Beginning in the 1960s, experts began to predict that the baby boom generation would be healthier than their parents and grandparents were. The boomers jogged into trends like aerobics or health food, and also were able to benefit from advances in science and medical care.
Natural disasters are, by definition, devastating. They cost lives, ruin communities, and cost large amounts of money. And for senior citizens, they can be particularly deadly. During and after a storm or other natural disaster event, many people understandably experience extreme amounts of stress and trauma. Research has shown that elevated states of both can lead to an increase in cardiovascular disease risk, which will of course be more impactful for heart disease and stroke patients.
We’ve all had the experience of telling ourselves something along the lines of “I want to eat healthier” and then a week later we find ourselves reaching into a bag of potato chips. Or maybe we resolve to learn how to play the guitar or some other instrument, and then find ourselves never once touching one or going to a lesson. Sometimes the gulf between setting a goal and achieving it can seem insurmountable. Some people seem to be able to set a goal for themselves and then you see them actively working to achieve it. For others, not so much. If you find yourself constantly falling short of the expectations you set for yourself, some strategies in setting goals might be just what you need.
Many people put exercise at the top of their list of new year’s resolutions, and for good reason. Improving health is something that will positively affect all areas of life. Numerous studies have established that regular physical activity is good for our bodily, mental, and emotional health. Moving more is a top recommendation to prevent chronic conditions and diseases like Alzheimer’s or congestive heart failure.
As we age, our memory tends to become less reliable. We may forget important details, where we put things, or dates and appointments. This is a normal part of the aging process, but there are ways to help prevent or slow memory less.
When the days become short and the air grows colder, an estimated ten million Americans suffer from what is known as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. The reduced sunlight in winter can disrupt our internal clocks and circadian rhythm, leading to fatigue, sadness, and difficulty concentrating. For many seniors, especially ones living on their own, the winter months can bring about a lesser form of SAD, known colloquially as the winter blues.
With the average individual life expectancy rising, parents are living longer and longer as their children continue to age deeper into adulthood themselves. Many of those who are caregivers to their elderly parents are themselves elderly. In fact, the average age of someone who is giving care to someone aged 65 or older is a surprisingly high 63 years old themselves. This means that many of those engaged in caregiving are themselves aging along with those they care for, which results in many retirement-aged adult children caring for their senior parents.
Mesa winters can be harsh on indoor air quality. The cold weather and lack of sunlight can cause a build-up of pollutants in the home, harming seniors. Due to the lack of humidity, indoor air can quickly become much drier, worsening the symptoms of their chronic illness. Therefore, seniors with respiratory illnesses should take extra precautions during the winter months in Mesa. Seniors and their primary caregivers should keep indoor air quality consistent all winter.
Collecting is a widely enjoyed hobby by many people across the country, and many of us who collect are intensely proud of our collections, eager to talk about them and show them off. Most collections are benign and reasonable, perhaps we bring home a souvenir spoon or magnet from everywhere we visit, or we seek out and collect rare baseball cards, lovingly storing them or displaying them in specially built cases or binders. But compulsive hoarding is a detrimental behavior that is completely different than simply having a sprawling collection or two.
No one wants to end up confined to a bed and become a bedridden patient, for any reason. But the sad reality is that things like illnesses or infirmity brought about by the aging process may incapacitate someone, preventing them from moving or standing, which causes them to spend most, if not all, their waking hours laying in bed. For obvious reasons this is incredibly depressing and mentally taxing. If you have a loved one who is bedridden, consider going out of your way and making time to purchase and gift them something to cheer them up and let them know you’re still thinking of them.
Gift giving for seniors, as an age group, can be particularly challenging. After all, having lived their lives and collected many possessions over the years, there’s often not much they want or need, WIth some creativity, however, you’ll be sure to have them smiling when they unwrap their gift.
Volunteering can be an extremely rewarding and fulfilling endeavor. Learn the many benefits of volunteering with seniors.
While the world is, generally speaking, a safe place, sadly the potential for danger magnifies when a person is in their senior years. Everyone, your loved ones especially, deserves to feel safe and secure in their homes.
There’s a lot of pressure during the holiday season to have fun. Even though this time of the year is supposed to be a happy one filled with love and light and laughter, many older people feel more alone and sad during this time. While the holidays are meant for celebration and happiness, it can be hard for many seniors to stay happy and positive.
For some seniors who have limited mobility, the holiday months can be stressful and even disappointing. Learn how seniors can continue their favorite traditions of the holiday season, even if they have limited mobility.
From phishing scams to fake online stores, seniors are at risk of being defrauded if they're not careful. Learn some tips to help seniors in Mesa avoid eCommerce scams and cybercrime this Black Friday.
Those of us old enough to remember TV before streaming when you had to sit and watch commercial breaks are no doubt familiar with the line “Help, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!”. This memorable line from the Life Alert commercials in the 80s and 90s is a cultural touchstone, and the ubiquity of it made it a source of humor and laughter for years and years. And while the poorly acted lines of the commercial made it the butt of many a joke, the subject that it was dealing with is anything but comedic.
While too much sitting isn’t good for anyone, no matter the age group, spending long amounts of time seated is especially critically dangerous for the elderly. With age comes muscles that degrade much faster than those of young people, which means that extra attention needs to be paid to the amount of time in chairs, both by the elderly and their caregivers and loved ones.
For care providers as well as the family members and loved ones of the elderly, it is important to recognize the warning signs of dementia and how to distinguish them from normal changes brought on by the aging process. Dementia is a collection of symptoms that occur due to a variety of diseases. The symptoms include impairment in thought, communication, and memory. There is, unfortunately at the time of this writing, no cure for the disease. The best way we know to combat it is adopting a healthy lifestyle to hopefully prevent it or slow the progression of symptoms.
Home caregivers pay attention to their client’s needs and any changes in their health status, noticing when they are displaying symptoms of high or low blood pressure, and being in a position to provide for them and get them immediate medical help.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the accompanying lockdowns and closing of nonessential businesses saw many of us, seniors included, transition into online shopping for fulfilling all of our needs, both crucial and frivolous. But now that vaccinations have been rolled out and people are regularly getting boosters, many older adults and senior citizens are eager to resume in-person shopping and browsing. Not only are shopping trips fun ways to get out of the house and spend time together, the coming holiday season never fails to bring joy and cheer with all the hustle, bustle, and decorations.
Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death for men and women across most ethnic and racial groups. This umbrella term, also called heart disease, describes any conditions that are the result of a narrowing or blockage of blood vessels, leading to a variety of crises including heart attacks.
World Osteoporosis Day is a time to recognize the symptoms of this common ailment. Here are five daily habits for treating and managing it.
The sophisticated imaging technologies and data analysis techniques are helping scientists every day to refine what is known about the human brain, and expand their knowledge and understanding to better identify, treat, and prevent diseases and health conditions.
Osteoporosis is caused by excessive bone loss or insufficient bone production, resulting in bone fractures, back or neck pain, and a stooped posture. Don’t wait until you’re older to learn about your daily habits that may increase the risk of osteoporosis and take an active step in preserving your bone health.