The immune system is an important part of our body. It helps us stay healthy by protecting us from outside invaders that can make us sick. For those of us in our twilight years, a strong immune system is especially important, to fight off bacteria and viruses that can cause a serious infection and result in a hospital trip or worse.
A diagnosis of dementia of any type, including Alzheimer’s, will trigger a cascade of emotions in people. Many with Alzheimer's or dementia, especially when in the early stages while they’re still lucid and in control of themselves, will fear the stigma of the disease and feel confusion and uncertainty over how to maintain their lives.
Any one of us can easily lose track of time, forget the date, not know what specific day of the week it is, or even find ourselves unsure of exactly where we are. When we go about our lives and find ourselves getting lost in the daily business of existence, it is normal to find ourselves a little disoriented here and there.
In 1963, when Older Americans Month was established, only 17 million living Americans had reached their 65th birthday. About a third of them lived in poverty, and there were few programs available to meet their needs. There was a growing concern and interest in older Americans, which prompted a meeting between then-President John F. Kennedy and members of the National Council of Senior Citizens. This meeting led to the designation of May as “Senior Citizens Month”, then the precursor to “Older Americans Month
The outdoors aren’t called the great outdoors for no reason. Countless studies, research, as well as the sum total of human experience throughout history have all pointed to the same conclusion time and time again, which is that getting outside and taking in nature and all our world’s natural splendor has real, tangible benefits. Spending time outside can improve our mood and mental health, boost the strength of our immune system, lower blood pressure, and even shorten time spent healing after surgery or a significant injury.
As we age through our lives and enter our twilight years, one thing you’re sure to notice is the increase in tips, advice, and conversations related to health and wellness. It makes sense, after all, we all want to age with dignity and remain capable and healthy for as long as possible, and for many of us, by the time we’ve become seniors we may have developed a chronic condition, or had one catch up with us. One topic you’ve probably heard over and over is high blood pressure. High blood pressure is a concern, of course, and has all sorts of negative health outcomes if left untreated, but equally dangerous and under discussed is low blood pressure.
Volunteering is a wonderful way for older adults to stay active and engaged in their communities, staying social and doing the activities they enjoy the most.
When we look around, what we see is actually light stimuli reflected off everything around us, entering our eyes and being converted into usable information by the brain.
Urinary tract infections, commonly shortened to UTIs, are the most common form of infection experienced by the elderly population. It is, as the name suggests, an infection of the urinary tract, most commonly the bladder.
Asthma is usually thought of as a childhood disease, because that’s when many of those who suffer from it begin to develop symptoms. While most of us may know it as the condition that excused kids from running the mile in gym class, it is in fact not uncommon to acquire it later in life. According to the CDC, nearly 7% of adults aged 65 or older have asthma.
We ran an egg decorating contest with our caregivers and clients and these are some of the submissions we received. Check out their work!
April is, among other things, National Lawn and Garden month. Gardening is a popular hobby among seniors, and has many benefits, mentally, emotionally, and physically. But the actual work of bending, kneeling, working the soil, lifting and digging can become physically challenging due to the effects the aging process has on the body. But with a few tips and modifications, gardening can be made much more safe and enjoyable for someone to enjoy as a hobby well into their twilight years.
With the recent change from winter to spring, temperature fluctuations can be difficult for seniors suffering from arthritis. Researchers believe that weather changes can increase stiffness and swelling in joints. When joints ache from use, it can cause seniors to be sedentary, which is one of the worst things for continuing health and quality of life. And while there are medications that can treat arthritis, or at least lessen the symptoms, many of these have side effects that can make the tradeoff not worth it to many older adults.
While our feet are relatively small parts of our body when compared to the rest of it, foot health is an important part of our overall health. Notably, feet are our basic form of transportation, getting us to where we need to go. Even with cars, we have to first walk to the car, use our feet to operate the pedals, and then walk to our destination once the car is parked.
Declaring our goals is an easy task, but oftentimes we find ourselves within a week having slipped back into our old habits, or not having made any progress in achieving the new goal. It can be hard to take the leap from setting a goal to actually accomplishing it. If you find yourself unable to apply yourself to your goals, SMART goals might be the tool you need.
Almost half of all people in the United States have some form of cardiovascular disease. And furthermore, every 40 seconds, someone suffers a heart attack or a stroke, and it is for that reason that heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women in America.
While many of us probably already have a primary care physician, particularly as we age into our twilight years and it seems there’s no end to prescriptions and appointments. But there may come a time when you need to branch out, and see a doctor who specializes specifically in the care of older adults. Consider that when you were small, or when your children were, you took them to a pediatrician. Just as children need specialized care specific to the concerns of their bodies that differs from adults, at the other end of the spectrum, older adults are different from the younger cohort in physical, emotional, and social needs. A geriatrician can, in many cases, be the best choice for aging adults, as their health status changes and they may find their goals for care becoming more complex.
As the Winter months give way to Spring, a time of new growth and celebration, one way seniors can ring in the coming season’s warmth and bountiful plentitude is by taking up a new hobby, particularly gardening. The warmer temperatures and increased sunlight are perfect conditions for getting outside, getting in the dirt, and planting your favorite flowers or vegetables. Seeing a garden grow from seed to a panoply of brightly colored flowers, lush greens, and nutritious vegetables is one of the most satisfying projects one can undertake, and more than that, it has many benefits that are of particular interest to senior citizens. Read on to find out more about how this hobby can help you to live your best life as you enter your twilight years.
Experiencing highs and lows is a natural part of life. As we look back on our life, the highs will typically be some of our best memories, and the lows might be things we still struggle with to this day. It is always important to remember that the lows are not forever, and with some simple strategies, you can help yourself to bust out of any ruts you may be feeling stuck in due to whatever has got you feeling down.
There’s an old adage that whatever we think will happen, will happen. With the process of aging, that holds true, and many seniors find themselves to have become whatever they think they will become in their later years. Having positive perceptions about aging, such as wisdom, self-realization, fulfillment, or vitality is associated with a nearly eight year increase in lifespan, compared to having negative perceptions about aging, such as being useless or helpless.
Caregiving is a universal experience. Nearly everyone will, at one point in their life, either be a caregiver, need a caregiver, or oftentimes both. Caregiving requires a personal touch, to do what is needed to relieve stress and burdens on those who need care, and their loved ones. Whether a caregiver is part of your family, a close friend, or someone hired from an outside agency, they will develop personal relationships while taking care of needs and business both in and outside of the house. Regardless if the caregiver is providing care to you, or to a loved one, there are a few simple ways to say thank you.
For older adults, infectious diseases account for one third of all deaths in people over the age of 65. It is for this reason that infection prevention and early detection are crucial for seniors, to reduce that risk and stay as healthy as possible. Due to the common physical changes brought about by the aging process, as well as the unique concerns of senior lifestyles, there are several infections that are most commonly seen amongst seniors.
Chronic pain is not a normal part of aging and can disrupt your daily activities and damage your quality of life. If you suffer chronic pain, knowing strategies to reduce your discomfort can allow you to cope with pain and keep it from being too detrimental to your life.
One of the most visible indications of age is the toll it takes on the largest organ in the human body, our skin. When we’re young, our skin is smooth, tight, and glowing. As we get older, no matter how good we take care of it, skin will lose it’s smoothness, become thinner, less elastic, less hydrated, and lines, spots, and other blemishes can appear.
Heart disease is a serious condition that affects millions of people each and every year. In fact, heart disease is the number one cause of death for both men and women in the United States. For this reason, it is important to have accurate and actionable information about it, as well as shed ourselves of any potentially harmful disinformation.