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Transition Aging Parents
Your source of insight and information to help your aging parents "thrive and find joy" in every stage of their life!
Bi-Weekly Ezine Issue February 7, 2010 Volume 2 Issue 3
- A Note from Dale - "The Purpose Prize", archived ezine, and recent blog carnival for Boomers/Seniors
- Featured Article - "How to Help Your Aging Parent Live a Longer and Healthier Life"
- Media Review - Art Therapy for the Alzheimer's Brain
- Book Review - Crucial Conversations
- Senior in the Spotlight - 105 year old singer
(This Ezine is published bi-weekly on Sundays. You are on our list because you signed up for it at TransitionAgingParents.com. To change your subscription, see link at the end of this email)
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A Note from Dale
Hello! My thoughts go out to those on the east coast who are now dealing with clean-up after the massive winter storm. My mother's area got 30 inches. From her perspective, it is beautiful. But, if you do have to get out and shovel, be very careful. Several years back, I lost a friend to a heart attack as he shoveled wet, heavy snow. Here's hoping the rest of your winter is mild.
Before I get started with today's ezine, I want to highlight a contest sponsored by Encore.org. It's open to anyone 60 years old (or older) who has found a new way to solve a social problem. Past prize winners include: a psychiatrist who recruits mental health professionals to provide free, confidential counseling to veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families; a computer executive who built a nationwide substance abuse recovery program based on Native American beliefs and traditions; and, an engineer who created "green" bricks out of fly ash, the residue of coal-fired power plants. There are so many good people out there doing wonderful things. If you know of someone who meets the contest criteria, I encourage you to nominate them to win the $100,000 award. Click here for more information.
I want to share a couple new additions to my website. I've added a web page with archived versions of my by-weekly ezine. So if you joined recently or want to peruse the older issues, click here. Also, I've been accepted as a writer at Ezine Articles. This site brings together thousands of writers and a myriad of articles. Every article submission is human reviewed by their in-house editorial team ensuring quality articles. Click on the new "Ezine Articles" icon on my home page and check out the wide variety of categories and content to help you with every facet of your life.
You don't want to miss the recent edition of "Seniors/Boomers Blog Carnival", 18 articles from other writers like me. In just a couple of minutes, you can scan the summary article for topics that interest you. Categories include Health & Wellness, Senior Home Care & Caregiving; Trendy Info for Baby Boomers, and Smart Financial Information. Click here to read.
In today's ezine, I'm sharing findings of the Blue Zone study, a joint effort between National Institute on Aging and National Geographic. There are so many questionable products on the market touting their ability to slow, stop or even reverse aging. The good news is that the Blue Zone study shows us how to achieve a longer, quality life without buying such products. In our Media Review, I share an uplifting video about the elderly benefitting from art therapy. Our Book Review highlights an excellent book, Crucial Conversation. And finally, our Senior in the Spotlight highlights a 105 year old singer.
As always, my best wishes to you and your parent(s) as you journey together,
Dale Carter...
PS:Welcome to all my new subscribers! I am so very grateful to have you as part of our Transition Aging Parents community. I think you'll love the information, tips, and inspiration you'll be receiving!
"Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin." ~Mother Teresa
(Note: If there is a topic, resource or person that you would like me to highlight in future issues, please write to me at dale.carter@transitionagingparents.com)
Featured Article
"How to Help Your Aging Parent Live a Longer and Healthier Life"
Have you heard about the world's Blue Zones? National Geographic teamed up with the National Institute on Aging to seek out and study those areas of the world with the greatest longevity. The four areas they found were in Sardinia, Okinawa (Japan), Costa Rica and Loma Linda, California. While we can't relocate to these areas, we can learn some of the lessons that researchers distilled from their studies of these people.
Author Dan Buettner (connected with the study) shares 4 major things that these groups of people had in common. After you read them, I doubt you will be surprised by any. But, I think there is real value in reading and reflecting on each item. After all, there is no short term fix to longevity. So, let's focus instead on the things we and our elderly parents do have control over.
Here are the 4 lifestyle choices that researchers believe contribute to healthy long life in the world's four blues zones.
Move naturally. These people do not do an exercise routine out of drudgery each day. They incorporate movement and exercise in all they do. They have enjoyed physical work all their life, and find joy in everyday chores. They love to walk and garden. One group puts focus on what they call "nature walks". Just thinking about walking in nature, with all its beauty and peacefulness, is uplifting to me.
Have the right outlook. These folks know how to downshift, backing away from stress and turmoil of everyday life. Their cultural vocabulary has specific words for having a "purpose in life". They feel needed and want to contribute to the greater good. Most have a spiritual life. It has been shown that just 15 minutes a day of meditation will minimize what's called the inflammatory response which has been identified with cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's.
Eat well and eat lightly. These cultures have a plant based diet with emphasis on vegetables, beans and nuts. They tend to abide by the 80% rule... only eat until you are 80% full (because it takes time for the mind to realize you are full). They have strategies (smaller plates and the way they serve) and even a mantra before meals to help them abide by this rule.
Connect. These people put focus on their loved ones first. Families stay together. There is a sense of belonging. The elderly are regarded with respect and held in high esteem. They belong to faith-based communities. And, finally Buettner says, they belong to the "right tribe". They hang out with other people who share their values and beliefs. It reminds me of the advice my children's high school principal gave them, "Choose your friends wisely." That advice holds throughout life. These people also tend to have at least 3 best friends who are their friends throughout life.
The great thing about all these suggestions above is they don't cost extra money. They do require we think about and possibly modify our lifestyles. I find myself thinking about my elderly mother. How about you? Is there anything on this list that your parent is not doing? Even a small change done consistently can have wonderful benefits. As Dan Buettner says, "Let's add years to our lives and life to our years."
Source: "Dan Buettner: How to Live to Be 100+"
http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/dan_buettner_how_to_live_to_be_100.html
Media Review -
I want to share this wonderful video with you, "How Painting Helps the Alzheimer's Brain." This 3 minute video is well worth the time. It shows people with dementia becoming engaged in the arts. It may be that they are enjoying and critiquing great works of art or doing something hands-on, such as painting. The benefits (of integrating the creative arts into daily activities) are explored. As one of the therapists says, "By doing art, the elderly can bypass their limitations and go to their strengths."
http://agooddaughterbuzz.blogspot.com/2010/01/how-painting-helps-alzheimers-brain.html
Book Review - "Crucial Conversations"
Do you ever feel like you need help preparing for what you think will be a tough conversation, with your parent, a sibling, a spouse or a co-worker? I suggest you take the time now to read "Crucial Conversations". The author starts out by defining what a crucial conversation is. It's one in which opinions vary, stakes are high, and emotions run strong. The rest of the book is focused on strategies to help us stay focused, stay in dialogue and to reach that a solution that he calls "our way", something acceptable to both parties in the dialogue. I like the mnemonics he shares to help us remember the steps, ABC, STATE and CRIB.
Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High
Seniors in the Spotlight
In each issue, I want to spotlight a senior who inspires me and hopefully will warm your heart. There are so many wonderful elderly role models. May these stories help us keep a positive perspective on the aging process.
Lillian Krockerberger, now 105 years old, can still sing and she does. Thanks to Lisa Sneddon for sharing this article about a wonderful lady. It's is a beautiful tribute to a lovely lady. It pays tribute to her memories and how she still reaches out to others. "An oxygen tube is wrapped around her head now, helping her breathe. That means her voice isn't what it used to be. But when she offers a few words of "Edelweiss," it's easy to hear that it used to be something. The high soprano has a soft but rich sound, and is on key."
http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/happynews/ct-x-0205-songbird-20100204,0,76981.story
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Note about Dale
Dale Carter is wife, mother of 3 grown children, and long-distance caregiver to her elderly mother. She is a former educator and university IT consultant. In the spring of 2008, a major life experience (helping her elderly mother through a major health/life crisis) changed the course of Dale's life work.
Dale created "Transition Aging Parents" as a way to share her experience and reach out to other adult children of aging parents. She provides insight and shares information to help adult daughters and sons ensure their aging parents "thrive and find joy" in every stage of life.
Her goal is two-fold: to serve as a resource for adult children as they help their aging parents through the many transitions in aging AND to highlight this time in their journey together as one of joy, renewed bonds and reflection of lives well-lived.
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