Living With a Sense of Mission, a Vision, During Senior Years

Life's journey as a spiritual being living in a physical world has a sense of mission and a vision for many people. They dedicate themselves to making a difference for others, perhaps for people, animals, or the environment. These missions in life, meaningful and rewarding, continue on in the senior years. It's a way to think outside of our own wants, our own selves.

There are so many places where help is needed in the world, where crises have hit, where someone is hungry or ill, where people or animals are suffering. It's easy to lose focus and be overwhelmed by one's own problems. But looking at things from the bigger picture gives everything a different perspective.

In the senior years retirement, chronic health issues, and fading hope to achieve lifelong goals are issues and challenges. But new rewards and meanings in life can come from seeking new missions, new visions.

As the saying goes, it's not over till it's over. There's always a fresh new start somehow.

Something unexpected can still occur, new doors open, new journeys in life begin again.

It's easy to get stuck with your usual ways of doing things and we seniors are professionals at this. Seniors often say they hate change.

But I am reminding myself to bend with the wind, be ready to start flowing in a new way, and be open to change. Just because I always did something the same way is no reason to keep doing it that way.

Readers, do you have a story about how you made changes in your senior years, anytime after 50, and about the new doors that opened, the new missions and visions? If so please tell us about it in the comment section below or send it to me, Kristi, at kgott@charter.net. If you would like to have it published here I would be glad to do that. Let me know whether you wish to remain anonymous or use your name. Thanks and best wishes, Kristi

Active Seniors and Dating - Challenges, Cautions, Opportunities

Active single seniors, anyone over 50, can face the challenge of finding compatible companions. Diversity increases with age, and as we enter our 50's and later years we become more individual, with more unique characteristics. Our tastes and preferences have evolved over a lifetime of experiences. How then, does a single senior who wishes to find a life partner, or a compatible friend, get the word out or meet others?

After I lost my husband I was not in the mood to consider dating, but with the passage of years I did wish to have more company, someone to share activities with, perhaps someone to share caring and committment.

Some years after he passed away I did meet a wonderful gentleman, and we shared several years together, but last Feb. he passed away during heart surgery.

After spending the year processing the grief, once again I wish for some company. Eating all of your meals alone, without conversation, is an experience that encourages one to seek company. We are social beings.

The thought of spending time with a companion, vs.being alone, is again coming to mind.

For those who are active there are many ways to participate in groups and clubs, and to volunteer for good causes. But, even this might not provide a large enough pool of possible partners to find someone who is a good match.

There are online dating services such as eHarmony.com but the monthly rate runs about $60. There are also categories under personals on http://craigslist.com, which is free, but many of the postings are examples of foul language and rude jokes.

At http://seniorpeoplemeet.com there is a website for single seniors that you might visit.

Another senior dating site is http://seniormatch.com. I also came upon Senior Friend Finder on my internet research.

There are many other online services for seniors to meet each other.

Internet communities created with web 2.0 software can offer the chance for online interaction, but meeting people or connecting on facebook or twitter is apt to be just a click on the computer, not a real conversation.

If you have story or suggestion on this topic, please share it by adding your comments below.

Independence vs. Safety for Seniors: A Diabetic Senior with COPD Travels Alone in an RV

Dilemma: A diabetic senior friend of mine is independent, self-reliant, and travels alone in an RV. He faces the dilemma of awakening in the morning with blood sugar too low to function without weakness and confusion. In the late evening he takes his blood sugar. Then he eats something to raise the blood sugar enough so he will wake in the morning without the low blood sugar issue.

This is clearly less than an ideal situation. He also has COPD and uses oxygen at night or when needed. Unable to walk far due to back pain from an injury, he uses a scooter when he needs to go more than 20 feet. Professional drivers move the RV when he wishes to go to a new location, often moving up to 1000 miles away at a time.

Independent, self-reliant, stoic, a positive thinker, and travel oriented have been characteristics of his life. These values give his life meaning. The idea of settling down somewhere fills him with horror. He's led a life of leadership and distinguished service to the country and to those in need.

Everyone who knows him feels anxiety over his continuing lifestyle in view of the health challenges.

We've all known and loved friends or family members with similar situations. Admired by others, these independent stoics soldier on with health challenges that might turn the rest of us into stay-at-home types. Their lifestyle is important for them to have a good quality of life.

We watch, holding our breath, hoping not to get a call someday that there has been a disaster.

Dilemma: It's quality of life vs. safety. If someone could step in and get these people to live a safer life, the problem is life might not be worth living, to them.

Caught between a rock and a hard place.

Part 1 Hobbies for Seniors - Make Your Own Easy Movie

Finding a purpose for the day after retiring can mean taking up hobbies. In our high tech world there are easy ways to make your own movie. Get a digital camera, take photos of your favorite places, people, pets, sports, etc. and use the free windows movie maker software to put those photos into a movie. If you have Windows XP or Vista there is a free version of Windows Movie Maker that came with your computer. If you are getting a new computer then download Windows Live which includes yet another free version of movie maker.

You don't need to do something complex or learn the whole software package. Just import the photos, drag them to spots on the storyboard, and click "Publish." Below is a movie made by just doing that.

Getting Out of a Rut - Social Groups for Seniors

Smooth the rough edges off the frustrations that accompany the senior years by sharing time with a like minded social group. The mountains often look more like molehills, friendship and fellowship remove isolation, and creative ideas from others can provide inspiration.

Arthritis exercise groups, health oriented support groups, fellowship groups, volunteer groups, and other clubs and classes are there for active or frail seniors.

In the past few days I shared time with an arthritis exercise group in a pool, a fellowship group, and a computer group. The uplift helps me to see my own problems from a different angle. They don't exert as much pressure on me when I share them with a group of friends. The positive energy builds up and the negative energy goes down.

If problems or depression are overwhelming isolated seniors, sharing time with social groups brings mental stimulation, positive feelings, and strength for dealing with adversity.

Senior Centers Provide a Wealth of Resources

Senior Centers across the country provide a wealth of free practical resources that caregivers and seniors can use, as well as being a place for friends and fun. By working with Betty Milne, Manager of the Central Coast Seniors Center, I have had an opportunity to learn more about the resources and activities offered for active or frail seniors at senior centers. Caregivers and seniors who are looking for helpful free community resources can find activities such as the following.

(1) flu shots
(2) free legal assistance
(3) free tax assistance
(4) medicare and insurance consultations
(5) Alzheimer's caregiver consultations
(6) Health care classes presented by hospitals
(7) Commodities and Brown Bag to assist with groceries
(8) activities ranging from Bingo, to playing cards, to country line dancing
(9) opportunities to volunteer and enjoy making a difference for others
(10) consultations and information about Alzheimer's, Dementia, long term care, in home care
(11) special dinners, craft shows, bake sales and more
(12) Senior Nutrition programs that offer lunches

At a recent Friday Night Out for Seniors the Spaghetti Dinner began at 4:00 in the afternoon. Seniors who ranged from very active to frail began arriving to visit for several hours before Bingo and have a leisurely meal. I spoke to one lady, who was recovering from hip surgery and using a walker, and she said this is her night out for a treat. Another said she gets there as soon as the doors open each week, to catch up on news from her regular group of friends. Some of the more frail seniors were assisted by caregivers. There was talking, laughing, and having fun.

Bingo has changed a lot since decades ago when I last saw someone playing Bingo. These Bingo experts laid out several pages of Bingo squares, and it was a mental challenge to find the sometimes complicated patterns of numbers as rapidly as they were called out. Some of the games are slow and easy, but some such as "Speedball" mean a new number is called out every 3 seconds. With Bingo squares spread out for several feet in front of you that one really makes you work.

On another afternoon I took photos of the Country Music Line Dancers who were practicing their dance steps to some music with a great beat. There was also the Yoga group, providing some good stretching and gentle exercises suitable for seniors.

Another day I visited the Pinochle group, a game of dice and cards. The Bridge group and Bunco groups also provided fun for card players.

Free local legal services are donated and listed on the schedule, as are tax assistance. An Alzheimer's Caregiver Consultant has regularly scheduled times. There are Health care classes taught by the Arroyo Grande hospital, such as recent classes on Emphysema Information and Living with Diabetes.

For those who like movies there is a Cinema night with refreshments.

The Senior Nutrition Program is held every day starting at 11:30 am. Local seniors enjoy sharing a meal at the Central Coast Seniors Center that provides balanced nutrition and social interaction with friends. Many are regulars almost every day. There is a $2.75 donation, but it is not required.

A Country Crafts and Bake Sale is scheduled soon, and people are enjoying getting everything ready. Seniors sell their crafts by signing up for a table at the Center, and there are a lot of chances to visit and see friends.

The seniors centers across the country provide a place that a caregiver can find helpful. Caregivers and seniors can enjoy sharing activities or find free help from the community resources.

Elderblogging at "As Time Goes By"

At "As Time Goes By" subtitled "What it's really like to get older" written by retired television producer Ronni Bennett you can learn what is really happening today in the world of aging and elders' blogging. Ronni has been the producer for television shows that include 20/20, The Barbara Walter's Specials on the ABC network, and shows at Lifetime TV, NBC, CBS, and PBS.

"The Elder Storytelling Place," another "Time Goes By" weblog by Ronni is a place for elders to submit their stories to be in a blog online, whether they are bloggers or not.

Elders who blog can get a "PROUDELDERBLOGGER" badge to post to their blog. They can also get an "ELDERBLOGGERS RULE" badge or "I support ELDERBLOGGERS" badge.

Elder Videos and Geezer Flicks are several of the features at "As Time Goes By". Other features include "Where Elders Blog", "Social Security Privatization," and "Hurricane Katrina."

On a personal level is "A Mother's Last, Best Lesson," the uplifting story of the time Ronni shared with her mother during her mother's last illness. There is also a "Photo Biography" that starts with a photo of Baby Ronni on Dec. 7, 1941, the day Pearl Harbor was attacked.

Issues such as the risk of falls for elders and changes that occur in lifestyle as people age are discussed in blog posts.

A post on October 12, 2007 is titled "It's Not Everyday a Blogger Turns 108." This tells about Olive Riley, who will turn 108 on October 20, 2007, and who has the blog "Life of Riley." (Olive's friend Mike actually transcribes and posts their conversations on the blog.)

Smarter Seniors - Study Says 74 Is The New 59

I knew that mental stimulation made a difference in mental functioning and an article titled "Today's Seniors Are Smarter" by Salynn Boyles at Web MD Medical News has good news. The subtitle says "Tests Suggest Less Mental Decline for Current Generation of Elderly." People today have more mental stimulation through mass media and popular culture. The average mental ability of someone 74 years old in the study was closer to someone 15 years younger in the earlier test group.

The study compared test scores of 74 year olds today with scores from 74 year olds 16 years ago. The 74 year olds today scored closer to the 59 year olds who were tested 16 years ago.

The study said this shows that people are more able to keep working beyond retirement age today.

The scientists concluded that the huge amounts of information we receive from television, movies, and other cultural sources are providing mental stimulation so we are "smarter."

The past 20 years have been times of such great change with the increase in the mass media and the internet.

As the baby boomer generation ages it will be interesting to follow the studies to see what the characteristics of the boomers will be in ten or twenty years.

Keeping the mind exercised and mentally stimulated is something we are all reading about a lot these days. This study provides additional encouragement for staying mentally active and keeping our environments enriched with learning opportunities.

Liz Lewis, R.N. and Mary Emma Allen at Alzheimer's Notes - RE: Dementia Project

There is a team written blog at alzheimersnotes.com by Liz Lewis, R.N. and Mary Emma Allen. A recent post tells about a creative writing project designed to allow people with dementia living in residential assisted care homes "to have their stories and words seen and heard." The project was designed by a writer in residence, Anthea McKinley for the Glasgow City Council. The project is called "In Our Own Words" and it enables people with dementia to be "recognized as authors in their own right".

I went to the website for the project and I loved the insightful writing by the authors.

One of the writers with dementia listed on the website, Norma Smith, writes about "Being in a Book" and says the following.

"It's very exciting how you can find words in your brain. How words turn into sentences. Suddenly you find you have a wee masterpiece. It goes to the printing press..."

Alex Wallace writes about the experience and says the following.

"I think when you're living like we do, you need someone else outside of your family to make you feel part of a whole, not just part of a wee bit."

Not just caregivers, but people everywhere can understand better what it feels like to experience life from these authors points of view by reading some of their material.

I have been taking a Life Story Writing class by an instructor who also teaches it at assisted care facilities, so finding this blog post and the website was especially interesting.

When I've been caregiving for people with Alzheimer's or Dementia I like to ask questions about the people's lives. If one moment their memory about this morning's events is not very good, in the next moment they might be telling me about things that happened many years ago.

I think enabling people with Alzheimer's and Dementia to tell their stories, and to help trigger their memories with "memory joggers" such as photos, scrapbooks and so on makes their lives more full and relieves some of their isolation.

Elders Enjoy Helping With Family History

Traditionally elderly people were the storytellers who preserved family stories and legends. Today, seniors often enjoy the social interaction of discussing family history and life stories. I have often thought it helped some of the elderly seniors I've assisted, who live alone, to feel less lonely when they share their life history and memories with me. For many elderly people memories of long ago events are sharper than the details of last week. This is because the earlier memories became part of long term memory, and as we age short term memory starts to lose ability. Storytelling was traditionally the role of the elderly, who preserved the family history, traditions, and legends for the next generation.

Sharing their memories with a younger generation is one way elderly seniors can interact socially, reduce loneliness, and have a hobby of preserving the family history.

Today writing life histories and researching family backgrounds and genealogy are as popular as ever. Dates, names, and events can be researched on the internet. Special reminders can help trigger memories of things that happened fifty or sixty years ago.

As a caregiver I've been surprised when people 95 years old, who have short term memory difficulties, can tell me details of the houses where they grew up 80 years ago. One person whom I assisted turned 100 years old, and was still telling stories of growing up in Minnesota, moving to California, and enjoying the weather and new foods after the move.

Storytelling is still a wonderful activity for elderly seniors, and caregivers and families can enjoy hearing true experiences from history instead of reading about it in books. Recording or writing down the family history can create a treasure to pass on to other generations.

Whenever you don't know how to pass the time of day, you can always ask an elderly person to tell you about life when that person was a child. Frequently even people with memory issues can recall childhood experiences.

There are lots of good internet sites, and one that I stumbled upon is Heirloom Stories. Some people combine reminiscing with making a scrapbook, adding memories to a family cookbook, or writing a memoir. So many memoirs have been published that you never know whose memories may come out as a book next.

Loneliness, Isolation Increases Alzheimer's and Dementia Risk

Caregivers for seniors might like to read about a study from the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center that is discussed in an article titled "Loneliness Associated with Increased Risk of Alzheimer's Disease" at Medical News Today. Isolation and limited social contacts are known to be associated with a decline of mental abilities. In this study the emotional side of loneliness was studied by analyzing people over a four year period. Those with higher levels of lonely emotions were shown to have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's.

The article went on to discuss the social side of human nature, and our needs for healthy interaction with others.

As a caregiver I've often been called to start a schedule assisting an elderly senior at home who has been living alone for many years. Sometimes a person will have lost a spouse and continued on in the same house, living alone, without adult children living nearby.

After many years of assisting people in offices, facilities, and in home care I can see the difference between people who have had social interaction available and those who have not.

My heart goes out to those frail elders who do not have good enough health to leave the house to visit others, and who do not have old friends or relatives nearby. Sometimes their spouses have passed away, their relatives live in another state, and old friends may have passed away also.

As a caregiver I try to provide social interaction and activities, and to help frail seniors go for outings to the store or to events.

This article about the emotional side of loneliness and Alzheimer's made me think of the elderly seniors I have assisted who have been isolated. There is no doubt to me that the frail seniors who have social interaction are often mentally more cognizant, and emotionally in a better frame of mind, less depressed.

A friendly caregiver who supplies activities and outings can help to make a difference for a frail senior.

Exercise, Gingerbread, and Visits for a Senior with Alzheimer's

One of my favorite activities with a senior who had Alzheimer's was when we combined a walking exercise routine with a trip to bring gingerbread (with whipped cream) to the neighbors for visits. Who said exercise had to be dull? This way an elderly senior had a pleasant recreational time that provided motivation. Cooking the gingerbread, interacting socially with the neighbors, and enjoying companionship made it a good day for a senior who might otherwise have sat alone at home in front of a television. The gingerbread visits became part of the weekly activities, and the elderly neighbors recipricated.

Some of my favorite times assisting seniors who had Alzheimers have been when we went walking in the neighborhood or for outings. Apart from the relaxation and pleasure there are many benefits to exercise for the person who has Alzheimer's, and the caregiver can enjoy the exercise too. Understanding the activities recommended and following directions from medical personnel are important when assisting someone with Alzheimer's or Dementia. At alzinfo.org you can read about the benefits of light exercise and walking. Exercise helps with the following : (1) maintaining independence (2) reducing wandering, aggression, and agitation (3) increasing mobility. It also can be part of the recreational activities that add pleasure to the day.

When paid caregivers provide care at the home for someone who has Alzheimer's and who lives alone, medical professionals can recommend exercise types and amounts. Often a frail elderly person who lives alone watches television for much of the day. A daily routine that includes light exercise, as recommended by medical professionals, can be part of the caregiving.

Some of my favorite activities with seniors include going outside for a walk on a nice day and looking at the neighborhood gardens. In my area there are a lot of fruit trees and the climate is mild. Going out to pick oranges, apples, persimmons or figs from trees in the backyard has been something I've done with many seniors, depending what fruit trees they have planted.

Sometimes seniors with Alzheimer's or Dementia have lost interest in getting up from their chair to go for a walk, but I try to think of something that will appeal to their personal interests to provide motivation.

With another senior, who was 96 years old and on a walker, I used to walk down a long driveway in the countryside to the mailbox and to pick up the newspaper each day. We also went out for shopping trips, visits to the beauty parlor, scenic drives, errands, and church activities.

Physical therapists have hand-outs and leaflets available of exercises that non-ambulatory people can do while sitting in a chair. The physical therapist can make an evaluation and recommend a routine of walking, and other exercises.

For example, sometimes it is recommended that a person who watches television from a recliner be encouraged to get up once per hour and walk around the house a little bit. It is easy for elderly people to get involved for hours at a time with television, and varying the activities also has more mental stimulation.

The agitation, tension, and sundowners wandering can be alleviated by having some exercise, and many articles, studies and websites explain more about this.

It's important to get directions from medical personnel, especially physical therapists. Home Health Agencies who send nurses and therapists to the house, or physical therapists in a facility can give directions to the caregiver regarding the exercise.

If the person uses a walker or wheelchair we can still go for an outing and get exercise. I pull the wheelchair along behind someone who is using a walker if there is a chance the person will get too tired to walk. Sometimes a person who uses a wheelchair will have the footrests taken off for awhile and ride in the chair while pushing with the feet and pushing the wheels with their hands. Caregivers need to get directions and exercise routines from medical personnel.

The exercise routine time can be a relaxing and pleasant time for the frail elder and the caregiver. Combining exercise with outings can reduce stress and add a recreational activity to
the day.

Caregivers and Companionship for People with Alzheimer's and Dementia

A program in Chicago, Illinois in an article on CNN provided an enriched environment for people with early stage Alzheimer's by pairing them up as "buddies" with Alzheimer's scientists. The people with Alzheimer's shared discussions, trips, visits to museums, just visiting and talking, and going to local activities.

The article is titled "Program Pairs Alzheimer's Scientists With Patients."

Caregivers who assist someone who has Alzheimer's or Dementia can get activity ideas from the article. Having a "buddy system" provided people with companionship and interaction while sharing activities.

The program was at Northwestern University, but the University of Chicago had a similiar "buddy system" program.

Companionship and shared activities are ways to make life more pleasant and rewarding for someone who has Alzheimer's. Becoming passive, losing interest and being isolated are some of the behaviors that can occur. An enthusiastic caregiver can help by being a buddy for someone and encouraging activities.

The goal was to see if providing social support, mental stimulation, and education would provide "indirect therapy" that would help people with Alzheimer's remain independent longer.

The article provides additional support for the idea that activities and companionship are important for people who have Alzheimer's or Dementia.

Doing crossword puzzles, taking classes and using memory stimulation programs were some of the other activities mentioned in the article that might help those diagnosed with early stage Alzheimer's.

Caregivers, Adult Day Care, Personal Care Aides, and others who interact with a person who has Alzheimer's can use this information by being "buddies" and companions.

Team Style Solitaire for Alzheimer's and Dementia

I play a type of team style Solitaire with people who have early or mid-level dementia which pits two of us, or more, as a team against the cards. At one of our "Card Parties" a question like "Can you find a red queen or a black nine" helps a person with Alzlheimer's start to look for the needed cards. Then, "Hurray! we've got it!". People with Alzheimer's or dementia often respond well to images and visuals, and the cards don't need to be remembered, just found or matched.

Having an enthusiastic caregiver can help get the game rolling. The caregiver can offer suggestions, if needed, about what cards to look for next.

Finding ways to pass the time and provide stimulating activity can be a challenge for a caregiver assisting a senior with Alzheimer's or Dementia. If the senior lives alone at home there may be family caregivers or paid caregivers 24 hours a day. Adding pleasant, relaxing, but mentally stimulating activities can make the day a better one for both the caregiver and the senior.

The studies showing the positive effects of playing cards or board games for people with Alzheimer's or dementia are common knowledge. Studies of comparing the use of mental challenges and mental exercises versus mostly watching television shows that games and puzzles are the winner by far. Mostly watching television has been connected in many studies with losing mental skills. Television is passive, card games, board games, and puzzles are active.

If you are playing Solitaire, Go Fish, or other card games that a person with early or mid-Alzheimer's can share with you, there are also extra large playing cards for people with low vision. If arthritis has made handling the cards difficult the caregiver can turn and move the cards.

Sitting in a comfortable chair with arms is often a favorite place for frail seniors, and a TV table can be placed in front, plus a chair for the caregiver. Dining tables also provide the right height but the chairs might not have arms or be comfortable enough for a long session.

A real "card party" means snacks, beverages, and perhaps soft background music. If a senior with Alzheimer's or Dementia has lost interest in many activities, the caregiver can try starting a game and "asking for some help" finding the cards. Sometimes the elderly person will watch for awhile and then tentatively begin to join in. Just watching and cheering someone else on is enjoyed by some people.

Games of cards like Concentration are easier than Solitaire and may be suitable for people in more advanced Alzheimer's or Dementia. In Concentration each player turns over two cards, and if the cards match the player gets another turn. You can buy Concentration with various pictures, or make your own cards from scratch and use themes that mean something special or relate to someone's interests.

5 Things You Didn't Know About Jigsaw Puzzles for Elders

I had a great time doing a puzzle of a black cat with a senior over the age of 95, who had her own black cat sitting on her lap. We used one of the puzzles with large pieces and easy vision pictures. Our snacks and beverages helped to make it a "puzzle party". Because arthritis in the hands is so common, as well as poor vision, the puzzles with large pieces and easy pictures to see are helpful for elderly seniors.

The puzzle had 100 pieces, which makes it quick and fun. Below is a list of five things caregivers might not know about doing jigsaw puzzles with seniors. With snacks and beverages a caregiver can start a "puzzle party" to add a highlight to the day for someone.

1. Choose a puzzle with extra large pieces that are easy for people with arthritis to handle.

2. A puzzle with a picture suited for people with low vision, that avoids small, intricate details will be easier to see.

3. A puzzle with only 100, or even 50 or 30 pieces will be easier for someone who has Alzheimer's or dementia to enjoy and finish.

4. Caregivers and seniors can start by separating the pieces with similar colors and designs into groups on a table. This step makes it easier for anyone, and especially for elderly seniors with Alzheimer's or dementia.

5. Choose a picture of something that will spark interest. One senior I assisted collected antique style dolls and she did a victorian dolls picture. Another did one that looked like her own cat. An elderly gentleman did one of vintage cars.

You can go to seniorstore.com to get ideas about puzzles. In my area the local "Dollar Store" always has a selection of puzzles in the games section, and for only a dollar each I can get several for variety.

Alzheimer's and the Dominoes Champion

I bring a lot of games with me when I assist elderly seniors, and the Color Keyed Dominoes or the Number Dominoes are favorites for people with Alzheimer's and dementia. The colors stand out for easy matching . You can get dominoes that are extra large and these are easier for people with arthritis to handle and easier to see. One elderly senior with Alzheimer's won so often she was clearly the "Dominoes Champion". Seniors with Alzheimer's or dementia can match the colors, not just the dot patterns.

The Number Dominoes have a large color keyed number instead of a pattern. For ideas you can go to dominoes.com. For a group of people you can try Mexican Train Dominoes. A central hub is used and the domino trains branch out from it.

Dominoes, you might recall, have different numbers of dots arranged in patterns. The goal is to match patterns. The old dominoes were black and white. Now you can get dominoes that are white with each pattern of dots in a different color.

The game comes with a booklet of variations, too. Caregivers can set up the same type of game for elderly seniors who prefer this, or use some of the other dominoes games to change things around sometimes.

Book at AARP Covers Crossword Puzzles, Gridlock, and Geniuses

Caregivers and seniors, would you like to have some fun? Here is a puzzle to solve - Who is competitive, funny, "punny" and inventive? Answer: Crossword puzzle writers. At AARP Magazine.org you can read a review about an interesting book "Gridlock: Crossword Puzzles and the Mad Geniuses Who Create Them" by Matt Gaffney. Did you know that no more than one-sixth of the puzzle can be filled with black squares? Or that when the puzzle is turned upside down the pattern of black squares remains the same?

It's all in the book along with the interesting psychology about the kind of puzzling people who write crossword puzzles. The stories about crossword authors as hypercompetitive and obsessive make them sound like "type A" personalities.

The trivia behind the crosswords and the writers might help those of us who do crosswords to picture the authors as they devise themes, design grids, and write clues.

Caregivers and seniors can enjoy reading the review or get the book. Some of the seniors I've assisted have difficulty with vision but I do crosswords with them by reading the clues and number of letters in the word out loud.

For instance, "What's a nine letter word for a square that has a design of black and white squares inside of it, with a list of clues?"

Home and Garden TV Website Has Senior Crafts

Caregivers who want to find creative craft ideas for seniors can go to hgtv.com . Homemade toys, birdhouses, totebags, memory boxes, paper bag crafts, shoebox crafts and craft businesses are some of the topics covered in HGTV crafts.

My aunt, who uses a walker, has turned her spare room into a crafts studio. She started by making handmade keepsake greeting cards. Now she makes keepsake and heirloom items for craft bazaars.

For example, ten craft ideas caregivers could use for seniors include:

1. rubber stamps today include artistic themes, pictures and borders
2. scrapbooking helps preserve photos and keepsakes to nudge memories
3. memory boxes provide storage for family memorabilia
4. hand decorated picture frames add a home style touch to family photos
5. handmade holiday cards become instant keepsakes and can be framed
6. handpainted "suncatchers" are colorful plastic faux stained glass to hang in the window
7. hand decorated birdhouses with themes, for gifts or a business
8. using fabric paint to decorate towels, pillowcases, and table runners
9. dried flowers and leaves can be used for decoupage
10. photo collage with memorabilia

Caregiver's Enthusiasm Can Spark An Elderly Senior's Interests Again

As a paid caregiver on rows of 24 hour stand-by-assist shifts, sometimes for weeks at a time, I've tried to make the days interesting for elderly seniors I assist. An enthusiastic caregiver can be the spark and the friend who starts activity rolling again if a senior is confined at home and has lost interest in usual activities. A "Beauty Parlor Day", a "Health Spa Day" , or a " Restaurant or Cafe' at Home" day can be activities for a caregiver and a senior to share for enjoyment.

Making a special event out of "Jeopardy" time, with snacks and beverages adds to a "party" atmosphere. Watching old movies on the Turner Classic Movie station with "we're at the movies popcorn" makes it an event to brighten up the day.

There can also be "Life History" time and Genealogy time. Hearing about someone's ancestors can start both of us making family trees and sharing stories.

If the weather is nice then sitting on a porch, patio or deck is an option. If an elderly senior uses a walker or wheelchair the porches and patios are still accessible and this outdoor time can make the day more pleasant. Breakfast with a newspaper, or one of the other meals outdoors as a "picnic" can be a treat.

When a 24 hour caregiver is on long rows of shifts without a break it can be helpful to make each day a little different for the elderly person. Keeping a calender of upcoming activities has helped me plan and provides an upbeat anticipation from day to day. Sunday afternoon might be oldies but goodies movie time, Saturday might have a favorite show on, and the middle of the week might have other special events.

Listening to audiobooks of interesting autobiographies and biographies has been an activity some people have enjoyed also. When audiobooks are not available sometimes I get one of the person's favorite books and read out loud. Listening to musical classics, often from the 40's and 50's is another activity some seniors enjoy.

Some of my favorite times assisting seniors have been when we have joined up to start a project together. Several have joined with me in creating their own private version of a "university" at home, and naming it after themselves, too. Of course, everybody graduates.

On rows of 24 hours shifts it helps to make each day have some variety for both the senior and the caregiver. Looking ahead in the TV Guide for shows and movies that an elderly person would enjoy helps create a schedule days ahead of time to look forward to and the shows can be marked on the calender.

One person in her 90's told me she used to like creative writing. She started thinking of writing again, and had a poem published in the newspaper's poetry feature. It was exciting for both of us to see her name in print, and the poem was beautiful.

Home style cooking and preparing meals to freeze for the upcoming week is sometimes "Cafe' (insert senior's last name) the Famous Restaurant." Some of this might sound silly, but often we turn ordinary days into days with a "party" this way. As a paid caregiver on rows of 24 hour shifts I have always been trying to think up new ideas for activities.

Asking questions led to a project with one senior that included studying religious and philosophical material from a university that we found in the storage room. She remembered the professors from long ago and told me about the classes. We also found some newspapers that were 50 years old and we had a great time reading those and discussing them.

Another told me some hilarious escapades that included climbing the town water tower as a young rambunctious redhead, and she made a recording of the story.

Alone, they did not have the motivation to start these projects, but with an interested caregiver providing enthusiasm they got old interests revived, and I had an enjoyable time too.

Asking people questions about their life history helps them to remember things that trigger more memories. Questioning and listening can lead to digging up favorite interests that have been long forgotten. Sometimes seniors have been alone and isolated.

The caregiver can be the spark and the friend who gets enthusiasm rolling again.

Fun Activities and Crafts for Frail Seniors

In addition to puzzles, games, cards, books on tape, adult classes, bingo, and dominoes there are some imaginative crafts that can make time go by quickly and can even be sold at the local bazaar.

For instance, my aunt, who uses a walker, has turned the spare room into a studio for creating handmade items. Hand painted pillow cases, trays, and decorative towels were among the first projects. Hummingbirds have been a favorite theme. Soon the relatives were bringing garage sale objects and flea market finds over for her to decorate with flowers, birds and wild animals.

Greeting cards decorated with bits of lace and ribbon, inspirational quotes, and historical themes are another of her projects. At the church bazaars she sets up a booth with a sign that says part of the proceeds from each sale go to the local humane society. Her table of cards and crafts has a lot of sales and becomes a popular gathering place.

The walls of the room turned studio are filled with boxes of fabrics, paints, special markers for calligraphy, and creative odds and ends.

One craft seems to lead to another, and the items are beautiful keepsakes. My aunt said she turns on some music or a small television in her studio and once she starts being creative time flies.

On holidays when a card arrives from my aunt, it is a work of art that adds a warm, home style touch to the house when I frame it. You can't buy things like that in a store.