JAN/FEB 2015
9
Ask Don!
Your Questions on Aging Answered
by Don Hoffman, Staff Writer
Dr. Donald Hoffman, a former
director of the University of
Kentucky’s Council on Aging and
Donovan Scholars Program and
a nationally recognized author
and authority on aging, answers
your questions on aging. Submit
your questions directly to him at:
[email protected].
Sandra M. writes: I’m
bored! All my friends have passed
on or have moved to be closer to
family. Now I’m beginning to feel
isolated and need something to do.
Any suggestions?
Don replies: Take it from
me, isolation is one of the most
difficult problems of aging to overcome. However, there are several
ways to combat it. First, you must
be willing to explore new things
in new ways, to make new friends
and to become less fearful of the
unfamiliar. You can try volunteering, check out the Senior Center,
get more involved with church activities, look into county extension
groups, follow a special interest
and join, join, join. Not only will
you find activities that interest you,
but you will also meet people with
similar interests. Meeting people is
the key and will help you make new
friends. Eventually the boredom,
sadness, loneliness and possible depression will vanish. So get off that
sofa, get out of that recliner, turn off
the TV and get going!
Anna M. writes: How do
I choose an Independent Living
residence? What should I look for
before I move?
Don replies: Try before
you buy! Independent Living
Residences and Continuous Care
Retirement Communities (CCRC)
vary greatly in what they offer and
the way they operate. The best way
to find out about them is to arrange
a stay. Most of these facilities allow
perspective residents to stay for a
couple of nights and days. Be sure
to ask about costs before you make
reservations. Some communities
have begun to charge a nominal fee
for this courtesy. Staying gives you
the opportunity to taste the food,
check out the service and staff,
meet other residents, try activities
and get a VIP tour of the facility.
Try three or four facilities before
you buy in. Be sure to try both
As far as your wife’s balance
non-profit and for-profit facilities.
problem is concerned, do what
Check financial arrangements very
my Ronald Reaganhave done: 40th president.
wife, Sandi, and I was the
Be willing to explore
carefully with your family and with Girls” senior exercise program. We
“The Golden Join a were fast becoming friends on their first season on TV.
an elder care attorney, if needed.
A exercise with the cost one dollar and twenty cents. in new
gallon of gas “Silver Sneakers” new things
As far as issues to examine, look
program at our local YMCA. The
at cleanliness of the apartment you
exercises are designed to improve ways, to make
are staying in, the common spaces
strength, balance, endurance and
new friends and to
and restaurant facilities. Examine
conditioning. Before you join,
the food for quality, presentation,
check first with your doctor to
become less fearful
variety and service (and х