Senior Sunrise

It’s just a fact of life that seniors need to be even more in tune with their bodies than younger people. This means knowing when to seek medical treatment, when to stop driving at night, and even when it’s time to part with certain physically strenuous activities. But just because you know your limits doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the twilight of your life.

Low-impact exercises like yoga and tennis are ideal for people of any age and physical skill level. Tennis is easy on the joints, and you might even meet a new friend or two by signing up for a doubles league. Yoga is great for more than just stretching and working on balance. It can also be a calm and soothing way to relieve stress. Just be sure to get all the elderly health information you can before attempting anything that requires a lot of exertion.

My great-grandma is currently 99 years old and still has the vigor and tenacity of someone in their 80’s. One of the keys to her longevity is implementing and maintaining a stringent senior health management plan. There are a few simple things she does that keep her going and in good physical shape.

Every morning she makes sure to do a little light exercise, which usually just means walking a few blocks. For her though, this small amount of exercise is enough. She also fills her diet with healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, staying away from excess sugary foods.

Good digestion is something we took for granted when we were younger.  Now, that we have a few years behind us we somehow remember all the little things that our parents and elders told us regarding our eating habits.  Seniors and caregivers, here are a few reminders that can make a difference. 

Don’t sleep immediately - The food we intake will not be able to digest properly.  Thus will elad to gastric and infection in our intestine.

Dont’ walk about - People always say that after a meal walk a hundred steps and you will live till 99. In actual fact this is not true.  Walking will cause the digestive system to be unable to absorb the nutrition from the food we intake.

Don’t bathe - Bathing will cause the increase of blood flow to the hands, legs & body thus the amount of blood around the stomach will therefore decrease.  This will weaken thedigestive system in our stomach.

Don’t loosen your belt - Loosening the belt after a meal will easily cause the intestine to be twisted and blocked.

Don’t drink tea - Because tea leaves contain a high content of acid.  This substance will cause the protein content in the food we consome to be hardened, and therefore difficult to digest.

Don’t eat fruits immediately - Immediately eating fruit after meals will cause stomach to be bloated with air.  Therefore, take fruit 1-2 hours after a meal or 1 hour before a meal.

Many people aren’t thrilled about the prospect of getting older. Inevitably, your health will begin to slowly deteriorate and you will be unable to do some of the activities you could when you were young and spry. Just because you are entering your Golden Years, however, doesn’t mean you have to stop having fun.

 This should be the best time of your life, when you get to enjoy retirement and spend time with your loved ones. Once you hit 65, you will be eligible for senior discounts at many restaurants and entertainment venues. Use this opportunity to go out more and do some things you may not have been able to afford in earlier years.

Just because older adults may be frail or tire easily doesn’t mean they shouldn’t do regular exercise. Studies shoe that people who adhere to a program of physical activity show greater improvement in physical functioning than those who are sedentary. To be safe, seniors should ask their doctors about what kinds of exercise will benefit them and what kinds they should avoid based on their conditions. Anyone who is not active already should begin any exercise program slowly.

Be sure to wear loose, comfortable clothing and well-fitting shoes while exercising. Shoes should have good arch support and a cushioned heel to absorb shock. Start with exercises that you are already comfortable doing, and don’t overdo it. The saying “no pain, no gain” does not apply to exercise for the elderly – starting slowly will lower your chances of becoming injured. Walking is a great activity to start with, and you can increase the intensity as you become used to exercising. Swimming is also a good low-impact activity. Combine this aerobic activity with resistance or strength training with one to five-pound weights a few times a week for maximum benefits.

When Congress passed the Social Security of 1965, seniors across America were suddenly granted a wealth of health care benefits that hadn’t been readily available. The federal program known as Medicare covers people aged 65 or older. Hospital expenses are automatically covered under Part A of Medicare, but additional services such as doctor’s visits require a monthly premium.

One of the newest features of the Medicare system went into effect in 2006, and it’s of particular interest to anyone seeking elderly health care. This feature, known as Part D, provides prescription drug coverage in exchange for a monthly premium. Private health care companies administer the plans, but they must first be approved and regulated by the federal government.

Caring for loved ones at home is both rewarding, and challenging. Sometimes caregivers are unaware of all the medical aides, products and supplies that are available to help them care for a loved one.  Here are some examples of very practical items that are not expensive, yet, very helpful.

(Bed rail, bath/shower seat, audio monitor, bath & cleansing cloths, dental swabs, lightweight wheelchair, washable underpads for bedding, disposable underpads for bedding, shower safety mats, sani-pant moisture brief cover ups, raised tiolet set, shampoo basin)

These are just a few items that could make a big difference in caregiving. Remember caregivers, you deserve a bit of assistance as well. Visit our Products and Supplies page on our website.

One of the best things any caregiver could possibly do for the elder under their watch is to be informed and knowledgeable. After all, even if your intentions are in the right place, you can inadvertently be harming them if you can’t provide the level of care that they need and deserve. As such, make sure that you’re fully versed in signs of common ailments such as Alzheimer’s, stroke, arthritis, osteoporosis, and more.

Having this kind of senior health information can truly mean the difference between well being and further harm. Especially with life threatening conditions, recovering from the condition is a matter of getting medical attention as soon as possible. But you can’t do that if you don’t see the symptoms early on. So if you’re considering caring for an elderly family member or friend, make sure you’re ready and willing to do the necessary research.

Caregivers are probably the closest person to notice when there are physical and behavioral changes in a senior.  It is extremely important that action is taken immediately. Know that the warning signs can save a life.

A stroke, or “brain attack,” occurs when blood circulation to the brain fails.  Brain cells can die from decreased blood flow and the resulting lack of oxygen.  There are two broad categories of stroke: those caused by a blockage of blood flow and those caused by bleeding.  While not usually fatal, a blockage of a blood vessed in the brain or neck, called an ischemic stroke, is themost frequent cause of stroke and is responsible for about 80 percent of strokes.

Two key steps you can take will lower your risk of death or disability from stroke: know strokes’ warning signs and control stroke’s rish factors. Scientific research conducted by the NINDS (National Insdtitute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke) has identified warning signs and a large number of risk factors.

WARNING SIGNS - Signs that are clues your body sends that your brain is not receive enough oxygen.  One or more of these signs of a stroke or “brain attack”, call a doctor or 911 right away!

Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body

Sudden confusin, trouble speakin or understanding

Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes

Sudden trouble walkin, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination

Sudden severe headache with not know cause

Risk Factors!   High blood pressure  *  Cigarette smoking * Heart disease * Diabetes (quoted from Article from www. ninds.nih.gov)

Recovery from any stroke will be as unique as the stoke itself. It may require a period of time in a rehabilitation facility, as well as physical therapy, occupational therapy, & speech therapy.

Trips to the emergency room and hospital stays are usually not planned, and for that reason being prepared could help it be a lot less stressful.  The easiest preparation could be done in less than an hour because it only involves having the following 2 most important items ready in an emergency pack.

Personal Information & Paperwork.

1. Personal Information Sheet - (include the following information)

2. Paperwork -  (include copies of important documents)

Take time to be prepared. For those you love or for

those you care for it might mean the difference between

life and death.