As we age, we begin to have different reactions to the foods we eat. Indigestion is one of the most common conditions seniors suffer with. While eating certain foods can trigger indigestion, there are some ways seniors can continue to enjoy these foods without the discomfort caused by indigestion. The following list contains some great home remedies that can help.
1. After each meal, drink a half glass of pineapple juice.
2. When indigestion strikes, combine two tablespoons of honey with a tablespoon of lemon juice. Add this mixture to a glass of warm water. This is one of the best home remedies for indigestion.
3. Eating oranges will reduce indigestion. The orange will allow the digestive organs to rest and will also provide the body with vitamins and nutrients.
4. Grapes and grape juice have been known to cure indigestion.
5. Lemon juice will fight bacteria that can cause indigestion. Adding some lemon juice to a cup of water and drinking it before eating will help reduce the chances of suffering from indigestion.
6. Using an ice bag on the stomach for 30 minutes after each meal offers relief from indigestion.
7. Some seniors will find relief from making a drink with either cumin seeds, coriander leaves or ginger.
8. Eating ½ tablespoon of aniseeds effectively enhances digestion.
When a patient residing in a nursing home has been diagnosed with dementia, chances are that patient will often spend time in the hospital. Most nursing homes will transport a patient to the hospital instead of providing treatment at the nursing home. There are different reasons for this, one being the nursing home ends up getting more money when the patient returns for care.
1. A recent study conducted on 300 patients with dementia in Boston shows that 30% of total expenditures were spent on hospital stays.
2. Skilled nursing accounts for an additional 10%.
3. It is believed that more than 75% of all hospitalizations of dementia patients can be avoided. They could actually be treated in the nursing home where they are currently located instead of being transported to an unfamiliar environment.
4. Dementia patients are often sent to the hospital when they develop respiratory infections, especially pneumonia, which is actually a recurring and common problem in patients with progressed dementia.
5. It is believed that the reason for the high number of hospitalizations is due to cost shifting by the nursing home. When a patient returns from a hospital stay, their next 100 days in the nursing home will be covered by Medicare at a higher rate than Medicaid payments have been paying.
6. The billions of dollars that could be saved by reducing the number of hospitalizations could be better spent improving nursing home care.
Most seniors will be told by their doctor to make sure they are getting enough exercise on a regular basis. Exercise can provide many benefits. In addition to controlling weight, exercise will increase flexibility and can provide a cardio workout that will keep the heart healthy. Below, seniors will find some tips that will help them learn the benefits of exercise that promotes flexibility and cardio health.
1. To help with flexibility, individuals over the age of 50 will benefit from yoga and Pilates classes. These exercises can be easily modified. Seniors who have arthritis will benefit from these forms of exercise because they help to loosen the tendons and increase elasticity in the muscles.
2. After every workout, it is important to spend some time stretching. This will reopen joints and is a very important part of any exercise regime.
3. Stretching provides the most benefit when it is done when the muscles are still warm. A 10 minute stretching session following exercise is recommended.
4. Since heart disease affects many older individuals, it is important to have a cardio workout in an exercise regime.
5. To avoid impact on the joints, riding a bike is a great way to get a full cardio workout.
6. Many seniors still enjoy a night out dancing. Not only will this be a great way to spend the evening, but this activity is also considered a cardio exercise.
7. Swimming is also a great way to stay fit. This will strengthen muscles and provide a cardio workout.
Having good overall health is the goal for many seniors. Unfortunately, many seniors do not take steps to achieve this. By being healthy, seniors can avoid a lot of health related issues that often occur as we age. The tips below can help seniors maintain and even improve their current health.
1. Always make sure to get enough sleep. The body needs this time to recover from the events of the day. Getting enough sleep will not only help improve physical health but it will also promote mental health and cognitive functioning. Seniors who nap during the day must make sure they are still getting a full night of sleep.
2. Stay active and engage in physical activity. Regular exercise will help keep the body healthy and can also help seniors recover quicker after an illness.
3. Have a healthy and nutritious diet. This is very important. Many seniors do not eat the right foods and do not get the nutrients their body needs.
4. Have a positive social circle. Having a healthy social life has many benefits for seniors. It will help with emotional and physical health.
5. Make sure to see a doctor on a regular basis. Some seniors will only go to the doctor when they become ill. By having regular appointments, health problems can be detected in advance and seniors will be able to avoid problems in the future.
6. Find ways to deal with stress. Daily life is full of surprises and it is common for seniors to experience high levels of stress. This can have a negative effect, causing anxiety and loss of sleep. Stress is a factor in many diseases as well, so finding ways to reduce stress is essential.
With so many advances being made in the field of medicine, life expectancies have also increased. It is estimated that many people who are already in their 50s and 60s will reach the age of 100. Unfortunately, this is something many people do not plan for in regards to finances. Below is some information pertaining to this important issue.
5. With extended life expectancies, many seniors are working well past the age of retirement in hopes of being able to save up money to enjoy later in life, especially if they reach the age of 100.
6. While some seniors have the desire to work, it can be difficult. Not many companies will hire older adults. Some companies will not allow employees to work past the age of 65. This has raised some serious discrimination issues.
7. For people who are in their 50s, it may be very difficult to save enough money by the time they reach the age of retirement to ensure income that will last until they are 100 years old.
8. Reaching 100 should be a cause for celebration, and for many people it will be. However, there will still be many financial concerns for the future.
Many seniors have a hard time understanding technology. Instead of getting frustrated, it will be rewarding to spend some time with older adults and give them some lessons in technology. There are many little things that can be taught that will make things easier for seniors. The following list offers some great suggestions on how adults can teach seniors a few things about technology.
1. Most seniors have a computer in the home but only use it to send emails. There are even some seniors who are not online. Setting up an email account is a great way to enable seniors to stay in touch with friends and family members. For those who already have email, show them some of the other things they can do online, such as looking up important medical information.
2. Most seniors have cell phones, but they do not know how to enter contact information. Take some time to set up their phone book and show them how to navigate through the menu on their phone.
3. Programming remotes may seem like a simple task for most people, but seniors often have trouble with this. Instead of programming it for them, walk through the steps and teach them how to do it. The smile and glimmer in their eyes when they finally “get it” will be very rewarding!
Using various applications on a Smartphone can help caretakers perform their jobs more effectively. By using some of the newest apps, caregivers will reduce levels of stress, especially when it comes to organizing information. These apps can easily be downloaded to a Smartphone and used by caregivers and seniors. Below is a list of five new apps that have become very useful tools.
1. Tell My Geo is a personal-health-record app that will allow healthcare providers to access medical history through a Smartphone. The app also has a GPS locater. It is available from Android for $9.95 per month. This is a great app for seniors in the early stages of Alzheimer’s.
2. Personal Caregiver is from iPhone at no charge. This app helps seniors and caregivers keep track of medications. Since many seniors take multiple medications at different times during the day, this app can be very helpful.
3. Pain Care is also a free app that has won numerous awards. This app helps seniors communicate their level of pain. This is a great app for seniors who cannot speak because of a certain medical condition.
4. iBioMed is an app that contains a treatment log book for therapies, diets, medications, test results and allergies. It is a portable medical record that has a time-stamped journal.
5. Public Speech is a free app that can help caregivers record the reminiscences of a senior who may not be with us for much longer. This app makes for a great activity that will engage seniors and allow them to record memories and their life stories.
Seniors should never underestimate the power of a healthy mind. By having a positive mind set and health mental activities on a daily basis, seniors can improve their mental health which could help prevent physical health problems later in life. Below are some tips on how seniors can improve their mental fitness and reap the many benefits of a healthy mind.
1. Stress is a common mental issue that many seniors experience. High levels of stress can lead to depression and anxiety. To help reduce stress seniors should have someone they can talk to. Physical activity, such as walking can also help to reduce stress.
2. Seniors should protect themselves from falls as much as possible. Injuries to the head can affect the health of the brain. By avoiding falls, seniors can maintain mental fitness.
3. Staying socially active is one way for seniors to stay mentally fit. Social interaction will force seniors to use their mind. Having social outlets is also a great way to reduce stress. By taking care of the mind, seniors will be improving their overall health and reducing the chances of suffering from future medical problems.
4. Mental fitness can improve health for many seniors. When the mind is healthy, the body has a lower chance of problems. Seniors with good mental health have lower rates of stroke and heart attack.
Most seniors are very concerned about their physical health. However, many do not realize the importance of mental health. By having a healthy mind, seniors will avoid many health problems in the future, including heart attack and stroke. There are many things that can be done to improve mind health and many benefits that seniors can gain by taking action and keeping their mind healthy.
1. Physical activity is very important for seniors. Not only will it help maintain the strength of bones and muscles, but it will help with mental health as well. In addition, keeping blood pressure and cholesterol levels low will also be beneficial.
2. Exercise can be very beneficial. It will decrease heart rates, lower blood pressure, improve energy and can even help to prevent the onset and progression of dementia.
3. Activities that stimulate the mind are suggested. Seniors should try to read, do crossword puzzles and engage in other activities that force them to use their minds on a regular basis.
4. Having low blood pressure will reduce the chances of a stroke. Strokes are linked to dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. High blood pressure will cause damage to blood vessels which can later create many health problems. To help maintain and lower blood pressure, seniors should watch their weight, avoid smoking and exercise regularly.
Everyone feels stress on occasion, but learning to cope with it using effective strategies is necessary to get over the hurdles. Here are some tried and true techniques, recommended by family caregivers on how they reduce their own stress and that experienced by their elderly care recipients in Rhode Island.
“I don’t allow myself to ever get overwhelmed by stress. When I encounter a situation that causes anxiety, I take a step back, and use deep breathing techniques learned from practicing yoga. While it’s not always possible to walk away from a stressful situation, especially when caring for an elderly loved one, by practicing this method of stress management, I find things don’t affect me as much”
- Marilyn, 58
“I find that my elderly mother is often plagued by anxiety, and with so much change and uncertainty in her life, I can’t blame her. I find the best cure for stress to help make sure my mother doesn’t become too overwhelmed is to keep her engaged in social activities. By connecting with friends and family, she staves off loneliness and has more positive feelings about stressful situations.”
- Sandra, 45
“When I started practicing yoga in Rhode Island when I reached middle age, I was initially reluctant because I no longer had the flexibility I had in my 20’s. After realizing just how beneficial the relaxation techniques and physical activity was for my stress level, I encouraged my elderly mother to give a senior yoga class a try. She had concerns about her level of physical fitness, just as I had; but with modified poses and supportive apparatuses to help with the exercise, she’s experiencing the benefits too!”
Home Instead Senior Care in Rhode Island provides non medical home care services for seniorsand 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.
