Encourage seniors to exercise to improve health

Seniors may sometimes believe that decreased physical ability is an inevitable result of aging. However, according to the National Institutes of Health's Senior Health department, staying active will not only allow older individuals to stay healthier, they will also be able to enjoy a better lifestyle. As such, caregivers using the best home care software should encourage their patients to exercise.

Caregivers should remind patients that aging does not mean a decreased quality of life. The NIH stated that one of the healthiest things that seniors can do is to stay active. In fact, when it comes to exercise, even moderate levels have their benefits, including a better sense of independence. Furthermore, the group noted that those with diseases and disabilities may be able to improve their health through exercise.

Find a good routine
Exercise routines will range from patient to patient, depending on ability and willingness. Ask the older person to speak to their doctor about good exercises they can do in their spare time. Their primary care physicians will be more familiar with their health and may be able to recommend exercises that are especially beneficial for conditions they may have. Once you know which routines are the best, encourage the patient to take them up. 

For older individuals, fall prevention exercises are important for health and safety. There are many techniques that patients can use to improve their strength. Remember to keep an eye on the patient and provide assistance if necessary. 

If a patient is adverse to the idea of exercising for any reason, remind him or her that even something as simple as a leisurely walk has benefits. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention pointed out that walking is a moderately intense activity that can have significant health benefits for older individuals. Encouraging patients to exercise daily will help guide them to a healthier lifestyle.

Alternatively, if the patient enjoys the company of others closer to their age group, look for local senior community centers, which will likely offer weekly exercise classes. Bringing patients to these locations will take the responsibility of leading the exercises out of your hands, and give them plenty of others to socialize with. Additionally, senior community centers often offer various activities and events that can engage patients. 

Home care does not have to mean staying at home. Daily exercising has many results that will benefit seniors and their family members and caregivers.

10 Ways to Improve Sleep

Sleep deprivation affects your health; so before you end up exhausted and sick, try these tips:

1. #Turn off TVs, computers, cell phones and other light-producing electronics at least one hour before sleep. Cover any light displays you can't shut off. The blue light rays suppress the sleep-promoting hormone melatonin.
2. #If you awaken during the night, do not look at your clock. Worrying about how little sleep you’ll get and how tired you’ll be actually increases the likelihood you’ll stay awake. Cover your clock or at least turn it around facing away from you.
3. #Napping can interfere with your sleep rhythm, but if you must nap keep it brief, 20 minutes or less. When the fatigue hits in the afternoon, it’s better to go for a short walk, drink a glass of ice water or do some stretches.
4. #Although alcohol is a depressant and may make you sleepy, it disrupts sleep cycles and increases wakefulness. Moderate alcohol intake (two glasses or more) can affect sleep when consumed up to six hours prior to sleep.
5. #Begin to prepare your mind and body for a good night sleep at least one hour prior. Keep the lights low around the house using the dimmer switch or just leave one small lamp on. No work, arguments or big decision making during this calm down period. Lowering the lights signals your brain to produce melatonin.
6. #If you are sensitive to background noise during the night causing the normal light arousals to bring you to full awakening, a white noise machine will be the best prevention. Some prefer fans or nature sound machines.
7. #Make a list of any concerns, worries or to-dos and release them till the morning. Know that they are written down for you to handle when you are well rested.
8. #We took the time and effort to establish bedtime rituals for our children, the same process works for us. Find a relaxing routine that works for you: read a calming book by soft light, meditating, listening to music or taking a warm bath.
9. #Keep your bedroom cool (around 65-68º) and dark, using room darkening shades, curtains or a mask, if necessary.
10. #If you can't fall asleep and don't feel drowsy, make relaxation your goal. Use visualization, deep breathing or meditation. Total relaxation can rejuvenate your body too.

Source: http://www.cdseniorspotlight.com

Tips on Keeping Active for Elderly People with Diabetes

People who are 60 years of age or more are showing more signs of ageing and lifestyle effects. People become eligible for government-provided retirement and healthcare benefits or private pensions. It's a time to start considering retirement and for dealing with some health problems and medications. May care for others.

With ageing your body experiences a natural loss of muscle and bone mass. Regular exercise can slow or even reverse this loss. Regular exercise also improves mobility and balance, can help reduce muscle and joint pain and reduce the risk of falls. Keeping active has a huge bearing on your quality of life. Regular exercise helps people maintain independence and social interactions as well as helping to prevent dementia and depression.

There are many ways to get active and it’s never too late to start. Some people believe they are ‘too old’ or ‘frail’ but almost every activity can be modified to suit any fitness level. Brisk walking, gentle swimming, working in the garden, tai chi or dance classes are all great examples of physical activity.

The best exercise for any individual is the one they enjoy. Trying a range of activities that help to build strength, balance and flexibility are the best for overall health and wellbeing.

For people who haven’t exercised for a while, starting out slowly and building up is the key. A goal might be to walk for 30 minutes a day. Starting with a 10-minute walk three times a day will help to build up to a brisk 30 minutes walk over time.

For anyone who has enjoyed a lifetime of activity, there’s no need to slow down. As long as you’re enjoying the exercise you are doing and there is no risk of injury, then there’s no reason for you to stop.

For anyone interested in trying something new, it’s always a good idea to consult your GP first.

If you are unsure of what activities are suitable or safe for you, make some time to visit an Accredited Exercise Physiologist for more individual advice.

Source: http://www.australiandiabetescouncil.com/

Seven Tips for Seniors on Good Health

Here are simple tips for healthy senior living:

1. Evaluate your social network. Who needs a Grumpy Gus around, really? Studies have shown in senior adults a strong social network of positive and equally healthy friends can contribute to your health and well-being.
2. If you smoke, quit. Smoking is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, stroke and lower respiratory tract infections – all leading causes of death in those over 50 years of age.
3. Eat a healthy diet. Eating a variety of foods from each food group will help you get the nutrients you need.
4. Keep active. Exercising regularly is not only good for your body but also relieves stress.
5. Watch your step. Most falls by the elderly involve hazards in the home. Keep walkways clear of clutter.
6. Don’t forget your oral health. Gum disease may be a risk factor for stroke, heart and lung disease in older adults.
7. Use sunscreen. Sun exposure is the main cause of skin damage.

Source: http://tnhomeandfarm.com

How Exercise for Seniors at Home Can Aid in Their Quality of Life

Exercise is an essential part of living a healthy life for every person, but as you age, exercise becomes more and more important each year. While many seniors think that they can’t start an exercise program or continue their current one, the truth is that exercise has many different health benefits.

Whether you already have an exercise routine or not, it’s never too late to get active and make your body healthy and strong. Use these tips for exercising at home to make sure you stay fit well into your golden years.

Better Physical Health

It might sound obvious that exercise boosts physical health for seniors, but there really isn’t much more that you can do to stay healthier. In fact, exercise really is the healthiest thing most seniors can do to help fight disease and delay the onset of illness.

Exercising on a regular basis can also help you to strengthen and tone your body, making it less likely that you’ll injure yourself while taking care of day to day tasks. For seniors, accidents like falling or hurting a muscle when reaching for something are common, but exercising regularly can help you keep those aggravations at bay.

Weight Loss

For many seniors, excess weight or weight gain can become a serious health problem. It might go without saying that exercise can help you lose weight, but for many seniors, adopting a routine to combat their sedentary lifestyle can be difficult.

As you age, your metabolism slows down, so even if you never had a weight problem and you eat healthy, you may find yourself with a few extra pounds. Even simple exercises like walking, light strength training or playing a sport you like a moderate intensity level can help you burn enough calories to maintain a healthy body weight.

Improved Mood

Exercise is good for your body, but it’s also good for improving your mood because it creates chemicals known asendorphins in your brain that help to reduce feelings of sadness and depression. While exercise may not be a cure for clinical depression, which needs to be treated by a doctor, getting out and moving your body can help you feel better on a regular basis.

In addition to improving your mood, exercising on a regular basis can also help you fall asleep faster at night and help you stay asleep.

Reduced Stress Levels

Stress affects many adults, and seniors are not immune to the pressure of life, especially if health concerns are starting to creep up. However, when it comes to day to day stress that doesn’t have to accumulate and drive you nuts, exercise can be a great way to lower your stress to a tolerable level.

Along with reducing mental stress, exercising on a regular basis can also help you reduce physical stress and pain in your body because it releases endorphins. Of course, you may have to get past the aches and pains of a new exercise routine before you reap those benefits if you haven’t exercise in a while.

Exercise should be a healthy part of life for everybody, including seniors. If you haven’t exercise in a while, however, you should talk with your doctor to make sure you are healthy enough for physical activity.

Your doctor may be able to recommend specific exercises and programs that could benefit you if you do have health problems as well.

Source: http://presidiohomecare.com/

Tips to Maintain Good Health in Old Age

One of the causes of the deterioration of the health of the elderly has their origins in poor diet. In various studies have been conducted found no differences in the levels of white blood cells hemoglobin, blood glucose, cholesterol or type of operation constituents of the brain. Also obtained similar results in the blood pressure, the use of oxygen and beyond the blood flow in the brain tissue.

The highest frequencies of brain waves themselves differences were found in the elderly because they are slower and relate to their change of mentality and behavior. In addition, there are many chronic diseases that begin to develop when we are young by habits and lifestyle that we lead, reaching manifest in adulthood and are more likely in the elderly.

In women , aging involves different characteristics compared to men. Women live longer than men. Their life expectancy is between six and ten years older.

Top Tips maintain healthy in old age:

1. Take care of your body physically and intellectually.

2. Maintain a healthy and balanced diet

3. Get out and enjoy the sun for a while each day’s march

4. Exercise, without committing excesses

5. It is upbeat and positive, but realistic

6. It is useful to you and helps others

7. Keep living and emotional cordial relationships with family and friends

8. Do not obsess with diseases and problems, enjoy life

Source: http://socialmediasatisfied.com/

Eye health tips for over-60s

How to keep your eyes healthy

As well as having regular eye tests and wearing the correct glasses, you can do several things to keep your eyes as healthy as possible:

• Eat well – eating a healthy, balanced diet is important for your eyes. Eating plenty of vegetables and fruit will benefit your overall health and may help protect against some conditions such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD, see below).

• Wear sunglasses – strong sunlight can damage your eyes and may increase your risk of cataracts. Wear sunglasses or contact lenses with a built-in UV filter to protect your eyes from harmful rays.

• Quit smoking – smoking can increase your chances of developing conditions such as cataracts and AMD.

• Stay a healthy weight – being overweight increases your risk of diabetes, which can lead to sight loss.

• Use good lighting – to see well, your eyes need three times as much light when you're 60 as they did when you were 20. Increase the daylight in your home by keeping windows clean and curtains pulled back. Make sure you have good electric lighting too, especially at the top and bottom of stairs so you can see the steps clearly. For reading or close work, use a direct light from a flexible table lamp, positioned so the light is not reflected by the page and causing glare.

• Exercise – good circulation and oxygen intake are important for our eye health. Both of these are stimulated by regular exercise.

• Sleep well – as you sleep, your eyes are continuously lubricated and irritants, such as dust or smoke, that may have accumulated during the day are cleared out.

 

Source: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au