Aging and the Senses: How to Deal With Loss

It usually starts to become noticeable as middle age approaches — hearing clearly in conversations becomes more difficult; reading requires more effort and glasses become essential for adequate vision. The diminishment of hearing and vision are common for everyone, but these changes are generally accepted as a natural part of the aging process. And most people navigate through the changes successfully, adapting to life and making the necessary adjustments, often with the help of loved ones and others. Unfortunately, it isn’t just hearing and vision that diminish as a person grows old. In fact, the loss or diminishment of multiple sense is quite common among older individuals: some estimates indicate that up to 94% of older people experience the loss of at least one of the five senses. New Information Sheds Light on Sensory Loss A recent study performed by the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project in conjunction with the University of Chicago looked at 3,000 adults in the
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Take a Walk! Five Major Benefits for Seniors

When it comes to staying healthy in one’s senior years, the importance of regular exercise cannot be overstated. Exercise keeps the body young and strong, and it can even improve mood and mental health. Unfortunately, appropriate exercise routines for seniors are difficult to find. As people age, their bodies change, lose power and experience diminished flexibility, making exercises that younger people perform less than ideal, and in some cases dangerous. Thankfully, one of the best exercises a person can perform is also one of the least impactful on the body. Walking is something that almost everyone does on a daily basis, but it’s also one of the most powerful forms of exercise, especially for seniors. If you’re concerned about a senior in your life who isn’t getting the exercise they need to stay healthy and fit, take a look at these five benefits of walking! #1 — Walking Reduces the Risk of Contracting and Suffering From Numerous Diseases Going for a walk every day has b
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Seniors Staying Social for Better Health

As people grow older, it becomes increasingly difficult for them to maintain healthy social lives. Children grow up and leave home. Friends and family members move to different parts of the world. Spouses and peers pass away. Basically, the typical senior’s social network has a way of breaking down naturally, which is why it’s so important for caregivers and loved ones to help older individuals maintain their ties to the world around them through social activities. The trend these days is for seniors to stay at home longer, which provides numerous benefits, but it can also keep older folks from experiencing some of the social settings that older generations enjoyed. Thankfully, there are some things you can do to help! Combatting Loneliness According to recent research, as many as one out of every five seniors reports feeling lonely a significant amount of the time. This can lead to depression and other health issues that lower life expectancies and make existence a struggle on a
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Keeping Seniors Comfortable in a Noisy World

When the world is loud, it’s very difficult to focus and pay attention. Unfortunately, the world seems to be getting louder and noisier by the day. This creates particular difficulty for seniors, many of whom have experienced hearing loss. Sounds blend together when they are in the midst of groups of people or are simply out and about taking care of errands or shopping. The inability to hear clearly and make sense of the world can lead to many seniors choosing to stay inside and avoid social situations. Obviously, this isn’t a good solution — such isolation can lead to depression and a major loss of vitality. So what are senior caregivers and loved ones to do? Thankfully, there are some strategies that seniors, their caregivers and their loved ones can employ to ensure a more pleasant experience, even in the midst of a society that can’t get any noisier. Accept and Prepare One of the best things seniors and their caregivers can do is prepare for noisy social situations before
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Depression and Aging: Is It Normal?

When many people think about aging and the aging process, they assume that depression is a normal, routine part of growing old. While it’s true that many seniors become depressed in their later years, the two things are actually not related. In fact, depression in old age is not normal. Seniors can avoid depression and live rich, fulfilling active lives, but it’s important to know the signs of depression and to participate in some activities that can keep the debilitating condition at bay. Depression Triggers in Old Age Causes for depression are difficult to pinpoint, but when you look at some of the common life events for seniors, it’s easy to see how they might be more likely to become depressed. Seniors are faced with more life changes more frequently than just about any other group of people. They experience the deaths of friends, family members and other loved ones at a higher rate than other age groups, and they are often faced with their own mortality and/or weakness with
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Seniors and Exercise — It’s Never Too Late to Get Started

It’s one of the oldest pieces of health advice in the book: regular exercise is one of the major keys to living a healthy, happy life. But actually putting in the time for physical activity is difficult. This is true regardless of age, but it’s a special challenge for seniors — the group that stands to benefit the most from the addition of regular exercise to a daily routine. One major misconception that exists is that after a certain age, exercise just isn’t worth it anymore. As it turns out, nothing could be further from the truth! The Challenges for Seniors Some of the reasons seniors avoid exercise include: - The presence of more frequent illness - Concerns about falls and/or injuries - A belief that it will cause more harm than good - The belief that exercise will waste precious energy - It’s not a productive use of precious time Truthfully, these are all actually great reasons for seniors to start exercising; not avoid it! Exercise can make the body much stronger and m
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Seniors Seeing Clearly — 5 Tips for Healthy Eyes

Eyesight is something that people tend to take for granted — especially when they’re younger and can see for miles — but it’s something that seniors need to be proactive about as they advance in age. As people get older, their vision deteriorates, but the process can be slowed, and a number of maladies can be prevented by following some simple tips. Are you looking for tips to ensure healthy eyesight as you age, or are you concerned about an elderly loved one who may be losing his or her vision? Keep reading for some great advice! #1 — Improve Your Diet It may not be apparent, but your eyes and their abilities are greatly influenced by the fuel you feed your body. It’s been shown, for example, that a diet rich in antioxidants like vitamins A and C can contribute to healthy eyesight. Eating fish is also beneficial because it contains essential Omega-3 fatty acids that can assist with the maintenance of the macula, one of the eye’s most important components. #2 — Quit Sm
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Seniors and Vacations — 7 Tips for Success

Family vacations are no longer all about Mom and Dad taking the kids somewhere special; they’re turning into opportunities for the kids to take Mom and Dad somewhere special! Seniors are living longer, more active lives, and they are no longer content to simply sit at home and wait for the slideshow later. Today’s older individuals often want to tag along. And their kids are taking them in greater and greater numbers! If you’re considering a vacation with an older family member, there are some things that you should keep in mind during the planning stages to ensure a satisfying trip. #1 — Take Note of Mobility Concerns If Mom or Dad is having trouble getting around, you will have to factor that into your planning. Consider arranging for a wheelchair at the airport, and make sure that there are alternatives to physically demanding activities on your itinerary. #2 — Accommodations and Amenities When you book accommodations, make sure that they will be comfortable for your agin
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Hitting the Century Mark: More Seniors Are Reaching 100

People are living longer lives these days. In fact, more and more seniors are living to — and past — the so-called “century mark” of 100 years. Three-digit birthdays are being celebrated with much more frequency lately, and families are enjoying the company of their oldest and wisest members for longer than ever. This is all wonderful news, but it also reminds us of the importance of high-quality senior care. Seniors Are Living Longer, but Are They Living Well? When it comes to living a long life, most people would agree that the quality of life is much more important than reaching a certain age or benchmark. These days, with so many people living past the age of 100, it’s critical to understand how these amazing individuals wish to spend their time. For most aging individuals, staying at home in comfortable, familiar spaces with regular routines is the key to making sure that life stays rich and fulfilling, regardless of age. Staying at home is a great way to ensure that se
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