Demonstrating gratitude boosts mental health by increasing empathy, moods, optimism, kindness, love, energy, morality, positivity, mindfulness, and relaxation and helps you adopt a journaling culture.
The time has come for you to downsize your living arrangements and prepare to relocate. You knew the time was near but somehow, you feel a bit overwhelmed and second-guessing whether you are making the right decision.
October 20 is World Osteoporosis Day, and for many senior adults and those who deal with osteoporosis, managing this disease is a fact of life. According to the National Institute on Aging, osteoporosis can weaken bones to the point where they break easily. This can make even minor falls a major hazard for those who suffer from osteoporosis. Fortunately, bone is living tissue, and there are some things that can be done to help treat and manage osteoporosis on a daily basis.
Allowing ourselves to embrace our inner child is good for the soul. Our senior loved ones have just as much of a right to enjoy Halloween as anyone else and they will have just as much fun doing it.
When the weather begins to cool off, it is important to celebrate the change of the season. As a senior caregiver, this can become a challenge, especially with changes in mobility and the increasing isolation and depression that comes from being away from loved ones. So here are five enjoyable activities to raise the happiness and the vitality of your senior companionship this fall.
The best jobs are always those that make you feel good about yourself. If you've been looking for personal fulfillment, becoming a caregiver is an excellent choice. Caregivers give aging adults the help and support they need for comfortably and safely aging in place.
Now that the weather has cooled and the foliage has begun to change into warm shades of oranges and greens, many of us are itching to spend our days outside.
We're in the midst of the holiday season and with all the love and laughter this joyous time brings also comes the cold and flu season. If you're a live-in home care attendant and want to keep your senior safe this season, keep reading!
Aging comes with many challenges, and among the more notable ones, we have a loss of mobility, vigor, and cognitive abilities of one's youth. When this happens, the seniors are left at a disadvantage, increasing the likelihood of fraudsters trying to dupe them.
Your dog has been your best buddy for years. From hiking through the spectacular Minto-Brown Island State Park near Salem to enjoying the Peavy Arboretum's off-leash trails in Corvallis, your dog has been your loyal hiking companion. Or maybe you two preferred browsing the Copper Creek Mercantile in Keizer or dining at the Vault 244 Bistro in Albany instead. Whatever your lifestyle preferences, you and your dog have enjoyed them together. But now your dog is slowing down as age catches up to him. He may no longer feel up to going hiking and even getting in the car for a ride. What can you do to help your senior dog enjoy the rest of his life in a safe and comfortable way?
Socialization is vital for all life's seasons, from infancy to the elderly. Humans are social creatures whose emotional and physical health are impacted by their interactions with others. While this might seem easy for some, socialization can seem more difficult as people age. In particular, loved ones with senior helpers might find it difficult or awkward to interact with their friends. Luckily, inviting friends over or having full-blown dinner parties can be a delightful experience with senior helpers around.
Our social circles tend to shrink as we grow older due to factors such as retirement, bereavement, and health decline. As a result, seniors have higher rates of loneliness and social isolation than their younger counterparts. With the help of the internet, seniors can keep their minds active and engaged. Seniors can use the Internet to meet new people, conduct business, arrange vacations, access information, remain in touch with loved ones, and pursue their interests in hobbies and entertainment. Online interactions and activities can also protect against depression and even improve one's general health.
Everyone has some risk of developing eye health problems. That means seniors need regular checks from optometrists. The American Optometric Association recommends that seniors get a review annually or every two years. They also recommend starting early and more frequent visits if you take certain medications, drink alcohol, or smoke. The earlier seniors catch vision issues like cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetes, the less likely they will become serious health concerns.
Nursing homes are not the only way to ensure your senior loved one gets the care they need and deserve. There are many levels of care for seniors that suit each senior's individual needs while allowing them to still live their life to the fullest. Making sure that your senior gets the right level of care will give both you and your senior comfort and peace of mind without unnecessary restrictions. From around the clock care to independent living, here are a few common levels of care for you to explore.
The year 2021 is already set to be a record-breaking year for natural disasters including record-breaking heat and cold, hurricanes, and torrential flooding. And no matter where you live, according to NOAA wildfires on the west coast can adversely affect everyone because smoke movement impacts air quality, visibility, and temperatures across the nation.
To many people, summer is the perfect time for some outdoor fun. However, an older adult's idea of a 'good time' is different from what the younger cohorts normally like to do for entertainment and recreation.
Besides being prone to heat-related illnesses, senior adults tend to tire more easily and are more likely to hurt in a fall. As such, it's imperative for home caregivers to take that into account when organizing summer outing for their senior loved ones.
Luckily, there are different summer activities that are not only fun but also safe for seniors. Here are some of them:
Now that summer is officially on its way, it can be a very mood-boosting time for seniors. Sunlight itself has been proven to make a person feel better, so seniors can benefit from that. In addition, the warm weather is also easier on the joints and can help seniors to be free from aches and pains that affect them during the other months.
It is not unusual for older adults to leave out physical exercise in their daily routine. Joints become stiff and activities decrease as we get older and exercise does not sound like much fun. By the age of 75, over half of seniors have no physical activity at all. Developing a sustainable exercise program for seniors is an important part of being a home caregiver.
As we age, some of the changes we experience can make us feel sad or uncomfortable. Children move out of the home, we retire from our careers, loved ones have health struggles or pass away, and we lose the ability to do some of the things we once loved. Though these changes are a natural part of aging, prolonged depression is not. However, it can sometimes be a common mental health issue among seniors. Read on to learn about why depression happens in seniors and what to do about it.
The latest technology, like smartphones, video conferencing, smartwatches, and virtual reality isn't just for the younger generations. Seniors can use this technology as a tool for communication, entertainment, and staying physically and mentally healthy.
There are countless benefits that seniors can gain by establishing solid age-in-place plans. Choosing to greet the challenges of the golden years at home, in familiar surroundings, and with the help and support of any loved ones who live nearby often allows for significantly higher life qualities overall.