Seniors Site

This blog post is part-science and part-urban legend which makes it very interesting for seniors especially now that they are probably hearing about these things more and more. First of all, memory cells are different from cellular memory even though they share the same concept—that is, cells are remembering organisms. For us to understand the difference between the two, we must introduce cells first. Cells form a human body; in fact, cells are the structural unit of all living things therefore your body’s building blocks. Cells are also considered as the smallest living unit ever. The only difference is that memory cells are defined by science and its principle is used for developing vaccines and booster shots to defeat potentially fatal viruses early on while cellular memory has no scientific basis to it and is purely hypothetical.

It is quite common for seniors to hear about cellular memory especially if they are nearing an organ transplant. This is a myth—more of an urban legend which may or may not be true but still gains some followers for reasons still unknown. Cellular memory is a belief that every cell in the body remembers everything that has been introduced to it such as habits and lifestyle. It was even said that cellular memory includes personality and traits of a person that when it is transferred to another person, it will still continue on doing what it was trained to do. Take for example if you are undergoing a heart transplant and the heart came from an alcoholic person, you as the recipient will experience alcohol cravings even if you are a non-alcoholic individual prior to the operation. That is how the supposed cellular memory goes and there are a couple of organ recipients that swear by it. Apparently, this belief existed way before us; evidences showed that warriors ate their brave opponent’s heart so that the trait will be passed to their system by way of cellular memory. Today, this principle is practiced when eating different kinds of animal organ while believing that these animal traits will be passed to us such as longevity and brain power. Again, there was no scientific basis to it although one that dispels it is non-existent as well.

On the other hand, seniors may have encountered the term memory cells once or twice their lifetime and actually, they really exist. Memory cells are naturally occurring phenomena inside our bodies and it has two types, the memory B cells and the memory T cells. Memory cells usually deal with strengthening our immune system. One type recognizes a foreign organism when it enters the body and will then launch a full scale war to defeat the foreign enemy which is, most of the time, marked by flu-like symptoms. First encounters usually take longer than it should be but when attacked by the same virus the second time, memory cells act quicker since they already know what to do with it. The other type makes duplicate copies of cells that have been recently infected; these cloned copies now bear immunity from the infection that attacked the original cell—sort of a mutated cell and it can survive for a long, long time. These are the principles applied and used for vaccines and boosters that are recommended for seniors to prevent communicable diseases from affecting us.

Believe it or not, there’s a new craze in town and it involves horses—miniature horses, that is. Seniors with fond memories of spending their childhood with their pet horses only to leave them behind as they go through life’s cycle and adult responsibilities, now is your chance to rekindle that fire once again and reestablish your connection with your first true love!

Daunting as it may seem, miniature horses are not too hard to keep. In reality, this is by far, the best option for visually impaired individuals with dog phobia or other dog related problems that will prevent them from using dogs as their guides. But not all miniature horses can be a guide horse; for one to be allowed as such, your horse should first undergo training with a certified, professional horse trainer but unlike dogs, only a couple of these horses get to the next level since a lot of them are disqualified at once. There are foundations for guide horses that offer these trainings; check your local listings if you are interested. Some of the existing organizations also provide the miniature horses themselves for free, if you are qualified or have met their requirements.

Miniature horses also make a great pet for seniors but it is not advisable that you ride them as you would a full sized horse. Although they are quite strong for their size, it won’t guarantee the rider safety for both species. Ideally, miniature horses as guides are used in place of guide dogs—leather harness and all.

With the booming industry of exotic farms and animals, many are quite intrigued with what these exotic animals could contribute to the way we conduct our daily lives. Guide horses for one, was an experimental program which succeeded and later on, recognized by visually impaired groups who were having problems with guide dogs as an excellent alternative. Guide horses are the perfect choice for seniors who love horses, are allergic to dogs, and are seeking stronger, more able pet. Some also find miniature horses more convenient to keep because they are self-reliant and they don’t mind sleeping outside of the house when off-duty.

Miniature horses also have longer life spans than traditional guide animals and they are relatively cost-effective as pets. They are very calm when faced in stressful situation and when properly trained, they are able to remember what to do and what not to do to prevent the person they are guiding from accidents. The best news of all is that they don’t get fleas so seniors don’t have to worry about that too!

The connection between a grandparent and his or her grandchild can never be explained; in fact, it was even said that the love which transpires between these individuals are much stronger than the love occurring in a parent-child relationship. Maybe because grandparents are better listeners than the kid’s parents and grandkids are more affectionate than your own kids. The generation gap certainly exists between these people but it can be easily overlooked especially if both are having a great bonding time with each other.

The best support their parents could get when it comes to child rearing is the one coming from you—the grandparent. Although sometimes, parenting methods differ greatly and most likely to get in the way, close relationship between you and your grandchild is highly encouraged.

Grandparents keep their grandkids grounded and provide some sense of family history. This is something that will keep them tied up to their roots. Sometimes, having someone with character provides your grandkids a secured feeling of belongingness and comfort. Seniors also help mold this generation and support them to a healthier development– emotionally and mentally.

Unfortunately, most seniors are not given this chance to bond with their precious grandchildren. Due to the lifestyle we are currently leading, it’s quite impossible to catch up and have a little time to reestablish connection with our loved-ones, much less our active, growing grandkids. However, there are ways to encourage healthy bonding time with your grandchild such as frequent visits and including them in annual out-of-town trips to interesting places. If your grandchild is living close to your place, join classes that you can attend together such as yoga classes or pottery classes—anything that you and your grandchild can do together. Not only are these classes fun but they can be beneficial to your health as well. One great idea to consider is inviting them to spend one night in your house and create memories by making a family tree. This will amuse kids seeing you and their parents growing up and going through stages of life. Holidays are the best times to invite your grandkids over.

Technology today presents excellent solution to get in-touch with faraway loved-ones. You can send them emails or talk to them using a video phone. Once the connection is established, it should not just stop there. This is one relationship that needs to be nurtured time and again which is not too hard to do especially if you are enjoying each other’s company.

Wrinkles come with the natural aging process; unfortunately aging is inevitable hence it will come eventually. In fact, the state of your skin is a dead giveaway of your age and this is something that you cannot hide from everyone. Sagging, creases, wrinkles and discolorations are among the most visible signs of aging and since they don’t look good, we try to delay them as much as possible, if not prevent them all together.

In order for our body to respond favorably, we should maintain it at its peak health and try to protect our skin while we age. Two of the most contributing factors of premature aging are the sun and cigarette smoking—even secondhand smoke can affect your skin. Too much sun exposure causes photoaging. But it is quite impossible to live without a ray of sunlight touching your skin right? Due to this fact, people MUST wear sunscreen every time they go out to protect their skin from UVA and UVB radiation. These harmful radiation breaks down the skin’s collagen—your skin’s natural building blocks.

On the other hand, smoking gives the body free radicals which attacks healthy cells and alter your body’s chemical composition. The same goes for secondhand smoke you get from hanging around with people who just can’t stop smoking. It constricts blood vessel hence poor blood circulation. This means your skin won’t probably get adequate amounts of oxygen for it to plump out and look healthy.

Adapting a healthy lifestyle helps you prevent premature aging. Studies showed that beginning the age of 20, a person should exert a conscious effort of protecting his or her skin from damaging effects of daily living such as harsh environment and stress. A healthy lifestyle consists of regular exercise, proper diet and clean living. Exercising can help you get rid of harmful toxins inside your body which, almost always, contribute to skin aging. Clean living involves quitting your existing vices such as excessive alcohol intake and cigarette smoking. It signifies going back to basics and do without the things that your body doesn’t need. Proper diet is avoiding food that will affect your health and eating those that will actually help your body perform well.

There are some foods that can help you delay aging. These foods are rich in antioxidants which combat free radicals from harming healthy cells; one example of which is broccoli. Green leafy vegetables have fiber, antioxidants and Lutein. Tomato and berries are also rich in vitamins and antioxidant that help the body heal faster.

Words are not enough to describe how bad the economy is for seniors nowadays. Gone are the days when you say that retired seniors are living well, jet-setting to and from exotic islands and have nothing better to do than spend money for luxuries and unnecessary things. Seniors are now spending their “retired” time working freelance and extra time for finding money-making ventures they could embark on. Apparently, there was no age limit for money-hunting these days.

These past few months, I have posted about freelance jobs for older adults and full-time job tips that can help seniors find something that they can actually work on and earn money. Extra money is very important nowadays, even if you had prepared well in the past for your retirement years. Moreover, extra money doesn’t really necessarily mean they should be spent the minute you get them into your hands; they should be saved for the rainy days and in fact, you will never know what comes next so it is best to come prepared for it than regret it later. Remember, medical bills are continually rising and it seems that it isn’t stopping anytime soon.

According to surveys, seniors prefer staying at bed and breakfast inns than in any other accommodation settings when they travel. Mostly because bed and breakfast inns are cheaper than hotels plus they provide that homey feel we usually missed the minute we stepped out of our houses. Best of all, it provides lasting friendship between the travelers and the house owner; more like an accommodation on a personal level.

Requirements for a small bed and breakfast business are quite simple: of course you will need a house with rooms you can rent out to lodgers. You also need to be accommodating, meaning you love company and you don’t mind if there are people sharing your house and using your stuff. The house itself should be in a tip-top shape before you can advertise about your small, at-home business. Furthermore, you will need some basic cooking experiencing for the “breakfast” part. If you are currently living with a younger caregiver who could lend you a helping hand then your B&B business could work and earn you money.

Rates for B&B vary greatly, depending on your location and accessibility of your house. It is best to do some research first about your area and if there is an existing competition within close proximity. Also, take time to look for travelers to accommodations ratio if and when a competitor is present. Check online for rates and base your own from there. Of course, don’t expect this little venture to bring lots of money especially during the first few years; like stated earlier, this business is supposed to be an added incentive only and not a large-scale hotel operation so it pays not to expect too much from it.

If you have decided to go for this kind of venture and you have no prior background whatsoever, get help for planning and start-up management. You may want to get your house inspected for pests, cracks and electrical wirings and connections. Call your local agencies and authorities for restrictions and certifications, if you need one. Plus, don’t forget to discuss it over the next family dinner so everyone would know what you are planning to do.

Seniors need to be extra careful now that Alzheimer’s disease research and studies are panning out—close enough but not all-too-specific as we are hoping for. There have been numerous speculations and findings on how this terrible disease invades the minds of older people and how they are contracted but none too specific and targeted to prevent it altogether. Is Alzheimer’s disease genetically implanted with us since birth? Or like any other lifestyle diseases, Alzheimer’s disease is based on how we lead our lives? Is it even possible to avoid or cure this dreadful, not to mention expensive disease? Apparently, we will never know, at least for now, but it will not hurt us if we follow some minor lifestyle changes that might steer us away from Alzheimer’s disease.

Just this month, a research showed that eating curry or incorporating turmeric in your diet once or twice a week could delay Alzheimer’s disease and dementia by slowing down plaque formation within the brain. Further studies are on their way to establish if curry could prevent plaques from forming in the first place. Now, it was said that over-the-counter drugs can increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease in an older person’s brain and could be potentially harmful for a person’s nervous system.

According to the University of Indiana researchers, most of the over-the-counter drugs seniors are buying nowadays could cause cognitive impairment in general. These drugs, particularly, are for aches and pains, cough and cold, anti-allergy and sleeping aids. Apparently, these drugs block acetylcholine—a neurotransmitter for both central and peripheral nervous system. FYI, there are three neurotransmitters that get affected during an Alzheimer’s disease onslaught: the serotonin, norepinephrine and acetylcholine—the latter being the most affected of the three.

Not all over-the-counter drugs can harm a senior’s brain; be especially on the look out for those containing diphenhydramine because it is an anticholinergic. This substance is usually present in antihistamine drugs or histamine blockers. If you are taking these drugs regularly, its effect could pile up overtime and could lead to Alzheimer’s disease. It is also not advisable to take these drugs for maintenance; if you are experiencing chronic pain and you need to manage it somehow, you need to consult a doctor for a more suitable maintenance drug that won’t give you such side-effect. Older adults are advised not to take anticholinergic drugs because of its effect on the brain.

Gardening is great and has many overall benefits for the gardener. I personally recommend growing your own vegetable garden but there are some seniors who prefer growing flowers than vegetables. Either of them can help you maintain a healthy, active life aside from the therapeutic benefits it can give a person. Of course, there is the self-fulfillment or sense of accomplishment once you see the “fruits” of your labor; that is when you see your garden healthy and blooming!

Backyard gardening is really rewarding and because there are many success stories we are hearing about it left and right, many are starting to think about starting their own. Seniors are encouraged to give gardening a try even if their range of motion is limited. Gardening can be done and adjusted to what fits the gardener best. If squatting and getting up is giving seniors a problem, this should not hinder you and give up gardening altogether; you can elevate you garden to your most comfortable range so you don’t have to go up and down every time you tend to your garden. You can also ask for assistance whenever you need to do something that will put you in a potentially dangerous position and don’t try to do them by yourself if you are feeling a twinge of doubt. Gardening is supposed to be fun and rewarding, not something that will land you a bed in the hospital.

A flower garden has its own rewards. Just imagine walking and seeing blooming flowers that your own hands made! It will also attract butterflies that will only add to its charm. It is also calming because of its colors and scents that will greet you when you visit your garden and most of the time, permeates your home. Overall, a flower garden makes a home look and feel alive, youthful and soothing to the eye.

Vegetable garden, being my favorite gets the last place. Like your flower garden, it can also be done in pots or even in cramped lots—you just have to use your imagination to make it work. It is important to note that a vegetable garden can benefit senior’s health tremendously. It can provide you with fresh vegetables whenever you need some. It can also give you herbs and spices you can use for cooking instead of those you find in cans, bottles and packed which is most likely drenched with chemicals and preservatives. It may not be as colorful and as fragrant as a flower garden but it can help you save some on your food budget plus you know it’s fresh and handpicked by you!

You can also work on a flower and veggie garden combined especially if you have a larger lot to work on. However, if you are currently living in an apartment and you don’t have anything except for a small piece of balcony then you may want to consult with your landlord first then get some advices from your friendly neighborhood gardening store. On the other hand, when you already have something in mind, you can browse over online gardening stores for your equipments. Some of them deliver the goods right at your doorstep so you don’t have to walk out for it.

As we age, seniors may find it hard to do intense workouts and exercises like they used to and I would say, it is but normal due to many varying reasons such as health and time constraints. If you have started at an earlier age, let say, in your 30’s and has been doing your routines for quite some time now then you will probably find yourself slowing down or cutting back on your usual “gym” time. On the other hand, those people who have started quite late with the exercise department would find these activities very demanding and rigorous coupled with bouts of back and knee aches. This is because your body is not used to such activities and most probably you were leading a sedentary life then.

Exercise knows no age and it is very important for seniors to engage to activities that will require them to move. This is because your metabolism needs some assistance at this point and exercising can do that; in fact, exercising is the safest thing to do if you want to stay healthy. Believe me, exercising can shed years off, not to mention those unwanted fats you’re harboring all along. Just because we could no longer do intense workout doesn’t mean we should not do them anymore. Just as long as we keep our old bodies moving, it is enough. However, what we can do is find an exercise routine that is more sympathetic to our bodies so that we will be able to stick with it for a long time.

For seniors seeking for the perfect exercise routine, why not try water aerobics? Water aerobics is an exercise that is not gender specific, although its students are mostly women. Water aerobics help tone your muscles relieving you of those saggy arms. Also, it will not put any pressure on your joints so there’s no need to fret about after-exercise aches and pain; above all, soaking in the water cools down the body. Basically, water exercise is beneficial to older people because it is relaxing and at the same time, your body is getting all the exercise it needs.

Although water exercise is a perfect fit for seniors, you still have to consult your doctor first before starting the program especially if you just had a surgery and open wounds. You should also take note of your heart rate and warning signs during the exercise itself. If you experience some breathing difficulties, notify your water aerobic instructor at once to prevent complications from happening. If you doubt your own judgment then it is much wiser to bring someone with you, in case something happens.

You can find water aerobic classes in fitness centers and local community swimming pools near you. Call them for schedule of classes and go there personally to meet your instructor prior to the class itself. Water aerobics is also good for people with mobility issues. If done in groups, it will also benefit your social life and overall health.

Due to the latest tragic air accident of Air France Flight 447, travelers are now in doubt about airline safety and how safe it is to travel by air. Here are some tips to avoid, if not prevent, air travel accidents:

1.    Avoid connecting flights, if possible, or lessen them if you need to. By flying nonstop routes, you avoid the four major phases of aircraft flying: take-off, climb, descent and landing. This doubles the malfunction rate than flying straight to and fro.
2.    Get to know the aircraft you are going to board. Seniors should do their research and get to know the aircraft. Some information you should search for is the model and its accident rate, if any. Apparently, larger aircrafts are much safer to board than smaller ones and they hold better passenger survival rates, in case of accidents.
3.    Every time a plane takes off, there is always a preflight briefing. It is important that you pay attention to what the flight attendant is talking about each time because every plane has their own emergency exits which will also depend on your seat location. Take note of the suggested routes to use in case you will need the emergency exit. You can also count the seats between yours and the exits in case there will be heavy smoke and you couldn’t see very well.
4.    Do not place heavy items inside the overhead storage bins. They might fall off directly into your head during turbulence and minor disturbances. You can put it securely under your seat so it will not roll off and disturb other passengers. Don’t try to hand-carry big luggage because they don’t belong inside the passenger area. They will only cramp your space and will limit your range of motion.
5.    Seat belts are meant to protect you; maximize its use every time you board a plane. Take note of its mechanism to avoid fumbling with it during an emergency. If you are having some problems with your seat belts, ask your flight attendant about it and they will gladly assist you. Taking off your seat belts during the flight is not encouraged so it is best to stay seated during the flight, if possible. Do some leg stretching only if necessary to avoid DVT or deep vein thrombosis during long flights.
6.    It is also advisable to wear sensible clothes that will allow you to move however you please. High heeled footwear may injure you especially if you are having trouble with your balance. Try not to wear synthetics because they catch fire easily, instead wear cotton.
7.    Stay away from booze. Alcoholic drinks can impair your judgment in case of emergency thus will take precious time better spent on saving yourself and helping others. It was also said that alcoholic drinks, when taken onboard, can affect a person more strongly.
8.    It is always great to be prepared at all times. By creating an emergency plan, you will be able to move and exit without so much of a fuss.
9.    There is a passenger safety card provided to all passengers aboard. Take time to review them for your own safety.
10.    Don’t smuggle hazardous materials. Surely you don’t want the accident to start from your own baggage right?

Hurricane season is officially here, are you ready for it? Annual Atlantic hurricane season starts from June 1 and will end on November 30. This is also the time when coastal resorts lower their rates to “incredibly affordable” that even your grandkid could afford to pay for the family’s vacation! These resorts are the ones built on the Caribbean islands, some parts of Mexico, Gulf and Atlantic coasts and Florida.

As the month of May rolled by; and June officially rolled in, some communities and cities are helping their local residents especially their senior locals to prepare for the hurricane season. Particularly, new projects were developed by community leaders in Florida for seniors who they deem are the most vulnerable ones during this season. Local government of the said state also offers assistance during hurricane season for older adults.

Although last year’s was considered as the fourth most active since 1944, experts believe that this year’s a slower and gentler one; rising a little above the average, give and take. By the way, these dates do not imply that hurricanes only occur during these times; hurricanes and storms can occur even outside of the said dates, only they are found out to cluster around June to November. However, even if there are no indications of the hurricane season being violent this year and as destructive as last year’s, we should still prepare for it. Here are some tips for seniors and their caregivers:

1. The emergency kit. Review your list and prepare them when you have time—and I mean soon, not later, not tomorrow or the next day. You will never know when a hurricane will hit so it is best to prepare than be sorry.
2. Your important documents should be kept safe and dry so it is best to place them in resealable, waterproof plastic bags.
3. For the caregiver, it is important to prepare an emergency plan if the calamity strikes. You should know at once when, where and how to carefully transfer your ward to a safe place without inducing too much harm to the patient’s body. If you are having problem with this, visit some organizations that can help and assist you when the need arises such as American Red Cross.
4. You should also take note of weather forecasts and weather news. If you are already having a bad feeling over a heavy rain then don’t hesitate to heed the call. Sometimes, gut feel is stronger than any weather prediction there is.
5. An extra help is always better than doing it all on your own. Whether you are a senior living alone, or a sole caregiver living with your ward, seeking help from your neighbors is always a good idea for seniors. It will enable you to move faster and more efficiently.
6. When a hurricane warning is issued, it usually has more or less, 24 hours before the anticipated strike. Almost always, residents are advised to evacuate the area and it is wise to do it while you still have clear roads to go through.
7. Always remember to stock up your water supply before a hurricane strike so you will not have a hard time if the water goes unavailable after the hit.
8. Evacuation routes will be provided by your local government. Follow them to safer areas.
9. Don’t forget to secure your house before you leave. Lower down shutters before leaving.
10. Don’t try to go back to your home unless authorities announce it to be safe.