Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from September, 2021

Importance of walking for Senior Citizens

When one visits a physician or a health care facility , they are provided with recommendations on medication and how to take better care of themselves. Maintaining a healthy routine is often suggested during this process which most people choose to ignore. One might ask “what is meant by a healthy routine?” and the answer would be maintaining a sleep-wake cycle, eating nutritious food, and exercising. Now let’s talk about older adults. As a person ages, several changes start occurring in his/ her body such as weakening of immunity, problems in organ functioning, sensory difficulties, and general weakness . Therefore, maintaining a healthy lifestyle becomes even more important for people who are over 60. Evidence suggests that walking on a regular basis is extremely beneficial for older adults . The advantages are not only associated with physical health but also with social and emotional wellness. The physical benefits of walking especially morning walks are described below: Weigh

Post Covid-19 recovery for the Elderly – Do’s and Don’ts

We all have been well aware of COVID-19, the symptoms, & how to prevent the virus. People experienced the virus in different ways. Some people developed symptoms and required medical assistance . While some people cured themselves at home. Elders are most vulnerable and therefore the virus affected them severely. Here are some of the common symptoms of the COVID-19 virus to keep you aware.  Fever Dry Cough Fatigue Body Pain Diarrhea Headache Loss of taste & smell Difficulty breathing Chest pain People learned how to keep themselves safe from the virus. The problem occurred when recovered patients started developing symptoms known as ‘Post-Covid’ or ‘Long-Haul Covid’. People who recovered from Coronavirus s with various health-related issues they were facing. The complications include both physical and mental problems.  What are post covid symptoms? These conditions can present as different combinations of health problems in a person who has recovered from COVID

How to Communicate with a Senior Loved One Who Has Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia among the elderly population. Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease that progresses in stages, beginning with memory loss and potentially leading to changes in physical abilities like walking and difficulty in communicating. World Alzheimer’s Month in September exists to challenge the stigmas surrounding dementia and empower seniors and their loved ones to reach out for the support and assistance they need. The 2021 theme of Know Dementia, Know Alzheimer’s spotlights the power of knowledge in the fight against Alzheimer’s and the continuing search for a cure. The World Health Organization and other nonprofit research groups estimate that more than 55 million people live with dementia worldwide. Understanding the warning signs of dementia, proactively seeking a timely diagnosis, and continuing to learn about dementia and Alzheimer’s are all empowering steps to help older adults and families better able to prepare and adapt to any needed

Calling for Early Detection of Dementia

This September, WHO released a report on public health response to Dementia, drawing attention to the fact that there are more than 55 million people living with Dementia across the world, with a new case developing every 3 seconds. Unfortunately, despite being the 7 th leading cause of death and a major cause of dependency amongst the elderly, public awareness about early signs and symptoms of Dementia remains incredibly low. With global population aging and Dementia numbers expected to rise to 78 million by 2030, the impending economic and societal burden of care is massive. Ironically, forgetfulness, confusion, and behavioral changes are often brushed aside as being typical problems that occur as a normal part of aging, which contributes to significant delays in diagnosis. Often the first point of contact is with a professional is when behavior becomes too challenging or embarrassing for family members to manage. Alarmingly, an Alzheimer’s and Related Disorder’s Society of Indi

More Seniors Are Hitting the Century Mark

Around the world, more and more seniors are hitting the century mark. Centenarians – people who are 100 years old or older – are the fastest growing part of the population, with the United Nations anticipating the number this year will hit 573,000 worldwide. The United Statess currently has around 97,000 centenarians, which is the most of any country. There are still many people reaching 100 even though Covid-19 has negatively impacted older Americans and this longevity increases the need for long-term health care, reports LTCNews. With the number of centenarians rising each year around the world, experts say there could be 1 million by the year 2050. Lynn Peters Adler, author of Celebrate 100: Centenarian Secrets to Success in Business and Life, said that 1 in 26 baby boomers is now expected to live to 100, and many more than that will nearly reach that point, living into their mid-to-late 90s. With more older Americans making it to 100, we a holiday for it: National Centenarians D

5 Ways to Prioritize Mental Health in Dementia Care

Experiencing difficult emotions frequently? Think you might need extra support on some days? Feel like you are not able to take control of your situations? There is nothing wrong with having such thoughts. We don’t have to go through hard times alone. Older adults are more vulnerable to certain stressors such as grief of losing someone, illness, disabilities, and lack of novel experiences amongst others. Such stressors can lead to a number of psychological concerns such as feelings of isolation, helplessness, dullness, irritation, etc. While aging is inevitable and imperative to our growth, certain brain conditions such as Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease can blow these symptoms out of proportion and cause drastic changes in our lives. Caregivers of Dementia affected people can also experience significant distress which can cause difficulty in providing the necessary social support. In such a scenario, physical healthcare is not enough. A changing brain needs a changing enviro

Grandparents Day: Honoring Our Beloved Aging Elders

Every first Sunday after Labor Day is National Grandparents Day, and we have Marian McQuade to thank for that. As a young girl, Marian spent many happy days in the company of her grandmother at the family farm in West Virginia. “I remember she worked all day doing the things all of them had to do—milk cows, feed the chickens, fix breakfast, do the washing,” Marian shared in an interview. “Then she’d put on a clean apron, or turn her apron around, and we’d take a glass of jelly and see somebody a couple miles down the road that was sick. “Most of these neighbors were elderly,” Marian continued. “I’ll never forget talking with those delightful people. That’s where my respect and love for old people got started.” For years starting in the early 1970s, Marian began lobbying politicians to create a holiday for grandparents as a way to encourage children to spend time with their elders and to visit residents of nursing homes. When the proclamation establishing the holiday finally was sig

Elderly Falls: Protecting Yourself or a Loved One

Each year, one out of three Americans over the age of 65 will fall; it’s the leading cause of fatal injury among seniors and the most common non-fatal injury. A fall may not seem like a serious issue, but falls can have serious effects on seniors with weakened bones and immune systems. However, falls do not have to be an inevitable part of aging. Many falls are preventable, and seniors can have the ability to reduce their risk. As we enter National Falls Prevention Awareness Month, ‘tis the season to look at what seniors can do to avoid a mishap. Preventing Falls The National Council on Aging recommends the following steps to reduce the risk of falls: Falls are the most prevalent mobility problem, and the leading cause of injury death, for those over 65. Still, the NCOA asserts that falling is not a normal part of aging and is preventable by taking the right steps to stay safe, as it shows in its fall prevention awareness video. Things like lack of physical activity, poor vision,