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Tips to Keep Senior Citizens from Falling

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The thought of falling can be scary for many elderly people that still live in their home.
They want to be safe while traveling to the kitchen, bedroom or bathroom, but don’t want to be monitored 24/7 or need an assisted living community. elderly woman with walkerIf falling worries you, there are some things you can do to ensure safety and help with fall prevention options. As a senior citizen, you need to be more careful and wear proper footwear at all times.

Doctor Appointment

The first step should be to talk with your doctor about potential falls and what to do about them. Your doctor can help you create a fall prevention plan, but you may need to answer some questions. They will probably ask you what medicines you’re taking, which can include OTC options, prescriptions, supplements, and vitamins. You can choose to make a list or bring the bottles with you to the appointment. This question is important because many medications have a side effect that could make it easier for you to fall.

They may also ask you about previous falls and will want to know details. You should mention where you were when you fell, what you were doing and what you were wearing. You may also be asked about times where you almost fell but didn’t.

Sometimes, health conditions can cause you to fall, such as ear and eye disorders. Therefore, the doctor may want to talk with you about any conditions you have or think you may have. He or she may run tests to ensure that you don’t have new illnesses that you were unaware of until now.

Exercise for Seniors

It may seem strange, but exercise can help prevent falls. Certain activities can be done, which helps strengthen the bones in the shins. Most people don’t think about the shins, but over time, those muscles don’t get used as much. This can cause you to “shuffle” your feet, which could cause you to fall.

Your doctor may recommend some exercises, such as Tai Chi, which is a gentle exercise routine that involves slower and more graceful movements that look like dance moves. Other options can include water aerobics for the senior citizen and walking.

Sometimes, building up those walking muscles can help prevent falls in the future, but even if it doesn’t, you still need to exercise and keep your body moving as much as possible.

If you need to refrain from exercise because it could cause you to fall, you need to talk with your doctor about creating a new program that allows you to exercise in a chair or a closely monitored place, such as a gym or a clinic.

Proper Shoes

The shoes you wear will have an impact on your feet and body. Wearing heels can make you feel as if you’re toppling over and could cause you to get off balance. Flip flops and floppy house slippers can also make you feel less balanced and could cause you to fall.

Shoes with slick soles, such as some tennis shoes, can make you stumble or slip, so you may need to get non-slip or non-skid shoes.

Some elderly people prefer to go barefoot or walk in socks, but this can be dangerous. Unless your bathroom and kitchen are carpeted, you may want to consider house slippers with a good tread or skid-resistant socks.

Remove Potential Hazards

Everyone’s home has some hazards that could lead to a fall, so you want to consider what those are and remove them if possible. Electrical and phone cords could cause a fall, so make sure they aren’t in a place you will walk through. Boxes and newspapers can also cause you to fall over them or slip on them.

Coffee tables, plant stands, and magazine racks should be in a place where you won’t need to talk, such as next to the couch or underneath a table. You may also want to remove extra rugs or make sure you tack them down, so they don’t have the potential to move when you step on them.

Anytime you have anything loose, you could fall, and this includes carpeting, floorboards and floor coverings. Make sure everything is secured to the floor or have it removed.

It may be best to use nonslip mats in the bathtub, and you may want to consider the ones that adhere to the bottom of the tub. You may also need to change your bathtub and use a walk-in tub or use a shower chair.

Adequate Lighting

Better light can help you see obstacles, so it’s best to turn on the lights before walking into a room. Even though you probably know your house like the back of your hand, you should be able to see everything first.

If bright lights bother your eyes, you can also consider using lamps within easy reach, night-lights in the hallways and bathroom or install a dimmer switch so you can choose the setting you need.

If you live in an area that regularly loses power, you will want to keep flashlights within easy reach, no matter where you are. Many hardware stores offer flashlights that can be plugged into the wall socket. You can use them as night lights, or just keep them charged for when you need them.

Safety Devices To Assist the Elderly

You may need to update the house a little and include hand rails for the stairways, non-slip treads for wooden steps and grab bars in the bathroom, such as by the toilet and in the shower.


Remedies for Joint Pain

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Older members of the community know many things which their younger counterparts will only get to know about as they age. Caregiver helping senior with joint painOne of them is that those seemingly inconsequential injuries sustained while young will soon catch up to them. It is a well known fact that the vast majority of older adults have joint pain. Unfortunately, some of the available pain alleviation solutions may not be suitable for them due to one or more reasons. The causes of joint pain in senior members of the community need to be understood to determine the best remedies.

Causes of Joint Pain

i) Disease

There are a number of diseases which can cause joint pain. Arthritis, for instance, accounts for a big fraction of joint pain cases in older adults. Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are the most prevalent types of arthritis which can be blamed for most joint pain cases. However, gout and bursitis are also known to cause joint pain.

While joint pain can affect any part of the body, the knees, hip, shoulders, back and ankles are usually the most affected. In many cases, joint pain caused by diseases can be managed by treating the underlying medical problem.

ii) Excessive Weight

Overweight and obese people often experience joint pain in a number of places, including; lower back, knees, ankles and hips. This is because the skeletal structure of the body is subjected to a lot of pressure. The pain can be much worse if the overweight or obese person has little or non-existent muscle tissue in the body. The best remedy for this type of joint pain problem is weight loss, but this might actually be somewhat challenging due to old age. Building muscle mass to help support the weight of the body might also be helpful.

iii) Physical Injury

One or more of your joints can be damaged as a result of physical trauma. If you have ever been involved in a car crash, odd tackle playing a contact sport or fallen down the stairs, among other types of accidents, you may experience serious joint pain later on in life, especially if treatment was incomplete or unsuccessful.

Natural Remedies for Joint Pain

When you go to a hospital to have your joint problem checked out, chances are high your doctor may recommend surgery or pain medication, depending on the underlying cause. Unfortunately, surgery is not always 100 percent successful and may also be beyond your financial reach. On the other hand, pain medication may only offer temporary relief, and you also risk becoming dependent on those drugs, which is not good for your well being. The following are natural remedies you may want to try out:

i) Massage

Massaging the affected joints is a great way of relieving pain and reducing stiffness. Furthermore, massage can help increase the range of motion of joints, especially if arthritis is the underlying cause of the joint problem. Massage can be performed by a massage therapist, but patients can also get training from a physical therapist on how to self-massage the affected joints. Since some joints are not within easy reach of older adults, scheduling weekly massage therapy sessions is recommended.

ii) Exercises

One of the best ways of managing joint pain is building muscle around the affected joints. The muscle tissue will help to support the weight exerted on the problematic joint, thereby reducing pain. There are several simple exercises which can help older adults build muscles and increase flexibility of joints. Ideally, low-impact exercises should be given preference over weight-bearing exercises, such as jogging and walking long distances. For instance, swimming and water aerobics are great exercises for improving flexibility without subjecting joints to further stress.

iii) Lose Weight

When you have joint pain, excess body weight will not help you in anyway, so you may want to consider shedding off a few pounds. In fact, this should be the first thing to do if excess weight is to blame for the joint problem. Since older adults cannot perform weight-training exercises to lose weight, diet plans should be considered. Ideally, any weight loss remedy should be pre-approved by a doctor before being implemented.

iv) Heat Therapy

Cold and hot treatments are great for managing joint pain. Hot treatments are great for easing stiffness and keeping joints loose. Moist heating pads and electric blankets can be used for heat treatment. Cold treatments, on the other hand, are often used to relieve joint pain. Whenever you start feeling pain in your joints, roll a pack of ice or frozen vegetables in a towel and place it over the affected joints for quick pain relief.

v) Acupuncture

This is a practice in traditional Chinese medicine. It has been used for a millennia to relieve all manner of joint pains. Acupuncture sessions can be very effective in managing joint pain caused by arthritis, but you have to find an experienced acupuncturist.

A healthy lifestyle consisting of healthy foods and increased activity might also help in reducing joint pain in older adults. While these natural remedies may work most of the time, older adults should also keep pain medication around the house to use when the pain gets out of hand.

Steps for Seniors to Prevent Identity Theft

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Identity Theft Prevention for Seniors

There are thousands of scams targeting the elderly. They can be found on the internet, in the mail, or anywhere seniors are asked to provide personal information. Elderly woman worried about identity theftWhile identity theft is a problem for all citizens, the elderly are particularly at risk, due to increased contact with health care providers and services offered to the aging.

Seniors are often targeted for identity theft in places where they frequently visit, such as medical offices, grocery stores, pharmacies, and other service providers. Some strategies to prevent or reduce access to personal information include limiting information on a need-to-know basis. For example, an automotive shop doesn’t need access to a person’s social security number, to provide repair services. If a credit or debit account is used to pay, the service provider should never need the social security number for payment processing.

Medical offices do not overtly take private information from elderly patients. But, office practices can put elderly patients at risk for fraud and identity theft. Medical records, including electronic records, should not be easily accessible to those other than office staff who manage records or patient care. Offices should not ask patients to sign in using both the first and last name. Reception desk workers should never shout or otherwise share any patient information that others in the waiting area can hear.

Patients should ask medical offices about their internet security protocols. Sometimes hackers with wireless devices can access electronic records systems. Those who may be particularly vulnerable are seniors and patients who speak their names and information at a reception desk. Seniors should request that office workers conduct conversations in private, if they have questions about personal information. Usually, when an office enters personal information for a new patient, it is never needed again. Office staff can ask elderly patients for other types of information, such as street name, last four digits of a phone number, or assign a personal pin, to keep information safeguarded.

Other scams that target seniors are offers for free products, free services, and financial services. Seniors can avoid personal information falling into the wrong hands, by asking any financial services representatives to visit in person or by offering to visit their offices. If a sales person is hesitant to meet in person, this is a good indication that the individual is not legitimate and could gain access to personal or bank account information, from the wrong reasons. Scams can come in the mail as easily as they can come in email.

There are steps seniors can take, to prevent incidents of identity theft or at least catch them right away. Avoiding the use of ATMs, particularly those not associated with the individual’s bank, is one way to protect information. Many scammers will slap false fronts onto machines and gain access to bank accounts that way. They may also access social security numbers in the same manner.

Checking bank statements often, for any mistakes or fraudulent charges, is another way to address identity theft or fraud. If errors or unidentifiable charges are addressed right away, banks and financial institutions are usually able to remove them and investigate. Checking credit reports periodically, but not so often as to affect the credit score, can be another way to spot fraudulent accounts or charges.

Elderly people who are active and carry their identification with them can protect themselves further. They can avoid keeping wallets and handbags in areas where others could quickly grab them or look inside. This can occur when an elderly person is consulting with a store sales clerk, for example. If it is not necessary to carry social security cards, they can be kept in a lock box at home. Most states don’t publish social security numbers on driver licenses, to avoid identity theft. Driver licenses are mandatory for anyone who drives. For seniors who no longer drive, a state identification card can be useful.

There are many ways seniors can be targeted by scams and identity thieves. Careful handling of sensitive documents and information, as well as requesting others handle private information carefully, can go a long way in avoiding financial ruin. Elderly people should not answer the door to people they don’t know and shouldn’t exchange emails or engage in phone calls for any service they don’t recognize.

The Many Responsibilities of the Sandwich Generation

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“The Sandwich Generation” is a term created in 1981 by Dorothy Miller. It referred to a segment of the Baby Boomer Generation whose lives were complicated by the need to meet multiple responsibilities. More young women had the role of caregiver to aging parents, while caring for their own children at the same time.

The Sandwich Generation Today

There are some factors that have changed since 1981, and some factors that have remained the same. caregiver with mother and daughterOne change has been in family composition. In the past, the majority of families were headed by married couples. When a husband worked, the wife had free time to care for an elderly parent. Even when there were children in the household, women were generally at home during the day.
As the number of households headed by single women have increased, more women are caring for both parents and children while maintaining a career. This leaves very little time for relaxation, social lives, and women’s other needs. Even women who are relatively young experience stress, exhaustion, and a toll on their health.

More married women today also need to work. With the cost of living increasing, fewer married women have the option of staying at home with their children, and providing full-time care to aging parents at home. In addition to the multiple roles of parent to their own children and adult child to their aging mother or father, financial necessity keeps women in the workforce.

Another difference is the general health and lifestyle of today’s elderly population. Older people can look forward to longer, healthier lifespans than older generations in the past. They are less likely to need skilled nursing facilities with 24-hour care and supervision. However, this does not mean all elderly persons are healthy enough to live in their own homes. Their health, safety, and well-being depend on care from their adult-aged daughters or sons.

Balancing Roles And Responsibilities

As there are only 24 hours in a day, it is not surprising that so many members of the Sandwich Generation suffer from stress, exhaustion, and divided loyalties. It is simply impossible for a person to provide full-time care to an elderly parent, full-time care to one’s children, and hold a full-time job. Individuals who try to do this can expect physical, mental, and emotional collapse.

Some families try to juggle their roles and responsibilities. This may include placing a child in daycare when the parents would prefer to keep their child at home, husbands and wives who work different shifts so there is always one spouse on duty at home, and Baby Boomers who give up their personal lives entirely because all they can manage is caregiving and work.

None of these arrangements are truly effective. Members of the Sandwich Generation often feel guilt because they cannot fulfill every role to every person in their lives, and they cannot do everything without assistance.

Home Care Is A Solution

A home care company can provide excellent home care aides to care for elderly persons in their own homes. However, home care is equally appropriate for elderly persons who live with their adult-aged children. There are many different ways families can benefits.

One example is the primary caregiver will have the opportunity for one-on-one time with each member of her family. When she has regular assistance from a home care aide, she will not feel that she is neglecting her own children or her spouse. The entire family will be healthier and happier when she has time to devote to each individual.

A second example is the caregiver’s ability to do her job. When she can work without worrying about her parent, she can build her career, participate in job-related activities, and not have to settle for part-time work when the family needs full-time income.

A third example is a caregiver’s personal life. She will be able to socialize with friends and enjoy recreational activities without feeling that she is failing her parent. Caregivers who have time for a personal life are happier, healthier, and have more to offer to their families.

The Sandwich Generation has many responsibilities that few people had in the past. From different family structures and financial struggles to more opportunities, caregivers can feel torn and uncertain. Whether a caregiver is married or single, she must achieve balance in her own life if she is to be healthy and happy.

The decision to delegate some elder care responsibilities to a home care aide is a wise decision. It is useful to each member of the family as individuals, and to the family unit as a whole. The caregiver will find it easier to balance her roles and responsibilities when she does not attempt to do it alone. Home care can make life better for the Sandwich Generation and their families.

Take the Possibility of Falling Seriously

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Falls are a Serious Risk for Seniors

Falls and trips are not just a moment of slapstick fun for senior citizens – they can cause fatal injuries.

aid and elderly woman sitting

Aide prevents a senior from falling

Every year, more than 1.3 million people will be forced to visit an emergency room because of an injury sustained in a fall, more than half a million will end up requiring a hospital stay for such injuries, and almost 20,000 people will die as a result of fall-related injuries. Those statistics don’t take into account the fact that each day more than 1,000 older people fall and break their hip, leading towards a loss of mobility and independence, leaving them at risk of medical complications and putting them in a position where they could die months later as an indirect result of their injury. Once someone has stumbled and fallen once, they are three times more likely to do the same thing again. Therefore, it is important that you work to reduce your parent’s risk of falling over.

Strategies For Preventing Falls

One of the most basic ways to reduce the risk of falling is to remove obstacles from around heavily trafficked parts of the house. This is a good start, but there are other things that you should also do, for example:

Medication: Is your parent taking any medication which may have dizziness listed as a potential side effect? If they are, ask them if they feel dizzy or drowsy within the first hour or so of taking that medication. If they are experiencing side effects, talk to their doctor about the possibility of taking the medication just before bed, or whether there are alternatives that have fewer side effects. If your parent is taking diuretics, try to schedule that medication so that it is not taken just before going to bed, because this will stop them from needing to get up in the middle of the night. Nighttime visits to the bathroom are a common cause of trips and falls in older people. Finally, ask your parent to avoid alcohol, especially if they are on medication because this can increase any feelings of dizziness. Another thing that you should talk to the doctor about is blood pressure. High and low blood pressure can both cause balance problems and increase the risk of falling.
Eyesight and Hearing. Age-related macular degeneration, cataracts and glaucoma can all impair the eyesight of older people and increase their risk of falling, especially in areas with steps or obstacles. Poor eyesight can also impair balance. It is important that older people visit the optician regularly to have their eyesight monitored. Those who are visually impaired should check out the information provided by the National Federation for the Blind, which includes a list of organizations to help people across the country who are struggling with poor vision. Ear problems can also cause poor balance, so it is important that older people have their hearing tested regularly.

Walking, Strength and Fitness

Do your parents walk a lot? Are they wearing shoes that are suitable for walking in? Ill-fitting shoes, or shoes that have poor grips or high heels can increase the risk of a fall. Also, check that the pants that your parents are wearing are not too long, and a tripping hazard. If your parents wear slippers around the house, make sure that they have good grips and provide ample support. Finally, if your parents have balance issues or poor muscle tone, encourage them to use a walker or a cane to help steady themselves. People who are at risk of osteoporosis should be particularly pro-active about preventing falls. Older people who still have some mobility should stretch, engage in moderate intensity resistance training and light cardiovascular exercise both to reduce their risk of falling and to reduce the risk of injury if they do fall.

If your parent does suffer from a fall, talk to them about what happened, and what they think caused the fall. Explain that falls can be dangerous, and try to work out if they were tired, unwell, or had just taken some medication. If you can identify the cause of the incident then you can help them to ensure that it does not happen again.

Home Care Aides Provide Companionship for Seniors

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Isolation is a common problem for elderly persons who choose to remain in their own homes. A non-medical home care aide can be the solution.

Why Is Isolation An Issue?

When people grow older, their lives change. aide companion and elderly  womanSeniors often find they do not have as much company as they did in the past. Perhaps their spouses have passed away, and so have their friends. Their children and grandchildren may live in a different city, or a different part of the country.

An elderly person may not have a car, or he may not be well enough to attend community events alone. There are also seniors who simply do not enjoy activities when there is no one to participate in the activities with them.

Isolation is serious, even for healthy seniors. Loneliness can lead to depression. He may start to give up on himself and on his life.

How A Home Care Aide Can Make A Difference

Companionship is one of the most important benefits an aide can provide. When he has an aide who is truly interested in him, it increases the senior’s self-esteem. He knows he is still a worthwhile person, regardless of his age.

When they have companionship senior citizens enjoy talking about themselves, sharing their concerns, and relating information about their lives. They no longer feel misunderstood, or that they are all alone in the world. Companionship is essential for a senior’s mental health.

Aides also help elderly persons stay active. This is important for both their physical and mental health. An aide can accompany the senior to a wide variety of events where they can participate or be spectators. The elderly person can continue to be an active part of his community.

Home Care Aides Meet The Senior’s Needs

As in people of all ages, each elderly person is a unique individual. A home care aide who is trained for this job learns about the senior’s likes and dislikes, personal preferences, needs, and abilities. She knows all seniors are not alike, and approaches each senior as a special individual.

The elderly person who has an aide has a friend. He has someone with whom to share his concerns and his experiences. He has a person with whom he can share his everyday life.

It does not take long for a senior who is completely alone to feel useless and forgotten. The elderly man or woman who has a home care aide does not have these issues. His needs for companionship are met, and he feels good about himself.

A Better Quality Of Life For Elderly Persons

Companionship is one reason seniors need aides. A non-medical aide can keep the senior healthy and safe, but she is also an asset to the senior’s peace of mind and quality of life.

Loneliness and isolation can make an impact on a person, especially during his golden years. He may not know how to deal with the situation, especially if he has no one to talk to about his concerns.

His entire quality of life can improve when he has a home care aide. You can see a senior who was sad, worried, or depressed develop an entirely new outlook on himself and his life. Whether he was social and active in the past, or whether he preferred a quiet life with quiet activities, his life can be greatly enhanced in so many ways.

The aide can provide the companionship he needs for good health, a healthy sense of self-esteem, and a positive outlook. Whether the senior is frail or strong, social or quiet, he no longer needs to be alone.

Disaster Emergency Preparedness for Seniors

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Seniors today are healthier and more independent than ever before. As many older people continue to live in their own homes, seniors and their families need to take special care for disaster preparedness. You can survive an emergency situation, and stay safe and healthy.

Non-Perishable Food And Water

Palm Trees in HurricaneIf you cannot leave home during an emergency, you will need fresh water and food. It is recommended you plan at least one gallon of water per day. Store water in lightweight, sealed containers. You should also purchase a supply of water filter straws.

The food you store can be either MRE’s or individual products. Meals Ready to Eat are available with many different products. They are easy to store, require little to no preparation, and can be stored for years.

If you prefer individual products, choose foods that can be eaten directly from the cans or jars. You may not have access to a stove or microwave. In addition to food for meals, purchase unbreakable containers of juice, and nutritious snacks. Energy bars, protein bars, and granola bars are some examples.

Supplies For Your Health

You can purchase a ready-made First Aid kit. You can add additional supplies to the kit. It should include antiseptic wipes, bandages, band-aids, and similar products.

There are toiletries you need every day. Have a toothbrush and toothpaste, or denture cleaners. Toilet paper, deodorant, and mouthwash are some examples. Check your bathroom to see which products you use daily.

You need your prescription medications, and over the counter medications. Aspirin or non-aspirin pain relievers, cold and flu medication, laxatives, and vitamins are some of the common health supplies to keep in your kit.

Documents And Related Information

You will need copies of your birth certificate, marriage license, proof of rental or home ownership, proof of your bank accounts, and car ownership documents.

You should have emergency information in your wallet at all times. The card should list your emergency contacts, medical conditions you have, and medications you take regularly.

Supplies For Your Home And Car

During an emergency, you need to keep your home clean and your car running. The best cleaning supplies include bleach, other disinfectants, cleaning clothes, and buckets. You can keep a tool kit in your car.

Your cell phone should always be completely charged. If you do not have electricity during an emergency situation, you will need fresh batteries for battery-operated flashlights and radios. Instead of candles or kerosene lamps, have battery-operated lamps in your home.

Supplies For Your Pets

Your pets need to stay healthy and safe, too. When you are storing supplies for yourself, do not forget pet food, medications your pet takes, leashes, collars, and pet toys. You will need your pet’s license, and proof of his vaccinations.

Supplies For Entertainment

While some emergencies can be long-term and serious, a short-term issue such as a power failure is another possibility. When you have reading material, puzzles, or games you can play by yourself, you will be prepared for any situation.

Your Support Network

It is easier to make it through an emergency situation when you are not alone. Even if no one else lives in your home, you can benefit from a support network. This can include your family members, friends, neighbors, and your doctor.

Discuss disaster preparedness with your network in advance. You need to know you can rely on them for help. Keep their names and numbers in your cell phone and in your wallet.

You should also have the name and number of the nearest shelter. In some areas, emergency shelter is provided by the Red Cross. If there is a Red Cross in your town or city, contact them for information. Depending on the situation, you may be able to obtain transportation from your home to a shelter.

An emergency situation can be frightening, especially for seniors who live alone. Disaster preparedness can turn a dangerous situation into an experience that you can manage with little difficulty.

The best approach is to make a checklist of all the necessary supplies. Keep supplies in your home and in your car. Talk to your support network about the precautions you are taking, and you can be ready for any emergency that occurs.

Reasons Seniors Should Bring a Companion to a Doctor Visit

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Senior people cannot possibly do all their tasks by themselves, for obvious reasons. Visiting the doctor’s office or hospital is one among them. The following are the reasons why accompanying seniors is essential during their medical visits.

To Facilitate Clear Communication

Several seniors refrain from personal communication with physicians, or only express positive things about themselves. senior companion accompaying elderly woman to doctor visitThis is because some of them believe certain topics shouldn’t be talked about with a doctor, and others may not have a memory strong enough to recollect and communicate particular health issues. In such scenarios, the physician won’t be able to assist the elderly to the fullest due to the limited patient health information on offer. Therefore, it’s important to talk to elders about their personal or health issues and communicate them properly to their physician – all of this keeping the senior’s convenience and comfort in mind.

More Systematic Visit

Doctors usually have limited time for each patient. And within the allotted time, it’s likely an elderly individual may not be able to communicate all of his/her issues. One way of making sure the elder patient doesn’t forget any pertinent point when communicating the medical issues is by preparing a list. Such lists help the doctor manage the session better, thereby offering much better care and advice to the elderly patient.

In the case of a first visit, all the current and prior medical experiences and conditions such as hospitalizations, surgeries, heart conditions, diabetes, cancers or high blood pressure should be listed. When accompanying the senior patient, the companion must take along all dosing schedules and medications. All the listed OTC vitamins, medications, herbal supplements must be included. The personal support individual can escort the senior person to the doctor with all the concerns listed down, and could offer necessary support a family member would usually provide when accompanying the elder person to the doctor.

Contacting the Physician for Raising Awareness

Contacting the medical professional well before meeting the doctor in person ensures the senior patient doesn’t miss anything during the visit. Such discussions would motivate the doctor to learn more about the patient when discussing specific topics in person. This would encourage the senior patient to offer as much personal medical details as possible. Also, it’s vital to make sure the patient doesn’t feel specific medical issue(s) don’t deserve to be discussed over.

A senior care worker would focus on the elder patient’s symptoms. He would note the discomfort’s duration, location, and character. He’ll learn what instigate the symptoms or worsens them, and what are the relief measures. In fact, the care provider would not dare overlooking regular headaches or neck pains as minor issues. Because if such problems are not looked into during their initial stages, the senior individual is likely to suffer from a more serious health condition later on, which would further deteriorate his/her health.

Conclusion

By now, you probably understand why seniors must have companions on their medical visits. However, if the senior is not happy with such companionship and wants to preserve his/her privacy, then you should think of other alternatives.


Opioid Induced Constipation in Seniors

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Opioid-induced constipation is a common problem for seniors. As seniors can be prone to chronic pain, many prescription pain medications contain opioids.Elderly Constipated Woman

If you use these medications regularly, you may find the opioids cause constipation by decreasing the fluids in your intestines, intestinal movement, and the frequency in which you pass stools. Passing stools can require straining, and the stools are generally harder than before you started taking the pain medication.

How To Treat Opioid-Induced Constipation:

What To Avoid

There are two approaches you should not take if you are suffering from chronic constipation due to opioid use. One is to allow the problem to continue indefinitely. It is stressful and unhealthy to allow chronic constipation to go untreated.

Second, you should not rely on over the counter preparations for chronic constipation. Although it is not harmful to occasionally use a laxative or another over the counter product, it can be harmful to continue using the products on a long-term basis.

How To Treat Opioid Induced Constipation: Healthier Options

When you know you need to address the problem, you can start with some healthy lifestyle changes. In some cases, these changes are enough to reduce constipation.

First, if you know for certain that you do not have a bowel blockage, increase the amount of natural fiber in your daily diet. Eat plenty of whole grains and other fiber-rich foods every day.

Second, increase the amount of fluid you consume each day. While fruit and vegetable juices can be helpful, your main beverage should be pure water. It will increase the fluids in your intestines, and can produce easier bowel movements.

Third, as physical activity is useful for your digestive system, incorporate exercise into your daily schedule. Choose a form of exercise that is appropriate for your general health, and do it every day.

Fourth, as stress and anxiety can worsen constipation, give yourself plenty of time for your daily bathroom routines. It is best if you choose a specific time each day when you know you will have privacy. When your time in the bathroom is uninterrupted and quiet, it will be easier for you to relax.

You May Need To See Your Physician

While these lifestyle changes may be enough to resolve constipation, you may find they do not work as well as you expect. If the changes are not useful, it is time to consult with your doctor.

Your physician should perform a complete examination to ensure you do not have an underlying medical issue that is contributing to the problem. If he finds you are otherwise healthy, he may prescribe a medication that will counteract the opioids and relieve your constipation. In contrast, he may change your pain medication to one that does not contain opioids.

Never take a prescription medication unless it was advised by your own physician. Always use medications according to directions, and always follow your doctor’s advice.

Opioids And Seniors

Chronic pain can be bothersome enough for seniors. When you need to take pain medication containing opioids, constipation can be one of the most troubling side effects. You may be concerned about the effects of constipation on your health, and chronic constipation can interfere with your daily life.

Fortunately, you do not have to suffer from chronic constipation. Changes in diet, fluid intake, and exercise, along with reducing stress and anxiety, are often enough to relieve constipation.

However, you should not hesitate to visit your physician if constipation continues after making changes in your lifestyle. Your doctor wants you to feel good and be healthy. Relieving opioid induced constipation can be the start of a healthier life.

Aging and Sexual Health Issues

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Despite the thoughts of some younger individuals, sexuality doesn’t stop once one hits retirement age. As people are living longer, the impacts of healthy – and no-so-healthy – sexual activity is becoming more of an issue. sexually-active-seniorsAmong seniors, sexual health now ranks as a major concern. Though there are certainly taboos about this subject among the aging population, it’s important to look at the topic from a rational point of view. Seniors must not only understand the causes of the increased risk to their sexual health but also understand the steps they can take to stay safe as they continue healthy sexual activity.

The Impact of Medication on Sexual Activity

Perhaps the biggest overall change in sexual activity among seniors has been due to the increased availability of drugs that stimulate sexual potency among senior citizens. While name-brand drugs like Viagara and Cialis have been on the market for a number of years, it’s only been in the last two decades that they have seen widespread use and acceptance in the elder community. These drugs allow senior citizens a certain degree of potency that they may have felt lacking previous to taking the drugs, and thus seniors now find themselves engaging in activities that they may have believed the province of younger people.

What this has meant, of course, is that the level of sexual activity generally found in the senior population has continued to rise. Thanks to the potency granted by the medication, seniors are now able to be sexually active with more frequency and, by extension, with more partners. This has, in turn, led to a greater number of instances of sexually transmitted infections in the senior population, especially when the population is in relative isolation (i.e., in a nursing home). This, combined with the relatively poor state of sexual health education among the elderly, has caused something of a health epidemic.

Sexual Health and Education

One of the major issues facing senior citizens is a lack of sex education. Not only did most seniors live through an era where sex education was synonymous with abstinence education, but many also carry rather severe social taboos when it comes to gathering knowledge about their own bodies. These two factors have come together to create a serious problem in many senior communities, as a single infection can quickly find its way around the isolated groups before anyone takes the necessary actions to stop its spread.

One of the most prevalent, yet easily preventable, issues related to this is the lack of safe-sex practices among the elderly. Because most assume that the primary purpose of such activities is to prevent pregnancy, many seniors engage in what would be considered high-risk behavior among younger adults. This, in turn, leads to greater rates of STI transmission – something that could be prevented by actions as simple as a greater level of condom usage. Because of the lack of information regarding safe sex practices among the elderly, though, these basic prophylactic measures are often in short supply.

What Can Be Done?

The clearest solutions to dealing with aging and sexual health surround education. Seniors, when properly informed, are more than capable of making rational decisions about their bodies and their health. While one cannot expect seniors to sit down in a high school style sex-ed lecture, it’s important that senior centers and nursing homes have the necessary literature on-hand. It’s likewise important that doctors and caretakers have frank discussions with seniors about their sexuality and safety. Simply removing some of the taboos associated with talking about sex among seniors will go a long way towards improving their overall health.

Sex is an important part of life, and it doesn’t go away simply due to age. Seniors are more sexually active than ever, and that activity spike has led to certain issues that must be addressed. Whether seniors need to look into medical aids to help with their romantic lives or they need to learn more about ways to stay healthy, the requisite information is out there. What’s more necessary than ever, though, is a willingness to talk about that information and to give seniors more agency in making the choices that will give them longer and healthier lives.

Activities for Seniors in Palm Beach County, Florida

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Pastimes for Seniors in Palm Beach County

Seniors aren’t trying to create an exclusive club when they designate a program for 55+ or even older groups. They are simply aiming to encourage one another to get out, be active, and try something new. It keeps the brain agile and healthy when you try an activity you haven’t participated in before; when you laugh; and when you join community. Why not try some of these interesting and sometimes exciting pastimes?

Traveling with a Crowd

Just about anyone would agree that traveling the world alone is daunting, even if people speak English at your destination. senior-activitesEven a long domestic journey is less comfortable than a trip for two. Traveling is also expensive, even with seniors’ discounts. Consider making the most of group rates and join a tour group heading to just about anywhere. Both Palm Beach County, generally, and Lake Worth, more specifically, run such groups where participants can be sure of finding people in their own age to go with them places.

A coordinator will pick the location based on input from regular members who meet periodically on social media and in person to look at brochures and consider the most senior-friendly places to visit. Groups can split up, too, and base their searches on the physical requirements of traveling with someone in a wheelchair or a sight-impaired individual. For example, some museums and very old buildings have been newly renovated to be more accessible, if only by installing ramps and lifts. For able-bodied individuals, there are few limits. Go where your interests lead you.

One Palm Beach County group is devoted to women. These are widows and divorced individuals; women who never married or whose spouses aren’t as adventurous as they are. They want to do things other women enjoy; let the men get together and play poker while they explore shops, fashion museums, or hike together in the safety of a large group. At any age, women traveling together are always safer.

Some of the most popular destinations for seniors are all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean and Mexico, but seniors also board cruises to Alaska, take bus tours to Reno, and hop on the Rocky Mountaineer through the most beautiful, wooded, mountainous parts of western Canada.

Tai Chi, the Gentle Martial Art

The movements of Tai Chi are taught by a senior instructor in Delray Bora. His is among several groups in the area which focus on Tai Chi and other exercises from the East, including Qijong. These practices are said to promote better balance and breathing. They promote stress relief and support non-medical pain management. Individuals who take part in these groups appreciate the slow, focused movements which, like yoga, flow nicely together in a rhythm. Many seniors find these arts helpful if they suffer from chronic pain and don’t want to be on painkillers or wish to reduce them. Memorizing movements promotes brain health and agility. The positive atmosphere is also wonderful and full of hope. As for Tai Chi, this isn’t just exercise; watching participants move in time to an instructor’s leading is beautiful to watch.

Meet-ups

These are located around the Palm Beach County region. A coordinator starts his or her group on social media and invites people to sign up for regular light exercise, lunches, a book club, board games, outings, bowling, or trips to local museums. No one knows the location until he or she signs up and then the address is shown. These meetings might take place in a person’s home or a nice restaurant. Exercise could be cycling or walking, but you only find out more when you sign up. Activities alternate regularly.

Wine Tasting

Wine and food evenings emphasize the wine plus culture and learning, not reckless drinking. Get involved with a classy group at a swanky location, private or commercial. Connoisseurs are encouraged to come and taste varietals from around the country including Florida but also New York, Washington, and California. Explore wines of the world, both red and white, plus fortified varieties and the foods they pair nicely with. Consider the history of wine and the ongoing love affair between cheese and wine. Find out what’s new in the wine-making industry and how chefs find new recipes to pair with Pinot Noir, Riesling, etc. or even cook with them. This casual group meets at different locations regularly which could be someone’s home or a high-end wine bar; always somewhere tasteful. Also, a group in West Palm Beach is not limited to seniors but welcomes them, so if you come along and feel the average age is too low, break off and form a splinter group. Other seniors are sure to feel the same way.

Dance Classes in Lake Worth

If you have rhythm in your soul but never found a place to set it free, Lake Worth offers dance classes in a variety of styles. These are for people who dance socially, not competitively; there is no performance element unless you love to steal the show with your partner. By all means: steal the show on a dance cruise with your spouse, but here the atmosphere is relaxed. Classes focus on Latin dancing. Other dance studios will teach ballroom and line dancing as opposed to steamy salsa. There isn’t an age limit but seniors are attracted to this opportunity to learn the real steps behind what they have done intuitively for many years. Come alone; you won’t be the only one, and you might make a friend or meet that special someone.

Seniors and Yoga in Palm Beach County, Florida

One of the gentlest activities seniors can undertake is yoga. Your fitness level doesn’t matter; just join the Highland Beach group every week. Watch as your agility improves but don’t push yourself to the point where a stretch hurts you. A certified instructor is there to encourage you, talk you through gentle beginners’ yoga poses, and to help you get in and out of poses if need be. Also, she will remind everyone not to try stretching further than is strictly natural. No one should get injured at yoga. Taking part in Yoga, Tai Chi, and other exercises stimulates blood flow and promotes a sense of joy.

Helping Seniors Cope with Holiday Depression

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As the holidays approach, it’s important to remember that they aren’t always a time of joy for everyone. lonely old Florida man at holiday seasonFor many seniors, the holidays are a time of depression and loneliness. For those that spend these important days alone, the holidays can become a trap. If you are a senior who is dealing with the holidays, it’s important to look at what you can do to avoid falling prey to depression – and how you can change your life to find a bit of joy during the holiday season. Moving forward will not always be easy, but it can be done by anyone who is willing to put in the work to succeed.

Identifying Root Causes

Perhaps the key to dealing with depression among senior citizens is identifying the cause. Is there a particular issue related to the holidays that can trigger a bout of loneliness? Does a recent loss make things harder to bear? Identifying these causes can help a senior to stop, reflect, and ultimately make decisions that can help them move past their traumas. This is in no way a short-term solution, of course, and is something that’s best done with the aid of a therapist. With time and help, though, this may be the best way for a senior to combat holiday loneliness.

Becoming Part of the Crowd

In a season of family and togetherness, it can be hard for a senior to be alone. As such, it’s important to cultivate relationships that will allow the senior to get out and be among people. Whether this means attending a work holiday party or just spending some time with friends, being with people will almost always be better than being alone. It’s important that the senior moves past the idea that they are burdening anyone – if they are invited, they are clearly wanted. If a senior can be part of the crowd, loneliness won’t strike them in such a stark manner.

Doing Good Works

Another great way to stave off depression is to do something good for others. During the holiday season, there are innumerable opportunities for people of all ages to help out. From soup kitchens to charity phone drives, a senior citizen can get out of the house and feel useful while doing something good for those that really need help. Perhaps best of all, this can help the senior to reconnect with his or her community and make connections that will last them well into the new year.

Getting Out of Town

Sometimes, being in the same place can bring on a sense of crushing sameness. For some seniors, the memories of holidays past may just be too much if they’re forced to stay at home. It’s a good idea, then, for some seniors to get on the road and go somewhere new. Visiting friends and family can be a great way to spend the holidays, but so too can be a vacation to someplace exotic and new. Instead of spending the end of the year reliving old memories, seniors can start building new memories that they can cherish.

Battling depression isn’t easy, but it can be done. If seniors can move out of isolation, get back into the community, and find the energy to put in effort, depression can be battled back. It is important for seniors to speak with professionals if the depression is overwhelming, though – the holidays may just be the tip of the iceberg. With the right help and the right motivation, though, a senior citizen can begin to once again enjoy the holidays and everything that they represent.

What You Should Know About Osteoporosis & Seniors

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Osteoporosis is common in elderly persons. While it is more common in women, senior men can develop it, too. Some information can help you live and cope with this condition.

What Is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones have become weaker and less dense than they were in the past.  osteoporosisAging is the main risk factor for developing osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis itself generally does not cause pain. This is one factor that makes it different from rheumatoid arthritis. However, while pain is rarely an issue, the risks associated with osteoporosis can make the condition dangerous.

Bones that are not as strong and dense are prone to fractures. You are more likely to suffer from broken bones when you have this condition. While broken bones in the elderly can take a longer time to heal, a senior citizen who experiences broken bones can have other complications. A common example is developing pneumonia because you cannot easily move about when you have a broken bone.

A second issue connected to osteoporosis is a spinal deformity. This condition, known as kyphosis, can affect your mobility and is often painful.

Healthier Bones Mass Through Diet

There are a number of ways dietary changes can affect your bones.

Milk enriched with Vitamin D can increase bone strength, density, and health. The Vitamin D is especially important if you do not have enough exposure to natural sunlight.

A nutritious diet that is plentiful in vitamins and minerals can increase bone health. Vitamins C, E, K, and A, as well as iron, zinc, and magnesium, should be in your daily diet.

Choose fresh, whole foods over processed foods. While processed foods are unhealthy in general, they usually contain too much sodium. Avoid adding salt to your meals.

You can also increase bone health by not smoking, and not consuming too much alcohol. Ask your doctor for advice if you cannot easily give up these habits.

Osteoporosis And Exercise

Bone loss can be increased by immobilization. If you have a sedentary lifestyle, you need to become more active. You should not attempt to take on strenuous exercise if you are not accustomed to it. For most seniors, moderate exercise every day should be the goal.

Exercise will keep your bones as healthy as possible. It is good for your general health and your state of mind, too.

Decreasing The Risks Of Fractures

Falling is the most common way seniors with osteoporosis develop fractures. You can take some steps to decrease this risk.

Flooring in your home should be secure. If possible, carpeting throughout your house or apartment is the best option. It is easy to slip and fall on tile floors, and to trip over rugs that are not secured to the floor.

If you have a stairway in your home, carpeting is ideal. Stairways should be well-lighted. Lighting strips are a safe alternative to light bulbs that must be turned off and on with a string or chain.

Falling in the bathroom can be a problem. You can reduce this risk by keeping all surfaces in your bathroom dry. You can also ask someone to attach railings around your toilet, bathtub, and shower.

Your home should always be free from clutter, and you should have appropriate lighting in every room.

Living With Osteoporosis

Whether you are male or female, a young senior or elderly, these tips can help you stay healthy. You can avoid falling, and reduce your risk of dangerous fractures.

An overall healthy lifestyle can make it easier to cope with osteoporosis. It does not have to be a serious problem in your life.

Fun and Good Health for Boca Raton Seniors

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It can be difficult growing older, especially if you have lost your lifelong friends and family members. The isolation can cause extreme loneliness if you live alone. If you live in or near Boca Raton, you do not need to be lonely or bored. You can have good health and good fun in Florida.

Florida Has Activities And Events For You

When you want a day of adventure without traveling far, Boca Raton’s Mizner Park has many opportunities. Elderly woman out with aideKnown as a lifestyle center, the park has a Museum of Art, an art gallery, an iPic movie theater, a variety of restaurants where you can have coffee or a meal, and stores. You can also sign up for notifications so you will be aware of special events held in the park.

The Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park offers a nature center, a waterpark, an amphitheater, and a golf course. If you want to take your pet out for the day, there is a dog park, too.

When you live in Palm Beach County, you may be attracted to the local beaches. While there are two miles of beautiful beaches on the coast, there is more for you to do than relax on the sand. One example is the Gumbo Limbo Environmental Complex located in Red Reef Park. You can enjoy the boardwalk trail, the butterfly garden, and sea tanks.

When you want to treat yourself to something special, consider a day at the spa. Your city has many spas from which to choose. The Balance spa, the Eden Day spa, and the Maui Spa & Wellness Center are some examples.

DuBois Park is a great place for water sports. You can stay strong, limber, and healthy with low-impact water aerobics, as well as swimming and even snorkeling. You can have a picnic on the beach, go kayaking, and fish in the fishing holes.

Good Times In Broward County

If you like to browse and shop at flea markets, Pompano Beach has the largest one in the United States. The Festival Flea Market Mall is an all-indoor flea market that has more than 500 merchants and retailers with booths, pushcarts, kiosks, stores, and boutiques. The Mall offers restaurants, too, and is open every day of the week.

For a cultural experience, you can try the Museum of Discovery and Science. You can meet turtles, alligators, and otters up close, learn about Ecoscapes, view Florida’s fauna and animal species, and more. You will find this museum in Fort Lauderdale.

The Broward Center for the Performing Arts is the perfect place to enjoy ballet, live musical performances, and other exciting events. The Center also offers adult enrichment classes, where you can study dance, music, and the arts.

AirboatUSA is great for people of all ages. Even seniors who use wheelchairs can enjoy many activities. You can go on a genuine safari through the Everglades, and it is the perfect place for photography and fishing.

The Bonnet House & Gardens is another attraction you will like. You will be impressed by the beautiful botanical gardens, and will even see wild monkeys roaming freely.

Duck Tours will make you feel like a kid again. It is a fun way to sightsee throughout the city of Fort Lauderdale. Seniors love Duck Tours as much as children.

It Is Safer, And More Fun, When You Are Not Alone

The coastal area of Florida is a wonderful place to live during the senior stage of your life. However, when you are thinking about all of these events, attractions, and activities, you may have some additional concerns. You want to make the most of living in Florida, but none of the activities are as much fun if you do it all alone.

You can have a home care aide for companionship. Senior activities are much more enjoyable when you can share them with a special person. Each outing will be an exciting adventure with your aide.

Safety may be another concern. If you are worried about venturing into unfamiliar areas by yourself, you will not have this concern when you have a home care aide. Your aide will ensure your safety when you are going out for meals, attending special events, and participating in activities.

If you are like many seniors, you may not have your own transportation. Perhaps you do not have a car, or you do not like to drive. You may not want to rely on buses or call a taxi cab when you want to go out for the day. Your home care aide will be happy to drive and accompany you to events in and around your community.

Boca Raton Elderly Home Care

Many people think of home care in terms of health and safety issues in the home, and assisting seniors who are frail. These are only a few benefits of elderly home care. Active, healthy seniors appreciate aides, too.

Isolation and loneliness can be quite harmful to elderly persons. While many seniors today enjoy all the benefits of living in their own homes, it cannot make up for the sense of loss when they no longer have loved ones in their daily lives. Home care aides cannot replace family members and old friends, but they quickly become a senior’s special, trusted friend.

If you are a senior living in or near Boca Raton, or are concerned about a family member who lives in the area, consider all the benefits of an aide for elderly home care. The golden years can be a safe, rewarding experience. Seniors can look forward to fully participating in their communities, and staying active in their everyday lives. A home care aide is the ideal solution for seniors who want to avoid isolation, and enjoy this all-important stage in their lives.

With so much to offer, seniors in south Florida never need to be lonely or bored. These are only some of the many attractions, events, and activities available in this part of the state. You can enjoy your life much more, and never need to be alone.

Boca Home Care Services has been matching seniors in Palm Beach county and Broward county with compatible screened and certified home care aides since 1998. Call them for information: (561) 989-0611

How Senior Citizens Can Minimize Back Pain

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Senior citizens are learning, as we age, problems with back pain seem to become a fixture in our lives, yet exercises are often a forgotten path. Senior Woman With Back PainCuriously, elderly patients run straight for a doctor, which typically results in a prescription. A better approach towards pain-free damage control is proactive stretching.

More than 50 percent of all Americans will suffer from some type of back pain during their lifetime. Some problems may be congenital, but classic back pain causes are simply due to muscular tightness, poor posture, inactivity, and being overweight.

For the elderly, the best approach to back problems is to implement methods of stretching, standing, sitting, and sleeping. Individuals who have reoccurring lower back problems should avoid any stretching that arch the back, called hyper-extensions. This creates too much stress on the lower lumbar.

Here are a few back pain exercises for daily care:

People tend to lift items when their legs are straight, causing tension in the back. The knees should always bend slightly when picking up packages so that the bulk of the work is done by the heaviest muscles in your legs. Not the small muscles in your lower back. When lifting, keep the weight close to your body, and the back as straight as possible.

Back pain is also a result of poor posture when standing and sitting. We tend to ignore our posture and usually will sit or stand with rounded shoulders, as our head droops forward. To correct alignment, pull your chin in, with the back of your head pulled straight. Keep your shoulders pulled back and down while you tighten your abdominal muscles. It sounds challenging, but getting into the habit will help flatten your lower back as you sit.

We also tend to stand with the knees locked. This tilts the hips forward and places the pressure of standing directly on the lower back. Use the large muscles, the quadriceps, to control posture when standing, and support the body in a position of strength. Your body will be always be aligned through the hips and lower back when the knees are slightly bent.

Every day individuals awake stiff, sore and grumbling about back pain. Bad sleeping habits account for a large portion of back pain causes. A good, firm surface can help with back care. A quick resolve is to sleep on your back, placing a pillow under your knees to keep the back flat, and minimize any tension.

Your Weight and Back Pain Causes

Tension in the back can be caused by excessive weight around the middle. The extra weight individuals carry can gradually cause the pelvic to tilt forward. Strong abdominal muscles can help support the pelvis and a stronger back. Many individuals simply ignore weight issues until it becomes one of their obvious causes of back pain. The good news is that back pain exercises can quickly address and resolve your problem. Here are a few simple routines to improve the condition;

1. Develop the abdominal muscles by regularly doing abdominal workouts. Of course, exercise within your limits. It will take time and regularity, but as you become more aware of weight issues and the uncomplicated treatments for these back pain causes, you’ll develop a daily routine.

2. Slowly allow the size of the stomach to shrink by not overeating. An overweight person needs more food to fill an over-stretched stomach and the outcome is an unbalanced body.

3. Build up the muscles in your chest and upper arms by performing daily knee push-ups. These push-ups help to isolate the muscles in the upper body without straining the lower back.

You’ll soon learn that movement will become much more enjoyable when your back is properly aligned. Proper nutrition and regular physical activity will add more function to your daily life, far beyond your current potential. When senior citizens introduce a few simple lifestyle changes, that include daily exercises that are targeted toward minimizing back pain, the problems will become a predicament of the past.


Meals on Wheels: A Program Worth Fighting For

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Not many programs were birthed from the heart and perpetuated by the human spirit like Meals on Wheels. Meals on Wheels recipient and volunteerThe program brings much needed assistance to millions of seniors. It seems impossible that the program could be threatened by an administration or circumstance and yet it is.

The True Value of Meals on Wheels

The concept behind this program originated in the United Kingdom. It started during the Blitz, where many people in the country lost everything.

Homes were destroyed during these trying times, but the people behind the Women’s Volunteer Service for Civil Defence saw an opportunity to make a difference. The idea was to simply bring prepared food to people who needed it, which is how the program started.

The program has transformed over the years and through different cultures, but the core idea remains the same: to help people. The program delivers food to the needy, to those who cannot prepare their own meals, and to elderly people.

Meals on Wheels did not officially arrive to the United States until 1974, and many welcomed the program.

The program is under attack under the new President of the United States. It seems that the current administration believes the program is not being run correctly. The officials seem to believe that Meals on Wheels is not targeting the people that need this service the most, which makes it ineffective.

These statements were made as the administration announced that it was planning to cut funding to Meals on Wheels. It should be noted that the program is already suffering. Data shows that the program, as a whole, has had to reduce the number of meals delivered by 23 million since 2005. This is on top of the fact that the program’s waiting list is growing, which shows just how greatly the program is needed.

Some will likely point out that Meals on Wheels will be just fine without the financial support it receives from the government. There probably is some truth to that since the program’s budget states that only around 3 percent of its revenue comes from the government. Most of the program’s revenue actually comes from companies and good-hearted people.

The problem here is that the program can use all the help it can get. Charities and other similar initiatives are always going to give more than they receive.

It is very hard, some might say impossible, to make a profit from helping people. Furthermore, no charity should really begin by hoping to make a profit off of giving but rather give as much as possible. The key thing to understand is that the reward is that people are ultimately helped by the program.

Meals on Wheels delivered 219.4 million meals in 2015. That is a large number, and it also represents the number of victories this program has had. For the administration to say that this program shows no results is quite a stretch.

The Other Side of Meals on Wheels

There are additional services that Meals on Wheels provides that some may overlook like companionship. Many seniors that are visited by the volunteers of this program are lonely and rarely get additional visitors.

Human beings are naturally social creatures, so giving lonely seniors an opportunity to meet with others should have a positive effect on some.

It should be pointed out that some people cannot prepare a meal without considerable strain due to some type of disability. Forcing people with debilitating afflictions to prepare their own meals by stripping away help could actually put some of these people in danger. Many people know that elderly people have been known to trip or fall, which could be fatal.

Meals on Wheels helps minimize the need for an elderly person to have to cook, and it provides a visitor who will also make sure everything is okay.

Some seniors also have trouble knowing if food is safe to eat due to afflictions that hinder the sense of smell or taste. This puts the senior in unnecessary risk. Thankfully, the good people in this program help feed some of these people. Seniors are happier with the assistance and also get to eat healthier, too.

No one is saying that the program is perfect. There are surely a few changes that can be made to target more people who are in need of help.

There are bound to be changes in policies that could make Meals on Wheels an even more effective program. Perhaps, some of these policy changes can connect the organization to the people who need it. It should also look for people who want to be involved.

Change should be welcomed because the goal should always be to improve, but cutting funding is a step backward. Cutting funding seems like it would hurt the program rather than help it.

How to Prevent Fall Injuries in Seniors at Home

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Most seniors suffer from fall-related injuries in their homes. It is for this reason why a fall-safe house needs to be designed for each home in whch there is an elderly person, to help prevent such injuries. Senior man recovering from a fall. Home safety for seniors in importantOne fact needs to remain clear, aging persons suffer broken hips and fractures from a simple fall because their bones are weak. Statistics show that, a third of all seniors suffer fall-related injuries, some of which can be life-threatening. All these can be prevented by making minor adjustments (senior safety measures) in the house to accommodate this delicate generation.

This checklist has outlined some of the major changes you can adopt to design a fall-safe house.

1. Safety in all rooms

Electric and phone cords, boxes, newspapers, and furniture should be cleared/moved to create ample space in traffic areas.

Household appliances, bed covers, and clothing, should be stored where the elderly person can reach with ease. Most elders fall trying to reach for items that are high up, and this can be prevented by making everything easily accessible to them. Hallways should also be clutter free.

2. Stairways

Whether the senior’s room is upstairs or not, make a point of ensuring stairways are equipped with handrails on both sides, and fastened securely.

Any carpets in the staircase should be removed or fastened to ensure they do not slip. In addition to this, mark each step with a brightly colored adhesive tape to improve visibility.

3. Floors

All floorboards need to be straight and even. Any carpets or rugs on the same should be removed if frayed, or fastened with tacks if they have to remain. You can alternatively use non-skid pads or floor wax to make it slip resistant.

4. The Safe Bathroom

Most of the fall accidents happen in the bathroom, and especially if it isn’t big enough. If the bathroom is too small, consider renovating it to make it spacious. The bathtub needs to be easy to get in and out, and an adjustable-height shower head installed in the bathroom. The soap dish needs to be fixed in an easy to reach area. In addition to this, consider installing reinforced grab bars inside the shower and near the toilet.

Since bathtubs tend to get slippery when wet, use non-slip bath mats in the tub and around the bathroom to prevent slipping over.

Ensure a bolted rod that is strong enough to hold a person’s weight holds shower curtains. An elderly person will try to cling to anything to stand up or in case of danger, which is the reason why you will need a bolted rod.

Consider replacing bathing bar soaps with a liquid soap dispenser. A bar soap may fall out of the tub, which could be dangerous especially if the elderly person attempts to retrieve it.

Since temperature sensitivity fades away as one gets older, consider setting safe water temperatures in the bathroom. The most recommended temperature for a senior is 120°F or below, as anything higher that that can be dangerous for his/her skin.

5. Safety in The Kitchen

Ensure all utensils are easy to reach especially those used frequently. If need be, have a sturdy step stool with a grab bar ready, in case one should need to use one in the kitchen.

Have lazy Susan’s trays installed inside kitchen cabinets. These trays make it very easy to pick a pot, pan or dish inside the enclosure as all one needs to do is spin the tray to access the item. This reduces strain from attempting to reach items that are inside the cabinet, or too high in the kitchen, which can toss one off stability.

6. Other additional safety measures for seniors in the kitchen are:

a. Consider replacing standard dials with large easy-to-read ones on the stove. The ON, and OFF, buttons needs to be visible clearly from afar.

b. Replace kitchen aprons and small towels with real potholders, and ensure they are easy to reach.

7. Entire Household Lighting

It is mandatory for bedrooms, hallways, and stairways to be installed with night-lights. Lights with motion sensors are the most recommended should one get up deep into the night.
Have light switches installed at the bottom, and top of the staircase for easy reach.

Consider having a telephone and a lamp placed near the bed for emergency purposes.

Uniform lighting is also required in all rooms as alternating brightness can blur a senior’s sight.

8. Within the house perimeter

Make sure paths and driveway do not have any potholes or uneven joints.

Ice, snow, and leaves should be removed from walkways and stairs very often.

Any staircase should have firm handrails installed on both sides.

The type of shoes that the senior has does play a significant role as well. Ensure he/she has thin non-slip and sturdy shoes to put on while in and outside the house.

How Seniors Benefit From Aging in Place With a Home Care Aide

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The older generations today tend to live longer than generations in the past. aging at home with aideToday’s seniors are often healthier than seniors in previous generations, too. This means elderly persons today have more opportunities for fulfilling, happy lives. Seniors can enjoy many benefits from aging at home.

What Is Aging At Home?

In the past, there were two common options for elderly persons. Some seniors lived with their adult-aged children. Others were placed in long-term care facilities. However, more seniors today prefer to remain in their own houses or apartments.

Why Aging At Home Is The Best Choice

There are practical reasons elderly persons should remain at home whenever it is possible. Adult-aged children today often have more responsibilities than their counterparts in the past. The senior’s son or daughter may have a full-time job and children of their own. Even loving families may not understand the special needs of elderly people.

A long-term care facility should only be the last resort for elderly persons with serious health or medical issues. Unless the senior requires round the clock supervision or consistent medical care, there is no reason to place the person in a facility. Everyday life in a care facility means a senior is looked after by strangers. Seniors have virtually no independence or privacy.

Aging at home is different and better. Independence is an important example. Unless the senior has restrictions due to health issues, nearly every aspect of his daily life will be based on his own personal choices. Eating, sleeping, entertainment, and other activities will be his own decisions.

When he makes decisions for himself and his life, he feels good about himself. Aging at home means he does not feel that someone else is in charge of his life.Senior woman on the beach

Familiarity is another reason seniors want to age at home. If he has lived in his house or apartment for years or decades, he does not want to leave it. When a senior lives in a familiar environment, he is happier and more secure.

Familiarity also extends to his personal possessions. Elderly persons who move into their children’s homes, or long-term care facilities, find there is much they must leave behind. Possessions that mean a lot to a senior are disposed of or put into storage. In many cases, the pets they cherish are given away.

Seniors who age at home do not have to experience these losses. From his favorite books to possessions he has collected over the years, he can keep what he has in his own home. He will not have to give up the pet that provides love and companionship.

Aging at home also provides more opportunities for an active life. If he wishes, he can continue to be a part of his community. Depending on his personal preferences, seniors can even find opportunities to volunteer or take part-time jobs.

These opportunities benefit elderly persons in many ways. He will not feel isolated at home when he can interact with other people in the community. He can gain a sense of satisfaction and personal worth when he works or volunteers. Elderly individuals who remain active in the community are happier and healthier. They have a greater sense of purpose and meaning in their lives.

Seniors can also have opportunities to explore and enjoy their personal interests. The senior may enjoy a special hobby, going to the movies, or attending cultural events in his city. He does not have to miss any of these opportunities when he ages at home. Whenever he wants to participate in an activity, he will be able to do so.

How A Senior Benefits From A Home Care Aide

While a senior can appreciate all of these advantages to aging at home, it is a wise decision to hire a home care aide. Even healthy seniors benefit in many ways when they have assistance from non-medical aides.

Non-medical home care aides do not provide skilled nursing services, but they provide many other services that are helpful to elderly persons. One example is assistance with ADL, or activities of daily living. Elderly persons who live at home may need help with certain tasks. Some examples include assistance with bathing, dressing, personal grooming, or using the toilet. An elderly person may need help washing or brushing his hair, or choosing clothing that is appropriate for the weather.seniors playing shuffleboard

An aide can assist with other activities in a senior’s daily life. He may need assistance with shopping, banking or other errands, or light housekeeping. He may need someone to help him feed his pet or walk his dog. These are a few examples of how a senior’s daily life can improve when he has a home care aide. He does not have to hire someone, try to do it all himself, or allow these activities to remain undone.

Home care aides look after the senior’s health. Seniors occasionally forget to take prescription medication or eat meals at mealtimes. Aides remind seniors to take medications on time and can prepare nutritious meals for the seniors, too. Aides make sure seniors have appropriate exercise to stay in good health. Aides also make sure medications, diet and exercise are compatible with the doctor’s instructions.

Home care aides usually record a senior’s activities and progress. This helps supervising nurses or physicians. They will know if the senior is doing well, or if changes need to be made. Depending on the situation, aides may share this information with the senior’s family member. You will know how your loved one is doing, even if you do not live nearby.

Family members are often concerned about an elderly person’s safety and security. Seniors who live at home do not need to be at risk of accidents or other dangers. There are steps aides can take to ensure safety and security.

Doors and windows will be secure to eliminate the risk of a break-in. An aide can periodically check the phone to be sure seniors can make and take phone calls. The senior’s home will be clean and tidy so he stays healthy. From keeping the home free of debris to making sure there are no loose rugs on the floor, elderly persons will not be at risk of fire or slip and fall accidents. His health, safety, and security will be priorities whether the aide is present or off-duty.

Home care aides help seniors stay active. In the home, this can mean playing games to keep his mind alert and sharp, assisting the senior with exercise routines so his body is limber and coordinated, playing a musical instrument while the senior sings, and many more enjoyable examples.

With an aide, an elderly person can stay active in the community. Not only is it easier and safer to participate in the community with an aide, it is more fun. An elderly person will not worry about having an accident, not arriving on time, or finding his way home. His aide will take care of these details so he can focus on having a good time. Every excursion will be more fun when he can share it with his home care aide.

Transportation and safety are not the only reasons seniors need home care aides. Both outside the home and in the home, elderly individuals benefit greatly from companionship. While outings are more enjoyable when shared with a special friend, companionship at home is also essential for a senior’s health.

An elderly person who lives at home can have serious risks from isolation and loneliness. It can be harmful to his state of mind, his mental health, and even his physical health. Seniors who experience isolation and loneliness on a regular basis have a higher risk of depression and medical issues.

With a home care aide, a senior never needs to experience isolation and loneliness. He will feel good about himself and know he counts as a person when he knows someone cares about him. He will have someone to talk to about his concerns and wishes, and he can share his lifetime of memories with his aide.

Companionship can decrease his worries, and also help him realize he is a valuable person. The joys, sorrows, and accomplishments he has experienced throughout the years can be shared with his aide. He never needs to feel alone, or feel that his life has not mattered. Companionship is an easy way to ensure his peace of mind and his mental health.

Home care aides can also provide encouragement to seniors who are unmotivated or sedentary. While a senior will not be forced to do anything he does not want to do, encouragement can make a difference. If he has developed the habit of spending the entire day watching television, or sees no reason to get out of bed in the mornings, his aide can encourage him to find activities he will truly enjoy.

Whether the senior takes up a new hobby or enrolls in a class at a senior center, he will be healthier and happier when his daily life is productive. As a sedentary lifestyle is harmful to an elderly person, he will benefit from this encouragement. He can do much more with his older years than watch t.v.

Home Care Aides For Seniors: Choices, Decisions, And Opportunities

It should not be surprising that many seniors do not want to leave their homes. They do not want to give up their familiar surroundings and personal possessions, and they do not want to give up their independence and freedoms. Elderly persons who have home care aides do not have to give up anything that matters to them. Aging is not a reason to leave home.Elderly man aging in place with a home care aide

Individuals who have been active and independent throughout their lives are not well-suited to the alternatives. They do not want the decisions for their daily lives to be made by someone else, nor to live by someone else’s rules. From the few possessions they can keep to when they must go to bed, elderly persons do not like these restrictions. Many seniors who were the adults in their own households can also experience problems when they live with their adult-aged children.

Maintaining independence is only one reason aging at home is the best choice, but it is a very important reason. Growing older should not mean a person is no longer in charge of his life. When he ages at home, he will continue to be independent, and continue to make his own decisions.

All of these points are extremely important when you are considering care for your elderly loved one. The priorities should be his health, safety, security, and happiness. A home care aide can ensure these priorities in your loved one’s everyday life.

Your parents deserve the best as they grow older. Their aging years do not have to consist of unnecessary restrictions, loss, or loneliness. Regardless of your parent’s age, condition, or personal preferences, a home care aide can make his life healthy, happy, and meaningful.

You can have peace of mind knowing your parent is cared for by a trained, experienced aide. Even if you live in a different city or region, your worries can be over. Your loved one will not be overseen by strangers in a restrictive facility, nor will he face the risks of isolation and loneliness at home.

Seniors today have more opportunities than elderly persons had in the past. Advances in the medical field and healthier lifestyles mean more seniors are living longer and enjoying better health in their older years. Along with these improvements come opportunities for personal satisfaction, productivity, and meaningful lives. Seniors can have full lives, regardless of their age.

In most cases, seniors do not have to give up these opportunities. They can live in their own homes, and have assistance from home health aides. When you help your loved one to hire a home care aide, it is a decision he will surely appreciate. You can have peace of mind and confidence, knowing your parent is healthy, happy, and safe.

An Active Life for Palm Beach County Seniors

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Seniors who maintain an active lifestyle are healthier and happier. There are many opportunities for you to have fun in Palm Beach County, Florida.

Senior Living In Boca Raton

Aging does not need to mean leaving culture behind. There is no shortage of cultural experiences at the Boca Raton Museum of Art. You can watch artists create their work, see documentaries and films, take a tour, and listen to live jazz. boca raton seniors at the beachYou can create your own artwork, listen to a lecture, and even participate in puzzle activities or sign up for a class. You can buy souvenirs at the museum store. The Museum is open every day except Mondays and holidays.

When you want to be surrounded by nature, plan a visit to the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. You will love the four different outdoor marine aquariums, solar exhibit, butterfly nursery, tortoise exhibit, sea turtle garden, and more. You can adopt a sea turtle, hike the nature trails, or walk through the new Boardwalk trail.

Florida’s sun and sand appeal to senior citizens. The Red Reef Park and Sugar Sand Park offer plenty of both. Red Reef Park is set on 67 oceanfront acres. You can enjoy the great outdoors on the beach, have a picnic, snorkel, swim, or fish. There are lifeguards present year round. You can enjoy birdwatching, too. Sugar Sand Park offers a community center, exhibits, events, and athletic facilities.

Sugar Sand Park is not only about nature and the beach. When you want a relaxing experience, you can visit the Willow Theatre. Whether you prefer family entertainment, Mainstage shows, dance productions or music productions, there is something for you.

Active seniors will love the Swim & Racquet Center. You can play tennis, swim in the large heated pool, or relax in the spa. The center is open every day.

You have a wide range of choices for meals in Boca Raton. Fine dining, bars and pubs, buffets, grilles, and more can all be found in this city. You can enjoy every type of cuisine imaginable. One example is the V & S Italian Deli. You can have a tasty cold sub sandwich at a reasonable price.

Fun For Seniors In Boynton Beach

When you want to mingle with other seniors, try the Senior Center. The center offers meals, computers, pool, and the chance to make new friends.

At the Civic Center, you can join a square dance club, or stay strong and healthy with jazzercise.

Highland Beach For Seniors

This tiny town is a nice place to unwind, relax, and meet people. Approximately 80% of its residents are retired individuals. Stop in at the Latitudes Restaurant for seafood or American cuisine. It is a nice restaurant to visit when you want a burger or a sandwich.

Senior Citizens In Delray Beach

One of the best places in Florida to enjoy peak health during your senior years is the Delray Community Wellness Center. You will find social activities such as gardening, games, puzzles, art classes, musical performances, movies, and outings with other seniors. The center offers fitness programs, spiritual programs, and services focused on health and wellness.

Lake Worth Seniors

The Poinciana Golf Club is ideal if you play golf or want to learn. The golf course can also be used for walking if you do not play the sport.

There is a huge range of activities at the Mid County Senior Center. Arts and crafts, Bingo, fitness classes, wood carving, singalongs, and dances are only a few examples. The center also offers defensive driving classes, luncheons, and day trips to seniors over age 60.

Lantana, Florida

For something different, try the Sons and Daughters Farm and Winery. You can sample wines, and have inexpensive snacks.

You can make the most of the Florida sunshine at Lantana Public Beach. It is like year-round summer when you can relax on the beach.

Palm Beach, Florida

The Flagler Museum is a must-see in Palm Beach. There are special programs, exhibits, and guided tours at this National Historic Landmark.

Stay active and have a great time at the Breakers golf course. It offers special amenities such as outdoor dining, practice greens, and golf lessons. You do not need to be an experienced golfer to play at the Breakers.

Seniors In West Palm Beach

As the county seat, the city has much to offer. Spend a day at the Palm Beach Zoo, the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium, or see an exciting concert at the Coral Sky Amphitheatre.

Check out the Norton Museum of Art, or stroll through the Clematis Street Historic Commercial District. Stop for a meal at one of the many restaurants, such as Morton’s the Steakhouse. The Morton’s menu ranges from tuna tacos to filet mignon. Whether you want an inexpensive lunch, or to splurge on a superior-quality dinner, you can have exactly what you are looking for at Morton’s.

Palm Beach Gardens, FL

If you are 55 or older, the Lakeside Center has a Seniors club. It is a nice place to make new friends, socialize, and stay active. As a senior, it is important to have friends in your age group. When you visit the center, you can join the club.

The GreenMarket is open every Sunday. There are homemade breads and other baked goods, fresh vegetables and fruits, cheeses, herbs, and other healthy foods. If you are not familiar with farmer’s markets, you will want to visit the GreenMarket. After you have tried some of the foods, you will want to return nearly every week.

The Gardens Recreation Center offers fitness and wellness classes, an Aquatic Complex for swimming, and the GardensArt exhibit.

The Aladdin Mediterranean Grill, the Waterway Café, and the Original Pancake House are some of the top-rated restaurants in Palm Beach Gardens. All of these restaurants serve delicious foods at reasonable prices.

Have Fun In Wellington

Although it is a small village, senior citizens find much to do in Wellington, Florida. One example is the Panther Ridge Conservation Center. You will see many gorgeous Big Cats at the center. However, you must make an appointment for a guided tour.

Fun for seniors includes a Green Mountain Sedgway Tour. You will have a great time riding a safe, exciting Sedgway. You will need your sunglasses, sunscreen, and sneakers.

Every senior deserves a day at the spa. In Wellington, it is the Sandra Gane European Day Spa. You can choose from a variety of facial treatments, body treatments, and massage treatments. The spa is open every day of the week, so every senior can schedule time to visit. It is not only for the ladies. Senior gentlemen will appreciate it, too.

The Wellington Conservation Center is another special attraction for seniors who love animals. The center has exotic animals, farm animals, and birds. From owls and cows to toucans and porcupines, the center has them all. If you truly love animals, you can interact with many in the animal nursery.

Specialty salads, hotdogs, burgers, soups, and appetizers can be found at Gabriel’s Café and Grille. The PDQ is another good choice for a quick lunch. You can have a fresh salad with homemade sauce, or a delicious sandwich. PDQ also offers freshly-made beverages, side dishes, and homemade cookies.

Activities For Seniors In Greenacres

Greenacres may not be as well-known as many other locations in Florida, but the city has plenty to offer to senior citizens.

You can start at the Greenacres Community Center if you are 60 or older. If you are like many seniors today, and prefer music from decades past, the senior dances provide the chance to dance to live bands. The dances are held every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon.

You can take a senior trip to the Broward Stage Door Theater to see a show. The shows include transportation to and from the community center.

If you have ever wanted to learn swing dancing or the Lindy Hop, you have the opportunity. There are four weeks of dance classes, year round. After you learn to dance, social dancing can become a regular part of your life. After you have gained confidence in your dancing skills, you will look forward to dancing for many years.

Tai Chi classes are held year round, too. The classes are free for seniors. If you do not think you are prepared to learn martial arts, you will be pleasantly surprised. Tai Chi is relatively simple, and it will benefit your health.

If you drive, consider an AARP Driver Safety Course. You can brush up on your driving skills, and may even save money on your car insurance. The class is held once each month. You can become a better, safer driver by taking this one-day course.

The community center is not the only fun place in Greenacres. Plan to spend some time at Hoffman’s Chocolates. Hoffman’s is much more than a store that sells chocolate. You can take a tour of the chocolate factory, and even take a class to make your own chocolate product. Hoffman’s is not only fun, it’s delicious, too.

When it is time to eat, try the Olive Garden Italian Restaurant, the Saigon Tokyo Restaurant, or the Eagle Grill & Oyster Bar, all located in Greenacres. If you have a hearty appetite, and want a quick meal at a reasonable price, visit Sonny’s BBQ. In addition to big BBQ sandwiches, Sonny’s has salads, side dishes, desserts, appetizers, and beverages.

Palm Beach County, Florida Is For Seniors

Whether you refer to yourself as a senior citizen, a Baby Boomer, or elderly, you are definitely in the right place. There are so many reasons men and women from all around the country choose Palm Beach County when they are ready to retire.

The people are nice and friendly, and the weather is amazing. You may think it is summertime throughout the entire year. While the warmth and sunshine are attractive, there are other points to consider for your golden years.

If Palm Beach County is not your original home, you need to take some steps to ensure your health and safety. You want your house or apartment to be safe, of course, but you also want to be safe when you start to explore your new community and all it has to offer.

You can have safety, excellent health, and peace of mind when you have a home care aide. Aides do not provide medical services, but provide many other important services.

You can make the most of all the attractions and events in your community when you have an aide. You will arrive at your destination safely, be protected from accidents, and return to your home after your day of fun is over. Your aide will even remind you to take your medication if you forget because you are having a good time.

Equally important, a home health aide provides companionship. You never need to feel isolated or lonely, even if you have not yet made any friends in your new city. You will always have someone to talk to, and someone to share your fun.

As you grow older, it is essential to remain active. Your body needs exercise, and your mind needs to stay alert. A good way to start is to take advantage of the opportunities available in and around your community. Sharing these activities with your aide can make every experience even better.

When you have someone looking out for you, and that someone is like a brand-new friend, you can enjoy and appreciate this stage of your life. You can have peace of mind instead of worry, and you can have exciting adventures.

Regardless of the city or town you live in, you can be a part of everything it has to offer. You do not need to stay home, or sit outside in the sunshine, simply because you do not know where to go or do not have anyone to accompany you. You can turn your golden years into some of the best years of your life.

Great Ways to Beat the Holiday Blues

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It is that time of the year again. Hanukkah, Christmas New Years eve are here. Love and celebration are in the air. You can see the character of Christmas in the colorful decorations, the smiles on the faces of people and the bright-colored clothes they are wearing. Elderly Woman sad and lonely during the holidaysYou can hear the voice of the season in the Christmas carols. If you live a Jewish neighborhood in Florida, you might notice a double celebration in the air. This is because the Christmas season sometimes coincides with the Hanukkah. The Hanukkah is also called the Festival of Lights or the Feast of Dedication. This festival goes with eating oil-based foods and playing “dreidel” clearly, there is love in the air and this is a season of happiness. Unfortunately, some elderly people do not enjoy this season because they suffer from holiday season blues. For some elderly people, this season brings back painful memories and causes depression. Below are of the factors that lead to holiday season blues and some pragmatic solutions for seniors.

Empty Nest Syndrome

Human beings are social beings. We were not created to endure loneliness or live in isolation. The ideal way to spend the holiday season is to share the joys of the season with your family and friends. Many seniors have adult children who are living their own lives. Some of these children probably live in a different state and do not visit often. Now, it is holiday season and you expect a few of your children to visit with their children but all you get are excuses. This is depressing and demoralizing.

Death of a Close Relation

We all know that we cannot live forever. We know that death is inevitable but we just cannot accept the death of a loved one. If you have ever lost someone you really love, the holiday season brings back all the pain and the acute sense of loss. You remember all the things you used to do together and the pain and grief become almost overwhelming.

Divorce

A marriage is meant to last “till death do us part” but sometimes, irreconcilable differences lead to divorce. After a divorce, you try to get on with your life as best you can but the truth is that something vital missing in your life. During the holiday season, you remember your former partner with a mixture of regret and nostalgia and this leads to depression.

Family Conflicts

There is no perfect family because all families consist of individual members with different temperaments and inclinations. Now, you are a senior citizen and the head of a large family. Your most fervent wish is that all the members of the family live in love and unity. Unfortunately, family conflicts and feuds within the family have affected the unity and love you want to see in the family. The holiday season sometimes emphasizes the lack of unity in the family. Maybe some family members have threatened to stay away from the reunion you are planning if certain members of the family will be there. Clearly, this is not what you want for your family and this senseless feud just breaks your heart.

Loneliness

One of the biggest causes of holiday season blues is loneliness. You want to celebrate but you do not have the people to share the celebration with you. Some of your friends are dead, some have moved and some prefer the company of other people. This may sound very harsh but it describes the situation some elderly people face. Loneliness leads to anxiety and depression. These emotions, in turn, lead to holiday season blues.

Lack of Money

Money is an important commodity but many seniors do not have as much of this commodity as they need. Now, you need money to celebrate the Christmas or the Hanukkah. When the holiday season comes around and you do not have as much cash as you need, this makes you unhappy and frustrated.

Now, we know some of the causes of holiday season blues. Let us look at some ways to cope with it.

Be Grateful

One way to cope with holiday season blues is to develop the attitude of gratitude. Do not focus on the negative events in your life. Concentrate on the positives and celebrates the good things you have experienced in your life. Be a grateful senior citizen and you will defeat holiday season blues.

Be Reasonable

Life is not perfect and many situations are far from ideal. As a senior citizen, you should know this. There is no point in having unreasonable expectations from other people. This will only lead to disappointment. For instance, if some of your family members cannot stand each other; you should do what you can to solve the problem. Your duty is to set a good example for other family members but do not sacrifice your happiness for them.

Get Busy

As a senior citizen, it is safe to assume that you are retired. Now, if you are retired but not tired, you have no reason to laze around and bemoan your circumstances. Get busy and get involved in the celebrations. Get busy and you will be happy.

Do Not Compare

One reason people experience holiday season blues is that they compare their circumstances (unreasonably) to the circumstances of other people. There is no profit in this form of comparison. People are different and they are in different situations. Accept your own situation for what it is and try to change some things for the better. This way, you will enjoy contentment and peace of mind.

Take Care of Yourself

You should look great and come across as a happy person during this season of love and celebration. Take care of yourself, dress well, look good and radiate optimism and confidence. Be the person you admire and other people will admire you during this festive season.

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