Older adults often experience a significant decrease in muscle mass as they age, but there are ways to turn it all around. Maintaining a healthy weight and living an active lifestyle can help seniors strengthen their bones. Continue reading to learn some of the different ways your aging loved one can build muscle strength. 1. Stay Physically Active Exercise is…
Seniors should avoid foods that can increase the risk of infections, worsen chronic conditions, or interfere with medications. For example, undercooked eggs and meat may contain harmful bacteria like salmonella, while raw seafood and unpasteurized milk or juice can lead to serious infections. Soft and processed cheeses carry bacteria or high sodium, and fried or heavily processed foods can contribute…
Sleep problems are one Alzheimer’s symptom you may need to address as a family caregiver. Seniors in general tend to have difficulty sleeping, but Alzheimer’s disease adds to the challenge by altering comfort levels and behavior patterns. Sleep problems are best handled by using several different strategies to get your senior loved one to relax and sleep through the night. …
Crafting is a great way to spend time with your elderly loved one. Seniors benefit from participating in activities that give them a sense of purpose, and they feel proud of what they make. These six crafts are awesome for seniors because they’re easily adaptable to fit different needs, and each one results in a fun product your loved one…
After a senior experiences a stroke, there’s a long road to recovery ahead, and one of the steps family caregivers need to take is ensuring their elderly loved ones have living environments that are as safe as possible. Here are a few suggestions for helping your loved one remain safe while recovering from a stroke. Consolidate the Living Space to…
Resilience is the ability to accept and adapt to changes in life that are often challenging. For example, instead of sulking at home, a resilient person might choose to look for a new job if the company he or she works at closes. Seniors often face some of the most difficult circumstances as they age, and cultivating an attitude of…
Cholesterol levels are routinely checked when seniors have annual physicals. The lab test typically reveals the values for high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides. HDL levels should be 60 mg/dl or higher, LDL levels should be under 129 mg/dl, and triglyceride levels should be 150 mg/dl or less. When LDL and triglyceride levels are too high, healthcare providers…
One of the many jobs family caregivers take on is keeping track of their senior loved ones’ medical information. A little bit of organization can go a long way toward helping your loved one remain healthy, and you should make sure to keep all of this crucial info in a safe place. 1. Insurance Information Maintain an updated list of…
As the body ages, the digestive system stops functioning as well as it once did. Motility slows, meaning food moves through the intestines more slowly, and constipation and poor absorption of nutrients become commonplace for many. Consuming dietary fiber is one natural way to fight against these problems, and it can be easily added to any ordinary diet with these…
If you’re like most people caring for senior parents with dementia, you’ve taken on the role with little or no training. You may not know what’s acceptable to say to your loved one, but it’s crucial to find out. Some words and phrases can escalate bad behavior or cause mental health problems for seniors with the condition. Here are some…
