Category: Wellness

Creativity for Seniors: A Few Simple Ideas to Transform Your Life

~ by Angela Kambarian

Let’s face it, when it comes to creativity, it is never too late to get your creative juices flowing and engage in a variety of artistic pursuits. Even if you’ve never thought of yourself as the imaginative type, now may be a good time to re-evaluate your potential, expand your horizons, and develop a new set of skills. You will be glad you did.

Remember, no one is expecting you to magically transform into Picasso or Robert Frost and deliver a world-renowned masterpiece. In fact, if you feel pressured to create something riveting or spectacular, your enthusiasm may subside and you may be reluctant to move forward. It’s the learning process and a sense of personal fulfillment that matter the most – not necessarily the outcome. As stated on Diversus Health, being creative has countless benefits for older adults. It can dramatically improve the function of your immune system, enhance brain function, boost your mood and strengthen a sense of identity, among other things.

So here are a few stimulating activities to get you on the path to self-fulfillment, help you unleash your creative potential, and revitalize your health. Don’t be afraid to try something new, no matter how old you are.  Just get the ball rolling, bring your ideas to life, and see how it is going to invigorate your lifestyle.

Liven up your life with painting

The benefits of painting are undeniable. It is not only a therapeutic activity and a good way to relax and de-stress, but also an amazing skill and a beautiful art form that can evoke a positive reaction among your friends and loved ones. You can paint on your own or organize painting sessions with the most important people in your life and enjoy quality time together. Think of it as “bonding over art” which can be incredibly fulfilling for everyone involved. In addition to painting, you can also engage in book coloring, scrapbooking, or any similar activities that have become so popular among people of different ages, including seniors.

Express yourself through poetry

Just as you can create beautiful paintings with a brush, you can paint amazing stories with words. It goes without saying that poetry is good for the soul and may reflect some of your deepest emotions, feelings, or concerns. Putting words on paper and digging into your thoughts is a great way to develop emotional awareness. According to studies provided by Harvard Health Publishing, poetry writing lowers stress and anxiety, wards off depression, and even improves memory among seniors. Alternatively, you can start writing short stories or even a memoir, and surprise yourself and others with your creative ideas.

Have fun with crafting

Craftmaking is not only for little kids or elementary school students. The Center on Aging, Creativity and Humanities at the George Washington University released a study stating that senior citizens who regularly engage in crafting usually experience significant psychological and physical benefits.  Some experts maintain that this activity can reduce the chances of developing a cognitive impairment by up to 50%. From knitting and sewing to jewelry making or designing heart-shaped baskets, these activities can help you improve and refine your motor skills, enhance your hand-eye coordination and gain more confidence. You may also consider book coloring, scrapbooking, or candle making. As stated by National Library of Medicine, crafting can impact different parts of the brain which ultimately strengthens memory, processing, and problem-solving skills.

In conclusion, embracing a creative lifestyle can transform your mental, emotional and physical health making it a worthwhile undertaking. You will have a sense of accomplishment and feel better about yourself which will help you enhance your interactions with others. Research studies (such as this one done by Lesley University) suggest that encouraging creative expression can improve the quality of life for seniors, give them a sense of purpose, revitalize their minds, improve coordination and concentration, and boost their physical health. The time to start creating is now!

The information in the above article is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

What To Know about Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is about more than awareness of the disease. It needs to be a catalyst for removing barriers to care for the people it affects. It should also be about removing the disparities that exist across races, genders, and ethnicities. It is should also be a time to remind people that one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.

According to breastcancer.org, more than 280,000 women and men will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and 42,000 are expected to die from breast cancer in the United States alone.

What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is a disease where the cells in the breast tissue grow abnormally. As they grow, they can form a mass or a lump, called a tumor. Some of these tumors that form in the breast are malignant, or cancerous. The cells of these tumors can spread into the surrounding breast tissue, becoming invasive breast cancer. Along with the ability to spread within the breast comes the ability of these cells to break away from that tumor in the breast and spread to other organs of the body. This is called metastatic breast cancer.

How do you get it?

No one really knows why breast cancer develops in a certain person and not others. According to The National Cancer Institute, it is now known that breast cancer develops as a result of a gene mutation. Some gene mutations are inherited from our parents and these account for about 5 to 10 percent of breast cancer in the United States. But 90 to 95 percent of breast cancers occur as a result of a gene mutation within the body. A harmful variant in BRCA1 or BRCA2 can be inherited from either parent. Each child of a parent who carries a mutation in one of these genes has a 50% chance of inheriting the mutation. We don’t know what causes these mutations, only that they exist.

Why should someone with no history care about breast cancer?

We know there are certain factors that increase our chance of getting breast cancer, such as having an inherited gene mutation, or being overweight as an adult, or taking menopausal hormones. But not everyone with an inherited mutation or is overweight or takes menopausal hormones gets breast cancer. In fact, most don’t. We know the two most common risks for breast cancer are being female and getting older. But some men get breast cancer and some young women get breast cancer, too. So, what it boils down to is everyone is at risk of developing breast cancer – even people who are healthy, eat right, exercise, are an ideal weight, and have no family history of the disease. And, with more than 279,000 women and men in the United States expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, alone, chances are you know someone who will be affected by breast cancer.

Who’s at risk for developing breast cancer?

Some people – especially women – face an increased risk for developing breast cancer. While some risk factors cannot be changed, such as your age, others can be managed in order to lower your risk. Here are a few, but not all, of the risk factors associated with breast cancer:

• Age – Incidence rates are higher for women over 50, however, adults of any age can develop breast cancer. Regular mammograms are recommended for women ages 40 and older.
• Family History – Some cases of breast cancer are caused by inherited genetic mutations. If breast cancer runs in your immediate family, you may be more at risk.
• Birth Control – Research reveals that taking birth control pills can cause an elevated risk of developing breast cancer.
• Hormone Therapy – Some post-menopause hormone therapies seem to increase a woman’s chances of developing breast cancer.
• Diet and Exercise – Obesity and lack of exercise have both been linked to elevated breast cancer risk.  
• Alcohol – Drinking more than two alcoholic drinks a day has been directly linked to breast cancer risk in women.

How is breast cancer treated?

According to Healthline.com, There are five treatment types for breast cancer;

1. Surgery
2. Radiation Therapy
3. Chemotherapy
4. Hormone Therapy
5. Targeted Drug Treatment

Since no two patients are alike and cancer types can differ, each patients should discuss the risks and benefits of breast cancer treatments. You, your physician, and family can and should make an informed decision about the best option for you.

In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we have curated some additional online resources for further reading:

www.breastcancer.org

www.cancer.org

www.komen.org

The information in the above article is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Lonely Is Not the Same as Alone

It’s no secret that older people can become isolated, especially if they suffer chronic illness or have physical limitations brought on from aging. But recently, the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society has noted that, “There is growing attention to loneliness and social isolation in later life. Both have been linked to adverse outcomes such as depression, cardiovascular disease, and mortality.”

Those who are studying that connection distinguish between social isolation and loneliness. Isolation is the objective measure of the social contacts one has. Loneliness is subjective — it is the feeling, or the perception, of being isolated.

Thus, not all socially isolated people experience loneliness. While about a quarter of adults over 65 are considered to be socially isolated, more than a third of adults 45 and over feel lonely (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, NASEM).

“We found that whether people considered themselves to be lonely was a bigger risk factor for depression than how many social contacts and support they had,” said Dr. Gemma Lewis of University College London (UCL), Psychiatry. The 2020 UCL study found loneliness responsible for 18% of depression among people over age 50 in England.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) concur that Americans ages 50 and older are at increased health risk from social isolation and loneliness. Citing recent studies, the CDC states that being socially isolated significantly increases the risk of premature death from all causes. The risk equates to those from smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity. In addition, social isolation is linked to a 50% increased risk of dementia.

Loneliness, when combined with actual social isolation, can result in poor social relationships, which are associated with a 29% increase in the risk of heart disease and a 32% increase in strokes. As noted by the UCL study, loneliness is linked to increased rates of depression and anxiety.

What Can Be Done to Reduce Social Isolation or Loneliness?

Obviously, lonely or isolated individuals cannot magically change their own circumstances– or their feelings. They’re not likely to seek help for non-medical issues. So, while numerous agencies and organizations, like AARP and The National Council on Aging, can provide information, solutions, and services, an intermediary is needed to connect individuals to them.

A 2019 study by the NASEM, “Integrating Social Care into the Delivery of Health Care,” outlined the role of health care systems in linking patients with social care resources.

A health care provider may be one of the few connections a socially isolated individual has, so that professional is in a unique position to determine a patient’s social health, and to ‘prescribe’  solutions — like a physical exercise program to increase mobility, and help expand patients’ social participation.

Integrated care consortiums, like Kaiser Permanente, are piloting programs (like Thrive Local) to create connections between health care providers and social service agencies. Thrive is also integrated into Kaiser’s electronic health record to track social needs and referrals to local providers.

Health insurance companies, too, are focusing on social isolation and loneliness as problems to address in their broader health campaigns.

The growing recognition of social isolation and loneliness as significant health risks for older people has spurred action among a diversity of players.

Like the adage, “It takes a village to raise a child,” it seems equally clear that ‘It takes a community to sustain an elder.’

Pets can warm our hearts and enrich our lives. This can be especially true for older adults who sometimes feel isolated and alone. They can form strong, meaningful bonds with their four-legged companions and receive health benefits as well.  These benefits are varied and differ from person to person. In fact, many older adults report gaining a feeling of general wellbeing and joy from their pet.

Lowers blood pressure

According to a 2019 study by The Mayo Clinic, older adults with a dog had overall better cardiac health than others who didn’t have a dog. According to the study, “In general, people who owned any pet were more likely to report more physical activity, better diet and blood sugar at an ideal level.” Even those who did not increase their physical activity due to a pet saw a cardiac benefit.

Reduces depression and loneliness

The Mayo Clinic study stated that in addition to the cardiovascular benefits of pet ownership, participants in the study were less likely to feel lonely, isolated or depressed. There are several factors for this. One is that pet owners feel needed when a pet is depending on them. It gives them a sense of companionship and wellbeing. It also is a warm cuddly family member that they can’t help feeling good around.

Promotes living in the present

Anyone who has ever had a pet knows that they are work. For example, dogs must be fed and walked multiple times per day. This schedule often helps the older pet owner stay in the present, knowing that at 4:00pm Sparky needs to be fed and then walked. It gives an older adult a sense of timing and perspective in their life. According to a recent article in Aging.com, “Dogs and cats live very much in the present. They don’t worry about tomorrow, which can be a very scary concept for an older person. An animal embodies that sense of here and now, and it tends to rub off on people.”

Increases mobility and independence

Both dog and cat owners tend to be more independent that their non-pet counterparts. This is because pets have needs. They need to be fed, walked, have their litter box changed, to name just a few of the activities of pet ownership. Even those with mobility issues have reported feeling more independent when caring for a pet. Even short walks have shown a benefit for overall mobility and independence of older adults.

Eases anxiety and pain

Feeling anxious can amplify a sense of pain. By reducing anxiety, pets can help ease pain for older adults who may experience conditions such as arthritis. In fact, a recent study published in Reuters Health found that pet therapy after surgery may even reduce the need for pain medication during recovery.

While pet ownership can have some downsides, there is no denying the many health benefits of pets for older adults. When considering adding a furry friend to your life, you should weigh the advantages with the risks to determine whether it is practical for you to adopt one. If you decide to move forward, adopting from shelters is usually much less expensive and comes with the added benefits of giving an unwanted animal a home and possibly saving it from euthanasia. Some shelters even offer reduced adoption fees for older pets and adopters age 55 and up.

Where can you adopt?

You can contact the local ASPCA or the local Humane Society to inquire about adoption. Sites like Petfinder allow potential owners to search for their perfect pet in a nationwide database. Please consider adopting a senior animal – they tend to be a bit calmer then puppies and often are less desirable to younger people and are often overlooked. Senior animals can enrich our lives and are often a great fit for their senior counterparts.   

The information in the above article is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

In the age of the Internet, we might expect fewer people to borrow books from libraries. On the contrary, Americans continue to love their public libraries.

According to The Institute of Museum and Library Services, Americans made 1.4 billion in-person visits to public libraries across the United States in 2016, the equivalent of four million visits each day, or 2,664 every minute.

In fact, people frequent libraries more often than they go to the movies, according to the Motion Picture Association of America. And, incredibly, more people attend public library events than all Major League Baseball, National Football League, and National Basketball Association games combined.

In the United States, libraries outnumber the seemingly ubiquitous Starbucks coffee shops. There are 16,568 public libraries, including branches (Public Library Survey), compared to 14,606 corporate and licensed Starbucks locations (Starbucks Corporate Customer Relations).

Americans’ affection for their libraries is fittingly celebrated on February 14, National Library Lovers’ Day. In fact, the whole month of February is a celebration of Library Lovers.

Osborn residents are library lovers, too

There are 170 active patrons of The Osborn Library, representing 60 percent of The Osborn’s independent and assisted living residents. They enjoy three Osborn Library branches on campus.

The recently-renovated Adams Library houses regular and large print books of fiction, non-fiction, and biographies, and includes a glass-walled, four-seasons reading room which faces out to our gorgeous South Lawn and honors former Board Chair William W. Mauritz. Magazines are available, as are daily copies of The New York Times, The Journal News, and The Wall Street Journal.

The Dalphin Library is also located in the Osborn building, and contains non-fiction, biographies, and an extensive collection of art books.

Sterling Park at The Osborn is home to the 3000 Library, with its collection of large and regular print fiction, magazines, and newspapers.

A branch on the Westchester Library System tree

The Osborn Library is a branch of the Rye Free Reading Room, and, therefore, of the Westchester Library System (WLS). Osborn residents, staff, and neighbors have access to all the books and materials available throughout Westchester County, NY. Even audiobooks are available on campus when ordered from WLS.

Professional librarian Marjorie Shapiro tends The Osborn libraries and runs a monthly book group that is open to all. Library Committee volunteers assist her, and select the books to purchase each month.

Osborn residents are avid readers. According to Ms. Shapiro, one of her regulars is a 107 year-old who reads a book a week.

Ms. Shapiro enjoys getting to know her patrons and facilitating their reading habits. One service she provides is helping individuals with vision issues gain access to New York State Talking Books and Braille. This makes it possible for them to order books consolidated on a single cassette, so they don’t have to handle or read small labels on multiple cassettes.

A digital reading device, like a Kindle or Nook, can also be a boon to older readers. Not only do they weigh a fraction of a hardcover print book, but their backlit, non-glare screens and adjustable type makes the “print” size perfect for the reader. Device users can purchase digital books, but the library loans digital books as well.

Ways to celebrate your love of libraries

To demonstrate your library love this February, consider:

• Getting a library card if you do not have one, or encouraging friends and family members to get one, so they can explore the wealth of options available
• Visiting your library and taking home a book
• Enjoying quiet camaraderie with like-minded neighbors, while you read a magazine, newspaper, or book
• Stopping at one of the Osborn Library locations to wish your librarian, Marjorie, a “Happy Library Lovers’ Month”
• Volunteering to help out at your library

This month, when you see Valentine’s hearts all around you, remember that February is not just for lovers. It’s also for Library Lovers.