Fall and winter decorations are not bad, but many people are unaware that toxins are present in our seasonal decorations which worsens indoor air quality for the elders in our home. Consider which decorations are full of pollution potential and what to do about them.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Significant efforts have been put into educating and creating awareness about breast cancer among all women and men, young and elderly.

Rain, snow, and ice during winter increase the risk of slips and falls among elderly loved ones. Seeing as most people aged 65 and above have mobility issues, rain, snow, and ice during winter make navigating even harder for them. Luckily, you can make some home improvements to ensure their safety during this period. Here are expert home improvement tips from Senior Helpers to prevent slips and falls among senior citizens.

While it is easy to get caught up in the excitement of fall activities, we should not ignore the importance of preparing early for the cold winter months. Minnesota is ranked among the top three coldest states in the United States, with temperatures dropping as low as -30°F. Therefore, if you live in Hastings, Cottage Grove, and surrounding areas, you must complete crucial tasks to protect yourself, especially if you live with an elderly loved one. Here is a list of tasks, including those that are better handled by professionals:

Factors such as mobility limitations, low energy, and health issues make it challenging for most senior citizens to participate in social activities they once enjoyed. However, lack of regular exercise is associated with various health problems, including reduced coordination and balance, cardiovascular diseases, bone strength, muscle mass, strength, and physical endurance.

While many fruits and vegetables are available year-round, it cannot be denied that they taste best when they are in season. Therefore, the end of summer is an excellent time for late summer fruits and vegetables such as ripe peaches, delicious summer squash, ripe tomatoes, eggplants, sweet corn, and so much more. With these end-of-summer fruits and vegetables, you can make healthy snacks and recipes for your older adults.

Computer and video games are not only fun, but they can also provide a wealth of benefits for multiple generations. While it can vary between game types, some benefits for older adults include a positive effect on cognitive health, an improvement in emotional health, and an improvement in balance while also providing a social atmosphere.

Brownouts and power outages are not uncommon in Burnsville, especially during the summer when extreme weather, strong winds, and lightning can make the power go out. Whereas most outages last for a few minutes or several hours, sometimes they can linger on for days.

It can be hard to tell whether your elderly loved one is showing normal signs of old age or is displaying early symptoms of Alzheimer's. While the signs of the disease can vary, common indicators include significant behavior changes, memory loss, and an increased rate of confusion. Here are 5 signs that your loved one may be progressively developing Alzheimer's disease.

Participating in activities that are beneficial to one's health offers many advantages. To have the optimum quality of life, a senior should engage in activities stimulating all aspects of their being (mind, body, and spirit). As a family caregiver, one of your responsibilities is offering personal care and encouraging the senior to participate in various interests. These health-boosting hobbies increase the senior's chances of leading a happier life. Please keep reading to learn about some activities and their benefits to seniors' health.

When caring for older adults, it is easy to lose sight of the care one should also be providing for themselves. While it takes a special person to be a care provider, they must also take care of themselves. Some self-care tips include:

As caregivers of our elderly, we are always looking for ways to enrich the lives of seniors. Pursuing fitness is a great option, as it gets the body moving and contributes to overall well-being. Swimming is one of the best exercises for anyone, either young or old. For our elderly, however, swimming can be a particularly healthful pursuit. Interestingly, swimming is an excellent activity for those with Alzheimer's.   

While we are celebrating Independence Day with friends and family with cookouts and get-togethers, it is important to remember our senior loved ones who would appreciate being able to participate in these holiday events. This year, we can celebrate senior independence and the ability to stay in the comforts of home and community, as opposed to living in a nursing home or assisted living facility.

With warming temperatures, we tend to feel busier and more time is spent outdoors.  With more fun in the sun, it is important to remember some simple summer safety tips.

The ability to stay in the comforts of home, in our familiar environment and community, is highly desired by most people. We want to live where we are comfortable and stay active in our local community events and social circles. As we age, remaining at home can be a little more complicated, but it does not mean it is impossible. When it comes to independent living at home for a senior, safety is the top priority for making it a success.

Father’s Day is just around the corner, and it is time to think about the important man in our lives who helped to shape who we are today. While it may seem enough to simply send a card and call it a day, it is important to remember our dads deserve some extra love too!

With warmer weather, we are sure to be more on the go than during the cooler months of the year.  Daily activities with friends and neighbors become more of a regular occurrence outside the home. As we leave and rejoin new activities, items can end up left haphazardly on tables and floors. It is especially important that we keep our senior’s home safe by keeping trip hazards out of harm’s way. 

The end of May brings Memorial Day, which is traditionally celebrated to mark the unofficial start of summer.  While the holiday is a great reason for friends, fun, and barbecues, it is important to remember the real reason for the day. Many men and women have lost their lives while fighting for our country to keep us free. We need to take a moment to thank those who sacrificed so much so that we can live free.

As with any other type of health checkup, a regular vision screening is important at any age. Early detection of vision impairment can prevent further vision loss and in some cases, blindness. It is especially important to stay on top of possible deteriorating vision in our elderly loved ones.

As we age, there are many reasons to start eating right and to find ways to fuel our bodies in a healthy way. We have learned that food plays an important role in how we feel and perform through the day. There are good foods and bad, and while it’s important to avoid eating poorly all of the time; moderation is key to healthy and happy living.

Mother’s Day falls on the first Sunday in May each year. Mother’s Day is a special holiday created to remind us to take the time to show our moms how much they mean to us. Quite literally, we would not be here without them. A Mother’s Day go-to gift is usually a bouquet of flowers. While this is not a bad gift, it can become expected and something different and thoughtful can go a long way in surprising Mom.

Those who are coping with symptoms of Parkinson’s disease can attest to the fact that there are some good as well as some fairly difficult days. Muscle stiffness and tremors make daily activities such as dressing grooming hard to do and very frustrating. For those who are coping with the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, exercise is being studied as a way to prevent and bring relief. 

As we age, it is important to keep our bodies as physically fit and active as possible. This will help with balance, strength, and prevent injuries. When a loved one is coping with a disease such as Parkinson’s disease, there are many benefits to regular weekly exercise. 

You may have a loved one who was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. While at times it can be difficult, coping with PD is possible with some help and some life-simplifying tools.

April is Parkinson’s Awareness month. Parkinson’s disease affects the parts of the brain that help with normal body balance and movement.  This brain disorder progresses slowly in people and can take years to develop. It is unclear as to what causes the loss of brain cells that produce dopamine, which is a chemical messenger that enables smooth movements.