Senior Sunrise

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.

It’s not easy for elderly individuals to admit when they need help. At least that’s the view I’ve come to espouse based on experience. My own parents were raised in Depression-era New York state, and they asked no quarter from anyone their entire lives. My own kids occasionally asked me why Grandpa was so persistent about asking them to clean their plates, and the answer was obvious to me. When they were growing up, my parents worked hard to make their own way in life, and they didn’t waste anything.

My father has been gone for two years now, and mom had a difficult time coping at first. In recent months, she’s really begun to lose her way. She forgets things all the time, and I’m beginning to worry about her ability to function safely all alone at home. My wife mentioned the possibility of getting some at-home assistance, and I agreed that a caregiving service would be prudent. Mom didn’t like the idea at first, but she had to swallow her pride and trust that I was doing what was best for her.

As we get older, it becomes ever more important to plan for the future. And in some cases that future will arrive sooner than we might expect. Although it’s not exactly pleasant to contemplate drafting a living will, the process remains important nonetheless. These documents make it much simpler for our health care proxies and family members to carry out our final wishes.

A medical directive expressly states what we would like to be done in the event of an incapacitating illness or injury. When we are rendered unable to make decisions for ourselves, it’s important that someone can proceed confidently with a treatment plan. By completing a living will well ahead of time, we can ensure that our families won’t be burdened with a weighty and unfair responsibility.

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.

If you or a loved one has a terminal illness, you may be thinking about everything you should do before you pass away. It can be difficult to prioritize, especially since there are probably many things you want to do and take care of. Some may be practical steps to make things easily for your family after your death, while others may be personal steps to put your mind and heart at ease. Or you may have no idea what to do if you are paralyzed by fear of death.

Some of the practical things you will want to do when preparing for death are making sure that your will is up to date and specifying your funeral wishes. Write them down so that there are no arguments or indecision amongst your family members after your death. Also, make available all information regarding any bank accounts and the locations of safety deposit boxes. Make a list of all relatives, friends and associates who should be notified of your death. As for personal things to put your mind and heart at ease, you may want to take time to reconcile with any family or friends that you have been out of touch with. Empty your heart of hurts and disappointments. Forgive and forget old grudges. Take time to smile, sing, give a helping hand and a word of encouragement. You will feel much better about the conclusion of your life if you take steps like these to find peace.

As the body ages, it undergoes a series of degenerative changes. Lack of physical exercise can lead to muscular atrophy, in which muscles shrink and weaken from disuse. It’s also crucial for seniors to maintain healthy circulation by keeping their cardiovascular systems in tip-top shape. The National Institutes of Health recommend four general types of senior citizen exercises that greatly benefit active adults.

Stretching exercises increase freedom of movement and reduce the likelihood of joint pain. Endurance routines such as walking, biking and swimming keep the heart pumping at a healthy pace. Strength exercises improve metabolism and build muscles. Lastly, balance routines decrease the odds of suffering from a broken hip – one of the most dangerous risks faced by the elderly.

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.

The FDA approves drugs on a daily basis, but why must doctors change the medication for a senior if it working for them?  This is a question that has been bothering me for a long time.  Having been a caregiver for my grandparents and parents I saw this happen more than once.  I admit, I didn’t argue the decision at the time, but now being older and better informed, I do encourage my relatives to make a strong case with their doctors, and question the reason for changing medications.

From observation and experience it is evident that in general the drugs/medications that are being given to seniors are not only more  potent, but serious consideration must be taken into account for adjusting to a new medication. It is a slow process for anyone, and particularly difficult for the elderly. 

When seniors are taking medications for a long period of time and then are asked to change to some other one because it is the latest on the market, I strongly suggest that caregivers ask questions, and clearly understand the reason for the change.  Any drug that drastically changes the behavior and/or attitude of any patient, senior or loved one should be questioned.