As the Baby Boomer generation ages, there has been a large increase in the incidence of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of age-related aches and pains in bones and joints, and is thought to affect over 46 million adults.

In addition to the normal wear and tear of joints, Baby Boomers increase the stress on theirs by overuse and obesity. Boomers are much more active than previous generations and their aches and pains may actually be from overuse as running and jumping can easily damage tendons, cartilage, or bone. There’s also an increased incidence in arthritis among Baby Boomers who tend to be more overweight than previous generations, and obesity is a risk factor for arthritis.

Despite the fact that too much of a good thing can hurt your joints, exercise in moderation is a beneficial factors in arthritis treatment. It preserves mobility, strengthens the muscles that support the joints and helps keep weight under control.

Though I don’t really consider myself a Boomer, this is timely for me, since I have recently been diagnosed with arthritis in my knee. My knee has never been quite right, even as a child, but earlier this year, I woke up with pain that wouldn’t go away and I found out it’s arthritis and that I will eventually need a knee replacement, and I’m only 44.

This was a big wake-up call for me since I don’t get nearly enough exercise and I’ve had to start Physical Therapy. The Arthritis Foundation offers tips on protecting your joints:

1. Maintain your ideal body weight. The more you weigh, the more stress you are putting on your joints, especially your hips, knees, back and feet.

2. Move your body. Exercise protects joints by strengthening the muscles around them. Strong muscles keep your joints from rubbing against one another, wearing down cartilage.

3. Stand up straight. Good posture protects the joints in your neck, back, hips and knees.

4. Use the big joints. When lifting or carrying, use largest and strongest joints and muscles. This will help you avoid injury and strain on your smaller joints.

5. Pace yourself. Alternate periods of heavy activity with periods of rest. Repetitive stress on joints for long periods of time can accelerate the wear and tear that causes OA.

6. Listen to your body. If you are in pain, don’t ignore it. Pain after activity or exercise can be an indication that you have overstressed your joints.

7. Don’t be static. Changing positions regularly will decrease the stiffness in your muscles and joints.

8. Forget the weekend warrior. Don’t engage in activities your body for which your body isn’t prepared. Start new activities slowly and safely until you know how your body will react to them. This will reduce the chance of injury.

9. Wear proper safety equipment. Don’t leave helmets and wrist pads at home. Make sure you get safety gear that is comfortable and fits appropriately.

10. Ask for help. Don’t try to do a job that is too big for you to handle. Get another pair of hands to help out.

Taking time to protect your joints will benefit you in the long run, and if necessary, advances in joint replacement have enabled people to live active lives.

- Elizabeth Thielke

Helen Thomas is an extraordinary woman. At 89 years old, she has attended every White House press conference since the Kennedy Administration, and she doesn’t appear to have any plans for slowing down.

I recently became her biggest fan. My husband and I visited family in Washington, DC, over the Easter holiday, and one of our tourist stops included the Smithsonian Museum of American History. The place was packed –- almost every exhibit had a 30+ minute wait! We had already spent most of the day trekking around the city, so we decided to skip the lines and crowds and head home. As we walked past the gift shop, we noticed another fairly long line. Helen Thomas was signing copies of her children’s book, The Great White House Breakout. I will admit that when I first saw her, I couldn’t recall her name or place how I knew her, but as soon as her agents mentioned that “she’s in the front row at every press conference,” it clicked. I immediately bought a copy of the book and grabbed a place in line.

As we waited behind parents with young children (Ms. Thomas wrote a two-paragraph personal message inside everyone’s book), I grew more and more excited about meeting her, taking a photo together and shaking her hand. I have always had a soft spot for seniors, and it really inspires me when I see an elder doing amazing things even in their later years. The fact that she is also an award-winning journalist and a woman of many firsts who doesn’t stand much taller than 4’11” had me positively swooning. My husband couldn’t believe how tickled I was, considering I couldn’t even place her name right away, but I was truly inspired by this petite powerhouse and eager to read more about her lifetime of accomplishments.

I will forever treasure those five minutes of meeting Helen Thomas, both for her inspiration as a successful woman (in fact, she has been named one of the 25 most influential women in America!) who is truly a pioneer of political journalism, and as a mature adult who is not letting her age get in the way of what she loves to do.

Her children’s book, The Great White House Breakout, would make a fabulous gift for anyone who is interested in Washington, DC, and a little bit of politics. This entertaining story features the son of the first female president of the United States and his “escape” from his new home on Pennsylvania Avenue, the place where “people with wires in their ears” follow his every move. It is a book that children will enjoy, but adults can certainly appreciate Thomas’ sharp wit and keen sense of humor, richly complimented by the illustrations of award-winning political cartoonist, Chip Bok.

To order the book, or to read more about this extraordinary lady and her interesting views on modern-day reporters (let’s just say she uses the phrase “subdued, compromised lapdogs”), visit www.helenthomas.org.

-Michelle Seitzer

What “senior celeb” inspires you?

We all have the photographic evidence of that purple lace dress or that frilly tux, or standing with your high school sweetheart under the balloon arch. Ah yes, the senior prom… a staple for high school students across the country. Senior proms are still the hallmark of the high school experience, but these grandiose events have been gaining popularity in assisted living/senior living facilities, too. Yes, “senior” proms are taking on a whole new meaning.

Many college and high school students have planned and produced successful senior proms for residents of assisted living communities. It’s a great service project, a fantastic opportunity for intergenerational interaction, and will undoubtedly be a “night to remember” for years to come, both for the students and elders.

This February, students at Ocoee High School and East Ridge High School joined forces to bring a “Senior Prom” to the residents of Oak Park. In an article entitled “Assisted Living Senior Prom: Behind the Scenes,” Terri Glimcher shares a few memorable moments from their highly successful event:

“One of my favorites was [my resident] Pearl. She had a beautiful dress on. As she came downstairs to the prom with her date, she lifted her skirt above the knee. There it was – a dime taped to her leg. As she showed me, I asked, “What are you going to do with that?” She said, “I need it here in case I need to make a phone call. My mother always told me to keep that dime under my dress.”

Another assisted living resident told Terri, “This is my first prom.  We were poor.  I never finished high school so I never went to the prom. This is the greatest day of my life! Thank you for making this prom happen.”

Participants were picked up at their apartments by their 17-year-old dates, given corsages, and were escorted to a photographer, who captured the couples on film. The event was held in the lobby, where DJ Larry provided musical entertainment. Many of the residents had help dressing to the nines — in a fabulous role reversal, sons and daughters came to help Mom or Dad prepare for the big night and even wished them safe travels (for the long walk to the lobby)!

Seventy residents, 75 students, a number of community merchants -– even the local Mayor — enjoyed the event. Glimcher says it best when she recounts, “It showed all of us all that you CAN bring seniors and young people together and successfully ‘bridge the generations’.”

Events like these always bring a smile to my face. They are fairly simple to put together, and they always have tremendously positive results. Students are often surprised at the vibrancy of their elder dates: one student confided in Terri, “These residents are running circles around us. We are tired! Do they ever stop dancing?”

Be sure to check out the article for a few photos from the evening at Oak Park. It might inspire you to spearhead a prom planning committee for the school and senior living community in your neck of the woods… your seniors at both ends of the spectrum will thank you!

-Michelle Seitzer

Exercise is good for you – few would argue that fact. But we all make excuses… not enough time, not the right equipment, not enough energy. Perhaps you’re a busy boomer or senior who travels often. Nordic Traks do not fit in a suitcase. So what happens when you’re on the road and away from your home or local gym?

The Fitness Boutique has a solution that will make most excuses irrelevant. This company has designed a series of award-winning workout books, customized to “specific lifestyle needs.” The Fit Traveler was the first in the series that now includes The Fit Traveler: Senior Edition (for our 65+ crowd) and will soon introduce a maternity edition and disability edition.

Designed by “fitness globetrotters” Kari Eide and Lissa Mueller, this portable gym includes a tailored workout program, fully-illustrated fitness guide, quick tips on healthy living, progress charts, and an exercise band. According to the product specs, “the use of…bands allows resistance in multiple directions and improves strength, flexibility, range of motion and cooperation of muscle groups. There are modifications based on your particular fitness level, balance ability and range of motion.”

The kit is compact enough to fit easily into any suitcase or purse, and the program itself is easy and versatile. It’s the perfect solution for the travel-savvy boomer or senior who is keen on maintaining good health no matter where they go.

Now, if only they could package motivation and an extra 40 minutes into that kit…

How do you stay fit when you’re on the road? What keeps you from a daily exercise routine?

- Michelle Seitzer

I remember my first garden. I was 12 years old and I really wanted my own space, so my parents gave me a small piece of ground around our mailbox. I remember picking out the plants I wanted and placing them in the dirt. And then I remember waiting, waiting, and waiting – rather impatiently – for the garden to grow. Being the type of kid that always read the end of the book first, it was not easy for me to wait. Instant results … that’s what I wanted. I think that was the first and last year of my garden.

To this day, gardening is still not my hobby of choice. Thankfully, my husband has quite the green thumb. Since I enjoy spending time outside, I occasionally join him in the garden, doing a few tasks here and there. This spring, I’m excited about our plans to start an herb garden; to have fresh basil right at my fingertips will be fantastic. And I think I have a bit more patience than I did at age 12 (although time seems to fly by much faster now than it did in my teen years).

As we move into the spring season, people of all ages will be digging in the dirt and loving it. Gardening is an excellent activity for seniors in particular; it provides a host of positive benefits. A practical and informative article on the Better Health Channel suggests that gardening:

• Is an enjoyable form of exercise
• Increases levels of physical activity and maintains mobility and flexibility
• Encourages use of all motor skills – walking, reaching, and bending – through activities such as planting seeds and taking cuttings
• Improves endurance and strength
• Helps prevent diseases like osteoporosis
• Reduces stress levels and promotes relaxation
• Provides stimulation and interest in nature and the outdoors
• Improves well-being as a result of social interaction
• Provides nutritious, home-grown produce

On the other hand, working in the garden may pose some risks for older people. Many seniors have fragile, thinning skin which can bruise or sunburn easily. Age-related changes in vision can hinder the older gardener, along with changes in mental abilities due to dementia or other memory impairments. Seniors are also more susceptible to temperature changes, and falls may happen more frequently due to loss of balance. Osteoporosis and arthritis might also make pulling on those gardening gloves quite a challenge.

But when the sun is shining and the birds are chirping, it’s hard to stay inside no matter what the risks. Thankfully, with careful planning and adapting the use of certain tools and equipment, seniors can still enjoy gardening in their golden years. Here are some tips for seniors with green thumbs: Wear sunscreen. Be sure that pathways are flat and that the surface is non-slip. Drink plenty of fluids, like water or juice, and make sure that you can reach the bathroom quickly and easily. Attend to cuts, bruises or insect bites immediately. Raise garden beds to avoid bending and stooping. Take frequent breaks. These are just a few of the many steps recommended to ensure safety for the mature horticulturist.

Another benefit not mentioned in the article is that gardening makes a great intergenerational activity. Kids love playing in the dirt, and what better way to spend a beautiful spring Saturday with your grandchildren than working in the garden? It is crucial to follow the same safety procedures when gardening with young children. Having company is probably an added benefit for the senior who typically tends to the garden alone.

– Michelle Seitzer

So how does your garden grow? Tell us about your favorite vegetable or flower you plant or the thing you love most about gardening.

Parents are increasingly reliant on grandparents to help out with childcare. That’s especially true in this tough economy, since more and more people need to work. However, in what’s sure to spark some discussion, The (UK) Guardian reports on research that demonstrates that children in the care of their grandparents are less ready for school than their daycare counterparts…

According to research by the Institute of Education, children looked after by grandparents at the age of nine months were also considered to be less sociable with other children at age three than those who had been in the care of a nursery, creche, childminder, nanny, or another relative. However, the findings did show that grandparent care had a more positive influence on verbal skills.

The study of 4,800 UK children born in 2000 and 2001 who had mothers who worked when they were babies compares formal care in a group setting with informal care by grandparents.

The findings suggest that formal care given by qualified staff following a more structured curriculum, such as that provided by nurseries and creches, will help a child’s cognitive development more than less formal care provided by relatives, friends and neighbours.

I think the possible differences aren’t necessarily related to the caregiver being a grandparent, but may be related to informal versus formal care. A family caregiver isn’t always going to formally educate a child under a specific curriculum, but they provide a more organic approach to education that it might not be possible to measure. I also wonder if these differences in preparation equal out over time in school.

However, another way to look at grandparent care is that some studies show that children are twice as safe when under the care of a grandparent:

The analysis showed that having grandparents as caregivers cut the risk of childhood injury by about half. Compared to organized day care, care by other relatives, or even care by a mother who doesn’t work outside the home, children who were cared for by a grandmother were less likely to be injured.

As with most issues, there’s positives and negatives regarding grandparent care. This article titled “Nurseries better than grandparents, research shows,” is somewhat sensationalistic, but it’s refreshing to see that most readers spoke out in favor of the benefits grandparents provide.

–Elizabeth Thiekle

What are you thoughts on this?

More seniors face a longer time in the workforce as dreams of retirement fade, people of all ages worry about pending unemployment, and many have already received that fateful pink slip - maybe not the best time to plan that trip to Hawaii or Hong Kong. And yet, the gloom and doom of the daily news, the water cooler gossip about who’s next to go, and the ever-present “signs of the times” point to a tremendous need for an escape from the daily grind.

We need more than a couple squeezes of the stress relief ball. The little Zen garden with the rake thing?  Not enough. At the time we need it most, a vacation is a dream that many won’t realize in the near term.

If you subscribe to any type of “travel deals” notifications, you’ve probably seen an increase in messages touting “half-price tickets” or “drastically reduced packages.” My husband heard that round-trip flights to Europe had dipped as low as $400 per person. Ironically, as travel companies offer enticing and highly affordable packages, most people can’t afford to spend the money or take the time off.

But even before the economy began to unravel, a 2007 survey indicated that “more than half of American workers fail to take all their vacation days. Thirty percent say they use less than half their allotted time. And 20% take only a few days instead of a week or two.”

We just don’t know how to relax. In Money vs. Time Off: Why We Don’t Take Vacations, the author suggests what gets in the way of a little zen: American individualism, job insecurity and office guilt, and keeping up with the Joneses. The pressure is on - in the workplace or at home. When we’re away from the office, we want to know what’s going on (hello, Blackberry?).  We exchange time off for a bigger paycheck, so we can buy the latest gadget (ahem, Blackberry Storm?). If no one else takes a vacation in the office, who wants to be the “slacker” that does?

So maybe a luxury vacation isn’t in the cards until the economy improves, but boomers and seniors who have worked hard over the years deserve a break, and there are ways to do it without breaking the bank. White Star Tours specializes in budget vacations, along with packages geared specifically towards baby boomers. Their website is worth checking out — from creative category names like Canadian Bacon to information on becoming a group tour leader (how much fun would that job be??), White Star Tours is well-designed for this travel niche. There’s also Boomeropia, a travel site devoted to baby boomers, and Grandtravel, tailored to grandparents and grandchildren traveling together — both are excellent resources for this growing market.

“Vacation is what you take when you can’t take what you’ve been taking any longer.” - Author Unknown

What are your vacation plans? Have they changed because of the economy? Share your story here.

- Michelle Seitzer

Perhaps the state of the economy dictates that your ideal retirement location is someplace affordable with a great quality of life.  A recent article in U.S. News and World report lists 10 Affordable Places to Retire and a sample of some of the cost-effective perks:

• Binghamton, NY – State residents age 60 and older can audit classes free at Binghamton University in New York.There’s a performing arts center as well as sports teams.
• Chattanooga, TN – The city hosts the Tennessee Aquarium, the African American Museum, the Riverbend Festival, and the Bessie Smith Strut.
• Cocoa, FL – Close to both salt water and fresh water, Cocoa offers fishing and boating in great variety.
• Eau Claire, WI – State residents age 60 and older can even audit classes free at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
• Montgomery, AL – Affordable transportation: seniors who need to can take a cab to medical appointments or the nearest pharmacy for just $3 each way, and the Montgomery Area Council on Aging funds the remaining fare.
• Omaha, NE – Hiking and biking trails, boating, swimming, parks, and a four-day western festival with a rodeo are among the many outdoor activities to choose from.
• Pittsburgh, PA – Seniors get a discount on tickets to Carnegie Mellon School of Music concerts, and some shows are even free.
• Roswell, NM – many free activities such as hiking through the Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge
• San Antonio, TX – for those who can’t give up work entirely, San Antonio was one of just three large areas in the United States that saw significant gains in employment in the past year
• South Bend, IN – Sports fans will be drawn to the Division I sports at the University of Notre Dame.

The selections were based heavily on housing costs as well as access to arts and culture, sports, health care, and other amenities people desire for retirement. The list also put special emphasis on the benefits of being in a college town for affordable sports, arts and continuing education opportunities and events.

I can vouch for Chattanooga, Tenn., as my 83 year old mother-in-law lives there and she and her friends are always doing something. It’s a small town, but there’s lots going on and a variety of places to live and it’s a pretty part of the country.

–Elizabeth Thielke

To where are you hoping to retire?

This week, Kaye from SandwichINK.com hosts Boomers & Seniors: News You Can Use for the first time. The April 7th edition of the Blog Carnival rounds up weekly senior care/care giving, senior housing, financial, and health and wellness news. Head there now!

For more information on our next Boomers & Seniors: News You Can Use carnival (to be hosted here on April 22nd), check out “What Is a Blog Carnival, Anyway?!”