Nine months into the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccines are in sight. That’s right, plural, vaccines. Recently, three companies released some results from their Phase III studies, reporting effectiveness ranging from 70 to 95%. They are Pfizer/BioNTech, AstraZeneca and Moderna. Pfizer and Moderna have formally applied to the FDA for emergency use authorization (EUA). The FDA will
Aging
Posted on November 19, 2020 by Ajla Bedzetovic This year, the holidays will look different for all of us. If you are one of the more than 60 million caregivers in North America who look after an older adult inside the home, you may be wondering how to celebrate and stay safe. Stay connected with others Many people experience depression during the holidays due to stress and social
If you are close to your 65th birthday, or are already on Medicare, the Medicare pitches are flooding your email, voicemail, text and old-fashioned mailbox. As you are probably well aware, it’s the open enrollment period until Dec. 7. If you have questions, you aren’t alone. Senior Planet found two independent Medicare experts and searched
Earlier this year, when Chadwick Boseman, the 42-year-old star of the megahit Black Panther died of colon cancer, it did not just point out the tragedy of dying young, but also the disparities in health conditions and survival among minorities. Even with presumably getting the best care, Boseman’s cancer progressed to a lethal stage IV.
Posted on October 16, 2020 by Mari Evans “A firecracker.” “The life of the party.” “Señorita Estallita Fulla Suga.” Estelle Reiff goes by many monikers, which only makes sense for a woman who has played many roles in her long life – an accomplished dancer, teacher and mother. The beloved resident of Atria Forest Hills,
Posted on October 9, 2020 by Mari Evans Putting in extra hours. Making trips to the store for essentials. Setting up Zoom calls to help families and friends stay in touch. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Atria employees have gone above and beyond to help residents feel safe, connected and engaged. In turn, residents and families
Yesterday, October 1, marked the International Day of Older Persons – and the 30th anniversary of this event created by the UN (read more here). The pandemic, according to this report from Foreign Policy magazine with AARP (read it here) about human rights and older people, is casting new light on ongoing issues in aging
People with hearing loss should take extra steps to ease the added social isolation caused by wearing masks, according to one published report. This September (Deaf Awareness Month) during the pandemic, these tips from Clearliving.com are particularly relevant. Nearly 25 percent of those aged 65 to 74 and 50 percent of those who are 75
Posted on September 24, 2020 by Mari Evans Nearly every morning, Lauren Freifeld, Executive Director of Atria Woodlands, a senior living community located in Westchester County, New York, watches one of her residents walk by her window. “He’s a doer,” she laughed. The resident she’s talking about is Jerry Levine, who turns 91 this year
Senior Planet will host a special talk on Preventing Falls on 9/23 at 3pm EST; check the Senior Planet Events Listings here for more details about joining via Zoom. At first glance, the statistics driving Falls Prevention Awareness Week (Sept. 21-25) sound sobering and well, depressing. From the CDC: “Every second of every day, an
Posted on September 1, 2015 by Michele Macmartin For older adults, staying hydrated can be a challenge. According to the United States Department of Agriculture’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, one in three older adults may not drink enough fluids each day due to physical and physiological changes common to aging, such as: diminished
Posted on August 28, 2020 by Mari Evans COVID-19 has forced all of us to rethink how we interact with the world and each other. Still, staying connected remains vital to our well-being. At Atria Senior Living, we believe people belong together. By making adjustments to Atria’s Engage Life® events program, team members continue to
Posted on November 20, 2015 by Angela Weisser Despite advances in health care, the aging process itself can limit an older adult’s ability to carry out basic daily living activities. Health problems aren’t always obvious, especially for older adults. Signs of declining health or abilities can be so subtle that neither the parent – nor
Posted on April 9, 2015 by Aeriel Holte “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” – Mark Twain YOLO or “you only live once,” is a phrase that reminds us to live fully and take risks. It’s also the phrase that inspires a group of residents in
Posted on April 9, 2014 by Katy Miller My interest was piqued by a recent New York Times article, which suggested that wisdom could play a major part in the aging process. The basic thesis of the article is that wisdom is a considerable indicator of longevity. The study on wisdom referenced in the article
Posted on December 10, 2015 by Angela Weisser Have you ever needed a car repair and found yourself at the mercy of a friend, taxi or subway? The ability to drive means freedom, and without it you have to rely on other, less convenient means of transportation. Even temporary inconveniences like these remind us that
Posted on August 26, 2015 by Billie Jean King Nearly 42 years ago this year, I accepted a challenge to play in a tennis match known as “The Battle of the Sexes.” Ultimately I won the match, but many people may not remember that I was behind for the first set and things weren’t looking
Posted on May 13, 2014 by Taylor Rhea A recent article references a study that found that owning a pet – specifically a dog – could greatly improve one’s health. Here’s how. It can improve cardiovascular health by keeping people active. It can reduce stress responses in the body. It can lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels
Posted on April 7, 2014 by Katy Miller According to a new study released by the American Academy of Neurology, Alzheimer’s disease is actually the third leading cause of death in the United States, ranking behind only heart disease and cancer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention list Alzheimer’s disease sixth on the list;
Posted on December 23, 2015 by Julie Smead Being the primary caregiver for a person with Alzheimer’s or dementia can be especially tough during the busy, bright and noisy holidays. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to keep your holidays happy, meaningful and stress-free – for everyone. Consider the following tips. For Friends and
Posted on September 8, 2016 by Billie Jean King Billie Jean King is a winner of 39 Grand Slam Tennis Titles, a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and a champion for social change and equality. She serves as Atria’s Well-Being Coach. Every day when I wake up, I take a few moments to
Posted on June 25, 2014 by Greg Harbin Society keeps giving us messages that when we get older, we’re finished. We’re not finished. Every day is a new start. – Billie Jean King, Atria Senior Living’s Well-Being Coach As we age, our quality of life is constantly called into question by society. For those aged 65
Posted on June 27, 2014 by Katy Miller I recently sat down with Mike Gentry, Senior Vice President of Care and Life Guidance, to talk about the role social interaction plays in helping those who are living with memory impairment. ASL: Does an active social life have a positive impact on people with memory impairments? In what
Posted on January 21, 2016 by Steve Morgan As parents age, their needs grow while their ability to care for themselves declines. This is especially true when a parent lives alone. Unfortunately, many don’t think about how they will care for an aging parent until they’re forced to make a decision. They may notice Mom
Posted on November 29, 2016 by admin Science shows that volunteering is good for you. Not only does it make you feel good and help you to live longer, 96% of those who volunteer say it enriches their sense of purpose in life. It is almost impossible to visit an Atria community and not find
Posted on July 11, 2014 by Taylor Rhea Skim the headlines of any major news outlet or social media channel and you’ll find articles, blogs and posts touting urban agriculture, farming and gardening as new and emerging trends. In New York, however, the residents of Atria Penfield have been doing it for years. Since 2011,
Posted on July 30, 2014 by Beatrice Huston When I was a child my mother would tuck me into bed every night. She always sprayed rose water on her face before bed and, to this day, whenever I smell roses, I remember my mother and how safe I felt. Our sense of smell is very
Posted on March 25, 2016 by Steve Morgan There are few things in life more confusing than the tax code. The annual ritual of tracking down credits and deductions to minimize tax liability can be tedious, and the rules seem to change year over year. The availability of senior living tax deductions comes down to