Seniors Site

Along with aging comes physical changes that most of the time, seniors find them embarrassing to handle. Unfortunately, no matter how much we loath these changes which signify advance age, they will come. For seniors, it seems that the only thing we can do for this inevitable predicament is to delay them as much as possible, face them when they come and just make the most out of these changes. In other words, if we like to stay “likeable”, we must do damage control when the need be.

One of these physical changes that seniors suffer is dental problems. Although dental problems are not an imminent danger to one’s health, it can bring about embarrassing situations if not taken cared for beforehand. Also, it is most important for seniors to keep in touch with their dentist especially as they age further. This is because many mouth problems may indicate other underlying health problems that can be more serious and threatening to our health.

If the only thing that’s been hindering you to visit your doctor today is the fear that he or she may pull all of your damaged teeth out, then fret no more. Today, every dentist worldwide goes for restoration as they possibly could because they know all too well how a toothless grin can affect one’s self-esteem. Needless to say, a senior should not hesitate to go to his or her dentist to get the mouth job done. Here are some few good reasons why you need to see a dentist today:

·    It is common for seniors to suffer dry mouth or xerostomia. Seniors should be aware that dry mouth can cause tooth loss and other oral problems like sores, sore throat and gum disease. Dentists say that the number one contributing factor of dry mouth in older adults is the medication they take.
·    Receding gums is closely related with your weakening bones. When your jaw bones shrinks, the gums follow suit. Furthermore, gum diseases especially when they are left untreated for years now, can encourage your gums to recede in a much faster phase. This can lead to tooth loss and root decay.
·    Tooth discoloration or darkening teeth on the other hand is more of a lifestyle condition which can worsen overtime. To stay away from tooth discoloration, experts advice seniors to avoid beverages that can darken your teeth such as coffee and tea. Smoking also induces tooth discoloration.
·    Gum diseases are usually caused by our own oral hygiene. If it had been poor then your gums are now prone to gum diseases that proved to be very troublesome when they manifest. Plaques for one, can cause tooth loss to affected seniors.

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.

Building a strong relationship with your own personal doctor is important since your life depends on this person. Like any other relationship there is, it requires two individuals working in harmony to achieve a successful relationship so it should not depend entirely on the doctor. There are things you need to do to ensure that your relationship with your doctor would be something that is built based on trust and respect and quite frankly, finding a good doctor that fits your needs is quite hard. The best possible way to find your perfect fit is to start looking early in life. This person should be, most preferably, someone who has been working with your health for quite sometime now.

If you’re able to maintain a good relationship with your doctor, it would be much easier for him to see warning signs upon checkups. His concern is most apparent and you’ll feel secured with each and every decision he is about to make regarding your health. These are some ways to enhance your relationship with your doctor today:

·    Don’t forget an appointment. Your doctor is a very busy person and making him wait for you is a very insensitive thing to do. Remember to schedule a regular checkup once a year so that your doctor is updated with your current heath status, preferably on or before your birthday, just so you won’t forget it.
·    Communication is very important. You must be very comfortable talking to your doctor and letting him know your fears. When your doctor feels this, he would develop a much stronger bind with you.
·    Don’t be afraid to ask questions if there is something you don’t fully understand. Asking questions is different from questioning his ability to decide what’s best for you so there’s no need to be afraid if your intention is the former.
·    When there is something that needs to be addressed immediately, usually the good doctor will give you an ample time to decide. Use this time wisely by doing your own research and listing down any questions you may have regarding the issue at hand. When the time has come for both of you to meet again, don’t forget to ask the good doctor of the questions you may have.
·    It is not uncommon to find a doctor that doesn’t exactly fit your needs. It may be your gut feel kicking in or the way the doctor is handling you isn’t exactly your idea of patient-doctor relationship. Whatever the reasons may be, it is important that you feel at-ease when seeing your doctor and it is not bad to find your perfect fit, so don’t hesitate to see another one if you deem fit.
·    It won’t kill a patient if he takes time to be kind. A simple “how’s your day?” would do good for anyone especially for your tired doctor. Always remember that these doctors are people too and they get tired and pressured every single day.
·    Extend appreciation for a job well done. Everyone needs to be acknowledged even if it is their job to care for people. Sometimes, doing something is not always for the money but for the friendships he or she is able to make while doing what he does best.

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.

Of all the health conditions a senior must face upon reaching an advance age, mental problems prove to be the hardest to detect. In fact, even the senior himself won’t know if he is already experiencing these problems up until the time an expert tells him so. Furthermore, mental health problems usually go undetected since other potentially fatal illnesses should be ruled out first. Unfortunately, due to the sheer number of conditions that share the same symptoms, mental illnesses usually go full-blown before they get proper medical attention.

It was said that old age should be the time when seniors reap the rewards of their lifelong hardships and battles. This should be the time they relax, let go of some obligations and just be happy. Unfortunately, this is not always the case for most seniors especially now that many have been delaying retirement for financial reasons. There’s always the pressure of living our daily lives and sometimes, it makes a powerful impact in the way we think without us knowing it. If this reason alone could make us go crazy then just imagine what seeing our friends gradually fading right before our eyes, major illnesses hit us left and right and losing a spouse can do to us. No matter how matured we have become as seniors, there’s no way these incidents would go unfelt.

When we talk about mental illnesses, it is quite impossible for the sufferer to feel the symptoms, much less for him to arrive in a conclusion that he is indeed suffering from it. Most of the time, it is the caregiver or someone who lives in the same house who would notice these warning signs. This is why it is extremely important for the caregiver to be very alert and vigilant of these signs especially if the senior is currently undergoing a lot of stress. It is also important to note that if and when a senior experiences sudden lifestyle change, the caregiver should be more observant of the senior’s behavior and reaction. Here are some warning signs that could signify mental problems in seniors:

·    The average, healthy grieving period for an adult would be anywhere between 6 months to a year. This is depending on the degree and the type of loss they had. Within this period, the grieving senior should be able to function entirely normal with little pockets of sadness every now and then. When you notice depression lasting two full weeks or more then it is time to seek help.
·    Take note of the senior’s ability to concentrate and focus on the task at hand.
·    Although it is but natural for seniors to think of their death, it is not normal for someone to be obsessed about it.
·    Weight loss is the number one sign of all diseases which means if someone experienced sudden weight loss, he or she is sure to have something that the body couldn’t take very well.
·    If the senior has trouble sleeping or if their sleeping patterns have become very erratic these past few days, something is wrong.
·    Most of the time, addictions are a result of depression. This is the mind’s way to forget painful things or even emotions that the mind couldn’t process.
·    Chronic pains with no evident source. When the mind is deeply hurt, it creates pain anywhere in the body to divert the feeling. In most cases, seniors who suffer depression welcome these pains instead of dealing with their emotions.

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.

This summer proves to be the worst season for seniors since it’s becoming hotter everyday. Every year, local authorities prepare for this season and proceed with caution while keeping an eye to senior housing facilities and communities present in their area. These round-ups are done since seniors are the most vulnerable to heat-related incidents that can be fatal when overlooked.

Heat-induced stress can trigger health complications from other diseases that you may have. Volunteers from various organizations often take time to visit shelters wherein seniors are known to live alone and help them prepare for hot days ahead by informing them what to do in case they feel symptoms of heat-related incidents and assist these seniors in heat-proofing their houses as well. Other volunteer groups check-up on them every now and then just to know if the senior in question is still okay and not experiencing any life-threatening difficulties.

Although it seems that they got us all covered, we still need to do our own preventive measures just to make sure we get past this summer alive and well. Aside from the basics such as not going out during those times when the sun is at its hottest and staying cool indoors in well-ventilated places, there are some foods that actually cool down the body’s temperature thus alleviating the stress brought about by heat. Here are some cooling foods that can help you ease the heat away:

·    Your best bet would be watery foods or foods that are rich in water content. Great examples of which are watermelon, fruit juices and even cold soups.
·    Increase water intake. If you are not a water-person, any liquid that is not a diuretic will work as fine too but try to “like” water when possible since it’s better absorb by the body than any other liquids.
·    Coconut water is good for the body as it works similar to a sports drink. It has high sodium and potassium content to replenish your body all lost minerals when it perspire. Best of all, coconut water is naturally sweet so you don’t have to add sugar anymore. Best when served cold.
·    Take advantage of the summer season by experimenting with different kinds of seasonal fruits. Fruits are great for you since they pack fibers, beta carotene and vitamins needed by the body. Also, fruits are dieters’ bestfriend:  no fats but filling and delicious. Try mangoes.
·    There are types of vegetables that are best when served cold too especially the salad-types. Lettuce, cucumber and tomatoes are a great addition in your daily meals. When cold, they can be very satisfying to one’s stomach—and body temperature too!

In some cases such as accidents and medical emergencies, it becomes easier to determine when and how to intervene with your beloved senior’s life but unfortunately, there are times when your efforts are met with resistance and things steer into a much harder road of second guessing and lifestyle changes. Sometimes, decreased capacity to lead life normally in seniors is not that obvious and worst, if the senior don’t acknowledge this fact in the first place.

It was always said that the key to a successful intervention is good communication-relationship between the senior and the supposed negotiator or the caregiver himself since more often than not, seniors tend to be weary and untrusting to intruders—sadly, that’s you in this situation. If the senior could somehow feel sincerity in there, he or she will allow you to help them albeit reluctantly. But the question still remains, how would you know when it’s time?

Sending the senior to a long term care facility is way off the mark especially if there is no apparent reason for doing so. In fact, these facilities should be your last resort preferably in phases when the senior can no longer move on his own and he needs medical attention too. As much as possible, allow seniors to have a little breathing room because they still need their privacy as an individual. If your senior can still function normally, like caring for himself but having some trouble keeping the house up and running, then the most you need is a cleaning lady to keep an eye on the house and the senior too. This way you are meeting with the senior halfway.

Actually, the first thing to give way is the appearance of the senior if there is an existing problem with his mental and physical capabilities. It helps if you are good in observing their behavior but be careful not to point out everything you are noticing. Instead, try a different approach such as offering help with their daily tasks. When offering help, give reasons other than what it’s intentionally for such as doing their laundry just because you have nothing better to do this weekend or doing their grocery because you’re also getting yours. With this approach, seniors will give in easily thinking that they are not a burden on your side and you are willing to help with their odds and ends.

There will be times that the senior may mention some minor health problems, these are the times that you should be paying attention and reading between the lines. If your mom or dad is living with someone younger than them then ask this person what he or she thinks. As soon as you notice signs of deteriorating health, it is best to increase number of visits just to see if the situation progresses and how fast it goes. Be on the look out for safety risks that your parent may have left behind unconsciously such as burnt pots, open doors, and slippery floors. Moreover, a senior who is suffering depression needs assistance too and almost always, it is the hardest illness to detect so it pays to take note of that as well.

We all need sleep. Sleep helps in relieving our mind and body of all the stress we encounter when performing our daily activities. When we are sleeping, the body’s system goes on auto-function and heals itself to get it ready for the next day’s tasks. Whereas the body undergoes recuperation while fully relaxed, the mind on the other hand stays active and performs systemized organization of gathering data and information stored at different nooks and crannies of the brain hence the possible manifestations of dreams.

Unfortunately, as we age, our sleeping patterns suffer tremendously. As a newborn child would, it seems that the body doesn’t recognize time anymore and won’t respond to the circadian rhythm like it used to. Due to this very unfortunate occurrence, a senior’s body will have to put up with the very destructive effects of sleep deprivation.

While sleep problem with seniors has relatively unknown cause except for a couple of potentially plausible explanation such as medication side effects or diminishing sleep hormones, there are ways to induce “the mood” and help you achieve better sleep. Here are some of the ways you might want to try tonight:

·    If you find that alarm clocks work for you, then it too may work to remind you of your bedtime. The body needs to prepare itself for hours of sleeping even if you already had a long and tiring day. In other words, it needs conditioning, best if you can do it for about an hour. Within this hour, before-bedtime rituals should be done but they need to be relaxing such as reading a book or listening to soothing music. Set your alarm clock one hour before sleeping to remind you when it’s time to wind down.
·    Emotional status of the person prior to sleeping plays a big role in his or her capacity to sleep. We all know that it gets quite hard to attain sleep when you are bothered or troubled but try as we might, clearing up the head is easier said than done so the next best thing you can do is try to slow things down even for a bit.
·    Avoid worrying too much if sleep doesn’t visit you right away for there are days that it won’t really come easily. Just don’t do anything that will stimulate your senses in getting active again such as action-packed movies or exercising. Never force yourself to sleep when you are not feeling it since it will only create panic if it doesn’t come at once.
·    Seniors tend to suffer nocturia or night-time urination. This disorder is extremely common among men but it also manifests in women. Try to lessen your trips to the toilet during the night by avoiding drinking water and diuretics prior to sleeping.

Sleep deprivation has many effects on one’s health. It is most advisable for seniors to try to get sleep as much as they possibly can and not to be overly conscious of the time it arrives. One golden rule for seniors’ sleeping problem, when sleep strikes, grab the opportunity and sleep!