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With estimates of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease rising as high as 5.1 million, it’s clear that more attention needs to be paid to this disease. As the population ages, an increased number of cases are coming to light. Alzheimer’s disease, or AD, is a condition caused by changes in the brain, markedly affecting memory and other mental abilities. As the individual’s mental capacity decreases, it offers an increasing number of challenges both to the one with the disease and the loved ones who assume caretaking duties.

Alzheimer’s Statistics

Worldwide, an estimated 44 million people suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. Another 47.5 million have dementia. As age rises, Alzheimer’s becomes more common: at the age of 65, approximately 1 in 9 individuals will have Alzheimer’s disease. This isn’t a cheap disease: it’s estimated that dementia costs between $159 billion and $215 billion each year. To give some perspective, this is a greater cost than either heart disease or cancer.

The greatest risk factors for Alzheimer’s include age, genetics, and family history. Individuals over the age of 85, for example, have a 1 in 3 chance of developing symptoms of Alzheimer’s. It’s also estimated that Latinos and African Americans have higher chances of developing the disease than other Americans. Most of the risk factors of Alzheimer’s can’t be controlled; however, avoiding head trauma and increased cardiovascular health can help decrease the odds that the disease will manifest itself.

What Alzheimer’s Means for Those Affected

Alzheimer’s is not a part of the normal aging process. While many of the early symptoms, including forgetfulness and deceasing ability to handle everyday tasks, may be seen as normal signs of aging, Alzheimer’s patients find that it goes further than that. Typical signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s include:

• Memory loss that is disruptive to daily life
• Planning and/or problem-solving challenges
• Inability to complete familiar tasks properly
• Confusion about current location or the current season, month, or even year
• Trouble reading, judging distance, or determining color or contrast as visual discrimination decreases
• Unfamiliar problems with speaking or writing
• Misplacing things without the ability to retrace steps and find the item
• Judgment challenges
• Social withdrawal
• Dramatic shifts in mood or personality

Alzheimer’s disease is progressive, which means that it grows worse over time. Some medications can slow the progression of symptoms and give individuals more time, but there is currently no cure. There are seven stages of Alzheimer’s disease ranging from no impairment early in the individual’s life, little impairment when a few signs may begin emerging, and a mild decline when friends and family start to notice issues to severe and very severe decline, when individuals with Alzheimer’s struggle to relate to their environments.

Alzheimer’s disease doesn’t come with a simple diagnosis. Instead, it begins with taking a thorough medical history. Patients will then undergo a physical and mental examination to rule out other potential causes of dementia-like symptoms. The exam may include blood tests and brain imaging.

Once Alzheimer’s disease has been diagnosed, treatment can begin. In many cases, medication can slow or temporarily halt the progression of symptoms. Once symptoms begin to worsen, mental function can be maintained through brain games and other exercises in order to extend normal cognitive ability as much as possible. Behavioral challenges are managed by keeping the individual in familiar surroundings and decreasing the stimulus in the environment to help avoid jarring or discomfort.

People don’t die as a direct result of Alzheimer’s disease. Instead, they die as a result of related complications. Multi-organ failure is a common cause of death in Alzheimer’s patients. Other potential causes include heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, and lung infections.

What Alzheimer’s Means for Caregivers

Once a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, the learning process begins. Caregivers for those with Alzheimer’s require a great deal of emotional support as they become the primary support for their loved one. Family roles often shift as a result of the diagnosis, with children and other relatives becoming the primary caretakers.

An Alzheimer’s diagnosis also means a shift in financial and legal responsibilities. It’s important to create a living will and designate power of attorney as early in the process as possible. Financial matters will need to be overseen or handled entirely by a competent individual to ensure that the elderly loved one will be cared for as well as possible.

The Alzheimer’s diagnosis doesn’t mean that there aren’t still times of joy ahead. The disease’s relatively slow progression offers plenty of opportunity for shared laughter, intimacy, and social experiences. Both the individual with Alzheimer’s and their loved ones will have opportunities to adjust to everything that the diagnosis means before the disease takes over.

As baby boomers age, innovation within the aging industry is a necessity. This is a new generation of seniors who expect quality, comfort, and convenience that will take care of all of their needs. There is an incredible new level of technology available that should be fully and creatively exploited in order to provide boomers with the lifestyles they expect as they grow older. Many industry trends have already arisen in areas of speed, mobility, comfort, fashion, safety, independence, and individual choice.

Here are some of the latest trends in each of these market areas:

1. No Need for Age to Slow Things Down

Today’s seniors are technology-savvy. They understand just how fast the internet can run and all the different ways it can connect them to the people they love the most. From smart phone technology that keeps their health information in the palm of their hands to video calls with loved ones across the world, seniors need technology that keeps their lives moving quickly. Many apps and programs, such as MedWatcher, Find my iPad, or Words With Friends, have been designed to offer just that.

2. Mobility Is a Critical Issue

As baby boomers age, they’re discovering that it’s harder to get around. Making accommodations for that particular symptom of aging, however, can make them feel old—and that’s the last thing that baby boomers want! Mobility products aimed at making it easier for seniors to get around without weighing them down with the stigma of aging are a priority for many seniors. Equally important is long-distance mobility in spite of slowing reflexes and decreased eyesight: driverless vehicles are one product currently in development—projected by Tesla CEO Elon Musk to be here by 2018— to enhance senior mobility.

3. Comfort Stays in the Front Seat

Seniors want the available benefits, but they want them without sacrificing comfort. This generation is used to comfort and luxury, and they expect that to continue throughout the aging process. Increasing senior comfort is an important aspect of the senior care industry, from providing the innovations they need to continue aging in place—even when health concerns start to take priority—to offering services or technologies that will make it easier for them to handle daily care tasks, such as WalkJoy or Respondesign.

4. Fashion Doesn’t Disappear with Age

Seniors don’t have to give up fashion! There are several fashion lines that are aimed at allowing seniors to look their best. Seniors today aren’t sitting at home in shapeless dresses and pants that come up to their chests. Instead, they’re taking on the world—and they’re continuing to express their unique style as they do it. Classic designs—as well as some outrageous signature pieces mature women will add to their wardrobe to define their character—are a critical part of the fashion industry.

5. Safety and Independence Go Hand in Hand

Most baby boomers are holding on to their independence as hard as they can. They understand that their bodies are no longer as young as they once were, but they’re tackling those limitations and looking for innovations that will make it safe for them to maintain their independence for as long as possible. Home renovations such as increased lighting, changed appliances or bathtubs, and single-level flooring plans can make it easier and safer for seniors to remain in their homes, while larger buttons, handles instead of knobs, and easily accessible storage can make normal tasks easier.

6. Individual Choice: Everyone Is Different

One senior isn’t necessarily anything like the next. The baby boomer generation has defined individual choice, and that desire continues throughout the later years of their lives. They expect to be able to continue to personalize their experiences and their expectations, from their travel plans to their home designs. If you’re hoping to break into the aging services industry, personalization is one of the keys to ensuring that seniors get the products and services they want.

There are immense opportunities in the aging product and service industries. Seniors need a wide variety of products and services in order to provide for their needs, and there are openings in the industry for anyone with a great idea and the drive to see it through. By taking into consideration everything that today’s seniors need, it’s possible to create opportunities for yourself and your business while providing necessary and useful services at the same time.

Financing assisted living or elder care for a loved one presents quite a dilemma – how do you provide the best quality care and keep your finances secure at the same time? It’s a difficult consideration, but if you’re willing to do some research, there are ways in which you can save money while simultaneously providing quality care for the ones you love.

1. Assess Your Medicaid Options

Elder care and assisted living options available through Medicaid vary by state, so your first step is to check your area’s Department of Community Health. Generally, Medicaid covers the healthcare needs of low-income people; however, several states also have waiver programs for the elderly and folks with disabilities who need help with day-to-day expenses. Additionally, some states cover personal and nursing services as well. It is also worth noting that Medicaid was recently expanded under the Affordable Care Act, so if your loved ones didn’t qualify before, they might now – try filling out an application at the Health Insurance Marketplace to find out. You don’t need to worry about the open enrollment deadline, as it doesn’t apply to Medicaid applications.

2. Investigate Financial Aid

A variety of financial aid options exist beyond just Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. Look into Veteran Affairs (VA) benefits programs (if applicable), non-profit foundations, and long-term care insurance (if care isn’t needed yet) to help offset your costs. Religious organizations such as The Good Samaritan Society can help you find affordable housing options and offer other forms of assistance as well.

3. Consider an Independent Caregiver

Choosing a qualified independent caregiver instead of a professional organization can save you as much as 30% in costs, according to The American Elder Care Research Organization. However, make sure you invest in a background check to confirm that your caregiver is qualified and reputable. To find independent caregivers near you, try the CareFamily website. You can also check with friends, family, and social organizations to see if they can refer you to a quality independent caregiver.

4. Use a Home Monitoring Service

If your loved one needs light supervision instead of full-time assistance, try installing a home monitoring service. This system allows you to monitor the individual from a remote location with the use of cameras and sensors. If this exceeds your price range, consider Lifeline, a device designed by Philips. Lifeline connects the elder individual to a trained response associate in the case of a slip or fall. One of its newly added features automatically alerts a response associate if a fall is detected by the device, even if the person wearing it doesn’t manually call in. The associate can then assess the situation and contact a family member, send emergency services if necessary, and follow up to see that help has arrived.

5.Use a Meal Service

Preparing homemade meals for your loved one can be time-consuming and strenuous. If your budget is tight, consider a meal service. You can specify dietary restrictions, and choose how many meals an elder receives in a given day. If you are trying to help regulate your loved one’s diet, this is an excellent option as well. Two services to consider that offer extensive menus are CarePathways and DineWise.

Final Thoughts Your best bet is to always shop the competition, and your most effective way to do so is to use the power of the Internet. Take your time and do the necessary research so that you can make an informed decision. Taking care of an elderly relative is something most of us are faced with, and learning to help and respond in a caring yet affordable way will help to relieve the stress from all involved parties.
What are you doing to impact your senior living costs?

Ron Sullivan is based in Georgia and writes about retirement, home care, and personal finance.
Disclosure: The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the guest author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Senior Planning Services.

There are plenty of great charities and nonprofit organizations in need of help, but when you’ve got extra time on your hands and are looking for a great place to volunteer, it can be hard to know where to start! There’s certainly no shortage of opportunities for those willing to donate their time, skill, and talent during retirement. As you look for more ways that you can give back to your community, enhance your own life, and live an active lifestyle throughout your retirement years? Consider some of these fantastic opportunities.

Working with Children and Teens

If you have a heart for children or teenagers, there are plenty of chances to work with them and give them the attention they need in order to succeed. A former teacher, professor, or teacher’s assistant would make an amazing tutor or mentor for students. You can work with neglected children, become a host family for an international exchange student, or volunteer with at-risk children and teens. Senior Corps, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia are always looking for volunteers who are willing to give their time and energy to improving the lives of children and teenagers.

Vacation and Volunteer

Volunteering can take you to some fascinating places that you might never have considered without the volunteer opportunity. Try taking a vacation that will open up new volunteer opportunities, including tutoring in Navajo Reservation schools or restoring historic sites around the country. Want to take it further? You could volunteer in Nepal or take your teaching skills to Cambodia to instruct students in English, French, or math.

Hunger and Poverty Relief

Have a passion for feeding people? That doesn’t have to stop at your own front door. Northwest Harvest and Meals on Wheels are amazing volunteer opportunities for anyone looking for a chance to help feed people who would otherwise go hungry. You can work with Habitat for Humanity or a number of other local programs to build and repair affordable housing for people who need shelter. Doctors and nurses go on plenty of medical mission trips both out of the country and within their own towns. No medical experience is no problem! The thing that’s needed most is willing hands.

Disaster Relief

Following a natural disaster, volunteers are needed more desperately than ever. From earthquakes and tsunamis to tornadoes, floods, and more, every natural disaster needs plenty of hands to help restore the quality of life that people left behind. Red Cross volunteering is a great way to find your way into these needy communities. You can bring CPR and other lifesaving skills directly to the people who need it most or work to handle supplies, donations, and administrative tasks. Survivors of the crisis will likely be stunned, in need of comfort, and waiting for assistance to start rebuilding their lives in the aftermath of the disaster. Retired physicians, nurses, EMTs, pharmacists, and other medical professionals can offer their skills to the Medical Reserve Corps. Interpreters, chaplains, office workers, and legal advisers are always in need in disaster relief areas.

Tour Guide

Love talking to people and have plenty of knowledge to share? Working as a tour guide might be the perfect opportunity for you! You can offer your skills to lead tours for universities, museums, botanical gardens historical sites, or land conservation groups. Work with public or private organizations according to what appeals to you! You’ll be in the perfect position to preserve landmarks and educate visitors. Have a more specialized set of skills? Try rehabilitating birds of prey or driving and maintaining antique steam cars.

Political Activism

If politics is your specialty, volunteer with a political campaign, grassroots organization, or political action committee. You can lead rallies for or against any given issue, taking your passion to the next generation. Knock on doors, call voters, or circulate petitions to help increase awareness about a variety of candidates and topics. Have a passion for helping military service members and their families? Consider finding a volunteer organization in your area that will allow you to thank them for their service.

Legal Advocate

If you’re passionate about standing up for people who might not be able to stand up for themselves, working as a legal advocate is a great way to volunteer your time and energy. You can advocate for foster children, defend the rights of minorities, or represent battered spouses in domestic abuse cases. You also have the option to work on behalf of environmental organizations, public land trusts, and animal rights groups or work with governments of developing nations to advance human rights. You can also take on a volunteer role in an administrative office or non-profit organization.

Humane Societies and Animal Shelters

Have a passion for animals and helping them find their forever homes? Volunteer to care for animals in shelters! You can also organize fundraising events, perform administrative tasks, or volunteer as a legal advocate or grant writer. Other volunteers will help rescue pets after floods, fires, and natural disasters. You can even foster one or more animals to help give them a temporary place to live until they find that forever home.

Environmental Volunteering

If your passion is for the environment, there are a wide range of opportunities available for you. Work with the National Park Service, preserve coral reefs, and advocate for protection of endangered wildlife populations. You can pick up trash and remove invasive plants in rivers. Gathering water samples from streams for environmental studies is also an important task.

Professional and Creative Opportunities

If you have a wide range of creative or professional skills, you can put them into play in a variety of areas. Try offering your skills as a photographer, a graphic designer, or a musician. Offer your skills in marketing, human resources, IT, strategic planning, marketing, accounting, and more. You can also work as a board member to help create a community-wide impact: try HandsOn Network or All For Good as a great starting place. As a former accountant or someone who just happens to be good with numbers, helping people complete and file their taxes is an amazing volunteer service, especially for those who might otherwise struggle with the task.

Elderly People

You may be retired, but you’re not ready to call yourself old yet! Working with an elderly person is the perfect way to give back some time and energy. You can work with seniors to help with paperwork, bill paying, and grocery shopping or simply offer companionship and a listening ear. Volunteer with older drivers to help maintain safe driving skills in spite of deteriorating physical ability. Work as a handyman to help an older neighbor or returning veteran with home repairs, ramp construction, and other needed tasks that they may not be able to handle on their own. In many cases, your efforts may be what enables an elderly individual to continue to live independently.

Create Your Own Opportunity

If you’re looking for a place to volunteer, but haven’t been able to find something that fits your passions and skills, consider creating your own volunteer organization! If you see a need that is going unfilled, there’s no one better than you to fill it. Your new creation will open doors for others to volunteer, too.

Volunteering is a rewarding use of your time that you’ll never regret. Don’t spend your retirement years wishing you’d found a chance to give back! Instead, dive in with a local organization and see what difference your skills can make as you leave a legacy for future generations.