Many seniors are turning to alternative health and wellness therapies in addition to conventional medicine. While doctor’s visits and prescriptions may be imperative to maintaining healthy, complementary practices are becoming popular among seniors as a way to nurture the mind and body. For some, these complementary therapies can be spiritual, for others they are a way to ease anxiety, depression, and symptoms of pain or discomfort. There are several practices that have emerged, and even some that have been around for ages. Read on. [Read more…]
Ways to Stay Connected to Your Loved One in an Assisted Living Community
As much as we want to be, we can’t always be with our loved one in an assisted living home or long-term care facility. Busy lives, distance, and other factors often prevent families from being able to spend time together, which is why it’s important to have ways to stay in touch and check in with one another. Here are some simple ways to show that you are thinking about your loved one:
Family Meetings – If you’re lucky to live close enough to your loved one, a weekly family meeting is a great way to check in and spend time together. Many care facilities have areas for activities like board games, recreational areas where you can play shuffleboard, or even outdoor swimming pools. A fun family gathering can brighten anyone’s day. [Read more…]
Tips to Help Seniors During a Flood
As a senior citizen or family member of a loved one, planning for inclement weather such as a flood is important. The elderly are more likely to live alone, have physical immobility, or have special needs, which makes them more vulnerable than younger people when there is a flood. Therefore establishing an emergency plan ahead of time will allow your loved one to know exactly what to do if disaster strikes. Here are some tips on how to prepare for a flood:
- Have a family communication plan: Often times during a flood, the electricity may go out or phone lines may be compromised. Therefore it can be tough to get in touch with family to let them know that you are okay or if you need help. [Read more…]
Tips on Easing Sundowner Syndrome
Sundowner Syndrome, also known as “late-day confusion,” is a symptom of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. As the name presumes, those with Sundowner Syndrome experience symptoms in the late afternoon and evening, as opposed to earlier in the day.
Signs of Sundowning include behaviors such as confusion, aggression, anxiety, pacing, and wandering. While the specific cause is unknown, factors that trigger Sundowner Syndrome include low lighting, fatigue, increased shadows, infections, and difficulty separating dreams from reality. [Read more…]
Common Ways Seniors Are Targeted Online
Despite what you may think, iPads, social media, and online shopping aren’t just for younger generations. According to a Pew Research Study, 68% of Americans in their early 70s go online.
With more time to spend and ample downtime, research shows that seniors are using devices for activities like keeping in touch with friends and family through email and social media; browsing the internet; and downloading apps to play games and read books.
While they’re are seeing great benefit from being online, the elderly are one of the most targeted demographics for scammers and thieves. Poor judgement and lack of education leaves seniors more susceptible to being lured into fraud, identity theft, and online predators. Common ways seniors are targeted online include: [Read more…]