In our fast-paced world, the wisdom of senior citizens often goes unnoticed. Yet, embracing empathetic communication with our elders can be incredibly enriching.The Power of Empathy:Empathy bridges the generation gap, offering seniors the understanding they deserve. Actively listening and appreciating their experiences fosters a sense of belonging and mutual respect.Breaking Communication Barriers:Adapting our communication styles ensures inclusivity. Small gestures like clear speech and patience can make conversations with seniors more engaging and meaningful.The Gift of Time:Spending quality time engaged in activities seniors love not only brings them joy but also provides us with unique learning experiences, nurturing the bond between generations.Learning Life's Lessons:Seniors offer insights into life's nuances that textbooks can't capture. Their stories teach us about history, love, loss, and resilience, enriching our own understanding of the world.The Ripple Effect:Kindness, when shared with seniors, creates a positive ripple effect. By setting an example, we inspire others to follow suit, fostering a more compassionate society.In celebrating intergenerational relationships, we find the true essence of humanity. Let's acknowledge the beauty of connecting with senior spirits; in doing so, we enrich not just their lives but ours, too.

A Call to Order Professional Organizer, we believe in guiding seniors through their moves with a compassionate touch, recognizing the emotional journey involved in transitioning to a new home. Our approach focuses on creating pathways of comfort, ensuring that seniors feel supported and empowered throughout the process. From the initial planning stages to the final settling-in period, our team is dedicated to providing gentle guidance and heartfelt assistance every step of the way.We understand that moving can stir up a range of emotions, from excitement to apprehension, and we are here to offer a listening ear and a caring presence. With our expertise in senior moves, we aim to alleviate stress and uncertainty, fostering an environment of reassurance and comfort. At A Call to Order, we don't just organize relocations; we pave the way for seniors to embark on this new chapter of their lives with confidence and peace of mind.

Meet Charlie. His brother James has Alzheimer's and needed a memory care facility. They are very close and when it comes to James' care, the prospect of compromising care because of James' limited income was not an option. Funds to pay for the care James needed were a real concern solved by getting information on programs that would assist with the costs of care. Sigh of relief. This family will no longer have to worry about how they are going to pay for James' Care.It is estimated that over 70% of people over 65 will need some type of Long-Term Care (LTC) according to the US Department of Health & Human Services. Colorado has many resources for financial help like Health First Colorado, and Veterans Aid and Attendance Pension that will help pay for in-home care, assisted living, adult day care, and nursing facility care.Most Colorado elderly who need help paying for LTC feel that they will not qualify for these programs because they have too much income or too many assets. Many families are told this by people they feel should be in the know on this topic. There are a lot of myths out there, online and relayed from health professionals. In reality, many could qualify if they had accurate information from a knowledgeable professional, holding a VA Accreditation or a Certified Medicaid Planner (CMP) designation. With uncertain care costs it is valuable to have one person or firm who understands multiple programs for assistance to ensure that all options are considered for the outcome a family desires. Gaining access to programs that assist in paying for long-term care costs will greatly reduce the erosion of hard-earned cash and other valuable assets like family property. Incomplete or inaccurate information often causes people to think they must spend or sell things they own to avoid losing it. This simply is not true and can lead to an unnecessary liquidation of the assets people have worked a lifetime to obtain.There are legitimate means of preserving valuable or sentimental assets and income. Here in Colorado, to the surprise of many, following guidelines carefully afford numerous opportunities to protect income and assets. Consulting with a CMP that specializes in LTC financial solutions can help you and your family to file a successful application and qualify for the program that has the best financial outcome for your family.Editors Note: This article was written by Stacy Osborne, MBA CMP with Beneficent. She can be reached by phone at 719-645-8350 or by email at: info@doinggoodforothers.com.

The phrase Use It Or Lose It becomes even more important as you age. Each muscle in your body has a different exercise and stretch that it needs. Exercise routines need to have a cardiovascular, strengthening, and stretching component. Strengthening needs to occur in the arms, legs, and core; strength and flexibility then help your balance. As you age, movements often lose their lateral and diagonal components. If you watch children, they are always jumping, twisting, turning, and changing directions. The older we get, the straighter our path becomes. An example is a daily walking routine; it is usually straight on a relatively flat surface, with an occasional small hill. Straight walking mainly helps the endurance strength of only a select few leg muscles and your cardiovascular system; in most cases it neglects the hips and arms. Even if you walk every day, you still need to exercise to strengthen the arms, legs, hips, and core.Cardiovascular exercise improves function of the heart, lungs, and circulatory system. This will improve your endurance for daily activities such as shopping, cleaning, or walking.Strengthening exercises make muscles stronger so you can move your body with greater ease. This will help you with climbing stairs, lifting objects, catching your balance, and any other activity that takes your body from here to there. Small differences in strength can be the difference between getting out of a low, soft chair and needing someone to help you.Stretching decreases risk of injury and increases the range of motion at a joint and in a muscle. It also increases the amount of stored energy a muscle can hold. Having enough range of motion in your ankles, knees, and hips will increase your chance of catching your balance.Exercise has been shown to have other numerous benefits. Some include decreasing arthritic pain, blood pressure, risk of heart attack and stroke, and body weight. It can also improve bone density, sleep and memory. In fact, there are not many negative effects of a properly managed exercise program!If you are currently not exercising, you need to get the OK from your doctor. If you feel you have an orthopedic restriction or pain that prevents you from starting, ask your doctor if you can see a physical therapist first. Exercise is a life-long commitment. You will live a stronger and healthier life, so why not give it a try!Editors Note: This article was written by Danielle Heinrichs, PT, MSPT. Danielle is a physical therapist with Medically-Based Fitness and may be reached at 303-447-2873 or by email at dheinrichs@medfit.net.