The elderly are among those at higher risk for developing potentially dangerous symptoms of COVID-19, a viral illness that’s also known as coronavirus. The virus spreads easily and infects people of all ages. If you’re caring for an elderly loved one, you can take steps to prevent him or her from becoming infected. Take Everyday Precautions Preventing the spread of…
According to the Surgeon General, smoking is the number one cause of preventable disease and death in the United States. Smoking causes several types of cancers, lung disease, and heart disease. It's never too late for your senior loved one to enhance his or her health by quitting smoking, and here are a few ways you can help. 1. Talk…
The retirement years lead to more free time for older adults, but it could also mean reduced incomes for many seniors. Even with less money coming in, expenses often continue to increase, especially medical costs. Developing frugal living habits could help with some things, but not all. Below you’ll find tips your family can use to help with a senior…
Sleep disruptions increase in frequency during the senior years. Seniors with Alzheimer’s tend to experience more severe sleep problems, and this can be due to multiple factors, such as difficulty understanding time and place. They may also have physical issues that interfere with their sleep. Managing Alzheimer’s-related sleep issues typically involves using several different methods to address the various underlying…
Seniors need a nutritious, balanced diet that gives their bodies fuel to keep going. Your aging loved one may begin to experience changes in eating habits with age, and these can dramatically interfere with the ability to get proper nutrition. Watch out for these common roadblocks to eating well in the senior years, and be ready to use these ideas…
The human brain needs sufficient stimulation to keep doing its job well during the later years of life. The right kind of stimulation can also ward off cognitive decline and other age-related issues. A fun and engaging way to help your aging loved one enjoy benefits like these is with simple, relaxing craft projects. If you need some ideas, here…
Essential nutrients help aging adults maintain good mental, physical, and emotional health and can boost their independence and longevity. However, many seniors fail to get proper nutrition because they don’t focus on combining as many nutrients as possible in their diets. Take a look at the most important nutritional needs of seniors and how you can help your elderly loved…
Diagnosing Alzheimer's disease is often the first step to getting the help and care a senior needs. However, since Alzheimer’s is primarily a cognitive illness, a diagnosis isn’t as simple as just identifying physical symptoms. Instead, a doctor will need to take plenty of time to assess the senior's condition to figure out whether he or she has Alzheimer's disease.…
Your aging loved one’s increased anger may have you feeling perplexed. At times, it may seem as though you can’t do anything to keep your loved one happy, and you may even feel like giving up. While other people will tell you this is just the dementia talking, it still doesn’t help you address the problem. The first thing you…
To many, the retirement years seem like a period of freedom. With kids raised, education completed, and work finished, it may seem as though the senior years are a carefree time. While many seniors do enjoy traveling and relaxing in their golden years, various psychosocial issues can impact their day-to-day lives. 1. Major Life Changes The older years of a…