News and Blog
When the year changes over to the new one, it’s a good time to reflect on the year we left behind, and look forward to the year to come. New Year’s resolutions are a popular part of that process. Start by looking back over the previous year, considering the person we were and the things we did and the habits we kept. Then consider what of those things we might like to put an end to, and what we might like to carry over into the new year. It’s also a great opportunity to conceptualize the person we might like to become, and what habits and activities we’d like to develop.
New Year’s Resolutions for SeniorsWith winter upon us, and perhaps another variant of the Coronavirus causing going out in the world unnecessarily to be a risk, we must look to the four walls around us to work as our gymnasium.
Staying Active IndoorsAs we begin to enter the third year of the Coronavirus being an all-encompassing fact of life, it is important to remember the various lengths and measures needed to stay safe. While getting the vaccine, and taking the booster shots if able are of course a wonderful idea, that’s still unfortunately not the end-all be-all of protection from Covid-19.
Protecting Seniors from CoronavirusDecreasing an aging loved one’s risk of contracting a deadly disease like Covid-19, influenza, or pneumonia can be as simple as getting a quick shot.
Recommended Vaccines for SeniorsA heart attack is a significant event in the life of someone who suffers one, and it will irreversibly alter the trajectory of their life and the lives of their friends, family, and caretakers around them. If you or a loved one has recently suffered a heart attack, it’s important to understand all the medications and lifestyle changes it will take to remain healthy and have a successful recovery.
Changes to Make After a Heart AttackWhile staying healthy is the goal of all people, especially older adults, those suffering from diabetes need to be aware of possible changes to health. Diabetes is unfortunately the seventh leading cause of death, and can lead to permanent disabilities.
Common Complications of Diabetes
The kitchen is commonly regarded as the heart of the home. But unfortunately, it can also be a dangerous place. According to FEMA, people over the age of 65 have a chance of dying in a kitchen fire that is 2.5 times greater than that of the general population. Cooking accidents are one of the leading causes of fires in the home, accounting for thousands of preventable injuries and deaths each year. But just because your senior loved one has lost some mobility or mental capacity doesn’t mean they have to give up their love of cooking. The key is to provide a safe kitchen for them to use.
Kitchen Safety for Seniors
An ischemic stroke is an urgent health condition that occurs when an artery supplying the brain with oxygenated blood becomes blocked, which suddenly stops or sharply decreases blood flow, which ultimately causes a brain infarction, or in layman’s terms, tissue death. Ischemic strokes account for 80% of all strokes.
Ischemic Stroke in the ElderlyMany people worry about losing mental faculties as they get older, and perhaps think there’s nothing they can do to prevent the inevitable development of dementia or Alzheimer's disease. It’s no wonder, our minds are, quite literally, who we are, and the idea of either forgetting huge parts of our lives, or becoming unable to form new memories are frightening prospects. But many of the preconceptions people have about older brains aren’t necessarily true, and there’s a whole litany of myths out there that can cause undue stress and mental anguish to people as they age. Read on to hear some of these common beliefs, and the reality that refutes them.
Myths About Older BrainsWhen your job or time revolves around caring for another, one of the things that’s easy to let fall by the wayside is your own personal well-being. Exercise is incredibly important for not only physical health, but mental as well. Follow these tips for how to better find time for yourself to keep yourself active, and healthy.
Finding Time to Exercise as a CaregiverSeniors may travel for all sorts of reasons. With having more free time in retirement, there’s plenty of time now to explore the world around us. Either to visit relatives, see exotic or domestic locales on their bucket lists, or something else, there are things seniors can do to make their travel experience easier on them.
Travel Tips for SeniorsChanges in the appearance, growth, and strength of a person’s fingernails can sometimes tell us a great deal about their overall health. If you spot a change or markedly different appearance in the nails of your elderly loved one, it could clue you in on a serious medical condition. Read on to find out what health conditions different nail appearances could point to.
Fingernail Problems and What They Tell UsBathroom safety is one of the most important things for an elderly person living in their home, as the multiple slippery surfaces and stepping required makes for a potentially dangerous situation. Falls are one of the biggest dangers to older adults, with many hospitalizations and deaths sadly caused by them every year. And for many seniors, injuries from a nasty fall can be the beginning of a physical decline that leads to a reduced quality of life and lifespan.
Shower Grab Bar SuccessMany seniors have difficulty eating enough, due to changing senses of taste and smell as they age, side effects of medications reducing hunger, difficulty chewing or swallowing, or any other number of reasons. One thing caregivers can do to combat malnutrition and make sure your loved one is eating enough is to keep plenty of small, nutritious, ready to eat snacks on hand.
Convenient, Nutritious Foods for SeniorsWhen your sleep is poor, not only does the daytime tiredness affect your ability to do activities throughout the day safely and enjoyably, but poor sleep has been linked with a lower quality of life, and risk of chronic disease. For people with bad sleep habits, conditions like diabetes and obesity are more common. Surprisingly, sleep regulates the hormones that tell your body when you’re hungry and signals the feeling of fullness that makes you stop eating. For those suffering from bad sleep, they may be prompted to eat more, and also reach for unhealthy food choices throughout the day.
How Sleep Affects HealthWhile much attention was paid to the shots from the COVID-19 vaccine this year, and necessarily so, it is critical that we do not forget about the equally important, especially for older adults, seasonal vaccine against influenza, or the “flu”.
What You Need to Know About Flu ShotsWhile the idea of living to the age of 100 and beyond may seem like a faraway science fiction dream for many, with the majority of people measuring their lifespans in double digits, and the majority of those who do reach 100 or beyond becoming stories worth noting, the fact is that worldwide the number of centenarians, the term for people aged 100 to 110, is expected to increase sharply.
More Seniors are Living to 100Seniors are unfortunately one of the most vulnerable segments of our population, frequently the victims of crimes, scams, or abuse. As a large portion of seniors suffer from either physical ailments or cognitive decline, their lack of ability to defend or advocate for themselves makes them an easy and tempting target to the unscrupulous.
The Dangers of Elder Self NeglectAs we age, it’s important to know about all the changes we can make to preserve our health and longevity. After all, your body isn’t necessarily capable of all the same things it was when you were younger, so it doesn’t exactly make sense to keep living your life the same way you did at that time. By keeping preventable health problems in mind, knowing what you can do for early detection and treatment, men can preserve their health long into their advanced years.
Health Tips for Senior MenAs vaccination rates increase and COVID-19 infections decrease, we are perhaps well on our way to seeing an end of the pandemic that disrupted so much of our daily lives, routines, and activities we enjoyed. While getting infected with the disease had worse health results for seniors, the impact of spending eighteen sedentary months inside socially isolating and physically distancing has the possibility of nearly as bad health incomes.
Strength Training is Imperative for SeniorsWhile many people look forward to Autumn for the many wonderful changes the season brings, there is one yearly visitor that there is no cause to be happy about. I’m talking about the return of the influenza virus for flu season. For younger adults and children, the flu is usually just a few days of unpleasantness, but for many seniors and older adults, it can be more serious. With complications such as pneumonia more likely, seniors account for as many as 85 percent of the deaths from influenza.
Avoiding Seasonal FluWith many seniors suffering from malnourishment, whether due to cognitive decline, physical impairment, chronic illnesses, or a whole host of other issues, coming up with strategies to combat undernutrition in older adults, to ensure proper intake of calories, vitamins, and minerals is important. And like with anything else, keeping the strategies simple and easy to follow will give you the greatest chance of success.
Improving Senior NutritionPeople are living longer than ever these days, which naturally means the amount of their lives they’ll need care will increase. An estimated 70 percent of older Americans will need care and assistance at some point in their twilight years. 9 out of 10 older Americans as well plan on staying in their home as long as possible, known as “aging in place”. This has become the ultimate retirement goal of the Boomer generation.
How to Plan for Aging in PlaceStrokes are the fifth largest killer of Americans today, with sadly over 800,000 Americans experiencing a stroke annually. While the statistics are unnerving, there are plenty of ways to make lifestyle changes that reduce your risk of stroke, possibly preventing one altogether.
Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Stroke RiskThe new Senior Helpers Center of Excellence in Caregiving has opened in Scottsdale as a comprehensive training facility for certified caregivers and community members who assist the elderly.
Caregiver Training Site Opens in Scottsdale