April is National Parkinson's Awareness Month.
If you've ever had the flu, you know how sick you can be. Chances are good that some of the advice friends and family gave you about avoiding or dealing with the flu was wrong. There seems to be no shortage of misinformation and bad advice when it comes to dealing with the flu or the flu shot, despite the widespread impact of the disease and the benefits of the vaccine.
There's definite chill in the air which means it is time for sweaters, blankets, and nice, warm meals! We know that cooking a meal is hard when you are a caregiver, and making a healthy meal the whole family will enjoy can be even trickier!
Many still think of yoga as something that only young, super-flexi people can do. The truth of the matter is; you don't need to be able to twist yourself into a pretzel or flip upside down to begin incorporating a yoga practice into your day. Yoga can play a very valuable role in health care for people of all ages- even seniors!
Many of us remember our school days fondly- whether for time in the classroom, or football games and band concerts- these events brought us together with our fellow students. Instead of easing into a life of lunchtime strolls, knitting, fishing and napping, more seniors are taking advantage of the time they have during their golden years to take free classes for and earn degrees in subjects that they love or have interest in. This active lifestyle can help to maintain mental health, acuity, and even financial stability.
Remember when August meant it was time to get ready for school again? You bought new school supplies and packed up your backpack for a fresh new year.
A day for those who love to read, Book Lovers Day is on August 9 and encourages you to kick and relax with a great book.
Travel can be a very rewarding experience, whether the goal is to see the world or to visit long-distance friends and family. However, when we travel with our senior loved ones, we may be faced with challenges we don't expect—issues that simply aren't there when traveling on our own.
We all know there are plenty of advantages to exercising, but it can sometimes be difficult for older adults who have arthritis or other painful illnesses to exercise.
While we are celebrating Independence Day with friends and family with cookouts and get-togethers, it is important to remember our senior loved ones who would appreciate being able to participate in these holiday events. This year, we can celebrate senior independence and the ability to stay in the comforts of home and community, as opposed to living in a nursing home or assisted living facility.
With warming temperatures, we tend to feel busier and more time is spent outdoors. With more fun in the sun, it is important to remember some simple summer safety tips.
The ability to stay in the comforts of home, in our familiar environment and community, is highly desired by most people. We want to live where we are comfortable and stay active in our local community events and social circles. As we age, remaining at home can be a little more complicated, but it does not mean it is impossible. When it comes to independent living at home for a senior, safety is the top priority for making it a success.
Father’s Day is just around the corner, and it is time to think about the important man in our lives who helped to shape who we are today. While it may seem enough to simply send a card and call it a day, it is important to remember our dads deserve some extra love too!
With warmer weather, we are sure to be more on the go than during the cooler months of the year. Daily activities with friends and neighbors become more of a regular occurrence outside the home. As we leave and rejoin new activities, items can end up left haphazardly on tables and floors. It is especially important that we keep our senior’s home safe by keeping trip hazards out of harm’s way.
The end of May brings Memorial Day, which is traditionally celebrated to mark the unofficial start of summer. While the holiday is a great reason for friends, fun, and barbecues, it is important to remember the real reason for the day. Many men and women have lost their lives while fighting for our country to keep us free. We need to take a moment to thank those who sacrificed so much so that we can live free.
As with any other type of health checkup, a regular vision screening is important at any age. Early detection of vision impairment can prevent further vision loss and in some cases, blindness. It is especially important to stay on top of possible deteriorating vision in our elderly loved ones.
As we age, there are many reasons to start eating right and to find ways to fuel our bodies in a healthy way. We have learned that food plays an important role in how we feel and perform through the day. There are good foods and bad, and while it’s important to avoid eating poorly all of the time; moderation is key to healthy and happy living.
Mother’s Day falls on the first Sunday in May each year. Mother’s Day is a special holiday created to remind us to take the time to show our moms how much they mean to us. Quite literally, we would not be here without them. A Mother’s Day go-to gift is usually a bouquet of flowers. While this is not a bad gift, it can become expected and something different and thoughtful can go a long way in surprising Mom.
Those who are coping with symptoms of Parkinson’s disease can attest to the fact that there are some good as well as some fairly difficult days. Muscle stiffness and tremors make daily activities such as dressing grooming hard to do and very frustrating. For those who are coping with the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, exercise is being studied as a way to prevent and bring relief.
As we age, it is important to keep our bodies as physically fit and active as possible. This will help with balance, strength, and prevent injuries. When a loved one is coping with a disease such as Parkinson’s disease, there are many benefits to regular weekly exercise.
We know that being a caregiver is one of the most demanding jobs with a wide range of emotions from sad to angry.
You may have a loved one who was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. While at times it can be difficult, coping with PD is possible with some help and some life-simplifying tools.
April is Parkinson’s Awareness month. Parkinson’s disease affects the parts of the brain that help with normal body balance and movement. This brain disorder progresses slowly in people and can take years to develop. It is unclear as to what causes the loss of brain cells that produce dopamine, which is a chemical messenger that enables smooth movements.
A Parkinson's diagnosis comes with a wide range of challenges, questions and concerns.
There are millions of seniors in America who are living with diabetes. One in four seniors are affected by this disease. There are many potential effects that diabetes can have on the body if not adequately controlled, such as blindness, nerve damage, kidney and heart disease. These complications can be prevented with appropriate care and moderate health changes.