Seniors Site

Before I start enumerating foods that can kill cancer cells, it is better to keep in mind that this post is in no way created to treat cancer patients, much less, disregard medical care and treatments for cancer. What I hope to accomplish by posting this is for seniors to have a guide on what to eat if you are predisposed to having this terrible condition. In battling cancer, I firmly believe that prevention is always better than cure since most cancer treatments lessen a patient’s quality of life. To date, there is no specific way to treat cancer and the way it behaves, unfortunately, is still a mystery to healthcare professionals.

Supplementary programs like this should be treated as an added line of defense for cancer. Seniors should consider these supplementary and complimentary treatments since they need all the help they can get—weakened immune system and all. Some of the foods mentioned in this post can even help seniors in recovering from medical treatments. Another point to consider when battling cancer is knowing the exact cancer cell line you should be targeting. Do note that not all cancer cells are created equal, in fact, there are about thousands of them discovered as yet—and still counting. Your doctor will be able to help you determine the cancer cell line by doing blood work and other typing tests. One good reason in insisting to know your cancer cell line is to be able to plan accordingly on how to fight the type of cancer that has stricken you.

Aside from determining your cancer cell line, there are other things you must consider if interested in supplementary treatments in killing cancer cells. One of which is your metabolism since most of the substances you’ll introduce to your body is food-based. Naturally, your metabolism will burn these substances off. Knowing your metabolism rate will help you determine the right amount or dosage your body needs to be able to successfully affect the cancer cells.

Below are some foods that can kill cancer cells thus should be incorporated into your daily diet:

•    Acai Berries. It is rich in anti-oxidant, a molecule responsible in helping damaged cells to self-destruct and healthier ones to repair themselves. When introduced to a cancer cell, it effectively triggers self destruction, killing the cancer cell instantly.
•    Aloe Vera. Aloe, in general, has many uses, mostly topical. It has softening properties and it can soothe minor skin problems. Researchers believe that it can boost your immune system, making it strong enough to kill cancer cells.
•    Ginger. Ginger was found to not only kill cancer cells but also make their defenses and resistance to treatment down, enabling cancer treatments to effectively kill them. However, check with your doctor first if you are undergoing treatments at the moment.

It seems that your best defense against cancer is eating right, as suggested by researchers and healthcare providers worldwide. For me, it sounds logical enough since most of these “madmade” foods we eat nowadays are notoriously known to alter our cells—and we all know that when you say cancer, it is your own damaged cell transformed into something immortal, destructive and unfathomable.

Eating your way to fighting cancer may not be the silver bullet but in more ways than one, it can do an aging body good, so what’s there to lose? Below is a list of foods found to effectively kill cancer cells, depending on the cancer type. What’s good about this is that you can buy these things at your regular grocery stores and they are a lot cheaper as compared to buying meds for cancer treatments. Try incorporating them into your diet:

•    Leafy plants and vegetables such as parsley and celery. It effectively combats prostate and breast cancer cells. Apigenin, a flavonoid present in leafy plants and vegetables, works hand-in-hand with chemotherapy by inhibiting cell growth that is otherwise resistant to the treatment.
•    Broccoli. This dark green vegetable is most recommended for cancer patient, in fact—it was dubbed as a “superfood”. However, broccoli is most effective in fighting breast cancer as it targets and limits breast cancer stem cells.
•    Hot peppers. It has capsaicin, a popular compound used to relive arthritic pain. In prostate cancer cases, it makes cancer cells kill themselves or self-destruct.
•    Carrots. Aside from the fact that carrots will improve your eye sight, it also helps you prevent cancer.
•    Lemongrass. Just like hot peppers, citral, a compound found in lemongrass can cause cancer cells to commit suicide, eventually killing themselves.
•    Turmeric powder. When introduced to throat cancer cell, it instantly kills it, all thanks to its active compound curcumin.
•    Berries. Every berry has its own cancer-fighting properties. In general, all berries are good for fighting cancer. You just have to know the type of cancer you are trying to kill and its corresponding berry.
•    Green tea. Of all teas in the world, the healthiest would be green teas. If you are a smoker, your best defense against lung cancer would be green tea.
•    Ginseng. In breast cancer cases, ginseng inhibits tumor growth while consuming it during cancer treatments helps in relieving fatigue that comes with it. It also improves energy levels when undergoing treatments.
•    Honey. It has anti-tumor and anti-metastatic compounds which can be very beneficial in treating cancer.

Most seniors who are trying to lose weight may find “healthy eating” quite a challenge. You must know that your way to a successful weight loss starts with healthy eating habits. Unfortunately, this is also where most dieters fail. Eating is part of our existence, it nourishes us and enables our bodies to function right, aside from that, it fulfills us. However, it is quite easy to lose yourself over food especially if you have grown used to eating bad kinds. Below are some easy tips to control your eating habits:

•    Plan ahead. It is normal to get frustrated with the food choices you may have right now since you are just starting out with healthy eating. By planning your meals ahead of time, there won’t be a “nothing-to-eat” moment that may seduce you to eating unhealthy foods.
•    Do not look back. There’s no use counting those you cannot have, instead, be proud of yourself as you are “one day healthier than yesterday”.
•    Practice eating by portions. You don’t need to load it all up in one meal. In fact, experts say, if you do this, you are only training your stomach to take in more than it should. Eating by portions will help your body stay fueled all throughout the day without overeating.
•    Power up your breakfast. Make healthy choices for your breakfast, not hefty. Fiber is the most ideal during mornings, so does fruit.
•    Know your hunger. Are you “hungry” hungry or just nursing a craving? Or perhaps just needs to fill an “emotional” void? Do know that you only need to eat when your body needs it, all others are dangerous for your weight.
•    If you go hungry, try to fight the urge to eat more. My suggestion is to have a snack first such as crackers, just to have something in your stomach then wait a while before having your portion meal.
•    When grocery shopping, do not buy unhealthy foods, much less, bring them home as you are only inviting unwanted temptation.
•    Eat slowly and savor each moment. By eating slowly, you help ease the pressure on your digestion department since you already did half of their work. Aside from that, you’ll be able to enjoy the food you eat instead of absentmindedly stuffing yourself with junk.
•    Avoid comfort foods. Admit it or not, we all have them. The bad side of it is relying on these when the going gets tough..then tougher still.. The best way to combat comfort eating is to diverting your energy to something else, something more productive.

We often hear tips on how to travel right, I, myself, am guilty of this as I constantly post new and innovative ways on how to pack for traveling and stay safe while on a vacation. When I do, I always make it a point to mention how and why you should bring just enough medications with you to last you until it’s time to go home. Of course, you have heard how it can be a headache just finding out that your prescription meds are not available in and around the area you’ll be staying. Packing your own medications will help you avoid getting stuck somewhere without the convenience of your own meds.

However, it is not always that easy to bring your medications with you when traveling, especially if you are planning to travel by air. Sometimes, even crossing a country will have your bags and being subjected to inspection. Even over-the-counter drugs can cause you trouble when checking in at airports, so you really have to be very careful when packing them. Here are some tips on how to pack your medications the right way when traveling:

•    Pack them individually and label each one according to their names and uses. Never dump them all in one container as they may cause confusion to the inspector and lead to unnecessary confiscation.
•    Make sure you have proof that these medications are yours. Your strongest proof would be your doctor’s medical prescription. If you are wary of carrying this with you or if you are afraid you might lose the prescription during the trip, then a copy of which will do.
•    For pills and inhalers, it is better if you keep them in their original containers and put your name on it for easy reference. This way, you can easily claim them as yours when asked.
•    You are allowed a quart Ziploc bag to carry your liquids (the original bottle must fit the bag) Usually this is enough for a traveling senior but if it’s absolutely necessary for you to carry more than that amount, you will have to declare it to a travel officer.
•    Be conscious enough to just bring enough amount with you as something other than enough will certainly raise an alarm at security checkpoints.
•    For medications that you won’t need during the travel time itself, you can send them to your destination ahead of time, this way, you won’t have a problem with security when checking in.
•    Some security checkpoints won’t allow even the most “innocent” of things such as gels and aerosols since their inspections are based on categories. Make sure you check them prior to traveling.

As we age, sexual satisfaction becomes an issue for seniors. Problem is, not all seniors are open to discussing their sexual troubles with their doctors since the words “sex” and ‘seniors” don’t really mix well with other generations.

What seniors should know is that when it comes to sexual satisfaction, healthy lifestyle is important. As much as possible, staying away from illnesses and diseases will help you maintain an active and satisfying sex life even in your golden years. Moreover, your healthcare provider can help you improve your sex life—you just have to tell them your woes. Below are some issues you might want to address if you would like to improve your sex life:

•    Self-esteem. It’s the way you look at yourself that usually becomes the problem when dealing with sex—and this is not an issue solely concerning seniors. Self-esteem is a barrier in achieving sexual satisfaction at any age so it is important to stay in tiptop shape when trying to maintain good sex life.
•    Medications. Anything you take in has an implication to your health—may it be good or bad. Some prescription drugs which you can usually find in a senior’s medicine cabinet have an impact on your sexual functions. If you suspect this to be the problem, have your doctor change or perhaps adjust your medications’ dosage.
•    Heart problems. There is a common notion that if you are suffering from heart problems, you should not engage in any sexual activities as you risk having an attack. This is not exactly true; as soon as your doctor gives you a go signal, you’ll be fine.
•    Stress. Sexual satisfaction is only achieved if you are free from any stressor and you’ll be able to enjoy the moment with your partner. Stress takes your mind off the pleasure hence hindering your capacity to enjoy sexual acts.
•    Changes in your bodily functions, particularly menopause. Menopause is such a confusing stage in a woman’s life, inside and out, and it can certainly affect the way you see sex. While physical changes are present such as vaginal dryness, it can be remedied.
•    Sexual woes such as erectile dysfunction. Sure it can be embarrassing at the same time frustrating but there are treatments available depending on the cause of your condition.
•    Alcohol consumption. Alcohol can indeed lower your inhibitions however, alcohol can also lessen the sensation so it more or less, defeats the purpose of having a satisfying sex.

Almost every senior I know suffer from high blood pressure and really, it can be bothersome at times. Just like diabetes, it needs to be controlled or else it will lead to fatal complications such as stroke, heart failure and even do some kidney damage. Below are some simple suggestions on how to prevent hypertension from happening and keep your blood pressure in check:

•    Know how to check your own blood pressure. Seniors don’t have to wait for the next trip to the doctor’s clinic to know how their blood pressure is doing. Do take note that hypertension don’t—and will never—wait.
•    Exercise. Maintaining an active lifestyle will help you keep your blood pressure at normal levels. It lowers blood pressure and prevents a person from having hypertension (for non-sufferers). It can even help you be off your medications if done right.
•    Switch to DASH diet. As promoted by National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, DASH diet is specifically designed to control hypertension. In fact, the acronym itself stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. Learn more about DASH diet here.
•    Be at your ideal weight. If you weigh above your ideal weight, you risk shooting your blood pressure up the sky while maintaining it at your most ideal puts your blood pressure in its most comfortable level.
•    Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. These two activities are known blood pressure aggravators, so you might want to cut back on doing it.
•    Less salt, more fruit and veggies. Sodium can get your blood pressure in a haywire while potassium from fruit and veggies can “relax” it.
•    Aim for adequate hours of sleep. Lack of sleep is a risk factor for hypertension. As much as possible, get at least six hours of sleep every night. If not, try to compensate by taking naps during the day.
•    Do without stress. Your blood pressure tends to spike if the body detects threat. Stress is definitely a threat so when you experience stress, your blood pressure responds in a way that it rises up.
•    Follow your doctor’s order. Hypertension is manageable. It has been managed by doctors and healthcare providers all over the world quite successfully and many seniors have been spared their lives just by following their doctor’s orders—that is, lifestyle change and taking necessary medications. If you are having problems with your prescribed medications, talk with your doctor about it.
•    When consulting a doctor, always bring your medications with you. Write down in a piece of paper the medications you have been taking lately, including over-the-counter ones as well as supplements and herbal preparations. This is done to avoid harmful drug-drug reactions inside your body.

We, seniors, are considered as the most vulnerable group ever to live on this planet. We, unintentionally, invite scammers into our homes and our lives. Even of those we have trusted our whole lives, we can never be sure. No amount of defense is better than prevention, that’s what I say but if push comes to shove, we seniors should be ready to handle such situations and come out of it fairly unscathed! Here are some of simple self defense tips for seniors:

•    Avoid wandering around without any particular go-to location in mind. If you have to do this, make sure you don’t look lost or dazed as these are what malicious people are looking for.
•    Be especially aware of your surroundings. By now, you must have known your neighborhood like the back of your hand. Try to avoid neighborhoods that are famous for trouble and stick with those that won’t do you harm.
•    Always make it a point to have at least one arm free, if two is not possible. This way, you will be able to use this “free arm” if and when someone attacks you. This also applies when going in and out of your home.
•    Have a whistle and flashlight in handy. Both of which you can buy in miniature sizes to easily slide inside your pocket. There are also alarm systems designed especially for seniors, albeit more expensive.
•    Avoid going out at night especially if you are alone. When visiting an ATM machine, always do it in broad daylight or at least on a well-lit area. Assess your surroundings first for suspicious characters or dark areas surrounding the machine, if there is one, try to find another machine to withdraw you money from.
•    Never open your doors without knowing for sure who is on the other side. You can have someone install a peephole so you can see first who’s knocking before opening the door.
•    Keep your valuables hidden. If you are planning to have a little stroll down the park, make sure you leave your jewelries at home and carry just enough money to bring you back home.
•    Bring “not-so-obvious” self-defense weapon such as umbrella, cane, pen and keys. You can use these things to defend you against your attacker.
•    Join self-defense classes. Local organizations as well as police authorities organize free self-defense classes every now and then. It is best to attend such classes and ask questions while there.

I just love hobby-turned-to-business success stories. I have heard a plenty, I must say but I find garden centers to be the most fulfilling of them all—and my gardening friends will attest to that!

Gardening fulfills a certain spot in seniors’ heart. It maybe the “nurturing” side of it or perhaps actually having control of things as well as seeing something grown by your own hands–whatever it may be, nothing can beat having the chance to show it off and earn from it as well! Be it something as small as your backyard can give or as big as those fancy ones, here is a simple guide to help you set up your own garden center:

•    Pinpoint your market. Nowadays, business owners have plenty of market to target depending on their interest and well—availability. Those who wish to operate on a fairly tight budget can go online and still be successful. Alternatively, you can seek local garden centers to supply plants to.
•    Explore your area and be open to possibilities. Don’t limit yourself to the norm, be daring enough to see opportunity even if it is not that obvious.
•    Do a market research. Your market research will help you estimate the average amount that is most likely be spent when they visit your garden center. Furthermore, it will help you arrive at a decent price for your plants.
•    You may want to visit local garden centers just to have an idea what works and what not as well as how they put a tag on their plants and other products.
•    Determine seasonal changes. One thing with garden centers is that prices tend to go up and down depending on seasons. If you are familiar with plants, you most probably know what kinds of plants need to go before a certain kind of season hits.
•    Always stick to what makes your customers happy. Be customer-oriented always and make sure you are always there for them to help.
•    Determine what kind of payment method to use. Most garden centers accept credit cards. If this is a standard operating procedure in your area, you must be able to offer your customer that kind of option too.
•    Know where to advertise. There are online directories which cater locally or you can opt to have your garden center listed on local newspapers. If budget is to be considered, then find ways to advertise for free.
•    A good logo can go far. This will represent your garden center so this should be good and somewhat straightforward.
•    Network. Network. Network. Word of mouth is still as powerful as ever. Let your friends now that you are setting up your own garden center and see how quickly you’ll get inquiries!

Hypersomnia, a sleeping disorder which is characterized as the complete opposite of insomnia, can also strike seniors and aging adults. By definition, hypersomnia is excessive sleepiness, be it daytime or nighttime. What seniors should know is that, more often than not, hypersomnia is a result of an existing condition or even a direct effect of your current lifestyle and habits. Below are some facts we seniors should take note of when dealing with hypersomnia:

•    Sleep apnea is a direct cause of hypersomnia. If you are suffering from sleep apnea, it is but normal to experience hypersomnia. A person who has sleep apnea encounter breathing obstruction while sleeping and will result to a restless sleep, due to this, daytime sleepiness may occur.
•    Hypersomnia is usually diagnosed as fatigue or even depression—although wrongfully–since excessive sleepiness has no known cause to date. To avoid misdiagnosis, make sure you discuss with your health care provider other suspected reasons such as medications and such.
•    There are health conditions which result to hypersomnia such as thyroid problems and hypercalcemia—a condition in which there is too much calcium in the blood.
•    Hypersomnia is treatable. You just have to pinpoint its cause and treat it first.
•    Contact your healthcare provider if hypersomnia is already interfering with your everyday life such as falling asleep in awkward situations or inappropriate times. These are the indicators which signify your hypersomnia as being severe.
•    Your doctor will ask several unrelated questions to distinguish the cause of your condition. If he doesn’t then he is not doing it right since, like I have said earlier, hypersomnia has no known cause hence the need for thorough assessment. Expects questions about your sleeping patterns, emotional state and medications.
•    There will also be diagnostic tests if the cause is not obvious. Blood tests and CT scans are just some of the tests done to someone suffering from hypersonmia.
•    It is best if you bring your current medications when seeing a doctor for hypersomnia since it will be thoroughly inspected as well. Make sure you carry your prescription for dosage reference as well.
•    When trying to treat hypersomnia, it is strongly suggested that the senior stop alcohol consumption since it is a known sleep disruptor.
•    Hypersomnia affects your quality of life, make sure you consult a doctor upon first signs of excessive sleepiness.
•    Hypersomnia can be recurring; then there is a type when it affects you every single day.

Age restricted apartment for seniors are, in other words, senior apartments. They were developed with one, single goal:  that is, to cater to seniors who are looking for better housing option. I have already discussed the beauty of retirement communities, however, not all seniors are wealthy enough to afford living in one. Good news is, a senior who is looking for an active community to join in but living on a tight budget can still enjoy such housing option by way of moving to an age restricted apartment for seniors or senior apartments!

What I like about senior apartments is that a senior who is living in one can benefit socially as well as keep their independence intact, not to mention the security it provides. I find that the hardest part for seniors when moving out of their homes is losing their independence. Actually, that is when reluctance usually comes into picture. But, with senior apartments, seniors are, more or less, left to their own devices unless they need help making it easier for aging adults to move in.

Senior apartments are beneficial for seniors. Aside from the security it obviously provides to senior residents, it is much cheaper than retirement communities and even maintaining your own home. Furthermore, there are available amenities for residents that are otherwise not practical to own if you are still living on your own such as swimming pools and fitness centers.

Senior apartments encourage socialization since there will be lots of adults of the same age range within the building. This housing option is perfect for those older adults living alone without a relative nearby. Most senior apartments even offer laundry services so that seniors are left alone doing the things they enjoy the most. Just like in a retirement community, there are planned activities available for senior residents to participate on.

Nonetheless, interested seniors should inspect the amenities offered with the apartment as more often than not, the rate you’ll pay for living in the apartment depends on the number of amenities given to residents. It is best for potential resident to inspect each and every amenities offered and assess if you will use them upon moving in. You should also take note that there are qualifications and requirements for residency, one of which is age. Also, if you are planning to live with a relative or perhaps a caregiver, you might want to check first with the officer in charge since most senior apartments have limitations to the number of allowed residents in a unit.