• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
417 E. 1st Street, Monticello, Iowa 52310
  • Home Health: (877) 465-3059
  • Hospice: (866) 233-1533
  • Fax: (319) 465-4070

Above & Beyond Home Health Care and Hospice Care

The more we care, the more beautiful life becomes

  • Home
  • Covid-19
  • About Us
    • Mission Statements
    • Leadership
    • Coordinators
    • Service Area
    • In-Service Scheduling Request
    • Community Outreach
      • Sit and Get Fit
    • Resources
  • Home Health Care
    • Skilled Nursing
    • Certified Wound Care Nurse
    • Social Work
    • Therapies
      • Physical Therapy
      • Occupational Therapy
        • Sit and Get Fit
      • Lymphatic Therapy
      • Speech Therapy
      • Music Therapy
      • Massage Therapy
      • Therapeutic Art
    • Aides
    • Respite Care
    • FAQs
  • Hospice Care
    • Medical Director
    • Skilled Nursing
    • Social Work
    • Volunteers
    • Aides
    • Respite Care
    • Bereavement
    • Veterans Services
    • Hospice Foundation
    • FAQs
  • Why Choose Us
    • Our Online Reviews
    • Testimonials
    • What Our Staff Says
    • Referrals
  • GET INVOLVED
    • Employment
    • Volunteer
    • Hospice Foundation
  • News
    • Subscribe to our Newsletter
    • Read our Past Newsletters
    • Articles
  • Contact Us
You are here: Home / Basic Information About Hospice Care / Celebrating Seniors At Every Stage

Celebrating Seniors At Every Stage

RitaE / Pixabay

Though the AARP classifies anyone over age 50 as a senior, at least for membership purposes, this group’s definition of this demographic seems almost too broad. For residents of Anamosa and elsewhere, the term ‘senior’ may be more accurate if it includes different stages, from someone just entering this age range to someone who is entering hospice care.

The team at Above and Beyond Home Health Care knows that age is more than just a number. Although there are certain biological behaviors that are more common for certain age ranges, like the differences between someone in their early 60s vs. someone their late 90s, many individual seniors remain unique in terms of their physical and mental abilities as well as a general outlook on life and attitude.

This month is a good opportunity to learn about seniors in your life. Aug. 21 is National Senior Citizens Day, an occasion to appreciate the important roles that seniors are able to provide in our community. The occasion also encourages seniors to find opportunities in their local communities to give back.

For instance, not everyone knows that the number of seniors is expected to grow.

According to the U.S. Census in 2018, if population trends continue, by 2030, all Baby Boomers will be over 65 and there will be more people over this age than under this age, a demographic situation that has never happened.

The data estimates that there will be 78 million Americans over 65 and 76.6 million under age 18.

Different stages

Depending on the group doing the defining, seniors can follow various stages.

Some of these are physical as the body changes, some can be mental as the brain changes, and there are other factors such as economic and social (Are you working or retired? How much money do you have to live on? Where do you live and who do you live with?). Some are emotional (How do you feel? What’s your support system like?) and some are spiritual (Are you thinking more about what happens when you’re gone? Are you more or less religious?)

Often, being a senior is defined by what’s happening to your body.

The Koshland Science Museum, an online resource, suggests that “old” should be divided into three categories: Young-old, which is between ages 55 and 65; Middle-old, between ages 66 and 85; and Old-old, which is 86 or older. However, the museum doesn’t discuss differences in each group, only that there are common traits at all three levels, including more brittle bones, greater vision impairment, worsening sense of touch, and a higher susceptibility to chronic diseases.

It does say that mental abilities are known to decrease in many but there are also ways to stay alert or at least reduce the rate of decline. Efforts to stimulate the brain, such as memory puzzles and learning new tasks can help as well as increased physical activity. The latter can be especially beneficial by helping the whole body.

Other factors

Instead of ranking changes by age or lumping all seniors together, WebMD focuses more on when changes from aging often begin to happen in typical human development.

For instance, many people begin to have vision changes associated with aging as early as age 40. Significant hearing loss often begins at around age 60, especially in men. Strength and stamina will also decrease as the heart rate slows, and there is also a higher rate of high blood pressure by age 60 and anemia by age 65.

Memory problems are also more likely to take place, which doesn’t necessarily mean dementia. These can include general forgetfulness or difficulty remembering details. Some dementias, such as Alzheimer’s disease, are distinct and more about not being able to retain new information or general physical deterioration of the brain.

The Mayo Clinic also presents a similar look at what’s happening to your mind and body as you age and what to do about it. This covers everything from taking precautions when out in the sun to protect your weaker skin to eating a healthy diet to improve your physical and mental health.

A big way to boost your health, no matter your age, is to quit smoking and also see a doctor, dentist and optical care professional regularly. Daily exercise can also go a long way to better all-around health.

Both medical- and wellness-focused sites emphasize that it’s impossible to stop the aging process, but being open to opportunities to make healthier choices can pay off in big ways in terms of more time being active with your friends and loved ones.

Feeling fine

That isn’t to say there are ways you can make yourself look and feel a little younger, whatever your age. There is certainly a variety of health and medi-spas that have a big focus on improving the different parts of the body.

There are also behaviors that can change, such as trying to sit up taller if nature wants your body to slump forward a little more as you age. This also can strengthen your core muscles.

Becky Cooper – Registered Nurse (RN) Administrator, Owner, Compliance Officer
Becky Cooper, RN

The author of this page is Becky Cooper. Becky is a Registered Nurse and a co-founder and co-owner of Above & Beyond Home Health Care and Hospice. She is the company’s Director and Compliance Officer.

Helping Eastern Iowa Continue Living at Home Since 2004

Let's start talking about how your older loved ones can live with dignity in the safety, security, comfort and privacy of their own homes.

Home Health Care

Local: (319) 465-3059

Toll-free (877) 465-3059

Hospice Care

Local: (319) 465-4637

Toll-free:(866) 233-1533

CLICK TO SEND A MESSAGE

Fax:(319) 465-4070
417 E. 1st Street, Monticello, Iowa 52310

Footer

Contact & Newsletter

Stay Connected

Newsletter Signup

We promise we won't send you endless spam and we won't ever share your email address with anyone else.

VISIT US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

We Honor Veterans

Text Size

A Decrease font size. A Reset font size. A Increase font size.

Recently Added Information

  • 5 Ways To Help Reduce Stress
  • Why You Should Care About Public Health For Seniors
  • Why You Should Care About Patient Safety
  • How Chronic Fatigue Impacts End Of Life Care
  • How To Practice Active Listening For A Loved One With Alzheimer’s
  • Home
  • Covid-19
  • About Us
  • Home Health Care
  • Hospice Care
  • Why Choose Us
  • GET INVOLVED
  • News
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Disclaimer

COPYRIGHT © 2004–2021 ABOVE & BEYOND HOME HEALTH CARE INC. AND ABOVE & BEYOND HOSPICE · ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

WEBSITE CREATED AND MANAGED BY A SERVANT'S HEART WEB DESIGN AND MARKETING