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Kline Galland Salutes Seniors During Older Americans Month

via Business Wire

Seniors Encouraged to Pursue Healthy Lifestyle Habits;

Healthcare Industry Challenged to Respond to the Changing Needs of Older Americans

With more than 11,0000 seniors aging into Medicare every day, there are more older Americans living today than at any other time in the nation’s history. That makes this year’s observance of Older Americans Month more relevant than ever and serves as a good reminder of the contributions to society these seniors have made, and continue to make, and of the opportunities for purpose, exploration, and connection that come with aging.

“Incredible new technologies and wonderous pharmaceutical advances have contributed greatly to people living longer than ever before,” said Jeff Cohen, chief executive officer of Kline Galland, of one of America’s leading providers of senior care. “But central to this aging of America has been, and hopefully will continue to be, an increased awareness of the critical role healthy lifestyle habits play in aging well.”

In honoring seniors during May’s Older Americans Month, Cohen says that adopting a few key “common sense behaviors” can lead to living a longer, healthier life. Among these he points to are eating healthy, having regular physical activity, keeping your mind active, not smoking, avoiding isolation, maintaining a healthy weight, taking caution to prevent falls and scheduling regular check-ups with your doctor.

“Many baby boomers now in their late sixties and seventies are tuned into to healthy habits more than any generation who came before and as a result are dispelling many of the historical myths and stereotypes about what aging means and looks like,” says Cohen. “These new seniors are active, engaged, taking trips, playing sports and not just sitting in a rocking chair. In keeping with the theme of this year’s Older American Month observance, it’s time that society Flips the Script on Aging and focuses on all the wonderful potential found in this new chapter in life.”

In support of these seniors, Cohen says that the healthcare industry and senior care providers have a responsibility to understand and deliver on the wants and needs of 21st century older Americans. That means expanding community based services in ways that allow seniors to age in place. It means finding ways to make homes safer and more functional. It means offering customized and dignified rehab services, therapies and appropriate interventions that keep seniors healthier for longer. And it means educating and incentivizing people to enter the critically important caregiving profession whose needs expand in direct proportion to society aging.

“Our industry can best support today’s seniors by making available to them a full continuum of services that address with dignity and compassion a person’s needs at every stage of their aging,” says Cohen. “We should be dedicated to empowering seniors to live life on their own terms and to creating supportive, nurturing environments regardless of their age or circumstances.”

First signed into law in 1976 by President Gerald Ford, Older Americans Month is observed every May to recognize the contributions of older adults across the nation. Estimates are that Medicare enrollment will see a 60% increase from 65 million to 105 million by 2031 and will double by 2040.

Based in Seattle, Kline Galland is a full-service senior health care resource whose comprehensive suite of customized healthcare services supports individuals in every phase of life, wherever they reside. Kline Galland provides long-term care, rehabilitation, memory care, independent living, assisted living, home health, home care, hospice care and palliative care. Today Kline Galland serves over 17,000 residents, patients and family members yearly and is the trusted partner of over 65 community referral programs in the state of Washington.

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