Tag Archives: aging

Jan30

How To Keep Your Aging Loved One Happy & Healthy

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How To Keep Your Aging Loved One Happy & Healthy

When it comes to aging loved ones, they tend to be the ones that face the most loneliness. It’s quite sad, but there is something that you can do about it. More specifically, there are ways that you can keep your aging loved one happy and healthy throughout the rest of their life. It’s not nearly as challenging as you may think so here is everything you need to know:

Encourage physical activities:

If your aging loved one is not getting adequate exercise, you should encourage them to be more active. Exercise helps strengthen muscles, improves balance, and helps reduce the risk of diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. It also promotes healthy aging. Many seniors are afraid of exercising, but they need to stay active to protect their health. Encourage your senior loved one to keep up with their physical activity by showing them the benefits of doing so.

Set boundaries around your caregiving relationship:

It can be challenging having to take care of your aging loved ones and it is important to set boundaries. This can sometimes be easier said than done! Some people find it difficult to say no to their parents. They may feel guilty and want to say yes to everything. The most important thing to remember when setting boundaries is to be clear. You do not want to be perceived as being a doormat or rude. Instead, be thoughtful and respectful. If you want to ensure your aging loved ones are happy and doing well, then you need to know it starts with you and how you feel. Boundaries will help keep both parties happy.

Encourage meaningful conversations:

Having those heart-to-heart conversations means a lot. Seniors’ minds are often a source of wisdom and experience. Sharing memories can be a fun and uplifting way to connect with them. You can ask them how they’re feeling or even try to take a trip down memory lane with them. Overall, it’s just so important to engage in these sorts of conversations; they’re very powerful and can help combat loneliness.

Make them feel safe:

Using the latest technologies, such as wireless alarm systems and sensors to detect falls, can give seniors the peace of mind they deserve. Other less obvious solutions include installing an intelligent alarm system, putting a lock on the front door, and removing items in the home that could be considered hazardous. If they’re living in a nursing home, you’re going to want to ensure that they’re staying safe there too. In cases like this, inform them of a nearby  Nursing Home Abuse Center for additional help.

Find a hobby or activity that they may enjoy:

Some common hobbies for seniors include bird watching, art, music, or even genealogy. These activities can provide a relaxing way for your senior to connect with the outdoors and enjoy nature. You can also consider joining a book club. The books in a book club can range from serious to light-hearted, but the club’s goal is to bring people together to discuss a topic. Another idea for a new hobby for your senior is to look online. Many online gaming communities and websites exist to offer people a wide variety of games and activities. There are also a number of apps available to help you get started.

Form a care team:

A family member like yourself may need extra help taking care of an aging parent or loved one. You shouldn’t do it all alone, which is why you need to have a care team. The best way to find a good fit is to talk to your family. You want to know what your aging parent’s wants and needs are. Your own goals are also important. This includes keeping your loved one safe and comfortable and providing emotional support. If you have the means, you can even hire a financial planner to protect your loved one’s assets, as this tends to be needed too. Overall, a care team and a large support system will definitely help out your aging loved one.

Help keep your loved one safe and happy with the tips above and continue to nurture your relationship every day!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

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Jan27

Help Your Aging Parents Stay Healthy With These Tips

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Help Your Aging Parents Stay Healthy With These Tips

As parents age, they may need more assistance with their daily activities and health care. To ensure good health for aging parents, several options must be considered. From diet and exercise to mental health, here are five tips to help you support your aging parents as they transition into this new stage of their lives:

Pay Attention To Diet & Nutrition:

Eating a balanced diet is essential at any age, especially during the senior years. Eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help maintain energy levels and improve overall health. Reducing sugar intake and limiting red meat consumption are also essential, as these can increase cholesterol levels. Additionally, make sure your parents are taking any necessary vitamins or supplements that would benefit their health. If cost is an issue, many stores offer discounted vitamins specifically tailored to seniors’ needs.

Encourage Them To Exercise:

Regular exercise plays an essential role in maintaining physical health for older adults. Exercise helps strengthen muscles and bones, improves endurance, boosts immunity, and increases the production of endorphins, which can positively affect mood. Be sure to consult with a doctor before beginning any new exercises or activities as there are some that may not be appropriate depending on your parent’s current state of health or mobility level.

Nurture Good Mental Health & Socialization:

Seniors often experience feelings of isolation due to reduced mobility or social outlets. It’s essential that they still feel connected to family members and friends and stay engaged in activities that bring them joy, such as reading books or watching movies online with family members who live far away! Check in regularly with your parents about how they’re feeling – not just physically but mentally and look out for signs of depression, such as changes in sleep patterns or lack of motivation which may require professional assistance from a counselor or therapist, if needed.

Consider A Nursing Home:

It’s important to talk openly with your parents about their long-term care preferences and discuss if a nursing home would be beneficial for them. Nursing homes can provide professional medical care, companionship, and help with activities of daily living that they may not be able to do on their own. Make sure you thoroughly research the facility before making any decisions, as some may not have the best reputation or offer adequate medical care to seniors. You don’t want to have to contact a Nursing Home Justice Center after discovering your parents are victims of nursing home abuse.

Safety Management:

As people age, their risk for falls increases due to weakened muscles and/or reduced vision. Safety measures should be put into place in order to prevent falls from occurring inside the home, such as adding grab bars in the bathroom or installing motion sensor lights throughout hallways/stairs if possible. Establishing a contact list of family members or close friends who can be called in case of an emergency is also recommended. Alternatively, you can consider investing in a medical alert system that will allow your parents access to 24-hour medical assistance if needed.

Aging is not easy, and your parents may need support to maintain their physical and mental health. Keep these five tips in mind as you help them navigate this new life stage!

Featured Image By: Yan Krukau

Oct4

You’re Never Too Old!

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You’re Never Too Old!

Hello!! As you all know, I am a HUGE lover of body modifications, fun hair, and fashion. I’m twenty-eight years old and I could never picture looking or dressing any differently than I do. In fact, I truly believe that I will have my five nose piercings in for all eternity and that’s fine by me!

When I’m out and about in a killer OOTD or just bumming it while running errands, a comment that I always seem to get is: “I wish I could dress or dye my hair like that but I’m too old.” To which I will always reply: “NO YOU’RE NOT!!” As sweet of a compliment as it is, it makes me sad because I am a firm believer in age being nothing but a number – even though I sometimes internally cry over approaching the big 3-0 *face palm*.

I also think that life is too short to be anything other than yourself. And if that means getting a tattoo or piercing at fifty or dying your hair pink at ninety, then I say go for it! What is the point in denying yourself something that would make you happy? Answer: There is no point.

During a trip to the zoo a few weekends ago, I wore this outfit:

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While exploring the Akron Zoo with my sister and nieces, I ran into one of my friends and her three daughters. The two older of the three told me that they wanted to dress like me when they grow up and it warmed my cold, bitter heart. They also said that they never see adults who look like me and it’s cool.

I asked how old they thought I was because sometimes I have a hard time believing I’m an adult lol and one of them replied with “I don’t know… nineteen?” At this point, I thought my heart was going to explode and their minds were blown when I told them how old I am. I enlightened them on my philosophy about always being true to your own personal style and I think that it stuck!

No matter your age, there is nothing wrong with being the best version of yourself. If you are toying with the idea of changing your look up, then this is your sign to do it. You can thank me by telling me all about your transformation! ❤

What do you love about yourself? Do you have any plans for new hair, tattoos, etc? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep28

4 Considerations When Looking After Elderly Parents

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4 Considerations When Looking After Elderly Parents

It can be a difficult task to take care of your retired parents, but with careful planning and execution, it doesn’t have to be. There are four essential things that you need to consider when looking after them: their health, finances, living situation, and their social life. In this blog post, we will go over each of these considerations in detail and provide you with advice on how to manage them best:

Their health:

As your parents age, their health will inevitably decline. It’s important to be proactive about their health and get regular checkups with their doctor. You should also create a list of their medications as well as hospitals and doctors that their insurance covers and keep it in a safe place. In case of an emergency, you or another family member can quickly reference this list and ensure that your parents are getting the care they need.

Their finances:

One of the most challenging conversations with elderly parents is about their financial situation. It can be hard to broach the topic, especially if they are reluctant to discuss it. However, it is vital to be aware of their financial situation for two reasons: 1) you need to know if they can support themselves and 2) you need to be on the lookout for signs of financial elder abuse.

If your parents are struggling financially, they have several options. For example, they may be eligible for government benefits or charity assistance. If they own their home, they may also be able to downsize or take out a reverse mortgage. Unfortunately, as far as financial elder abuse goes, this sadly is an all too real problem and can take form in many ways, so be sure to keep an eye on professionals dealing with your parent’s finances.

Their living situation:

Another important consideration is your parents’ living situation. If they can live independently, that’s great! But if they need some assistance, you’ll need to consider that. If they live in a retirement community, staff who can help with transportation or meals may be there. If they live in their own home, you’ll need to decide if it’s feasible for them to continue doing so. If not, you may need to help them find a new place to live.

Whatever their living situation, you’ll also need to consider how accessible it is. Can they get around safely? Do they have everything they need? Is it safe for them to be there? These are all critical things to consider when looking after your retired parents.

Their social life:

Finally, you’ll need to think about your parents’ social life. As people age, they often become more isolated and lose touch with their friends. Having a good support network and staying connected to the outside world will be especially beneficial to their mental health. There are a few ways you can do this:

  • Encourage them to join social clubs or groups
  • Make sure they see their friends regularly
  • Take them out for outings and activities

These are four essential considerations when looking after your retired parents or loved ones. If you can address these areas, you’ll be doing a great job of taking care of them!

Featured Image By: Andrea Piacquadio

Jul29

How To Help & Support Your Parents As They Age

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How To Help & Support Your Parents As They Age

Watching your parents age can be a challenging situation and transition. The roles are reversing and you may now find yourself taking care of them instead of the other way around. It’s best to accept the inevitable and to figure out ways to ensure it’s a smooth and positive experience for everyone involved. Learn more about how you can best help and support your parents as they age and sleep well at night knowing you’re doing all that’s in your power to make sure they’re happy and well.

Figure Out the Right Living Situation:

You can help and support your parents as they age by stepping in and figuring out the right living situation for them. For instance, it may be that you want to have caregivers come into their home each day or you believe they’d be better off and more comfortable in a retirement and senior living community such as the Catholic Care Center. Think about how much constant care they need and where they may be the happiest and then help get them settled.

Be Available:

Another way to help your parents as they age is to be available. Check-in often with phone calls, emails, or texts and see how they’re doing. If you live close by, then you may want to pick a few days out of the week to stop in and visit with them in person. It’ll help you identify any potential problems and their needs. You should also think about being available to go to their doctor and medical appointments with them to advocate on their behalf and ensure they’re getting the best treatment possible.

Encourage Them to Stay Active & Engaged:

As your parents age, encourage them to be active so they can live their best life. It’s important for their mental health and well-being that they get out of the house to socialize, follow a daily schedule, and challenge themselves physically. Maybe you could go for a walk when you visit or let them know what activities and events are happening within the community so they can attend.

A senior living community like Starhaven Villas offers resort style amenities to help keep your loved ones active too. Golfing, pickle ball, bocce ball, and a clubhouse are just naming a few that Starhaven Villas has on their property. If you are going the community living route, one with a plentiful schedule of activities will help to keep your parents or grandparents happy and engaged.

Empathize & Be Compassionate:

What’s most important is that you remain level-headed through all of these changes and don’t let your stress or emotions get the best of you. Instead, empathize with your parents and show compassion toward their situation and life. Sit down and have conversations with them to let them know you love and care for them and want to help them with what they need as they age. Consider how you’d feel under their circumstances and be patient as you all adjust to this new way of living and being.

You now have a better idea of some of the ways you can be of help to your parents as they get older. Also, be sure to maintain a daily self-care routine for yourself so you don’t let your health slide as you offer assistance and support to your aging parents.

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Jun9

3 Things You Should Do To Take Care Of Yourself Today

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3 Things You Should Do To Take Care Of Yourself Today

Whether you want it to or not, time keeps moving forward. Why not embrace it instead of dread the march? By achieving a proactive mindset, you can care for your body and mind to stay healthy and age with grace. Here are three proactive steps you can make today to better care for yourself:

Make An Appointment With Your Healthcare Provider:

Everyone looks into a mirror multiple times each day. As you do, you will notice changes in your face and body, and perhaps things that you may want to change. One thing that many people hone in on are their eyes. If you observe that one or both of your eyelids are drooping, make an appointment with your healthcare provider to discuss your options. They may diagnose you with ptosis, which is the medical term for drooping eyelids. Your provider can prescribe FDA-approved ptosis eyedrops to treat the drooping eyelid. Any further treatment or issues can be brought up at this visit.

Be sure to add any other issues to the visit to maximize efficiency. Have your annual physical, well-check, and mole check at the same time. Talk with your provider about any aches or pains you are experiencing. Go over all medications and vitamins to determine efficacy and potential interactions. This is a great opportunity to ensure you are receiving the proper dosages. As time passes, your body will change. Keep your provider up-to-date on anything you need.

Check In With Your Mental Health Professional:

After living through different stages of the pandemic, you have likely experienced some sense of helplessness, isolation, or frustration. You may have lost your job or even your home. Differing outlooks on politics and science have led family relations and friendships to areas of strain. Whether any of these topics impacted your life or not, taking care of your mental health is an imperative step towards overall well-being.

Contact your insurance company regarding available mental health providers in your area. Another option is telehealth or virtual visits. Insurance may cover these or you can find licensed professionals online that offer reasonable fees. Do your due diligence and research before you engage to ensure you are getting the best services for your needs.

Meditation is a useful tool in the practice of mental health self-care. Here is a relaxing ten minute video to enjoy:

Create Or Maintain An Exercise Routine:

No matter what your current stage in life, exercise will benefit your general health. (Always consult with a healthcare provider before beginning any new exercise program or if you have any concerns.) You can start slowly with leisurely walks and then build up to more intense sessions. If you like strenuous workouts, consider signing up for a local 5K and begin training. You can get personal bonus points by finding a run that benefits a charity that you support. If you enjoy human interaction and as gyms reopen, sign up or reactivate your membership. Another option for you if you appreciate alone time is to sign up for a fitness streaming service to get fit in your own home.

Pexels Image

Take time out of your busy schedule to take care of your body and mind. The steps you take will benefit you both now and in the future.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Mar22

3 Things To Remember When You Start Exercising Later In Life

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3 Things To Remember When You Start Exercising Later In Life

Not everyone likes to exercise and that’s okay. But even if you don’t like running or you are now at the point where you think you may have to do a little exercise, it could be hard to get into it if you’re a bit older. But whatever your stage of life, physical fitness can make you feel better and have a positive impact on a number of health conditions. But where do we begin?

The Importance of Starting Small:

One of the biggest temptations is to make up for lost time. So we think that we have to run 10k, but learning to run before you can walk, almost literally, can make you run the risk of a whole host of injuries. We can get injuries, not just because we are overreaching, but it is also due to poor form. Common podiatrist clients are the people who run too much. Starting to exercise is about making sure you get the form right before you do anything else. Whether you are lifting weights or running, you must focus on doing the move correctly. People are so impatient and want to get into the heavier, more difficult things, but the reality is that you need to slow down and start small.

Finding the Right Exercises for Your Lifestyle:

Another common misconception is that if we are to get fit, we need to hit the gym five or six days a week. This is not the case. When we think back to our ancestors, the hunter-gatherers, they only expelled energy when they needed to and we can learn from that. There are people who believe that you don’t need to exercise much in order to be healthy. And this is a very popular approach, especially for those who need to exercise quickly. This is why there are products like the X3 Bar that prove very popular because they provide the stimulus to grow muscle and cardiovascular health while doing it in a short space of time. But if you like the idea of running long distances, it’s entirely your prerogative. Whatever fits around your lifestyle will be enough to keep you fit.

Keeping At It:

This is the biggest thing we all need to overcome. When we find the right routines for our lives and perform them correctly, we have to stick to a schedule in order to achieve results. This is why many people give up at the gym at the end of January having just set up a membership only four weeks before! The best thing for you to do is to go to the calendar and mark the days where you can exercise and for how long. But in addition, you must remember that you will only make significant impacts on your life if you stick to a healthy diet. Exercising is the best way to begin, but if you want to make big changes, you’ll also need to change your eating habits.

It’s never too late to start exercising! Start small, keep it gradual, and make sure that you are doing your exercises correctly to prevent injuries.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Feb12

Turning Back The Clock On Those Creaky Joints

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Turning Back The Clock On Those Creaky Joints

It happens to all of us, but when you feel it for the first time, it’s only natural that you might be a little worried. Your joints might be starting to complain at you a little more regularly and you might be worried that this is an irreversible sign of aging. However, while joint paint does tend to naturally come with age, it doesn’t mean that it’s inevitable or unstoppable. In fact, here are a few ways you might be able to stop it:

Consider your weight:

It’s not a topic you might like to think about that often but the simple truth of the matter is that the more overweight you are, the more pressure is going to be put on areas like your back and your knees. Not only are they going to be uncomfortable more often, but you’re more likely to develop musculoskeletal injuries from simply moving around. Weight is not the end-all and be-all of your health, but if you are overweight, it can be damaging to your health in the long term. There are plenty of healthy weight management strategies, try choosing those that are easy to incorporate in the long term rather than fad diets or short-term tactics like cleanses.

Get yourself a little relief:

A lot of the pain that you are likely to feel around your lower back and your joints is likely to be caused by pressure as a result of inflammation. There are ways to help combat this inflammation, such as by managing your weight, but a little physical assistance can also do a lot of good. For instance, after exercising, it’s important to stretch and to use foam rollers to make sure you ease the tension out of your body after tensing it for so long. If you’re having joint aches, then direct approaches such as visiting a chiropractor for knee pain can help, as well. There are plenty of proven techniques for applying a little pressure to get the pain out of your body.

Check with your doctor:

Joint pain can be a natural part of aging or it can be a result of working too hard, being stressed, or not getting enough time to rest. However, it can also be a symptom of a chronic condition that you’re not dealing with. The most common of these is arthritis. Arthritis pain almost always presents primarily as joint pain, as it is a condition that is related to long-term inflammation. Getting a diagnosis can help you get access to additional treatments you need, such as medication and even surgery if the pain is that bad. The symptoms of such conditions tend to worsen over time, so it’s important to find it and start combating it early.

You can’t prevent all of the signs of aging from coming at one point or another. You can, however, make sure you’re doing your best to keep your body young, healthy, and free from pain as possible. Hopefully, the tips above can help with that!

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Jan29

Why You Should Plan For Retirement Early

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Why You Should Plan For Retirement Early

Despite how important retirement is, a lot of us leave planning to the last minute. You might plan to get around to it soon, but ‘soon’ can easily become ‘next year’, and then it’s too late. Most people don’t know how much cash they will need to retire securely, and many don’t have a pension at all. It’s never too early to plan for retirement so get started with the tips below:

When Do You Want To Retire? When Can You?

Think about your ideal retirement and look at your finances to start planning from tomorrow. This will help you to work out if there is a distance between when you want to retire and when you actually will be able to. Are you hoping for mortgage-free living in retirement or will you live in a retirement community? Do you want to enjoy your retirement with travel and restaurants? Try to work out how much you expect to spend each month.

By working out these things early, if you find you can’t reach your ideal retirement with your current finances and the rate you’re saving at, you can work out how much more you will need to set aside each month in order to actually reach your retirement goal. If you don’t get prepared, you could end up with a lot less saved up than you expected. Your goal of retiring at 60 could easily get pushed back to 65, and then 70.

Delaying Could Cost You Thousands:

If you start saving for your retirement at 30, you can save less money each year than if you start saving at 50, and still end up with the same amount in your retirement fund. Every year that you put off planning for your pension means that you will have more catching up to do later on, which is when you will likely have more outgoings, thanks to a growing family or a bigger mortgage. In the future, you won’t thank your present self for a lack of planning for your retirement.

Retiring Isn’t Always A Choice:

You might think of retirement as a milestone for later in life, but sometimes the choice of when you retire is not up to you. You might have to retire earlier than you wanted to due to poor health, a change in family circumstances, or a redundancy. There are lots of reasons that you might find yourself having to stop working earlier than you had planned to. If you don’t plan for changes of circumstances like this, there can be a lot of problems. Trying to support your family or pay your mortgage on a smaller pension than you had planned for would be a big issue.

Planning early is important when it comes to your retirement, so get started ASAP!

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Dec16

Simple Tips When Caring For Elderly Relatives

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Simple Tips When Caring For Elderly Relatives

Looking after the people you care about is always a priority in life. Whether young or old, you want to make sure that your family is in a good position, and there are plenty of ways to achieve this goal. As the people in your family get older, the types of care they might need will become clearer. This can create challenges, especially if your loved ones need permanent care, but there are tips that you can follow to make this easier for yourself. Let’s take a look at some of your options to get you started:

Emergency alarms:

Having an emergency alarm to use when they desperately need help can make caring for your loved ones much easier. This will take away the stress of checking on them all the time, giving them the freedom they want while enabling you to maintain a normal life. Tools like this can prove life-saving in certain circumstances, with just about every care facility in the world providing them. You can buy special pendants that can either connect to your phone or a special operator that will be available at all times.

Assistance:

Sometimes, you may not be able to be there for your elderly parents all of the time. This issue typically occurs if you still work full time or perhaps live too far away to drop everything to visit. As much as you can fill their home with upgrades and accessories to make living alone as a senior easier and safer, you can also explore at home care services to check in with your parents when you’re unable to reach them.

Walk-in baths:

Being able to clean themselves is a key element of your family member’s independence. Having a wet room can be perfect if they are disabled, making it easier for them to clean themselves and for carers to do parts of the job for them. Walk-in tubs are better for those with more mobility, but who would still like to be able to get into the bath or shower without assistance. Walk-in bath tub installation isn’t too expensive, especially when you consider the difference it can make.

Ramps:

Even when you’re not dealing with someone with a disability, you’d be surprised at how useful ramps can be when used in the right circumstances. Small steps can get harder and harder to climb as someone gets older, but ramps ease this process, giving your loved ones the chance to make their own way into their homes. Stair lifts can be good for full sets of stairs, though this can be quite pricey if you want an option that will last for a long time.

Key safes:

Being able to access the home of your loved one is crucial if you want to be able to look after them. Key safes are a great way to be able to give access to a group of people without having to have loads of keys to keep track of. If you need a doctor to visit when you’re not there, for example, you can have them use the key safe to let themselves in if there isn’t an answer at the door. Like an alarm, this can prove to be invaluable.

With all of this in mind, you should be feeling ready to make your life caring for your loved ones a little bit simpler. There are more options out there to help with this, making it well worth doing your research before you decide which you will choose.

Featured Image By: Unsplash