Playing With Our Grandchildren

Source: AARP.org | 2007-01-31 14:06:28.502620-05:00

Disclaimer: AARP.org does not share this information or keep it permanently, as it is for the sole purpose of sending this one time e-mail.

"Play with me, Grandma." "Let's play, Grandpa." What grandparent wouldn't jump at the chance to play again, after all these years? Sure, you may feel a bit out of practice. But if you follow these playful tips, you're bound to have some fun!

Follow Their Lead

The best play is pretty simple. It doesn't require much planning or equipment. Playing with a child doesn't mean going to the zoo or the movies. It's not about spending money or being an entertainer. It's about being a kid again.

The easiest way to play is to follow your grandchild's lead. Grandchildren are very good at playing. After all, it's what they do! You could learn a lot from them. Let your grandchildren teach you the game they just invented. Help them turn your backyard or living room into a fort, castle or ship. Your job is easy. All you have to do is go along for the ride.

Old-Fashioned Play Still Works

Computer games are a great way to share time with your grandchildren and to let them teach you how to play. But don't sell yourself short. You know a thing or two about games, too! Introduce your grandchildren to some of the old-fashioned games you played with your own children. They'll be a big hit!

Board games are a perfect example of old-fashioned play that still works. These games teach children how to take turns, how to count, and how to focus. Introduce your grandchildren to such classic games as Candy Land®, "Memory", and Chutes and Ladders®. These games are easy and fun to play. And they're perfect for kids and adults to play together. Every player has an equal chance of winning. That means you don't have to "let" your grandchildren win. When you win, take the opportunity to teach grandchildren how to accept defeat with grace.

Card games are another great way to have old-fashioned fun. A deck of cards is small and you can easily carry it wherever you go. Plus, there are card games for every age group. Start with "Go Fish" or "Old Maid". Then move on to UNO®. When you and your grandchild get really good, you can tackle more advanced games like "Solitaire," "Hearts," or "Canasta."

Fun on the Go

Most children stay active by playing organized sports or taking part in organized activities. These activities are a great way for kids to stay in shape. But youngsters still need some "disorganized" play in their lives. That's the kind of play that doesn't come with a clock, a rule book, or a need to win. Grandparents can show kids how to be active without the stress of competition. That's a lesson they'll keep with them for years to come.

You don't have to be a marathon runner to help your grandchildren stay active. Try taking a walk together. It's simple and easy on the body. And it's good for both of you. Walk your grandchildren around your neighborhood. Introduce them to your neighbors. Point out flowers and trees. Stop by the firehouse, police station, and bank. Ask for a similar tour the next time you are in your grandchildren's neighborhood.

There are lots of other ways to stay active while having fun. Fly a kite together. Play a game of badminton. Organize a game of hide-and-seek. Roll up the rug and dance to your favorite CD. Show your grandchild how to use a hoola hoop. Anything that involves moving your body will benefit you and delight your grandchildren.

Helping Grandchildren Play Alone

Do your grandchildren ever say, "There's nothing to do" or "I'm bored"? Do these statements make you want to rush in and organize an activity for them? Don't do it. Instead, take this opportunity to teach your grandchildren how to amuse themselves.

Always have a supply of arts and crafts materials on hand. Paper, crayons, stickers, glue, sparkles, and construction paper are easy to find and they don't cost much. These tools are a perfect way to end the "I'm bored" blues. You may have to offer a few suggestions for what grandchildren could make with your art supplies. But then you can step back and watch them play on their own. Stay close, just in case they need help. And be ready to praise their artwork.

Getting to Know You

When you play with your grandchildren, there's more going on than meets the eye. It may look like you're just flying a kite or playing cards. But you're also doing important work. You're learning about your grandchildren. And your grandchildren are learning about you. That sounds like lots of fun!

AARP Resources

• How to Be the Greatest Grandparent Ever
  Celebrities describe how they drive bumper cars, catch fireflies and skip stones with their grandchildren.
• Opportunities to Inspire Grandchildren Lurk Within Everyday Activities
  These tips will help you involve grandchildren in creative activities that are fun and educational.
• Physical Activity for Adults Over 50
  Here's a wealth of articles about how to stay fit, on your own or with grandchildren.

Wii bowling knocks over retirement home

By Dave Wischnowsky |Tribune staff reporter

7:35 PM CST, February 16, 2007

At the Sedgebrook retirement community in Lincolnshire, where the average age is 77, something unexpected has been transpiring since Christmas. The residents, most of whom have never picked up a video game controller in their life, suddenly can't put the things down.

"I've never been into video games," said 72-year-old Flora Dierbach last week as her husband took a twirl with the Nintendo Wii's bowling game. "But this is addictive."

Dierbach said residents love the Wii set up in the clubhouse lounge.

"They come in after dinner and play," she said. "Sometimes, on Saturday afternoons, their grandkids come play with them.

"A lot of grandparents are being taught by their grandkids. But, now, some grandparents are instead teaching their grandkids."

The Wii has become so popular at Sedgebrook that on Sunday afternoon there will be a video game bowling tournament in the lounge. More than 20 residents have signed up to compete.

"We'll even have a fan for people to dry their hands before they bowl," said Dierbach, head of Sedgebrook's entertainment committee.

If the retirees in Lincolnshire are any proof, video games are no longer just kids' play.

And that's the whole idea, said Beth Llewelyn, Nintendo's senior director of corporate communications.

"We certainly appreciate our 'core' gamers and will continue to supply them with games," Llewelyn said.

"But the question is, how do you build a bigger audience?"

With an easy-to-use wireless controller that translates a player's motions onto the screen, Nintendo believes it has found the answer with the Wii.

"People have no fear of picking up a remote control, but they're hesitant to pick up a video game controller," Llewelyn said. "So the idea was to make the controller look like a remote control with just a couple of buttons."

Since the Wii hit stores in November, more than 1 million consoles have been sold in the United States, Llewelyn said. The reaction to the system by seniors has been a pleasant surprise.

On Sunday, Don Hahn, 76, a veteran of numerous real-life bowling competitions, will compete for the first time in a virtual one.

"This is pretty realistic. You can even put English on the ball," Hahn said after connecting on a strike with the Wii. "I used to play Pac-Man a little bit, but with this you're actually moving around and doing something.

"You're not just sitting there pushing buttons and getting carpal tunnel."

dwischnowsky@tribune.com

25 Quick Tips on How to Become More Active

1. Get a checkup
Meet with your healthcare provider to see whether you'll need to consider any special modifications before starting an exercise program.

2. Start slowly
Many people are eager to get started and sometimes overdo it, which usually makes them sore and can make them want to stop.

3. Make a date
Find a buddy to exercise with you and keep you motivated.

4. Set specific short- and long-term goals

5. Make a list
List the benefits you expect from your physical activity program, and then make sure they are realistic and reasonable.

6. Make choices
What are you willing to give up in order to make room for exercise? Bad habits? Nonproductive activities? Nonbeneficial relationships?

7. Every step counts
Wear a step counter throughout the day to count how many steps you take.

8. Keep moving all the time
Stretch, walk, march in place, stand and sit as many times possible when you're talking on the phone or during TV commercials.

9. Do your own house and yard work

10. Create a support network
Tell friends and family about your new goals and ask for their support and encouragement.

11. Know your challenges
List things that keep you from being active. Work on a solution for each challenge.

12. Exercise in a way that makes your muscles work harder over time
Your muscles will adapt to the exercise you are doing. To continue to build strength, gradually increase the intensity of your workout.

13. Join a class
Select an exercise class at your local health club,YMCA, JCC, hospital-based fitness program, city recreation program, or health club.

14. Wear the right shoes
Foot comfort and support is important for all impact physical activities.

15. Participate in charity events
Set a goal to participate in an event such as a walk, run or bike to raise money for a special cause.

16. Eat well
Good food gives your body the fuel it needs to stay active and function at its best. Choose foods wisely and try to pack in as many nutrients as you can.

17. If it hurts, don't do it
Work around pain, not through it.

18. Focus on the major muscle groups in the legs, chest and back

19. Do balance exercises, as well as strength exercises

20. Keep a journal
Record activities that have become easier to do in your life, as well as those that may be more difficult.

21. Make your car work for you
Park at the outer edges of store parking lots.

22. Take the stairs
Walk up the first flight of stairs in a high-rise, rather than waiting for the elevator. Add another floor every week.

23. Follow a well-rounded program
Include all four components of a successful program: stretching, endurance activities, strength training, and balance exercises. And remember to warm up and cool down.

24. Reward yourself
Once you've reached your goal, treat yourself to something that reminds you what a good job you've done and encourages you to continue.

25. Don't quit
Like brushing your teeth, make exercise part of your daily life.

Source: Adapted from the International Council on Active Aging's "ICAA offers 30 tips on how older adults can become more active"

Home Care Chain Arrives in Metro

An Arizona-based home-care company is moving into the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, with plans to sell up to a dozen franchises.

Synergy HomeCare's first Minnesota franchise opened in Woodbury in February. Brother and sister Percy and Angela Nelson spent $35,000 in personal funds to buy the territory, which covers an area northeast of St. Paul. They recently finished training roughly 30 workers to provide services ranging from getting groceries for seniors or disabled persons to bathing them and putting them in bed. Synergy does not provide medical care.

The Nelsons are now ready to find clients and are optimistic. "We've actually turned down clients. We wanted to get our staff hired, trained and ready to go before we started our major marketing efforts, " said Percy Nelson, a former Hamline University administrator.

A second franchise, owned by former Cutco Corp. district manager Mitch Bloom, is opening in Golden Valley. A third franchise, owned by Jim and Heather Zenk, is expected to open soon, serving communities including Bloomington, Edina and Minneapolis.

Peter Tourian, founder and CEO of Gilbert, Ariz.-based Synergy, said he sees promise in Minnesota. Synergy has about 70 franchises in 34 states and wants 100 by the end of the year.

Neil Johnson, executive director of the Minnesota HomeCare Association, said there's plenty of room for Synergy in the market. Demand will grow as baby boomers retire, but want to live independently, he said.

"If you look at the demographics over the past 10 to 15 years, it's going to be staggering what the numbers are going to look like."

Synergy HomeCare

Founder and CEO: Peter Tourian

Headquarters: Gilbert, Ariz.

Description: Home care services

Revenue: Not disclosed

Franchises: About 70

Founded: 2002

Web: synergyhomecare.com

cnewmarker@bizjournals.com | (612) 288-2107

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Eat More Chocolate

It's true! Dark chocolate is the new health food. Recent studies have shown that a daily serving of dark chocolate may:


1. Lower blood pressure
2. Reduce the risk of diabetes
3. Keep cholesterol levels stable or even improve them
4. Enhance cognitive function by increasing blood flow to the brain
5. Boosts mood
6. Prevents cell damage
7. Improves blood sugar levels
8. Eases a persistant cough
9. Helps ease chronic fatigue syndrome
10. Raises HDL cholesterol and lowers LDL cholesterol

Dark chocolate is full of antioxidants that help fight off cell damaging molecules in the body that accelerate aging and disease. The higher the percentage of cocoa in the chocolate, the more antioxidants it has and the better for you it is.

Health benefits are only with dark chocolate. White chocolate doesn't contain any antioxidants and milk chocolate contains extra ingredients that won't let the body absorb the antioxidants

Little Known Veteran Benefit

By Amanda Laumeyer, B.S., Gerontology

American Veterans Care Coordination

Pictured above is Jeanne Mers, R.N., B.S.N. pictured with her father Eugene Preiss, holding AVCC brochure that

There are an estimated 17 million veterans living today who served our country in a war time. These veterans have honored their families, our country and themselves by serving their country during a war period. As these veterans age they deal with many issues that affect older adults. This includes dealing with illness and long term care expenses.

For many of these veterans they are unaware of a program available to assist them with these issues. The Veterans Administration offers Aid & Attendance to veterans and their surviving spouses who are eligible, for assistance towards home care, nursing home or assisted living costs. There are over 1 million veterans who are eligible for this benefit and only 26% of the benefit is being used, leaving almost 800,000 veterans and even more surviving spouses eligible who are not receiving it.

Eugene Preiss, 79 of St. Louis was one of those veterans until a few years ago. In 1951 Mr. Preiss was drafted into the United States Army and served during the Korean Conflict. After serving in the military he went on to become a carpenter in the St. Louis area and is a retired member of the St. Louis Carpenters Union. He and his wife Darlene have lived in the St. Louis area most of their life and raised 3 daughters together. After retiring as a carpenter Mr. Preiss struggled with some health issues including congestive heart failure and aortic aneurysms. Like many older adults he turned to the support of his children for assistance. His youngest daughter Jeanne Mers, R.N., B.S.N. had been working as a Nurse Manager for a large home care provider.
"I found myself in a role worrying about my parents and having the difficulties of trying to meet their needs, my family's needs and manage a full time job," said Jeanne.

Jeanne had dealt with families and clients in similar situations and was frustrated with the lack of funding sources for non-medical care services. Most families that Jeanne had helped were in a crisis situation and need hourly care right away. Non-medical care services are usually paid for by clients out of pocket and can cost anywhere from $20 to $25 per hour. This includes assistance by a home care aid with dressing, bathing, meal preparation, medication reminders, light housekeeping and transportation. Medical insurance and Medicare do not cover hourly non-medical care and many families are not aware of this. Medicaid is available for those who qualify but is often limited in the amount of hourly care provided. "I found out about the Aid and Attendance program through the VA and discovered it was very confusing to navigate the system," said Jeanne about the beginning stages of applying her father.
After much research with the VA, Jeanne assisted her father with gathering information and the required documents for the application. Mr. Preiss was approved for benefits and could now use that monthly benefit to pay for home care services.
"I realized that if this funding is available for veterans and spouses to help pay for home care services, assisted living or nursing home costs then I want to educate more veterans and surviving spouses and home care companies about using the VA benefit as a funding source," said Jeanne.

Jeanne and her business partner Kyle Laramie decided to start American Veterans Care Coordination to help those who served and are in need of this assistance. With Kyle's long term care experience and Jeanne's nursing background they together bring over 35 years of healthcare experience to their company. They even included her father on the cover of their brochures which shows him and two of his fellow soldiers in Korea.
"I'm proud of Jeanne and that she is helping more vets like me," said Eugene. AVCC began helping families in Missouri and soon started helping veterans and surviving spouses across the United States. American Veterans Care Coordination provides home care services and assists in obtaining the VA benefit free of charge. Everyday Jeanne helps veterans like her dad get assistance, "My goal as a nurse is to create awareness and educate veterans and surviving spouses about this little known benefit."

About the author Amanda Laumeyer is the National Sales Director for American Veterans Care Coordination. AVCC provides assistance to veterans and surviving spouses in obtaining the Aid&Attendance benefit and providing them with home care services through a professional home care provider. If you are a veteran or surviving spouse in need of healthcare services please contact us.