Medicare ACOs and What's Next in Health Care

At PMD Advisory, we like to stay in the loop when it comes to seniors and health care around the nation. Check out this article. - Editor

More Doctors, Hospitals Partner to Coordinate Care for People With Medicare (via Senior Living Care)

SOURCE: HealthEast Care System Providers Form 106 New Accountable Care Organizations ST. PAUL, MN–(Marketwire – Jan 10, 2013) – Community Health Network has been selected as one of 106 new Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) in Medicare, ensuring…

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Senior Living Facility Infographic

The Market is Growing and Growing

By 2030, the 65-plus population will double to about 71.5 million, and by 2050 will grow to 86.7 million people (U.S. Census).

Top 5 Baby Boomer Activities

Targeting the senior market? If so, you should already know that...

 

Unlike previous generations, baby boomers have adopted new attitudes and lifestyles. This diverse generation born in the 1946-1964 range enjoys a varied range of activities from workouts and aerobics to listening to music. 

Baby boomers are known to do things differently in order to accommodate their needs; this however does not mean that they are uncooperative either at home or at work. Here are a few past times that appeal to this generation of “Beatlemania” and bell bottoms.

Staying fit

Baby boomers tend to focus on feeling young and healthy. Playing sports and hitting the gym are very important in combating health complications and helping them stay and feel young and active. They participate in different activities both group and solitary such as golf jogging, aerobics, tennis and walking. They are also known to take their exercises a little to the extreme, something that has been coined as “boomeritis”. This has resulted to straining their aging bodies leading to a surge in knee and hip replacements.

Enjoying music

For a generation that popularized rock n’ roll and attended Woodstock, music will remain a very significant part of their life. This is the reason baby boomers still enjoy their music. It is a feeling of nostalgia for them, going for concerts and listening to good tunes. Over 25% of music sales in 2006 were accounted for by baby boomers. The music industry caters to them as a profitable demographic. Most of them own iPods and mp3 players showing that they still constitute a significant part of the music industry.

 

Extreme sports

Individuals in this generation are more adventurous as compared to their parents. Sky diving and other competitive sports appeal more to them than staying grounded. Sources state that baby boomers get involved in more extreme sports such as sky diving rafting and paragliding regardless of how old they are. Even though they are risk-takers, they very careful when it comes to safety measures and will require trained guides in any of these activities.

Home improvement and DIY

DIY and home improvement projects are very popular among this group. Improving the quality of their homes makes a lot of sense especially for those wishing to stick with their current homes as they age. In addition, this helps them to be self-sufficient as activities such as crafting handmade products and gardening are quite thrifty.

Spiritual and social experiences

Most boomers still strive to be active in experiences that are both spiritually and socially meaningful. They prefer face to face interaction which is why dating, attending social gatherings and sporting events are popular among the group. 

These are important tidbits to consider when conducting research on this market segment. Project feasibility research suggests you somehow incorporate the leisure activities of your target market to catch them in your net.

A Friend Tells a Friend...

96% of baby boomers participate in word-of-mouth marketing to friends. (ThirdAge and JWT Boom). 

Leading the Spending Pack

55-64 year-olds outspend the average consumer in nearly every category. (US Government Consumer Expenditure Survey).

There's No Stoppin' the Shoppin'

72% of adults 55-63 and even 47% age 73+ shop online (Forrester).

3 Times the Dough

Median family net worth of seniors has decreased, but they still have a net worth 3x that younger generations (Economic Policy Institute).

Majority Rules the Web!

1/3 of the 195.3 million internet users in the U.S., adults aged 50+ represent the Web's largest constituency (Jupiter Research).

That's A Lot Of People

By 2030, the 65-plus population will double to about 71.5 million, and by 2050 will grow to 86.7 million people (U.S. Census).

5 Super Senior Foods

Blueberries lower the risk of heart disease.

Senior Living Research: 5 Foods Every Senior Citizen Should be Eating...Are You?

Senior citizens face the challenge of coping with many age-related illnesses. 

Fortunately, such conditions as stroke, heart disease and Alzheimer's disease can be effectively managed with a good diet. Here is a list of 5 super-foods that many people do not realize how useful they are to the health and well-being of senior citizens.

Hot Cocoa or Dark Chocolate

Emerging research indicates that dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants. These antioxidants are especially useful in improving the regenerative power of the human body, lowering cholesterol levels and even fighting cancer. The best choice is 60% cocoa content or higher. A darker shade has lower sugar and fat content. Moreover, cocoa is also helpful in preventing osteoporosis which usually affects elderly women. To improve the effectiveness of cocoa, skim milk may be added to provide added calcium content to further strengthen weak bones.

Flax Seed

Flax seeds are rich in healthy omega-3 fatty acids and lignans. Lignans found are particularly useful in fighting cancer and improving cardiovascular health. These seeds also help to stabilize blood-sugar levels, hence effective in the management of diabetes. The highly soluble, non-gassy fiber content of flax seed makes it an excellent natural laxative. A good way to include flax seeds in the diet is sprinkling them on salads and cereals. Alternatively, flax seed may be used as a substitute for eggs while baking pancakes and muffins.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is an good source of plant compounds as well as healthy mono-unsaturated fats which is beneficial to the heart. This natural oil is completely free of harmful trans fats found in margarine and processed foods. It is therefore, the best replacement for all other fats.

A unique compound found in extra-virgin olive oil called the oleocanthal has anti-inflammatory effects comparable to such medications as aspirin. This beneficial oil can easily be introduced to the diet simply by using it as an alternative to other fats and oils. However, to get the most nutrients, it can be applied as a salad dressing together with balsamic vinegar in the ratio of one part olive oil to three parts vinegar.

Blueberries

Blueberries are highly recommended by nutritionists and doctors due their rich nutrient content. They consist of potassium, vitamin C, B6, B12, folic acid, phytoflavinoids and antioxidants. This array of nutrients serve to effectively lower the risk of heart disease and cancer as well as lessening inflammation. A diet including blueberries is also a useful in reducing the effects of aging in the body. Senior citizens have the option to either eat the dried berries or fresh ones, since the useful nutrients are not lost in drying. Such berries are a splendid addition to the morning cereal breakfast.

Walnuts

According to various scientific studies, eating an ounce of walnuts per day is an effective deterrent for heart disease. This claim has also been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Contrary to common assumption, the high fat content of walnuts is not a health risk, since it is cholesterol-free, healthy unsaturated fat. The nuts also contain such nutrients as manganese, magnesium and selenium.

Walnuts are instrumental in over 100 biochemical reactions within the body, including critical nerve and heart functions. Vitamin E which is attributed to fighting Alzheimer's disease is also found in walnuts.

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This tasteful senior living research article concerning foods seniors need to be eating brought to you by your friends at PMD Advisory Services.

Using tablet-friendly online marketing?

Adults 45+ account for 34.7% of current tablet users (comScore TabLens).

Need an Online Diagnosis?

82% of adults aged 50+ who use the Internet research health and wellness information online (Pew Internet and American Life Project).

Time to Surf (On Your Phone)

36% of adults 50+ own a smartphone (Pew). So, are you reading this on your phone?