Late Fall Walks

The inclement weather of late fall and early winter can isolate seniors, keeping them homebound and depriving them of exercise.   Why not suggest a walk in the mall where your mom or dad can window shop?

A trip to the gym or YMCA could include light weights and walks on the treadmill.   Or contact a local community center to learn what classes might be available to help you and your aging parents stay active this holiday season.

Don’t fall in the “give up exercise” trap during holidays, family visits, vacations and other time devourers, instead - make a schedule for the next few months that includes family obligations, and pencil in exercise sessions just like any other appointment. Work out at least three times a week instead of five so that while you may not build new strength, you won’t be losing ground, either.

And remember, it’s important to stay hydrated - drink plenty of water all day long, and especially before and during workouts.

Have a great holiday season, don’t eat too much, and exercise!

Greater Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative & Central Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative helps elders and seniors live safely at home. Call 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959 for Home Care and Independence.

We’ve approaching a season with a full string of holidays – Halloween is just past and Thanksgiving is around the corner, followed by Hanukah and Christmas; and for many seniors it’s a time that results in loneliness known as the Holiday Blues. Holidays aren’t always like seniors remember them to be, with friends and family no longer around, celebrations and traditions can change and make seniors long for the past. The holidays don’t have to become a time dreaded by seniors; with these tips they can make the most of this time of year and fill it with joy:

• Don’t expect too much – if big family get together’s haven’t been a big part of holidays recently, don’t expect them or you’ll only face disappointment

• Don’t do things that are too stressful – holidays are meant to be a time of enjoyment, so if there are certain tasks that surround the holidays the stress you out, avoid them!

• Volunteer – surround yourself with others in the community by volunteering and giving back

• Don’t isolate yourself – when holidays aren’t the way they used to be, seniors might become isolated; join in on activities in the community, get together with friends and make sure you don’t have to be alone

• Maintain a healthy lifestyle – to keep your spirits up, take care of yourself. Exercise, eat well and limit  alcohol consumption

Sources:

3. 4Therapy

About.com

Greater Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative & Central Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative helps elders and seniors live safely at home. Call 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959 for Home Care and Independence.

The days of technophobic older adults who steer clear of the internet and have no idea what Facebook is when younger generations mention it are long gone. Today Phoenix older adults are as active online as teenagers and young adults; in fact, according to Facebook, in the last year, the number of female members aged 55 and older has grown by 175% in the last year. So what are the major reasons seniors aren’t just leaving the technology of social networking to those who are doing it because it’s trendy?

1. To stay in touch – with all generations of family online on social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and more, seniors can stay connected to their loved ones through written communication, photo sharing and the other features that these sites offer

2. Bridging the generational gap – connecting online with grandchildren and younger generations of the family can bring seniors closer to their loved ones of shared interests. It doesn’t even have to be through traditional social networking sites, but through games using video game platforms like the Nintendo Wii that allow players from different locations to play together

3. An easy way to meet people – especially later in life, seniors might have a harder time making new friends or seeking support to deal with their aging issues. But, social networks make for a risk-free meeting place

4. Communication without limitations – as seniors get older, they might deal with hearing problems which make it challenging to talk on the phone, or other issues that inhibit their ability to communicate. By getting online, there are methods of communication that work for almost everyone

5. Networking for jobs – for older seniors who have yet to retire or are looking for volunteer opportunities after retirement, simply networking can help to open doors, especially when using social networks like Linked In

Via: AARP Bulletin Today

Greater Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative & Central Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative helps elders and seniors live safely at home. Call 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959 for Home Care and Independence.

Gardening is a great pastime enjoyed by people of all ages, but it is a hobby that often older adults take on during retirement once they have more time to really nurture the items that they’ve planted and enjoy the experience. The benefits of gardening can affect the overall health in [location] seniors in the following ways:

1. Exercise – gardening is a low impact cardiovascular workout that has benefits to the heart. More strenuous gardening, like hauling rocks can equate to 600 calories and hour, but lighter activities have their benefits too! Gardening is said to work all the major muscle groups and can increase flexibility, balance and strength.

2. Nutrition – if you plant a garden with fresh fruits and vegetables, you will take pride in what you created and will be more likely to maintain a healthy well-balanced diet with your produce straight from the garden, which once planted, is also budget friendly!

3. Stress reduction – gardening helps reduce stress, even just from allowing you to be out in nature. The colors and smells are stimulating and stress relieving, and the activities can help you take your mind off of the things that are on your mind. Horticulture therapy is a common practice, and it can even help those who are sick recover faster!

Via: Associated Content

Greater Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative & Central Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative helps elders and seniors live safely at home. Call 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959 for Home Care and Independence.

Many Phoenix seniors find that as they age they begin to feel less stable on their feet. Some balance problems can be attributed directly to aging, but there are other reasons that these issues can occur for which all seniors should seek a consultation from a doctor.

Causes of Balance Problems:

• Issues in the inner ear

• Disorders of the brain or the heart

• Infections

• Head injury

• Medicine

• Issues with blood circulation

• Lifestyle factors like stress, fatigue, allergies, smoking, or alcohol use

Often balance isn’t just about lack of stability; and one of the first signs of any of the above factors that can affect a senior’s balance is dizziness. The first step to dealing with balance problems is to speak up; although seniors may be reluctant as they believe changes in balance prove that they’re getting old, these medical problems must be diagnosed and treated by a doctor. The best thing seniors can do is to make an appointment with a primary care physical and be honest about what they’ve been dealing with.

It is possible to prevent certain health issues that can contribute to balance problems. Issues in the inner ear can be prevented through simple diet and lifestyle changes; specific treatment options do depend upon the specific diagnosis, generally, better eating and a more active lifestyle can help to prevent the development of balance problems. Once a doctor has pinned down the specific reasons why a senior is unsteady on their feet, they can help provide advice to treat and prevent the major system, which is declining balance.

Sources:

1. NIH Senior Health

Image: dailymail.co.uk

Greater Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative & Central Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative helps elders and seniors live safely at home. Call 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959 for Home Care and Independence.

While it may seem to some seniors that fighting stress is a losing battle, you might be surprised to learn that simple stress relief methods require seniors to do no more than make friends and be their usual personable selves with friends and family alike. By forming a trustworthy and reliable support network of the important people in their lives, seniors gain a sense of belonging, have an increased sense of self-worth, and develop feelings of security which can help fend off feelings of stress.

It can take some effort for seniors to form and maintain their support network, but through these activities as well seniors fight stress by staying connected and preventing feelings of loneliness. When forming a support network, seniors shouldn’t hesitate to reach out to new people who they would like to befriend, but at the same time, shouldn’t waste their time with people who add more, unnecessary stress to their lives.

Once they have a trusted network of people, seniors should stay in touch with friends and family on a regular basis by phone, email or snail mail, which includes returning messages from others who are reaching out. In order for friends and family to be there for seniors in times of stress, they need to offer the same support in reciprocation, which includes taking the time to listen, being happy for friends accomplishments, and showing loved ones how much they are appreciated.

Sources:

1. Mayo Clinic

2. The American Institute of Stress

Image Source: pro.corbis.com

Greater Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative & Central Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative helps elders and seniors live safely at home. Call 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959 for Home Care and Independence.

Social Aspects of Caregivers in Assisted Living

Often when Phoenix or Scottsdale seniors find themselves in assisted living facilities, they become withdrawn and even anti-social. Since more often than not, everything they need is available for them at the facility, they are unlikely to engage even in social activities they used to enjoy when they lived independently at home. In order to prevent isolation for Phoenix and Scottsdale seniors living in assisted living facilities, families can hire a professional caregiver to help them remain active and social in their lives.

By having a caregiver to help out a senior in an assisted living facility ensures that they maintain connected to the outside world, and get encouragement to do things they might not otherwise do by their own volition. Caregivers can encourage seniors to get out of their rooms and out of the facility to take a walk, get some fresh air or join other senior-friendly activities where they can meet and socialize with other people in similar situations.

When seniors have family members who don’t live nearby to the assisted living facility where they reside, it becomes easy for them to succumb to isolation and loneliness. While professional caregivers can never replace a senior’s family, they can fill in the gaps and ensure that seniors remain active and social to prevent depression and loneliness.

Sources:
1.    Help Guide

Greater Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative & Central Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623-583-5868, 602.265.8228 or 480-991-3959.

Q – I live in Phoenix and am a huge fan of Dancing with the Stars. I’m in my late 70’s and have thought about ballroom dancing as a fun activity now that I’m retired, but is it safe for people my age?

A – Older Dancing with the Stars contestants like Cloris Leachman have the right idea; not only is ballroom dancing your way through retirement safe, if you’re careful, there are many proven health benefits–including some that you wouldn’t expect. Try to find a safe, supervised environment where you learn how to ballroom dance with the assistance of a dance instructor. In Phoenix, senior centers, community centers, or local dance studios may offer ballroom dancing instruction for people who are retired which take into consideration special health needs of the older demographic. Try to limit ballroom dancing to about 5 minutes of warm up, followed by a 20 minute dance routine.

The benefits you will receive from ballroom dancing as a senior will not only affect your body through better cardiovascular health, weight maintenance, and improved flexibility, but it’s an activity ideal for seniors since there are also benefits to the mind. According to a study by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, seniors over the age of 75 who ballroom dance also have lower occurances of Alzheimer’s and dementia!

Sources:

1. Senior Advocate
2. SeniorJournal

Greater Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative & Central Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623-583-5868, 602.265.8228 or 480-991-3959.

With spring in the air, Phoenix senior caregivers and family members of the elderly are looking for safe and fun outdoor activities to entertain their loved ones in the fresh air and sunshine. Looking for an Easter present for your Grandma? Consider getting her a digital camera and taking her on digital photography excursions to take photographs of nature and the other fun elements of spring. Not only will it make for a fun outdoor activity, you can relive the memories that you shared together through the photos and get creative by displaying them around the senior’s home!

When choosing a digital camera for a senior, keep in mind their familiarity with technology and choose something that will be user-friendly. A digital camera that has a larger display screen, and large easy to push buttons will make it easy and fun to operate. If purchasing a digital camera for your elderly loved one just isn’t in the budget, you can still have fun this spring with digital photography by borrowing a camera from a family member or friend on your photography outings or renting one from a local Phoenix photography store.

Sources:
1.    Ehow

Image:  funtimesguide.com

Greater Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative & Central Phoenix Assisted Living Alternative helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623-583-5868, 602.265.8228 or 480-991-3959.