Many seniors experience a decrease in mobility as they age. Some loss of mobility may be inevitable as a combination of aging muscles, weaker bones, and decreased cardiovascular function make activity more difficult. However, with a little bit of effort, seniors can maintain their mobility for years. Here are a few ways to promote mobility in the elderly. Use Mobility…
Dancing brings out the inner child in older adults. Moving to music, spending time with friends, and getting out of the house are just a few of the things that make dancing so beneficial. As seniors step to the beat of the music, they can enjoy the following benefits for their physical and mental health. 1. Practice Weight Management Many…
There are several tools available to help families care for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease. However, you may not realize something as simple as Post-it Notes can be extremely useful for Alzheimer’s caregivers. If you have these sticky notes somewhere in your house, you can use them to manage your caregiving duties. Here are some ways using Post-it Notes can help…
When seniors interact with nature, it's bound to make them smile. Moreover, some outdoor activities can summon their laughter and cause healthy changes to occur in their brains and circulation. Here's how contact with nature can benefit your senior loved one. Sharper Focus & Memory Engaging with nature can boost attention span and recall. In 2008, University of Michigan psychology…
The cognitive changes that accompany dementia sometimes cause older adults to become stubborn. While it may be frustrating when your senior loved one refuses to go along with your requests, remember it’s difficult to understand his or her line of thinking. In most cases, your loved one isn’t trying to upset you. Instead, he or she may be confused, afraid,…
Hearing the news that your senior loved one recently fell is upsetting, and this could also be a sign something in his or her care plan needs to change. Seniors sometimes fall as the result of health conditions, or they might be trying to do too much on their own. Once seniors fall, they’re more likely to fall again. Your…
Caring for a family member diagnosed with Parkinson’s presents several challenges, which is especially true when the disorder progresses. There are many considerations that need attention if you’re planning on providing home care. Here are some of the things you should do after your senior loved one has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Educate Yourself There are many resources…
Being resilient means a person is able to recover faster from difficulties encountered in life. There are several personality traits associated with resilience. For example, a senior who is capable of keeping a positive perspective will be more likely to recover quickly from a setback. Older adults can develop resilience through learning how to respond to adversity, and making…
Moving to a new home is stressful, and a senior with dementia may find it especially difficult to adjust to a fresh environment. To help with the transition, try to involve your aging loved one as much as possible in the decision-making process while keeping his or her abilities and routines in mind. Then use these tips to reduce stress…
By the time your senior loved one is 50, he or she will have walked an estimated 75,000 miles, according to research by the American Podiatric Medical Association. The motion of walking puts hundreds of pounds of pressure on the feet. This, combined with a lifetime of walking, means special care needs to be given to the feet. 1. Feet…