Better balance training activities develop core muscles, increase stability, and prevent falls and promote independence for seniors. Actually, everyone can benefit from balance training. And that includes athletes who have discovered that it can help them become stronger. Also, fitness enthusiasts know it can help them get more out of their exercises and their daily lives. Just getting around in life effectively necessitates proper postural alignment and balance.

What is Balance?

Balance refers to your capacity to regulate your body in space. This happens by equally spreading your weight and remaining upright. There are two sorts of balance: static and dynamic.  Dynamic balancing refers to keeping control of your posture while moving outside of the body’s base of support. Static balancing refers to being able to keep the body’s center of mass within its support foundation. Each form of balance is important, and both may be improved with certain workouts.

How seniors should test their balance

Although we lose our balance over time, the changes are usually subtle. We also may be unaware that our coordination is deteriorating. Try these three balancing tests to see if your balance and coordination are in good shape:

First Test on both feet:

To start close your eyes. Stand with your feet together, anklebones touching, and arms crossed across your chest. Have someone keep track of the time.  You should be able to stand for 60 seconds without shifting your feet. However, swaying is usually typical. After that, put one foot in front of the other and close your eyes. On each stance, you should be able to stand for at least 38 seconds. Make sure you have padding and/or someone to catch you if you fall.

Second test on one foot:

Stand on one foot and bend the other knee. Then, elevate your non-supporting foot off the ground without allowing it to contact the standing leg. Perform this test in a doorway and you will be able to hold the sides if you start to fall. Close your eyes and repeat the process. People under the age of 60 can usually hold the stance for 29 seconds with their eyes open. And they can hold for 21 seconds with their eyes closed. People 61 and up can hold 22 seconds with open eyes, and 10 seconds with closed eyes. Again, make sure you have padding or someone to catch you if you fall.

Third test on the ball of one foot:

Place the non-supporting foot on the knee of your standing leg while standing on one foot. Also, put your hands on your hips. Raise your heel off the ground and maintain the stance for 25 seconds. If you fall, make sure you have some padding or someone to catch you.

Who Can Benefit from Balance Training?

Everyone can benefit from balance training. This training will benefit you at various phases of life and fitness levels.

Athletes: Kinesthesia training is frequently utilized with athletes to help them recover from and prevent injuries. The athlete acquires a sense of control and awareness of their joint and positions. It is your body’s ability to sense movement, action, and location. Consider your ankles. Because of all the twisting, turning, stopping, and starting, ankle injuries are prevalent among sportsmen. Even the most durable ankle might be harmed if the athlete has not been taught how to handle movement. His or her neuromuscular system will need to react appropriately on different surfaces. Athletes who practice balance get more power and force by learning to use their center of gravity. They can jump higher, throw further, and run faster with a stronger, more connected core.

Seniors: Notice when a youngster falls, he or she gets straight back up and continues to move. When an older person falls, however, the effects may be serious, even fatal. Thousands of elderly Americans die each year from broken hips because of falls. And even more, lose their independence as a result of a fall. Balance training can assist elderly persons to improve their stability and prevent falls and accidents. Seniors can adopt exercise programs and techniques that focus on balance. This knowledge will help lessen and avoid falls, much as athletes can train their bodies.

Equipment for Seniors Balance Training

A BOSU, pronounced “Bo,” like the boy’s name, and “Sue,” like the girl’s name. Also, an acronym for “Both Sides Utilized.” It is a molded plastic, weighted rubber, and stability ball with a secret filling. One of the greatest items to own when it comes to proper balancing workouts. A BOSU is essentially a half-sphere with a flat surface. Squats, lunges, leaps, planks, and hundreds of other exercises may be performed on a BOSU’s unstable surface. A loosely rolled yoga mat or towel can be used to get a comparable effect. Any unstable surface can be used.

Easy Exercises for seniors to Improve Balance and health

Dead Bug

One of the most effective core exercises remains to be the dead bug. It promotes core stability while challenging the transverse abdominus (deep core muscles).

• Place your feet wide and stable on the floor immediately in front of the BOSU’s bulls-eye center.
• Lower your back slowly until your lower back is on or slightly in front of the bull’s eye.
• Reach your arms wide and draw your abdominals in toward your midline.
• Slowly raise one leg at a time, keeping them wide to mimic a dead bug’s limbs and legs.

Squats on BOSU

Combine your fundamental squat with the unstable surface of a BOSU. Over time, your body will learn to engage all of the proper muscles at the right moment.

• With feet hip-width apart, stand on the ball side of a BOSU.
• Return to a squat stance, sinking your weight into your heels.
• As you force yourself back up to standing, use your glutes and hamstrings. 8–10 reps are a good number to aim for when starting.

Balancing Reverse Lunges

• Start with one leg at a time when doing lunges. They’ll be more difficult standing on a BOSU or folded mat.
• With your feet close together, stand on the top of the BOSU’s ball side.
• Slowly stretch your left leg behind you onto the floor while bending your right knee.
• Return your left foot to the top of the BOSU. While doing this, push straight up through your right leg. Legs should be switched. 8–10 lunges each leg are a good goal to aim towards.

Tree Pose

On the floor, a folded mat, or a BOSU, tree posture is a terrific option. It stimulates your core while strengthening your ankles and improving your balance.

• Standing with your feet together, your spine tall, and your arms. You can utilize either side of a BOSU, either the ball or the flat side.
• Lift your left foot slowly to the side of your calf. Do this while balancing only on your right foot.
• Lastly, to form the tree’s branches, slowly elevate your arms upward. Switch legs after 30 seconds.

Single-Leg Dead Lift

This workout develops your hamstrings and glutes. While also challenging your balance and activating your abdominal wall. You can do this with or without dumbbells.

• Firstly, put most of your weight on your right foot. Do this while standing on the ball side or the floor.
• Next, slowly lower your torso to the ground, elevating your left leg behind you. While staring at a focal point on the floor in front of you. Then, reach your hands toward the floor while keeping your spine neutral.
• When your back is parallel to the ground, you should come to a complete stop. Maintain a supple right knee.
• Then, gently rise back up and bring your back foot to the floor. Squeeze your hamstrings, glutes, and abs as you move.
• Change sides. 8 deadlifts on each side is a good goal.

Work with your doctor

It’s always a good idea to see your doctor before starting any workout regimen. Please consult with them no matter how easy these exercises appear to be. He or she may also have additional ideas or workouts. Exercises and workouts will help to maintain your balance and keep you active as you become older. Once your doctor has approved your plan, start slowly and set aside time each day to perform these simple exercises. Learning and performing these exercises can help seniors enjoy a better lifestyle in their later years.

 

Lengthy-term or Long-term care comprises a wide variety of services aimed at meeting a person’s health and personal care needs. This service can continue for a short or long period as needed. When people are unable to carry out everyday activities on their own, these services enable them to get the help they need to live as independently as possible.

Additionally, long-term care helps keep people as safe as possible. Actually, long-term care can be in a variety of settings depending on the individual‘s needs. For instance, family members and friends can provide long-term care in the person’s home. Long Term Car can also provide services at an institution, such as a nursing home. Sometimes a community will also have these types of services, such as an adult day care center.

Long Term Care Services

In short, Long Term Care Services provides personal care help with daily activities. As one of the most common senior assistance plans offered, Long Term Care has several options. Bathing, dressing, grooming, getting to the bathroom, eating, and moving around are all things that people do daily. These activities include things like getting out of bed and sitting in a chair.

Long-term care includes community services such as food, adult daycare, and transportation. These services may be offered for free or at a cost. Understandably, when a person has a serious, long-term health condition or impairment it requires long-term care. After a heart attack or stroke, long-term care likely becomes necessary unexpectedly to help a person recover. Most of the time, though, it happens gradually as people age and become feeble. Also, as a person’s illness or handicap worsens over time.

Who Will Require or Need Long-Term Care?

It’s difficult to predict how much or what type of long-term care a person may need. A lot of things that contribute to the need for long-term care are listed below.

• Age. People’s danger grows as they get older.
• Gender. Women are more vulnerable than men because they live longer.
• Relationship status. Single people are more likely than married people to need professional help.
• Lifestyle. Poor nutrition and exercise habits may raise a persons’ risk.
• Your health and your family’s medical history. These variables have an impact on your risk.’

What Are the Different Types of Home Long-Term Care Services?

Health, personal, and support services are included in home-based long-term care. This type of care enables people to stay at home and live as independently as possible. The majority of long-term care gets delivered at the home of the person receiving services or at a family members’ home. In-home services are also short-term for someone recovering after an operation. Or they can be long-term for those who require continuing assistance.

Personal care, such as assistance with bathing, dressing, and taking medications are also advantages of this service. As the most common type chosen, it provides home-based services, and supervision to ensure a person‘s safety. As previously stated, family members, partners, friends, and neighbors provide the majority of this type of care.

Paid caregivers include informal caregivers and healthcare professionals such as nurses, home health care aides, therapists, and homemakers. These caregivers are appointed through home health care companies. This type of caregiver can provide home-based long-term care services. Home health care, homemaker services, friendly visitor/companion services, and emergency response systems are among the services available.

Moreover, part-time medical services or Home Health are both available. This care must be authorized by a physician for a specific disease. Nursing care may be provided to assist a person in recovering from surgery, an accident, or disease. Physical, occupational, or speech therapy, as well as temporary home health assistant services, may be included in-home health care. Also, Medicare Home Health, a government insurance program for persons over the age of 65, provides these services.

Personal Care and Housekeeping Services

Home health organizations can provide housekeeping and personal care services that do not require a physician’s order. This includes meal preparation and household tasks such as personal care among the services provided by a homemaker. Similarly, bathing and dressing assistance are included in personal care. To provide these services, agencies do not need to be approved by Medicare.

Visitor Services and Senior Companionship

Volunteers frequently staff visitor/companion services. They pay short visits (less than 2 hours) to someone who lives alone and qualifies for the service. These types of aid are also available at home health agencies for people who desire this type of service.

Transportation for Seniors

People use transportation services to get to and from medical appointments, shopping centers, and other community locations. Some senior living communities and community organizations provide seniors with transportation services at no charge. Then of course there is Uber and Taxi service to help the senior get to certain destinations. Unfortunately, some services are not free, while others are completely free. Seniors with disabilities will need to do some research to see which ones are available.

Medical Alert Systems in Case of Emergencies

Emergency response systems use electronic monitoring to automatically respond to medical and other situations. Sometimes, a person can wear a necklace or bracelet with a button to press for an emergency. When a person presses the button, emergency assistance will be notified and dispatched to the home. This type of service remains particularly beneficial to those who live alone or are at risk of falling. Usually, this service charges a monthly fee for convenience.

Choosing a Long-Term Care Facility

Consider what might happen if you were to become very ill or disabled and needed help for an extended period. Discuss long-term care with your family, friends, and lawyers. This way they will know your thoughts on who you would want to oversee your care. Learn how to create healthcare advance directives in this article. Being healthy and independent can help you delay or avoid the need for long-term care. Discuss your medical and family history, as well as your lifestyle, with your doctor. He or she may make suggestions on how you can improve your health and individual care.

Why would you need long-term care?

Accidents, illnesses, aging, stroke, and other chronic problems can all lead to the need for long-term care. Dementia and Alzheimer type conditions are examples of cognitive disorders that are becoming more prevalent in society. Almost half of all Americans now have Alzheimer‘s disease, and the number continues to increase. In fact, by 2050, the expected number will have risen to about 14 million people. After being diagnosed with Alzheimer‘s disease, the average life expectancy will not exceed 8-10 years. And a lot of that time will require long-term care or assistance.

Long-term care situations affect entire families, not just individuals.

Consequently, long-term care planning has become a priority. Because people continue to live longer, and healthcare costs continue to climb, you must discuss it. If you have a long-term care strategy in place sooner, you are more prepared than most people. Home health costs are sometimes difficult financially, and emotionally for you and your family. The administrative decisions you and your loved ones may need to make will help if they are already prepared.

Total life expectancy has risen by 9 years and will rise approximately 7 more years shortly. As people live longer, 98 percent of those polled said that long-term care planning gives them more confidence. Confidence in their health and financial futures.

Choices in the Care Settings

The majority of individuals want to get long-term care at their home, and depending on the situation, that sometimes can’t happen. Thus, people must become acquainted with their options early on so that they can live life on your own terms when elderly.

The first step is to know what options are available. Secondly, you must determine where to receive care. And third, requires having something in writing so you can relieve your family and friends of a stressful situation.

Insurance for Long-Term Care

Long-term care insurance has a lot of misinformation associated with it. For this reason, many folks confuse Medicaid with long-term care insurance. As a result, many falsely believe that Medicaid will cover their long-term care needs. Remember, Medicaid exists for financially disadvantaged people.

Many people also believe that Medicare will cover their long-term care needs, and it will not. Long-term care insurance referred to as “long-term care,” also adds to the confusion. A long-term care insurance coverage pays for long-term care for those who have a chronic, progressive health condition.

Normally a disability, or an illness that worsens with time, such as Parkinson‘s disease, Lewy Body dementia, or Alzheimer‘s disease requires Long Term Care. Personal care help, hospice care, durable medical equipment, and home modifications are sometimes covered by long-term care insurance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Long Term Health Care Insurance is something you purchase now to help you, should you need it, in the future. Purchasing a policy early in life, will keep the cost very affordable.  We strongly advise that you give us a call and let one of our Long Term Health Care Experts help you find the best plan for your needs.  We are here to help and there is no cost for our experts to inform and guide you as you make choices regarding the type of Long Term Health Care you need.

 

The condition Dementia refers to a group of symptoms that impact a person’s cognitive abilities. For example, their capacity to think, remember, and/or reason. There are a few critical early warning signs. Unfortunately, these signs tend to get worse over time. When nerve cells in the brain quit working, dementia develops. Although it occurs more often in older people, dementia does not exist as a natural part of the aging process. However, a natural decline in brain function occurs in everyone as they age. Unfortunately, the aging process happens more quickly in persons with dementia. Dementia comes in a variety of forms and according to the National Institute on Aging, the most common dementia appears as Alzheimer’s. The following identify other conditions:

• Dementia with Lewy bodies.
• Front temporal dementia.
• Vascular diseases.
• Diseases, mixed dementia, or a combination of these.

5 Signs of Dementia:

Notably, there are five common dementia warning symptoms. In short, a person must have two or more symptoms for a dementia diagnosis. Also, the symptoms must interfere with daily life. The following identify the early signs of dementia:

1. Loss of Memory

A common dementia symptom occurs with memory loss. For example, a person with dementia may have trouble recalling current information. The trouble recalling will affect dates or events, as well as new knowledge. People with dementia may find that keeping track of things requires help. The aid of friends and family or other memory plans will help. Normally, as people get older, they tend to forget things more often. In addition, if the person has age-related memory loss rather than dementia-related, they should remember what they forgot after a short period of time.

2. Planning or problem-solving difficulties

A person with dementia may have trouble following a plan. Case in point, It becomes difficult to follow a recipe when cooking. It can even affect driving and following directions. Problem-solving may become more difficult as they age. As an example, sometimes the daily task of adding up amounts to pay bills will be hard for them.

3. Difficulty performing routine work

A person with dementia may have difficulty doing routine activities. Some of these include changing television settings, sending an email, or making a cup of tea. Another troubling or difficult routine can happen in a simple trip to the drug store and then having trouble getting home.  The problem with routine duties can occur at home or work.

4. Being perplexed by the passage of time or the location of an event

Dementia can make it difficult to keep track of time. People can also lose track of where they are at any given time. They may have problems with events in the future or the past, as well as dates.

5. Difficulties in processing visual information

For someone with dementia, visual information seems difficult to understand. Likewise, reading, judging distances, or differences between colors becomes difficult. Someone who normally drives, or cycles may find these activities difficult when first getting started.

Dementia symptoms – Where can I get assistance?

Above all, a visit to the primary care physician will get your diagnosis started. However, you’ll need to consult a neurologist, geriatrician, or geriatric psychiatrist to acquire a definitive diagnosis. If you can’t find one, the National Institute on Aging suggests calling a neighboring medical school’s neurology department. Dementia clinics are also available at several hospitals. When a person gets diagnosed, the doctor will take a complete history of the patient and of the immediate family during his exam. Alzheimer’s disease in a family or relative remains a big risk factor.

According to new research, simply having dementia in your family becomes your first clue.  For this reason, genetics can increase the risk of developing dementia. As expected, Doctors use a variety of techniques to diagnose dementia. Some of them include performing physical and neurological tests. This will help rule out any other causes of dementia symptoms that treatment can help. The following testing will provide a firm diagnosis:

Testing

• Cognitive and neuropsychological exams. These tests will examine language, math skills, memory, problem-solving, and other types of mental functions.
• Blood and other fluids testing, such as testing levels of various chemicals, hormones, and vitamins. These tests can help rule out non-dementia causes of symptoms.
• Changes in brain structure and function are found by brain scans such as CT, MRI, or PET imaging. These tests can also detect strokes, cancers, and other conditions that can lead to dementia.
• A psychiatric evaluation can evaluate whether a mental health problem causes or affects the symptoms.
• Genetic studies are crucial, especially if symptoms appear before the age of 60. According to the Mayo Clinic, the early-onset form of Alzheimer’s disease links directly to a person’s genes. Before and after getting tested, patients should consult with a genetic counselor.

Causes of Dementia:

Doctors and scientists identify the cause of Dementia as being damage to or loss of nerve cells in the brain, as well as their connections. Dementia affects people differently and expresses itself in different ways depending on which section of the brain has been affected. Dementias are typically grouped based on similar features, such as the protein or proteins deposited in the brain or the affected brain region. Some disorders, like those caused by reactions to medicine, correspond to dementias and should improve with medical aid.

Types of Dementias that progress

The following are samples of dementias that progress without being reversible:

Alzheimer’s disease – Alzheimer’s disease, a type of dementia, progresses as time goes by. Because of this, Alzheimer’s disease is the most prevalent reason for dementia. Although no one knows what causes Alzheimer’s disease, scientists have found anomalies in three genes. These genes are usually passed down from parent to child and are associated with a small number of Alzheimer patients.  While many genes are thought to play a role in Alzheimer’s disease, apolipoprotein E4 is one of the most important.

Vascular dementia – Vascular dementia affects the blood vessels. Damage to the vessels that carry blood to the brain causes this sort of dementia. Frequently, blood artery problems can lead to strokes or have other effects on the brain. This type can harm the white matter fibers in the brain.

Dementia with Lewy bodies. Lewy bodies are abnormal protein clumps that have been discovered in the brain. These clumps cause suffering from Lewy body dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease.

Frontotemporal dementia. Frontotemporal dementia indicates damage to the frontal lobe of the brain. This type of dementia destroys nerve cells and their connections in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. Personality, conduct, and language are all related to certain areas of the brain. Common symptoms include an impact on behavior, personality, thinking, judgment, language, and movement.

Mixed dementia: Dementia with a mix of symptoms. According to autopsy analyses of dementia patient’s brains, many people with dementia aged 80 and up had a combination of causes. These causes include Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and Lewy body dementia. Researchers are still studying mixed dementia to discover the symptoms and treatments.

Preventions:

Keep your mind active as a preventative measure. Memory training and cognitively engaging hobbies work to defer the symptoms. Using your mind such as reading, puzzle-solving, and word games may assist to prevent dementia. Engage in physical and social activities. Physical activity and social interaction may help to prevent dementia’s onset. Likewise, it may also stop or delay some symptoms. You should try to exercise for 150 minutes a week.

Stop smoking. Smoking in your forties and fifties can increase your dementia risks. According to multiple studies, smoking raises your risk of dementia and blood vessel disease. When you stop smoking it decreases your risk of heart disease. Just giving up smoking can help you live a better life. Make sure you’re getting vitamins. People with low vitamin D levels in their blood are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. According to many studies, vitamin D can help keep dementia at bay. Vitamin D comes from a variety of sources, including meals, supplements, and sun exposure.

Maintain a good diet. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and omega-3 fatty acids found in fish can help. Along with nuts, this type of diet will help you stay healthy and lower your dementia risk. Furthermore, this diet also boosts cardiovascular health, which may also lower dementia risk.

 

Saving money on your everyday expense is too great of an opportunity to pass up. However, it is a challenge to keep up with all the available discounts for seniors. Because there are so many offerings, not everyone wants to ask if a company offers discounts.

Therefore, we’ve compiled a selection of ten amazing discounts for seniors. Starts saving money today with The Best Senior Services.

 

1. Costco

Costco offers significant discounts on prescription medication to its senior members. There are requirements for this senior discount; you must be a Costco Member. Costco offers special operating hours for senior members only. On Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-10 am, as Costco’s across the nation, only members 65 years of age or older will be permitted to shop.

With Costco’s Prescription Program, seniors can get up to 80% off prescription drugs.

 

2. Life Alert

Life Alert is perhaps the most well-known emergency medical alert provider. However, if you’ve ever investigated acquiring the product, you have noticed the hefty price tag and contract length.

If you are a senior who purchases a system and then refers a friend who also buys a system, you will receive a $100 rebate on your purchase. To qualify for this rebate, you must be 65 or old.

 

3. CVS

Prescription medication is expensive and necessary. This reality unfairly impacts seniors more so than their younger counterparts. When you are on a fixed income, medicine can quickly eat up your budget.

CVS offers seniors the opportunity to save money on their prescriptions. With CVS ExtraCare membership, individuals 65 and over can receive personalized prescription coupons and discounts.

 

4. T-Mobile

These days, cell phones are necessary for keeping up with today’s fast-paced society. Cell phone technology continues to improve, and seniors are, in a sense, are forced to adapt. Cell phones allow seniors to stay in touch with their community and provide an always-ready GPS for travel.

Additionally, the cameras that come with today’s cellular phones are impressive. T-Mobile stands out amongst the crowd when it comes to discounts for seniors. If you are 55 or older, you can get a T-Mobile unlimited plan for as little as $27.50 a month.

 

5. American Airlines

Every day since the start of 2022, over 1 million people have traveled by air. That is a lot of people, and it’s safe to assume a good percentage of those travelers are seniors. If you feel comfortable traveling by air, TBSS recommends flying with American Airlines.

The airline company offers discounts for travelers over 65 years of age. You can find the option at their website’s advanced search feature or in the drop-down menu from the passenger’s choice option when booking a flight. The discount can be as much as 50% off tickets.

 

6. IHOP

That’s right, the famed International House of Pancakes is a friend of seniors. The renowned restaurant has long been a favorite of seniors.

IHOP has gone so far as to dedicate an entire menu section for people over 55+. You can get a discount on anything from French toast, BLT, or a Breakfast Sampler.

 

7. Hertz

If Tom Brady is pro-Hertz, they must be doing something right. Even with the recent negative PR issues, Hertz offers exceptional discounts for seniors. So, keep in mind that travel is not limited to air travel.

Hertz offers 20% off base rates for seniors. If that isn’t enough for you, when you sign up for Hertz’s Gold Plus Rewards program, you can skip the line, earn premium status, and redeem points for free rentals.

 

8. Michaels

Once you’ve retired, it is essential to fill up the free time you now have on your hands. Crafting is a hobby that many seniors take up. Quilting, leather, woodwork, sewing, any artistic endeavors are some of the hobbies that can be started at your local Michaels.

If you want to take on a new hobby and don’t want to break the bank to get started, Michael’s is the place for you. If you are a senior (55+), register for Michaels Rewards account, and you can enjoy 10% off all purchases online or in-store.

 

9. Hyatt

Once you’ve reached a certain age, you’ve grown accustomed to certain living arraignments. Perhaps you’ve grown used to a very tidy living space. These customs could include morning or evening rituals. When traveling, we’d all prefer to maintain these rituals and standards.

When staying outside of the house, the expense can snowball. Save money when you stay with Hyatt. Specific locations offer senior discounts. However, you must be 62 years of age or older to qualify.

 

10. National Parks Senior Lifetime Pass

Few sights can compare to what American National Parks has to offer us all. Yosemite, The Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and many more beautiful National Parks. There are 14 National Parks in the US. There is no better way to get moving than visiting a nature preserve for some hiking and sightseeing.

The National Parks and Federal Recreational Land Pass is offered at a reduced rate for individuals who are 62 or older.

 

Bonus Discounts:

11. Whataburger: Ask for the CLUB55 discount.
12. Piggly-Wiggly: Must be 60+ for discount.

With a new year comes new opportunities, responsibilities, and of course, the ever-popular new year’s resolution. These resolutions are often easy to declare and then challenging to maintain.  

Sometimes you put your nose to the grindstone and accomplish your solutions before the year is up; other times, your resolutions can slowly fade into the background with the daily minutia. Many resolutions focus on improving mental and physical health, making them inherently difficult resolutions. 

However, these challenging resolutions are much more rewarding than joining a gym when accomplished. As you age, your motivation to remain steadfast to a resolution can fade, and thus resolutions become less critical.  

Moreover, a new year is a prime opportunity for seniors to improve their health mindfully. Here are ten healthy New Year’s resolutions for seniors looking to make 2022 better than 2021 and improve their overall well-being. 

1. Don’t shy away from doctor visits. 

Not everyone jumps at the opportunity to visit the doctor for regular checkups, and most hesitate to explore a potential issue. However, as you age, it is paramount to rely on your health care team to keep you functioning at your absolute best.  

If you are apprehensive about visiting the doctor, keep in mind that you are not merely going for yourself but also for your family and friends. Remember, most people aren’t excited about a doctor’s visit, so you are not alone. Skipping doctor appointments will lead to stress in the future. 

2. Establish and stick to a daily routine.  

Maintaining a routine is a great way to adapt to stress and optimize wellbeing. Get in the habit of eating your meals, engaging in physical activity, and getting in and out of bed at scheduled times each day. Developing a steady routine will allow you to feel grounded, prepared, and better able to adapt. 

3. Get 8 hours of sleep every night. 

Getting 8 hours of sleep each night provides more benefits than you might think. A well-rested individual will enjoy efficiently coping with stressors, improved brain functionality, and a healthier immune system.  

At the same time, their sleep-deprived counterpart painfully suffers through long days. If you struggle to fall asleep and stay asleep, speak with your doctor about it sooner rather than later. Sleep disorders are pervasive and manageable. 

4. Engage in some type of physical activity at least three times per week. 

No matter your age taking some time out of the day to practice physical activity is immensely beneficial. Something as simple as practicing some 

Light yoga: will improve balance and stress management. If yoga is not your thing, no problem, a 30-minute walk around the neighborhood or the local track will enhance your physical and mental wellbeing. Remember to stay hydrated before, during, and after any physical activity. 

5. Eat as best as you can. 

For decades now, medical professionals have affirmed that eating a clean, balanced diet is a habit to keep. The scope of this article can’t include the numerous benefits of a healthy diet. However, healthy eating can support muscle functionality, lower one’s risk to certain diseases and some cancers, as well as boost your immune system. 

Understand that this can be a very challenging resolution, so take your time and do not set the bar high. Small gradual steps will lead to noticeable positive change. If you’d like to learn more about healthy eating, you can read more here. The main priority is to limit your salt, sugar, and saturated fats, and be sure to get enough fiber, veggies, fruits, and plant-based protein. 

6. Hydrate, Even When You Are Not Thirsty.  

Dehydration is one of the leading causes of seniors visiting emergency rooms. Right after you wake up, drink a full glass of water, and fall asleep with a full glass on your nightstand. If you never let yourself, be thirsty, you are on the right track. Staying hydrated will keep your energy levels up, help brain function, and prevent headaches. The big picture here is, don’t be thirsty. 

7. Make time for yourself. 

The notion of engaging in conscious self-care has cemented itself in American culture, which is great because everyone needs “me-time.” There are no structured rules to self-care; establish some boundaries that you believe you’d enjoy and stick to those boundaries.  

The art of letting go of control, drama, and negativity opens the door to tranquility, confidence, and courage. Each week find time for yourself, and selfishly enjoy that time, doing activities that make you happy. In doing this, you’ll bring that positive energy into upcoming situations. 

8. Get organized. 

Organization guru Marie Kondo has written the book on tidying up, and her work has inspired millions to get organized. Kondo recommends discarding items that lack value or do not “spark joy.” You certainly do not need to purchase a book or hire a consultant to get organized.  

Try to work in categories, not rooms, and don’t start if you cannot commit. Getting organized will allow you to lead your ideal lifestyle. While it might take time and effort, the process and the results are certainly worth the work. 

9. Read more. 

On average, readers enjoy better physical health, greater empathy, and better overall mental health than non-readers. Finding suitable material is essential and challenging, but hunting is worth the reward. The benefits of reading, especially for seniors, are impressive.  

Experts claim that reading can improve memory, focus, increase vocabulary, strengthen analytical skills, improve mood, and even reduce stress. Enjoy it if you are lucky enough to find reading material that inspires you. 

10. Take on a new hobby or acquire a new skill. 

Being a lifelong learner is a trait that will pay off in the long run. A curious mind creates an innovative, wise, and confident individual. Whoever said, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”, was mistaken. Seniors can practice several hobbies or skills and benefit from trying something new.  

Hobbies like fly-fishing, crochet, model building, gardening, and painting are rewarding and fun at any age and not physically demanding. Moreover, developing new skills will help improve focus, problem-solving, and stress reduction. You are never too old to learn a new trick. 

New Year Resolutions 

Resolutions are tricky, but they are also tools for improvement and enjoyment. Do your best not to be too hard on yourself if you slide off track of a resolution. Remember, if you are having fun, you’re more likely to stick with it.   

Believe it or not, the end of the year is quickly approaching, and it’s time for Thanksgiving yet again. Many Americans look forward to Thanksgiving for multiple reasons: spending time with friends and family, eating good food, Black Friday deals and football, among other things.

 

There are a lot of different ways you can spend Thanksgiving, especially as a senior. And this article is designed to share some activities that you can do, based on many successful Thanksgivings experienced.

 

Activities for the Thanksgiving season

 

• Play “Pass the Plate.” Thanksgiving is about, well, giving thanks. And what better way is there to give thanks than to play Pass the Plate? This is a game in which, just before Thanksgiving dinner, everyone at the table takes a turn to list some of the things that they’re thankful for. This tradition typically calls for a special plate to be passed around, and whoever is holding the plate is the person who gets to share what he or she is thankful for, but a plate isn’t necessary for the game to be enjoyed. The purpose of Pass the Plate is to get you to think about what it is that you’re thankful for, whether it be on a short-term scale like the dinner you’re about to feast on, or a long-term scale, like your family. Either way, this Thanksgiving tradition is a great activity for seniors to try out.
• Host a Thanksgiving cook-off. Now this one may be a little more difficult to do, especially if all of the cooking is taking place in one kitchen. However, if you have family coming to your house to celebrate the holiday, this is a fun and unique way to how someone will prepare his or her dish. This is also an activity that you can make unique to yourself by setting all of the rules in place. For example, the host of Thanksgiving could be the judge of the cook-off and determine who is bringing what. How you will determine the winner will be up to you, but you can at least expect a lot of wonderful dishes to be served that day!
• Play Thanksgiving bingo. Bingo is a great game to play during the holidays because the number of players who can participate is endless. And not to mention, the concept of the game is extremely easy to grasp, so your grandchildren and/or great-grandchildren will be able to play right alongside you. It’s also a great way to come up with unique and creative prizes for all of the winners because these are prizes that you can bake or make on your own. Make sure to visit this article from Crazy Little Projects to learn more about the specific rules, and to gain ideas for your bingo cards.
• Put together a Thanksgiving scavenger hunt. If your grandchildren are younger, this is an activity that is fun for both seniors and their grandkids. And depending on if you’re experiencing beautiful fall weather or getting hit with an early winter chill, you’ll be able to determine whether you want to host your scavenger hunt inside or outside. And, of course, you can’t forget the prizes. Prizes can range from Thanksgiving-themed candies, dollar bills, plastic jewelry and more. If those who are in your family are mainly older, but would still like to participate in this activity, prizes can include liquor-infused chocolates,
• Bake Thanksgiving treats. There are a lot of different treats that you can make on Thanksgiving, whether they’re for you, your grandchildren or for your friends. The particular Thanksgiving favorites include pumpkin, pecan and apple pies, cranberry cobblers, snickerdoodle cookies, pumpkin and/or banana bread, and more. If you want to make this activity more memorable, our suggestion would be to bake your treats while watching a holiday-themed movie or Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade on Thanksgiving morning.
• Watch Thanksgiving specials on TV. Thanksgiving specials are a definite favorite past-time in America. Specials can include A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, Saturday Night Live Thanksgiving specials, and special episodes that your favorite shows make, too. And don’t forget, there are also Thanksgiving-themed movies you can watch, too. If you have younger grandchildren, Free Birds, Turkey Hollow and Paul Blart: Mall Cop are great family-friendly holiday movies that are based around Thanksgiving. Other movies that are more fit for adults include Friendsgiving, Turkey Bowl, You’ve Got Mail and more. Trust us, this is one of the best things you can do after eating an entire delicious meal with your family!
• Make Thanksgiving crafts. Wreaths, paper turkeys, fake leaves, oh my! The amount of Thanksgiving crafts a senior can do is endless. If you’re looking for some fun and crafty ideas to bring to life for the Thanksgiving holiday, click here. You’ll be able to find a lot of inspiration, as well as how-tos, for making some amazing crafts. Who knows, maybe they will end up as great gifts for your loved ones! Our suggestion is to make crafts that are easy and durable to ship to your loved ones in the event that they live farther away.
• Watch football. This one is a guaranteed activity for many Americans during the Thanksgiving holiday. Seeing as football is one of America’s favorite pastimes, there are plenty of games that will be on this year. The matchups you can expect to see this year will be:
  • Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions. 12:30 p.m. EST on FOX.
  • Las Vegas Raiders at Dallas Cowboys. 4:30 p.m. EST on CBS.
  • Buffalo Bills at New Orleans Saints. 8:20 p.m. EST on NBC.

Now, the real question is, who are you going to be rooting for?

• Take holiday photos. This is something that many families do during the Thanksgiving holiday, and it’s mainly because this is the last time that they will all be together before the next wave of the holiday season begins. This way, the photos are the most up to date to prepare and send out to your loved ones.

 

Thanksgiving is one of the best holidays to spend with your family because it’s a great opportunity for you to share with them how much you appreciate having them in your lives and do things with them that you wouldn’t have been able to do at any other point in the year. Make sure to share this list of activities with your loved ones so that you can see which sounds like the most fun for your family to celebrate.

 

For more tips and tricks about the holiday season, make sure to visit The Best Senior Services’ (TBSS) blog page. We at TBSS strive to be the nation’s leading senior resource center. We aim to inspire and empower seniors to act on their retirement goals by utilizing our resources. If you’re interested in getting started with us today, visit our website to fill out a form or give us a call at 855-979-8277.

 

When the New Year comes around, it’s a great opportunity for programs and services to hit the reset button and establish new guidelines. And when it comes to the 2022 calendar year, Medicare is one of those programs that will establish its own updated terms.

Medicare enrollees with higher incomes can expect to pay 14.5% more for their coverage once January rolls around.

This article is going to detail the changes that 2022 will bring to your Medicare Parts A & B premiums and deductibles, as well as Medicare Part D’s income-related monthly adjustment amounts. Those who will be most affected will be those of mid-to-higher incomes. These changes have been announced by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), a federal agency that administers Medicare programs. We strongly encourage you to check out the detailed fact sheet here, as much of the information in this article will come directly from the CMS announcement.

Medicare Part B

Let’s start with what will affect the majority of seniors in 2022 — Medicare Part B. Medicare Part B covers doctors’ visits and are covered by monthly premiums. Although everyone’s Part B premiums will differ, the current standard premium for Part B is $148.50 per month. In 2022, that amount will increase by $21.60, making the new premium $170.10 per month. The current annual deductible for Part B beneficiaries is currently $203 per month, but that amount will increase by $30 in 2022, making the new annual deductible $233.

CMS outlined three reasons as to why these increases are occurring in its fact sheet. Aside from health care’s increasing demand, a large reason why premiums and deductibles are increasing is because Medicare is preparing to potentially take on a high-cost drug called Aduhelm, which is designed to treat those with Alzheimer’s disease. It must be clear that, though Medicare is including this as a contributing factor for the increase in premiums and deductibles, the National Coverage Determination analysis that began in July is still active, and coverage determination is still unknown.

Seven percent of Medicare recipients can expect to pay income-related charges. For seniors with high incomes and with Medicare Part B income-related monthly adjustment amounts, refer to the table below to understand what your premium will be. The table directly reflects CMS’ fact sheet.

For high income beneficiaries who are married and live with their spouse during the taxable year, but wish to file a separate return, refer to the table below, as taken directly from CMS:

Medicare Part A

Now that we’ve covered the changes to Medicare Part B, it’s important to also touch on what will be happening with Medicare Part A, which covers hospital costs. Most recipients of Part A do not have to pay a premium because they have acquired at least 40 quarters of “Medicare-covered” employment. This will continue to remain true as 2022 begins, meaning that if you have at least 40 quarters, you should not expect to pay an additional premium cost for Part A.

 

However, Medicare enrollees who do not have the full 40 quarters of Medicare-covered employment can expect an increase in their premiums. Those who have earned at least 30 quarters of coverage, or are married to someone who has acquired it, will see a $15 increase from $259 per month. Their new premium amount will total $274 per month. Those who have earned less than 30 quarters can expect to see a $28 increase in their premium, meaning their new monthly cost will total at $499 per month.

 

Now that you have a better understanding on how your premiums can potentially be impacted, it’s time to understand your deductible. According to CMS, the Medicare Part A inpatient hospital deductible will cover a “beneficiaries’ share of costs for the first 60 days or Medicare-covered inpatient hospital care in a benefit period.” Once 2022 rolls around, beneficiaries will have to pay $389 per day for the 61st through 90th day of their hospital stay. This is an $18 increase from 2021, where the amount is $371.

In 2021, the Part A inpatient hospital deductible that beneficiaries faced cost $1,484. In 2022, this amount will increase by $72, making the new deductible out to be $1,556.

 

Refer to the table below to get a clearer idea of the Part A Deductible and Coinsurance differences between 2021 and 2022.

Medicare Part D

 

Unfortunately, Medicare Parts A and B aren’t the only parts that are going to be increasing. That’s right, in 2022, beneficiaries and enrollees with Medicare Part D can expect to see prices rise, too. Much like how Medicare Part B’s income-related monthly adjustment amounts affect 7% of its users, Part D’s income-related monthly adjustment amounts affect 8% of its users. In addition, Part D premiums will vary between recipients and their plans.

Refer to the table below to understand the 2022 Part D income-related adjustment amounts for beneficiaries with high incomes as outlined by CMS. These monthly adjustment amounts are deducted from beneficiaries’ Social Security checks.

Refer to the table below for a clearer understanding of the premiums for beneficiaries with high incomes and are married/living with their spouse during the taxable year, but wish to file a separate return, as outlined by CMS:

What does this mean for you and/or your loved ones?

Simply put, this mass increase in premium, coinsurance and deductible prices means that you can expect to pay more toward your Medicare coverage. Totaled out, you should prepare to spend around $14 thousand toward Medicare this year — at the very least. You can still expect to receive the same services you’ve been getting, or that you’ve signed up for. The only thing that will be changing is how much these services will add up to.

However, it’s completely understandable and justified to feel shaken as a result of this announcement. And at The Best Senior Services, we want to assure you that any questions you have will be answered. We provide trusted information to educate you and other seniors on Medicare and other financial services. Our resources are free, easily accessible, and available 24/7.

If you have any questions that remain unanswered, feel free to contact us so that we can connect you with a local agent in your area who can answer any questions or concerns that you have. You can get started with us today by visiting our website or by calling us at 855-979-8277.

There are a lot of resources, both online and off, that are designed to help seniors prepare for retirement. Many of those resources are great because they prioritize those who utilize their products and services. Like these resources, The Best Senior Services (TBSS) is an online information hub that helps and prioritizes those who visit us.

Recently, The TBSS team came together to discuss important values and worries that seniors hold in retirement. After compiling a list of 50 values and worries, we’ve narrowed it down to four reasons as to how TBSS can help you during your retirement. Important things that seniors think about when preparing for retirement include the fear of being taken advantage of or scammed, understanding Medicare, wanting to find financial agents or help that they can trust, the desire to be respected and heard with kindness and financial security.

When addressing these values and fears, we came up with five reasons as to how we help you. These have quickly become core values of ours that are designed to help you.

In this article, we’re going to go over our five core values, mission statement and vision statement. We’re also going to discuss how they work to your advantage, so that you and your loved ones can better understand just how TBSS can help you.

Our core values

Our core values capture the idea of our beliefs and principles. We hold these values in high regard because, without them, we would not be able to operate honestly or efficiently.

Let’s jump right in and discuss what The Best Senior Services’ (TBSS) core values are, and what they mean for you and/or your loved ones.

1. TBSS only publishes truthful information. We will never advertise or endorse any message that is false or fraudulent.

   The internet is a vast place that’s full of useful information, but it’s also a place full of useless This always leaves people feeling overwhelmed because they’re not sure what can be trusted. But when it comes to TBSS, you can rest easy knowing that all of the information that is being shown to you is accurate and truthful. This is because all of the information we get comes from trusted sources, such as official websites created by the United States federal government or university institutions. We also work closely with licensed agents who provide us reliable and truthful information that can be relayed to you. We ensure the information we publish is accurate so that you are able to maximize your visit with us and be prepared for retirement.

2. TBSS wants to give back to those who have helped raise us. This is why we give seniors the respect they deserve, so they know their questions and concerns are being taken seriously.

Whether you’re preparing for retirement or have already made the transition, you and your loved ones work hard to reach this stage in life, and that’s a large accomplishment that deserves praise. That’s why TBSS ensures that everyone who visits our website is treated with the utmost respect. Every visit to our website, or conversation with a representative, should be pleasant. If that’s not the case, we will quickly resolve the situation so that you’re satisfied. We’re grateful that you’re taking the time to visit with us, and we want you to know that!

3. TBSS aims to provide useful information that is applicable to all who come across it. We want seniors to realize how they can reclaim their financial status or continue to be successful in retirement so they can focus on the things that really matter to them.

Just like our information is truthful, it’s equally as useful. We want seniors to utilize what they learn on our website so that they can act on their financial status and retirement in ways that allow them to continue to be successful throughout their retirement years. You know that information is useful if it is accurate, but you also know that it’s useful if it’s current, understandable and full of detailed coverage. Making our information useful means making sure our information is filled with honest suggestions and topical plans of action so that you and your loved ones know where to go and what to do for further assistance.

4. TBSS will not sell or share any of the information disclosed to us with anyone else, outside of the agent we connect you with. Your information will always remain safe and protected.

   Many fear that sharing their information online will result in it being sold to third parties, resulting in unwanted advertisements or, worse, scams. Let TBSS be the first to assure you that your information is not being shared with anyone outside of the direct, licensed agent you will be speaking with. Your information is also safe from being distributed to other businesses or companies, meaning you can safely visit our website and fill out a form knowing that your information will not be shared.

5. TBSS aims to educate seniors so they can go to a single, simple resource for help on Medicare and other financial services. We make our interface easy so seniors have a better understanding of their retirement.

   There are many senior resources out there that are designed to help seniors throughout their retirement and more. We are constantly evaluating our website so that it is easy, understandable and well-designed, so that we become the dominant information-hub for seniors who are looking to learn more about Medicare, financial services and more. If you have any suggestions on how we can improve, don’t hesitate to reach out by calling us at 855-979-8277.

 

Our mission statement

The Best Senior Services (TBSS) informs and educates seniors about Medicare and other financial services while connecting them with local licensed agents, so they can spend less time worrying about retirement and more time enjoying it.

We firmly believe that mission statements reveal the values of a business, which is why we want to be open and honest about ours. We make our intentions and services clear so that no one is confused about how we can help by revealing our mission statement. We want to give back to seniors by helping them with their retirement in any way that we can, and we are happy to be able to do so.

Our vision statement

The Best Senior Services’ (TBSS) vision is to be the nation’s leading senior resource center. We strive to inspire and empower seniors to act on their retirement goals by utilizing our resources.

We are excited about the hard work we’ve put into this company, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t room for improvement and hope toward the future. We believe that vision statements help a planning process, and we have plans to reach every senior in the United States. We are just as honest about our vision statement as we are about our mission statement because we are thrilled to see how we will develop and excel in the future, and we want you to be along for the ride.

We at The Best Senior Services are excited by the thought of helping you reach your retirement goals, whether that be through providing you blogs to read or reaching out to you directly with one of the local, licensed agents we work with. You’ve earned your retirement by working hard and caring for your business and/or career. Now, it’s our turn to care for you throughout your retirement so that you can spend time focusing on the people, things and experiences that are important to you.

To learn more about TBSS, visit our website. You can get started with one of our agents today by filling out our form or calling us at 855-979-8277.