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The 5 Sleep Secrets to Improve Senior Veterans' Health

No matter who you are or how old you are, quality sleep is vital for your health. Even if you’re sleeping enough, you may not be enjoying quality rest. For veterans, this can be a distressing phenomenon, and it’s not at all uncommon. If you’re a senior vet trying to catch more z’s, these tips can help you make the most of your restful hours—and you might even feel healthier overall.

Keep a Set Sleep Schedule

Although it can sometimes be challenging to keep to a schedule, experts recommend going to bed at the same time each night. Studies suggest that people with irregular sleep habits have more health risks, Today reports, such as higher odds of developing heart disease. Seniors should get at least seven hours of sleep per night—and get to bed on time for the best odds at preserving your health. If you find you lose track of time in the evening, try setting a reminder on your phone or an automated assistant so you get to bed on time.

Try to Avoid Daytime Naps

Sometimes it’s hard to get through a day without feeling sleepy. But resting during the day can impact your nighttime sleep schedule. If you start feeling sleepy, try going for a walk or doing another physical activity. Getting outside in the sunlight can help make you more alert and reinforce sleep and wake times.

Use Stress-Reducing Methods in Daytime Hours

Stress can manifest in different ways, and one is insomnia. If you have trouble falling asleep, it might be worth trying a few methods of releasing stress during the day. From relaxing meditation sessions to physical exercise, activities that involve either mindfulness or movement—or both—can help you burn off nervous energy. By the time nightfall arrives, you may feel more at ease and ready to rest.

Choose a Comfortable Sleep Solution

Your mattress might be the most significant factor when it comes to sleep quality. An uncomfortable or old mattress can cause issues like back pain, joint discomfort, and even allergies, Self reports. But when you start shopping around for a new bed, the number of choices can be almost overwhelming.

A good place to start is by determining what size bed you need. Sizing up can help if you feel cramped while sizing down can help if you need to free up space in your bedroom for other furniture. Your partner’s input is crucial, too, so be sure to factor their preferences into the equation.

If you find you need to size up to a king-size bed to accommodate you both, the next step is to choose a firm or soft and look for quality options that fit the bill. For example, a Leesa Hybrid mattress is a medium-firm bed that has innersprings like traditional mattresses but a foam top that is firmer. The Nest Hybrid ranges from plush to medium to luxury firm, providing plenty of options for all types of sleepers. Helix and Winkbed both offer three firmness selections ranging from soft to firm.

Don’t Exercise Too Close to Bedtime

The same way that getting outside can help you perk up, exercise can have similar effects for all ages, including seniors and those with disabilities. And while physical exertion is an excellent way to de-stress, exercising too late in the day might keep you awake at night. For some people, it has no effect, but for others, it’s a pick-me-up they don’t need after sunset. Pay attention to your body’s response to exercise and adjust your schedule accordingly.

If you struggle in figuring it out, Joan Lunden points out that sometimes a sleep tracking app like Pillow or Sleep Cycle can help. Both can monitor your body functions while you’re snoozing, and help you to adjust your awake time in an appropriate way. They provide reports on your cycles as well, so you can look for possible triggers that correlate with your insomnia.

Figuring out the perfect formula for great sleep may not be easy. But it’s crucial for your wellness, especially as you get older. With these simple tips, you can start changing your habits for the better. In no time, you’ll notice more restful nights and more energetic days.

The Ultimate Guide For Downsizing & Moving Into A Retirement Home

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The Ultimate Guide For Downsizing & Moving Into A Retirement Home

As you think about getting ready for retirement, other than making sure you understand the veterans’ benefits that are available to you, you most likely will want to think about downsizing to a lifestyle that will better accommodate your needs as you get older — minimizing your belongings, reducing home maintenance demands, and cutting expenses. But paring down your life doesn’t need to be overwhelming, there are some tips to follow to make sure the process is as smooth as possible. 

Commit to a serious downsize

If you’ve lived in your home for many years, it may be difficult to think about leaving it and downsizing your home. For a true downsize, that will allow you to age in place, you will likely move to a home that is considerably smaller, such a one-level homes, apartments, and condominiums. The key is to commit to making a change that will serve you in the long run.

Determine your budget

Downsizing for retirement doesn’t automatically mean fewer costs, as moving is expensive. However, if you proceed with a smart budget in mind, your lifestyle change can also accommodate your retirement budget — when cash flow shifts (in many cases) to a fixed income. It’s best to work with a financial planner to get an accurate picture of your retirement forecast. To get a ballpark idea you can use a retirement cost calculator (like Vanguard’s cost worksheet).

Know your lifestyle goals

Not all retirement lifestyles are the same. Without the demands of work, you’ll need to think about how you’re going to spend your time. According to a study by the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies, 53% of retirees spend more time with family and friends, which means you may want a home to accommodate gatherings. Or, if you are part of the 33% of retirees who spend most of their time traveling, a low-maintenance abode close to a major airport of freeway might be your top pick. 

Downsize your stuff

Long before you get serious about moving to a different home, you can get ahead of the game by limiting your belongings to essentials.This task isn’t easy and it’s a good idea to get started early because most people have more stuff than they realize — the average American household has 300,000 things. One technique that is known to be effective is Marie Kondo’s KomMari method. To follow this process, begin with one category of items, such as mugs, and then discard any of them which don’t spark joy. You may get caught up on sentimental items, which can slow you down. To avoid that pitfall, set aside a box for “later” for anything you aren’t sure about, to help you move quickly through each category. 

Make a strategic plan and hire a professional

Timing is everything when you downsize for retirement and working with a real estate professional can help you optimize the best moment to make the move. If you sell your house when the market is low, you risk leaving money on the table. In a competitive market it may be difficult to land the ideal home within your budget. Talking with a real estate agent from HomeLight can help you get started.

If you follow some of these suggestions, you’ll be well on your way for a carefree retirement in a home that suits your new lifestyle. 

Senior Veterans Care Network Blog Post December 2019

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Find Assisted Living Facilities for Veterans and their surviving spouses

Find Assisted Living Facilities for Veterans and their surviving spouses 

Search for Veterans Assisted Living in the following areas:

Reno Nevada Veterans Assisted Living Reno, NV 

Fort Lauderdale Florida Veterans Assisted Living Fort Lauderdale, FL

Gardnerville Nevada Veterans Assisted Living Gardnerville, NV

Hemet California Veterans Assisted Living Hemet, CA

Las Vegas Nevada Veterans Assisted Living Las Vegas, NV

Omaha Nebraska Veterans Assisted Living Omaha, NV

Sparks Nevada Veterans Assisted Living Sparks, NV

Mandeville Louiisana Veterans Assisted Living Mandeville, LA

Baton Rouge Louisiana Veterans Assisted Living Baton Rouge, LA

Lafayette Louisiana Veterans Assisted Living Lafayette, LA

Houston Texas Veterans Assisted Living Houston, TX

Chicgo Illinios Veterans Assisted Living Chicago, IL

Charlotte North Carolina Veterans Assisted Living Charlotte, NC

Nashville Tennessee Veterans Assisted Living Nashville, TN

Austin Texas Veterans Assisted Living Austin, TX

Los Angeles Veterans Assisted Living Los Angeles, CA

Orlando Florida Veterans Assisted Living Orlando, FL

Jacksonville Veterans Assisted Living Jacksonville, FL

Boston Massechusetts Veterans Assisted Living Boston, MA

Many veterans do not take full advantage of the benefits available to them. VA Pension Aid & Attendance can be confusing and the paperwork can be intimidating, but VA Accredited Agents from Senior Veterans Care Network are here to help you understand the benefits for which you may qualify. Home care and assisted living services can make a big difference in your quality of life. Without appropriate care, you run the risk of falls and other injuries that can lead to long-term medical complications.

You may qualify for benefits from the VA to help pay for your care. 

Benefits for Senior Veterans: Do You Qualify?

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Benefits for Senior Veterans: Do You Qualify?

Are you among the more than 12 million U.S. veterans over the age of 65? If so, you may be eligible for benefits designed to help veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces address the challenges of aging.

 While there are a range of benefits for senior veterans, they’re not available to everyone who served. This guide will help you determine which veterans benefits are available to you and your family.

VA Housing Benefits

VA Home Loans

Downsizing is a great way to make life more manageable while growing older, and eligible U.S. veterans don’t need to save for a down payment or worry about mortgage insurance when buying a new home. With PennyMac VA loans, veterans have access to affordable mortgage lending.

The VA Home Loan program can also be used to refinance a home, including cash-out refinancing which can be used to make home improvements like increasing energy efficiency or retrofitting for accessibility.

Who’s eligible?

• Veterans who served active duty for 181 days in peacetime or 90 days in wartime.
• Veterans who served in the Reserves or National Guard for at least six years.
• Surviving spouses of qualified veterans.

HISA Grants

Before using a loan to pay for age-related home modifications, seniors should apply for a Home Improvements and Structural Alterations grant. This grant can be used to make medically necessary home improvements like installing wheelchair ramps and accessible kitchen counters. In order to receive a HISA grant, applicants must have a prescription from their physician.

Who’s eligible?

• Veterans with service-related and non-service-related disabilities.

Veterans Benefits for Senior Care

Aid and Attendance

With costs exceeding $48,000 a year for assisted living, long-term care is out of reach for many seniors. Aid and Attendance helps senior veterans afford the care they need to age at home or in an assisted living facility. Aid and Attendance provides up to $1,911 a month ($2,266 for married veterans) to assist with costs including personal care, meal preparation, and light housekeeping.

Who’s eligible?

• Veterans who served active duty for 90 days during the Persian Gulf War, Vietnam Era, Korean Conflict, or World War II and who meet income and need requirements.
• Surviving spouses of qualified veterans.

End-of-Life Benefits

Gravesites, Headstones, and Markers

All veterans may receive a gravesite in national veterans cemeteries free of charge. Veterans also receive a no-cost headstone or marker whether they’re buried in a veteran’s cemetery or private cemetery.

Who’s eligible?

• All veterans not dishonorably discharged.
• Spouses and dependents (burial in national cemeteries only).

Funeral and Burial Allowance

Families of eligible veterans can receive help paying for a funeral and burial. Allowances up to $2,000 are paid to families of veterans who died from a service-related disability, while up to $600 is paid for non-service related deaths. While this defrays costs, it won’t cover all funeral and burial expenses, which can exceed $9,000. As such, veterans should consider burial insurance to pay for funeral arrangements. The amount of burial insurance a senior needs depends on the final arrangements they choose as well as other outstanding bills and debts.

Who’s eligible?

• Veterans who die from a service-related disability.
• Veterans receiving VA pension at time of death.
• Veterans who die in VA medical facilities or VA medical transport.

Getting older can put a strain on a senior’s finances. From retrofitting a home to paying for long-term care, there are a lot of new expenses to account for as you age. With these programs designed to help veterans age well, U.S. veterans can enjoy greater health and financial security through their senior years.

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