Author: lowe.495

How to Age in Style

September is a time to think about something most adults would like to forget – getting older! September is Healthy Aging Month as well as Falls Prevention Awareness Week (this year it’s September 22-26). In the U.S., people are living longer than in previous years and may experience several changes to their minds and bodies as the years go by, both good and bad. It is possible to enjoy all the years of our lives in health, happiness, and vigor, but the key is to start healthy aging habits early in life.

What are some healthy aging habits?

A group of older adults standing together and smiling

Nutrition and Physical Activity

As we age, it’s important to eat a variety of foods from all five food groups, limiting our intake of sugar, saturated fats, and sodium. Concentrate on eating enough protein to maintain muscle mass and make sure you are eating food and beverages with calcium for strong bones. Sometimes as we age, we may lose some of our sense of thirst, so be sure to make time to keep yourself hydrated.

Don’t forget to exercise too! Regular physical activity can keep older adults strong and independent. Start the habit today of at least 150 minutes of moderate activity each week.

Financial Health

We also want to keep our finances healthy as we get older. It’s important to keep an eye on your budget at any age, but also consider the financial changes that could be coming your way in the future. Review your medical insurance plan each year for changes in your deductible and out-of-pocket coverage. Know what procedures and medications will be covered under your private insurance or Medicare. Also take time to review your estate with a professional so that you know how your money will one day be distributed to your heirs.

When you are out shopping, dining, or seeing sites, don’t be shy – ask about the senior discounts, if you qualify! This can help you save money to use for other experiences!

Social and Mental Well-being

With aging comes times of life transitions – moving to new homes, retirement, and the loss of loved ones. Making sure to keep socially active through these transition periods can have huge health benefits. Schedule regular times to visit with friends each week/month or take time to talk on the phone with one another. Talk to your neighbors as you are getting your mail, or take a class at your local library.

Keep up on regular hearing checks – hearing loss is a common reason people begin to socially isolate themselves as the loss of hearing makes it harder to keep up with conversations. Hearing aids are an easy fix to ensure you stay part of the discussion.

Lastly, don’t worry if you feel you are behind in beginning healthy aging habits – it is never too late to make a positive change in your lifestyle. As the saying goes, “the best day to start was yesterday, the second best day is today.”

Resources:

University of Minnesota Extension. https://extension.umn.edu/later-life-decision-making/healthy-aging

CDC, Healthy Aging at Any Age. https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-aging/about/index.html

MyPlate, Older Adults. https://www.myplate.gov/life-stages/older-adults

NCOA, Money Matters. https://www.ncoa.org/article/money-matters-top-10-budgeting-tips-for-older-adults/

Mayo Clinic. https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/healthy-aging/a-surprising-key-to-healthy-aging-strong-social-connections/

NCOA, Falls Prevention Awareness Week. https://www.ncoa.org/professionals/health/center-for-healthy-aging/national-falls-prevention-resource-center/falls-prevention-awareness-week/

Written By: Jessica Lowe, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Pickaway County, lowe.495@osu.edu

Reviewed By: Aaron Fowler, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Greene County, fowler.440@osu.edu

Your Eyes Can Save Lives

Content Warning: Drowning

Summer is finally here, which means it’s pool time! Swimming is a favorite hot weather activity, but one that should come with some caution. After graduating from college, I worked a few summers at a local day camp for youth. Swimming was a daily (and much anticipated!) part of our day. Before camp began, employees were trained in active supervision, particularly in and around a swimming pool, and how absolutely vital this was to protect our campers. One aspect of the training that still sticks with me even today was a surveillance video we were shown of a child who was actively drowning in a pool. What struck me the most was just how many people were all around this child (and had no idea was what happening right next to them) and how much this did NOT look like how movies portray a drowning.

Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for children 1-4 years old, and the second cause of unintentional death for youth ages 5-14. Looking at specific numbers, this is around 900 children each year. Many drownings do occur in swimming pools, but can also happen in other bodies of water, such as bathtubs, ponds, lakes, and oceans. If we are out enjoying our summer in one of these locations, what are some of the signs that someone may be drowning?

  • Stays low to the water level – a person may be unable to keep their head above the water and have their mouth right at the water level.
  • Keeps their body in a vertical position – a person struggling in the water will likely not splash around or even kick their legs out.
  • Makes no noise – a person who is drowning may not shout or scream for help; they will stay silent in the water as they are concentrating on their breathing.

Infographic to prevent drowning.

There are many ways we can work together to prevent accidents and drownings in a pool or other body of water.

  • Supervision – This was one of the many ways we protected the children in our day camp. Be sure that your child does not swim alone and that they have an adult actively supervising them when they are swimming. Active supervision means putting down our phones, books, and earbuds while children are in the pool. The YMCA has the “Phones Down, Eyes Up” initiative to help parents and caregivers remember to always keep an eye on their swimming children.
  • Wear lifejackets – If you know that your child is not a strong swimmer, they should wear a US Coast Guard-approved life jacket that fits them and is appropriate for their weight range. All children and adults should wear lifejackets when boating.
  • Learn to swim and know water safety rules – Take the time to teach your child how to swim or enroll them in swimming lessons at your local aquatics center. It’s never too early or too late to learn!

Have fun at the pool this summer and remember to keep yourself and your children safe!

 

Written By: Jessica Lowe, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Pickaway County

Reviewed By: Aaron Fowler, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Greene County

Join a Book Club!

A group of adults in a circle discussing a book.

As we discussed previously on this blog, there are so many benefits to reading a good book! But are you looking to get even more health benefits from your reading time? If so, consider joining a book club! Book clubs have been around for many years – history shows that in the Middle Ages, when not many people had the ability to read (or own books), one person would read a book to others, then they would discuss it together. Book clubs as we know them really took hold in the United States after the Civil War ended.

Since that time, studies have shown many benefits of being in a book club. Book clubs can help individuals gain new perspectives of the world around them. Some traditional book clubs will select a wide variety of novels to discuss, pushing members to think and read “outside the box.” Book clubs are a great way to stay social. Studies have shown that social isolation can increase cognitive decline as people age. Discussing a new book with others on a regular basis can keep your mind working and improve brain health. Book clubs have been shown to decrease stress levels. Getting together with individuals we may not know well can be a stressful situation, but having a common talking point (the book) can help us feel more at ease. Finally, book clubs are something people can join at little to no cost. Book clubs are generally free to join, and participants can get their books on loan from their local library.

There are many different types of books clubs available to join. A few varieties include:

  • Traditional Book Clubs – this is a book club where a group of people get together (usually in-person) to discuss either a book they have all read together or, in other cases, discuss what they’ve read in the last month to share recommendations with others in the group.
  • Online Book Clubs – Many celebrities have started their own book clubs, including Reese Witherspoon, Oprah Winfrey, Jenna Bush Hager, and others. Readers can then discuss these books in forums or on social media.

Not sure what type of book club would be right for you? Consider what you are hoping to do and get from a book club. Why do you want to join a book club?  Are you looking to get out of the house or are you interested in hosting your own gathering? Do you only want to read certain genres of books or are you interested in trying out different reads? Do you want a book club that meets at specific times, or more of a forum-type book club?

If you are looking for book club to join, consider joining the Buckeye Bookworms on our next book “The Measure” by Nikki Erlick. This online book club begins on April 10 (though you don’t have to have read the book by then!). If you are interested in learning more or registering, be sure to visit www.go.osu.edu/fcsbookclub.

Buckeye Bookworms promotional material. Get more information at www.go.osu.edu/fcsbookclub

Written by: Jessica Lowe, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University Extension, Pickaway County, lowe.495@osu.edu.

Reviewed by: Aaron Fowler, Extension Educator, Family and Consumer Sciences, Ohio State University, Greene County, fowler.440@osu.edu.

The Gift of Gift Cards

Do you have a loved one who you’re never quite sure what to get them for the holidays? If so, you may be considering gifting them a gift card, so that they can get something they truly want or need. There are two common gift cards that are sold at many retailers: Store cards – gift cards that can only be used at a specific store or merchant, and network-branded cards – gift cards that can be used with many different merchants and are usually issued by banks or large financial institutions. When purchasing gift cards, consider which type would be most beneficial to the person receiving the card.

Hands holding a wrapped gift card in front of a Christmas tree.

Most store gift cards and network-branded gift cards are covered by the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure (Credit CARD) Act. This means that your gift card cannot expire until at least 5 years after it was activated. The merchant or institution that issued the card also cannot charge any inactivity fees for at least one year if your loved one chooses to hang on to the card for a while.

A few other tips when buying gift cards:

  • Check the card before you buy it. Make sure it isn’t damaged and the PIN number on the back of the card hasn’t been revealed.
  • Buy gift cards from trusted stores and sites. Gift cards can be counterfeited or stolen, so do not buy from unfamiliar sources.
  • Give the receipt to the recipient of the gift card as well as the terms and conditions so they are aware of the fine print.

If this holiday season you or your children are given a gift card as a gift, remember to protect the gift card like it is cash. There is a good chance you will not get your money back if the gift card is accidentally lost or stolen. If the issuer offers it, you may be able to register your gift card so that you can better protect your money if the card is lost. 

For youth, gift cards can be a great way to teach about money management. Be sure to talk with your child about how and where they can use the card as well as how much money is on the card. Remind them to consider sales tax when purchasing an item. Encourage your child to complete the purchase from start to finish (it is their money, after all!). Have them bring their item to the register, pay for their item by handing the gift card to the cashier, and collect the receipt and item from the check out. This will help prepare children for making purchases on their own later in their lives.

Whether giving or receiving gift cards this holiday season, remember to keep your money safe for a happy shopping and gift-giving experience!

Written By:  Jessica Lowe, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Pickaway County, Ohio State University Extension, lowe.495@osu.edu

Reviewed By: Caitlin Mathews-Smith, Family and Consumer Sciences, Guernsey County, Ohio State University Extension, mathews-smith.1@osu.edu