10 Important Health Tips for Seniors

Staying healthy as you age can seem daunting, but keep these guidelines in mind and reap the benefits.

We all know that age is just a number, but it helps to think ahead about the coming changes in your body and mind.

Stay fit. Exercising regularly keeps muscles active and reduces your chance of an accident. If you do have an injury from a fall, recovery will be easier.

Communicate with your physician. Visit your doctor, dentist and eye doctor regularly. Stay up-to-date on vaccinations and invest in preventative care to any budding illness before it develops further.

Stick to a healthy weight. Keeping off the pounds prevents a host of conditions and diseases, from diabetes to heart disease. Eat nutrient-rich foods to promote longevity and strength.

Prevent falling. According to the Centers for Disease Control, falling increases after 65 years of age. If you have stairs, consider padding a rug at the base and fix wobbly steps or handrails immediately.

Don’t smoke. Nicotine makes you more vulnerable to illness and osteoporosis, among many other fatal diseases.

Follow medication instructions. Keep a list of medications you are currently taking and dispose of those you aren’t to prevent making mistakes. Always follow the physician’s instructions and communicate with them about side effects.

Focus on the bathroom. Bathrooms are notorious for slips, falls and accidents. Cover surfaces with grip flooring, provide grab bars and consider a gadget to prevent soap from dropping, so you don’t have to bend down to pick it up again.

Accessorize. Lots of gadgets can make your life safer, from shower chairs to electronic systems that call an ambulance if you’re hurt. Don’t forget basics like smoke detectors and non-skid rugs.

Laughter really is the best medicine. Depression affects many seniors emotionally and physically. Explore positive ways to embrace aging and check out support groups that may help.

Friends have benefits. It’s easier to face the world with a friend at your side. Foster friendships to see you through hard times.

Source: http://blog.centralfloridaregional.com

Sleep is essential to good health and also the prevention of chronic diseases. Senior adults need 7-9 hours of sleep nightly for adequate rest. Learn more about why sleep is important and how to maintain healthy sleep habits.
Insufficient sleep is linked to the following chronic diseases:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease—hypertension, stroke, coronary heart disease and cardiac arrhythmias
• Obesity
• Depression

Healthy Sleep Habits
1)   Go to bed at the same time each night.
2)   Make sure your bedroom is a quiet, dark and relaxing environment.
3)   Make sure your bedroom temperature is comfortable—not too hot or too cold.

Use a knee support to relieve stiffness and pain in knees, hips and back for a more comfortable night's rest

4)   Make sure your bed is comfortable and used only for sleeping—not reading, watching TV, or listening to music.
5)   Remove all TVs, computers and other “gadgets” from the bedroom.
6)   Physical activity may help promote sleep, but not within a few hours of bedtime.
7)   Avoid large meals before bedtime.
Consult a physician if your sleep problems persist.  But, prior to visiting your physician, keep a diary of your sleep habits for ten days and discuss this with your physician at your visit.
Your sleep diary should include when you do the following activities:

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• Go to bed
• Fall asleep
• Wake up
• Get out of bed
• Take naps (times and length)
• Exercise
• Consume alcohol
• Consume caffeinated beverages

To improve comfort and help you get a better night’s rest, HomeHealthMedical carries a nice selection of sleep aids, including therapeutic neck pillows, contoured foam bed wedges, orthopedic knee cushions and a specially-designed CPAP mask pillow.
- See more at: http://blog.homehealthmedical.com/2012/01/sleep-tips-for-senior-health/#sthash.vGe9bsmt.dpuf