“There’s a common misperception that as we age, our sleep gets worse. It’s not that simple at all,” asserts Michael V. Vitiello, Ph.D., professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences, gerontology and geriatric medicine, and biobehavioral nursing at the University of Washington. “What we’ve learned in exploring the data that is that healthy older adults, as Read more >>
Poor sleeping doesn’t just make us cranky, it can impair our daytime function, increase risk of falling and exacerbate or lead to serious health issues. That’s why It’s important to help identify possible sleep problems and to see a primary care provider or specialty practitioner. Consequences of Lack of Sleep in Older Adults “Sleep is Read more >>
With all we have going on in our lives, it can be easy to overlook the important connection between wellness and hygiene. But routine personal maintenance can help us keep ourselves and our loved ones healthier and safer. Personal Hygiene Checklists for Seniors Hands According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, washing hands Read more >>
At this point in our lives, we’ve heard multiple messages about eating right and we’ve probably had every intention of following that sage advice. But the truth is – according to research from National Institute on Aging – most of us can and should try harder.1 A recent review of research for the agency shows Read more >>
Yoga is one of today’s most popular mind and body exercises. It has been shown to help improve respiratory and cardiovascular function. It can also relieve anxiety and depression, and ease pain and chronic stress. The benefits of yoga for seniors in particular include improved mobility, a reduced fear of falling, and enhanced quality of Read more >>
Staying hydrated can be a challenge — especially for older adults. For several reasons, including a decreased ability to retain water and a less acute sense of thirst, older adults are at a heightened risk for dehydration. If left untreated, dehydration in elderly individuals can lead to more serious issues. Here are the signs and Read more >>
Wondering what are the most important vaccines for adults? Here are suggestions from the Centers for Disease Control. Always check with your primary care provider before getting inoculated to understand potential interactions and side-effects. Recommended Vaccines for Most Adults Over 50 1 COVID-19 Annual seasonal flu Td or Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) booster shot Read more >>
After a year of living under COVID restrictions, we’ve learned some new things and had other lessons reinforced. Here’s our look at key takeaways from 2020 for family caregivers and seniors. Lesson 1: Adopt Different Ways to Communicate & Socialize For most of us, the biggest lesson from year one of the pandemic was learning Read more >>
That constellation of physical, mental and emotional stress you’re feeling as a family caregiver, has a name: Caregiver Stress Syndrome (CSS). A syndrome is a set of symptoms that consistently manifest together. CSS is characterized by these symptoms: Isolation Licensed marriage and family therapist Colleen Mullen, PsyD, LMFT, of San Diego describes this as “withdrawing Read more >>
As the New Year approaches once again, it may often bring a feeling of optimism, which is much needed given this challenging time. That’s a welcoming gift, especially for those of us caring for the elderly. To help maximize this optimism, we have gathered 13 New Year’s resolutions geared specifically toward caregivers. New Year’s Resolutions Read more >>