May 31, 2013

La Tata & the UHF America’s Health Rankings Senior Report

*This is part of a sponsored campaign with Latina Mom Bloggers and United Health Foundation, pero como siempre- as always, the story and expressed opinions are BB's.  



HolaHolaHola My Beautifuls!


Do you remember my post about the S Sisters? Bueno, they've once again danced into BB's life joining my grandmother, La Tata and my Hispanicize friends United Health Care .  Thankfully she's back home and for being 90 or 92 she's doing remarkably well, however the scare did prompt me to read the UHF America's Health Rankings Senior Report more diligently than I would have otherwise and I found many points in it valid and part of our daily lives with La Tata. Go ahead and click on the link- excellent information in there.





In the report they mention tobacco use, inactivity, alcohol consumption, and poor diet, as some of the contributing factors in bad health in seniors.  Here we are lucky, La Tata rarely smoked, and though she does like her wine from time to time and I have to challenge her to walk a little more, as I mentioned, she's remarkably well for her age, and as far as poor diet... please, she's Cubana.  So on those counts we're doing well. There is one area however where Babushka must battle daily with her, and it's one topic Latinos don't speak of too often and I think that may be part of the problem.

Having been one of 12 children, an entrepreneur, a world traveler, La Tata was not ready to live a slower and more isolated life.  As in most modern households, everyone has work or studies outside the home and La Tata would find herself alone for more hours as the years went by; she fell into a heavy depression.  To say BB was scared and saddened when I saw her like this a year ago is an understatement.  It's not age that makes the old act old, it's the frustration of not being able to do what they used to do, which then turns to feelings of helplessness and being unneeded.  They lose social contact because of embarassment - in La Tata's case she doesn't like to go to parties because she wouldn't want to show up in "old lady shoes" which are the only ones that she's comfortable in.  How do we combat this?

As a family we make sure to call her daily, visit at least weekly, and make sure she knows she's still a very valued and special part of our lives.  Of course having the great,great grandchildren give her giant hugs and kisses over the phone lights up her disposition instantly.




Taking her out works wonders too.  
Nobody likes to be cooped up in the house all the time and in La Tata's case, the louder and more festive the place, the better it is.  
For some unexplicable reason she's always in better spirits and health when she's "de Farandula". 

Cuba Nostalgia- she ♥♥♥ this! 


Special Occasions
Memorial Day & with her son going out to eat for her birthday


Let them Lead and be who they used to be.


La Tata leading the way to do some grocery shopping,
getting a perm and then her nails done.



Make sure they laugh at least one good belly laugh a day.

How'd you think I came up with JU SO FONII !!!??



Show them they're needed, vital and still useful.


La Tata will show me how to play Spanish Cards and help me w/my Spanish whilst I read outloud.
Note: To counteract all the news, programas escandalosas, y novelas, I pick a book with positive affirmations/messages.



But most of all, show them they are loved and not alone.



Rinquincaya "loaning" his best friend to La Tata so she wouldn't have to be alone and afraid in the hospital. 



 From the report:  "Older Hispanics (28.2%) were less likely to rate their health as excellent or very good than were older Whites (42.8%) or Older Asians (35.3%) 

Hispanic older adults are expected to become the largest/ethnic minority of those aged 65 or older by 2019.

Now is a critical time to study senior health at the population level because we know that America's senior population will grow by more than 50% in the next 15 years and that Americans are living longer but sicker lives."


Bueno, I don't know about the stats, or the other Older Hispanics, but if La Tata lives to 2019 we will be blessed, and if she lives another 15 years- 
Babushka's bottling up her DNA!!

; )

Enjoy your elders now, help them and you live longer, more productive and enjoyable lives.
The memories & love never grow old.


Babushka Besos a todos.  Cuidensen.



*This is part of a sponsored campaign with Latina Mom Bloggers and United Health Foundation, pero expressed opinions are BB's. 


Bohemian Babushka
Bohemian Babushka

Groovy Spanglish speaking Grandma of 6 who loves life and all its adventures. Motivational while still keeping it real, Babushka shows how all things looked at with gratitude are good, and how to say to la vida- JU SO FONII!!!

26 comments:

  1. Me alegro que la Tata se este sintiendo mejor, nosotros los latinos no somos dados a olvidarnos de nuestros mayores, por eso no me extranna que la Tata esta bien involucrada en la familia. Muy bonito post and nena! Un abrazo a La Tata y a ti tambien, Lizy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gracias Lizy, tienes razon sobre las fmas latinas y por eso el tema de depresion no se habla. En las familias mas felices y unidas la depresion puede ocurrir. En nombre de Tati y el mio- BB2U.

      Delete
  2. What a blessing your Tata
    So much to learn from them
    Like your recommendation to let them lead and teach us

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She certainly is a blessing, and there's always a story and lesson to learn from our elders. Gracias for your comment y BB2U.

      Delete
  3. Thanks so much for sharing with us this information, it's so important to be aware and be on the lookout for all of these things so that we can take better care of our elder loved ones. Love how Rinquincaya lent la Tata his stuffed monkey, what an amazing and adorable kid!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elder care- and even for us, to feel needed and useful. We truly do need others to laugh and care about, to combat depression, and there's nothing better than a precocious 5 yr old for that!! Gracias Preciosa for commenting. BB2U

      Delete
  4. Bellas las fotos! Nada como pasar momentos en compañía de quienes tanto queremos!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Awww... que tierna es la Tata, me encanta que este bien y compartiendo con todos! Bendiciones para ella y toda su family! Besos querida BB y muchas gracias por la información, es muy útil!

    ¡FELIZ DÍA!ॐ
    http://mamaholistica.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amiga, gracias. Ojala que nunca tengas que usar los tips, pero porsea- alli lo tienes! BB2U

      Delete
  6. I think it is very important to get them put of the house and make them feel needed. I remember my grandma had a lot of difficulties moving around and she got very depressed 'cause she felt worthless.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for sharing that. We tend to forget sometimes that they too were young once, and that the soul if allowed to be, will always be young. Hopefully the tips will be of use- if only as a reminder. BB2U

      Delete
  7. Me encantó este post acerca de los abuelitos, muchas veces nos olvidamos de ellos, y pensar que todos vamos por el mismo camino. Las fotos están muy tiernas.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mil gracias por tu comentario y por comprender lo que entente hacer. Abrazos y BB2U.

      Delete
  8. She looks so full of life and active. My mother is much younger and is falling apart. I'm so glad you are there to enjoy the moments with her!! Great information!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. La Tata has her moments, but on the whole she's still a spitfire. Hope this helps your mom in some way. Gracias mujer, y BB2U.

      Delete
  9. My dad recently lost his wings. No more driving for him. His community has good services for seniors and he can still make it to the casino 3 times a week. At 83, he's still winning at cards.

    Marissa

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Heje He may have lost his airwings, but it seems his waterwings are working well! Isn't it wonderful that communities have realized the potencia that is our seniors-on so many levels- and even more wonderful are seniors like your dad. Huge Hug en mi nombre and tell your dad that La Tata says he's still a youngun' !! ; ) BB2U

      Delete
  10. Yes, it's so important to spend time with our elders, whether it's our parents, grandparents, or neighbors. Almost every day, I tell my mom, "I love you, mom." It always brings her smiles. It's so wonderful seeing your Tata so active and happy! Being around her family, brings your Tata lots of joy! Fabulous post! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Of course your mom smiles when she hears that, what mom wouldn't? So glad you're close to your mother, it makes such a big difference in both your lives doesn't it? Thanks for your comment and your insight. BB2U

      Delete
  11. wow, que bello tu nieto que le presto su stuffy a la tata. se nota que en tu familia hay MUCHO AMOR!!!! me encanta que la tata le gusta andar pasiando!! she told us of the many trips she had around the world!!! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. heje That's right, you didn't meet the grandbabies did you?? Glad you're a testigo- I do not exagerate when it comes to La Tata. ; ) Abrazotes y BB2U

      Delete
  12. Un relato fascinante.. Me enterneció mucho la Tata y la información que nos compartes siempre de primera.. Felicidades BB.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mil Gracias Teresa. Y felicidades a ti por el regreso tan fenomenal que estas teniendo. BB2U

      Delete
  13. She seems like a very loved woman and so lucky to have you in her life. You are one of 12 kids? Wow?! My mom is one of 8. I think I need to write my Grandma a letter now. Thanks for the reminder!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I wish everyone felt like you do about the older generation in their families. This was a lovely post and your grandma looks FANTASTIC!

    ReplyDelete

Always remember- If someone doesn't see YOUR brilliance, just look at them, smile, and say- JU SO FONI!!!