Of my clients and other folks I’ve who have needed long term nursing home care, most of them have not ended up there as the result of one dramatic incident like a stroke, but rather as the result of a downward spiral which started with a little slip and fall, poor nutrition or dehydration after an illness.  Something that a younger or more healthy person might bounce back quickly from can have a lingering effect on older people.

Ways you can help keep yourself healthy no matter what your age include:

1. Get proper nutrition and hydration.

2. Exercise, especially something like yoga that helps with balance to prevent falls.  There is apparently a burgeoning industry of baby-boomer personal trainers.

3. Find social activities you enjoy and keeping up with friends.

4. Make sure your house doesn’t hold any hidden hazards like curled rug edges, stairs with no railings, bathrooms without grab bars or non-skid mats, and low lighting which could lead to falls.

5. Review your medication with your doctor to find out what the side effects are.

6. Limit alcohol use and do not drive after drinking.

7. Spend time doing things that make you happy – whether that is being with your family, in your garden, on your boat or just sitting and looking at the sky.

8. Adapt your activities as your abilities change. If you can’t read due to poor eyesight, check out some books on tape or CD from the library. If your hiking days seem numbered, find some more level woods to walk in. If you can’t run like you used to, ask your doctor about walking or using certain machines at the gym.

8. Practice forgiveness and gratitude.

It’s almost winter, which means colder days, preparing for snow and an increased risk of colds and other illnesses.  While most of us can recover after a couple days of rest, common illnesses can take a toll on the elderly and infirm.  Illnesses can spread rapidly throughout a patient population even in the best and cleanest of facilities.  Take some precautions if you are visiting someone in the hospital or nursing home (which I do frequently):

• Do not visit if you are sick. Do not bring small children to visit if they are sick.
• Wash your hands before going for the visit.
• Use the hand sanitizer at the check-in desk on your way in to prevent carrying germs in, and on your way out to prevent carrying germs out of the facility.
• If you find yourself having to cough, use the crook of your elbow to cover your mouth, not your hand.
• If you sneeze, use a tissue and wash your hands.
• Wash your hands again when you get back home. (Do you see a theme here?)
• Follow the instructions of the facility if they are having an outbreak of an illness and request that people don’t visit.

A few minutes of prevention will go a long way towards protecting you, your loved ones, and the other patients in the facility from the risk of illness.

Here I am at the top: 

and here he and I are back at the bottom, 9.2 miles and 11 hours later:

We first climbed it together in 1999.  Eleven years later our pace was a little slower but we made it. And it was because of our commitment to staying physically active and healthy that we were able to. And we saw a good number of people my dad’s age or older who were hiking, as well.

When my clients ask me the best way to avoid paying for nursing home care in the future, I always add “Stay healthy, be active, don’t fall.”  And it’s true. Whether you are sitting in a chair doing yoga, walking around the block, training for a 5K run or a marathon, or hiking up a mountain, staying (or becoming) physically active is one of the best ways to keep happy and healthy as you grow old.  And it’s a great way to stay connected with your kids and younger relatives.

For opportunities to move in your area, check out your local senior center or click here to find out if there is a Shake Your Soul class near you. 

If your over-18 children will be traveling without you, make sure they have a Health Care Proxy signed so someone can make medical decisions for them if they are unable.  While they may still be your baby, if they are over 18 your right to make decisions for them, or even get an update on their medical condition, will be limited without the proper authorizations in place. 

The more prepared you are before you leave, the less you have to worry about on your trip. Just don't forget the sunscreen! 

• Cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest.
• Cannot walk without the assistance of another person, prosthetic, cane or crutches.
• Have a lung disease such that your respiratory expiratory volume is less than 1 liter.
• Use portable oxygen.
• Have a Class III cardiac condition.
• Have a  Class IV cardiac condition (if you have this the registry
  requires you to surrender your license, in this instance you will be
  issued a placard for the motor vehicles you are riding in).
• Have Class III functional arthritis.
• Have Class IV functional arthritis.
• Have Stage II anatomic arthritis.
• Have Stage IV anatomic arthritis.
• Are legally blind (again a situation where you would surrender your license and would be issued a placard for the vehicles in which you are a passenger).
• Have lost one or more limbs.
• Have permanently lost use of one or more limbs.

For more information on obtaining a disability plate or placard, visit the RMV Website. 

The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles website has an entire section devoted to senior drivers, including things for caregivers to watch out for, quizzes and local driving safety courses, warning signs of unsafe driving and how to report an unsafe driver.

Losing the ability to drive can be very traumatic for an older person, as it can lead to isolation and depression.  Remember the feeling of freedom you had when you first got your license? Keep that in mind when you are talking to someone about not driving anymore.  Think of ways they can keep their independence while staying safe – maybe it means using the town senior shuttle, or joining you on your weekly shopping trips, or even taking the money saved on insurance and gas and hiring a companion to act as a driver.  Having a plan in place before taking away the keys can make the transition easier. 

See also: Massachusetts Driving Law Blog