Winter brings gloomy days and freezing weather to Oklahoma City and other cities across the nation, sometimes for several weeks at a time. It's entirely plausible to experience some wistfulness during the prolonged winter season, given the biting cold and holiday rush. This is particularly true for seniors, who may experience the twin pains of restricted movement and social seclusion more intensely at the end of the year. However, if you or a loved one experiences profound sadness, lack of energy, or irritability for a prolonged period, experts warn that you could be suffering from seasonal affective disorder, or SAD.
Is it time for someone else to host the holidays apart from a senior loved one? Here are a few tips to broach the topic of who hosts the holidays.
What are Thanksgiving and Christmas without holiday treats? Here are 3 diabetes-friendly holiday treats for your senior loved ones this holiday season.
Seasonal activities can bring a fun change to your loved one's everyday routine. Here are 3 autumn habits and hobbies for seniors.
Both the ending and the beginning of daylight saving time can be a real pain at any stage of life. It's like an invitation to jet lag that lacks the benefits of stimulating travel. Without choice, people are suddenly thrust forward or backward in time, with their sleep schedules and circadian rhythms expected to instantly adjust. However, the end of daylight saving time can be especially challenging for seniors.
The month of September represents many things. These include cooler temperatures, leaves changing colors, and the highly lauded pumpkin flavors and scents. Did you know that September is also Fall Prevention Awareness Month? According to data provided by the CDC, there are approximately 3 million emergency room visits due to older adults falling each year. For every five falls that occur, one will result in a serious injury. In honor of Fall Prevention Awareness Month, Senior Helpers Greater OKC has compiled a list of the top seven rails and bars to install at home to prevent slips and falls.
Summer is quickly coming to a close, which means Autumn is just around the corner. For many of us, it's a welcomed relief from the heat, not to mention a prelude to some of the best holidays of the year. Shifting into the cooler months can be pretty simple.
Many seniors struggle to stay fit as the years go by. While this definitely applies to physical fitness, mental and emotional fitness can also be an issue. As we age, sometimes we have problems keeping in contact with our loved ones and feeling motivated to reach out or experience new things. It's easy to fall into a rut, and many people suffer from it.
Plenty of people like the heat. Whether it's a preference for a nice, warm day, a way to ease joint pain, or just a better option than the cold, everyone can enjoy a little time in the sun. Like all good things, though, heat needs moderation, particularly when it comes to older individuals.
It's no secret that caregivers are some of the busiest people around. Between juggling work, family responsibilities, and taking care of a loved one, there often seems to be little time for anything else. However, it's important for caregivers to find time for themselves, too. This is why we've put together a list of 10 healthy hobbies that caregivers can participate in.
Heart disease causes many deaths and disabilities in the United States. Here are tips to help you reduce your risk factors and prevent heart disease.
Music has the power to change hearts and moods, lift people out of depression, and help heal scars. Music can also help combat painful memories and improve decision-making abilities in seniors.
When you are a caregiver, you may be trying to do it all. You may have a job that takes you away from your loved one for hours every day. You may also be the one to do the shopping, cooking, and cleaning, as well as all of the care taking duties that you need to do. This can be exhausting, and though you don't want to think about getting help, it just might be time to look into it.
Respite care may be just what you need. It can be an occasional visit or regularly scheduled, depending on circumstances, and allows you a break (or a chance to do what needs to be done). Here are some reasons you may want to look into respite care.
As age catches up with us, we may find it harder to stay active and mobile. Walking is a low-impact activity perfect for seniors who want to stay fit and improve their overall health. And that's not all; walking also has many intangible benefits that we will see in this read.
If you are a senior or know someone who is, encourage them to lace up their walking shoes on National Walking Day and every day after that! That said, here are some of the benefits that seniors can enjoy by walking regularly:
It can be very hard to deal with your parents and family members aging. This is especially true when you don't live very close to them. Whether you are a few hours (or a few states) away, it can be difficult to stay in touch with them.
What do you know about your heart? Now, Valentine's Day is over. We are talking about your heart health. Which conditions can cause increased risk to your heart? Of course, we all know about being overweight, which can be helped, and aging, which cannot. But there are many, many more. Which of the following impacts heart health?
One of the greatest unspoken favors that you can do for your aging parents is to ensure that their dignity is always held to the utmost standard while keeping the as safe as possible. They are dealing with so much stress and uncertainty at this time and your patience, kindness, and compassion are sorely needed. So, what can we do to show compassion when it comes to their fears, patience during the difficult times, and kindness when it really matters? What tangible things can we do to show our empathy? What results can we expect with such positive behavior?
When the weather turns cold, it becomes more difficult for seniors to stay warm. Seniors are also more likely to have medical conditions that are affected by the cold. These can include heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure. Here are some ways you can help seniors stay safe during the winter months.
One of the greatest concerns among senior adults is having an accidental fall. An unexpected fall can be a life-changing experience, leading to a trip to the emergency room, major surgery, and lengthy rehabs. According to the National Institute on Aging, each year more than one in three seniors have a falling accident. Usually, after a fall, most seniors fear going back to their normal physical routine. They might avoid gardening, socializing with friends, walking, and engaging in other activities they once loved. There are, however, steps that can be taken to prevent these falls.
The month of December is filled with traditions, giving, quality time with family, and highlights what is truly important in life. It’s not the packages under the tree, it’s the time spent with family and friends. So with that said, start off by being realistic. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanza, try to focus on the meaning of the holiday and rejoice in the history and the traditions. Forget the tinsel town stuff – that’s where things can get muddled.