Health
& Exercise

Preventing Caregiver Burnout

If you are a family caregiver for a loved one, you know the responsibility can take an emotional, financial and physical toll on your own well-being. Chances are you have a job, a family of your own, and are trying to juggle it all. You become your last priority. The end result? Caregiver burnout and exhaustion. What Are Some Symptoms of Caregiver Burnout? Although caring for a loved one can be rewarding, it can also be extremely stressful. You may not see any light in your future because the person you are caring for has a chronic illness. You have to realize...

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Keeping You and Your Bones Strong

Although we often think of bones as hard and fully formed at a certain age, they are actually living, growing tissue that needs to be maintained. Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones that results in bone loss. More than 10 million Americans suffer from Osteoporosis and about 34 million more are at risk for the disease. Estimates suggest that about half of all women older than 50, and almost one-in-four men, will break a bone because of Osteoporosis. How Do You Know If You Have Osteoporosis? Osteoporosis is often referred to as the “silent disease” because you could have...

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Being Optimistic Will Help You Live Longer

Is your glass half full or half empty? How you see your life could impact how long you live. Research published in the Health Behavior and Policy Review journal has reported that the more optimistic you are the better it will help you live a longer, healthier life. The study shows that older people who described themselves as highly optimistic have a lower risk of heart disease or death from any cause over nearly 10 years compared with people who are very pessimistic. Researchers say depression has long been known to increase the risk of death due to heart disease, but...

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Ask Your Doctor 4 Questions About Prostate Cancer

For many men talking about their prostate and/or prostate cancer – even with their doctor – can be an uncomfortable. But given that 1 in 7 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime (the second leading cause of cancer death in American men), it's an important discussion to have for the best senior care. Prostate cancer is a serious disease, which is why September is designated as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.  The good news is most men diagnosed with prostate cancer do not die from it. In fact, more than 2.9 million men in the United States who have been...

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7 steps to better sleep

Feeling crabby lately? Or simply worn out? The responsibility of being an at home caregiver, in particular, can be time-consuming and exhausting. Something that would help is getting better sleep. Think about all the factors that can interfere with a good night's sleep — from pressure at work and family responsibilities to unexpected challenges, such as layoffs, relationship issues or illnesses. It's no wonder that quality sleep is sometimes elusive. Although you might not be able to control all of the factors that interfere with your sleep, you can adopt habits that encourage better sleep.  Start with these simple sleep...

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Be Kind to Your Feet

As we age, the years of wear and tear can be hard on them. Disease, bad circulation, poorly trimmed toenails, and wearing shoes that don’t fit can also harm your feet. But it's important to pay attention to those "barkin' dogs," as foot problems are sometimes the first sign of more serious medical conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, and nerve or circulatory disorders. The National Institute on Aging recommends that for proper seniors care that you look at your feet often; use a mirror to look at the bottoms of your feet. Look for cuts, blisters, and ingrown toenails. They also suggested...

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Keep your Brain Sharp and Healthy with 5 Small Changes

Are you getting more forgetful? We all have occasional lapses, especially once we hit our forties. It might be alarming to you to have a “senior moment” now and then, but the good news is that research shows that by keeping your brain healthy with the right diet and “brain” exercise, you can keep your cognitive function strong – boosting your memory and brainpower. Here are five things you can do to stay sharp: Eat Fish. People who eat fish once a week have a 60% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (research by Martha Clare Morris, ScD.). The reason is...

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Get Out and Create Some Memories

by Adriana Hutchings My Mother had five autoimmune diseases.  As her diseases progressed, it became increasingly difficult for her to walk.  First she suffered from fatigue, and then her balance was affected.  This once very active woman was finding it difficult to do the things she loved to do.  My Mother had been active her whole life.  She started a weightlifting club for housewives in the 1970’s called the Lean Mean Mamas.  She would go jogging with me most mornings before school.  We would go on epic shopping trips where we would shop until we dropped.  Most of our relationship...

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Exercise and Aging

Exercise is important. Regardless of your age, getting out and getting exercise into your daily regime will help you live a healthier life. There are many benefits for elderly people to exercise. Here are a few of our favorites: Manage Stress and Improve Mood: Regular, moderate physical activity can help manage stress and improve your mood. And, being active on a regular basis may help reduce feelings of depression. Studies also suggest that exercise can improve or maintain some aspects of cognitive function, such as your ability to shift quickly between tasks, plan an activity, and ignore irrelevant information. Prevent or...

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Be Heart Healthy

It’s no coincidence that Valentine’s Day and the American Heart Month are both in February. Both want your heart to be healthy – just in different ways. The bad news is that Americans suffer 1.5 million heart attacks and strokes each year. The good news is that many of the factors that put you at risk can be controlled. We’re not talking age, gender, race or heredity. We’re talking about lifestyle and diet changes that can severely cut down your risk. For instance, when was the last time you tested your blood pressure? According to the Center for Disease Control,...

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