Salama't House - Community based assisted living in Nairobi
https://the.ismaili/kenya/salamat-house ... ng-nairobi
“Everyone wants to live longer, but no one wants to be old” Harry Moody
A staggering 10,000 baby boomers turn 65 each day across the world and will continue to do so until the early 2030’s. In Nairobi, 50% of the Jamat is over 65 years of age. (https://www.census.gov/)
Our elderly provide us with a fountain of wisdom and experience and form an integral part of our community and value system. Old age is one of the most delicate stages of life. As a person ages, in most cases, there comes a sense of dependency, as well as vulnerability. It is at this point in the circle of life that one must prepare to age gracefully – whether in a nuclear family environment or within a community environment of peers.
While many seniors do live independent lives or within a family setting, there are a number that do not. In today’s world, the reasons are varied - the stresses and strains of the workplace may overwhelm this support system for seniors, and at the same time the very support system could be ageing, encounter immigration of younger family members, family discord or simply the lack of resources to take care of an elderly person.
The Council of Kenya recognized the necessity to be able to house seniors and individuals in need. The Social Welfare Board (SWB) received a generous donation of an entire building in Parklands. This was appropriately named Salama’t House.
Within this assisted living facility, and the ethos of community-based care, the team is working to create a serene, holistic environment to heal mind, body and soul.
The thought of moving one’s elderly into a home is culturally alien, as well as daunting one. And this negative perception is deeply rooted. However, Salama’t House aims to ensure the dignity and well being of its residents.
It is a comfortable and safe environment, much like being in your own home surrounded by your familiar things, with carefully planned meals for a healthy lifestyle in a community setting. There are a number of rooms and small apartments available in a light and airy building with a lift, Wi-fi and backup generator. We have dedicated floors for male and female residents. Meals, laundry and daily cleaning services are also provided for residents. Salama’t House has its own dedicated wheelchair enabled bus for Jamatkhana visits, outings and medical appointments. A member of staff also accompanies any resident who has a doctor’s appointment.
Our staff are professional caregivers and we have fully qualified, certified nursing care on hand, equipped to deal with conditions ranging from dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson’s, a variety of cardiac conditions, as well as diabetes, cancers and circulatory diseases. Various doctors are on call for home visits, as well as clinics and consultations. We offer palliative care and are able to provide dedicated carers for those who prefer their own.
In the pre-COVID-19 days, we had Reiki sessions, chair yoga, board games and other activities. There is a large communal dining hall, as well as a small library with a computer. We also have a hairdressing and barber’s salon.
Despite the reduced public interaction due to COVID-19, we still manage outings to the Aga Khan Sports Club. Presently our residents pray together as a community and join in all the programs offered on Ismaili TV.
Due to the current pandemic, we do practice social distancing, hourly cleaning rotas and staff that operate on 4 weekly rotations. All essential visitors are screened prior to entry and all deliveries are cleaned before being brought in. We try and ensure that all residents have either their own cell phones or easy access to a phone to keep in touch with their loved ones.
In addition to being able to care and provide for your loved ones, or yourself - Salama’t House provides for an independent, yet safe haven for the golden years.
As an able, professional community, we need to give and support in whichever way towards the few that would greatly need such an environment. Support can include donations of any kind -monetary, food, equipment, visits and phone calls – and are always welcome to help sustain Salama’t House and provide a safe, holistic haven for all, especially those in need.
If you would like to speak further about Salama’t House, on how to become a part of this wonderful place, please feel to reach out to us:
email po.swbnairobi@akji-kenya.org(link sends e-mail) or pdo.swbkenya@akji-kenya.org(link sends e-mail). +254 733720651 or +254 768 811515
For more detailed information on Salama’t House and becoming a resident, as well as donor information, click here https://the.ismaili/kenya/salamat-house-details .
THE ELDERLY
What are some frugal living tips for elderly people?
Being frugal when you already have a limited income will require some changes and that may be difficult for someone who is elderly. Just wanted to make sure you were aware of that.
But, having said that, let me give you my tips on being frugal.
- Downsize - it may be a tough decision but sometimes downsizing to a smaller place will put some money in the bank account and reduce your monthly expenses.
- Declutter - which, in this case, means get rid of stuff you don’t need or use anymore. Some items can be sold which will give you more dollars in the bank and others can be donated. Either way - reducing the amount of things you have in the house will allow you to live in a smaller space safer. This could mean furniture, clothing, automobile, knick knacks, etc.
- Shop frugally - Aldi’s is a store near me that has very low prices. If there’s a store like that near you - then make that your store.
- Grow your own vegetables - gardening is a wonderful activity for seniors and growing your own vegetables is a great way to feed yourself.
- Discounts - there are many discounts for seniors so find out what they are and take advantage of them. Look into AARP and other similar programs to find out if there are discounts there that would benefit you.
- Library - don’t buy books, instead get books and media from the library. You can also get these things at a thrift store as well.
- Thrift stores - I started shopping at thrift stores when I was in school as an Occupational Therapist and I still shop there. Can’t beat those prices.
- Make gifts or give homemade gifts (like cookies, sauces, etc.) instead of buying gifts for your friends and family.
- Review your expenses - Look at your expenses and see what you can cut down or out.
- Learn from others - Join or gather a group together to share ideas on how others are learning to live frugally.
I hope these tips help.
https://www.quora.com/
Being frugal when you already have a limited income will require some changes and that may be difficult for someone who is elderly. Just wanted to make sure you were aware of that.
But, having said that, let me give you my tips on being frugal.
- Downsize - it may be a tough decision but sometimes downsizing to a smaller place will put some money in the bank account and reduce your monthly expenses.
- Declutter - which, in this case, means get rid of stuff you don’t need or use anymore. Some items can be sold which will give you more dollars in the bank and others can be donated. Either way - reducing the amount of things you have in the house will allow you to live in a smaller space safer. This could mean furniture, clothing, automobile, knick knacks, etc.
- Shop frugally - Aldi’s is a store near me that has very low prices. If there’s a store like that near you - then make that your store.
- Grow your own vegetables - gardening is a wonderful activity for seniors and growing your own vegetables is a great way to feed yourself.
- Discounts - there are many discounts for seniors so find out what they are and take advantage of them. Look into AARP and other similar programs to find out if there are discounts there that would benefit you.
- Library - don’t buy books, instead get books and media from the library. You can also get these things at a thrift store as well.
- Thrift stores - I started shopping at thrift stores when I was in school as an Occupational Therapist and I still shop there. Can’t beat those prices.
- Make gifts or give homemade gifts (like cookies, sauces, etc.) instead of buying gifts for your friends and family.
- Review your expenses - Look at your expenses and see what you can cut down or out.
- Learn from others - Join or gather a group together to share ideas on how others are learning to live frugally.
I hope these tips help.
https://www.quora.com/
S E N I O R C I T I Z E N S - 2021*
- When you get old, never teach anyone anything, unless requested, even if you are sure you are right.
- Do not try to help unless asked for. Just be ready & available for it if possible.
- Do not give unsolicited opinions all the time.
- Do not expect everyone to follow your opinion, even though you feel your opinion was the best...
- Don't impose yourself on anyone on any subject.
- Don't try to protect your loved ones from all the misfortunes of the World. Just love them & pray for them.
- Don't complain about your health, your neighbors, your retirement, your woes all the time.
- Don't expect gratitude from children.
- There are no ungrateful children, there are only stupid parents, who expect gratitude from their children.
- Don't waste your last money on anti-age treatments. It's useless.
- Better spend it on a trip. It's always worth it.
- Take care of your spouse, even if he/she becomes a wrinkled, helpless and moody old person. Don't forget he/she was once young, good looking and cheerful, may be he/she is the only one who really needs you right now.
- Understand new technologies, obsessively follow the News, constantly study something new, a new skill, a new dish, a new indoor game, do not fall behind in time.
- Don't blame yourself for whatever happened to your life or to your children's lives, you did everything you could.
- Preserve your dignity & integrity in any situation, till the end.
- Do your best, my senior Peers. This is very important. Remember, you're still alive, someone needs you. Do your best & leave the rest to The Almighty.
- I guess some friends are already following these tips.
- When you get old, never teach anyone anything, unless requested, even if you are sure you are right.
- Do not try to help unless asked for. Just be ready & available for it if possible.
- Do not give unsolicited opinions all the time.
- Do not expect everyone to follow your opinion, even though you feel your opinion was the best...
- Don't impose yourself on anyone on any subject.
- Don't try to protect your loved ones from all the misfortunes of the World. Just love them & pray for them.
- Don't complain about your health, your neighbors, your retirement, your woes all the time.
- Don't expect gratitude from children.
- There are no ungrateful children, there are only stupid parents, who expect gratitude from their children.
- Don't waste your last money on anti-age treatments. It's useless.
- Better spend it on a trip. It's always worth it.
- Take care of your spouse, even if he/she becomes a wrinkled, helpless and moody old person. Don't forget he/she was once young, good looking and cheerful, may be he/she is the only one who really needs you right now.
- Understand new technologies, obsessively follow the News, constantly study something new, a new skill, a new dish, a new indoor game, do not fall behind in time.
- Don't blame yourself for whatever happened to your life or to your children's lives, you did everything you could.
- Preserve your dignity & integrity in any situation, till the end.
- Do your best, my senior Peers. This is very important. Remember, you're still alive, someone needs you. Do your best & leave the rest to The Almighty.
- I guess some friends are already following these tips.
Aging starts from the feet upwards !KEEP YOUR LEGS STRONG !!
- When we are old, our feet must always remain strong.
- When we gain ageing / grow aged, we should not be afraid of our hair turning grey (or) skin sagging (or) wrinkles.
- Among the signs of *longevity*, as summarized by the US Magazine
"Prevention", strong leg muscles are listed on the top, as the most important and essential one.
- If you do not move your legs for two weeks, your leg strength will decrease by 10 years.
- A study from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark found that both old and young, during the two weeks of *inactivity*, the legs muscle strength can weakened by a third which is equivalent to 20-30 years of ageing.
- As our leg muscles weaken, it will take a long time to recover, even if we do rehabilitation and exercises, later.
- Therefore, *regular exercise like walking, is very important*.
- The whole body weight/load remains and rest on the legs.
- The foot is a kind of *pillars*, bearing the weight of the human body.
- Interestingly, 50% of a person's bones and 50% of the muscles, are in the two legs.
- The largest and strongest joints and bones of the human body are also in the legs.
- "Strong bones, strong muscles, and flexible joints form the "Iron Triangle" that carries the most important load on the human body."
- 70% of human activity and burning of energy in one's life is done by the two feet.
- Do you know this? When a person is young, his *thighs have enough strengths, to lift a small car!*
- The *foot is the center of body locomotion*.
- Both the legs together have 50% of the nerves of the human body, 50% of the blood vessels and 50% of the blood flowing through them.
- It is the large circulatory network that connects the body.
- Only *when the feet are healthy then the convention current of blood flows,
smoothly, so people who have strong leg muscles will definitely have a _strong heart_*.
- *Aging starts from the feet upwards*.
- As a person gets older, the accuracy and speed of transmission of instructions between the brain and the legs decreases, unlike when a person is young.
- In addition, the so-called Bone Fertilizer Calcium will sooner or later be lost with the passage of time, making the elderly more prone to bone fractures.
- Bone fractures in the elderly can easily trigger a series of complications, especially fatal diseases such as brain thrombosis.
- Do you know that 15% of elderly patients will die within a year of a thigh-bone fracture.
- Exercising the legs, is never too late, even after the age of 60 years.
- Although our feet/legs will gradually age with time, exercising our feet/legs is a life-long task.
- Only by strengthening the legs, one can prevent further aging.
- Please walk for at least 30-40 minutes daily to ensure that your legs receive sufficient exercise and to ensure that your leg muscles remain healthy.
*U may like to share it with elderly friends and family members*.
- When we are old, our feet must always remain strong.
- When we gain ageing / grow aged, we should not be afraid of our hair turning grey (or) skin sagging (or) wrinkles.
- Among the signs of *longevity*, as summarized by the US Magazine
"Prevention", strong leg muscles are listed on the top, as the most important and essential one.
- If you do not move your legs for two weeks, your leg strength will decrease by 10 years.
- A study from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark found that both old and young, during the two weeks of *inactivity*, the legs muscle strength can weakened by a third which is equivalent to 20-30 years of ageing.
- As our leg muscles weaken, it will take a long time to recover, even if we do rehabilitation and exercises, later.
- Therefore, *regular exercise like walking, is very important*.
- The whole body weight/load remains and rest on the legs.
- The foot is a kind of *pillars*, bearing the weight of the human body.
- Interestingly, 50% of a person's bones and 50% of the muscles, are in the two legs.
- The largest and strongest joints and bones of the human body are also in the legs.
- "Strong bones, strong muscles, and flexible joints form the "Iron Triangle" that carries the most important load on the human body."
- 70% of human activity and burning of energy in one's life is done by the two feet.
- Do you know this? When a person is young, his *thighs have enough strengths, to lift a small car!*
- The *foot is the center of body locomotion*.
- Both the legs together have 50% of the nerves of the human body, 50% of the blood vessels and 50% of the blood flowing through them.
- It is the large circulatory network that connects the body.
- Only *when the feet are healthy then the convention current of blood flows,
smoothly, so people who have strong leg muscles will definitely have a _strong heart_*.
- *Aging starts from the feet upwards*.
- As a person gets older, the accuracy and speed of transmission of instructions between the brain and the legs decreases, unlike when a person is young.
- In addition, the so-called Bone Fertilizer Calcium will sooner or later be lost with the passage of time, making the elderly more prone to bone fractures.
- Bone fractures in the elderly can easily trigger a series of complications, especially fatal diseases such as brain thrombosis.
- Do you know that 15% of elderly patients will die within a year of a thigh-bone fracture.
- Exercising the legs, is never too late, even after the age of 60 years.
- Although our feet/legs will gradually age with time, exercising our feet/legs is a life-long task.
- Only by strengthening the legs, one can prevent further aging.
- Please walk for at least 30-40 minutes daily to ensure that your legs receive sufficient exercise and to ensure that your leg muscles remain healthy.
*U may like to share it with elderly friends and family members*.
Original article in Portuguese translated into English: https://the.ismaili/portugal/dan%C3%A7a ... rpo-e-alma
Dance of Body and Soul
Dance is one of the most suitable physical activities for seniors, because it activates physical movements, corrects body posture, stimulates cognitive skills such as concentration, memory, creativity and maintains emotional well-being.
english
We all have experienced and know the effects of positive and negative emotions on our behavior and our physical and mental well-being.
We often feel emotions about what is going on around us and with ourselves. Sometimes we feel joy, sometimes we feel sad, and sometimes we feel anger and fear.
We've all felt at some point “butterflies in the belly”, “chicken skin” or even “nerves on the skin”. These popular expressions clearly translate how emotions are felt at the physical level. But if some physical changes can benefit the proper functioning of our body, others, such as increased heart rate or intestinal dysregulation, can negatively influence our immune system and favor the entry of viruses and bacteria.
When we are doing “things” that we like, that give us satisfaction, we are also activating positive physiological reactions, which will influence the body's production of protective substances.
The opposite is also true, that is, when we do "things" that cause us discomfort and deep frustration/irritation, we are activating the excessive production of some substances that impair the functioning of our more sensitive organs, such as, for example, the intestine, the respiratory system, the cardiovascular system (or others).
For this reason, it is very important, especially for seniors, to balance their day-to-day activities with fun activities and good relationships, such as dancing, watching musical shows or participating in activities of artistic expression. In this way, we are ensuring a better physical and mental functioning.
Dance is one of the most suitable physical activities for seniors, because it activates physical movements, corrects body posture, stimulates cognitive skills such as concentration, memory (alignment of dance steps), creativity, and maintains emotional well-being.
Dancing is essentially allowing the body and soul to talk to the beat of the music.
Dance of Body and Soul
Dance is one of the most suitable physical activities for seniors, because it activates physical movements, corrects body posture, stimulates cognitive skills such as concentration, memory, creativity and maintains emotional well-being.
english
We all have experienced and know the effects of positive and negative emotions on our behavior and our physical and mental well-being.
We often feel emotions about what is going on around us and with ourselves. Sometimes we feel joy, sometimes we feel sad, and sometimes we feel anger and fear.
We've all felt at some point “butterflies in the belly”, “chicken skin” or even “nerves on the skin”. These popular expressions clearly translate how emotions are felt at the physical level. But if some physical changes can benefit the proper functioning of our body, others, such as increased heart rate or intestinal dysregulation, can negatively influence our immune system and favor the entry of viruses and bacteria.
When we are doing “things” that we like, that give us satisfaction, we are also activating positive physiological reactions, which will influence the body's production of protective substances.
The opposite is also true, that is, when we do "things" that cause us discomfort and deep frustration/irritation, we are activating the excessive production of some substances that impair the functioning of our more sensitive organs, such as, for example, the intestine, the respiratory system, the cardiovascular system (or others).
For this reason, it is very important, especially for seniors, to balance their day-to-day activities with fun activities and good relationships, such as dancing, watching musical shows or participating in activities of artistic expression. In this way, we are ensuring a better physical and mental functioning.
Dance is one of the most suitable physical activities for seniors, because it activates physical movements, corrects body posture, stimulates cognitive skills such as concentration, memory (alignment of dance steps), creativity, and maintains emotional well-being.
Dancing is essentially allowing the body and soul to talk to the beat of the music.
How Walking Can Build Up the Brain
Older men and women who walked for six months showed improvements in white matter and memory, while those who danced or did stretching exercises did not.
Exercise can freshen and renovate the white matter in our brains, potentially improving our ability to think and remember as we age, according to a new study of walking, dancing and brain health. It shows that white matter, which connects and supports the cells in our brains, remodels itself when people become more physically active. In those who remain sedentary, on the other hand, white matter tends to fray and shrink.
The findings underscore the dynamism of our brains and how they constantly transform themselves — for better and worse — in response to how we live and move.
The idea that adult brains can be malleable is a fairly recent finding, in scientific terms. Until the late 1990s, most researchers believed human brains were physically fixed and inflexible after early childhood. We were born, it was thought, with most of the brain cells we would ever have and could not make more. In this scenario, the structure and function of our brains would only decline with age.
But science advanced, thankfully, and revised that gloomy forecast. Complex studies using specialized dyes to identify newborn cells indicated that some parts of our brains create neurons deep into adulthood, a process known as neurogenesis. Follow-up studies then established that exercise amplifies neurogenesis. When rodents run, for example, they pump out three or four times as many new brain cells as inactive animals, while in people, beginning a program of regular exercise leads to greater brain volume. In essence, this research shows, our brains retain lifelong plasticity, changing as we do, including in response to how we exercise.
More...
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/14/well ... 778d3e6de3
Older men and women who walked for six months showed improvements in white matter and memory, while those who danced or did stretching exercises did not.
Exercise can freshen and renovate the white matter in our brains, potentially improving our ability to think and remember as we age, according to a new study of walking, dancing and brain health. It shows that white matter, which connects and supports the cells in our brains, remodels itself when people become more physically active. In those who remain sedentary, on the other hand, white matter tends to fray and shrink.
The findings underscore the dynamism of our brains and how they constantly transform themselves — for better and worse — in response to how we live and move.
The idea that adult brains can be malleable is a fairly recent finding, in scientific terms. Until the late 1990s, most researchers believed human brains were physically fixed and inflexible after early childhood. We were born, it was thought, with most of the brain cells we would ever have and could not make more. In this scenario, the structure and function of our brains would only decline with age.
But science advanced, thankfully, and revised that gloomy forecast. Complex studies using specialized dyes to identify newborn cells indicated that some parts of our brains create neurons deep into adulthood, a process known as neurogenesis. Follow-up studies then established that exercise amplifies neurogenesis. When rodents run, for example, they pump out three or four times as many new brain cells as inactive animals, while in people, beginning a program of regular exercise leads to greater brain volume. In essence, this research shows, our brains retain lifelong plasticity, changing as we do, including in response to how we exercise.
More...
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/14/well ... 778d3e6de3
A True Fountain Of Youth
Hi Karim,
Humankind has always sought to prolong youth, questing for elixirs and mythical fountains since time immemorial.
Nowadays, we know there are proven, powerful ways to extend youth and sustain well-being as we age -- and you don't have to scour the ends of the earth in order to find them.
Like most things in life, it's all about getting reliable, fact-based information from people you can trust.
That's why I decided to sign on as a speaker for this year's Younger Longer - Insider's Health Summit https://theartofantiaging.com/younger-l ... yljtrailer, where myself and many other truth seekers will dive into the secrets of living a long and healthy life.
The creator of this event, Brian Vaszily, is one of the best interviewers I've ever met and the knowledge he's assembled here is going to blow you away.
Click here https://theartofantiaging.com/younger-l ... yljtrailer to check it out
The Younger Longer Summit features a group of 22 renowned anti-aging doctors and researchers who will each share their deep, impassioned knowledge of anti-aging.
Brian challenged each of the speakers in the summit to answer one MISSION-CRITICAL question:
"From your unique area of expertise, what are the 3 simple and MOST effective steps that people must take to look and feel their best right now, avoid and possibly even overcome disease, and live long and well while doing it?"
That's it -- no fluff, just transformative facts from trusted experts that you can instantly implement in your own life as you begin your anti-aging journey.
Watch the trailer here https://theartofantiaging.com/younger-l ... yljtrailer
What I love most about Brian is that he's all about outcomes. He's organized this summit to be as easy and effective as possible -- so you can gain expert anti-aging knowledge to apply in your own life. If you've been searching for a clear roadmap to learn super-simple steps that will boost your health, happiness, and longevity, then this event is ideal for you.
It's wonderful to be young, but your elder years can - and should - be the greatest years of your life... brimming with great health, vitality, and deeper meaning.
As the legendary motivational thinker Wayne Dyer taught -- you don't have to "think old." Instead of programming yourself with the belief that decline and break down is inevitable, you can empower yourself to embody the art of anti-aging.
https://www.thesacredscience.com/younger-longer-2021
Stay curious,
Nick Polizzi
Host of Proven: Healing Breakthroughs Backed By Science
& Founder of The Sacred Science
Hi Karim,
Humankind has always sought to prolong youth, questing for elixirs and mythical fountains since time immemorial.
Nowadays, we know there are proven, powerful ways to extend youth and sustain well-being as we age -- and you don't have to scour the ends of the earth in order to find them.
Like most things in life, it's all about getting reliable, fact-based information from people you can trust.
That's why I decided to sign on as a speaker for this year's Younger Longer - Insider's Health Summit https://theartofantiaging.com/younger-l ... yljtrailer, where myself and many other truth seekers will dive into the secrets of living a long and healthy life.
The creator of this event, Brian Vaszily, is one of the best interviewers I've ever met and the knowledge he's assembled here is going to blow you away.
Click here https://theartofantiaging.com/younger-l ... yljtrailer to check it out
The Younger Longer Summit features a group of 22 renowned anti-aging doctors and researchers who will each share their deep, impassioned knowledge of anti-aging.
Brian challenged each of the speakers in the summit to answer one MISSION-CRITICAL question:
"From your unique area of expertise, what are the 3 simple and MOST effective steps that people must take to look and feel their best right now, avoid and possibly even overcome disease, and live long and well while doing it?"
That's it -- no fluff, just transformative facts from trusted experts that you can instantly implement in your own life as you begin your anti-aging journey.
Watch the trailer here https://theartofantiaging.com/younger-l ... yljtrailer
What I love most about Brian is that he's all about outcomes. He's organized this summit to be as easy and effective as possible -- so you can gain expert anti-aging knowledge to apply in your own life. If you've been searching for a clear roadmap to learn super-simple steps that will boost your health, happiness, and longevity, then this event is ideal for you.
It's wonderful to be young, but your elder years can - and should - be the greatest years of your life... brimming with great health, vitality, and deeper meaning.
As the legendary motivational thinker Wayne Dyer taught -- you don't have to "think old." Instead of programming yourself with the belief that decline and break down is inevitable, you can empower yourself to embody the art of anti-aging.
https://www.thesacredscience.com/younger-longer-2021
Stay curious,
Nick Polizzi
Host of Proven: Healing Breakthroughs Backed By Science
& Founder of The Sacred Science
Nobody Wants to Live in a Nursing Home. Something’s Got to Give.
Few people dream of living out their golden years in a nursing home. The very idea sparks existential dread in many Americans, conjuring images of grim, institutional dumping grounds where society’s frailest and most vulnerable members aren’t so much cared for as warehoused. Scattered horror stories of neglect and abuse supercharge more prosaic fears about losing one’s autonomy.
The coronavirus pandemic made things all the more terrifying, tearing through facilities with brutal efficiency. The official Covid-19 death toll in U.S. nursing homes stands at more than 133,000, accounting for more than 1 in 5 of the nation’s pandemic fatalities.
Even prepandemic, most Americans said they wanted to age at home — 76 percent of those 50 and older, according to a 2018 survey by the AARP. The vast majority — over 90 percent of those 65 and older — are already doing just that. Looking to ease the strain this can put on families, President Biden has called for a $400 billion investment in home- and community-based care. Experts cheer the effort as crucial to addressing the challenges of America’s fast-graying population, a trend fueled by better medical care, longer life spans and a flood of aging baby boomers.
But the need for institutional care will not vanish. The United States had around 15,600 nursing homes serving 1.3 million residents, most 65 or older, as of 2015-2016 (the most recent data available). Even with additional resources, many seniors will require more support than can be provided at home. And the demographics are daunting: The number of Americans age 85 and older is expected to top 19 million by 2050.
American nursing homes are creatures of the last century. They sprang up in the 1930s as a gentler alternative to poor houses and later proliferated thanks to various government programs. As the name suggests, they take a highly medicalized approach to aging, and, by design, are reminiscent of hospitals.
Improvements in home-based care, including telemedicine, are enabling more people to remain at home longer. Assisted living and continuing-care communities are springing up, offering elaborate care, especially for more affluent seniors. This leaves traditional nursing homes as the province of the poorest and sickest — those with few other options.
More...
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/01/opin ... 778d3e6de3
Few people dream of living out their golden years in a nursing home. The very idea sparks existential dread in many Americans, conjuring images of grim, institutional dumping grounds where society’s frailest and most vulnerable members aren’t so much cared for as warehoused. Scattered horror stories of neglect and abuse supercharge more prosaic fears about losing one’s autonomy.
The coronavirus pandemic made things all the more terrifying, tearing through facilities with brutal efficiency. The official Covid-19 death toll in U.S. nursing homes stands at more than 133,000, accounting for more than 1 in 5 of the nation’s pandemic fatalities.
Even prepandemic, most Americans said they wanted to age at home — 76 percent of those 50 and older, according to a 2018 survey by the AARP. The vast majority — over 90 percent of those 65 and older — are already doing just that. Looking to ease the strain this can put on families, President Biden has called for a $400 billion investment in home- and community-based care. Experts cheer the effort as crucial to addressing the challenges of America’s fast-graying population, a trend fueled by better medical care, longer life spans and a flood of aging baby boomers.
But the need for institutional care will not vanish. The United States had around 15,600 nursing homes serving 1.3 million residents, most 65 or older, as of 2015-2016 (the most recent data available). Even with additional resources, many seniors will require more support than can be provided at home. And the demographics are daunting: The number of Americans age 85 and older is expected to top 19 million by 2050.
American nursing homes are creatures of the last century. They sprang up in the 1930s as a gentler alternative to poor houses and later proliferated thanks to various government programs. As the name suggests, they take a highly medicalized approach to aging, and, by design, are reminiscent of hospitals.
Improvements in home-based care, including telemedicine, are enabling more people to remain at home longer. Assisted living and continuing-care communities are springing up, offering elaborate care, especially for more affluent seniors. This leaves traditional nursing homes as the province of the poorest and sickest — those with few other options.
More...
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/01/opin ... 778d3e6de3
Getting Old Is a Crisis More and More Americans Can’t Afford
Growing old is an increasingly expensive privilege often requiring supports and services that, whether provided at home or in a facility, can overwhelm all but the wealthiest seniors. With Americans living longer and aging baby boomers flooding the system, the financial strain is becoming unsustainable.
Consider the demographics. In 2018, there were 52.4 million Americans age 65 or older and 6.5 million 85 or older. By 2040, those numbers will hit 80.8 million and 14.4 million, respectively. From now until 2030, an average of 10,000 baby boomers will turn 65 every day. Already, demand for care dwarfs supply. The Medicaid waiting list for home-based assistance has an average wait time of more than three years.
Next, factor in the financial reality of seniors. Nearly half of U.S. households headed by someone 55 or older have no retirement savings, according to 2016 data. Many Americans over 65 face trying to get by on Social Security income alone, which provides an average retirement benefit of $18,516 a year.
Compare this with the price of long-term care. Nationwide, the median cost of a semiprivate room in a nursing home is more than $93,000 a year, according to the 2020 Genworth Cost of Care Survey. The median yearly cost of employing a home health aide full time is around $50,000. And tens of millions of Americans are providing unpaid care to family members, costing the caregiver thousands in expenses per year on top of lost work time and wages.
More...
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/09/opin ... 778d3e6de3
Growing old is an increasingly expensive privilege often requiring supports and services that, whether provided at home or in a facility, can overwhelm all but the wealthiest seniors. With Americans living longer and aging baby boomers flooding the system, the financial strain is becoming unsustainable.
Consider the demographics. In 2018, there were 52.4 million Americans age 65 or older and 6.5 million 85 or older. By 2040, those numbers will hit 80.8 million and 14.4 million, respectively. From now until 2030, an average of 10,000 baby boomers will turn 65 every day. Already, demand for care dwarfs supply. The Medicaid waiting list for home-based assistance has an average wait time of more than three years.
Next, factor in the financial reality of seniors. Nearly half of U.S. households headed by someone 55 or older have no retirement savings, according to 2016 data. Many Americans over 65 face trying to get by on Social Security income alone, which provides an average retirement benefit of $18,516 a year.
Compare this with the price of long-term care. Nationwide, the median cost of a semiprivate room in a nursing home is more than $93,000 a year, according to the 2020 Genworth Cost of Care Survey. The median yearly cost of employing a home health aide full time is around $50,000. And tens of millions of Americans are providing unpaid care to family members, costing the caregiver thousands in expenses per year on top of lost work time and wages.
More...
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/09/opin ... 778d3e6de3
You’re Not Running Out of Time
Dear Karim,
Recently, I have been around a few family members who have turned 30.
They seem to have one thing in common: the realization that they are starting to get older and that it’s time to start working on the goals they thought they would have already accomplished by now.
I remember when I turned 30…30+ years ago. That was the time I realized that the advice my mom and other older people had given me in my teens and twenties was better than I had originally thought.
I can’t wait until my kids have that realization.
Thinking about those conversations—and my own experience—got me reflecting on how we all deal with getting older.
For many people, especially when they pass 30, getting older can bring on the anxiety of "What now?" or "What's next?”. It feels like they’re leaving their youth behind. Then, when they get to 40, 50, 60, and older, they start feeling like they’re running out of time.
As I look back at the past 60 years, it’s clear that getting older just makes you a whole lot smarter about life and more certain about your purpose. So, I view aging as a positive thing, rather than something to dread (as so many do).
When it comes to getting older, Louise Hay was such an inspiration. She always thought of aging as an opportunity to put her wisdom to work in new and creative ways.
She started Hay House at 60 years old, learned to paint at 70, took ballroom dancing classes at 80, and wrote her last book at 90. For Louise, age truly was just a number, and nothing could hold her back from living her best life.
Every year, Louise would come up with new goals and ideas, and then cover her house or condo with affirmations to help her achieve those goals. And let me tell you, all the goals were achieved, as Louise was a master manifester with the aid of affirmations.
We can’t turn back the clock (no matter how hard we may try!). But we can use this time to get wiser, have more fun, and achieve our biggest goals.
Have a wonderful week ahead.
Wishing You the Best,
Reid Tracy
CEO, Hay House
Re: THE ELDERLY
New secrets of the world’s longest living people
Hi Karim,
Is it possible to halt or reverse the aging process?
Some researchers think so.
It’s undeniable, though, that some people age gracefully, remaining healthy, happy, and energized well into their golden years…
While others suffer from chronic pain, depression, or cognitive decline.
What makes the difference??
And what can you do to sustain your mental sharpness, maintain your physical independence and your mental well-being —or even boost them—as you grow older?
First and foremost, Karim, it’s essential that we understand WHAT AGING IS from a biological perspective — and how a variety of factors influence this process.
Once you do that, you can make simple yet powerful changes to reduce or even reverse the effects of aging.
But where do we start?
Thankfully, my good friend and integrative health practitioner Jason Prall has created the most comprehensive and inspiring roadmap for health and longevity...
→ A fascinating, nine-part docuseries called The Human Longevity Project, and he’s sharing it with our community at no cost!
Save Your Seat Here! https://humanlongevityfilm.com/trailer2 ... &am_id=569
Jason and his team traveled the globe, from Ikaria and Okinawa, to Sardinia and Costa Rica, to interview the world’s healthiest and longest-living people.
They then teamed up with the most trusted doctors, scientists, researchers, and healers on the planet to bring you this life-changing content.
Each episode is PACKED with groundbreaking research and PROVEN wisdom for living a longer, happier life.
Here’s a quick preview of what you’ll discover in each episode:
Episode 1 – The Truth About Aging: Can it Be Slowed or Even Reversed?
Episode 2 – The Gut & Immune System: How Microbes Keep You Free of Disease
Episode 3 – Diet & Exercise: The Surprising Habits of Healthy Populations
Episode 4 – Toxic Planet: How to Be Healthy in a Sick World
Episode 5 – Sleep, Light & Disease: Where The Western World Went Wrong and How To Fix It
Episode 6 – Raising Healthy Kids: Fertility, Pregnancy, Birth, and Beyond
Episode 7 – Purpose, Gratitude, and Community: What Healthy Societies Know That We Don’t
Episode 8 – Cancer & Alzheimer’s: How Centenarians Avoid Diseases of Aging
Episode 9 – The Way Forward: Combining Ancient Wisdom With Modern Technology
Click here to check out the trailer for The Human Longevity Project https://humanlongevityfilm.com/trailer2 ... &am_id=569
What you’ll discover isn’t just about adding years to your life...
It’s about adding life to your years — starting RIGHT NOW.
Don’t miss this free, powerful streaming event — starting June 30th, 2025.
To your health,
Fleet Maull, PhD
Heart Mind Institute Founder
Hi Karim,
Is it possible to halt or reverse the aging process?
Some researchers think so.
It’s undeniable, though, that some people age gracefully, remaining healthy, happy, and energized well into their golden years…
While others suffer from chronic pain, depression, or cognitive decline.
What makes the difference??
And what can you do to sustain your mental sharpness, maintain your physical independence and your mental well-being —or even boost them—as you grow older?
First and foremost, Karim, it’s essential that we understand WHAT AGING IS from a biological perspective — and how a variety of factors influence this process.
Once you do that, you can make simple yet powerful changes to reduce or even reverse the effects of aging.
But where do we start?
Thankfully, my good friend and integrative health practitioner Jason Prall has created the most comprehensive and inspiring roadmap for health and longevity...
→ A fascinating, nine-part docuseries called The Human Longevity Project, and he’s sharing it with our community at no cost!
Save Your Seat Here! https://humanlongevityfilm.com/trailer2 ... &am_id=569
Jason and his team traveled the globe, from Ikaria and Okinawa, to Sardinia and Costa Rica, to interview the world’s healthiest and longest-living people.
They then teamed up with the most trusted doctors, scientists, researchers, and healers on the planet to bring you this life-changing content.
Each episode is PACKED with groundbreaking research and PROVEN wisdom for living a longer, happier life.
Here’s a quick preview of what you’ll discover in each episode:
Episode 1 – The Truth About Aging: Can it Be Slowed or Even Reversed?
Episode 2 – The Gut & Immune System: How Microbes Keep You Free of Disease
Episode 3 – Diet & Exercise: The Surprising Habits of Healthy Populations
Episode 4 – Toxic Planet: How to Be Healthy in a Sick World
Episode 5 – Sleep, Light & Disease: Where The Western World Went Wrong and How To Fix It
Episode 6 – Raising Healthy Kids: Fertility, Pregnancy, Birth, and Beyond
Episode 7 – Purpose, Gratitude, and Community: What Healthy Societies Know That We Don’t
Episode 8 – Cancer & Alzheimer’s: How Centenarians Avoid Diseases of Aging
Episode 9 – The Way Forward: Combining Ancient Wisdom With Modern Technology
Click here to check out the trailer for The Human Longevity Project https://humanlongevityfilm.com/trailer2 ... &am_id=569
What you’ll discover isn’t just about adding years to your life...
It’s about adding life to your years — starting RIGHT NOW.
Don’t miss this free, powerful streaming event — starting June 30th, 2025.
To your health,
Fleet Maull, PhD
Heart Mind Institute Founder