Part-time Work, Volunteering Help Keep Seniors Active, Fight Frailty

Seniors who keep busy working or volunteering may have discovered a fountain of youth. Research says there are benefits to both employment and volunteering. Staying healthy longer is one of them.

Q. I’m a 66-year-old retiree who had a successful 40-year career. I thought I’d really love retirement, but I find I miss working. Do you have any suggestions? Also, is there evidence that continuing to work harms seniors in any way?

You’re not alone in your desire to continue to put your skills to use. Some studies have indicated that as many as 70 percent of Americans plan to work past the traditional retirement age.

What’s more, your field of expertise may be missing your skills as much as you’re yearning to put them to good use. The retirement of today’s seniors, with the Baby Boomer generation soon to follow, will leave a void of experience and skills in the workplace. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t continue to work, if that’s what you enjoy.

Have you thought about putting your talents to work as a self-employed contractor or consultant, perhaps in a home-based business? Technological advances and the Internet have made it easier than ever to work from home as an independent free agent. Part-time work also may be an option for older adults.

Among the advantages of self-employment are a flexible schedule and an independent work environment. On the other hand, as a consultant you could end up working more hours than you want. And remember that you must be responsible for your own taxes and other benefits, since you are basically your own boss. So you’ll need to carefully weigh the pros and cons. Contact AARP atwww.aarp.org  for more information about being a contractor.

Part-time work also is something to consider and some experts say that type of employment may generate health benefits. Those seniors who work temporary or part-time jobs have fewer major diseases and will enjoy better day-to-day function than their contemporaries who choose to stop working altogether, according to a national study.

And, the researchers say, the findings are significant even after controlling for people’s physical and mental health before retirement. The study’s authors refer to this transition between career and complete retirement as “bridge employment,” which can be a part-time job, self-employment or a temporary job. The findings are reported in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, published by the American Psychological Association.

Over the course of the study, the researchers considered only physician-diagnosed health problems, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, lung disease, heart disease, stroke and psychiatric problems. They controlled not only for baseline physical and mental health but also for age, sex, education level and total financial wealth. The results showed the retirees who continued to work in a bridge job experienced fewer major diseases and fewer functional limitations than those who fully retired.

Employment isn’t the only way to put your skills to work. Perhaps you would be just as happy volunteering. If you’re a member of a professional organization, or if you were affiliated with organizations during your career, contact them for information about how to use your background to serve in your community.

According to a 2004 survey conducted by Independent Sector, a leadership forum for charities, foundations and corporate giving programs, almost 44 percent of all people 55 and older volunteer at least once a year. More than 36 percent reported that they had volunteered within the previous month. These older volunteers give on average 4.4 hours per week to the causes they support.

Volunteerism can come in many forms. One common way seniors give back to communities is by putting the skills they honed in the work force to use in the organizations and causes they enjoy. Some seniors just become more active in their churches or the charities they belonged to when they had less time to give. Why not consider doing something totally different from your occupation? How about working with seniors? Volunteer at a local hospital or care facility.

If you are looking for volunteer activities, check to see if your area has the “2-1-1” telephone service. The 2-1-1 service connects individuals and families seeking services or volunteer opportunities by telephone with the appropriate community-based organizations and government agencies.

There are other ways to learn about how to volunteer in your area. Contact your local senior center or the Area Agency on Aging. And here’s another resource: log on to www.volunteermatch.org ; by simply entering your ZIP Code, VolunteerMatch can list many volunteer opportunities in your area.

Another study confirms the premise that keeping the mind and body active appears to slow many of the signs and consequences of aging. This research finds that volunteering seems to produce the best results, however, paid work was a benefit as well.

UCLA researchers followed 1,072 healthy adults aged 70 to 79 between 1988 and 1991 to determine if productive activities – specifically volunteering, paid work and child care – prevent the onset of frailty. At the beginning of the study, 28 percent of participants volunteered, 25 percent performed child care duties and 19 percent worked for pay.

After three years, participants in all three activities were found to be less likely to become frail. After accounting for levels of physical and cognitive function, however, only volunteering was associated with lower rates of frailty. Frailty is a geriatric condition marked by weight loss, low energy and strength, and low physical activity.

If you would like to know more about how to prevent frailty, visit www.getmommoving.com , the Home Instead Senior Care® network’s public education campaign that is geared toward keeping seniors active and healthy.

For more information: http://www.caregiverstress.com

Ten Caregiver Tips For Care of the Elderly

The caregiver role is complex and differs for everyone depending on the needs of the care-receiver. Many times, in the beginning, there may only be a few needs, such as providing transportation or helping with shopping or cooking.

Over time, needs increase, requiring additional services, until the care-receiver is fully dependent on the caregiver. Here are some tips to help you get started:

1. Every caregiver should know as much as possible about the care-receiver. You should know their characteristics and personality style. For example, you should know their likes, dislikes, family members, ailments, etc.  You should know if the care-receiver is outgoing or reserved, task-oriented or people-oriented. Once you get to know them better you will be able to understand their needs and behavior patterns.

2. Every caregiver should know and understand his/her responsibilities, duties, and tasks. As a caregiver, you have a responsibility to be sensitive to the needs of the care-receiver, and to find a way to satisfy their needs.  This may require you to enlist the help of others. The duties of the caregiver usually change and increase over a period of time. Set up and follow a care plan.  Recording essential daily information will assist everyone on the Care Team. It also allows another caregiver to take your place fairly easily.

3. Stay updated on the health condition of the care-receiver.  As the health of the elder deteriorates and more needs start to surface, it is important for the caregiver to find out how to cope with them.  Keep a log of his/her daily activities (medicine taken, food intake, sleep habits, temperament, etc.) so that you will always have a snapshot view of their current health. This information will help the doctor get a more complete picture of the condition of the care-receiver.

4. Assist as little as possible in tasks the senior can usually handle himself/herself. Just as it is not easy being a caregiver, it is not always easy being a care-receiver.  The gradual loss of independence and control over just about everything is difficult to accept. Remember, seniors have the right to their dignity and pride.

5. Caregivers should express warmth and concern towards the welfare of the care-receiver.

If the care-receiver has a poor self image or feelings of inferiority, the caregiver may have to provide reassurance while ignoring negative behavior.  A caregiver must have patience (and stamina) for change in moods.

6. Be a good listener. Many times seniors may simply want you to listen. They want to share their stories. Caregivers must be careful to avoid put downs and choosing sides.  Pay attention and be able to connect the dots between past, present, and future. Listen intuitively or use your sixth sense to hear underlying messages.

7. Smile a lot. Be a good friend and companion. Be as positive as possible.

8. When friends and family neglect to call or visit, do not hesitate to remind them.

9. Ask for help. Advocate for what you need. Sharing the care of a loved-one benefits everyone.

10. Maintain your self-composure and avoid stress. Elder abuse can occur as a result of caregiver stress.

It is imperative that you are aware of and deal with stress.

For more info: http://www.seniorsresourceguide.com/articles/art00974.html

Congratulations to our CAREGiver of The Month of July

Congratulations to our CAREGiver of The Month of July, Shirley P. Shirley has been a CAREGiver with Home Instead for 5 ½ years. She has received more complimentary letters from clients than any other CAREGiver. She is reliable, dedicated and compassionate. It is not a job for her to serve and care for others, it is her passion. We honor you Shirley and are so proud you are a part of the Home Instead Senior Care team.