According to CDC.gov, it has been recognized for many years that people 65 years and older are at high risk of developing serious complications from flu compared with young, healthy adults. This is in part because human immune defenses become weaker with increasing age. While flu seasons can vary in severity, during most seasons, people 65 years and older bear…
There’s an erroneous belief that cognitive decline in our later years is inevitable. But these days, neurologists assure us that this is not the case. They note that even when brain imaging reveals changes that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease, some seniors show no outward signs of memory or thinking problems. These seniors have built a robust “cognitive reserve”—extra brain…
According to Everyday Health, seniors benefit from outdoor activities. Green spaces in cities benefit residents of all ages. Now, British researchers say, they may also boost older people’s mental well-being. “We found that older participants experienced beneficial effects of green space whilst walking between busy built urban environments and urban green space environments,” said study author Chris Neale. “Indeed, this…
In this article from the Huffington Post, the author goes through the summertime heat danger signs and what to do if you encounter these problems. Most people don’t realize that extreme summer heat causes thousands of heat-related illnesses in the U.S. each year, and kills more people than hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, floods and earthquakes combined. Seniors are among the most…
Here are some summer activity ideas for seniors, even those with Mobility Issues It’s that time of year when the outdoors beckon! Spending time outdoors is good for all ages, but especially beneficial if you are “getting up there” in years. It increases our vitamin D levels, which helps fight certain conditions such as osteoporosis, cancer, heart attacks and depression….
Heat Stroke Risks. With summer here and the temperatures rising, it is important to understand the health risks that excessive heat can bring and know the signs of heat-related illnesses. Older adults and people with chronic medical conditions are particularly susceptible to hyperthermia and other heat-related illnesses. The National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health,…
Falls are the leading cause of injury in people 65 and older. And there are lots of reasons why the elderly have a greater tendency to fall – the lack of exercise, medications, loss of balance, and other reasons. We want our parents to stay in their homes as long as possible and be independent, but are there ways we…
We want our aging parents to have a good outlook on life, even as they get older and may be living alone. Challenges are common and as caregivers, we need to be aware of what’s going on. Isolation can be a huge problem. In fact, studies have shown prolonged isolation can equal the health risks of smoking 15 cigarettes a…
Technology is used more and more to help seniors retain their independence. Imagine the usefulness of the Amazon Echo! And consider technological devices that use voice recognition technology or high frequency audio waves to detect the presence of loved ones. And then there’s all that smart home technology – sensors on refrigerator doors, and button to raise or lower shades…
Maintaining independence is a top priority for many seniors. This article in the Huffington Post provides some steps that will help make independent living a reality. It’s difficult to witness the deterioration of physical or mental abilities in an aging parent, grandparent or other loved one. This is especially true in remembering the days when we, ourselves, were the recipients…
