Urinary tract infections, commonly shortened to UTIs, are the most common form of infection experienced by the elderly population. It is, as the name suggests, an infection of the urinary tract, most commonly the bladder.
Asthma is usually thought of as a childhood disease, because that’s when many of those who suffer from it begin to develop symptoms. While most of us may know it as the condition that excused kids from running the mile in gym class, it is in fact not uncommon to acquire it later in life. According to the CDC, nearly 7% of adults aged 65 or older have asthma.
We ran an egg decorating contest with our caregivers and clients and these are some of the submissions we received. Check out their work!
April is, among other things, National Lawn and Garden month. Gardening is a popular hobby among seniors, and has many benefits, mentally, emotionally, and physically. But the actual work of bending, kneeling, working the soil, lifting and digging can become physically challenging due to the effects the aging process has on the body. But with a few tips and modifications, gardening can be made much more safe and enjoyable for someone to enjoy as a hobby well into their twilight years.
With the recent change from winter to spring, temperature fluctuations can be difficult for seniors suffering from arthritis. Researchers believe that weather changes can increase stiffness and swelling in joints. When joints ache from use, it can cause seniors to be sedentary, which is one of the worst things for continuing health and quality of life. And while there are medications that can treat arthritis, or at least lessen the symptoms, many of these have side effects that can make the tradeoff not worth it to many older adults.
While our feet are relatively small parts of our body when compared to the rest of it, foot health is an important part of our overall health. Notably, feet are our basic form of transportation, getting us to where we need to go. Even with cars, we have to first walk to the car, use our feet to operate the pedals, and then walk to our destination once the car is parked.
Declaring our goals is an easy task, but oftentimes we find ourselves within a week having slipped back into our old habits, or not having made any progress in achieving the new goal. It can be hard to take the leap from setting a goal to actually accomplishing it. If you find yourself unable to apply yourself to your goals, SMART goals might be the tool you need.
Almost half of all people in the United States have some form of cardiovascular disease. And furthermore, every 40 seconds, someone suffers a heart attack or a stroke, and it is for that reason that heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women in America.
While many of us probably already have a primary care physician, particularly as we age into our twilight years and it seems there’s no end to prescriptions and appointments. But there may come a time when you need to branch out, and see a doctor who specializes specifically in the care of older adults. Consider that when you were small, or when your children were, you took them to a pediatrician. Just as children need specialized care specific to the concerns of their bodies that differs from adults, at the other end of the spectrum, older adults are different from the younger cohort in physical, emotional, and social needs. A geriatrician can, in many cases, be the best choice for aging adults, as their health status changes and they may find their goals for care becoming more complex.
As the Winter months give way to Spring, a time of new growth and celebration, one way seniors can ring in the coming season’s warmth and bountiful plentitude is by taking up a new hobby, particularly gardening. The warmer temperatures and increased sunlight are perfect conditions for getting outside, getting in the dirt, and planting your favorite flowers or vegetables. Seeing a garden grow from seed to a panoply of brightly colored flowers, lush greens, and nutritious vegetables is one of the most satisfying projects one can undertake, and more than that, it has many benefits that are of particular interest to senior citizens. Read on to find out more about how this hobby can help you to live your best life as you enter your twilight years.
Experiencing highs and lows is a natural part of life. As we look back on our life, the highs will typically be some of our best memories, and the lows might be things we still struggle with to this day. It is always important to remember that the lows are not forever, and with some simple strategies, you can help yourself to bust out of any ruts you may be feeling stuck in due to whatever has got you feeling down.
There’s an old adage that whatever we think will happen, will happen. With the process of aging, that holds true, and many seniors find themselves to have become whatever they think they will become in their later years. Having positive perceptions about aging, such as wisdom, self-realization, fulfillment, or vitality is associated with a nearly eight year increase in lifespan, compared to having negative perceptions about aging, such as being useless or helpless.
Caregiving is a universal experience. Nearly everyone will, at one point in their life, either be a caregiver, need a caregiver, or oftentimes both. Caregiving requires a personal touch, to do what is needed to relieve stress and burdens on those who need care, and their loved ones. Whether a caregiver is part of your family, a close friend, or someone hired from an outside agency, they will develop personal relationships while taking care of needs and business both in and outside of the house. Regardless if the caregiver is providing care to you, or to a loved one, there are a few simple ways to say thank you.
For older adults, infectious diseases account for one third of all deaths in people over the age of 65. It is for this reason that infection prevention and early detection are crucial for seniors, to reduce that risk and stay as healthy as possible. Due to the common physical changes brought about by the aging process, as well as the unique concerns of senior lifestyles, there are several infections that are most commonly seen amongst seniors.
Chronic pain is not a normal part of aging and can disrupt your daily activities and damage your quality of life. If you suffer chronic pain, knowing strategies to reduce your discomfort can allow you to cope with pain and keep it from being too detrimental to your life.
One of the most visible indications of age is the toll it takes on the largest organ in the human body, our skin. When we’re young, our skin is smooth, tight, and glowing. As we get older, no matter how good we take care of it, skin will lose it’s smoothness, become thinner, less elastic, less hydrated, and lines, spots, and other blemishes can appear.
Heart disease is a serious condition that affects millions of people each and every year. In fact, heart disease is the number one cause of death for both men and women in the United States. For this reason, it is important to have accurate and actionable information about it, as well as shed ourselves of any potentially harmful disinformation.
Constipation is something that almost everyone experiences at some point in their life. While it can sometimes be a cause of embarrassment or frustration, usually it’s nothing serious. Older adults are more likely than younger people to become constipated, and because of the sensitivity of the subject, learning how to manage and overcome it is sometimes unknown.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a challenge for everyone, but when managing a life with diabetes it’s even more important to stay on top of health changes. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death, and it can also lead to permanent disabilities and drastic negative effects on quality of life.
While February is American Heart Month, improving the health of your heart and taking care of the most important muscle in your body should be one of your year round goals. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women, tragically costing the lives of around 700,000 people in the year 2020. While it is true that your genetics is one dimension in determining your risk of heart disease, there are many more lifestyle factors that have an impact, such as obesity, diet, physical inactivity, cigarette smoking, excessive alcohol use, and more.
Valentine’s Day doesn’t just have to be a day for couples. It can be a day we set aside to show and express our love for one another, and one that everyone should have the opportunity to celebrate. Everyone should be able to celebrate Valentine’s Day, and we should all make time to show love and affection to all of our family and friends.
Anemia, defined simply, is when the number of red cells in someone’s blood, or the amount of hemoglobin in their red cells, is lower than it should be. It can occur for a number of reasons, such as loss of blood, insufficient or faulty production of red blood cells, or the loss and destruction of red cells. The condition is easily diagnosed with a simple blood test.
Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States, costing the lives of over half a million Americans each year. Coronary artery disease is a condition where plaque builds up in the coronary arteries that are responsible for supplying your heart muscle with oxygenated blood. Research has suggested the disease begins with certain factors damaging the inner layers of your coronary arteries.
Research has identified actions and steps we can take to maintain our health and function as we age into our twilight years. Improving our diet, increasing levels of physical activity, getting health screenings, and managing risk factors for diseases can influence all our different areas of health.
Foods that are high in vitamins, minerals, lean protein, and complex carbohydrates, while being relatively low in calories, are known as “nutrient-rich” foods. Most of these foods don’t need an aggressive marketing campaign, catchy name, or even much packaging. Despite that, however, it’s easier than you think it might be to find them and add them into your diet.