Older adults experience several health benefits when they exercise regularly. However, seniors who have largely lived sedentary lifestyles may be resistant to being more active. Family caregivers can use the following techniques to motivate their elderly loved ones to exercise more often. 1. Start Slow Consider inviting your loved one to accompany you on a shopping outing. Malls are particularly…
Before beginning any kind of nutritional supplementation, even if it’s something as simple as a multivitamin, it’s important for your senior parent to discuss this change with his or her primary care physician. This way, the physician will be able to make customized recommendations and warn your parent about any possible adverse reactions with medications he or she is already…
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a combination of emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Seniors with COPD often experience several breathing problems, such as shortness of breath, a cough that doesn’t seem to go away, and periods of wheezing. Symptoms of COPD also tend to get worse with extremes in temperature. Because more than 23 million Americans experience impaired lung function…
If you need a break from your caregiving responsibilities, consider respite care for your senior parent. While respite care provides benefits for family caregivers, it’s also beneficial for seniors. Here are some of the top benefits of respite care your parent may enjoy and appreciate. Reduced Risk of Social Isolation If your loved one is homebound as a result of…
One of the first symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease is memory loss. As the disease progresses, various areas of the brain will be affected, impacting daily life. Here are the most common types of memory Alzheimer’s disease affects. Short-Term Memory The information your senior loved one was exposed to a few minutes or a few days ago could be forgotten…
A pacemaker is a small device that uses electric stimulation to regulate irregular heartbeats. These devices may need to be worn for a short period after a heart attack or even for a lifetime. If your aging loved one requires a pacemaker, here are some essential facts that may help you provide the appropriate care and keep him or her…
Parkinson’s disease causes symptoms that may increase the risk of injuries for seniors during bathing. Fortunately, you may be able to decrease these risks for your senior loved one by using the following bathroom safety tips. Purchase a Shower Chair Postural instability is a common Parkinson’s symptom that appears in the middle to late stages of the disease. This may…
Although diabetes is relatively common in aging adults, it’s also a preventable disease. Understanding the root causes of diabetes may help seniors stave off this health condition. Here are some of the most common diabetes risk factors for older adults. 1. Age As seniors progress in age, their risk of diabetes increases. Researchers believe that as people age, the ability…
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is the leading cause of death in America. While poor diet is one of the key risk factors associated with heart disease, studies show when caregivers encourage their senior loved ones to adopt alternative diets, such as that of the Japanese, it may reduce the risk of heart…
Lying to an elderly loved one with dementia may seem unscrupulous to many families. However, when used carefully and compassionately, this strategy may actually alleviate dementia symptoms. This article examines therapeutic lying and the role it may play in comforting seniors with dementia. Lying as a Means of Validation Many dementia caregivers are tempted to try to correct or reason…
