While it is true that we are all living longer, there are some steps you can take to help make those years healthier than ever. The National Institute of Health recommends that seniors incorporate the following habits into their daily lives: eat a balanced diet; keep your mind and body active; do not smoke; get regular checkups; and practice safety habits to avoid accidents and prevent falls.
The Family Doctor website also offers some commonsense advice on how even small changes in your lifestyle can improve your health even if you are already a senior. Their primary recommendation is to add physical activity to your daily life and eat food that is enriched with fiber. By increasing your daily physical activity, it will help improve the strength of your bones and muscles. In addition we know that stronger muscles can help to prevent falls, and in the event you do experience a fall, those stronger bones are less apt to break. Another benefit to daily physical activity is that your brain also benefits. The article cites studies that indicate people who regularly exercise are better able to make decisions. Furthermore, even if you have never exercised on a regular basis, the experts say the benefits outweigh the risk of an exercise-related injury. By daily exercising, you can help improve many chronic health problems such as diabetes and heart disease. Seniors new to exercising should consult their health care provider before they begin. Once they are given the go ahead, they need to start slowly. Walking is one of the easiest exercises to do and experts recommend breaking up 30 minutes of daily activity into two or three increments. Consider walking for 15 minutes twice a day or do 10 minutes 3 times a day. Strength training also offers seniors benefits but again the suggestion is to begin slowly. Start with 1 or 5-pound weights and do a few exercises at a time. Resistance bands are also easy to use and can help to strengthen upper arms and leg muscles. Lastly the article suggests increasing the fiber in your diet; it can improve your health in a number of ways. Fiber gets your colon working better and reduces the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer. In addition it may help to lower cholesterol levels. This post is for information purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for seeking medical advice. MorningStar of Sparks’ unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior communities. Committed to creating a true home for residents within a gorgeous setting, our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve. We invite you to schedule a visit to learn more about our exceptional senior living.
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Being aware of changes in our loved ones’ health can be a first step toward addressing the issue. Since we know that catching problems early can be instrumental in preventing more serious problems later on, it is worthwhile to know some of the warning signs that indicate changes may be occurring.
The Mayo Clinic has put together 8 signs for children (and caring relatives) to look for in regards to potential health problems with their aging parents.
MorningStar of Sparks’ unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior communities. Committed to creating a true home for residents within a gorgeous setting, our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve. We invite you to schedule a visit to learn more about our exceptional senior living. Source: mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/caregivers/in-depth/aging-parents/art-20044126 According to the Mayo Clinic, the following is a list of the signs and symptoms you need to know if you think someone may be having a stroke. They recommend noting the time when you first notice the symptoms as it is important to know when seeking medical treatment.
The first sign is any difficulty with speaking or understanding as well as confusion. A person may slur their words or have trouble processing what is being said. Another thing to look for is any sudden numbness, weakness or paralysis in the face, arm or leg especially on one side of the body. Ask the person to try and raise both arms over their head at the same time. If one arm begins to fall, it may be a stroke. Also another indication of a stroke is if one side of the mouth is drooping when you ask the person to smile. Other signs of a stroke can include trouble with seeing in one or both eyes and exhibiting symptoms such as blurred or blackened vision or seeing double. In addition trouble walking as well as dizziness or loss of balance and coordination can also be signs of a stroke. Further stroke symptoms include a sudden onset of a severe headache along with vomiting, dizziness or altered consciousness. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the signs of a stroke regardless of whether they appear to fluctuate or disappear. The American Stroke Association’s F.A.S.T. acronym is an easy way to remember the signs of stroke. They state that you need to call 911 immediately if you or someone you are with experiences any of the following signs: F Face Drooping – Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Is the person's smile uneven? A Arm Weakness – Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? S Speech Difficulty – Is speech slurred? Is the person unable to speak or hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like "The sky is blue." Is the sentence repeated correctly? T Time to call 9-1-1 – If someone shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 9-1-1 and get the person to the hospital immediately. Check the time so you'll know when the first symptoms appeared. Remember the longer a stroke goes untreated, there becomes a greater potential for brain damage and disability. Once you have called for emergency assistance, continue to carefully watch the person. This post is intended for informational purposes only. Please contact your health care provider with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. MorningStar of Sparks’ unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior communities. Committed to creating a true home for residents within a gorgeous setting, our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve. We invite you to schedule a visit to learn more about our exceptional senior living. Sources: mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stroke/symptoms-causes/ strokeassociation.org/STROKEORG/WarningSigns/Stroke-Warning-Signs-and-Symptoms_UCM_308528_SubHomePage.jsp It is not uncommon for seniors to develop problems that interfere with getting a good night’s sleep. Leg cramps, which occur more often at night, can be one of those things. They are painful, involuntary contractions that happen suddenly and for no reason but are usually harmless. Occasionally, they can be a symptom of other underlying medical conditions.
Night leg cramps can be associated with:
This post is intended for informational purposes only. Please contact your health care provider with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. MorningStar of Sparks’ unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior communities. Committed to creating a true home for residents within a gorgeous setting, our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve. We invite you to schedule a visit to learn more about our exceptional senior living. |
AuthorAt Morningstar Senior Living we strive to create a true home where you can enjoy your retirement years as carefree as possible. Offering a lifestyle of comfort, wellness and community, our team works diligently to give residents a quality of life eclipsing that of other senior living communities. Archives
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