Aging and good health, maintain healthy habits, healthy habits, eat healthy

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and diet is a top priority as we age.

Alzheimer’s Caregiving in a “Green” Way

Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia disrupt memory and may complicate work for their caregivers. However, you can still engage your loved one with green living practices and reduce your carbon footprint together. In fact, nearly every aspect of care can be approached in an eco-friendly way, leaving a lasting and positive impact on the environment.

Modify the home of your loved one using recycled materials

A variety of outlets, including Habitat For Humanity, offer recycled building materials at reduced cost. In addition to that try switching shower heads to a low flow shower wand, which is more effective than a mounted shower head for older individuals and will also use less water. Ramps can be easily built using scrap wood and the same goes for railings, as long as the wood is in good shape and the construction is done correctly to ensure total stability.

Choose local food that is grown and harvested sustainably

The local food movement has gained momentum worldwide, giving consumers access to food that contains fewer chemicals and pesticides and requires less transportation to market. Health food stores, farmer’s markets and farm stands can provide you with grass-fed beef and organic produce to nourish your loved one in a conscientious way. It’s common knowledge that the older one gets the more important nutrition is, so choosing fresh (and local) fruits and vegetables is an important facet of care taking.

Perform daily living checks with smart technology to reduce fuel consumption.

Instead of driving back and forth on a daily basis for simple checks, consider using modern technology to accomplish this task. Cameras, vital sign monitors and medication dispensers can be connected to your smart phone with the right equipment and software so you can keep a watchful eye on your loved one even when you’re not there.

Choose biodegradable and recyclable products, such as cloth adult diapers

Older individuals are often interested in supporting sustainability but may not be accustomed to green living. By educating them on this topic and how their choices have a direct impact on the environment, you can give them a satisfying activity that helps them leave the world a better place. A good way to do this is choosing cloth or biodegradable diapers, which are highly preferable to conventional plastic types, which now account for a stunning 7 percent of landfill waste.

Choose an environmentally friendly assisted living facility.

More centers for assisted living are handling daily operations in sustainable ways. Solar panels, geothermal heating and on-site food production are three options that these facilities can use to not only serve the earth but also save money over time. Also ask if they’re working with an environmentally friendly energy provider. If they don’t use any of these practices discuss with them the possibility of trying out some activities with their residents to reduce their environmental impact and engage the residents like planting a garden.

Clean with natural products instead of harsh chemical cleaners

Your elderly loved one is probably very comfortable using natural cleaners such as vinegar,which were once common but have largely been replaced with artificial chemical products. Numerous natural products are available in almost every supermarket to keep your loved one’s home clean while guarding their health and the environment.

Use native plants for landscaping instead of exotic foliage.

Gardening with native flowers and other plants can beautify landscapes while supporting ecological balance and, as stated before, is beneficial for the elderly. For example, local varieties of flowers will attract and feed native butterflies and birds. Furthermore, local plants eliminate the need for pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers that pollute the water and air.

Care for your loved one’s pet with environmentally friendly choices.

Choose natural pet toys, pet foods and shampoo to keep your loved one and their animal companion happy and healthy. Use recycled cat litter brands like Yesterday’s News, buy biodegradable bags for dog feces and clear ice from outdoor walkways in winter with pet-safe products like Safe Paw for effective solutions that minimize environmental impact.

As life expectancy has continued to increase, concerns over environmental impact have been raised. Green care practices are smart on local and global levels while reducing spending and supporting a high quality of life in the homes of patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. At any age, these changes also support a positive outlook for those interested in sustainability and a brighter future.

Author: Beth Kelly is a technology and security blogger, who primarily covers topics pertaining to healthcare tech, energy efficiency, and home security. You can follow her on Twitter at @bkelly_88

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Key to Live a Healthy Life as you Age

01/31Leave a Comment

Key to live a healthy life as You Age

Most people don’t make it to their 70’s or 80’s in good health. However, it’s not something impossible to achieve provided you adhere to a wholesome lifestyle.

Although certain psychological changes that happen as you age may come in the way of your happiness, there are many things one can do to reduce the risk of mental and physical disability, and boost general longevity and health.

In 2010, a study performed by the US Department of Health demonstrated that 40.4 million Americans were 65 and above; that means 13% of the nation’s overall population. By 2030, 20% of the United States will have 65+ seniors.

What to do to live healthy into your 70s

What can you do to stay healthy in your 70s and 80s? Even though you’re not capable of controlling each and every factor and element that impacts your general wellbeing as you get older, some actions depend on your decisions. Start with making beneficial lifestyle choices. Eat right, quit smoking (it’s never too late to do that), diminish stress levels, and practice good hygiene.

It’s equally important to stay positive and active, physically and mentally. Being in your 70-80’s may create some mobility issues. Certain changes are happening inside your body. If you don’t have the same mobility as you did 10-20 years before, you may need to hire a health care provider or rent a scooter to help with your own mobility.

Maintain a sense of purpose

Life hasn’t ended just because you’ve entered your 70’s or 80’s. In fact, you should enjoy your golden years as much as possible; don’t lose your sense of purpose.

Stay connected with people, socialize, travel and do things you’ve always wanted to do but never had the chance. Seniors must not isolate themselves but they should spend quality time with friends, family members and neighbors on a daily basis. Attend local events, find a hobby or join a book club.

Studies have shown that a few minutes of walking on a daily basis may also help put off physical disability in your golden years. Men and women in their 70s and 80s who engage in mild walking 3-4 times a week age healthier. They have better mobility, and thus can perform daily activities in a much easier manner.

Forget about stress

Stress has a great impact on our health and quality of life. People in their 70s and older are at higher risks of suffering from depression. Recent studies have emphasized that anxiety and depression are connected to physical decline in older adults.

Worries such as: “what if I become disabled?” and “what if I don’t have enough money to survive?” are pretty common. As you get older, you’ll start experiencing emotional trauma linked to loss. The death of the people closest to you will trigger difficult emotions you must learn to get over, if you want to preserve your health. Here are some tips to help you cope with tough changes.

• Be thankful for the things you do have, enjoy and appreciate life – don’t take things or people for granted
• Express your feeling and emotions – maintain friends close, talk to them or consult with a health care professional to help you deal with loss
• Maintain a sense of humor
• Accept that there are things you just can’t control anymore

Dealing with health concerns

The risk of developing certain health conditions – including stroke, dementia, heart attack, lung disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, chronic pain and others, increase as people get older and approach their 70s. However, as long as you make healthy choices, you have the highest chances of reducing those risks.

It’s really important to have a geriatric physician to help you cope with your illnesses, or better yet, help you prevent the development of more serious conditions. Geriatricians are trained in helping seniors accept the aging process. These professionals specialize in treating, preventing and diagnosing disabilities and illnesses in seniors.

Older people can lead a happy life. And there are many pleasant activities they can and should engage in to remain in good health. Eat right, go outside, socialize with people and think positive – these are basic but important tips to keep you emotionally charged and happy in your golden years.

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5 Easy Ways to Banish the Winter Blues!

01/131 Comment

Five Easy Ways to Banish the Winter Blues

What is it about certain seasons – winter, to be more specific – that makes us feel more “down in the dumps” than others?

Is it something beyond the mere fact that daylight doesn’t radiate as long…or that we, as human beings, associate cold with sadness, harshness and abandonment?

Whatever the reason, there is a prevalence of depression in the winter, and studies have suggested a connection between Alzheimer’s patients and a vulnerability to seasonal depression. Further, research has exposed a sub-genre of this condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) which requires people suffering from it to add “light boxes” in order to approach the problem. While this an extreme example and variation of the subject, there is indeed scientific evidence to shed light on Alzheimer’s and the “winter blues.”

Whether it’s loneliness over the holidays, Seasonal Affective Disorder as a consequence of less sunlight or something else, all hope is not lost: Here are five simple ways that can go a long way toward helping you feel your best, any time of year.

1. Quality Time with Friends

Research indicates that those people who boast a large support network of friends outlived others by approximately 22-percent – in the context of this conversation, that is monumental. Communities can help people deal with the burden of stress, allow for feelings or support and belonging and can boost self-esteem…even in the life of an Alzheimer’s patient. The next time you or a loved one is feeling blue, call up a friend for coffee or join a hiking club in your city; the possibilities are endless, and connecting with other people can do wonders for the emotions.

2. Dietary Adjustments

Depression is a cruel condition. It starts out as an unassuming, unobtrusive “emotional tug” and evolves – when left untreated – into a life-altering and sometimes even life-threatening disease. Aside from omega 3 fatty acid-rich foods, some examples of foods that can have a beneficial effect on mood include turkey, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, organic potatoes, corn, rice grain and St. John’s Wort, an herb that is said to somewhat effectively ease milder forms of depression. This herb is widely prescribed in Europe for depression, though there is more evidence to the effect that the “power” of St. John’s Wort in treating serious cases is more akin to a placebo effect.

Of course, proper medical care for a case of depression cannot be substituted by a “depression diet” or from food or dietary supplements; psychotherapy and medication is still the most effective means of treating the condition.

Using the Internet to Stay Connected

It’s been estimated that as many as 10 million older Americans suffer from depression, often brought on by feelings of isolation. New research has found that Internet use among the elderly, especially with those in more rural or isolated areas (use satellite internet where cable is unavailable), can reduce the chances of depression by more than 30-percent. It all has to do with an older demographic – some with Alzheimer’s – being able to communicate and stay in contact with their social networks.

Regular Exercise

With regular physical activity, a good amount of endorphins are released, which have been proven to help increase energy levels and improve mood. This doesn’t necessarily mean running marathons, either – reaping the emotional benefits of exercise can encompass a brisk walk around the neighborhood, a dance session in your living room or some yard work.

Incorporating a UV Lamp

This ties into the Seasonal Affective Disorder we mentioned in the beginning. Some light therapy lamps are designed for skin disorders, not SAD or depression, so it’s important to make sure the light box you obtain is made specifically to treat SAD. Further, there’s the UV factor to consider: Light boxes for SAD should be designed to filter out most UV light, with such light radiated by tanning beds found to be ineffective for treating SAD.

Beating the winter blues is not impossible, and a few mood-lifting exercises can go a long way towards regaining a healthy mental outlook. Your brain and your body will thank you!

Author: Beth Kelly is a technology and security blogger, who primarily covers topics pertaining to healthcare tech, energy efficiency, and home security. You can follow her on Twitter at @bkelly_88

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The ID Wrist Band Your Loved one with Dementia Needs Today

08/209 Comments

The ID Wrist Band Your loved one with Dementia may Need Today

Wandering is a major problem for those with dementia. We hear about it everyday. The older lady or gentleman who leaves their home for a stroll but never returns.

Sometimes they’re found a few streets away. Sometimes they are never found. And sometimes, unfortunately, they are found where they’ve wandered too far in the freezing cold or dark of night and lost their life.

When a loved one with dementia walks away from their home they only intend to go for a short walk. But for someone with Alzheimer’s or dementia of any kind, the territory can become unfamiliar and confusing as soon as they leave their own front yard.

There are many tools to help with “wandering;” including Cell Phones and Tennis Shoes with GPS, necklaces and bracelets with ID’s built into USB cards. The biggest problem is that all of these devices can be removed from the person who needs them most.

Some of the newer devices may give us a false sense of security. But if it can be removed easily by the elderly person, there is nothing to stop them from doing so. A person with dementia can forget why he/she would need an identification tool.

A few things the ID for your loved one may need

Is it comfortable, so they have no need to remove it.
Does the bracelet or necklace contain enough information so that anyone can contact you.
Newer wrist bands will hold a small memory card. This can be a necessity if your loved one needs instructions for special medical care.

Below are a few of the handy Medical ID Bracelets and Necklaces available today

5 Steps to Aging Gracefully from Dr. Nagy (video)

08/084 Comments

5 Tips for Aging Gracefully

Aging gracefully would certainly be enough for me. Most of us aren’t looking for the fountain of youth. We know we will grow older and we only want to grow older gracefully.

Aging gracefully to me, means to age at a normal pace without major disease or heart ache. Even though I have COPD, it’s something I accept and am able to live with.

Even with illness, many are still be aging gracefully if we refuse to bemoan our circumstance in life, but rather live the best life we can. To me, Aging gracefully means taking care our our own physical and emotional health and doing all we can to assist those around us to ensure their aging gracefully!

Here are 5 Tips from Dr. Christopher Nagy for aging gracefully

Dr. Nagy offers 5 solid steps to Graceful Aging