Seniors Site

It was always said that the key to healthier, longer lives is diet. Not the lose-your-fats kind of diet but the well-balanced one since seniors are not anymore encouraged to do—or even attempt—drastic diet alterations. What we must aim at is not only losing a couple of pounds (if we’re overweight) but maintaining a healthy body so that it can ward off potentially fatal diseases easily. A proper mindset can help you achieve this goal.

In a way, it’s like preparing your body for a battle. You must properly nourish it so it will be strong enough to withstand trial and tribulations. Just imagine if these so-called “lifestyle diseases” caught you at your most vulnerable time i.e tired, beaten and hungry. You could just imagine how much damage it can inflict upon you. Please do remember that most lifestyle diseases are irreversible, so as much as possible, do stay away from it and never let it anywhere near you!

So now you know why crash dieting is never an option for you, nor diet pills and what-not. It’s unhealthy, not to mention very risky. Risk is no longer a luxury we can afford so better stay at the safer side than traverse your way without knowing what’s there for you. Although, there seemed to be so many issues to consider when going through the diet route which makes it all the more tempting to go the other way, the good news is, it can be done even in your own simple ways. No signature diet, no counting calories, just your basic, everyday-kind-of-life diet that is realistic enough to be easily remembered! Here are your daily diet tips for a healthier you:

·    Drink plenty of water. Lots and lots of it! Colored, flavored and anything in between are not counted anymore, just pure, clean drinking water counts. The easiest way to do this is to carry a water jug with you all the time and drink even if you are not that thirsty. Consider this as your body’s mechanical oil; keeps everything else in you in moving condition!
·    Never skip a meal, especially breakfast. Breakfast is what keeps you energized all throughout the day. A hearty breakfast won’t hurt you but as the day progresses, try to gradually lessen it so you won’t have any trouble sleeping at night.
·    Adequate amount of calcium and vitamin D. They go hand-in-hand. I heard somewhere that you even have to drink your milk in the morning out there under the sun to experience full effect although it was not proven, of course. But indeed, vitamin D is what helps bones to absorb calcium so you really need these two to save your bones.
·    Do without fats and sugar. Fats is what makes your cholesterol go high and sugar makes you prone to diabetes.
·    Go for fiber-rich foods. It fills the stomach well but keeps everything else you’ve eaten moving downward and out.

These past couple of months, we saw how Mother Nature can make people pay for what they have done and what they are still doing to it. Worldwide, we saw drought in different parts of the country, there were awful storms which brought about floods and even the ground we walk on is threatening to shake anytime it deemed be. Mercifully, people are starting to take notice, even government of third world countries are beginning to take certain steps to alleviate, if not remedy, the problem at hand. It may be a little late for that but it is certainly welcomed.

Meanwhile, the authorities can only do so much. If we want to feel the change, it should start from our own houses, from our own lifestyle and definitely, from us as a person. This should not be hard and of course, it won’t kill us. In fact, some of these easy steps for living green can even improve our quality of life. It is good for your health and most of all, you are doing the environment a favor! Here are some easy steps in making your life as green as possible:

1.    Go organic- Going organic means you buy your fruits, veggies and even meat only if they are not contaminated with any chemicals. This way you support organic farmers which I must admit, are a little low in numbers as compared to commercial, traditional farmers we know. It can be a bit expensive than the commercial ones but like stated earlier, the demand doesn’t encourage the farmers that much to make the big switch.
2.    Buy local produce- In doing so, there will be lesser fuel burns to harm our environment. If you are a gardener, you can even sell your crops to neighbors and set aside some for your own use.
3.    Lessen fuel consumption, if possible- You don’t have to ride your car all the time and if you need to, try to carry it in full load, meaning, find people who might be needing a ride to your destination in order to fill up the car to its full capacity. If the distance is manageable, try walking back and forth. This is a great way to get a dose of your daily exercise plus you saved fuel.
4.    Let go of the pack-rat syndrome- Do you know that the other term used for a pack-rat’s practice is hoarding? Surely, you don’t want to be accused of something as sinister as that! You need to let go of the things that you don’t need and make someone else happy by donating them to charity. The rule of thumb is to let go if something remains untouched for at least 6 months.
5.    Refuse plastic especially if you cannot reuse it- yes, I am referring to grocery plastic bags that you throw away after one use because it’s either soiled or torn. Instead, bring a canvas bag or any wide enough bag and put your purchases in there. Just make sure you do that after you pay for your purchases!
6.    Conserve water everytime- Just imagine how hard it would be if our water supplies gone dry. There are ways you can conserve water without altering your lifestyle too much. All you need to do is use a little common sense. For example, turning off faucets when it is not needed.
7.    Use biodegradable soaps- The idea behind green living is lessening your harmful impact to the environment as much as possible. When you say it is biodegradable, it means it dissolves and completely breaks down to natural elements. If it doesn’t, it means it will stay intact for undeterminable amount of time. It may even outlast your grandkids!
8.    Unleash your inner creativeness- Cans can be made as garden pots, scraps for tables and chairs. In your own little ways, you can make something useful out of ordinary objects that usually end up in thrash.
9.    Apply natural gardening method- You don’t need to use chemical-based pesticides and fertilizers. Remember, your plants can still survive even without them. Use compost as a fertilizer, it will lessen your waste and will benefit your soil at the same time. Handpick nasty pest and bugs when you see them instead of spraying harmful pesticide all around town.
10.    Keep plants at home- Plants are a natural air purifier, it will make your air a little easier to breathe in.

Single and alone? Nah. Seniors today can be single but definitely not alone come holiday season and there’s no reason to be lonely as well. Gone are the days when seniors mourn to death after a loved-one has gone. Of course, they will not be forgotten but it seems, seniors nowadays are more ready to move on and not dwell longer than one should. Thanks to healthier lives and positive outlook, being single later in life is not anymore considered as unique, in fact, some seniors who encountered a bad marriage in their midlife prefer to stay single until the day they die. Not for fear of having yet another bad partner but just because they have learned to live happily on their own.

There are many ways to enjoy the holiday season even without having to feel like a third wheel to your married friends or ending up as a nanny to your grandkids. Here are some few suggestions that you might want to try:

·    If your vacationing kids are not inviting you for an out-of-town trip this holiday season, then leave them be. Plan your own trip with your single friends and see how fun it can be! There are many tourist destinations that you can check out today at very affordable rates.
·    Most travel packages come with itinerary. These are fun activities to know better the destination you are in. Usually, they are conducted in groups of mix and matched people which can also be a great way to meet new acquaintances. What better way to enjoy your vacation than meeting new friends along the way right? Just think of the possibilities!
·    If going out-of-town is not an option for you right now, then you might want to look into other fun activities around your area. You can also take advantage of this special time to rejuvenate yourself by going to relaxation therapy sessions or just doing the things you love to do. If, for some reason, being alone scares you, you might want to visit an orphanage and share your blessings there.
·    Being a senior need not be boring. Visit exotic cities and get ready to be captured by its very essence. A city that is full of life never fails to amuse even the loneliest heart.
·    You have every right to celebrate even if you are a single senior. Bear in mind that you are not alone as more and more seniors are moving in to singletown looking for friendship. Also, happiness is a choice. It is your decision to stay happy or not so use it well.

The Art of Mindfulness was introduced as one of the many concepts of early Buddhism that’s still put in practice today due to its effectivity to calm the mind. In this concept, one is taught how to be conscious and aware of what the body is currently doing. It involves sensations, feelings, emotions and functions. Mindfulness techniques can teach you how to stay focused on the “now” and simplify life as it is. In western psychology, these techniques are also applied to alleviate most mental and physical conditions.

The idea behind Mindfulness is being consciously present on what is happening to your body right now and be able to disconnect yourself from all bothering thoughts of the past, future and other tidbits hidden deep within your subconscious mind. These negative thoughts are considered as stress factors and should be eliminated when practicing mindfulness. It was believed that a clear, conscious mind can help you achieve goals better than having your stressors push you everytime. Also, mindfulness yields better results since a person is deemed productive when he is mindful. However, there are some techniques in mindfulness that contradict other productivity principles.

Before adapting mindfulness into your life, you must remember that it is a kind of meditation practiced by Buddhists for centuries now. It is meant to relax your mind and free yourself of stress. It is most recommended for seniors who cannot afford anymore stress in their lives and subjecting themselves into one can even be harmful for their health. Here are some basic mindfulness techniques you can do today:

·    Avoid automatic reactions. When we do everyday tasks, our bodies immediately recognize the task hence turns on an automatic reaction to finish the task. It involves every muscle fiber in our body directly following orders from an “auto-piloted” mind. Notice how you absent-mindedly do household chores and finish it without even thinking about it or do them while your mind is wandering off to the next task. Being mindful is focusing your mind on what you do now.
·    Avoid multi-tasking at all costs. It is impossible to be mindful if there’s a barrage of whatnots going through your head. Multi-tasking is never encouraged in mindfulness. It will only confuse the mind resulting to undesirable results.
·    Worrying about the future will do you no good. If you have prepared well for it, there’s no need to worry about what the future holds. Surrender everything to the higher beings and enjoy the present moment because if it passes, it won’t ever come back.
·    Your aging body has had enough of living the fast-paced life and slowing down will certainly make your soul happy. Don’t rush through tasks in attempt to do it all at once. Give your body a chance to relax and do things at its own comfortable pace.
·    Spend time with loved-ones. I mean, REALLY spend time with them by being consciously there, absorbing every minute of it. You’ll soon realize that there’s more fun in bonding with them and appreciating the beauty of it.
·    Give yourself a quiet, 5-minute “me” time. This way, you’ll be able to rest your whole being and just relax. In a way, you’re also preparing for the next task ahead.

Seniors need not be alone at the age of 60. There’s too much in life that ending it at retirement is almost a sin! Retirement is supposed to be a new leaf offering liberation and freedom from bonds that hold us down. This should be a chapter in your life when all you need to do is take care of yourself and do whatever it is that pleases you the most hence the need to stay in tiptop shape when approaching retirement.

Seniors’ lifestyle nowadays is gearing towards healthy living and staying in shape. By adapting this kind of lifestyle, they possess greater chances of enjoying their retirement since they’re able to stay active and keep up with the demands of life. Also, when a senior is healthy, it increases his or her chances of finding love again!

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle at 60 is tough and sometimes, it leaves no room for love since you tend to shuffle back and forth to doctors and other appointments. In this kind of pace, it is hard to keep up with one another since your partner is most likely be doing the same things as you are. While these activities are healthy for your own body, it is definitely not healthy for the relationship you are currently having with your chosen partner.

When seniors engage in a relationship, most of the time it is for the companionship it brings but if one is unable to fulfill this need then what’s the use of having your partner around? If your healthy lifestyle is already putting a strain to your perfect relationship then it’s time to apply some certain tricks to make “dating while staying healthy” happen.

The idea is to spend quality time with your partner whenever possible, unfortunately, maintaining a healthy lifestyle also demands a serious amount of hours per day. The trick is to combine both activities so that you are hitting two birds with one stone. Assuming that your partner is also pro-healthy, why don’t you plan an activity you can do everyday together like biking, running or jogging. You can even go to the gym at the same time your partner does. This way, you’ll be seeing more of each other everyday while doing the things you need most.

Dieting is always better when done alone but dieting with your partner is way better because you can be each other’s diet police. Also, cooking with your partner gives that romantic feel you guys most certainly need. The best part is, plan your “cheat day” together and see how sweeter it is when compared to just plain dining out.

Doctors and lab appointments? No sweat! Why don’t you guys go together and be each other’s strength in times of need or when something unexpected comes up. Sharing your life’s experiences with someone close to your heart is a very rewarding experience, like taking off a heavy baggage from your heart and letting this person help you in carrying the little of it that’s left inside. It makes life a little more bearable than normal.

Imagine driving almost your entire lifetime, dodging every traffic ticket there is, knowing the road even if you drive blindfolded and virtually conducting your everyday tasks and jobs inside your car. As an evidence, one look inside your old, trusty car and one would know what kind of business you’re running nowadays. Above all these, the connection between you and your car have grown through the years and come to think of it, your relationship with your car even surpassed that of your first spouse! If you feel this way, then you’re certainly not alone for there are thousands of senior drivers unable to will themselves away from their cars and would rather drive even if the situation has become more dangerous for them to do so.

There have been several posts in this blog about safe driving for seniors but nothing beats a refresher course conducted by the experts. Due to many road incidents concerning senior drivers, and also the great concern expressed by their family and friends, organizations who look after the welfare of older adults are now moving to make the road a safer place for seniors nowadays. We all know how age-related physical changes can affect one’s driving skill, no matter the amount of years-experience they acquired. Not only are these seniors putting themselves in a very dangerous situation but also they pose a great threat to pedestrians, other drivers and the road in general. This is how important a refresher course is to driving seniors.

Various organizations such as AAA, and AARP offer materials, seminars and short courses to assist driving seniors and hopefully make them “fit for the road” once again. There are also online courses for those who are unable to physically make it to classes and workshops and it was said to be as helpful and accurate as the ones taught in classes. However, class instructors encourage seniors to participate in real classes since it provides interaction between the instructor and the student. Included in these classes are age-appropriate and defensive driving tips that are perfectly suitable for seniors. Also, instructors encourage seniors to accept their limitations early on to avoid difficult situations from happening.

Driving schools are now offering refresher courses that actually put seniors behind the wheel to show them how to properly drive and work with their limitations such as changing lanes or staying in appropriate speed lanes. Some programs go as far as evaluating the driver medically for easy-spotting of problems. Most organizations offer them for free while others can go as high as $20.

Taking the first step in exercising is quite hard. Not only it seemed daunting, but also it can be challenging for an aging body such as ours. But once you get hooked on it, there’s no stopping you. When you think getting started is hard, wait until somebody points out those exercise hazards you’ve been taking unconsciously.

I would like to think that exercising is a constant challenge for the body. In this day and age, it seems that nobody is getting an adequate load of physical work hence the need to really go out of your way just to satisfy your body’s needs. Also, upon observation, I find that the body indeed memorizes your everyday physical demands such as when you hop on the bus, your body will instruct one-by-one all those involved parts of your body to complete the task. Notice how your right or left hand automatically reaches out for the bars to support your body when climbing, or how your left or right foot automatically steps up the ladder. These “automatic” actions are your body’s most comfortable movement and sadly, exercising is not because you don’t do it everyday unless you’re an athlete or exercising is a way of life for you.

It is highly recommended for seniors to train under the watchful eyes of a certified fitness instructor, no matter how proud you are of your capabilities. Everyday, the fitness world undergoes evolution and new equipments are introduced for the market to test. It only goes to say that new equipments pose new challenges as well and if there’s no one to keep an eye on you while you train, you’ll only increase your risk of being injured by these machines. Here are some points you need to consider while exercising:

·    Be very weary of new and complicated machines. When a new equipment comes in, it doesn’t necessarily mean you need to use them at once. Give it some time and observe how people use it. When trying it out for the first time, be sure that your physical instructor is right there beside you.
·    Cardios are intense and it can be very challenging to a weary body. When a routine is making your body unable to support its weight, then might as well stop while you can. Cardio is done to make the heart go faster and so does your body’s metabolism rate, overdoing it will defeat the purpose all together.
·    Maintain a proper form when exercising. Many have fallen in this unavoidable trap just because longtime gym-going fellows think they already have perfected their forms while in reality their bodies only adjusted to the demand but never adapted the proper form. Lifting too much weight which your body finds it impossible to accommodate will only result to irreversible injuries. Lift only that is proper for your body.
·    Targeting your abdominals when you already have back problems is serious. Instead go for exercises that strengthen the whole core, namely the sides, back, and abdominals. Crunches are too strenuous for your back, opt for other alternatives instead.
·    Always remember to do warm-ups and cool-downs before and after doing routines.

Are you having trouble with your legs when trying not to move or when relaxing? Do normal day-to-day activities like sleeping and sitting still giving you problems most of the time? Do you experience unpleasant sensation, more like there’s crawling, creeping and burning feeling inside your entire leg but for sure it’s not cramps? Then you might be experiencing RLS or restless leg syndrome.

You would know that it is indeed a restless leg syndrome if these sensations manifest only when your legs are kept immobile for quite sometime. These sensations will only demonstrate when the leg starts to relax and would only go away when you move your entire leg such as jiggling and shaking. Unfortunately, the relief is temporary as it will only go back when you try to relax once more. In other words, a senior can only keep them at bay if they will not stop moving for longer periods of time which proves to be impossible especially when trying to sleep or traveling long distances. It was also believed to be worse in nighttime and better in daytime. Furthermore, it can also occur in different parts of the body especially the arms.

Although restless leg syndrome is mostly associated with seniors, younger adults—even kids—experience them too but it seems that this condition progresses as the years go by so ultimately, symptoms and frequency intensify as we grow older. RLS in itself is not an immediate health risk but it can severely affect a senior’s life since suffering from this condition will prevent sleep from happening. Lack of sleep will cause daytime drowsiness and impaired concentration—all of which are very hazardous to seniors’ life.

Evidently, there is no known cause for restless leg syndrome but experts believe that this is a nervous system disorder which affects the neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters process the brain signals and control muscle movement. It also acts as the middle man for your brain and skin that when the skin experiences a sensation, it will process the sensation into a message which the brain would then understand. Aside from this basic fact about restless leg syndrome, other suspected causes are:  Iron deficiency, hereditary, diabetes and too much alcohol in the blood. It was also noted to be present in the last trimester of pregnancy when a woman’s body is in a lot of stress.

As of this moment, healthcare providers have no recommended preventive measure for seniors suffering from RLS. Furthermore, there is no discovered cure yet. However, some lifestyle adjustments are highly recommended for RLS sufferers such as:

·    Seek massage therapy options available for you. This is done to help you relax and encourage good blood circulation.
·    Regular exercise also help in overall muscle stimulation so it only goes to say that engaging in one will be very beneficial for seniors.
·    It was noted that when the patient cuts back on caffeine intake, the condition improves although the link is not yet established. This noted improvement was also seen when known aggravators such as alcohol and nicotine were not introduced into the system for days.
·    Your healthcare provider may prescribe medications to alleviate the symptoms. Take them when needed.

Vacation is fun but it seems that it has its own aftermath that most seniors find it regrettable after going home and contending with it for months to come. Actually, this is a common problem to most vacationers since people that are on a vacation tend to throw every ounce of discipline out the window come vacation time. The problem:  overeating.

It is not uncommon for vacationers to let go of their diet plan since vacation is closely associated with good food and great time. These two go hand and hand. Quite frankly, a vacation is never complete without going home with one satisfied stomach. For most seniors, dining out and simply enjoying what the vacation has to offer are the highlights of a good vacation. Although vacations should be fun and are without any restrictions, one must also think of their health when out vacationing or risk ending up in some hospital’s bed. Here are some great tips to stay slim and sexy this summer vacation:

·    You would know you’re on a vacation when something good and interesting is sitting on your plate. It’s okay to savor a local delicacy since most memories of your vacation will fade quickly but never the ones that are remembered by your stomach. That doesn’t necessarily mean you must eat them with every single meal especially if they are not too healthy. Once a day is okay, then makeup for it by eating healthy for the rest of the day.
·    When dining out, plan your meals accordingly. Decide the things you’re going to order even before you get there so you won’t go overboard when the “ordering” time comes.
·    ALWAYS eat your breakfast, no matter how sleepy you get in the mornings. Without breakfast, your chances of pigging out come lunchtime are much higher. Also, breakfast, being the most important meal of the day will keep you going for almost half of the day.
·    Make grocery stores your bestfriend. They are cheap and very flexible. You can even cook a good dinner if you are staying in a place that has a kitchen. Also, packs of healthy foods such as instant oatmeal, teas, and trail mixes can be found in most supermarkets and convenience stores. These things you can bring along with you and munch on when hungry.
·    Vacations are meant to be enjoyed thus most chores, responsibilities and obligations are left back home. Take advantage of this “nonduty” time by catching up with your almost-forgotten fitness routine. Jog, run and stretch in the mornings.
·    Stay away from fast food chains, instead find local restaurants that are serving home cooked meals.
·    If your knees can afford it, use stairs instead of elevators. You’ll burn extra calories this way. Also, use your feet and walk around town to get the feel of the area.
·    Stay hydrated. When you get dehydrated, your mind will trick you in thinking you’re hungry when you’re not. The same goes for the amount of sleep you get since it affects your hormones particularly those that control your hunger pangs.

Baldness in medical term is what your doctor would refer to as Alopecia. Baldness can be very frustrating and unfortunately, it is prevalent among older adults and progresses overtime. But, alopecia is not limited to seniors only as it also strikes younger adults especially if they are predisposed to the said hair condition. As experts would say, alopecia can be a result of many different factors, genetic being the most persistent of them all. Some seniors who are suffering from alopecia stated that the condition started more or less, in their mid-30s while others start later in life. It can manifest as partial or total baldness depending on what fate decides to give you since its extent cannot be fully determined until your hair stopped growing.

While it can lower one’s self-esteem, older women being the most affected than their male counterparts, alopecia’s damage is not at all life-threatening. Healthcare providers believe that alopecia—particularly diffuse alopecia or androgenic alopecia—is an age-related condition along with couple of others like diminishing eyesight and/or deafness. What concerns healthcare providers the most is that alopecia can also be a symptom of an underlying disease, illness or condition that the senior may have. For one, severe depression can cause hairfall, even if the senior hasn’t recognized it yet. It is always advisable for seniors to consult your doctor when your hair starts falling to rule out any possible health risk.

Age-related baldness cannot be prevented altogether, although it can be delayed and in some cases, remedied as with any other conditions that come with aging. Androgenic alopecia is referred to as such since the condition was found out to be a result of declining androgen hormones but it doesn’t necessarily mean that this type of alopecia is exclusive to men. Androgenic alopecia can also hit older women although the hairfall pattern tends to be diffused whereas male pattern baldness creates a horseshoe-like shape in one’s head.

There are treatments available for seniors who suffer alopecia and are growing quite conscious of it. For mild cases, there are medical preparations you can buy that may improve your hair’s current state. However, these preparations can only improve or delay but never cure since as of the moment, there is no known cure for baldness. Some seniors who lost a lot opt to have cosmetic surgery or hair transplant and fortunately, most of them come happy and satisfied with their decisions.