The USA didn't fare too well in LIFE Magazine's recent profiles of the top ten move livable cities in the world which featured no US cities. However Canada, our neighbor to the north, managed to score 3 of the ten spots with Toronto, Ontario, Vancouver British Columbia, and Calgary, Alberta.
But before you renounce citizenship or get a passport (now required for trips to Canada) and pack your bags keep in mind that it gets pretty darn cold in Toronto and Calgary. Personally that fact alone would lower those cities off my own list of favored retirement areas which would certainly include an option for an Oregon Retirement . I'd also certainly have San Diego California on my list where the weather is about as good as it can get year-round and the amenities are spectacular.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
US News: Top Ten Places to Live in USA
US News has ratee these ten US Cities as the top ten best places to live in the country. The links lead to more detail about each. Albuquerque NM is the big winner:
Along the banks of the Rio Grande, with the Sandia Mountains in the background, is the beautiful city of Albuquerque, N.M. The sunny climate and endless landscape have long drawn writers, poets, and artists to this spot, which includes an unconventional mix of American Indian, Hispanic, and Anglo cultures. But it's not just freethinkers who drift to this Southwestern city of 511,000. Kirtland Air Force Base, Sandia National Laboratories, and Intel Corp. have helped develop the area into a manufacturing and research hub. They provide a stable anchor for the local economy.4. Boise, Idaho
8. San Luis Obispo, California
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Best Places to Live 2009.
If your city isn't on the first list of "Best Places to Live" for 2009 don't fret, as it may turn up on any of the many other lists that rank cities and locations in different ways. Here's a sample of this year's best "best places" lists:
Relocate-America Top 100 Places to Live
World's Best Places to Live 2009: - Business Week
The-Worlds-Best-Places-to-Live-2009: Personal Finance News from ...
Kiplinger's Best Cities - Best Places to Live, Smartest Cities
Best Places to Live in 2009 - International Living Magazine
Best Places to Live 2009 - Boston Magazine
Relocate-America Top 100 Places to Live
World's Best Places to Live 2009: - Business Week
The-Worlds-Best-Places-to-Live-2009: Personal Finance News from ...
Kiplinger's Best Cities - Best Places to Live, Smartest Cities
Best Places to Live in 2009 - International Living Magazine
Best Places to Live 2009 - Boston Magazine
Friday, April 24, 2009
Physical screening to improve balance
The first step to take before beginning any kind of balance training program is to have a complete physical evaluation by your family physician. Be sure it is safe for you to begin an exercise program. Talk to your doctor about what kind of exercise is right for you, and then do it regularly. Exercise makes you stronger and improves your balance!
Ask your family physician for a referral to a Physical Therapist who will be able to do a thorough evaluation of your strength, range of motion, and balance in order to set up an individualized program to correct any deficits and help improve your balance.
Join a fitness club and continue with this program once you have completed your instruction with the Physical Therapist. Sometimes the Physical Therapist can accompany you to the fitness club and train you on the specific machines that are best suited for you, and techniques that help you avoid injury. Or you can work with a Personal Trainer, a Certified Senior Strength Trainer, or a knowledgeable employee at the fitness center.
Have your hearing checked. Many balance issues can be attributed to inner ear dysfunction.
Have your blood pressure checked regularly.
Have your vision checked and make sure your eyeglasses or contact lens prescription is up to date and appropriate. It goes without saying that your depth perception can influence how you move your body through space. Have you ever tried going downstairs with your reading glasses on and suddenly everything looked blurry or out of focus?
Have your feet checked for decreased sensation or feeling. Be mindful of a diabetic condition called neuropathy. This is not only painful, but can definitely interfere with your balance.
Be aware of any other disease processes that may affect your balance, as well as changes in mental status or activity level.
Have your pharmacist or your doctor review your current medications for side effects and drug interactions that may result in conditions such as drowsiness or dizziness.
Ask your family physician for a referral to a Physical Therapist who will be able to do a thorough evaluation of your strength, range of motion, and balance in order to set up an individualized program to correct any deficits and help improve your balance.
Join a fitness club and continue with this program once you have completed your instruction with the Physical Therapist. Sometimes the Physical Therapist can accompany you to the fitness club and train you on the specific machines that are best suited for you, and techniques that help you avoid injury. Or you can work with a Personal Trainer, a Certified Senior Strength Trainer, or a knowledgeable employee at the fitness center.
Have your hearing checked. Many balance issues can be attributed to inner ear dysfunction.
Have your blood pressure checked regularly.
Have your vision checked and make sure your eyeglasses or contact lens prescription is up to date and appropriate. It goes without saying that your depth perception can influence how you move your body through space. Have you ever tried going downstairs with your reading glasses on and suddenly everything looked blurry or out of focus?
Have your feet checked for decreased sensation or feeling. Be mindful of a diabetic condition called neuropathy. This is not only painful, but can definitely interfere with your balance.
Be aware of any other disease processes that may affect your balance, as well as changes in mental status or activity level.
Have your pharmacist or your doctor review your current medications for side effects and drug interactions that may result in conditions such as drowsiness or dizziness.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Better balance: an important issue for retirees
As we age, our balance is affected (and not in a good way!) by several factors. Gravity takes its toll on our posture, as does sitting at a computer or in a recliner chair for most of the day. Poor posture causes our spine to be out of alignment which therefore affects our balance. Loss of flexibility and strength also contribute to a decline in the body’s responses to situations in which balance is challenged. Decreased circulation can negatively influence the brain’s ability to recover from loss of balance. Declining sensory input such as hearing, vision, and sensation are additional factors that contribute to falls. Muscles that are deconditioned from inactivity are less efficient in preventing falls.
The good news is, that many of these physical and neurological losses can be compensated for. Other factors that can help us avoid falls have to do with how we manage our physical environment.
As a Certified Senior Strength Trainer and specializing in age-associated issues, I would like to offer some helpful suggestions in my next several blogs. Some are aimed at basic home safety, while others include exercises and balance drills.
As always, before beginning any kind of exercise program, be sure you have cleared this with your family physician. And if you want to try some of the balance activities, be sure you have someone to spot you, or are in an area where you can be safe while performing them.
The good news is, that many of these physical and neurological losses can be compensated for. Other factors that can help us avoid falls have to do with how we manage our physical environment.
As a Certified Senior Strength Trainer and specializing in age-associated issues, I would like to offer some helpful suggestions in my next several blogs. Some are aimed at basic home safety, while others include exercises and balance drills.
As always, before beginning any kind of exercise program, be sure you have cleared this with your family physician. And if you want to try some of the balance activities, be sure you have someone to spot you, or are in an area where you can be safe while performing them.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Home safety in retirement Part 4
As a last word on this subject, I want to discuss home safety for seniors that live alone. As an example, let’s take my friend Karen (fellow blogger on RetireUSA). She is a very youthful and active retiree, a member of the Ashland Rowing Club, an avid gardener, enthusiastic hiker, and participant in yoga classes. While we are “best friends” and usually chat on the phone or e-mail every day, these conversations often occur early in the morning, and then perhaps we don’t touch base again for another 24 hours or longer. In the interim, she has gone out hiking with her dog, or has been busily repairing her chicken coop or some plumbing issue in her garden irrigation system, and has accidentally tripped and fallen. Now what? It gets very cold here in Oregon at night, up until the summer months, and spending hours on the ground could present serious health issues in addition to the pain from the broken bone or whatever happened in the fall.
One solution is to subscribe to a system such as Lifeline. This is a small device that is worn like a wristwatch, or around the neck like a medallion. You can designate the people you want to be called in an emergency, in whatever order you choose, by just pushing one button on the device. For example, Karen might want to have me contacted first, but if I’m not home, the system would automatically continue to call the next number on the list like Jan or Marianne. If none of us are available, the system keeps scrolling through Karen’s list until it finally contacts someone. Some people prefer to have the system call 911 immediately.
Another option is to carry your cell phone or portable device in your pocket or a small pack at all times. However, this is not as reliable as Lifeline, since you may forget to keep it with you, whereas Lifeline is worn like a piece of jewelry at all times.
One solution is to subscribe to a system such as Lifeline. This is a small device that is worn like a wristwatch, or around the neck like a medallion. You can designate the people you want to be called in an emergency, in whatever order you choose, by just pushing one button on the device. For example, Karen might want to have me contacted first, but if I’m not home, the system would automatically continue to call the next number on the list like Jan or Marianne. If none of us are available, the system keeps scrolling through Karen’s list until it finally contacts someone. Some people prefer to have the system call 911 immediately.
Another option is to carry your cell phone or portable device in your pocket or a small pack at all times. However, this is not as reliable as Lifeline, since you may forget to keep it with you, whereas Lifeline is worn like a piece of jewelry at all times.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Retirement Home Safety Part 3
A last series of home safety tips involving the exterior of your home.
1) Install railings in all stair cases, inside and out.
2) Make sure existing stair railings are solid and in good repair.
3) Make sure outside lighting is adequate, especially on uneven walkways.
4) Keep sidewalks and pathways free from debris and loose gravel.
5) Wet leaves and other decaying plant matter are slippery – keep walkways clean and swept.
6) Beware of icy conditions on driveways, sidewalks, and steps.
7) Use double-sided tape to keep outdoor rugs from slipping.
8) Paint a contrasting color or a strip of brightly colored tape on the front edge of all steps so you can see them better.
9) Make sure there are handrails on both sides of the stairs, and that they are as long as the stairs themselves.
10) Fix loose or uneven steps. Make sure the steps are of equal height, and that they conform to current building codes.
11) If you need wheelchair access to your home, be sure any ramp is built to conform with building codes as well. Even a very slight incline can be terrifying if you are trying to negotiate that slope in a wheelchair! I believe the standard is: For every inch of rise, you need 12 inches of run. This can result in a very long ramp, which may require switchbacks in order to fit it onto your available property. Again, it is critical that you consult a professional before adding a structure like this. Your local Senior Services agency can probably refer you to the appropriate resources.
1) Install railings in all stair cases, inside and out.
2) Make sure existing stair railings are solid and in good repair.
3) Make sure outside lighting is adequate, especially on uneven walkways.
4) Keep sidewalks and pathways free from debris and loose gravel.
5) Wet leaves and other decaying plant matter are slippery – keep walkways clean and swept.
6) Beware of icy conditions on driveways, sidewalks, and steps.
7) Use double-sided tape to keep outdoor rugs from slipping.
8) Paint a contrasting color or a strip of brightly colored tape on the front edge of all steps so you can see them better.
9) Make sure there are handrails on both sides of the stairs, and that they are as long as the stairs themselves.
10) Fix loose or uneven steps. Make sure the steps are of equal height, and that they conform to current building codes.
11) If you need wheelchair access to your home, be sure any ramp is built to conform with building codes as well. Even a very slight incline can be terrifying if you are trying to negotiate that slope in a wheelchair! I believe the standard is: For every inch of rise, you need 12 inches of run. This can result in a very long ramp, which may require switchbacks in order to fit it onto your available property. Again, it is critical that you consult a professional before adding a structure like this. Your local Senior Services agency can probably refer you to the appropriate resources.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Retirement Home Safety Part 2
In this section, I will address tips for retirement home safety in the kitchen and living room areas. Above all, pay attention to your surroundings! There are many potential hazards in a home environment, and you need to be constantly aware of what they might be and how you can be safe.
1) Remove loose throw rugs in entry ways and halls.
2) Make sure living areas are free of clutter. If necessary, have someone move your furniture so you have clear access routes around your home.
3) Check for electrical or oxygen cords or tubes that may be a potential source of tripping.
4) Wipe up kitchen spills promptly.
5) Be careful if Fido or Kitty get underfoot, especially at feeding time when they like to gather around your feet, or while going up and down stairs.
6) Be careful of long gowns or loose, flowing garments that may entangle your feet.
7) Change lightbulbs in hallways to the brightest wattage practical.
8) Use double-sided tape to keep rugs from slipping.
9) Install railings in all stair cases.
10) Make sure existing stair railings are solid and in good repair.
11) Coil or tape cords and wires next to the wall so you don’t have to walk around them or step over them. If necessary, have an electrician install more outlets.
12) Organize cabinets so you don’t have to stretch and reach overhead. Keep frequently used items at about waist high level in cabinets. If you must reach high shelves, never use a chair to stand on. Instead, use a steady stool with a hand bar.
13) Have a light switch at the top and bottom of the stairs, and make sure to replace burned out or dim bulbs.
14) Place a flashlight and extra batteries within easy reach of your bed.
15) Examine floor coverings on stairs. Make sure they are firmly attached. Carpet on stairs can be replaced with non-slip rubber treads.
16) Paint a contrasting color or a strip of brightly colored tape on the front edge of all steps so you can see them better.
17) Make sure there are handrails on both sides of the stairs, and that they are as long as the stairs themselves.
18) Fix loose or uneven steps. Make sure the steps are of equal height, and that they conform to current building codes.
19) Use non-skid floor wax, or none at all.
20) Choose chairs with arms and good back support.
21) Use an electric lift chair if you have trouble arising from a low couch or easy chair.
22) If you use an assistive device such as a cane or walker, make sure it is within easy reach of your chair or bed.
23) Use a cordless phone or a cell phone. Consider a device such as Lifeline that you can wear at all times, that will activate an emergency alarm system in case you do fall. You have all heard the horror stories of retirees who live alone that have fallen and broken a hip or something, and were forced to lie there for hours or days before someone could be alerted to their dilemma and come to help.
1) Remove loose throw rugs in entry ways and halls.
2) Make sure living areas are free of clutter. If necessary, have someone move your furniture so you have clear access routes around your home.
3) Check for electrical or oxygen cords or tubes that may be a potential source of tripping.
4) Wipe up kitchen spills promptly.
5) Be careful if Fido or Kitty get underfoot, especially at feeding time when they like to gather around your feet, or while going up and down stairs.
6) Be careful of long gowns or loose, flowing garments that may entangle your feet.
7) Change lightbulbs in hallways to the brightest wattage practical.
8) Use double-sided tape to keep rugs from slipping.
9) Install railings in all stair cases.
10) Make sure existing stair railings are solid and in good repair.
11) Coil or tape cords and wires next to the wall so you don’t have to walk around them or step over them. If necessary, have an electrician install more outlets.
12) Organize cabinets so you don’t have to stretch and reach overhead. Keep frequently used items at about waist high level in cabinets. If you must reach high shelves, never use a chair to stand on. Instead, use a steady stool with a hand bar.
13) Have a light switch at the top and bottom of the stairs, and make sure to replace burned out or dim bulbs.
14) Place a flashlight and extra batteries within easy reach of your bed.
15) Examine floor coverings on stairs. Make sure they are firmly attached. Carpet on stairs can be replaced with non-slip rubber treads.
16) Paint a contrasting color or a strip of brightly colored tape on the front edge of all steps so you can see them better.
17) Make sure there are handrails on both sides of the stairs, and that they are as long as the stairs themselves.
18) Fix loose or uneven steps. Make sure the steps are of equal height, and that they conform to current building codes.
19) Use non-skid floor wax, or none at all.
20) Choose chairs with arms and good back support.
21) Use an electric lift chair if you have trouble arising from a low couch or easy chair.
22) If you use an assistive device such as a cane or walker, make sure it is within easy reach of your chair or bed.
23) Use a cordless phone or a cell phone. Consider a device such as Lifeline that you can wear at all times, that will activate an emergency alarm system in case you do fall. You have all heard the horror stories of retirees who live alone that have fallen and broken a hip or something, and were forced to lie there for hours or days before someone could be alerted to their dilemma and come to help.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Keeping your retirement home safe
Some of us retirees have lived in our family home for 30 years. Others have opted for a more carefree lifestyle in one of the many types of resort-style retirement communities or some variation of a continuing care retirement community (See April 5, 2009 post). If you're one of the former group of retirees who just can't let go of the big family home and yard, then you need to think about keeping your retirement environment safe.
As a Home Health Physical Therapist, I have gathered up a lot of ideas for home safety for seniors, and will share some of them with you in the next several blogs. While retirement communities and assisted living apartments have often designed their units with home safety for seniors in mind, many of these principles can also be applied. These may seem like pure common sense, but if you gain even one bit of knowledge that will prevent a fall, I have done my job!
The first area I will address is the bathroom. This is probably one of the most common places that falls occur.
1) Make sure bathroom rugs are securely attached to the floor or have rubberized non-slip backing.
2) Install grab bars in the shower. Make sure they are anchored into studs.
3) Use a tub transfer bench or a shower chair if appropriate.
4) Put non-skid tape or decals on the floor of your tub or shower.
5) Install night lights in hallways, bathrooms, and bedrooms.
6) Keep trash receptacles emptied so debris does not accumulate and spill over onto the floor.
7) Keep shower curtains inside the tub so water doesn’t spill out onto the floor.
8) Wipe up spills promptly.
9) Keep soap within easy reach while you are in the tub or shower, and make sure soap dish is located so soap does not fall out of tub or shower stall onto the floor.
10) Install a fan in the bathroom so steam from the bath or shower does not build up.
11 Organize cabinets so you don’t have to stretch and reach overhead.
12) Use non-skid floor wax, or none at all.
13) Consider using a bedside commode if you have to get up frequently in the night to go to the bathroom.
14) Use a toilet riser or install grab bars if you have difficulty arising from a low toilet seat. Make sure they are securely installed.
As a Home Health Physical Therapist, I have gathered up a lot of ideas for home safety for seniors, and will share some of them with you in the next several blogs. While retirement communities and assisted living apartments have often designed their units with home safety for seniors in mind, many of these principles can also be applied. These may seem like pure common sense, but if you gain even one bit of knowledge that will prevent a fall, I have done my job!
The first area I will address is the bathroom. This is probably one of the most common places that falls occur.
1) Make sure bathroom rugs are securely attached to the floor or have rubberized non-slip backing.
2) Install grab bars in the shower. Make sure they are anchored into studs.
3) Use a tub transfer bench or a shower chair if appropriate.
4) Put non-skid tape or decals on the floor of your tub or shower.
5) Install night lights in hallways, bathrooms, and bedrooms.
6) Keep trash receptacles emptied so debris does not accumulate and spill over onto the floor.
7) Keep shower curtains inside the tub so water doesn’t spill out onto the floor.
8) Wipe up spills promptly.
9) Keep soap within easy reach while you are in the tub or shower, and make sure soap dish is located so soap does not fall out of tub or shower stall onto the floor.
10) Install a fan in the bathroom so steam from the bath or shower does not build up.
11 Organize cabinets so you don’t have to stretch and reach overhead.
12) Use non-skid floor wax, or none at all.
13) Consider using a bedside commode if you have to get up frequently in the night to go to the bathroom.
14) Use a toilet riser or install grab bars if you have difficulty arising from a low toilet seat. Make sure they are securely installed.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Telemedicine
An interesting new development which is an alternative to traditional doctor’s visits is the specialty of Telemedicine. This is a way for retirees to receive medical information via telephone, the Internet or other networks. Telemedicine may be as simple as two health professionals discussing a case over the telephone, or as complex as using satellite technology and video-conferencing equipment to conduct a real-time consultation between medical specialists in two different countries. Telemedicine generally involves communications and information technology instead of hands-on medicine. This can be very important to seniors who are homebound.
As a Home Health Physical Therapist, my colleagues (nurses, occupational and speech therapists) often wish there were more of us to provide these important services to homebound seniors. Telemedicine certainly looks promising to fill part of this ever increasing need for seniors to remain at home and as independent as possible.
Basically, Telemedicine allows patients to visit with physicians live over video for immediate care. Whether you live in the center of Los Angeles or deep in the Brazilian Amazon, Telemedicine is an invaluable tool in Healthcare.
Here's an example of how Telemedicine works every day. Say you have a horrible sore throat and visit your healthcare provider who does an examination and is concerned with what he or she sees. Your provider recommends a referral to an ENT (Ear/Nose/Throat) specialist for a follow up diagnosis and treatment plan. Well, instead of traveling to the nearest specialist, which could be anywhere from a 45-minute drive to an 18-hour boat ride up the Amazon River, your provider connects you directly to the ENT specialist via Telemedicine.
The advantage of this arrangement is that the specialist actually hears your medical history and current condition directly from you and your provider instead of receiving a dictated note in the mail, which all takes time. Meanwhile you are still suffering!
The specialist can diagnose and recommend treatment immediately. And an additional benefit is the the opportunity for your doctor to ask questions and learn from each and every consultation. This continual education will be an immeasurable benefit to all his or her patients.
As a Home Health Physical Therapist, my colleagues (nurses, occupational and speech therapists) often wish there were more of us to provide these important services to homebound seniors. Telemedicine certainly looks promising to fill part of this ever increasing need for seniors to remain at home and as independent as possible.
Basically, Telemedicine allows patients to visit with physicians live over video for immediate care. Whether you live in the center of Los Angeles or deep in the Brazilian Amazon, Telemedicine is an invaluable tool in Healthcare.
Here's an example of how Telemedicine works every day. Say you have a horrible sore throat and visit your healthcare provider who does an examination and is concerned with what he or she sees. Your provider recommends a referral to an ENT (Ear/Nose/Throat) specialist for a follow up diagnosis and treatment plan. Well, instead of traveling to the nearest specialist, which could be anywhere from a 45-minute drive to an 18-hour boat ride up the Amazon River, your provider connects you directly to the ENT specialist via Telemedicine.
The advantage of this arrangement is that the specialist actually hears your medical history and current condition directly from you and your provider instead of receiving a dictated note in the mail, which all takes time. Meanwhile you are still suffering!
The specialist can diagnose and recommend treatment immediately. And an additional benefit is the the opportunity for your doctor to ask questions and learn from each and every consultation. This continual education will be an immeasurable benefit to all his or her patients.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)