Communicative Tech for Seniors: Best Apps

As we’ve discovered during quarantine, being socially distant doesn’t have to mean being socially disconnected. If there is one good thing to come out of COVID-19, it’s this: seniors are now more tech-savvy than ever! There are many different communicative technologies available today that can be downloaded to our smartphones in a matter of seconds. With that in mind, our assisted living team serving West Deptford is going to talk about some great senior communication apps along with their best features. Note: all of the apps mentioned below can be downloaded through the App Store on an iPhone or Ipad. 

Caribu 

This communicative app is particularly useful because it helps seniors to connect with their young grandchildren not only through audio and video but also through fun activities. This free app, available for both smartphones and tablets, offers a wide selection of children’s books and other fun, interactive games that seniors can play with their beloved little ones. 

Zoom

Arguably, the most popular communicative tech on the market today is Zoom. This video calling software rose to popularity during the pandemic as a way to connect with loved ones, friends, and coworkers when face-to-face interaction wasn’t an option. Even though quarantine is over and vaccines are now easily accessible, Zoom is still a relevant communication tool for seniors. It is especially useful for seniors to connect with family members who do not live close by. Some of Zoom’s best features are: 

• Free download (for calls 40 minutes or less)
• Supports video calls for two or more people 
• Can easily enable camera on or off along with muting the microphone
• Can change the background behind you to spice things up! 

Online Walkie Talkie Pro

Remember walkie-talkies? Well, now they’re back in a whole new way! The smartphone app, Online Walkie Talkie Pro, acts like a real walkie-talkie with high-quality voice and video capabilities. Users set to the same public channels can all talk to one another by holding down the PTT button. For example, seniors can ask their friends to set their app to channel 2, and then they will all be able to join a group chat that utilizes all the real sound effects of a walkie-talkie! 

Facebook Messenger

Facebook’s Messenger app is also free and available on all smart devices. Messenger allows seniors to send messages, pictures, and videos with anyone they’d like – as long as all users have an active Facebook account. This app also has the capability to set up video calls with a small group of people. 

Senior technology assistance at UMC at Pitman

At United Methodist Communities at Pitman, associates are available to help residents with communicative apps on their smart devices. Our associates have the patience, compassion, and knowledge to connect seniors to these new ways of technology in order to promote the most connected and fulfilling lifestyle.

For more information about technology usage at UMC at Pitman in Gloucester County, please contact us today or visit our website at: https://pitman.umcommunities.org/

Original blog posted on https://pitman.umcommunities.org/2021/08/23/communicative-tech-for-seniors-best-apps/

Let’s Get Social! 5 Reasons Seniors Should Socialize More

Many seniors’ version of retirement definitely includes some peace and quiet. However, this doesn’t mean your social calendar should be. Being social benefits us more than we think. Maintaining strong relationships throughout your life is good for your emotional, mental and physical health, and can even result in a longer life span. Within this article, our assisted living associates in Gloucester County will go over the five major reasons why seniors should disrupt their daily routines to socialize more often.

5 Benefits of Senior Socialization

1. Natural stress reducer. Seniors’ stress levels are likely to be lower when they have strong friendships that keep them social. Think about it, when you have someone to confide in, someone who hears your worries and fears and then offers comfort, your stress suddenly doesn’t seem so overwhelming. Lower stress results in better cardiovascular health, a stronger immune system, and healthy sleep habits.
2. Better cognitive function. Playing interactive games with family and friends is a great way to stay social and keep the mind sharp. Activities like card or board games that challenge the brain can keep cognitive function and memory recognition strong, which are especially important as we age.
3. More opportunities for physical fitness. Working out is not always easy for seniors. Motivation comes and goes, which can make it difficult to maintain their physical health. One of the best ways to stick to an exercise routine is to have a good friend to workout with and be your accountability partner. Sharing the experience with a friend makes physical fitness feel less like work and more like fun.
4. Improves current mental health state. Feeling lonely is a common issue among older adults, but maintaining social bonds can help minimize this problem. Seniors do not feel lonely if they are often surrounded by family and friends. Staying social also reduces their risk of this loneliness escalating into something more serious like depression or anxiety. Planning a fun social outing or calling to check in with friends are just two ways that seniors can help boost their mental health.
5. Extended life span. This benefit may seem far-fetched at first, but there is research backed by the National Institute of Aging to prove that being social prolongs functional decline in health. Loneliness and social isolation are two of the major factors that impact the immune system of seniors. Older adults who maintain strong social ties, good nutrition and physical fitness generally live longer than those who do not upkeep these healthy senior living habits.

Socializing at UMC at Pitman

UMC at Pitman, our assisted living community near West Deptford NJ, provides many opportunities for seniors to have fun and socialize, while remaining safe. Our associates are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide assistance with daily tasks, including dressing, cooking and medication management. They could also recommend the best spots to meet new friends and activities on campus to take part in!

For more information on our assisted living services and events in Pitman, NJ, please give us a call or visit our website at: https://pitman.umcommunities.org/

Original blog posted on https://pitman.umcommunities.org/2021/08/09/lets-get-social-5-reasons-seniors-should-socialize-more/

How Seniors Can Stay Safe From The Sun

Balance is the key to almost everything, right? Sunlight is a great source of Vitamin D for seniors, but too much sunlight can quickly become harmful. The need for sun protection is especially important for seniors who often have very fragile skin. Some seniors take medications that have increased sun sensitivity as an unavoidable side effect. Since July is UV Safety Month, our assisted living caregivers at Pitman have put together a list of sun safety tips for our senior loved ones.

Essential Sun Safety Tips for Seniors

Tip #1: Sunscreen, sunscreen, and more sunscreen. Even if mom or dad only goes outside to water their garden or go for a short walk, encourage them to wear sunscreen and reapply often! The risk of developing or dying from skin cancer rises each year. When using sunscreen or applying it to a senior loved one, make sure it is at least SPF 30 and offers broad-spectrum protection. This ensures the sunscreen will absorb 97% of the sun’s rays, including UVA and UVB. It also helps to switch between different modes of sunscreen. Try using a spray sunscreen for a base coat and then a lotion to get those hard to reach spots. 

Tip #2: Avoid the sun during peak UV hours. Mom or dad’s new best friend: the shade. The sun’s UV rays are usually strongest between 10am to 4pm. This means it’s best to limit their sun exposure during those times or make sure they stay in the shade. However, it’s important to keep in mind that trees, umbrellas and canopies do not offer complete sun protection. Wearing sunscreen is always a must, even if they are out of direct sunlight.

Tip #3: Utilize long sleeves, sunglasses and long-brimmed hats when possible. Along with sunscreen, wearing certain items of clothing will provide extra coverage from the sun. Long-brimmed hats offer good sun protection for the ears, face and neck. Sunglasses that provide 99-100% UVA and UVB protection will greatly reduce eye damage from the sun. Last but not least, long sleeves and long pants will protect the arms and legs from additional sun exposure.

Staying cool at UMC at Pitman

UMC at Pitman, our assisted living community near West Deptford, provides many opportunities for seniors to have fun in the sun, while remaining safe from its harmful UV rays. Our associates are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide assistance with daily tasks, including applying and reapplying sunscreen. They could also recommend the best spots on campus to hang in the shade!

For more information on our assisted living services in Pitman, NJ, please visit our website at: https://pitman.umcommunities.org/

Original blog posted on https://pitman.umcommunities.org/2021/07/12/how-seniors-can-stay-safe-from-the-sun/

How to Make New Friends After Retirement

 

While you settle into your new assisted living community, you may find it a bit lonely at first. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about as many older adults have felt this way at one time or another. It can be difficult to leave a local group of lifelong friends and make new friendships, especially in your senior years. Here are some valuable tips to make fast friends from our assisted living team in Pitman NJ. 

Join a club or group activity 

Joining a club or engaging in group activities are the best ways to meet people with like-minded interests. Here at Pitman, we have many clubs available for our residents to join, such as the Garden Club. Our associates are available 24/7 to encourage and provide assistance to residents who would like to actively take part in community life. Not to mention, playing a cognitive game with a new friend like a puzzle can not only sharpen your social skills, but also sharpen short-term memory and problem-solving skills. 

Be more tech-savvy

Technology is the way of the world now. It’s been especially helpful during the pandemic when face-to-face meetings aren’t always the safest option. Many assisted living communities, including UMC, have tackled the challenge of creating an abundant social life for seniors during COVID-19. It hasn’t always been easy, but technology like Zoom and Facetime has really helped our residents stay connected to family, friends, and other residents. We’ve also used this technology to host group activities safely, such as our monthly virtual trivia competitions. 

Ask assisted living associates for help 

If you’re still not sure how or where to start, ask assisted living associates for help! As mentioned above, the associates are available around the clock to help with not only medical needs, but personal needs as well. Making new friends definitely qualifies as a personal need, as well as an essential one! At UMC at Pitman, we believe in enriching all aspects of our residents’ lives – including their social lives. This is why we strive to provide many diverse activities to suit the interests of all residents. 

Community life in Gloucester County, NJ

Making the transition to assisted living can be an adjustment, but when you retire in a great town like Pitman NJ, our residents find that making new friends comes easily with all the fun activities available onsite. Our assisted living residents also have access to all the activity the surrounding community offers, through onsite transportation options. 

If you’d like to see if we’re the right assisted living option in Gloucester County, New Jersey, or would like more information about our active community life, please contact us today.

Original content posted on https://pitman.umcommunities.org/2021/02/22/how-to-make-new-friends-after-retirement/

Heart Disease: Risk Factors, Symptoms and Prevention Tips

 

There’s no better time than American Heart Month to prioritize our heart health. By adopting healthy lifestyle habits early on, you can prevent heart disease and potentially live longer with a much stronger heart. Our long term care team in Pitman NJ has put together a list of heart disease risk factors, symptoms and invaluable prevention tips to be aware of.  

Heart disease risk factors

Fortunately, most of the risk factors listed below can be managed with smart lifestyle choices. For example, smoking and alcohol consumption can be controlled or eliminated entirely. As for the heart disease risk factors that are uncontrollable, like family history and ethnicity, you are at least able to monitor how it will affect you or a family member specifically.

A family history of coronary artery disease (CAD) may require a higher level of monitoring under the following circumstances: 1. If a prior family member with CAD is a male under 55-years-old. 2. If a prior family member with CAD is a female under 65-years-old.

Other risk factors include:

• High blood pressure or cholesterol
• High levels of stress and anxiety 
• Smoking
• Alcohol and substance abuse
• Excessive caffeine use 
• Physical inactivity 
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Ethnicity 
• Age
• Gender 
• Family history 

Symptoms of heart disease 

There is a large variety of symptoms to look out for when it comes to heart disease. This makes sense when you think about it because there are many different variations of heart disease, such as arrhythmia, atherosclerosis, cardiomyopathy, and CAD. If you or a loved one experiences any of the symptoms below repeatedly or severely, we recommend consulting a primary physician to diagnose your condition appropriately. 

It’s also important to realize that symptoms in women differ greatly from symptoms in men. Heart disease symptoms for women such as nausea, vomiting and anxiety are often overlooked or confused with other conditions. With that said, it’s important for women to see their primary physician immediately if experiencing any severe symptoms listed below.  

• Chest pain, pressure or congestion

• Fluttering or racing heartbeat

• Dizziness

• Lightheadedness

• Coldness or numbness in the limbs

• Shortness of breath  

• Fever, chills or cold sweats  

• Fainting or passing out

• Nausea or vomiting

• Indigestion or gas-like pain in the chest and stomach

• Sometimes jaw, neck or back pain

Heart disease prevention tips 

• Choose to live a healthier lifestyle. As we mentioned earlier, many of the risk factors for heart disease can be easily controlled. Regular exercise combined with a healthy diet can make all the difference. Eliminate smoking entirely (if applicable) and foods in your diet that are high in saturated fat content like bacon or sausage. 

• Maintain healthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Having healthy blood pressure and cholesterol numbers are one of the first steps you can take for a healthy heart. Higher levels indicate that your heart is working too hard to pump blood. Your ideal levels may not be someone else’s ideal levels. It’s important to remember that they depend on your unique risk factors and heart history. 

• Manage stress more effectively. Chronic stress is a serious and often overlooked risk factor for heart disease. If you are constantly overwhelmed or anxious, we recommend speaking to professionals about different stress management methods. 

Long-term care in Pitman, NJ 

Here at United Methodist Communities, we are well equipped with a team of licensed nurses, therapists and specialists to manage many complex medical conditions in our senior residents, such as heart disease. We offer the kind of supportive and compassionate long-term care services that can put your mind and the minds of your family members at ease.

Please call one of our care advisors in Gloucester County to find out how we can meet the needs of your loved one, as well as yourself. To learn more about our long-term care across New Jersey,  please contact United Methodist Communities today.

Original content posted on https://pitman.umcommunities.org/2021/02/13/heart-disease-risk-factors-symptoms-and-prevention-tips/