Diabetes is a common disease which affects millions of Americans. Diabetes is responsible for blood sugar complications because the body is not able to produce sufficient insulin that helps to change glucose into energy. One in four seniors are affected by this disease. There are many potential effects that diabetes can have on the body if not adequately controlled, such as blindness, nerve damage, kidney and heart disease.
Productive activities are as effective as fitness activities in lowering the risk of death. Enhanced social and productive activities may help to increase the quality and length of your elderly loved one’s life.
When a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or other dementia related disease, it is common to feel grief and sadness over the anticipated changes in memory. While the diagnosis can be overwhelming, there are ways to cope.
The heat of the summer is here and it is important to remember some vital safety tips for senior loved ones. Our elderly loved ones are more prone to heat related illnesses and are more susceptible to dehydration risks.
It comes as no surprise that the summer season brings hot temperatures. The mercury is rising more and more as each summer day passes. The heat index can be even higher and be dangerous with extended periods of time spent outdoors.
Multi-generational vacations seem to be a recurring theme and growing trend among the newest generation of seniors. More and more families are planning their trips with their aging loved ones.
As we age, it is highly desired to live comfortably in a familiar home environment for as long as possible. Staying in the community and remaining active are essential for a positive outlook on life and a better overall sense of wellbeing. As our senior loved ones get older, it is can be more complicated to remain at home, but it doesn’t have to be impossible.
The heat is officially on; even before the actual official start of summer! Many elderly loved ones have some trouble with regulating their core body temperature, usually due to medication, and overheating could become an issue on the especially hot summer days.
Memorial Day originated after World War I and became an official holiday in 1971. Congress expanded this holiday to honor all Americans who have died while fighting for our country. This holiday is usually celebrated with rallies, parades, and memorial services.
Many seniors in the newest generation lead relatively active lives. They attend social functions and events in their community and would prefer to remain as involved in their activities as long as possible. Seniors do best with care provided in their homes.
In today’s society, it is common for extended families to be separated from loved ones by long distances. At some point in your loved one’s life they will become unable to properly care for themselves. In that instance, you are faced with the challenge of long-distance caregiving.
If you are involved in the care of a loved one coping with Alzheimer’s or dementia, you may wonder how you can help them to remember their past. Caring for a loved one coping with Alzheimer’s disease can get complicated at times.
“You don’t stop laughing because you grow old. You grow old because you stop laughing.” –Michael Pritchard. It has been shown that it is possible to help your senior loved one stay young at heart with daily laughter. Laughing goes a long way in making a senior loved one feel vibrant and connected to life. Laughter helps them to feel better about themselves, those around them, and to share their blessings with others.
Some elderly begin to see their health and physical abilities fade with age. With a decrease inability to accomplish activities of daily living may affect your loved one’s confidence. They may feel their next step will be a dramatic move to a nursing home or assisted living facility. With personal care services your loved one need not worry about such a huge transition.
A healthy meal is a great way to jump start or round off the day. Fueling our bodies with nutrients and hydrating often is the key to healthy living. Add a delicious meal to a table surrounded by friends and family and it’s a social event. If we make time to spend with those we love the most, we are bound to feel it in our hearts and the mood-boost will last throughout the week.
When a loved one is diagnosed with dementia or other related disease, you may feel helpless as to how to help. Most seniors would choose to live out the reminder of their years independently in the comforts of their own home for as long as physically and financially possible. If you are chosen as the person your loved one counts on to make their senior care decisions, it is important to weigh the fact they would want to stay in their familiar environment.
As we age, it becomes more important to watch what we eat. Empty calories become more useless and cleaner eating is so much better for us. We all have fond memories of home-cooked meals that our grandparents and parents made for us while we were growing up. The meals were usually comfort foods like buttery mashed potatoes with gravy, meatloaf, and macaroni loaded with cheese. While these foods are okay to have every once in a while, they aren’t best for maintaining a healthy lifestyle if eaten on a regular basis.
Many families struggle with a decision to move their elderly loved one to a nursing home or assisted living facility. In home assisted living means that your loved one will not have to leave everything they cherish and love behind. There is no need for a life altering move to an assisted living home to receive the same high quality level of care. In home assisted living care is a positive option for those who wish to remain as active as they can in their community.
Chances are you received some sweets from a sweetheart or another loved one for Valentine’s Day. While savoring a sugary treat from time to time isn’t terrible, it’s important to keep your heart’s health in mind while snacking. Certain foods such as walnuts, chickpeas, and fruits have been medically proven to decrease your chance of heart disease. But don’t worry! Your taste buds can still enjoy a delicious and nutritious snack! There are plenty of ways to incorporate healthy foods into your favorite treats.
Valentine’s Day is coming up and is the perfect time to express your love for someone you cherish; the entire month is ideal for focusing on the physical health of our hearts. February is known as American Heart Month and is a great time to take note of healthy and not-so-healthy habits that we may need to change to reduce the risk of heart disease. Heart disease is the main cause of death for men and women in the United States. A common sign of heart failure includes chest pain with tightening which can feel very intense. Adults over the age of 65 should be made aware of other signs of heart failure as well.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s are serious illnesses that require a lot of help from a person’s friends and family to manage. The baby boomer generation of our population is now the fastest growing group in the United States. As people live longer, dementia is increasingly likely to affect us directly or indirectly at some point in our lives. It is important to not only respect our loved one’s wishes to remain independent in their homes for as long as possible, but to also provide the type of care they need to live successfully.