Retirement and Senior Caregiving

When we hit retirement age, for some it’s 50’s others it may be well into their 70’s,  
if we haven’t already, we should begin thinking where we want to live out our golden years.  For some, being near family and friends are an important factor, for others it’s the cost of living as finances for some are limited.  

I recently found the article “The 10 Best States to Grow Old In” by Laura Dixon, on www. Caring.com that pulled together some great insights as well as details about the best locations for retirement and senior caregiving as follows: 

Whatever the case may be, it doesn’t hurt to do a little research in finding the appropriate place for you.  Make sure to take into account states that include a higher quality of senior care at lower cost, as well as one with an excellent quality of life.  According to Sara Zeff Geber, PH. D, an author and retirement planning expert,  “We really need to start thinking about someplace that’s stable, someplace that’s safe and someplace that we can afford.”

In Caring.com’s research, they were able to assemble ratings that offered the best mix of quality healthcare, long-term care, support for seniors and family caregivers, affordability of senior care and more than 100,000 ratings of senior care providers in each state. Below are the following top 10 states:  

Sources include Genworth’s 2015 Cost of Care Survey, the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, the Long-term Scorecard, a joint effort by AARP, the Commonwealth Fund and The SCAN foundation.

1. South Dakota

Seniors in South Dakota have access to high-quality healthcare and senior care, with costs of care hovering around the national average (about $36,000 yearly for an assisted living community, and around $52,000 for a home health aide).

In addition to financial considerations, our survey incorporated The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, which measures purpose, social, financial, community and physical well-being. As of 2015, the Mount Rushmore State boasted one of the highest combined rankings in these categories for residents 55 and older.

2. Iowa

Also like South Dakota, senior care costs here are around the national average.

But the state ranked among the top 10 in the nation for quality of life and healthcare for residents over 55.

3. Minnesota

Compared to the first two states on the list, senior care in Minnesota is pricier (an assisted living facility costs roughly $42,000 per year on average, while a home health aide runs about $57,000).

Still, the state ranked especially high (#3) in quality of health care and overall quality of life for seniors.

4. Alaska

Of all 50 states, Alaska topped the list for quality of life and health care, and also ranked very high for quality and access to long-term care services and supports for seniors.

At the same time, the state is also home to the most expensive senior care in the nation (a year in a nursing home costs a whopping $281,000 on average and assisted living runs more than $68,000 yearly), dragging its overall ranking down to the fourth spot. 

 

5. Oregon

The state ranked fourth in the quality of life and healthcare studies and also very high in long-term care and supports for seniors.

The ranking dipped somewhat due to pricier cost of senior care here– a year in an assisted living community runs about $50,000 on average and a home health aide costs over $51,000.

6. Colorado

For those 55 and older, the Centennial State ranks seventh in overall quality of life, well-being and healthcare quality.

Its relatively high senior care rates (roughly $50,000 on average for either assisted living or a home health aide) pulled down the state’s ranking slightly.

7. Hawaii

In addition to being one of the world’s most popular vacation destinations, beautiful Hawaii boasts a great mix of quality of life, health care and support for people 55 and over.

The state scored the highest marks in the nation on support for family caregivers, and among the highest for quality of long-term care and supports for seniors.

But with senior care costs here among the highest in the nation (home health aides cost around $56,000 per year on average, while a year in an assisted living community runs about $48,000), not everyone can afford to spend their later years in the Aloha State.

8. South Carolina

South Carolina not only draws plenty of tourists to its beachfront vacation towns, pastel-colored houses and Civil War monuments, it’s also a smart choice for seniors looking for affordable long-term care.

The only southern state to make the top 10, South Carolina boasts the nation’s fifth-cheapest elder care. A year in an assisted living community costs $37,500 on average, while a home health aide costs roughly $42,000 per year.

Meanwhile, the state’s overall quality of life and healthcare rankings for seniors are around the national average.

9. Nebraska

The Cornhusker State also ranks high in the quality of life, healthcare and well-being indexes, and scores high marks for its quality of senior care and support for seniors and family caregivers.

As far as affordability of senior care, Nebraska’s costs are around the national average (roughly $53,000 annually for a home health aide and about $43,500 a year for assisted living expenses).

10. Wisconsin

While senior care here is relatively expensive ($48,000 per year on average for an assisted living community and about $50,000 yearly for a home health aide), the state ranks eighth in the nation for quality of life and health care.

Wisconsin’s long-term care options and support for seniors and family caregivers also scored some of the highest marks in the country, cementing its place among the top 10.

Ideally, picking a great place to retire might change the proximity to the grand kids, family and friends as well as decent climate. But if you are among the Americans who may someday need long-term care or will be in the position for providing or paying for such care for a family member, the list of best spots may look somewhat different. For those of us with family, it becomes a group decision, for others it just may be the cost of living that matters.  Whatever the situation or location, make sure you live out your golden years to the fullest.  

As Mark Twain once said “Age is an issue of mind over matter.  If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.

Healthy Eating as We Age

Eating healthy is important at any age, but even more so as older adults, after the age of 50.  It’s imperative as we age to make better choices for our health in general. Healthier food choices affect our blood pressure, heart, bones, mood and all around well-being.

The National Institute on Aging suggests the following tips to get you started:

• Eat many different colors and types of vegetables and fruits.
• Make sure at least half of your grains are whole grains.
• East only small amounts of solid fats and foods with added sugars.  Limit saturated fat (found mostly in foods that come from animals) and Trans fats (found in foods like store-bought baked goods and some margarines).
• Eat ”good” (poly-and mono-saturated) fats, like those found in seeds, nuts, avocados, and fatty fish like salmon.  Any fats added in cooking should come from olive, canola, corn, or vegetable oil.
• Eat seafood twice a week.  Small fish, like sardines or trout, or farm-raised fish contain less mercury than large fish, like tuna.   Mercury can be harmful.

Eating foods from each food group will help you get the nutrients you need.  The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) explains healthy eating patterns.

The Dietary Guidelines suggest that people 50 or older choose foods every day from the following:

• Fruits:    1(1/2) to 2(1/2) Cups
• Vegetables:  2-3(1/2) Cups
• Grains:    5-10 Ounces
• Protein Foods: 5-7 Ounces
• Dairy Food: 3 Cups of fat-free or low-fat milk
• Oils:  5-8 teaspoons
• Solid fats and added sugars and salt:  Small amounts

Here are a few examples of healthy, nutritious recipes for seniors from Aplaceformom.com.

Breakfast:    Banana Split Oatmeal (Single Serving)

• 1/3 Cup Oatmeal
• 1/8 Tsp. salt
• ¾ Cup water (very hot)
• ½ banana (sliced)
• ½ Cup frozen yogurt, non-fat

Preparation:      In Microwave safe bowl mix together oatmeal and sale. Stir in water.

Microwave on high power for 1 minute. Stir. Microwave on high power for another minute. Stir again.

Top with banana slices and frozen yogurt.

Lunch:        Spring Vegetable Soup (Serves 4)

• 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• ¼ red cabbage (medium head, about 2 cups, finely shredded).
• 2 ripe tomatoes (medium, seeded and chopped)
• 1 Cup canned artichoke hearts (drained and chopped)
• 1 Cup green peas (frozen or fresh)
• 2-1/2 Cups vegetable juice (low-sodium tomato)
• 1 Cup water
• 2 Tsp. dried basil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Preparation:    In large soup pot, heat oil over medium heat. Saute cabbage, tomatoes,

        Artichoke hearts and peas for 10 minutes.

        Add tomato juice and water.  Bring to boil.  Reduce heat, add basil and simmer

        For 10 minutes, or until all vegetables are tender and soup is piping hot.

            Serve in individual serving bowls.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Dinner:        “So Easy” Crock Pot Recipe

• 1.5 lb. bag frozen skinless, boneless chicken tenders (no breading)
• 1-16oz. can of organic, low-sodium chicken broth
• 10-15 baby red potatoes
• 2 carrots cut into 1-inch pieces
• 3 stalks of celery cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 small onion, sliced
• 1 packet of McCormick’s Gourmet Seasoning (Chicken and Potatoes or any other flavor you fancy).

Preparation:    Spray Crock Pot with olive oil spray

Add cut vegetables, potatoes, broth, frozen chicken tenders, packet of seasoning.  Mix all together.

Cook on low for 6-8 hours.  Use leftovers for lunch the following day or make into a stew.

Eating healthy is one of many lifestyle changes we make as we get into our senior years.  It doesn’t have to be the same meal or foods every day, there are many options and creative recipes out there that meet your restricted diet needs you just have to look.  Meeting with your doctor or a certified dietitian, can assist you in customizing meal plans, or suggesting certain foods to avoid due to special diets, allergies or interaction with medications.  As always, it’s very important to check with your doctor first.