Seniors Site

If you are a caregiver or you have been living with a senior for quite sometime now, are you sure your senior is healthy and not on the verge of malnutrition? Sometimes seniors tend to forget about how important good nutrition is for them and just eat whenever they feel the need to, unfortunately when a senior is experiencing too much pain or is suffering emotionally, the last thing on their minds would be eating and nutrition. It now depends on their housemates to monitor their nutrition more than ever.

There are many varying factors why seniors may have overlooked their health. It can be due to the fact that some seniors live alone thus they don’t see the need to cook real food and opt to dine elsewhere. It can also be due to digestive problems which limit food choices for older adults while others find it hard to keep up with food preparation due to mobility problems. These reasons alone can tell you how vulnerable seniors are to malnutrition. Below are signs you need to look for when you are in doubt about your senior’s health:

·    Loss of appetite. When trying to determine whether your senior is eating right, don’t just ask them because if they were not, they won’t know the difference. Try spending time with the beloved senior and dine with them. Notice their appetite when served with their favorite foods as well as their reaction when invited to dine out.
·    Sudden weight loss. Drastic weight loss in a span of 3 months is not at all normal. Weight loss can be a sign of many different health conditions, emotional and otherwise. Consult a doctor immediately when you see this sign.
·    When visiting a senior, check their pantry and refrigerator just to have an idea what they have been eating these days. Check expiration dates and for spoiled foods. Throw away items that may endanger the senior’s health when mistakenly eaten and do the honors to replenish their stock with nutritional foods.
·    A dead-giveaway of malnutrition is the skin, particularly its tone. It should have healthy and hydrated look to it.
·    Positive disposition. Sudden change in the senior’s outlook in life can signify of something that others should be alarmed of. When a happy person suddenly turned lethargic and withdrawn, it’s about time you interfere.
·    Seniors with mental problems are often nutrition-neglected so do the best you can by making sure your senior gets everything his or her body needs.
·    The medications they take can also affect the way they taste foods, often making them lose appetite and do without eating altogether. When you notice this effect, discuss this with their doctor at once.

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.

Looking for the perfect gift to give to your loved-ones? Are you tired of hunting for the perfect gift and has been contemplating with the one you have right now? Why not try gift baskets?

Gift baskets have everything you need in a gift. It is practical, useful and one hundred percent personalized for the person in mind. Gift baskets are sure to delight a recipient of any age but most especially elderly loved ones.

Basically, a gift basket is composed of variety of items most suitable for the recipient. To make it more personalized, you must know a little something about the person you are about to give gift to. On the other hand, if in doubt then opt to go for pre-made ones available in most specialty stores such as gourmet food shops and gift shops. You can also choose to work around a theme or a holiday, whichever is most applicable at the moment. Here are some gift basket ideas made specifically for seniors:

·    Food baskets. This is, by far, the most recommended for seniors instead of giving them something that they won’t ever need. Food baskets encourage seniors to eat healthy–granted that the items you include in your gift baskets are indeed healthy. Your food baskets could be fresh fruits, teas, pastas, and even chocolates. Just make sure that it won’t harm their health.
·    Organic bath gift baskets. Not that seniors don’t take a bath but most of the time, they tend to use those that are most convenient or readily available for them at the moment. By sending them a basket full of organic bath products, it will save them time and effort in buying these products for themselves. Organic bath products are great for seniors’ skin because theirs are prone to dryness and irritation.
·    Spa gift baskets. Seniors need to relax too. With a spa basket, it’s like giving them the ticket to do so. Think Zen when gathering up products for your Spa basket. Include products such as bath salts, body oils and body scrubs.
·    Gardener’s gift basket. Most seniors make gardening their hobby because it is fun and very rewarding. If you are planning to give your favorite senior a gardener’s basket, you must first know their “gardening level” and what kind of garden he maintains (herb, flower or fruit) so your items will fit them perfectly.
·    Treasured memories gift baskets. This can be a scrapbooking basket which includes basic and elaborate scrapbooking materials or a stack of photos and a beautiful album to hold all of it. If this is a grandma, don’t forget to send the kids too so they can work on it together.

To get your gift baskets together, here’s a step-by-step how-to:

·    Determine what kind of gift basket you are going to give then decide on its theme.
·    Find a suitable “basket” to hold your items. It can be a large bowl for food and pasta baskets or a pretty bag if it’s a spa gift basket.
·    Find a suitable filler to make it more attractive. It can be a crinkled color paper or paper shreds.
·    Get two major “highlights” and a couple of smaller ones for your gift basket. Smaller ones are placed in front while bigger items should be at the back so everything is seen at once.
·    Wrap it up with a translucent wrap and tie it with a ribbon. Gift baskets can also go without a wrap so it’s your call whether you want it or not. Either way, gift baskets are a delight to receive.

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.

Different ages require different sets of devices that are age-specific to their needs. For seniors, it is usually geared towards their safety and ease of living. Even though most seniors have stayed active all throughout the years and experiencing no discomfort whatsoever in the way they are living their lives now, sadly those in a really advanced age do encounter difficulties in their everyday tasks. Here are some safety devices that can help alleviate some of these difficulties for seniors:

·    Although anti-slip mats are cheap, they can be very useful for seniors. In fact, they are a staple to any senior home and the most recommended too.
·    Big buttoned phones. Most seniors have trouble seeing little letters and numbers and phones can sometimes be too confusing for them to use. With big buttoned phones, whether it’s a mobile phone or a land-based one, it would be easier for seniors to call in case of emergency.
·    Emergency alert devices. I’ve seen some in forms of necklaces, bracelets and even a wearable USB. The USB device claims it can alert authorities when the senior encountered emergency at the same time be able to supply much needed medical information in case the senior is unconscious at the time of the emergency.
·    Universal remote control. A universal remote control can control most of the appliances in the house which means there’s no need to further complicate things by using multiple remote controls for every appliance you may have.
·    Land-based phone with speed dial keys and automatic dialing features. These are phones which memorize numbers when set. This proves to be of great help for seniors who are having trouble memorizing set of numbers.
·    Magnifying glass. It doesn’t need to be a garish-looking one, in fact, magnifying glasses that are available in the market today are quite fashionable and at the same time, very efficient.
·    Automatic medication/pill dispensers. There’s an automatic and a semi-automatic one which will depend on your needs. These dispensers come equipped with an alarm system so you won’t miss a single dose anymore.
·    Anti-scald device. Seniors usually are slow to react leading to cases of burns which are otherwise preventable. These devices automatically turn off the water if its temperature reaches a certain degree. They can be installed in the shower room and kitchen.
·    For mobility challenged individuals, mobility scooters are a great addition to your assisting devices. Well, they will get you far and they are very easy to use so why not?

Did you know that the single, most insistent reason why seniors would rather delay retirement than spend the last years of their lives enjoying it and making it worthwhile is that their retirement money is never enough to support them? This is indeed a sad one but very true for most working seniors. Consider them lucky since half of the senior population is out of work and they are now living on whatever is left for them to support themselves.

When we talk about bills, of course what bothers an elderly’s budget the most is his or her medical bills. It is a given fact, even if the government is trying to pave ways to make a senior’s life a little better, going through a pace when your body is not agreeing with you most of the time then you still need to get a doctor to inspect it on a regular basis is a very, very expensive price to pay, both emotionally and financially speaking. So to make ends meet, we save.

·    Try not to make anymore debts. In this day and age, it is much easier to borrow money than save for something but a senior doesn’t need this kind of pressure anymore so as much as you would want to, stay away from it.
·    Generic drugs vs branded ones. Medical bills are too much pain in the pocket hence the need to cut corners when we see fit. The problem with medical bills is that some areas of it cannot afford delays. By using health insurances and inquiring about generic drugs you can use instead of buying the expensive, branded ones can help you lessen the burden even for a bit.
·    Generally, generic ones come cheaper than branded products. It also applies to household necessities and even for personal needs. Whenever you can, opt to buy generic brands.
·    Shop when it’s discount season. Most department stores hold seasonal sales that you can take advantage of.
·    Try shopping online. If you’re familiar with online store, you’ll see that most products and services offered over the internet is way cheaper than those you can find in department stores. Just practice safety shopping when online to avoid getting scammed.
·    Basic necessities usually come at discounted price for seniors such as telephone bills and water services. Inquire about them.
·    There’s nothing wrong with using discount coupons. They can save you a lot of money so why not use them? Scour newspapers, mails and even the internet for more.
·    Limit dining out for special occasions only. Dining out is, almost always, expensive and it can make quite a dent in your bank account if you make it a habit. Instead throw potluck parties when you need to unwind and have a little fun.
·    Join senior organizations because they assist their own. Most organizations give discounts to members and we all know discounts are good.
·    Get to know more government programs for seniors. You’ll never know when you’re going to need one.

Naturally as we age, one can’t help but think of death and other factors that surround it. When we were younger, we felt invincible as if nobody can ever touch us but now that we are nearing our final years, it is but normal to think—and even be aware—of what may cause our death just so we can prepare for it, if there’s such thing.

Death is natural and it should come. Like they say, everybody wants to be in heaven but it seems that nobody wants to die. As ironic as it may seem, everyone of us should undergo this phase in life just because it’s the way it has to be. According to the natural cycle of life, one must perish to give way to a new life, just imagine if there will be no more deaths and we will just go on living, would that be fun? I don’t think so. It doesn’t matter if we die tomorrow or the next day, what matters most is how we lived our lives right? Below are the top 10 causes of death in seniors. As you can see, the two most apparent causes are accidents and of course, health. While the former cannot be determined when or where it would strike, the latter can be prevented if we just take care of ourselves early on. Here are they, in alphabetical order:

·    Accidents— This includes fall, slips, fractures and others, acquired from both past and present accidents. Seniors are prone to accidents, partly because most of the time their senses are impaired and they can no longer help themselves. Don’t hesitate to seek assistance when you feel you need one. Practice safety precautions especially if there’s no one to assist you at the moment.
·    Alzheimer’s disease—Although death won’t come instantly in an Alzheimer’s disease, many have gone this route and sadly, most of them would have wanted to be dead than living a life that is empty. Most seniors die from complications brought about the disease and not from Alzheimer’s disease itself.
·    Cancer– Young or old, cancer kills and it seems that most cancer fatalities belong to a much younger group now than it was before. It certainly doesn’t recognize age but it kills almost half of the senior population too. Maybe because cancer still has no cure and its cause has yet to be determined.
·    Diabetes–  Some people are born with diabetes but a greater number of patients suffering from diabetes have the “adult onset” type which is clearly defined by one’s lifestyle.
·    Heart disease–  Again, a lifestyle disease. When you know you’re prone to heart problems, it pays to heed calls early on than suffer an irreversible consequence. Dying from heart disease is usually instantaneous and there’s no telling when.
·    Infection—As we age, our body is getting weaker by the minute comprising our immune system enormously. This makes way for various infections to come and breed inside of us.
·    Kidney Problems—Too much alcohol consumed in your lifetime will certainly kill you. Not only that, it will make your overall quality of life unbearable. Kidney problems have its own set of delaying procedures but it’s too painful to put up with. Renal failure will put your body’s own toxic waste management team on hold causing harmful toxins to accumulate and ultimately poison your system.
·    Lung disease– If too much alcohol can kill a person, so does smoking. Lung disease is an effect of sustained tobacco smoking that proves to be very dangerous not only for you but also for the people around you.
·    Pneumonia– It is a lung infection. Basically, an impaired immune system coupled with a lung that has been gradually giving up already then throw in a miniscule bacterium in there and voila! The ever deadly pneumonia.
·    Stroke– Stroke happens when a blood clot blocks a major artery therefore hindering the blood flow to important organs of the body. Usually, the ones that cause problems are the heart and the brain.

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.