Rhode Island

Many forms of art may seem like they’re a simple mindless way to pass some time for Rhode Island seniors; but knitting, painting, or making a quilt have much greater benefits to the lives of seniors than they’re given credit for! Art can change lives, opening and re-opening doors to seniors that they might not have thought they could get from a simple, enjoyable activity.

1. Skill doesn’t matter – seniors may feel because they have no artistic talent specifically, they cannot receive the benefits from art. However, studies have shown that regardless of specific skills levels, practicing all forms of art can benefit social abilities as well as physical and mental health

2. Culture and community through art – the establishment of art programs in various communities can have specific cultural meaning to seniors and can also help establish culture in community settings

3. Arts help younger generations look at seniors differently – studies have shown that when art comes into play in senior care residences, staff and other members of younger demographics find themselves more appreciative of seniors and it can increase the personal connection

4. Art can lead to aging in place – art can give seniors a greater sense of independence and increase functioning, allowing them to remain in their homes for increased periods of time

5. Art as expression – all forms of art help seniors express themselves in some way and it helps them demonstrate and build their own sense of identity and independence

Image: kansassampler.org

Via: Arts and Aging

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.

Many Rhode Island seniors find themselves driving to their vacation homes or to visit family because they just don’t feel comfortable about putting their cat or dog on a plane, especially if they’re forced to ride in the cargo hold due to size or restrictions. Now, there’s an easy way to travel with your favorite furry friend, without having to deal with the stress of driving. Pet Airways is a new airline that provides travel options just for pets. They have a few destinations in the US and have plans to expand their flights to accommodate all major cities in the US and Canada. So seniors, next time you’re traveling, look to pet airways to provide the following services, so you know your friend is in good hands:

• Pets ride in a climate controlled airplane, where they are regularly checked by staff for comfort and safety

• Pets on Pet Airways are not accepted if they have been given a sedative, something that is commonly required for pets riding on traditional airlines f they are nervous or excitable

• Unlike on other airlines, pets have the opportunity for potty breaks. They are brought out right before the flight and as soon as they land, and on long flights there are stop-overs  so pets can relieve themselves

• Larger dogs have the option to travel without having to be placed in the cargo hold like they are luggage, which is not climate controlled and there’s no way to know how safe the animal is

Via: AARP

Image: ehow.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.

Some cities are more stressful to live in than others, and while sometimes that can be a worthwhile compromise during the career years, retirement should be about relaxation and appreciating life. Look at the following elements when choosing a place to retire to determine if your elder years can remain as stress-free as possible:

1. Population and crowding – consider the population density in the area is the more likely it becomes that there can be crime, petty problems between neighbors, and other factors that can influence your overall quality of life. If you’re looking for a quieter retreat where you can relax in privacy, avoid cities like Chicago (ranked the most stressful place to live) where crowding is high.

2. Employment – even in retirement, the level of unemployment in your area can affect your quality of life. You don’t need to be in the workforce for it to have an impact! Unemployment rates attest to the overall state of the economy.

3. Air quality and weather – the air quality can affect your overall health, which greatly impacts your quality of life, as well as your finances. Also choose a climate that brings you the most enjoyment.

4. Home values – with rising interest costs and decreasing home values, it can be a worry that you might lose your home in older adulthood or find it unaffordable. Low home values can also mean little equity when it comes time to sell. Choose a place to live where home values seem to be higher and holding strong.

Via: Yahoo! Real Estate

Image: gotoretirement.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.

Bringing multiple generations of family members together can be a challenge, when the members of different demographics feel like they just don’t have enough in common with one another. What we all need to remember, is that family should come first, and that means finding intergenerational activities that everyone can appreciate.

1. Take a field trip – take your senior care recipient out on a day trip, and even invite other caregivers and their seniors to come along. Travel to a museum, go see a movie, or visit a nice park. Keep the whole day to 6 hours or less, so it’s not sure long that the seniors still enjoy themselves. A nice day like this can help seniors and their caregivers bond.

2. Throw an intergenerational party – get all generations of family together for a nice meal and a casual day of games that everyone can enjoy. Serve foods that are good for even the pickiest eaters

3. Document family history – when all generations are together, use a tape recorder or create a scrapbook of family history. Let the older generations lead and have the rest of the family add on

4. Get creative – art is a great way to bridge the generational gap. Purchase some simple supplies and create a mural, or do a group craft together suitable for all ages

5. Garden – setting up a garden and getting all the family involved, creates a bonding experience which can be enjoyed over family meals when the fresh garden produce is cooked and consumed!

Via: Suite101

Image: dailymail.co.uk

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.

Getting older no longer looks how it used to, and as the boomer generation approaches their senior years, we’ll need to adjust our perceptions on aging today even more. These changes come with both positive and negative aspects for the generations nearing older adulthood today, and for those of the future. Here’s how aging today has changed from the structure we knew from watching generations past:

1. Seniors today are living longer – with the standard retirement age set at 65, seniors are spending more and more time in retirement than generations past. The seniors of today and those of the future will have to reconsider how they will survive financially, since social security might expire before they do

2. Changing career structure – while this might not apply today, it’s a shift we’ll certainly see in the future as living longer in retirement will come with increased financial burden. Instead of retiring at 65, we might just see seniors living into their 100s working into their 70s, 80s and 90s out of obligation

3. 60 as the new 40 – today’s seniors are more active than ever, and at 60 show few signs of slowing down, and to think, not so long ago we looked at 40 as “old”!

4. Embracing life – today’s seniors are adventurous and have a zest for life, but society still fits these seniors into stereotypes, thinking that 70 year old grandmother’s should be in their rockers with their knitting, not going out skydiving or hiking

Via: About.com

Image:medical.philips.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.

Q – I’ve heard the expression “old and senile”, do all seniors really experience a mental decline?

A – Seniors can experience cognitive changes as they age, but according to Dr. Gene Cohen, older adulthood isn’t all about decline of the mind, it’s actually a time for growth and development according to these 4 stages:

1. The Midlife Re-evaluation Stage – this stage is about exploration and transition. At this period in your life, start thinking about what you’ll want from your retirement. This is a good time to start dreaming about the future!

2. The Liberation stage – at the beginning of your retirement, once you enter this stage, let go of your inhibitions and start exploring and creating. This is a great time to take on new hobbies, envision what you want for yourself and your life during you retirement, and to make it happen!

3. The Summing up Stage – this stage occurs in the 60s, 70s and 80s and are about reflection and resolution, which is so important at a time when seniors need to accept the changes the aging process brings, and overcome it to ensure that they are successful and happy through the remainder of their lives. It’s also a great time to find new activities that help you to cope, so you have an outlet for the emotional trials you’re dealing with

4. The Encore Stage – it’s not the end, but a new beginning; the perfect time to cope and prepare for what might be ahead and be grateful for what you have

Via: Examiner

Image: guardian.co.uk

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.

We’d all like to age gracefully, accepting the process of aging while still having the ability to hang onto some aspects of youth, like health. With these 5 tips, your body and mind will reward you for treating it right and you’ll be well on your way:

1. Pick heart healthy foods – choose foods with strong anti-inflammatory affects that can help improve the health of your heart like fruits and vegetables, garlic, olive oil and fish. Steer clear of foods that can block the arteries like fried items or ones drenched in saturated fats

2. Drink water regularly – stay hydrated, it will help you to keep your energy level up, and help with the digestive process. Water can also help fend off hunger and prevent bad breath

3. Don’t forget your vagus – the vagus is a nerve that updates your brain about what’s happening with the rest of your body. A vagus that’s not kept healthy can result in issues with immunity and that can lead to viruses and illnesses. Try meditation, yoga and deep breathing exercises to keep the vagus healthy!

4. Take Asprin – one terrific thing you can do for your health barely takes any effort at all. Pop an Asprin daily with half a glass of warm water and help lower inflammation throughout the body and prevent colon cancer, esophageal cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, and breast cancer.

5. Use mind maps – it’s easy to become overwhelmed and stressed out when you have a goal in front of you. Instead of making a limited To Do List, use a mind map. Put your goal in the middle of a  piece of paper and draw lines branching out from it with other ideas about how you can reach that goal. This method allows you to be more open-minded

Via: Real Age

Image: jupiterimages.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.

It might seem impossible to get the recommended number of fruits and vegetables into your diet everyday, but you’re already aware of the benefits that they have, especially in older adulthood that go far beyond nutrition, so you know just how crucial it is. Here are some tips for ensuring you get at least the recommended number of fruits and vegetables everyday.

1. Visit a Rhode Island farmer’s market – instead of visiting the grocery store, check out a local farmer’s market where all of the in season fruits and vegetables will be available often at a more budget-friendly price. Plus, seeing the produce in a different environment might inspire you to try something new.

2. Mix color – try to ensure that you incorporate fruits and vegetables from every color group into your meals everyday to get the ultimate nutritional and health benefits.

3. Get creative with cooking – if there are vegetables that you don’t enjoy as much because of the textures or tastes, try blending them into a soup or stew so you don’t miss out on the nutritional benefits.

4. Try smoothies or juice – in order to increase the number of servings of fruits and vegetables you get in a day, blend them into smoothies or juices.

5. Buy frozen – frozen fruits and vegetables still offer the same nutritional benefits. Frozen berries are versatile; blend them into a smoothie, or thaw them in the morning to add to your cereal or oatmeal.

6. Add fruit – breakfast is the perfect meal to add some fruit. Add bananas or strawberries to your cereal, or instead of plain pancakes, add the fruit too!

7. Maintain good habits when eating out – when you’re eating out, make sure you get at least one serving of fruits or vegetables.

8. Be open to salad – you don’t need to stick to traditional salad ingredients. Start with deep green lettuce and add any vegetables you have on hand that seem appealing. The more colorful, the better! Add  bell peppers, tomatoes, beets, or avocado. Drizzle your salad with lemon instead of fatty dressings for a vitamin C boost.

9. Go with stir fry – stir fry recipes are a great way to incorporate a wide variety of vegetables into a meal. Start with a bed of rice, flavor with garlic or ginger, and then include a vegetable from every color group.

10. Analyze your meal – when you sit down with a meal that has a wide variety of vegetables, notice if you favor one color group over another, and make a point to add more of the others to your next shopping list.

Via: Body and Health

Image: gourmetfoodappetizers.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 a number of myths that surround the Swine Flu (H1N1 virus) that make the illness even more frightening for Rhode Island seniors and their families. Here are some of the Swine Flu myths explained so you have an increased understanding of what this illness is and how it can be treated:

1. Since the H1N1 virus derives in pigs, it can come from pork – Swine Flu cannot be transmitted from eating pork, although it does often occur in those who are in contact with infected living livestock. The current outbreak, however, is coming primarily from human-to-human transmission

2. Symptoms of Swine Flu different from the seasonal flu – the symptoms of Swine Flu are very similar to the seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue

3. There is no effective treatment for Swine Flu – Tamiflu and Relenza are medications that have been used to effectively treat H1N1

4. There aren’t enough flu drugs to treat the pandemic – the federal government has in fact stockpiled enough flu drugs to treat 50 million Americans with Swine Flu, and some states actually have additional stock

5. The 1970’s Swine Flu shot offers protection today – as diseases adapt and change, it becomes more unlikely that a previous vaccination will offer prevention for the H1N1 virus of today

6. Flu drugs can prevent the Swine Flu – it’s not recommended that the flu drugs used to treat the swine flu are taken for prevention. There is however, a vaccine under development

7. Seniors are most at risk – healthy seniors actually are not believed to be the demographic most at risk for the Swine Flu. The vaccine that will be available will first be offered to individuals aged 25 to 65 as they are most at risk

8. The spread of Swine Flu can’t be stopped – it’s not yet known how contagious Swine Flu is, however, like any illness, the spread of it can be prevented through frequent hand washing, covering mouths when coughing and disinfecting surfaces that might carry germs

Via: Loyola Medicine

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If you could find out today how long you will live into older adulthood, based on the course of nature, would you want to know? There is no scientifically accurate way to make these predictions today, but there is a quiz that can estimate how long you’ll live based on your current lifestyle, genetic factors and your overall health today.

Everyone hopes for a long, healthy and happy life, but is there such thing as living for too long? After taking the test, a couple of us from Carebuzz believe that in fact, there’s such thing as too long. Our results showed that not only would we live to 100, we’d live past that huge milestone age, and we’re not so sure we want to. It might come from personal experience, having seen loved ones struggle through their 80’s and 90’s; and while we definitely want good health during our senior years, we’d rather it doesn’t result in living quite so long. We haven’t quite settled on the age we would like to make it to, but we’re sure that 100 and beyond isn’t it.

If you took the quiz, tell us how long it predicts that you’re going to live and how you feel about that number. Do you think there’s such a thing as living too long into older adulthood?

Living to 100 Life Expectancy Calculator

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