OOPS Headline of the Week
Antipsychotics raise morality risk in dementia no matter comorbidities, investigators say
Observation - Well if that is the case, we should all be on antipsychotics because the world could use a little more morality right!
Creativity may be key to healthy aging. Here are ways to stay inspired.
From WAPO - If you’re interested in staying healthy as you age — and living longer — you might want to add a different set of muscles to your workout routine: your creative ones. Ongoing research suggests that creativity may be key to healthy aging. Studies show that participating in activities such as singing, theater performance and visual artistry could support the well-being of older adults, and that creativity, which is related to the personality trait of openness, can lead to greater longevity.
Observation - Well of course those of us in this profession already know this. Want to enhance the lives of the older adults you serve? Then consider the arts. Consider Sage Stream!
Senior living staffing crisis can be alleviated with employee-first culture: report
From McKnight’s - Senior living thought leaders met for two days in December to identify issues and best practices around senior living workforce shortages. The result is a recommendation to adopt a formula used in the hospitality industry, transferring the person-centered care approach to the daily lives of people in the workforce.
Observation - Really! A think tank. Two days. Those of us in the healthcare experience business already know that a great resident / patient experience starts with an amazing employee experience. Come on people. How much money did that brain fart cost!?
In unique move, former CEO gifts home care business to California nonprofit
McKnight’s - Former ABC Home Care CEO Mary Ann Thode made an unusual business decision upon her recent retirement. She donated her northern California nonprofit agency to San Francisco-based nonprofit Institute on Aging.
Observation - Bravo! See those antipsychotics really improve morality!
Increased physical activity lowers 'preventable' deaths in older adults, study finds
From UPI - Small increases in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity among older adults in the United States prevents up to an estimated 275,000 deaths annually, a study published Monday JAMA Internal Medicine found.
By adding 30 minutes per day of physical activity, adults ages 40 to 85 years can lower the rate of "preventable" deaths nationally each year by roughly 17%, the data showed.
Observation - I consistently do 12,000 steps a day and everyday I do stretching and weight work. Before I went crazy with my fitness routine some 10 years ago, I had days when I had trouble walking, a combination of my scoliosis and lack of exercise. When I went to my spine specialist the first time, he assured me I would need back surgery. Six years of regular followup after my exercise regime began and my spine did not change position, prompting the surgeon to end the followups and predicting I would never need back surgery.
Right at Home joins coalition promoting senior home modifications
McKnight’s - Right at Home has joined the HomesRenewed Coalition, a group of companies pushing Washington to pass policies that help seniors age in place through home modifications.
The HomesRenewed Coalition is calling on Congress to allow individuals to use pre-tax retirement accounts to make aging-in-place modifications tax-free and create tax credits or deductions for homeowners who actively prepare their homes for aging in place.
Observation - this is the future. Most everyone wants to age in place. It’s the most affordable and best option for most people, especially if we design around the concept of naturally occurring retirement communities (NORC).
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