he had somewhere to be this morning, but he'd be here next Friday.

"Sounds good. Eight o'clock every Friday. So, where does your daughter live?"

"Hmmm...down 86th street in a condo. It's before you get to the next big street. I'm not sure of the name." I bet he could have given complex directions to his former home in Michigan.

As Bill walked out of the restaurant, I was struck by his courage. In the grand scheme of things, what Bill did might not seem remarkable. However, moving to a new home in a new state after a lifetime of years somewhere else is courageous. Learning a new city, starting over -- that takes courage. Approaching a group of strangers and asking to be included is courageous, no matter what your age.

I think I might sit at this same table next Friday.

Amy Magan
Communications Manager

Why yoga is good for aging

2011-10-03T15:41:00.000-04:00

Recently, the weather changed and I found myself creaking as I got out of bed. Walking my 15-year old dog at 6:30am seemed as daunting as did climbing peaks in Nepal in my younger years. What’s up? Despite a lifetime of physical activity, my own aging is beginning to be felt in ways I’ve not known before. But, to the mat I go, for yoga is what keeps me going AND not shrinking. I gained three-quarters of an inch in height over the past decade, when I should be getting shorter.

Yoga is not new, despite the trendy marketing hype surrounding it. The roots of yoga go back at least several thousand years, and yoga in the West is often traced to BKS Iyengar’s Light on Yoga compiled about 50 years ago. I’m not very interested in arguing the dates, but rather in the experience of yoga in my own life and body and in what I hear from authentic yoga teachers, many of whom are now teaching yoga to those in their 70’s, 80’s and 90’s.

So, what makes yoga such a great physical (we can talk about the spiritual in another blog) practice as we age? According to yoga philosophy, one’s age is not determined in years but rather by the flexibility of the one’s spine. Yoga’s focus on lengthening the muscles helps combat their natural shortening we get older. Muscle strengthening from yoga can reduce injury and the focus on flexibility of the spine improves posture. Gentle breathing relaxes and expands the lungs. Yoga sends blood to the extremities, increasing circulation. Regular yoga practice can enhance your immune system, and there is growing research indicating yoga can improve balance, range of motion, blood pressure, pain, fatigue, sleep quality and depression. (Wang, 2009).

My current yoga teacher is conducting a class at an assisted living facility where her mother lives. At first, seeing the decreased range of motion, poor posture and other physical issues with the residents inspired her primarily to urge younger students to practice more diligently to avoid these issues in later life. Now, however, she sees the outcomes in the older people, small though they may be, as very rewarding. The students, older women mostly, share little improvements they feel and can see from coming to the class. One resident said, “It also makes me smile.”

BKS Iyengar, still practicing yoga at age 92, says it’s never too late to start, often mentioning that the Queen of Belgium started doing head balance at age 86. But, you don’t have to do a headstand to benefit. Try a beginner class or chair yoga, a gentler, age-adjusted version to start. Make sure you find a teacher who will accommodate any special needs, understands and nourishes those new to yoga, and encourages you no matter your age.

Now back to the mat…

Sharon Baggett, PhD
Associate Professor

Photo credit: The New Yoga for Healthy Aging

Biggest (and Oldest) Losers

2011-09-22T11:44:00.000-04:00

I admit it. I am a fan of Biggest Loser. It is one of the few reality television shows I like. I know, I know...reality TV is not reality. That is not what I want to write about though.

This week on the Biggest Loser season opener, when contestants arrived on The Ranch, they were divided into three teams of five based on age: the youngest players (all under 30), the middle players (ages 30-49) and the older players (ages 50 and over). When I first heard this, my immediate thought was “well, the older team won’t last long.” Then I thought, “well, maybe one or two of the most fit/most determined might make it to a shuffle of the teams.” After that came “well, aren’t I ageist.” And here I work in the field of aging!

The first episode ended exactly how I thought it would end. The “old” team lost the weigh in and had to eliminate someone. I could hypothesize on all the reasons or philosophical ideals behind how the game has been structured. I bet that might actually generate a lot of comments or discussion. However, all three teams had members who lost a lot of weight and those who didn’t lose as much. It boils down to motivation, hard work, genetics, and another dozen variables or so.

What I have been thinking about is that, despite working in the field of aging, I made an assumption about an entire group. I focused on only the group, rather than on the individuals. It’s easy to fall into this trap when we are forced to think this way about many things -- health policy or Social Security for example. The challenge outside of these things is to see the individual separately from the larger group.

My challenge to you, dear reader, is this: Take a moment to examine a relationship with an aging individual in your life. Are there ways you react to, or interact with, that person that are shaped by how you think about “the aging population” as a whole, rather than your direct experience with that individual? Will you share it here? Do you think you’ll do anything differently now that you've thought about it? Really, I want to know.

Kristin Huff

Senior Projects Director

Wedding bliss for young and old

2011-09-21T07:38:00.000-04:00

When I was younger, I asked if I could get my grandma appraised after an episode of Antiques Roadshow on PBS. It wasn't a disrespectful question. My dad had earlier explained that an antique is something of value that is very old. It was with that belief in the high value of my grandmother that I came to hold my recent wedding in an assisted care facility.

Growing up very close to my grandparents and caring for my Grandma while she's lived in the assisted living facility, I couldn’t think of traditional wedding options that created the opportunity for my grandma to take part in all pieces of the wedding. Considering the barriers of age, mobility, anxiety and legal blindness that might keep my Grandma and other elder family members from participating, I realized the big lavish wedding I had thought was my dream would be more of a nightmare for them.

It was my dad, who has worked since high school in health care for the aging, who first jokingly suggested that perhaps my fiance and I hold our nuptials at the facility where my grandmother lives. She will turn 90 in March.

The pieces came together relatively easily to have the wedding ceremony at my grandma’s assisted living facility. The perks included having a beautiful facility with a baby grand piano for our use, a grand staircase for the bride (me!) to walk down, several seating arrangements for guests before the wedding and availability of table and chairs already at the facility. The cost of these luxuries at any other banquet facility would have been sky high, but the assisted living facility just asked for a $50.00 cleaning deposit.

I was also able to book a beauty day for my grandma in the facility's salon, so she could focus on getting herself all dolled up and not worry about the wedding. My grandma is someone who gets worried to the point of making herself sick about a situation over which she has no control.

The bride (2nd from left) with her Grandma and siblings the morning of the wedding.

Before the wedding, I ate lunch with her in the café. It turns out that grandma invited friends from the facility down for the ceremony. We had already invited the residents to join us for a cake and punch reception following the ceremony.

By planning my wedding this way, I was able to get the best of both worlds. I had the chance to include a loved one who would not have been able to partake in other wedding settings and I got to be a savvy spender and fashionista in my styling and budget planning.

With the fast pace of life many brides -- and others -- live today, it is easy to forget elder members of a family. Working to include them in special occasions tells our loved ones that they are valued members of your family.

My advice to brides who are especially close to loved ones who face a difficulty that prevents them from experiencing your special day is this: your job as the bride is to make them feel like part of the event. Doing something as simple as having a bridal shower at their residence to include them or creating a photo album for them if they are unable to attend the wedding will allow them to feel connected and loved.

Sarah Forgey

Sarah is a Master's of Occupational Therapy student at the University of Indianapolis. A life-long lover of the aging, she is also taking aging studies coursework from the University's Center for Aging & Community, where she is a graduate assistant.

What else happened on 9/11?

2011-09-15T13:15:00.000-04:00

Sunday, September 11, 2011 was a significant day in America. You likely watched television programs or read news articles about it. But September 11 was more than just the anniversary of the attacks on the U.S. It was also National Grandparents Day.

In 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed Public Law 96-62 designating the Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day. The law states the purpose of the observance as: “…to honor grandparents, to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children’s children, and to help children become aware of strength, information, and guidance older people can offer.”

There is a delightful and touching history behind this commonly misunderstood day of observance.

Contrary to what you might think, the holiday’s origins have nothing to do with being a "Hallmark holiday." It was the mission of Mrs. Marian McQuade (1917-2008), a self-described “housewife” and distinguished citizen of West Virginia (where, oddly enough, our modern versions of Mother’s and Father’s Days are also credited to originate). Mrs. McQuade, the daughter of a coal miner, gained her admiration of older people at an early age. Her grandmother, after working long days on her large farm, would often take young Marian with her as she visited the elderly people in her community. According to the September 1995 issue of Wonderful West Virginia Magazine, Marian recalled, she “…never forgot talking with those delightful people. That’s where my love and respect for oldsters started.”

As an adult, she became involved in organizing Richwood, West Virginia’s Past 80 Party, an annual event that found Mrs. McQuade contacting and visiting many nursing homes. She was dismayed by the chronic loneliness in many of the residents and observed that "they load these people up with gifts at Christmas, but they leave them alone the other 364 days of the years. I wanted there to be another day to visit." These experiences prompted her idea to honor all the nation’s grandparents, no matter where they lived.

Five years of lobbying netted her a proclamation from West Virginia’s governor and the first state Grandparents Day in May 1973. Marian McQuade then took her efforts to Congress and was rewarded with the national designation and the first National Grandparents Day in September 1979.

Throughout her life, Mrs. McQuade continued to promote celebration of National Grandparents Day, offering suggestions like visiting nursing homes, tracing family trees and any activity that strengthens the bond between grandparent and grandchild. She emphasized it was not necessary to spend a lot of money to accomplish a meaningful celebration. She also turned down Hallmark Cards when they offered her a royalty saying, "From the beginning I didn't want to make money, and I have never accepted donations."

In 1989, the U.S. Postal Service honored Mrs. McQuade with a commemorative envelope bearing her likeness to acknowledge the tenth anniversary of the holiday.

You can read more about National Grandparents Day and Marian McQuade at the National Grandparents Council website.

Lidia Dubicki
CAC Project Assistant

GlamourGals uses makeovers to bring young & old together

2011-09-08T16:42:00.001-04:00

When I was a young English teacher in Brooklyn, NY, one of my students asked me if I could help her start a GlamourGals chapter at school.

GlamourGals is a not-for-profit whose mission is to inspire and organize teens to provide ongoing complimentary beauty makeovers and companionship to elderly women living in senior homes.

Photo courtesy of Rachel Enlow Photography

At first, I was hesitant. Though I had volunteered with seniors in high school, I wasn’t sure that my students would benefit or stay engaged in the program, but once I realized how amazing GlamourGals was and what a difference it made to not only elderly women, but my students as well, I was hooked!

My students became leaders in the community, making a profound difference in the lives of seniors and this gave them a renewed sense of self-esteem. I was also transformed by GlamourGals and knew it would be a part of my life forever. Currently, I’m the Director of Programs for GlamourGals.

GlamourGals was started in 2000 by then 17-year-old Rachel Doyle to honor her grandmother. She had her first makeover with just two other girls from Commack High School. Now, GlamourGals has 40 chapters working in 15 states and Washington, D.C.

High school and college students can start chapters as school clubs. They are required to visit senior homes monthly—but many visit even more frequently! For more information on starting a chapter, students can visit www.glamourgals.org.

As an Indianapolis native, one of my goals is to start more chapters in Indiana. To raise awareness and critical funds to support Indiana expansion, we are hosting a Hot Pink Party in Indianapolis on Thursday, September 15 from 6-8:30 p.m. at 14 West. In addition to snacks and beverages, each guest will receive knitting instructions to knit their own hot pink scarf.

Additionally, we hold Mega Makeovers at Robin Run Village in Indianapolis, which is a unique opportunity for adults and special guests to be a part of the makeover experience. Our next event will be on Friday, December 9 to celebrate the holiday season with seniors.

Thanks to GlamourGals, I have had the opportunity to visit senior homes across the country, interact with hundreds of inspiring teens, and have learned invaluable amounts of wisdom from amazing seniors.

For more information about GlamourGals, follow:

My blog: http://makingafashionablechange.blogspot.com
Our Twitter: www.twitter.com/GlamourGals
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GlamourGals

Julia Porter (right)
GlamourGals Director of Programs

Stories of the past are a gift to the present and the future

2011-09-07T08:15:00.000-04:00

For manyyears, my family has had a tradition of spending the long Labor Day weekendtogether. Three generations gather fromaround the Midwest in southeastern Wisconsin for about 60 hours to eat, play,laugh, and sometimes cry together. We’vegone to various resorts, rented homes over the years and have run the gamutof activities—swimming, boating, golfing, hiking, shopping, campfires and gamesof all sorts.

This year, we gathered at a beautiful rented lake home inPowers Lake, Wisconsin. My dad announcedthat he needed an hour set aside after Sunday evening’s dinner for somethingspecial. As the dinner hour grew near,he reminded us again and successfully dodged all of the questions about thenature of the surprise. He corralled all 11 of us into the family room and popped a CD into the TV—no video, justaudio. A woman’s voice announced thatthis was the oral history of F.R. Winchell…and for the next hour or so, weall sat quietly listening as the interviewer asked a set of leading questionsand as my dad reminisced about everything from memories of his grandparents, tolife during the depression, to the friends and family he lost during “the war,”to the “best decision I ever made” which was to marry my mom.

The skilled oral historian led him throughhis life’s experiences, allowing him time to chuckle at his own stories andpause when he choked up while talking about mom. The 11 of us sat quietly, like a family fromdecades ago gathered around, lost in the details of a story being told on theradio. It seemed appropriate forlistening to a life story from that era.

I learned things about my dad’s life that I had neverheard. The sons-in-law and grandkidsabsolutely learned about the kind of man my father is, the experiences thatshaped him, and for the kids especially, a perspective on the world that theyonly know from history books. When theinterview was finished, Daddy presented my two sisters and me with our owncopies of the CD.

As I reflect on thisspecial surprise from my dad, three thoughts keep running through my head:

How grateful I am that Daddy took the time to dothis for himself and for us.
How desperately I wish that we had a CD likethis with my mom.
What an amazing entrepreneurial spirit must haveled this particular oral historian to start a business that helps peoplecapture these memories for their families.

My dad encountered her at an art fair. They exchanged information, and soon, she contacted him for anappointment. She came to the house forthe taping, edited the interview, designed a cover for the case, made copies ofeverything and delivered it to Dad. Sheturned her passion for history into a business venture that fed her soul and atthe same time created priceless keepsakes for so many families.

If you have a family member or friend who has a story thatneeds to be captured, I encourage you to find a talented oral historian. One place you might begin is atoralhistory.com, the website of the Oral History Association (there areregional and international organizations, too).

Please don’t wait. Life is shortand you don’t want to be wishing that you had done it when someone special isalready gone. In fact, my husband and Ihave already decided this will be our Christmas gift to his parents this year.

Ellen W. Miller, PhD

CAC Executive Director

Back-to-school lesson for a 40-something

2011-08-30T11:01:00.003-04:00

Some days I feel older than others. Days when I can hear the bones of my feet creaking as I get out of bed and move across the floor. When business dictates that I go to the University of Indianapolis campus (my office is a few miles away), I imagine that I blend in with the stream of students walking across campus. But the truth is, I am old enough to be their mother and I look every bit of that part.

Yet, this semester I am falling into step with these students, taking my place in a college course. It's an online graduate course in grant writing. And going back to school -- even for just one class -- after almost 20 years is a bit frightening to me.

I printed the syllabus this morning. All 10 pages of it. I ordered my books (four of them) and looked over the list of additional provided readings. I noted the required participation in discussion forums, lesson reflections, current event sharings. I got nervous at the description of the course's final project.

"What have I done?" I thought. "I haven't gone to school in 20 years. Maybe I'm too old for this?"

But this isn't advanced molecular chemistry. It's grant writing. It's something I've had a part of dozens of times in the course of this job. The online delivery isn't intimidating to me. I can navigate my way online with the best of them.

So what if the last time I went to school I owned a self-correcting typewriter instead of a computer? Who cares if I never e-mailed an instructor...because e-mail didn't exist when I was in college? I'm sure there will be things that I need to refresh my memory on or to learn for the first time.

Usually when I think of "all things aging," I think of people older than me. People the age of my parents and grandparents. But considering that my recent birthday made me one year older (as birthdays tend to do), I have no choice but to admit that I am aging, too. But it's ok. Just because I'm an old dog doesn't mean I can't learn a few new tricks.

Amy Magan
Communications Manager

Wouldn't you like to be a babushka, too?

2011-08-15T10:47:00.003-04:00

Impressed and uplifted. That's how I felt recently after reading an NPR story by David Green -- "Russian Women Prove It’s Hip To Be A Babushka."

The piece describes a group of women, some in their 70s and 80s, who have had to endure extreme difficulty in their lives including being divorced or widowed in late life and having to manage alone. They chose to not assume the traditional role of the "babushka" (elderly woman) and sit by the roadside selling vegetables from the garden. And, they are definitely not wasting their days feeling sorry for themselves, despite the hardships they have suffered. These dozen or so older women from the village of Buranovo, 600 miles east of Moscow have chosen instead to sing and dance their way through the rest of their days.

Check out this video of their performance at the Eurovision Song Contest:

Not only are they keeping themselves cheered up by singing songs from the Beatles and popular Russian artists, they are also making a positive impression on their audiences. This little band of elderly ladies has taken their show on the road and they are having fun just being themselves.

That’s the beautiful and inspiring thing in this story for me, to see older people living authentic and joyful lives and sharing their enthusiasm with others. In doing so, everyone is lifted up.

A recent article from Mayo Clinic about positive thinking indicates that there are significant physical and psychological benefits (including stress reduction) from having a positive attitude. It is not easy to act happy when you are experiencing difficulties such as sadness from loss, frustration over life changes that you did not choose or desire, or when you are suffering from chronic pain or ailments. It is common for the focus to be on the need of the moment rather than on living life in the moment. Having a positive outlook and behaviors helps with being able to adapt to changes and cope with hardships.

Often older people are expected to play the part of the “patient” who needs assistance and support in order for those around them to be able to fulfill their role as care providers. This is especially true if they are performing services to bill the elder’s Medicare or other insurance. It is no one’s fault that this happens; it is just an unfortunate by-product of the healthcare reimbursement system. However, it creates a cycle of learned helplessness that reinforces the benefits of dependency and robs people of their dignity.

Some elders will never be able to kick up their heels to dance again or take deep enough breaths to sing a happy tune. That’s where others can make a difference and provide not only physical care and comfort but also opportunities to enjoy music, song and laughter. These are things that make us feel more connected to each other as human beings; we never grow too old to appreciate those gifts.

Wouldn’t you rather be a babushka too?

Tamara Wolske, MS
Academic Program Director

10 ways to help aging services providers deal with grief

2011-08-10T13:15:00.003-04:00

As we work with the aging population one thing is certain, a client that you care for, serve, and have grown to love will die. Those of us who have been in the field for several years likely have experienced several client deaths, and each time we have been faced with some degree of personal and professional grief.

Although grief and death are prevalent in our society and an expectation within the field of aging, the topic is still taboo and often ignored or swept under the rug. Ignoring the topic of grief can lead to detrimental side effects including depression, burn out, isolation, and can even result in staff turnover.

Frequent exposure to death does not have to be negative and can instead be an experience used for personal and professional growth. Being prepared for a grief experience can help you process grief as well as help you continue to work in the field of aging with confidence and compassion.

10 positive ways to help aging services professionals process grief include:

Be patient with yourself – Do not expect to recover from grief immediately or respond as if nothing has changed.
Find someone to listen to you – this can be a friend, coworker, supervisor, or professional.
Express emotion as needed – This can be done through creative outlets such as journaling, writing poetry, or scrapbooking, physical outlets such as exercise or dance, or emotional outlets such as crying.
Utilize quiet time – such as meditation, taking the time to be still, reading, or journaling.
Maintain a healthy diet and a regular exercise and sleep schedule – Staying consistent and healthy will help your body to heal and maintain a sense of normalcy.
Laugh out loud – This may seem impractical, and be hard to do when grieving, but laughter can heal the soul and bring joy amidst pain.
Develop an interest or hobby – Focusing only on work is not healthy for anyone, particularly in times of high stress or grief. Finding a hobby or interest helps to bring balance to your life.
Have at least one meaningful conversation a day – Meaningful conversations give you something to think about and process other than grief.
Understand that pain is normal – There is nothing wrong with you for feeling pain over a client who has died that you cared for.
Take time off work if needed – If you need to take time off to process your grief then do so. Not taking time off work when needed can prolong and inhibit processing grief.

Tonya Feller

Tonya Feller serves as the Director of Adult Services at New Hope Services, Inc., assisting adults in home and community programs to maintain their independence and increase daily living skills. She is completing her Master's degree in gerontology at the University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community.

Despite differences, daughter admires Mom's get-up-and-go

2011-08-03T09:56:00.007-04:00

My mother and I aren’t particularly close, and we have different perspectives on just about everything: politics, religion, music. Sometimes we see eye to eye in literature and movies, but for the most part, we couldn’t be more different. One thing I do admire in my mother, though, is the way she has carried on and remained engaged in life after the death of my father 16 years ago.

She was just 61 when she was widowed, and though that first year was extremely tough on her, she continued (and maybe even ramped up) her volunteerism at church and in the community. She also traveled. Not every widow is fortunate enough to be left with the resources to visit other states and countries, but even into her seventies, that woman has trotted the globe, from New Orleans to the Old Country. She’s been to Peru, Turkey, and the British Isles, to name a few countries--all without a travel companion. She invariably befriends people on these trips to dine with and share conversation. And her purpose is to learn new things about architecture, history, artists and art.

It took her a lifetime to develop her independent habits, but I know for a fact that she didn’t feel like striking out on her own after my dad died. I’m fairly certain she had to make herself go, especially in the early years after becoming a widow. And it didn’t feel good to be surrounded by couples, but she kept leaving her house, kept going, trying to make the best of things.

Two years after Dad died, she went with a group from my alma mater, Denver Seminary, on an “In the Footsteps of Paul” tour guided by New Testament professors. She went to Kenya with her church to visit an orphanage. And she has visited Elder Hostels all over the country and across the ocean through Elderhostel, Inc., a nonprofit organization that offers learning-based travel.

When she's not traveling (usually 1-2 trips each year), she commits to volunteering in town—at Shepherd Community Center, working with the daycare at Wheeler Mission, and teaching English to Middle Eastern immigrant women through her church. She religiously goes to Jazzercise, nearly every day (but no, does not wear the Olivia Newton John getup); is an avid reader and belongs to a book club; sings in the choir; volunteers in the nursery at church; and supports the local symphony.

Is my mother lonely? Does she ever feel depressed? I think so, but she hasn’t disengaged from the land of the living. And that’s something to emulate.

Beth Bates
CAC Project Assistant

World Traveler photo credit

Taking the kids -- Help feed hungry seniors

2011-08-01T09:47:00.006-04:00

When my oldest son Keith was about six, he challenged me to a foot race. I made the mistake of letting him beat me (again!), but this time his attitude changed. He suddenly wanted to race me every day, cocky in his athletic ability and scorning mine. I realized that more was at stake in this simple sprint, so I created the annual Birthday Bash 50-yard Dash. Every year on his birthday, we donned our running shorts and tennis shoes, measured 50 yards on a track, and ran an actual race. The year he could beat me fair and square, I told him I would treat him to his favorite ice cream. The year he could beat his dad, he would win a steak dinner.

A funny thing happened on the way to his losing to his parents: he respected us more. And the year he finally did beat us, he had a greater sense of accomplishment because he knew he had earned it.

I am reminded of this story now because we (CICOA Aging & In-home Solutions) are in a race of another kind — with kids — in the Indianapolis Indians’ Lend a Helping Glove Campaign. The contest ends on August 19, and the winning organization gets $10,000. That prize would provide a meal to 2,000 hungry seniors.

Sadly, however, the kids are beating us. The Boys and Girls Club has taken first place in the texting competition, and Indy Reads is winning in online voting. So here’s what I am asking:

If you text, please text CICOA once a day to 86132. You can also organize a vote-a-thon by asking family members or friends to vote for us on a specific day.
If you are able, please make an online donation of $5 (for 5 votes) to $25 (which buys 40 votes) at www.lendahelpingglove.com

Much as I love kids, I think we can still take ’em. Please help CICOA win.

Dana Robinson
Director of Marketing & Communications
CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions

CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions is a private, not-for-profit agency and one of 700 Area Agencies on Aging nationwide that provide information, advocacy and support services for older adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers. CICOA serves Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Johnson, Marion, Morgan and Shelby Counties.

Are you the Keeper of the Stuff?

2011-07-28T07:30:00.001-04:00

“Where did all this stuff come from?”

We all think this from time to time as we look around our homes. But if you’ve lived in that home for more than 20 years, especially if you’ve raised a family in it, you start to think it on a weekly (or daily!) basis.

If you have the courage to open one of the many boxes piled in the garage, you might find it’s full of old yearbooks -- not yours but one of the grown kids’. Another box might contain trophies won by your daughter at summer camp 20 summers ago. A third box holds all of your son’s college papers, typed and mimeographed. You vaguely remember him asking 15 years ago for you to hang on to the papers until he had his own home. Then it hits you. He and all your other children have their own homes now and you are still the Keeper of Their Stuff.

If you’re at a phase in your life when you’re ready to downsize, getting rid of stuff can be difficult but starting with someone’s belongings is an easy way to get the ball rolling.

First, identify whose stuff is whose. If possible create a staging area, preferably in an out of the way place and put all Bill’s stuff with Bill’s stuff and Mary’s stuff with Mary’s stuff.

Second, call the stuff’s rightful owner and ask if they want it. You may be surprised, a lot of grown children say that they’d forgotten about it and don’t need or want it, so it’s yours to donate. This is the best response to get. But, more than likely they’ll say its super important and that they want it.

At that point let them know that you’re de-cluttering the house and you need them to come pick it up as soon as possible. If they live out of town, offer to mail it to them – this way you’re sure to get it out of your house.

If they offer to scoop it up themselves, confirm a realistic deadline for the pick-up. And make sure you’re clear and firm about your deadline for having the clutter cleared.

Remember, we are all responsible for everything that comes into our lives and after a lifetime of responsibility, I promise it’ll feel good to have a few fewer responsibilities.

Tracy McCubbin is the founder of dClutterfly and an award-winning home and office organization expert. She is based in Los Angeles and travels across the country helping clients develop livable organization in their lives.

Bridging the gap: Intergenerational Mentoring

2011-07-25T08:00:00.000-04:00

Prior to joining the University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community, I worked mostly with youth-serving organizations. One of my current interests is learning about ways to marry the generations in the most impactful way for both. Enter mentoring.

Mentoring is not a new concept, nor is the idea of intergenerational mentoring. As a pop culture reference, think of Professor Charles Xavier, Albus Dumbledore, Mr. Miyagi, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Gandalf. However, recent research has shown just how important mentoring is, not only for youth, but also for the mentors. This seems to be especially true for aging folks who act as mentors.

According to the Indiana Mentoring Partnership, a program of the Indiana Youth Institute that promotes and supports quality mentoring, research has shown that at-risk kids with mentors do better in school and are more likely to resist drugs and alcohol. In addition, mentoring reduces truancy, violence, and youth crime. The Annie E. Casey Foundation estimates that more than 23 million children in the U.S. are in single-parent homes, or without either parent, making a mentoring relationship all the more important.

So how does this connect to the aging population? With lifespan increasing and patterns of retirement changing, many older adults find themselves with time available and a desire to continue to contribute to their community. The Administration on Aging reports that there has been a significant increase in the number of older adults who live alone. In 2005, 32% of all elderly lived alone, which often results in decreased socialization. Given that the size of the older population is projected to double over the next 30 years -- growing to 70 million by 2030 with one in five being 65 or older -- aging adults are in an ideal position to provide the additional support young people need.

So what’s in it for the mentors?

Research from the Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics and Generations United states that older adults serving as mentors report :

feeling they have a more productive lifestyle that contributes to a greater sense of purpose and allows them to feel more connected to their community
feeling they contribute to a rich culture, heritage, and understanding of history for their mentees
increased socialization as a result of their mentoring activities
increased physical activity as a direct result of their mentoring relationship
feeling valued by others
feeling a greater sense of self worth

With such benefits it would seem natural to promote not only mentoring programs, but other intergenerational programs as well. Supporting programs and policies with implicit intergenerational provisions is an important step in allowing our society to invest in our children through our country’s growing resource of older adults.

If you, or someone you know, are an older adult (or not!) and wish to find a mentoring program with which to become involved, please visit the Indiana Mentoring Partnership or click here to find mentor programs in your state. You might change a child’s life with just one hour a week!

Kristin Huff
Senior Project Director

Cooling centers open to help beat the heat

2011-07-21T23:33:00.003-04:00

With much of the country suffocating in the grip of an extreme heat wave, communities all over are opening cooling centers to provide relief and safety for those without air conditioning.

Below are links to information regarding the location of cooling centers throughout Indiana:

Evansville/Southwest Indiana

Fort Wayne

Gary

Indianapolis/Marion County

St. Joseph/Elkhart/Marshall Counties

Wayne County

If you are in need of a place to cool off and you do not live in one of the areas listed above, contact your local Salvation Army, Red Cross, health department or Department of Homeland Security . Public libraries and senior centers may also offer temporary relief from the heat.

The Indiana State Department of Health offers these tips for staying safe in times of extreme heat:

Pace yourself: for work or recreation in the sun, be sure to take frequent breaks to take on fluids and cool off out of the heat.
Take it easy: put off strenuous activities that can wait until weather cools
Stay cool: use air-conditioning, if it's available; if it's not available, take cool baths, showers, or sponge baths and temporarily inhabit dry basement spaces, which can be 10-15 degrees cooler
Eat lighter meals: avoid use of your stove by eating more salads, fresh vegetables and fruit
Dress appropriately: wear light-colored, lightweight cotton clothing, which readily releases perspiration and reflects heat. Cotton absorbs perspiration better and thus cools better than synthetics
Drink fluids: drink plenty of cool, non-alcoholic beverages (water is best), especially when you're outdoors, to keep the body's cooling system operating efficiently; avoid alcohol, which can induce dehydration
Stay in the shade: if possible, perform work or strenuous recreational activities outdoors in the morning or early evening, when the sun's heat is less intense; avoid sun burn and ultraviolet light poisoning
Carry water: when you're away from home, keep water in non-breakable bottles with you to easily replenish fluids lost to perspiration
Look after the very young and the aged: babies and older adults are more susceptible to heat induced illness; check on them regularly, call your local health department for instructions if you are unsure

Baby boomers and marriage -- not like Grandma and Grandpa

2011-07-20T09:04:00.004-04:00

Relationships are not easy. Long-term relationships are even more difficult. This is a reality that is reinforced when there is ongoing “news” about the Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver split. By watching the TV or reading the press, one knows more about that couple’s unfortunate situation than about the struggling recovery people in Japan are experiencing after the tsunami and ongoing earthquakes. The “dirt” making news about the former movie star governor and his family is actually just common everyday happenings in more and more homes around the world.

A large percentage of the divorces are in the baby boomer generation, those born between 1946-1964. According to a recent article in the Huffington Post, the National Center for Family & Marriage Research reports that the divorce rate for baby boomers has doubled in the last 20 years and the trend is expected to continue for that cohort. There are many reasons why long-term relationships fail but apparently only a few significant reasons why some last the duration of the couples’ lives.

One aspect of longevity in marriage that is evident in so many testimonials from older couples is the common thread of faith that holds them together. Certainly having shared beliefs, values and activities with one another and a close group of friends from one’s congregation could provide a binding tie.

But then, how do you explain Herbert and Zelmyra Fisher, the couple with the longest marriage, 86 years as noted by the Guinness Book of World Records? They have maintained their membership at two different churches (different faiths) all of their lives. Surely the difference in religious beliefs and being apart for worship and activities must have caused dissension in the relationship? Not so, says Zelmyra, “No secrets,” she says. “There isn’t any secret. It was only God that kept us together.”

The belief in a higher power, of a greater reason for being on the planet, and for being involved in each other’s lives could be a factor that keeps people focused and grounded through the years. Most faith-based teachings encourage people in marriage to devote themselves to each other and also have tenets encouraging patience and persistence through the trials of life. Exercising such characteristics can bring substantial benefits.

It is well-documented in studies (here and here) that in general, those who remain married (in the absence of abuse) have longer, healthier lives versus those who divorce even if there is a remarriage. That alone could be a strong reason to stay in a relationship and work through the difficulties that arise as surely as the sun over the horizon with each new day. On the other hand, continued stress from unresolved issues and strife in a relationship can create health problems including chronic depression which can be a precursor to heart disease or dementia.

Some experts in the field say the keys to marital success are to communicate effectively with the goal to understand your mate and build a partnership of shared values. It will be worth the effort if your goal is a longevity and better health. Even if you are in a never-married, now-married, remarried, or never-ever-wanta’-be-married-again status, here are some examples worth noting about making relationships endure.

Decades of marital bliss

Two couples, longtime friends, celebrate their 70-year marriages

Couple return to old courthouse 70 years later

Fishers photo credit: AARP/DL Anderson

Tamara Wolske, MS
Academic Program Director

75-year-old bodybuilder to speak in Indianapolis

2011-07-11T12:56:00.007-04:00

If words like "frail" and "sickly" and "weak" come to your mind when you think about aging, then you haven't met Ernestine Shepherd.

At age 75, Shepherd is the Guinness Book record holder for "oldest female bodybuilder." Every morning at 3:00am, she is off and literally running -- and lifting weights and working out. She works as a certified personal trainer at her gym, training mostly older females.

Ernestine, who didn't begin her fitness efforts until she was 56 years old, will speak at the Benjamin Harrison YMCA in Indianapolis on Thursday, July 14 from 3:00-4:00pm. The event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. Reserve your seat by calling Nicole Puchalski at (317) 713-8504.

Attention Dave Smiley: Top 10 reasons turning 40 is a good thing

2011-07-07T11:48:00.008-04:00

Dave Smiley, an Indianapolis morning drive deejay, recently turned 40, and he’s not very happy about it. The complaints make for good comedic matter, but I hope to make him and others see the bright side of reaching this milestone.

Here, with documented support, are the top ten reasons turning 40 is a good thing:

Becoming a grandparent is no longer outrageous.
No longer have to use the “u” all the time in number four (forty).
Finally able to study Kabbalah.
No more pressure to be a “world class athlete.”
Only 60 more years until 100.
Better chance of detecting breast cancer now that mammograms are annual. (Ok, so this one might not apply to you, Dave, but it is a good thing for us girls.)
You're eligible to sue for age discrimination.
Your age rhymes with sporty.
You can impress your friends by calling yourself a quadragenarian.
According to a study set to be published in the journal Social Science & Medicine, happiness follows a U-shaped curve. It is highest at the beginning and end of our lives and lowest in-between. It only gets better from here!

So, c'mon Smiley, embrace your age! After all, you're only as old -- or as young -- as you feel. Happy birthday!

Lidia Dubicki
CAC Project Assistant

Is fat & medicated longevity really what we want?

2011-07-05T11:22:00.006-04:00

The good news is…people are living longer lives with the benefits of medical treatments and prescriptions drugs. The bad news is…people are becoming increasingly dependent on medical treatments and prescription drugs.

We expect procedures or pills -- those prescribed by medical providers or the over-the-counter variety -- to do the work that lifestyle choices can accomplish. Pharmaceutical companies enjoy profits in the multi-billions of dollars and promote their products as a solution when they are really only a “band-aid” approach with short-term results and often producing negative side-effects. The food production companies are contributing to the expanding waistlines and expanding healthcare costs with the “extras” that are added to the food that is sold to us.

The healthcare system simply will not be able to support the needs of the Baby Boomer generation and those that follow after if the obesity epidemic is not reversed. Quite literally, the growth of our citizens’ girth is putting our country at risk.

In 1991, no state had obesity rates over 20 percent. However the incidence of obesity has increased dramatically and now in eight states the rate is over 30 percent. According to the CDC, Indiana had an obesity rate of 29.5% in 2009.

What is equally disturbing is that the corporate food production industry works against good health with the additives, steroids, non-essential chemicals and extra calories that are packed into our groceries. Our own tax dollars are used fatten our population while also bulking the banks accounts for the corporations that grow subsidized food products. The chart below, created by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in 2007, illustrates how government subsidies help ensure that healthy food tends to cost more than the foods that contribute to weight gain.

The effects of obesity on health are well-documented and the list of associated conditions related to excess weight is sobering. Now another reason that an individual’s health is affected might be the inability to find a physician willing to provide health care.

An article on the CBS News Web channel describes the findings from a Sun Sentinel Newspaper poll of physicians in Florida that indicated many were unwilling to treat obese patients. Reasons cited were varied and included the risk of liability (being sued) because outcomes were poor for overweight patients who are more likely to develop complications, and concerns about the wear and tear on equipment in the medical offices. The article and a number of TV news stations debate the ethical aspect of such decisions.

So what can you do to arm yourself in this fight? Despite all the bad news and controversy, the really good news is that there are simple, easy, and affordable ways to make positive changes and live in control of your size.

To prepare yourself for a good journey into older age, commit to making just one change today. Ultimately eating natural foods (fruits, vegetables and plant-based proteins) in smaller portions more frequently throughout the day (every 3 hours) will boost your metabolism and keep you from feeling hungry in-between meals.

Choose one health-wise habit to start today and remind yourself each time you do it about how good it makes you feel to be in control. Reinforce your decision each time you reach for something to eat. Ask yourself these few questions… Why do I choose the foods I eat? Cost? Taste? Convenience?

You might spend a little more purchasing healthier food items but the long-term savings will be investment in your future quality of life. And the most important question is to ask yourself is, “What do I want to feel like?” Is the answer, “Out of breath and tired" or "energetic and confident?” If you choose to feel good, you can choose one bite at a time to make that feeling happen. Do it for you – you’re worth it!

Tamara Wolske, MS
Academic Program Director

Life melds with work -- aging in place

2011-06-27T11:01:00.002-04:00

This past week was one of those interesting intersections between personal life and work. While preparing to teach the Aging in Place course next fall, I also purchased a home from a 92-year old – I’ll call her Esther – who had lived in the neighborhood for 67 years. Not that long ago, 67 was the average life span!

In other states where I have lived, I never saw the owner from whom I purchased a home. Here in Indiana, it was a different story. Esther, her daughter, the two realtors and even the loan company representative were all seated at the table. It was clearly a difficult time for the elderly homeowner. While her daughter described the benefits of moving Esther closer to her, to a beautiful multi-level care facility with great reputation for senior living, Esther emphasized the move was needed, not wanted.

She had recently had a bad fall and waited almost two hours for her daughter to arrive to help. A long-time next door neighbor and friend had recently died in her home. The signs were clear. Ester had aged in place, but now it was time for something different.

On signing the last form required of her, she said, “There goes my good home.”

When I asked what was good about the move, she and her daughter acknowledged that it had happened while Esther could still drive and get to know the new smaller town, make new friends while she is still somewhat active, feel more secure knowing she can get help if needed, and that she had control over where the things she couldn’t take along would go. Esther shared that she had given her piano to the family next door with four children; she felt good about that.

As a teacher, it is important for me to give students access to the broad range of academic literature on the topic of aging in place. Esther had many of the supports the research indicates helps elders to age in their own homes -- good neighbors and friends, income enough to pay for services such as lawn care and other maintenance, family who help when needed, active roles in church and/or other community organizations and good health.

But, it’s important to know when aging in place is no longer the best choice. It’s also great when the elder makes the decision to move, even if “needed not wanted.” It’s this reality of aging in place – Esther’s story -I also want my students to know.

Sharon Baggett, PhD
Associate Professor
UIndy Center for Aging & Community

News on senior hunger and Spanish-language retirement saving from AoA

2011-06-20T13:50:00.003-04:00

#1 -- The U.S. Agency on Aging announced today that Assistant Secretary Kathy Greenlee will testify before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging on the topic of senior hunger.

When: Tuesday, June 21 at 10am
Why: To discuss Senior Hunger & the Older Americans Act
Where: The hearing will be available for viewing via webcast at www.help.senate.gov.

A second panel of witnesses will include:

Robert Blancato, Executive Director of the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP)
Ken Gordon, Executive Director of the Area Agency on Aging for Northeastern Vermont (St. Johnsbury, Vt.)
Mary Jane Koren, Vice President of the Picker/Commonwealth Fund Long-Term Quality Improvement Program
Kay Brown, Director, Government Accountability Office - Education, Workforce and Income Security Issues

#2 -- The U.S. Department of Labor will host a Spanish-language webinar on "Guide to Retirement Saving."

When: Wednesday, June 22, from 2:30-4:00pm EDT
How: To learn more about this webinar and to register, please go to http://www.ebri.org/pdf/NatEBSAEng.pdf

The hairy deal of May-December romances

2011-06-16T14:45:00.004-04:00

“He’ll have hairs sprouting out his nose and ears,” my fifty-something girlfriend warned when I confided in her that I had fallen in love with a 50 year-old man.

I was 35.

“And prepare yourself for the eyebrows. Unruly, wiry, cat-whiskery eyebrows. I just think you should know,” she said.

Ten years later, I’m privy to the hairy penetralia shared within the growing membership of the Boomer-lovers club.

True to my experienced friend’s predictions, as we inch near year 11 of May-December bliss, my mature husband’s overactive follicles produce bumper crops of fuzz covering his still-svelte body. His ears and eyebrows require constant attention. His thick, black mane (or the memory thereof) is fading to silver and clogging our shower drain.

Early on, as we mulled the age difference and processed whether to pursue a relationship, he pointed to his body and said, tongue half-in-cheek, “This is as good as it’s going to get.” He urged me to closely survey the merchandise before blowing my life savings. “It’s downhill from here.”

I’ve never once regretted my purchase.

Oh, the hairs have been a little weird. After a year or two of marriage, he revealed the painful preparation for our first intimate weekend together. I picture him standing in front of the bathroom mirror, wearing nothing but his 1.75 reading glasses and plucking—one by painful one—each gray hair sprouting on his skin, from his chest down to his thighs.

He no longer hides the gray ones, and I don’t mind. Even some 30 year-olds go gray, right?

Renegade brow, ear and nose hair diplomacy, however, can be tricky. I’ve discovered that I have the power to bruise his dignity if I’m not careful. See, he wants to know if spider legs are creeping out his nostrils onto his upper lip or whether a single, white, coarse eyebrow is shooting out an inch. And since my near-vision is sharper than his, the onus is on me to keep him looking presentable. I’m his grooming safety net.

But it’s a tough balance. He prefers avoiding the humiliation of old man wild hairs, but if I point out too many in a given day or week, at the wrong moment, or in a less-than-gentle tone (with accompanying look of repulsion), I hurt his feelings.

Right Way: Uh, Honey? (Subtle nod or hand-gesture toward area of offending proliferation.)

Wrong Way: My GOSH, Honey. When was the last time you used the trimmer?!

I’ve found a tell/don’t tell ratio of five-to-two generally keeps him happy and well groomed. And since these hairs invariably appear in the car on our way to a social event, we’ve learned to equip each car with a pair of tweezers. “Car tweezers,” we call them. (Same rules apply to food in teeth. Car floss? Check!)

Okay, so the errant hairs we’ve got covered. Follicular proliferation is a mere bump on the road to age-discrepant paradise. Catherine Zeta-Jones, Annette Benning, and Callista Flockhart make being married to an old guy look glamorous. Effortless, even.

But I’m just a regular gal, and I have learned that the secret to mutual happiness in a May-December union depends on heaping amounts of cross-generational sensitivity and expectation adjustment in the areas of disparate energy levels (on Friday nights in particular), social life, leisure time, aches and pains, sex, and money. Oh, and grooming.

Absent “My Geezer and Me,” an as-yet unpublished relationship guide geared toward our increasingly common demographic, we’re figuring it out through trial and error, and having just celebrated our ninth anniversary, we’re doing alright. (And, truth be told, the 61 year-old rises by 5 a.m. every other day for a rigorous cardio and weight-lifting regimen; he mops my floors in surplus stamina and physical condition. According to the Wii Fit, I’m the one who’s older.)

Relying on patience, tact and a healthy dose of humor, my cute older guy and I are beating the odds and staying in love in spite of gravity’s pull on skin-deep beauty. I love him, body, heart, mind—and hair.

Beth Bates is a project assistant at CAC and a Master's of Fine Arts candidate in creative writing.

Dying Inside: Aging in the U.S. prison system

2011-06-06T08:57:00.006-04:00

Anyone who has ever seen Shawshank Redemption likely remembers what happens when aging Brooks Hatlen is finally released after serving 50 years or so in prison. It’s a very poignant moment in the movie.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) 2,292,133 people were incarcerated in U.S. prisons and jails at year end 2009. From 2000 to 2005 the U.S. prison population increased by 8%, but the percentage of prisoners aged 55 and older increased by 33% in the same time period. Ronald Aday, author of Aging Prisoners: Crisis in American Corrections, predicts that by 2020 16% percent of those serving life sentences will be elderly, and by 2025 it is estimated that 20% (more than half a million people) of the U.S. prison population will be classified as elderly. Increasingly “tough on crime” stances will continue to exacerbate this issue in the coming decades as sentences get longer and life expectancies are extended.

Now, before anyone gets up in arms, I am not here to talk about if, when, or how our court system sends a person to jail. Nope. Not going there. What I am here to talk about is the impact on the incarceration facilities, the states, our country, and those incarcerated who are aging.

First, let’s talk money. Inmates are unable to apply for Medicare and Medicaid. The average cost for healthcare of a healthy young prisoner is $27,000 per year, compared with $65,000 for an aging prisoner. In addition, it costs $33 to house the average prisoner, but an average of $100 per day for an aging prisoner. State governments pay all of their inmates' housing costs which significantly increase as prisoners age. It has been argued, provided they pose no immediate threat to the outside population, that aging prisoners be the first released to reduce the costs in penitentiaries.

Now let’s talk humanities. Prisons across the country are dedicating entire units to the aging population, including the Louisiana State Penitentiary (LSP) – the largest in the nation. It is estimated that roughly half of the LSP population is serving a life sentence and 85% of those will grow old and die while incarcerated. LSP has a hospice wing and program in their facility which uses volunteer inmates to comfort and assist dying inmates.

According to Prison Terminal, a documentary about prison hospice care, this type of program provides a connection that many dying inmates have lost. Many might argue that committing a crime strips one of the rights to this type of compassion – especially if the crime is murder.

While most deaths occur from cancer, liver disease, hepatitis, etc., there is a growing number of aging prisoners with mental illness, Alzheimer’s, and dementia. As the documentary Fault Lines: Elderly in Prison notes, this raises the question “if prisoners… can't remember the crimes they committed, how can they be rehabilitated? How does this serve Justice?” Families of victims might ask the same question about justice being served if these prisoners were released.

So, beyond reforming the entire justice system (I have limits to what I can accomplish in a day) my questions are these:

Is releasing aging prisoners deemed “harmless” or “rehabilitated” really an answer? Isn’t that likely to shift the expenses from state penitentiary budgets to Medicare or Medicaid budgets?
Is keeping an aging prisoner incarcerated, no matter the crime, necessary?
Does your answer change based on the person’s mental status?

Kristin Huff
Senior Project Director

Need for geriatric psychiatrists in residential communities

2011-05-25T10:11:00.002-04:00

The mental health needs of older adults are often overlooked in our discussions of health care. A recent article on a psychiatrist serving more than 3,700 residents of the Miami Jewish Health Systems made clear the acute shortage of geriatric psychiatrists.

The psychiatrist profiled in the recent New York Times article is one of very few salaried mental health professionals integrated into the staff of a senior residential community. However, there is a growing call for integrating mental health providers into the range of facilities serving older adults.

The article points out that while dementia is among the most recognized issues among the elderly, a host of other mental health issues -- from sleeplessness, to depression, to support for the many losses that accompany aging -- are not adequately addressed. Those that are treated are often treated with medication. Given the shortage of providers, residents can wait days or weeks for prescriptions.

The psychiatrist profiled in the article uses more behavioral therapy, with its focus on changing one’s thinking and solving current problems, and group therapy, where peers can support one another and share ideas for solving issues. One quote from an elderly resident paints a startling view of the need in these communities:

“They send buses of psychologists to a high school every time there’s a tragedy,” but here, where death is constant, "there’s only a brief memorial services and cookies.”

Recent estimates are that the number of older adults diagnosed with serious mental illness will double between 2000 and 2030. Policy changes in health care reimbursement since 2008 may improve access to care for some, but we need incentives now for recruiting and educating a growing number of geriatric mental health providers.

Sharon Baggett, PhD
Associate Professor
UIndy Center for Aging & Community

Study suggests lack of gero knowledge among ER nurses

2011-05-17T14:45:00.005-04:00

Mather Lifeways recently reported on a Journal of Emergency Nursing article that cited a small study suggesting that there is a gap between what emergency room nurses know about treating older adults and what they think they know.

Nearly 75% of the nurses assessed their knowledge of end-of-life issues as "good" or "very good, " however none correctly answered a question about advanced directives and do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders. The survey also included questions about pain control and older adult population demographics.

Notably, this study was conducted only in one large California hospital, so it cannot be generalized to all emergency room nurses. However, given that most baccalaureate nursing programs do not require courses in geriatric care, the study may point to the need for further education in the special needs of older adults.

If you are a nurse and you would like more information about the aging population, consider the Center for Aging & Community's online programs in Aging Studies. Our 18-hour graduate certificate and 36-hour master's degree can add depth to your expertise as a nurse. We also offer a 12-hour online undergraduate certificate in Aging Studies. Click here for more information.

Mirren image sparks thoughts about physical changes in aging

2011-05-10T22:00:00.001-04:00

If you are a fan of YouTube or have a Facebook account, you have likely seen the video of When Harry Met Sally Part 2 – a spoof on the original movie, vampire romance, and aging all wrapped in one. The video might be a bit salty with language and gore, but it got me thinking about Helen Mirren. Well, that video and the fact that I just Netflixed Red, a movie she was in last fall about a group of aging black ops agents (two thumbs up, by the way).

Helen Mirren is 65 years old, a very capable and talented actress, and she looks fantabulous! Yes, I just made up a word for her – she deserves it.

The picture to the left was taken when Mirren was 63. I wouldn’t dare wear that bikini now, and I haven’t hit 40 yet. *sigh*

So, what is my point?

There is a lot of speculation as to whether Mirren has undergone plastic surgery. She openly supports those who wish to go under the knife, though she has not admitted to cosmetic procedures herself. She has said “I’d think about it even more if I was in a different profession. If I wasn’t on camera I would have had it done years ago. It’s the full-on for me. Suck it all up, tie it up and then cut it all off!”

According to The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 28% of cosmetic surgical procedures in 2010 were performed on those 51 years or older. Recent research shows women will see signs of aging around their eyes more quickly than men do. Women see a shape-shift in their faces as they grow older, changing from an oval to a square with sagging skin. Men, on the other hand, tend to retain the shape of their face, no matter what their age.

We may not all be able to age as gracefully as celebrities or those with fantastic genes. Researchers at Loma Linda University Medical Center in California recently presented results of a study revealing that after age 30, women begin to show facial aging in the same pattern as their mothers.

We have more cosmetic procedures and options available to us than ever. While aging consists of so much more than the way we look, it is the first thing people see and often results in immediate categorization. Outside of necessary cosmetic surgeries for serious illness/injury, what do you think about them? Age naturally or synthetically? Why?

P.S. Helen Mirren, if you read this, I don’t care what you have, or have not, done. Call me. I want to meet “your people” – trainers or surgeons!

Kristin Huff
Senior Project Director

Note: If you are interested in learning more about physical changes as we age, check out our online graduate and undergraduate Physical Dimensions in Aging courses.

Month-long Creative Aging Festival in Bloomington, Indiana

2011-05-03T09:59:00.006-04:00

In recognition of May as Older Americans Month, the Bloomington, Indiana Commission on Aging is teaming up with our friends at the Indiana University Center on Aging and Community to host a month-long Creative Aging festival.

There are a number of events happening throughout the month. Some of the highlights include:

May 1-31: "Seeing Between the Lines" Intergenerational photography exhibit by the Bloomington Photography Club. Monroe County Public Library. Free.

May 6: Senior Expo at Twin Lakes Recreation Center. Includes storytelling by Bloomington Storytellers and Food for Thought exhibit by Indiana Humanities. 11am - 3:00pm

May 6: Gallery Walk. Receptions at five galleries will begin at 5:00pm. Click here for gallery information.

May 14: Plant Sale and Craft Fair at Meadowood Retirement Community. Free. Musical entertainment provided by The Monks.

May 15 (raindate May22): Sunday Brunch at Oliver Winery. $40 for Bloomington residents/$50 for non-residents. Cost includes a full meal and guided tasting of Oliver Wines. Registration required by May 10. Call 812-876-5800.

May 23: Spring performance by The Nightengales, a chorus of older adults who lend their talents to a variety of community venues. Enjoy the sound at the Endwright Center from 10-11:30am.

May 29: Intergenerational Potluck Picnic at Riddle Point Pavilion, Lake Lemon. There is a fee to enter the park. Hot dogs and hamburgers will be provided. Bring a dish to share. All ages welcome!

Click here for information on all of the Creative Aging Festival activities or more information about the ones listed here.

How is your organization or community celebrating Older Americans Month?

Aging worker slow on the job: what would you do?

2011-04-21T11:53:00.007-04:00

Last weekend, I was flipping channels and happened to catch a show on ABC called "What Would You Do?" The premise of the show is to create situations and see how people respond to them.

In the segment I watched, the show put a 78-year-old female actor behind a cash register at a small gourmet grocery store. They gave her a crash course in using the register and then left her to handle the customers. What she didn't know was that behind the scenes, they were having one of the store managers interfere with the register so it wouldn't ring items up correctly.

As the woman struggled to get the machine to respond, the line of customers grew longer. Another actor placed by the show stood in line making ageist comments, such as "This lady should be in a nursing home," and telling another customer, "You might want to pick another line; we've got Grandma over here."

The reaction of other customers in line ranged from quiet disgust -- a mother and her daughter looked at the rude "customer" with disgust and got out of line; to subtle admonition when one lady said to the heckler "That's not nice;" to outright anger, displayed when a gentleman told the customer mouthing off that he was "obnoxious beyond belief" and that "the poor woman's just trying to survive."

There were a few other scenarios -- older male cashier, rude soccer mom -- though it didn't seem to matter the gender of the cashier or the gender or age of the frustrated shopper. Each time, other customers came to the defense of the struggling, older worker.

(You can watch the segment here.)

The show made me think about what I would do. I know for certain that I would not be saying rude and belligerent things about the cashier or his/her age. I might remark that "I always pick the wrong line," because I do. I probably would roll my eyes -- more than once.

But would I come to the defense of the cashier? Would I call out someone who was behaving so badly toward another? If that someone were a child, I definitely would. I don't have any problem doing that. But what if that someone were an adult?

Hmmm...I'd like to think the answer would be yes. And now that I've seen this segment of "What Would You Do," the answer is more likely yes. But before? I would have told my children that the rude behavior was not appropriate. But would I have said the same to the offender? I honestly don't know.

What would you do?

Amy Magan
Communications Manager

Careers in Aging profile: Optimal Aging Coordinator

2011-04-14T10:04:00.003-04:00

Sandee Westfall is the coordinator of the Optimal Aging program at St. Vincent Women's Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana.

On a day-to-day basis, Sandee focuses on the health promotion and wellness education programs that the St. Vincent Center for Women’s Health provides for women age 50 and older. Currently, Sandee facilitates 14 wellness classes of various types at three different locations. Sandee's work takes her various St. Vincent locations, out into the community, and to continuous care retirement communities (CCRs).

She is responsible for the creation of programs, marketing, education, instruction, equipment, safety, record-keeping, evaluating and reporting for each group.As if that's not enough to keep a person busy, Sandee can frequently be found presenting educational sessions for interested community programs such as A Day Away Caregiver Retreat - Joy’s House; Go Red for Women National Fundraiser: Speaking of Women’s Health; the Arthritis Foundation Educational Series; RUIndy Fit; Honors Wellness and Kinesiology Classes at UINDY; and numerous health fairs targeting the older adult population.

Sandee's energy and enthusiasm is contagious. She said her theme is "Let’s put the FUN back in FUNctional!"

"My purpose is to motivate and inspire people to do what they can – not what they can’t, and to realize the importance of fitting in fitness in everyday activity," said the UIndy Center for Aging & Community graduate.

Before joining St. Vincent Health five years ago, Sandee was a wellness instructor for the National Institute for Fitness and Sport, providing classes for older adults, and instructing sessions at corporate facilities in the Indianapolis area.

"My certifications and undergraduate work put me in good stead," she said, "but I had reached an impasse in moving upward in my career. I knew that there was a need to recreate myself after some 20+ years in the industry – and some 30+ years out of school. When the opportunity to begin the CAC program was presented, I accepted the challenge and commitment to do the graduate work.

The coursework contained in the Master's of Gerontology program provided me with a broad base of concepts and knowledge that I use on a daily basis. Each class added to the previous one…constructing a foundation of usable knowledge, experience, and understanding."

Sandee said her passion is to "live with purpose – to be present in the moment with individuals from family to friends, colleagues to clients – mindful of my faith in every instance. There are many wonderful thoughts about aging ~ from serious to hilarious. I strive to marry entertainment and fun with the very serious message about the importance of exercise and healthy behaviors. Because of my education and experience through the CAC program, I can do this with the confidence that students and coworkers will observe my work as encouragement."

"My mantra is: Start where you are – Do what you can – Do it to the best of your ability – Do it as often as possible – Never quit!"

Careers in Aging profile: Director of Foster Grandparent/Senior Companion Program

2011-04-12T07:00:00.000-04:00

Eileen Bostwick, MS, is the director of the Foster Grandparent / Senior Companion Programs for North Coast Opportunities, Inc. a nonprofit, community action agency in northern California.

The purpose of the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion Program is to provide meaningful, intensive, part-time volunteer opportunities for low-income people age 55 and older. Participants give their time to interact with and help special needs children and frail, homebound older adults. Foster grandparents and senior companions are officially considered volunteers. They are low income, and can serve in the programs if they are at or under, 200% of the federal poverty level. They receive a non-taxable stipend of $2.65 per hour.

As program director, it is Eileen’s job to oversee operation of Foster Grandparents in five rural northern California counties; to hire part-time staff; to recruit, orient and train and place older adult volunteers; to prepare federal and non-federal grants to operate and fund the program; to design monthly in-service training programs; to plan and implement annual recognition events; to reconcile monthly budgets and volunteer stipend spreadsheets; and to attend to the myriad of details to keep both programs operating and thriving.

Although only a bachelor’s degree is required to serve as program director, in 2009, Eileen earned a master’s degree in gerontology through the online program offered by the University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community.

“Having been a director for the past 21 years and having had the incredible opportunity of working with a group of caring, competent, compassionate older adults, I fulfilled a dream to obtain a Master’s Degree in Gerontology,” she said. “Obviously, I had worked in the field of aging for many years prior to attaining my degree, but completing the MS program has provided many opportunities and improved the quality of programming I provide.

In addition to my job, I am now consulting with several counties to provide training to staff on older adult issues like sexuality and older adults and driving. I have been requested to present several other topics and have begun working on developing curriculum to provide requested trainings.”

One of Eileen's favorite quotes about aging is:

"Age should not have its face lifted, but it should rather teach the world to admire wrinkles as the etchings of experience and the firm line of character." -- Ralph B. Perry

To learn more about Foster Grandparents, click here.

To learn more about careers in aging, click here.

Careers in Aging -- More than healthcare and bingo

2011-04-11T12:22:00.005-04:00

This week is the annual observance of Careers in Aging week. Often, when we think of careers that allow us to work with older adults, our minds go immediately to health care. While being a nurse, a geriatrician or a physical therapist (among other health care-related jobs) can be exciting and rewarding, there are plenty of careers that allow people to interact with older adults that don't involve health care or coordinating activities at the local senior center.

"Such as?," you may be wondering.

How about:

Elder care law
Financial advising and estate planning
Architecture and construction -- building for those who chose to grow old in their own homes
Social work
Public policy
Mediation
Engineering
Interior design
Nutrition counseling
Personal training

The possibilities are virtually endless.

For more information on careers in aging, click here.

Rally for Independence at Indiana Statehouse

2011-03-28T11:52:00.004-04:00

AARP Indiana and the Indiana Association of Area Agencies on Aging will host a Rally for Independence at the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis tomorrow, March 29, 2011.

The rally is in response to proposed budget cuts in the funding for the CHOICE program, which provides home- and community-based services in Indiana.

According to the AARP Indiana website:

"Fully funding CHOICE services is a proven and common sense use of taxpayer dollars even in tough budget times. These home and community based services provide meals, in-home care, adult day care, personal care attendant services, transportation, and many other life-sustaining support services at a fraction of the cost of nursing home care."

Members of the General Assembly have been invited to meet and speak with the activists and supporters.

Boxed lunches will be served at 11:15am, with the rally beginning in the North Atrium at 12:00pm.

Bullying -- not just a problem for kids anymore

2011-03-24T12:16:00.002-04:00

Most of us are probably familiar with the recent focus on bullying in our schools. We see stories about grade school children been bullied, cyber-bullying happening on Facebook and Twitter, and violence in the schools. One place that we may have overlooked, according to some sources, may be nursing homes.

While there has been little research on elderly bullying published in recent history, anecdotal evidence and stories suggest that this type of harassment is on the rise. The harassment can range from more classic types of bullying behaviors, such as verbal intimidation, to dirty looks, and even physical violence. Senior males tend to be more direct with their bullying, opting for direct verbal harassment, while senior females tend more towards passive aggressive tactics, such as gossiping or spreading lies about other seniors.

A recent article, “Mean old girls: Seniors who bully” details several stories of elder bullying in nursing homes, retirement communities, and long-term care facilities. It seems quite sad that we now have to worry about our loved ones being bullied at almost every point in their lives. It is tough enough dealing with the repercussions of bullying in children, such as low self esteem, depression, isolation, and even suicide. But to add in the worries about how our aging loved ones may have to deal with similar issues, in addition to any health concerns, seems too much.

Gerontology expert Robin Bonifas estimates that nearly 20 percent of seniors in group living communities have experienced some type of senior-to-senior aggression or bullying. This bullying includes physical violence, which in some cases has led to death. Targets of bullying tend to be those individuals who have difficulty with specific tasks (eating, leisure activities, etc.) or who are new to a facility. Bonifas believes that one cause of this behavior may be fear: the fear of losing mental or physical functioning.

So how can we work to prevent this kind of bullying? One resource might be local community agencies, which may be able to provide assistance or training for the facility. Another way to prevent senior bullying is to encourage bystanders to act in positive ways when they observe it happening. The trick, however, is to intervene in positive ways, and to also be respectful of any possible physical or cognitive impairment.

Greg Mallis
CAC Graduate Assistant

In addition to his work as a graduate research assistant at the UIndy Center for Aging & Community, Greg is a doctoral candidate in the UIndy Department of Psychology.

Registration open for online aging courses

2011-03-23T09:44:00.002-04:00

Registration for online graduate courses in Aging Studies for the summer term through the University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community is now open. Courses scheduled for the summer include:

Aging Individual within Society & Community
Economics & Aging
Spirituality & Aging

Students may take up to two courses as a "guest" without having to enroll in a degree or certificate program. Deadline to register is April 18. UIndy also offers online and traditional undergraduate courses in Aging Studies. Click here for more information.

Integrated health records can improve quality, lower costs

2011-03-08T14:11:00.002-05:00

This past week I was privileged to attend a couple of events in Indianapolis that are held annually and designed to provide education and networking opportunities for people working in the field of aging. One event was the 5th Annual Indiana Geriatrics Society (IGS) Spring Dinner. The other was the 22nd Annual Interdisciplinary Conference on Aging sponsored by the St. Vincent Center for Healthy Aging that included a full day of 15-minute presentations by various professionals. Both events offered excellent information, quality exhibits and friendly volunteers who assisted participants.

The IGS Spring Dinner featured a guest speaker, Dr. Michael Malone. He works as Professor of Medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine, the Public Health Medical Director of Aurora Senior Services for Aurora Health Care’s 12 hospitals in Eastern Wisconsin, and the Medical Director for Aurora Visiting Nurse Association of Wisconsin.

Dr. Malone developed the Acute Care for the Elderly (ACE) Program and presented on the topic “Using the Electronic Health Record to Improve the Care of Vulnerable Elders.” He was compelled to work with his staff to develop the ACE Program about 10 years ago after caring for an elderly gentleman in the hospital who was overmedicated upon admission and slept for an entire week, thereby making it difficult to assess his needs and provide appropriate care.

The important take-away message from Dr. Malone’s was that there are simple, cost-effective methods using technology with health records that can be incorporated into health care settings to track patients’ conditions. This can be accomplished by incorporating a health information technology staff in the interdisciplinary care team. The tracking methods can be conducted by personnel who are not geriatricians, thus saving the physicians’ time for the more critical aspects of patient care. Since our country is already short of needed geriatricians and the shortage will deepen exponentially with the aging of the baby boomer generation, this is a matter of utmost importance and needs to be addressed sooner rather than later.

Additionally, the patients in the ACE Program have been shown to benefit from reduced incidences of health care-acquired infections, medication overdose, and other easily preventable mishaps that are far too common with traditional means of health care and records management.

At a time when our federal and state governments are looking for ways to save money on health care costs while expanding coverage, the integrated system of tracking seems like a logical choice for moving those goals forward.

Tamara Wolske, MS
Academic Program Director

They should have known better, UPDATE

2011-03-07T09:57:00.003-05:00

Thank you for your comments on the post I wrote last week titled "They should have known better." I spoke to the office manager of the practice this morning and wanted to give you an update.

The office manager heard my concerns and let me know that when Virginia was dropped off by her driver, he asked her where she wanted to sit and she said "Right here is fine." Right here just happened to be in the middle of the room.

After her appointment (which I was not there for), the office staff did wheel her to a place in the waiting room that was more appropriate and offered her a magazine and a glass of water while she waited for the driver to return.

The office manager assured me that she would speak to the nursing staff about looking around for the person whose name they are calling to be certain that the person heard them and that they don't need any assistance.

So a quiet ending to my outrage. The good news is that the office appeared to be mostly attentive to this older patients needs and wishes. I can only hope that my calling about what I saw and posting about it here makes people stop and think about treating others how they would wish to be treated.

Amy Magan
Communications Manager

They should have known better

2011-03-03T10:44:00.007-05:00

I had a doctor's appointment yesterday morning. When I arrived at the office, there was an older woman in a wheelchair sitting in the reception area in a not very convenient spot. She wasn't close enough to the registration window to really talk to them. She wasn't seated along the row of chairs where others were waiting. She was close enough to the entrance that I almost walked into her when I opened the door to the office.

As I stepped up to the registration window to sign in, I asked her if she'd signed in yet. "No," she said. I offered to sign in for her or to give her the clipboard so she could sign herself in. She declined, saying that "they" had told her they knew she was there and they would just call her when they were ready for her.

After I signed my own name, I took my seat and waited. Another woman seated a few chairs down from me was called in, leaving me, the lady in the wheelchair, and three drug reps in the waiting room. A few minutes later, the door to the back office opened, the nurse called "Virginia" and just stood there. When no one immediately moved toward the door, she called "Virginia" again.

I saw the woman in the wheelchair trying to fumble with the brakes that were pushed tight against the tires. Not wanting to assume she wasn't independent, I waited a moment, then got up and asked if she needed some help.

Relieved, she said, "yes, that would be great." I pushed her in the chair across the small waiting room and to the care of the nurse who had been calling her name.

Several thoughts struck me about the situation.

Whomever brought the woman to the office should not have just left her in the middle of the room.
Even if #1 did happen, the receptionist should have come out from behind the desk to move the woman to a more comfortable spot. Who wants to be stuck in the middle of an open space like some piece of furniture?
The waiting room is not equipped for wheelchairs. The office is pretty small, but there are enough chairs that 2 or 3 of them could be removed to make room for wheelchairs.
The nurse who called Virginia back should have known that she was in a wheelchair and might need some assistance. If Virginia was a new patient, the receptionist who told her they'd call her back in a minute should have let the nurse know that the patient was in a wheelchair.
Even if #4 didn't happen, the nurse could have stepped out into the waiting room to try to see whom she was calling. If she'd hadn't just stood there hollering the name, she would have quickly been able to determine the patient needed some help.
The drug reps made no efforts to move or to help.

Maybe I'm more sensitive to these things because I work in the aging industry. Maybe the office staff and the drug reps are less sensitive because they encounter older and disabled people frequently. Maybe none of this even bothered Virginia.

But it did bother me, so much that I'm still thinking about it 24 hours later. So much that I think I'm going to call the office manager this afternoon.

What do you think? Am I overreacting?

Amy Magan
Communications Manager

An unncessary ethical dilemma in Idaho

2011-02-28T14:27:00.007-05:00

Amid Medicare cut-backs and Social Security insolvency, older adults across the state of Idaho are faced with legislation that may have the power to make ineffective their end-of-life wishes. The Freedom of Conscience for Health Care Professionals Law, enacted July 1, 2010, is designed to protect health care professionals who wish to “bow out” from performing or withholding medical procedures that they feel compromise their “religious, moral, or ethical principles” (Senate Bill No. 1353). The bill, initially intended to address issues of abortion and contraception, also includes end of life care and treatment. But many Idahoans feel that the Freedom of Conscience Law may have the power to make null and void the Natural Death and Medical Consent Act, which allows individuals the freedom to make known and have honored, their end of life preferences in the event that they find themselves in an incapacitated condition.

AARP Idaho has vehemently opposed the bill’s inclusion of “end of life care” from its conception, as have older Idahoans across the state. According to the 2006 Idaho Statewide End-of-Life Survey Report which surveyed adults 34 years and older, “72% [of residents] want no artificial life-sustaining procedures at the end of life.”

According to AARP Idaho, House Bill 28, which sought to amend the language in the Freedom of Conscience Law, stalled in the State Affairs Committee in the Idaho House of Representatives last week. HB 28 included a provision that health professionals are to follow a patient’s end of life care wishes, as outlined in their living will or advance directive, and as supported by the Natural Death and Medical Consent Act.

House State Affairs Committee Chairman Tom Loertscher, R-Iona, does not feel the Freedom of Conscience Law has been in place long enough to determine whether it will have a significant impact on end of life documents and patient wishes. But to ignore House Bill 28 may mean ignoring a person’s right to die with dignity. Should people face their death with fear knowing that their end of life wishes may not be honored?

While forcing a health care professional to perform a procedure or to withhold treatment may be objectionable, so also is subjecting an older adult to another’s ethical or moral values that do not coincide with previously stated end of life wishes. It appears that the advancement of medical technology, and a politically correct atmosphere that strives to please all the people all the time, have created an unnecessary and complex ethical dilemma.

To keep tabs on this issue in Idaho, find AARP Idaho on Facebook and on Twitter under @AARPIdaho.

Emily Austin, MS

Emily Austin teaches Health Promotion and Optimal Aging for Boise State University through the Center for the Study of Aging. She earned her Master's degree in Gerontology from the University of Indianapolis.

CAC chief shares thoughts on older workers

2011-02-23T14:36:00.004-05:00

The University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community's Executive Director Ellen Miller, PhD is featured on a segment of BizVoice® video. BizVoice® is produced by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Miller was asked to discuss the implications of the aging workforce. In the short video below, Miller addresses employer planning (or lack of), characteristics of older workers and myths about older workers.

For more information about older adults in the workforce, visit WorkforceWise.com.

To learn more about CAC's research on older workers, click here.

Green streets just one idea to consider in planning communities for all Hoosiers

2011-02-21T14:49:00.005-05:00

At the legislative hearing last week on Indiana’s proposed Senate Bill 23 (SB 23), Communities for a Lifetime, one speaker shared the interests of the Indiana chapter of the American Planning Association in support of the bill.

This representative noted the convergence between SB 23 and House Bill 1354, which proposed an Indiana Complete Streets Policy. The policy would “ensure that the entire right of way is consistently designed and operated to enable safe access for all users: pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and public transportation users of all ages and abilities.”

The planning comments at the hearing reminded me of the findings of a recent study by my colleagues at Portland State University. Their look at the impact of “green streets” – yes, different from complete streets – on both younger and older neighborhood residents is at the forefront of research on what changes, beyond mere sidewalks and other more common suggestions for improving our communities, should be studied as we plan for the future.

Green streets, as defined in their report, “are streets that incorporate natural, landscape-based features that infiltrate, reuse, or evapotranspirate stormwater and accommodate multiple travel modes, particularly walking and bicycling.” Green streets are relatively new in practice and one aim of this research was to assess whether green streets contribute to the well-being, including physical, mental and social health, of older and younger residents.

The researchers found that older adults provided fewer positive assessments of the green street improvements in their neighborhood than did younger residents, but it remains to be seen if this is due to their walking less or some other aspect of green streets (e.g., perception of reduced or more difficult parking resulting from the changes). More information can be found here: Green Streets Active Aging report

PSU’s green streets research is not definitive, but it is a great example of the kind of research that could and should guide Communities for a Lifetime commission members. We need to know more about what community improvements give the most benefit not only for the buck, but for the most people. We also need to know which improvements might benefit one age group or group of citizens, but challenge or have perceived negative effects on others. None of this will be easy, but as the Mayor of Linton said to Indiana legislators last week, we are already years behind. The imperative for the research and its application is to move forward now.

Sharon Baggett, PhD
Associate Professor
UIndy Center for Aging & Community

Face of Aging: "Mom" Colbert

2011-02-14T13:54:00.007-05:00

With our world aging at such a rapid pace, it's sometimes easy to think of older adults en masse, grouping their habits and tendencies into semi-convenient bunches. But from time to time, we're lucky enough to stop and focus on just one face in that sea of age. It helps remind each of us that while aging has its effect on our communities and the policies and services at work in those communities, aging is also an individual phenomenon.

Recently, we were sent a newspaper article by Diana Meador, an administrative assistant at the University of Indianapolis, who thought we might be interested in the account of her grandmother's 100th birthday.

The article, which appeared with the photo below in the Princeton (Indiana) Daily Clarion, tells about the celebration that took place. We asked Diana to give us a little wider glimpse at the woman so many people call "Mom."

Here is what Diana had to say:

Opha Colbert is the matriarch of the Colbert family from Princeton, Indiana. Known to most everyone as "Mom," she has lived her life in service to others. As a young child, she helped on the family farm near Wheeling, Indiana, often being reminded by her mother "not pull the cow's tail, as it might spoil the milk."

Always able to overcome adversity through her strong faith, one of her biggest childhood challenges was overcoming the injuries she sustained during the Tri-State tornadoes. The storm seriously injured her mother and killed her brother. Their home received extensive damage.

Mom and her beloved husband, Edward, were wed on her birthday, February 8, in 1929. Around this same time, the couple were helpful in beginning Bethel Memorial Church. Mom is still a member at Bethel. Her love for Jesus, her Lord and Savior, radiates through the shine in her eyes, the smile on her lips, the warmth in her hugs and the wisdom in her words.

The Colbert home has always been overflowing with love, spearheaded by Mom's home cooked meals which were the best meals ever! The yeast rolls topped with home made apple butter and the chicken and dumplings not only warmed my belly but filled the cockles of my heart. Today the memories of those wonderful meals cooked by Mom are heartwarming.

Each and every Colbert family member sleeps better at night with hand-pieced quilts made by Mom. They are hand-stitched with remnants of long-ago worn clothing and affectionately sewn together as a labor of love. From Mom's three children, to her numerous grandchildren and all down through the family to the great-great grandchildren, Mom has provided a hand made quilt for each birth or wedding.

Throughout the years, Mom has been the caretaker for several friends and family members. Taking in those who needed assistance, she provided a home for a sister and fed a neighbor on a daily basis for numerous years. When there was a need, she was happy and joyous to assist.

"Mom" Opha Colbert is one of the most loved individuals I have ever known. She is admired and respected by all who have the pleasure and honor to know her. I am truly, truly blessed to say she is my "Mom!"

Diana Meador

UIndy School of Nursing

Give a nod to a dedicated, unpaid, caregiver

2011-02-14T13:17:00.004-05:00

Maybe it’s because of all the stories in the news about the graying of America’s baby boomers, including Dr. Ellen Miller’s editorial in The Indianapolis Star. Maybe it is just my age (42), which I recently found out is right in the average age range for caregivers. No matter what the reason, it seems like I am hearing and talking about caring for older parents more and more these days. Just in my immediate circle of family and friends, I have:

A friend who is dealing with her father’s Alzheimer’s. After moving him through three assisted living centers trying to find the right fit, she spends nearly every weekend in Southern Indiana with him.
Another friend who has been helping her mother cope after the sudden loss of her father last year.
My mother trying to manage my grandmother’s care in Monticello from here in Indianapolis, driving up to her nursing home sometimes once a week.
My husband’s family coordinating care of the 94-year-old patriarch and 96-year-old matriarch of the family, making sure someone is with them every day.

Even I am starting to find myself in role of caregiver, taking my Mom to and from doctor’s appointments and dealing with growing ailments. I helped care for my Dad through his brain cancer 10 years ago so the stress and sacrifice of care giving shouldn’t come as a surprise to me. Nonetheless, the time commitment – even though my mother is healthy – is often overwhelming.

A recent study found that an estimated 21% of all U.S. households provide unpaid care for an adult family member. As my friends and other caregivers will confirm, caring for someone who is ill, frail or dying, is stressful. It is time consuming and often caregivers neglect themselves in the process. We sacrifice our jobs, our families and our quality of life in order to make sure our family members are taken care of with love and compassion. Balancing caregiving with life’s other demands can be a hard and thankless responsibility.

Recently, CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions announced a new Caregiver of the Year Award to recognize the strength and sacrifices of the non-professional, family caregiver – like all of us. Think about the caregivers that you know. Consider nominating them for the Caregiver of the Year Award. It will take no more than 30 minutes of your time, but it could be just the lift they need.

Lisa Vielee

Guest blogger & Owner, Gracie Communications

Building communities for a lifetime

2011-02-03T09:15:00.003-05:00

There is currently a bill before the Indiana General Assembly, Senate Bill 23: Communities for a Lifetime, that would pave the way for Indiana communities to begin looking at how to create livable communities for older adults -- and Hoosiers in general. The following was an opinion piece written by CAC Executive Director Ellen W. Miller, PhD, and published in the January 30 issue of the Indianapolis Star.

With the first day of 2011, the first wave of Indiana’s baby boomers began turning 65 years old. By 2040, one in five Hoosiers will have reached that milestone. Currently, more than half of Indiana’s 1 million residents age 60 and older have lived in their communities for 50 years or longer. Virtually all of them – 94 percent – would like to stay in their homes and in their communities for as long as possible.

These facts are important not just for the baby boomers and beyond, but also for those who live with, work for, work with, care for, and serve older adults. The aging of Indiana’s population will affect nearly every sector of community life: transportation, housing, education, commerce, workforce, health and social services, environment and community design, tourism, philanthropy, recreation and cultural life, family and community relations.

The time to plan for how to embrace aging in Indiana – our own, as well as our neighbors’ – is now.

A proposal before the Indiana General Assembly, Senate Bill 23, would support the creation of a commission to study how Indiana can use proven methods to create livable communities for older adults and Hoosiers in general, including families, young adults and people with disabilities.

This commission would define a process by which communities could achieve a special designation, “A Community for a Lifetime,” reflecting serious, data-driven, participatory planning that can make neighborhoods, towns and cities into better places to grow up and grow old. Considerations for the designation could include:

Housing that is affordable and designed for mobility and safety
Walkable streets and well-maintained sidewalks
Access to nutritious food, health care and community services
Access to jobs, retail services and other economic opportunities
Opportunities for physical activity, volunteer work and social engagement

Senate Bill 23 is co-sponsored by Sens. Vaneta Becker (R-District 50) and Vi Simpson (D- District 40), and it was unanimously endorsed by the Indiana Health Finance Commission in October.

This is not just a question of where older adults will live, but also how they will live. Will they continue as part of the workforce? In what capacity? Will they lend their talents and expertise as volunteers? How will they get to these activities? How will our cities respond to the housing, transportation, health and socialization needs of older Hoosiers? Who will see to those needs, and how will we support those doing the caregiving? What goods and services are necessary to make a community an engaging place to live?

The creation of a Hoosier Communities for a Lifetime Commission would address these questions and others that are sure to arise when we think about aging in Indiana. Successful, comprehensive and integrated community planning for all residents can help spur economic development, improve quality of life across the lifespan, and sustain the vital and vibrant fabric of local communities throughout Indiana.

What you can do

Senate Bill 23 is scheduled for a hearing before the Committee on Local Government on February 11, 2011 at 1:30pm in the Indiana Senate Chambers*. Contact a member of the committee to express your support for the bill. Members of the committee include:

Ellen W. Miller, PhD
Executive Director

*This information has been updated since originally published.

LGBT aging is topic of online survey

2011-01-26T07:00:00.001-05:00

The National Resource Center on LGBT Aging is conducting a survey to gather input on a new website that will provide educational information, training, and technical assistance to organizations and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered older adults on a variety of important issues related to LGBT aging.

The information provided in by survey responses will be used to help determine what content to include and how effective the Center is in reaching its intended audiences. Respondents' answers will be anonymous and will not be linked to individuals in any way. However, if you wish to be contacted in the future, there will be an optional question at the end of the survey where you may provide contact information.

The deadline for completing the survey is February 6, 2011. To access the survey, please go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/lgbtagingcenter

The National Resource Center on LGBT is the first federally-funded entity to address the needs of LGBT older adults. If you have any questions about the survey, please send an e-mail to: info@lgbtagingcenter.org

Elders awake at night: How to get a good night's sleep

2011-01-25T10:36:00.003-05:00

Note: This is a follow up post to yesterday's information on sleep disturbances in older adults.

So what should a person do if he or she is experiencing sleep disturbances or a sleep disorder? Go on the offensive and look at your "sleep hygiene." That means building sleep-enhancing lifestyle habits into your day.

Sleep Hygiene Lifestyle Habits

Maintain a regular bedtime and a regular wake up time
Maintain a routine of bedtime preparation (washing/bathing, brushing teeth, etc.)
Avoid daytime naps
Exercise daily, but not an hour or two before bedtime
Increase exposure to bright outside daylight during the day
Use your bed only for sleeping or sex -- no reading or TV watching in bed
Avoid heavy evening meals
Avoid or limit alcohol, caffeine and/or nicotine before bedtim
Avoid "worry habits" at bedtime
Control nighttime environment (comfortable temperature, quiet, darkness)
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes to bed
If you are unable to fall asleep within 30 minutes, get up and perform a soothing activity such as reading or listening to quiet music. Avoid bright lights.
Avoid over-the-counter sleep aids, such as antihistamines, as they may have profound side effects on older adults

If you are experiencing difficulty getting enough sleep, you should visit your physician. He or she will ask you questions and perform an examination that will determine the causes of your sleep problems. As part of this diagnostic process, you may be asked to keep a "sleep diary" for several weeks or you may be scheduled to undergo a sleep evaluation overnight at a sleep disorder laboratory.

Use of good sleep hygiene helps to reduce the symptoms of sleep disturbances experienced as a result of normal aging. Treatment of sleep disorders such as apnea or periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS), however, might involve use of medications or use of a machine that helps you breathe while you sleep (continuous positive airway pressure -- CPAP).

The bottom line is, if you have difficulty sleeping, contact your physician to find out the causes and identify some good solutions.

Constance McCloy, EdD, PT
Associate Professor

Dr. McCloy is an Associate Professor of Aging Studies at the University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community. She has been a practicing physical therapist for more than 30 years. Her clinical and teaching expertise is in the area of health promotion and wellness of older adults.

Elders awake at night: causes of sleep disturbances in older adults

2011-01-24T10:34:00.010-05:00

Are you noticing that your sleep patterns are changing now that you are growing older? According to the National Sleep Foundation, older adults require 7-9 hours of sleep per night. However, sleep disturbances are very common in this population. While changes in sleep patterns may be a normal part of aging, they also might be indicative of a more serious health problem.

Adequate sleep is important for older adults so that they can be alert and active during the day, and so that their immune system (which works mainly at night during sleep) can function effectively. Lack of sleep may cause some seniors to experience confusion, difficulty concentrating, and/or perform poorly on cognitive and physical tasks. Insufficient sleep has been linked to type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity and depression.

Normal sleep has two stages: Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-REM sleep. In REM sleep, the body’s muscles relax most completely and dreaming occurs. Non-REM sleep has 4 stages. The first 2 are associated with light sleep, the second 2 are called deep sleep (more refreshing).

As individuals age, the duration of REM sleep decreases, the amount of non-REM deep sleep decreases, and the amount of non-REM light sleep increases. In individuals 90 years and above, non-REM deep sleep may stop completely.

Common signs of sleep disturbances due to aging

Difficulty falling asleep
More frequent night time awakening, difficulty getting back to sleep
Individual gets the same amount of sleep (or slightly less) than when younger, but spends more time in bed to get this
Tendency to nap in day time

It is important to know that sleep disturbances may also be caused by a sleep disorder. Common sleep disorders include sleep apnea and periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS).

Sleep apnea is a condition where breathing is interrupted during sleep, usually caused by a blockage of the airway. The individual might wake up gasping or find themselves moving in bed more than usual. They may get up, wander or get confused. Sleep apnea is often associated with being overweight, and may be worsened by sleep medications. This is a serious health condition; research indicates that sleep apnea can cause high blood pressure, heart rhythm problems and in some people, sudden death. Individuals who suspect they have sleep apnea should visit their physician for an evaluation immediately.

PLMS is characterized by repetitive leg jerks or kicks during sleep. PLMS may occur in one or both legs, and the movement wakes the person (and their bed partner) up frequently during the night.

Medical or health problems that may cause disturbed sleep

Sleep apnea
PLMS
Pain (one of the most common causes of sleep disturbance in elders)
Heart failure (makes breathing while lying flat in bed difficult; sitting up helps)
Rapid heartbeat and palpitations
Frequent need to urinate
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) when lying flat in bed (sitting up helps)
Constipation
Allergies
Mental disorders such as depression or anxiety
Dementia (increases non-REM light sleep; decreases non-REM deep sleep)

Some medications interfere with nighttime sleep because they either cause increased daytime sleeping or they stimulate the central nervous system. In addition, some social and psychological factors might interfere with nighttime sleep.

Medications that interfere with nighttime sleep

Beta-blockers - impair ability to fall asleep, cause increased number of awakenings and vivid dreams
Sleeping medications - may increase daytime sleepiness, reducing nighttime sleep
Sedative antidepressants and antipsychotics - increase daytime sleeping
Theophylline and caffeine (stimulants) - may have an effect for 8-14 hours and may have more pronounced effect in elders

Other factors that interfere with nighttime sleep

Nicotine - a stimulant with similar effects to caffeine

Alcohol - although a depressant, can disrupt sleep

Sedentary behavior that causes a person to not be fatigued at night

Daytime napping, lying on bed to read or watch TV during the day

Sadness or bereavement

Stress

So what should a person with sleep disturbance or sleep disorder do to get better sleep? Come back tomorrow to find out.

Constance McCloy, EdD, PT

Associate Professor

Dr. McCloy is an Associate Professor of Aging Studies at the University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community. She has been a practicing physical therapist for more than 30 years. Her clinical and teaching expertise is in the area of health promotion and wellness of older adults.

Online gerontology class assignment creates real life memorable experience

2011-01-12T09:31:00.003-05:00

As I embarked on the journey of preparing for a degree in Gerontology, I really did not have great expectations for personal interactions because the program is structured in an online format. Much to my surprise, just the opposite has been true. Many of the assignments and special projects have required that the student move outside of the computer box and immerse themselves into what would seem like arduous projects.

One such project was the Life History Comparison assignment. On paper, the task seemed substantial and time consuming. We were to compare our own personal life histories with that of someone who is around 30-40 years older than ourselves. As part of the assignment, there were papers to review concerning interviewing techniques and the like.

One evening, while enjoying the company of my sister-in-law, I introduced the coming project. “Who can I possibly interview that is at least 30 years older than myself,” I asked. Quickly she answered, “I know just the person, she was my elementary science teacher. She is still alive Susan and she’s over 100 years old! She will love to talk to you. But I want to go with you.”

After a few phone calls, the appointment was made and together we set out to meet Mrs N. What an incredible experience!

Mrs. N is 105 years old. She is a retired school teacher who was born in 1905. She achieved several degrees, which was unheard of for women in the 1920s. She has published a book about her life. She was excited to meet us and quickly began to answer the many questions on my paper. At some point in the interview, I simply put the papers down. I wanted to give her my whole attention. I would never forget the story she was telling.

The nurse in me kept reviewing her from head to foot. She just did not appear to be over 100. Her skin was not the typical thin, fragile skin of the old elderly. She had a head full of hair. She talked about the weekly dances at the assisted living facility she lived at. She is an amazing individual.

I call her Mrs N for Noble. She is a noble woman and I am a better person for meeting her. She ended the interview with giving my sister-in-law and I advice -- telling us to enjoy life and love our husbands. The assignment has become a wonderful experience etched in my memory.

I’m so glad this occurred at the beginning of the semester. It was somewhat sobering as I realized the personal impact of meeting this woman. As a result of meeting Mrs N, I have approached the opportunity of obtaining this degree with a different perspective. This experience has influenced my commitment to advocate and ensure for the rights of all to grow old gracefully with dignity, joy and peace. Mrs N embodies all of these characteristics.

Thank you University of Indianapolis for a life changing encounter.

Susan Fleckenstein
Student
University of Indianapolis
Center for Aging & Community

E-readers can help older adults maintain love of reading

2011-01-05T08:25:00.004-05:00

My mom loves to read. She goes to book club at her local library every month. She likes non-fiction, historical fiction, but she doesn’t like science fiction. My mom also has rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in her hands.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a form of arthritis that causes pain, swelling, stiffness and loss of function in your joints. It can affect any joint but is common in the wrist and fingers. More women than men get rheumatoid arthritis. It often starts between ages 25 and 55. You might have the disease for only a short time, or symptoms might come and go. The severe form can last a lifetime (U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2010).

Over time, Mom’s RA has interfered with her love of reading as holding books became more difficult. I suggested she might consider getting an e-reader like the Amazon Kindle, a electronic device that is the size of a small book, lightweight, portable, easy to use and can hold hundreds of books, but she wasn’t interested. She said, “Part of what I like about reading is holding the book and turning the pages.” She said she would just lean her book against a pillow. So, that was the end of that.

Even with that solution, from time to time Mom would complain that it was too difficult to hold a book in bed. She asked if I could find something to hold it for her, like a book stand. We tried a couple of different things, but nothing seemed to suit her. I told her about a book holder that was floor mounted beside her bed, had an extended arm that held a small platform to hold her book. She said, she might be interested in trying it, but when she learned the price, she adamantly said, “No.”

Before the holidays, Mom was talking on the phone with an older niece who happens to use a Kindle. Mom told her niece that she didn’t want to get one because she likes to use the library and doesn’t want to spend money on buying books. Her niece told her that there were a lot of free books; that she would only have to purchase them if she wanted a newly released one. Shortly after, Mom called me and said, “I guess having a Kindle would work for me.”

Having known about the Kindle for a couple of years now I thought, that’s what we kids would get Mom for Christmas. Being the oldest child, I researched the price and called my brother and sisters with the “suggestion.” To my surprise they all agreed; I didn’t even have to preach that “I am the oldest and I know best.” And so it was done.

In the meantime, I looked on the library website to see what books I might download on it for Mom, since it was being shipped to me. My mom’s library uses Overdrive.com for their e-books. Overdrive is a leading full-service digital distributor of eBooks, audio books, music, and video. It is based on the popular public library service available at 13,000 libraries worldwide.

Much to my surprise, the Kindle was not compatible with any of the e-books. I called the research librarian to double-check that I wasn’t misunderstanding. No, she said, “Kindle is not compatible with any books through Overdrive.com. They (Kindle) are working on compatibility, but are not there yet.” I guess that makes sense because Amazon, distributors of Kindle, would not benefit from having a device that people could use without purchasing books.

Fortunately; however there are many readers that are compatible with the formats used on Overdrive.com, including Barnes & Noble’s Nook; Kobo; Literati; Pandigital; and Sony. Other compatible e-books devices include: Apple iPad; iPhone; iPod Touch; Archos 5; HTC Droid; and several other phones with internet capabilities. Pricing is based on available features.

If you want a basic black and white reader take a look at the Nook and Kobo. The Nook Wifi is $149 and the Nook Wifi 3G is $199. The Kobo is $120. To make things more difficult for users, each device has its strengths and weaknesses.

For Mom, we decided to go with the Nook Wifi. It best fit the features we were looking for in an e-reader for Mom:

Easy to use (not a lot of buttons and steps)
Something she can do independently (maybe a few cheat sheets to get her going)
Variable font size to make the print larger if she wishes

Though not important to my mom, some e-readers also offer a voice output feature. Mom said audio books make her go to sleep!

If you’re considering an e-reader for yourself or for a loved one, you might want to check out this detailed comparison at the Top Ten Reviews website.

Emily Abel

Emily is a RESNA certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP), a member of the Indiana Geriatrics Society, and a member of the International Society of Gerontechnology. She is also a graduate student in the University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community’s Aging Studies program. She makes presentations and consults on assistive technology for the aging population around the country.

One size does not fit all in senior gift-giving

2010-12-14T09:59:00.004-05:00

A few weeks ago, I sent an e-mail to my co-workers asking for general recommendations for holiday gifts for older adults. I suggested that maybe there is something they've given in the past that has been much appreciated that they might share with us. Several people responded, but one response really got my attention:

Not to be a 'pill' about this, but REALLY? "General recommendations?" Who is an "older adult" (55? 65? 75? 85? 95? older?) and what do they like to receive? Something given that has been much appreciated -- how would you know any different, whose grandma opens a gift and tells them, "This sucks, I wanted a ________ instead."?

The point was well-taken. There are no one-size-fits-all gifts for older adults any more than there are for teenagers. Gift giving, during the holidays or other times of the year, should take into account individual personalities and preferences.

For instance, my grandmother is quite religious about sending birthday cards to her 12 children and their spouses, her 35+ grandchildren and dozen or so great-grandchildren. So a gift of return address labels and stamps would be a good choice for her. But giving the same gift to my PaPa would be a waste. He would much prefer a shipment of German springerle cookies.

Having said that, here are some ideas my colleagues offered for you to consider for the older adults in your life. But before you purchase something, be sure to think about who will be receiving the gift and how they might feel about receiving it.

Restaurant gift certificates
Food or flower of the month club memberships
Movie or live theater tickets
Cell phone and several months of service or a pre-paid cell phone card
Donation to their favorite charity
Updated family photos
A large magnifying glass
Fancy glasses to use everyday at the dinner table
Disposable camera
Gift certificates for where they buy essential items such as food or clothing
Gym membership (many have senior exercise programs)
A calendar with important family dates such as birthdays and anniversaries already filled in
Massage, manicure, pedicure gift certificates
E-reader or audiobooks
Nintendo Wii
The gift of time -- plan a day out for the two of you to enjoy lunch, shopping or a sporting event. Here are some great ideas for gifts of time.

Check out these links for more gift-giving ideas:

Buy, buy love - The ultimate holiday gift guide for aging parents

Buy, buy love, Part II

Buy, buy love, Part III

Gifts for people who are hard to buy for

Amy Magan
Communications Manager

Old age is not asexual

2010-12-13T15:06:00.006-05:00

The December 2010 French Vogue issue debuted a jewelry photo spread by photographer Tom Ford. Typically, when I think of Vogue, my mind immediately conjures images of smooth skinned beauties, doubtlessly airbrushed to perfection. I was pleasantly surprised that in the place of this airbrushed perfection were two older models, passionately and provocatively posed. What I particularly loved about these photos was that not only was there no attempt to conceal the obvious signs of age, but that these photos completely explode the assumption that older age is sexless or asexual period of life. You can view the photos here.

According to the article, "Sex, Intimacy and the Ageing Process," 70% of older adults remain sexually active at least once a week (Kaplan, 1990). It is true that there are some declines in sexual activity as one ages, but this trend is not necessarily due to lack of interest or even desire.

Research conducted in the field of sex and aging has identified several factors that impact sexual intimacy with age. Floyd & Weiss (2001) point to three main factors that hinder sexual activity later in life, lack of a partner, health conditions, and negative attitudes regarding older adults and sex. Huffstetler (2006) deconstructed sexuality in older adults and found that historically, there has been “a negative view of sexuality in older adults that dismisses it as inappropriate, immoral, or impossible.” History has changed very little and today’s older adults face the challenge of growing old in a youth obsessed culture that has the power to “curtail sexual expression.”

Photographer Tom Ford included a post-script to the photo spread, translated courtesy of Frockwriter that expresses his personal attitudes regarding older adults and sexuality.

“I am tired of the cult of youth. The cultural rejection of old age, the stigmatization of wrinkles, grey hair, of bodies furrowed by the years. I am fascinated by Diana Vreeland, Georgia O’Keeffe and Louise Bourgeois, women who have let time embrace them without ever cheating. Society today condemns this, me, I celebrate it. For this session of fine jewelry, I imagined a man and a woman who had been together for a long time, faithful to each other and always incandescent with desire.”

Regardless if you are 25 or 110, sexual expression and desire is a vital component to the human experience. Sexual intimacy is an ageless desire that is never completely lost, but one that is kindled and rekindled throughout the life span

Emily Austin, MS

Emily Austin teaches Health Promotion and Optimal Aging for Boise State University through the Center for the Study of Aging. She earned her Master's degree in Gerontology from the University of Indianapolis.

2011 is "Year of the Caregiver"

2010-12-02T06:47:00.002-05:00

As our recent UIndy Aging Studies Update noted, the U.S. Administration on Aging, celebrating the 10th anniversary of its National Family Caregiver Support Program, has declared 2011 the "Year of the Family Caregiver." Given this focus, a recent analysis of informal caregiving by and for older adults identifies new trends that provoke policy discussion.

In a comparison of national surveys of informal caregivers conducted by the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP in 1997, 2004, and 2009, Donna Wagner and colleagues at Towson University found that some aspects of caregiving have remained fairly stable across all three studies, including the number of caregivers who report being employed and those reporting that they lived with the person they were helping.

Average care hours showed some decrease across the three surveys, down from an average of 23 hours a week in 1997 to 19 hours per week in 2009.
The proportion of people caring for someone over the age of 85 increased from a quarter to one-third over the three surveys.
The number of male caregivers, especially over the age of 65, is increasing with now nearly a third of caregivers over 65 are men.
The 2009 survey indicates that 20% of the old-old caregivers – those over 75 – were helping a friend and 16% were helping a sibling.

Research on caregiving in the U.S. consistently indicates that about 15% of caregivers are providing help to a friend rather than a relative. The researchers note that the fact that this figure is higher among the oldest caregivers is somewhat surprising.

What these researchers and others continue to emphasize is that caregiving is a dynamic and changing landscape. Where we used to think of all caregivers as middle-aged women caring for spouses or parents, the picture is now much more complex and policy responses and programs will need to reflect this greater diversity. See Dr. Wagner’s own blog post on this research for more detail.

In our courses, I’m often surprised by the number of students, even younger ones, who have a caregiving challenge in their family. Almost all report the difficulty of finding appropriate services and support to make caring for a family member or friend easier. Maybe this year-long focus on caregiving will spur more conversation – and action – aimed at growing policies and programs to support the many kinds of caregivers serving older adults and older adult caregivers as well.

Sharon Baggett, PhD
Associate Professor

Friday aging funny

2010-11-19T10:25:00.005-05:00

Thanks to ChangingAging.org for sharing this video of two older women who obviously "got a feeling" that life is too short to be serious!

Once again, I dare you not to smile!

Video games may help older drivers stay safe

2010-11-18T11:00:00.002-05:00

Video games are no longer just for younger generations. While the controls for video game systems have become increasingly complicated in recent years, there may be some benefit for older individuals who play video games. A recent study indicates that older adults who practice cognitive skills with video games may be able to improve their driving abilities, and even become less likely to be involved in a car crash.

Recent research coming out of the University of South Florida has indicated that drivers over age 50 can receive significant benefits from participating in just 10 sessions of cognitive training for memory, reasoning, and processing speed. Participants in the study were tracked for six years after the training to determine the effect on driving ability.

Only about 11 percent of the participants in processing speed and reasoning trainings had been involved in car crashes over the 6 years. This was significantly less than both the memory training and the control groups. This means that playing video games to train either processing speed or reasoning has positive benefits on driving ability. Check out this article for more info.

Driving requires us to keep in mind a lot of visual information at one time, and then react quickly to that information. By practicing both processing speed and reasoning skills, we can practice critical driving skills and keep our minds sharp. These video game trainings are like a gym for the brain!

And the news keeps getting better: researchers found that participants in all of the video game training programs were almost 40 percent less likely to develop depression and other health problems for several years after the trainings. Apparently working out our brains doesn’t just help our cognitive skills, but also general health. Who knew that all those kids spending hours in front of video games were on the right track?

However, the results of this study should be looked at carefully. Contradictory evidence was published earlier this year in a study of over 11,000 individuals, which found that cognitive brain training did not significantly improve cognitive skills outside of the training game. Contentious research results aside, researchers do believe that not all brain training programs are equal, and there needs to be more investigation as to what aspects of training are the most important.

Greg Mallis
CAC Graduate Assistant

In addition to his work as a graduate research assistant at the UIndy Center for Aging & Community, Greg is a doctoral candidate in the UIndy Department of Psychology.

Rising tide of addictions in Boomers and seniors

2010-11-15T09:30:00.004-05:00

The percentage of people over age 55 addicted to drugs, alcohol and prescriptions continues to increase as the recession deepens and finances and marriages erode. Millions of older adults are attempting to manage their fear, anxiety and depression with overconsumption and abuse. A national survey conducted by the federal Substance Abuse Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) indicates that prior to the recession, Baby Boomers (those born between 1946-1964) represented almost half of all drug-related deaths in 2003 and from 2003-2005 their use of illicit drugs increased nearly 63 percent.

Baby Boomers are experiencing additional stresses as caregiving responsibilities increase for their older parents and grandparents who are living longer and needing more assistance. Factor in the struggles of Boomers’ children and/or grandchildren who need support in today’s difficult economy and the weight, for some, is unbearable.

The problem does not just lie with Boomers. The parents of the Boomer generation also have addiction issues, primarily with alcohol and prescription medication. Pharmaceuticals are routinely dispensed in various health care settings such as primary care practices, hospitals, emergency rooms, pain management clinics, etc. and there is a serious lack of coordinated care and communication between the care providers, often leading to over-medication of patients.

Because the prescriptions are ordered by trusted experts, the “silent generation” will not question the helpfulness or harm that may accompany their usage. Additionally, that generation does not want to reveal the mixing of medications with alcohol, nor any overconsumption of alcohol and/or pills to their physicians or family for a variety of reasons, one being that they might be viewed as incapable of living independently. Additionally, older adults over the age of 70 are from an era that does not readily accept the value of mental health therapy and were socialized to believe seeking help or counseling was associated with mental illness and has a negative stigma.

There are resources available to help people manage their stress and depression better and to get help with addictions (of any sort be it legal or illegal drugs, food, gambling, the Internet, etc.) that hinder one’s productivity and satisfaction. Whatever the source that leads to addiction, people need to know that there are more positive and healthy ways to cope and they can have more satisfying life experiences.

A key point to realize is that we are all experiencing the pain that results from others’ addiction issues and we call can benefit from even one person’s recovery. Therefore we need to work together towards helping each other with the healing. For those who try to help and find that nothing seems to work, the guilt and loss can be overwhelming. Such feelings commonly increase caregiver stress and burnout and are extremely detrimental to one’s health and relationships. The key ingredient to any person’s success in overcoming addiction will ultimately be their own self-desire to be well and no other person can make that decision or provide that motivation for them, only the support and resources to aid them in their journey.

Resources:
www.drjamie.com
www.psychologytoday.com
www.caregiverinrecovery.com
www.leezasplace.org

Tamara Wolske, MS
Academic Program Director
University of Indianapolis
Center for Aging & Community

Documenting stories is a way to thank veterans

2010-11-11T10:49:00.006-05:00

Today is Veterans Day in the United States and I've found myself thinking of both my grandfather, who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and my father, who was in the U.S. Army in Vietnam.

I've heard bits and pieces of my grandfather's experience from other family members. That he saw the raising of the U.S. flag at the Battle of Iwo Jima. That he was a prisoner of war for a period of time in Japan. I'm not sure about the authenticity of either of these accounts because my grandfather doesn't like to talk about them much.

As for my dad, I've seen pictures he took and sent to my mom from his station in Vietnam. He worked in administration and had a desk job, though I'm unsure if he had any combat experience, too.

I am sure that I am not alone in my sketchy knowledge of my family member's military service. But I do know that the roles they -- and thousands of other veterans -- played in our nation's history were ones of honor and personal sacrifice. And I owe it to them, and to my children and grandchildren, to preserve these pieces of history.

That's what the Veterans History Project (VHP) is about. Started by Congress in 2000, the VHP aims to collect and preserve the accounts of U.S. veterans and the civilians who worked back home to support them. The Project archives at the Library of Congress the accounts of veterans who served in World War I, World War II, the Cold War, Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War (1990-1995), or Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts (2001-present). U.S. citizen civilians who actively supported war efforts (such as war industry workers, USO workers, flight instructors, medical volunteers, defense contractors, etc.) are also invited to share their stories.

Anyone in grade 10 or older can interview and record (on paper, audio or video) a veteran's remembrances of their time in military service for submission to the Project archives. The VHP website offers a downloadable field kit that provides specific instructions for preparing for, recording and submitting the interview. There are also special guidelines for teachers who are interested in incorporating the Veterans History Project into their curriculum.

People interested in learning the stories of veterans can find them at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. About 5% of the Projects collection can be viewed online as well. An online search engine allows for searching a particular veteran, or accounts by conflict, state of residence, branch of service and other criteria.

Our veterans gave of themselves in service of our country. It seems recording their experiences for others to learn from is just a small way to repay them. As our population ages, it is important to capture these stories while we still can. I think I may try to get my dad and my grandfather's stories on paper when I see them over the holidays. I hope you'll consider doing the same.

Amy MaganCommunications Manager

National Senior League names Top 40 Wii bowling teams

2010-11-04T12:25:00.004-04:00

You've probably read stories about how the Nintendo Wii gaming system has made its way into senior centers and assisted living centers around the country. Google "seniors + wii" and you'll find a host of articles on the subject. It turns out not every elder who swings the Wii remote is in it purely for recreation.

Recently, the National Senior League, named the first ever Top 40 Senior Wii Bowling Teams in the World. The national web-based league allows teams of older adults to compete against other teams from across the country without ever leaving their community or facility. The NSL Wii Bowling League is open to all senior communities, including assisted living, independent senior living, nursing homes, adult day care centers, skilled nursing communities and senior centers.

The SAS Strikers from St. Andrew Estates South, a continuing care retirement community in Boca Raton, Florida, not only took the top spot in the third NSL Wii Bowling Championships, but they also earned the number one ranking in the list of Top 40 Wii bowling teams. The team's average age is 83.

The criteria for the top teams was based on the scoring average of the 4 Wii bowlers on each team, with a minimum of five sanctioned matches bowled in the NSL's 2010 Spring and Fall Championships. A total of 244 teams from 27 states competed in seven weeks of league play and three weeks of playoffs.

The SAS Strikers had an individual scoring average of 266. The league individual scoring average was 167.

The Strikers' team captain Joe Riccobene, fourth from the left in the picture above, was named NSL Wii Bowler of the Year. He has 27 perfect Wii bowling games to his record.

"I've been involved in high level competition much of my life and have never seen a more fierce competitor," said Dennis Berkholtz, NSL founder and president. "He is a real champion and a great representative of what the NSL is about."

The NSL was founded in July 2009 by Berkholtz, a 1972 and 1976 Olympic athlete in the sport of team handball, with the intention of providing senior residents with the opportunity to compete on a national level in wii bowling and wii golf competition.

Gerontechnology helps elders and caregivers

2010-11-02T09:50:00.003-04:00

Since the invention of the wheel, humans have been imagining and creating tools to make life easier. That is the idea behind gerontechnology. As defined in Gerontechnology: Why and How, gerontechnology “… is the study of technology and aging for ensuring good health, full social participation, and independent living through the entire life span...” In other words, it is about matching technology to make health, housing, mobility, communication, leisure and work easier for older people.

Due to an increase in life expectancy, society is faced with a growing population of aging individuals. Although efforts to increase awareness about good nutrition and healthy aging are in place, chronic diseases and sudden health crises can affect the functional abilities of aging adults. Combine that with the changing roles of older people -- remaining in the workforce longer, volunteering, mentoring, participating in learning opportunities, pursuing hobbies and passions – and the need for gerontechnology becomes clear.

But gerontechnology (also referred to as gerotechnology or assistive technology for the aging) does not just benefit the older adult. These tools also ease the burden on caregivers of aging adults.

According to the National Alliance of Caregivers and AARP (2009), 67% of caregivers are women and 33% are men. In the U.S., nearly 50 million individuals provide care for adult family members or friends. Being a caregiver can have a profound impact on our health, our lives, our family, and our income. I know this from personal experience.

It goes without saying that I love my mom and I want the best for her, but I need help. I need help with helping her perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as getting her in and out of bed, bathing, getting her dressed, feeding her and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) addressing her use of the telephone, shopping, preparing food, medications, and transportation.

This is where gerontechnology comes to the rescue. From simple tools such as a handheld magnifier to more complex systems like the Essence VG for higher-level communication needs, gerontechnology can help caregivers bring a better quality of life to the older adults they care for.

Following are just a few examples of how gerontechnology can help caregivers and aging adults. This is not an endorsement, rather a few examples of numerous products on the market.

Personal Emergency Response Systems:
Mobile Alert, LifeFone, Amber Select

Fall Detection:
Lifeline with Auto Alert, Wellcore’s MPERS device

Lifting/Transferring:
The Swivel Patent Transfer, Lateral Patient Transfer Device, EZ Go Patient Transfer Slide , Other Patient Lift systems

Hearing:
Relay Indiana and Captel, Sound Bytes, Harris Communications

Vision:
LS&S, Enhanced Vision, Indpendent Living Aids

Communication:
Tobii AT, Dynavox, PRC, ZYGO

Other Gerontechnology Resources:

We’re all in this together! If you’re interested in learning more, please leave a comment below.

Emily Abel, ATP

Emily is a RESNA certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP), a member of the Indiana Geriatrics Society, and a member of the International Society of Gerontechnology. She is also a graduate student in the University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community’s Aging Studies program. She makes presentations and consults on assistive technology for the aging population around the country.

Mister Rogers had lessons for multiple generations

2010-10-27T09:45:00.008-04:00

Recently, the annual Heartland Film Festival was held in Indianapolis. CAC invited University of Indianapolis staffer Jen Huber to share her thoughts on the intergenerational influence of one of the films screened, Mister Rogers and Me.

I’ll admit that at the end of the movie Mister Rogers and Me, I was blinking away a tear or two. There he was, the man I had spent hours and hours with in front of the television, telling me that he loved the person I had become and was proud of me. I noticed that I wasn’t the only one getting a bit choked up. In a packed theatre, 250 of my closest friends and I watched this excellent documentary, which talks about the life of Fred Rogers and his quiet influence.

“Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” began airing in 1968, ten years before I was born. The final episode aired in 2001, nearly 900 episodes later. So for 33 years (and more if you count the reruns), Mister Rogers has been teaching, listening, explaining, comforting, and encouraging generation after generation of young people.

Not only would Mister Rogers talk to the children and explain away their fears or frustrations, but he also would talk to the adults about bigger issues such as divorce and how it would affect their children. Mister Rogers helped to bring parents and children together and told kids that it was OK to talk about their feelings or issues that seemed frightening, such as being picked on at school or even how to deal with death.

He asked parents to watch over their children and be willing to talk to them and listen, even if their fears seemed irrational or silly. To Mister Rogers, talking about feelings and asking adults to open up and talk about their feelings was a natural thing to do.

The movie went on to interview several people who had worked or lived near Mister Rogers: Tim Russert, Dr. Susan Linn, Arthur author Marc Brown, and NPR’s Susan Stamberg. All talked about his calm demeanor and dedication to his television audience and to his close friends. As he is quoted in the movie, “ I feel so strongly that deep and simple is far more essential than complex.”

Mister Rogers wanted to be—and was—a safe and stable influence for millions of children. Many of those children are now grown up and having children of their own. I hope that his gentle influence and words of wisdom continue to trickle down through the next generation of parenting, reminding us that we are loved—to paraphrase Mister Rogers—“just the way we are.”

"When I say it's you I like, I'm talking about that part of you that knows that life is far more than anything you can ever see or hear or touch—that deep part of you that allows you to stand for those things without which humankind cannot survive: love that conquers hate, peace that rises triumphant over war, and justice that proves more powerful than greed." —Fred Rogers

Jen Huber
Assistant Director, Publications
University of Indianapolis