Are Startups Making Gadgets Seniors Won’t Use?

Tech companies are targeting the burgeoning market for older adults, but some of their products are doubtful at best.

The U.S. is going gray. The population of Americans aged 65 and above will nearly double from 2012 to 2050, according to estimates from the census. And we’re living longer. “There are already risk managers and insurance people telling people out there to plan to live to 95,” says the founder of Aging in Place Technology Watch Laurie Orlov. This growing market has tech companies eager to create products in health care and communication, but are they hitting the mark?

This Belt is Not Hip

The No. 1 cause of injuries and death from injury for older Americans is falls, according to a report by the Population Research Bureau. In 2014 alone, 29 million falls by older Americans cost Medicare $30 billion.

French company Helite is marketing a fall protection belt that inflates like an airbag when a fall is detected. Currently available in the European Union, the Hip’Safe is slated to premiere in the States in September. The belt is light, easy to put on and comfortable to wear. A beeper alerts the user if the belt is worn the wrong way, and arrows offer guidance when it’s buckled. What’s not to like?

For starters, the price is more than €800, which is equivalent to $934 here in the U.S. Good luck getting Medicare to cover that, especially when you’d have to wear the thing 24/7 to be effective.

Although the Hip’Safe is not as obvious as, say, bubble-wrapping your entire midsection, it’s going to be noticeable in anything other than a Mumu with tulle underskirts. Guys, there will be no hiding it, although you could try to pass it off as a money belt for the VERY wealthy who insist on buying that next yacht in nothing but small bills.

It’s also going to be a pain in the rear when nature calls, in particular for the ladies. Do you shimmy it up above your waist and hope it stays, or take it off and then have to buckle back up? And if you’re in a public bathroom, do you sling it over the door while you take care of business, or stuff it in your monster-size purse?

The website homepage shows an older man and woman smiling, each carrying a grandchild on their shoulders … but what the heck are they doing that for if they’re at heightened risk of falling?! If one of them goes down, they will be left on the ground while the little kid is rushed to the hospital, so yes, they need to have their hip belt on! Maybe each of the grandkids should have a Hip’Safe device wrapped around their head. Clearly, somebody at corporate has not thought this through.

This YouTube video demonstrates a fall while wearing the Hip’Safe. Notice that it’s the knee that hits the ground first, for which the device offers no protection whatsoever.

Assessing the Basics

There are plenty of companies working on easier computer and cell phone communication for seniors. But do they know what some of the most basic issues are?

"There are some very tech-savvy older people around, but there is clearly a large cohort of people who feel excluded by technology. They find it a bit impenetrable," says Ian Hosking, who designs products for older adults at the University of Cambridge engineering design center.

Case in point: Adults over 65 have a response time of about a second, but icons on an Apple touchscreen respond in 0.7 seconds. And that’s not the only issue.

Nerves in the finger become less sensitive with age, leading many older adults to tap on touchscreens far more heavily than the pressure for which they’re designed. Research indicates that small tremors experienced by many older adults may register as an unintentional click, or as a swipe instead of a touch.

“It is these subtle issues that erode confidence and cause confusion,” notes Chis Bignell, a spokesman for Emporia Telecom, a smartphone developer for older adults.

Tech Flops at Brookdale

Upscale Brookdale Senior Living (NYSE: BKD) tests new technology in its facilities via an ongoing Entrepreneur in Residence program.

“Aging is going mainstream,” says Andrew Smith, Brookdale’s director of innovation and strategy. “We talk about it more, and the demographics have caused all industries to start to consider the aging population, including the economic targets with this population and how we deal with it. There’s been a proliferation of consumer technology that has been targeted toward younger and middle-age people for their convenience, but have obvious applications for seniors who may have limitations of their own, and they can take advantage of it.”

Location is Key for Bathing Device

One idea Brookdale thought would be a huge hit was the body dryer. Resembling a photo booth or shower stall, the huge dryer can dry off a user in just a few minutes with soothing warm air and heat lamps. Developed by Care Dryers, the device was installed in a model apartment. Brookdale theorized that it would cut down on caregiver labor, reduce towel laundry and be gentler on delicate skin.

But the dryer sparked very little interest.

“We made the mistake of putting the dryer in a model apartment and asking residents if they would come in to experience the dryer,” Smith explained. “We attempted to get residents to agree to taking their shower in the model apartment and then using the body dryer. Not one resident agreed to take a shower in the model apartment and then use the body dryer. …If we did it over again, we would put the dryer in one of our spas.”

This sounds like a good product with a faulty introduction. Who doesn’t want to feel warm and cozy when exiting the bath and do less laundry to boot? Find more information on how to get one of these dryers in your home here.

Low Tech Over High Tech

Sometimes, you just don’t need a trendy device to deliver information. One Brookdale community found out their investment in digital signs was not money well spent.

“One of the areas that has not caught on is digital signage, and specifically touch screen,” Smith said. “There was a lot of excitement around touch-screen signs, which could display photos, menus, activity calendars, etc. We found that while residents like the opportunity to see those items, the touch-screen component was more than was necessary.”

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Sources

https://seniorhousingnews.com/2017/02/09/brookdales-top-technology-flops-surprise-hit/

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-32511489

https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/10/16863370/health-technology-aging-elderly-fall-prevention-dementia-hearing-aids-ces-2018

https://www.census.gov/prod/2014pubs/p25-1140.pdf

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2563781/

https://axesslab.com/hand-tremors/

Blog posting provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors
www.csa.us

Nine Signs You Should Fire Your Financial Advisor

It’s easy to have the same financial advisor watch over your nest egg year after year, but you may be better off moving on. Here’s what to look for.

Is your financial advisor a fiduciary? Chances are, you don’t know. Nearly half of Americans believe that all advisors have a legal duty to act in their clients’ best interest according to a survey by digital wealth manager Personal Capital, but that’s not true.

"Not all advisors are required to put you first," says Jay Shah, chief executive officer of San Francisco-based Personal Capital. "Only financial advisors who are fiduciaries are required to act in the best interests of their clients."

Fiduciary is a higher standard of accountability than the suitability standard that governs many financial salespersons such as brokers, planners and insurance agents. These professionals usually select products for their clients from a limited range of investments approved by their broker/dealer. The suitability standard they adhere to only requires that an investment recommendation meets a client’s needs and objectives, and is deemed appropriate. However, the products they choose may be influenced by special promotions or incentives offered to the advisor by their broker/dealer.

Financial professionals following a fiduciary standard are legally obligated to put their client’s best interest ahead of their own. This can mean recommending a product that offers reduced or even no compensation for the professional because it’s the best option for the client. A registered investment advisor (RIA) is usually not tied to a broker/dealer and thus can truly provide clients unbiased advice.

But what if you’ve been wondering, perhaps for some time, if another financial advisor could do a better job? Financial advisors should help you save, invest and grow your money. They can also assist with retirement planning, whether you’re still working or enjoying retirement.

Here are some signs you need to hand your retirement egg to another caretaker:

What Credentials Should Your Financial Advisor Hold? You may be bewildered by the initials following your advisor’s name, or wondering about their absence. The answers you need depend on what your advisor does for you. If you want your advisor to write up a personalized financial plan, hire one with the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation. If you’re looking for life insurance, you might want to find a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU). Some other respected designations that are becoming more common are the Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC) who specializes in retirement planning, and the Financial Paraplanner Qualified Professional (FPQP). The gold standard for someone who recommends or manages investments for you is a Charted Financial Analyst (CFA). This is the top-level designation in the financial industry that centers on investments. CFAs have to pass three levels of exams related to accounting, economics, ethics, money management and security analysis that measure their competence and integrity. The highly technical skills held by CFAs are often used to structure investment products, perform analysis, or work with extremely high net worth and/or institutional clients. Therefore, it’s quite likely you don’t need someone with this much training (and the typically higher price that comes with it) to handle your portfolio. Watch the following video to find out what a financial planner can do for you.

1. She acts like a saleswoman and not an advisor. Have you asked for an invoice of the fees you’re being charged? You need to understand how she’s being compensated. Financial planners typically earn their living by charging hourly, by taking a percentage of your portfolio or by making commissions on the products they sell.
   
   Avoid someone who works on commission sales. She has the greatest incentive to point you to products that don’t fit what you need and are more expensive than similar investments. Other advisors may charge an hourly rate, which is often the best option for someone with a small portfolio. You might pay an annual services fee, often 1 to 1.25 percent of assets, annually with the percentage declining as your asset base rises. If it’s more than that, shop around. Someone with 5 million in assets can expect to pay closer to 0.75 percent of their assets under management or less. Read more about financial advisor fees here.
   
   Uncover all sources of income by asking for a copy of Form ADV, which every financial advisor who recommends investments is required to fill out to register their license with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or the state where they do business. It contains the advisor’s fee schedule plus any other compensation, such as a kickback for a client referral.

2. He confuses you with financial terms you don’t understand. Your financial advisor should take time to explain your options and his recommendations in layman’s terms. You should have at least a broad understanding of the investment strategy and how close you are to meeting your goals.
   
   That said, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with terms that are bandied about in the financial industry. One source of knowledge is Investopedia.

3. She pushes high investment fees and insurance products. Ask if there’s a lower-fee alternative that gets the same result, such as an exchange traded fund instead of a mutual fund. A passively managed option almost always has a lower expense ratio than a product that’s actively managed.
   
   Take a long look at life insurance policies and annuities. You shouldn’t feel pressured to make a quick decision. It’s never a bad idea to go home and do some research before you commit, especially with a product that entails a surrender fee.

4. His firm isn’t registered. “Financial advisor” is a generic term for brokers and registered representatives, while an “investment adviser” is an individual or company registered with the SEC or the state securities regulator.
   
   Check if your investment adviser is legit at the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority BrokerCheck. You can also check the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure database.

5. She doesn’t match your investments with your financial goals. If you dream about a vacation cottage by the beach but also need to pay for a chronic health condition, your investment strategy should account for both. Your advisor should have a clear understanding of what your goals are, and ask about any changes over time.

6. You have a hard time getting in touch with him. Consider it a warning sign if your calls and emails aren’t answered promptly. You are paying your advisor to be available and responsive.
   
   Good advisors work to develop a personal relationship and proactively reach out to clients on a regular basis. That’s true no matter what size your portfolio is, and especially if there’s a market downturn or other event that might cause you concern.

7. She doesn’t have a custom plan for you. Your financial advisor should create a portfolio uniquely tailored to your risk tolerance and needs. Customized financial planning is becoming common and many advisory firms don’t charge to create a personalized plan. Ask how your portfolio differs from that of other clients. She should be able to provide a clear, decisive answer justifying each of your investments. One-size-fits-all plans likely indicate that she’s selling products on commission and trying to meet a quota.

8. He offers exclusive investments. If your advisor claims to have a lock on certain investments that only he (or his firm) can get, find someone else. If it’s really that exclusive, you don’t want to be stuck with an unredeemable asset. However, most investments can be found at a multitude of brokerage houses.

9. You have a new advisor every few months. If staff turnover is a problem, it’s a clear sign you should seek another place to do business. Not only is it a sign there are big problems in the workplace, but you deserve to talk to a familiar individual who understands your objectives.

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Sources

http://www.investmentnews.com/article/20180507/FREE/180509937/court-ruling-aside-for-now-dol-will-rely-on-fiduciary-rule-to-govern

https://www.investopedia.com/updates/dol-fiduciary-rule/

http://guides.wsj.com/personal-finance/managing-your-money/how-to-choose-a-financial-planner/

https://money.usnews.com/investing/funds/slideshows/8-tips-for-choosing-an-active-fund-manager

https://money.usnews.com/investing/investing-101/articles/what-is-a-fiduciary-financial-advisor-a-guide-to-the-fiduciary-duty

https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackfriedman/2017/01/10/6-signs-that-you-need-to-fire-your-financial-advisor/#59d61f6f121a

https://money.usnews.com/investing/investing-101/articles/what-is-a-fiduciary-financial-advisor-a-guide-to-the-fiduciary-duty

https://money.usnews.com/investing/investing-101/articles/what-is-a-fiduciary-financial-advisor-a-guide-to-the-fiduciary-duty

https://money.usnews.com/investing/articles/2017-06-07/6-signs-your-financial-advisor-is-terrible

http://www.blueprintinvestmentsandtax.com/blog/is-your-financial-advisor-a-cfa-charterholder

Blog posting provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors
www.csa.us

Ageism is Hurting Your Health

Rampant ageism profoundly affects the health and well-being of older adults. Here’s what you can do about it.

Ageism, or prejudice against older people, is most widespread in high-income countries such as the United States, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). American culture puts a premium on youth, beauty, vitality and high earnings. Getting older is viewed as a process that reduces these perceived attributes.

“The anxiety and the fear surrounding aging have increased,” says Tracey Gendron, a developmental psychologist and associate professor of gerontology at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. “Aging has a real image problem. As a culture, we see it as moving toward a period of decline, and we feel pressure to combat visible signs of aging.”

Older people with negative concepts about aging live an average of 7.5 years less than those who have positive attitudes about growing older, according to the World Values Survey. Additionally, 60 percent of survey respondents said that older people are not respected.

"This analysis confirms that ageism is extremely common. Yet most people are completely unaware of the subconscious stereotypes they hold about older people," said John Beard, WHO Director of Ageing and Life Course. "Like sexism and racism, changing social norms is possible. It is time to stop defining people by their age. It will result in more prosperous, equitable and healthier societies."

What Constitutes Ageism?

Prejudice against older adults can take many forms. Media often depict older people as frail or dependent. While some are, many older adults lead active, thoughtful lives, and this reality needs to be shown as well. Policy decisions such as proposed reductions to Social Security and Medicare directly affect older Americans and can be considered ageism.

Ten “Compliments” that are Really Ageist Sometimes ageism takes the guise of a compliment. The following list shows how pervasive ageism is in our society and is a reminder to watch what you say. When a waiter asks an older patron, “What can I get you today, young lady?” Now really, would he approach a teenager and ask, “What can I get you today, grandma?” Just treat them the same and dignify both women. “My grandparents are adorable.” The intent is there, but are your grandparents a pair of kittens? They’ve held jobs, suffered through hard times and made a lot of tough decisions in their long lives. Language like “adorable,” “cute” and “sweet” trivializes their history, yet it’s often used by younger people talking about their elders. We’d much rather be considered “loving and wise.” “He’s 80 years young.” That’s supposed to be a compliment, but would you ever say, “He’s 20 years an old guy”? Why celebrate youth and not experience? It’s time for some reverence for the wisdom, insight and knowledge afforded only by age. “You are still …” “Still” is a qualifier in this case and means we are surprised about an activity. There’s an inherent bias about declining with age. Such ageism causes negative health outcomes, like high blood pressure. “You’re only 68. You’re not old.”  This seems to imply you’d better watch out, being decrepit is just around the corner! There is nothing wrong with being old. “You don’t look like you’re 70.” Oh yeah? Well if someone is 70, then that’s what 70 looks like! The clear implication is that younger is better, so try hard to look younger than you are. “You’re proof that 60 is the new 40.” Being 60 is just fine. “My mom is the best!” followed by showing your friends a text that makes her look stupid or incompetent. If you think that, why bring attention to a mistake she made? You’ve never screwed up a text or had autocorrect do the job for you? You’re reinforcing a stereotype that makes older people struggle to get jobs they’re perfectly capable of doing. Stop the tech-shaming before we upload your most embarrassing photos to your Facebook account. Yes, we know how. “At your age, you’re allowed to …” Having a “senior moment” is not just for seniors. Have you ever lost your keys? Thought so. We are all prone to forget things when we’re stressed or overloaded. How about assuming older people are just like everyone else and forget things from time to time? “Wow! She’s still all there.” Some older adults suffer memory loss, but not all of us are sitting around drooling. Assume we have our wits about us and ask our opinions and desires. That goes for doctors and other professionals, too.

“It’s not like we didn’t know the boomers would retire someday,” says Max Richtman, who chairs the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations in Washington, D.C. “America built schools when this growing demographic was young, houses as it matured and large surpluses in the Social Security Trust Fund in anticipation of its retirement. However, now that 10,000 boomers turn 65 each day, the graying of America is too often presented as simply a drain on our national resources and—even worse—used as an opportunity to pit generations against each other.”

Ageism in the Workplace

In addition, institutional policies like a mandatory retirement age are discriminatory and fail to recognize the broad spectrum of abilities in older adults. While hiring managers are now instructed to avoid bias against women, LGBTQ people and minorities, age discrimination has failed to attract similar notice.

The Age Discrimination Employment Act makes it illegal to discriminate against workers age 40 and over. However, the reality is that as many as two-thirds of workers between the ages of 45 and 74 report experiencing age discrimination at work. Older workers who become unemployed spend longer searching for a new job than younger counterparts, and if they do manage to find work, it often pays less than their previous job.

Perhaps due to the internet revolution, ageism is hitting even 40-somethings. Tech companies fill their seats with millennials, and old-fashioned job security, like offering a pension, is as long gone as the copy machine.

“There is no such thing as a linear career path anymore,” says Karen Shnek Lippman, managing director at the Koller Search Partners, a recruiting firm in New York. “The only career goal you should be focusing on right now is staying relevant.”

An upper-level position used to mean stability and financial confidence, but an older worker today may be booted out of the workforce to make way for a younger, less expensive colleague.

Ageism Affects All of Us

Younger people are damaged by ageism, too, according to research by the Yale School of Public Health. The study detected an ominous link between prejudice toward older people at a young age and poor health later on. Making cruel jokes about older bodies, thinking of older adults as burdensome, and holding unflattering stereotypes of seniors reduced the likelihood their own old age would be healthy.

How Can We Change?

We all have the power to avert a mentality of ageism, both toward ourselves and older adults around us.

Start by embracing your own age, no matter what it is. Stand in front of a mirror and announce: “I am the perfect age for me today. My worth is not gauged by what I still do or what I can’t do. It is not measured by what I look like. My worth is based on my whole story, the person that I am.” Anthony Cirillo, president of The Aging Experience and advocate for caregivers and older adults, asks audience members to perform this exercise when speaking to health care groups.

Speak up when you notice ageism happening. Call out the media. Educate younger family members; studies show that our perceptions about aging are already forming by the time we are 6 years old.

Even cues that lie below conscious thought can affect how we think and feel. When subliminally positive age stereotypes were presented across multiple sessions in a community of older adults, one study found measurable gains not only in self-perception, but in physical function. Those gains surpassed a previous study’s six-month exercise intervention in a similar population. Another study found cognitive performance was positively affected by subliminal messaging as well.

Listen to yourself. What messages are you sending about aging? Are you making assumptions or blurting out, “You look great for your age!” instead of “You look great”? Do you think of yourself as old? How about tossing that label and finding specific words for how you feel.

“Take the judgment away and say what you really mean, not what’s convenient,” says Gendron. Instead of saying, "I feel old," ask yourself if what you really mean is "I feel tired" or "I feel stressed." Similarly, if you catch yourself describing someone as having “a youthful spirit,” consider whether you really mean the person is lively, vibrant, energetic or engaged.

If you can catch yourself making assumptions, you can begin to change your own perceptions, and that will benefit everyone.

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Sources

https://www.seniorplanningservices.com/2017/08/21/ageism-america-hurting-us/

https://health.usnews.com/health-care/for-better/articles/2018-02-14/battling-pervasive-ageism

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25326508

https://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2016/11/01/why-we-must-combat-ageism-in-america/#5788d5527fb4

https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jger/2015/954027/

http://time.com/4693429/age-discrimination-hurts-women-workers/

http://www.who.int/en/news-room/detail/29-09-2016-discrimination-and-negative-attitudes-about-ageing-are-bad-for-your-health

http://www.worldvaluessurvey.org/WVSNewsShowMore.jsp?evYEAR=2016&evMONTH=-1

https://health.usnews.com/wellness/aging-well/articles/2017-07-28/old-talk-the-new-brand-of-body-bashing

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8979380

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/10-compliments-people-pay-that-are-actually-ageist_us_569e8e82e4b0cd99679b9553

Blog posting provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors
www.csa.us

How Societies Can Grow Old Better

Renowned author Jared Diamond uses traditional tribal societies to shine a light on modern social structure for older Americans.

How can older Americans find purpose and comfort in modern society? Jared Diamond, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for nonfiction for his groundbreaking book Guns, Germs, and Steel uses his vast knowledge of traditional societies to inform how the monolithic cultures of today can provide better lives for its citizens in old age

Diamond says that tribal culture is actually more diverse than American culture, while cautioning against the extremes of romanticizing tribal life or viewing it as primitive and unworthy of our examination.

In tribal societies, Diamond says older adults in the community are valued for an array of talents:

• Food production
• Babysitting
• Making tools, weapons, pots and textiles
• Repositories of information for the whole tribe

They often live with relatives, or nearby, and maintain friendships over their lifetimes.

Conversely, Americans move an average of once every five years, distancing themselves from friends and relatives. The Protestant work ethic places a higher value on those of working age, while independence and self-reliance are glorified. To add insult to injury, a cult of youth in Western civilization puts older adults in advertisements for care centers but not, say, Coke.

However, Diamond sees three major areas where older adults shine in our current culture. Watch is short TED talk, above, to find out what these areas are.

How to Cut Your Stroke Risk by More than Half

Eighty percent of strokes are preventable, yet stroke is the No. 5 cause of death in the U.S. and a leading contributor to disability. Are you doing all you can to avoid this crippling health event?

Strokes happen when the brain can’t get the oxygen it needs, so brain cells die. A blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain either gets blocked or bursts, and a stroke occurs.

Not every stroke is symptomatic. “Silent” strokes affect 1 in 5 adults over age 80. They occur without warning and often go unnoticed, but are responsible for short-term headaches, dizziness and cognitive problems. Silent strokes can also cause long-term problems with memory.

Stroke Prevention

The American Stroke Association and American Heart Association have teamed up on guidelines to dramatically cut your risk for all kinds of stroke. Considering that stroke recovery can take months, or may leave you compromised for life, it’s worth a concerted effort to improve in each area where you may fall short.

How to Spot Stroke Symptoms When someone has a stroke, every second counts. Getting that person medical assistance as quickly as possible is the priority. The stroke drug tPA, which can save lives and prevent or reduce long-term effects, must be administered within several hours of the event. That’s why it’s so important to familiarize yourself with the symptoms of a stroke. If you suspect a stroke, don’t hesitate to call 911. Strokes most often occur in the right or left hemisphere of the brain. Importantly, a full quarter of strokes originate in the back of the head. These posterior circulation strokes often present with vague symptoms such as sudden vision changes and minor coordination and balance problems. A new acronym for stroke awareness, BE-FAST, includes both kinds of symptoms. BE-FAST Watch for sudden changes listed below, and be prepared to quickly call 911. B - Balance. Be aware of any balance or coordination issues, as well as dizziness. E - Eyesight. Look for vision loss, double vision or changes such as blurriness. F - Face. Notice any facial drooping. A - Arms. Does one arm drift downward, or is it weak or numb? S - Speech. Listen for slurred or confused speech. T - Time. Call 911 immediately for any of these symptoms.

1. Lower your high blood pressure (HBP). This is the main cause of stroke. If you do nothing else, get high blood pressure under control. Risk factors include being obese or overweight, being more than 35 years old, having a family history of HBP, being African-American, not being active, eating too much salt or over-indulging in alcohol, and being pregnant. More than 20 percent of people with HBP are unaware they have it, so make sure to ask a health care professional to get tested. If you have HBP (or to keep normal pressure where it is), eat a healthy diet and watch your salt intake. Become physically active and keep your weight down. Stay away from secondhand smoke and limit how much alcohol you drink.


2. Don’t smoke. Nicotine and carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke hurt your cardiovascular system. If you smoke, quit. Period.


3. Control your diabetes mellitus. HBP and diabetes go hand in hand, and are often associated with high blood cholesterol and being overweight.


4. Resolve to eat better. Cut down on saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol in your diet. Watch your calories and strive to eat at least five servings of fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables every day.


5. Move, move, move! Inactivity and obesity can trigger a stroke. Go on a lively walk, take the stairs or park your car in a far corner of the lot. Do anything you can to make your body work a little. Set a realistic goal such as 30 minutes of daily exercise.


6. Control high blood cholesterol. Doctors routinely tell us to keep our bad cholesterol down, but low levels of “good” HDL cholesterol also appear to be a stroke factor, at least for men. Cut down animal fats, including those in dairy products. Eat vegetarian a day or two every week, or substitute beef with fish.


7. Manage atrial fibrillation. How? Reduce stress with yoga or meditation, drink plenty of water, get a good night’s sleep, control your weight, limit alcohol, drink coffee in moderation and watch your cholesterol.

Perhaps you’re seeing a pattern here? Many of these problems are interrelated and go back to the mantra of “Eat well and get plenty of exercise.” Start by adding one more vegetable to your diet every day and taking a brisk walk for 15 minutes. When that’s a habit, bump up your plant intake and exercise routine on a regular basis. It’s OK to have a bad day; vow to get back on board when you wake up.

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Sources

http://www.strokeassociation.org/STROKEORG/AboutStroke/About-Stroke_UCM_308529_SubHomePage.jsp

http://www.strokeassociation.org/idc/groups/stroke-public/@wcm/@hcm/@sta/documents/downloadable/ucm_463745.pdf

https://issuu.com/parkeradventisthospital/docs/grow_spring_2018

https://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/afib-pictures/prevent-afib/#03

http://www.stroke.org/understand-stroke/what-stroke/what-tia

Blog posting provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors
www.csa.us

Famous & 65

Look Who’s Turning 65

July 1 – Mike Haynes
Football Palyer

A standout athlete for both the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Raiders, cornerback Mike Haynes was also a standout punt return specialist. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1997, and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000.

Haynes was a first-round pick in the 1976 NFL draft for the Patriots. The team wasn’t disappointed, as he delivered eight interceptions and an AFC-leading 608 yards on 45 punt returns. He also gave the team their first touchdown on punt return, then followed it up with another. His work on the field earned him a Pro Bowl invitation as a rookie player, the first of nine such invites he would receive over his career. He also got tapped for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year after the Patriots went 11-3 and secured a playoff berth for the first time in 13 years.

Haynes played seven years with the Patriots, racking up 28 interceptions and 1,159 yards on 111 returns. In 1984, Haynes was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame and the team retired his number.

In November 1983, his contract was awarded to the Los Angeles Raiders under a settlement that handed the Patriots a 1984 No. 1 draft pick and a No. 2 pick the following year. Haynes played the last five games of the season, then started in Super Bowl XVIII. The Raiders emerged victorious as Haynes made an interception, two pass breakups and a tackle.

Over seven seasons with the Raiders, Haynes notched 18 interceptions for a career total of 46 that he returned for 688 yards and two touchdowns, including one for 97 yards against Miami. He had the honor of being an All-Pro pick five years, and a choice for All-AFC eight years.

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July 11 – Leon Spinks
Boxer

Leon Spinks managed one of the biggest upsets in boxing history when he defeated Muhammed Ali to win the undisputed heavyweight championship in 1978 in only his eighth professional fight. The split decision gave Spinks the distinction of being the only man to take a title from Ali in the ring. However, in a rematch seven months later, the aging Ali showed up more in-shape and sharper to win back his title by unanimous decision after 15 rounds.

Spinks went on to fight future WBA world heavyweight champ Gerrie Coetzee, European title holder Alfredo Evangelista and Eddie Lopez, but he would never regain the title or glory of his fight against Ali. Spinks switched to cruiserweight in 1982, and then competed in boxer v. wrestler matches in the 1980s, boxing again into the 1990’s, and finally retiring at the age of 42.

Spinks was known for his gapped-tooth grin, a result of losing two, and later four, of his front teeth in the ring. He has slurred his words since his boxing days, likely a result of punches he took. His son Cory Spinks held the undisputed welterweight title. His other son, Leon Calvin, was tragically shot to death while he drove home in East St. Louis in 1990. Calvin had a 2-0 record as a light heavyweight pro boxer at the time. His son, and Spink’s grandson, Leon Spinks III, is an aspiring light heavyweight southpaw with seven knockouts to his credit. Spinks moved to Las Vegas in 2011 with his wife, Brenda.

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July 15 – Jean-Bertrand Aristide
President of Haiti

Haiti’s first democratically elected president, Aristide became wildly popular as a champion of the poor. Originally a Roman Catholic priest, he became popular railing against abuses fomented by the corrupt family dictatorship of Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier and his father, “Papa Doc” Duvalier. At the same time, Aristide was appointed to St. Jean Bosco church, in a poor area of Port-au-Prince. There, he sponsored weekly youth Masses and founded an orphanage while championing the aspirations of Haiti’s dispossessed. He survived four assassination attempts for his efforts, including a 1988 attack where 13 parishoners were killed and 70 wounded, and his church was burned to the ground while army and police stood by and did nothing.

Aristide didn’t spare criticism of the church hierarchy, and in the same year was expelled from his Salesian order. Accused of “incitement to hatred and violence,” Aristide slammed the church for failing to adequately support the poor over the rich, noting Jesus could not accept the people going hungry.

During his short-lived initial term in office, Aristide attempted to instill reforms such as bringing the military under civilian control, investigating human rights violations, bringing Duvalier’s henchmen to trial, and prohibiting many wealthy Haitians from leaving the country pending an examination of their bank accounts. Making this many enemies in high places didn’t serve him well, and he was ousted in a 1991 coup d’état.

Aristide returned from exile to rule again from 2001-2004, when he called for colonizer France to repay $21 billion for making Haiti hand over 90 million gold francs in restitution for French property taken during the Haitian rebellion that ended in 1947. In 2004, Aristide claims France and the U.S. participated in a “kidnapping” after he was forced to resign when he was threatened with death if he refused to go. Aristide alleges that the U.S. reneged on promises made regarding privatization of enterprises and then “relied on a disinformation campaign” to discredit him. Congressman Maxine Waters supported the assertions.

After a long exile, Aristide returned to Haiti in 2011 where he was greeted at the airport by thousands of supporters. Western countries worry that his participation in politics could “destabilize” the country. However, mass disenfranchisement grips Haiti, which has gone from 60 percent voter participation when Aristide was running for office to at most 20 percent now.

Aristide’s major achievements in office include greatly increased access to health care and education for the general population, increasing adult literacy from 35 percent to 55 percent, improving human rights, doubling the minimum wage, instituting land reform, assistance to small farmers, establishing a food distribution network for the poor, building low-cost housing and attempting to reduce government corruption.

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July 20 – Thomas Friedman
Journalist

Three-time Pulitzer Prize winner Thomas Friedman writes for The New York Times with extensive grounding on foreign affairs, global trade, the Middle East and environmental issues. Lofty stuff for a guy who originally wanted to be a professional golfer and caddied for Chi Chi Rodriquez at the 1970 U.S. Open.

Dreams fade, others take their place, and Friedman graduated from Brandeis with a degree in Mediterranean studies, then attended Oxford as a Marshall Scholar, leaving with an M. Phil. in Middle Eastern studies. Following, his career in journalism started in London and took him to Lebanon, Jerusalem and all over the world. Among his many awards is the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary for his “clarity of vision, based on extensive reporting, in commenting on the worldwide impact of the terrorist threat.”

Interestingly, Friedman doesn’t see that threat coming from immigrants. He writes: "It is pure idiocy that Congress will not open our borders – as wide as possible – to attract and keep the world's first-round intellectual draft choices in an age when everyone increasingly has the same innovation tools and the key differentiator is human talent."

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Source: Wikipedia

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