Leslie Newlife

Senior Inclusion; Connecting to the Outside World.

Seniors often worry that when they retire and move to a Senior community, that they will lose their connections with others. To attract seniors to your community and show them that you want to soothe their fears of isolation, you can take the following steps to help them feel connected.

A Sense of Community

No one wants to live in an isolated setting. Show people that you are a community where they can have easy access to the outside world – plan events that include seniors and their families on a regular basis. Ensure that there is a feeling of effortless access; make it so that transportation, pick-ups and using their vehicles if they are still able to can be a simple process. Make sure that everything is user-friendly and handicapped accessible. If you are in areas that get cold and snow, have regular snow removers and ensure that the parking lots and paths to the community are well groomed.

Access to Technology

Seniors want all the comforts of home at their fingertips, and that includes items such as WI-FI and computers. Many people who live in senior housing do not have access to computers so a well-stocked computer lab would be very beneficial. Computer literacy classes on how to work Skype, email, and FaceTime would allow seniors to learn how to connect online. Social media classes explaining the different aspects of all the latest media would often be appreciated as well. Giving seniors access to the ability to contact family and loved ones all over the world will help to keep them happy as they age.

Include the Culture of the Local Area

People want to remain connected with the outside world when they retire into a senior community. There are several areas where the center can connect with locals to bring in some culture from nearby. Some of these ideas include talking to the following: schools, community centers, and local theaters. Many churches offer volunteer services to connect with the senior communities as well. All of these things help seniors so that they don’t feel isolated when they move into a senior community.

.Seniors want a place where they don’t feel isolated and alone. Make them see that your community stands out from the rest with innovative ideas that help them communicate and explore the world

Social Media: Why Your Residents Should Be On Twitter

twitterb

Today’s world revolves around technology and it has become a major part of people’s lives. In recent years, social media has become a popular way to stay in contact with friends and loved ones, as well as a way to stay up-to-date on current events. Some seniors may think that they are too old for social media or that they may not be able to figure out how to use it, but this is simply not the case. It is a good idea for all senior living professionals to encourage seniors that they should be more active on social media because of the positive benefits it can have on them. Popular social media sites, such as Twitter, are very easy to use and are a great way to stay connected. Below is a guide to help seniors get started with Twitter and some reasons why your residents should have an account.

  • Explain What Twitter is to Your Residents and Show Them How it Works

Tell your residents that Twitter is a social media site where people share thoughts and events in real-time, or as they happen. Twitter users make updates called tweets, which are small posts under 140 characters. Tweets can include other Twitter users by using the @ symbol before their username and can also include a #, which is known as the hashtag symbol, in order to link outside sources/links to their tweets and easily access posts that are trending (being viewed by a lot of people). People can easily see one another’s tweets by following one another on twitter.

  • Why Seniors Should Have a Twitter Account

Tell your residents that there are real, active, Twitter communities based on just about everything, and they can join them, such as their favorite TV show or book. Twitter can keep seniors busy in their free time and can keep them updated on current events in the news. Twitter also allows seniors to comment on the news, politics, social issues and anything at all, in real time. Encourage your residents to make a Twitter account because it doesn’t matter how old they are or where they live, their opinions matter and Twitter can help make their voices heard.

  • Help Your Residents Create an Account

Creating a Twitter account is easy and can be done in as little as a few minutes. The following are some steps that your residents can take to create a Twitter account. The first step is to go to twitter.com. Then, click on sign up for Twitter, which is on the right side on the bottom. Complete basic information, then choose a username and password. After completing a field, click on create my account. After this, begin choosing who to follow. Twitter will give suggestions of people to follow. There is also an option on the left of the screen that new twitter users can use to find people that they may know.

  • Show Your Residents Some Good Pages for Them to Follow on Twitter

If your senior living community has a Twitter page, then show them so that they can follow it and see what’s going on at your community. Ask your residents what their favorite things are, such as shows, movies, books, hobbies, etc. and suggest some pages that they can follow. If your resident is into politics or the news, then show them some news outlets that they can follow.

Encourage your residents to engage with the world and have fun with Twitter!

7 Reasons to Utilize Print Advertising

There is a competitive market for your advertising dollars, particularly with the rise in popularity of digital media. While it can be difficult to decide where you will get the best ROI for your budget, there are some key aspects to consider when choosing where to advertise.

See below for 7 key reasons to advertise in print, particularly when targeting seniors:

1. Credibility

Print media is not only familiar to this demographic, but has been around for decades longer, lending a level of credibility that many still may not feel with digital advertising. Many seniors will consider messaging more legitimate when they see something in print.

2. Targeted Marketing

While digital media boasts the ability to target a specific demographic, there is also a lot of targeting available via print media if you know your audience. Baby boomers still read the newspaper, they attend performance art (you can advertise in the programs), they read their mail, and periuse guides, especially those given to themby professionals! There are several possibilities to consider when attempting to reach this audience.

3. Reader Interaction

Have you ever visited a senior friend or relative and noticed that they have things hanging on their refrigerator or papers stacked neatly in a pile on their desk? When they see something that interests them, they will often tear it out and save it for later. The interaction potential with a print ad is a great benefit to the medium.

4. Build Trust

Seniors display a level of brand loyalty that cannot be ignored. If your institution or organization advertises in a publication they trust, they are more likely to trust you and build a loyalty to your brand over time via the association.

5. Targeting Income Levels

Many advertising companies have the ability to pull mailing lists based on zip codes and zip codes can be selected and targeted based on median home value. If the seniors utilizing your services fall into a specific income bracket, this is one way to find them and send them some information about your business.

6. Repetition Discounts

Print media options like newspapers and magazines will often offer a discount if you schedule a repetitive ad with their company. Speak with your sales rep to ask about targeting the ads when applicable articles or news coverage is running that would draw the attention of your intended audience. If the ad is already designed and sized, it can be added in some publications without too much advance notice.

Finding the right print media options for you can be as simple as asking some of your target audience what they like to read, how often they like to read it and whether or not they pay attention to the advertising within the publication. Take a look around nursing homes, doctors offices, senior centers, pharmacies and the supermarket and ask around to determine which publications are easily accessible and found in multiple and various locations. Once you narrow down which publications to try, be sure to track when  your ads are placed and whether or not you receive any feedback. Although this is difficult, it will help determine whether or not these investments are worthwhile for the future.

Home Care Assisted Living

As we get older, our bodies as well as our minds change.  For many of us, our lives become very static for the last few decades of life.  We become set in our routines, surrounded by objects and mementos that remind us of our lives and personal history.  It is a comfort found unfamiliarity.  Sometimes this existence replaces social outlets, as friends and family begin to dwindle, often leaving the elderly with only memories of their past to keep them company.

As our lives begin to wind down, we might face dementia or simply find ourselves embedded in our routines and environments to the point where a major move or change becomes upsetting. Completely changing a person’s surroundings, especially if they are battling Alzheimer’s or dementia, could be unnecessarily traumatic.  Even to the point where it could cause depression, and affect their quality of life.  They might even become angry, confused, and try to “escape” their new home.  Which can all stress them out to the point where it shortens what remaining years they have.

Also, not all elderly people become reclusive.  Sometimes they are surrounded by friends and family, loved ones who make regular visits. They have a set routine with healthy social outlets that keep their minds and spirits up. They might have everything they need to live out the rest of their lives in happiness and comfort without needing to be moved to a full-time care facility. Without the often difficult transition to a nursing home, the elderly can find comfort in familiar surroundings, have better access to loved ones, and get to have the quiet enjoyment they have grown to appreciate where they have been for so many years already.  Safe and sound at home.

What if you could make your loved one as comfortable as possible, with all the benefits of full-time care right at home?  This is not only possible, but many times the best decision you can make with your family.  With much the same care that can be found at an assisted living, nursing home or full-care facility.  Your loved one can avoid the confusion and depression which sometimes follows a big move.

Home Care professionals offer the services of daily care such as laundry, cooking, cleaning, and helping your loved one with tasks such as hygiene and making their appointments, getting their hair done or transport to where they need to be.  They also offer companionship for what could potentially become a lonely existence, even surrounded by the accumulation of their lives and past.

Later years in one’s life should be met with caring and compassion. For many, the result of leaving home to start a new adventure with new people might be exciting and liberating, yet for others the positive aspects of this are often lost to the fear and confusion of such a major change happening at a vulnerable point in their lives.  Home Care offers a solution in those times.

5 Tips for Reaching Seniors On Social Media

When it comes to marketing to seniors, many people overlook social media. The reality, however, is that many seniors are using social media, and with the proper social media marketing strategy, you can reach them effectively. Here are some tips for marketing to seniors on social media.

Choose the Right Social Media Platform

Facebook and Twitter may be better platforms to use than something like Snapchat or LinkedIn, which attract a younger crowd. Instagram is also a good platform. Don’t forget Youtube, which is a great place to establish yourself as an expert on retirement living advice and also provide peeks into what life is like in your community.

Tap Into the Power of Visuals

Social media lets you create a portfolio of the best snapshots of your retirement living community. Use Instagram and Facebook to showcase the best moments experienced at your community and the pictures that best display the comfort and warmth that you offer.

Use Demographic Targeting

Facebook has great tools that let you target specific demographics in your advertising campaigns. You can target people of a certain age, people who make a certain amount of money per year, people who have shown an interest in a particular subject, and much more. This makes it easy to target either seniors or their children.

Establish a Community

Social media allows you to establish a community. You can provide a platform where you offer tips and advice on retirement living. You can use your platform to announce upcoming events and other happenings at your living facility.

Promote Trial Runs

You can promote trial runs at your facility. For example, you can host one-day events that allow people to experience what living in your community is like without any commitment. This is a great way for people to get over the fear that they may not like it.

Long-term Care Insurance is Different from Traditional Health Insurance

Many believe that the government will pay for their long-term healthcare needs when they’re older. Unfortunately, several misconceptions circulate the web regarding health insurance for seniors, and these days many rely on social media posts for their daily news. Though, some media posts may be unreliable and it’s important for your health and wellness to keep up-to-date with reliable information from a verifiable source.

Common Misconceptions Regarding Health Insurance Coverage  

One common misconception: “my health insurance will cover the costs of my long-care needs.” Only under certain circumstances and up to a maximum of 100 days will Medicare cover your long-term care needs. Typically, most health insurances plans don’t even cover the costs of basic care needs associated with chronic illnesses or traumatic injuries. As a result, many seniors are seeking long-term care insurance plans to help them pay for these additional costs.

Long-term Care Insurance is Different from Traditional Health Insurance

Traditional health insurance is not the same as long-term care insurance (LTCI). Simply put, LTCI covers your long-term care needs when the effects of aging impact your daily life. It includes support and services, such as custodial and personal care, in your own home or a nursing facility. Like any insurance policy, the various benefits and care options depend on the preferred insurance company you choose. This will determine how much funds you can spend to pay for the services and personnel you need to help you with activities, like eating and dressing.

How Do Insurance Companies Calculate Your Premiums?
Insurance companies calculate your premiums on the following factors:
  • Age ~ Specifically, the age you were when you purchased the policy. The older you are, the more likely they are to decline you. Some insurance companies deny seniors over the age of eighty-years. The younger you are when you purchase LTCI the better because you have more time to build up your assets for the future.
  • Gender ~ Women live longer than men and insurance companies feel it is only fair that women pay up. Ladies expect your premiums to me much higher than your male counterparts.
  • Health ~ This one is a no brainer. If you are currently receiving treatment for a chronic illness, it’s likely you will have higher premiums or possibly be denied coverage.

There are other variables insurance companies consider, like inflation and the benefit period, but ultimately your age and health play a pivotal role in your premiums. What’s important is to do your research and compare insurance prices before choosing one. There are varying price ranges, but an average LTCI for a couple in their late fifties or early sixties typically ranges from $2,000 to $4,000 per year.

Long-term Care Insurance is Different in Each State
Long-term care insurance is state regulated and each state has different companies and policies available. The best time for you to buy LTCI is when you are in your mid-fifties. If you are looking for a place to begin, talk with your provider or try searching here. Start planning today to enjoy a healthier tomorrow!

5 Tips for Being More Effective When Marketing to Seniors

When marketing to seniors, you can't use the same tactics that everyone uses to target the millennial audience. This is especially true when creating ad campaigns for your retirement living community. Here are some tips for marketing your retirement community to seniors and their loved ones.

Be Straightforward

Cute and catchy marketing slogans may work for the younger crowd, but older people generally want you to get to the point. Be straightforward and clear with your message. Clearly explain the benefits you provide.

Don't Confuse Them

Remember that seniors may not be familiar with slang words and abbreviations. Even simple slang abbreviations like LOL may be unfamiliar to them. They may not know what various emojis signify either. Avoid referencing cultural fads that are popular among the young crowd.

Focus On Customer Experience

When marketing to seniors, always focus on providing the highest value. Emphasize this in your advertisements. A big part of this is having great customer support. Be authentic, caring, and helpful in your marketing campaigns and in the way you interact with new leads. One effective way to make your outreach feel personal is by creating printable invitations for open houses or community events, giving seniors and their families a tangible, friendly touchpoint that reinforces trust.

Use Sponsored Content

Consider using native advertising (sponsored material in a publication or website besides your own, often in the middle of another article) when marketing to seniors. You want to stay away from being overly promotional. Sponsored content and native advertising on other blogs can help you get the exposure you want without seeming too pushy.

Focus On Pain Points

Try to focus on your target demographic and place an emphasis on their pain points. If you are targeting a middle-aged daughter who wants the best for her elderly mother, for example, focus on the things that cause her pain and how you will alleviate it. In such a case, it might be her worrying about her mother while she is taking care of her children or trying to balance taking care of her mother and her responsibilities at work.

Let New LifeStyles help you market to seniors in need of help. Click to view the many ways we can help you get your message in front them.

Home Care: Complications of a Stroke

A stroke happens when a blood vessel gets blocked or it ruptures. The brain is not able to get enough blood and oxygen so it is unable to continue to work normally. Eventually, brain cells die.

There are many complications of a stroke and these include:

Each person who suffers from a stroke is different. This makes it hard to know what challenges each person will have and the best way to help them. There is no cut-and-dry way to help them. Instead, you have to work through each complication that they have.

Many struggle with communication. Many are unable to communicate the same way after their stroke. Sometimes, comprehension is the issue while other times a patient may have aphasia.

Difficulty swallowing is also another common complication from a stroke. Not only does this make communication difficult, it can also make it hard to get the nutrition that they need. Special diets may be necessary, though you may also have to help them clear out their mouth.

Many have behavior changes. They may act impulsively, without thinking. Many don’t understand their limitations and try to do more than they are able to.

Many patients struggle with their emotions after a stroke. Because of their limitations and how hard it can be to do things, many patients are angry. Others get anxious and become depressed.

Because there are many complications that happen after a stroke, it is important that caregivers are prepared to help. They may need to help with every day tasks like bathing, eating, and drinking. They also will need to be there as the emotions take over.

UV Light Disinfection Systems for Senior Housing

Disinfection is an important factor in the operation of senior care communities. It is particularly crucial in skilled nursing facilities where residents are prone to illness. Harsh chemical cleaning agents are no longer ideal for sanitizing. Health care facilities are adopting ultraviolet light systems to assist with disinfection requirements.

Why is disinfection important?

Proper cleaning is necessary to prevent the spread of various illnesses and diseases. Not only is it essential for the residents, but it also helps protect caregivers who work with high-risk and sick individuals.

What is UV disinfection?

Ultraviolet light is invisible to the human eye. The sun emits large amounts of this light, but most of it is absorbed by Earth’s ozone layer. Such light has the capacity to kill bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. Exposing air, water, and surfaces to UV light has proven to eliminate dangerous microorganisms. A recent study provides an interesting insight into this process.

Advantages

  •         Deactivates microorganisms within seconds
  •         Environmentally friendly, having no dangerous byproducts or chemicals
  •         Reliable
  •         Cost-effective
  •         Low maintenance, easy to use

Disadvantages

  •         Adaptation – The primary drawback of UV disinfection is that cells can evolve and adapt to this type of irradiation. It is a complex process, and research is being performed to help prevent and understand it.
  •         Shadow areas – UV light disinfection works by line of sight. This means that if an object is blocked from the light, it will not be affected. It is commonly referred to as the shadow effect. It can be overcome by moving the light source or objects so that adequate UV rays reach the intended areas.

Safety

Humans should not be exposed to UV light. It can damage eyes and skin. People cannot be in a room while it is being cleaned with an ultraviolet light source. The light cannot penetrate glass, so it is possible to observe a UV sanitation system through a window or glass door.

Does UV disinfection kill all microorganisms?

The answer to this question really depends on the exact UV wavelengths and the amount of exposure. Some microorganisms are difficult to deactivate and require longer amounts of time exposed to the UV light source. Additionally, certain bacteria are only killed by specific wavelengths. That being said, with the correct UV light source, most bacteria, viruses, and protozoa can be eradicated. This includes C difficile, commonly known to be difficult to kill. On the other hand, UV disinfection does not damage staff, also known as MRSA.

Intelligent room UV disinfection systems

Because people cannot be in the room while it is being disinfected with UV light, these systems utilize autonomous robots. Several companies manufacture these devices. It takes approximately 15 minutes for a robot to disinfect a room. The robots navigate the space to reduce the impact of the shadow effect. They also have the ability to focus on germ hot spots like sinks and high-traffic surfaces.

UV disinfection may not eliminate the need for traditional cleaning; most experts agree that this procedure is best used in combination with conventional disinfection methods. As research continues, and as we learn more about the potential of UV light, we likely will see more of these systems being implemented in the senior care industry.

National Senior Health & Fitness Day

25th Anniversary Theme: “Active Today…Healthier Tomorrow!”

Registration NOW OPEN for the 25th Anniversary of National Senior Health & Fitness Day:

Wednesday, May 30th

Register FREE for a Limited Time: Save $30+ on the Event Fee!

National Senior Health & Fitness Day is the nation’s largest older adult health & wellness event, always held the last Wednesday in May. This year’s event is set for Wednesday, May 30th. Visit FitnessDay.com for event details. 

Organizations interested in hosting a local Senior Health & Fitness Day event must register in order to legally use the event name and logo, which are federal trademarks. This year’s event registration is $29.95 per location, but for a limited time, you can get a  free online event registration — a $30.00+ value — compliments of one of our national event sponsors!

When you complete your free  online event registration, you will receive an e-mail receipt which is your license to legally use the 2018 event name and logo, along with the following benefits:

1. Unlimited access to the special 2018 Senior Health & Fitness Day program website, with all of the resources you will need to plan and host a successful Senior Health & Fitness Day event on Wednesday, May 30th.

2. A free subscription to Fitness Day News, our e-newsletter with regular event updates and additional materials and resources for your event.

3. Access to the 2018 Senior Health & Fitness Day store, with official event promotion items — T-shirts, buttons, balloons, pens, handout bags and more that are only available to organizations that have registered.

Hurry! This free online event registration is only available for a limited time!

Questions about 2018 National Senior Health & Fitness Day and the free online event registration offer?

Contact us: 

E-mail:info@fitnessday.com

Phone: 800-828-8225 (weekdays 9-5 Central time).

Thank you for helping us select the theme for the 25th Anniversary of National Senior Health & Fitness Day:

“Active Today… Healthier Tomorrow!”

For the third year, we sent a survey to groups that have participated in recent Senior Health & Fitness Day events. We asked them to select their favorite theme from among the four finalists. 

This year’s winning theme: “Active Today… Healthier Tomorrow!” was the favorite. Thank you to the organizations that sent in their favorite theme selection.

This year’s winning theme was submitted by Patricia Hamm of Camarillo, California. Ms. Hamm’s winning entry was selected from nearly 1,000 submissions. She will receive the special 25th anniversary prize of $350, and her theme will be featured on event materials and official promotion items.

Watch for more about Ms. Hamm in an upcoming Fitness Day News issue.

About the Event:

National Senior Health & Fitness Day is the nation’s largest older adult health and wellness event, always held the last Wednesday in May. This year’s 25th Anniversary event is set for Wednesday, May 30, 2018.

More than 1,000 local organizations will host Senior Health & Fitness Day events for more than 100,000 seniors — across the country on the same day.

Local groups interested in hosting a National Senior Health & Fitness Day event must register in order to legally use the event name and logo, which are federal trademarks.

The 2018 event registration fee is $29.95 per location (plus shipping), and there are a limited number of free event registrations available, courtesy of one of the event’s national sponsors. 

For more about the 25th Anniversary of National Senior Health & Fitness Day, please visit fitnessday.com or e-mail: info@fitnessday.com.