Rhode Island

Q – My dad was diagnosed with verbal apraxia following a series of strokes. We have already implemented some tips that a doctor gave us to help us to communicate with him and vice versa, but I’m wondering if there are any treatment options available in Rhode Island that can help improve the condition or communication techniques in general?

A – Many of the techniques that are used do work on improving communication techniques, not so much from the family’s perspective, but from that of the senior’s. They might not be able to regain their speech with these conditions, but can potentially learn to communicate more effectively so they aren’t relegated to a life of silence. Many seniors who require treatment for aphasia or apraxia receive treatment from a speech or communication pathologist. Your local Area Agency on Aging in Rhode Island can help point you towards the appropriate resources if your doctor is unable to.

Sources:

1. Stroke Association
2. The Aphasia Institute
3. Orange Blossom Farm
4. About

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Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.

Q – I’ve always felt that resistance training will benefit my mom who suffers from osteoporosis, but she seems to have the perception that weight and strength training is just for the body builder types who want to become stronger and build muscle. Tell me that there really are benefits to senior women so I can convince her it is a good idea, despite her misconceptions.

A-  Resistance [strength] training is for everyone, regardless of age, gender, or reason for doing it. Senior women don’t need to have aspirations to become body builders or build large muscle mass in order to benefit from resistance training, which has the following benefits to people of their age and sex:

• Increases bone density
• Improves muscular strength and endurance
• Improves sensitivity to insulin, preventing diabetes
• Helps with cholesterol control by increasing HDL [good] cholesterol and decreasing LDL [bad] cholesterol
• Can improve emotional well-being
• Decreases intra-abdominal adipose tissue in healthy older women
• Helps to control potential fat gain and associated complications

Sources:

1. Suite101

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Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.

There’s no denying that getting older is stressful; as we age we cope with many anxieties and uncertainties that can go hand in hand with changes in health, loss of loved ones and changes in lifestyle that can make seniors feel like they’re out of control. But stress doesn’t have to be a natural result of aging that Rhode Island seniors accept; with some simple methods, such as exercise, stress and anxiety can be reduced. It’s important that seniors keep some simple techniques in mind when beginning an exercise program to ensure that it reduces their stress level and improves their health, without being an additional source of anxiety.

• Always choose activities that are enjoyable, otherwise seniors will grow to resent being physically active
• Avoid activities that are competitive to avoid creating natural tension. Seniors don’t need to do activities solo, but they should make sure that they avoid competitive sports and other physical activities that make them feel like they want to win
• Aerobic and anaerobic exercises can both help reduce stress. Seniors should incorporate 30 to 60 minutes of aerobic exercise into their routines 3-5 days per week, and also try resistance training
• Don’t begin any activity without clearance from a doctor or assistance from a fitness professional. Seniors who worry that by completing physical activities incorrectly they will injure themselves, or are concerned about the affects upon their health can make sure these stressors are avoided

Sources:

1. Suite 101
2. Mayo Clinic

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Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.

Summer is here in Rhode Island, and there’s no better time to hit the links, get some fresh air and increase your activity level! Golf is a favorite activity for Rhode Island seniors who like to get outside and enjoy the season, get some exercise, and relieve stress through physical activity. There’s a reason that golf is so popular for seniors, and it’s because it offers flexibility; seniors can choose their own level of physical activity by choosing between 9 holes or 18 holes, and choosing whether to walk the course or take a cart.

Golf offers many benefits, but in order to ensure that the experience remains safe and enjoyable, there are a few safety tips that seniors need to implement so that their health remains a top priority; right up there with having a good time!

• Always warm up – seniors need to stretch before beginning a golf game, with special focus upon the arms, shoulders and upper body
• Adjust if your technique is causing pain – seniors who find that their golf swing results in pain in different areas of their body can talk to a golf professional about adjusting their swing
• Invest in the right equipment – while it may seem most economical to borrow clubs from someone who is no longer using them, clubs need to be the right weight and size for seniors otherwise they can cause strain and injury. Clothing is also important, proper, good fitting shoes that provide support can prevent injuries
• Seek medical help for pain – treat injuries immediately with ice or a hot compress in order to reduce swelling or pain, and if the injury remains, see a doctor and rest the area

Sources:

1. Suite101
2. About

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Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.

Finding the right doctor can play a major role in providing for a senior’s health, while location and ease of accessibility may seem like a major factor in determining which physician to see; many other things come into play which seniors might not think about.

1. Does your insurance or health plan cover your physician choice? Often doctors need to be plan-approved or affiliated with a specific group in order to be covered by health and insurance plans.

2. What kind of doctor do you need? Consider whether a general practitioner to manage your overall health is what you require, or if you need a specialist to address a specific aging health issues.

3. Can your doctor practice at your local hospital? In case of senior medical emergency, you may need your doctor to treat you at the hospital of your choice. Ensure the doctor you choose has the authority to do so.

4. Have you checked out his/her reputation – if possible, choose a doctor who comes highly recommended by friends, family or other people in your network who have seen the doctor. You want someone who will listen to your concerns, is respectful and answers questions.

5. Check their qualifications – all general practitioners must be board certified, having completed a medical residency. Specialists must have additional training.

Use Administrators in Medicine to learn of any disciplinary actions taken against the doctor of your choice, as well as the Federation of State Medical Boards and the NCQA Recognized Physician Directory to grasp the history of your chosen medical professionals.

Sources:

1. Seniors for living

2. MedicineNet.com

Image Source: www.transitionagingparents.com

Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.

There are many physical changes and health issues that Rhode Island seniors experience as they age; many believe that they are natural effects of aging that cannot be prevented or treated without the use of medications and other forms of intervention. We’re about to dispel these common myths of aging and health so seniors understand that not everything has to be up to nature; the aging process can be improved, delayed, and even prevented.

• The myth that muscle mass and strength is always lost with age – while some muscle mass and strength can be lost if left up to nature, seniors who use resistance training regularly can prevent these effects and improve their muscular health
• Weight gain is a normal part of getting older – it is true that after the age of 20, our metabolism naturally slows down, and those effects become much more drastic for seniors. However, weight gain doesn’t need to be accepted, with simple lifestyle changes it is possible to maintain a healthy weight and lower body fat with cardiovascular exercises and resistance training
• Seniors will no longer have endurance for aerobic activity – cardiorespiratory health can decline in a sedentary senior, but those who engage in cardiovascular activity can maintain their endurance and prevent the likelihood of heart attack or stroke
• Diabetes is normal for seniors – blood sugar tolerance does decline with age which can increase the risk of diabetes; but exercise can increase insulin sensitivity therefore preventing or improving high blood sugar and diabetes
• All seniors have high cholesterol and high blood pressure – exercise increases good cholesterol and can help in overtaking the bad kind. Blood pressure can also be lowered directly through exercise
• Bone density loss and osteoporosis are normal – while bone density can decline with age, using weight-bearing activities and resistance training during and prior to older adulthood can increase bone density and rebuild the tissues

Sources:

1. Suite101
2. About

Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.

Hiking is a straight-forward activity that is suitable for all active seniors. Living in Rhode Island there are many scenic hiking spots that seniors can go to in order to experience the great outdoors in the company of a friend, family member, caregiver or even a pet.

So what makes hiking a good activity for seniors in particular?

• It’s a cardiovascular activity that can help with weight loss
• It helps to decrease high blood pressure as an aerobic activity
• Bone density is improved, preventing osteoporosis
• It can help to relieve back pain by strengthening the core
• It is affordable
• Seniors may not have to travel far to hike
• In a warmer climate, it can be done year-round
• It motivates seniors for exercise since it offers more enjoyment than exercising at a fitness center on equipment like a treadmill
• Seniors can get out into the fresh air and sunshine, and also educate themselves on the local wildlife around Rhode Island and other elements in the environment

Hiking can also be a great social activity for seniors, since there are many hiking groups across North America, some of which cater specifically to the older adult demographic. By hiking with other seniors, Rhode Island older adults, can also go at their own pace, without feeling pressured by younger people in the group, or feeling like they’re being a hindrance by attending. As long as seniors are cautious about remaining safe, hiking is a great physical activity to start today!

Sources:

1. Associated Content
2. Suite 101
3. Mama’s Health

Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.

Did you know that as we age we begin to lose muscle mass in the form of skeletal muscle? It’s called Sarcopenia and it can effect the way that we’re able to function as we get older, because it reduces our overall strength, and in turn our ability to perform day-to-day tasks are compromised, from getting out of bed, to taking a walk, or carrying groceries from the car to the house. Rapid weight loss without exercise can also make the progression of Sarcopenia take place much more rapidly, so if Rhode Island seniors want to remain active and healthy into older adulthood, then they need to take some measures to ensure that they don’t continue to lose muscle.

Exercise is the answer to preventing Sarcopenia, but Rhode Island seniors need to engage in specific activities in order to increase strength. Resistance exercises are probably the most important way to built muscles, which includes lifting weights or using a resistance band to build strength, balance, and lower blood pressure.  Resistance training is even more important for post-menopausal women because it can increase bone density. Cardiovascular exercise is also great for the functioning of the cardiovascular system as well as your muscles and bones. It can include walking, jogging or taking a fitness class to improve overall health. Stretching is another important exercise for seniors to improve flexibility and generally reduce the degeneration of muscles with Sarcopenia. Basic stretches can be used, or seniors can work their way up to doing yoga a few days a week.

The changes of aging don’t need to be accepted; so if you or someone you love is beginning to struggle with balance and the strength of everyday tasks, then it’s time to start exercising to improve your heath.

Sources:

1. Suite101

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Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.

As a senior caregiver from Rhode Island, I always try to keep my caregivers in the best health possible; since I believe that it’s an important part of providing top senior care. A key component in this is keeping them active; whether or not I am met with reluctance by those seniors that fear they will harm their health or face an injury. Safety is always my top priority, and by using simple safety tips, I keep my seniors in top health and give them confidence that regardless of age, they too can be physically active. If you’re thinking about introducing a senior to exercise, here are a few methods that I use to make sure they have a safe and enjoyable experience.

• Seniors should discuss their physical fitness with a doctor before beginning a new fitness program
• Seniors should stop exercising if they feel any pain
• Seniors should ensure they don’t overexert themselves – intensity should allow them to still hold a normal conversation while engaging in physical activity
• Seniors should always maintain good posture, and be accommodating, but not favoring, of any areas of the body where injury has previously has occurred
• Seniors should never hold their breath during exercise
• Seniors should always incorporate 5 minutes of warm up and 5 minutes of cool down into their physical routine
• Seniors should drink plenty of water during and after exercise and avoid heavy meals 2 hours before
• Seniors should dress for the weather when exercising outside, including sunscreen, hats, loose clothing, and rain gear in inclement weather
• Seniors should choose appropriate clothing for the activity that they’ll be doing, including proper supportive shoes

Sources:

1. Mature Fitness
2. Family Doctor

Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.

Q  – My mom has talked for years, about how if she had been able to go to college when she was younger, that she would have loved to be an English major. Since her retirement, I have been trying to encourage her to chase her dreams, but she’s worried about the costs that will be involved, so she just won’t do it. Is there anything I can tell her to help encourage her to attend a Rhode Island college?

A – I understand why your mom might be reluctant, because college can be expensive for people at any stage in life; but for seniors on limited incomes, the fear is that the expense will set them back in their way of life during retirement. That being said, most colleges encourage seniors to join their ranks of students; either by attending courses with the school’s general population, or by learning through classes that are offered just for the demographic of older adults. In order to recruit senior citizens as students, colleges often allow seniors to audit classes (without accumulating credits) for a small fee, or no cost at all. Others offer discounted or free degree or accreditation programs just for senior citizens; or they have scholarships available that can only be given to older students looking to educate themselves later in life.  So, to answer your question; if you really want to sway your mother to taking an English or Literature class offered by a Rhode Island college; do some research on her behalf and find a college that will take her for free!

Sources:

1. Suite 101
2. Suite101
3. North East Texas Community College

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Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniors and the elderly who choose to live at home instead. Please call us for more information on our in-home care services at 401-667-2923.