Leslie Newlife

Debunking the Myths About Senior Living

Seniors Image

by: Eugenia B.

When it comes to senior living and senior activity, it’s a held belief that living in a senior community can have less to offer than other living arrangements. However, for most of the senior communities located in cities and towns across the country, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Let’s take a few moments to demystify some of these misconceptions surrounding these communities, and paint a realistic, clear picture of seniors and senior living.

Myth 1: “Living in a senior community is not affordable.”

While many seniors (although not all) paid off their homes and enjoy being mortgage free, things like property taxes, utility bills, insurance, summer and winter maintenance costs can add up quickly, and never go away as a homeowner. Add on the monthly price tag of regular medical care, and the cost of choosing to live in an independent living community alongside other seniors can be on par with staying in your home. Personalized, around the clock care, living with other of similar age, and having access to activities and community events — depending on a senior’s priorities or health — may even make the option of a senior community more enticing.

Myth 2: “When you say senior care community, you might as well say nursing home.”

Many people think that these two very different establishments are synonymous, but that simply isn’t true. Being part of an independent community means that your lifestyle transforms into one that is more care-free, but not restricted. For example, planning ahead to get assistance for physically intensive tasks, or circumstance that requires a level of premeditation can be taken out of the equation once in a senior community. Senior living communities are places where activities, clubs, fitness classes, and excursions are all organized for you and are in a central location. A level of amenity, independence and social elements are all kept in mind that many “homes” don’t provide. Clear research, a visit to the community and keeping in mind what is best for the senior are all highly recommended, and the best way to dispel this level of thinking.

Myth 3: “Moving to one of these communities will isolate me from family and friends.”

There’s no compelling reason to think you’ll see the people you care about less frequently. Senior communities don’t keep your family and friends from visiting or spending the day with you; in fact, visits are happily encouraged. How? Many communities have a number of different options for hosting your loved ones. Whether it’s a visit in the common area, outdoor picnic events or barbecues, the on-premise cafe, the clubhouse… a chance to meet with the people you care about doesn’t go away. If anything, space may increase for these opportunities to happen more often.

Myth 4: “I won’t like the food.”

Would it surprise you to learn that many senior living communities take great pride in offering sumptuous meals to their residents each and every day? Chefs, culinary professionals and dieticians are only some of the staff these communities employ to ensure every meal eaten is flavourful, varied, and nutritional.

Myth 5: “I’ll be bored.”

Where and when this particular myth was derived is difficult to say. Considering that these communities employ a staff of activity coordinators whose job involves planning frequent events, outings, and classes, you’ll likely find that your social calendar is as full as it ever was — if not more.

If some of these myths sound like things you’ve been thinking or worrying about, you aren’t the only one. Hopefully, you can now count yourself among those who are willing to consider that senior living communities can be amazing and fulfilling places to live. We hope that this article helped dispel some myths — or brought up items you weren’t even thinking about — so you can make an informed, clear and unbiased decision for you, a loved one, or relative or senior you know.

Changes for a Better Living

Discovering the difficulties associated with aging can be tough, and caring for elderly loved ones can be a bit challenging as well. At a certain age, individuals lose their ability to complete activities of daily living, which can be frustrating for the individual and their caretaker.  New LifeStyles can help you understand available senior housing and care options whether you are a caregiver or an individual struggling with the decision to seek assistance.

Deciding to Move

Realizing your, or a loved one’s, home is no longer the best or the safest option can be a painful discovery. Tasks become harder with age and being left alone to deal with the difficulties that arise every day may not be a suitable option. Choosing to relocate is not always an easy decision to make, but seeking advice from professionals can make the transition more manageable.  New LifeStyles can help you understand your situation and give you the guidance needed to make tough decisions. Their resources benefit seniors, their families, caretakers, and community directors.

Refusing to Leave

Most adults become accustomed to their own rules. We do what we want, within boundaries, and ultimately do not have to answer to anyone. As a senior, being told what to do can become irritating, exhausting, and sometimes even degrading. When moving your elderly loved one out of the comforts of their home, it may be necessary to seek outside help. Take the first step by contacting New LifeStyles to gather quality information to present to your loved one.

Core Value

Many senior communities offer independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing services, and so much more.  New LifeStyles can guide you through the process of locating senior living and care options that will provide the best quality of care for your loved one.  Take advantage of New LifeStyles’ resources and help your loved one maintain independence, dignity, and happiness during their golden years.

New Facebook Mentorship Product Excellent for Senior Engagement

In November 2017, Facebook announced the early stages of its Mentorship and Support product. Initially limited to education and crisis recovery groups, the platform has been expanding into other select sectors to build strong, supportive communities.  For digitally connected seniors, this development establishes another opportunity for connectivity, fulfillment, and legacy.

Making Group Connections

According to an August 2018 update, the Mentorship program is now available “to people [ages 18+] within select groups focused on parenting, professional and personal development.” Facebook groups are easily created and managed by both private individuals and business pages. Group Admins establish the mentorship program within their group, selecting from a variety of mentorship templates including “career advancement, skill development, or encouragement and support,” whichever best fits the group’s community and program intentions. Once the opportunity is announced, interested group members can sign up as either a mentor or mentee. It will be up to the group Admin to best pair individuals based on sign-up responses and group engagement observations; this platform truly relies on a strong group community.

Guided Engagement and Progress

Matched mentor / mentee pairs will be connected onto the Mentorship platform on Facebook. Pairs can also choose to connect through Facebook Messenger. The Mentorship platform includes a guided timeline with milestones for pairs to achieve. Milestones may include introductions, resource exploration and sharing, skill knowledge, planning, etc. Facebook Mentorship will encourage users to check in with each other on a weekly basis.

The New Age of Apprenticeship

Giving and sharing knowledge is how cultures continue to exist. The development of Web 2.0 and social media does not end the value of our seniors, their life skills, and their insight. For tech-savvy seniors, the new Facebook Mentorship program is a wonderful opportunity to engage with future generations, create new relationships, learn and grow, and impart priceless experience and information.

Get Active in Your Larger Community to Fill Your Senior Community

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Many of the greatest marketing success stories we hear have a common theme. Facilities that attract seniors from their community are often deeply involved in that community. Making yourself a vital, everyday part of your town makes it easier for seniors and their families to become a resident when the time comes.

Becoming a positive fixture in your community takes time, consistency and plenty of visibility. Are you ready to think outside of the box and find ways to weave yourself into the fabrics of your local society? Here are a few of our best ideas for becoming a facility your community trusts and is willing to call home:

  1. Be active in local athletic events, festivals and traditions. Being a monetary sponsor isn’t enough. Staff a table at the event, put your items in goody bags and gather teams to participate in charity runs. Become an active part in these events, rather than a passive sponsor.
  2. Host your own events to invite the community in. You can go big or small with these, but the idea is to make it natural to come into your community. Encourage residents to have a part and consider events like health fairs, fundraiser dinners for resident organizations, Halloween trick-or-treating and breakfasts with Santa. Have admissions and senior staff offer tours during these events, but keep the focus on giving.
  3. Host workshops and sessions. Partner with local experts or grab one of your own to host informative sessions on topics that relate to seniors. Consider Medicare, knowing when it’s time to choose a facility, and being an advocate.
  4. Offer free meeting space. Advertise to your local Chamber of Commerce and community groups that you have meeting space available for members to use. Free meeting space can be a very hot commodity and make your facility a naturally frequented place in town!
  5. Sponsor a youth sports team. Sponsor a little league, swim or youth soccer team in your residents’ names. Arrange a social with the team, transport residents to games and have the residents create goody bags for the end of the season.

Think about your community as a whole and what’s important to the people who live there. There are countless unique ways to get involved and bring a positive impression of your facility.

Benefits of Music in Improving Memory Care

Providers of communities servicing the elderly can attract more residents/clients and families by incorporating services such as music therapy that will enhance the lives of its customers. As humans, music resonates within the depths of our soul. It brings joy, laughter, and a sense of peace especially music derived from our cultural background or that of our ethnicity. Memory Care Image

According to Dassa & Amir (2014) of the Journal of Music Therapy people living with moderate to late stages of Alzheimer’s when provided with music therapy can aid in their limited speech and clarity in pronunciation, which in effect can create moments for meaningful conversations. Within this study, people with Alzheimer’s were presented with music, in particular, the singing of old tunes in a group setting. Such songs that were familiar to those people evoked happiness among them because no doubt the music brought back positive memories.  Songs especially linked to their past and those associated with “social or national identities,” Dassa & Amir (2014), had the most significant effect in meaningful conversations after the therapy session was over. The results of the therapeutic music transcended memories that were embedded in the minds of the people under study but were inaccessible due to limited conversations, the unfortunate effect of Alzheimer’s. Memories of past experiences linked with familiar songs had a special connection to the people and their renewed ability of alertness causing them to participate in talks that gave them a renewed sense of life and appreciation for others around them. After singing the old tunes, the people were eager to participate in spontaneous discussions about the memories the music evoked. They communicated requiring no prompts to engage in the conversation. The people “expressed positive feelings, a sense of accomplishment, and belonging,”  Dassa & Amir (2014).

If more providers incorporate meaningful programs or activities geared toward the development of improved memory for the elderly, they will be able to attract more potential clients or customers. If the elderly can continue to communicate despite Alzheimer’s or other deteriorating diseases, they will be able to live a fulfilling life knowing that their loved ones and those who care for them are around. People live longer when they are happier and have healthy relationships in their lives.

Caregiver Preparations for the Holidays

by: Brent Scott

As a caregiver, you may be asked by your clients or their loved ones to help out during the Holidays. From shopping for gifts to wrapping and shipping, offering this assistance is a great way to brighten up the season. To make things safe and easy, we are sharing a few strategies both you and your client can use while preparing for the holidays.

In-Store Shopping TipsLifelock image

  • Don’t leave your client or bags, purses, or wallets unattended while shopping in-store. Shoplifters often look for elderly individuals who may be preoccupied or easily distracted in order to steal their belongings. When shopping this season, consider bringing a carabiner clip to attach your client’s belongings to their cart, mobility scooter, or being.
  • Keep track of your client’s cash, cards, and receipts. It’s essential that caregivers help their client stay organized as it’s the best way to ensure nothing has been forgotten, stolen, or already purchased. After exchanging money, you should have your client confirm they got their change/credit card and receipt and watch them put it back in their wallet before moving to the next store.

Online Shopping Tips 

  • Avoid using public networks and shared wifi hotspots. Cybercriminals often seek out and hack public hotspots in order to monitor user activity. In some cases, it’s possible the information being stolen could contain a credit card number or other personally identifiable information. Therefore, it’s advised that less tech savvy seniors avoid public wifi at all costs.
  • Help your client navigate the Internet. Pointing your client towards trusted online retailers and authentic websites is the easiest way to keep them away from potentially fake or hazardous sites that could introduce malware. Identifying an authentic site is made easier as most major e-commerce sites will state if they’re secured in the beginning of the URL. An SSL certification will denote the URL search bar with a lock and/or “s”, looking like this: “https://”. However, it’s just as important that your client is wary of suspicious emails from online retailers and delivery companies.
  • If your client is an avid online shopper, suggest they print their receipts. Keeping both in-store and online receipts organized can help identify a potential scam or financial error.
  • Remind your client to double check their receipts, financial statements, and credit card bills after shopping. Fraudsters love the holidays, as many individuals are too busy or unaware they could be shopping safer. Checking this information regularly is a helpful practice to avoid surprises, and in some cases, could even stop a potential issue before it happens.

Shipping & Deliveries

  • Help your client keep a schedule for expected mail and deliveries. As they shop, or start hearing from distant relatives, have them write down a few things. The shipping or post date and estimated delivery date are great pieces of information to have. Preparing a schedule, even if inaccurate, can still help you plan ahead as you may be expected to sign for and bring in mail, packages, and deliveries.

New Technology and Devices

  • As communication technology continues to evolve, so do the holiday gifts. Tablets and smart devices like Alexa make it easier than ever to communicate with long distance loved ones. Alexa is a great assistant for elderly individuals who live independently but still need help turning on/off lights, opening doors, or who need medication reminders.  If you think your client would benefit from one of these devices, request the gifter set up the device for the user in advance to wrapping. If the device doesn’t come setup, you may be asked to help. Just follow the instructions, and if in doubt, watch a youtube tutorial.

A Guide to Independent Living Communities

by: Carylanne Crowne

Many people aged 55 and older try to maintain their independence by living at home. They may not realize that they are actually less independent by remaining in their old home. Independence can be limited by mortgage, property tax, and home maintenance expenses. Seniors’ health and happiness can suffer from a high level of stress and anxiety. Seniors on a fixed income may live in dread of an unexpected expense. Living alone with insufficient human contact, feeling less safe as fall risk increases, and as vision and hearing begin to deteriorate, creates increasing anxiety. Seniors who can no longer drive have less access to friends and family, shopping, and even medical appointments. Eventually, seniors may be faced with the question: Are you an independent senior, or a senior trapped alone in your house?

Independent Living Communities

Independent living communities may present the perfect alternative to remaining in your old home. Such communities range from age-restricted neighborhoods to enclosed, self-sufficient and full-service environments. Research them online, and visit as many as you can, asking all of the questions you have. Then determine which community offers the right balance between comfortable independence and stress-relieving services for you.

Renting or owning a home in an age-restricted neighborhood provides the benefit of living among many people similar to yourself. You have the ability to socialize and make more friends your age who may enjoy the same activities you do. Senior neighborhoods generally do not offer services. If you have a high degree of independent functioning, this may be right for you.

Other independent living facilities offer apartments in sizes from studio to three-bedroom. Some provide the option of small, single-level cottages. Apartment leases should include flexible terms to allow for changes in your circumstances. Communities like these are more compact, and easier to walk. Indoor and outdoor amenities helpful for older people are provided. These communities may offer some housekeeping, relieving you of some daily chores.

Full-service independent living communities offer expansive services to provide worry-free independent living. Besides housing, these communities offer meals in a community setting; transportation to medical appointments; classes, social events and recreational activities onsite; and community outings. Seniors can determine the right balance for them between privacy in their separate residences and socializing. They also have easy access to help if they need it. Home medical or personal care usually must be arranged and paid for by the senior resident.

Are Independent Living Communities Affordable?

The cost of an independent living community will vary by state, specific location, size of residence, and amenities offered. That creates a range from $1400 to $6600 per month, according to www.after55.com/independent-living. There may be an entrance fee, community fees, or a second-person fee.

In return, your rent will include most utilities, one to three meals per day, community and recreational activities, and an emergency call system and safety features. Very often your facility will also offer housekeeping, laundry service, and transportation for shopping and medical appointments. Items that offset the costs of independent living communities include no mortgage or property tax, decreased utility bills, no home maintenance costs, and no need for a car and its associated costs.

Selling your house will release funds for your new lifestyle. If you have maintained long-term care insurance, that will also help pay for a place in an independent living community. Retirement benefits and veteran’s benefits may add to your options. Family members can also provide important help. They want you to be comfortable and safe.

What if Moving is Too Much for Me?

Leaving your old home is a major change. It may be the home in which you raised your children, or hold other sentimental meaning. Give yourself time to adjust to the idea of moving.

When you are ready, call on friends and family to help you find a reputable and affordable moving company. Call on them again to help you sort through your belongings, an often overwhelming task. Sell or give away items you won’t need in your new residence. At least put them into storage. Keep sentimental photos or items ready to immediately put up and arrange in your new residence. Choose furniture and decor that make your new space comfortable and welcoming.

Before moving, visit the community and meet some of the residents. Spend some time there, so you’ll have friends waiting for you. Get family members on board for frequent visits during the early weeks after you move, to ease the transition. Then start to explore your new community. You may well find that the freedoms and services offered make you more independent than ever before.

Caryl Anne Crowne is a contributing writer and media specialist for Aveanna Healthcare. She often produces content for a variety of healthcare blogs.

Social Media — Where Is My Target Demographic?

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With the decline of television viewing, and the rise of internet use and social media, it may be time to redistribute advertising budgets in a way that will reach modern audiences. But the choices are endless, and there are so many outlets, each with its own ‘personality’ and dominant demographic. For retirement living and care homes, advertising should be directed at the right age group: those who might be interested in those services, and the adult children who might be making decisions on their behalf, or in conjunction with them, as part of a long term care plan. Studying the patterns of specific social media use can target advertising budgets more efficiently.

Facebook Is First

For sheer numbers, Facebook is a key player, at just over 2 billion users in 2018. By reputation, and by statistics, it tends toward an older user base, with the 25 – 34 group at 29.7%. As younger people have moved away from Facebook, seniors have embraced it as a way to connect with distant family and friends. Founded in 2004, it is also one of the oldest social media platforms, and therefore more ubiquitous in a more mature group. Facilities can build their own pages here, and form groups to help people connect at a time of life that can prove isolating.

Twitter For News Bites

The brevity of Twitter, with each ‘tweet’, or message, limited to 280 characters, is part of its charm. The immediate availability of news as it happens helps keep seniors abreast of news and helps them feel more engaged with their community and the world. Facilities can create a Twitter profile that might include photographs and positive messages from current residents and staff about the amenities and activities that are ongoing. Though Twitter’s users skew a little younger, it is on the rise among the elderly, and may reach a more tech savvy audience willing to ‘tweet’ their gratitude and appreciation for all the things a facility has made available to them.

Social media is huge, and still growing. It has become necessary to embrace these sites and take advantage of all they have to offer. With careful study, advertising dollars can be directed to the most appropriate viewers, to make the most of even the tightest budget.

Treating Diabetes in Seniors

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by: Chandler Coleman

According to the CDC, 30 million Americans currently suffer from diabetes. Although, many adults and seniors are unaware of what diabetes actually is and how it affects the body. Diabetes is a disorder of the human metabolism (the way our bodies use digested food for growth and energy), is separated into three main types: type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. Only about five percent of all people with diabetes have Type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes usually begins at birth or a very young age. And although type 2 diabetes is treatable, the risk of heart disease and stroke is greatly increased. For those older than 50, diabetes is much more common. It is important to stay active and consult with your doctor about a healthy, balanced diet. Let’s look at what can put you at risk for diabetes and the early onset symptoms that could help save thousands of lives each year.

Who is At Risk for Diabetes?

There are a number of risk associated with diabetes. While some are simply based on an individual’s genes, there are others that relate to lifestyle factors. Research shows being overweight or obese is a top reason for type 2 diabetes. Because of the rise in obesity among U.S. children, this type is affecting more teenagers than ever before. If you are obese, you are also at a high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, such as high cholesterol and/or high blood pressure. Other factors include a sedentary lifestyle with very little physical activity, as well as a family history of diabetes and your age. As you grow older, your chances of developing type 2 diabetes goes up exponentially.

What are the Symptoms?

Especially during the holiday season, visiting your senior family members, watch for these symptoms, as they are the first indicators that something is wrong. The warning signs of diabetes are very serious and should alert you to seek medical attention immediately. Common symptoms include, but are not limited to:

  • Increased thirst
  • Increased hunger (especially after eating)
  • Frequent urination or urine infections
  • Unexplained weight loss (even though you are eating and feel hungry)
  • Fatigue (weak, tired feeling)
  • Blurred vision

Treatments for Diabetes

Insulin

Patients with diabetes manage their condition by taking insulin multiple times a day. Treating diabetes with insulin shots at regular intervals helps patients avoid serious complications like diabetic ketoacidosis, which stems from inadequate glucose in the blood. Symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis include head and stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, rapid breathing, reduced alertness, and dry skin.

Medication

Additionally, a doctor may prescribe a medication like Invokana, Jardiance or another SGLT2 inhibitor to be combined with insulin treatment and/or healthy lifestyle choices. SGLT2 inhibitors are a class of prescription medicines that are FDA-approved for use with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. It is important to talk to your doctor about what medications are safe to use and what treatment is the best for you. Some of these SGLT2 inhibitors, such as Invokana, can have traumatic side effects that can cause serious infections and even lower-limb amputations.

Lifestyle Type 2 diabetes patients can manage the condition through healthy eating and regular physical activity. These treatments also help with gestational diabetes.

How Can You Reduce Your Risk?

The following are preventative measures you can follow to limit your risk of developing diabetes at some point in your lifetime.

  • Weight Loss: Since carrying excess weight is a significant risk factor in the development of Type 2 and gestational diabetes, losing weight can help prevent the onset of diabetes.
  • Physical Activity: Staying active for at least half an hour, five days per week, greatly reduces the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
  • Healthy Eating: Eating foods and drinking liquids that are low in calories, fat, and sugar can help prevent Type 2 diabetes, and contributes toward maintaining a healthy weight.

Spend time this November — as it has been deemed Diabetes Awareness Month — discussing the facts about diabetes with your immediate family, and stay up to date with doctors’ visits to find out your odds of developing diabetes at some point in your lifetime. And during the holidays, stay vigile to ensure older loved ones are eating healthy and keeping active. A simple blood test can diagnose prediabetes, which affects millions of people (most of which are unaware of the fact.) This November, spread the word and help save the lives of thousands of adults each year.

Taking Falls Seriously

Can you guess how many billions of dollars in medical costs are attributable to falls amongst adults over 65? $10 billion? $20 billion? Try $50 billion. Elderly falling image

While it’s fairly well-known that older adults are at a higher risk than other groups for experiencing a fall, as a senior or a caregiver to one, you may not quite grasp the magnitude of how falls affect older adults, their families, and the healthcare system overall.

More Seniors are Falling

Why do over a quarter of seniors experience at least one fall every year? The risk factors seem to be growing. In addition to general age-related muscle loss that can contribute to leg weakness, seniors are experiencing increasing rates of:

  • Chronic illness – long-term conditions including diabetes, arthritis, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s and stroke can all impact balance, coordination, and mobility. With any of these factors at play, falls are more likely.
  • Medication usage – studies show that not only are four out of five seniors taking at least one medication per day, but many are also taking more than one medication, including those that may have interactions or side effects which can contribute to a fall, like dizziness or faintness.
  • Aging alone – as more and more adults seek to age in place, they oftentimes ending up doing so on their own. Even if caregivers or family members visit intermittently, seniors living on their own may attempt seemingly harmless activities that put them at higher risk for falling like climbing stairs while dizzy to get to bed.
  • More adults are becoming “seniors” – the Centers for Disease Control report that upwards of 10,000 adults turn 65 in the U.S. every single day. If simply being older is a risk factor for falling, it’s easy to see how more fall incidents are occurring.

Mortality Rates from Falls are Climbing

Even a seemingly benign fall can result in debilitating injuries like a hip fracture, head trauma, lacerations, sprains, and so forth. Not only can this affect mobility and activity levels, but fall injuries can negatively impact a seniors independence, their ability to live on their own, and their ability to drive.

But what about death? Do falls contribute to higher mortality rates among seniors. Recent research says yes.

A 2018 morbidity and mortality report from the Centers for Disease Control looked at the incidence rates of injuries and deaths from falls between 2007 and 2016. It found that the number of seniors who died from a fall increased by over 30 percent. That’s a huge jump.

Over 29,000 adults over 65 died as the result of a fall in 2016 up from just over 18,000 adults in 2007. Falls that result in injuries can lead to hospitalization and even surgery, both of which put older adults at higher risk for infection and other mortality-associated factors.

Serious Fall Prevention

Luckily, additional research has shown that even one fall prevention tactic can help lower a senior’s risk for death. These include:

Checking medications – it is critical that seniors and their caregivers check with all health care providers (family doctors and specialists) about medications. All prescriptions and over-the-counter medications (the types, dosages, and schedules) should be discussed with doctors to catch any potential interactions as well as look at side effects that could lead to falls. These even include dietary supplements. Common medications that may affect balance and alertness include blood pressure medication, sleep aids, and antidepressants.

Balance exercises – cardio and strength-training will always play a critical role in helping seniors maintain a healthy weight and stave off lifestyle diseases but balance exercises will lend themselves directly towards preventing falls. Seniors can use practices like yoga and Tai Chi as well as workouts with balance discs to strengthen core muscles, hone coordination and agility skills, as well as build balance confidence.

Upgrading the living environment – it often falls on caregivers to help seniors upgrade their living environment to remove hazards and add tools which can help prevent falls. This can include cleaning up clutter, clearing common pathways, and possibly even moving sleep quarters to ground floor rooms. Installing grab bars, railings, ramps, shower chairs and so on will also equip a senior with the devices they need to successfully manage tricky environments like bathrooms and stairways.

Scheduling regular checkups – additional factors like vision and hearing loss contribute to falls as well. Regular checkups for vision, hearing, and annual well-checks can help seniors and caregivers catch fall-related risk factors sooner rather than later and take early action. Regular checkups also allow seniors and their caregivers to discuss the details of any falls that have already occurred as well as concerning symptoms like joint pain, nerve pain, or shortness of breath that can contribute to falls.