It’s probably not surprising to hear that, on average, humans are living longer now than they ever have throughout recorded history. This continuing trend of increased life expectancy has been a part of modern life for at least the past 75 years, which leads many to ask the question, “What does the future of longer living look like?

In this week’s blog post, Aging Resources of Douglas County is offering up some things to consider when thinking about life expectancy in the future. While no one has a crystal ball they can use to see into the future, there are some exciting technological developments that very well may contribute to an ever-increasing human life expectancy. 

Survival vs. Living Healthier

Before we dive into what science is doing today to help us live longer tomorrow, let’s look at the many reasons why we’re doing so well as it is. 

If we look back to where humanity was just 200 years ago, we find a very different picture of human mortality rates compared to where we are today. For example, if you were five years old in 1841, you were only expected to live to be about 55 years old. Why? 

The most explanatory answers are vaccination, improved civil hygiene, and more ready access to medicine and medical services. 

Vaccination

Vaccination can be said to be the single most important reason why diseases like measles, Rubella, and polio haven’t been killing millions of young children every year for the past hundred or so years. Because vaccinations actually prevent the onset of devastating illnesses, young children stand a much higher chance of achieving their longest life expectancy. 

Remember that lifespan and life expectancy are two totally different data points. When children get vaccinated, their lifespan averages only increase when they continue to live longer lives. Life expectancy, however, for all of them improves immediately upon vaccination. 

Civil Hygiene

We take for granted things like running water, industrial air filters, and antiseptic cleaners like Purell. They’re all around us, and they’re just part of our everyday lives. 200 years ago, however, this was not the case. The proliferation of disease-causing germs significantly contributed to the spread of fatal illnesses, especially in areas of dense human population. 

Today, because we understand so much about Germ Theory, we’re able to avoid an early end to our lives at the hands of devastating infections and viruses. 

Access to Medicine

Our infrastructure dedicated to rapidly responding to medical emergencies has meant that those who need critical medical attention can actually get it. Especially in the United States, most people know that if something happens that seriously harms or disables them, they can call an ambulance using 911, and within a few minutes, a medical team will arrive to assist them. 

What’s more, the tools, techniques, medicines, and healing modalities have improved across the board, resulting in better diagnoses for whatever ailments humans present at the emergency room. 

What Does the Future Hold for Aging?

For all of us, there is a genetically encoded length of our lives. The ways that our bodies break down over time are most would agree, unavoidable if given enough time. Things like cancer and heart disease will, at least for the foreseeable future, continue to cause ‘natural’ deaths for human beings based on their nature and what we know about how these diseases manifest. 

With as many impressive technologies that exist today—things like the internet, Maglev trains, and Artificial Intelligence—one might think that science has a lot in store for us in the aging department. So, are scientists ready to start giving us super pills that make us live to 500 years old? Not quite. 

Instead, what modern scientists and healthcare professionals are suggesting for a longer life is a lot of what we’ve already been hearing for the past 50 or so years. As it turns out, these three categories continue to be most important when determining how long we’ll live: 

• A healthy diet
• Regular exercise
• Healthy body weight maintenance

So, it’s best not to hold out for some marvel of medicine that is going to make us live forever. Instead, you have a better shot at living longer by saying no to the pizza, taking walks regularly, and watching your weight. 

Although these lifestyle choices can add years to your life, there will eventually come a time where you'll need the assistance of others. When that time comes, contact Aging Resources of Douglas County to help get you started.

Anyone can fall prey to identity theft or a financial scam. Older adults, however, rank as one of the largest demographics targeted by scammers. The FTC's 2017 report documented that seniors aged 60 years and older accounted for 35% of fraud and 18.9% of ID theft complaints.

The FBI Promotes "Fraud against Seniors" Awareness

The FBI attributes several factors to senior vulnerability when it comes to identity theft and other types of fraud.

• Financial security: seniors typically own their own home, have a significant savings account, and excellent credit
• Too polite to simply hang up the phone or cut someone off
• Increased need for caregivers and others with easy access to personal and financial information
• Fear that reporting identity theft may trigger concern for senior's ability to care for self
• Not sure how or where to report a crime
• Feelings of embarrassment or shame
• Lack of clarity to recall what transpired

Types of Scams that Target Seniors and How To Protect Yourself
​
Medical Identity and Insurance Theft
A caregiver or family member may steal the senior's Medicare number to obtain prescription drugs or file fraudulent claims. Because the Medicare and Social Security numbers have been one and the same, gaining access to such has had far-reaching effects.
The inaccuracy of the individual's medical record may lead to ineffective or life-threatening diagnoses and treatments. On a purely financial level, your loved one is charged for services not received. While the situation can be corrected with proper documentation and diligence, it takes considerable effort to work through such a quagmire of deception.
How to Protect Yourself

• A 2015 bill signed by President Obama required Medicare to reissue cards with new numbers unique to the individual. Medicare had four years to make the transition. If you or your loved one is still carrying an older card, make a copy of it and block out all but the last four digits of that number. Carry that copy until you receive the replacement.
• Verify any offers that require you to give your insurance information. Contact the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to check the company's legitimacy.
• Review your insurance statements. Check the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) in particular for any questionable charges.
• Shred all unnecessary documents that contain personal and financial information. Also, destroy prescription labels.
• Thanks to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), you have the right to limit the information that's shared. Check with your providers to find out who has access to your records.

Email Scams
Older adults are often less proficient with technology, which makes them much more vulnerable to online scams. Clicking on an email link that appears to be from a friend, relative, bank, or government entity can create an in-depth web of identity and account theft.
It may appear to be a relative asking for help or an organization asking you to confirm your account number. Once you click on the link, you're redirected to a fraudulent site that steals the information you enter.
How to Protect Yourself

• Don't wire money until you've checked with the person requesting it. Whether you need to call the family member or bank, it's best to be safe.
• Do not click on email links until you verify them. Call the friend who sent it, or the agency requesting records.
• Confirm that a website is secure before you enter your personal or financial information. A secure site either has a padlock next to the URL, or the address begins with https.​​

Phone Scams
While everyone has probably received a telemarketing or spam phone call at one time or another, seniors are particularly susceptible to specific types of phone scams.
Receiving a call that asks for up-front money or expresses a sense of urgency is an immediate red flag. Some of the wording may sound like the following:

• This offer is only good right now.
• You've won a prize but need to pay postage and handling.
• We need your bank or credit card number.
• There's no need to check with the BBB or your attorney.

How to Protect Yourself

• Do not give any personal or financial information, such as credit card, bank account or Social Security numbers to a stranger over the phone. Get the caller's personal and company name as well as the phone number. Confirm it with the BBB or a consumer protection agency.
• Hang up if you feel pressured to act.
• If you conclude the call is a scam, add the number to the National Do Not Call Registry.

​Whether you're concerned about your own safety or that of a loved one, it's always in your best interest to educate yourself for protection and prevention. Because seniors are particularly vulnerable to identity theft and other types of scams, helping to educate as a volunteer is a worthwhile opportunity to serve.

It’s an exciting time to be aging! So many new technologies and services are emerging: from robots that help seniors communicate with family members who live across the country, to wearable devices that monitor health conditions. There have been great strides in improving the quality of life as we get older. But sadly, in the middle of all these innovative designs, isolation is one of the biggest threats to the health of America’s seniors. And, although this health risk is not often discussed, at least 25% of seniors over 65 are impacted. The devastating effects can be felt physically, mentally and emotionally. A study done by AARP revealed that social isolation is as detrimental to your health as smoking 15 cigarettes per day.
Being isolated means you may be cut off from certain benefits and resources that you are eligible for, and that would greatly benefit you. If you can’t drive, you can’t get to the organizations that can help. Isolated seniors may not visit their doctor regularly or get to the grocery store as often as they’d like due to lack of transportation. Recent Medicare studies show that isolated seniors have an increased risk of high blood pressure, depression, dementia, malnutrition and other harmful health issues. Loneliness carries a higher overall risk of mortality for both men and women in their older years.
How can you help combat isolation? Reach out and ask — there are many wonderful organizations right here in Douglas County that serve the older community. Connect with your local senior center — there is one in Castle Rock and another in Parker that host a wide range of activities. If you need additional services or don’t know who can help with a specific issue, Aging Resources of Douglas County (ARDC) is a resource center that provides not only programs and services for seniors but also offers information on aging issues and referrals to other professional agencies. The mission of this nonprofit is to help seniors stay independent, in their homes, and engaged in living. Recently ARDC has partnered up with the nonprofit, SECOR Cares, to bring a mobile food market to the rural parts of the county. Rural outreach efforts also include providing education and information on aging issues, while meeting seniors where they are. Not everyone has access to get into the urban centers where most services are located. And with 82% of Douglas County being rural, this outreach has been very well received.
One of Aging Resources’ newest projects surrounding senior isolation has been to develop an inter-generational program that connects home bound seniors with elementary school classrooms. Teachers sign up to have their students receive a presentation on what it means to get older, and afterward, the children write letters and cards and send artwork to seniors throughout the school year. And the seniors are writing back and forming pen-pal bonds! Kelsey Thiessen, ARDC’s program manager, states, “Human connection is one of the most important services we provide.  Having a friendly voice on the phone when you call our office for assistance and having the opportunity to form new friendships goes a long way to battling senior isolation.”

​Sometimes, a friendly voice can make all the difference in the world.  Many seniors live alone and can go days without talking to another person.  This isolation can make you feel pretty lonely and depressed.  Everybody needs the connections of a human voice, and these phone calls turn into friendships; something people look forward to.

Meet Karen, a Neighbor Network volunteer who comes in every week,  to make calls to her new friends.  

"I sure like it when Karen calls me.  We visit about what's going on, and she always remembers to ask how my cat is doing," says Martha, an 86-year-old woman who lost her husband last year.  "It gets so lonely and quiet here all by myself, and I am thankful for Karen.

If you are looking for ways to make a difference, consider volunteering!  You may contact Aging Resources at 303-814-4300 for more information or visit www.AgingResourcesDougCo.org

Let's face it: We're getting older. Very soon one in four residents will be over the age of 60 here in Douglas County. And for the first time in human history, there will be more older adults than young children in the global population. Adults aged 65 and over will begin to outnumber children under the age of 5, according to a recent report by the U.S. Census Bureau.
What does it mean to be a senior in 2018? How do you navigate the many channels of aging, and how do you age successfully? When you ask, most older adults want to stay independent for as long as possible, remain in their homes, maintain social connections and enjoy the quality of life they've always had. New data suggests that for most seniors, quality of life is at the top of that list. But what about when that quality of life is challenged — maintaining independence can sometimes be difficult even in the healthiest of seniors.
Nationally, 6 million adults age 65 and older have a disability that prevents them from leaving their homes without help, and 51 percent of people age 75 and older live alone. Older adults who no longer drive can quickly become isolated. They make fewer trips to their doctors and the grocery store and can lose their social connections. Isolated seniors are at a higher risk of health issues, elder abuse, fraud and scams, according to the AARP Foundation.

As we age, living in our own homes can become more of a challenge, especially when health conditions prevent you from keeping up with yard work and maintenance. Even changing out a light bulb or smoke alarm batteries can be daunting when it involves a ladder and you've got mobility issues. HOAs want snow cleared from the sidewalk, and you're recovering from knee replacement surgery. But even with these challenges, the overwhelming majority of seniors say they wish to “age in place.” And living in your own home still might be the best option if you have some help.
What helps many seniors in our county is a connection to an aging resource center; a place to get and give information regarding the issues seniors are facing today and receiving help in navigating those issues. For Douglas County, this place is Aging Resources; a one-stop place to get information on services, links to providers and connections to resources, and to receive direct services, such as transportation, home maintenance and companionship. The organization receives hundreds of calls each week and has strong partnerships with aging professionals in the region. Just knowing there is a place to reach out to has made a significant impact on people's confidence level to remain in their homes and remain independent. Services help fill in the gaps many seniors are facing, and it's a peace of mind to know you have an available resource that specializes in senior services.